Living as a Victorious Christian Woman

Our house has been closing down for the night earlier and earlier lately. I'd much rather get a good, long night's sleep than stay up until the wee small hours of the morning doing something less than important. I guess that's age settling in... As we were getting ready for bed a few nights ago I suddenly asked, Didn't we used to go places in the evening? All of a sudden we were talking about dinners out and concerts and movies. They are things we still enjoy, we just don't enjoy them enough to stay out late doing them anymore. Over the next couple of days that question was still on my mind. What did we used to do that we don't do anymore? I thought of several right away because they are things I love to do. We used to go camping, but having the undertaker on call every other week takes away a good chunk of your spare time. I used to put together scrapbook pages of all our pictures - probably an album a week. Since making it my job, doing extra doesn't seem ...

No two pets are alike, and neither are their nutritional needs. What works wonderfully for your lab mixes may not be the perfect choice for mine. Sadie has a rather sensitive tummy and Bailey just slowly works her way through whatever you put in front of her. They may look similar, but their appetites are completely different. That's why there are so many different kinds of pet food on the market. Depending on your cat's weight, your dog's breed and your bird's age, there are specific foods for specific needs. Within those individual categories there are still more choices - active formula, high fiber, high protein...it can really make your head spin. So what do you need to consider to make the best food choice for your own pet? 1. Stage of life. Puppies need different nutrients than an older dog. Senior cats don't need the same food as kittens. Read the packaging to find the recommended ages for each type of food. 2. Ingredients. The list of ingredients on the pa...

Many financial goals would be possible in our lives if we didn't eat, drive or pay rent. We'd have all sorts of money left over each month if we chose not to pay the utility bill or we never talked on the phone. As completely unrealistic as those scenarios are, a little planning can go a long way. In the professional world, short-term is defined as goals you can accomplish within a year. Anything longer than that takes more planning and effort. Generally we're thinking ahead to some special purchase or event. In just 12 months, with self-control and forward-thinking, there is so much we could accomplish with our budgeting. There are many financial situations that can be planned for in the short-term. You may be trying to cut household spending by a certain amount each month. Maybe the family wants to buy a boat or a camper. Or maybe you just want to get out of debt and live in the clear. All of these are attainable within that year if you set some reasonable goals. 1. Sit d...

Happy National Chocolate Day! While eating chocolate around our house isn't anything out of the ordinary, this holiday gives a chance to celebrate one of our favorite treats. Here are some great ideas of how to spread the fun and festivities out - all day long! 1. Breakfast - Have some of your favorite chocolaty breakfast cereal or some chocolate chip pancakes. 2. Treat - Make a little gift bag of chocolates and hide it where you husband and children will find it. 3. Share - Take a variety bag of miniatures to work or school with you to pass around. 4. Lunch - Have a glass of chocolate milk with your sandwich! 5. Snack - Eat healthy with some chocolate covered raisins or pretzels. (Well, it sounds healthy.) 6. Special - Enjoy some chocolate covered cherries or strawberries. 7. Love - Use tiny chocolates to make the outline of a heart on your husband's dinner plate. 8. Dinner - Chocolate and cocoa make great sauces and rubs for many different meats. 9. Dessert - Dust off that ol...

Saturday was the Fall Arts and Crafts Show at one of our local Christian schools. The entire day was an absolute joy from beginning to end, as you can see by the smile on my face! Danny and I had been working for weeks to put together what we thought was enough product to fill a table. I hadn't been in a craft show since junior high, and I really don't remember much about that one. I had taken everything from my etsy shop, Danny had made several pieces in his wood shop and I took along my book. It was such a pleasure to have sweet, wonderful women at the tables on either side of me. It made for sparkling conversation, a couple of sales and a comfortable day. There was such a wide variety of handmade items inside and outside, so there was much to wander around and look through. The very first thing that sold from our table was a collection of birthday cards. All of my cards have KJV Scripture either on them or in them, and that was a huge draw for most people. It's also i...

