A book review and a giveaway!

Please check out my friend Amber's review on Jen Hatmaker's newest book, "7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess".
Leave a comment on Amber's blog for a chance to win a copy of the book!
Here is a link to purchase a copy for yourself: http://www.amazon.com/7-Experimental-Mutiny-Against-Excess/dp/1433672960/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331091465&sr=8-1

Happy reading:)

Potato Soup~Crock Pot Style

I am always up for a good crock pot recipe. I stumbled upon this one while perusing facebook. Thank you, Kayla North, for posting this on your wall! It is delicious and perfect for a cool, dreary day...or any day you may be craving potato soup!
http://www.mamalovesfood.com/2009/06/baked-potato-soup-slow-cooker-style.html

 Enjoy!

Compassion and Generosity

Last Thursday, sweet Emma made a huge decision. She had been thinking about it for quite a while. It was a selfless decision that she generously made because of sweet compassion in her heart.
Emma decided, once again, to donate her hair! This time, she had 10 inches of her gorgeous thick hair to donate! She did this a couple of years ago and was able to donate 7inches. This girl has got the gift of hair:)
We went as a family and Emma so confidently sat in the chair with the biggest smile on her face. I was a little scared for her, knowing the feeling of chopping of my own hair. You know, the feeling of "I have grown this hair out for years and I am about to chop it all off?? What if I hate it? What if it looks awful??"  The difference is that I have never donated my hair for another. Emma knew that her hair was going to another little girl who has  lost her hair for various reasons; medicine, illness, or any of the other many reasons hair can fall out. I
We were and are so very proud of her. She truly has the sweetest heart. She is a child who constantly thinks of others and has great compassion. Totally selfless. We love you sweet girl and we are so very proud to call you daughter! And your hair looks great!!!

Shepherds? Why shepherds?

As we are walking daily through this beautiful season, Jesus is faithful to teach more about who He is and what He is about.
Everyday we read Luke 2, soaking up each treasured word, His words. They are words that are living and active. This I love.
There came in conversation today, talk about the shepherds. We have long taught our kids on this subject. Long in their young years.
If you are not familiar, here is the verse:
Luke 2: 8 "And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you; you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."

What's your take on why the angel appeared to the shepherds? Have you heard that it was because they were poor, stinky, lower-class men? Have you heard that they were the lowliest of low? I have. I don't believe this to be the case. Sure they may have been a little stinky. Sure they may have been poor...but there just has to more than that.

Why were these shepherds watching over these sheep? Before the Christ Child was born, do you recall the sacrificial reason for sheep? See it is highly likely that these sheep were the temple sacrifices. The shepherds were in the same region, watching over these sheep that would be used in the temple as sacrifices for the forgiveness of sin.

Here is where it gets good. Beautiful. But isn't it all?

Jesus is our Sacrifice.

Did you hear that? Jesus, the spotless Lamb. The One who would come, live a sinless life, absorb all of our sins, die and resurrect Himself on the third day...HE IS THE SACRIFICE!!!

Do you see it? The picture? Luke goes on to tell us that the shepherds left in haste to go find Mary, Joseph and the baby lying in a manger. What?? How could they leave the sheep? And in haste??The innocent ones that would be slaughtered for the sins of men in their region?? This was their job. How could they just drop everything and go to find this baby?

They got it.

The angel of the Lord appearing to the shepherds is a beautiful picture of Jesus, our ultimate and all encompassing Sacrificial Lamb, arriving. Hope. Born in the city of David...just as it was told.

Don't miss this picture. Please don't hesitate to share it with your children. If the picture was to represent going to the lowliest of low, wouldn't it make more sense for the angel to appear to a leper colony?  I am not sure that is the picture that the Lord is trying to portray. Absolutely there are other passages in the Bible where we see Jesus visiting the lowly or less desirable, like the lepers, poor and the prostitutes. Passages that give examples to follow for the believer. But in this case, He chose shepherds. I think this is something we should consider and find very significant.

I grew up thinking that the angel appeared to the shepherds because they were lowly. I thought that was a beautiful picture...
The picture I have now, it is grand. It is majestic. It causes me to sit in wonder at our great God and King.
Oh that we would grasp the significance of our Savior's birth! To fully know that with His birth, came true forgiveness of sins. His blood poured out to cover ALL of our sins...all of them. His blood. No longer a need for the sacrificial lambs of old. My Jesus paid it all.

Jeremiah 33:3 "Call to Me and I will answer you, and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."

Wordless Wisdom Wednesday...

Working diligently:)

Another diligent student:)

Luke 2:7-9 Jacob and Emma's verse for the week.

An absolute MUST for a homeschooling day!Can I get an Amen??!!

The Pink Stuff

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, many people have been reflective and...well... thankful. I am enjoying reading all the posts on Facebook about what friends are truly thankful for. I love reflective times and love hearing what is being brought to mind of others as they ponder their many blessings.
I also love to ask our kids what they are thankful for. Of course they always give the answers  like "Jesus, family, a home, food, etc". They will sometimes throw in a seemingly random thankfulness, like "rocks, gum, hangers, light switches, etc".
A few days ago, Jacob was writing in his journal. He was thinking aloud of Thanksgiving Dinner and all that he couldn't wait to eat. Ok, this may sound strange, but do you have a favorite dish that you have been eating every holiday of your life? A dish that your family just HAS to have at holiday meals? We do. It's lovingly called "The Pink Stuff". I think others outside of our family call it a cherry salad, or something like that. I googled it and found names like "Heavenly Pink Salad" and "Pink Fluff". PINK FLUFF?!? Hahaaaa! This is a super sweet and super yummy dish. It is also super rich in calories! It is joked that this can be a deal breaker in relationships. Confused? Let me explain. If a family member is dating and brings this person to a holiday dinner...the whole family will watch to see if our new guest will eat the "Pink Stuff". If new person eats it, they are in! If not, well let's just say they hear about it for the rest of their lives! (Right Angela??)

