New Website and Blog!

Hello Friends,
I wanted to let you know that we are launching a new website and blog today. We have been working for months to get it ready and today is the day! I wanted to tell you as a subscriber because you will have to go to our new site and subscribe to it to continue to receive the updates.

Our hope is that this new site will be more interactive, encouraging, and a resource for women to connect with the Lord and one another. So, please go to www.keepersministry.com or www.calledtobeakeeper.com and check it out. I hope to meet with you there!
In His Love,
Lori

This Says "Attitude" to Me

As I was downloading some pictures recently I came across this one and laughed out loud! These are two of my great nieces (Briley and Reagan) and I love them dearly. I had not seen this picture yet. This little Reagan has so much personality and I mean that in the most loving and affectionate way. She is the one rolling her eyes...or maybe she isn't, but it sure did remind me of earlier days of my life. I can't remember if she didn't want me to take the picture or what, but it reminded me of when I would see the 'eye roll' on my own children. Usually after I had just given a chore or we had a disagreement over an issue. Surely, you know what I am talking about. Sometimes they would have the nerve to do it right in front of me, sometimes they would do it as they were turning around and then at times they were walking away (and I still knew). We mothers know these things, don't we?!

I remember telling them often how very important it was to obey us in their actions AND ATTITUDE. I told them if they weren't obeying us with their heart (attitude) then they weren't really pleasing God or us. So, this picture of little Reagan brought back all those memories from years ago. So, I encourage you moms--it is so important to make sure your children aren't only doing what you tell them to do, but also that they are doing it with a happy heart! It would be beneficial to have them memorize this verse as well:

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor Your Father and Mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth." Ephesians 6:1-3

It may be hard to break the habit of 'rolling eyes', stomping feet, face-pouting, and a myriad of other 'attitudes' with your children, but it will be worth it in the end.

Lord, we pray you show us anything we see or haven't noticed in our children that we need to change in their 'heart attitude'. We pray for the power, wisdom, and perseverance to make those changes that You deem necessary. Amen.

In His Love,
Lori

Use your Front Porch to Welcome Others

When the Called to be a Keeper Bible study began back in 2001 I had never given my front porch much thought. I mean, I was truly in the busyness of raising children at that time. However, during our Skill Session on Hospitality, our Skill Session Speaker (Anne Denmark) made a statement that made me stop and think about my front porch. She shared with the class how your front porch is a reflection of you and sometimes can be an indicator of what is going on in your life. Now I know we can't take this too literally, but while talking about Hospitality I think there is a whole lot of truth in this statement. So, I want you to think about your front porch and ask yourself, "Does it welcome others?" What can you do with your porch that will welcome others and make them feel like your home and your life is a beautiful reflection of Christ? I am not talking about buying things, but I am talking about keeping it neat and tidy and doing what you can to make it say, "Welcome" to others.

"Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." 1 Peter 4:9-10

See if you can do one or all of the things that follow to make your front porch scream, "WELCOME"!

In the winter it can be challenging to make your front porch sparkle with color, however keeping it swept and clean can make a big difference.


A scripture, welcome mat, or sign can state what is on your heart. Notice the pot with a globe and candle. I learned this tip from another Hospitality Skill Session leader years ago (Teri Hubbard). Light your candles when guests are arriving and you will extend an atmosphere of welcome before they even enter your home. With these great battery operated candles this is much easier these days.

Add seasonal (fake or real) flowers in a bucket or pot to give that final touch. But remember that no matter what you do, it is the extension of your heart of love that makes people feel truly welcomed into your home and life!

In His Love,
Lori

OH MY, Chicken Pot Pie

Recently we went out to dinner with my sister and her husband. My brother-in-law ordered chicken pot pie. He bragged about that pie the whole meal! My husband then reminded me of how I don't make chicken pot pie anymore. (I think I got burned out on it). However, after hearing about this pie throughout the whole meal I have to say that I wanted to reach over and take a bite, but I wasn't invited. So, I came home and looked up that old Keepers recipe (The one you will find in your Keepers cook booklet when you take the class). We have a Cooking Shortcuts skill session that is part of our curriculum and I incorporated my most used recipes into that booklet. See what you think about this:

Chicken Pot Pie

2 c. chicken, cooked and cut up
2 cans cream of potato soup
1 16 oz. can Veg-all drained (or 1 16 oz. frozen mixed veggies)
½ c. milk
¼ t. thyme
¼ t. pepper

Take one pie crust and lay in quiche pan spreading up the sides with your fingers. Mix all other ingredients together and pour into the dish with the Pillsbury all-ready pie crust in the bottom and sides. Cover with another pie crust and cut slits in top crust. Bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes to 1 hour.

