Hebrew Word of the Week

Olah: Offering of rising or ascent. An offering made by fire unto YHWH, the highest order of sacrifice. Meaning ascention. It represents complete submission to YHWH's will because the ENTIRE offering is given to YHWH. Greek translation= holocaustos (holocaust/sacrifice).

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Waiting on YHWH


The Ripening Apple

When you take a bite of an apple that’s not ripe, the problem isn’t with the apple; the problem is we didn’t wait for the tree to get to the place where the apple is ripe. It’s our timing that's the problem, not the apple itself, nor the tree.

This is a powerful message, because it reminds us that  people suffer from the same problem.  Like the apple, our spiritual process of "ripening" may not yet be complete. That means we cannot beat ourselves up because we sometimes get angry, sad or depressed, or because we haven’t reached our goals or benchmarks.
We’re a work in progress. We are the fruit not yet ripe for the picking. Would you cut down a tree because it gives unripe apples? No. You would be patient and have trust in the process.  The same is true for us all. 
Y. Berg


  We are a work in Abba's hand.  In His time and His time alone, we become complete but our hearts must be willing and searching for YHWH.  I read something a while back that has stuck in my head since I read it.  I think about it often.  It said this:  
"Search for God like a man with his head on fire searches for water."  

It may sound funny but imagine if we searched for Him with such intensity.   

Trust in the process...In His hand and in His time all things will be complete...that's how He works, He completes what He does.  And while we wait, we seek Him and we wait on Him.  We search for Him like "man with his head on fire searches for water."

Friday, December 7, 2012

HOPE



We are heirs of YHWH and we have not received the spirit of bondange to fear but the spirit of adoption is upon us so that we may cry, Abba Father!  Rom 8:15

(We are His heritage...we belong to Him and He wants us to recognize we are His children and His promises are for every generation...even this one!!!  No more bondage to fear, YHWH is on our protector and provider!)

We are saved by hope but hope that is seen is not hope!!!  For if you see it, you do not hope for it-but if we hope for what we do not see, then do we patiently wait (while hoping). Rom 8:24

(Abe hoped for what He did not yet see (the birth of Isaac)...For contrary to hope he hoped, that he might become the Father of many nations, according to that which YWHW had spoken...and being not weak in his faith Abe did not even consider his own body now dead when he was about 100 years old, neither did he consider the deadness of Sarah's womb:  he STAGGERED NOT in unbelief at the promise of YHWH but was strong in faith GIVING GLORY TO YHWH and being fully persuaded that what YHWH had promised He was able to perform! Rom 4:18-21)

Hope in YHWH.  He doesn't fail:)

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Giving Praise to YHWH

Giving Praise to YHWH before the children of men!!!

  I am writing today to give honor and glory to my Heavenly Father who has delivered my soul from death as David says in his 116th Psalm!  I love that Psalm, it speaks loudly of YHWH's mercy and praises Him for His lovingkindness.

Here is the note from my last appointment with the cardiologist and the report from the stress test they did:

Myocardial Perfusion Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography.

History: Chest pressure  and abnormal exercise stress test in a
48-year-old female with congenital atresia of left main coronary
ostium with collateral flow supplying her left coronary artery and
hyperlipidemia. To assess for inducible ischemia.


Findings:

Baseline ECG revealed normal sinus rhythm, normal axis, normal R-wave
progression and NSST changes inferolaterally. Patient ran on treadmill
according to Bruce protocol for total of 06:30 min:s, reaching stage 3
to achieve 7.70 METS. Exercise was terminated due to completed
protocol. During peak exercise, patient reported no chest pain, no
signs of ischemia were seen on ECG. Resting heart rate of 76 bpm rose
to max of 160 bpm. Blood pressure was 102/50 at rest and increased to
134/70.

Stress images in supine position show a  small area of mildly reduced
activity in the distal inferolateral wall, which normalizes on prone
images and is consistent with attenuation artifact. Otherwise there is
normal distribution of the radiopharmaceutical in the left ventricle.
No reversible perfusion defect identified to suggest inducible
ischemia. Poststress ECG-gated images show no regional wall motion
abnormalities in the left ventricle with an estimated LVEF>60% and
end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) of 44 mL.
 




