It's Mother's Day...

Today is a day to celebrate Mothers.   I have read some "open letters" (usually directed to Pastors) floating around out there in cyber land, that basically talk about how "hurtful" Mother's day is to women who have not been able to have children for this reason or that.  I understand their points, and I can see that for some that might be a real problem.  BUT, then I started thinking, wow, we live in such a self-centered, egotistical world, that people, who proclaim to be "Christians" (I mean all of these "letters" are supposedly written by "church going women") can't for one day, get their thoughts off of themselves, and think of someone else that they honor and admire.

I mean all of us have a Mother.  Maybe you don't know your Mom, maybe she abandoned you at birth, and God never saw fit to bless you with a "forever mom".   BUT, you still had a mother, and if you are alive today, that means she cared enough about you to carry you and deliver you and not abort you.  So thank God for that!   If God has blessed you with a "forever mom", than praise Him for that, and for the love that he put in her heart for you.

All of us have countless women in our lives who have "mothered us" in one way or another, thank God for each of those women.  If God has not blessed you with children of your own, who has he brought into your life for you to mentor and bless?  There are always girls and women younger than ourselves, that we are to teach.  (Titus 2:3)

You can say that I don't understand, because not only do I know my Mother.  She is a wonderful godly woman, who has loved me unconditionally for 53 years and taught me to love God and others.   God has also saw fit to bless my life with a wonderful husband and 3 beautiful daughters by birth and 3 sweet children through adoption.  Now, I have the incredible blessing of being a Nana to 9 sweet and amazing grandchildren.  So my heart if full of the love and joy of motherhood.  So no, I don't always understand the feelings and emotions that others are feeling.

I am thankful that today is NOT about me!  IT is all about the grace and mercy of God and the women that He has called to be Mothers in one way or another.  It is about honoring those women that have sacrificed and loved.  That have taught and trained.  That have prayed for and nursed.  That have been pooped on, puked on and spat on, BUT, who loved on.  Who NEVER gave up on their kids, nor on God who they knew had a plan and purpose for it all.

So if you were in church this morning and the Pastor asked for all the mothers present to stand, I hope instead of feeling left out and sad because God hasn't blessed you with the gift of motherhood, if that is the case, that you joined the rest of the congregation in celebrating all the Mothers there.

Happy Mother's Day!

Seeking God's Perspective...

I have been working my way slowly through the "Experiencing God" Bible study by Henry Blackaby.   This is not my first time to go through this particular study, but it is the first time to do it in English.  God has been using this study to point out areas in my life, where my thinking has just been wrong, or distorted.

This morning, I find myself at another one of those places.  Physically I'm exhausted.  I have found myself at a point, where I get overwhelmed at the thought of just adding one more thing to my plate.  I have walked this Christian life for a long time and I know that God does not burden me down with things that will overwhelm and exhaust me.  I know that his burden is easy and load is light.  So then the thoughts start, why am I feeling this way?  I must have picked up burdens and loads that God never intended for me to carry... what are they?

Today in my Bible study, I read this line and it has been reverberating in my mind, "Only the Father has the right to initiate a divine work." Whoa...  is my trying to live up to the expectations of what everyone else thinks needs to be happening, where I have started to pick up burdens and loads that my Father NEVER intended me to carry?

Why exactly are we having a Mother's Day breakfast, Sunday morning?  Is the purpose "out reach" or is it just because we always do it and everyone expects us to do it?   Why do we have to have something to give away at the breakfast?  Is is because handing out a bookmark to all the ladies present, will in someway lead them to Christ?  Or is it just because we always hand out something, and everyone will be expecting it?  We've been taking photos of Moms and their families present on Mother's Day, almost since we arrived in the country 24 years ago.  Why?  Because it is what everyone expects us to do it?  Does anyone ask to help?  Does anyone even wonder who pays for it?  Do we even get a "Thanks for doing that?" The last few years, the time has been full of stress, and people getting upset because the line is longer than they want it to be, or they are trying to cut in line because their time is way more important than anyone else and they can't possibly wait their turn....  I don't really resent the time taking the photos or even paying to have them developed, but I am starting to question, what is the purpose and is God really being honored and glorified, and families coming to know Christ, because we are taking photos on Mother's Day?

