As the year comes to an end....

Count your blessings...one by one
Whatever is true...think on these things
Whatever is pure...think on these things
Whatever is lovely...think on these things
Guard your heart diligently...for what goes in ...comes out
Put others first
Respect your elders
Serve willingly
Love fervently
Be a friend if you want a friend
Give till it hurts
Love the unlovable
Delight in the Lord
Trust in the Lord
Stretch your hand out to the poor
Open your mouth with wisdom
Reverence God
Do everything as unto the Lord
Do not even look upon wine for it is a mocker
Do not lie
Honor your father and your mother
Get understanding
Sing praises with understanding
Consider the ant
Pray all the time
Grandchildren are the crown of the aged
The wise accept rebuke
The foolish speak arrogantly
A friend loves at all times

© Monika Hardy

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

© Monika Hardy

And the winner is...

Morning all...
Thanks so much for celebrating my Blogaversary with me!
I was able to post all the entries including those that came in yesterday for the $10 dollar Blogaversary Starbucks Card Giveaway
and the winner is....

Conny at The Life of an Ordinary Hausfrau!

© Monika Hardy

Happy Thankgiving and Blogaversary Giveaway!

Happy Thanksgiving to all! Hope your weekend was filled with love and family and most of all Jesus as ours was!I had some fun making painting some Thanksgiving cards (above) for family this year while I recovered from some surgery earlier in the month.

Just a reminder....the Blogaversary Starbucks Giveaway closes tonight at midnight PST.
(enter below on last post)
I know many of you have been busy with family and friends at this time of year, and there was not a lot of time to enter, but I didn't want to just let the chance slip away for someone out there!
Looking forward to posting a winner!





© Monika Hardy

Blogaversary Starbucks Giveaway!

My three year Blogaversary will be in seven days!
What a joy it has been to connect with so many of you!

I began this journey to...
Encourage others, and I myself have been encouraged.
Bring joy and hope to others and others have shared it with me.
To share God's word with others, and it has been shared with me.
To encourage other women to make Jesus in their Home the priority in their lives, and been so encouraged to hear of many of you doing just that!
So in honor of the third year...a giveaway.

Since it is so cold here right now, I would love to share a warm cup of coffee with all of you!
Alas, that will not work, so a $10.00 Starbucks Gift Card will have to do for one precious reader!

ONE entry point will be given to each of the following..
1. Leave a comment here about something you like about this blog.
2. Leave a comment on Facebook about something you like about this blog and leave that link here in the comments so I can read it.
3. Leave a comment on Twitter about something you like about this blog and leave that link here in the comments so I can read it.

THREE entry points will be given for the following...
4. Write a post on your blog about the giveaway and what you like about this blog and leave that link here in the comments for me to read.

All comment entries left on this site must be posted by midnight November 28th, 2010. The winner of the $10.00 Starbucks gift card will be posted on my third Blogaversary, Monday, November 29th, 2010.

Thank you so much for your encouragement over the past three years!



© Monika Hardy

Thankful Sunday

In the land of the Northwest God has given us a beautiful snowy day! It is beautiful to watch the snow flakes fall, and I love to get out into it and play and drive and shovel and just enjoy it! It reminds me of the blood that my Jesus shed for me to wash me clean and make me white as snow. At this time of year when we are all reminded to be thankful, it reminds me to be thankful at all times....not just on a day that the world has turned into a "turkey day".

Things to be thankful for....

Salvation from my sins through faith in Jesus!

Those in the military willing to fight for our freedoms!

Children and Grandchildren

A computer that works again so I can visit with you all again!

and so much more....like chili on the stove in a warm home and someone to share it with.

Whether your dinner is small fare or not, whether there be someone to share it with you or not...

always remember to invite the most important guest to spend time with you...Jesus!

Happy Sunday evening to you!



© Monika Hardy

New Link for ...Pumpkin Biscotti

Pumpkin Biscotti

Pre -heat oven to 350 F

(Soak 1 cup raisins in warm water for 5 minutes & drain)

Place in a large bowl:

½ cup melted (lightly browned) butter

1 cup brown sugar

4 beaten eggs

2 Tablespoons vanilla extract

½ cup mashed canned pumpkin

STIR

Add

4-5 cups Flour

3 Tablespoons Pumpkin Pie spice

1 cup soaked raisins

2 Tablespoons Baking Powder

STIR

Coat hands with Oil and form three long flattened rolls

Place on cookie sheet

Bake 1/2 hour @ 350 F

Let cool 15 minutes

Slice each portion at an angle

Place sliced side down

Bake for 12 minutes to lightly brown

Flip and Bake another 12 minutes to lightly brown

Let cool

Glaze

Glaze

½ cup melted butter

1 Tablespoon vanilla

2 cups powdered sugar

Mix and add a few tablespoons of regular OR evaporated milk

While mixing till desired consistency is achieved

Drizzle glaze on cooled Biscotti

Store in airtight container after glaze has dried.

