Time Management, Organic Food

Lately, I have simply not been managing my time very well. I am very easily distracted by a number of things, but mostly my computer. There are so many interesting things to read that I could just spend hours each day....but when I do that, other things don't get done. Surprisingly, even though I am single, I live with my parents, and I do my college work from home at my own pace, I am a *very* busy girl. I have really learned to value days I don't have to leave the house! This is something I've simply never appreciated before! Every day, my schedule SHOULD include:

~at least an hour to two hours of Bible reading/prayer/other reading (theology books, etc)
~around 5-6 hours of time for school
~an hour for practicing my flute
~an hour to exercise and shower
~some time in the morning AND evening to talk to my beloved (an hour in the evening, morning time varies)

Plus I need to make breakfast and dinner (and I've been trying to cook really healthy, soak my grains, make as many things as I can from scratch, etc, which takes longer! AND uses more dishes!), and clean up afterwards. Plus, I'm trying to start doing some freelance writing, and I need time to get set up for that, too! *head spins* Plus, I do need some time to blog, etc. Reading the blogs I read is very edifying & uplifting. I've learned a lot from the ladies whose blogs I read!

I'm so thankful the LORD has me where He does, though. It is so precious to know that He is sovereign, and I am so thankful for His grace bestowed upon me. I am so happy that I am able to stay at home, and I'm thankful for this time of figuring out how to do everything I need to do! Developing serious discipline at this stage in my life will, I'm sure, be very beneficial. Once I'm married, and Lord willing, once we have children, it will be an absolute, positive necessity! Lord, give me the grace I need to manage my time in a way that honors You!

How 'bout it. We get back on Sunday evening from S. Florida. I'm going to start Monday. But, Monday at 11AM, I'm picking up a shipment of food from Amos Miller's Organic Farm in PA. I found out about a local co-op just in time to place an order with them that will be delivered Monday, with the orders of others from my area. We've order enough meat/dairy to last us about a month, and I'm very excited. The animals are all grass fed and given no antibiotics, etc. The dairy products are made from raw, organic cow's milk! I'm pretty excited, as I've recently been studying the benefits of this type of food. So, anyway, that is a necessary outing for Monday morning, but other than that, I am definitely going to try to be more organized this coming week.

Adventures in South Florida

Yesterday morning at 9:53am, Mom and I pulled out of the drive way of our Orlando home an hour later than we had planned. We were somewhat frazzled from the hustle and bustle of getting ready for a trip, but at last, we were on our way. Four hours, and one stop at Starbucks later, we pulled into the driveway of my Aunt Dana's home in South Florida. She called us earlier in the week to ask if could stay with her three kids (my cousins!) for a few days while she and my Uncle John go out of town for business. Not being one to turn down a chance to spend time with my cousins, I was happy about the trip! When we arrived, Aunt Dana gave us a run-down of what everyone was going to be doing and then they took off for the airport. Shortly thereafter, my youngest cousin, Ivan, walked in the door from a day in the 4th grade. I was on the phone with my dear Grandmother when he came home. After talking to him for a while, Andrea (who is now 15--I remember her in diapers and sucking her thumb!) walked in from her day at the largest high school in America. We were happy to find out her band practice was cancelled for the evening. It gave us some extra time together. Andrea and I have been close for as long as I can remember. We're always together at family get-togethers and whatnot, and we always have really good conversations when we're together. I much enjoy her company! After sitting in the living room going back and forth from playing Nintendo with Ivan and talking to Andrea while she did her homework, I went to pick up Sydney, the seventh grade cousin of mine, from her soccer practice (yes--I drove *grin*). We spent the evening around the house, and got to bed somewhat late.

This morning, I took both of the girls to school! It made me feel old (sort of...?). I spent the day relaxing, and doing none other than playing what used to be my favorite video game (back when I was...8 or 9?)--Donkey Kong Country (3). Haha. They pulled out the super nintendo yesterday. So, Ivan and I have just about beat the game today. I know, impressive, huh? Just kidding. I'm really not that much of a nerd, and I don't usually just relax all day. I did go out to lunch with my Mama as well as take Ivan to the store when he got home from school!

