Storm Isaac

****** UPDATE ******
Isaac has hit and passed, we survived with nothing more than some downed tree limbs and a two day power outage! Praise the Lord! 

Okay ladies,

It looks, at this point anyway, like this storm Isaac is going to be headed for us here in Louisiana.

The school board has closed the schools here for at LEAST the next two days. They will re-evaluate the situation once the storm has passed.

I was just informed that we are not required to come into work for the same amount of time. As much as I love a two day paid vacation from work, I really dislike preparing for hurricanes. 

I ask you to please pray that this storm stays at a Category 1 or less! 

The expense of leaving for a hurricane and then the headache of trying to find a hotel with vacancies is horrible. We can ride out a 1 or less... so that's what I'm praying for :).  

Of course, I would love it if the storm doesn't come here at all, but praying for that will mean praying for it to hit someone else... so I really don't like doing that. 

With gas tanks and cans filled up... we are trying to prepare for the worse, but are praying for the best.

I had intentions on posting for the giveaway today, but I believe I will hold off until after things slow down again from the storm. Be on the lookout though, the Child Training Bible is so worth entering! 

I must say that I WILL be sure to pack it if we have to leave. I don't want to chance loosing it in the storm.

It's My Birthday!!!

Hello Beautiful Ladies!!!

Today is a wonderful day, because it's the day I drew my first breath. 

Today is my birthday!!

I will be doing a giveaway next week to CELEBRATE!!!

I don't want to spend a whole lot of time blogging today, I want to rest a bit ;)

But I did want to give you a peak at what's up for grabs. 

I received my Child Training Bible sometime at the beginning of August, and let me tell you... I can't imagine going without it now! It has been such a huge blessing in my home. 

When any of the children, visitors, or my husband and I have a question about something, we can go straight to the bible and look up the scriptures. The little ones can even do this by themselves. 

I also have my children write scripture for discipline... example, if my son keeps picking on one of his sisters... I'll make him write the scriptures that correspond to quarreling or fighting. My husband said the other day "They're going to know those scriptures by heart after a few months."  I said "I know... that's the point." :)

Here's the description straight from the Child Training Bible web site:

The Child Training Bible is tool that allows parents and children (and anyone that loves the Word of God) to go directly to the pages of Scripture for instruction in 20 key areas with a complete section dedicated to the gospel. 

The CTB was designed with Colossians 3:9-10 in mind.  “You have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self.”  The Scriptures selected for the CTB teach why we are to “put off” certain behavior and what godly behavior we are to “put on” instead.

The front key of the CTB is a visual index of the areas that Scripture teaches us to “put off.”  These areas correspond to color-coded tabs and highlighted text.  CTB Scriptures address both negative and positive responses with the emphasis on Jesus Himself, His perfect life as an example and gift to us.

To make a Child Training Bible you will use the CTB charts that include over 200 Scripture references, heart and gospel questions, and sample prayers.

Make a CTB for your family to have Scripture accessible and central in your home.

The Child Training Bible is also a perfect project for homeschool groups, moms clubs, and church groups.  Group discounts are available on orders of 10 or more CTB Chart Sets.  Contact ChildTrainingBible@gmail.com for details.  Follow the Child Training Bible on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest for information on the release of new products.    

Here's a video explanation of this magnificent tool! 

I am convinced that EVERY house should own one of these!

God has definitely used Mindy and her family to bless others. The time and dedication they have spent putting this system together... no amount of thanks could be enough.

How much do I love the Child Training Bible? 

Enough to offer my blessed blog readers a chance to win one at no cost to yourself! 

Check back next week for the giveaway!

 I'm off to relax on this beautiful day the Lord has made, the day he made beautiful me! ;)

Louisiana Beignet Recipe - cheaters version

If anyone has ever visited here in Louisiana, you know you have GOT to taste our sweet southern Beignets. So delicious they almost melt in your mouth. 

They became the official state doughnut of Louisiana in 1986... and for good reason! Hardly anyone around can pass up the goodness of this warm tasty treat.

