The Lifter of My Head!

by sarahmfry, April 26, 2011

When David suggested that we start getting the kids up and meet in the living room at 6:30 every morning to read Psalms together before getting ready for school, I was at first - shall we say - a bit overwhelmed.  We had a "discussion."  But I'm loving it, and it's amazing how it sets the eyes right, first thing.  This morning we read Psalm 3.


Psalm 3 (English Standard Version)

Save Me, O My God
A Psalm of David,when he fled from Absalom his son.
 1O LORD,how many are my foes!
   Many are rising against me;
2many are saying of my soul,
    there is no salvation for him in God.
                         Selah 3But you, O LORD, are a shield about me,
   my glory, and the lifter of my head.
4I cried aloud to the LORD,
   and he answered me from his holy hill.
                         Selah
 5I lay down and slept;
   I woke again, for the LORD sustained me.
6I will not be afraid of many thousands of people
   who have set themselves against me all around.
 7 Arise, O LORD!
   Save me, O my God!
For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;
   you break the teeth of the wicked.
 8 Salvation belongs to the LORD;
   your blessing be on your people!
                         Selah

My warped 6:30 am sense of humor caught verse 6:
I will not be afraid of many thousands of people
   who have set themselves against me all around.
I just really hope it's not prophetic since I've been preparing to give a 6-minute talk on parenting on Thursday at IHC.  I guess you'd have to be here reading Psalms at 6:30 am to catch the humor...

But the real reason I jumped over to my computer while the oatmeal water boils is because of verse 3.  One of my all-time favorite verses (and songs!)  It's blessing me to pieces.  Just too good to not share.
But you, O LORD, are a shield about me,
   my glory, and the lifter of my head.






So the oatmeal is boiling.  I'm surrounded by coolers and suitcases and packing lists and things to do in order to get this crew to Dayton in one piece.  And after all of my "being prepared for our trip" shopping trips,  David just now informed me that he needs deodorant.  My insides are a bit shaky from not-quite-enough-sleep. The baby is eating the brown sugar out of the bowl and spilling grapejuice on my clean floor.  And my spirit full.... He is my glory! The Lifter of my Head!


Sarah

Resurrection Eggs

in , by sarahmfry, April 23, 2011
Tonight during devotions, instead of doing our regular scripture memory, we went through the story of Easter using Resurrection Eggs.  It was very, very simple this year - and quick.  But it was fun to hear the kids making connection and remembering the significance of various symbols.  It was neat that elements of our Passover Seder on Monday really helped things sink in.

Here's a website that has do-it-yourself instructions.


   Benjamin's Box is a neat little book about the story of the Resurrection eggs.  My great friend Liz sent it to us a few years ago.

Resurrection Cookies

in , by sarahmfry, April 23, 2011
A quick Easter recipe.....I actually prepared this post around Easter, two years ago and never published it. 

~Also known as Easter Story Cookies~


You will need:
1cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
a pinch salt
1 cup sugar
a zipper baggy
1 wooden spoon
scotch tape
Bible

Instructions:
These are to be made the evening before Easter.

Preheat oven to 300F.*** (this is very important --- don't wait until you are half done with the recipe).

Place pecans in zipper baggy and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested. He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read: John 19:1-3

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read: John 10:10&11

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers,and the bitterness of our own sin. Read: Luke 23:27

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that thesweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read: Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read: Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3


Thanks, Nelda for sending this!



Free Easter Printable Crafts

in , by sarahmfry, April 22, 2011
Here is a free printable Easter Craft from my super-creative friend, Nelda.  I more to blog later about her, but here's the link for now.

I have been trying to upload some other pictures of her cool, fun creations, but can't get the pictures to work.  You'll have to just go check out her blog.
Her website is:  http://papercraftingwithnelda.blogspot.com/

She brought us a stack of her very-cool printable easter crafts yesterday, including an adorable chicky cupcake wrapper she designed.  You gotta go see it.  And they're so easy!  My blogger isn't even letting me link to text tonight, so here's the direct link to the cupcake-chicky post: 

http://papercraftingwithnelda.blogspot.com/2011/04/easter-chick-cupcake-wrapper.html



I've had it on my calendar, but forgot on my errands day last week to buy a few things we need for our Passover Seder (basically a special supper) tonight.  I ran to the store and picked up the items I didn't have in the kitchen:  a leg of lamb roast, apples, crackers (they didn't have matza), and parsley. 

I like to include the basic elements of a Passover Seder, but also make it a yummy meal that our family enjoys.  So....the lamb roast is in the crockpot with some potatoes and carrots, a pumpkin pie is baking in the oven, the eggs are boiling, I'm peeling potatoes and getting ready to make our version of Charoset and the challah bread is mixing up in the bread machine. I'm trying to get as much done as I can early so that I can get the dishes washed up and get on with the things I need to do to day...