While watching baseball on television recently, I noticed a man waving a gigantic state flag. It was very difficult not to notice him, as he was sitting directly behind the right batter's box. Every time the camera angle changed to show the hitter, this man would stand up and wildly wave his huge flag. Did I mention it was enormous? Then my focus shifted. There was a young boy sitting behind the flag waver. He had to shift in his seat over and over again just to see the game around the flag bearer. You could clearly see the frustration in this little boy's face - he wanted to watch baseball. The man in front of him had an ulterior motive. Disappointment breaks my heart. I ache when I see people with unfulfilled dreams. One of my deepest joys comes from the little I can do to change a discouraging situation into something lighter. This little boy was a perfect example. I wanted desperately to hurry to this baseball field and move that fanatic flag-waving fan. In his efforts to...

You can probably tell by many of my posts here that I hate clutter. Messiness makes me anxious and scattered. It's difficult for me to accomplish anything during the day when I'm surrounded by disorganization. It's always been my personal philosophy to maintain whatever order I could. I read a quote over the weekend that gave me a different insight on clutter. The woman wrote that a cluttered home showed that someone lived there. It was an accumulation of life that caused one to think that home doesn't have to be perfect, just warm and comfortable. Order works for me. It may be different for you. I enjoy a home that is clean, neat and tidy. You may enjoy a home that is clean, rumpled and a little disorganized. I function best when the piles are gone and the world is in place. You may function best just knowing that what you need is in that pile over there. When are you the most happy in your home? Is it when your ducks are all in a row and quacking happily? Or is it whe...

There is an ever-growing stack of paperwork on my craft room floor. It's been there for over a week now and I do believe that it is feeding and replenishing itself. I couldn't even begin to tell you half of what's in it, but I know there are pages that need to be filed, some that need shredded and some that just need to be read. Yes...I've been putting it off. I'm fully aware of how much time and energy that one particular pile is going to take. It's not a fun task, it's not exciting and it's definitely not the most glamorous thing I will have done all day. I'm just plain procrastinating. I also know that I need to go tackle the rose bushes. If I want more brilliant blooms, I need to get out there and prune. There are a couple of closets bursting at the seams that are overdue for a straightening. And don't even mention cleaning the fan blades all over the house - so far I've only done one fan. The rest have been on my list for absolutely ages...

...well, through our neighborhood anyway. When your dogs are almost half your size and you walk them together, it quickly turns from a stroll to a trot. We've had a lot of trouble with the girls pulling terribly while on the leash over the years. They are very competitive with each other so they hurry to get "there" first. Their walk time is the best part of their day so they pull to see how much they can see, smell and hear before we go back inside. With my fibromyalgia walking the girls can be pretty painful. Imagine already hurting to your bones and then having a 60-pound black lab decide to pull your shoulder out of its socket. Not how I want to spend my morning, that's for sure. So Bailey has a job on our walks now. She is my little Sherpa dog. This doggy backpack is possibly the best investment we've ever made. When it has some weight tucked inside, she doesn't pull as hard, and not for nearly as long. It tires her out quickly and by the time we get ...

There's no cookie cutter answer to how to spend and save your money. I wish there were because that sounds like a really great cookie, but each family is personal and individual. The Scriptures give many commands on proper stewardship of your finances, and in the end it's all about personal choice. There are, however, some issues that tend to arise when looking at money difficulties. Do you fall into any of these categories? 1. Not tithing. Even when the budget looks thin for this paycheck, your tithe is the first thing that comes out. Deuteronomy 26:10 says: And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land, which thou, O LORD, hast given me. And thou shalt set it before the LORD thy God, and worship before the LORD thy God. Firstfruit means the first portion, and it is given to the Lord because He gave to us in abundance. The blessings that will come from obedience to the tithe will greatly outweigh the little advantage of that money now. 2. Making payments late....

