Tu B'Shevat: The Fruit of the Spirit

It is so hard to get going with school on Mondays sometimes! Yesterday I was reading thru the book Walk thru the Year with Y'shua, planning ahead for how we would observe the next holy day, when I noticed a holiday that I had never heard of before: Tu B'Shevat! I looked online and imagine my surprise, it was today! In Jewish tradition, it is the New Year for Trees - a time to prepare for spring and planting, and to observe how we all grow by Gods leading. In my book, which is aimed at Messianic Jews, it is a time to reflect on how we are nurtured in Gods word and how all of our lives bear fruit when we abide in Christ.

We were really blessed to be able to use this day to accomplish things around the house and complete several subjects for school while observing this holiday. We talked about how trees are alive and how they change during the seasons, what trees mean to people for food and air, and how we are branches of the vine (a tree in our lesson) of Christ. We had figs, raisens and pistachio's for a snack (all fruits!), we made a HUGE tree on our dining room wall with contact paper and then decorated it with heart shaped "fruit" (like valentines... :) ) which we wrote the names of fruits of the spirit on (Galatians 5:22). We even split my suffering aloe plant into new pots, with the hope that they would thrive and we could give them away (kind of like the fruits are meant to be shared..... are you seeing the pattern?...ha!) Does anyone know - does aloe grow in the desert in Israel? LOL

Right: Our tree with "fruits of the spirit"!

While we were cutting out our heart fruits for the tree (stay tuned for the tree decorated for a myriad of holidays and occassions this coming year!), Brody, who has been very sick since Saturday evening (his fever broke early this morning, praise the Lord!) had a short burst of energy and insisted in participating. Maybe it was the promise of using scissors! Anyway, Brody wanted to cut out hearts for our fruits. I helped him trace the first one and then left him to cut it out. He was able to cut around half of it raggedly, but then began asking for help. I put my hand over his and we finished it together, a nice smooth cut.

It struck me that this is much like the help we get from the Father. Without His help, our efforts are sincere, but not nearly as perfect (or completed) as it is WITH Him. How much we need His help to grow perfect fruit! He instructs us, guides us and is the one to nurish us and the result is a fruit more perfect than we can ever accomplish on our own. I dont think we will be overlooking Tu B'Shevat again!

I pray that all our lives will be fruitful this year, that we will seek to grow in God's ways and we will abide in Christ.

Suggested reading: John 15

Right: Boys repotting aloe, Brody sleeping!

By the way, that HUGE rubber plant behind the boys needs a home... Any takers!?

Like the Children of Israel in the desert.....

I am reading a fictional book about a young Christian Jew who was taken captive after the siege of Jerusalem, not all that long after the death of Christ. The book has been powerful and talks a lot about the idols that the Romans devoted themselves too. Many changes and transitions take place in the life of this young woman, who has become a servant in a Roman household. Thru it all, she remains faithful to the Lord, even though her faith was the weakest of all survivors. What really strikes me and has as me reflecting this week, is the place of idols in the daily life of the Romans. They were everywhere! I dont think that has changed much....

I know we have talked about idols before: that an idol can be anything that you place before God or give position to above Him. We have talked about how we can make ourselves our own idols by putting our earthly lives and desires before our service and relationship with Christ also. This week, idols have been swirling around me in many forms. I wonder if it is God's leading to open my eyes to how He sees my life?

Friday, we moved the television OUT of our bedroom (where it has been since we were married) and into the living room, where we havent had a tv for over a year. I somehow felt then that we had moved some sort of shrine into the corner of the living room. Our furniture is not necessarily positioned around it, but none the less, I was reminded of the home shrines you might see in a Hindu household. It is in no less a place of prominence, being one of the first things you see when you walk into the house. I could hide it, but it would still be there (kind of like I can hide my sin, but it is still there too....)

Saturday, I heard about how some of the church practices for worshiping Christ are perfectly parallel to the rites for Dionysus, a Greek god. I didnt know how to feel about that, but while reading this book of fiction, it wasnt hard to accept that many religious practices become blended together and that we as human have to classify things to accept them, which often leads to us assuming inappropriate traditions or methods of worship. It has me thinking, anyway.

I know that there are many idols that I put before myself as a distraction or an excuse to not be in full fellowship with God. Part of it is fear to submit completely, the other part worldly deception, meant to separate me from Him and bond me to sin. I want to allow God complete reign, complete rule of my heart and also my hands and life. I pray that we are not so content/confined in our "religion" that we prevent God from shaping us to His true purpose as servants. That I will submit my will and fear of being without my "seen idols" to God and also follow His prompting in the issue of what to do with the television set. I have been aware of this battle for a long time, but somehow have skirted ever really confronting it, clinging to what I can see and afraid of Gods voice. I dont want that anymore. I want to live to serve my God, not this world and its idols.

