Rachael (daughter) and Jonathan got married this past weekend–It was a divine blessing! The reception was here on our farm, it was AMAZING! Fairytale’s are created from story’s like theirs! More photo’s and story soon! Photo credit: http://www.pinwheelcollective.com/

“Homes are the springs among the hills, whose many streamlets, uniting, form like great rivers society, the community, the nation, the Church. If the springs run low the rivers waste; if they pour out bounteous currents the rivers are full. If the springs are pure the rivers are clear like crystal; if they are foul the rivers are defiled. A curse upon homes sends a poisoning blight everywhere; a blessing sends healing and new life into every channel.

Homes are the divinely ordained fountains of life. The human race began in a family, and Eden was a home. The divine blessing has ever rested upon nations and communities just in the measure in which they have added to these original institutions and have kept marriage and the home pure and holy. . .

In the tale of medieval English life a maiden goes before the bridal party on their way to the church, strewing flowers in their path. This was meant to signify that their wedding life should be one of joy and prosperity. Almost universally, wedding ceremonies and festivities have some feature of similar significance, implying that the occasion is one of gladness. In some countries flowers are worn as bridal wreaths. In some they are woven into garlands for the waist, the tying of the ends being part of the ritual. In others bouquets in carried in hand. Music comes in also, always joyous music, implying that the ceremony is one of peculiar gladness. In some places too, wedding bells are rung, their peals being merry and gladsome.

All these and similar bridal customs indicate that the world regards the wedding as a crowning day of life, and marriage as an event of the highest felicity, an occasion for the most enthusiastic congratulations. Yet not always are these happy prophecies fulfilled. Sometimes the flowers wither and the music grows discordant and the wedding peals die away into a memory only of gladness. It ought not to be so. It is not so when the marriage is true, and when the wedded life is ruled by love. Then the bridal wreath remains fresh and fragrant till it is laid upon the coffin by the loving hands of the one who survives to close the eyes of the other; and the wedding music and peals of the bells continue to echo in tones of gladness and peace until hushed in the sobbings of sorrow when the singers sing in dirges and the bells toll out the number of the finished years.

Marriage is intended to bring joy.. . The causes of failure may lie back to the marriage altar, for many are united in matrimony who never should have entered upon such a union; or they may lie in the life after marriage, for many who might attain to the very highest happiness in wedded life, fail, to do so because they have not learned the secret of living happily together.”*

Marriage is a divine ordinance. The married life is meant to be happy, full, pure and rich. I pray for each of our daughter’s that they will learn the secrets to living happily ever after with their husbands and I pray for others who struggle in their marriage.

Next week I’m hosting a marriage conference call on May 30 at 8:00PM EST.I‘ll talk about the secrets to living happily ever after. I would love to have you on the call! You can sign up for it through Proverbs 31 ministries. It only cost $10. If you can’t make the call it will be recorded and available to those who paid for the call, so you can listen to it at your convenience. Maybe you could sign someone up who needs the call!

Stay tuned for Rachael and Jonathan’s wedding day photo’s and story!

*Homemaking by J.R. Miller

Email me with your email and I’ll send you the info for the free conference call!

We’re busy getting ready for our  daughter’s wedding and reception this weekend. The reception is here on our farm and we’re doing all the cooking, flower arrangements, etc. So It may be next week before I send you the info after you email.

Hugs and love!!

The marriage conference call is only $10 and you’ll have access  to a free recording of the call! It’s going to be great, sign up!

Dale and Sharon

I was SO mad, I thought I would explode! And the contents of that explosion would have been hazardous to anyone in my path—namely Dale!

Anger was emanating from every pore of my being. What was he thinking? How could he not see the obvious? The more these thoughts swirled in my head, the madder I got! And he didn’t seem to care about my feelings, either! He just looked at me. That was it! I decided to pack the kids up and leave.

And (the nerve of him!) he didn’t even ask where I was going! The suitcases said it all!

I wasn’t thinking rational thoughts. I just left in the storm of it all.

