The Narrow Way is moving to here.  See you there.

One fine winter’s day when Piglet was brushing away the snow in front of his house, he happened to look up, and there was Winnie-the-Pooh.  Pooh was walking round and round in a circle, thinking of something else, and when Piglet called to him, he just went on walking. 

“Hallo!” said Piglet, “what are you doing?”

“Hunting,” said Pooh.

“Hunting what?”

“Tracking something,” said Winnie-the-Pooh very mysteriously.

“Tracking what?” said Piglet, coming closer.

“That’s just what I ask myself.  I ask myself,  What?”

“What do you think you’ll answer?”

“I shall have to wait until I catch up with it,” said Winnie-the-Pooh. 

    -from Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne

Does she really believe what she is saying? Do people really believe that they won't have to pay their mortgages? (Man, that would be great! I hate my mortgage.) I wonder what kind of car she will be driving? Maybe she thinks he is going to give her an electric car for her birthday. HA!

I sure wouldn't want to be Obama (if he gets elected) when these folks realize the truth. 

In honor of Reformation Day I changed the look of my blog. (I still have a few things to “hammer” out.) Isn’t Cutest Blog on the Block just the cutest!

Determining to “walk in love” with our children also frees us from the fear that they may someday fail in life.  And they will fail, no matter how perfect we are, because they are human.  And we will fail, too, because we are fallen.  God does not ask us to be in perfect control of our children and their lives.  He only asks us to emulate His model of daily, lived love for His own disciples.

–from The Mom Walk by Sally Clarkson

Here are two yummy easy to make recipes for popovers (good as a breakfast, with dinner or as a snack at tea time).

Basic Popovers

½ cup all purpose flour (if using wheat flour - use half white flour and half whole wheat flour or whole wheat pastry flour)

½ cup milk

1 Tbs. sugar

2 tsp. melted butter

1 large egg

1.  Generously brush a 6 cup, nonstick muffin pan with melted butter.

2.  Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl (or if you want to have some fun combine the ingredients in a large jar and let the kids shake it).  Mix (or shake) until well blended (the batter will be lumpy).

3.  Pour batter into muffin pan and place into a cold oven on the middle shelf.

4.  Heat oven to 450 and bake for 15 min. Reduce heat to 350 and bake 17 min. more. Do not open the door during baking or the popovers will fall.

They can be garnished with sliced strawberries or other fruit and eaten with butter or a dusting of powdered sugar.

Popover Pancake

½ cup flour

½ cup milk

2 eggs

¼ cup butter

2 tsp. powdered sugar

In a mixing bowl beat together flour, milk and eggs until slightly lumpy.  Meanwhile melt ¼ cup of butter in a 9” x 9” pan. When the butter is melted carefully (butter will be very hot) swirl the butter around the pan so that the sides of the pan are greased then pour the batter on top. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until very puffy (should puff up a lot) and golden brown in color. Serve with a sprinkling of powdered sugar.

Note:  I’ve tried making both of these recipes with whole wheat flour. Unfortunately, whole wheat flour tends to be too heavy for either recipe. I think spelt flour might work but I haven’t tried it. My suggestion is to use half white flour and half wheat or possibly whole wheat pastry flour which is slightly lighter in texture. Be aware that the popovers may still be a little thicker/heavier than normal and not puff as much as they should. Both recipes should puff considerably.

Tough words from Mark Driscoll. (Hat tip to Generation Cedar. Don't forget to scroll down and turn off the music first.)

My life verse (and the verse Surgeon based this lesson upon) is Romans 12:2. I chose this verse many years ago when I first became a Christian and I have tried to live it out ever since. Here is what it says,

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Rom. 12:2, ESV).”

I’ve often clung to the first half of the verse. I love it. Do not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…

So I read my Bible and trust…His word does not return void.

This morning as I read the text by Spurgeon I (once again) asked myself this question – the question Spurgeon poses – am I a marked and distinct Christian? Do people know what I am and Who I follow quickly after meeting me?

As I thought about this I thought – there are things that people notice about me right away:

1.  I have 5 children (who are almost always with me and if you know me you probably think “she is pregnant all the time” which you either think is crazy or wonderful depending on what you believe about children).

2.  I often dress very feminine – although I do wear my hair short (relatively – which might skew your opinion of me) and I do at times wear pants and jeans although never tight (I’m not legalistic about not wearing them).