Last week I challenged you to pull out some old recipes, so I decided to take the challenge myself. I love this chicken stir fry, even though I can't remember for the life of me where it came from. It is both easy and incredibly sweet, so I hope you enjoy it as much as we did! 1. Cut 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken into bite-sized pieces. Toss with 2 tbsp corn starch to coat. 2. Heat a little oil in a skillet, then stir fry chicken until cooked through. 3. In the meantime, heat a 16-ounce bag of microwa-in-bag broccoli. 4. To skillet, add 1/4 cup sweet and sour sauce, 1/4 cup water, 1/4 cup honey, 1 tsp orange zest and crushed red pepper to taste. Bring to a boil. 5. Stir in broccoli and 1/4 cup chopped cashews, almonds or peanuts. 6. Serve over rice.

The traditional is ordinary. The usual is boring. The everyday is a yawner. Let's take the changing season to heart and try something a little different. I made this card in the usual way with one slight modification. Instead of opening from the side or the bottom, this card opens in two panels, slightly off-center. It's a beautiful look and one that really draws attention to your focal point. To start, measure your envelope. Cut a piece of card stock to the proper height and twice the width. Fold this new strip into thirds, making the meeting point a little to the right of center. Crease the edges well with a bone folder or another straight edge. Cover each of the two panels with their own pieces of decorator paper. Layering is crucial to make an interesting, finished card. Place the focal point accent overlapping the gap in the two flaps. Adhere the right side only so it will open up properly. And I always put Scripture somewhere on my cards. This time I used the Ecclesia...

There once was a man and woman, husband and wife. They lived an average, ordinary, everyday life. They had an average, ordinary, everyday marriage. After many years they had settled into a comfortable, normal routine. One Monday night during supper, the woman noticed that her husband seemed a little down. That had been happening more frequently lately, and she was becoming concerned. When she asked him if everything was alright, the husband got up from the dinner table and went into the kitchen. After rummaging around in the cabinets for a minute, he came back holding a glass jar. He set it on the table next to his wife's plate. "This is how I feel," he said, pointing at the empty jar. "I used to be filled, even overflowing. But after a while we settled into life and now I feel empty like this jar." Her heart was broken. In an effort to create a home, complete all the tasks of the day and keep life in order, she had been drawn her away from her love. She was abs...

I found myself doing simple Internet searches this week...literally. A simple cake recipe. A simple cleaning routine. A simple fall craft. A simple life. It's easy to remember a time when life was simple - before running a business, promoting a book, keeping a home and being a church member. There was a time when I didn't think as much, do as much or care as much. That's when I was a child. As a grown woman, wife, daughter, niece, crafter , piano teacher, Sunday School teacher...the list goes on and on...I am called by God to care for His people and the things He has blessed me with here on earth. That takes time. That takes energy. That takes a lot out of a woman! Those are the moments when we long for simplicity. A few quiet moments. Something to happen today that doesn't require multiple steps, multiple ingredients or multiple stitches. We want one peaceful, easy day...hour...even a minute would be great. But life keeps rolling by, filled with to-do lists and activit...

There are so many cliches about time, but one in particular seems to fit these days. Time flies. Do you remember when you were little and time seemed to stand still. You would stare at the clock waiting for the final school bell to ring. You would fidget in the car just waiting to get to your destination. And you would probably count the ceiling tiles during the Sunday morning church service. No matter where you were you were also wishing time would go faster so you could move on to something else. But now that we're grown, time flies. There are more things to try and accomplish than ever before. Our responsibilities keep us busy and then we squeeze in some fun stuff on top of them. We live out of our cars and grab something to eat whenever we can. There's always one more thing that could get crammed into the day, and so we do. Is that really all that's changed - our age? God is unchanging. Time is unchanging. The seasons are unchanging. And in all honesty our lives are u...