I am actually toying with the idea of having our passover seder on the floor (reclining symbolizes the freedom).  Not sure if I'm brave enough to try that with this bunch yet.   There's the whole matter of where to put the table?  And I'm quite certain drinking grapejuice and eating mashed potatoes on the living room carpet is NOT an option. But I have a feeling the kids would really love the idea of lounging on cushions for this meal.  We'll see.

I look forward to someday inviting guests for our passover seders when we have room to entertain again.  Grinning at the thought of how guests would react to arrive and find no table, but a cloth and cushions on the floor.  I think I'm warped.

I'm also brainstorming about ideas to maybe have the kids act out the passover in a little skit or some other kind of "active" learning to make some of the meanings of the season more real to all of us.  Whatever we do needs to have easy and quick prep.  Maybe we'll just do an impromptu skit.

A few scenes from last year:





March Indy Date

by sarahmfry, April 15, 2011
 We were blessed to receive a gift certificate to the Eagles Nest from some friends.  So on a normal Thursday evening, after we'd both taught all day, we headed to Indianapolis. We've been to the Eagles Nest a couple of times before, but we enjoy it every time.  It is Indy's revolving restaurant - on top of the Hyatt Regency.

Stole this great picture form the Hyatt website.

David ordered the Herb Crusted Prime Rib with Boursin Cheese Mash Potato.  I had the Half Roasted Indiana Duck with Mascarpone Polenta and a Port Wine Demi Glace. 



  

It was nice that our table was secluded enough that we could grab a few discreet pictures. 
 

The sunset over the city was gorgeous.
  
For dessert....David had Banana Creme Brulee and I had this lovely little chocolate thingy.

We grabbed a fellow (well, not literally) on the street and asked him to snap our picture. 



I was obviously in the middle of talking when he snapped this picture. Imagine that.
 

After we ate, along our walk back to the car we stopped at the new JW Marriot hotel to check it out.  It was pretty awesome.
They had the coolest touch-screen directories we've ever seen in a hotel.

You could explore the hotel or the whole city with the touch of a finger...Events, Sports, tickets, schedules, maps.  It was truly cool.




The hotel decor definitely had a 70's flair.  But it followed the theme of Indiana landscapes or something.  It was nice.
  
Loved the lobby fireplace

 
Love this man.  We had a great time.
March 17, 2011

March Hodgepodge

by sarahmfry, April 15, 2011
Uncle Alex had surgery on his crushed hand.  We buzzed over to their house after supper one night to take him a baloon and a gift and some love.


Made some yummy dark-chocolate-orange biscotti

They were yum.

David is on a quest for good water - particularly with a good pH....He has found some good ones!  I stole a giant bottle of VOSS (which I love), and considered filling it with Frankfort tap water and setting it back on the shelf.  Maybe he would have noticed.  Our favorite so far is Jana water.

Judging by the mud smudges, looks like she just survived a love attack from the dogs!
Sometimes he's big.  Sometimes he's little.  He'll be 5 next month!


Not sure exactly what kind of dog training is going on here....





Valentine Banquet

by sarahmfry, April 06, 2011
David and I enjoyed speaking for a Valentine Banquet on 2-11-11 at Kokomo Pilgrim Holiness Church.  Our friends, Paul and Catrena Durgan, were in charge.  They outdid themselves, as usual.  It was classy and beautiful and fun and delicious.


Oh, those homemade rolls...They melt in your mouth!

There is something so luxurious about sitting down to a meal - beautifully prepared and presented - that you didn't work to prepare!  It is one of my favorite things.

Italian Tossed Salad, Chicken Parmesan, Fettuccine Alfredo, Green Beans, and Decadent Chocolate Smorgasbord for dessert.  I had saved my points...and I could only afford a little taste of their amazing creamy Fettuccine, but I enjoyed every bite of that meal!


Paul and Catrena have the gift of hospitality, no doubt. And I have seen them use it over and over to foster fellowship and use it for God's glory.

Impeccable attention to detail - even the pencils matched!

I'm definitely a sucker for sparkling crystal and glowing candles.


It is so neat to fellowship with new friends - to get to know them a little and find things you have in common. 

This is one of the many benefits of being part of the body of Christ.

Valentines Day 2011

by sarahmfry, April 05, 2011
 The girls enjoyed the rare occasion to get to wear PINK to school on Valentines Day!

David forgot to take the camera to school to get pictures.....They came home from school just absolutely thrilled to have their picture taken.

Did I mention they were thrilled?

Elated....

Lovely.....

Karissa made a lovely Garden Castle for her Valentine box


And Kayla's was a...Dragon?  Sea Monster?  Can't remember.  I'm pretty sure it was a dragon.
  
And the kids and I made a dark chocolate Valentine cake for Sunday Dinner.  The making of this icing with the help of three kids was a very.....chocolaty...experience.  But oh, was it ever delicious.
 




A random pic of my Valentine buddy-boy.  He makes my heart go pitter-pat

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