tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77861771942017530032009-12-02T23:25:37.178-06:00"And so I learned that what makes any calling noble is its being commanded by God; and that honest contentment consists not in persuading ourselves that our things are the very best in the world, but in believing they are the best for us, and giving God thanks for them." ~ Little Agnes in From Dark to DawnStacy McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15586778680661093130mcmom@patriarchspath.orgBlogger2782625tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786177194201753003.post-43226213711750841752009-09-01T13:38:00.008-06:002009-09-01T14:12:51.086-06:00

2009 Reformation Day FaireWith our 2009 Reformation Day Faire a little over a month away (October 23-24, 2009), I wanted to send out a reminder to those who haven't signed up yet. Click here for details.The address is:Providence Church401 S Carol Ave.Morton, IL 61550And CLICK HERE to see photos from our 2008 Reformation Day Faire!Also, I have had several emails and phone calls regarding

Stacy McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15586778680661093130mcmom@patriarchspath.org1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786177194201753003.post-14988323186081176932009-09-01T08:14:00.007-06:002009-09-07T08:46:22.149-06:00

If you’ve been eager to try Agave in your kitchen, here is your chance!As you may have noticed, I’ve been sharing some of my recent efforts to get our family back on track with a whole food diet. While I love to cook and feel strongly that creating a memorable, sensory experience for my family at meal time is one of the great joys of homemaking, I also believe we have a responsibility as wives

Stacy McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15586778680661093130mcmom@patriarchspath.org47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786177194201753003.post-37822404602460646432009-08-31T10:14:00.004-06:002009-09-01T15:56:04.732-06:00

This was filmed at our annual P&R Jubilee this past Saturday. The lead singer ;-) is our little William. Abigail, Grace, and Emma are in there too, as well as other Providence Church children. Tiffany put Psalm 117 to music; so, she and Melissa practiced with the children and surprised us with this presentation during the Psalm/Hymn Sing portion of the event. Where is my Kleenex?Thank you to

Stacy McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15586778680661093130mcmom@patriarchspath.org6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786177194201753003.post-30646528225861098342009-08-29T18:38:00.007-06:002009-08-29T19:52:04.352-06:00

This is a really good meal to serve for a crowd! It's fun, easy, and delicious! You can get creative and add your own toppings, decorations, and seasoning variations. We were speaking at a homeschooling event several years ago and they served this meal to the leadership using a "Hawaiian" theme. I looked online and couldn't find a recipe that didn't include cream of mushroom soup (which contains

Stacy McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15586778680661093130mcmom@patriarchspath.org2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786177194201753003.post-34968996920884626652009-08-27T07:35:00.006-06:002009-12-02T10:38:49.653-06:00

This salad, accompanied by a nice loaf of crusty sour dough bread, makes a wonderfully easy make-ahead lunch that will last several days in the refrigerator.It's also a good high-protein snack for the busy pregnant or nursing mom; or an easy travel-friendly meal for a pot luck.I also have a good recipe for a Mexican style black bean salad that I'll be posting soon!6 cups of cooked black beans1 C.

Stacy McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15586778680661093130mcmom@patriarchspath.org12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786177194201753003.post-87201893110845864892009-08-25T23:21:00.003-06:002009-08-26T07:19:58.250-06:00

Decide whether to laugh or cry and let me know.www.timhawkins.net

Stacy McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15586778680661093130mcmom@patriarchspath.org22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786177194201753003.post-30526026715512866202009-08-23T18:58:00.007-06:002009-08-23T20:02:15.860-06:00

Please read Part 1 HERE"But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:21-24)Yes! This is my battle! I know the truth; but, I struggle. I know I’m loved, and am no longer forsaken; but, too often, I don’t feel it, so I

Stacy McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15586778680661093130mcmom@patriarchspath.org10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786177194201753003.post-850806901573187602009-08-22T16:23:00.015-06:002009-08-24T07:07:21.156-06:00

"You number my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle; are they not in Your book?" (Psalm 56:8)He numbers my wanderings—He watches, records, and walks with me. He always has; even though it hasn’t always seemed like it. He even remembers the things He’s allowed me to forget. He has seen it all. So many times I thought I suffered alone; feeling like nobody cared—nobody understood. But, He was