If you aren't fortunate enough to live in South Louisiana, there's hope for you yet! 

I'm going to include in this post... a super fast, super yummy recipe for making a cheaters Beignet! My kids actually beg me to make this in the mornings at times. It's so fast to make, and so yummy! ( I know I keep saying that... but they are!)

So... here it is! drum roll please! (dddd...dddd...dddd...)

You will need:

• 1 can of Grands Biscuits
• 1.5 cups of vegetable oil
• 1 small bag of powdered sugar

So, all you need to do is pour the oil into a skillet and begin to heat it.

While the oil is heating, you cut each Grands biscuit... I've done this two ways, it all depends on the size you want to end up with... you can 1.) cut them in half diagonally from a top "corner" to a bottom "corner" to get 2 Beignets from each biscuit or you can 2.) cut each biscuit into quarters to get 4 biscuits each. ( If you cut them into quarters, simply give each piece a little stretch.)

Once the oil is hot, place as many biscuit pieces as you can into the frying pan and turn constantly until they are golden brown in color. 

Place them onto a paper towel to allow the excess oil to drain off them. Repeat this process until they are all cooked.

Now all you have to do is generously shake powdered sugar only the pile and enjoy while they are still warm!

I hope you enjoy! If you try this recipe, let me know how you liked it!

Coming Soon, Study the Word Wednesday!

Coming September 5, 2012!!!
Study the Word Wednesday!

Our first study topic will be

Attitude is Everything...

Did you know you should have the same attitude as Christ?

Philippians 2:3-5  says:"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." 

Each Wednesday we will study attitude a little deeper. Sub topics will be:

1. What is attitude?

2. What kind of attitude should I have?

3. How can I use God's Word to change my attitude?

4. What effect does my attitude have on my actions?

5. What effect does my attitude have on others?

6. How can I help others have a positive attitude?

The Studies will be based off the lessons I give in my TGM (Teen Girls Ministry) group on Wednesday nights. I have been gaining so much from these lessons myself... I know others out there could benefit. How to better reach people than the use of the web? :) 

Hope to see you there, and God bless!!!

My baby turned 5 today!

Has it really been two week… TWO WEEKS since I’ve last posted? Oh my goodness I never would have thought it had been that long!

Since school started up again this year things have been crazy mad at my house. This was the first time all four kiddos go to school and mornings are a little more than hectic at some moments. I have to not only make sure everyone else is up, dressed, hair brushed, and ready to go… but I also have to make sure I’M ready as well. Whew, there have been a few close calls to getting to school before the ring of the bell… this morning included. I think we made it with 5 minutes to spare.

The main reason for my post today is to share that it’s my baby’s birthday! The youngest of our group, the cute, sweet, little caboose. Today she makes 5 years old.

I remember the day she was born, even though she was my fourth child, she was also a baby of firsts. It was the first time I had the epidural, the first of my children to remain breach, my first (and last) c-section.

I thought my fourth pregnancy and delivery would have been routine that time around… but she had to be stubborn and not turn.

I can’t imagine why anyone would opt TO have a c-section by choice. It was immensely more difficult to recover from, the pain was horrible, but she was worth it.

The only one of my children with curly hair and brown eyes like myself. I never knew how beautiful brown eyes really were until I looked into the face of my baby girl and seen those milk chocolate pools looking back at me… she has taught me so much in her short 5 years.

We had her a birthday party earlier in the month. Her Nanny wanted to be there, and she was moving a few states away the next weekend. She really had a blast at the party. We had it at a place called the “Enchanted Cottage” The little girls were all dressed up as Fairies, they all sat down and had tea and treats together, played games, had their nails and face’s painted… and just had a really nice time.

Tonight we are going to be baking a chocolate cake together, she loves to help me bake and cook in the kitchen.

I also have pictures from the kids’ first day heading to school.

If today is Angelique's birthday, that means my birthday is just 4 short days away! I will be turning 1 year older this coming Sunday! Get ready for a birthday GIVEAWAY! I'm so excited, the item that will be given away has become a crucial tool used almost daily in my household. I can't wait to bless another family with one! 

