...for one of our favourite treats!
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
4 cups flour
2 cups oats
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups butter
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 - 16oz can pumpkin
2 cups chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Set aside. In large bowl cream butter, gradually add sugars, beating until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; mix well. Alternate dry ingredients and pumpkin, mixing well after each addition. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by 1/4 cup amounts onto greased cookie sheet. Bake 20 minutes. (You can make them half the size - regular cookie drop amount- but check the around 12-15 minutes as they may need to come out sooner than the large size.)
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
The Littlest One
Our little ray of sunshine turned four today! It was a very rainy day, but we did manage a hike with friends, which was a fun way to celebrate!
All she wanted was a princess dress...
These two shots were taken by the birthday girl herself:
Thank you, Father, for giving us this precious girl who brings so much joy and sunshine to our lives!
All she wanted was a princess dress...
These two shots were taken by the birthday girl herself:
Thank you, Father, for giving us this precious girl who brings so much joy and sunshine to our lives!Blessings!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Today
Today was an absolutely gorgeous, autumn day! Since Bob has been on crutches, he hasn't gotten out much in the last 10 days and we decided it would be a crime not to get out today! So we packed everyone up and headed to Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake to take in the fall colours, the amazing falls and the beautiful vineyards.
Many blessings in Jesus!
Tonight we had our church family here for supper and worshipping together. It is always great to see whoever the Father brings to our home and good to catch up and be together. We had a beautiful time of worship tonight, and I learned this new (to me) song, thanks to our friend, Danny! I may be singing it all night long!!!
Many blessings in Jesus!
Recap
I realized that I never came back with an update on Bob's ankle or Ava's illness. So sorry!
This week we also participated in a local fall fair. The children entered several paintings and Lego creations and won a few prizes (no pics of the winning entries, sorry). We had a great time at the fair with sweet friends. It was a very windy and warm day.
Blessings!
Bob went to the fracture clinic and the doc said there is a piece broken from the left side of his ankle, as well as a torn ligament. He will wear an Aircast for three weeks and then have it re-xrayed. He can already tell that it is healing, so praise God and thank you for your prayers!
I took Ava to a respiratory specialist this week for some testing and it is likely that Ava does have asthma. We will continue with the same treatment and go back in one month. The good news is that there has been NO coughing for the last four nights!!!! Thank you, Father!!!
I took Ava to a respiratory specialist this week for some testing and it is likely that Ava does have asthma. We will continue with the same treatment and go back in one month. The good news is that there has been NO coughing for the last four nights!!!! Thank you, Father!!!
This week we also participated in a local fall fair. The children entered several paintings and Lego creations and won a few prizes (no pics of the winning entries, sorry). We had a great time at the fair with sweet friends. It was a very windy and warm day.
Blessings!
Friday, September 24, 2010
Fasting
This particular update on fasting has really been replaying in my mind...
I had known that this trip would be more about watching and listening than about doing. I got more of that last night at the evening meal at Onesmus and Esther's house. Both Onesmus and James told us that they would be in overnight prayers that night. They would start at 9:30pm and finish at 6am. They both do this once per week. When asked why, they told us that this was their way of taking authority over the strongholds in this area and drawing closer to God. Onesmus told us that before he goes to the next open air meeting he will pray and fast 3-5 days for the power and authority to confront successfully the witchcraft in the area. I then began to contemplate my own life and the powerlessness that I feel many times over here in confronting obvious powers of darkness. Onesmus told us that he knows after periods of prayer and fasting that the enemy will obey what he says...no doubting. I then began to realize that if we in the USA want to bring this kind of authority back to the Church, then the answer is in our overcoming with both prayer and fasting. We all have been so comfortable and have not been willing to labor in prayer either for ourselves or the Body of Christ or the lost. There were many nights that Jesus prayed to His Father all night. I remembered His Garden praying and His asking His disciples to pray with Him and to watch that they might not enter into trial. They failed but He succeeded and even had an angel come to Him to strengthen Him. He still had to face the cross but overcame. In Paul's description of spiritual warfare in Eph 6, we often say that the only offensive weapon is the sword of the Spirit but that is not true. He ends by instructing us to pray with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. This is also an offensive weapon. Jesus instructs us in Matt 17 when confronted with a stronghold that doesn't move to pray and fast. Many modern translations have left this out, but I think it is essential. There can be no substitute. Paul tells us in 1 Cor 9 that he buffets his body to keep it in subjection. How often do we follow that example? I am speaking to myself on all these points and my flesh absolutely rebels at the thought of this. The Africans are seeing the results of this kind of prayer and fasting. They are seeing the witchdoctors either repent or die. This kind of authority is true NT authority that we are to walk in. How many of us are willing to pay the price? I must admit that it has given me much pause and even angst as my flesh does not want to do this. However, I am feeling increasingly compelled to conform to what I see in the Word and to follow the examples of Scripture. I hope that some of you will be able to track with me on this so that more and more of His power can be manifested in the US. -Peb
Wow. There is so much to contemplate in this message. Bob has been involved in several long periods of fasting, as well as shorter times of giving up food to spend time with God and hear from Him. I have fasted several times in my life for certain situations or certain people. I know that God does special things during these times. Prayer is a big part of my life, but I don't include fasting often enough or on a regular basis. I am asking the Father to show me when and how I should fast in the next week.
