Even If He Does Not....

        This morning I saw that my sister had written the words, “Even if He does not…” on her wrist. When I asked her what it was for she said that it was part of a verse from the book of Daniel. The King was trying to get Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to bow down and worship a golden idol. If they did not worship the idol, they would be burned in the fiery furnace. The three said to the king:
“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. BUT EVEN IF HE DOES NOT, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
Daniel 3:17-18 (NIV)
        Our family is facing some extremely hard times right now where very tough decisions must be made that will change our lives for ever. We are trusting and believing for the Lord to turn this situation around and make it into something wonderful. BUT EVEN IF HE DOES NOT, we will still praise Him and not turn our backs on Him.


~ Missy

Natural Remedies: Orange Blossom Essential Oil

Have you ever smelled Orange Blossoms?  They smell simply delicious! And so does this oil.  But it is also very useful - besides smelling "pretty."  So what are the uses and benefits of Orange Blossom Oil (also known as Neroli Oil)? 

• Acne
• Antibacterial
• Anti-depressive
• Antiseptic
• Anxiety
• Hypertension
• Insomnia
• Scarring
• Skin Care
• Stretch Marks
•  ....and guess what? Much more!

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 Due to the cost and power of this essential oil, it is advised that you use a 50:50 dilution of Orange Blossom Essential Oil.  Jojoba oil is a very good mixture, or you can use olive oil.  A few uses for it are these:

• Massage 2-3 drops of the 50:50 dilution containing Orange Blossom Essential Oil on to scars or stretch marks.  With continued use, it will often diminish (and sometimes even eliminate) the blemishes.  It is not always effective, but it has a pretty high rate of success.
  
• One thing I have heard is that Neroli Oil decreases hypertension (high blood pressure) and aids in circulation problems.  What I have not discovered is how to use it effectively for that! Any ideas anyone?  I do not have any of those problems in our family so it is not something extremely important for me to find out right now...but I would like to know for the future!
  
• Rub a small amount of rosemary oil on skin in order to help with dry, irritated, and sensitive skin.  It helps! This will also work for acne.

There are many other uses, but this will give you a start point if you wish to use Orange Blossom (Neroli) Essential Oil.  It is an expensive oil, but it is also delightful!

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PLEASE NOTE: These are only natural home remedies that no professional has reviewed or written.  This is not to take the place of professional medical advice, it is merely to aid you at home.  If you are concerned, it is best to call your doctor and follow instructions given by him/her.

Also, please pay particular attention during use of essential oils in regards to which oils are safe for pregnant women and children.  There are many that should not be used, although some are perfectly safe.  For other important information, please see my May 9th, 2012, post titled "Natural Remedies: Essential Oils."

Recipe Mondays: Baked Doughnuts

I love doughnuts.  I eat them very rarely, however, as they are fried and they are unhealthy.  But if you are going to have doughnuts, why not have a slightly healthier version of homemade baked doughnuts.  They don't taste exactly like the doughnuts we are all probably used to, but they are still good!  Check out the recipe below to try something that is probably a little different from what we are used to making! It is fun to have a little change, isn't it?

Baked Doughnuts

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Deception - Guest Writer, Rachel Stickler

Deception

Guest Writer, Rachel Stickler

          I went to Life Church tonight and they are doing a sermon series called 'Deception'.  It is about how the Enemy (the Devil) tries to deceive us.  You are thinking well, of course!  But it was a great sermon.

Photography by Rachel Stickler

          The Devil is able to disguise his true motives and twist good into evil and evil into good, at least he makes it all look that way. 

          The beginning of deception started in the Garden of Eden where Genesis 3:1-7 tells the story of the Fall.  The serpent said to Eve, "Did God really say that?"  ...And Eve questions it.  Then her convictions change because she is being deceived.  She thinks of how the fruit would be good for food and how beautiful it is and what wisdom that it might offer.... (As the serpent had told her).  As Eve bit into the fruit, the Devil was triumphant.  We don't want him to be the victor do we?

         Our Enemy has been deceiving from the beginning!  Don't let him fool you, as he is still around.  He still wants to snag your heart.

          Lust is a deception.  We look at what we do not have in stead of what we do.  And the devil and our own sinful nature tells us that we need that thing.

           The Devil will do anything, play upon your every weakness.  Don't let him prevail.  Take hold of God, do what He commands and know that the Devil is a deceiver and that he will not hesitate to make you stumble.

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About guest writer - Rachel Stickler

          "I am a 16 year old born again Christian, a quadruplet, a dreamer, a bookworm, a writer, a wanna-be singer, a sinner, a lire, and a hater.  It's true.  I fall short of the glory of God yet he gave (and gives me) grace every day.  I fail, I fall, and I fly.  What can I say?  I am who God made me yet I am who I choose, and I choose to be His alone.  My writings are musings and my readings are dusty old books...I love it!  And if I get lucky, God will drop something in my lap that I can tell you about!  I want to change the world (Or should I say, I want God to change the world through me), and this generation.  If I went on, this would become a novel!  So...there is just a little taste of who I am and what my dreams are :)    

Rachel's Blog: Chosen Generation

Saturday Smiles - Sleeping Yoshi

     This is my kitten Yoshi.  He has been the best stress relief and smile maker that I have had in a long time!  For a girl who was determined to not have a cat of her own... I sure got stuck!  Dreadful little thing sank it's claws in my heart!  (But for some reason, I don't mind!)  

This is a video of Yoshi sleeping.  When he really falls asleep, he goes out so hard that I can do just about anything to him and he's just limp.  He has given me so many smiles and laughs, I hope that he will give a few to you as well.

Discovery Friday - Modest Summer Dresses

I LOVE dresses but it's always nearly impossible to find a dress that is modest! Here are a few dress ideas that I have discovered online that are modest and cute! I am working on sewing one of my own and hopefully it will turn up in a Discovery Friday post in the very near future!

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My style - NOT my price.  I would make one like this though! Photo Courtesy

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What kind of modest dress styles do you like?

Up-Cycled Fuzzy Fabric

     Have you ever looked at the prices of fuzzy fabric in a craft or fabric store?  $12 and up per yard! OUCH! I don't know about you, but I can't afford to pay prices like that, but even if I could, I prefer to spend my money wisely and be as prudent as possible.  


     Well, what's a girl to do when she wants to make something out of fuzzy fabric?  I found a solution!  Earlier this year, Lisa had a little boy and I wanted to make him a very special fuzzy blanket from his auntie Missy.  Over a couple of weeks time, I visited several thrift stores and picked up old robes, crib liners, and pajama pants that were in good condition.  My trick for saving the most amount of money was to go to a thrift store when I knew they were having a 99 cent sale on certain color tags.  Once I found out which color tag was on sale, I went through the PJ section and only looked for that particular tag color.  After finding the right tag, then I would look at the item to see if it was in good condition and was something that I could use.   For regular clothes shopping, this approach would never work, but for fuzzy fabric it's great!  


     I used my up-cycled fuzzy fabric to make this cute puppy blanket.  I used two robes, one PJ shirt, one pair of PJ pants, and I still have so much fabric left over that I will be able to make something else later!  Altogether, the fabric for the top of this blanket coast me about $4.  I had to purchase a large piece of new fabric for the back - but it simple flannel that was on sale for $1.99 a yard!  


     Would you have ever guessed by looking at that cute puppy face? Probably not. 


Practical. Resourceful. Prudent.  - Learning to save and spend money like a Proverbs 31 woman. You can do it too!


~ Missy

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