Now, Andrea and Sydney are both at the High School football game (it's Homecoming tonight), Ivan is playing Play Station 2 (some guitar game?), and I am writing a very late blog update!

I think I'll start posting more soon. But then, I always say that... :o)

~Mary Jo

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

Twenty years ago yesterday, my Mom and Dad were covenanted together in marriage. Twenty years ago, they said vows to each other so binding that they were joined together as one flesh, until death parts them. The past (almost) 18 years, they have faithfully lived out those vows before my eyes. In hard times, in sickness, in pain, they are always there for each other. In joyous occasions, they always celebrate together. They are a constant encouragement to each other, and these past years since they have become followers of Christ, they continually build one another up in the things of God, challenging each other to be more like Christ. In so doing, they have been a wonderful example to me of how marriage should be. Their love for each other has only grown these last twenty years, and continues to grow into something more and more beautiful as time passes. While they look back on twenty years, I look ahead to marriage and pray that God will allow my marriage, by His grace, to be as wonderful as theirs!

You know the days are evil when...

You know the days are evil when you can say, "Only two women killed their children this morning at Orlando Women's Center." But, alas, such is the case.

My good friend Ashley spent the night with me last night and, after our four and a half hours of sleep, we got up and very quickly got ready to go to the killing place. We were joined in the cool dark of the morning by Spring and Julie with her three daughters. We boldly approached the throne of our Lord before the Mommas began arriving. This morning, two women came to murder their children in the second trimester of pregnancy. As I type this, they are probably both experiencing contractions as their bodies prepare the push their infants out of the comfort of the womb prematurely. They will be pushed into the icy cold toilet water, perhaps alive, within 6-72 hours.

Only one of them spoke to us, and it was very brief. She only said she was having the abortion because she wasn't going to put the baby up for adoption. Now, I'm not going to say adoption is always perfect. It's certainly not an easy thing for a momma to do. But, it's the height of selfishness to murder your infant to avoid it. We hear it all the time. "I don't want to go through giving a baby away." "I don't want to carry this baby nine months for someone else." " don't want to spend my life wondering where my baby is." Do we see a pattern? It's all about I, I, I. That's really the ugly face of feminism, though. It's a movement that simply propagates self-centeredness in the name of "equality."

You know the days are evil when...murder is sanctioned in "the land of the free" and "the home of the brave."

Passionate Housewives

Crystal has a great giveaway going on for a book that look like it would be an excellent read, called Passionate Housewives: Desperate for God! Head on over and enter! :)

Menu Plan Monday

Okay...it's been a while since I've done this! :) But, here's my menu plan...

Sunday: spicy rice and beans, chicken
Monday: pepper-lime chicken, rice & beans
Tuesday: lasagna w/ steamed broccoli
Wednesday: leftovers
Thursday: white bean & sausage rigatoni
Friday: cashew pork & veggies

Input Requested...

I'm trying to think of a good name for a Christian freelance writing business, and I need to have this name by the end of the week. If anyone has any suggestions, they would be greatly appreciated!

5 Children Perish in orlando

We arrived yesterday morning at Orlando Women's Center in the refreshingly cool dark of the morning awaiting the arrival of the late term mamas who were to come for abortions. After hugs and hellos, Mom, Patte, and I prayed together in the quiet of the morning before anyone had arrived. We boldly approached the throne of God, pleading with Him to give us holy boldness and to soften the hearts of the women we would meet.

Shortly after we prayed, the first couple arrived. They were a young couple and did not say much. We spoke to them off and on throughout the morning, but as far as we know, their baby still perished in the toilet of 1103 Lucerne.

One young Mom who came to kill her infant appeared to be about my age. Her mother brought her. This scene always impacts me a lot. It is the height of wickedness for a mother to bring her teenage daughter to an abortion mill to labor and deliver her fully formed infant into the toilet. Neither of them spoke a word to us.

