Spring!

After snow comes the flowers...

Happy spring!

Little House on the Prairie Tea Party

We just had a Little House on the Prairie theme tea party for the mom’s and daughters of Precious Handmaidens Discipleship group. Cucumber sandwiches, PB&jelly sandwiches, club sandwiches, homemade rolls and scones, truffles, cupcakes, grapes, chocolate kiss cookies, homemade butter, homemade whipped cream,  tea, lemonade and apple juice. We did our best to dress like Little House on the Prairie.  Delicious food, great fellowship and a fun time was had by all! One of the moms had the great idea for the girls to make butter. Here is the recipe for the butter and the scones.

Scones with whipped cream and jam

1 ¾ cup self-rising flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon unsalted butter, chilled and diced

1 egg

1 1/3 cup milk

to serve

whipped cream

good-quality strawberry jam

Put the flour, baking powder, and sugar in a food processor and pulse to combine. Add the butter and pulse for about 20 seconds until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Transfer to a large bowl and make a well in the center.

Beat together the egg and milk in another bowl, reserving 1 tablespoon of the mixture in a separate bowl. Pour most of the remaining liquid into the flour mixture and bring together into a soft dough using a fork. If there are still dry crumbs, add a little more of the liquid. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead briefly until smooth. Work in a little more flour if the mixture is sticky. Gently pat or roll out the dough to about 1 inch thick and cut into rounds using the cookie cuter, pressing the trimmings together to make more scones.

Arrange the scones on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart, and brush the tops with the reserved egg and milk mixture. Bake in a preheated oven at 425 F for about 8 minutes until risen and golden. Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly. Serve warm with whipped cream and strawberry jam.      

 

Homemade butter

1 pint heavy whipping cream

Dash of salt

Quart jars

Divide cream into 3 or 4 quart jars

Put on lid and shake

First the cream will turn to whipping cream. Then after about 5 minutes the cream will turn to butter and buttermilk. Drain off the buttermilk and shake some more, then drain again. Press butter into a butter mold or container.Tastes great on homemade hot rolls! Enjoy!

Get Well Soon Cards

Activity # 4

Our latest project was to simply make get-well-soon cards for people in our church who were sick. Anybody can make a card. Just get some paper and crayons, markers, or pencils and whatever else you want to use and make a cheerful card for some sick in your church. A simple card can brighten someone’s day immensely. Have fun!

A Loyal Woman

PHD Lesson #4

Prov 31:10-12

10 Who can find a virtuous wife?

For her worth is far above rubies.

11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her;

So he will have no lack of gain.

12 She does him good and not evil

All the days of her life.

loy·al (loi“…l) adj. 1. Steadfast in allegiance to one's homeland, government, or sovereign. 2. Faithful to a person, an ideal, a custom, a cause, or a duty. 3. Of, relating to, or marked by loyalty. See Synonyms at  faithful.

faith·ful (f³th“f…l) adj. 1. Adhering firmly and devotedly, as to a person, a cause, or an idea; loyal. 2. Having or full of faith. 3. Worthy of trust or belief; reliable.

A young lady must develop a sense of loyalty is she is going to mature into a godly woman. This is developed first to family and friends. Your family knows you best and can help you grow and mature. If we love one another we will correct one another biblically in love. We should humbly and prayerfully encourage one another towards righteousness when we see sinful behavior. We must also be careful that we do not want or expect a family member or friend to be loyal to you in doing something that would be harmful to others.

Can you give examples where our loyalty is harmful?

Someone wanting you to keep a secret that is sin or harmful

Someone sharing something that is gossip, judgmental or just not helpful.

Excluding a family member or friend.

Getting in clicks.

Rejecting girlfriends in favor of relationships with boys, especially flirting.

Talking badly about your parents.

An example in the Bible- Sapphira- agreeing with her husband to lie.

Can you give examples of where our loyalty is Christ like and loving?

Love covers a multitude of sins-not gossiping about sins and faults of others.

Reaching out to others and being a friend to others even when it is to your own hurt or not to your advantage.

Correct a friend in love.

How can you be loyal to your present or future husband? Being careful to treat men as brothers, fathers etc., not. Being physically and emotionally pure. Doing good to your husband. Not comparing him to others in a negative way. Not speaking bad about him to anyone. Doing as he tells you to do whether you like it or not.

Can you name someone in the Bible who was loyal?

David and Jonathan

Ruth and Naomi

Can you name someone in the Bible who was disloyal?

Delilah- to Samson

Michal to David

Job’s wife

Rebekah- hiding idols

A Loyal Woman

 Here are scriptures about being loyal.

Prov 16:28 A perverse man sows strife,

And a whisperer separates the best of friend

NKJV

Prov 17:17 A friend loves at all times,

And a brother is born for adversity.

NKJV

Prov 18:24 A man who has friends must himself be friendly,

But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

NKJV

Prov 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend,

But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

NKJV

Eccl 4:9Two are better than one,

Because they have a good reward for their labor.

10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.

But woe to him who is alone when he falls,

For he has no one to help him up.

11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm;

But how can one be warm alone?

12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.

And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

NKJV

John 15:12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.  14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.

NKJV

Rom 15:1We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.

NKJV

Aprons

Activity #3

Our latest PHD project was to make aprons. Here are some pictures of some of the aprons we made. We just traced an already-made apron on to some fabric and then cut it out and sewed it up. It was very simple. However, if you want a pattern then here is a link to a list of several different patterns.

http://tipnut.com/56-free-apron-patterns-you-can-make/

God bless!

An Honest Woman

An Honest Woman- Lesson 3

Prov 31:10Who can find a virtuous wife?

For her worth is far above rubies.

