You probably already know it, but this is Father’s Day weekend! It’s our turn to honor our own fathers, as well as our children’s daddy. In case you need a few ideas, I thought I’d share a few of the favorite things I’ve seen.

Better Homes and Gardens has

They also shared  this cute idea for decorating a pan of brownies…

How about a hamburger cake?

These Rootbeer Float Cupcakes are adorable!

Now that dessert is taken care of, how about a few clever gift ideas? I love this Tie Pillow! If you had some sentimental ties you hated to discard, this is a great use for them – and it’s far from tacky! =)

These Map drink coasters are a great idea. How about using a map of his home state or a vacation place your family loves?

Adorable way to wrap his gift…

Simple ideas:

With any disaster, we have people that come to the scene ready to act! They are called First Responders.  A certified first responder is a person who has completed a course and received certification in providing pre-hospital care for medical emergencies. In the recent tornadoes in Oklahoma, a team of First Responders were the ones digging through the splintered homes searching for survivors so they might administer life-saving techniques. These are brave people who are willing to do the hard thing in critical times. They respond willingly, gladly, and sacrificially.

Did you know that the fact that you and I are called “women” gave us the position as the very 1st First Responders?  “A godly woman is an agreeable woman. She says yes. She has a disposition that responds positively to others, particularly to the initiative of godly men. She is ‘soft’ and not obstinate about receiving direction. She is ‘leadable.'”  This is a quote found in a study I’m doing called, “True Woman 101.” Does that describe you? Or does that description make your blood boil and your bristles raise up?

A woman was created by God to be this gentle responder. That is to happen in marriage, but it’s also to be true of all women – single and married alike. The Lord sees it as a beautiful characteristic. I Peter 3 reminds us – …the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. That kind of spirit is to be treasured and valued.

Wouldn’t it be terrible to have a First Responder on the scene of a tragedy cry out to a trapped victim, “Oh, give me your arm, for heaven’s sake! How do you expect me to pull you from this wreckage?” Or, “I have a better way to save you than the way they taught us in class – here, do this instead…” Of course that would be ridiculous. First Responders follow their leadership. They do what they’re asked to do with a willing heart.

As a wife, are you a First Responder? Do you gladly, sweetly, and positively react to your husband?
As a female, are you responding to the male authority in your life with a right heart attitude? That may include a father, pastor or boss. This isn’t a place of lesser importance; this is our God-given position and it is a truly high calling. I’m thankful I don’t have to call the shots or be ultimately responsible for the headship of our home or church. It’s my duty and yours as a woman, to simply respond in a loving way. By doing so, we are joining the ranks of brave souls – willing to go against the flow of the world to save our homes and our testimony.

Don’t resist – respond.

Here’s how:

What is your reaction to the truth that you are created to be a responder? Do you see that as a positive or a negative?

With love,

I love the story in Joshua about how the Israelites crossed the Jordan River, then were told to gather twelve stones as a remembrance to what God had done.  When their children asked them about the stones, they were to tell them how God stopped the river’s flow so they could cross. This was to be a visual remembrance of God’s provision and care.

Our family doesn’t have a pile of stones, but we have our share of stories about how God provided for us over and over again!  As I shared here a couple years ago, God taught my husband and me to trust Him for the details of our lives when we were young parents with barely a dollar to our name. We have told the “Gerber cereal story” many times. We didn’t want Whitney to forget how God provides, nor did we want to forget! Every time I see a box of Gerber Cereal with the picture of that idyllic baby on the box, I’m taken “to the Jordan river” to remember my God’s faithfulness.

Another great thing about our story is that it gives me faith for each time I look into the future and begin to wonder how a particular need will be cared for, where the resources will come from, or exactly how it will really all work out. Enter – Gerber Baby Cereal picture. It’s God’s message to me – “Remember what I did? I’m still in control!” I sigh happily and trek along my way. “Oh yes! I remember!”

Do you have a story of God’s provision that you rehearse in your children’s ears? They need to hear it over and over again! Remind yourself, too, whenever you’re tempted to doubt!

I’d love to hear your story! Care to leave a comment about it? All stones are welcome!

From my parsonage windows,

 is the title of the series my husband has been preaching on Sunday nights. This past Sunday night he encouraged families to get rid of disorganization. The very evening he was preaching his message, I was reminded of why it’s so important for my home to be organized.

As the service was being started, one of our very own missionaries who was passing through the area, felt led of the Lord to come to Boones Creek Bible Church’s evening service. He was by himself, due to his family being away for a few days, and so he was on no time schedule. After spotting him in the congregation, my husband had him come up and pray during the service. When our missionary guest announced how the Lord directed him to our church, and that he was on no schedule, the Lord prompted my heart that he needed to come and stay with us for the night. It was no surprise that when I talked to my husband after the service, he felt the same way. And so, our missionary friend returned to our home after the service.

