fall 2012
mitera Are you a
?
ministry in motherhood
SuperMom the answer may surprise you!
Stop dieting and enjoy God’s food Back to school bullies? A program you can use to help your child Tips for taming the sock monster
volume 1, issue 2
welcome to mitera! Mitera magazine was born in 2012 out of a vision from God, calling me to create a magazine just for Christian moms to help support them during their time of ministry during motherhood. Even though most moms wouldn’t think of mothering as a ministry, it truly is, and it truly is one of the most crucial ministries on earth. You and I are raising up children who will one day change the world. It is our responsibility as their primary influence on their thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs to encourage them to seek God each day, to love other humans, and to fulfill God’s chosen role for them in relation to making Christ known on the earth.
writers
rachelle mullins angie hott sarah finks angela hawkins annie reneau jen wilkin casey sollock becky zale rebecca ashbrook carrell molly lasater
photographers lisa toledo geoff sherwood (art) piotr marcinski micah bowerbank iwona grodzka becky zale rachelle mullins galina velusceac molly lasater zhu difeng richard thomas
disclaimer The views and opinoins of the magazine contributors are not related to the views and opinions of mitera magazine, its editor, or its affiliates. All submitted work is assumed to be of original quality and content from the contributor and any misrepresentation from this falls on the contributor of that work. Mitera Magazine is not responsible for any actions, damages, or distress resulting from adherence to any information made available through the magazine. This magazine is not a substitute for professional advice.
Mitera magazine is different than other magazines because we accept article and photo submissions from the public. We believe that people who’ve experienced real life are highly qualified in helping other people live real life. We don’t need psychologists and therapists to help us traverse through our parenting journey, but just real people...people who feel led by God to share what they know and what they’ve experienced. Enjoy the magazine, which is full of articles written by mothers, people who have mothers, or people who know mothers who help shape the world....one little blessing at a time. And if you feel led by God to share something with our readers, please follow that call! See our submissions page at www.miteramagazine. com or inside this magazine for more details. I hope you are blessed by mitera.
Molly Lasater founder and editor
Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 11:19
just call me By Annie Reneau
SUPERMOM
GO AHEAD. CALL ME SUPERMOM.
Perhaps it’s because I have three pretty awesome kids that I haven’t managed to totally screw up yet. Or perhaps it’s because I often look frazzled and harried and desperate for positive reinforcement. Whatever the reason, my kind-hearted friends and family members frequently compliment my various momrelated activities and abilities. And, God love ‘em, some even toss around the loaded term “SuperMom.” And my response, always, is to promptly laugh in their faces before spewing out a mile-long list of my weaknesses and failures as a mother, teacher, homemaker, and wife.
So . . . No, I always respond. I am anything but a SuperMom. Then yesterday, as I was cleaning out a closet, I came across this poster my uber-talented friend Geoff drew me for my 17th birthday.
Artist Geoff Sherwood
It’s not false modesty. My house is truly a disaster more often than not, despite my having read every organizational book on
the planet. I start too many projects I don’t finish. I’ve paid enough money in overdue library fines to send at least one of my kids to college. I finally just got around to teaching my 7-yearold to tie her shoes. I’ve not been able to get a single one of my kiddos potty trained before the age of three. The only reason I can type this right now is because I put a Shaun the Sheep video on for my toddler, rather than letting him empty yet another one of my tape dispensers.
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. Proverbs 31:28
That’s me. Annie G. Superheroine! The pre-kids super me. Pretty impressive, right? As I was admiring my friend’s artistic abilities, I thought, “Wow, Geoff was rather generous with my . . . uh . . bosoms. But it’s kind of fitting, really. It’s like a foreshadowing of my real superpower.”
· calmly solves all behavioral issues with natural and logical consequences
And that’s when it hit me. I do have superpowers. Real, honestto-goodness, mom superpowers. And it’s not just my amazing A-cup breastfeeding abilities. Among other things, I make a mean, mean vegetable soup from scratch. I can kiss boo-boos and make owies magically disappear. I’ve taught my children to read and write, to say please and thank you, and to (usually) follow the Golden Rule. I manage to work from home, educate my kids, clothe and feed my family, keep my marriage in tact, and even throw my musings about motherhood up on the Internet a couple of times a week. Do my faults and weaknesses really negate those things?
· wears matching bras and underwear
No. They do not. I think it’s time I embrace the fact that maybe, perhaps, there’s at least a slight chance that I just might be a SuperMom. Here’s how I figure it. Up until yesterday, my definition of a SuperMom would have been a woman who embodied the following qualities: (Take a deep breath - the list is long.) · has more than one child (with the number of children directly proportional to her degree of “superness”) · plans meals and cooks them from scratch (preferably with organic ingredients grown in her own garden) · cheerfully cooks and bakes with her kids (again, with organic ingredients from her own garden) · cheerfully helps her kids with their schoolwork · attends all of her kids’ sporting, music, and miscellaneous events · keeps a perfectly clean and organized house · never forgets her cloth grocery bags when she goes to the store · brings creative snacks to parties · volunteers at her kids’ schools or homeschools her kids (again, cheerfully) · volunteers in her religious community, homeless shelters, animal shelters, food pantries, and/or nursing homes · exercises six days a week · reads quality literature, ideally as part of a cool book club · prescreens all of her kids’ viewing and reading material · organizes family game nights · keeps up with her friends · throws fantastic kids’ birthday parties · keeps elaborate scrapbooks for each kid · spends special one-on-one time with each child every week
· writes in a gratitude journal · does her hair and make-up every day
· has regular date nights with her spouse · gets intimate with her spouse at least three times a week · works some kind of paying job, either part or full-time, in or out of the house · somehow manages to find time to follow her passions and nurture her own spirit I’m sure I’m missing some things. This list may seem over the top, but these are things moms are told time and again that we should strive for. And so the picture of SuperMom is painted. Doing it all and doing it well. Professional, parental, and domestic perfection, with an organic garden thrown in for good measure. That’s a SuperMom, right? Or at least something close to it? That’s what I used to think. But then Geoff’s drawing and some pondering of iconic superheroes helped me uncover a truth that flipped that silly notion right on its annoying little head. Ready for it? Real superheroes aren’t perfect. Not a single one of them. To begin with, they all have different powers and strengths. Spiderman uses his spidey senses, superhuman strength, and incredible agility to battle the bad guys. Ironman has super strength as well, but also super speed and self-healing powers. Wolverine has those razor sharp claws (not to mention Hugh Jackman’s “superpowers” of his own, thankyouverymuch). Wonder Woman is super strong, super fast, and can rock a bodysuit and boots like no other. And, of course, there’s Superman, the epitome of the superhero, more powerful than all the rest of them combined. Invulnerable, impenetrable, and handsome to boot. Batman doesn’t actually have any superpowers. Did you know that? He protects Gotham with his indomitable will, great athletic and martial arts abilities, and genius-level intelligence. Yet we still consider him a superhero. (Plus, he does have that cool Batmobile swagger.) We moms have different strengths and superpowers, too. I know a mom who throws birthday parties that would put Martha Stewart to shame, one who volunteers practically full-time at her kids’ schools, and another who has a standing Saturday night date with her husband each week. I know moms who work outside the house full-time, moms who stay home fulltime, moms who homeschool, and moms who work from home while homeschooling. I know moms whose houses are spotless (though I still can’t figure out how). I know moms whom I’ve begged to tell me their parenting secrets because their kids are so unbelievably stellar. But no superhero does it all. Even Superman, with all his superpowers, has his weaknesses. His x-ray vision can’t penetrate lead. Red solar radiation renders him as normal as you and me.
