the Shabby Shoppe Blog

I enjoy digital scrap booking and I came across this blog. It has some really nice free kits. Just seems like a really nice resource. Thought you might enjoy it if you enjoy this hobby with me. :-)

Blessings,

Joy

the Shabby Shoppe Blog:

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Here comes March!!!

I know I'm getting older, because I remember when time just moved along like a snail across the sidewalk and now it seems to just fly by!  Can you believe that tomorrow is already March 1st?

Things are going pretty well in the Anzalone  house these days.  Teddy, Carla and Matthew are doing well in school and most days we are happy to see progress as this family learns to gel together.  This past month started out with a bang, and pretty much just kept on going! LOL!!

Have you ever gone through those times, when you just can't seem to turn around and catch your breath?  Well, that is kind of how this month has seemed.  But things are starting to settle back down into our normal routine, and that is good.   The kids have all battled colds and Tony is starting to get one, so I guess that means I'll probably be next. :-/

Things at the church are going well.  We are in the process of setting up a new visitation program.  Tomorrow evening, Tony will also be starting a 4 week discipleship training seminar.  The ladies are in the process of planning a wedding shower for one of our sweet young ladies.  That will be Sunday afternoon, March 18th, and we will have our VBS at the end of March, right before the kids start back to school in April.  (Our kids are probably the only ones that are in school right now in Manta! ;-)  Of course they will be happy about that this summer when we have groups visiting from the US!  

Thank you for your prayers for our family the ministry here in Manta!
Blessings,
Joy

Can I trust God to guard my heart?

About a year ago, I was approached by a friend and asked to participate along with many other ladies to write a couple devotionals for a book for the ladies of her church. It was a surprise Christmas gift for the ladies. Here is the first one. I hope it is a blessing to you.


Philippians 4:4-7

How many times have I read those verses? Hundreds? Thousands? Yet this night they jumped off the page at me. What made this time, August 31, 2002, any different from all the other times? God was speaking to my heart!

Tony and I had made the decision to adopt a baby here in Ecuador. We were in the middle of all the paperwork, and jumping through the hoops to become approved as adoptive parents. At the same time all of this was happening, a very good friend of ours had started a foundation for abandoned babies. I was going several times a week to volunteer my time. There was a little baby boy, just 3 months old, that I fell in love with. I was so afraid of stepping up and letting myself become involved with him, though, because I was afraid of it not working out and having my heart broken. So this night, as I couldn't sleep because I was wrestling with all of these thoughts, I got up and took my Bible and began reading. When I came to these very familiar verses, I stopped…reread them, then read them again. It was almost as if God had spoken out loud to my heart! What did he say? "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

God was telling me, to step out, to trust my heart to him! I remember reading the verses a few more times, and then praying and just turning the whole situation over to the Lord. I closed my Bible and went back to bed, at complete peace, that God was at work in this situation, and no matter what happened, I could trust my heart to him.

God didn't allow us to adopt baby James. But he did use that experience to prepare my heart to be ready to accept the baby he had for us. You see, I had set my heart on adopting a little baby. But God had a toddler in mind for our family. So in his grace and mercy, he allowed me to experience all the special baby times, with Baby James. I was there when he ate his first cereal, I was there, and found his first tooth. I was there, when he took his first steps. By the time we knew that James wasn't the baby God had for us, we were more than ready and emotionally prepared to accept the precious little 14 month old baby God did have for us!

Are you trusting God with your heart?

"Dear Father, as we go through this day, help each one of us to trust you completely. To take our concerns and worry to your feet and leave them there with you. May we trust you to fill us with your peace that passes all understanding and guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

Fake-It Frugal: Fake Betty Crocker Cookie Mixes

Came across this today, and wanted to share...some of you might enjoy doing this to save some money and have the convenience of a mix.  I love the idea since we hardly ever find "mixes" here and if we do they are usually at least double what you would pay for them!!  


Fake-It Frugal: Fake Betty Crocker Cookie Mixes: Ever have one of those "Ah-ha!" moments? I happened to me yesterday when I was lamenting the price of those very convenient Betty Crocker C...

Ministry Update...

This week-end is Carnival Vacation here in Ecuador.  That means that Manta is FULL of people visiting from around the country.  It also means that you need to watch out when you go out as you might be splashed with water...buckets, hoses, water guns, or water balloons. :-)  Our kids are looking forward to our big family water fight Tuesday afternoon.

We had a great service this morning, even though many of our regulars were traveling, we still had a great attendance of 130!  Also had a lady accept Christ at the end of the worship service!!

