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Easter Countdown #4 – A childlike faith

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I tell you the truth, you must accept the kingdom of God as if you were a child, or you will never enter it. Luke 18:17 NCV

In the past week, I have had basically the same conversation with two very different individuals.  One was a sweet 12-year-old girl that I know, and the other was my equally as sweet 82-year-old grandmother, affectionately known as Nanny.  The conversation was about Easter traditions and favorite activities.  What struck me was the fact that both shared the exact same heart.

When I asked my 6th grade friend what her favorite part of Easter was, she proclaimed enthusiastically, “The egg hunt!”.  She then went on to elaborate that she loves to wake up with wide-eyed wonder to find baskets and get ready for church.  She shared with me that she was dismayed that many of her friends and classmates didn’t share her passion for simply enjoying the moment.  She didn’t understand why everyone was in a hurry to grow up so fast, and in her words “be too cool for Easter”.  Her words really touched me, because 30 years ago, I would have been that little girl. 

Fast forward a couple days to when I phoned my Nanny, she asked what we were doing this week.  I replied that we were preparing for Easter.  We reminisced about the last Easter we spent together and dyeing eggs with my kids.  (The one thing she failed to mention is her passion for eggs means there better be enough for her to dye as many as everybody else.)  We laughed about all the fun memories we had with egg-dyeing over the years.  Within seconds, she announced, “Even though, I’m goin’ be by myself this year, I’m goin’ to the store and get me a dozen eggs.  And yes sir, I am goin’ dye each one of them – even if I throw ‘em out later.”  I just had to smile, because 40 years from now, I want to be that girl.  This Southern lady who is comfortable and confident in who she is that she doesn’t mind doing something that her peers think childish or a waste of time – seeing as she has no one to share the joy with her this year.

Today, the Easter season is that transportable moment for me.  I wake up dreaming of walking to that tomb only to discover my Jesus isn’t there.  He conquered death and proved gloriously that he was and is and is to come, exactly who He said he was.  The rebirth of Spring only adds to my excitement as I daily count how many tulips have popped open, which area of grass is prospering, what garden plants are returning, and which trees are budding.  I am carried by my imagination to Easters past of white patent leather shoes, little white gloves and Easter bonnets, every time this season comes to call.  Oh and the hymns, I get almost giddy thinking about singing, “Because He lives”.  I love it!

Wouldn’t it be amazing if we looked at each new day and each new experience through the eyes of my two incredibly amazing friends?  I believe that is exactly what we are asked to do in both Mark and Luke.  We need to be able to lose our jaded-ness and grown-up tendencies, and submit to the childlike wonder and awe that each creation and each situation was given to us by God.  Childlike faith lets us not be too big for ourselves and our ideas – like my little friend who wanted to enjoy Easter.  Childlike faith lets you act with abandon on occasion to do something that brings you joy – just like my Nanny.  Childlike faith lets you realize that God the father, who loves you very much, delights in seeing you happy.

Take-away:  What is something that you can do – just for you – in the next couple days that would bring you to childlike joy?  As much as I love Easter, I have a few other things that I love that bring me right back to childhood no matter where I am.  Even if you can’t act on childlike joy immediately, make a list of those things.  Here are a few of mine: running through the sprinklers, lying on the grass watching the stars, drinking from the garden hose, blowing bubbles, collecting clams on the beach, digging in soil to plant anything,  listening for the ice cream truck, and my all time favorite – catching lightning bugs in jars.  If you are bold (or should I say childlike enough), please post a couple of yours – I would love to know what brings you joy!

Easter Countdown #3 – One special Easter basket

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There are times that I look at my children and think how incredibly lucky I am to have them as a part of my life.  At times, the life lessons learned from them is greater than anything I have learned from anyone else.  The Easter of 2008 is one such time.

Many people know of this incredible date, March 19, 2008, because of the cardinal that appeared when we, more specifically Sawyer, needed him more than anything.  This story made it around the world because it was shared over and over by our friends. What most people don’t know is another smaller event that occurred on the same day.

A few days prior, Sawyer had been cleared to take a few steps with a walker.  It had been one month since he had been able to be on his feet, and that small step of independence seemed liked a key to freedom.  Unfortunately, one missed step happened and Sawyer slipped, fell, and broke the heads off of two of the screws holding his leg together.  Another trip to the emergency room and that is where the smaller event took place.