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. Proverbs 31:28
He’s somewhat vulnerable to magic. And, of course, Kryptonite cripples him completely. He’s also forced to live a lie, unable to reveal his true identity to anyone. Not exactly living his best life, Oprah-style. Other superhero weaknesses have familiar human parallels as well. Spiderman has an overactive sense of responsibility. I know some moms with that weakness. Wolverine has a nasty temper. Ironman is an alcoholic. If Batman gets outsmarted, he’s as mortal as the rest of us. Wonder Woman’s biggest weakness? Having her hands bound by a man. I’ll leave that one right there. Just like no superhero does it all, no mom does it all, either. The perfect birthday party mom doesn’t always have the energy at the end of her work day to be “on” for her kids. The volunteer mom worries about how staying home will affect her retirement someday. The mom who dates her husband grabs fast food more than she’d like because her kids’ schedules are so hectic. The working moms sometimes feel guilty. The stayat-home moms miss getting a paycheck. The homeschoolers can’t keep their houses clean for longer than 30 seconds.
Oh yes. SuperMom beats Superman, every time, hands down. So when I finally get around to making my son a superhero cape, I think I’ll make one for myself as well. Because I AM a SuperMom. And so is every other mom I know. We don’t do it all. And we may not do the things we do as well as we’d like to. But we do a lot. A whole lot. And some of it we do pretty darn well. Being a SuperMom doesn’t mean perfection. It means finding your superpowers and recognizing your weaknesses. It means accepting the enormous responsibility inherent in the job, but cutting yourself a little slack sometimes. It means enjoying the feel of the breeze through your hair while you’re leaping tall buildings in a single bound, but acknowledging that you’ll eventually stumble into a phone booth and be painfully human again, at least for a while. So the next time someone tells me I’m a SuperMom, I won’t deny it. Instead, I’ll smile, toss my cape behind my shoulder, and say, Why, thank you, kind citizen.
We all have our weaknesses. But just as Superman’s vulnerability to Kryptonite and magic doesn’t make him any less of a superhero, my inability to maintain a cleaning schedule or convince my kid to poo on the toilet doesn’t make me any less of a SuperMom.
Lisa Toledo self-portrait
financial hardships, familial dysfunction, sleep deprivation, lack of support, health issues, dietary limitations, societal pressures, media influence, and every other challenge you can throw at her.
Now, some may feel it’s unfair to compare real moms with the fictitious powers of these iconic superheroes. But I choose to see it the opposite way. The things moms do are actually way more impressive than the contrived feats of our comic book heroes. There’s no comparison, really. If anyone’s going to be called a superhero, it’s got to be the mom who somehow finds the fortitude to work day after day to raise healthy, well-adjusted kids in the face of hectic schedules, behavioral challenges,
fellow SuperMoms to do the same.
I encourage all my
Annie is a 30-something-year-old transplant to the Midwest, who would rather be living someplace with moderate temperatures and an ocean. Her fantabulous husband and three kiddos are at once amazing, awesome, frustrating, irritating, goofy, messy, and miraculous, as all children are. She used to teach other people’s high school kids English, but now teaches her own kids everything. Well, not everything, but close. Her biggest wish for herself is more hours in the day. And more chocolate without consequences. And someone to fold her whites. You can follow Annie’s life at www. motherhoodandmore.com
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. Proverbs 31:28
...and that’s why you don’t throw toy cars! By Angela Hawkins So I taught my boys another lesson the other day….it was one I wish I would’ve taught them some other way, but it is what it is. You see… I had been having the most horrible day. You know, the kind where your deep freezer and fridge have stopped working without your knowing it until you reach inside for something cold and low and behold it’s as warm as a golden pancake on a Sunday morning. Well, anyhow, after much panic and plugging in and unplugging of cords/power surges and fighting the ant hotel that was living behind the freezer, I managed to come to the conclusion that it was the surge protector gone bad and was able to get the fridge going again….the freezer would have to be dumped and cleaned later…sorry Schwan Man….not this time!! Ok, so that wasn’t so bad right? I went back inside and then noticed those darned jumbo jet bees flying around on my deck. Carpenter bees, I believe they call them, the ones that like to drill holes into your wood and leave their mark! I’m beginning to think Mother Nature is using me as her ‘test kitchen’! Yep, outside I went to leave MY mark!!! Well, let me just tell you that I’ve invented the new workout trend called ‘lightsaber- jumbo bee -kung fu’… …I’ll just leave you to visualize that for a minute…..
game…which led to broken glass on the living room floor…(I had already vacuumed the entire downstairs just moments before the fridge/freezer fiasco)…so this leads to more vacuuming and hollering for people to get homework done while I’m trying to cook spaghetti before we head out to three different fields for the days games/practices, the baby is still hollering and climbing, balls are whizzing by my head, kids are fighting and…… well….in all the madness, I walked by the kitchen table and there sat the matchbox cars that someone had left out. The same matchbox cars that I had specifically told them to put away at least 5 times… and well….I had a Bad Mommy moment. I picked up those cars and as I was hollering “why are these still here?” I hurled them (or so I thought) into the playroom. You see, the problem is, I have bad aim and it’s even worse when I’m mad. So, while I had every intention of the cars floating into the playroom they instead took a detour and smashed into my framed-glass pictures of New York City….the ones we bought when we took the kids there a few years back! Well, needless to say, my jaw dropped to the floor at the same time the pieces of glass fell to the floor…..Ohhh Bad Mommy, Bad Mommy! So I turned around to see my three boys standing there with the same expression that I’m sure was on my face and then I very calmly said… “And that’s why you don’t throw matchbox cars.”
Alright, are you done snickering yet? Well neither are the bees, but we must move on… Ok, so I decided I’d better get a nice cold drink of tea and relax a bit before the boys got home from school, for you can never really brace yourself enough for the storm that lies in the trail of three young boys just home from school. The boys arrived. There was homework to be done, no one wanting to do it, and my pleas were just in vain. Nora, the 20-month-old baby, was climbing the table wanting her “bapple” and “nana” snacks for she will waste away if not given her afternoon snack within seconds of stepping in the front door after our excursion to the bus stop! Henry, my 6 year old, had decided to opt out of homework and practice up on his baseball
*No children were hurt/injured in the making of this story…. only a little of Mama’s Pride! Angie Hawkins is a stay at home Mom to three boys ages 11, 8, and 6, and one 22 month old sugar & spice! She makes her sometimes (always?) messy home in Southern Maryland, where her husband is stationed at Naval Air Station Pax River. Angie loves her Jesus & family, anything crafty, decorating/real estate (she is a certified HomeStager), all things vintage, sports, baking and photography. Although she loves the idea of a retro housewife (who doesn’t love heels & an apron?), she can’t help but loath dishes, laundry and floor mopping! Angie invites everyone to stop by her blog, thislittlebirdie. wordpress.com, where she humorously writes about her day to day life with 4 kids.
Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. Proverbs 22:6
your life. By Sarah Finks Want to know what drives me CARAZY? Women who are not satisfied with their lives but are afraid to do something about it. Does this sound like you? If it does please imagine me, in the most loving way, grabbing you by your shirt screaming “It doesn’t have to be this way!”
