Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Proclamation from 1676

The Holy God having by a long and Continual Series of his Afflictive dispensations in and by the present Warr with the Heathen Natives of this land, written and brought to pass bitter things against his own Covenant people in this wilderness, yet so that we evidently discern that in the midst of his judgements he hath remembered mercy, having remembered his Footstool in the day of his sore displeasure against us for our sins, with many singular Intimations of his Fatherly Compassion, and regard; reserving many of our Towns from Desolation Threatened, and attempted by the Enemy, and giving us especially of late with many of our Confederates many signal Advantages against them, without such Disadvantage to ourselves as formerly we have been sensible of, if it be the Lord's mercy that we are not consumed, It certainly bespeaks our positive Thankfulness, when our Enemies are in any measure disappointed or destroyed; and fearing the Lord should take notice under so many Intimations of his returning mercy, we should be found an Insensible people, as not standing before Him with Thanksgiving, as well as lading him with our Complaints in the time of pressing Afflictions: The Council has thought meet to appoint and set apart the 29th day of this instant June, as a day of Solemn Thanksgiving and praise to God for such his Goodness and Favour, many Particulars of which mercy might be Instanced, but we doubt not those who are sensible of God's Afflictions, have been as diligent to espy him returning to us; and that the Lord may behold us as a People offering Praise and thereby glorifying Him; the Council doth commend it to the Respective Ministers, Elders and people of this Jurisdiction; Solemnly and seriously to keep the same Beseeching that being persuaded by the mercies of God we may all, even this whole people offer up our bodies and souls as a living and acceptable Service unto God by Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving Proclamation from 1789

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to “recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness. Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be. 

George Washington

To God be all the praise, glory, and thanksgiving!

mmm....Cookies!

If you don’t already have a great Oatmeal Chocolate Chip recipe, give this one a try! We like our cookies soft around here and this one comes out perfectly every time. We have not been disappointed. Around here, it’s known as the Brown Family cookie recipe. (We went to church with this neat family what feels like a lifetime ago and my dh has always been a fan of their cookies.)

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cream together:
2 C sugar
2C brown sugar
2 C melted butter
2 t vanilla

Add 4 eggs & 4 C of flour

Combine the following, then add to other mixture:
5 C oatmeal (ground in the food processor or blender)
2 t baking powder
2 t baking soda
1 t salt

Stir in 3 C chopped nuts (can be omitted)
24 oz. semi sweet choc. chips
8 oz. milk chocolate chips (or try M & Ms)

Roll into balls and place on cookie sheet.

Bake at 375 for 7 min. (will not looked cooked)
(If you’re baking frozen cookie dough balls, try them at about 9 minutes.)



Out of this recipe, I rolled 138 1-inch cookie balls! You can certainly half or quarter this recipe and still have plenty of cookies. These cookies also turn out great after the dough has been frozen. But if you do freeze the dough, don’t worry about thawing the dough before you put the cookie balls in the oven. They turn out better if you don’t thaw them first. Enjoy!

The Trinity

This morning at breakfast, we were discussing the Trinity with Kate (3 1/2) and Gabe (22 months). I asked Kate if she remembered Who made up the Trinity. She replied, “God, Jesus, and Grandpa Howard.” (My dad went to be with the Lord 3 years ago, so our children have heard often how Grandpa is with Jesus. It's so interesting how young minds process some things.)

My dh and I couldn't help but smile, but it looks like we have some more teaching and learning to do. ;)

Teaching and Training Daughters

"Train up a child in the way he should go:

and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

Proverbs 22:6

When my eldest was born 3 1/2 years ago, I was totally surprised to hear, "It's a girl!". I found myself a little perplexed, wondering how in the world would I train my daughter to be a godly woman?!  I felt so unfit for this challenge.  So often, the Lord uses those times we feel the least able to grow us.  Looking back over the past 4 years, I see how the Lord was at work in my heart, humbling me, refining me, growing me, for His glory, not my own.

So many times, I fall into the trap of thinking I'll just take care of things around here myself, without the help of my children.  With three little ones 3 and younger, it can take longer getting tasks accomplished when they are helping me.  Then, I'm gently reminded that I get to be the one who trains my children and it would be to all of our benefit for them to learn how to work alongside me.

Today, I asked Kate to help me in the kitchen.  The past few days have been a bit rough with her talking back.  She told me she was not going to help me.  Well...I'm the momma, so I was going to have to win this little battle.  I called Kate to come to me, sit on my lap, and look me in the eyes.  To this, I received her, "Yes, ma'am." I explained to Kate that someday she would have her own house and it's my duty to teach her how to do some things so that when she lived on her own she would know what to do, how to care for her family.  Her whole countenance changed!  We discussed this a little longer so that I knew she comprehended everything, and she eagerly bounced off my lap and asked what she could help with.  I was amazed at the change in her heart now that she understood WHY I had asked her to help.   She was thrilled to push the buttons on the oven to preheat it and thrilled to pull out the box of foil which she noted looked like a tall building. She was eager to set the table and add seasoning to our meal.  I've been working with Kate to ask, "Is there anything else I can help you with?" after completing a given task.  She blew me away tonight!

A year ago, I'm pretty sure my response to Kate talking-back would have been much different. I'm pretty sure the results would have been as well.  Over this last year, the Lord's been cultivating patience within me, especially toward my children.  I have a lot to learn and pray the Lord would continue to mold and shape me to be the momma this family needs.  How grateful I am for teachable moments gone right...I miss them far too often, I'm afraid.

Hello

In an attempt to meet some like-minded sisters, I venture into blog world.  I guess you could say up to this point, I've been a wallflower, learning from many other ladies, laughing with many, crying with others... Humble Homemaker is my way to reach out and say thank you to those who have encouraged and inspired me to run this race and to hopefully encourage and inspire others out there.  

Welcome to Humble Homemaker.  It's nice to meet you!