Years ago one of my fellow home-school friends (Becky Deck) brought me this dish. It was love at first bite. It became an easy, delicious dish to make for my family and a favorite to take to other families--a great one for children. I have made some adaptations below as you will see.

I loved the idea of an individual serving like at the restaurant so, I tried using my chili bowls for the first time.

Then I found another bowl that I thought it would look cute in. Make sure your bowls are oven proof!

This is the mixture and another adaptation for me. I tried the frozen mixed veggies instead (same amount). I let the package sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This gave the pie a much better flavor.

Here is what it looked like just before I put the tops on. To make them in individual bowls required more of the Pillsbury dough than the recipe calls for so buy extra.


Look at these beauties BEFORE and AFTER! It's amazing what a hot oven and 40 minutes can do to a dish...kind of reminds me of what a hot shower and 40 minutes can do for improving me as well! Enjoy!

"Mom, don't freak out, okay?"

We had a concerning and scary event happen in our house over the Christmas break. Let me just show you.


That is my son's chest. Here is a closer shot.


Let's just say that my stomach gets a little queasy when I hear those words, "Mom, I have something to show you so don't freak out okay?" Can anything good come after a statement like that? Well, I won't bore you with the details, but suffice it to say that my son is doing better. These 'breakouts' would happen when he worked out, became angry, played basketball, got embarrassed, etc. have lessened to only a few times a week now and not so severe. Believe me, I am not downplaying it. We have been through three blood tests and have one more to go, but so far he is getting back to normal. Well, whatever is normal for a 19 year old young man, that is! Seriously, his body is stabilizing from pills he had taken which resulted in some serious side effects. Praise God that He protected him and Jonathan hopefully will not have long-term side effects. We are still praying about that and would appreciate your prayers as well.

However, today I was thinking about how awesome it would be if I had a signal like this in my body when I sinned. Think about it. And let's take another look.

What if, when I: was hateful, was greedy, gossiped, idolized something other than God, lusted, coveted, was impatient, was mean, (shall I go on?), that I broke out in hives and red bumps like my son is doing? What if that was my reminder that I was about to go down a path that I don't want to continue? The great thing about it would be that I would stop some of my sinful habits real quick, wouldn't I? It would be a barometer of sorts, and it would certainly get my attention real quick. Of course...who wants to look like this every time they sin and who wants everyone to know WHEN they sin?

Well, we do have a barometer. It is the Holy Spirit and Jesus left him with us so that He would be our Helper. (John 14:25-29) I am thankful I have the Holy Spirit living inside of me to nudge me with a warning when I sin or to prompt me to keep me from sinning. I just wish I wasn't so stubborn that I sometimes need more of a jolt instead of a nudge to keep me from sinning or stop me from sinning!

Lord, thank You for Your Holy Spirit's work in my life. And dear Father, I am asking you to remind me that this is what my sin looks like in Your eyes. It is large, undeniable, red, bumpy, and not something I want anyone to see...especially You.

In His Love,
Lori

This is Snow Time!

There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven…Ecclesiastes 3:1

Here at our house in Oklahoma it is time for snow! We are covered with a layer of ice and a layer of snow. Some places are only ice and some are only snow. We are both. It is soooo beautiful. I love most everything about it. I’m not crazy about the weeks following a snow like this when it all turns to slush and black piles, but I love it right now.

This can be such a great opportunity to spend extra time with your family and to reconnect with family and friends. What are you doing to accomplish this? It can also be a great catch-up time…a time to catch-up on chores, projects, and work. Are you doing that? I would love to hear how you are spending your time indoors. You may give me and others some great ideas for our days ahead!

Here is a brief view of what we have been doing:


We've been eating a little too much. This is part of our problem. It's toffee and it is good. We bought it to support a fundraiser...great idea at the time...not so much when you are snowed in!

Since I ate too much I thought my dog Buddy, should exercise.

Drove out on the roads to take beautiful pictures like this yesterday. Blame my husband--he made me go!

Watched the cardinals out my window and was in AWE of God even more!

Realized I better exercise too with everything that I have eaten! I didn't think you would believe me so my daughter took an action photo--yes, 40 minutes and I was still smiling--kind of.

Other things I have done: I have started a new Bible study, prayed a lot, watched two movies and a series we recorded, cooked soup, muffins and cookies; and eaten some more. However, tonight is Game night and I can't wait! How about you?

I Was Duped!