We enjoyed a nice family time for Valentines Day.  31 years ago, I celebrated my first Valentines Day with my Sweetie, and 21 years ago, we spent our first Valentines day in Ecuador.  God has blessed us so much and we are so thankful for all that he has done for us!

We are staying busy.  Appreciate your prayers as our church starts a new visitation ministry.  The ladies will be hosting a Bridal Shower for one of our newly married couples.  Also will be planning VBS, which will be in March.  The schools in Manta are on "Summer Break" right now.  (except for the Anzalone's school! ;-)

Appreciate your prayers as we continue to minister here.  Tony and I both are involved in Discipleship lessons with people.  Also working with the leaders and their wives.  Tony continues with the Bible Institute classes on Thursday night.

Blessings to you this week!
Joy

Do my attitudes reflect Christ?

Been thinking a lot lately about our attitudes and how they affect others.  Did you ever think that how you respond to circumstances that come your way,  may make the difference in someone coming to know Christ or not?   So often it seems that I forget that I may very well be the only Jesus someone will encounter.  They may base their whole idea of Christianity on what they see in my life!  WOW!!  I am to be growing each day to be more like Christ.  The whole goal is that my life become a mirror of Jesus.   So that got me to thinking...

When Jesus stepped from the portals of heaven into a manger in Bethlehem, do you think there were any complaints lodged with the innkeeper about the lack of a good heating or air ventilation system in the barn?  What about when they wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in the manger, do you think the innkeeper heard about the musty odor and smell of hay or the roughness of the clothes?   What about later as he ministered, do you think he complained about the rolls and fish not being cooked the way his mother cooked them back home?  Do you think he ever griped because the coffee wasn't  as hot as he preferred it?  Have you ever been out with someone at a restaurant and they griped and complained about everything and basically just gave the waitress total grief and then as you were getting ready to leave, along with the less than normal amount of tip, they laid a tract down with their church's name on it?   OUCH!!  I have thought to myself, if I was that waitress, I would want to run as far away from that church as I could get! Yet, I know that I am guilty of the same kind of things.  How often have I thought to myself, "well I have rights!  I'm not letting them walk all over me!  I paid good money for that!"  

Look at what Jesus said in Luke 22:24-27, And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.  For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? Is not he that sitteth at meat? But I am among you as he that serveth.

Here is the King of Glory, worthy of all praise and honor, washing the dirty feet of his disciples!   He wasn't complaining because none of them had offered to wash his feet.  He wasn't saying how awful the place was because they didn't even supply help to make sure everyone had clean feet before they came to recline at dinner.   I mean you would have thought it was the least that they could have done, knowing that Jesus was using their upper room!   What was the matter with them, anyway?  What was wrong with the disciples that they were sitting there with the Master, but more concerned about their place and honor than whether or not he was comfortable?  

Can you imagine how the disciples must of felt when Jesus got up and took off his outer robe, and put on a towel like a humble servant and began to wash their feet?  Peter's response can give you a good clue...But, Jesus didn't berate them for not serving him.  He simply used the time to teach by example.  

You know when we gripe and complain about the service or actions of others, we are not giving God the glory...We are dulling the mirror, so that it can't reflect to others the King of Kings!   

Paul wrote in Colossians 4:4-6, That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.  Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.  Let your speech be always with grace (my note here...that means let my speech be gracious, a result of the divine influence on my heart and its reflection in my life;  Let it be a benefit or gift to others; Let it be pleasurable and thanks worthy!)  seasoned with salt, that you may know how ye ought to answer every man.   

Then Peter writes in 1 Peter 3:8-11, Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful(tenderhearted), be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

Paul wrote in Titus 3:1-2,  Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. 

Oh that I would have that "meek(mild, gentle, humble) and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price."(1Peter 3:4) I've been called to share Christ through my life. Not just my words.  Oh, I believe that it is important to be ready at every opportunity the Lord presents to share with my words, the blessed gospel, but that isn't enough!!  My life must reflect what he has done.  Peter tells us that an unsaved husband can be brought to Christ through the conduct of a believing wife, without her ever speaking a word!  (1 Peter 3:1-2)  I believe that is also the case not just for unbelieving husbands but for anyone.  My life, my reactions to all circumstances should be a reflection of my Savior.  I should be filled with the Peace of God that goes way beyond any earthly understanding, that it points people to my Savior!  When I interact with others, they should immediately be able to tell that I have something different...something that they are missing and want to have!  Peter says in 1 Peter 3:15, But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:  and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear (humbleness and respect).  I get the idea from this verse that they are going to ask me!  Of course if I'm not living out my testimony, they won't be drawn to ask me anything, because they won't be able to see Christ through the dingy smudged mirror of my life.  