3.  I tend to smile and laugh a lot when I’m talking to people – not because I find them funny (although sometimes), but because I enjoy smiling and laughing and I tend to think that if I’m smiling and laughing it is easier for people to see Christ in me and be drawn to Him. Plus it is a natural part of me now…it just happens.

4.  I’m in church nearly every Sunday – only missing because of sick children or being on vacation.

5.  I wear my babies in a sling.

6.  I am a keeper at home and I stay home a lot.

7.  I’m quiet, but I do try to make an effort to reach out and talk to people.

Hmmmm…what else…not all of these are things you would know/notice right away…I’m thinking visible things that people would immediately notice about me beyond how I look physically…I don’t know that I talk differently, but I do at times say things like “praise the Lord” or “Amen” or “what a blessing”. But, I am conscious of who I’m talking to so I’m not sure I do this with everyone.

Sigh. It seems there should be more outward signs…

Yesterday in the mail we received cookie cutters and a pumpkin carving kit from my mom. Sigh. The cookie cutters were in the shapes of ghosts and witches and brooms, one even said BOO. From Crate and Barrel no less – Sigh. I guess the outward signs are not enough because she doesn’t even realize that we don’t celebrate Halloween. We haven’t for over 10 years. Sigh. Granted she lives in another state and has never been with us on the 31^st, but, still… surely I’ve told her over the years…the kids were asking, “What are we going to do with this stuff?” I didn’t know how to answer. I hate that she probably spent $25-$30 on the stuff and I’m never going to use it…but I won’t. The question is will I keep it?

This year I’ve joined two home school groups. While visiting one for the first time I was talking to Mark on the phone and he asked me if the group was “Amish or Worldly” which is kind of our joke.  (If you don’t understand this, ask me and I’ll explain it.) I had to answer worldly.  No Amish in sight. Well, maybe one. Oddly enough I found myself wishing there were a few more Amish looking people. I tend more and more in that direction though I am not Amish by any means.  I find myself wanting to see and feel some outward Christian distinction in people.

None of the outward signs I listed above make me a Christian or tell others that I am one. And yet, there have been people that I’ve known right away to be believers – why?  Not necessarily because of their dress, but because of something in their countenance. (This is what I want.) A shining, a light, a joy…

(Please Note - In the passage above Spurgeon is primarily talking about Christians compromising their faith – not about the way we dress – I’ve taken you in a different direction along with my own thoughts this morning – but if you are conforming to the world by following in the sins of the world – which I don’t think I need to list - please take Spurgeon’s advice and turn away from them…if you are a Christian, be a Christian, and be a marked and distinct one.)

2.  Two every day skirts – suitable for everyday life and good for sitting on the floor with a toddler, going to the grocery, or having lunch at a café. I want one in denim and one in khaki. Loose and flowing, but still hip -  mid-calf in length, not too full, but not snug to my legs (I like to be able to move around).  They need to have drawstrings or another way to tighten or loosen the waist so as to fit my changing stages of life. (Right now I’ve lost all my pregnancy weight and can’t fit anything.)  Another really cool benefit would be to have matching “shorts” made out of cotton or other material which can be worn underneath – for those times I am sitting on the floor, etc. (Size 2-4 petite)

3.  A sweet, good natured Christian girl (that is not easily frazzled) to baby sit my children as needed – preferably between the age of 18-29. That comes from a large, homeschool family and knows how to care for multiple children of multiple ages including infants and understands that part of watching children is making sure they clean up after themselves (i.e. I don’t want to come home to a house that looks like a tornado blew through). Should also be able to cook.

4.  A large country house – that sits on 1-5 acres of land in rolling countryside. Would be made of Wood and stone, although brick and stone or all stone would be acceptable. Would have an aluminum/metal roof, at least six bedrooms and an open floor plan.  Two large stone fireplaces – one in the kitchen.  The kitchen would also have an island. It would also need to have a room that could be used as a schoolroom with lots of bookshelves and multiple built in desks. Two living areas, a breakfast room, a dining room and a porch on the back. Large master bedroom and at least 3 ½ bathrooms.  A separate bunkhouse would be nice as well. Needs to be picturesque and free.

And one more thing…I can’t believe I forgot this one (I forgot this in my original post) as this has been on my “to get as soon as I can” list for a long time – and especially now since we have outgrown our current tables.

5.  A large table (possibly two large tables – one round, one rectangular) that seats 10-12 people with or without one side bench. With two leaves so that it breaks down to a smaller size when not in use. All wood. Preferably dark in color, but not black. Walnut. Under $1000.