Confession Leads to Mercy

As a mom, I am trying to teach my kids that  "he who conceals his sin does not prosper, but he who confesses and turns from his sin finds mercy."  When I was a young girl in middle school, I had a good friend that made me mad.  So I decided to do what every mislead youth does--RETALIATE.  I prank called her house and held up her line by leaving the phone off the hook.  While doing so something tragic happened.  Her father died.  Because I was holding the line, the hospital and emergency people could not contact her family to tell them the horrible news.  My actions caused this family to miss an opportunity to say good-bye. 

When I was confronted, I denied and lied.  For years, I built up protective walls around my heart denying my sin.  I honestly convinced myself that I was innocent of the accusations.  I began to despise and hate my friend because the guilt of my sin was eating me alive.  I chose to point my anger and rage towards her, the victim. 

I became a Christian when I was 16 (some 4 years later).  One of the things God called me to do was to confess my sin to this girl and her family.  With much fear and guilt, I confessed everything.  I remember the room was silent, and all eyes were pouring with tears.  Then I was surrounded by hugs and warm embraces.  I was told that the family had the phone company run a trace to determine the prankster, and that they had known all along.  The family told me that they had forgiven me a long time ago, and they were sorry I was living with the guilt for so long.  Instead of receiving much deserved scorn, anger words, or hatred, I found mercy. 

As my children come to me in brokeness over their sin, my heart is tender to them.  I pour out mercy.  When they are caught or resistant to the responsibility, I see that I need to step up the discipline.  This is even more true for our Father in Heaven when we come to Him with our sins.  He is rich in mercy, slow to anger, and abounds in love.

Cajun Kickin' Chopped Up Chicken Sandwiches

I made up this recipe the other day, and my family is still talking about it and asking me to make it again.  It reminds me of a Philly cheesesteak.  It's a great way to squeeze in those veggies.  So I wanted to share with you.

Ingredients:
Cooked chicken, cubed
bell pepper
onion
butter

salt and pepper

Cajun seasoning ( I use Tony Chachere's Original Creole Seasoning)

Cheddar cheese shredded

buns

Directions:
Saute bell peppers and onion in melted butter until onions are clear.  Add cooked chicken to peppers and onions.  Add seasoning to taste.  Cook until hot.  Sprinkle cheese over mixture.  Stir until melted.  Serve on buns, sub rolls, or toasted bread.


Look at all that green!



Elf on the Shelf Alternative: Keeping the Focus on Jesus

I know I'm too late for this year, but let's just say I'm very early for Christmas of 2012!  I have some ideas to share.  I want to hear some of your ideas as well.

All of my friends are doing the fun and exciting Elf on the Shelf type activities, but our family does not want to put a lot of emphasis on Santa or elves.   So my husband and I got to talking about what we could do to keep our focus on spiritual things at Christmas but have a lot of fun too!! 

We want to incorporate our nativity set more.  So we are going to place a kid friendly one under our tree on December 1.  We will tell read the story from Luke, and move the wisemen to the furthest place from our tree and set them there.  As we approach Christmas, we will move the wisemen closer to the tree each day.  Teaching points like the star on the top of the tree is like the star of Bethelem.

Okay here is the big idea: we will use the angel, who is a messenger, like the Elf on the Shelf.  Each day the angel will leave messages, presents, compliments, and guide Christmas activities like service projects, giving gifts, cards, etc.

I will be working on these ideas for 2012 and will share before next December. 

I just got so excited, I wanted to share and get your brain thinking too.

If you can cook, you can CAN!!!!

I am really working on learning how to cook and cook healthy.  With a family full of eager eaters, I need to get good fast.  Well this year I tackled canning.  And I want you to know that canning is just COOKING. That's it.  I always thought it was some scary or dangerous thing.  It's NOT.  I am making plans to can as soon as I can in 2012(hee hee..pun intended). And I will walk you through it and share my favorite recipes.

Here's over 40 jars of jelly that cost me less than 50 cents a jar.  I found the blackberries on the side of the road, plums in my family's yard,  and super cheap strawberries (99 cents a quart). 

The strawberry jam was berries and sugar, but it was so beautiful and fresh. 

You must try this one!!!

My little baby LOVED the homemade apple sauce that came from a local orchard.   Just apples and water--pure and simple and  healthy.   I got second apples and made sauce for pennies a jar!!

I also grew my own tomatoes and canned diced tomatoes.

The peaches came from my Georgia neighbors for 89 cents a pound which was 80 cents a jar.

If I can do this, you can do.  Think about it and join me in late spring and summer for some canning fun!!

Easy snowman craft with lights

Using recycled glass jars (pickles or salsa), white tempera paint, orange and black paint, two fuzzy socks, and some buttons, my preschool children had a blast making this craft.

I gave them sponges to paint to the outside.  After, I heated the jars in the oven at 175 degrees for a quick dry.  I painted the faces.  Then I cut the socks in half.  I used ribbon or bread ties to bunch up the hats to make a cute pom pom look on top. 

You can use short Christmas light strings or battery operated tea lights to illuminate.

These friendly snowmen can warm up a guest bathroom or  light up a child's room through a cold winter's night.