8:30 p.m. Update: I chose to put us on a strict t.v. diet - I counted 123 children's videos in our collection! Thats a potential 123 hours (if you average them out) of tube time for my kids. Yikes! Thats proof enough for me that our television is an idol.
So most of those are being packed up, including Pixar and Disney. Im not sad at all. The only one I couldnt put away (for some reason?) was Babe. Now I will wait to see what I should do next...

Two Weeks

I am exhausted. I could sleep for 3 or 4 more hours and still not feel rested. But I wont. And I really shouldnt. Its not unusual for me to feel like this every once in a while, and it usually means my iron is low, but there is no time for sleeping-in, not with 3 children. Guess Ill be having a cheeseburger for lunch!

I ducked out of a few things on Sunday and Im feeling a little bit guilty about it. Looking back, I can say that I needed a day of doing nothing, but I also feel like I missed out on something. Isnt that how it goes? We never know what we are missing until its gone...! One of those things was a funeral for a friend who passed away suddenly. I would have liked to have been there, and missing it was not part of my plan or a way to avoid her death or anything. I heard it was a really good service and time of fellowship with her family. And I wish I had been there.

As I look back over the last 2 weeks, I have been very busy and it really is no wonder I am worn out. Here - in two weeks I have:

Started swimming lessons with the kids again, 3 afternoons a week with a 20 minute commute.
Been to the dentist to have my temporary bridge ground down, which is still causing me pain, into my ear, after 3 weeks!
Finished and turned in on time (!) 2nd quarter work samples for homeschool
Cooked a fried chicken dinner for my dad's birthday
Been to the doctor to see if I have an ear infection
Cleaned my kitchen and living room from top to bottom, kind of like spring cleaning
Put a futon mattress and a gallon of wild strawberry wine in the crawlspace
Tried to remember to go to the book study Im participating in
Adopted a cat
Somehow Im managing a toddler with cat allergies :(
Polished silver (stainless is much easier!)
Cooked a turkey and hosted a turkey dinner at my home
Went to Homer for a birthday dinner for my mother
Stayed overnight in Homer with my sister
Made 2 pairs of pants for my chef friend, and started a jacket too

This may not sound like all that much, but in my defense, I take 3 kids with me if I go anywhere and all these things are on top of homeschooling and regular chores and swimming lessons. No wonder I am tired! Today will be no different. And neither will the rest of the week. But I wont be ducking out of any more Sundays - Ive learned its my real respite from the week. I think I have really overbooked myself this month and need to slow down! I wonder what it is that I am really avoiding by taking on all these projects? Keep praying for me, please. Im not doing so well at bringing things before God and asking for permission or guidance (and then actually listening to that instruction).

See you Sunday :)

Holiday Review

So below are some snippets of what we have been up to over the "holiday" season. But first I want to pose this question: Its not really a holiday, is it? I found myself slightly overwhelmed (I get a little more organized and a little more laid back every year, so i am improving my coping during this time, but....) and beginning to snap at my husband! I actually looked at him and said " you have it so easy, a wife who does all the work to prepare for the holidays, and you just sit around, sleeping in!" And then it hit me: THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HE DOES FOR ME EVERY DAY!!

Yeah, I had to just shut my mouth after that. He goes to work every day, breaks his back so I can stay home with the kids! And he deserves to rest during the holidays. I should, instead, be GRATEFUL that I can do all these arts and crafts, baking and gift making that I do during the holidays, that we have food for plenty of guests during that time. That my home is comfortable and WARM when its -25F outside! Thank you Lord that you are opening my eyes to what you do for us and to the real gifts of the husband you chose for me.

Anyway, here are some pictures of our holidays... Enjoy!

From Top Left, to bottom:

The boys posing for Christmas card pictures;

Cal stirring chocolate for brownies;

Making ornaments!;

Hanging out with Uncle O;

Thanksgiving Day treats - cherry preserve pies!

Recycling Christmas Dinner

Okay, I know. What is the point in blogging if you never blog!? Its been a while. But here we are at Christmas and Im just catching my breath, preparing for the new year that is just 5 days away! I think Im ready. Heck, at this point, I have no choice!

Ill save pictures of Christmas and things we did for another time. Today I want to talk about something that is near and dear to me.....FOOD!

It was suggested that with all my cooking and recipe developing, that I blog. So I will at least include it, however sporadically.

If you know me, my life pretty much revolves around food. Family and food. Arts and crafts with food. Gift giving of food.... Yeah, I like food :) One of my favorite things about cooking and being a woman of the house is that I can find creative ways to use leftovers. You can call it recycling, repurposing, but I call it yum!