Result Impression 


Impression:  Normal exercise stress myocardial perfusion scan;
estimated LVEF > 60%.
 

Note the impression or results:  Normal exercise stress test!
 

YHWH has been so very merciful to me and has given me a good report from the cardiologist.  He has kept me from surgery and is helping me.  My body has taken quite a hit in this trial.  During all this I learned that worry means to choke or to strangle...it actually chokes out your life!!!  Proverbs 29:25 says Fear is a "snare" unto man but whoso puts his trust in YHWH shall be safe.  Anxiety and fear take a huge toll on a body even though I tried so very hard not to be afraid and had to repent of it on many, many occasions.  I am now recovering from digestive problems that occurred during this time and a weight loss of about 15#, which may not sound like much but I only weighed about 110# when this all started so I am at about 95# today.   David said in one of his Psalms that he had jumped over a wall and run through a troop...that is how I felt, too.  YHWH continues to touch my body and is helping me, and I give Him thanks for His great mercy and His promises.

I am now exercising again and eating things that are healthy and easily digestible. YHWH is gracious to steadily restore my energy, as it is improving by Him!  I have to learn to listen to my body and rest when I need to so that by Abba's hand my healing will continue.

This Psalm is my song of praise to YHWH:


Psa 116:1  I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. 
Psa 116:2  Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. 
Psa 116:3  The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. 
Psa 116:4  Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul. 
Psa 116:5  Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful. 
Psa 116:6  The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me. 
Psa 116:7  Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee. 
Psa 116:8  For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. 
Psa 116:9  I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living. 
Psa 116:10  I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted: 
Psa 116:11  I said in my haste, All men are liars. 
Psa 116:12  What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me? 
Psa 116:13  I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. 
Psa 116:14  I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people. 
Psa 116:15  Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. 
Psa 116:16  O LORD, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds. 
Psa 116:17  I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD. 
Psa 116:18  I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people, 
Psa 116:19  In the courts of the LORD'S house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD. 


Thank you YHWH for your mercy to me and my family.  I praise you for you are the lifter of my head, my strength, my hope, my salvation, my song, my redeemer, provider, breath, bread, water, my life!  Thank you for you have heard my prayer.


Sunday, May 27, 2012

On Bended Knee


I had to post this for myself...it came at such perfect timing...I found this at one of the blogs where I have found encouragement on more than one occasion.  I was in awe how amazingly fitting it was for me, even in the words she chose to write it. I want to share it here...

Abba is always at work, isn't he!


i found it here:


On Bended Knee

Behold, the handmaiden of the Lord, be it unto me according to Your word. (Luke 1:38)
I am not sure if all the ‘ details’ of this struggle are Your will, but, these are my circumstance right now—I cannot change my circumstances, I have tried (in vain!)
All I can do is trust You.  Wait upon You.  Oh, I could fight and thrash and fuss and whine about it. (which I have, sadly)  Or, I could rest and trust and wait.
For, YOU,  Maker of the universe know my name and have formed me for Your very own.  You hold my fragile heart, with all its wild passions and dreams in Your hands.  You love me with a deep and everlasting love
Your thoughts towards me are of peace and hope.  You do all things well.  ALL things. (period)  I was created for Your glory, show me how to best represent You in my circumstances.
A love so divine . . . demands my soul, my life, my all.
We all have secret dreams, hidden struggles or difficult circumstances, right?  I purposely didn’t share the specifics of my current ‘struggles’ because they really are irrelevant.  The answer is the same no matter the circumstances, the dreams surrendered, the struggle or pain. 
He loves us. Period
We were created for HIS glory, not our comfort or wants.  Period
There is but one position, on bended knee, bowing before our King, saying, ‘behold, the handmaiden of the Lord, be it unto me according to Your word.’
The enemy may roar, but this is, by far, the safest, most glorious place we could be.
Blessings,
Michelle
                       Thank you for these beautiful words Abba and thank you Michelle for writing them!  Abba, you are always on time and always worthy of all praise! 

Saturday, May 26, 2012

A New Diagnosis

Well, it almost seems strange (but why would it since nothing is by chance) that I started a new blog and named it, "Chronicles of a Journey" because here I am, about to chronicle a journey that YHWH has determined.  This particular journey began for us on April 23, 2012. 

