Yummy Maple Caramel Popcorn in Less then 10 Minutes

This is the easiest, healthiest and yummiest caramel popcorn ever! I made it up by accident one day and my family is a huge fan. It is what I make for our October 31st family movie night tradition. I also make it other times as well, usually in the Fall.

Ingredients:
Organic Popcorn
Coconut Oil
Real maple syrup
Butter ( I use organic)

First heat up a stock pot on high for a couple minutes.
Add 1/3 cup coconut oil or enough to cover the bottom thinly when melted.
Once coconut oil is melted and hot add 1/3 to 1/2 cup popcorn . Do not bring it to smoking. Popcorn should cover bottom with one layer.
Cover but leave the back side of your lid cracked to let out steam. If you shut the lid all the way your popcorn will be chewy and not light and fluffy.
Shake it back and forth a couple times to move the kernels around.
Listen for when popping slows and dump into a large bowl.
Wipe out kernel pieces carefully from bottom of hot pot while holding pan over the sink using paper towel.
Immediately return pot to burner and add a half a stick of butter and about a 1/3 cup maple syrup (or more of both if you like a lot of caramel). Butter will melt quickly and maple syrup will caramelize within a few seconds on the really hot surface. Pour hot caramel over popcorn, add real-salt or sea salt and toss.
Serve warm!

Our "Not So Halloween" Tradition

Our family isn't a big fan of Halloween. We don't like scary decorations, or themes that are based in the occult or other fear based subjects. I don't believe this honors God or is beneficial to my children.

"This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all." 1 John 1:5

So what to do, as a family, to be honoring to God and have fun together?

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." Philippians 4:8

I want to share our family tradition that we have done the past two years (this will be the third!). We live in a neighborhood with lots of kids which means lots of trick-or-treaters, but strangely is also is a neighborhood with lots of scary Halloween decorations ( really scary ) demons coming out of the ground, body parts, etc. . . Not good for little ones! (Or anyone). So we put a BIG bowl of treats and tiny Bibles, and small toys outside with a cute sign, "Take One Please!" and leave our porch light on. When I say treats I mean granola bars, real fruit snacks, vitamin C lollipops, and other better choices. (who thought of giving kids so much refined sugar and other junk right at the beginning of cold and flu season? What a dumb idea.). Anyways. . . .Then I make homemade maple caramel popcorn (its done in less then 10 minutes, recipe here.) And all six of us cuddle on the couch with hot cocoa or cider and popcorn and watch the old Disney Swiss Family Robinson from the 1960's. My 6 and 8 year old remember this tradition and they are so excited for it again. I asked them if they wanted to change the movie this year and they said no. They love the movie and it makes it so special to watch it once a year as a family.

Most important I am teaching my kids something different.

Here are a couple of the many verses in the Bible concerning witchcraft. Consider what your children read, see, and engage in. Is it flirting with what God detests? Is this going to lead them closer to Jesus, closer to love, to light, or farther away?

"I will destroy your witchcraft and you will no longer cast spells." Micah 5:12
"Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord, and because of these detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you. You must be blameless before the Lord your God." Deuteronomy 18:10

Next post: Yummy Maple Caramel Popcorn!

TWINS!

I love my girls! They are 3 years old now. Adorable, identical, vivacious, emotional, strong willed, creative, and curious.  They are a handful- or two handfuls, that often I feel like I am juggling. Let me give you a few examples from just one afternoon. This all happened after they woke up from their nap at 3pm.I felt lucky they took a nap at all. Especially since my boys were playing gaga-ball upstairs and it was shaking the whole house. When they did wake up I had already got dinner in the oven and was making my late lunch. They woke up grumpy and crying, but I got them happier with some protein in their bellies. A little while later I heard my boys screaming, "Mom, she has a glue bottle!" I turned to see C. running up the stairs and trapped by the upper gate hiding something behind her back. I pulled her hand out with much effort to find an open Elmer's glue bottle and her hands covered with glue. I am thankful I got to that in time! Just a few later I was helping C. in the bathroom and I came out to find I. with a open bottle of turmeric powder (bright orange) on the couch with it spilt all over her, the couch and on her face. I am so thankful for the microfiber, it didn't seem to stain too much. We had a break to read stories, and dance and sing a long to Hillsong Kids worship videos on YouTube. Then a tantrum over not getting to watch a show during the only phone call of the day, and fighting with the boys over the hammock, biting sister's foot when she wouldn't get down from the top of a ride on toy, C. unrolling a quarter of a roll of Toilet paper because she didn't want to have the small roll, she wanted the big one, and spitting grape juice from their popsicles on to the newly washed white dog (they were curious if the dog would turn purple, they love purple!) Don't get me wrong- they have such great hearts. Oh that curious, determined spirit is going to serve them so well later in life. Lord help me to get through it! Oh how I love them to pieces.
Deep breath, say my prayers, start a new day tomorrow!