So what is the difference? Not how they were raised, not where they came from, nope. It is how they think. That’s it. Want to know the cool thing? If you want, I mean really want to change?
Listen, I know life can be challenging, I am in no way saying that it’s easy. But what I am saying is that it is TIME to step up and do this life thing, and do it right. No more I wish, if only, but I’m different, I don’t know... ENOUGH.
For starters there are 3 techniques that successful people use in their lives everyday.
I am just like most of you. Before I had kids I worked for 10 years as a nurse and nurse practitioner. Then when we decided to start a family I made the decision to stay home so I could be there while my children were young. Then as life would have it, 2 years and 2 months after my oldest son was born, I gave birth to identical twin boys. Surprise! Needless to say I found myself the only caregiver to 3 little boys 2 and under. We didn’t have any family in the area and I quickly switched to survival mode. I loved my boys with all of my heart but when it came to me, I had just given up. It was too much. After about a year I realized I needed to change something because life wasn’t going to get any better on it’s own. I was going to have to take action. So I did some serious soul searching and praying and then I took action. I looked at everyone out their who was leading a successful and vibrant life. I studied them. I learned from them, and I took steps each day to move my life in a different direction. One that fulfilled me, not just my family. I realized that I had 3 things driving me at all times. 1) Nurture my soul 2) Nurture my body 3) Nurture my family. In order to reap the rewards of life I discovered that I had to invest into myself, I am an asset worth investing in. Not just an expense or caregiver for our family. I also learned that 98% of the country is simply surviving, it wasn’t just me. Each day looks the same, get up, get the kids ready, go to work, listen to people complain at work, go through the motions, come home, put the kids to bed, have a glass of wine and zone out. The other 2% have figured it out. They are happy and loving their lives.
You can. Period. You just need to learn how.
1) Vision- All successful people have a vision for their lives. It doesn’t need to be specific or perfect or anything like that. They just know with every ounce of their being that they are meant for more. More love, more life, what have you. Just the idea of better is enough. 2) Plan- They have a plan to get there. If you plan out how to think about life you will change how you look at it. 3) Choice- They have implemented what all of us have, the ability to make a choice. Many people in this 2 percent started off thinking exactly as you are now. But they made a choice to stop and think differently. Does that seem ridiculously simple? It is and these are the first steps in creating the life that you want. Once I made the choice to think differently my life began to open up. I went from feeling deflated and unworthy most days to feeling excited to get up. Ready to attack the day. In the past 2 years I have built a successful business from home coaching women like you reach their dreams. My boys are getting ready to start school this year and I will be able to take my work to the next level. My calendar is flexible so I will be able to pick the kids up from school and continue to be the mom my kids deserve. All while building a life that fulfills me. Yes, you can have it all. You just have to learn how. Want to learn more? Make sure to stop by and sign up for my free weekly newsletter over at sarahfinks.com. I can’t wait to see what you all can do. Sarah Finks, MSN, Women’s Life Management Expert, is a Nurse Practitioner by training but also a mom of 3 boys, one amazing 5 year old and two rambunctious 3 year old twins. She left the world of Nurse Practitioning in order to help women discover their true potential and teach them to nurture their bodies and minds so they can create an amazing career and thrive in their relationships.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6
guarding the
123rf: Micah Bowerbank
sabbath
By Jen Wilkin My oldest son started high school this fall. At his orientation the counselors took a portion of the program to speak to parents about the greatest challenge they see students face in school. I expected to hear about poor study habits or substance abuse, but to my initial surprise, these were not at the top of the list. Apparently, the greatest challenge presenting itself in the office of the high school guidance counselor is a growing number of kids struggling with anxiety and depression. Can you guess why? A combination of over-scheduling and sleep deprivation, linked to two main contributors: electronics use and extracurricular activities. We were encouraged as parents to go home and talk to our teenagers about setting boundaries in both these areas. Parents across the auditorium scribbled notes furiously as the counselors outlined some suggestions: limit texting, monitor bedtimes, cut back on team practices. I couldn’t help but think to myself: tonight there will be many demonstrations of teenage angst when mom shows up with her new list of suggestions. What is unfolding at my son’s high school is a clear illustration of a spiritual truth: the need for regular periods of rest in our lives. From the earliest pages of the Bible we find God instituting
patterns of activity and rest – not just any kind of rest, but rest with the intent to engage in worship and community. The concept of Sabbath weaves its way through the Old Testament and the New, occupying a prominent place among the Ten Commandments and informing our understanding of Heaven. Despite its prevalence, few Christians understand or practice Sabbath as a regular part of life, and consequently, neither do their children. Christian parents bear the responsibility of teaching our children the value of rest, through our words and through our actions. Children don’t set the calendar in our homes – if they are overscheduled or sleep-deprived, the fault lies with us. How can we better discharge our duty of raising children to seek Sabbath? To value down-time to reconnect with God and family? While I admire the high school guidance counselors’ optimism, fourteen is probably too late to start imposing boundaries on our child’s rest habits and schedule. We need a plan, and we need it early. How will we safeguard for our families the key Sabbath concepts of rest, worship, and community? Here are a few suggestions that have helped our family to honor God in our rest.
Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” Mark 2:27
123rf: Piotr Marcinski
Electronics: Late-night texting and TV watching, online chatting, surfing the web – all can rob a child of rest. Children between the ages of 7 and12 require a whopping 10-11 hours of sleep each night, an age range during which most acquire the electronics to rob them of it. Parents can guard their children’s rest simply by keeping electronics in sight. We made a rule in our home that no electronics are allowed upstairs: no TV’s, computers, phones, or games in bedrooms or rooms where their use cannot be monitored. Each night, those of us who have phones leave them in a spot on the kitchen counter. These measures give us accountability to each other, keep electronics as a shared rather than an individual privilege, and force our electronics to obey our family’s Sabbath priorities of rest, worship, community. Well-rested kids bypass many of the unsavory habits of their tired counterparts: fits, backtalk, forgetfulness, drama, isolation, and yes – anxiety and depression. Guarding your child’s rest actually gives them a running start at Christlike behavior, even during adolescence.
Activities: So many to pursue, so little time. Don’t be fooled: the proliferation of activity options for children is a reflection of our cultural affluence, not of a child’s need to be well-rounded or socialized. Gobs of money are being made off of our misplaced desire to expose our kids to every possible talent path. How can we choose activities for our family in a way that doesn’t compromise Sabbath principles? Because our four kids are extremely close in age, our schedule and our finances forced us to limit activities to “one or none” for each child. Not all families need to impose a limit this low, but it has taught us something our grandparents probably knew: children who participate in no organized activities at all still lead lives full of activity and joy. To many parents the idea of a child on no sports team, in no music lessons, at no club meetings is completely foreign and a little frightening: Won’t they get bored? Won’t they drive me crazy lurking around the house? Won’t they miss out on an NFL career and blame me? Or, my personal favorite: Won’t other parents think I’m a bad parent? I would answer all of these questions with “Maybe, but who cares?” As is often lamented, parenting is not a popularity contest.