I am a 47 y/o married, mother of 3 and I recently received a very odd diagnosis from the doctors after being admitted to the hospital with some pressure in my chest.  After getting an EKG in the ER, the doctor felt it would be a good idea to stay over night and have a stress test (walk on a tread mill while having an EKG and ultra sound of my heart) the next morning, just to be on the "safe side."  I reluctantly agreed because my family wanted me to do it.  I was very nervous but we all thought it would be fine once it was finally done.  A while after the test was done the doctors came into my room and said the stress test had returned abnormal.  None of us, even the doctors were expecting that.  Now the doctors want me to stay overnight for an angio gram, this is where they go through your femoral artery in your thigh with a wire into your heart with a dye to see if there are any blockages.  This is where it gets crazy...during the angio gram, the doctor says to me, "my dear, you are a medical miracle!" He had found that I was born without a left main artery in my heart.  Abba has provided collateral circulation from my right main artery and really it is a miracle what He has done in for me. 

After the diagnosis the cardiologists come back into my room after they had reviewed the angio and said that they wanted to do bypass surg. which I really couldn't imagine, ever!!!  After much prayer and again (I believe) being lead by Abba's hand, went for a second opinion with a congenital heart specialist (that is another long story and I'm leaving a lot out).  I had been advised by a congenital specialist, who I found by divine intervention(??) to see a congenital specialist in my area because they are better equipped to deal with congenital issues than general cardiologists.  The specialists looked at my tests and felt that while there were some abnormalities in the heart function, I was not in immediate danger and could take a medicine called a beta blocker for about a month and then return to see them and talk about having the stress test re-done.  This was music to my ears!

I do not want to take this medicine but have prayed for the wisdom of these doctors to advise me.  I have really been in quite a trial in this matter because I don't want to limit what Abba is able to do because of my fear. 

Please pray for my family and me that Abba will continue to lead us in His great mercy and please entreat Abba for peace in my mind and for Him to strengthen my body as this has been quite taxing on my physically and emotionally.  (**I want you to know that I do have quite a bit more energy than I did when I first came home!!)

Abba has been very kind in dealing with me and He has shown me some amazing things... One of them He gave me before going into the angio gram, it was the verses out of Is. 43-44 which He says (I'm shortening this) I do a new thing now it shall spring forth shall you not know it...I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert...And, Thus saith YHWH that made thee, I formed thee from the womb, which will help thee, fear not O Jacob, I will pour water on the thirsty ground...I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shall not be forgotten of me.

He gave me those scriptures before I went in and found out the diagnosis.  I thought they were comforting before the test but they seemed so much more personal and prophetic to me once the doctor explained the results of the test.  That is one of many things YHWH has done since April 23 when this all began for us.  In all His wonderous goodness though, my frail flesh is still calling on Him for peace and complete healing, if it is His good will.

If you read this, will you please call on YHWH's people to remember us and ask for YHWH's good mercies toward us.  He has been wonderful and been so kind to us.  He is able to do over what I can ask or even think, HalleluYah!  His hand is upon us!

There are so many details I have not included here.  Abba has been so good and so close.  I must give Him thanks for His unlimited love and for taking me through this all.

To my family, thank you for loving this gal:)  You all are a rock to me and I love you so very much.  I thank Abba for you all every single day and I give thanks for the blessing of this amazing life He has given me...and repented sorely for my complaints, when I should of been thankful. 
 
 
Shalom and blessings

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Excerpts on Forgiveness: Part2


An Excerpt from "Living A Life That Matters, ch. 4"

"Are you strong enough to forgive?  Or is the notion of getting even the only power you have over someone who has hurt you?"  Forgiveness, I try to tell them, is a favor we do ourselves, not a favor we do the the other guy.

...you read in the book of Deuteronomy (23:7), "You shall not hate an Egyptian because you were strangers in his land."  You are not to hate the Egyptians for having mistreated you so badly, not because they deserve your forgiveness but because you deserve better than to be permanently mired in the bitterness of the past.  As long as your soul is corroded by hatred, you are still their slave. 