God Provides More then Enough!

I love God's character. He is not a just enough, or almost enough, kind of God. He is over the top, flowing over, more then what we ask for. He surprises us. When we are going through a time of trial, struggle, or not enough, we need to hang on and trust Him. Let our heart depend on Him more fully to develop our faith, trust, and character. His promises are always true; more true then what we are experiencing. More true then what we see with our eyes. Trust the Lord, and watch Him do more with your life and your family then what you could have imagined. I know He has done that for me in so many ways and He is continuing to do that. I believe and put my trust in Him no matter what is going on in the world.

"Come to Me" Painting by Chelsea Carbonell

Contact me on Etsy.com for information about prints of this painting.

"The threshing floors will be filled with grain; the vats will overflow with new wine and oil."Joel 2:24 NIV
"I will bless them and the places surrounding my hill. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing." Ezekiel 34:26 NIV
"Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity." 2 Corinthians 6:2 NIV
"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38 NIV
"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." Ephesians 3:20 NLT

Search the Bible at Biblos.com

Back to Eden Film

I just watched the Back to Eden Film last night and it was so good and interesting! I loved how the gardener, Paul, prays about his garden and hears from the God of the Universe. His story reminds me of George Washington Carver.
He had some great gardening tips on there that really make sense, and are mirrored more after nature then traditional gardening/farming techniques. His techniques save water, time and energy, and lead to healthier plants. It is not all new. I have read somewhat similar ideas in organic gardening magazines, but he takes it to a higher level and aligns his gardening with God's Word. He also talks about having a generous spirit and the health giving properties of home-grown organic produce.
I loved that it was free to watch online at http://backtoedenfilm.com/.
It is a must see for any gardener, whether your garden is a small backyard one like mine or you have a farm.
Here are a few photos from my garden taken this week. I live in the Pacific Northwest so our growing season is shorter then most- but I love to make the most of it!

Short season corn

Spinach and chard

poppies from seed from a neighbor

tomatoes

potatoes, and herbs and lettuce behind

zucchini

Here Comes the Sun

here comes the sun. . . do do do do. . . here comes the sun and I say, its all right. . . .

The sunflower in my garden today made me want to start singing the most wonderful Beatles song ever: Here Comes the Sun. This brave sunflower was starting to bloom on a day with rain and thunderstorms. I hope my attitude can be as strong and joyful as this through trials.

"Always be joyful." 1 Thessalonians 5:16

Imprisoned in Iran

I was amazed watching the story Dan Baumann, a missionary who was on a tourist trip to Iran when he was arrested with a friend while trying to leave the country. He was beaten, tortured, and repeatedly interrogated. He came to the place of complete despair in the prison cell and tried to kill himself. In that place of hopelessness, he had a face to face vision with Jesus. After this Dan regains hope and forgives his prison guards and even be-friends the one who beat him the most! The end of the story is so amazing and inspiring. I won't give it all away- go see it here.

"And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." Mark 11:25
"Imprisoned in Iran" story can be found here on CBN news in video and written format.

Prayer for the Nations

Today I was led to pray some Psalms out loud- Psalm 116-118. Psalm 117 is one I prayed over many nations just by changing the word "nations" to "USA, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Moldova, Indonesia, Guatemala,. Haiti." It is a simple but powerful prayer from the Word of God.

Praise the Lord, all you nations;

extol him, all you peoples.

For great is his love toward us,

and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.

Praise the Lord. Psalm 117

Your will be done and Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:21

Many people say, "Who will show us better times?" Let your face smile on us, LORD.