© Monika Hardy

Are both your oars in the water?

"It was Lord who put into my mind (I could feel His hand upon me) that fact that it would be possible to sail from here to the Indies. All who heard of my project rejected it with laughter, ridiculing me. There is no question that the inspiration was from the Holy Spirit, because He comforted me with rays of marvelous inspiration from the Holy Scriptures."
.....from HIS journals
~Christopher Columbus

Been ridiculed for your faith lately?
Or do you just blend in and stop others from taking sail?
Start moving and let God direct the outcome.

© Monika Hardy

Romans 12:9-16
The professed love of Christians to each other should be sincere, free from deceit, and unmeaning and deceitful compliments. Depending on Divine grace, they must detest and dread all evil, and love and delight in whatever is kind and useful. We must not only do that which is good, but we must cleave to it. All our duty towards one another is summed up in one word, love. This denotes the love of parents to their children; which is more tender and natural than any other; unforced, unconstrained. And love to God and man, with zeal for the gospel, will make the wise Christian diligent in all his wordly business, and in gaining superior skill. God must be served with the spirit, under the influences of the Holy Spirit. He is honoured by our hope and trust in him, especially when we rejoice in that hope. He is served, not only by working for him, but by sitting still quietly, when he calls us to suffer. Patience for God's sake, is true piety. Those that rejoice in hope, are likely to be patient in tribulation. We should not be cold in the duty of prayer, nor soon weary of it. Not only must there be kindness to friends and brethren, but Christians must not harbour anger against enemies. It is but mock love, which rests in words of kindness, while our brethren need real supplies, and it is in our power to furnish them. Be ready to entertain those who do good: as there is occasion, we must welcome strangers. Bless, and curse not. It means thorough good will; not, bless them when at prayer, and curse them at other times; but bless them always, and curse not at all. True Christian love will make us take part in the sorrows and joys of each other. Labour as much as you can to agree in the same spiritual truths; and when you come short of that, yet agree in affection. Look upon worldly pomp and dignity with holy contempt. Do not mind it; be not in love with it. Be reconciled to the place God in his providence puts you in, whatever it be. Nothing is below us, but sin. We shall never find in our hearts to condescend to others, while we indulge conceit of ourselves; therefore that must be mortified.~ Matthew Henry

© Monika Hardy

There are few joys in life compared to having a grandchild.
Raising sons was wonderful, enjoying Grand daughters is delightful,
and now God has blessed us with a tiny little man child of a Grandson!
Ok, so maybe not so little at 9lbs 11ozs! All in all, the experience is so wonderful.
He brings pride and joy to the family, and it is so precious
to see his older sisters so gently pouring love out on him.
Nathanael Bradford Hardy,
named partly in honor of his Grandfather "Bradford"
is a little man who seems to have been here all along.
Wrapped in any blanket in the home that is NOT pink,
gently napping in the sunshine, and accepting all sorts of hugs and kisses.

Jesus loves you little one, sleep tight.

© Monika Hardy

What if God's People Prayed?

Jesus, I Believe

first published....Jan 31st, 2010

The third track on the New Release…Who Can Mind the Journey is, Jesus I Believe.

There is a time in each of our lives when darkness surrounds, the walls cave in, and we don’t think we can take another step or take another breath because the wind has been knocked out of us. We can wallow in the mire of self pity and waste precious moments of life, or we can believe what the Lord has told us and continue to walk in faith. Life is full of hurt and pain and misery, and misery sure loves company, but what if we trusted our healer to heal the broken heart, to mend the shattered soul? What if we turned to Jesus instead of the newest book, instead of picking up the phone, instead of talk shows? My Jesus wrote the manual for life, He wrote love letters to my soul, and within them are promises that He will keep!

He will never leave me or forsake me.

He is able to handle everything that concerns me.

He loves me with an everlasting love.

I am safe in His hands and always will be, and so are you!

God always keeps His promises!

