Magic Shell Ice Cream Topping

One item we have taken to making every year to either sell at our stop-and-shop or to give away as gifts is Magic Shell Ice Cream Topping.  It is super easy to make so the kids can get involved.  It involves two ingredients.....

1 1/4 cups chocolate chips. (I use milk free chips from Trader Joes that sells for $2 per 16 oz bag.)
1/2 cup coconut oil. (This year I purchased a 16 oz jar that sold for $6 at Trader Joes.)

You take these two items and melt them down.. in the microwave or on the stove.  And then you put them in pretty jars.   This year I went to Ace Hardware to purchase the ole' standby.. Ball Canning Jars.  (They sell them year round there and cost around $1 per jar in packs of 12.)

I figured out the economics and it is approximately $3 per 8 oz jar to make.   You can add a pretty ribbon, a fancier jar if you wish.  Attach a little tag that tells how to store and use.  "Store in fridge, melt in microwave, pour on ice cream and watch it harden."

You really MUST use coconut oil.  It is everywhere now days.  Otherwise you will have a gooey sauce that may be tasty if you use a good oil but it won't harden.

This is a wonderful little present you can give to others, or enjoy yourselves and is so easy to get almost any child involved in making.




 

Christmas Cards

People seem to love them or hate them.  I love them.  They are sent from this house about once every three years and this is the year.  Why do I wait??? Yesterday, as I was putting together our card, I realized that it was an exceptional opportunity to review what has gone well in the year.  Sometimes... it is a little difficult to come up with a thankful heart.  But a year in pictures reminds you of all that is good.  Here are the four pictures that made the cut and a bit of an explanation.

Last year we had the incredible opportunity to fly in a plane with an organization called Wings and Dreams.  It is through Oakland County Parks and Rec and the GENEROUS pilots who donate their time and their planes to give rides to special needs children.  As you can see from Andrew's face, it was a thrill.

Andrew has two favorite buddies and they have fabulous fun on their trampoline in the backyard. I'm still trying to talk the husband into one of these.  But then I would be the one on the trampoline.  (I do have a fun picture of me on this very trampoline but you have to be one of my favorite people to see that picture!)

Andrew also learned to ride a bike this year!  There is an organization called I Can Shine and they have a week INTENSIVE bike training class.  It is genius really.  I highly recommend this program.  It was sponsored here through the Friendship Circle but they are a national organization run out of Ball State (where David Letterman went..)  Andrew can now ride fairly independently on a large road, (he runs off a bit on sidewalks) but needs a push to get started and at the beginning needed a runner.   Andrew is here pictured with his buddy Tony who is a teen who has been helping with Andrew for a number of years.   He is a real blessing to our family and Andrew considers him as a friend that comes to play.  It was a hot August day where I asked him to help me with Andrew and run behind the bike...

Finally, we have Andrew's new waterproof cochlear implant.. the Neptune.  I will admit that he doesn't love it, and he won't wear it, except to hear in the water.  He also won't wear it with the handy dandy clip they have .. he likes his 'listener holder' that is hand made by Aunt Nancy.  The ninja headband is to hold on the headpiece.  But he can HEAR IN THE WATER!!!  #Awesome!  After the new year I am going to try and work on getting him transition to the Neptune on a more regular basis.

As I was doing the card, and this blog post, I realized there were many more incredible days in a year that overall does not seem outstanding so there will be a 'part duex' where you can see more of the highlight reel.

Another thing I do with the Christmas cards I receive is to pray over the people that they are from.  So send me a card and get an extra prayer :)  I am not 100% effective on doing this for every card but it gives me focus on others the way it should be for this season.

I am doing these blogs as part of an advent series to focus on Him.  Click on the button below to see what others are writing.

Jesse Tree

For the past several years we have done a Jesse Tree.  It can be simple, or elaborate.  Basically it is an 'advent calendar' and each day you read part of The Story starting with Genesis and ending with the birth of our Savior.

As you can see in the picture from a past post we have kept it very simple.

We have also purchased paper ornaments from CBD but I like the free ones from One Thousand Gifts better.  It also comes with a booklet that you can print off with lovely graphics.  For years I have been looking for gorgeous real ornaments but have yet to run across any.  If you do, let me know.