With that in mind, here are some good (and highly unpopular) questions to ask when evaluating which activity to pursue: 1. Does it sabotage weekend down-time or worship? 2. Does it sabotage family dinners? 3. Does it sabotage bedtime? 4. Does it pull our family apart or push us together? 5. Is it an activity my child can enjoy/benefit from into adulthood? 6. Can we afford it? Notice that “Does my child enjoy it?” is not on the list. So often I hear parents justify keeping a child in a time-sucking activity because “He loves it so much”. Kids love Skittles and Mario Kart so much, but they don’t get to decide if, when and how much to consume. Because children possess a limited range of life experience, it is difficult for them to conceive of happiness outside their current circumstance. It is our job to help them learn. Why do we have such a hard time as parents placing limits on electronics and activities? Both electronics and activities can appeal to parents for less-than-admirable reasons. Both can serve as a babysitter or a diversion. But the appeal of activities extends even further, to our very identity as parents. We actually want to be labeled “soccer mom”, on rhinestone-studded tee shirts and coffee mugs. We carefully arrange our car decals so that every identity-marker is announced. The thought of removing or withholding our child from an activity threatens the very way we view ourselves. Maybe our view needs to adjust to something a bit higher. Families that prioritize Sabbath fix their eyes on and find their identity in Christ, recognizing that their greatest potential for missed opportunity lies not in neglecting activities but in neglecting time - lots of it - spent together as a family in worship, rest, and community with each other. God forbid we value the discipline of a sport more than the discipline of Christian living. Both require great application of time and effort, but one is worth far more than the other. Because time is our most limited resource, how we allocate it reveals much about our hearts. Our time usage should look radically different than that of the unbelieving family. We must leave time for slow afternoons, for evening meals where we pray together and share our faith and struggles, for Sunday mornings of shared worship. God ordains Sabbath for our good and for His glory. May our homes be places where Sabbath rest is jealously guarded, that in all things God might have preeminence – even our schedules. Ephesians 5:15-17 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Jen Wilkin is a wife, a mom to 4 great kids, and an advocate for women to love God with their minds through the faithful study of His Word. She writes, speaks, and teaches women the Bible. You can follow her blogging at http://jenwilkin.blogspot.com.
Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” Mark 2:27
the tried & true
easy, tasty, kid-pleasing meals in minutes
empty bowl chili 2 lb ground meat (beef, turkey, etc) 1 medium onion, chopped 1 Tbsp Chili Powder 1 tsp Cumin Powder 3 small cans tomato sauce 3 cans of water
This is what happens with “empty bowl chili” EVERY time I cook it! I start with a huge pot of yummy goodness and within minutes of serving it, the bowls are empty and tummies are full. We like to add grated cheddar cheese to the bowls and eat the chili with crackers. The great thing about this recipe is that you can add or take away items of your choosing and still end up with a satisfying and quick meal for crisp autumn nights. Enjoy! ~Molly
1 can (15 oz) light red kidney beans, drained and rinsed Brown meat with onion. Drain grease. Add all other ingredients and allow to simmer until it thickens a bit. Serve with grated cheddar cheese, crackers, or corn chips.
So he went and got them and brought them to his mother, and she prepared some tasty food, just the way his father liked it. Genesis 27:14
Molly Lasater
This chili is so simple and easily adaptable. You can add green bell pepper or chopped tomatoes to it, remove the beans if you’re not a fan, or adapt in any way to please YOUR family! Also, this freezes nicely. We always have leftovers which go straight to the freezer in a plastic freezer bag so that dinner later in the month is already prepared for a busy night!
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123rf: pejo
G
the Sock Monster one simple tool for out-witting the thieving dryer, getting the kids to tend to their own stragglers, and saving you a ton of time, momma! But all things should be done decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:40
What does the morning rush look like at YOUR house? Are kids scrambling to find a matching pair of socks? Have you seriously blamed the dryer for “eating” socks after laundry day?
little bags get taken to the clean sock location and simply DUMPED. There’s no finesse to it. There’s no order. But who cares? They’re socks. And they don’t get to monopolize my time or energy anymore.
If your house is anything like mine, your kids take off their socks and deposit them in the strangest places: stuffed into couch cushions, in the toy box, under the kitchen table....yes, I could go on. But let’s get to the point shall we? There’s an easy solution to this common household dilemma. And it doesn’t cost much money. Here she is...
You see? Total chaos contained in a little basket. It works for us! And it can work for you too! Now, you may think this basket arrangement is a little strange, but it works for us. We live in a two-story house. The boys were leaving their shoes all over the downstairs each day, so we started housing their shoes in the downstairs coat closet near the door. And justifiably so, the socks had to come too. Because who wants to go all the way upstairs to put on socks and then come all the way back down to put on their shoes? Not my boys. Each of my sons has their own basket, tucked neatly into the side of the downstairs coat closet. And it works for us. Ultimately, containing your chaos involves finding a system that works for YOU, so hopefully this idea will get you thinking and save you a little time in the laundry room from sorting, folding, and matching socks!
But all things should be done decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:40
Molly Lasater
Yes, those are lingerie bags....minus the lingerie. I bought these at our local dollar store years ago when I realized having more than one kid and too many socks to keep track of was not working out so well for me. Now, each kid has his own “sock bag” as we call them. These hang in their bedroom near their clothes hamper so that as they undress it is simple for them to place their socks into their OWN bag. When laundry day rolls around, I grab bags and zip them up, toss them into the laundry pile and proceed as usual. The truly great part comes when the clothes emerge from the dryer, though. You see, there’s no sock folding for this Momma. There’s no matching up of socks to see which drawer they go in. There’s no pile of clean socks on the couch/dryer/ kitchen table waiting for attention to be sorted and matched. These
Holy Boldness, Batman!
Five Easy Steps to Armor your Child with Back to School Bully Protection By Angie Hott As the lazy days of summer slowly dwindle to a close, this 47-year-old-grey-haired-Hott-mama-of four is getting a little nervous. My stomach begins to get those little butterflies. My knees begin to feel a bit of a slight quiver. Finally, my heart already starts to miss my kids before they return to school. Sure, I too am counting down the days to a little peace and quiet along with the rest of you; but as they return to school that ever present threat of school bullies also returns. Today, I have a question for parents. Do your children feel “safe” at school? I’m not talking about fear of a catastrophic event like tsunamis or crashing jets (although both are constant concerns of our 8 year old, Isaac). I am wondering if, as you are preparing them for just another school day, does your child feel truly safe? Can they spend the day away from home without the fear of another student losing control? Will they feel welcomed by all their fellow students? Are they learning in an environment where adults are protecting our children from unnecessary threats? Or,… is your child being harassed by a bully?
negotiating complaints about not wanting to go to school, for the first time, not long ago I saw fear in my daughter’s eyes about her day at school and I heard terror in my first graders voice about recess on the playground. Yes. It was f.e.a.r and t.e.r.r.o.r! Coming from small-town, rural USA, I was unnerved to learn that my little girl was baited by the class bully in the middle of fifth grade class. The “incident” was calculated as the bully’s weapon of choice was none other than a sharpened school pencil. Other children witnessed him crossing the room, sharpen his pencil, return to sit next to my daughter, aim the point to the back of her seat,… and wait. Unsuspectingly, she was stabbed – right in the middle of a social science lesson! A pencil! Well, that day it was a pencil; what would it be tomorrow, in five years, or in twenty?
Mine are!