Have you ever believed something for a long time only to find out it wasn’t true? Don’t you hate that feeling that comes along with it that makes you feel duped? That is how I felt years ago when I realized I wasn’t a tall person. I know that sounds funny, but most of my life I thought I was tall. Though my husband is really tall at 6’5” and my boys passed me in stature during their preteen years, I still thought I was tall for a woman. Not until my daughter passed me during her junior high years and my family began calling me ‘shorty’ did I come face to face with the ‘duped’ feeling! I had to face the truth. I began to realize that I wasn’t tall and never had been except in relation to certain people. It isn’t that I am a really short person; I am more average (on the short side) than I am tall. How did I live most of my adult life believing I was on the tall side? Looking back I realize it happened because I grew up with short friends. Most all of my friends were shorter than me. That didn’t mean I was tall though, did it? Think about this in relation to this Scripture and your beliefs:

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteous; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Yesterday during my Quiet time I learned that the word “reproof” means to undo incorrect thinking and behavior and realign with the truth (David Arthur—Lord, Help me Grow Spiritually Strong). Think about the meaning of reproof again and think about the incorrect thinking and behavior that is so prevalent in our society. It slips into our lives without us taking note and soon we don’t know that we believe a lie about how to live, think, act, and believe. It is the reason we NEED a constant diet of God’s Word. If we don’t have it then we begin to slip into the incorrect thinking of life and then we are duped! We can even begin to examine our Christian walk compared to the standards of others rather than examining our lives in the light of God’s Word. Incorrect thinking needs to be UNDONE! We do that with the Truth of God’s Word—no matter what the subject is. I NEED REPROOF IN MY LIFE! And I need it daily….how about you?!

In His Love,
Lori

What is Important---A New Perspective

Someone posted a quote on their Facebook page they heard on TV yesterday about the earthquake in Haiti. It read, “Today, important things became very unimportant.” Oh, how true that is when we face tragedy. My heart remains heavy today for the people of Haiti and those waiting to hear about loved ones.

I can’t help but ask myself why. Not the ‘why’ you might think—Why did this happen? Instead the ‘why’ of us as people—Why does it take such tragedy for us to stop to think about what is important in this world? Bear with me as I ask us both some questions:

• What were you fretting about, angry about, frustrated by, trying to buy, thought you had to do/have the night before this earthquake?
• Did your perspective change?
• Do those same things seem not-so-important now, in light of what those people are living through?

If this tragedy has touched you and changed your perspective about what is really important then will you join me in this prayer?

Father God,
I am a needy person. I need You and Your presence in my life every single day. I need reminders of why I am here and that this life is not about me. I was created to bring You glory. I was created to build Your kingdom and not Lori’s kingdom. I want to live for You and have a heart that breaks over the things that break Yours. I want to have the eyes of Christ Jesus, so that I may see who/what needs Your attention on this day. Lord, take the selfishness from me. Replace the selfishness with a heart of generosity. Replace godlessness with a godly life. Replace sinful attitudes and thoughts with thoughts and attitudes that are lovely, pure, true and right. Lord, You are to be my priority and my focus for living. Keep me on Your path with a heart that says, “Wherever You lead, there I will go.” Lord, I do not have the strength to ALWAYS stay focused on eternal and everlasting things, but You living through me will make that happen. May I yield myself to You every day, many times throughout my day so that I may live a life that honors and glorifies You. In the precious name of Jesus I ask these things. Amen.

In His Love,
Lori

What Belongs in Your Space?

This first picture is the space where our Christmas tree stood. It appears to be a bare corner of the room--empty and in need of some TLC.

The second picture illustrates how different this same space appears once we moved the chair back into its place, added the pillows, and the throw. All of these things make it appear warm and inviting. I want this place to be warm and inviting because I try to begin each day here. This is what I call my ‘sacred place’. This is where I spend most of my morning times with the Lord.

The thought occurred to me on New Year’s Day that I have choices about what I could place there. I could have left it empty, changed it to a different chair (one more fitting for the area), or found a piece of furniture that might have looked better there. However, I wanted my ‘sacred place’ preserved. As I pondered this I realized that we all have those choices about the ‘space’ within each of us. What will we fill our heart, soul, and mind with this year?
• Will we choose to pore over God’s Truths and allow them to invade our very being?
• Will we choose to fill our mind with Scripture and commit it to memory?
• Will we fill our days with ‘activities’ that are eternal or temporal?

Dear friend, Choose today whom you will serve. Choose today what you will do with your time. Choose whether you will spend your time and energy on temporal or eternal things this year. I can’t wait to witness the great things God will do this year and I can’t wait to hear what He will share with me this year as well!
In His Love,
Lori