ABC verses

Some of you have asked about our ABC verses on the wall in the boys room.   It is definitely a work in progress…finally having half of them up now!  I am looking forward to the rest being painted soon.  =)

It is amazing how many of them (or at least pieces of them) that the boys know already.  A-E have been up for several years, so of course they are the most known.  Plus, I made up songs about those 5, so they know the songs as well.  And Ethan can even read the newest ones, which still surprises Mario and I.  It’s amazing to hear and be a witness to him reading. Each night before bed we review a Scripture verse or passage together.  Mario even has helped Ethan to memorize Psalm 23 in the NLT!  Ethan does such a great job, and it's wonderful to hear Marcelo chiming in the parts he knows.  =)

It is our prayer that these verses would be the beginning of a lifetime of hiding God’s Word in their hearts; that these simple truths would bring clarity and hope in hard moments.  That when they do something right they know who to give credit to, and that when they do something wrong they know why is was wrong and what to do differently in the future.   And I am amazed at how they speak truth to me as well…like when I’m frustrated about something and not using the kindest tones…verse B pops into my head! 

May the Lord continue to mold and shape us as parents so we can better guide our children towards Truth. 

A: Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life.  Proverbs 4:23

B: Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.  Ephesians 4:32

C: Children obey your parents in the Lord.  Ephesians 6:1

D: Do to others what you would have them do to you. Luke 6:31

E: Every good and perfect gift is from above. James 1:17

F: For the Lord is the great God, the great king above all gods. Psalm 95:3

G: Give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians

H: He who began a good work it you will carry it on to completion. Philippians 1:6

I: I praise you because you made me in such a wonderful way. Psalm 139:14

J: Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” John 14:6

K: Keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. 1 Peter 3:10

L: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind. Luke 10:27

M: My soul finds rest in God alone. Psalm 62:1

May these ABC verses be a blessing to you and your family, however you choose to use them.  Hide them in your heart.  You’ll be glad you did!

Carrot Juice Anyone?

Well, this year is full of new adventures for the White Household.  One of which is juicing! We have been enjoying a lot of carrot-apple juice. The boys love it…which is really great!  I’ve also been exploring with things to do with the pulp.  Today’s recipe is now creating Gena’s Juice Pulp Crackers in our dehydrator.  I’m really looking forward to trying them…they sure smell delicious!

Here’s the recipe:

2 ½ cups juice pulp
½ cup ground flaxseed
½ tsp coriander
½ tsp curry
1 tbsp nama shoyu
1 tbsp lemon juice

Here’s the link in case you want the directions:

http://www.choosingraw.com/got-juice-pulp-or-how-to-make-raw-crackers/

I’ve also altered a favorite recipe for muffins…now using the carrot apple pulp as well.  They are still delicious, and by using the pulp and switching the oil to apple sauce, they are now half the calories!  What a bonus!!

Here’s my recipe (based off of Joan Kelly’s “Company Muffins” in Favorite Recipes from Quilters):

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup rolled oats (or ½ cup, then ½ cup oat bran)

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

2 tsp cinnamon

1 cup brown sugar

4 cups carrot/apple pulp

½ cup raisins

¾ cup apple sauce

½ cups milk

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 tsp vanilla

1.      Combine flour, rolled oats, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon in a large bowl.  (I like to keep this already prepped in a glass jar in my pantry).

2.      Add pulp to the dry ingredients. Then the raisins, and then the applesauce.

3.      Make a well in the center and add milk, eggs, and vanilla. Stir until just moistened.

4.      Use a tablespoon (T) to scoop batter into mini cupcake tins (greased, or use the mini cupcake holders).

5.      Bake at 375 for 18-20 minutes.  Makes approx. 72 mini cupcakes, 30 calories each.

 So here's to a new year of healthier eating!

A New Tradition

In celebration of my parent’s birthdays we pulled from ideas from last year’s birthday celebrations....and instead of letting Ethan body paint my dad…we face painted all of the kids!  Then we enjoyed a pizza dinner together, thanking the Lord for both Nana and Papa..  I think we may have started a new tradition!  Marcelo wanted to be Spider Man, Senna Spider Girl, and Ethan...a Native American!