The E.R. nurse, we later discovered, was the sister of the man who was also involved in the bus crash.  Our school bus fell on top of his pick-up.  We knew he, too, had been hurt very badly.  Sawyer took the time, despite excruciating pain to inquire as to how the gentleman was doing.  The report was not good.  He was feeling very low – wishing he could have done more to help.

That was all it took.  The seed was planted.  For days, Sawyer begged to go to the store to get something without ever really telling us what it was he desired so intently.  Because it was winter in Minnesota and not very easy to maneuver in a wheelchair, we stalled.  Eventually, his insistence won out, and off to the store, he and his dad went.

The thing he just had to have was puzzling to us.  He bought a tiny Easter basket, added a few small token gifts, and later, personally added hand-written a note.  Yes, he wanted to send a special message to the gentleman saying he didn’t blame him for anything that happened and that he wanted the man to know he was thinking of him and praying for him.  Tears of amazement mixed with pride streamed down our faces.

If memory serves me correctly, he talked his Uncle Sheldon into delivering that basket with no expectation of anything in return.  Rather simply, his desire was to do something nice when there was very little of anything else that he could do anywhere – at all.

Even though the gift was not meant to be reciprocated; we did learn that Sawyer’s new friend kept that basket right by his bed as long as he was at the care facility where he recuperated.  It wasn’t allowed to be moved or removed.  Learning that news helped Sawyer through many a dark night – knowing that he made a difference.

I still learn a lot from my kids, but I think this small act of love will be one of my most treasured Easter memories.

Take-away:  How often do we stop in the midst of our own storms to do something kind for someone else?  We are all capable of compassion, even when we are busy and overwhelmed.  More often than not, it isn’t the grandiose gestures, but the small things that really seem to get the most notice.  Jesus was BIG on small acts.  If we really think about it, other than believing in Him, there wasn’t anything he expected in return.  He loved and continues to love us with abandon.  The hands that were nailed to the cross also hold our names written across them.  Couldn’t we all be his hands and feet by doing acts of love even in small ways?  I truly believe that we can.

Easter Countdown #2 – Love God, Serve Others!

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On our grief journey, we have learned that one of the things most helpful to our family has been the reminder given by Paul in 2 Corinthians.  He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Cor 1:4 (NCV) We have been comforted by simple acts of kindness and love, and now, we are able to do the same for others.

I distinctly remember Easter 2008 when my best friend called and said, “You are getting out of the house this weekend.”  I hadn’t left my children’s side (other than school for them) since the bus crash.  So I wasn’t sure how I was going to physically leave, but deep down I knew I needed to do it.  She told me that she had boiled about a bazillion eggs and that she and her family were coming over to dye Easter eggs with the kids.  She knew how much traditions (including egg-dyeing) mean to us.  She also knew I had zero energy to pull that off.  The day came and with God’s help, I mustered the courage and sense of peace to leave my house and take a break.

I have spoken about how simple acts fueled my family through many dark hours.  This is the type of comfort that I think Paul was addressing when he reminded us that we need to give to others the same comfort we were given.

For our Easter countdown activity, our family wanted to remember exactly how Jesus lived.  Throughout his life, he embodied our family’s mission statement: Love God, Serve Others!  It’s really that simple! In everything Jesus did, he humbled himself . . . fully God, yet fully human . . . to love on others, often the ones most neglected by others.  He fed, he nurtured, he wept,  he healed, he dried tears, he washed feet, . . never thinking of himself first, yet always knowing the precise amount of comfort to proffer.

As a family, we are often reminded of the love we felt when someone comforted us.  With all that in mind, we ventured off to the dollar store to purchase items for miniature baskets for a dear group of friends who we want to love on this week.  Sadly they were out of tiny baskets, but we found lovely Easter themed gift bags.

After returning home with our supplies in hand, we had supper and once again, got to work.  This time, we created an assembly line to stuff Easter grass, a tiny decoration, and chocolate bunny in our bags.  The whole time we talked about our friends and the special stories we have cherished from past times spent together.

