Self-Discipline

I am the least self-disciplined person I know.  I don't want to do things just because I don't want to do them.  I look for reasons excuses for every little thing that I know is required for me to do as a Christian, wife, mother, homeschooler.  And it just makes me sooooo mad!  Because when I do the things that I need to be doing it feels so good to have them done.

All that to say...I have been truly convicted to become more disciplined.  It is apparent that I need it in everything I do.  How can I expect my girls to do what they're supposed to do with school...if I can't even get it together to prepare things?  How am I to expect them to manage their time...when I don't?  How am I to expect them to be obedient to the Word...when I myself don't spend time in it everyday, seeking God's will for me and my family?

“God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline” 2 Timothy 1:7

So, that's why I long for it?!?  Of course!  His spirit is in me, so the spirit of self-discipline is there!  But, I have to give myself over for it to come through.  

I hate to brush my teeth...hate it.  But it has to be done.  I'm probably on the road to dentures in a few years, but I can take care of them while I have them...right?  I don't want to wash my face...because it's a pain to have to do that every night.  That was my first step in self-discipline.  A nightly routine of brushing my teeth, and skincare.  I didn't like it, and still don't most nights...honestly, I prayed that God wouldn't allow me to sleep until these things were done.  

So today, even though I slept late, and still had to vacuum two rooms, and clean the kitchen in less than 30 min.  I began to sing "This is the day the Lord has made" it got my focus back on Him, and as soon as I could, I sat down with my Bible, and notebook and began to pray "Lord, I know this isn't the ideal situation for me to seek You, be in Your Word, and pray...I'm going to do it...or else it will have to wait until tomorrow, and then tomorrow there will be something else...and there's always another tomorrow."

I'm going to do my best to stop looking to others for what I want God to tell me and just seek him...no matter if there are kids screaming, music playing, toys clanking...God will still meet me there in those places...and I have to remember that.

Biscuits (previous Facebook Note)

Biscuits...what can't you say about them?  Honestly, I feel that they are the backbone of my childhood, and definitely love for cooking!

I was inspired this morning (8/19/11)...I made biscuits for the boys before school (now before you go congratulating me, you should know, that I rarely do this, and the reason I did it this morning is because we were out of milk for cereal, and didn't have enough bread for toast).  They had to be some of the best ones I have made in a long time.  Maybe it's because even though I made them out of necessity...I DID IT OUT OF LOVE.  Just to know that I was able to do that, and they enjoy them (because they were amazing!), and to see them smile when I talk about how good the biscuits are.

 I used to laugh at Ma Everett when she tasted the food that she had prepared...because she would smile, cackle, and say "MMMMMM, that was good".  I found myself doing that without realizing it, and I feel privileged to do it, because that means there is a little bit of that wonderful woman is a part of me.  I will never be able to cook them like hers, and that's okay...I can still remember them (and I like to think that when I get to heaven there'll be a pan of her hot biscuits, and sorghum syrup waiting on me).

Ultimately my Moma is the one who really taught me how to make biscuits, I can still remember One of the first times I made them was a Sunday dinner down at Papa and Dee's...how proud I was!  It probably was hard as rock, but thank goodness Papa and Dee never let on...or I wouldn't be the biscuit making woman I am today.

I'm gonna give you some pointers!
use a sifter (it makes them extra fluffy)
use buttermilk (it just tastes better)
use butter...and cream cheese (just because Crisco may have less calories, does not mean it is better for you!)
use your hands (it's just more fun that way "a good cook is a messy cook")
don't overwork them (it will make them tough)
don't overcook them (it's just gross...and it can make them hard...I like mine a light golden color)

Share them with everyone you know!  (who doesn't like a hot buttered biscuit?)

You can melt cheese in them,  use your favorite jelly, jam, or preserves, honey, sorghum syrup, Karo syrup and peanut butter (Matt), smother them in white gravy, or in chocolate gravy (Monte), add fried bologna, or any other type of meat, eggs, you can toast the ones that are left over...or eat them cold...with ketchup (Diane).  Needless to say...you can eat them however you want!

If I haven't had the pleasure of making biscuits for you, please let me!  Not because they taste good, but just because I love you...and fortunately (or unfortunately) that is how I show my love!

(and when you eat my biscuits you have to sing "The Biscuit Song")
Hot out of the oven!

Too good not to eat!