One woman went in the doors, arms packed with bags of clothes, a pillow, and goodies. It looked like she was preparing for a slumber party. Another locked herself out of the car. The last Mom we spoke with was 20 weeks along, and was killing her infant for financial reasons. One must wonder why she could afford an abortion that late in pregnancy. She was incredibly nonchalant about the whole thing. That never ceases to amaze me.

I will never understand why women would be willing to pay thousands of dollars to labor and deliver their infant prematurely, and watch him or her (or both, if a mom is carrying twins!) perish in the toilet, aside from the fact that scripture teaches the doctrine of total depravity. Nonetheless, it is unfathomable.

Here is a video of a doctor examining babies aborted using the same procedure as they use on Wednesdays at Orlando Women's Center. It is not a bloody video. They are perfectly formed, tiny babies murdered by their own Moms.

"...the LORD hates...hands that shed innocent blood." (Prov. 6:16-17)

I'm Back...

On September 6, I left to go see Ben! I flew into Raleigh/Durham early in the morning, and we headed to my Grandma's house. On Friday evening and Saturday, we went to the Ligonier Ministries Regional Conference in Charlotte, NC. That was a real blessing. R.C. Sproul and Steve Lawson taught extensively about the sovereignty of God! Sunday morning, we left from Grandma's to Ben's church, and then went to his family's house. We spent the week there, and came to my family's house the following Monday. Ben just left day before yesterday (he was here for a week and a day)...I miss him a lot. He is the reason I've not been blogging! But, I should be back into the swing of things. :)

This Week in Books: The Excellent Wife

My review this week is of the book, The Excellent Wife, by Martha Peace.

This is what the publisher says about the book:

Here is a scripturally based blueprint for the woman who really wants to be the wife God intended her to be. This book is based on Proverbs 31:10: An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.

Thousands of women have already discovered the worth of this volume and testify to lives and marriages changed because of a commitment to the principles presented here. If this is a commitment you have made, or want to make, The Excellent Wife answers the difficult questions facing you today.

I haven't read too many books about being a wife yet, but this book has to be one of the very best available today. Mrs. Peace clearly spells out the biblical role of the excellent wife and gives practical advice for becoming the wife God desires for you to be.

The very beginning of the book is the author's testimony about her salvation, and subsequent pursuit of being a godly wife. The beginning chapters cover truths about God, sin, and marriage. After that, the focus of the book narrows down to the wife's responsibilities; first and foremost to Christ, and then to her home, and to her husband. The heart of the book deals with submission to Christ and your husband, as well as how to handle communication problems and conflicts in marriage. The end of the book also addresses issues such as dealing with your husband's sin, anger, fear, loneliness, and sorrow.

In each chapter, the author uses much scripture to lay out the role of a wife in an understandable way. One of my favorite things about the book was that Mrs. Peace gave biblical advice for learning to apply the principles she laid out. The focus of the book was not only on outward actions, but on the condition of the wife's heart. She wrote a lot about the importance of replacing ungodly thoughts with God-honoring thoughts. When she talked about this, she would also give specific examples of bad thoughts, and their good replacements. Also, her emphasis on genuine repentance before God and others was refreshing.

A couple of excerpts:

"The works that God has prepared for you to do include not only what you do in your relationship with your husband, but also your heart's motive or attitude. It will help you to have the right attitude if you focus on what you are supposed to be doing, not on what your husband is supposed to be doing. Certainly, it is easy to get caught up in seeing whether other people (especially your husband) are doing their jobs right. However, the issue for the Christian wife is "am I doing the good works that God intended for me?" (Excellent Wife, p.12)

"Your 'heart' is not some emotional part of you that you have no control over. What you think about is a choice that you make." (Excellent Wife, p. 188)

I know I have been guilty of blaming my bad reactions to things on my hormones and whatnot; this book was a nice reminder that that's no excuse. Another things she brought up that I thought was very interesting was not judging your husband based on what you think his intents are. I know I have also been guilty of that with Ben; I may think he is thinking something, when in reality, it's completely different, and I get all upset for no reason!