Stacy McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15586778680661093130mcmom@patriarchspath.org11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786177194201753003.post-10497300193422211252009-08-21T22:08:00.003-06:002009-08-21T22:21:01.377-06:00

Every morning, the first thing my little man does is put his boots and holster on right over his "footie" pajamas. If you've never been kissed first thing in the morning by a gun totin' cowboy in animal PJ's you just haven't lived!Today he was going through the regular routine, laying on his back, trying to stuff his pajama covered feet into his black cowboy boots, when he kept having sneezing

Stacy McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15586778680661093130mcmom@patriarchspath.org11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786177194201753003.post-60387180772522992009-08-20T19:22:00.006-06:002009-08-20T21:05:08.133-06:00

This is one of my very favorite high protein snacks - and it's good for you too. It's perfect to have on hand if you're pregnant or nursing and can't seem to find the time for a healthy snack during the day.Serve it for guests, for your kiddos, or for the hungry hubby who is tempted to browse the pantry shelves looking for sugar or empty calories. You can even serve it with sliced raw veggies for

Stacy McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15586778680661093130mcmom@patriarchspath.org8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786177194201753003.post-53221407557053411072009-08-19T13:56:00.002-06:002009-08-20T05:34:44.389-06:00

The following article was taken from the Fall 2004 issue of Family Reformation Magazine. Here, mother and grandmother Terri Fisher shares with us some helpful ideas for good, wholesome eating:Summer conjures up idyllic scenes of long sunlit days, evenings that linger in a deep blueness, the wetness of water play, lazy summer road trips, and blazing tiki torches. Parents of school-aged children

Stacy McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15586778680661093130mcmom@patriarchspath.org13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786177194201753003.post-39995385987538559982009-08-18T20:56:00.012-06:002009-08-19T13:57:16.659-06:00

As we seek to cook nutritious meals for our families, I think it's important that we also try to create a meal time "experience." Think about it. When was the last time you lit a candle at dinner time? What about setting up a special center piece or using pretty cloth napkins? This doesn't have to be every day, but could we try, at least sometimes, to get a little creative in the kitchen? Watch

Stacy McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15586778680661093130mcmom@patriarchspath.org9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786177194201753003.post-72390922993161164062009-08-17T10:36:00.002-06:002009-08-17T10:55:04.658-06:00

"When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me." (Psalm 27:10)This video truly brings Psalm 27:10 to life!Part 1Part 2

Stacy McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15586778680661093130mcmom@patriarchspath.org5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786177194201753003.post-71772681518405258382009-08-17T10:32:00.002-06:002009-08-17T10:34:50.263-06:00

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Stacy McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15586778680661093130mcmom@patriarchspath.org3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786177194201753003.post-45393975804657517052009-08-15T10:55:00.016-06:002009-08-18T21:55:57.654-06:00

Share with us your favorite breakfast menu ideas. I'm looking for recipes that include ONLY whole foods. No white flour, white sugar, chemicals, MSG, fried, or processed foods. Wholesome stuff.I'd also like to see menus that include some form of protein. My kiddos don't do well on all carbs in the morning.I have a master "breakfast menu," "lunch menu," and "dinner menu." I also have a "master

Stacy McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15586778680661093130mcmom@patriarchspath.org39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786177194201753003.post-41644717713151967012009-08-14T07:32:00.007-06:002009-08-14T08:43:48.352-06:00

According to our poll, so far, the computer seems to be our biggest distraction. Yes, there are other things that lure us away from our callings; yet, by far, the Internet seems to be one of those "good things" that often deceives us into setting aside God's clear directives. Even "disorganization," which rates second so far as a "time robber," is likely related to computer usage. When I'm not

Stacy McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15586778680661093130mcmom@patriarchspath.org11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786177194201753003.post-13789505880687043592009-08-13T07:47:00.004-06:002009-08-13T08:10:11.903-06:00