At the Passover Seder, when (we) celebrate the memory of the Exodus from Egypt, we taste a bitter herb before the meal to recall the bitterness of slavery, then immediately override the bitter taste with matzo and wine, which are symbols of liberation (freedom!).  (we are now free from all bondage because of YHWH's words to us...don't hate, forgive!)

Once we realize that the thirst for revenge is really a need to reclaim power (that the person or situation held over us) and shed the role of victim, we can find ways of meeting that need without hurting another person and compromising our own goodness.


Note:


I like the words about not having to compromise our own good.  I have read that the Jewish people believe that it is their duty (since they were chosen to receive YHWH's instructions) to bring good (G-D) into the world.  So likewise, if we are the children of Israel it is our job as well and when we lash out and do hurtful things, we are not fulfilling that role.  


Please understand when I make this note, I do understand how complicated it is to work through situations where forgiveness is required.  I do know that deep hurt is often involved along with many other emotions.  I will not attempt to minimize this topic...it is not small.  We too have had to deal with these topics. I write these words to myself, to remember and encourage myself that we must move forward.  When I stop being able to move forward, then I am bound.  YHWH doesn't want me bound to anyone or anything but Him.  I am thankful knows our needs.


I thought this was a timely observation, being so close to Passover.


Blessings 





Saturday, April 21, 2012

An Excerpt from: Living A Life That Matters





What is the difference between revenge and bearing a grudge?


This is an excerpt from the book, "Living A Life That Matters."

Jews are told in the Torah, "You shall not hate your brother in your heart," and the great commandment in Leviticus 19:18, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," is preceded by the words "You shall not take revenge or bear a grudge."  A commentator on the Jewish legal code defines taking revenge as saying, "I won't lend you my garden hose, because when you borrowed my shovel, you broke it."
And bearing a grudge is saying, "I'll lend you my garden hose, even though when you borrowed my shovel you broke it."
BUT the attitude we should strive for is to say "I'll lend you my garden hose because you're my neighbor."

It is cleansing to forgive, to rid your soul of bitterness which is an inevitable ingredient of plotting revenge against the person who has hurt you.  If we fantasize about getting even and never act on it, which is what most of us do, we end up embittering ourselves and not affecting the other person at all.  I remember telling a divorcee who was still angry at her ex-husband for having left her ten years earlier, "Look at what you've been doing all these years.  You've been standing here in Massachusetts holding a hot coal in our hand, waiting for your ex-husband to walk by so you can throw it at him.  Meanwhile, he has been living happily in New Jersey with his new family, and you've burned your hand waiting."


A few thoughts


I like the description above because I think sometimes when we try to understand our own hearts it's hard to do because we're unsure what some sins really look like if I don't have a clear definition.   I also like the reminder given in the description of the woman holding the hot coal.  The only one being hurt by the anger or desire for revenge she is holding onto is her.  It's so sad, but it's her.  It's so odd that we will hold onto things like that.  You'd think we'd want to drop them and run from them as fast as possible but our first child like response is for me to hit you  because you hit me!



"Forgive" defined
1.  To give up resentment
2.  To grant relief from payment


I think, in a way, forgiveness is a form a acceptance of YHWH's will.  When we do it, we agree that He is in control of all things and that He knows what is best.  We accept that He will judge righteously one day. And if we are following Him, He will direct our steps and He will provide what we need.  If we have strayed away from Him, He will allow us to reap what we sew...but He will forgive us and heal us if we return.  


Forgiveness is such a big subject, I just wanted to remember this tid bit from the book.  I love inspiring thoughts. 


Ps 103:12 As far as the east is from the west...that's how far YHWH has moved our transgressions from us.


He has put our wrong doing against Him in a place that I and my wrong doing never shall meet. He wants us to be like Him.



Saturday, April 14, 2012

Passover 2012

Passover 2012 has come and gone, once again.  As always, I had a great time with the family here.  Craig opened the evening with blessings for each of us and Megan lit the candles, which was a special blessing for me:)

We are blessed to be allowed this time together.  And more than that, we are blessed for the reason we come together...to remember.  We remember the freedom given to the children of Israel by YHWH through the hand of Moses.  We remember the redemption given to the children of Israel by YHWH through Yahushuah's death.   And, we look forward to the final restoration of all things given by YHWH at Yahshuah's final return.  This season is really an amazing time of remembering what has been and what is yet to be!

