BUTTERSCOTCH OATMEAL

Ingredients
1 egg, beaten
1 3/4 cups milk
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup rolled oats
2 tablespoons butter

Directions
1.In a saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the egg, milk and brown sugar. Mix in the oats. When the oatmeal begins to boil, cook and stir until thick. Remove from the heat, and stir in butter until melted. Serve immediately.

Farmville and Life

Farmville and Life

I have just entered the world of Facebook. At first I tried it and was overwhelmed with the "stuff" I got and the long-lost people who wanted me to confirm them as friends. So I quit. But I just got back on and am enjoying it slowly....I am officially hooked on the adorable game called "Farmville" which involves plowing, planting, harvesting and buying crops for your own farm.

I'm also learning a lot in my Bible Study, "Conversation Peace". It challenges me to use speech as a way to build up relationships rather than build up strong towers for myself that "I AM RIGHT!". The author asks, "Do you focus on getting what you want, or do you try till the soil and cultivate the relationship?"

WOW.

Over the centuries, Christians have focused on doctrine, thesis statements, and IDEAS and many times have forgotten the PEOPLE in the process. Yes, doctrine is important, making a stand for your faith is important, but 98% of the time we can soften our words to make a PERSON feel like a PERSON. It's not about being right, it's about being Christ-like. Christ shared His truth never by beating it over the heads of folks. He spoke in gentle stories, firey parables and always, always, always with LOVE.

I can learn a lot from that.

I need to think of conversations just as I think of Farmville's tasks....trying to produce positive things in the soil of others so a garden of blessed relationships can grow! Time to get my overalls on.

Bible Humor

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD
A Sunday School teacher decided to have her young class memorize one of the most quoted passages in the Bible - Psalm 23. She gave the youngsters a month to learn the chapter. Little Rick was excited about the task - but he just couldn't remember the Psalm. After much practice, he could barely get past the first line.
On the day that the kids were scheduled to recite Psalm 23 in front of the congregation, Ricky was so nervous. When it was his turn, he stepped up to the microphone and said proudly, 'The Lord is my Shepherd, and that's all I need to know.'

UNANSWERED PRAYER
The preacher's 5 year-old daughter noticed that her father always paused and bowed his head for a moment before starting his sermon. One day, she asked him why.
'Well, Honey,' he began, proud that his daughter was so observant of his messages. 'I'm asking the Lord to help me preach a good sermon.'
'How come He doesn't answer it?' she asked.

UNTIMELY ANSWERED PRAYER
During the minister's prayer one Sunday, there was a loud whistle from one of the back pews. Tommy's mother was horrified. She pinched him into silence and, after church, asked, 'Tommy, whatever made you do such a thing?'
Tommy answered soberly, 'I asked God to teach me to whistle, and He did!'

ALL MEN / ALL GIRLS
When my daughter, Kelli, said her bedtime prayers, she would bless every family member, every friend, and every animal (current and past). For several weeks, after we had finished the nightly prayer, Kelli would say, 'And all girls.' This soon became part of her nightly routine, to include this closing. My curiosity got the best of me and I asked her, 'Kelli, why do you always add the part about all girls?'
Her response, 'Be cause everybody always finish their prayers by saying 'All Men'!'

SAY A PRAYER

Little Johnny and his family were having Sunday dinner at his Grandmother's house. Everyone was seated around the table as the food was being served. When Little Johnny received his plate, he started eating right away.
'Johnny! Please wait until we say our prayer.' said his mother.
'I don't need to,' the boy replied.
'Of course, you do.' his mother insisted. 'We always say a prayer before eating at our house.'
'That's at our house.' Johnny explained. 'But this is Grandma's house and she knows how to cook!'

Easter after-thoughts

Well, it's been a while since I've blogged....shame on me! The Lent season came upon us and I was so busy with things. Had a wonderful time of reflections and looking upon the cross. Lent is such a wonderful time of turning...of changing routines....of looking ahead with a sense of Christ's suffering....and then rejoicing! What a wide range of emotions we go through.

Snow Ice Cream

My friend told me how she made this with her kids when it snowed. Well we are aiming to get over a foot in the next two days so I will try it!
Snow Ice Cream
Ingredients:
8 cup snow, or shaved ice
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions
Place snow or shaved ice into a large bowl. Pour condensed milk over and add vanilla. Mix to combine. Serve immediately in bowls. Store the rest in the freezer.