Although most people start on December 1 with this activity.. it is not too late.

I am blogging his as part of a blog-athon called 40 days of seeking Him.  There are other bloggers that have posted so head on over and check it out.  And keep our friends at A House Upon The Rock in your prayers as they were evacuated because of wildfires earlier this week.  As she said in her post.. God has other plans for her this Christmas season that those originally on 'the list.'  Keep that in mind during this season.. what does God have in mind for you to see?

Cruising the Neighborhood

Traditional traditions don't always work for us.   We have to find our own memories, different fun things to do to make it the holidays significant.  I am going to try blogging often during this month on activities that we do to enjoy the season.

Last night we went searching for lights.  For those that are local (metro Detroit) I thought I'd list out a few places that I have heard of in the area that have 'over the top' decorations.

Here is one that we visited last night that is on Troy St.  It is off Big Beaver and East of Livernois.

One that we visit ever year is in Royal Oak on the corner of Washington and 12 Mile.  Here is a video online that I found of this house.  I think they have a facebook page as well but did not find it.




There is another we haven't seen yet called the Wesner Christmas House.  Here is their facebook page.

And yet another that my sister in law told me about...maybe Siri can help you find it.... is off Utica Rd, near Dodge park.  The street is Irval.

I am doing this as part of a blog group called seeking Him.  What does this have to do with seeking Him?  I think it is about how you make your memories, thinking outside the box, and letting Him in the driver seat.  I hope to find Him more during this season as we work our way toward His birth no matter how we celebrate.

Control and a Cup of Coffee

Kids on the spectrum like control.  They want it their way.  It isn't so much selfishness as anxiety when things aren't as they are 'suppose to be.'

Enter cup of coffee.

I enjoy my cup of joe in the morning.  In silence.  With my Bible.  It doesn't happen always but I am thankful when it does.  Kid decided to get up this morning early.  I walked into the living room...with my cup of coffee... to give him a rub on the back.  He did not like that I had my coffee (he was afraid it would spill) and told me to move it.  So I did.. and I left... with my coffee.

I was not doing this to be mean but we are working on establishing boundaries and not manufacturing our environment just so he won't melt down.

He indicated he wanted me to come back.  I did.  With my coffee and set it back on the table.  When I turned around he grabbed the coffee to move it.  It was full and you can guess what happened.  Coffee everywhere.  All over his toys.

So much for that relaxing cup of morning coffee.  Meltdown before 8 am.

As we worked through all of this I was ruminating on many things that were happening this week, including many birthday festivites.  He will be 12 tomorrow.  I was making contingency plans in my brain for various things in case they didn't go as planned.

That was when God stopped me.  He noted for me that this was no different than Andrew moving the cup of coffee.  Andrew wanted control.  I want control.

You see, during the meltdowns, Andrew will calm down and feel terrible.  He said how he hates worry and he doesn't want to worry anymore.  He relayed how he wants to be brave and not fearful.  And those feelings are the same for me ... just not over cups of coffee.  We want control.

And of course some planning and control is appropriate...but not when it translates to worry and fear.  Plus perfect love drives out fear.

 I think that is what God was showing me.  That it isn't about JUST the control but about the fear.  The What Ifs.  I was able to go on a walk and I stared asking Him, or was He asking me, "what if I did give up control and not worry?  What if I just made plans and let the chips fall where they may?"

And let God take care of it.

  hmmmm...

Cultivation Generation 'My Foundation' review and give-away

I had the opportunity to review a great new album put out by Vineyard Music.  It is called Cultivation Generation Live and is  great worship music.