Oh, boy. Those were the days. I’m so glad that was then and now is now. It was many years ago. Yeah, he said a lot of things and did a lot of things that I didn’t understand. It was like we were from two different planets with totally different brain and emotion function.

If you read my blog post Love Potion, you’ll remember I said there was a turning point in my marriage. Within a year of God working on me, my marriage started to change.

If you’re visiting me today after reading my devotion To Have and To Hold from P31 or Crosswalk, welcome! If you haven’t read it, you should!

Truth be told, most marriages will struggle at some point. The real question is: How will you handle it when it’s yours that is struggling? I can tell you from personal experience, if you focus on your spouse’s faults, the conclusion isn’t marital bliss.

There were three key things that radically changed my marriage. It took time for me to adapt to the changes, but I felt God’s leading and His pleasure in it all. A perfect marriage isn’t forged in a day, but the time and energy invested in it will last a lifetime. It’s worth the effort, and YOU WILL reap what you sow—I promise.

Getting back to the story… After being gone from Dale for 24 hours, I couldn’t stand it any longer. I came home, and we made up.

I’m a bit on the strong willed side, so it probably took me longer than it will take you. But when necessary changes were made, our marriage radically changed for the good. I’m talking the highest happiness of wedded life here!

Colossians 3:12-25 basically says: Extravagant love is the bond of perfection. Love is merciful, kind, long suffering, forgiving, bears all things… Verse 23 says, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord…” So, if we love our husbands extravagantly (heartily), the reward is great. Christ loved us extravagantly. He didn’t love us because we deserved it. He sacrificed everything for love. Extravagant love can transform an ordinary marriage into an extraordinary one, induce greater love, ignite intimacy, help us live above our weaknesses, and spend less time quarreling!

On May 30, 2013, from 8:00-9:15 PM EST, I’m going to do a marriage conference call—Extravagant Love. I’ll share the three things that changed my marriage, and then you can ask me questions at the end of the call! Sign up today for the Extravagant Love Conference Call! (Sorry men, this call is for wives- maybe I could get Dale to lead one for the husbands? )

I’m going to give away 3 free Extravagant Love conference calls. Leave a comment below to enter your name in the drawing. Just tell me in one word what you need help with in your marriage. Winners will be announced next Wednesday.

Subscribe to my blog or RSS feed to get all updates about the upcoming call!

If you’re visiting me from Crosswalk or Proverbs 31 Ministries devotion Parenting can be Exhausting, welcome! I’m glad you stopped by! If you haven’t read it, click the link!

What is or has been your greatest struggle in raising children?  Leave a comment to enter your name in the drawing to win my favorite book on parenting, marriage and homemaking– Home-Making by J.R. Miller-originally published in 1882. The tagline–What the Bible Says About Roles and Relationships In A Harmonious Christian Household. You’ll love this book! I’ll draw the winners name Friday at noon. Check back to see if you’ve won or subscribe to my blog!

Click here to read post-High Calling of Motherhood.

No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” Hebrews 12:11 (NLT

The church we were GIVEN!!

It’s been a busy week, actually a busy month! Our daughter’s getting married and the reception is here on our farm in the barn in just three weeks!  We’re incredibly busy getting ready for that on top of a bunch of other exciting things.

This past week I spoke for an amazing church, Fairview Baptist.  The theme was living on less and trusting God more–we had a powerful time together.

We traveled three hours to Dale’s brother’s house and helped him and his family move into a new home.  We had a wonderful short visit with his family and then left to pick up another milking goat from a nearby family owned farm.

Then, we went by to see a church that someone GAVE us! Yeah, we were given a CHURCH!! It’s the most amazing church and they’ve given us the building to move to our property. The problem is, how do you move a church that is located three hours from your house? One plank at a time.

So, after Rachael’s wedding we’ll be moving a church one plank at a time till we get the whole church here. The problem is we don’t have heavy equipment and a bunch of other things you need to move a building. So, we’re praying for all that to come. You know the saying, if it’s God’s will it’s His bill . So, we’ll see how He helps us work things out. If you’ve got any suggestions let me know! The church is in Lynchburg, VA.

Well I’ve got to get back to work! Today we’re going to help a dear friend get ready for her wedding this weekend.

