Building Strong Homes

Family Strategies: Practical Issues for Building Healthy Families (20 Audio Messages)

Starts March 1st I am really looking forward to this. Here is  some information from the Vision Forum Website.

strat-e-gies: The art of devising or employing plans or stratagems toward a goal.

If you are a Christian parent living in the twenty-first century, you need to think strategically about your family. Settling for the priorities and practices of the world is a proven formula for disaster. As parents, we must do more than settle. We must self-consciously choose. This requires strategic biblical thinking. It means self-consciously building your family culture. And whether the subject is entertainment choices, home décor, travel, music in the home, or dealing with antagonistic relatives, it means that wise, Scripturally-informed parents must think creatively as they aggressively engage impediments and obstacles to success.

These are the weekly messages from Doug and Beall that you will receive:

Recommended Companion Resource

1. How to Organize Your Home to Promote Family Unity
2. How to Cultivate a Love of Reading with Your Children
3. How to Make Mealtime Meaningful
4. How to Prepare for a Year of Home Education
5. How to Take Children Safely Through an Airport
6. How to Involve the Whole Family in Family Worship
7. How to Address the Plague of “Jive Talk” in Your Home
8. How to Encourage Masculinity in Sons
9. How to Encourage Femininity in Daughters
10. How to Handle a Social Worker Visit
11. How to Wage War on Sibling Rivalry
12. How to Use Household Decorations to Teach Character
13. How to Talk to Your Children about Miscarriage
14. How to Involve the Whole Family in Hospitality
15. How to Build an Entrepreneurial Spirit in Your Children
16. How to Watch a Movie As a Family
17. How to Cultivate a Love of Meaningful Poetry with Your Children, and Why Doing So Is Important
18. How to Prepare Your Children to Listen to a Symphony
19. How to Take a Road Trip with Your Family
20. How to Select the Best Locations for Family Vacations

As the parents of eight children and the founders of Vision Forum Ministries, Doug and Beall Phillips have spent the last decade collecting and implementing helpful strategies for building a strong, safe, and visionary family culture.
Now, beginning Tuesday, March 1, Doug and Beall will be sharing some of the most practical and proven strategies for building a vibrant family culture through their new 20-week, 30-minute episodes audio series called Family Strategies.

Receive a New Family Strategies Message in Your Inbox Every Tuesday!

Get your new Family Strategies message every Tuesday morning.
Beginning March 1, every Tuesday morning for twenty weeks you will receive a link to your new downloadable message from Doug or Beall, hosted at Vision Forum’s partner website BlueBehemoth.com. To access your first download, simply create a free BlueBehemoth.com account and then follow the easy instructions in your weekly emails to download your messages at no additional charge.
Listen to the messages at your convenience on your computer, iPod, or other portable MP3 player. And, don’t worry if you miss a week due to travel. The messages will be there waiting for you.

Order by March 1 and save $10, plus receive two bonus messages as our gift.
At $85, Family Strategies is a 20-message series sent directly to your inbox each week for less than $5 per message. But make sure you order by February 28, as that price will go up! With your order confirmation email, we will also send you coupons to download two important, family-affirming bonus messages for free: Victories: Moments Small and Large Which Define Christian Parenting, and How to Evaluate a Suitor.

A weekly energy boost for the price of a fancy cup of coffee.
For about the price of a fancy cup of coffee, you can get a real energy jolt — a weekly encouragement boost from Doug and Beall in which they share their favorite and best strategies for building family unity.

Limitation of this Product: Due to the restrictions of international copyright law, customers without a billing address inside the United States, and a credit card compatible with that address, are not currently able to download from BlueBehemoth.com. If you are an international customer, we are sorry you will not be able to join this course. We regret this present inconvenience, and will continue seeking options to better serve our valued customers abroad.


Please visit Vision Forum for more information and a video from Doug and Beall Phillips.