For instance, tonight we are having a breakfast strata (a.k.a. savory bread pudding) for dinner, using leftover Christmas stuffing, potatoes, bacon and eggs. These are all things I have in my fridge and need to be used because everyone is sick of eating them in their original form. This is a sure winner at my house and is a staple for brunch type meals:

Breakfast Strata
3 or 4 cups stuffing (or potatoes, roasted, mashed, biscuits, stale bread, the list goes on....)
Bacon or sausage (or ham, or turkey, pepperoni, you get the idea)
Leftover chopped veggies and onions, 1-2 cups max
8-10 eggs, or 2 pints egg beaters
1/2 milk, cream, etc.
salt and pepper, 1/2 tsp. mustard powder if you want it...


Preheat oven to 350 F.
Spray casserole pan with nonstick spray.
Layer leftovers in pan, starting with the starchy food (i.e. stuffing). Sprinkle meat over the top. Blend eggs and milk, with salt + pepper , pour into pan on top of everything else. Bake 20-35 minutes. Keep an eye on it, but dont worry, its hard to mess this one up! You can change the pan size and ingredient amounts to accomodate whatever you have on hand, little or big, just change the baking time too!

So here are a few more examples of how Christmas dinner (Goose with apricot stuffing, truffled lamb with chantrelle mushroom rice, roasted butternut squash with parsnips, brussel sprouts with pecans, and rye bread stuffing) will be repurposed this weekend (because, you know, Im supposed to start a diet on Monday, so the leftovers have to go!):

Butternut parsnip ravioli, lamb risotto, served alongside zucchini latkes, for the last night of Hanukkah.

It might seem silly to you, but this is how I make dinners stretch and ease the burden of cooking for myself. I freeze leftovers (extra brussel sprouts for St. Patty's Day, leftover cream cheese icing to be used later for pumpkin cheesecake muffins, the goose liver from my Christmas dinner for pate, Halloween candy for Christmas fudge and gingerbread houses!) Why waste it when you can freeze it for later?

My strata's done. Gotta go! Tomorrow breakfast: Eggnog french toast!

Things Ive Done...

I copied this from my friend Nani. Its a very long list. Its kind of neat to see what our friends have done. Copy it, send it to me, make your own little notes here...