Thanks for spending it with me, family.  It was a blessing to share it with you!

Here are a few pics of our preparation for the Passover as we teach our little ones to remember, also...




No Passover story is complete without Moses and Pharoah.


Cut out foam figures of...well, you know.



The water turns to blood !


Here's B after completing the "plagues of Egypt"  She's not happy about the plagues, just smiling for the camera:)


And, my all time favorite this year is this one,  the house with the blood painted on the mantle.  B liked doing this one the best.  She said she was painting "brud" (aka blood) on the mantle.


This one is funny.  We had a little trouble getting in position for our family photo this year and we just couldn't get ourselves in the right place at the right time.  It was a hoot and we laughed at ourselves but we will remember it just fine:)


Corey, Megan and B together before Corey and Megan head off for TX for a few days of sun...and to scope out the land!

Abba, thank you for what you have provided for us:  the gift of Yahushuah.
Yahushuah, thank you for what you have sacrificed for us:  Your life, so that we might have eternal life.
Passover, an amazing gift worthy to be remembered...the REAL STORY that links the past to the future because He is "The Beginning and the End."

May we be found worthy because of the Lamb of YHWH

Next Year in Jerusalem!

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Passover, it's almost here! Preparing to "Remove the Leaven From Our Lives" (a video worth your time)

Passover is almost here!  I'm get so excited over all the preparation and anticipation, I love this time of year!  I love our family getting together for this set- apart time to remember the sacrifice that covers us.  I thought about how we are actually entering the time of the season that Yahshuah gave His life in such a violent sacrifice for us all!  What a time it must of been for Him and all who knew or knew of Him!!  It's really quite hard to consider.  Since we are remembering such an awesome, AWESOME sacrifice, we have to ask ourselves if we REALLY understand what removing leaven (sin) from our lives, not just our homes, means...I have something for you (and it was for me, too)!

Removing the Leaven From Your Life (a 50 min. video, worthy of your time.)
I just watched this video from Jim Staley at Passion For Truth  It is a very eye opening teaching.  It hurt me a little because I know that his words addressed my own heart.  In the video called "Removing the Leaven From Your Life", Jim explains what leaven is (pride and arrogance) and he also likens it to the scripture that says, "all the commandments hang on these two commandments: love YHWH with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself, which, if we do, leads to blessings.  Because, likewise, all the sins (in our lives) hang off the sin of pride (doing things my way), which leads to the curses.

This video is worth the watch and opened my eyes to a practical understanding of leaven in our lives.  I hope you can watch this before the Feast!




Psa 139:23  Search me, O Äšl, and know my heart; Try me, and know my thoughts; 
Psa 139:24  And see if an idolatrous way is in me, And lead me in the way everlasting. 

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Porch of Dreams...

I LOVE screened in porches!!!  We recently had some damage done to a wall on the South side of our house where our deck is.  We have to remove some windows and ( a lot of stuff) were thinking that an area for a summer kitchen would be nice, NOTHING expensive  FANCY!  Then I saw this...Okay, now "I HAVE A DREAM!"  I ran across this picture (it came in my e-mail from BHG...No, I didn't go looking for it, (smile) and thought, "oh, wouldn't that be just nice."  As I mused all the possibilities, no bugs to bother me while I sit out side...the little ones could play out there...cool evenings, cool mornings, dinner, breakfast, snacks, cards, fickering lights, no bugs, did I say that already?...must I go on?

Natural Wonder Porch

Here she is, aint she a beauty?  Just what the doctor ordered.

Now, actually we really do have to fix that wall but it will be something VERY non-extravagant, so, I'm just messin' around a little here BUT it is nice to look at, isn't it?

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Passover 2012 Menu Plan

 Passover is quickly approaching:)  
and we will be observing it on the eve of Friday, April 6 this year.  Having all our children celebrating it with us is a most blessed occasion in our lives.  

We served this tenderloin recipe last year and really liked it and the molten lava cake has been served at our Passover table for the last 3 years now.  This is such an amazing occasion in so many ways, I can't help but be excited by it's coming each year!