Listen to the song...Jesus I Believe

© Monika Hardy

Old Fashioned Redwork

The heavens declare the glory of God;
and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
Psalm 19:1

My handiwork is nowhere near what God has made,
but it does keep my hands from being idle.
Redwork is a handiwork that traveled over to America from Europe
prior to the time of the War between the States.
I love the simplicity of the work.
Even while resting, we can keep our hands busy,
a few stitches at a time and
Voila! you have something to show for your time.
There are many patterns or iron on transfers
to make your Redwork easier,
or draw your own and trace onto Muslin.
I just finished the piece below and will most likely turn it
into a wall hanging and then off to begin
an Herb Rosemary Herb Pattern on a Flour Sack.

For more information check out Rissa Peace Root's
very comprehensive post....
A Redwork Embroidery Primer

© Monika Hardy

Quilting

It has been such a pleasure to be able to make some time to be able to put together a quilt top. I've been taking lessons from a friend who is offering a quilting class to ladies.
I've have sewn many things throughout my years, but never a quilt top. We used a Crazy Quilt Pattern, a variation of a nine patch. I've done just a bit at a time for the past 6 months. I don't like to use my seam ripper at all and wanted to make sure I was doing every step just right,
so I put it together piece by piece over time to insure that
the seam ripper would never need to be used.
We were given wonderful instruction and the choice of using many different fabrics that she has accumulated over the years to construct the quilt. Fellowship among the ladies is also included :)

When the quilt is finished it will be donated to a local Pregnancy center. It has been such a blessing to pray while sewing and asking God to bless and care for the child and family that will receive this Quilt. There is more stitching and praying to be done, but I wanted to share this with you so that you can help me pray for the little one that will receive this blanket. It was made for a little girl in mind as I chose fabrics with a Old Victorian Theme in mind.

Oh, and you might keep me in your prayers too,
to keep the evil seam ripper away :)

God Bless you Debi, and thanks!

© Monika Hardy

100 Years Ago Today

In the year of our Lord 1910
on the twentieth day of the month of July,
one hundred years ago...

The Christian Endeavor Society of Missouri
began a campaign to ban all motion pictures
that depicted kissing between non-relatives.

© Monika Hardy

Happy Birthday America!

Our National Anthem sung by a young girl who couldn't even talk till she was 3 due to autism.

Father may we, Your children, endevour to serve You with all our heart, soul and might!
May You be glorified in all that we do and say.
May You accept our repentance as individuals and as a country,
as we celebrate the anniversary of the birth of the United States of America.
Many have died to make and keep her free,
but only One died set us ALL free to serve You...thank you Jesus!
Happy Independence Day America!
May you know true freedom and independence in Jesus!
When the Son sets you free, you are free indeed!

© Monika Hardy

ZOI!

I ventured out into uncharted territory for myself awhile back and attempted to make fresh Homemade Yogurt While it was not a success I was still hoping to try my hand at it again. It's been a busy time and I haven't tried to make another batch yet but wanted to have some yogurt in the house. For one reason, I wanted to enjoy some, and another to have a good quality yogurt on hand to use as a starter. Well I bought a few different brands hoping to find something I would like best...and did I ever. I found a brand I had never noticed before, and I have definitely found the bend mark of yogurts! It's called ZOI!It's Greek style yogurt that is thicker than other yogurts. It's kind of like what I tried in Germany which the Germans called Quark.
I picked the Zoi yogurt with honey, although it comes in plain and fruit flavors, and think is even better than Ice Cream and much better for you!
You have got to try to believe it!

© Monika Hardy

The Plumbline of Truth

I often share with others that we are to look at everything in life not through rose colored glasses,but Bible colored glasses, so that we, as women, know what God's will is for us, when we know His word. Kay Arthur shares on the Plumb line of TRUTH.



© Monika Hardy

The Family Bible

© Monika Hardy

On My Knees, by Jaci Velasquez

© Monika Hardy

Update on Homemade Yogurt

An update on my recent Homemade Yogurt Post.
Well I have to say my first attempt at making home made Yogurt failed!
I used a Yogourmet freeze dried culture, but I forgot to check the freshness date, and it was too old. To top things off, I knocked the thermometer off the kitchen counter and it broke. At first I wasn't sure if I was going to try my hand at this again. However after buying a store bought yogurt I actually tasted the cornstarch in it. Since going to simpler whole organic foods it is amazing what your taste buds can detect so I do plan on buying another thermometer and give this another try. Has anyone else tried their hand at making yogurt and are there any tips you might have for this novice?

I came across another helpful link....
The Golden Spoonful has a wonderful site, with lots of help for making yogurt, yogurt cheese, and Ice Cream!

