Happy Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year begins the sundown Sep,28.
Rosh Hashanah is the first of 10 days set aside for reflection in the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur.
During these days, we are called to seek the forgiveness of people we have wronged during the past year.
Various symbolic foods - such as dates, apples, honey, pomegranates, pumpkin, leeks, beets - are traditionally eaten on the holiday.

I don't like to get to a debate, many Christians look at it as a Jewish holiday only, but if we read the whole bible by the help of the holy spirit. It is a thread to a new testament.

I will making simple aple sauce, beet salad and may be a honey cake. The honey cake which I end up eating most of it, because my kids aren't crazy.

Wisdom

"Don't expect wisdom to come in to your life like great chunks of rock on a convey belt. Wisdom comes privately from God as a by product of right decisions, godly reactions and the applications of spiritual principles to daily circumstance."  Charles Swndoll..

I love how God calls us son's and daughter's. If you knew your father is the king, you will act like a prince or a princess. I would love to feel princess always, but it is not easy, even reading the word over and over. I do believe, If we continue to seek him, He will reveal himself to us. The fear of the lord is the beggining of wisdom.


"Proverbs 5,
1.My son, pay attention to my wisdom,
 turn your ear to my words of insight,
2.that you may maintain discretion
and your lips may preserve knowledge.

Cooking with my daughter

Emily is mixing Coleslaw, and grilling the burgers. Making the dough for the rolls. Setting up the table. She was so excited! She made the desert and the drink(float) without my help or supervision. It is easy for me to do it quick and clean my kitchen. But, teaching our kids with patient is a very rewarding at the end. Of course, she was tired at the end and I end up cleaning on my own. The food was delicious and we all enjoyed it.

Friendships

Intimacy Should Be Earned, Not Freely Given.


In my life, so many friends came and gone.  I can't imagine my life if it wasn't for my friends holding my hand with prayers, laughter and tears. Friendship is two way street. If I am always draining from a friend, but not given back,,,,,,,,,,,,Friendship won't last for long.

Mike Murdock put it well,



Intimacy Should Be The Reward For Proven Loyalty And Respect.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his
friends. Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you," (John 15:13-14).


True Friendship Is A Gift, Never A Demanded Requirement.


A true friend will stay loyal, consistent during crisis. True friends have the same enemies.Your friend is always accessible during your times of loneliness.
loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity," (Proverbs 17:17).


When Wrong People Leave Your Life, Wrong Things Stop Happening.


Wrong People Birth Sad Seasons. Pursuers always have an Agenda and motive.
Spoken or not. Known or not. Pure or impure. Acceptable or unacceptable.
Whatever the motive, uncover it…whatever the cost.
Remember the story of Jonah who was running from God’s directive?
"Wherefore they cried unto the Lord, and said, We beseech Thee, O Lord, we
beseech Thee, let us not perish for this man’s life, and lay not upon us innocent
blood:...So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea
ceased from her raging," (Jonah 1:14-15).


When Right People Enter Your Life, Right Things Begin To Happen.
"There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give
Me to drink," (read John 4:7-15).
The briefest encounter in your life can be a golden link to the greatest dreams you have carried in your lifetime. No relationship in Your life is insignificant. Your Relationships Will Determine The Success of Your Assignment.The Most Valuable Person In Your Life Is The One Who Feeds Your Faith.

Sabbath Shalom!

 This morning, Jacob missed soccer game and went to a friend birthday party to Arnold's. I took Jason to his game, as I was driving with him, the sun was shinning toward our face and just a beautiful morning. I absolutely loved when Jason telling about the music he is about to listen. Enjoying every moment and thinking wow!, this innocent kid, God please protect them as they go out to this world. The enemy is ready with his arrow loaded to shoot at them.

To pick a date to rest on Sabbath is so hard this days, the games and the parties always going on Saturday. So, I try my best on Friday evening, reading and just spending time with God and my kids. I know it is Saturday, but any moment spending time with God is precious! And what a blessing it is if we can rest on the lord Sabbath.


Sabbath  in The old testament Hebrews fully understood that the Sabbath belonged to God as did the Hebrews of Yeshua’s day; so compare Lev. 23:3 to Jesus’ comments in  Luke 6:5 And He was saying to them, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."

First things first

          Today was overwelming to me.  I went to parent back to school night, after I attended a work shop regarding Small business plan. I wanted to make sure to sit and  have dinner together.  I was helping my son with home work and practicing their music instrument while washing the dishes. 

        I hated divorce, even though I have been a single woman for the past three years. I know, I will sacrifice anything for my kids. Not having another help is very difficult. I have to press on by the help of the holy spirit. I have so much energy and so much in me to share with my kids. I have amazing kids! They make my life worth to keep going.