We thought hard on who we could bless this week.  It didn’t take us long to decide, and of course, we had to the do the work for Huck, because he doesn’t have thumbs.  Our recipients will be Huck’s buddies at the nursing home that he visits.  The love that we receive from each resident pales in comparison to the joyful dog energy and companionship that we bring to them.  I think that Cloie’s card sums up what each of the residents mean to our family.

Through the visits our family has made to the nursing home, our children’s minds and hearts have been etched not to  fear the elderly, but instead see each one as a friend just waiting to be treasured.  Our only wish is that the love in those tiny packages carries as long as the love and memories that went into making them! If so, then Paul’s reminder will come true as the circle of love and comfort will continue to envelope others in our path!

Take-away: Is there someone in your circle of influence that could use a blessing this week?  Could you be the hands and feet of Jesus by serving someone else in love?  This doesn’t have to be costly, as a card or note can be a great pick me up!  If you are a baker, make a little extra of something yummy and share that.  Heaven is the limit on boundless love!

Idealism update: Please note how cluttered the rest of the room was while we worked on our masterpieces. 🙂  Despite what we all tell ourselves, you don’t have to have it all together to love on someone else!

Easter Countdown – Part 1 “Johnathan has a starring role”

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Over the next few days, I am planning a countdown to my most favorite holiday.  Each and every year, I stand in awe of what actually took place on that hill almost two thousand years ago.  At church, our pastor has a sermon series on the the last words/phrases of Christ.  It has been amazing and inspirational.  This a-typical weather has been a blessing too – as Easter symbolizes the rebirth of God’s creation in the physical world as well as the spiritual world.

Having grown up in the deep South, I am enamored with all things Easter.  My favorite tradition outside of church is the egg hunt.  I can still remember the annual egg hunt at the college president’s house where the eggs where hidden in the backyard, down the hill, for as far as my little eyes could see.

Since I recently read an article in Mary Jane’s farm about being an idealist, I realize now that I tend to romanticize my Southern upbringing as a place where all good things happen like a perfect blend of  The Walton’s, Steel Magnolias, and just a pinch of sass from Designing Women and Fried Green Tomatoes.  So, I will confess to you all the part of the story that I often leave out. The eggs we hunted in that blazing Georgia sun, were not plastic ones . . . but yes, the real deal.

Part of that idealism comes from having a wonderful imagination and dogged persistence that this world can be a better place.  Sometimes that change for the better needs to start at home.  So that’s exactly what we did last night as a family.  We relished being together, by taking a pause from our crazy schedule.  We took time to create a little project that involved remembering what this week really means as Christians, spending time together and using one of our beloved outdoor friends.

I have wanted to do this project for years, but just never seemed to get organized in time to pull it off.  Once I saw that we were reclaiming our Sunday evening,  we managed to pull it off.  Our biggest problem was finding a rock to do the job.  I asked the kids if they knew if we had a rock about this big. (Imagine me holding my two hands together to form a circle.)  The response was swift. “Oh, I think Johnathan could work.” Wow! I had forgotten about him.

Johnathan is a “pet” rock that was actually a gift to Reed’s garden from Grandpa Phil and Grandma Rhoda.  Since his arrival he has had appearances in many practical jokes, play times, and sometimes family dinners.  Remember I stated that imagination is a big part of my (and subsequently my children’s) existence, so it didn’t faze me at all that there was a rock in the back yard with a big name.  And no, Johnathan isn’t the only inanimate object around here that has a name and personality.  (My kids will never have to worry about the definition of personification in school.)

I don’t know exactly who, but someone, dug Johnathan out from his winter hiding spot, and the fun began after supper.  We gathered pots, potting soil, grass seed, twigs, thread, and water.  What we created was a table sized Calvary garden.

Everyone participated.  Even though we know that Johnathan has no feelings, we all surged with pride when we realized what a big job he has this week.  What we didn’t expect was how much fun it was to just slow down and do something creative together while focusing on the symbolism of our little garden.

But isn’t that similar to our own faith journeys?  How many times do we hustle along, only to get stuck in a rut and then can’t figure out what to do?  More than a piece of granite that has very little connection to our lives, we have the Rock of Ages that can bolster us by providing hope . . . if only we turn to him.  Rather than a cold piece of stone, we have the one, true, LIVING God who cares about us and wants us to remember his name.  He longs for us to call on him.   I think deep down I know that is why I love Easter so much, because it is the time each year that I renew my strength by remembering . . . “On Christ, the solid rock, I stand!”