© Monika Hardy

John Bunyan on Modesty

Bring back the Age of Innocence....


Remember the following words were penned in the 1600's, there is nothing new under the sun.

John Bunyan Quote on Modesty

Although immodesty and nakedness seem to be at an all time high in our country, it is not new to sinful man. John Bunyan (1628-1688) preached against immodesty in his day as well! Consider his words:

“Why are they for going with their…naked shoulders, and paps hanging out like a cow’s bag? Why are they for painting their faces, for stretching out their neck, and for putting of themselves unto all the formalities which proud fancy leads them to?

"Is it because they would honor God? Because they would adorn the gospel? Because they would beautify religion, and make sinners to fall in love with their own salvation? No, no, it is rather to please their lusts…

"I believe also that Satan has drawn more into the sin of uncleanness by the spangling show of fine clothes, than he could possibly have drawn unto it without them. I wonder what it was that of old was called the attire of a harlot: certainly it could not be more bewitching and tempting than are the garments of many professors this day.”

My, wouldn’t John Bunyan be shocked by the “bewitching and tempting” garments of today’s professors?


© Monika Hardy

Watermelon and Feta Salad

What a wonderful way to use watermelon!

Sounds so refreshing for the summer
I just know we are going to have soon!

Watermelon and Feta Salad

© Monika Hardy

Homemade Yogurt

Good Friday morning to you! I am so happy to see the sunshine after a few days of constant rain. I have been mulling around the idea of making yogurt and today I think I can, I think I can. I've been investigating many different methods, and have come to realize it's pretty simple. I guess I just have this need to understand the process completely as I don't want to waste all the ingredients.

A few Tips:
Store bought Yogurt can be used as a starter
or freeze dried culture available at the local health food store

Sterilize your equipment before you begin

You can use raw, or pasteurized milk, however Ultra Pasteurized will not work as it has been heated to the extreme and will not coagulate to make yogurt

If consistency is important make plain yogurt and add fruit or sweeteners later

There are different methods of keeping the yogurt warm while it is fermenting even without special yogurt making equipment:
Crock Pot, Heating Pad, In the oven, or even on the counter top.
Here are a few methods I've found online:

A Year of Slow cooking: You can make Yogurt in your CrockPot

Nourishing Days: Make Yogurt in your Crock Pot

Make Yogurt at Home: Video Simple Method

There are different methods and recipes involved in each of these sites, so pick one that works for you and start making your own fresh yogurt! The beast part about making your own is being able to control what goes into your yogurt. I'm off to make my own, let me know how yours turned out.


© Monika Hardy

What a glorious Sunday!

"You are as much serving God in looking after your own children,

and training them up in God's fear,

and minding the house,

and making your household a church for God,

as you would be if you had been called to lead

an army to battle for the Lord of hosts."

-Charles Spurgeon.

© Monika Hardy

On this day in History...David Brainerd,

photograph taken May 2010 Monika Hardy


Christ Church, the Mother Church of Georgia, was the first house of worship
established with the founding of Georgia in 1733.
Early Rectors included John Wesley who began the earliest form
of Sunday School and published the first Hymnal in the Colonies,
and the George Whitefield founder of the Bethesda Orphanage.

June 12, 1744:

David Brainerd,missionary to the New England Indians, is ordained by the Presbyterian Church. Within the next three years, he enjoyed success in his missionary efforts, but he died of tuberculosis at age 29. Jonathan Edwards preached the funeral sermon and published the diary which David had kept. David Brainerd was a contemporary with John Wesley and George Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards during what was known as the period of American History called the "Great Awakening."


© Monika Hardy

Plant and Pray

Not much to look at here, just dirt so far....
I am sure many of you are enjoying one stage or another of planting season. Here in the Northwest we have been having a very wet, cool time. Ok, so technically it is not Spring yet, but it's hard not to be playing in the dirt. Mother's Day weekend is usually the time we start planting around here, but due to our vacation a few weeks ago I did not have my seeds planted until we got home. The seedlings are stretching awfully hard to reach the filtered sunlight and are becoming very leggy in just a few weeks time. However, they will just have to wait until we get some time on the weekend to get some dirt for our new raised garden bed. I guess all in all, it's all going to work out fine, unless we get a cold early Fall which will shorten the growing season. But, sow sparingly, and we will reap sparingly, so we are going for it.
I also started some out door cool weather container gardening of Butter crunch Lettuce and Salad Mix, and Green Leaf Lettuce, along with some herbs (Which aren't doing to well in this cool, wet weather) and I just planted the Ever bearing strawberry plants that came in the mail yesterday. I did use an old ladder to hold up the pea pods when they finally decide to sprout.
I tried to gather all the info, read the Farmers Almanac articles on planting by the cycles of the moon, tried to plant seeds early, tried to buy local strawberries, but alas all my plans failed.
Guess God just wants me to remember to Plant and Pray and Trust Him!
Happy Gardening, and trusting in God!

