Rebekah's Insights

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This Sunday marked the first Sunday of Advent. Coming. His coming!

We are making a concerted effort amidst gift wrapping, package mailing, cookie baking, decorating, and all the other sources of bonding and busyness typically associated with this season, to dedicate time to celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ. We endeavor to purposefully pause to consider, marvel, explore, and appreciate anew, the wonder of His glorious first coming as a baby in Bethlehem and the promise of his glorious second coming, to which we look forward, though we know not the day nor the hour of His return.

On this first Sunday, we lit the HOPE candle.

As the room was dark until the lit candle lent a bright glow, we explained to our little ones that HOPE is as a candle lit in darkness, and that Jesus alone IS that Light, He IS the only HOPE for a world lost in the darkness of sin.

These can seem to be complicated concepts, and as adults, we know that we have grown in our understanding over many years. We have not yet come to understand everything, for that growth will occupy the hours, days, months, and years ahead. However, in simple terms, physical examples, songs, and diligent teaching of amazing words (which may four years from now make much more sense to small ears and hearts than they do now)--we pray that seeds are planted, watered and warmed--despite our inconsistencies, failings, and sins--and that one day, in His Sovereignty we will know the joy of faithful fellowship with these believers--sister and brother in Christ, while also, our daughter and son.

This is the cry of our hearts: O LORD, may You draw us to Yourself and cause us to know You, trust You, believe You, obey You.
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"…and further Isaiah says, "The root of Jesse shall come, he who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles hope." May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."
Romans 15:12 & 13

A Psalm for the thank offering. Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the lands! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the LORD is God! It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him, bless his name! For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures for ever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 100

Well, the cool weather is NOT keeping the sheep from being up to their usual antics. This week they formed a squad of five or six and stormed our terrace once again, in search of something green to eat. Much to my dismay, the marauders knocked over the SECOND of my two favorite planters, which, though made of plastic, were formed to look like decorative pedestal urns on either side of our main entrance!!! It is now smashed to bits from the impact on the stone terrace and I am very disappointed. :(

THIS little episode has temporarily clinched Liam and Aine's opinion of sheep, namely that they are ill-behaved and well, MEAN! "Mean Sheep!" is how they now address the flocks as we drive by, with little scowls on their faces. Undoubtedly by next week, all will be forgiven, as little hearts don't hold grudges.

In other news, we awoke this fine Lord's Day to our first snowfall of the season. (We've had hail, of course.) The children were understandably excited, but I did have need to explain that it was but a thin layer and regrettably not enough for sledding, snowballs, snow angels, and the other plans which were quickly being hatched upon sight of the white accumulation. By 1400 it was all melted off, but it was nice to have our first peak at winter. Winter's snowy whisper can be heard, foretelling of its arrival in the near future.

We are busy with plans for Thanksgiving this week and the beginning of Advent next weekend. Hope you are all well and delighting in the Reason for the seasons. :)

Yes, I did just use the words adventure and oatmeal in the same sentence. I was even referring to the oatmeal as a part of my adventure. Let me explain...

I fully realize that for some, the thought of oatmeal conjures up unsavory images of bland, lumpy breakfast fare from a by-gone era. If you are one of those, I am sorry for you and you can just skip over this post. But IF, you enjoy perfectly cooked and flavored oatmeal, you may find this of interest.

It took some tinkering with various oatmeal recipes to arrive at this which is now my favorite. (I mean it is my favorite today--ask me tomorrow and my favorite will be something else, of course. Then oatmeal will again be my favorite again next week--for one day. I am a foodie, remember?) As you can see, it really is as easy as 1-2-3. (Or 1-2-3-3?)

1 cup dry milk powder
2 ripe bananas, mashed
3 cups old-fashioned oats
3 cups hot water

Combine all ingredients and bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes. Voila!

Of course, after dishing out each portion into a bowl I create taste variations, but our favorite is a sprinkle of cinnamon and a drizzle of honey. It is like eating a bowl of banana bread, which if you enjoy banana bread as we do, is a great thing! :) The reason why I don't add the flavorings to the whole batch is that I usually make enough for us to eat that day and then reserve enough to make our new favorite breakfast bars for the following morning. (See, each day there's a new favorite.) I'll share that recipe too, but not today. This is enough adventure for now. :)

As it is now November and the heart of the Autumn season, I find our tastes in food have shifted with the weather. Evenings are dark by 1700, and growing darker by the day, and with the sun goes every vestige of warmth lent by the bright sun. Rain falls often, and the winds begin to gather speed, a precursor to the gale-force variety of the coming winter months. All of these cues lead up to a desire for more hearty soups, crusty bread, roasted meats, and the like. Below is my tentative menu plan for this week.

Sunday: B: Whole grain peanut butter chocolate chip bars, yogurt, fruit juice, milk
L: Leftovers
D: Crispy chicken, oven-roasted potatoes, dill peas, ice cream

Monday: B: Whole grain peanut butter chocolate chip bars, yogurt, fruit juice, milk
L: peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, fruit, veggie sticks, pretzels
D: Roast beef, garlic mashed potatoes, zucchini

Tuesday: B: Baked oatmeal with banana, maple syrup, and cinnamon, fruit juice
L: chicken noodle soup, fruit, crackers
D: Bacon, stuffed french toast, homemade applesauce topping

Wednesday: B: Whole grain peanut butter chocolate chip bars, yogurt, fruit juice, milk
L: chicken noodle soup, fruit, crackers
D: Beef pot pie w/ roasted veggies

Thursday: B: Whole grain peanut butter chocolate chip bars, yogurt, fruit juice, milk
L: --------
D: BBQ chicken skewers, baked sweet potato fries, broccoli

Friday: B: Oatbran cereal w/butter and brown sugar, fruit juice
L: Peanut butter and honey sandwiches, fruit, veggie sticks, pretzels
D: Pizza night->cheese & sundried tomato w/ham, salad/veggie sticks, ice cream

Anyone with any other good and hearty ideas for meals are welcome to leave a comment! No matter how many recipes or ideas I have a mind to try, inspiration from others telling what they intend to make always piques my interest!