About a book...

So, I'm reading a book and it's really good! My MIL gave it to me. I thought I would share a little of it. It's called "The Way They Learn"-how to discover and teach to your child's strengths. I'm enjoying reading about myself just as much about my kids personalities. Ok, so here's a little in chapter one.

Perception: The way we take in information.

Concrete- This quality lets register information directly through our five senses: sight, smell touch, taste and hearing. When we are using our concrete abilities, we are dealing with what is here and now-the tangible, the obvious. We are not looking for hidden meanings or trying to make relationships between ideas or concepts. The keys phrase simply stated is "It is what it is"

Abstract: This quality allows us to visualize, to conceive ideas, to understand or believe what we can't actually see. When we are using this abstract quality, we are using our intuition, our intellect, our imagination: We are looking beyond what is to the more subtle implications. The key phrase for abstract is "It's not always what it seems."

Although everyone uses both concrete and abstract perceptual abilities every day, each person is more comfortable using one over the other. This becomes his or her dominant ability. 



Now on to ORDERING: The way we use the information we perceive.
Once we've taken the information in, we all use two methods or ordering what we know. Accordering to Gregorc, the two ordering abilities are sequential and random.

SEQUENTIAL: A sequential method of ordering allowing our minds to organize information in a linear step-by-step manner. When using sequential ability, we are following a logical train of thought, a conventional approach to dealing with information. Those who have strong sequential ordering abilities may prefer to have a plan and follow it, rather than relying on impulse. Their key phrase is "Follow the steps"

RANDOM: Random ordering lets our minds organize information by chunks and with no particular sequence. When we are using our random ability, we may often be able to skip steps in a procedure and still produce the desire result. We might even start in the middle or begin at the end and work backwards. Those with a strong random way of ordering information may seem impulsive or more spontaneous. It appears as if they do not have a plan. Their key phrase is "Just get it done"

So everyone you can pick one of the first 2 and then one of the second 2 and that gives you your learning styles. And this is to help you find your child's too.

Here's a little brake down of the 4 different combinations. Look for yours.

Concrete Sequential (CS): Hardworking, conventional, accurate, stable, dependable, consistent, factual and organized.

Abstract Random (AR) sensitive, compassionate, perceptive, imaginative, idealistic, sentimental, spontaneous and flexible.

Abstract Sequential (AS): analytical, objective, knowledgeable, thorough, structured, logical, deliberate and systematic

Concrete Random (CR): quick, intuitive, curious, realistic, creative, innovative, instinctive and adventurous. 

Now that we have all the info to figure us out I want to share a story from the book. The hysterical thing about the story is that this same situation happened to me and the hubby just two weeks ago. I was dying laughing while reading.

I (Kathy am a strong CR) Now onto the story. "One year it was almost Christmas, and my (AR) sister Sandee, one of her small children, and I were Christmas shopping in a department store. When we got to the escalator with the stroller, Sandee noticed a sign that said, "no strollers allowed on the escalator." While she was reading the sign, I was busy loading the stroller onto the moving stairway. Sandee was horrified. "The sign says no strollers on escalator!" she cried. I looked at her. "Oh are the stroller police going to get us?" I asked sarcastically. " Sandee, this sign is for people who don't know how safely put  a stroller on an escalator. "Since I do know it doesn't apply to me." For me it was simply a guide line.

OK, this exact story happened to us 2 weeks ago. Because I had both husband and brother who are rule keepers they won and we took the elevator. But I tell you I didn't like it. LOL. Everything about (CR) seems to fit me and my daughter for that matter. I with out a doubt understand this everyday. We both are strong willed and butt heads a lot. HA! Sure does make an interesting family unit here. :)


Please read, laugh and post what you are. Thanks!  :D

A sneak peek of why we transitioned into a Messianic congregation

I know many are interested in why we talk about so much Jewish stuff and now attend a Jewish congregation. So I'm going to try to explain.  :)

So it started about 3 and a half years ago. Now that we look back we can see how the Lord was starting to birth into us a passion for the Jewish roots of our faith. I will tell you about some of the situation's that happened. The first thing that happened 3 1/2 years ago. I was attending a Bible study and there was a lady in my class that would always have this intensely deep understanding of the Word of God. It would always leave me thinking "I want to know what the lady does". You could tell she had a Jewish background by what she said. I don't know her background for sure, because in that class we couldn't tell our denomination etc, because they didn't want any negativity because someone had a different background. 2nd thing that happened was out of no where my husband starting teaching himself  Hebrew and had a passion to learn the original language of the Bible. 3rd thing that happened is we were trying to get a membership to the YMCA and ended up at the JCC (Jewish Community Center). It really happened randomly. There's at least 3 other stories, but I'll share just one more. We had ask around to find a class we could take to learn Hebrew and the Jewish roots of our faith. My grandmother told us she knew of a Messianic church up in Rochester. So we looked it up and then soon forgot all about it. So then God made a louder statement. He sent my brother to that church and he came home that weekend and brought the church pamphlet home to us. It was the congregation we had look up online.