© Monika Hardy

Long May She Wave!

I pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the United States of America,
and to the Republic for which it stands:
one Nation under God, indivisible,
With Liberty and Justice for all.

We recently visited Colonial Park in Savannah Georgia.
In this cemetery lie men who fought for our freedom
in the American Revolution.
It also was the resting place for the bones of Nathaneal Greene for a time,
the second in command , first General to
George Washington.
We also visited the National Cemetery in
Beaufort South Carolina.
As I walked through the National Cemetary
I read the last lines of an inscription..
I've gone home.
It brought me to tears thinking that here I am,
on the complete other side of the country
from where my dad is buried,
in Arlington National Cemetery, Riverside CA.
I was reading the tombstone of someone elses family
and someone might be reading my dad's tombstone.
Here I am in complete freedom to travel and wander through history
because others have fought for our freedom.

At this time many in our military are fighting in foreign lands.
As we take time to remember them and others that have sacrificed
for our safety and freedom on this Memorial Day,
thank God for His abundant mercy and grace,
and I for one will ask Him to watch over our military and
their families as they sacrifice so much for us all.
Thank you! God Bless you!

I also remember my dad who is now with Jesus,
who fought for many years in the military and
retired as a Command Sergeant Major.
And to my brother who is also now retired from
the Army after 27 years.
And to my Nephew who has just enlisted!

Thank you all, and God bless you!

If you get a chance take a moment to pass on a Cup of Joe
to a soldier in Iraq or Afghanistan
and let them know that they are being thought of
and appreciated.

Green Beans Coffee
...gives us the opportunity to give a soldier a few moments of home,
and a personal email to express your sentiments of gratitude.
Green Beans Coffee, honor first...coffee second.

I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
Philemon 1:4

© Monika Hardy

Visit to the Atlantic

We did some traveling these past few weeks. It was the first vacation we have had in about 15 years, and the first time I saw my brother and his family in about 20 years. We traveled with our oldest son and his family. What a joy to spend time with them and our grand children! Coming from North Idaho I was expecting the heat and humidity of the South to overwhelm me, but it was ok. Of course it was just the end of May. What a delight to see the Atlantic Ocean. As a California raised girl I've been in the Pacific many times. Standing on the shores of the Atlantic in the afternoon was a strange experience.
As far as the eye could see, there was nothing but sky and water. And as I looked out to the horizon it was already looking a deeper shade of gray in the distance. God's power was manifest in His creation! I could just imagine the force of a Hurricane coming in from the water. While I was there the breeze was strong enough to put me off my balance at times on the shifting sand.
The warmth of the sun behind me was welcome, even though it seemed to be in the wrong place. I guess God was just letting me experience things from a different perspective.



The white sands of the beach were so fine, and the grass growing in the beaches was a scene I had only seen in the movies before, and were so beautiful. To sit for awhile in the cool ocean breeze was peaceful, and listen to the ocean waves seemed sureal. It made me think of the sound of the many waters in Revelation. Of course that will be the praises of the children of God singing His praises..but will sound as "the voice of many waters".



Ok, I am back at Hilton Head South Carolina again in my mind, and then instantly in the heavens where we will see the emerald rainbow around the throne of God! It was good to get away!

© Monika Hardy

My Beloved, you are beautiful to me

© Monika Hardy

Time to Worship God

In this age of Relativism, "Worshiping God in Spirit and Truth"
seems to have become such an old fashioned term.

In this Post Modern World, it seems so
"cool" really cool to speak of spiritual matters, to search for God...
just not to actually find Him.

Spending time "discussing" and "redefining" Biblical terms
to make them acceptable and comfortable,
to explore without ever really grasping hold.


Always learning, but not quite to a point of
understanding or accepting the Truth.

It's like a form of godliness,
without the power of it...fake, deceptive,
deceived by a counterfeit!