Angelique the day she was born... August 22, 2007

Angelique @ her 5th birthday party

My four children in 2007

My four children this year, 2012

Angelique's Fairy Tea Party

 

Schools In: Night and Morning Routine Printables

Today was the first day back at school for my older three kiddos! Everything ran rather smoothly (surprisingly!)

Everyone got up and dressed with no problem, everything was found right away, and everyone ate breakfast and got to school on time! All that, WITH the alarm clock waking me up an hour late. Now to see if we can continue this perfect first day throughout the rest of this school year.

The baby girl goes for Kindergarten testing this afternoon. She will start next week full time! It really does not feel like she should be starting school yet, she’s still my little baby girl even though we will be celebrating her 5^th birthday this weekend.

The big 5! I remember my fifth birthday, I was so excited that when someone asked me how old I was, I could then hold up an entire hand full of fingers, without holding any down!

Yeap, the good old days.

Well, as promised, I have revised the Night Routine spreadsheet, and also created a Morning Routine.  Feel free to use these as you wish.

For my family, I will be printing them as either 8x10 or 5X7s, and placing them in a frame. That away the kids can use a dry erase marker and cross out each activity as they complete it so they can keep track of what they need to do next.  Or maybe I could print them side by side and place them both in an 8X10 frame? I guess I’ll figure out the best way to display them tonight.

I’m trying to decide on a reward system right now, we have tried numerous ones in the past, but nothing worth sticking to thus far.  Any suggestions?!

Tonight I’ll be treating our Friends group (The girls ministry I lead at church) to a pizza and chocolate cup cake party. I know most of them are going to be tired after a long first day back at school… I want to ease things up for them a bit.

I hope the rest of you have a wonderful Wednesday!

Should Christians Divorce?

Should Christians divorce? Growing up in an Apostolic Pentecostal church, we were always taught that marriage was a contract between one woman, one man, and God… that the two would be united together with each other until death and that no man could undo that contract. Point blank. PERIOD. (not even a Judge)

If, for any reason, a couple decided they could not remain married to each other, they could separate from each other. BUT, they were to both remain single and unmarried from anyone else until the death of the other person.   Huhhh? Yes, you read that correctly.

We were taught that marriage is a commitment until death, weather you decided to stick with each other, or not, you are still bound to that person until their (or your) death.

Some people might not agree with this, some might think it’s completely ridiculous or consider it going overboard… but what do the scriptures say about divorce?

Let’s see.

I’m using the NIV bible for these scriptures…

Malachi 2:16 – “I hate divorce,” says the LORD God of Israel, “and I hate a man’s covering himself with violence as well as with his garment,” says the LORD Almighty. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith.

Matthew 5:32 – But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Matthew 19:8,9 – Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

Mark 10:11,12 – He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”

Luke 16:18 – “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”

I Corinthians 7:10,11 – To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.

Mark 10:9 - Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."

I don’t know about you, but even though I have not been a member of the Apostolic Pentecostal church since I was 12 years of age, I can’t argue with the scriptures.

I think the scriptures have been twisted and distorted so that tiny sins and things detestable in the sight of God can be “swept under the rug.”

I say the Word is the Word. It’s the same today as it was yesterday… and it will be the same even tomorrow.

Below are some of the few times in the bible God mentions HATING something… the things he hates are:

Divorce

Haughty eyes

Lying tongue

Hands that shed innocent blood

A heart that devises wicked schemes

Feet that are quick to rush to evil

A false witness who pours out lies

A man who stirs up dissension among brothers

I think if more people looked at marriage as a one time shot… you are stuck with that person for the rest of your life (as God designed), there would be less rushing into marriage. Also if you knew that your only choices after marriage were to stick with it and work things out with your spouse, or live the rest of your life alone with no spouse, I think more people would opt to try to work things out more times than not.

Not to mention, what divorce does to the child(ren) involved. 

 I’m just voicing what I have received, and what God has revealed to me, through scriptures. I know that God convicts each of us differently and with that being said, I would love to hear what your views on divorce are.