The Hiding Place

"The worth of a book is to be measured by what you can carry away from it." James Bryce

I was asked to host a book club for our ward. Initially, I struggled to find just the right book. It's the first book club discussion. So, I wasn't sure who the participates would be. I wanted something that appealed to many, but wasn't BORING. And I did NOT want to read a church book. Sorry, I just didn't. One day, it hit me, why not The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom?? Have I been glad I did. Or that someone had a hand in helping me select it, if you know what I mean. If you haven't read the book here is a nice link to see what I'm talking about.

I feel like I learned so much more the second time reading this book. I happened upon the quote above about the worth of a book. I have known that Scott losing his job is part of a bigger plan. There wasn't a good reason for him to lose it. He had his "numbers" in fact, he was 165% for last quarter and already at 95% for the next. But this book was so very helpful in reminding me, of a couple things. First, God is in charge. We need to have faith and things will work out. What I have a little bit of trouble with, is that I know things will work out, I just want them to work out how I want them to work out. You know? I could go on and on with this one, but I think you get the point. We all have struggles, I'm trying to learn as many lessons from this one as quickly as I can :) I loved learning all about Corrie's life lessons. "In darkness God's truth shines most clear."

The second thing that really stands out for me with this book is the attitude of gratitude that Corrie and her sister Betsie have. Betsie and Corrie, by some miracle, had been allowed to keep hidden (in the concentration camp) a sweater to keep them warm, a bottle of medicine, and a bible. Betsie was sick and Corrie was thankful that she had this medicine for her sister. However, her sister couldn't stand to see others in need, and they would share the medicine with all that needed it. It really was a miracle, because the medicine should have been long gone after all the use. Every time they went to the bottle there was medicine. Until, they got some other medication, and then Corrie couldn't get another drop out of the bottle.

But it's the story of the fleas that I love. When Corrie and Betsie first get moved to a new barrack, they are with a group of women who are miserable, fighting and live with fleas infesting everything. Right away Betsie is thankful, that they were placed where they were, so they could help heal these women. She is also thankful for the fleas. Corrie initially remarks about how she couldn't feel thankful for the fleas. But she soon changed. The women in that barrack were allowed a lot of freedom from the guards, because the barrack was so infested with fleas. Corrie and Betsie were able to teach the women. Then Corrie saw that we should indeed be thankful for EVERYTHING. That has been a good lesson for me, being thankful for all of our opportunities, and our struggles!

I'm still here...and Happy Birthday to me!

Scott's new full time job is looking for a full time job. That uses the computer. SO, my blogging, facebooking and net surfing have been severely limited. There are times when the computer is free, but with blogging if I don't do it when I feel like it, I just don't feel like doing it at all. Scott does have some leads, but we are certainly still waiting.

Before I forget, my friend made a cake for a birthday celebration (mine, my birthday was on the 20th) It was some of the best cake ever. I have made (and blogged about) another chocolate cake with peanut butter cups stuck to the side. This was different because it had cream cheese frosting and layers of melted peanut butter between the layers. Hello??!! EVERYTHING is better with cream cheese frosting. Here is a picture of the heavenly creation. And here is a ">link so you can make it ASAP. Beware, take it with you to a party...because you will want to eat the entire thing once you start!!

**the link didn't work try this**

I have printed the recipe and will add it to my file. Plus, I've added the Picky Palate to my favorites, thanks Picky Palate!!!

looking on the bright side of things...well trying anyway

Quick catch up...Scott traveled a lot in the beginning of the month for work, so I was busy busy with the kids. You know how it is, having to be 2 or 3 places at once? Good times.