Our Bailey-dog is the most submissive puppy ever. She's a little protective of us around strange sounds and people she doesn't know, but she's happy to flop on her back and let you take charge. In exchange for belly rubs, which is fine with me. Now Sadie on the other hand...she's a pushy, pushy girl. She gets very jealous and very excited about whatever is happening around her. She's not aggresive - she's just pushy. If Bailey's getting a treat, then she'll push her way in for one, too. If it's time to go for a walk, she has to be the first one to the door. If there's company, she wants full attention regardless of who they're actually here to see. We've really had to put the brakes on this kind of behavior. Pushy puppies are cute and you giggle over their antics, but a pushy 60-pound black lab isn't so cute anymore. Pushing turns into dominating and we refuse to let it turn into that. If this sounds like your home, try what we've...

Did you know that creating some financial habits can actually help you discover happiness? When women feel like they're in control of their finances, regardless of the amount in the bank, it takes away that helpless feeling. So using some basic Biblical principles we can gain control of our money, create some new habits and find that financial happiness that God intended. 1. And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S: it is holy unto the LORD. Leviticus 27:30 Give your tithe faithfully. The first and most important step to financial happiness is to give one tenth of all you make to the local church. What? Give money away to be happy? Yes, because it is what the Lord commanded. No matter how much or how little you make, God will provide all you need when you give back that portion of what He's allowed you to have. 2. Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is...

Fall is officially here, which means I'm more than excited to pull my slow cooker out more often. And that means warm, tasty meals without a lot of work...my favorite combination! So this week I blew the dust off my Crock Pot cookbook and found a fabulous new sweet and sour shrimp recipe to try. This one also takes only 3 hours, so time is an added bonus. I've varied a few ingredients to my personal taste, and I imagine you'll do the same. Ingredients: 1 can sliced peaches in syrup 1/2 cup chopped red peppers 1/2 cup chopped green peppers 1/2 cup chopped celery 1/3 cup vegetable broth 1/4 cup soy sauce 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar 2 tbsp sesame seed oil red pepper flakes to taste 1 package frozen snow peas 1 pound cooked shrimp 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 1/2 cup walnut pieces rice, cooked to package directions 1. Place first nine ingredients in slow cooker. Cook on low 3-4 hours, on high 2-3 hours. Vegetables will be tender. Stir. 2. Add snow peas and cook on high an addit...

As we head into the holiday season, etsy has asked its shop owners to write a mission statement - a single sentence that explains who we are, what we do and why we do it. This is ours. Stuff From Trees helps Christians share God's Word by creating one-of-a-kind greeting cards and gifts of the highest quality to bring glory and honor to our Lord and Savior. Our goal for our shop is truly this simple. I craft because I want to create something that reflects my devotion to God. It's not to promote myself, but lift up the name of Jesus. It's not simply to make a profit, but to spread the Scripture as far as I can. With the Lord's help this is becoming a reality and it is a precious time for me. If you were to replace our shop name with your own, and replace our products with any area of your life , this mission statement turns into your own testimony for the Lord. Whether it's crafting, keeping your home, working a job or witnessing in the world, the mission remains th...

There's a line in Meredith Wilson's "The Music Man" that says, The idle brain is the devil's playground...Oh we got trouble! We fight with the mind every day, whether we're working, relaxing, in fellowship or laying down to sleep at night. Our brains work overtime on whatever settles into them, and that can be dangerous. How often have you worried over something that never happened? Or prepared a conversation, repeating it again and again? Have you speculated about someone's actions instead of asking them about it? Do you ever picture the worst-case scenario so you're ready if it happens? Maybe you've let your mind consider all the possibilities rather than take God at His Word? These are all ways that we allow evil to creep into our minds. Without giving him too much credit, the devil can whisper lies in your ear that sink into your brain. Then you think on it, work it over, chew on it for a while and then turn it to worry, hate and more lies. And...

