Dinner prep for Coastal Chilean wine tasting

April 13, 2012 By
Dinner Prep

Earlier this week I made my most ambitious meal in years. Take a look at the ingredients: It was well worth all the slicing and dicing. Plus, my darling husband even helped with that part, which made it even better. I made the dinner as part of a blogger wine tasting of coastal Chilean wines. [...]

Earlier this week I made my most ambitious meal in years. Take a look at the ingredients:

It was well worth all the slicing and dicing. Plus, my darling husband even helped with that part, which made it even better.

I made the dinner as part of a blogger wine tasting of coastal Chilean wines. The people at Wines of Chile shared the recipe and wine to try with the the foods prepared as I watched a live stream of interviews with the winemakers in Chile and a sommelier in New York. It was pretty cool to ask questions and get the answers that way. And tasting the wines ‘with’ the winemaker is always a lot of fun.

Once I get my notes from the tasting organized, I’ll share over on VineSleuth Uncorked and I’ll also share the recipes here on MomsToolbox.

In the meantime, just think about all those fruit, veggies and fish….. Yummmmmmm!

Amy

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Relying on Him… or me? Galatians 3

April 13, 2012 By
SOAP Devotional

If you are reading with me, today we are reading Galatians 3. (Click over to view the rest of the Bible reading schedule for April.) Before I began reading today, I asked God to help me order my day and get the tasks done that need to get done. (I figure He knows what really [...]

If you are reading with me, today we are reading Galatians 3. (Click over to view the rest of the Bible reading schedule for April.)

Before I began reading today, I asked God to help me order my day and get the tasks done that need to get done. (I figure He knows what really needs to get done and what is fluff.) And then here is what I heard loudest in the reading:

Scripture: Galatians 3:3

Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?

Observation:

You listened to the Holy Spirit and accepted the truth and eternal life. Now take that and build on that, rather than trying to please Me and men with works alone. That won’t get you closer to Me. Don’t lose that faith which allowed the Holy Spirit to enter you. Be freed by it. And count on Me to help you, not human effort.

Application:

He has forgiven me and given me eternal life through Him, just by my asking and having faith.

And, if He can do that, He will help me set my other goals properly and attain them, provided I ask, listen and follow.

Prayer:

Lord, please continue to guide me and show me where to put my efforts and time. You know what is right. You know what my motives should be for each project on my plate. Show me what it is YOU want me to do, and please guide me in the path to accomplish what you have set forth for me.

If I relying on You will take me to the ultimate goal of forgiveness of sins and eternal life with you, then you can definitely help with all the ancillary stuff, too.

Thank you so much for that.

 

What did you hear in Galatians 3?

Amy

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Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians through the end of April

April 11, 2012 By
SOAP Devotional

I will be reading and SOAP’ing through Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians one chapter per day through the end of April. Would you like to join me? Many of you may know me as the fast-paced host of the Bible in 90 Days, but I have really enjoyed taking in some New Testament readings at [...]

I will be reading and SOAP’ing through Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians one chapter per day through the end of April.

Would you like to join me?

Many of you may know me as the fast-paced host of the Bible in 90 Days, but I have really enjoyed taking in some New Testament readings at a slower pace over the past few months and hope to continue reading at this pace for bit longer. I have heard God speaking to me in beautiful ways.

If you are looking to grow closer to Christ, I invite you to join me in my reading schedule for the rest of the month. The reading should take about 5-10 minutes each day and the journaling and prayer time to go with that is completely up to you.

I’m a fan of the SOAP devotional method, but feel free to use whatever works for you and Him. If you do use SOAP and are a blogger, feel free to use my SOAP Ring graphic and encourage your readers to join us, too.

This is our Bible reading schedule for today and the rest of the month:

  • Weds., 4/11: Galatians 1
  • Thurs., 4/12: Galatians 2
  • Fri., 4/13: Galatians 3
  • Sat., 4/14: Galatians 4
  • Sun., 4/15: Galatians 5
  • Mon., 4/16: Galatians 6
  • Tues., 4/17: Ephesians 1
  • Weds., 4/18: Ephesians 2
  • Thurs., 4/19: Ephesians 3
  • Fri., 4/20: Ephesians 4
  • Sat., 4/21: Ephesians 5
  • Sun., 4/22: Ephesians 6
  • Mon., 4/23: Philippians 1
  • Tues., 4/24: Philippians 2
  • Weds., 4/25: Philippians 3
  • Thurs., 4/26: Philippians 4
  • Fri., 4/27: Colossians 1
  • Sat., 4/28: Colossians 2
  • Sun., 4/29: Colossians 3
  • Mon., 4/30: Colossians 4

 

(Don’t worry Bible in 90 Days fans… and those looking to read the entire Bible… I am in prayer over how to manage a back to school, back to the Bible in 90 days session this fall. It is coming back! :) )

So…. will you read with me? And, if so, will you SOAP, too? Please let me know in the comments…

 

Amy

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4 Moms of 35 Kids: Ebook Giveaway

April 4, 2012 By
hardbackstandingstraight

Guest post and giveaway by Connie of Smockity Frocks: Have you heard of The 4 Moms of 35+ Kids? We are a group of 4 large family moms who started a blogging project to answer questions we often get about parenting, household management, and more. The 4 Moms are: Smockity Frocks The Common Room Life [...]

Guest post and giveaway by Connie of Smockity Frocks:

Have you heard of The 4 Moms of 35+ Kids? We are a group of 4 large family moms who started a blogging project to answer questions we often get about parenting, household management, and more.

The 4 Moms are:

and we have just released our first ebook, in which we have compiled our most frequently asked questions into an easy to read format.