The Menu
Peppered Horseradish Beef Tenderloin
Mashed potatoes 
Molten lava cake
Wine 
Sparkling grape juice
Salad
(And, of coarse, the usual seder elements:)

The Recipes
Peppered Horseradish Tenderloin
1  2-3# Beef tenderloin
(rub with coarse sea salt the night before and place in refrig. uncovered...about 18 hrs. or so total)
2 Tbsp. prepared horse radish
1 Tbsp. Evoo
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1 tsp Kosher salt (I use sea salt)
2 tsp fresh ground pepper
Creamy horse radish sauce (recipe to follow)

Preheat oven to 400*
Combine horseradish, evoo and dijon mustard in a bowl
Mix the salt and pepper, then rub it all over the top of the tenderloin
Coat the top of the meat with the horse radish mixture.  (I let this sit on the meat for about an hr. before cooking the meat)

Then I cooked the meat for about 1 hr. to an internal temp of about 155*.  This may be to well done for some, however, we do not like the meat bloody or too pink)
Remove from the oven and tent with foil for about 10 min. in which the internal temp will raise another 5* bringing it to 160*.

Your meat should be very tender and well flavored.

Creamy Horse Radish Sauce
1&1/4 c sour cream
1/3 cup prepared horse radish
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp fresh ground pepper

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and chill until ready to serve.  Serve with tenderloin.
(*This may be made in advance and kept in the fridg. for up to 3 days)

Molten Lava Cake
6 sq. Bakers semi sweet chocolate
10 Tbsp butter
1 1/2c powdered sugar
1/2 c flour
3 whole eggs
3 egg yokes

Heat oven to 425*
Butter and flour 5- 6 remakins and place on a cookie sheet.
whisk your eggs well and set aside.
Put powdered sugar and flour into a mixing bowl and mix well.
Melt butter and chocolate together and whisk till mixed well then add to sugar and flour mix and add eggs and beat until well blended.
Pour into prepared remakins (just about half way) and place in preheated oven for 14-15 min., until outside is firm around the edges but will be gooey (lava like) in the center.
You can serve in the remakin or loosen edges and serve on plates while still warm.
Top with powdered sugar or home made whipped topping if you'd like...but it's just as yummy all by itself!







My younger boys and Craig really like this cake and I think it pretty darn tasty...rich but very tasty!

If you've never cooked a tenderloin before check out some instructions for removing the silverskin or have your butcher remove it for you.  

Here's a ditty on how to remove silverskin from tenderloin
Tenderloins all have an area of connective tissue known as silverskin for its silvery-white appearance. Silverskin doesn't dissolve when the tenderloin is cooked, so it needs to be trimmed away.

Position the tip of a boning knife about 1/2 to 1 inch from one end of the visible silverskin. Push the tip under a strip of silverskin about 1/2 to 3/4 inch wide. Angle the knife slightly up toward the silverskin as you slide the knife down the tenderloin, freeing the silverskin. Use your free hand to hold the silverskin taut as you cut. If your knife isn't extremely sharp, you may need to use a slight sawing motion to work down the tenderloin. Once you've cut all the way through the end of the strip, turn the knife around and cut off the end that's still attached. Repeat until all the silverskin is gone.

Happy Passover (Pesach) planning and preparation!

Exo 12:48  And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof. 

Monday, March 26, 2012

Lessons Learned (okay, I'm still learning:)

This is 'ole Max.  He looks pretty comfortable.  Wouldn't it be great if we  felt this comfortable all the time?  

In our lives, we're often hopping around trying to adjust ourselves around or away from discomfort (physical and emotional) in order to evade the reality of grief and nuisance.  But life is full of discomfort.  When we learn that grief and nuisance are inevitable and sometimes unavoidable we must also learn that there will be times we must plant ourselves in quiet stillness,  for in time, we learn that EVERYTHING (both the uncomfortable AND the lovely) do pass. E.P.L. (paraphrased)



Ecc 3:1  To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 

Words I want to remember.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Cloth Baby Wipes

The Project
This is my (learn how to use this sewing machine) sewing project.  These are double sided flannel baby wipes.  They measure 4"x8".  I thought I'd use this simple but useful sewing project to  practice with the sewing machine given to us by Craig's grandmother.  I've always wanted to learn to sew.  It is such an amazing skill.  So, I'm starting here before I tackle my skirts.