Are you one who has made fasting a part of your life? What direct results have you seen God do in you or bring about because you were obedient in fasting and prayer? I would love to hear your stories.
Blessings in Jesus!
I had known that this trip would be more about watching and listening than about doing. I got more of that last night at the evening meal at Onesmus and Esther's house. Both Onesmus and James told us that they would be in overnight prayers that night. They would start at 9:30pm and finish at 6am. They both do this once per week. When asked why, they told us that this was their way of taking authority over the strongholds in this area and drawing closer to God. Onesmus told us that before he goes to the next open air meeting he will pray and fast 3-5 days for the power and authority to confront successfully the witchcraft in the area. I then began to contemplate my own life and the powerlessness that I feel many times over here in confronting obvious powers of darkness. Onesmus told us that he knows after periods of prayer and fasting that the enemy will obey what he says...no doubting. I then began to realize that if we in the USA want to bring this kind of authority back to the Church, then the answer is in our overcoming with both prayer and fasting. We all have been so comfortable and have not been willing to labor in prayer either for ourselves or the Body of Christ or the lost. There were many nights that Jesus prayed to His Father all night. I remembered His Garden praying and His asking His disciples to pray with Him and to watch that they might not enter into trial. They failed but He succeeded and even had an angel come to Him to strengthen Him. He still had to face the cross but overcame. In Paul's description of spiritual warfare in Eph 6, we often say that the only offensive weapon is the sword of the Spirit but that is not true. He ends by instructing us to pray with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. This is also an offensive weapon. Jesus instructs us in Matt 17 when confronted with a stronghold that doesn't move to pray and fast. Many modern translations have left this out, but I think it is essential. There can be no substitute. Paul tells us in 1 Cor 9 that he buffets his body to keep it in subjection. How often do we follow that example? I am speaking to myself on all these points and my flesh absolutely rebels at the thought of this. The Africans are seeing the results of this kind of prayer and fasting. They are seeing the witchdoctors either repent or die. This kind of authority is true NT authority that we are to walk in. How many of us are willing to pay the price? I must admit that it has given me much pause and even angst as my flesh does not want to do this. However, I am feeling increasingly compelled to conform to what I see in the Word and to follow the examples of Scripture. I hope that some of you will be able to track with me on this so that more and more of His power can be manifested in the US. -Peb
Wow. There is so much to contemplate in this message. Bob has been involved in several long periods of fasting, as well as shorter times of giving up food to spend time with God and hear from Him. I have fasted several times in my life for certain situations or certain people. I know that God does special things during these times. Prayer is a big part of my life, but I don't include fasting often enough or on a regular basis. I am asking the Father to show me when and how I should fast in the next week.
Are you one who has made fasting a part of your life? What direct results have you seen God do in you or bring about because you were obedient in fasting and prayer? I would love to hear your stories.
Blessings in Jesus!
News from Kenya
Our friend, Peb, is back in Kenya and has been sending some incredible updates on what the Father is doing there. The Holy Spirit is moving in incredible ways and peoples' lives are being changed, some quite dramatically.
Here is one update on their time with the orphan caregivers ("grandmothers")...
Just a quick note concerning Monday afternoon. We did distribute food to the orphan grandmothers. As always it is a humbling experience to see these women. At least one who looked to be in her late 70’s had walked 20 km which would take up to 4 hours was there. They all then loaded the food upon their backs much like a pack animal would be loaded down and began the long trek home. I estimate that many were carrying up to 40-50lbs of food on their backs. Most required help just hoisting the sacks of grain and rice onto their backs. But they were smiling and were grateful. Most must walk at least 1-2 hours but some up to 3 hours home and most must walk uphill on narrow and uneven paths. Those of you who have been here can easily understand what I am describing. So thanks for your help and prayers. God continually reminds me that He wants us to understand as Americans that He is granting us a privilege to be a part of this, as this is His heart. It is not so much that we are helping them, but that He is allowing us to participate in His heart.
To read more of the reports, go to East Africa Zarephath Ministries and click on reports.
I am going to share another message from Peb in my next post.
Blessings!
Here is one update on their time with the orphan caregivers ("grandmothers")...
Just a quick note concerning Monday afternoon. We did distribute food to the orphan grandmothers. As always it is a humbling experience to see these women. At least one who looked to be in her late 70’s had walked 20 km which would take up to 4 hours was there. They all then loaded the food upon their backs much like a pack animal would be loaded down and began the long trek home. I estimate that many were carrying up to 40-50lbs of food on their backs. Most required help just hoisting the sacks of grain and rice onto their backs. But they were smiling and were grateful. Most must walk at least 1-2 hours but some up to 3 hours home and most must walk uphill on narrow and uneven paths. Those of you who have been here can easily understand what I am describing. So thanks for your help and prayers. God continually reminds me that He wants us to understand as Americans that He is granting us a privilege to be a part of this, as this is His heart. It is not so much that we are helping them, but that He is allowing us to participate in His heart.
To read more of the reports, go to East Africa Zarephath Ministries and click on reports.
I am going to share another message from Peb in my next post.
Blessings!
Monday, September 20, 2010
Nature Hike
After being cooped up in the house with all this sickness, it was vital for us to get outside today to celebrate His creation. And what a gorgeous, almost-autumn day it was!
Many blessings!
Many blessings!
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