This is a wonderful compilation of songs that really get at the heart or worship and is by a variety of artists.  Here is the track list:

My Soul Longs – The Neverclaim

Love Has Come, Love Has Won – Jesse Meyer

God Don’t Never Change – David Linhart

My Foundation – Anabeth Morgan

Let It Shine – Stephen Lampert

The Bridegroom – The Neverclaim

Your Kingdom’s Here – Jesse Meyer

Worthy – Anabeth Morgan

Life To Us – David Linhart

Enthroned On High – The Neverclaim

Walls Come Down – Stephen Lampert

They That Wait – The Neverclaim

Song Of Hope (Digital Bonus) – The Neverclaim

There is much to choose from in the Christian music market and while I like much of it, my favorite is always those that point me straight to Him in the form of worship and this meets that ticket.  The first song is one of my favorites but none miss the mark.  I love the 'live' component.  I recently went to a live Christian concert and although there is nothing like being there, this is the next best thing.  If you miss worship Wednesdays at your church, you can turn this on at home and be there in an instant.. or anytime.

You can hear part of some of the songs in this video clip that also talks about the CD.



There are many ways to keep track of what is happening in Vineyard music including their facebook page, twitter and youtube.  You can find this album and the standard clips on iTunes where it is $9.99 for the album.

If you would like to try and win a copy of this music as a download, please enter the following ways:

1) leave a comment
2) re-post this on Facebook and leave an additional comment.
3) Tweet this post and leave an additional comment
4) re-blog this post and leave an additional comment.

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services 

mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I 

only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 

I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: 

"Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Breaking Down Multiplication

We struggle with math..  from addition through.. well at the age of 11 we are on multiplication.  If we were in public school I am not sure what would have happened because I believe we are moving along at the rate that is possible.  Any faster and our time would just be a waste.  

So on multiple digit multiplication we ran into road blocks.  We use Math U See (love it) but needed more.  I started using Kahn Academy which also presented things in a slightly different manner but still, there were issues.

I tried tricky ideas that I believe came directly from God because I don't think these things up easily.  Kiddo asked, WHY do you have to CROSS over?  In ADDITION, you go up and down.  In my mind came a great idea.  Multiplication is an X.  So you CROSS over to do it.  It resonated with him.

Today we tried something new yet again.  He has mastered some parts of multiplication so I decided to make a game out of it.. video game style.  Each subset of multiplication was a 'level' and each 'level' had a Boss.  (If you don't know what a Boss is, go ask your kid.)

So here goes.. this is the initial breakdown of the first five levels.

Level 1.  You could start several places but this is where we started.

In this level there is NO regrouping/carrying.  But it does contain multiple digits.  (You can easily go back one and do no-regrouping, two digits on top and one on the bottom.)  This is where MUS started so that was my thought process.

Level 2.

In level two, you include regrouping but with just one digit on the bottom.  He got the Boss wrong and so he wrote "Game Over."  I told him we get multiple tries..  I also added in the following:

You know the show Who Wants to be a Millionaire.  This gave him some 'hints' he could use.  Also I included a "demo" button which is a feature on many video games.  He does NOT want me to teach.  He is HIGHLY resistant to it and wants to just KNOW how to do it.  This gave him an 'out' of sorts.  I intend to MAKE him use the Demo button from now on.

Mini-game level.  

At this point I recognized 1) we were about at the limit of working on 'hard stuff' and 2) We need serious drill work on the facts so I did a 'mini game.'  These are often found in video games.. games within games.  So we did a 'facts' sheet.  This was also a good exercise because it focused on the SYMBOLS.   You could do this however you want (and I have other mini-games in mind) but on this one he had to pay attention to if it was a +, - or X.   I think it helped get the brain working.

Level 3

Level three does regrouping with the units however does not include the complication of anything but a zero in the units in the lower number.  (I wonder, is there a math term for the upper and lower number in multiplication?  I am not a CERTIFIED math teacher and don't play one on TV so I do not know.)

Level 4

Level four puts a number in the units but does not include regrouping.  We are going to do this tomorrow.

Level 5

Level five has regrouping everywhere...

Of course this continues.  For example I gave him a "boss" that had a problem to the hundred's place and only units on the bottom with regrouping.  He didn't quite get that part so we will break that down even further.

etc.. etc.. etc...  I think you get the idea.  You can do this for I assume just about any math area.  And I plan to do it from now on.  Andrew has mastered how to do 'video screen talks' like in Kahn Academy although he demos how to do video games.  I think maybe I'll start my own tutoring site.  After I finish my day job.