Idealism alert:  For anyone who thinks that this project went without a hitch, we will also confess that for a bit we only had two crosses, because Huckleberry (our dog) thought sticks in the house looked mighty tasty.  Of course, Sawyer soothed our dismayed emotions by explaining that Huck just thought that it was terrible how Jesus died and he didn’t want a reminder of it.

How to’s:

We used a shallow pot that the kids have for creating fairy and gnome gardens in the summer.  Fill the pot about 2/3 full of potting soil and place the smaller pot on it’s side.  Play around with the location because you want a good spot for the rock (Johnathan for us!) to be able to roll. Once you are set on location, add your stone.  Now add more potting soil over the smaller pot to create the hill.  Take 3 small twigs and break them to create crosses.  We used sewing thread to tie them together into cross shapes.  Secure them in the soil around your hill.  Next add grass seed.  Water liberally.  Water twice every day to encourage sprouting.  Good Friday seal your tomb.  Easter morning, roll the stone away.  He is Risen!

 

 

 

 

 

Can God Use the Senseless?

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In the moments after learning that my son was killed, I couldn’t imagine how God could ever use something so senseless for His glory.  I couldn’t have been more mistaken.  What unfolded in the wee hours between that dreadful day and the next morning proved me completely wrong.  Ever since that moment, I have watched, awed and amazed, at God’s plan to use my life (and Reed’s story) to bring comfort to others. 

 Prior to this, I was completely content to be a mom and science teacher.  However, God had a much different plan in mind, and it took me over a year to get used to the idea. Aside from my Caringbridge postings,  I was to share our family’s story of God’s faithfulness even in our darkest moments.  Once I was finally convinced of what I was to do, I boldly stepped into a new chapter in my life. 

 Now with the vision of our church and more specifically our pastor, my new venture is coming to Marshall.  For the last year and half, I have been associated with Best Life Ministries as a speaker and writer.  On Saturday, March 10, Best Life Ministries 2012 Fill ‘Er Up Conference is coming to the Marshall Evangelical Free Church.  The goal of the ministry is to bring help, hope and healing to today’s woman. 

 There will be speakers and workshops on various topics including Finding Joy, God’s Plan for Today’s Woman (The Book of Esther), Godly Finances, Parenting and Being Parented, and Marriage.   A catered lunch is also a part of the ticket price.  The day is designed to help women identify what might be draining their lives and provide resources and encouragement to be filled up on God’s goodness instead.  As one of the main session speakers, I share that miraculous event that occurred in the hospital and how God taught me that our family would get through the tragedy of losing my child (and his friends) and the healing of two of our other children. 

 If you have never attended a women’s conference, this will be a perfect beginning as we work hard to keep the price affordable by bringing the conference to the local church.  If you are familiar with women’s conferences, the sweetest comparison that I have seen, from a previous conference attender in Rogers, MN, was that the “Best Life team is like a smaller-scale Women of Faith.” While we are certainly not that famous, I believe we are no less inspirational as the women on the team have many life experiences and they truly care about the lives of other women.

 Getting away is often difficult to do in today’s busy world, but the investment in you will be worth it.  There will be off-site childcare if needed by attendees.  For more information or to inquire about tickets, please contact the Marshall Evangelical Free Church at 507-532-4804. 

 Thank you for being a part of the community of folks that filled my family up and reminded us daily of God’s love for us!  I am continually humbled by how wonderful a place that my family and I share with all of you.

Contest Winner Announced!

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Wow!  I almost wish that the contest hasn’t come to a close.  All of the tips shared by the entrants were fantastic, and I enjoyed that everyone seemed to enjoy them as much as I did.  Our lucky winner was Mary Beth Stevens!  (No known relation to my husband’s family, as I need to receive an e-mail with an address to send the book her way.)  Thank you again  for your great tips and enthusiasm for the contest. 

Our family (now, more specifically me) is dealing with a little illness.  Once I am feeling a little better, I will start up the second contest for the Dining on a Dime Menus book giveaway.  Start thinking about that ever faithful meal that you know you can always count on to feed yourself or your family (or even company). 

If you didn’t win the book, you can still purchase the book from www.livingonadime.com . 