Anyway, Hunter broke his ankle playing football on like...hmmmm the 2nd of October (it was a Friday). At first, the coach saw a bruise on his shin, and iced that. It wasn't until Hunter said, "Uh, it's not my shin that hurts it's my ANKLE!" that Scott realized it might be a little more serious than "taking a helmet to the shin." The coach's response to Hunter's comment..."Son, your shin feels better because we have been icing it." Oh...great...thanks. Scott did the ER trip that night and found out he had broken his ankle. I took him to the Orthopedic doctor expecting him to cast it and send us away for 6-8 weeks, when he said Hunter's ankle would need to be operated on. It was right in the growth plate, and needed some help to heal right. So, that was Tuesday, surgery was scheduled for Thursday.

On Wednesday, I was at a Primary Presidency meeting when I get a call from Scott telling me I need to come home. He didn't want to tell me why, he just wanted me to come home. That's never a good sign in my book, so after a little yelling :) he tells me. He had just got laid off from Sharp. I told him I'd be right home. Hung up the phone, and proceeded to say a very bad word. Talk about your very worst nightmare.

Hunter's surgery went very well. He is on the mend. He is getting to do a lot of reading, crossword puzzles, math puzzles etc. I printed him a math puzzle yesterday, that I looked at and went....hmmmm. My boy is smarter than me.

Within an hour of being laid off, Scott had updated his resume and started networking. He knows a lot of people. Hopefully, all of this networking pays off.

I (we) are trying to look on the bright side of things, like...we have no debt, our cars are paid off, we got some severance pay, lets see what else, I don't have to take Hope to Costco with me, I can run in the afternoon when it gets warm, fall is a beautiful time of year here, I have lots of friends and family who love me.

Apparently, I had more to say...

I made another green smoothie today. I used (my own recipe): 2 handfuls of spinach, banana, apple, 1/2 lime (whole thing!. This smoothie was so fresh tasting! So much better than yesterday. Understandable, spinach is a lot more mild than kale. I read a book today while Hope napped, the whole thing. It was very interesting. All about why we need more greens in our diet. It was called Green for Life.



Read all about the amazing benefits of adding (lots) of greens to your diet. At least 2 large handfuls a day. Iceberg lettuce doesn't count. You know what does? Spinach, basil, parsley, kale, mustard greens, collard greens, arugula, romaine plus lots more. I would never go on a complete raw food diet, but it's very interesting to read lots of different books about our food, and take the best from all these different opinions. They all have something good to say. For instance, I could never eat ONLY local food. There are some people(localvores)that will only eat food that is grown/raise 100 miles from their house. I do think that is cool, I did grow a garden and eat out of it this summer and I do like to shop farmers markets. BUT, that would also mean no citrus, bananas, and greens in the winter. We are buying 1/4 of a grass pastured cow this month (and chicken) from Harmony J.A.C.K. Farms. For some of the benefits of grass fed meat go here or read The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan. My point is, to not devote yourself to one way of thinking...but be balanced and glean the best from lots of different theories.



I made these Mar-a-Lago Turkey Burgers last night and they were VERY good. Do try!

Well, since I have done that boot camp at least 3 times since I posted about it...maybe it's time for a change. It's not that I haven't wanted to blog...

Anyway, here is a little sampling of what's been going on in that head of mine.

First of all, I came really close to buying one of those really expensive blenders. I have been wanting to make those "green smoothies" But spending up to $500 on a blender...?? Just couldn't do it. Although, I made my first green smoothie yesterday, and I had to work very hard at blending it up. Life would be a lot easier with a $500 blender. Here's the one I made yesterday: 5 leaves kale, 3 apples, 2 cups water, juice of 1 lemon. I'm not going to lie and say it was delicious...it wasn't. But it WAS way better than I thought it was going to be. It made enough for all the kids to sample (they were completely grossed out), Scott got a swig, and then two of my neighbors were lucky enough to be around and partake.

I'm sure you are so interested in the green smoothie, and WHY I'd even make such a thing. Well, I'll tell you but not now, playgroup is in 15 minutes, and I still have to shower. There is never enough time, but I'll blog more later. I was sick of "Heather's Boot Camp" on my blog!