Granted, her injury was minuscule, but it is this bothersome behavior coupled with his menacing “I hate you!” threats heard in the hallway that provokes terror. Long after the mark on her back healed, a piece of her broken spirit remains as such words tear away at her heart... and mine.
I have had to deal administratively with incidents of school bullying against my children. So, while at home dishing out the Pepto-Bismol for the daily morning “tummy ache” and
Why? Why would he hate my adorable baby girl? Seriously???? But, perhaps like your own child, mine is a good student, quiet, and well disciplined. As a mom, I will never forget this evening
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Matthew 5:44
as I listened to her recount the incident, the walk alone with the bully to the office, the shake in her voice, and the tears in her eyes. She became the target of a bully. Within seconds the school telephone was ringing as I was contacting the principal. Fortunately, she was caring and assured me that the student would be reprimanded. Although a punishment was given, this mom will NEVER forget the words I heard from another administrator. These words will forever echo in my brain as they told me “We are so sorry for your daughter’s experience; but, Mrs. Hott, your daughter needs to be more confident, more aggressive in the classroom!” W.h.a.t?
4. “Holy Boldness” Take-away – After playing make believe, I told the children that in any situation they can “call” on God to be with them, and He will be present for protection. We discussed scary times and how in each situation, God is there! We made God a very real super hero image. 5. Action or Routine – Finally, we rehearsed the following motions. This was to provide them with knowledge that they can call on God anytime, anywhere, and, as the Bible says, He will be there – even when finding themselves face to face with a bully. The “routine” goes like this: A) Say “Holy” while pointing up toward God. This is actually calling God for assistance.
At first I was taken back. She was the victim here! Could this all have been my fault? Have I failed as a mom? Did I somehow manage to place my daughter in harms way by sending her to school that day to be stabbed in the back by the class bully? I began to blame myself. Something must be done; because surely if my well-mannered, straight “A” daughter was indeed ill equipped in the hands of the class bully, others were too.
B) Say “Boldness” while standing strong with both hands on hips. This is where we remember our stance as a strong lion and reminds us to be courageous in the face of fear.
Here’s what happened next! I remembered this specific scripture (praise God!) which comes from Proverbs 28:1:
In order to memorize this “routine”, we concluded with a game of hide and seek. When “found”, the children would jump up and perform the steps above.
“The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion” Hummmmm…. This got me thinking “bold as a lion…..” The word for bold in this verse means “secure, confident.” That’s just the kind of boldness the synagogue rulers saw in Peter and John as they ministered (see Acts 4:1-2)” And…. It is just the kind of boldness our children need at school. As a parent of a bully’s harassment and a mom with a background in creative dramatics, I took this experience and developed a program called “Holy Boldness Batman!” mostly as a response to the assistant principal’s comment to me regarding our daughter’s lack of aggressiveness. An effort to empower bullied children at school, this workshop is a creative dramatics exercise utilizing five simple steps: 1. Honest Discussion – Introductions included personal experiences where we shared a time when we felt bullied at school, home, or anywhere. I was sure to incorporate actual experience from my own life where others “picked” on my height, freckles, or even grey hair. Once revealing my personal stories, children were open for discussion. 2. Role Play – Next, I shared what happened to my daughter, Violet, at age ten. I gave them actual facts about the incident at school, including the reprimand from the principal. After “casting” the scene from class, we then acted out what happened. I played each part, displaying the reactions from my daughter, the teacher, witnesses, and yes, the bully. Each student was given opportunities to perform each role. 3. Scripture Implication – After some “acting” fun, I would introduce the Bible Scripture that the “righteous are as bold as a lion!” We discussed how lions are brave and followed up with some fun animal role play games. I gave out “scenes” and cast each child as different animals; always including a lion with bravery.
C) Say “Batman!” … well, this is for crazy fun! We would shout this as loud as we could to scare away the bully and then erupt in a fit of giggles!
I know this may sound silly, but long after I was able to do my “Holy Boldness” workshop at our local church, kids everywhere would see me around town and yell “Holy Boldness!” It was the coolest thing ever! Not only that, some would just point up to God and then stand like a lion with their hands on their hips – without saying a word. Pretty cool, eh? Ultimately, it is the goal of “Holy Boldness Batman!” to: create an environment where kids are comfortable and SAFE, accomplish at least one “cope” phrase/tactic for them to use in a bully situation, support their friends that may have troubles with a bully, teach kids to also pray for the bully! show love to the bully too! It’s God’s commandment to love everyone. (Matthew 22:37-39) Even a bully! Give “Holy Boldness Batman” a try for your children! Try it yourself! You may find it works on the job or with your neighbor (as we have!). You know, it doesn’t have to be an organized workshop; perhaps just a little dramatic fun in your living room. Let me know how it works. I guarantee your children will be equipped with the armor of God when they meet their next bully! For when God gives her giggles to goose bumps, Angie Hott shares the stories of the daily adventures of raising four astonishing children in today’s crazy world: Caity (22), Violet (12), Isaac (8), and Levi (7) with her “Hott-hubby” Dan. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, Angie “writes with great humor about some of life’s greatest joys, yet touches the deepness of life’s hardships with encouragement.” In mid 2008, Dan was diagnosed with a chronic illness at just 49. Living with Parkinson’s Disease, life took an unexpected turn and Angie began blogging about it in 2010 when God whispered “Excuse me, can I tell you something?” (http://excusemecanitellyousomething.blogspot.com/) As Psalm 1:1 says, “Blessed is the man… who does not walk,” honored is the mom to share these stories and experiences with you.
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Matthew 5:44
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Aromatherapy Naturals I have used these products for a couple of years, and nothing compares! They work wonderfully, and they are safe for you, your children, your pets, and the environment! These products are great for people who suffer from asthma or allergies. You will never find ammonia, vinegar, phosphates, peroxide, artificial colors, artificial preservatives, fillers, or toxins in any of these products! I actually ENJOY cleaning because I love my aromatherapy naturals products so much! Many paople have commented on how good my house smells after I have cleaned with these products, and I’d like to share this little known product with YOU! (you can thank me later) Patti Page, the creator of Aromatherapy Naturals, is the owner of a housecleaning business in rural Indiana. She created Aromatherapy Naturals after her usual supplier of natural cleaning products changed formulas. Patti says it took much consideration, prayer, and a leap of faith to create a product line herself. She spent countless hours researching and working on the formulas and praying for God’s assistance. Patti gives all the glory to God for helping her create this line of cleaning products, and you will see the amazing results with your first purchase! The products come in these pretty dark blue bottles, and you
can purchase ANY specific cleaning product you would need for your home. My favorite products are the all-purpose spray and the soap scrub, but I truly love every product I’ve tried! I love that they are all-natural and that my family’s exposure to toxic chemicals is now greatly reduced through the use of these cleaning products! One really cool feature of this product line is that they are available in multiple scents, and the products are only created after an order is placed. You can choose from scents like Lavendar Sweet Orange, Asian Lemongrass, Cool Mint, Blissful, and my favorite scent for the fall, Warm Orange Spice. (See the photo link above for all scents and product offerings.) Patti is offering Mitera’s readers a very special discount in hopes that you will try these products for the first time! I think you will agree that nothing compares! So, from September 22 through October 23, 2012, you can get $5 off an order of $30 or more by using the code “five” at checkout! I’m off to place my Warm Orange Spice order now.....what will you choose? Leave Mitera a comment on our facebook page telling us which scent you went with! www.facebook.com/miteramagazine
Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. Proverbs 31:31
123rf: Galina Velusceac
it’s jelly! By Rachelle Mullins Okay, so it’s really jelly and me. But it so easily could be jelly and you! I want to show you how simple it is to make a batch of jelly. The hardest part is getting the juice. You can do that on your own by juicing your own fruit or you can buy 100% fruit juice from the store. Jams are even easier because you can use frozen fruit if you don’t have fresh. Today we are making jelly. Apple jelly. Our family took a trip to the apple orchard, and we came home with some tiny little apples. The apples were so small that they were very hard to peel. You know what they say…if you can’t peel ‘em, juice ‘em! Hahahaah..no? Okay, well, we will move on. I used a steam juicer to get all of the goodness out of the apples, then I threw the remains to my chickens. They were not appreciative of the sacrifice. Dumb things.