 Psalm 4:6

Love All

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. "

1 John 4:7

Don't Be Afraid: A Lesson from a Lost Dog

I was talking with a friend today who is dealing with health issues and she was feeling afraid and discouraged. After praying together, she told me a story. Her dog had ran away when the dog was with her husband at his work. She drove over there having no idea where to look, but she just prayed for God to help her. The first house she knocked at, the person had not seen the dog, but they had just been to a national website where people can post lost dogs and noticed that a dog fitting her description had just been posted in her area. The person looked up the post and sure enough it was my friend's dog and she was able to go get the dog and bring him home right away. What are the odds I wonder? She thanked God for his help and there was no doubt in her mind that it was God who had helped her and led her to that house. I remarked to her that if God is helping you watch out for your doggy, how much more does he care about your health and your life? I think God really spoke to her about his care, concern and action-love through that faith building experience. Prayer is powerful only because of who we are praying to. I reminded her of the verse where Jesus explains that God cares for every sparrow:

 "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Luke 12:5-6

Guide Me in Your Truth and Teach Me

Reading and listening to current news is enough to put anyone's emotions and head into a tailspin. What if? What is happening? Why? I can't believe that would happen, or how can anyone be so cruel, or greedy, or fill in the blank. God highlighted Psalm 25 to me a couple weeks ago and I have been meditating on the depth of promise and truth.

"No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse, teach me your paths; guide me in your truths and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." Psalm 25:3-5 NIV

God this is my prayer, please show me your truth. Protect us, your are our God and I choose to trust you with my life. I choose to trust you with my family. I want my hope to be in you all day long and not to be afraid or focused on what is in this temporal world. Make my focus on the eternal not on what is passing away. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.

Pray to Bring Home Domenic Johansson

I just watched the heart wrenching story of Domenic Johnasson, a happy healthy 7 year old, snatched from his parents from an airplane in 2009 for the reason of homeschooling. He still hasn't been given back to his parents.
Please watch this video story of him where his parents give the first interview on television since the abduction.
Heartbreaking! God have mercy. We are praying for you Domenic, we are praying for these parents whose hearts are broken.
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2012/March/Swedish-Homeschool-Family-Broken-to-Pieces/

Easy Coconut Chocolate Mousse! Non-Dairy

This is so yummy and easy- my 4 kiddos all had seconds and hubby loved it too!
Recipe:
1 chilled can coconut milk (regular/non-light)
1/4 cup organic powered sugar
1 packet stevia
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup cocoa (or more if you love chocolate!)

Whip all ingredients in a mixer until resembles mousse. We put sliced strawberries on top. I love coconut deserts but they are so expensive in the store this is a great and EASY alternative that is super yummy. I love the smooth, fluffy texture.

I got this idea from MoneySavingMom at this link and just changed it up a bit!

Just a Couple of Reasons We Choose to Not Celebrate Halloween

Halloween is a celebration of darkness, death, and fear. It has a long history in occult practices and it is plain to see how it is connected by the decorations that come out.
‘All those who hate Me love death.’ (Proverbs 8:36)
With my children I choose to celebrate life.
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." words of Christ in John 10:10.
I believe in following God's Word every day of the year and bringing my children up in the fullness of it, without exceptions for cultural practices that don't line up.
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:8.
This verse says that we should not focus ourselves or our children on darkness, death, evil, scary and occult things. But whatever is good and lovely. My children dread Halloween decorations. In our neighborhood they tend to be particularly ghastly. Bloody heads hanging on hooks, rotting figures in cages and the like. This is disturbing to my little children and rightly so. I don't wish for them to be desensitized to what is cruel and inhumane.
Halloween is centered on fear. Scripture says in 2 Timothy 1:7, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." Again in 1 John 4:18 it says "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."
I have heard it taught that fear is the opposite of faith. Interesting thought.
I choose to focus on the light of Christ and not on darkness.

Read about some orgins of Halloween symbols here. There is much information on the subject and this is just one page I happened upon with good information.

Art! Fine Art Giclees Now Available. Christian/Worship/Devotional and Decorative Art.

The Water of the Spirit

I just heard John Kilpatrick say something enlightening in a sermon at the Bay of the Holy Spirit.
He said the difference between not living by the Spirit and living by the Spirit of Almightly God is carrying water or being carried by water. (Not in quotes but close). I want to be carried by the water! Carrying water is not fun- its heavy and hard work and I can only carry a little bit at a time.