11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her;

So he will have no lack of gain

hon·es·ty (¼n“¹-st¶) n., pl. hon·es·ties. 1. The quality or condition of being honest; integrity. 2. Truthfulness; sincerity: in all honesty.

in·teg·ri·ty (¹n-tµg“r¹-t¶) n. 1. Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code. See Synonyms at  honesty.

Q- What is the difference between someone who is honest and has integrity and someone who just does what is right?

A person who is honest and has integrity will do what is right because it is part of who they are, not because they knew if they were dishonest they would get caught. They will do what is right regardless of who is or is not watching.

An honest girl will be a valued friend, treasured wife, exemplary mother. Her husband will “safely trust in her”

Q- What is the opposite of honesty?

de·ceit (d¹-s¶t“) n. 1. The act or practice of deceiving; deception. 2. A stratagem; a trick. 3. The quality of being deceitful; falseness.

flat·ter·y (fl²t“…-r¶) n., pl. flat·ter·ies. 1. The act or practice of flattering. 2. Excessive or insincere praise.

Q- When might girls and women be tempted to be dishonest?

When they want someone’s approval, or are motivated by fear, personal gain, revenge, etc. They may resort to flattery, passing on unkind reports, deceitful backbiting, lying or hiding the whole truth from their parents or others.

We are being deceitful when we hide the truth or change the truth or misrepresent the truth. Flattery is also a form of lying. People often use flattery to get something that they want from the person they are flattering. The Proverbs tell us that lying is one of the things that God hates. It also hurts those that are lied to. God will also not let you get away with it. Acts 5:1-11 where Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, both died because they lied. God sees everything and He will not let us get away with a thing. Wventually, you will get caught.

 Num 32: 23 But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out.

When we lie, we hurt others.

Prov 26:28 A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it,

And a flattering mouth works ruin.

God hates lying.

Prov 6:16-19

16 These six things the Lord hates ,

Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:

17 A proud look,

A lying tongue,

Hands that shed innocent blood,

18 A heart that devises wicked plans,

Feet that are swift in running to evil,

19 A false witness who speaks lies,

And one who sows discord among brethren.

Prov 13:5 A righteous man hates lying,

But a wicked man is loathsome and comes to shame.

Prov 12:17, 19, 22

 17 He who speaks truth declares righteousness,

But a false witness, deceit.

19 The truthful lip shall be established forever,

But a lying tongue is but for a moment.

22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,

But those who deal truthfully are His delight.

Q- What is the difference between honesty and just saying whatever you think or feel? You may want to ask yourself some questions before you say what you think. Is it true? Is it kind? Is it helpful? Will it do my hearers good?

Q-Where do we get our standard of what is true and what is false? God’s Word, the Bible , is truth.Truth is important. What we believe impacts the way we live. There is an intimate connection of truth with character. Truth marks a standard of measurement. Truth is lacking in our culture. When truth is lacking, ungodliness increases.

Isa 59:14-15

14 Justice is turned back,

And righteousness stands afar off;

For truth is fallen in the street,

And equity cannot enter.

15 So truth fails,

And he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.

If you are interested in reading a missionary book that shows this truth then read Don Richardson’s book, Peace Child. This is a true story about a society that did not value truth, in fact they valued deception, and God’s redemption of that society. There is one place you can find the truth. God! The Lord Jesus Christ is The Truth. God is truth. He will never lie because He is unable to lie. Truth is embodied in the person of God.

Titus 1:1-3

Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,

Isa 65:16 So that he who blesses himself in the earth

Shall bless himself in the God of truth;

And he who swears in the earth

Shall swear by the God of truth;

Because the former troubles are forgotten,

And because they are hidden from My eyes.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

It is worth the price to get to know truth. We find the truth in God’s Word, the Bible.

Prov 3:3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you;

Bind them around your neck,

Write them on the tablet of your heart,

Prov 23:23Buy the truth, and do not sell it,

Also wisdom and instruction and understanding.

The truth frees you from slavery to sin, renews your mind, makes you a new person. We should study the truth so we will not be ashamed.

John 8:31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.  32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Eph 4:20-24

20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

2 Tim 2:14-16

 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Q- Truth is in who? Jesus. Where do we find the truth? The Word of God, the Bible. We want to follow the truth and be godly. Godliness is God-likeness. Jesus Christ is our example. He is our redeemer. The Word of God, the Bible, is true. So we look to the Word of God and to Jesus in the Bible to find out what the truth is. In order to know the truth we need to know Jesus Christ and be steeped in the Word of God. When we follow the Truth, it leads to godly character.  When we turn away from the Truth it leads to wickedness. The Bible warns us that people will turn away from listening to the truth and will wander off to hear myths and things that tickle their ears.  

2 Tim 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

Q- What happens when we exchange the truth for lie? Romans 1 tells us that people knew God but they did not fear God and so they exchanged the truth for a lie and God gave them over to their depraved thoughts and they were filled with wickedness.

Rom 1:

18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

Q- Why does God hate lying? God is truth. It is His character. Truth leads to good deeds. Truth is according to godliness. Truth will triumph. God has called us to be godly women who uphold the truth. How do we do that? By His grace and because of His mercy, we will deny ungodliness and live righteously.

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

Titus 2:11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

We want to be honest godly women not to get more friends or so people will praise us, but because we want to glorify God. We want people to praise God because of our good works. We want all we do to point people to Jesus!

Journal Decorating

Supplies:

Paper (scrapbook paper)

Scissors

Glue

Composition note book

Stamps

Stickers

Pencils

Ruler

Anything else you would like to use to decorate your journal

Directions:

Use your creativity and decorate your own personal journal in your own personal way.

Here are a few pictures to give you an idea of what it might look like.

Have fun and God bless you!