Have a great week!  God bless you all – Kandy

The comfort in the words of a song

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For the book contest, please see the February 15 blog.

My sweet pastor often tells of how he does his best thinking in the car. I have never really confessed to him that my most ardent grieving happens in my van as  I  really listen to the words of songs on Christian radio. Sometimes the songs remind me so much of someone or some situation that I have to pull over and simply cry. I am not so self-centered to believe that God gave those folks the lyrics for me, but often, it does feel that way.  Such is what happened one day when I heard the words to Aaron Schust’s My Hope is In You. 

I love God and I am humbled to know His ways are so much higher than my own.  This time, he knocked it out of the park for this little girl.  The first time I heard this song was shortly after receiving some not so pleasant news from the Mayo Clinic.  Even though many believe that Sawyer is completely healed, the Mayo doctors know differently (and so does our checkbook).  We ran into some complications, and it hit me so hard.

“God, why this? Why now? They told us four years, and now, they are telling me possibly many more. Hasn’t he been through enough?”  If you aren’t sure that God is big enough to take my questions, read Psalms 88.  He didn’t answer right away, but a few more miles down the road, on came My Hope is in You.  “Okay, God, I get it.  Yes, I will wait for you! I won’t be shaken by drought or storm.  And thank you for sending me the peace that passes understanding.”

My second thoughts reminded me when I heard the story of the origin of the song, It is well with my soul.  Horatio Spafford’s faith is one that amazes me, and to think he wrote a song that has timelessly comforted grieving people is a blessing straight from God.

As preparations for the last Reed’s Run begin, we have really wanted to have a theme that won’t be easily forgotten.  A theme that leaves people with the memories of what the event was all about for the four years.  As a family, we chose, “To rise from tragedy, cling to hope.”  Then another one of those van cruising days (of which I have plenty) happened, and again, God gave me this song.  Cue the big light bulb above my head, “How about not only theme words, but a theme song?  And THIS song is it!” 

It defines Team Stevens.  If quit isn’t in our vocabulary, HOPE definitely is!  And one of the goals of Reed’s Run has always been to “Reach Others for Christ”.  Sometimes what a hurting world needs is the knowledge that there is a colossal hand that is reaching out to grab yours before you fall. 

Later that evening after the epiphany moment, I went home and searched for the music video.  What I saw brought my eyes to tears and my knees to reverence of God’s love.  We are not alone.  Others have walked our path through the valley of the shadow of death.  And others too want people to know that only God knows the ending of the story if we just reach out and hold on. 

So even though I am certain that Aaron Schust, the artist, or his videography team know absolutely nothing about Team Stevens, I am equally certain that God does! 

If you would like to see for yourself, you can find the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugD0i5Y3cw8 It is now the official song of the 2012 Reed’s Run.  Personally, I cannot think of a better send-off reminder.

A letter to my son

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For the book contest give-away, please see the February 15 post.

Reed  – I can hardly believe four years ago at this hour, I was still trying to figure out where you were.  No answers were coming, and my heart was frantic after seeing the story in another mother’s eyes.  Yet, I clung to the hope only found in Jesus that you were okay.  I simply didn’t (and still don’t) know any other way to operate.  And even though, Daddy and I (along with Sawyer, Erin, and Cloie) didn’t receive the news we wanted, God still provides!  He provides the blessings of friendships, memories, hugs, and sometimes more than anything else, rest. 

 

In these four years, we have tried our very best to remember and honor your most important legacy of loving God with all our hearts, souls, and minds.  And I think that you would look down and smile at the ripples in the pond that your death created not only in our lives but in the lives of family, friends, and strangers. 

 

Just to give you a quick update of those ripples:

 

  • Many have shared that because of the faith of one sweet little redhead that they got right with God and are DEFINITELY going to see you in heaven now.  (Even if we never know the full story this side of heaven, this news is incredibly comforting.)
  • Your dog and best friend continues to touch the lives of others when he goes to visit friends at nursing homes.  The love you poured into him through the countless hours spent together shows in the way he gingerly and tenderly gives back.
  • The best friend who you spent most hours with is an awesome guy who I know you would still be proud to call your friend.
  • The best friend who shared your faith is probably one of the most live out loud Christians I know and is also a tireless worker at Reed’s Run.
  • The best friend who shared your church has grown into the most amazing prayer warrior and quiet leader.
  • Many other friends continue to share the difference that you made simply by being you, and now they, too, are making their own ripples.
  • Your love of reading lives on in a reading program up north at a daycare we chose to adopt. 
  • Your love of Star Wars is known far and wide.  People still joke and laugh about your send off.