So we saw there was a Jewish class on Tues night taught by the Rabbi. We decided to check it out. Almost immediately we knew we were where God wanted us to be.  The Rabbi invited us to check out their service on Saturday. We thought we just want to come to this class, but we could check it out, because it wouldn't interfere with our church service at Elim on Sunday. Anyway we went to the service and knew right away we would have to attend there. So we decided to attend there and our current church, but it began to be too much. I know that I just didn't want to give up Elim. It was hard since we LOVED our church and had so much of who we were come from what that church poured into us. But we knew God was leading us in a new direction. So we told the pastor we had to go and now attend Shema Yisrael and our working on becoming members there.

It's amazing how God worked this out. I would never had chosen this path on my own, but am so happy we are here. God is teaching us his word in such amazing power. I feel like we are in Bible college going to Shema. The people are amazing! We felt like we were joined into a family right away. I so much enjoy seeing how the old testament God is the same in the new testament. I enjoy learning a deeper understanding of the Bible by understanding the Jewishness of the Bible.  I enjoy seeing how God fulfilled the Law on the times and season's most Holidays (festivals) are celebrated in the old testament and Jewish people still celebrate. I've enjoyed learning the VERY customs of God's people in the Bible. What a joy! I've enjoyed partaking in the Jewish festivals not in a religious ritual but in the richness of why God told them to do them in the first place!

I hope to continue to tell of what God is doing in our lives through our messianic congregation on here. Thanks for listening. Shalom to you all!

Being content

It's been a little while since I wrote on here, so I figured it's about time. :D

Today I felt God reminding me of a time in my life where he wanted me to be content. I couldn't stop thinking about it, so I decided I should write a blog about it.

Back when we were newly weds....  I was working a job that I had no desire to be at. I had been there a while and I was ready for something different. I remember thinking I need to write up my resume and start apply for different jobs. After I put my resume together I heard the Lord tell me not to put in any job applications. Not only that, but then he said I want you to be content where you are! Ugg. Not what I wanted to hear. I don't know that I needed to be happy about the job, but I did know I needed to be content.

Content means- satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting more or anything else.2.British . agreeing; assenting.

What God was telling me was to stay put, be satisfied and don't go looking for more. At the time I didn't know that in obeying he would bring the job I needed right to me. :) So I listened and I didn't look elsewhere and I tried to stay content where I was. About 3 months later a guy came up to me and offered me a job. He said he appreciated how hard I worked and how I was always so friendly. I was laughing inside, but I didn't feel that was how I acted. He offered me a job I didn't have many qualifications for, but it was mine if I wanted it. :D

See sometimes God wants us to be faithful with little, just so he can bless us with much! If I had not listened I might have gotten another job, but it wouldn't have been the job God wanted to bless me with. By submitting to God not only was I blessed with a job (that I loved) but it gave God all the glory! By God doing it I didn't even have to lift a finger, but God spoke to a man (that wasn't even a Christian) to come and offer me a job. In this I received even more faith, trust, love and blessing. 

We can make decisions on our own and we can chose to do things our way. But choosing God and choosing his way ALWAYS turns out better. Because of it I have another testimony to share. I have more faith. Obeying isn't always easy and we don't always have the answers to why, but he's faithful. I know he has a better way then anything I could imagine. 

Trust, Obey, be faithful, be content in what Christ has given you and in turn that's loving Christ. :D

Cookie cutter!

If you came here looking for a good cookie cutter recipe you were wrong, but shouldn't be disappointed. :D

So I was going to post on my facebook wall what a great hubby I have for getting up with the kids and cooking a fabulous breakfast for all.... Then I thought but that's not the true heart of the matter. So I decided to write a blog.

The true heart of the matter is that my husband truly loves me the way that Christ loved the church. Christ didn't love people how he wanted to be loved, or the way someone told him how they loved their spouse, but he loved each individual in their unique way and circumstances. If they were blind he healed them, if they needed food he fed them, and because we needed a sacrifice to cleanse us of our sins he died.

See if I said that my husband needs me to clean, cook and take care of our children and stopped there then I would miss the unique way in how he desires to be loved. The Bible says to respect your husband and that's what I need to do. But if I only respected him and never looked at anything else I wouldn't be a very good wife and if my husband only loved me and didn't respect me then he would be missing the picture. Each one of us have different talents, personalities, gifts, desires and family backgrounds. If we look at people and say there's only one way to be a good wife, mother, Christian and friend we wouldn't be doing our best. 

If on a day that my husband comes home and just needs a nap I come running with all the "man jobs" he needs to do then I wouldn't be acting in love. And if my husband came home and I was a exhausted, sleep deprived and in need of a brake he demanded I needed to do my list of "wifely duties" then that would not be acting in love.