While I am waiting for the second boil, I set a timer for one minute.
After I had that liquid gold, I decided to do what any busy mother would do. I stored it in the fridge until I could find time to make some jelly.
Here is the part where you have to be patient. The mixture must come to a rolling boil before you start your time, not a soft boil! A rolling boil should not be able to be stirred down and should look foamy. Keep stirring during your minute boil. When the minute is up, take the jelly off of the heat.
I had my waterbath canner on the stove for a week. It was calling to me. Jelly used to be a big process for me, but now it’s something I can do, juice to jelly, in less than an hour. And that’s two batches! If you can get a system going, it makes it easier. Here is my system.
Are you ready? Good…here we go! I bring the measured amount of juice plus the box of pectin to a boil (measurement will depend on the juice and will be listed on the instructions in the pectin box). Then I add the measured amount of sugar (this too will be listed on the instructions).
The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down. Proverbs 21:20
canning photos by Rachelle Mullins
Let me clarify that you must buy fruit pectin to truly understand or be able to complete the process described here. So hurry up…..run to the store, grab you some pectin, and get back here to finish reading this basic setup!
Oh yeah, I need to tell you an important part. FAVORITE CANNING TIP EVER! Before you begin, stick you clean jars on a cookie sheet and put them in the oven on 210 degrees for at least 20 minutes. This will sterilize the jars without the mess and time of boiling them. Then when you are ready to fill them, the jars are hot and ready to go. Brilliant!
Wipe your rims clean. (I use a wet paper towel or a clean rag). Then place the lid on the jar and apply your rings. Do not overtighten.
Fill the hot jars with jelly. Leave a 1/4 of an inch of headspace.
Place them in the warming waterbath canner. Let them come to a boil and then start your time. The instructions will tell you how long to process them. Mine processed at 5 minutes for the pints, 10 minutes for the quarts. Some people will say that jelly doesn’t need to be processed but I always do! After the time is up, I let the jars cool for a few minutes on the canner rack.
The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down. Proverbs 21:20
canning photos by Rachelle Mullins
To heat and sterilize the canning lids, I keep a small pan of water almost at a boil. This is an easy way to get the lids ready before they go on the jars.
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Then I pull them out to cool on the counter and listen for the ping of victory! (that sound means your jars are sealed!) Remember to tighten your lids again after they have been processed so that you get a good seal.
Mitera is looking for contributors for upcoming issues! We accept articles and photographs that are Christianbased and appeal to moms. If you feel God leading you to submit an article or photograph, please follow that leading! Other women will be blessed by your words and experiences!
Submission Guidelines All submitted material should be original and reflect your personal work. (this includes recipe submissions) All submitted material should be Christian-focused and designed to encourage living according to the word of God.
canning photos by Rachelle Mullins
Material should be encouraging as much as possible. However, controversial issues can be addressed in a loving spirit. Submitted material will be subject to editing for length, content, and grammar at the editor’s discretion. Submitted photos can be edited through cropping, color management, or enhancement at the editor’s discretion.
It will take a few hours or a few days for the jelly to set. It just depends on the fruit. Don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t set right away. If it doesn’t set after two weeks, you can remake it (which is easy but kind of annoying) or you can use it as syrup. We have had some delicious pancakes that way! I really hope some of you get inspired to try this. It’s easy! You can do it! Homemade jelly is just one of those things that can’t be duplicated in the store. Plus, they make great gifts. We gave jalapeno jelly, a block of cream cheese and a box of Wheat Thins as teacher gifts this week. Last year I was able to give grape jelly to several of the school staff at the end of the year. It’s a fun thing to give and it makes you look like you are a master in the kitchen even if all you can do is boil water! Rachelle Mullins is a mom of 5 babies 10, 8, 6, 2 and her new girl! Her husband works hard to allow her to stay at home with the family. She lives for and loves Adonai . He is the reason that everything else, is. Follow Rachelle’s outings, adventures, and household encouragements at http:// littlewifeontheprairie.blogspot.com/
Mitera Magazine is a free publication and no renumeration is provided for submitted material. However, contributors who write articles will be allowed a short biography which can include a direct link back to their blog, website, or facebook page. While all material will be considered for publication there is no guarantee that all submitted material can be published in Mitera. Mitera is currently published seasonally (4 times per year) and appropriate seasonal content is needed for each issue.
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The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down. Proverbs 21:20
Simple Service
123rf: Zhu Difeng
It’s Simple. God’s word instructs us to serve others. Beyond the scope of tending children, running a household, working inside and outside the home, and volunteering at school and church, we might just think we don’t have an ounce of ourselves left to give to anyone else. But we do. Here’s an easy and simple way to serve others without feeling like it’s a burden.
By Molly Lasater As a mom, there’s a certain place you are sure to frequent, and this place is in desperate need of God’s people showing some love. Even though this place isn’t exactly a singular place, it goes by the same name wherever you find it. Shopping malls, grocery stores, schools, churches, big box stores, even convenience stores…they all have them. Parking Lots. You might be thinking, “How in the world can I serve a parking lot?!” It’s not so much about serving the parking lot as it is about serving others while IN the parking lot. For instance, how many times have you been searching for that perfect parking spot, only to eye one from a distance away and make a crazy madwoman acceleration to get there before any other cars? (It’s okay. We’ve all done it.) Maybe you’ve even cut someone off to grab that spot? (Oh no, your secret is safe with me.) Well, let’s reevaluate our thinking here. Is this Christ-like behavior? Is this “putting others first”? I say we adopt a love attitude while in parking lots. The next time you seem to be in a race for a parking spot, slow down a bit, allow the other car to have it…..and grab the next available spot while thanking the good Lord for legs that allow you to walk! Be thankful that you are healthy and whole and that those extra 30 steps are nothing but a little more time to praise God for your able body as you walk toward the doors. There are other things you can do to show Christ’s love and serve others while in parking lots. They are: h Pick up a single piece of trash as you walk toward the store. I believe every store in America has a trash can right near their entrance. Imagine, if every person did this, that parking lot would be in pristine condition at all times!
h Grab a wandering shopping cart and either park it in the shopping cart corral or take it all the way into the store. This will save others’ cars from getting dings when the wind picks up and slams those lone carts into the nearest cars! (Yes, this has happened to me. The very first day that I owned my own first car. And yes, it pained be terribly to watch it in slow motion right before my very eyes!) h If you’re in an area where parking meters are in use, help someone out. Put a little change in a meter that has expired or is about to expire. Someone will be pleasantly surprised at the blessing you leave them! h When entering or exiting a parking lot, go ahead and pause for pedestrians. Hey, take it a step further even and actually SMILE at that person! Don’t look grumpy and disgruntled because you had to slow down or stop, but be happy. Show God’s love through your kindness and your smile! There may be other ways you can serve others while in parking lots. I hope you can easily start incorporating this attitude, and looking for ways to serve others, each time you are driving in a parking lot. I hope it makes a difference. And I hope other people can feel God’s love through your kindness. Molly Lasater is the founder and editor of Mitera Magazine. She is married to her bff and homeschools their three boys. Life is messy and busy, but through God’s enduring presence she is surviving and thriving amid all the craziness of having three boys in the house. Molly also owns her own photography business, Just Molly Photography. She would love for you to follow her on Mitera’s facebook page.
Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2
123rf: Iwona Grodzka
knowing the enemy
By Rebecca Ashbrook Carrell I could be married to the biggest Cowboys fan of all time. Early in our marriage, I realized that I had a choice: be a football widow from Pre-Season to Super Bowl, or get on board. I chose to get on board. Not only am I now a bona-fide fan, but I’ve been delighted to discover the spiritual parallels between football and the life of the believer. Long before a Nike hits the field, football players are in intense preparation. Rigorous training, regimented diets, and hours of practice start months in advance. Teammates and coaches watch hours of game footage leading up to Sunday’s contest. The goal is to learn the opposing team’s every nuance. They counter their strengths and exploit their weaknesses. By the time they face off on the field, they know their opponents well. As Christians, we are also in a battle. We face an enemy, and need to be equally prepared. It’s a delicate subject, one few Christians like to acknowledge. I was taught as a teen that Satan doesn’t exist and hell is not an actual place. While that is a seductive line of thinking, it’s also a symptom of “a la carte Christianity.” I like this verse, but not that one. I’ll take what Jesus said here, but we’ll pretend He never said this. There is just one problem with that line of thinking: The Bible.
The Old Testament mentions the adversary in 7 books - Genesis, First Chronicles, Job, Psalms, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Zechariah. In four of them (1 Chronicles, Job, Psalms, and Zechariah), he is mentioned by name. The New Testament mentions Satan in 19 of its 27 books, and every NT writer refers to his existence. Jesus mentions Satan 15 times. So let’s take a look at what we’re up against. Let’s watch some game footage of our opposition. In his first letter Peter writes, “Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour (5:8, NLT).” Lions rarely go for the alpha-male of the pack. They will wait; patiently watching for hours, even days, before picking off the weaker animals. They go after the sick, young or straggling. They like their prey alone, and vulnerable. Jesus calls us together as a team; as the Body of Christ. We allow ourselves to become easy prey when we isolate ourselves from a community of believers. Job 1:6-7 – One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan the Accuser came with them. “Where have
I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me. Psalm 41:11
you come from?” The LORD asked Satan. And Satan answered the LORD, “I have been going back and forth across the earth, watching everything that’s going on.” From this, we glean several facts. · Satan is our accuser. · Satan is compelled to appear before the LORD. · Satan is not omnipresent. God is not limited to time or space. He exists in yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He is in the great expanse of the universe, and in the tiniest molecule. He is everywhere at the same time. Satan, a created being, is under the laws governing time and space. Job 1:8-11 – Then the LORD asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth – a man of complete integrity. He fears God and will have nothing to do with evil.” Satan replied to the LORD, “Yes, Job fears God, but not without good reason! You have always protected him and his home and property from harm. You have made him prosperous in everything he does. Look how rich he is! But take away everything he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” I can almost hear the bitterness dripping from his voice. The enemy hates the Almighty and he hates His people. But Satan unwittingly gives us another piece of valuable information here. · He is not omnipotent. While powerful, he is limited. He needs permission to test us. · He is not omniscient. He is not all-knowing, and he cannot read minds or tell the future. If he could, he never would’ve picked on Job. Satan persecuted Job without mercy, and the end result? Job’s faith is strengthened, his fortunes are restored, and God blesses him twice as much as before. More game footage is found in the account of the temptation of Christ. Jesus is led, by the Holy Spirit, into the wilderness. Therefore we know that testing can come even when we’re doing exactly what we’re supposed to be doing. Matthew 4:2-3 – For forty days and forty nights he ate nothing and became very hungry. Then the Devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, change these stones into loaves of bread.”* Satan is patient and calculating. He waits until Jesus is hungry, thirsty, and tired. Then the great deceiver makes his move. And how does he tempt Him? With pride: “If you are the Son of God, change these stones into loaves of bread.” Prove that you are who you say you are, Jesus. He also misquotes Scripture. Matthew 4:5-6 – Then the devil took Him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He orders his angels to protect you. And they will hold you with their hands to keep
you from striking your foot on a stone.’” Some of the greatest evil has been done through the twisting of Scripture. The Ku Klux Klan posts verses from Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy and Leviticus on their website. Fred Phelps, the dubious “pastor” of the even more dubious Westboro Baptist “Church” in Topeka, Kansas, pickets military funerals, screaming the wrath of God, all while ripping verses out of context. Matthew 4:7 –Jesus responded, “No! The Scriptures also say, ‘Do not test the Lord your God.’” Jesus countered with Scripture every time. The Bible describes the Word of God as “alive and active; sharper than any doubleedged sword (Hebrews 4:12).” We must learn to wield our swords by speaking God’s truth over ourselves and our loved ones. We will always have trials; we will always face temptation. Where are you strong? Pray against pride. Where are you vulnerable? Know who you are in Christ! For years I bought into the enemy’s accusations, believing I was worthless. Put on the full armor of God. Ephesians 6:14-17 – Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared. In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Satan is real. Demons are real. There are points of Biblical theology where scholars disagree; interpretations that vary. But there are very few who argue the existence of an enemy. An enemy who knows his time is short; who knows his best tactic at the moment is to convince the world he doesn’t exist. How ironic. How this must ding his pride. Lucifer was once a mighty angel of highest rank – the cherubim. He resided in Eden with clothes “adorned with every precious stone – red carnelian, chrysolite, white moonstone, beryl, onyx, jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald…”(Ezekiel 28:13). He was called the angel of light, who “had access to the holy mountain of God and walked among the stones of fire.” (Ezekiel 28:14). It was his pride that caused his fall. Hold up your shield of faith. Know the Word of God. Satan is powerless against Jesus. Know your enemy, and know your defense. To live a life in fear, imagining demons around every corner, gives him power. So does living in ignorance. Know what you stand for, and know the One who stands beside you. Above all else, live in victory, and remember John 16:33 – “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”* *Emphasis from author. *All rights reserved. For quoting purposes, please contact RebeccaCarrell@gmail.com. Rebecca Ashbrook Carrell is a Christ follower, wife to Mike, and mother to Caitlyn and Nick. She has been a radio personality in the DFW area since 1998, and can be heard on 90.9 KCBI. She also makes the rounds as a conference speaker and retreat leader. The desire God has put on her heart is to help women to love like He loves, serve like He served, and shine His light for all to see. Find out more at http://www.LoveServeShine.com.
I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me. Psalm 41:11
School Memory Books
A great way to preserve your child’s special work each year! By Becky Zale Memory Books were something I enjoyed making back when I was teaching in a classroom and it’s something I want to do for our own children now that we’re homeschooling. I think School Memory Books are something special you can do whether you homeschool or not because it’s a nice way to save the extra special projects your child makes during the school year.
