I have been so blessed by Kay Arthur's inductive studies. Next week will be the last in our 12 week study of Colossians.  I have been blessed by this indepth study.  The studies are all inclusive.  They include time for prayer, Scripture memory, word studies, cross-referencing, and key word study.  I never realized how helpful it can be to mark the chapters (we are given an extra copy of the chapters) for key words.  I am noticing so much more in my personal reading.  I am now asking the who, what, when, where, and how questions when I do my personal reading.  I am planning to do an inductive study on my own as well.  What Bible study has blessed you in your learning of the Word?

Are you a member of the Presidential Prayer team?  If you join, you will receive helpful updates on how specifically to pray for the President, the military and other leaders.  I really don't keep up with the news as well as I should, so it is so helpful to receive these updates and know how to keep President Bush in prayer. 

Lord, we lift up President Bush as he travels to New Mexico and Washington.  We ask for safety for him and all his advisors.  Give him wisdom as he speaks at the fundraisers.  Lord, we pray that you would be in charge of the finances.  You know what is needed and what is not.  We pray for your will with the fundraisers that the funds would go towards what is needful.  Lord, we thank you for all the fathers you have put in our lives.  We pray especially for fathers in the military who can't be home with their families right now.  We pray for safety for them and for your unconditional love as Heavenly Father to wrap around them.  We pray that you would teach us how to honor the godly men you have put in our lives.  We pray for those who have lost fathers.  Be with them and provide the comfort they need.  Thank you that you are the Perfect Father and we pray that you would help those who don't know you to find comfort in your arms.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.

I struggle with depression.  I was once on medication for it, but for the past 3 years have stopped using antidepressants.  I am not going to use this post to discuss the reasons for my deciding to stop using antidepressants. Pregnancy and especially nursing my daughter were easy times for me.  All of the "feel good" hormones rushing through my brain led to much fewer struggles in this area.  I stopped nursing rather quickly about a month ago and have been really struggling hormonally.  Sometimes I struggle with the fact that I can be doing everything right, but still feel depressed.  Why do I think of God as some sort of magic prescription?  Oh, I'll spend an hour in the Word today, listen to 2 hours of praise music, go to church every time the doors open.  I've been struggling this week and it hasn't helped that we had missed Sunday service because my daughter was sick and I felt spiritually discouraged after going to a retreat where I was not fed.  Well, the Lord really spoke a word to my heart at church last night.  We were reading Daniel 3.  The Pastor cross-referenced 2 Corinthians 2:7-10.  And so I share this Word with you.  His Grace is Sufficient, no matter what you are going through today. 

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me (note: Our pastor mentioned that buffeting is like punching in the face), lest I should be exalted above measure.  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.  Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches,  in necessities, in perescutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Lord, I thank you for the tests that you put in our lives.  May we be truly marked as faithful.  Give us strength to endure whatever it is, major or minor.  May we put on the whole armour of God to fight the enemy.  May we remember also to pray for others in their infirmities, weaknesses, trials, and distresses.  Thank you for the real men and women you give us examples of in the Word, who struggled in the flesh just as we do.  Thank you for the tests and trials you give us to teach us to lay down our pride, that you would be exalted and not us.  Thank you that your grace is sufficient, always, no matter what we are going through.  Thank you for your perfect strength and thank you that our weakness shows your perfect strength.  Teach us to truly glory in our weaknesses, that we would live in your power day to day.  Thank you for all the trials and tribulations you put into our lives that you may be glorified in all.  In Christ's Precious Name, Amen.

I found this idea for Ten on Tuesday at Grandma Rosie's Texas Home.  Great idea!

Name 5 good things you remember about your father:

1.  He always had time to listen to me.

2.  We used to have great discussions about news, religion, politics, anything and everything.  He taught me to know what I believe and why and to stand up for it.

3.  He taught me its OK to be different from the crowd.

4.  He always put our family first.

5.  He was always willing to make me a homemade omelet even at 2 a.m.

Name 5 things you notice and love about your husband that make him a great dad:

1.  He loves to cuddle our daughter.

2.  He regrets every minute away from family, he loves to be around us.  And we love having him here.

3.  He can make our daughter laugh for 10 minutes straight.

4.  He loves to play games with her, sometimes I spend too much focus on "teaching" skills.

5.  He loves to give her the things that make her happy (like M&Ms).

As the conference I attended quoted frequently from The Message version, I wanted more information.  Here is an interesting article from Berit Kjos ministries entitled "What Kind of Message is the Message?"  The quotes shocked me when I realized how many liberties this translation really does take. 

Over the weekend, I was able to attend a Women of Faith conference when it came to Rochester, NY.  I was excited about it and although I enjoyed the conference left disappointed.  There is just something about being fed in the Word that this event didn't provide.  Sure it was inspirational.  Lots of big name music artists including Kathy Troccoli, Sandy Patti, Avalon, and Natalie Grant.  All were fantastic.  Especially Sandy Patti and Avalon.  The worship team performed beautifully.  Patsy Clairmont was hilariously funny.  Sheila Walsh shared about what it means to be a princess.  Luci Swindoll and Marilyn Meberg were also enjoyable.  (Thelma Wells was suffering some effects of a surgery she had recently, so was not able to speak unfortunately).  Donna Van Liere did some wonderful dramatic sketches.  What was missing from the conference?  Conviction.  Sharing from the Word did not play a major part in the speaking.  Instead a few verses were shared from a Bible version which seemed a bit watered down.  There was a sort of altar call which involved filling out a form in a booklet full of advertisements given out at the beginning of the conference.  I did not hear the word repentance used to the best of my recollection.  I was also disappointing to see how much advertisement and hype was involved.  I would attend the conference again in the future, however I did not leave feeling fed.  I was disappointed that this was the case.  One thing the conference did provide was an enjoyable time with my mother. 