Praying for the U.S.A.

the I am praying Isaiah 43:10-13 over our country, the United States of America.
Isaiah 43:10-13

10 “ You are My witnesses,” says the LORD,
“ And My servant whom I have chosen,
That you may know and believe Me,
And understand that I am He.
Before Me there was no God formed,
Nor shall there be after Me.
11 I, even I, am the LORD,
And besides Me there is no savior.
12 I have declared and saved,
I have proclaimed,
And there was no foreign god among you;
Therefore you are My witnesses,”
Says the LORD, “that I am God.
13 Indeed before the day was, I am He;
And there is no one who can deliver out of My hand;
I work, and who will reverse it?”
(NKJV)

Our country was founded with much prayer and strong covenants with the Lord God. In 1607 (see link) the settlers in Virginia set a cross on the beach and prayer to God to dedicate this land to the Lord. Even though they may have been the first, they were not the last. God does not forget. He remembers our history, and I believe He will have the victory in this nation. I pray that we turn to Him because he is the hope, light, and peace we are looking for.

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV) from Bible Gateway.
Lets pray and seek God's face- he is ready and waiting to hear from us and heal us.
Father have mercy in Jesus Name.







 

 

Slavery Today

Did you know that there are more slaves today (right now!) then all the slaves combined in the over 400 years of slave trade in ships from Africa?

There are a staggering 27 million slaves today.

80% are women
50% are children
Every minute 2 children are trafficked
The age of the average victim is getting younger and younger. Many victims found in brothels are as young as 5 years old. There has been ones found younger than that. . . .
This vile trade brings in 19 billion a year at low estimates, rivaling the illegal drug trade. It is about greed and money.

This injustice is up to us to stop. We must be God's hands and feet to rescue. Everyone is called to do something. The problem is huge, but our God is bigger and His heart breaks for every person He has created in His image that is abused and destroyed.

We all need to seek God to see what our part is to be. Some may be in intercession (including prayer walks), media, political awareness and working for justice in lawmaking. Others may be called to visit brothels to bring God's love and provision, even being part of undercover operations to rescue children. Some people's part is in law enforcement, speaking out, spreading the word, and giving money to fund efforts to free slaves and rehabilitate the abused. The perpetrators need rehabilitation too. I heard it taught by Patricia King recently that everyone who engages in sexual impurity feeds this monster of perversion and abuse around the world. 
"For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens." Ephesians 6:12

If we just allow ourselves to picture the little children, teens and women we know kidnapped and forced into this prison where many are forced to be abused by 20 men a day, then compassion will well up in us and we will be led to pray and take action.

Three non-profits that I know and trust that work tirelessly in stopping the sex trade and rescuing the abused are Kampuchea Kids, Cambodian Hope Organization  (both in Cambodia where many children are kidnapped and brought over the Thai border and viciously treated in brothels in Thailand, Malaysia, and surrounding areas),and trustworthy World Vision. This article from the World Vision website is a personal story of one's girls suffering and rescue.

The statistics I quote above are taken from For Their Tears I Died - Stories of Extreme Suffering and Extravagant Redemption in Human Trafficking and Social Injustice, by Patricia King, Michelle Perry and others.
Go let your light shine in the darkness!

Activites Vs. Plans

Commit your activities to the Lord and your plans will be achieved.

Proverbs 16:3

The way this verse is worded is so interesting. It doesn't say commit your plans to the Lord and your activities will succeed. It says commit your activities to the Lord. This is so good for wherever we are. I may not be where my plans (or in another translation says desires) are but the promise is if I commit whatever I have before me to do (housework, homeschooling, praying, singing, driving, changing babies, bills etc etc. . .) to the Lord God my plans or desires will be achieved. That is awesome! God I commit everything I do to you. I will show you that I am committing it to you, not only by doing it excellently for Your Glory, but by singing and praying as I go about my day. Doing so will turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. My plans and desires you have put into my heart WILL be achieved in the Name of Jesus, Amen.

The reflections of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps.

Proverbs 16:1 & 9

Snoqualmie Falls, View from the Salish Inn