 I will say even THIS only worked for so long.  But he was enthused about attacking math this way.

as a PS... Please note that EACH level we sometimes have worked on for a week or MORE to master.  In some cases a month or we work on it and then take a break.  I say this because this 'level game' has taken months to get to.

No Fear

A year ago I sat outside writing this post about 'our story.'  It was a blessing to write and I still like reading it even though I have lived the story.  In the last year progress has been made, battles have been fought and won, and we move forward.

I love when God starts to bring things together from various places as if He is designing the universe just for you.  Indeed I believe He can do that.  And he has done that in many ways over the past weeks and even hours.  He loves me that much.

The topic that has been popping up in many places for me is fear.  Emily Colson talks in her book Dancing with Max about how she decided one day to no longer live in fear regarding her son Max..where to take him, what to do on a daily basis.  I have been re-reading some of that.  

And my last post was a song that has struck me deep called No Fear.

Then this morning I saw an incredible video about an mom raising an blessed special needs child.  One that many said she should have aborted.  She gave him a place in this world and did not live in fear of what others say although she is very honest about her walk through this.  

At church the pastor spoke on Mephibosheth... the grandson of Saul who had crippled feet.  In this story (which is in 2 Samuel chapter 9), David gives grace to this man who he could have destroyed.   David did not fear him even though he could have opposed him as being the grandson of Saul.  David's kindness made a difference.  He did not need to be afraid because it is all God's anyway.  The pastor asked, "what would you do if you were not afraid?"   He is our portion.  Do we give him everything?  The pastor mentioned..money, time, co-worker.. he left out the biggy espeically on this mother's day.

Kids..

Can we give Him our kids?  And if so, then we have no fear.  Because He is in control.   He is our portion.  Psalm 73:26.  I memorized that one a long time ago.  I just want it to sink a big deeper in my heart.  Can we allow Him to work through them and in them in His timing and not ours?

Do I trust him THAT much?  If so, I can live in freedom knowing that He provides.. ALWAYS.




(the above is a really neat meme that is published every week.  click on it to learn more.)

No Fear - Veronica Petrucci

I love this song.

NO FEAR
1st Verse:
You know I gotta give this testimony
Growing up with fear was my story
Now I’m called… to share it all
Voices telling me I was worth nothing
That I never would amount to something
Not good enough… to be loved
How do u live with your head down to the ground
Don’t you know life can all be turned around

CHORUS:
No fear, no fear, no fear
Just faith, just faith, just faith
No, I won’t be afraid
And, I will not be ashamed
No fear, no fear, no fear
Just faith, just faith, just faith
No more mountains in my way
there is a brand new day
No fear…
Destiny awaits

2nd Verse:
Being overcome by this darkness
Someone help me… I’m tired of this… Such a fight
A battle for my life
Living life so intimidated
When the wait of being elevated is sterilize
Feeling paralyzed

Filling our lives on temporary hope
Help me to fight
I must be moved

REPEAT CHORUS:
BRIDGE:
Now I know…
How to be brave
Life in the Word…
Has made me unafraid
Cause living life in fear
Is not living at all

I must be

REPEAT CHORUS:

Bridge:
Now I know how to be brave

Cause living life in fear
Is like nite living at all

REPEAT CHORUS
Cause destiny awaits
No need to be afraid

It's Morning Somewhere....

I got up this morning and the pastor of the church I have been going to had on his Facebook page, "His mercies are new every morning."  I clicked 'like' because well.. it's true.


I got dressed, even put on a skirt and a cool scarf.  Hubby had a meeting at 10 am on the phone which is rare on a Sunday and when he does have to work it is important.   I had taped Air Bud and thought...Super!  I can put the kiddo on the TV, I will sneak out and all will be well.


Keys in hand... I turned on the TV.  There was a commercial about bullying and he lost it.  I should have said he LOST it.  Big time.  I could tell after about 20 minutes that there would be no leaving.  I dashed out a note on Facebook asking for prayer that I maybe get to church but it was not to happen.  And I was angry and sad and disappointed.  It wasn't 'just' about going to church.  I know many of you understand that... it was 'one more thing.'


I rarely write about the 'hard stuff' that we deal with.  Just this last week a Christian magazine wrote a very detailed piece on how difficult it is when you have autism in the family. (They even put the 80% divorce statistic for those with autistic kids in there.  That is a lie from the devil.)   It was depressing to read.  One friend said it was good because it brings awareness.  I think that is true but HOPE is important also. One book I love is Dancing with Max by Emily Colson.  It is written like a Psalm.  It tells of the hard times she has endured but as I read (and as I have heard her speak via the internet) it is apparent that she knows the Lord and sees the joy in life...even in the hard times.   That is the type of writing I am drawn to.  It is the type of life I want to live.  


So for the next hour or two, I sat and listened to the kiddo, tried to calm him and buried myself in a Christian novel I am reading...just to escape.  Then when hubby got off the phone I did a bit of retail therapy.  (Not too much damage.  Heck, one store was the Dollar Store!)


When I arrived home all was well.  But I had been stressed the whole week.  It wasn't until I went for a walk that I realized that all the weight of the last week had been lifted off of me.  And the reason for that is because of the prayers of the saints (friends) that went up for me this morning as I sent out that SOS.  Even though I have lived in isolation with regards to church the last 10 years, I have met an incredible crowd of individuals via cyberspace that lift me up when needed.

There is a verse in Joel that says, "I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten."  (2:25).  I think this is true even for a day.  "I will repay you for your lousy morning."  I felt free, fresh, new and peace filled as I went on my walk.  So his mercies are new every morning...and it is morning somewhere.





I'm filing this under "Hear it on Sunday, Use it on Monday" because even though I didn't make it to church, I will be using a message directly from Him all through the week.  The message is peace and it was opened up for me because of the friends praying.

As Paul Harvey would say....

here is the rest of the story.

Kiddo spent another sixty to ninety minutes finishing this story he started yesterday.  Although he did not wish to do paragraphs, he decided to color code them so that when I read the story to his buddies, he could show the appropriate Resurrection egg.

I need to have full disclosure here because as many of you know we have our share of challenges.  So in the interest of transparency, in addition to doing the following, my child ALSO tried to teach another kiddo at the Easter party how to flip the bird.  Although 'bad' it reminds me of James 3:10; Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.  My brothers this should not be.  I think we all struggle with that but in our own adult way it is excused....

And on that note..and being thankful for God's grace and all that Easter is about...

Once upon a time there was a king. He was destined to become the king of kings. People awaited this coming. When he came on a donkey, they rejoiced him like a hero had come(in fact he is a hero but we’ll get to that later). they laid their clothes and waved palm branches. everybody was happy. well, almost everybody. the Pharisees were mad about this king. each time, they tried to prove jesus was a quack. and each time they failed. this was because jesus knew everything(he even knows your concealed sins. please ask for forgiveness). but one day, a disciple named judas iscariot came to the pharisees temple. He was offered some cash to betray jesus(yup, its true). very sad indeed(but don't worry, good things will come out of it). a while later, jesus and his friends were having dinner(including that betrayer, judas). jesus held up some bread and broke it. “this is my body it will be broken.” then he got some wine. “this is my blood. you shall have it.” what does it mean? you shall find out, my friend…oh! by the way, jesus mentioned somebody betraying him(judas, obviously). that night, jesus went to the garden of gethsemane. on the way there, peter said: “lord, i will do anything for you, i will even die for you!” but jesus responded, “you will say 3 times that you don't know me before the rooster crows.”(peter may have thought jesus’s brain was grilled. however, jesus was right!) when they got there, jesus prayed while he sweated blood(something that doesn’t usually happen to people). the disciples were in a major struggle to stay awake. but jesus said “wake up and pray for me.” so they did(or at least tried). then… soldiers came! they got jesus! peter counterattacked by slicing a soldiers ear off! but jesus said he shouldn't do it and healed the soldiers ear. they put him in a trial and did cruel mocking. they blindfolded him and whipped him. “if you are really the king of the jews, tell us who is hitting you!” they did many cruel things to this innocent, innocent, man. :( meanwhile, peter was walking around town. he went to warm himself by the fire. a woman saw him and said: “hey, you're that guy who goes with jesus!” peter blurted, “what!?!?! no i’m not!!! i don't even know jesus!” a man said back, “yes you are! i’ve seen you before!” peter said back, “I AM NOT PETER!!! AND I DONT KNOW JESUS!!! NOW GO AWAY!!!” another man said: “YOU ARE PETER! I CAN PROVE IT!” peter said one last time:”I AM NOT PETER AND I DONT KNOW JESUS!!!!!!” then the rooster crowed. peter had remembered what jesus said and wept. tomorrow, the pharisees told caesar about jesus, but he could not find out any guilty parts. he took jesus to the angry mob and said, “shall i crucify jesus and set barabbas the murderer free? or crucify barabbas and set jesus free?” the crowd did not care that barabbas was a killer. they wanted to crucify jesus. “CRUCIFY JESUS! CRUCIFY JESUS!” and so it was. all friends of jesus mourned. the soldiers beat him cruelly and put a thorny crown on him and jesus was called “king of the jews”. then they nailed him to the cross. they gambled with a die to see who got jesus’s clothes. They also pierced him with spears. a about-to-be-crucified criminal said: “lord, forgive my sins!” another criminal said “forgive me and bless me!” jesus said, “you two shall both be with me.” then jesus said:”i am thirsty.” a soldier gave him a sponge soaked with vinegar. then jesus said:”FATHER, I GIVE YOU MY SOUL!” then he said: “IT IS FINISHED!” then he died! the earth shook! the curtains of the ark of the covenant ripped! a day later, some men come and got jesus’s body. they wrapped it in linen. it was a sad day. they put him in a tomb and put a rock in the entrance. soldiers guarded it. then… a angel came and rolled away the rock! the soldiers fainted. that day, 3 women came to the tomb. to their surprise, the rock was rolled away! jesus’s body was gone! a angel appeared to them and said “DO NOT WORRY. HE HAS RISEN.”(angels have holy voices, so this is why i put on the “caps”.)the women were excited and told the exciting story to the disciples (everybody but judas. according to acts 1:1-10, judas bought a field, but he died and his body bursted open and his intestines poured out[if this makes you feel uncomfortable, i am sorry]). that day, the disciples were having dinner. thomas was not there. then jesus appeared! “PEACE BE WITH YOU.”(holy voice again! :D) the disciples were amazed! later, thomas was dining with them. jesus appeared again! “PEACE BE WITH YOU.”(i like this “holy caps” business! :D) thomas said, “i wont believe it!” jesus replied, “touch my hands and feet.” thomas touched them and he believed that jesus rose! jesus said, “anybody who believes in me will truly be happy.” later, the disciples went with jesus. “the holy spirit shall be with you.” jesus said. then something happened! jesus was lifted to the sky on a cloud and went to his home - heaven! the disciples kept looking up! two angels appeared and said, “why are you staring at the sky? jesus will come back someday.” so you see, its not about the so-called “easter bunny”, its about jesus. jesus died on the cross to forgive our sins - even the easter bunny’s.

Easter Story Narration

Today we are going on an egg hunt with some friends.  I asked the kiddo to give the Easter story with the Resurrection Eggs.  He wanted to write it down and print it out.  He quickly booted me out of the chair and started typing himself.  OVER a page.  Took him an hour.  And it was detailed to the point that I had to look up a few things to see if he was correct.  (He was.)  I can't ask for this type of work but when given freely it is amazing.

When I was pregnant I recall thinking,... how do kids learn language?  I was thinking how kids hear words, process them and then learn them.

Then he was born deaf and I wondered, HOW will he learn language and how will he hear about Jesus.  (And then all the other stuff that we have worked through as well...) Although there is still some internalizing that needs to be done, I think he 'gets' it quite well.

He needs to finish this but he stopped at the Good Friday part of the story and I think that is a good point to post it here.  I wanted to note that obviously he needs to work on capital letters (I did the first few sentences), but he can write!  I don't think you can teach a kid to write with all the different inflection and vocabulary that he uses.  He did spell check but there wasn't much to check.   (I know it is a tad hard to read but wanted to post it in the raw form.) And he really understands the people in the Bible story.    This passage is a whisper from God.

Once upon a time there was a king.  He was destined to become the king of kings.  People awaited this coming.  When he came they rejoiced him like a hero had come(in fact he is a hero but we’ll get to that later). they laid their clothes and waved palm branches. everybody was happy. well, almost everybody. the Pharisees were mad about this king. each time, they tried to prove jesus was a quack. and each time they failed. this was because jesus knew everything(he even knows your concealed sins. please ask for forgiveness). but one day, a disciple named judas iscariot came to the pharisees temple. he offered some cash to betray jesus(yup, its true). very sad indeed(but don't worry, good things will come out of it). a while later, jesus and his friends were having dinner(including that betrayer, judas). jesus held up some bread and broke it. “this is my body it will be broken.” then he got some wine. “this is my blood. you shall have it.” what does mean? you shall find out, my friend…oh! by the way, jesus mentioned somebody betraying him(judas, obviously). that night, jesus went to the garden of  gethsemane. on the way there, peter said: “lord, i will do anything for you, i will even die for you!” but jesus responded, “you will say 3 times that you don't know me before the rooster crows.”(peter may have thought jesus’s brain was grilled. however, jesus was right!) when they got there, jesus prayed while he sweated blood(something that doesn’t usually happen to people). the disciples were in a major struggle to stay awake. but jesus said “wake up and pray for me.” so they did(or at least tried). then… soldiers came! they got jesus! peter counterattacked by slicing a soldiers ear off! but jesus said he not do it and healed the soldiers ear. they put him in a trial and did cruel mocking. they blindfolded him and hit him. “if you are really the king of the jews, tell us who is hitting you!”  meanwhile, peter was walking around town. he went to warm himself by the fire. a woman saw him and said: “hey, you're that guy who goes with jesus!” peter blurted, “what!?!?! no i’m not!!! i don't even know jesus!” a man said back, “yes you are! i’ve seen you before!” peter said back, “I AM NOT PETER!!! AND I DONT KNOW JESUS!!! NOW GO AWAY!!!” another man said: “YOU ARE PETER! I CAN PROVE IT!” peter said one last time:”I AM NOT PETER AND I DONT KNOW JESUS!!!!!!” then the rooster crowed. peter had remembered what jesus said and wept. tomorrow, the pharisees told caesar about jesus, but he could not find out any guilty parts. he took jesus to the angry mob and said, “shall i crucify jesus and set barabbas the murderer free? or crucify barabbas and set jesus free?” the crowd did not care that barabbas was a killer. they wanted to crucify jesus. “CRUCIFY JESUS! CRUCIFY JESUS!” and so it was. all friends of jesus mourned. the soldier beat him with whips and put a thorny crown on him and jesus was called “king of the jews”. then they nailed him to the cross. they gambled with a die to see who got jesus’s clothes. they pierced him with spears. a about-to-be-crucified criminal said: “lord, forgive my sins!” another criminal said “forgive me and bless me!” jesus said, “you two shall both be with me.” then jesus said:”i am thirsty.” a soldier gave him a sponge soaked with vinegar. then jesus said:”FATHER, I GIVE YOU MY SOUL!” then he said: “IT IS FINISHED!” then he died! the earth shook! the curtains of the ark of the covenant ripped! a day later, some men come and got jesus’s body. they wrapped it in linen.

It's Friday but Sunday's coming

I posted this last year but it was taken off YouTube probably because of copyright issues.  But I found this one.  It isn't Good Friday yet but a wonderful reflection for this Holy Week.   I find myself all year long in Good Friday reflection and I really want this year to KNOW and FEEL the Easter miracle that Jesus died for me to have LIFE here on this earth.  "On Earth as it is in Heaven."  (Matthew 6.)  This year I want to leave all that was done at the foot of the cross and to know that it is ALREADY finished!

Winners!!!

The Winner of the Woodcarver DVD is number 7 Penny!!

The Winner of the Vineyard CD is CHEF Penny.

Congrats!!!

That's My King

Posted this last year.  Love it.  I find myself sometimes when I am praying, having conversations with myself, or replaying previous interactions, or thinking about the future.  And this last week I stopped myself and said..I'm with the King of Kings right now.. why do I want to think about other things?  (It's a process eh?)   Maybe I should have posted this on a Monday vs. a Sunday when you need a pump up. Well here you go anyway.  Enjoy.