 

Things are not always rosy. But when we feel sad and blue, some sweet person will send us a tangible reminder of God’s love, or we will hear that beautiful cardinal sing.  It’s then that we know that God is present in the here and now, and He is big enough to withstand our doubts, worries, and grief. 

 

When I look at your siblings, I am often reminded of the tangled web of emotions that you shared with each of them.  Those unique relationships are the impetus of your legacy cheetah program.  I can tell you that Sawyer’s comedy routines have only gotten better with time, and that you would hate them (because he still gets big laughs around here).  Erin has moved a long way past her first days of learning to shoot hoops.  She no longer has a “Laura, Mary, Carrie wind-up” to just be able to get the ball through the hoop.  And yes, we still cheer just as loud as we did back in the driveway with the “Ingalls” girls.  And Cloie, oh Reed, you would not believe how much of you is a part of her.  Her passion for learning and her heart for loving others are identical to yours.  She even has your penchant for opening the wrong side of the parmesan cheese.  Oopsies! 

 

Reed time doesn’t heal all wounds.  Despite what some think, we have closed on houses and business deals, but we will never close on our children.  With that said however, each and every day that we miss you, we know that God knows exactly what it is like to lose a Son.  He knows our pain intimately.  This past year we have decided as we bring a close to Reed’s Run the theme will be “To rise from tragedy, cling to HOPE.”  Every day, we choose to do exactly that, knowing in heaven to you it will be a blink of eye when you see us again.

 

Always proud to be your momma! Now and forever, clinging that HOPE!

 

Give us this day our daily bread

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For the book contest, please see the February 15, 2012 post.  Thank you!

When I was a young bride, Daniel & I attended the same lovely little church where we were married.  As Easter grew closer, I was approached by one of the sweet little blue hair Jesus ladies (as Dave Ramsey would call them).  She inquired if I would be interested in assisting with the blessing of breads service.  Having grown up in another denomination of faith, I had no idea what that entailed, but being passionate about serving the Lord, I agreed.  What came next was a copy of a recipe followed by precious and loving instructions on how to make unleavened bread.  The idea was that women of the church would make enough bread for each family in the church to take home a loaf to have for their Easter celebrations. 

The recipe wasn’t that challenging other than the fact that it made loaves and loaves . . . and loaves of bread.  At one point, I began to think that it was some type of miraculous fish and loaves recipe.  Every once in a while, we make this bread as a family, and it always brings me back to that rite of passage of being “grown up” enough to be asked to cook for my church family. 

Wow!  I have come a long way since then.  And many loaves of bread later, I am struck by how this one cooked food is chronicled through the ages. Bread is the one food that every culture on the globe seems to have in common.  Despite all of our differences which are numerous, there seems to be one commonality that binds us all together. 

Similarly, I recently made a comment about paint colors for my house that got some notice.  I am the large box of crayolas kind of girl while my husband might be okay with the 8 crayola primer.  Isn’t it amazing that we were all created uniquely but yet one coloring page, bread recipe, or planet is large enough for us all? I stand in awe!

The recipe below is not the Easter loaf (I will post that closer to the glorious holiday), but is the one that I have been tweaking for awhile.  For my facebook group  Kan-Do! A Cooking Community to Meal Plan, Share Recipes and Feed Our Kids, this is the recipe for bread in the crockpot.  If you are interested in joining that group and have facebook, just reply to this post and I will add you.

Finally my bread “experiment” is ready to share! 

(Caveat: For my gluten-free or gluten-sensitive, I do limit gluten in my own diet, but do not do so for my family.)

Healthy Whole Wheat Bread (Recipe credited to Esther Becker of Gordonville, PA in the Fix-it and Forget-it Cookbook)

2 cups warm reconstituted powdered milk (I LOVE powdered milk)

2 Tbsp. vegetable oil

1/4 cup honey or brown sugar (I used honey)

3/4 tsp. salt

1 pkg yeast

2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1 1/4 cups white flour

1. Mix together milk, oil, honey or brown sugar, salt, yeast, and half the flour in electric mixer bowl.  Beat with mixer for 2 minutes.  Add remaining flour.  Mix well. 