This machine is not a serger so I don't think I came as close to the edges as I need to.  Not sure just yet how or if this will effect how they wear.


What I Did
I made a 4"x8" cardboard pattern and used quarters to round the corners of the pattern. I used flannel but you can use cotton or terry cloth but it's not recommended to use fleece, it just smears the mess around.  I traced around the pattern and cut the pieces out and sewed the flannel pieces together.  A very sweet blogger who I meant on Messianic Keepers at Home  (Hi Yahkheena, if you're out there!) suggested that I straight stitch around the edges then zig zag the edges to help minimize fraying.

I really like these.  The only thing I think I will change is the size, I think a 6"x8" would work a little better.  This 4"x8" feels just a little sparce for a really messy mess.  These little fellas are just plain nice wipes no matter how you decide to use them, face or bottoms, they're super soft!

Thank you YahKheena for encouraging me to try sewing.  This is what she told me after I told her I was kind of afraid to just jump into sewing, she said, "We can do ALL things through Messiah who strengthens us...that includes learning to run our sewing machines!"  That was exactly what I needed to hear!

I'll keep practicing:)


Saturday, March 10, 2012

Removing Leaven From Our Home for the Feast of Unleavened Bread


  

This is just a reminder for myself.   Removing leaven for the Feast of Unleavened Bread has become a lot easier than it was when we first began observing YHWH's feasts because in the beginning, we didn't understand what "leavened bread" really meant.  Here are the guidelines we currently follow in our home:

1.  We put out all bread products that have yeast, baking soda, baking powder or sour dough in them.  We do not throw out baking soda or baking powder though.
2.  Beer and grain alcohol are also fermented grains so these would be put out as well.  Some might also put out distilled white vinegar and soy sauce.
3.  We do not put out pasta as it does not contain leavening agents.
4.  Kefir grains do not need to be thrown out as they are not used to ferment grains.  Yogurt would also be fine to be kept in the house.
5.  Wine is also fermented but it is not a grain, thus acceptable to consume and keep in the home over the feast.
6.  We also do not put out items that might contain autolyzed yeast (like canned soups, etc).  It is a dead yeast and is only used for flavoring.  It will not leaven because it's dead.  (Since we have limited processed foods in our diet, we have little if any of these things in our home now.)

It is important to remember that this is the Feast of Unleavened Bread (bread is a grain product) so we want to remove grains that have come into contact with leavening agents.  So, it's pretty simple now for us to understand what will have to be removed.


Exo 12:19  Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Everyday, I Choose...


Every new day I wake up, put my feet on the floor and I choose. Each day I am allowed a choice to choose anger or understanding, bitterness or acceptance, darkness or light. The choices we make will ultimately reveal the stuff we're made of. 
-Physician's Rx by Jordan Rubin

I like to remember this.

This is a re-post from my other blog.


Saturday, February 11, 2012

Things I've Learned...

Things I've learned that are transforming my mind...


I'm learning to live my life in the here and now.  Yesterday is history and tomorrow is a mystery but today is a gift, that's why it's called "The Present."
unknown




Saturday, February 4, 2012

Projects I Want to Do



I love these skirt projects so much I'd wear them myself except I'd make the Twirl Skirt longer with lots of twirl and funky contrasting fabrics.  So, so cute!

The patterns can be purchased on the links provided above.

"Learn not to squirm when discomfort comes...This too is part of life and you can learn to experience this just as you can experience comfort."
E.P.L.

Projects I Want to Do



I love this skirt!  I love that you can recycle a pair of jeans you don't wear any more AND I love that you can get really creative with the fabric center piece.  I have fabric and jeans to make this but I am lacking courage to do it...  You know what they say:  "You  miss all of the shots not taken."  How bad could I mess it up?