It is high time....WE COME TO WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH

 

© Monika Hardy

"This world is full of fragile loves—love that abandons, love that fades, love that divorces,
love that is self-seeking. But the unquenchable worshipper is different.
From a heart so amazed by God and His wonders-… burns a love that will not be extinguished.
It survives any situation and lives through any circumstance.
It will not allow itself to be quenched,
for that would heap insult on the love it lives in response to.
These worshippers gather beneath the shadow of the Cross,
where an undying devotion took the Son of God to His death.
Alive now in the power of His resurrection,
they respond to such an outpouring
with an unquenchable offering of their own." Matt Redman

In whom ye also trusted,(In Jesus) after that ye heard the word of truth,

the gospel of yoursalvation: in whom also after that ye believed,

ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Which is the earnest of our inheritance until

the redemption of the purchased possession,

unto the praise of his glory

Ephesians 1:13-14

We can rest assured that if we belong to our Beloved we will always be

safe in His hands and on His heart.

His love for us will never be quenched.

We are His purchased, highly favored possession!

Expensive children indeed!

The Love He has for us should create a love that burns with in us

that floods cannot drown out.

A love so hot that it melts our hearts

and keeps them soft.

A love so jealous of anything that would keep us apart

that we would walk worthy of the love He lavishes upon us!

© Monika Hardy

Rhyme of the Time

My God My Savior

© Monika Hardy

He knows my Name

© Monika Hardy

My heart, Your home

© Monika Hardy

The Invisible Woman

© Monika Hardy

Resurrection Weekend

Our family would appreciate your prayers at this time. My husbands mom, Kathy, just went home to be with Jesus on Thursday night. She has been suffering from Alzheimers for quite some time, but is now safe and sound in the arms of Jesus. More family will be arriving next week and we will be having a memorial service next week. What an awesome first weekend to be spending in heaven! See you soon Mom!

© Monika Hardy

Think Spring!

© Monika Hardy

Monday Morning Coffee

A little something for the Monday Morning Coffee Break

Whole Grain Bars
1 cup softened butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon almond extract
Combine and mix
Add 2 eggs and mix
Add 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1 cup old fashioned quick oats
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 cup chopped toasted almonds
1/2 cup dried cranberries
Mix all till combined
grease a 9x13 glass pan
press mixture into pan
bake in preheated oven at 350 for 25 minutes.
Pull out to cool
OPTIONAL Top with 1/4 cup white chocolate chips
let melt a few minutes and then spread chips

Let cool completely and cut into bars
Store in airtight container or
single servings in plastic zip locks for a quick
take along for coffee.

© Monika Hardy

RABUNIFI

She looketh well to the ways of her household,
and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Her children arise up, and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Many daughters have done virtuously,
but thou excellest them all.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain:
but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands;
and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Proverbs 31:27 -31

This month of 31 Days with the Proverbs 31 Woman at
Hisbeloveds

has been wonderful. And I would like to share a group of women
who are caring for their families with the work of their hands.

Rabunfi in Arabic means God is here.

The women of Africa will be opening an online craft site through the help of Far Reaching Ministries, below is some info on how they began

"Knowing that each woman’s greatest need- her need for a Savior – was already met we began prayerfully seeking a way to ease their poverty and physical suffering. Many women went into dangerous areas of the bush (where the threat of rebel soldiers who were known to rape, kill, and abduct was very real) in search of firewood to sell. One bundle of wood was only enough to put one meal on the table for their children. There were not enough hours in the day to fetch water from a well, cut and sell the wood, wash, cook and clean for a large family…let alone to come and sit attentively at Bible Study. We even saw women out of desperation brew grain alcohol or sell their own bodies just to feed their children. We prayed daily begging Jehovah the Healer to touch their children because there was no money for medicine. Our hearts broke for these ladies in their overwhelming need. "

You can read the rest at their website RABUNIFI

© Monika Hardy

Proverbs 31 Study Guest Post

I am guest Posting today!

My Daughter in law at His Beloved

has asked me to write a guest post today
for the series she has been writing this month ....
"31 Days with the Proverbs 31 Woman".
Today's post is in regards to
Practical Tips on Raising Sons.

© Monika Hardy

One thing at a time

The sun was up and out early yesterday shining in through the kitchen windows and door, and I could see all the winter crud everywhere! Thankfully when this happens there is something inside of me that goes off.....
Yippee!!
Most sane people I think would be outside enjoying the sunshine, but not me. I grab my cleaner and cloths and go to it! Scrubbing and buffing and sweeping and polishing.
It is such a reward now to walk in the kitchen and see a shiny counter top and clean floors even in the corners. Knowing that the corners are clean and the fridge has been cleaned out and the tea pot shines. Now if I can only catch up on more than a year of shoving things in drawers because of lack of time while caring form mom with Alzheimer's.
One thing at a time...sweet Jesus!