Blessings,

Pamela

A decision has been made

I have been away and have not kept up with my Blog which I am so sorry about. We have gone back and forth for the last couple weeks deciding if we should move. Well God made our decision my husband’s work called and told him his Layoff is over. Praise God! I only wish we could have just relaxed this last month, and remembered to trust the Lord. Our father in heaven is in control, he knows what we need. I found myself listening to other people on what we should do with the move instead of listening to God the whole time. This confused our thoughts which made it very hard to decide which way to go. I am happy this is over but I am not sure I like the decision that was made. Staying is not settling well in my heart and I am not sure way. I know that some day we could end up in Texas but for now this is not something we will be doing.
I will have to just learn how to love the cold, and pray my hubby does not fall while working outdoors.


I want to thank my husband for all he has done for us, the whole time you thought of me and loved me. I was not always as nice to you and I let my fear get the best of me. I thank the Lord everyday that you are in my life.


So I have been gone for awhile, but so happy to be back to a routine in our life.  I pray all my readers are doing well, thank you for staying even though I went away for a while.

Blessings,

Pamela

45/365 - 46/365

45/365 Valentines Boxes

46/365 Lots of Stuffed Animals 

42/365, 43/365, 44/365

42/365 Baby kitten at puppy class

43/365 Miss M, all dressed up.

44/365 Homemade Cheesy spaghetti

Tim Hawkins - The Government Can

Tim Hawkins - A Homeschool Family

Bangladesh... Barbados... Belarus...

Today we will be praying for 3 countries

4 of my girls were sick this week so I have been a little behind sorry.

Bangladesh - mostly a Muslim country, a country full of poverty, and very few natural resources

Barbados - Largest religion Christian, There has been a spiritual decline and increased violence and crime.

Pray there is a spiritual renewal.

Barbados Flag

Belarus - Largest religion Christian, Please pray for hope, that Belarus will find justice and have a brighter future.

Belarus Flag 

Blessings,

Pamela

                            
Bangladesh Flag

39/365 - 41/365

39/365  CJ is not really drinking coffee

41/365 Cloth diapers

41/365  Fun at the Kalahri (random picture)

Mrs. Morecraft’s “Minding the ‘P’s and Q’s' of Proper Writing” (Webinar)

Will you join us for a 7 week class in proper writing. I just can't wait to take this class with my girls. I need a lot of help in this area:)

Here is the link to take part in this fun webinar for our young ladies.

Proper Writing

Blessings,

Pamela

Chocolate Trifle With Berries

With Valentines coming up I thought I would put up one of my favorite desserts. This is what I will be serving on Valentines night to my family.

Ingredients

1 box of your favorite Chocolate cake mix (We will make a chocolate cake from scratch or buy, an organic mix)

1 package (6 ounces) of instant chocolate pudding mix (we use Dr. Oetker organic chocolate pudding mix, this will take 2 boxes.)

3/4 cup of strong coffee (we use Starbucks espresso)

1 pint of heavy Whip cream (beat the cream till it becomes thick.)

1 pound of Berries your choice (we used strawberries)

Bake your cake according to the package directions. You will want to cool the cake before cutting it. Prepare pudding according to the package directions: set the pudding aside.

When your cake is cooled go ahead and crumble it. Reserve 1/2 cup of the cake. Place half of the remaining cake crumbs in the bottom of a 4 1/2 or 5-qt. trifle dish. If you have a decorative glass bowl this is just fine it will work.

Repeat each Layer the cake then the coffee, half the pudding, half of the whipped cream, then a layer of berries. Repeat the cake, coffee, pudding, and whipped cream. Make sure your last layer is the Whip Cream.

Top the trifle with your whip cream, sprinkle with the 1/2 cup of crumbled cake and berries.

Place in the refrigerator or front porch if you live north where it is really cold for about 2-3 hours.

This will serve a lot of people. We have 10 in our home, and it lasts for a couple nights.