Have you ever tried to witness to someone to have them throw up some other Christian who wasn't living for God!  I know that is the devil and that he is trying to side track them from their need of a Savior by having them focus on the "Christian" with the bad testimony...but it also makes me so sad, I wonder if they will ever realize this side of glory the damage they have done to the cause of Christ by their actions.   How many times have I been that stumbling block?  

Oh Father, that you would cleanse me and create a clean heart within me!  Fill me with your peace and joy.  May I be known for that meek and quiet spirit, that brings pleasure to you!  Father, when I open my mouth, may my speech by gracious, pleasing and honoring to you.  My desire above all others is that my life would be a clear reflection of You.  Father, speak with my mouth, love with my heart, see with my eyes, touch with hands, and go with my feet!   In Jesus Name, Amen.

--
Joy Anzalone
Manta, Ecuador

What's cooking...

For Valentines, instead of trying to get a babysitter and go out for dinner.  Tony and I decided to have a special dinner here at home after we put the kids to bed...so I found a place to set up the card table and set it with a Valentine's Theme, and then try some new recipes.  We enjoyed A Spinach Salad, with strawberries, and Roasted Pecans, Chicken Cordon Bleu Roll-ups and Crash Hot Potatoes.   It all came out really good.  It was a lot of fun to dress-up too, and just do something completely different.  When I went up to tuck Carla into bed, she said, "Mommy you look beautiful!  Are you going somewhere?" :-)  Here are a few links for the recipes I used and some pictures to go along with them.  

Table for two. 

Spinach Salad - I used a Celery Seed Dressing.
http://www.theyummylife.com/blog/2011/07/211/Spinach+Strawberry+Salad+with+Candied+Pecans%2C+Feta%2C+%26+Raspberry+Poppyseed+Dressing#EmbedRecipe_150 

Main course
http://www.cinnamonspiceandeverythingnice.com/2012/01/chicken-cordon-bleu-roll-ups.html

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2008/06/crash-hot-potatoes/

Me and My Valentine, this made 31 Valentines we have spent together! :-) 

Valentine's Day with the Kids...

One of my favorite "school memories" as a kid was of our class Valentine Parties.  I always loved making Valentines for the kids in my class, and making our "mailboxes", to hold all our loot! It was always fun to read all the valentines and of course the candy was great, too! :-)

As a homeschool Mom living in a foreign country, where I don't have access to "co-ops" or even know other homeschooling families in my area, I am always trying to figure out fun ways, to let my kids experience just a little of those social events that, they might have the opportunity to enjoy in a different setting.

This week, we are taking a break from our normal school routine for a Unit Study.  I have these scheduled into our year once every term, so that while it's not actually a vacation, we do a lot of fun things and just change up the routine a little bit.   Our study this week is on Valentine's Day.  So far we learned a little bit of the history behind the holiday and some of the different symbols of the day.

Yesterday the kids spent some time making Valentines for each other and Tony and I.  We enjoyed a fun Valentine lunch, with homemade heart shaped pizzas, fruit and some great Valentine treats for dessert.  I also made a "goodie bag" for each of the kids with lots of "Valentines".  It was a lot of fun and totally worth the effort, when Carla walked into the dining room, and said, "Oh Mommy, it is sooo beautiful!!!"  :-)

Here are some pictures from our special Valentine's Day. :-)

Some of the kid's "Valentines".

Table is set and the bags are filled.  We're ready for our special lunch!

Carla 

Matthew

Teddy

Homemade pizza with fresh fruit salad.

Valentine Treats...Red Velvet Cup cake, strawberry "rice-crispy treat", chocolate peanut cluster, and cherry jello jiggler. 

10 Valentine's Day Ideas for the Kiddos

Here are some fun Valentine ideas to do with your kids. :-)

10 Valentine's Day Ideas for the Kiddos:

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CBH Ministries > For Kids > Keys for Kids > Read & Listen

This is a great resource for Children's Ministries...Kid's devotions, etc. They allow you to choose KJV/NKJV/NIV for the scripture reading. You can either just read the story, listen to it, or if audio doesn't want to play right, you can download it.

We have made this a part of our morning Bible Class. Kids love it!

Blessings,

Joy

CBH Ministries > For Kids > Keys for Kids > Read & Listen:

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Weekly Update...

Today our friends from Battlefield Baptist Church, returned to the US.  We had a very hectic and busy week, but we also had many blessings!

Thursday morning at a local park, the team, along with people from our church invited people to a local park to watch a puppet "show".  After some songs, a puppet skit and Tony giving a brief gospel message, 8 precious children prayed to ask Jesus to come into their heart!