I'm very thankful for Martha Peace. She seems to be a true Titus 2 woman who women in our day can look to for wisdom. Her books are far from politically correct, and very much in line with scripture. I highly recommend this book to anyone striving to be a truly excellent wife.

I used the study guide with my study of this book, and it contained many thought-provoking questions. I recommend using it, should you read this book.

Giveaway

At Frugal Hacks, they are giving away two copies of the Tightwad Gazette...I've heard a lot of excellent things about this book but haven't ever read it! Head on over for your chance to win. :)

Menu Plan Monday

Hey, sorry for the lack of posts as of late. You can look for my first "This Week in Books" post tomorrow! :)

For now, here is my menu for the week.

Sunday~snacks
Monday~Italian chicken w/ steamed vegetables
Tuesday~bean soup
Wednesday~chili (Crock pot)
Thursday~pork scallopine w/ steamed vegetables
Friday~Turkey burgers
Saturday~chicken mole' w/ black beans and rice

Good article...

Peace, peace?

They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace.

Jeremiah 6:14 (ESV)

A church in decline surrounds herself with peace-mongers who war against her soul. She suppresses uncomfortable truths of God’s holiness and righteous anger against sin. All the while, soothing words of peace, comfort and assurance drip from the lips of those commissioned to lead God’s people to lasting peace and joy.

In Jeremiah’s day, the spiritual leaders of the people had given up on their duty. The task of priests and prophets was to teach the truth that God had taught them. In Jeremiah’s case, he was to proclaim God’s judgment over His sinful people (1:9-10, 6:1-13), warning them to flee from idols and cast themselves on the mercy of God. This was not a time for peace in Israel. They had rejected their God. His wrath was upon them, and they faced armies of men enacting His righteous judgment (vv. 4-8). Only by repenting at God’s fearsome warning could they once again have peace.

However, owing to their greed for unjust gain (v. 13), Israel’s leaders had left God’s warnings behind. Rather than proclaiming wrath, they quickly announced,“Peace!” Over the mortal wounds of God’s people the prophets placed band-aids, soothing assurances: “It’s only a graze! No harm done.” Their bedside manner was impeccable, their diagnosis damnable.

How many of today’s pastors step out of the pulpit with blood-caked hands? Congregations leave for home in a haze of anodyne assurances, little knowing that the man charged with being the physician of their souls is content with their spiritual ruin, providing that his church “prospers,” and membership is up on the previous quarter. Some claim that talk of sin and wrath will discomfort those in need and cause lasting psychological damage to the fragile and the helpless. So they peddle therapeutic remedies that serve only to poison those they would claim to heal.

The Church is crying out for pastors who will declare, with Paul, “the whole counsel of God.” They are called to be fearless diagnosticians. However, bad news is not an end in itself. The prophet’s work is not done until he has shown the way of life. Yes, it is his solemn duty to expose the false “peace” of the charlatans. But it is his joyful privilege to also proclaim, “Peace, peace!” over the marvellous grace and work of Christ in the hearts of His transformed people.

http://www.kairosjournal.org/Document.aspx?QuadrantID=1&CategoryID=10&TopicID=18&DocumentID=5119&L=1

New Feature

I am going to (Lord willing) begin having a "This Week In Books" post each week...I am thinking the first one will be tomorrow! We'll see! :)

A name has been chosen...

No one took me up on the $10 gift card offer! But, a name has been thought of. I'll wait until the grand opening of the site to announce it though :)

Southwest Roll-up Recipe

Since a couple of people have asked for it, here is the recipe for Southwest Roll-ups. I got it from Crystal Paine's Simply Centsable Suppers eBook, which can be found here. It is a great eBook...I have used it countless times!

