Thursday, August 6, 2020

Foodie Friday- Banana Pudding


It's another fantastic foodie Friday post coming at ya!  
Our family loves banana pudding, and there are a million different recipes out there for it.  This particular combination is the one that hits the right note with my family!! 

It seems really rich, but that doesn't seem to effect my family in the slightest!  I like to bring this one along to potlucks or cookouts as well! Nothing like a creamy, delicious cool treat at the end of a big meal!! 


Super simple, not terribly time consuming either!  Pre-prepping your ingredients goes a long way to knocking this one out in a time efficient manner! And as always, click here or on the image for the downloadable 5x7 recipe card.  


I also love that this is in my Happy Planner Recipe Planner now as well!  My recipe planner is starting to fill up with all our family favorite recipes to refer to for years to come! 


Have a fantastic weekend and I can't wait to share more with you next time!! 




Friday, July 10, 2020

Fitness Friday- Free Rings Fitness Tracker!

Good Morning!! 

Today we have something a little different!  Typically, I share recipes and videos on Friday.  However, I shared a picture on my instagram and in a few fitness facebook groups that garnered a different post!  





I had created a sticker to put in my monthly view of my Wellness Planner (a big Happy Planner horizontal planner, that I track personal growth, fitness, as well as spiritual growth/work) with these stickers!! I color in my progress daily on my right as well as document my stats.  Along the top part I am tracking progress through a group challenge with some friends to walk 100 miles in the month of July.  

I received several requests for the file, so I thought I would share it here with you all!  My only request, as this is a free printable, is that you tag me on my planning instagram account if you use it and and use pictures!! 


You can click on the image above, or click here to download the free PDF file! I hope you enjoy your fitness journey, and tracking your progress!! These are sized for a Big Happy Planner monthly box- but not quite to the edges.  Print at 75% size to put in a classic sized planner. 

Have a blessed day! 


Tuesday, July 7, 2020

Dealing with The Plastics in a Christian World

Disclaimer-- The blog post was originally written in 2019, before our now adult daughter left home and began proudly serving our country in the U.S. Armed Forces.  This is the first time it is being published.  


Okay, so I have to admit it.  I have watched Mean Girls.  If you haven't watched that movie, it mainly revolves around one girl "infiltrating" a click of girls, and then slowly morphing into one of them because they are like, the coolest, and everyone wants to be them.  Like all good Hollywood dramas, in the end it all works out blah blah blah.

I guess now you are wondering why I am blithering about a Hollywood movie on a Christian perspective blog-eh?

My oldest daughter brought something to my attention about a year ago, and it's been really heavy on my heart.  From the time I got saved, and shortly there after my husband surrendered to the ministry, our goal has been to put our children in the best circles possible to nurture their spiritual growth.  We homeschool for many reasons, but one of the reasons we do is to help be their main source of information so that we are able to help them choose friendships that are better for them than others.  They are less exposed to sensuality and sexuality, less pressured to "join the crowd" because they are already not a part of the semi-in crowd trying to get to the upper level of the hierarchy.

 But I digress.

 My daughter told me about a year ago that she didn't particularly care for participation in a lot of church centered activities(more of an emphasis on inter-church activities like youth rallies and church camps)  because everyone appeared plastic to her.  They had their permagrin smiles on, had just the right answers for every question, all dressed the same, thought the same, acted the same (in public)- they seemed fake.  Especially when my daughter would hear and see the rumblings of rebellion.  She knew there was more going on behind the scenes, but everyone just had to keep that perfect appearance.  It was very hard and devastating for me. 

 I wanted the hope that she would choose from these circles a spouse to share their same views, and life with.  That she would choose someone to serve God with.  And at that moment I knew it would never happen.  

It broke my heart.

There are plastics in every circle.  And unfortunately, now I see what she sees.  I am so sad, because the fundamental Christian movement has become so regimented in their own thoughts that they have forgotten some really important and valuable tools they need to win others to the Lord (which is our goal, right?).

Life is Messy
The reality is, most kids these days don't get saved at 5 and lead a holy life, expounding upon what their parents have taught them about sin, and work towards avoiding it and helping their fellow kids to avoid it.  Most kids these days come from broken homes, and have broken spirits, and live very broken lives.  Standing over them and beating them with your Bible and judging them for who and where they are in life probably isn't going to bring them into the fold.  Should we condone the sin they are in? No.  But judgement and criticism isn't going to gain you any favor either.

