12 reasons to read your Bible

I just finished reading 10 P's in a Pod by Arnold Pent III. Its a story written by one of the children of a family that traveled around the country evangelizing, and performing songs and dramatizations of Bible stories. as well as reciting long passages of memorizing scriptue. I was really astounded and convicted by the amount of time the family spent reading the Bible and the affect that it had on them.

In the book the author lists his sister's 12 reasons to read the Bible, here they are (the book uses KJV for the references, I will be using ESV)
1. The Lord commands it 

"Practice these things, immerse yourself in them,[c] so that all may see your progress.  Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers." 1 Timothy 4:15-16

2. I want to be fruitful 

 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.  I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:4-5

3. I want to know true doctrine. 

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32

4. I want to be clean

Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. John 15:3

5. I want my prayers answered

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7

6. I want to prosperous and successful

 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8

7. I don't want to backslide

The law of his God is in his heart;
    his steps do not slip. Psalm 37:31

8. I want my soul fed

And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word[a] that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Deuteronomy 8:3

9. I want to grow

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 1 Peter 2:2

10. I want understanding

I have more understanding than all my teachers,
    for your testimonies are my meditation.Psalm 119:99

11. I want real life

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. John 6:63

12. I want to be thoroughly furnished to every good work.

 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,  that the man of God[b] may be complete, equipped for every good work.

French Onion Crock Pot Roast

This has become my husbands favorite food. I make it a little differently each time, it always comes out amazing. it came about when I had a roast that I wanted to cook in the crock pot, and I didn't have all the ingredients for a traditional pot roast. When I was in college the restaurant that I worked in served their French Dip sandwiches with French Onion Soup instead of the traditional au jus.  So I decided to make a roast cooked in a sort of french onion soup in the crock pot.

ingredients
2 onions halved then sliced
1 clove garlic minced
1- 2 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp basalmic vinegar
4-6 tbsp butter
water (or beef stock/broth)
bay leaves
3lb eye round roast.
 salt and pepper to taste.
steak and chop seasoning.

Since I make this differently each time the cooking directions are pretty versatile. If you want to you can just put everything in the crockpot on low for 8 hours.  I like to cook the onions first, with the crockpot on high, I melt the butter, then place the sliced onions, garlic, brown sugar and vinegar in the crock pot, and cook them on high for about an hour, stirring occasionally. Then I add the rest of the ingredients. I usually cook on high for about 4 hours, or it on low for 8 hours. Remove the roast and slice or shred. Ladle the soup into bowls, you can melt cheese over top if you like, I like to make a sandwich with the meat and some cooked onion in a crusty roll and dip in the soup.

February 12s

Progress

Gabe has an appointment next week at Shriners. His PT did some evaluations to write a progress report to send to his doctor. The good news is he is not really behind! He does some things differently but he is able to do pretty much all of the age appropriate tasks that she asked him to do. Some of the ways that he does stuff makes her think that he doesn't have complete sensation in his hand, but we know he has some, because the other week she had him playing a game where he had to pull stuff out that he couldn't see.The PT was surprised that he was doing so well with fine motor skills, but he has made a tremendous improvement in that area in the two months since we switched from PT to OT with early intervention.

He's so...one

Last Wednesday Gabe's PT told me how wonderful it was to see him acting like a typical one year old. Its so true. She also said that he is the most strong willed little boy she has ever seen, I had to laugh at that one, since I know two that have stronger wills. I don't know why I didn't think he would be a rambunctious toddler. I have heard stories about laid back kids who don't get into stuff, but I'm starting to not believe them. He was a really laid back baby, I think some of his brother and sister must have rubbed off on him. He has his struggles with his arm, but he doesn't let them hold him back in anyway. I gave me a new perspective. Whenever I get frustrated at him for climbing or making a mess, I think that his limitations could be worse, and I am so glad that he is enjoying being a toddler, and am just trying not to spoil him too badly.

15 months and 2 months

taken on the 24th, I can't believe how much my babies are growing and changing. Gabe is starting look like a little boy and Sophia is losing her newborn-ness, and holding her head up when she lays on her tummy!

Kisses

I am not a fan of makeup on children, I don't wear it myself (nothing against it, I'm just too lazy) So when Isabelle got a makeup set for Christmas I fully intended to throw it away. I never got around to it and they found it today. When they found it today and asked to play with it. I hesitated for a bit and decided that as long as they could keep it on their faces they could use it.  They had a blast. Isabelle painted her nails and I think she did a better job then I usually do. It is cold and rainy and Gabe is sick so we're stuck at home, the perfect day to play something we aren't usually allowed to play.

and of course what is more fun then making lip marks when your lips are bright pink? Gabe got decorated and I even got a kiss. 

now where's that makeup remover?