12 Days of Christmas

Recently I received a copy of The 12 Days of Christmas A Guide to an Old Tradition with a New Purpose.   Over the Thanksgiving week-end I had a chance to review this gem.  When I opened the book all I could think about was the familiar song and 12 more good things to do before Christmas to teach my children.   But I decided "OK, lets see what the authors have to say", I thought.

Well I was VERY PLEASANTLY surprised and excited to find out that the twelve day adventure begins December 26, the day after Christmas and focuses on the tenants of the faith.

The fundamentals of the faith and the Twelve Days of Christmas?  Now the authors had my attention as I have become increasingly concerned about the droves of young people leaving the church purportedly because of their inability to defend the faith and their inability to articulate the foundational truths upon which the Christian faith is based. (Please read Already Gone Why your kids will quit church and what you can do to stop it by Ken Ham)

It turns out that allegedly, the 12 Days of Christmas was developed at a time when the church was being persecuted and the parents needed a "back-door/undercoverway" to teach the basics of the faith to their children.  So lets see what how the faith is tied into each of the twelve days.  Here we go:

Day one: A Partridge in a Pear Tree represents Jesus dying on the cross to save us from our sins
Day two: Two turle doves represents The Old and New Testaments
Day three:  Three French Hens represents the three virtues of faith, hope, and love
Day four: Four calling birds represents the four gospels: Matthew, Makr, Luke and John,
Day five: Five golden rings represents:  The Torah, which are the Books of Moses, the law.
Day six: Six geese-a-laying represents New life, and the six days of creation.
Day seven: Seven swans -a-swimming represents the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit
Day eight:  Eight maids-a-milking represents the eight Beattitudes
Day nine: Nine ladies dancing represents the fruit of the Spirit
Day ten:   Ten lords-a-leaping represents the Ten Commandments
Day eleven:  Eleven pipers piping represents the 11 faithful disciples
Day twelve: Twelve drummers drumming represents 12 tenants of our faith found in The Apostle's Creed

After Christmas you may want to teach your children the tenants of the faith through wonderful stories, meaningful activities, and reinforce the fundamentals of the faith for both you and your entire family.

Each day has an associated scripture reading (or memory verses), a story, suggested discussion questions, points to ponder, a suggested prayer, coloring pages, games, recipes,  and of course a possible field trip activity.  Advance planning, to select what you will do is advised for the best success.   An example of a suggested activity is Day 5:  Visit a synagogue.  A recipe I will try out is Golden Apple Bundt Cake, sounds easy and yummy.

I wholeheartedly recommend that you consider finishing out 2009 or starting out 2010 by taking an exciting and fun journey through The Twelve Days of Christmas.  You may obtain this book at 12daysbook.com.

Thankful for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is my most favorite holiday of the whole year because it lacks major commercialization and gives us a family day to spend together remembering all the blessings God has poured out, many 0f which we have either long since forgotten or easily taken for granted.

I have not always been thankful for thorns in my side as St Paul writes.  My son hasn't always been the easiest child to live with, but I am so thankful for how much God has matured him into a young man this year.  He truely desires to be a godly light in the dark places he finds himself and has a passion for listening to godly manhood audio CD's from Doug Phillips of Vision Forum.  Without an earthly Dad to influence and encourage him, this is quite a miracle and but more importantly a great blessing to me.

I am thankful my brother-in-law has begun taking an active interest in Stephen's military career and is giving him sound counsel as he prepares for his commissioning in May and assignment in the Signal Corp of the US Army.  Last year, I was thanking God my son-in-law came home safely  from Iraq and dreading Stephen's potential deployments.  Now I am able to rest in Gods' sovereignty and loving care for my son.

I am so thankful for my sister, Terry's, faithful friendship, hospitality, encouragement and generosity to both myself and my children.

My daughter Mary has had the opportunity to further develop her musical skills this year after I had Duane's "collectible" high school clarinet rehabbed.  She is involved in not only the school concert band but in a Girl's Swing/Show Choir as well as weekly piano lessons and practice.  The school Christmas Concert and performance is coming December 17 and her older sister Laura and new husband Brandon will be able to attend.

When Laura got married last year on Jan 3, I really wondered how I would hold up without her father at my side to say nothing of  her  cross country move to Tennessee.  Now, nearly a year later, I can see that God has developed her into a very godly wife to Brandon and they have grown so much together, I can hardly wait to have them home in a few weeks for the Christmas holidays.  Yes, I am thankful for cell phones and skype so we can talk almost daily.

Managing The Urban Homemaker without Duane has been a major challenge to me this past year especially when I lost the entire data base of fifteen years,   right before Christmas, last year.  I struggled with not knowing how to do any of the technical computer things , fill-in-the-blank, and got down on myself.  Now, I can look back and see the faithfulness of God to provide a gifted computer guy, Marc, to carry us through the  hardships and step-by-step into a new system.

I am thankful that I was able to replace the badly rotting steps at my back door with a superior porch made of synthetic material made to look like wood so I won't have to ever seal or stain a wood surface.  Besides it looks beautiful.  On top of that, I now have a patio beside the stairs between my house and shop under a shady walnut tree to enjoy the beautiful summer outdoors.

I am thankful that Mary and I were able to go to Florida to visit my 88 year-old folks for a week last June and enjoy their company and the Florida sunshine.

I am so thankful for all the new friendships I have been able to make through my Norwex business.  I have had so much satisfaction to be able  to move forward in this area.

This Sunday, a bunch of ladies in my town and I are going to travel to Montrose to watch the Nutcracker ballet.  I am so thankful they thought of including me in their plans.

I am humbled to have the opportunity to teach a parenting of teens Sunday School class based on the book Age of Opportunity by Ted Tripp.  We have had a hilarious time of fellowship and learning each Sunday morning, again I am having the opportunity to develop more friendships.  Our class has lovingly renamed our class,  Age of Opportunity, Growing Parents Gods Way. I hope some of you get the "play on words" and can appreciate it.

God has been so faithful to provide for me in small and large ways in the last year when I despaired of being able to be financially solvent.  He is such a great provider and faithful husband.

So many new doors have opened for me after loosing Duane, but it has not come without months of physical, emotional, and spiritual pain and grieving.  In the last two to three months I feel like I can jump out of bed each morning and embrace the day, I couldn't do that last year.  Healing comes, memories sweeten, my recognition of God's lovingkindness and goodness has grown exponentially through the painful loss of my husband.

I despaired of ever producing a catalog again.  I agonized over the countless calls and requests from people wanting a new copy of The Urban Homemaker catalog and now it is done, at least for a few months until it is time to revise it again.

My daughter and I are in the process of planning and building a new website to encourage a new generation of homemakers in their high callings.  We are excited that God keeps opening new doors of ministry.

I know there is so much more I could write.  God is a God of details (and I am not) so there is lots of I have overlooked and not mentioned.  Perhaps, as the day goes on, more things will come to my mind and I can revise my little essay.

Take time to think of how God turned difficulties into good this past year, how he has not forsaken you even if and when you forsake Him.  He is a Great and Mighty God.

Today, my children and I are gathering together to spend  Thanksgiving with friends to ask the Lord's blessing, to praise his name, to rejoice that He is on our side, He will always be triumphant, His word never changes and is always there to guide and direct us, He delivers us from tribulations as He refines us into pure gold.  May His name be praised forever and ever AMEN!

Catalog #40 and Recipe Book

Ed Note:  It has been nearly 20 months since my husband Duane passed away.  At last, with God's help and a terrific printer, Rita Lang, Catalog #40 and Recipes is ready!

Download Catalog #40 Here Now


Please write to me with your comments:  marilyn@urbanhomemaker.com or post a comment!

The First Thanksgiving - an Historical Perspective and Contest

Ed Note: According to apronmemories.com here is a huge reason to not only be humbled but exceedingly thankful to our Puritan ancestors as we prepare for the big day.  "Let us not grow weary in doing good, for if we do not give up we will reap a harvest of righteousness."  I am so grateful to these folks who had a vision and did not give up despite overwhelming difficulties.

"Of the eighteen married women who sailed on the Mayflower, only four lived through the first winter to see Fall of 1621.  With the assistance of five surviving girls and one maidservant, the four, thankful to be alive and grieving for those not, prepared a meal of gratitude."

We have an amazing amount to be thankful for even during difficult times.  I am particularly thankful for the legacy left to my family and I by my late husband Duane, that my daughter and son-in-law will be home for Christmas,  my daughter, Mary for her terrific housekeeping and musical talents, and my son Stephen's soon-to-be  officer commissioning.  Please post some of the things, large and small  you are thankful for.

I have complimentary copies of either one of my spiral bound books (your choice), A Beginner's Guide to Baking Bread or  Breakfasts for Busy Moms, for 15 people who post their thankful comments. I am particularly looking for contest particpants willing to share how they have faced very difficult trials this past year and you are still able to see the positive blessings of God's goodnesss to you and your family.

Getting Federalized Health Care Straight

The following excerpt was in our paper last week under the "You Said It Column."  These are comments phoned into the paper.  No names are used.  This is from the Sunday, Nov 8, 2009 edition of the Grand Junction Sentinel.

"Let me get this straight:   We're going to pass a health care plan, written by a committee whose head says he doesn't understand it, passed by a Congress that doesn't understand it, but exempts themselves from it, signed by a president who also hasn't read it, and who smokes, with funding administered by a treasury chief who didn't pay his taxes, overseen by a surgeon general who is obese, and, financed by a country that's nearly broke.  What possibly could go wrong?"

Food for thought for today.  Be sure to call your Senators and Congressmen with your thoughts.

Three Cookbooks for the Price of Two

THREE FOR THE PRICE OF TWO

Gifts for all occasions for just under $10.00 each and the shipping is free! Spiral Bound, Plastic Splash Cover Cookbooks
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I like to get as much of my holiday shopping done in November as I can.  I always need some $10.00 and under gifts for last minute gifts.  My spiral bound cookbooks make perfect gifts for friends and relatives.  These books are filled with tasty, reliable, healthy, practical recipes.

FAST AND HEALTHY MENUS FOR BUSY MOMS by Marilyn Moll

The focus of this book is that, yes, you can cook fast and healthy meals for your family with natural whole ingredients. You must have reliable recipes, a plan, and a willingness to commit to that goal.

A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO BAKING BREAD by Marilyn Moll
If you're new to bread baking, this is a no-nonsense, easy to use book that teaches whole grain bread baking step-by step.  Over 90 pages and includes the two-stage process.

BREAKFASTS FOR BUSY MOMS by Marilyn Moll
Kick that cold, breakfast cereal habit and learn to cook a wide variety of nutritious breakfasts, including hot, kid-pleasing cereals using the nutrient packed two-stage process and much more.

Choose any combination of my books - 1 of each, 3 of each, 2 of one, 1 of another or any combination of multiples of three or more of my cookbooks and get one cookbook free for every three cookbooks you put in the shopping cart.  Use the above coupon codes to save  $14.95,  $29.90 or $44.85.  If you want more, put a note in the comments section of check out.

What an easy way to encourage your friends and relatives who are looking for a way to get started with a healthier lifestyle!

Hearth and Home - Thanksgiving Preparations

It's not too early to plan the big Thanksgiving Feast. Be sure to get out your recipes and buy as many ingredients ahead of the big rush as possible.  Even if you aren't hosting the Thanksgiving Dinner, you might want to cook a turkey yourself, just for your family, just for the leftovers.



First of all set a beautiful table:

You might be surprised at what gorgeous centerpieces children can create from simple items such as gourds, pinecones of various shapes and sizes, nuts, acorns, mini-pumpkins, oak leaves, Indian corn, ribbons, turkeys, pilgrim statues, candles, napkins, doilies, dried grasses, and whatever else you may have in hand that fits into the theme of harvest and Thanksgiving.

Many of these items may be found while walking around in your neighborhood or a park. Older children can teach and supervise the younger children. Teaching practical life skills to children is the foundation of priceless traditions and memories. Try to make it a point to take lots of pictures. They will make timeless additions to student notebooks or family photo albums.

