GIVE ME GRACE TO WALK THE PATH

*If you haven't already, listen to Isa Couvertier(sp), go to iTunes, she's there!!

(These are our friends that we are working together with to start a Thai church and the after-school program. R-L The Lovorn's, The Cocran's, Chad/Nan/Sam, and Pastor Yot/Mo/Yobel)

I am really missing America today. Just wanting to chit-chat with a few friends, take the children to grandma's, things that don't happen around here as much. I think I am in need of a break. I am wanting to watch a really good movie, but, to be honest, don't know any that I feel like is worth my time. Sad :(. Just kind of tired of the same 'ole thing going on. The children are swimming across the street in the lake and Moriah is asleep. So, dinner plans...something tasty, something beneficial...not sure. Wanting something really good. I found a new mushroom curry recipe, thinking of trying that.
John is out of school for the 'summer' here in Thailand. It is really nice to have him around more, although he is still busy. On Saturday he will be preaching in Thai at a village church. So, he is gone working on his sermon and translating it into Thai. Then, of course, all of the errands that needed to be run. He will begin during this summer break with the after-school program, not sure of dates yet.
The weather is beautiful right now, warm/hot, but windy. We did a little school outside today and enjoyed the breeze. Thinking about maybe after dinner running into town, just to get out. Mothering 4 children and homeschooling, plus living in a foreign country equals me not getting out often!

SOME OF THIS WEEK'S MENU:

MACADAMIA NUT MILK
it turned out wonderful!! The children really enjoyed their chocolate mylk shakes and there was no guilt (well, maybe a little because of the 'not-so pure maple syrup' I had to use)

nut milk (about 2-3 cups) any kind will do
handful of ice

3T cocoa
3 T agave nectar
3T maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla

Whiz, whiz!! Yummy!!

COCONUT MACAROONS
these are wonderful!! Madaline thought I bought them!
1/2 cup Coconut Butter (just bake a cookie sheet full of coconut until turns golden and smells good-then put in blender with a little coconut oil and whiz until butter--keeps in fridge fine)
3 T cocoa
1 cup coconut
3T coconut oil

Process this all in the food processor. Roll out 1/2 inch balls with hand, put on wax paper, and then to freezer until ready to eat.

2 Corinthians 7:1
"Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God."

IT IS ALL ABOUT HIM!!! I love loving God and I love the way He loves me!! He sees us as beautiful, blooming flowers!! One of my favorite things about living in Thailand is that I am somewhat sheltered from the bad and unholy around me...don't get me wrong, it is here and here heavily. I feel like I don't have to see it or hear it as much as I did when in America. Maybe because I can't understand the language fully, so, that leaves me in somewhat of a bubble. And, quite honestly...I enjoy that!

Be blessed this week and run from the negative, unholy, unrighteous things around you. If it is negative, bad language, ugly, impure, and doesn't edify you or make you feel better---then flee quickly. Then, think about the beauty that God has given to us to enjoy!

I have a hilarious picture I kept trying to post in this spot of John, after a haircut a few weeks back. The beautician 'had a great time' fixing his hair...wish you could see it!

Love you my friends!!
sandy

Are You a Know it All?

Things are great and happening here in Korat, Thailand. God is and has been soooo faithful and so good to us!! The children are all well, homeschooling is more fun than I ever imagined, and last, but definitely not least, John and I are continuing to grow closer and closer to one another.

Hanging out with my best friend, Jesus, the other day, I began meditating on 1 Cor. 8:2. These are just a few of my thoughts.

1 Cor. 8:2

'The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know."

I began to just ask the Lord to help me to always remain open and teachable. Help us to not think that 'our' way is the only way and the only 'right' way. That our hearts would remain soft and we would be ever ready to hear His voice, and His prodding. Let us not be so content in the ways that we have been 'conditioned' to live by, by society---Let us only be conditioned by the Lord!! Let not the world say 'sit boo-boo sit...good dog' and we--out of habit-- do as society or as tradition says. Let us always be willing and wanting what the Lord says.

Oh my goodness...as I am writing this I am reminded of the scripture He took me to today.

1 Col. 8:2

'See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ'.

How cool is that...it all goes together. What is God teaching? Do we even care? Are we too busy with our own 'Sunday, happy-Christian routine' to step out and ask God for ourselves? Don't always let the preacher teach you how to live...let the preacher encourage you to live as God has quietly instructed you in your private time.

Are we too busy running from our 9-5, to soccer practice, then to the fast food chain? Can we even hear Him? Allow God to be your role model, our private teacher concerning ALL aspects of life. Don't just 'go with the flow, with tradition'. Lord, teach us about marriage, child-rearing, gardening, entertainment, hobbies, etc...be our Teacher. We have given Him our all, you know, 'surrender all', but have we? We try not to sin, try to live a 1 Cor. 13 lifestyle, a Pro. 31 woman is our goal, but have we asked Him to teach us about day to day living. We will go to college and spend thousands of dollars to get our 'degree', but are we studying how to be a good marriage partner, a good mother, a good nuturer for our family? These are careers that NEVER end, and guess what? God wants to teach us the BEST way. Is the way our forefathers handled things the 'best'? There are more broken homes today than ever, more obesity and cancer than ever, more depression than ever, and this list continues.

Let's ask God how He wants us to handle the small things in life and not just the big things.

There you go...now for a recipe

We have had this for breakfast several mornings in the past two weeks and the children like it

Blueberry and Banana Cereal

cut up some bananas

a handful of blueberries

young coconut water and meat (blend this to make the milk and pour over your bananas and blueberries)

Yummy!!

We also did this today with mango and it was delicious!!!!

Green Smoothie (or in our house, the 'army' drink, or 'princess' smoothie)

handful of greens (in America--i used spinach, Thailand--well, some 'dee jai' green)

banana or 2

handful of ice

coconut water and/or meat if you like

some honey(optional)

whiz, whiz...and there you go! Your greens for the day, and the children like this too(Gabe and Moriah LOVE it, Madaline and Lake--say pass the carrot juice please)

AS WE SPEAK, THE FAM JUST CAME IN AND SAID, 'MORIAH IS WALKING'!!

OKAY, one more picture...this is yummy, yummy tamarind!! So healthy for women, consistency of caramel, grows on a tree...thinking of raw pie crust...do you think it would work? Maybe replacing the dates?? I will let you know.

TAMARIND