Here is what it will cost if made with organic ingredients
 Dr. Oetker organic chocolate cake mix $3.99

Coffee we always have. a cup of coffee under a $1.00
Dr Oetker Organic chocolate pudding mix for 2 boxes $3.78
1 pint of organic heavy cream $2.99
1 pound of organic strawberries $4.99


Total $16.75 (.83 per serving) if you feed 20 people like we do.


You could make this for less money, but you will be filling your family with things not so good for them.

Blessings,
Pamela

Texans trying to pronounce WI city names

38/365 We are so excited for the Green Bay Packers!  Go pack Go!!!!

2011 Family Bible Study

February 7

Questions
Is it okay for me to be with other people who do evil things? If I try not to do what my friends are doing, and I am very careful not to do evil isn't it okay then?
We should live holy and godly lives. We need to be on our guard, so we are not carried away from men with error, lawless men.

Verses
I would read all of
2 Peter 3:1-18
It touches on a little more than our topic, but has so much wonderful knowledge.
Ephesians 6:10-18

A coloring sheet
The Armor of God

Blessings,
Pamela

37/365

Starting a Cucumber Salad

36/365

Valentine Boxes

35/365

Grandmas Puppy

34/365

10 inches of snow

2011 Family Bible Study

February 3

Question of the day

What can I do if I make one of my friends angry at me?

Verses

Romans 12:18

Matthew 5:44

Blessings,

Pamela

32/365 - 33/365



32/365 Puzzles

33/365 Goundhog Day

 

The Simple Womens Daybook ~ February 3rd



Outside my window... I, am seeing snow blowers going from the new snow we recived yesterday. We now have 15 inches more to play in. Hannah loves to eat the snow, like I am sure most kids do.  I think at least two of my daughters ate snow the whole two hours they were outside. We had a few more trips to the bathroom last night.

I am thinking... about a big decision we have to make in the next 2 weeks. We will either move to Texas for a new job making better money, or stay where we are.

I am thankful...for my blankets, sounds silly I know but when it is -4, and you are up at 4am praying and typing my blanket is now my best buddy.

From the learning room...  As a family we learned about Groundhog Day, love, friendships, and the Amazon. We also started a new subject this week Sewing, please pray for me I am so clueless on how to sew. We bought this new DVD to help us along. I cannot say enough about this video.

From the kitchen... Our family menu is being made for the rest of the month, this month my oldest daughter will join in and help. She has been waiting to do this for some time.

I am wearing... this cozy phi’s in pink, with another one of my favorite sweaters this time it is a light pink merino wool sweater  so warm and cozy.

I am creating... a menu for Valentine’s Day, and a moving plan I think.

I am praying... for my husband as he tries to make a decision about moving out of state. He has a great job offer making much more than we do here, and within the same company. So really it would be a job transfer from one state to another. I pray the Lord gives him the wisdom and strength to choose the correct path.

I am reading... our family KJV Super Giant Print Bible (Black Genuine Leather - Indexed), Building A Winning Curriculum, and listening to She Shall Be Called Women simply a wonderful set.

I am hoping... to finish this post before next week’s post.

I am hearing... my husband teach my girls, and control the house this morning. My girls are just in love with the fact that daddy is home again. The little girls are playing in the living room with their Fisher-Price Little People Animal Sounds Farm, and daddy's truck from work.

Around the house... I am looking out my window and wondering where all our birds went. I love to watch them during the day.  I am looking at all the hearts around our house; the love that is flowing through my children is a wonderful sight.

One of my favorite things...Knudsen Organic Prune Juice ( 12x32 OZ) , my friend for the past couple weeks.

A few plans for the rest of the week...

• Do monthly grocery shopping.
• Visit our pastor for coffee and talk.
• Make a couple of dishes for our monthly potluck fellowship meal at church.
• Visit with grandma this week

A picture to share...

                                                 We had a full week playing with puzzles.

If you would like to join in the fun of The simple womens daybook, please vist Peggy!

Blessings,

Pamela

2011 Family Bible Study

Febuary 2nd

Here is our question for today

What is a good friend, and how can I be good to my friend?