My daughter has been sick since Saturday night.  At first we thought it was teething as she will sometimes run a low-grade fever with that and she is cutting four molars (poor girl).  She has had a hacking mucousy cough that has kept her (and us, of course) up at night.  Today I took her to the doctors.  Although I knew it was probably just a cold, paranoid first-time mommy that I am I had to get everything checked out.  Yes, I was right.  Its just an upper respiratory infection.  Why do I feel so silly for bringing her in when the doctor says that?!  Anyhow, she is currently napping and I am just giving her extra fluids and putting the vaporizer on in her room.  Any suggestions for aiding that cough without using meds?  She is 14 months old. 

I am really missing the fellowship right now.  We missed church on Sunday night and today I had a mom's prayer group that I missed.  So I am trying to put on lots of praise music and have been working on a Kay Arthur study.

I was browsing blogs today and found the theme of Patriotic Fridays posted at Homeschool Nations-Military Homefront.  I think its a great idea and I want to try to participate in it.  To be honest, I haven't done too much to be patriotic lately, but I want to change that.  My husband grew up in an Air Force family and we have both family and friends in the military.  So I really feel I should be thinking about, praying for and supporting this country in more concrete ways and more often.  I did find a neat site with patriotic melodies.  It is put out by the Library of Congress.  Check it out: Patriotic Melodies. 

I neglected to mention my personal news.  My daughter took 2 halting steps with the same foot yesterday and today took 2 steps with separate feet!!  I'm so excited!  I can't believe how fast the time goes.  She is still very timid and halting with it, though. 

Here is a favorite I made again on Wednesday.  It tastes like restaurant fare, but is simple enough to prepare every day.  Its taken from Taste of Home magazine.

Shrimp Scampi

(Serves 4)

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 c. butter, cubed

1/4 c. olive oil

1 lb. uncooked medium shrimp

1/4 c. lemon juice

1/2 tsp. pepper

1/4 tsp. dried oregano

1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 c. Italian breadcrumbs

1/4 c. minced fresh parsley

hot cooked angel hair pasta

In a skillet saute garlic in butter and oil until tender.  Stir in the shrimp, lemon juice, pepper, and oregano; cook and stir for 2-3 minutes or until shrimp turn pink.  Sprinkle with Parmesan, breadcrumbs, and parsley.  Cook until topping is golden brown.  Serve over pasta. 

This is fabulous with a salad and garlic bread.  I make extra garlicky bread.  I use Garlic Tuscan Bread, then bake it in a 350 oven for 10 minutes with butter, fresh garlic, fresh oregano, and a bit of shredded Parmesan cheese.

Here is another favorite in my house.  This is perfect for days when we want comfort food and I don't have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen.

Hamburger Tot Casserole

(Serves 5-6)

1 can condensed mushroom soup

1 lb. ground beef

1 onion

1 c. sour cream

1 c. cheddar cheese

8 oz. frozen peas

1 package tater tots

Brown ground beef with 1 small chopped onion.  Mix with mushroom soup and frozen peas.  Place mixture in a coated casserole dish.  Top with tater tots.  Use a spoon to spread sour cream along the top.  Sprinkle cheese on top.  Place in a 350 oven for 35-40 minutes.

Nacho Chicken Casserole

(Serves 4)

This is a favorite recipe in my house.  Its modified from a recipe from Cooking for Two magazine.

2 c. cubed chicken

1 c. crushed Doritos

1 can condensed cream of chicken soup

1/2 c. sour cream

2 tbsp. milk

1/2 can of green chilies

1/2 c. mozzarella, shredded

1/2 c. sharp cheddar, shredded

Combine all ingredients but the cheese.  Stir in half of the cheese mixture.  Coat a casserole dish with nonstick spray.  Pour mixture in.  Sprinkle with remaining cheese.  Bake uncovered at 350 for 25-30 minutes.

Hello, everyone.  Welcome to my corner on the web.  I am a stay-at-home mom from upstate NY.  I have been married to my college sweetheart since 2000 and we have one daughter born in April 2005.  I am not technically a homeschooler.  However, along with my husband I have taught my daughter how to take her first step, how to say many words, how to stack blocks, how to play with puzzles, how to splash in the bathtub, how to eat with a spoon (has not mastered this skill yet, her clothing shows), how to pet the cat, and how to play head/shoulders/knees/toes, and many more things.  I do plan on homeschooling when she reaches school age for both religious and academic reasons.

    I came to know the Lord in high school at a time when I was suffering from depression.  After high school I attended a small Christian college.  The first year of college, I met my husband-to-be and we married 2 weeks after my graduation.  We attend a Calvary Chapel fellowship in the Rochester area. 

     God is drawing me closer to Him and showing me how to better minister to my family and be a keeper at home.  However, I have so much to learn in so many areas.  Thank goodness God is a patient and loving teacher.  Patience is a virtue I have yet to achieve.  Aside from spending time with my family, I really enjoy Bible studies, listening to music, playing online games with my husband, cooking, scrapbooking (Though I have not done a page since my daughter was born.  I have a hard time getting all the supplies out and then put away during her nap.) and reading.  I am involved in a few email lists related to books.  I also really enjoy reading blogs, and those on homeschool blogger are some of my favorites because they give me great ideas to use in my home and parenting.  Anyway, I have rambled enough about myself.  I hope for this blog to be an open forum, so please feel free to post your opinions.  I will moderate based on appropriateness, since this is a Christian-based blog.  God's richest blessings on your family.