Here are the instructions to make it happen minus the pics:

I found it here at Husqvarna

Jeans skirt with patch work wedges

This vintage chic skirt is made from an old pair of jeans and a paisley patterned denim fabric that is
decorated with patch work stitching. Use a pair of worn jeans or purchase a pair from a second hand shop.
 Sewing Supplies
.Husqvarna Viking Emma sewing machine
.A pair of jeans that fits around the waist and hips
.Paisley patterned denim fabric or print fabric of your choice
.Pictogram Pen
.Husqvarna Viking Tear Away‘ Stabilizer
.30 wt. Sulky Rayon Embroidery thread in a yellow/golden color
.Yellow sewing thread

BEFORE  YOU SEW
Remove the stitches from the inner leg seams of the jeans from pant leg hem to the crotch seam with a
seam ripper. Open the front crotch-seam to just below the zipper, and the back crotch seam the entire
curved part and half of the straight seam, as illustrated.VSM Group AB • 561 84 Hus k v a rna ,  S verige
www. h u s q v a r n av i k i n g . c om

On the front, lay the left side of the crotch seam over the right
side of the crotch seam and pin in place. (The seam will look like
a “J”). Repeat for back.
To make the wedges, slide a piece of paisley patterned fabric
underneath the front opening. With a Pictogram pen, trace the
“triangle” shape that is created by the unstitched legs. Repeat for
back. Cut out the triangles at least 2” (5 cm) outside the marked
shape.
With the pictogram pen, draw a patchwork pattern on the
triangle for front wedge. (We have decorated the front wedge of
the skirt only but the back wedge can also be decorated.)
Thread with golden yellow embroidery thread on top and sewing
thread in the bobbin. Adjust the zig zag stitch length to 0.5 and
width to 3.0. Snap on presser foot B. Sew over the lines with tear
away stabilizer underneath the fabric. Remove stabilizer.
Illustration A (not avail)
Select straight stitch. Adjust stitch length to 3.0 – 3.5 mm.
(Heavier fabrics require a longer stitch length.) Lay your stitched
front wedge underneath the opening on the front of your jeans.
Pin. From the right side, stitch the decorated fabric in place along
the edges of the pant legs. Start with the leg side that is
overlapped by the other and remove the lower pin under the
crotch seam to start stitching underneath the overlapped leg for a
nice result. Topstitch two seams beside each other to imitate the
previous stitched seams. Overlap and stitch the opposite leg in
place.
Illustration B (not avail.)
Repeat for back.
From underneath, trim away the excess fabric leaving a 3/4''
(2 cm) seam allowance. Select zig zag again. Stitch length 2.0
stitch width 3.0. Snap on presser foot B and overcast the edges.
Trim the skirt even and zig zag the edges all around.
Snap on presser foot A and select straight stitch again. Fold up
a 5/8” (1.5 cm) wide hem. Topstitch in place.
Illustration C (not avail)

I love this!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Quote of the Day


  "Search for God like a man whose head is on fire searches for water."    E.P.L.


I love this quote.  We really are that desperate, we just don't realize it most of the time.  Ever since I read this quote, it has stuck in my mind because of how true it is.  If we could find the focus and determination to hold on to this, life would be an inspired adventure that would never suffer from boredom or lack of creativity or missed opportunity to do good.

May you find truth, for it is light.

Monday, January 30, 2012

About Chronicles of A Journey...



Chronicles of a Journey... is created just for me to have a place to share a few thoughts, a few lessons learned and a few more things.  Even though this is a public site, it seems to me to be personal in a way.  A place to share my thoughts and things that make me, me.  Kind of like a rolling note-book to keep all the little "special" things safe for posterity. 
This is a chronicle of a journey, we're all given one and this one's mine.  My journey to understand YHWH and His ways.  My journey to learn to accept, to give thanks, to live and to love.  The real lessons in life as I follow my creator in this vast mystery of life.  
I am nearly 48 years old and I am quite sure I know much more than I did when I was 20 but somehow the older I get the more I realize I don't know, crazy isn't it?  Maybe the self-centeredness and arrogance of youth starts to disappear with age and we then begin to see the enormity of the world and all that's in it and how small we really are.
Traci

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Welcome!

This blog is under design construction.  I hope to have it up and running soon.  I felt like I wanted to do something new, so I started a new blog!

So, welcome and I hope you will come back soon to see what's going on here.

Sincerely, Traci