We're a team and each team member needs different things done on different days. Sometimes my hubby cooks, sometimes I take out the trash, sometimes I'm the one to say the prayers at night, at some point I worked a job outside of the home and my husband enjoys to sew. We are different and bring different talents to the table. I know women who love to work on cars. I know men who love to cook. 

All this to say. Don't let someone or some book tell you how to love your spouse, kids, family and friends. Don't get me wrong books and advice are great. I have favorite books. But if we don't ask God to reveal to us how to love him, our kids and our family we might just miss the mark. I love the fact that Christ gives me strength when I'm weak, wisdom when I need it, love when I'm feeling un-loved, direction when I'm directionless, and the ability to love others in a way I am incapable on my own. Be Christ to your husband. Seek to love in the way he needs to be loved on that day, that hour or that week. Allow your husband to love you and too take over your "duties" when you need it. Be each others help meet. Love each other without limitations. Be Christ where ever you are!

Lunch @ the Blowers

Thought today's lunch should be shared. We made cold chicken noodle pasta.

Ingredients:

One bag of noodles (I used brown rice noodles-they are gluten free & delish)
2 cans of organic chicken (this or already cooked & shredded chicken)
Peas (I used frozen)
Olives
onions
Dried organic black beans (or canned)
Dried organic garbanzo beans (or canned)
carrots (cut in tiny pieces)
Mayonnaise
Seasonings (use your favorite ones)


Cook noodles as directed, soak beans over night then cook, drain everything and mix together with mayonnaise and seasonings. Then enjoy!  :D

Who are you living for?

So these thoughts have been swirling around in my head lately. Sometimes I myself can get caught up in thinking, acting, dressing and eating to please man rather than God. Now don't get me wrong we should consider our brother and sisters in Christ in what we do, but they cannot be the only one or the one. Sometimes I find myself running around in circles thinking will the offend this person or that person and honestly this can drive one crazy.... First of all we cant make decisions based on what if's, because that list could go on and on.

I think if I simply ask my father God if something is okay and allow him to speak to me about what's okay I will be a lot better off. Because people are all different with all their own opinions and I can't base what I do on other peoples opinions. I must ask God and allow him to show me how to look, live, eat and be.

Who's approval are we looking for anyway? It must be God's! Don't get me wrong I love to hear people's opinions and God uses his people to speak and teach us also. I must know God's opinion first therefore when someone speaks out of jealousy, fear, anger or bitterness I can rely on God to combat those lies.

God shows us how to live each and every aspect of life. He teaches us how to live through his word, through his voice and through the example of himself when he lived here on earth. When in doubt search his word, pray and seek his voice. I desire to hear his voice as clear as I hear my husband speak to me. When we stand before the Lord, the opinions of all the billions of people in the world will count for nothing. Only God's opinion will matter in that day.

Jesus I ask that everyone who reads this would get to know your voice better and may it be as clear to them as there own earthly father's voice. Amen

Here is a little bit of of John Maxwell's words and scriptures to meditate on. Isaiah was one of the most powerful models in the Bible. The book that bears his name describes his consistent lifestyle, his uncompromising convictions and his clear vision that drove him to continue speaking out despite the unfaithfulness of his people. Isaiah led with integrity. Integrity means "oneness" the quality of purity and consistency. Isaiah's convictions teach us about avoiding ungodly compromise. He and his contemporary Micah, both raised the bar for the people by holding to GOD'S standards with unswerving determination.

Matt 6:1 Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them Otherwise you have no reward from your father in heaven.

Colossians 3:22-23  Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters

Galatians 1:10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. 

Matthew 6:25-27 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life

John 4:34 "my food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

                                                                                                                                             

Granola recipe

Several people have asked for this recipe. I've made a lot of modifications, but still want to try to get rid of the need to put any oil in it, but for right now I do put the oil in.

Pre heat oven *350

5 cups organic rolled oats
2 cups of your favorite nuts (I use walnuts & almonds)
1 cup wheat germ
1 cup coconut
1 cup flax seed   (you don't have to add this, but adds nutrients)
1 TBSP cinnamon

Mix all ingredients above and then place on greased cookie sheets.

1 cup raisins
1 cup cranberries

Add the above after it's cooked.

3/4 cup oil (I use olive or coconut oil)
1 cup raw local honey

Heat oil, honey & vanilla in pan until blended. (5 mins) Then drizzle all over granola and bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, until the oats and nuts are toasted. Immediately after it comes out of the oven, stir in the raisins and dried cranberries.


You can find almost all the above ingredients in the bulk foods isle in your grocery store. Stays good for about 2 weeks, but it wont be around that long I'm sure! :) This is a great alternative to boxed cereals which are not really healthy.