 A friend can be a sister or brother, a relative or close family member. A friend is someone you spend time with. Remember to be yourself, be honest, and caring. A friend is a special gift between too people. Treat your friends the way you wish to be treated.

Verses

2 Corinthians 12:15

Romans 16:3-4

Philippians 4:1

Blessings,

Pamela



What am I Passionate About?

There are many things I love; and many things I am very passionate about. My list may look different from the average women living in America today. Our beliefs are normally frowned upon, but we receive many complements which lifts my heart up.  I try to remember that if people don’t agree with me that’s okay, the way we live our life is not very desirable to most.  We try our best to live our life for our Lord and savior Jesus Christ, not for others. We are not even close to being perfect but we try our best to live by the word of God.
   
I never thought about making a list of these things but I want my girls to know my goals, that I have goals and dreams, even as a wife and mother. You can be passionate about things. I want my girls to be passionate about things in their life, to have dreams and goals. I am in fact there female role model, they watch and listen to everything I do and don’t do.  I am still in the process of writing my list, this may take some time. I wanted to list the top 5 things I am deeply passionate about and in this order.

1. The Word of God, following his laws even when it looks impossible. Through him all things are possible, I could not do anything else on my list without him leading the way, and I allow Christ to take complete control over my life. Our ways are never good without his Grace, and his blessing. I would also have to add my prayer life, I am passionate about my personal relationship with the maker of Heaven and Earth, and his son Jesus Christ.



     The second is simple, my husband. I am deeply passionate about my husband. He is the one the Lord has given me, the one chosen by the Lord to be the father of my children. He is my life, best friend, provider and pastor. He is my lover and comfort in good time and in the bad time. He is a man of God, a man full of sin and cleansed by the Lord Jesus Christ. My list about my husband could go on forever. I thank the Lord for him, and feel just horrible when I am not acting like his help meet, but I too am full of sin and cleansed by the Lords Jesus Christ.

My Children. On loan from my heavenly father, I pray my children find there salvation and love in Jesus Christ. I am so passionate about having children; this was not always easy for me. I did not always let the Lord have control over my womb. It scared me to think I could have 20 children, and now I pray for 20 children.  

       Health is the next on my list; I live my life making sure my family is eating well. I believe it is my job as a wife, and mother to make sure my husband and children are getting the best nutrition possible. I pray for a long life with my husband, I pray for my girl’s health and the health of their Ovaries. Funny thing to pray about ovaries but I hope my girls can experience the joy of children.  I was watching Training Dominion Oriented Daughters a wonderful dvd by Geoff Botkin, and he said he prayed over his daughters ovaries when they were born. What a wonderful idea, my husband and I have been doing this now with each baby.

      Organic food and All- natural food. Food without chemicals of any kind. Yes I know as a mommy you are very busy, but keep this towards the top of the list. I started a new blog Living Healthier with a large family a blog to just talk about health and Organics. Please visit, I will be adding most of our recipes, and health ideas on  that blog.

Blessings,

Pamela

31/365 French Oinon Dip

2011 Family Bible Study

 February 1

 We will focus on friends for the next 11 days; I will list today’s questions, with the verses. I did enjoy typing the verses out but my kids have enjoyed looking them up. I give each girl a copy for them to take notes on while daddy leads.  If the verses are on the paper it takes away my daughters using their bible at study. Oh, and daddy says this is how he wants’ it done:) since daddy is everything to me daddy wins.

The next 11 days seems like it would be for kids, I think adults could learn a thing or two as well. Sorry that I have changed this up a little I hope if anyone is following, you still stay with us.

Okay February 1, 2011

How can I get other kids, and people to respect me?

Well first we are living to please God not man, But the Lord speaks about how you should live to please him while here on earth.

1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

1 Timothy 3:7

Proverbs 17:17

Proverbs 27:10

Proverbs 27:17

John 15:13-14

A picture to color
John 15:5