I will say that David ate the "Pink Stuff" right away. In fact, he KNEW what it was! What?!? This secret Wilson Family Dish?? He KNEW about it? He says he grew up eating it too. I just knew he was the one for me! :) Oh how I love this man. He loves Jesus in a way that inspires me, he is kind, smart, gentle, a great father, the cutest guy on the planet, hilarious, a lover of books, protector, spontaneous...what? This post isn't about David? Oh, right. The Pink Stuff...

Anyway, it was fun to hear my kids talking about Thanksgiving Dinner and how excited they were to eat the "Pink Stuff". :)  I love that they call Thanksgiving at Granny's the "Thanksgiving Party". It seems that it is a crazy party at my Granny's for all the holidays and we love it! There is also a deep, rich tradition in my family called "Quarters" It used to have a different name that changed for some reason. :) That's a different post for a different time...but sooooo worthy of sharing! But, family members, remember your four quarters next week!

In one week, this delicious~ness will be on the table. Thankful!
Recipe:
One tub of Cool Whip (DO NOT get the low fat Cool Whip!)
One can of cherry pie filling
One small can of Eagle Brand condensed milk
Optional: Nuts of choice ( almonds, pecans, walnuts)
Also optional: Diced pineapples, coconut, or marshmallows...or all of the above!

Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix together.
Yes, it is that easy. Yes, it is that fattening. Yes, it is delicious.

"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy."

Sunday is our Sabbath. It is a day of rest. A day of worship. A day that is set apart, and does not look like the other days of the week.
Many folks have asked what our Sabbath looks like. I think that is a fabulous question and one that I will try to answer here.
We worship corporately on Saturday nights at The Village Church. This allows our Sunday Sabbath to be completely free of time restraints, "getting ready", and traffic just to name a few things that can sometimes take our focus off the Lord.
On Sunday, everyone can wake up whenever they want. :) As one who loves to sleep in a little, I love this part! Although as a mommy to three little ones, sleeping in means sleeping to maybe 8:00a.m. There will be a day, or so I am told, when I can sleep in as long as I want...but until that day, I rise early for my sweet little ones:)

We gather as a family everyday for Family Worship time. David leads us through a book of the Bible, we sing and we pray. This is the same on Sunday, except we are allowed more times throughout the day to gather as a family for teaching, praying or singing to the Lord. Now you may be thinking, don't you do this every day? Yes! We do teach and sing and pray to our King everyday. But gathering as a family throughout the day is not always an option during the week. Thankfully, David works from home and we part-time homeschool. This allows for Family Worship time to occur more often on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. But in general, our Sabbath has a different feel. Those times are not dependent on time frames. For instance, we can gather as long as we wish because David does not need to return to work by a certain time. It is a sweet, savored time with our Lord as a family.
It is great to plan for this day throughout the week. Perhaps on the Sabbath more time is spent around the table, rich in food and conversation. On this day, we have favorite slow-cooker recipes that we enjoy. Special meals that may be favorites of the kids. Ask one child during the week what they may want to eat for Sabbath that weekend. And prepare it with a joyful, thankful heart with said child teaching how Jesus is the true Bread of life. John 6:35 "Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.'"
Watch as this particular child beams at the dinner table ready to eat his/her chosen meal.  Set apart...

Some have asked if we "work" at all on the Sabbath. We are not strict with the "do-nots", but rich in the "do's". Do praise Jesus in song often on this day. Do eat slowly, remembering that Jesus is the true Bread of life, the Bread from heaven. Do read your bible slowly and thoughtfully....hanging on to just one verse if that is what you feel the Spirit calling you to do. Do find times throughout the day to serve other family members. Do encourage one another in the Lord. Do share your memory verse with us and tell us what the Lord is telling you through His word. Do take long hikes discovering all of His creation. Do sit and read as long as you want to...
I do cook on the Sabbath. I do go to the grocery store on the Sabbath. I do clean up spills and vacuum if it is needed. I do care for my children in areas where they need help. We do discipline and train on this day. But all of this is done with a remembering of the day and NOT with an attitude of "I shouldn't be doing this because this is my Sabbath day!" Jesus says in Matthew chapter 12 verse 11 "Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."

Our children know when it is the Sabbath. They joyfully exclaim that "Today is our Sabbath!" We have set this day apart not because WE think it is a good idea, but we do think it is a good idea.  We set this day apart because it is a commandment from God. A commandment in the same list as "do not murder...do not lie...do not commit adultery...do not take the name of the Lord in vain...do not steal." Many times the Sabbath is overlooked as a commandment. People often seem weary, burnt out, in despair. In talking with many believers who have come to this point, it is interesting to note that they are/were not observing the Sabbath day. Please do not hear me saying that if you observe the Sabbath ALL will be well in your life. But when you know that it is sin not to, but you still chose not to practice it, you are living in sin...and it will eventually be brought to light. See, the Lord knows that we need rest. His ways are good. He is faithful. Trust Him.
"Oh taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!"Psalm 34:8

The Lord is faithful and has blessed our family with sweet memories and joy on this day set apart...this holy day. There is no magical way that we practice the Sabbath in our home. We do talk of it often. Teaching our children, and ourselves, that this is good for us and brings glory to the Lord.

My hope and prayer for you, is that you would be obedient to our great God and King and remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Just as you know that lying or stealing or committing adultery is a sin against a holy God...so is not remembering the Sabbath day. And now you know...and knowing, I have heard, is half the battle. :)

May you find rest in Jesus. May He bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you...