These thoughts aren't just centered on the activities of this week-end.  I've used them as an example because they are what are going on right now.  I have been convicted the last weeks, that I spend way too much time trying to "dream up" what I can do for the Father, and then asking him to bless it.   Another statement from the "Experiencing God" Bible Study, "Jesus did not have to guess what to do.  Jesus did not have to dream up what He could do for the Father." What exactly did Jesus do in his ministry?   He looked to see where the Father was at work, and He joined the Father there.   Instead of "dreaming up" what I can do for God, I need to make sure that Jesus Christ is Lord of my life.  I need to watch and see what He is doing and where He is working and adjust my life, my plans and my goals to HIM.  My life needs to be at His disposal - where He is working - so He will accomplish His purposes through me.   (Experiencing God, Unit 6, Day 2)

God NEVER intended us to be overwhelmed, stressed out, and exhausted...  When we are following Him and walking with Him, he has promised that if we take his yoke upon us, the burden is easy, and the load is light.  He has promised Peace that passes all understanding.  He has promised joy in the sorrow.

"Bendecidas para Bendecir" is Off the Ground!!

There is so much I could say about how this morning went, but I think for this post, I'm going to just let the photos tell the story... What a blessing to be here serving the Lord, and to be used by God to be his hands and feet.  To have the privilege to share the love of Christ with others.  Thank you to EVERYONE who supports and/or prays for the ministry here in Manta, Ecuador!!  God is working in this place!

Friday morning we filled boxes and bags, ready to hand out on Saturday morning. 

Each household represented would receive a box full of food, 

and a bag of fresh veggies.

Praying together before people arrived. 

Waiting for their turn to be "checked-in"

We had the opportunity to talk with and pray with each person.

These need no explanation...

Going Gluten Free

Over a year ago, I read the book, Grain Brain by David Perlmutter, MD. To be honest it intrigued me and in talking and sharing with my husband, we decided to give it a try.  There are many points to the book, supplements, exercise, sleep patterns, and diet.  I will be honest, that I really did feel better eating less gluten, BUT, my husband, did not feel that it made much difference with him, and living in a country, where there is not a lot of "pre-made" stuff, including flour mixes, etc. it was just all a bit overwhelming.   

After our friends were here from Knoxville, and we spent a lot of time talking about different things that might be a help to our kids, especially our youngest who has CP and a few other issues.  Tony and I decided that we would give the GF diet a try for him.  We were told that for some kids it makes a huge difference and for some it doesn't seem to make any difference.  We also were told, and I remembered reading this in the book mentioned above, that it was important to give it at least 3 to 6 months, before giving up.   (Not saying that it will help his CP, but, maybe learning issues and behavior issues that he deals with along with the CP)

So here again, I am on a quest to figure out how to do this, and get a good group of recipes that will work.  I don't mind "experimenting" in the kitchen, BUT, when the temps are in the high 80's low 90's it isn't any fun to spend time in there sweating away, to have your bake goods taste like saw dust, or your bread be gummy in the middle. ;)  There are also a lot of flours we can get, but many that we can't... so trying to figure out what works as a good substitute and what doesn't is a big deal.  

So here are some things I am learning...

1. Gluten free flours don't weigh the same, (as each other, nor do they weigh the same as wheat flour), so it works better to use recipes that call for weight instead of measuring by the cup.  That is hard for me, because in the US, most recipes are written using Cup measurements and not weights. hmmm.... if I want to substitute for some of my recipes, I guess, I'm going to need to measure out a cup of wheat flour and weigh it. 
(Thanks to my friend, Kendra, for reminding me about flour weights, today! ;) 

2. Gluten free flours need to be mixed up... you need to use more than 1 kind you can just replace a cup of wheat flour with say the same weight of rice flour....  The big deal right now then for me, is finding some recipes for some "flour mixes" that will work.

3.  Chick Peas, make the most amazing cakes, brownies and muffins!!   Who would have thought?!  I know if you are reading this and you've never tried anything like this, you are going "yuck!  Who wants hummus brownies?!"  I have found some of the most amazing recipes that use NO flour, but use blended chick peas, and NO ONE has known the difference.  I have pinned a lot of them on my "Gluten Free" board on Pinterest, so if you are interested check them out.  (https://www.pinterest.com/manabita/gluten-free-recipes/ )

I am still on my quest to find a good sandwich bread, but it is coming little by little.  

Besides going gluten free, Little Bud is taking a Fish oil capsule everyday, (wanting 300 to 400mg of DHA) and 1 teaspoon of coconut oil.   Both of these things have been shown to help build "new pathways" in the brain, and boost memory, so who knows. I realize we may be grasping at straws here, BUT on the other hand you never know until you try.   

Thank you for all the prayers and encouragement you have past our way.  We appreciate it so much!   If you do have a good GF sandwich bread recipe, I would love to give it a try.  Please don't share it though, if it calls for specific flour blends you have to purchase, as those are not available to us here in Ecuador.  ;)

Blessings to you and yours!

Joy