      I am learning to put first thing first, by slowing down, cancel any activity if we have to. I see the kids are tired or something is bothering them, we will sit and talk if they want cancel and just relax for the day. I know God wanted me to share this.

       What is your challenge today?  Every family goes through something. Has the circumstance changed you to be wiser, stronger, better or bitter?

        Your testimony can be an encouraging to other's, so don't keep yours to yourself. Tell other's how God kept you!

  Live to love!

Myrrh in our lives

    Mara means bitter, it speaks a real myrrh experience where we must digest the bitterness of life.
Ruth 1:20  “Don’t call me Naomi, ” she told them. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter.
With out bitterness, Naomi wouldn't have returned to the land of praise. I don't know about others, for me I wouldn't be where I am if only sweetness had satisfy my life.


Myrrh, is a large portion of anointing oil. It reveals who we are, when we are facing humility, illness, losing family and losing our reputation.


The myrrh in our lives It matures us and season's us. There is always Judas to betrayed you, Peter to deny you. In the end God want to see you how you handle it, and people around you.


So, are you going to be like Job praising God no matter what life throw at you, or would you become bitter and distance from God by blaming him for the bitterness in your life?

A role of a parent

A role of a parent is to teach our children to love God, and  to love who they are.


Deuteronomy 4:10
Remember the day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, when he said to me, “Assemble the people before me to hear my words so that they may learn to revere me as long as they live in the land and may teach them to their children.”
Psalm 139:14
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.


How did the parent of Miss Universe Lopez  felt when they heard their daughter answered:


Leila Lopez of Angola crowned Miss Universe. She was questioned about what physical trait she would change if she could.
She said,
"Thank God I'm very satisfied with the way God created me and I wouldn't change a thing," Lopes said. "I consider myself a woman endowed with inner beauty. I have acquired many wonderful principles from my family and I intend to follow these for the rest of my life."


Living in 21st century life style, and watching the media.....we must not fail to teach our children His word. That will be the only thing they can stand on in this world, no matter what how much our children succeed in many area of their lives.
Make a commitment to spend 5 , 10, 30 minutes reading the word with your children.

Blueberry–Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Absolutely to die for! I ate most of the cake. I will definitely reduce the blueberry preserve and the sugar next time. This was for women's brunch, I think it is  OK that we enjoy sometimes. 　

             

                                                                                  

Ingredients:

              2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 sticks (1/2 pound) unsalted butter, softened

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

2 large eggs, at room temperature, lightly beaten

1 cup sour cream

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup blueberry preserves, plus 1 tablespoon melted preserves
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting
Preheat the oven to 350°. Butter and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. In a large bowl, beat the butter until creamy. Add the granulated sugar and beat until fluffy. Beat in the eggs, sour cream and vanilla. Beat in the dry ingredients just until incorporated.
Spread all but 1/2 cup of the batter into the prepared pan. Using the back of a spoon, make a trough in the batter, all the way around the pan. Mix the 3/4 cup of blueberry preserves with the reserved batter and spoon it into the trough.

Bake the cake for about 1 hour, or until it begins to pull away from the pan and a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Invert the cake onto a wire rack, remove the pan and let cool completely. Sift the confectioners' sugar over the cake, drizzle with the melted blueberry preserves and serve.

Precious moments

 Jacob's 9th Birthday Party!

 

He had two party, this one was on his birth date.

This green army color is for the sleepover party. 

Their Team one verses his older brother team.

Here I have no idea the picture are repeated even though I put it only once........

Precious moments with my kids

What is not to love about my life!

Children are a gift from God! I absolutely love my kids, and I know any mother should. I thank God for trusting me to care for them and love them.

My daughter is so gifted in so many area, and how can you tell your kids, honey this is your gift, but you are not good in this area? Would you make them figured out on their own?

She comes with pencils, notebook, and crayons. Always working on something while she is watching T.V.  Ah, as I take a breath and say "Forgive me for whining, I am so blessed to have such a blessing kids."

Love them, nourish them, protect their hearts because kids are innocent and fragile.  And pray for them always:

Everyday prayer:
"The spirit of the lord will rest on them, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of the knowledge and the fear of the lord." Isaiah 11: 2.

Our Guinea pig died

We had fostered two Guinea pig a month ago, my kids named them Oreo and Cookie. They fell in love, and we were planning to adopt them when Oreo got sick Monday morning, and we called Aardvark vet hospital. They were amazing, the  Dr. told us to meet her in the hospital even they were closed because of the Labor Day. We left Oreo in the hospital, and the Dr. wanted to keep him for the night. Anyway, we found out he died! And my kids was devastated and cried! I was hurt as well, but I needed to comfort them. The kids are so precious! They want know how Cookie feels being lonely.
I love the Aardvark Hospital, they have cats, dogs, Guinea pigs, and rabbits. You can adopt or foster, you can even go there just look. Just remember you end up bringing one kitten home, they are just adorable!