What is Easter?

I PLANNED on doing more blogging over Lent.  This happened last Lent.  Thank the LORD that God is a God of mercy.  Not even sure I need mercy for not writing in my blog except for the fact that my DESIRE is to be more in tune with God daily...more at peace.  And when I am those things, I sometimes hear from God more about what to write.


Yesterday we had our homeschool co-op.  We are really working with Andrew to not yell out things. I mean, is it OK for a child to say to a man walking on the street with a walker, "Be healed in the name of Jesus."  Maybe.   But what about when it is a four year old at our developmental pediatrician and she is in a wheelchair and her mom is Muslim?  (Yes I have experienced both of these with my son.)  Jesus and the disciples maybe asked before they healed.  I don't know but it is a fine line between quashing his faith and allowing it.  And WHY as adults do we believe that He won't do that?!  My kiddo 100% believed that that man would be healed right then and there.  So why wasn't he?  Kiddo had faith! And how do you explain that to him?  I have seen this sort of thing happen... so why not then?


So yesterday we were at the homeschool co-op.  (Did I say that already?)  The minute we went in he saw Easter baskets ready to go to those in the inner city.  And he couldn't put his brain around it.  He started yelling.."Easter is not about the bunny and the jelly beans.  You need to put something about the real meaning of Easter in those baskets." (They very well might do that and I told him that.  In addition I told him how doing that service was BEING like Jesus.)  And then that was the theme which he told EVERYONE.


And I held my breath.


At what point do I care about him telling people there is no Easter Bunny.  (Sorry did I ruin it for you?)  I hold no judgement.  But we don't do it. The kid is too literal.  Thankfully he never said that.  He only kept talking about the REAL meaning of Easter which I think is just fine.  But still he reminded me of the guy yelling on the Quad in college telling people about Jesus.


And then in our class he got specific.  He asked everyone ELSE if they knew the meaning.  And they did. But the teacher played along..."jelly beans?"... noooooo....  "bunny?".... nooooooo...  "flowers?" ..partially. (I guess the flowers are OK.)


And then he proceeded to say that NOW when we do something wrong we no longer have to go get our best cow and kill it to get forgiven for our sins.  I wish I would have had on the video camera for this vivid explanation.    


So that is Easter... and faith.. and I guess I am praying for a fresh revival for our family to SEE His miracles more and more daily.  And to recognize the small ones as well.  


As a PS..Although we are working on the appropriateness of yelling out things like this in public, I just went to google 'Easter' for some pictures for this post and maybe we do need to shout more because in ten pages of images I think I saw one cross.  

The Woodcarver DVD and Give- away

I had the opportunity to watch and review The Woodcarver.  Here is an overview of the movie.

Matthew Stevenson is a troubled kid from a broken home. When he vandalizes the local church to get back at his parents, Matthew has to repair the damage to the church to avoid criminal charges. While working at the church, he meets Ernest (John Ratzenberger), an accomplished wood carver who created the intricate woodwork decoration that Matthew destroyed. Ernest has become something of a hermit, but reluctantly comes out of reclusion to help repair the church. Now Ernest and Matthew must work together to preserve the church's beautiful antiquity, and along the way, they also manage to restore their faith in God and in life.

Yes.. John Ratzenberger!  And he's in person.  He has done some great animation (in addition to Cheers) but this is him live in the flesh.   The movie is a sweet story of forgiveness, and what God's grace can do.  You can write the story line and it is a good family film.  The acting is very good and on point.  In a nutshell, Ernest takes the young man in and helps him to think about things in terms of What Would Jesus Do- the subtitle of the film.  I love when a faith film has some great well known actors in them.

One downside is that the movie is not captioned.  Those of you who read my reviews know that is a pet peeve because it leaves out a large portion of our society.  Cochlear implant kiddo watched with me but it was very hard for him to follow along.   Also the story, although sweet and good, was a bit slow moving at times and pretty predictable.

I would still recommend it as a family film however.  And I wish there were more of these types of flicks.

You can buy and rent the movie here.  The official trailer is below.




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