There's nothing worse than working diligently to prepare a meal in an unsanitary kitchen. Not to mention the health risks and potential hazards a contaminated workspace can create. A little elbow grease and the sacrifice of some time can eliminate the chance of food poisoning and a trip to the doctor. Start at the top and work your way down. Clean out the light fixtures to be rid of any bug parts and dust. Wipe off fan blades and any other flat surfaces (like the tops of cabinets and the refrigerator) where the nasty stuff collects. Getting rid of this now will keep surfaces you've already cleaned from getting showered on later. Empty the cabinets and clean your dishes in hot, soapy water. Chances are some of them haven't been used in a while and are covered in dust. If you own a pet there is probably fur and dander on the shelves, so wipe them off as well. Thoroughly clean the outsides of the cabinet doors and disinfect the handles. Reorganize as necessary and restock. Foc...

As long as we live on this earth, we are flesh. We do fleshly things and think fleshly thoughts. This includes the decisions we make about spending our time. The choices will come in a heartbeat, over and over again, and the two results are worlds apart. If I'm spending my time this week doing what God has called me to do, then I won't be spending my time doing the things that are against His will. The things that grow me in my walk with the Lord will occupy my time instead of those that satisfy the flesh. This sounds like a terribly easy concept, but how often do we actually follow through? For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will ...

This is my view every morning on our walk. It is one of the best times of day because we can start the day off right. We're getting sun, fresh air, exercise and bonding time all in one. You can't say that about a gym membership! The American College of Sports Medicine recently reported that in a 15-minute dog walk you can burn over 60 calories, plus lower your cholesterol and blood pressure. And all while breathing some fresh air! Whether you create an exercise program around walking your dog or simply want to enjoy some time together, a trip around the block has many benefits for both of you. For you: * It's a chance to meet people in your neighborhood. * You can improve several health issues including cardio , circulation, blood pressure and joint problems. * You'll develop a closer bond with your pet. * Setting aside time every day will help you plan, schedule and build a life routine. * You can get fabulous exercise without spending money on a gym membership. * Wat...

It wasn't until I opened my etsy shop that I heard the word " upcycle ." The word literally means turning something that would normally be considered useless into something useful and beautiful. Think about the amount of money we could save over a month or even a year if we looked at things we might usually throw out as the supplies for upcycling something new and wonderful. For example, without even realizing it I took an old beat-up cake pan and turned it into my year-round centerpiece. I wasn't even familiar with upcycling , but the pan was something I had planned to donate to the thrift shop. Instead, it has become one of my favorite pieces. Other ways to upcycle : * Cut the pictures out of old Christmas cards and turn them into tree ornaments. * Old, broken jewelry can be restrung to make new, original pieces. * I read about a woman who shredded her family's old T-shirts and knitted them into dish cloths. * Turn old CDs into clocks, magnets and photo album...

As the temperature cools off, I'm looking for simple, warm meals that will get us through the day. I dug out this meatball sandwich recipe that I put away in the spring and pull out in the fall. It's prefect for chilly days because it will warm you up quickly - because it cooks quickly! Ingredients: 1 can of tomato soup garlic powder Italian seasoning course ground black pepper 1 package precooked meatballs your favorite rolls shredded mozzarella cheese 1. Heat broiler. 2. Heat soup in a saucepan with the spices. I don't do measurements, but go by look and taste. Use the amounts you'd like. 3. Add the meatballs and cook until heated through. Don't let it get too hot, though, or the soup will curdle and get sticky...very nasty stuff. 4. Divide the meatballs among the rolls and top with the extra sauce and cheese. I used soft hoagie rolls with sesame seeds this time. Set them under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, just until the cheese is all melted and gooey. 5. Serve ...

If there were 27 hours in each day, I might be able to get all the ideas out of my brain and into creation. There's a craft show in less than three weeks. There's an etsy shop to stock and tend. There's a home to clean and tend. There are so many things that I would love to decorate, create and design, but there are just so many hours in each day. Sigh... We live in an age where creative ideas are at our fingertips - literally. We can flip through magazines and mark things we'd like to try. We can type a few words into a search engine and be given thousands of pages to browse. We can even channel surf for a few minutes and discover entire stations devoted to crafts and decorating. I don't know if you're like me, but after all that input I get mental and visual overload. The ideas and enthusiasm to try something new start to trip over each other in my head and that leads to...that overwhelming shutdown. Instead of actually utilizing and following through with the...