Combine 1 cup of chopped, cooked chicken, a can of refried beans, and 2 T of salsa (or however much you want). Divide mixture amongst flour tortillas (I use whole wheat ones...you can use 10-12 small ones or 4-6 regular sized ones), top with cheese, and place in a baking dish and bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes. I serve with sour cream and extra salsa. :)

Menu Plan Monday

Sunday: Southwest Roll-ups
Monday: Chicken Jambalaya
Tuesday: Black Bean Soup
Wednesday: Chili (crock pot)
Thursday: Spanish Tilapia
Friday: Steak w/ grilled tomato relish and roasted red pepper cauliflower
Saturday: Turkey swedish meatballs w/ whole wheat noodles and steamed veggie

God is so good!

I almost got in a car accident yesterday! It was truly one of the most horrifying experiences of my life. I was quite shaken up for the rest of the day, but so thankful for God's protection!

I was headed to my sewing lesson. I hadn't ever driven there by myself, but the route is fairly easy. Not far into my journey, I ended up behind a rather large and slow semi. Now, I do not speed. I stay right at the speed limit (much to the dismay of most of the drivers on the road!). Nonetheless, I am not a fan of driving below the speed limit. So I got in the left lane, but it ended up being a turn lane. Whoops! So, I set to get back in the right lane. There were two trucks and there seemed to be plenty of distance between the two, so I went to get between them...and just as I did, the one in front stopped, thus forcing me to stop. That wasn't part of the plan! So, the truck behind me had to slam on his breaks. As I watched in the rear view mirror, I braced myself as I prepared to be rear-ended by a HUGE truck...it got closer and closer until it felt like it was about to touch the car...and then it stopped (and honked really loud)! I pulled up as soon as I could, trying to leave the truck more room, and feeling quite shaken up. Then, traffic stopped again. I peered into the side view mirror and much to my horror (as if I hadn't been disturbed enough already!), the truck driver was headed towards my car! That was when I kind of panicked. He banged on my window, yelling and cursing, as I helplessly apologized over and over. Then he went away. I was quite shaken up. Literally, shaking. The rest of my ride was absolutely nerve wracking. When I arrived at my sewing teacher's home, I just had to sit down and take a few deep breaths, while holding back my tears (I was REALLY shaken up). Eventually, I calmed down and went on with my sewing lesson.

When it was time to head home, I wasn't really excited about driving again, so I had the brilliant idea of taking a different route. Anyway, I ended up getting on the wrong highway, unbeknowst to me. About 10 minutes into my drive, my surrounding was very rural. This is unusual, and certainly was not where I intended to be. So, I called my Mom. She didn't know where I was. So I called my Dad. He didn't know where I was either. And, on top of that, he couldn't get his laptop to work. In the mean time, I found out I was running out of gas! Dad told me to get off at the next exit to get gas...it just so happened that the next exit was Disney World..."Dad, I'm headed for Disney. Dad...I'm going to Disney World." Haha. So, after driving around the Disney complex, which is like a whole state in the middle of my state, I was headed the right direction.

After leaving my sewing lesson, I arrived home 1 hour later, all in one piece, though still somewhat rattled. Thank you, Lord, for protecting me!

Who doesn't love Vision Forum and Biblical Womanhood?

Crystal is hosting a great giveaway on her blog this week for a $25 gift certificate to vision forum, plus a few great CDs! Head on over and check it out :)

In addition to the giveaway, she's having a great end-of-summer sale. Everything in the Biblical Womanhood online store is marked down! Crystal has been such an encouragement to me through her blog, as well as the many resources she offers on her site. I highly recommend you purchase some of these wonderful items while they're discounted.

Giveaway!

Okay...

Ben and I are trying to think of a new business name for his high end birdhouse business. We want it to sound somewhat artsy and would like it to be a name that would draw people looking for higher end birdhouses. Here's the deal...if you suggest a name and we end up using it, I'll send you a $10 gift card to ChristianBook.com. Suggest as many names as you want, and be sure to leave me a valid e-mail address in case we use your suggestion! Suggest away!