Some of the answers from The 4 Moms you will find in this parenting ebook are:

  • how to handle daily nap time
  • how to get through the grocery store with little ones
  • how to teach kids to be attentive (and quiet!) in church
  • how to teach kids to do chores (PLUS a master chore list!)
  • how to talk to kids about sex
  • and MORE

We have even included a master chore list, a sermon note-taking printable for non-readers, and a “Fruit of the Spirit” printable to encourage loving sibling relationships!

Here are some of the comments from happy customers:

“I am so blessed to have gotten the book! It is going to make a huge difference in our lives, and the lives of so many others. I am really enjoying the style of writing and all the wonderful advice.” – Jennifer
“Just have to say that I bought the 4 mom’s book & I LOVE IT!!! It is well worth [the money]… There is so much practical advice even for a mother of just 4 ( so far).” – Renata

We would like to give away “4 Moms of 35+ Kids Answer Your Parenting Questions” to one Mom’s Toolbox reader! Here a few ways to be entered to win (leave one comment for each entry):

The giveaway will stay open for one week… Comment, share, like and get all your entries in no later than midnight CST Wednesday, April 11, and the winner will be announced here on MomsToolbox Thursday, April 12.

Amy

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Filed Under: Parenting Resources 36 Comments

Improve your Marriage- Spring Conference Giveaway

April 3, 2012 By
spring giveaway

There is a great spring giveaway at Keepin’ it Real and I’ve invited Gina, a mentor, blogger and mom whom I truly respect and adore to tell you all about it. From Gina… I have been given the privilege of  being able to give away  a FamilyLife  “Weekend to Remember®” marriage getaway registration for one [...]

There is a great spring giveaway at Keepin’ it Real and I’ve invited Gina, a mentor, blogger and mom whom I truly respect and adore to tell you all about it.

From Gina…
I have been given the privilege of  being able to give away  a FamilyLife  “Weekend to Remember®” marriage getaway registration for one lucky couple! The Weekend to Remember is a marriage conference hosted by FamilyLife ministries throughout the country.

What happens at the Weekend to Remember?

“What you and your spouse will hear during the Weekend to Remember® is not just one couple’s opinion on marriage. Instead, it is the result of more than three decades of biblical research by a team of men and women who distilled what it takes to have a successful marriage and family.

The Weekend to Remember getaway is not a large counseling session, and you will not be asked to participate in small groups. Rather, you will receive marriage-changing principles that you can take home and apply to your daily lives that will strengthen your marriage.

During the weekend, you will learn how to:

  • Receive your spouse as a gift.
  • Clarify your role as a husband or wife.
  • Resolve conflict in the relationship.
  • Maintain a vital sexual connection.
  • Express forgiveness to one another.
  • Increase your commitment, creating an even deeper level of intimacy.

Our speakers will show you exactly how to pursue a marriage that really works through stories of their own breakthroughs and blunders. Every couple drives away with a roadmap to a great marriage. We want you to leave the weekend with encouragement, hope, and practical tools to build and grow your relationship. That’s why we call this a Weekend to Remember.” ~FamilyLife

Here are some testimonies from couples who have attended the Weekend to Remember.

Stop by “Keepin’ it Real” and enter to win your getaway weekend!

Amy

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Operation Intentional #Kindness: April Missions

April 1, 2012 By
operation-intentional-kindness-featured

This month’s assignments for Operation Intentional #Kindness are: Give four compliments today: two to people you know, two to people you don’t know. Let someone else go first… in the check-out line, in a doorway, down the parking lot aisle (and risk giving up a better spot) Write a thank you note to a store [...]

This month’s assignments for Operation Intentional #Kindness are:

  1. Give four compliments today: two to people you know, two to people you don’t know.
  2. Let someone else go first… in the check-out line, in a doorway, down the parking lot aisle (and risk giving up a better spot)
  3. Write a thank you note to a store or employee who has given you good service.
  4. Thrown a small cooler of water bottles in your car and find 6 people to pass them out to throughout the day.
  5. Have an extra store coupon? Give it to someone in the store. Or just give away your own coupon.

Remember, you only have to choose three assignments to do each month, but you are always welcome to do more.

Thanks for joining in and sharing kindness with those around you!

To learn more about Operation Intentional #Kindness, or to get the code to place the button on your own site, please click over to the introductory post of Operation Intentional #Kindness.

And, as always, please let me know how this mission is going for you or share more ideas for intentional kindness in the comments….

Amy

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I’ve been a bit cloudy lately… 2 Corinthians 3 SOAP

March 30, 2012 By
corinthians-featured

Today’s reading is 2 Corinthians 3 Here’s what grabbed me… Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. Observation: We are being transformed by Him, and reflect Him in all [...]

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Today’s reading is 2 Corinthians 3

Here’s what grabbed me…

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:18

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Observation:

We are being transformed by Him, and reflect Him in all we do.

Application:

I don’t think I’m doing the best job at being such a great reflection. My reflection is probably a bit cloudy right now. I need to do a better job of letting HIS light shine in and through me.

Prayer:

Lord, I am so thankful that you are with me and the Holy Spirit is in me.

Please forgive me when I grumble and don’t do such a good job of reflecting your love and my enthusiasm for your love. I guess I’ve been more cloudy than a shining light. I am sorry. Thank you for showing me this. Now, it’s time for me to step aside and let you SHINE through me.

Are you reading with me? What grabbed you today?

PS: If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter you’ll get daily reminders each evening of what the next day’s reading is.

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Amy

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Filed Under: 1 & 2 Corinthians 1 Comment