Blessings

Jabez means  sorrowful. His mother named him Jabez, because of the pain she had in birthing him.
So many of us limit God by saying, I don't deserve that and I failed before God. And others from experience we think it is just life, some are rich and some are poor. So, you are settled where you are. I want encourage you, God wants to bless you.

Psalm 115:14

 May the LORD cause you to flourish,
   both you and your children.

1 Chronicles 4:10

 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.

Honor

  Happy Labor Day!!

Labor Day is a United States federal holiday.

The first big Labor Day in the United States was observed on September 5, 1882, by the Central Labor union of New York. It was first proposed by  Peter J. McGuire of the American Federation of Labor in May 1882.

Oregon was the first state to make it a holiday in 1887. By the time it became a federal holiday in 1894, thirty states officially celebrated Labor Day. Following the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of  the U.S military U.S Marshals during the  Pullman Strike, President  Grover Cleveland reconciled with the labor movement. Fearing further conflict, legislation making Labor Day a national holiday was rushed through Congress unanimously and signed into law a mere six days after the end of the strike. The September date originally chosen by the CLU of New York and observed by many of the nation's trade unions for the past several years was selected rather than the more widespread  International Worker's Day because Cleveland was concerned that observance of the latter would stir up negative emotions linked to the Haymarket Affair, which it had been observed to commemorate. All U.S. states, the  District of Columbia, and the territories have made it a statutory holiday.
I know each one of has done some sacrifice whether to our children, parents, community or country. You might be saying, no one notice. First of all, God notices every good work you put in many lives and I promise you one day when you look back you will see and reap the harvest for all the year you saw the seed.
There is not a day I haven't miss my siblings and my mother.  My sister just had a baby and I only had a chance to talk to her on the phone. Only God know how much I miss my siblings, but my kids needs me and the amount of money I will pay for the flight cost's so much. I have kids now, God has trusted me to nurture them and provide for them. We discuss with my kids that sacrifice is necessary. Jesus sacrifice his own life for us, and the Labor Day is one of many sacrifice that we appreciate many hero's in our lives. I hope this encourages you.

Breakfast in a Muffin

I saw this recipe at hertage school house blog. Easy to make and delicious!

Breakfast in a Muffin

Ingredient:
2 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs, divided
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
4 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

    In a large bowl, combine first four ingredients. Combine milk, oil and 1 egg; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups half full. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and remaining egg. Add cheddar cheese and seasoned salt; mix well. Stir in bacon. Spoon 2 tablespoons in the center of each muffin. Bake at 425° for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Serve warm and enjoy!

Fantastic party

Jacob wanted a sleepover party today. The kids had a blast! They played a kickball, eating game, and WII games. I haven't seen anyone argue about anything. Six boys love each other company, and my daughter and I watching on the side. I kind of feel bad how much sugar they had including the soda. I decided to hide the soda after a cup or more and give them water and lemonade. It is only 9:30pm, and I am getting tired. I am going to sit and have chamomile tea after I post this. I am very thankful for the patient, energy and for providing everything including wonderful friends.

Men of Great character

Many mothers feel overwhelmed raising sons. The bible tells us they were given the dominion, at the same time they also need to learn humility. They need to forgive and ask forgiveness. In our society we give them the things they need, but we fear to teach them too much. I know when I teach my kids, it doesn't seem they are listening, but they do. Teach them to love God, to keep his commandments and to depend on him at all time. We can't raise kids that love God, and be ignorant, they need to use common sense. We need them to be men of great character. There are many kids out there need  wise and loving person to talk to, we want our son's to be the light, to minister, to reach out. They don't need to be cool, they need to be reachable by other's. To be a listeners and give advice to. And pray for them daily. Beleive me, it is not easy specially when there is no godly man in the house. But, don't be discourage, you have the holy spirit to teach them. Praise God!

 "Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him." Psalm 127:3.

Make sure your kids stand firm in his word. If they know who they are they won't fall.

"Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm."
— Abraham Lincoln

My decison today.............

This morning God ministered to me Isaiah 60 for an hour. It continue to speak to me. Rise and shine!  All the nation will come to your light, that is Christ's light. When we have intimacy with Christ, we carry his light. How we walk today must glorify God.  If I do this or that would God's name be magnified on my decision? My decision today decides how my future will look like. The cause from our suffering, we might come to his truth and other's will see God's light in us. I know some believer's will say,it is for Israel. No, it is talking about Christ's light.  Ask the holy spirit, He will reveal to you. There are other passages in Isaiah 44, is talking about both Israel and Jesus. Isaiah 42,53, the suffering servant  is talking about Christ. We must not act like the world, we can learn to suffer like Christ did to glorify God! When we are willing to serve God and be obedience to his truth even when we are rejected by men kind, we are glorifying God.

Sabbath Shalom!