How many times have you said to yourself, "There are just not enough minutes in the day to do all that I need to do!" Is this true? Would God give us certain things to accomplish and then not be gracious enough to give us enough time to do it?In our ladies class at church we've been discussing how often this lie of the enemy causes us to feel defeated and overwhelmed. We discovered in our study

Stacy McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15586778680661093130mcmom@patriarchspath.org14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786177194201753003.post-49424087277693307022009-08-08T15:12:00.005-06:002009-08-08T19:47:24.706-06:00

"So you shall speak to all who are gifted artisans, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom..." (Exodus 28:3)Recently, when I asked a friend to help me with a decorating project, she protested, “But I have no creativity!” My friend seemed to have forgotten that she, just like all of us, has some form of artistry in her spirit. We are created by a creative God, after all; and we are made in

Stacy McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15586778680661093130mcmom@patriarchspath.org6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786177194201753003.post-50643323292685378232009-08-05T08:42:00.003-06:002009-08-05T08:59:47.326-06:00

Listen to the words to this song and really think about them. And no, I'm not simply having a John Denver moment. God uses all sorts of music, art, poetry, and well, anything, to speak to us. In this moving tribute to his wife, the artist compares the intoxicating beauty of God's creation to the intense and passionate love he has for his wife. Reminds me of Song of Solomon. I think it's

Stacy McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15586778680661093130mcmom@patriarchspath.org12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786177194201753003.post-6593148932246301052009-08-03T08:40:00.006-06:002009-08-03T09:18:10.402-06:00

While out and about with my daughters, sometimes I forget that there are folks who may find it odd to see a large group of women all wearing swooshing skirts. While we still get an occasionally baffling, "Are you Amish?" more often than not, we get asked questions like, “Are you going to a wedding?” Or comments like, “It’s so nice to see women dressing respectfully these days.” I think we must

Stacy McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15586778680661093130mcmom@patriarchspath.org21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786177194201753003.post-26341330489743725492009-07-26T21:52:00.001-06:002009-07-27T06:02:31.145-06:00

Stacy McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15586778680661093130mcmom@patriarchspath.org10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786177194201753003.post-76845210846523138642009-07-26T20:02:00.011-06:002009-07-27T07:10:47.464-06:00

I received the following comment on my blog recently from a self proclaimed Christian feminist and it literally brought me to tears. Some interesting thoughts ran through my head as I cont- emplated her words. I recalled a post, Rusty Trumpets, from April, where I tried to share the importance of communicating the Truth in love. Katie’s comment confirmed for me, once again, the truth of Matthew

Stacy McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15586778680661093130mcmom@patriarchspath.org10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786177194201753003.post-63065887059677094152009-07-24T09:00:00.016-06:002009-09-07T08:48:09.178-06:00

"I wish to see all arts, principally music, in the service of Him who gave and created them. Music is a fair and glorious gift of God... I am strongly persuaded that after theology there is no art that can be placed on a level with music; for besides theology, music is the only art capable of affording peace and joy of the heart..." --Martin LutherWouldn't You Like to Win the Winton's Wonderful

Stacy McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15586778680661093130mcmom@patriarchspath.org46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786177194201753003.post-32514594984429934612009-07-18T15:01:00.009-06:002009-07-20T20:57:23.898-06:00

This year's Mother Daughter Tea was a huge success! Ladies joined us at Providence Church in Morton, Illinois from at least seven different states! The food was delicious, the music enchanting, the teachings rich, the skit hilarious, and the fellowship sweet. Mothers and daughters had a wonderful time together learning and meeting new friends - as well as making memories!Each of our gracious

Stacy McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15586778680661093130mcmom@patriarchspath.org7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7786177194201753003.post-46718812227250320052009-07-09T07:04:00.000-06:002009-07-09T07:06:27.454-06:00

Think about it, what’s the real difference between standing on a runway half dressed while strangers evaluate your body – deciding if you’re “good enough” and standing on an auction block while slave traders do the same thing. Both situations put us into bondage. Both situations communicate that we’re a piece of property.We need to remember that these subjects are not neutral. In what

Stacy McDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15586778680661093130mcmom@patriarchspath.org20