© Monika Hardy

Day 10 of 31 Days in Proverbs 31

Good day to you all ladies! Today is the 10th day of 31 Days through Proverbs 31 at my daughter in laws Blog....HISBELOVED. As a Grand mother I look at this study through different eyes now and just like God's word it is so deep that we can always come away with a fresh in filling of the Holy Spirit and a deeper understanding of His heart and Word. It is so wonderful to see Hisbeloved write and share the things God has laid on her heart from Proverbs 31 and know that she lives these before her family. It is wonderful to watch her interact with MY grand daughters :) and MY son. My husband and I are so blessed to know that her heart is to bless and serve them. Her husband safely trusts in her as well. She surely is a woman who fears the Lord.

© Monika Hardy

Young Ladies and Gentlemen

While going through the Proverbs 31 Study this month it has been such a blessing to see other young ladies taking up the torch of living a Biblical life without regard to the current culture. This may make our lives seem old fashioned, but I for one am so delighted to see it lived out in godly young ladies that are learning to serve their future husbands and families, by serving their Dad's and Mom's and family right now.

These young ladies are taking the time now, to learn skills that will help them in their future life no matter where God takes them. As Hisbeloved shared this past week a godly wife serves her husband ALL the days of her life. This implies the young woman has time to prepare for her role as wife by learning skills and preparing her heart before her God BEFORE she is married. This must seem like an incredible oddity to you if you happen upon this post and are living a life encouraged by the culture in which we live. But don't despair! Turn around and begin to walk with Jesus in His direction for your life. Seek him while He may be found, right now! Bow your heart and head, and surrender to the coming King.
Begin to shine the light of Jesus love in your life so that others may see Him instead of your SELF. We ladies are not lost in a man's world, we live in the order that God intended as helpers to our husbands as we care for him and manage his house and make it a home, as well as train his children in the ways of God. That is a tall order. We are not "bon bon eating, tv watching busybodies", no, we are concerned with the ways of our household, involved in the training of Young Ladies and Young Gentlemen.

What a joy it is to be a grandmother now, and see this begin all over again. I am also so delighted when I am doing my errands around town and a young man offers to get the door for me. I wish I could phone the Momma's of these young men and congratulate them on a job well done...but, a better reward will be waiting for them in heaven!

Would you like to see some of this in action with actual teenagers? Yes even some teenagers listen to the voice of God and obey Him and their parent's.
Take a peek at ...
A Country Diary of a 21st Century Lady


© Monika Hardy

The Best Books

"The best books...

The best books of men are soon exhausted--
they are cisterns, and not springing fountains.
You enjoy them very much at the first acquaintance,
and you think you could hear them a hundred times over-
but you could not- you soon find them wearisome.
Very speedily a man eats too much honey:
even children at length are cloyed with sweets.

All human books grow stale after a time-
but with the Word of God the desire to study it increases,
while the more you know of it the less you think you know.

The Book grows upon you: as you dive into its depths
you have a fuller perception of the infinity which remains
to be explored. You are still sighing to enjoy more of that
which it is your bliss to taste.

Charles Spurgeon

Day 5 of Proverbs 31 Study

If you haven't begun the Proverbs 31 Bible Study this week, it's not to late to catch up at His Beloved's. Today's topic..."She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness."Take a moment to read some insightful words to encourage the rest of your day as you meditate on some practical ways to stay away from the ways of idleness.

© Monika Hardy

Water color painting

I have always wanted to be able to paint roses! I love the way roses look when a good artist paints them realistically in oils. However, I am allergic to oils and all the cleaners, as well as acrylics so I thought I would have to give up...then I found Molly at Creative Techs Training!

Had a great time at Molly Murrah's Watercolor Class today. It was online this morning, and will be online again for the next 3 Friday's at 11am PST, through Creative Techs Training

Molly is a very good teacher, and all the guys who set up the program have been working very hard to provide an online Watercolor Class. I met someone from Germany there today and was able to speak with them before class began through the online chat. Using the chat is a nice way to feel as if you are actually one of Molly's students in the class with her. We can post questions to Jason Hoppe, (Some call him Mr. Clean) the online chat overseer, who has a great radio voice I might add and teaches other classes available online like working with Flash.

