According to this definition:

SAGE, n. A wise woman; a woman of gravity and discernment; particularly, a woman venerable for years, and known as a woman of sound judgment and prudence; as a sage counselor.

I guess even a pagan could aspire to be a sage. They could simply aspire to be wise according to the world's standards...But this is NOT the type of wisdom I am speaking about. Scriptures are clear that "knowledge alone puffs up, but love edifies" (1 Cor.8:1).


No, the definition I'm talking about came from a Piper sermon on Biblical Counseling where he describes the life of an old washer-woman that taught Spurgeon all his Calvinism. It was the first time I'd ever heard such a breathtaking description of a sage. He spoke about how this old washer-woman knew her theology forward and backward and how her life was this living breathing example of Christ-likeness. This was a woman who had gone deep and walked close with God over her many years. This was a woman who's love for God spilled over into a labor of love for young Spurgeon and she probably never imagined being recognized for it.


I was captivated by her!


I wanted to be that old washer-woman!


THIS was a goal worthy of aspiration that would help me to 'finish well'.


And this is the type of sage I'm referring to.


This is also the type of Christian-life God describes throughout the scriptures because He has actually given us all the ministry of counseling (Galatians 6:1, 2 Timothy 4:2-5, Colossians 3:16, etc...). And whether we intend to or not, we counsel everyday...either by what is said or not said and by what is done or not done. Everyday there is someone watching and\or listening to see how we (professing Christians) will deal with life's circumstances and it is our chief end to glorify God through them.


In summary, someone once said to me..."We can only endure as much suffering as God is precious to us. Counseling is making God precious to those who are suffering".


As a wife, mother, evangelist, and friend...I can think of no better way to glorify God than to "make Him precious" to those around me.


What better way to love?


What better way to give hope?


What better way to edify?


What better way to live?



Makin' Mayhaw Jelly was almost as much fun as pickin' em...
Leah, Luke, and Abby cleaning the jars...

Place 8 cups Mayhaw berries in 5 cups of water
Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes.
(We had picked a total of 20 cups of berries, so
we repeated the process a few times)
Mash berries in the pot...

Strain through a cheesecloth (mashing gently).
Return to pot, add 1 1/2 boxes of pectin
and bring to a boil.
Add 5 cups sugar and return to a boil.
Boil for 1 full minute.
Remove from heat.
Ladle into HOT jars.
Turn upside down once.
Let sit overnight.
Enjoy Mayhaw Jelly in the morning!

We actually cooked the berries twice and got 26 Jars!!!

I think Luke had the most fun :)




About a week or so ago we went down to the creek to pick Mayhaw's...

Walking down the dried creek bed...

We laid down a sheet and Lane
shook the Mayhaw's off the tree...
This is what a Mayhaw looks like...
Then we gather them off the sheet...
And off the ground...

But BEWARE of snakes!!!
This cute little corn snake ventured on our path...
It's a good thing that they are not harmful...
since my sweet, loving, adorable son...
ACCIDENTALLY threw him on me!!!!
Yes, I've forgiven him :)
I'm not real scared of snakes, so
we had a good laugh about it :)



Here's the video for your enjoyment :)

We had a great time...

Oh! And we got to pick flowers! :)

A good friend of mine (Lisa) gave me this quote from Spurgeon on mothers...I enjoyed it very much and thought it would be fitting to share for Mother's Day...

"O dear mothers, you have a very sacred trust reposed in you by God! He hath in effect said to you, “Take this child and nurse it for Me, and I will give thee thy wages.” You are called to equip the future man of God, that he may be thoroughly furnished unto every good work. If God spares you, you may live to hear that pretty boy speak to thousands, and you will have the sweet reflection in your heart that the quiet teachings of the nursery led the man to love his God and serve Him. Those who think that a woman detained at home by her little family is doing nothing, think the reverse of what is true. Scarcely can the godly mother quit her home for a place of worship; but dream not that she is lost to the work of the church; far from it, she is doing the best possible service for her Lord. Mothers, the godly training of your offspring is your first and most pressing duty."

Charles Haddon Spurgeon
(1834-1892)


I hope you have all had a wonderful Mother's Day! May God bless!
Two months ago we visited some family...
Our girls fell in love with their miniature horses!








This wonderful day with the horses
reminded me of Psalm 20
when David exclaims...
Now I know that the Lord saves!
He will answer from His holy heaven
with the saving strength of His right hand.
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;
But we will remember the name of
the Lord our God!





In late November we picked kumquats...









30lbs of kumquats...to be exact!
Wow!



Then we attempted to make kumquat jelly...
After several tries, it never would set...
I have no pictures of that experience :(
But yesterday, Sara and I tried again...


Success! 65 jars of homemade kumquat jelly!


RECIPE

For every lb. of fruit, you need a lb. of sugar...
For every six cups of fruit juice, you need 2 boxes of pectin...


Rinse kumquats thoroughly
Soak kumquats in water and baking soda for 10 minutes
Drain & Rinse


Option #1 Juice the kumquats in a juicer


Option #2 Cut kumquats horizontally & pop out the insides,
then boil and mash out the juice through a cheesecloth


Bring 6 cups of the kumquat juice to a boil
Add 4 cups sugar
Add 2 boxes pectin
Bring to a boil again
Boil for 2 minutes
Pour into clean jars
Place in waterbath for 5 minutes
Turn upside down once
Let sit overnight
Enjoy!