Hearts are Hard to the Message
The world (unsaved Christian people here) is conditioned to think exactly how my daughter felt about what she was seeing the fundamental Christian movement- plus some.  Their hearts are preconditioned to a message we have for them- and it's not going to be a one and done message most generally.  It takes time for God to do a work in them because they don't want to believe everything they have been taught about Christianity is a lie- or perversion of the truth.  Odds are, most of us have a very messy path to salvation.  Keep that in mind when you share.

Be Honest 
It's time for those of us who didn't get saved at 5, and didn't always live a life for God to just get honest. People want to see a very real side of you.  They want to know that while you are different now, you weren't always the way you are.  The world needs to see redemption in your life.  I truly believe this with all that I am.  They need to know and hear from you that you have been where they are.  Not wallow there with them- but show them how God created a change in you through that situation and season of life. 


The fields are ripe for the harvest- but if you don't have the right tools, and aren't willing to get dirty to harvest the crop, and in some instances, actually walk out into the field-how are we ever going to see revival in our churches?   I believe it's time to put our plastic lives in the past, and roll up our sleeves, and start getting real with the world around us.  

One of the primary reasons I believe we are seeing significant men in public view fall to sin, because we are (as a collective Christian body) putting a fake face on the Christian walk.  There is no real honesty- that we all have sin to conquer.  The movement is scared to admit that its not all perfect.  My heart aches for the people who see Christianity this way.  Because that's not what a lot of us are about.  People need to see real.  They need to see our honest, messy lives to not be hard toward us as Christians, and by extension, the church.  

People  need to see that the doors are open to everyone- not just the ones who looked buttoned up, and all together.  They need to see a place where they fit.  Broken.  In Need of a Savior.  So the world can then see redemption in their story, and their lives, and their ministry to others.  

Sunday, July 5, 2020

{My} Simplified Bible Study



For years, personal Bible study has been one area I severely lacked.  I would start a phenomenal study, only to fizzle out before I completed it due to one thing or another.  It's been extremely frustrating for me because I am not normally a start and stop person.  


Sitting in Sunday School (Pre-Covid19) one day while studying Psalms 119, I had a word I needed clarification on.  So I got my phone out (gasp!) and looked it up on the Webster's 1828 website.  I then wrote it in line with my text I was copying.... and a lightbulb went off for me.  

Why on earth have I not been doing this this way all along? 

All the scripture studies, and scripture copywork plans.... and Bible studies and reading plans.  Why on earth had this not dawned on me before? 

For weeks now, I have been more consistent than ever in Scripture study and reading... because I simplified the method for myself.  My goal is always 20-30 minutes- but if something happens and I need to care for Dylan- I can feel satisfied with 15 minutes- and pick right back where I left off the next day. 

Here's a video where I explain the ins and outs of what I do in the mornings! 


I hope that is helps someone out there not feel so much pressure to study a certain way... or with a certain book.  Sometimes, all you need is just The Book.  I have found this so much more rewarding that any study I have done in a long time. 

Until Next Time! 



Friday, July 3, 2020

Foodie Friday- Strawberry Banana Layered Fluff


Hey Friends!  

It's been a week or two since we shared a recipe (May was our last one!) and we have an amazing and simple dessert recipe to add to your recipe box!!   If you are looking for an amazing treat to take to your next potluck or gathering, you are in luck! And we are sharing this just in time for Fourth of July! 


As always, we have created a video to show you just how easy the recipe is to assemble! 



And last but certainly not least, the recipe card that goes along with it.  Again, this is probably the easiest dessert recipe that's not going to heat up your kitchen and will wow your friends.  And you can almost count it as healthy! I mean, it has two types of fruit in it, right?! You can click here or on the image to download your free 5x7 recipe card.  



I've added it to my personal cookbook as well!  I love my Happy Planner Recipe Planner.  Disc planners are awesome because I can rearrange my recipes however I want them, or pull them to the front to prep for my cooking week.  All the best things.  It's amazing!! 


Until Next Time Friends! I hope you enjoy this recipe and. I can't wait to share more with you!