Happy 1st Birthday, Violet!

This is the day which the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it!

Psalm 118:24

Helping Violet try out her new microphone.

Someone else was VERY interested in Violet's new baby doll!

"This seems good for me, mom."

 "Those look good too, mom!"

What another nice girl!

Chalk Time

Isabella LOVES chalk! Violet likes whatever Isabella's into. This is the result...

 Isabella's very good at organizing things by color & size. 

  

More Pictures...

I know I've been posting a lot of pictures lately, but I've sort of had a backup! These were just to lovely pass up. They were taken by AnnMarie Michaelis while we were visiting the other day.

Sweet Violet

Violet Louise is 10 months old today! What a sweet girl she is. 

Took these next 3 for Father's Day.

 As you can see, she loves to eat and insists on feeding herself these days!

Yesterday we went to the Cider Mill with Grace, Josh, Ruby, & Crystal. 

What a privilege to have friends.

Oswald Chambers

Another way to say that we daily need to be made sinners in order to receive the gospel.

The Way to Purity

07

26

2013

Those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart . . . . For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man . . . —Matthew 15:18-20

Initially we trust in our ignorance, calling it innocence, and next we trust our innocence, calling it purity. Then when we hear these strong statements from our Lord, we shrink back, saying, “But I never felt any of those awful things in my heart.” We resent what He reveals. Either Jesus Christ is the supreme authority on the human heart, or He is not worth paying any attention to. Am I prepared to trust the penetration of His Word into my heart, or would I prefer to trust my own “innocent ignorance”? If I will take an honest look at myself, becoming fully aware of my so-called innocence and putting it to the test, I am very likely to have a rude awakening that what Jesus Christ said is true, and I will be appalled at the possibilities of the evil and the wrong within me. But as long as I remain under the false security of my own “innocence,” I am living in a fool’s paradise. If I have never been an openly rude and abusive person, the only reason is my own cowardice coupled with the sense of protection I receive from living a civilized life. But when I am open and completely exposed before God, I find that Jesus Christ is right in His diagnosis of me.

The only thing that truly provides protection is the redemption of Jesus Christ. If I will simply hand myself over to Him, I will never have to experience the terrible possibilities that lie within my heart. Purity is something far too deep for me to arrive at naturally. But when the Holy Spirit comes into me, He brings into the center of my personal life the very Spirit that was exhibited in the life of Jesus Christ, namely, the Holy Spirit, which is absolute unblemished purity.

from utmost.org

Basic Cream Sauce

I made this the other night with steamed broccoli, mushrooms, and a sprouted grain pasta. It was delicious! Hope you enjoy it too.

This recipe came from newstartclub.com. I used a chicken flavored seasoning from the Food Co-op.

This cream sauce is a basic ingredient in so many foods such as gravies and wherever a cream sauce is needed. Easy to make and plant-based (vegan).

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 c. water
• 1/2 c. raw cashews
• 2 Tbsp. Bill’s Best Chik Nish seasoning
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. cornstarch
• 1 Tbsp. onion powder
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt or more to taste

Instructions

1. Combine all the ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until it is very smooth.
2. Transfer the mixture to a pot and cook on medium heat, stirring the sauce regularly so it doesn't burn.
3. It should only take a few minutes, remove the sauce from the heat when it is thick and serve.

Cooking time:  Approximately 10 minutes

Yields: About 2 1/2