 

 

2. Place dough in a well-greased bread or cake pan that will fit into your slow cooker.  This was my problem before.  My pan was too large and I had to lean it and the dough spilled out the side.  So I finally found a pan that fit.  This isn’t an advertisement for that store, but I had to go to Sioux Falls to find a bread pan to fit in my crockpot.

 

 

Cover with greased tin foil. Let stand for 5 minutes.  Place in the slow cooker.

 

 

 

3. Cover cooker and bake on High 2 1/2 to 3 hours.  Remove from pan and uncover. 

 

 

 

Let stand for 5 minutes. Serve warm.  (I served with honey butter.) For those that know me well, I never can follow a recipe exactly.  Hence, I added 1/2 cup of sunflower seeds to this recipe with the second half of the flours.  It made the perfect textural addition of just a bit of crunch. This smelled so good when we arrived home after church! Enjoy!!!

 

A really good read and contest

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Last week, I wrote about my best friend and our phone call concerning crockpot liner bags.  Today, I am lingering over a memory of another one of those moments that we shared.  Long ago, we shared nursery duty at our church on Wednesday nights.  One of those nights, she came bearing gifts.  She had the opportunity to purchase some books through her workplace, and she bought this great cookbook.  After reading through it, she realized that it was one of the best cookbook/hints book she had ever come across.  So through love she decided that I couldn’t live without this book either.  And she was right, second only to the Bible, that book Dining on a Dime is most used book in my house. 

Over the Christmas holidays, I was bored one day.  (That was painful to even write, but it was an exceptionally quiet day at our house.)  I knew that there was an order form sheet in the front of the book; so, I wondered if the Dining on a Dime folks have a website.  I was not disappointed.  By looking at the website, I found that I had more in connection with the authors (Jill and Tawra) than I had differences. 

From the moment, I received the cookbook, I poured over its pages, and I found I was doing the same thing with the website.  (What a way to fill a “boring” afternoon!) I also found that strong connection I felt had to do with where our mutual hope was rooted rather than where our stomachs and grocery budgets lie.  That strong connection is what I feel with most of my closest friends.  It is the acknowledgment of the blessing of friendships. 

I have never met Jill or Tawra (but hope to do so someday), but today, I have the opportunity to review one of their books, Penny Pinching Mama: 500 Ways I lived on $500 a month.  The good news for my readers is that you have the opportunity (through my blog) to win the book.  After receiving the book, I wasn’t prepared for how much it would touch me. 

I will be honest.  I had a hard time putting it down.  Despite being a hints and ideas book, the advice is given with heartfelt honesty and hard-hitting integrity.  While telling of a painful life story, Jill goes on to share not what she did, but more what she had to do to survive and to keep her family afloat.  Yet while going through these tough years, she clung to her faith which is evidenced throughout the book in her anecdotes and story-telling.  Throughout the pages, she tells of the personal circumstance and the tips that helped her in those moments.  Trust me I took good notes on many of the tips.

Now I will be brutally honest.  After finishing the book, the first thing I did was pray and thank God.  It was a good book, but the gratitude came from the fact that I have never been forced in life to live on nothing financially.  I realize that I had to dig deep from the well of faith in the tragedy that befell our family, but I have never walked in Jill or Tawra’s shoes, and for that, I am truly thankful. 

I am guessing that Jill would deflect compliments of amazing and inspirational.  I am equally certain that she would agree with my newest favorite quote, “I am convinced that “strong Christians” just know where to run in times of trouble.” 

If you would like to learn more about Jill and Tawra’s books, check out their webpage www.livingonadime.com .  To win a copy of Penny Pinching Mama, you must post a reply to this blog and share a money saving tip (of any kind) in your response.  Replies without tips will not be considered for the prize.  I will give one week for entry replies and from those participating; I will draw one name to be the winner.  I will use a random name generator (aka a clean sock and slips of paper at our house) to “scientifically” choose the winner.

Looking forward to the responses and great ideas!  Today, be thankful for the blessings BIG or small, because I know I will be.