Coming up:

Next Wednesday I’m posting a video blog of our five daughters talking about discipline when they were growing up.

The next week I’m going to be offering a Marriage conference call that I’ll be doing in May!

And, if any of you are speakers or writers I’m leading a workshop at the Proverbs 31 ministries, She Speaks Conference this summer.  You should sign up! We could meet for coffee or lunch while we’re there!

Have a blessed weekend and  no matter how busy you are- remember who you are in Christ everywhere you go. Love the people you meet, minister and pray for them, speak into their life the power of Jesus!

“Love one another.. .By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

Lochlan and Felicity looking at our new goat

Getting seedlings ready for planting in the garden

She got loose and came to our door! She rung the door bell!! Adorable!

Getting the barn ready for the big day!!!

What do you need more faith for today? Enter your answer in the comment section for a chance to win these two books!

There is no greater life than a life lived by faith.

It is so powerful that even with a tiny amount of it, nothing is impossible to us (Matthew 17:20). Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). Without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

A couple of months ago I gave you a list of 10 Invaluable Christian Books. In that list I included a book about George Muller. If you want to read about someone who lived his entire life by faith, read this book. When Muller first became a Christian he felt that God was leading him to be a missionary. He was Biblically trained in the best school, had the desire to preach and the ability to speak many languages. He was completely ready for the adventure.

But God detoured Muller and led him to open orphanages in Bristol, England.  From his latter 20’s to age 70 he took care of over 10,000 children with God’s help alone. Not once in all those years did he ask for financial help from anyone other than God Himself. There were days he didn’t have food to serve the kids, but he never doubted that God would provide.

And God did provide for them.  Miracle after miracle happened at the orphanage. Unexpected food would arrive at the door just in time for meals. People came by to give a gift, and many times it was the exact amount needed to pay a bill.  These things happened not because Muller told anyone his need, but because of God alone.

Rarely did they have money for the next week, but they lived on faith.  And not once in all those years did they go without food or shelter.  George Muller trusted God with a depth rarely seen.  His faith and generosity set a standard for Christians of all generations.

People from all over the world soon heard about the miraculous things happening because of the faith of Muller.  D.L. Moody was one of them.  He visited the orphanage when 1500 kids lived there and was inspired by the power of Muller’s faith and God’s ability to provide even though Muller never asked for money.

When Muller was 70 years old God released him to do his lifelong dream—to go into all the world and preach the gospel.  For 17 years he spoke and traveled non-stop. He spoke on living a life of faith. He preached for Charles Spurgeon and inspired Hudson Taylor.  He spoke to over 3 million people and traveled to 42 countries, speaking at least once a day until he reached 87 years old.

He died at the age of 92. Tens of thousands of people showed up for his funeral. In his lifetime he read the Bible cover to cover almost 200 times (now that’s the secret to faith—know the promises and believe them). He never took a salary in 68 years of ministry but always trusted God to provide for him. He never took out a loan or went into debt for himself, the orphanage or his ministry abroad.

There is no greater life than a life lived by faith.

Faith is so powerful that even with a tiny amount of it, nothing is impossible to us.

God, increase our faith! May Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven! In Jesus’ name, amen.

If you stopped by after reading my post on Karen Ehman’s site, thank you for hopping over to meet me! I’m doing a giveaway on her site and on mine. So you can leave a comment at both!  I’m giving away George Muller’s book and a copy of the new NIV Real Life Devotional Bible for women. I’m so excited about this Bible because I’ve got several devotions in it!! To enter the drawing just write the one thing you need faith for right now in the comment section!  We’ll pray for you! Name drawn Monday at noon EST. Winner revealed Tuesday.

This week Proverbs 31 Ministries is focusing on women who have left a faith legacy in our lives. As you read about a woman who has inspired me, think about who has left a legacy in your life and whether you are leaving a faith legacy behind by the way you live.

The words we speak and the way we live can alter another person’s life for eternity.

I’ll never forget that night when I was 11 years old.  My aunt, uncle, and their four young children had traveled from Indiana to Virginia to visit with us.  It was a grand visit.  Right before they left, something happened that was grandest of all- forever engraved on my heart.

