Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Bread of Life

Four steaming hot loaves of bread were ready to come out of the oven. I couldn't help but smile. Homemade, whole wheat bread, with seeds and grains, costing less than half the price of a loaf from the store and able to nourish and delight my family!

It filled my heart with joy. God had provided so I could cook this delicious bread!

This fall we made a decision that I would quit the little job I did from home. For over a year, it was a blessing to our family. Yet, it had to be done mostly at night and as a result I was not getting enough sleep. That resulted in a lack of energy regarding parenting and managing our home. I deeply desired to have more energy and time with which to love my family and the Lord Jesus.

After much prayer, we had a "go-ahead" from God for me to take a step of faith and quit my job. We have not regretted our decision. Daily I am grateful for the extra time and energy I have to love Jesus and be loved by Him and love my family.

It has meant living on less (which has always been beneficial!), trusting God for the unexpected expenses and choosing to live a more simple and frugal life. One of the pursuits has been growing my skills and knowledge in how to cook real, whole foods for our family that are still frugal and nourishing. This bread recipe at www.passionatehomemaking.com has been one of my fun discoveries. I add pumpkin seeds to the mix, skip the dough enhancer and LOVE the results. When I had to buy a loaf at the store, it just didn't compare any longer!

The bread often reminds me of a favorite verse:
Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:35

It is my life story. Once Jesus found me, nothing else compared. He is the bread of life I needed. He alone.

Thank you Jesus for providing for our daily needs. Thank you for providing Life for my soul. You are the Life I needed. I am no longer thirsty or hungry in You!

Monday, November 23, 2009

A Time for a Change

For quite awhile now I have had a growing desire to post reflections on loving & following Jesus, being a mother and wife, adoption, and living simply. At the same time, I want to share pictures and stories of our growing family with those who we know and love. Tonight I figured out how to make that happen.

So I have made a change:
Our family blog with pics and stories is now at a new blog and is private. If we know you somehow, please let me know if you would like an invite to our family blog. Leave me your email in a comment (I won't publish your comment if you include your email)or email me. If you need an email for me you can write me at ablogsignup(at) gmail (dot)com ~ (type email with no spaces). I will send you an invite and you can view the cute pictures and read the fun stories! Please don't be shy in asking!

This blog will remain~
I plan to keep posting on this blog. I will continue to write thoughts regarding adoption, living simply and Loving Jesus as a wife and mother! Also, I will transfer over any of my old posts that relate to these topics.

I hope you will continue to peek in and I pray you will be encouraged somehow.


Once again if we have the privilege of knowing you and you would like to keep up on our family blog - please let me know!