We learned watercolor techniques today by blending colors, making charts with our paints to check the transparency of our colors. Those of us who got there early were able to watch Molly prepare and paint a still life with shadows. A plus in the chat was keeping up with others on the USA/FINLAND Hockey Game. Can I hear an AMEN Tony? Can I here a go USA Margi? ...oh wait...you are still cheering for Canada, aren't you margi? Oh well, sorry :)
Still praying for Lottiesue and her husband...please join me in prayer for her husband who is very ill. We are asking God to heal and for wisdom for the doctors, and anything else God puts on your heart to pray for him (Steve)

The list of homework should be coming soon, but I'm sure we will all be taking to the paper soon when time allows. I for one, am looking forward to all the pictures of your work on flicker
Met someone else during class with a blog filled with lovely art Tints and Hues
Glad to see you there too Havasmama, and can't wait to see what we can come up with. I am trying to embrace abstract art, well because that is what mine looks like when it is done :)
Well, maybe not, but not as realistic as I would like though, but Jason encouraged us all that anyone can paint!
I seem to have heard some advice like that in the past, oh but that was...Anyone can sing!
Oh well, make a joyful noise and paint...it's only paper!
Here are my past attempts, and looking forward to adding more after applying Molly's teachings.
Till next week~
© Monika Hardy

Have Thine Own Way Lord

Amazing Grace
1846 - Birth of George C. Stebbins, American Baptist music evangelist. A composer of over 1,500 songs during his lifetime, Stebbins is still remembered today for writing the melodies to such hymns as: "I've Found a Friend," "Take Time to Be Holy," "Have Thine Own Way, Lord" and "Jesus is Tenderly Calling Thee Home."


Have Thine Own Way, Lord

Have Thine own way, Lord
Have Thine own way
Thou are the potter
I am the clay
Mold me and make me
After Thy will
While I am waiting
Yielded and still

Have Thine own way, Lord
Have Thine own way
Search me and try me
Master today
Whiter than snow, Lord
Wash me just now
As in Thy presence
Humbly I bow

Have Thine own way, Lord
Have Thine own way
Wounded and weary
Help me I pray
Power all power surely is Thine
Touch me and heal me
Savior divine

Domestic Abode

The following verse came to mind when asking God for a name for this site.

That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Titus 2:4-5

During a word study on the verse the term "Keeper at Home" stood out to me.
The term can also be translated...

G3626
οἰκουρός
oikouros
oy-koo-ros'
From G3624 and οὖρος ouros (a guard; be "ware"); a stayer at home, that is, domestically inclined (a "good housekeeper"): - keeper at home.

So the name was chosen...."Domestically Inclined"
That was a few years ago, and upon doing a web search for the name, I don't believe there were any others with the same name at the time. Now you can find many, some who are similar in thought and deed, however some who use the term to poke fun, or get their site more hits.

I am not a genius when it comes to computers and websites. Obviously, as I use the helpful Blogger to take care of most of the technical stuff. This Domestically Inclined woman may bore you with posts of homemaking, and Bible, and frugality, if you are not inclined to want to read these sorts of things. That's ok, I'm not here to please everyone, and I am certainly not an expert, but only sharing what God has taught me. However... to mock good, and praise evil is not right. I am not shocked, as God told me this would happen...


Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20

Matthew Henry Commentary makes this statement regarding the previous verse...

Let a man be ever so high, death will bring him low;
ever so mean, death will bring him lower.
The fruit of these judgments shall be,
that God will be glorified as a God of power.
Also, as a God that is holy;
he shall be owned and declared to be so,
in the righteous punishment of proud men.

Barnes shares the following in regards to the propher Isaiah's words...


"perverting and confounding" things, especially the distinctions of morality and religion, they prefer erroneous and fake doctrines to the true; they prefer an evil to an upright course of conduct.

So some may say, these men lived a long time ago and their mode of thought is out dated. I disagree! It is the word of God that stands as TRUTH for eternity. Making up ones own "Reality" that is contrary to God's opinion is false and foolish.
Let me sum up lest you think that I am angry with those who mock good and can't stand to be bored with TRUTH or listen to such dribble...

It is for your soul the enemy wrestles, and wants to take you with him, for he knows it is too late for him and wants to take as many with him to the pit of hell as he can. Stop now, Don't let him make a fool or worse of you!


For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. Romans 14:11

I can't make you choose this, and Jesus won't force you to bow that knee and confess on earth, but after death we will all bow the knee and confess Jesus as Lord! Your decision on earth will decide your "Domestic Abode" for eternity

What's it gonna be?

Heaven
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:1-3

or Hell?

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28
© Monika Hardy