As my husband was preaching, and I had been given the prompt to invite this dear man to stay with us, I thought, “I’m thankful that everything is in order at the house. I’m not going to have to go home and apologize for the messy kitchen, dirty dishes or laundry piled up on the couch. Whew!” Oh, not that my house couldn’t have used a dust rag or mop in places, but overall, it was ready for a guest to drop in.

Being organized and tidy isn’t only about teaching your children good habits and responsibility, it’s also about being prepared to be used of the Lord when He prompts your heart. There have been times that I would have resisted having a guest enter my home, trust me! But on this night I was thankful that I was prepared – not so I wouldn’t be embarrassed, but because my lack of organization would have caused my husband and me to miss the blessing of serving this servant of the Lord! It was a delight to have him in our home, and to be able to quickly obey the Lord’s leading.

So, if you look at your lack of organization and say, “It’s just my family, and they don’t care!” You’re missing the whole point. First, we’re stewards of the what the Lord has entrusted to us (that includes our belongings, as well as the training of our children), and secondly it will free us up to serve others.
Paul reminds us in Galatians 5:1 – Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. I realize that he’s referring to legalism, but disorganization can also be a type of bondage that keeps us from being free.

Look around your home right now and ask yourself if you’d be good with guests stopping in. If the answer is “No way!” why not start on a path to orderliness? Perhaps you could free yourself from the bondage of disorganization by:

If this negative habit has been a part of your life, it’s not impossible to get rid of it! Start today and make a little progress at a time. It will be so freeing, and you’ll be ready to serve at a moment’s notice!

Would you be ready and willing to serve others today? What would it take to get you there?

With love,

Even though we were gone Friday afternoon through Saturday until 11 pm, I managed to get a meal in the crock pot Sunday morning.  After eating out on our little weekend trip, I knew we’d both rather eat at home after church.  I did a survey of some of the recipes I’d pinned on Pinterest and found this great crock pot recipe. I had everything either in the freezer or pantry! I altered it by adding chicken breasts instead of shrimp.  It turned out great.  If you’re needing a one dish meal where you truly just dump all the ingredients in and go, you’ll love this recipe!

Cajun Shrimp (Or Chicken) and Rice
Makes: 6 servings

Ingredients
1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
1 14-ounce can chicken broth
1 cup chopped onions
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 6- to 6-1/4-ounce package long-grain and wild-rice mix, such as Uncle Ben’s
1/4 cup water
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
1 pound cooked, shelled and deveined shrimp (I added 4 frozen chicken breast filets)
Hot-pepper sauce (optional)

Directions
1. In a 3-1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker, combine tomatoes with their juices, chicken broth, onions, bell pepper, rice mix with seasoning packet, water, garlic, and Cajun seasoning.
2. Cover; cook on low-heat setting 5 to 6 hours or on high-heat setting 3 to 3 1/2 hours.
3. Stir shrimp into rice mixture. Cover; cook for 15 minutes longer at high-heat setting. Sprinkle with hot-pepper sauce if desired.

I used frozen tomatoes from my garden in place of the canned tomatoes.

Four hours later!

I also tried a new dessert recipe last week that I must share with you, Friends!  Yummy is the word!
As you may recall, strawberries are my favorite fruit.  While they’re fresh, we try to buy them locally and make Strawberry Muffins, or Strawberry Pie or Strawberry Freezer jam.  I use the Sure Jell recipe.  It always turns out great.

One batch was all I needed to make this year.  Added to what is in the freezer already give me 18 jars.  I believe that will get us through until the next strawberry season!

Then on  the day that my husband came home with four quarts of berries, I saw a Strawberry Pizza recipe on Pinterest. The recipe is from Your Home Based Mom. The base is a plain cookie-like dough, topped with a cream cheese filling, a strawberry filling, and then the fresh berries.  We had guests over, and if we all hadn’t been exercising extreme discipline, (cough!) this whole thing would have been GONE before the night was done!

Strawberry Pizza

Ingredients

Crust:
1 C flour
1/4 C powdered sugar
1/2 C butter

Filling:
1 (8 oz.) cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 C granulated sugar
1/4 tsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice

Topping;
1 C fresh strawberries, mashed
4 Tbsp. granulated sugar
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
8 – 10 strawberries sliced.
Instructions

Crust:
In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar and butter.
Form into a ball with hands and press into a 14 inch ungreased pizza pan (I used my Pampered Chef pizza stone) I floured my fingertips to keep it from sticking and I pressed it out with my hands.
Bake at 325 degrees for 15 minutes. Cool.

Filling:
In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, vanilla, sugar and lemon juice.
Spread on cooled crust.
Topping:
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine strawberries, sugar and cornstarch.
Simmer until thick and glossy. Cool.

Spread on top of cream cheese filling.  Cut fresh strawberries crosswise to make rounds that resemble pepperoni, place on pizza and serve.

You could add other fruits to the strawberries like Kiwi or blueberries.  Hey, you might even feel like you’re eating something healthy since it’s covered with fruit!  😉

What have you been baking/cooking in your kitchen?

With love from my parsonage kitchen,