The night had come to a close.  I got into bed and my aunt came into the room. She looked very serious and made no small talk. “We’re leaving tomorrow and there is a verse in the Bible you MUST know. Bury it in your heart and never ever forget it.” She opened my Bible (which was lying next to me) to Luke 9:62. She read it out loud as if it was life and death to her.  And with a piercing look into my spirit, she left the room.

I got out of bed and read it for myself. “Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”  I knew this would be a defining scripture for my life.  I was just too young to understand fully what it meant at the time.

The next morning, they left before I woke.  That night in my room was the last time I ever saw my aunt.  Her heart stopped beating and her mortal body died soon after they got back to their home.

Countless testimonies were told about Aunt Helen and how she lived her life for Jesus. And the stories are still being recounted even after 40 years!  She was a shining light of His radiance and glory. She was the epitome of the Proverbs 31 woman.  From that day on, I decided I would emulate her and her walk with Christ.  I read that scripture she gave me every day till I went to Bible College (the same one she went to).  I determined in my heart to be a follower of Jesus at all costs, never looking back.

The verse she gave me had even greater meaning when I read the verses before it. Luke 9:57-62 are all about the cost of discipleship. Jesus is walking with three men here and tells them that to follow Him you must drop everything of the world.  When Peter, James, and John decided to follow Jesus- they literally dropped their fishing nets, got out of the boat, and followed Him. They didn’t look back!  That’s what He is telling these three guys to do if they are going to follow Him.  That’s what He says to us today.  To this day I am still convicted by that verse, the cost of discipleship, and the legacy Aunt Helen left to me.

What legacy will I leave behind to my family and friends?  What legacy will you leave behind? The words we speak and the way we live can alter another person’s life for eternity.

Proverbs 31 Ministries is doing a Legacy Campaign. Do you have someone in your life that has lived a faith legacy?  Proverbs 31 is giving you the perfect way to honor her.  Simply click on the Legacy button in my sidebar.  It’s that simple!

Rachael with all her sisters, niece and me at her Good Wife Bridal Shower- Everyone was asked to wear an apron, bring a favorite recipe and piece of wife advice

We had a wonderful bridal shower this past weekend for Rachael(daughter). We had so much fun all together, I wish we could do it every weekend! Every time there’s a wedding or bridal shower I think about how important wedding festivities have been throughout the centuries. Back in Jesus’ time whole towns and villages would celebrate a marriage.  One of Jesus’ first miracles was at a wedding feast–just imagine Jesus coming to your shower or wedding! How powerfully amazing that would be! Isn’t it beautiful that the beginning of His miracles He did at a wedding? He manifested His glory at a party(John 2). . .let’s never forget to bring His glory to every party we attend and everywhere we go.

Cupcakes made in large cupcake pans with 1/2 pound of frosting on each! A sweetaholic’s dream come true! For Party Cupcake recipe click here!

Buckeyes streaked with white glaze and topped with pink frosted roses- Brought by sister-in-law Marianne

Homemade cupcakes made in large muffin pan with 1/2 pound of frosting on each one! A sweetaholic’s dream come true! Made by mother of the bride-me

Fresh flowers Hannah got from Trader Joe’s and then arranged in tea pots

Homemade mint patties under glass dome-made by sister-Jennifer

Chocolate covered strawberries  made by sister, Hannah

Bridal Shower cookies- made by Grandma Marilyn

Truffle cake pops-made by Chris

Vintage tin cans Rachael found at thrift/antique stores

Antique frosting decorating kit- I’ve had it for years and still use the kit! The donut maker broke a couple years ago–I used to make donuts with it.

Guacamole mountain w/ organic chips, sliced veggies and dip and an organic rice casserole made by sister Heather

On the back table; Grandma Shanaberger’s chicken salad sandwiches and Heather’s organic party meatballs – whoops where did the meatballs go? Punch on the buffet- Made by Mother of the Groom, Barbara Curry. Good Wife Bridal Shower Poster created and printed in our home the night before the shower

Pink and Cream colored truffle cake balls- seriously amazing- made by Chris

Vintage Aprons- Dales great grandma made the one with pink embroiderer on it and his grandma made the yellow one

Game #1- Hannah had 20 kitchen items on her. She walked around the room pretty quickly letting everyone see her then she left and everyone had to write down the items they remembered. Who ever remembered the most won- Dawn won!

