Beans are fairly inexpensive so I try to include them in our meal plan at least once every week or so. Personally, I enjoy them more the day after if there are any leftovers. Continue reading “Bean Dishes”
Category: Parenting
December 12, 2016
Good morning! I had intended to write this post about the peaceful mornings but plans changed. I started my day as usual and the kids actually slept in a bit so I was not being hurried to get breakfast ready and on the table.
I sat down with my coffee and reflected on a few things. One of which was yesterday’s sermon about clinging to grace. We need to remember that when times are hard and nothing seems to be going right that we still have grace to carry us through. We need to keep holding fast to the promises that God has given us. He has a plan for us and He knows what we need even we don’t really have a clue.
I have had many a day when I have felt so discouraged and sad. Part of this is due to the fact that I don’t have someone to walk alongside of. Someone to share my little joys with or someone to hold me when I am down. I do miss having someone to hold my hand or the feeling of someone coming up behind me and wrapping their arms around me and holding me tight. I sometimes long to have someone to talk to about my day or being able to listen to someone tell me about their day. I miss having someone to snuggle close to when the nights are cold or when I don’t want to get up in the morning.
I try my best not to dwell on these feelings as I know that God is in control. I know that right now my focus needs to be on Him and the rest will fall into place. He is always there and will never leave me. He knows the innermost thoughts of my heart and all of my desires. He will comfort me like no one else can. I know that if it is in His will for me to have someone beside me He will allow our paths to cross.
So for now I will continue to pray for His wisdom and guidance, not only for myself, but for the one He has chosen for me. I pray that God will bless Him beyond measure and supply all his needs. I pray that He will guide him and protect him and that He will surround Him with people who will encourage him. I pray that God will continue to mold him and shape him into the man God intends him to be.
I don’t know God’s will or His plans for my life but I know that He loves me and only wants the best for me. I also know that a lot of my problems have been because I wasn’t patient enough and didn’t wait for Him to reveal His plan to me. I tried to do things my own way and they didn’t turn out the way I had planned. I’ve made so many mistakes and suffered so many failures.
I pray that God will continue to work in my life and mold me and shape me into the person He wants me to be. I know that He can turn mistakes into miracles and that God has not forgotten about me. I pray that if it is not His will for me to have someone to walk with that He will fill my heart with joy and help me to be content where I am right now.
Right now, I will keep my focus on Him and on the job He has blessed me with as a mother and a keeper of my home. This is an important job that He has placed on me and it is full of responsibilities. My attitude and behavior will influence everyone around me especially my children. God calls us to show His love to all of those around us and I pray that everyone I meet can see how His love overflows from my heart. I pray that everyone around me will always feel loved, welcomed, safe, and comforted when they enter into our home.
Yes, it would be so much easier if I had someone to help me shoulder the many burdens of raising a family and keeping a home but God will give me the strength I need. I don’t really look at my role as a burden as I try to do everything with a servant’s heart because I love my family. So I will try not to be discouraged and I will keep singing His praises because God is so good to me! He has blessed me, an unworthy sinner, and He has loved me and shown me His grace and mercy. So for now I will indeed continue to cling to that grace and allow it to carry me through this difficult part of my journey.
Crockpot Meals
**This page does contain affiliate links which help to support our blog and our family.
Below are links to some of our favorite crockpot meals. I love to use my crockpot as I can just throw something in there in the morning and forget about it until dinner time. It’s so easy to do. If you haven’t been using yours then I suggest you pull it out of the closet, clean it up, and get ready to enjoy some delicious meals.
Perpetual Meal Plans
Casseroles
Casseroles are so easy to put together and usually feed a crowd. Below are links to some of our favorites.
Cheesy Chicken and Potatoes Casserole
Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo Casserole
Hamburger Casserole (Serve with a salad and buttered bread)
Another version of meatball sandwich casserole
Quick and Easy Burrito Casserole
**This post does contain affiliate links to products and/or services that we use. If you happen to click through a link and make a purchase we may earn a teensy-weensy small commission (at NO EXTRA cost to you) if a purchase is made through these links. These links help to support our family, our blog, and our homeschooling mission. This means that we can keep bringing you great recipes, ideas, and tips for FREE! Click HERE for a full disclaimer.
–Thank you!
December 11-17, 2016 meal plan
This is our basic meal plan for the week. Sometimes we will switch the days around if I forget to set something out or put something in the crock pot. Please feel free to use this or change it around to suit your family’s needs.
Sunday
Breakfast:
Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole
Lunch:
PB & J w/fruit
Dinner:
Oven Fried Chicken, Baked sweet potatoes, slaw
Snacks:
cupcakes
Monday
Breakfast:
Cereal/Oatmeal
Lunch:
Leftovers
Dinner:
Snacks:
Popcorn
Tuesday
Breakfast:
Lunch:
Bean Quesadillas w/leftovers
Dinner:
Tater Tot Casserole, Veggies
Snacks:
PB Toast
Wednesday
Breakfast:
Lunch:
Dinner:
Chili Dog Casserole, salad, chips
Snacks:
Muffins
Thursday
Breakfast:
Lunch:
Leftovers
Dinner:
Salmon Patties, Mashed Potatoes, Creamed Peas
Snacks:
Fruit
Friday
Breakfast:
Cereal/Oatmeal
Lunch:
ramen noodles, grilled cheese
Dinner:
Sweet N Sour Meatballs, Mac N Cheese, Veggies
Snacks:
Boiled Eggs
Saturday
Breakfast:
Bagels w/cream cheese, fresh fruit
Lunch:
tuna salad sandwiches, fresh veggies
Dinner:
Broiled Parmesan Tilapia, Steamed Asparagus, Steamed Red Potatoes
Snacks:


