formula for friendships??

How does one learn to trust again?  Is there some formula: a + b = c ? How do you learn to see the blessings in people hurting you and being exactly what you were hoping they weren't? I am trying to understand how I can learn to trust and to put myself out there. It's hard to allow myself to be vulnerable...But I am a social person and a passionate person. It's hard for me because truthfully I love people. I see them as created in the image of Father.. I know He loves them and asks me to also. I enjoy being sociable. I love laughing and visiting. I love being there for others when they might need me and knowing they are there for me too..

I am still learning how to recognize safe people. It's a hard thing but I can see I am getting better at it.. I guess the adage live and learn applies here.

I don't think I am expecting too much..
Things like loving like Christ
being there for each other
understanding
listening to each others feelings
putting yourself in their shoes
selflessness instead of selfishness
humbleness instead of pride
etc..

I think we can all agree we all hope for these things in our relationships.

I will keep praying and being open to learning new lessons. I will continue to try and then try and then try again.. And I will continue to do my best to love as Christ loved and to walk away from bad relationships where I missed the obvious signs of an unsafe person..

And I too want to be open to hearing from Father on how I can change and be more like Him in my behavior towards others. Always lots to learn in this area.

Like so many things in life it's a journey; although it can be painful there is much joy in the journey! I don't want to miss out on that! And a thought comes to me; I don't want to miss out on the ways I can bless others!! Perhaps just as in all things Father had a purpose and a plan so in this too! :)

A new hairdo..

I decided to get my hair cut and into a totally new hair style. I am so pleased with how it turned out! It's so stylish, chic and easy to fix too!!

Tea Party!

Saturday my little girls and I went to High Tea! It was lovely! We had the yummiest cucumber sandwiches! There were also delicate desserts and delicious tea. The girls were given a basket full of hats to choose from. How fun!!

Gabby..

Gabby & ZaraLayna

ZaraLayna

This is all of us; homeschool mamas with our girls..:)

It was a special time for my daughters and I. I enjoy having some mama daughter time with them. We just don't get enough of that!

Confusion is the word....

Do you ever feel your mind full to the brim and ready to explode with all the conflicting info out there? There is so much stuff to sift through regarding our health; what's good for you and what's not, treatments for diseases; what works and what doesn't. And in regards to our Faith; what's truth and what's not; what's just man's opinions and what's not; what's man's traditions and what isn't. What do we follow and what do we put aside.. You can fine a myriad of so called Bible Scholars out there who will tell you where and how the bible tells us to do this or that..and then there are a myriad of Bible Scholars on the other side of any issue who will show you other scriptures that say we shouldn't do this or that. WHEW! Can anyone say confusing?!!!

So I have decided to do what we should all do anyway, and that's seek the Father and His wisdom only.. Yeshua so graciously reminded me this past weekend that He has sent the Holy Spirit as my Helper and guide who will lead me into all Truth! It is possible to simply forget for a time that He is always there to help and that is where I found myself. I have become so confused and so focused on getting it right whatever that means??? that I forgot that I have the Spirit of G-d to guide me and to help me. And as a bonus he also brings me comfort!

I have not been hearing His voice and this brought me much sadness. I was laying in my bed pouring my heart out to him and although I wasn't on my knees because a sweet baby boy was breastfeeding; in my mind I knelt before the Most High and spoke to Him. I asked Him why I wasn't hearing His voice anymore..and as quick as the blink of an eye He gave me an answer. He told me that I had not been listening...Such clarity in that instant. I have been so focused on my performance that I have not been listening to His voice! And it grew dimmer the more I performed until it literally was gone....  

I shared all my confusion and emotion with my sweet man and He read me scripture from Galatians reminding me that my righteousness is achieved through Yeshua's sacrifice and my trust and faithfulness to Him. I can not perform my way to heaven or to righteousness. While living a G-d honoring life and obeying His mitzvot (commands) I must not forget this important truth!

So while these important issues were being dealt with and Yeshua was answering some of my questions there are still many things that need answers.

We had a family meeting with the children and together my dh and I are praying and seeking the Truth..knowing that the Holy Spirit is our helper, comforter and guide into all Truth.

But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come.~ John 16:13


One thing I have learned and know is that Yeshua loves me and that I don't have to perform. And I know that without the Holy Spirit in my life guiding and helping me I am lost. If I stop hearing the voice of Yeshua I have nothing and am wandering in a world as a blind man...without these two important things my faith is dead and meaningless....then what good is it to have the actions but without the Spirit? Faith must coexist with action; with works to truly be faith. The trick here is to not let our works become that of performance as our righteousness comes from Yeshua and Him alone. And it is tricky...I am still trying to figure it all out..
The minute we think we have all the answers and are the ones walking right is the minute we will be humbled and brought low..

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.~ 1 Corinthians 10:12  

In all of this I just want Yeshua..and Him alone..my heart yearns for Him...

Raw Food Challenge

I am doing a 30 Day Raw Food Challenge over at my weight loss blog..

Want to follow along with me on my journey?? Check it out!!!

HappyHealthyMama

Arabian Horse Lapbook

We have finished another lapbook. This time we did our lapbook on the Arabian Horse. We learned new things such as Arabian Horses are specifically picked for hot dry places like the middle east as they can go for longer distances without water than other horses. They are beautiful animals! We learned about a horses hoof and their different styles of gaits..

 Gabriellia with her Arabian Horse Lapbook.....

Granola bars..

My oldest daughter and I have been trying new granola recipes along with making our own new recipes...We have had some yummy turn outs and some not so much..
A few weeks ago I made the best ones yet and a recipe I plan on making many times in the future!

 mixing first ingredients in my wonderful Bosch Mixer!

nonfat dry milk powder, papaya, dates, etc..

Old fashioned oats..

This makes everything so good!! And it's good for you too!

pressing the mixture into the pans..

 I stuck them into the oven for about 5 minutes just to melt the honey and everything else together..

And the finished granola bar! They were delish!

As I mentioned in my post below on Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread we did indeed make Matzah Pizza. It turned out so wonderful! The unleavened bread was great for pizza crust and we plan on using it in the future for all our homemade pizza...

  

Well, there you have it..another yummy food posting!!