Game #2- Rachael told her and Jonathan’s love story and then everyone was given a piece of paper and asked questions to see who got the most answers correct. Chris won!

                                                                      Everyone was asked to bring a recipe and a piece of good wife advice

Game #3-Bridal Bingo- Everyone was given a bridal bingo sheet and stickers. They were asked to write items they thought Rachel’s gifts would be in each box. Every time one of the things they wrote down was opened they got to put a sticker on it. First person to get a row finished called bingo-winner was Kim!

Grandma Marilyn(dale’s mom) and Grandma Shanaberger(my mom) with Rachael

Mother of the groom to be-Barbara and Mother of the bride to be- me

Present opening time

Present opening time! Ellie is taking notes on who gave what presents

Rachael and Bethany have been friends since they were 2 years old- Her mom (Beverly Toves) did all the photos at the shower!

Party Cupcake recipe here!

Jonathan had been working outside but came in for an appearance

Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.
3 John 1:2

I started the week off by making Dandelion Fritters! Yep, with the weeds from our yard.  Dandelions are the most amazing plant ever and just to think people spray killer on them in their yards. Don’t use yours if you’ve sprayed them!! The flowers, the greens and the roots are all medicinal. The flowers  taste a lot like zucchini blossoms, if you’ve ever had those. They’re addicting with your favorite dressing or with honey!

Dandelions are SO good for you; for liver disorders, diabetes, acne, cancer, anemia, for your  bone health, helps in weight loss and the list goes on. . . Read the benefits here! The juice inside the steam of the flower is used for warts, age spots on skin and other skin aliments.  1 cup of dandelion provides vitamin A (186% RDA) and vitamin C (21% RDA)! One cup of chopped dandelion greens are  good sources of vitamins B1, B2, B6, vitamin E  and especially abundant in vitamin K (357% RDA)!

Dandelion Fritters

A bunch of cleaned dandelion flowers—only use clean and organic, meaning no pesticides.

1 egg, beaten

1/3 cup of cornstarch-organic if possible

¼ cup of flour-(I use GF flour)

½ cup of water

Oil for sauteing

Salt and pepper to taste.

Mix egg, cornstarch, flour, water and salt together. Let sit for 10 min-gets thicker. Then dip dandelion flower’s into the batter. Drop on to hot greased skillet. Cook on medium high for 3-4 minutes and flip. Flatten down with spatula and cook for another 3-4 minutes until slightly browned and becomes soft inside.

Dandelion Greens w/ Walnuts and Blue Cheese- (The greens are on the bitter side. Go easy when you first start eating and build up your amount- they are a powerhouse)

Bunch of washed Dandelion greens- in the spring time they are the best, tender— I use all summer

2-3 garlic cloves minced

¼ cup of olive oil or grape seed oil, plus 2 tablespoons

Balsamic vinegar spray

4 ounce crumbled blue cheese—I used my homemade goat feta

Chopped walnuts

Chopped dates

In skillet, saute garlic in a tablespoon of oil. Add dandelion greens and additional 2 tablespoons of oil, cook until they wilt- just a minute or so. Transfer to serving dish. Spray balsamic vinegar over the greens, sprinkle with chopped nuts, blue cheese, chopped dates and salt if you want.

Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. 3 John 1:2

One of our many dandelion plants

Dip dandelions into batter and then onto a very hot greased skillet. Fry for 3-4 minutes on medium high then flip and flatten just a little with

spatula

Flipped and flattened

YUMMY Dandelion Fritters!! dip in your favorite sauce (mine was curds with garlic and seasonings) or honey. HONEY is DELICIOUS with it!

Saute with garlic in oil

Yummy and healthy

Dandelion Blossom Syrup

Easter

Easter with family

Felicity and Jeffrey