School Memory Books are easy to make. As you can see from this picture, I make a cover page for my large 3 ring binder. I then use sheet protectors throughout the book because they keep everything nice and neat and you can utilize both sides of the sheet protector. Plus, they’re great for containing things that might have little pieces to it or that need to be folded up due to size like this story below.
When I taught in the classroom, I did one book per year. Now that I’m starting them for our homeschooling family, my goal is to continue to add to one large Memory Book with a page divider between each of the school years.
Becky Zale photos
How to Make a School Memory Book
When I was a teacher, I typed up a little synopsis of what we learned in particular units. But, if you’re doing this as a parent using what your child has brought home from school, then you can just pick your favorite things to add.
All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace. Isaiah 54:13
Becky Zale photos
I also like to include some of my favorite stories that our children wrote during the school year and, as you can see in the picture above, I also type up what some of our favorite days were from the year (e.g. Camping Day, Cowboy Day, President’s Day, etc.)
One of our President’s Day activities—putting each of our children’s picture on a dollar bill (The how-to is included here) It is fun adding pictures of our children enjoying those Theme Days as well. The wonderful thing about making each child’s memory book is that you can customize it to make it as special or as simple as you want. It is so easy to just slip their special assigments and creations into the plastic sleeves that are already attached inside the binder!
Becky is a simple girl who is passionate about making a home for her family. She realizes that having a husband and children are a blessing and she wants to be purposeful in making life beautiful for them. You can find her blogging at Purposeful Homemaking where she shares recipes, homeschooling ideas, curriculum reviews, money-saving tips, and healthy living inspiration.
A book like this will be such a treasure to our family for years to come!
we’re hungry... and waiting. send your Tried & True recipes to MiteraMagazine@gmail.com
All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace. Isaiah 54:13
from deprived to revived!
as hom T d char f: Ri r 3 2 1
loving yourself through God’s good food
By Casey Sollock I was never really interested in health. It was clinical, boring, restrictive, and blah (do you like my technical term?). The only thing that came to mind when I thought about health was my uninspired 9th grade health class that put me to sleep every time I walked in the door. Fast forward a few years, and I was confused and frustrated by all the conflicting dietary theories out there…so, I just basically ignored anything having to do with health and nutrition, and enjoyed any salty snack I could get my hands on. Then my health started messing with my life purpose. I knew God had me on this planet for a reason, and I was finally beginning to find my way with the unique talents and gifts He has given me. But, for each step forward that I took into my purpose, my health would take me a few steps back. I had a very weak immune system and was getting sick all the time. I was constantly tired and was unable to live my purpose with passion and energy. As a mompreneur, I ate whatever I could eat on the run, without really giving it a second thought. My daily nutrition consisted of Dr. Pepper, bagels, cereal, and pretzels, with a salad on occasion. After getting one small illness after another, then came the flu, strep throat, and pink eye, all at the same time. Eight weeks later, I got Shingles! I’m telling you, I was a mess. I had lost my shine and needed to find it again. Something had to change. God needed me healthy so I could fulfill His plan for me. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (MSG) says, “You realize, don’t you, that you are the temple of God, and God himself is present in you? No one will get by with vandalizing God’s temple, you can be sure of that. God’s temple is sacred—and you, remember, are the temple.” Well, I was definitely not treating my body as God’s temple. It was more like a spare room where you throw everything you don’t want any more. My body didn’t want that food I was putting into it, that’s for sure! But, as I plunged into the world
of health, I knew I didn’t want to be focused on calories, diet, and restriction. I couldn’t only be focused on the physical aspect of health. I needed a holistic approach that connected mind, body, and spirit for total wellness. God had to be at the center of my health journey because He was the reason I wanted to get healthy. So, instead of focusing on restriction and denial, I began loving myself through delicious nourishment. I started adding in lots of highly nutritious stuff to my daily nutrition, instead of telling myself I couldn’t have this and couldn’t have that. I got brave and tried a green smoothie for the first time in my whole life… and I LOVED it. I wondered why I hadn’t been drinking those powerful green drinks for my whole life! The more yummy leafy greens, fruits, and veggies I ate, the more I wanted. And, the more of that good stuff that I ate, the less I craved the processed, sugared, packaged foods that were wreaking havoc on my body. I was connecting daily with God and began practicing consistent stress reduction. And, instead of doing boring exercise, I began doing a lot more PLAY…physical activity that I actually enjoyed! I completely changed the way I thought about health, and I was on the road to recovery. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” I finally took that verse to heart! He put so much delicious goodness on this planet for us to enjoy, if we would just stick with those foods, as close to nature as possible, we would all have glowing health. He knows exactly what our bodies need to function optimally because He made them! Our society has gotten so far away from God’s plan for our health that it’s no wonder disease runs rampant on American streets. The good news is that our bodies can heal themselves when given half a chance. I’ve seen diabetes and cancer cured when people eat whole foods. God knew what He was doing with food.
He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate— bringing forth food from the earth. Psalm 104:14
So, how do you begin getting healthy? You just start to add in the good stuff! Add in lots of green leafy veggies, juicy fruit, whole grains, and water. Add in a green smoothie! Add in some daily play time that will get your heart pumping and oxygen flowing through your body. Add in daily stress reduction. Add in some daily time with God so you can hear Him as He directs your steps into your life purpose. Remember, it’s not about restriction and denial. It’s about loving that body God gave you so much that you want to give it exactly what it needs to serve you well for a lifetime. When you do that, when you add in lots of alkalizing, delicious whole foods, your health will fall into place. Weight will begin to fall off. Energy will increase. Brain fog will lift. Skin will begin to glow. You will be more joyful and more confident. And, you will be able to live into your God-given purpose with passion and energy. It’s time to rise up, reclaim your health, and rock your radiance. That’s how God intended it!
Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 (MSG) Casey is the founder of SheShinesWellnessRevolution.com. She is a women’s speaker, health consultant, and passionate smoothie sipper! Her mission is to empower women everywhere to take charge of their health and live life with passion and energy! Casey’s philosophy is to add in the good stuff, which crowds out the bad. She hates diets, calorie counting, and restriction. She loves dark chocolate, playtime, and connecting mind/body/spirit for total wellness. She shares the goodness of greens and the simplicity of smoothies with everyone she meets! (Watch out…you’re next!) Casey is leading a wellness revolution of women who are reclaiming their health and rocking their radiance! Email her at caseyesollock@gmail.com to schedule your complimentary health consultation.
Click the photo above to see a hilarious video, “Momisms,” by Anita Renfroe. It’s a 3 minute rendition of things we all say on a daily basis to our kiddos, and it’s nothing short of amazing! Also, be sure to check out www.anitarenfroe.com to see Anita’s speaking and engagement schedule as well as more videos by Anita. I have a feeling you will also love the videos, “In Tha Muthahood” and “All the Wrinkled Ladies.”
We pray that you are blessed by what you read in this magazine...that you find motivation, enouragement, and clarity that all line up with the word of God. Please share this free magazine with your church, your friends, and your family by emailing the link or sharing it on facebook! Mitera Magazine is free so that ALL Christian women can be blessed by the content! Share this resource as a blessing to other moms around the world!
For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light. Matthew 11:30