If it’s pink, I have…

1. Touched an iceberg
2. Slept under the stars
3. Been a part of a hockey fight
4. Changed a baby’s diaper
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Swam with wild dolphins
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a tarantula
10. Said “I love you” and meant it
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a huge sports game (Go Mariners!)
17. Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Bet on a winning horse
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Taken an ice cold bath
28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Ridden a roller coaster
31. Hit a home run
32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
33. Adopted an accent for fun
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment
36. Loved your job 90% of the time
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Watched wild whales
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach
41. Gone sky diving
42. Visited Ireland (not yet...but it's a lifelong dream- ditto for me, Nani)
43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited India
45. Bench-pressed your own weight
46. Milked a cow
47. Alphabetized your personal files
48. Ever worn a superhero costume
49. Sung karaoke
50. Lounged around in bed all day
51. Gone scuba diving
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Done something you should regret, but don’t
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Been in a movie (well, a commercial...!)
60. Gone without food for 3 days
61. Made cookies from scratch
62. Won first prize in a costume contest
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Been in a combat zone
65. Spoken more than one language fluently
66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone
67. Bounced a check
68. Read - and understood - your credit report
69. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy - found it!
70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did
71. Called or written your Congress person
72. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
73. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge - actually, we drove across it.
74. Helped an animal give birth
75. Been fired or laid off from a job
76. Won money
77. Broken a bone - my tail bone, which is really no comparison I hear
78. Ridden a motorcycle
79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph
80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
81. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing
82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
83. Eaten sushi
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read The Bible cover to cover
86. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
87. Gotten someone fired for their actions
88. Gone back to school
89. Changed your name
90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands - Im a ninja
91. Eaten fried green tomatoes
92. Read The Iliad
93. Taught yourself an art from scratch
94. Killed and prepared an animal for eating - Ill update this next year to include "killed"
95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt
96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
97. Been elected to public office -highschool LOL
98. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
99. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
100. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
101. Had a booth at a street fair
102. Dyed your hair
103. Been a DJ
104. Rocked a baby to sleep
105. Ever dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all fours
106. Raked your carpet What?
107. Brought out the best in people
108. Brought out the worst in people
109. Worn a mood ring
110. Ridden a horse
111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap
112. Prepared a dish where four people asked for the recipe
113. deleted this one... With good reason Im sure
114. Gone to a Broadway play
115. Been inside the pyramids
116. Shot a basketball into a basket
117. Danced at a disco - or perhaps been IN a disco dance?
118. Played in a band
119. Shot a bird
120. Gone to an arboretum
121. Tutored someone
122. Ridden a train
123. Brought an old fad back into style
124. Eaten caviar
125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need
126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant
127. Published a book
128. Pieced a quilt
129. Lived in an historic place
130. Acted in a play or performed on a stage
131. Asked for a raise
132. Made a hole-in-one
133. Gone deep sea fishing
134. Gone roller skating
135. Run a marathon
136. Learned to surf
137. Invented something
138. Flown first class
139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite
140. Flown in a helicopter
141. Visited Africa
142. Sang a solo
143. Gone spelunking
144. Learned how to take a compliment
145. Written a love-story
146. Seen Michelangelo’s David
147. Had your portrait painted
148. Written a fan letter
149. Spent the night in something haunted
150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane
151. Ran away - for one whole evening!
152. Learned to juggle
153. Been a boss
154. Sat on a jury
155. Lied about your weight
156. Gone on a diet
157. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget
158. Written a poem
159. Carried your lunch in a lunchbox
160. Gotten food poisoning
161. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission
162. Hiked the Grand Canyon
163. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks
164. Gone to the opera
165. Gotten a letter from someone famous
166. Worn knickers
167. Ridden in a limousine
168. Attended the Olympics
169. Can hula or waltz and polka.
170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books
171. Been stuck in an elevator
172. Had a revelatory dream
173. Thought you might crash in an airplane
174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert
175. Saved someone’s life
176. Eaten raw whale
177. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint
178. Laughed till your side hurt
179. Straddled the equator
180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing
181. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival
182. Sent a message in a bottle
183. Spent the night in a hostel
184. Been a cashier
185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
186. Joined a union
187. Donated blood or plasma
188. Built a campfire
189. Kept a blog
190. Had hives
191. Worn custom made shoes or boots
192. Made a PowerPoint presentation
193. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course
194. Served at a soup kitchen
195. Conquered the Rubik’s cube
196. Know CPR
197. Ridden in or owned a convertible
198. Found a long lost friend
199. Helped solve a crime
200. Responded to a NJP newsletter (apparently this is a military discipline notice, so no, not I)

I love LOVE that God uses many ways to talk to us. To reach us and get us to understand. And He is so patient! He is so good to me :) I often find that He speaks to me directly, but when I wont listen or I dont talk to Him about it, He finds me at church. This is one of the ways that I know Im where I should be - that the sermon or topic applies specifically to the battle I am facing that week or month. I am so grateful for this. He has provided for every need, even before I know I need it!


I had what felt like the worst week last week. Thankfully, I had friends and sisters to let me cry out my problems and encourage me. My husband and I have had a period of bitterness in our marriage. Of being angry at our spouse and unable to reconcile it truly. Both of us were hurt and nobody wants to be the one to fix it. So it goes unsaid or unfinished and gets worse. That was were I was last week, among children, chores and everything else. Feeling alone and overwhelmed. And as I sat in my book study on Thursday, which is about being a Godly wife, of all things, I was still in that bitter place. And in a way, I was already digging my feet in, refusing to do what God was asking. Saturday, I cried my heart out before the Lord, and He said to me: Rejoice! Find joy in your husband like you find joy in me. I was so frustrated that I refused. It cant be the answer, can it? Sunday, the pastor spoke on our relationship with Christ from Ephesians 5. I have heard this passage before and I have heard before that our marriage with our spouse is a reflection of our relationship with God, but this time it was for me. Not just a symbolic reflection, but a literal reflection. Your marriage will flourish or fail according to how your relationship with Jesus is fairing. And mine? Not so hot. Yeah, I was there. And I was committed, but was I participating? Was I investing any time into my relationship with Christ? Not a whole lot. I wasnt loving Him like He loves me. And I wasnt loving my husband like Christ loves me either. One was a pretty good reflection of the other.



He asked me to love my husband. Really love him. No holding the past against him, no criticizing, no nagging. Jesus doesnt do that. He loves me whether I mess up or not. And I can love my husband that way too. I can start by how I talk to Him.

I asked God to help me put the work into my relationship with Christ. To place that desire there to really seek Him, spend time with Him, love Him. I want to know my Savior better. To fall in love again. And I want that for my earthly marriage also. My attitude is that first step.

I know that this is not going to be easy, but I know that Im not alone. I know that Im loved by the King and that He will be with me thru this, telling me how to love like He loves. I am going to be faithful and obey.

Keep praying for us!