Homemade gravy making is the foundation of a very tasty and successful feast

1. The secret to homemade gravy is to make a delicious stock/base by simmering the giblets and neck in 2-3 cups of water while the turkey roasts, and saving ALL the drippings and browned crusty bits on the bottom of the roasting pan. Canned chicken broth or commercial gravy mix is a poor substitute, so resolve not to be tempted to compromise these steps.

2. Pour all the turkey drippings from the roasting pan into a large measuring cup (at least 2 Cup measure) and allow the grease to separate. While the drippings are separating, pour 2-3 cups of water into the roasting pan and bring it to a boil by placing the pan on two burners on your stove top. Using a wooden spoon, stir up these browned bits so they "dissolve" into the water.

This step is essential to wonderful tasting, beautifully browned gravy and makes cleaning up a roasting pan a much easier task. Reserve 4-8TB (1/4- 1/2 Cup) of the turkey grease once it separates from the drippings.

3. After the roasting pan has simmered with water and turned a deep brown color, combine this liquid with turkey drippings (not the fat) and the broth from simmering turkey giblets so that you have 5-6 Cups of liquid. I use my 6-Cup blender as a measuring cup.

4. Then combine 1/4-1/2 Cup turkey fat (or butter) with 8-10 TB flour (whole wheat pastry preferred) until it gelatinizes, or thickens in a large sauce pan. Keep stirring over medium low heat for about one minute.

5. Now, VERY GRADUALLY, pour the liquid from the turkey giblets and the roasting pan into the fat/flour mixture while you stir it continuously so as to not have any lumps. Stir continuously until the entire mixture thickens. Adjust the liquid if needed so you have a nice pourable gravy. Add 2-3 tsp salt or to taste. Save leftover gravy serving leftover turkey, or  for soup stock, or open face sandwiches, etc!

Government Health Care is Not a Done Deal

Dear friends,

I don't normally like to post on political topics, but mandatory government health care is such a major intrusion on our freedom and our finances I can not in good conscience remain silent.  Since Duane and I have been self-employed for about 17 years, we have had to seek out alternative "health insurance" or Christian mutual care ministries where the members share the costs.

Currently I am a member of Samaritan's Ministry, where I send my monthly share directly to the member whose need qualified.  The cost of this sharing system is dramatically lower than commercial health care policies and offers the added benefit of fulfilling the biblical mandate to "bear one another's burdens."

The current legislation recently passed by the House, a  requirement to buy government-approved insurance would be a violation of the religious freedom of people of faith who want to express their faith through health care sharing. Requiring them to buy health insurance would be an unreasonable burden that would make it very difficult for them to continue practicing their faith through health care sharing.

I have MANY other objections to the current House version, but please contact your Senators today and tomorrow regarding your concerns about mandatory government health care.

Unto Him Who is Able

Friday, I prepared my Sunday School lesson for parents of teens based on the scripture, Ephesians 3:20:

Now unto Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us...Unto Him be the glory!

As a parent or mother, a wife, business person, whoever you are, you will face circumstances far above your ability to handle.  You can bank on it.  There is a war being waged daily against you.

The war is waged by an enemy speaking subtly destructive messages you will hear as thoughts in your mind.   Such thoughts may include variations on the theme of:  "The situation is hopeless, you are hopeless, things will never change, you are a failure, you might as well give up, why bother, etc."

Don't listen to this.  Resist these lies.  Stand on the truth.

A modern paraphrase of Ephesians 3:20 may be just what you need to hear today.

When you are the neediest, He is the most sufficient.  When you are completely helpless, He is the most helpful.  When you feel totally dependent, He is absolutely dependable.  When you are the weakest, He is the most able.  When you are the most alone, He is intimately present.  When you feel you are the least, He is the greatest.  When you feel the most useless, He is preparing you.  When it is the darkest, He is the only Light you need.  When you feel th least secure, He is your Rock and Fortress.  When you are the most humble, He is most gracious.

Instead of being discouraged,  think upon the truth, dwell on it constantly.

He is able, as we surrender our cares and anxieties to Him.  Are you willing to submit to his complete care?