Saturday afternoon, we had over 50 ladies gather for a special Ladies Matinee.  We had 4 first time visitors.  It was a wonderful time of fellowship and teaching.  While the ladies were having their special time together, 15 men met with Tony, Pastor Skinner and the men from the group and they had a question and answer time.  

Sunday morning we had record attendances both in Sunday School, 140 and the Church service of 204.  4 people made public professions of faith!  It was a great morning.  That evening we had over 210 at our Anniversary Dinner.  What a blessing to see God working and moving in hearts.  Many of our church people worked hard preparing and serving the dinner and just making it all a very special time.

Thank you all for your prayers for our family and the ministry here in Manta!  God is doing great things in this place.

Blessings,
Joy

Happy Anniversary Iglesia Biblica Bautista de Manta!!

Today we will be celebrating the 7th Anniversary of the church here in Manta!  It is pretty hard to believe that 7 years has gone by.  In many ways it seems like it was only last week, that we excited prepared for the first service.

God has blessed us so much.  It is so exciting to look back at the photos of where we were and where he has brought us to.  To view the lives that he has transformed and the souls that he has saved.  What a joy to know that he used us to be a part of this!!

Yesterday afternoon, we had 50 ladies join us for a special "Matinee de Damas"  (Ladies Matinee).  It was such a blessing and we know that 4 ladies that haven't accepted Christ as their Savior were there, and that they heard the gospel message.  God is working in their hearts.

This morning we will be having a special prayer of dedication for Darwin and Jessica as they start their ministry at the church as the Associate Pastor.  Darwin's parents have committed to attend this morning.  He has worked on getting them to church for years now, and they have never come.  Please join us in praying that today would be the day, and that they would receive Christ as their Savior!

God is doing great things!  He is faithful and all the glory and honor belong to Him!

Blessings to you and yours on this Lord's Day!
Joy

Shhh! Currclick has a secret!!!!! (and they want to share it!!!)

--
Joy Anzalone
Manta, Ecuador

Bear with one another, Be thankful!

God has gifted each of us in such incredible ways!  It is a joy to see the diversity with which he has created us.  He has equipped each of us with the gifts that we need to do his work in the place where he has put us.

Col. 3:12-15

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long suffering;

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

As God's chosen ones, we are to strive to be holy, merciful, full of kindness, meekness.  To be humble and patient with each other, bearing with one another and forgiving, just as Christ forgave us!  Then, on top of all that, we are to put on love which binds everything together. Oh! and by the way, be thankful! 

I think those verses are so cool.  I was reading them in my devotion time this morning.  I love the idea of love binding everything together.  You know when you bake and mix eggs in a batter, you do it to bind the ingredients together...Love is what holds it all together.  Because of God's love for us, and our love for Him and one another, we can be merciful, kind, humble, choosing to put others ahead of ourselves.  We can be long-suffering, and patient with one another...Bear with one another, forgive one another.  It's all possible because of love.   

Then after we've put these into practice, we are also to let the peace of God rule in our hearts.  You would think that would be the easiest, but I recognize that oftentimes I don't let the peace of God rule in my heart.  How often I get "stressed" by all the things on my "to do list".  Would I snap at my children or husband, if the peace of God was ruling in my heart?  

To close it all off...on top of all of that, Be thankful!!  You know I find when I am filled with a heart of gratitude, the little things don't bother me.  It's all covered.  The focus isn't on me.  It's all about Him and all that He is doing and has done!  The attitude of gratitude will change your life!  

Blessings!

Joy   

What's for Dinner?

This week we have a group visiting us from Battlefield Baptist Church.  I have enjoyed getting to know them all better, and I have enjoyed cooking for them some.  Yesterday for dessert, I made them one of my family's all time favorites. So I thought I would share the recipe with you.  I got this recipe from a friend, years ago in Quito.

Frozen Mocha Cheesecake

24 Oreos, crushed
1/4 cup margarine, melted
combine and press into a buttered 9x13 inch baking dish.  Chill

1 cup of whipping (heavy) cream, whipped and sat aside

8 oz of cream cheese, softened
14 oz of sweetened condensed milk
2/3 cup chocolate syrup
2 tablespoons of instant coffee
1 teaspoon of hot water
In large mixer bowl, beat cheese until fluffy, add milk and chocolate syrup.
In small bowl, dissolve coffee in water, (will be thick).
Add to cheese mixture.  Mix well.
Fold in whipped cream.  Pour into prepared pan.  Cover and freeze 6 hours or overnight.

Garnish with additional cookie crumbs and/or chocolate syrup.