There's a broken coffee cup on the kitchen counter right now. It's poor little handle is in two pieces next to it. Later today it will get some glue and be right as rain, but for the moment it sits there empty and pretty useless. I've felt like that cup a lot lately. It seems like I've been so full of other things that God hasn't been able to fill me with His goodness. That's what I've been lacking - not joy or happiness or peace, but my empty vessel for Him to fill. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Psalm 23:5 Sometimes we have to be broken in order to see how badly we need the Lord to put the pieces back together. It's painful and it's uncomfortable, but it's necessary if we're going to grow. There's nothing that coffee cup can do to reattach it's own handle. It has to wait for me to take care of it. And I will...just like God will take care of...

Every home is different, but in each one there is a place where the work gets done. You may pay bills at the dining room table. You might do all of your banking at the computer desk. There is business to attend to and space is usually in short supply. When I reorganized my craft room, I sacrificed our broken-down computer desk for more floor space. It has been a wonderful blessing for my card-making business, but it left our bill paying center without a home. We needed a place for the everyday office supplies that would be safe, hidden from sight and out of the way. And that's where one of my favorite pieces of furniture saved the day. I adore this telephone stand, mostly because it came from my aunt and uncle's home. The other part is that it is the perfect size and layout for the jobs we need it to perform. Plus it's the exact width of the tissue box cover my wonderful husband so thoughtfully and skillfully made for me! Isn't it beautiful? If there's one thing tha...

There is a spot in Columbia, South Carolina, where Interstates 20 and 77 cross. Three lanes of traffic going north go three separate directions, and if you're not in the correct lane, things can be a little messy. Consideration for those around this area seems to take a back seat to doing what's necessary at the moment. Drivers tend to make last-minute decisions about which highway they need to be on and which lane takes them that direction. Turn signals aren't necessary for lane changes because they know where they're headed, right? It's frustrating to be in the right lane, traveling the right speed and going in the direction I need to be going while everyone else is hurrying and darting and breaking numerous traffic laws. While telling this story the other day, I realized that we often do this in our personal life, too, not just behind the wheel. Time is of the essence constantly - whether it's to get a little further down the road or to get everything accompl...

The ASPCA estimates that around 10 million animals are dropped off at shelters across the country each year. They're just waiting for those forever homes with people who want to love and cherish them. October is National Adopt A Shelter Dog Month, and if you're looking for a special friend you'll truly be blessed by a trip to your local shelter. Both of our girls were shelter dogs, and I can remember the days that I got each of them like they were yesterday. Bailey was the first dog I had ever owned, and she came from the Fort Knox shelter. She was one of eight puppies and there were three left when I found her. She is truly the four-legged love of my life and I treasure every moment we enjoy together. Then a few months later came her little sister, Sadie. She was a parvo puppy and there was no way I could leave her in that shelter in her condition. After a few days at the vet's office on an IV she was good to go and she's never looked back. They came from two diff...

Fall is my absolutely favorite time of the year. I love the colors, the smells and the changes God makes in nature. It's such a beautiful season and I could handle it 24/7, 365! And this is the time to be cleaning, redecorating and changing your home into an autumn haven. I love replacing all the bright summer colors with the muted, deep shades of fall. You don't need sea shells anymore, so the leaves and wreaths come out. It's just an exciting time of year. If you're a nester like I am, you want your home to be comfortable and cozy, but you also want to respect your budget and the money God has given your family. There are many, many ways to do both and one of the best is checking out the local dollar store. You can easily decorate, entertain and craft with the fall theme without breaking the bank just by comparing prices at these discount places. For example, here's what I found at out local dollar store this week. Decorating: - pumpkins and gourds - garland - le...