A Moment with M.O.M.: 10/11/09

Friday, October 16, 2009

A Moment with M.O.M.- My Gift to you...

Hello Friends!
It is a beautiful fall evening in Kansas tonight. The air is crisp, the barn chores are complete and the home is cozy. I pray that your home is filled with His grace and you too are enjoying this season that the YOU were created for! The Lord laid it on my heart to create a " Fall Friendship Gift" for each of you! With the help of a few dear friends to offer their proofreading skills, ideas and encouragement, I have created a 16 page e-book filled with my favorite flavors of fall! This includes tips for the seasons and space for you to write your own family traditions, tips and recipes. If you are a friend of the Wood family, follow our blog through google, network blogs, facebook or twitter please email me at: moments with mom @ gmail .com put "Flavors of Fall" in the subject line and your copy will be emailed to you as soon as possible.

It's our heart desire to share the love of the Lord with you in this small way. I pray that His Name is glorified and you are blessed by your time spent reading and sharing with us!
With much love,
Mrs. Joseph Wood

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

A Moment with M.O.M.- Chris Klicka has went Home

Hello Dear Friends!

Many of you have heard that yesterday our Brother, Chris Klicka, went Home to our Heavenly Father. Even in physical death our testimony is one of His faithfulness, His grace, His compassion, His mercy, His forgiveness and Love which freely gives us eternal life! May our lives and our physical deaths always lead others to find His Amazing Grace!
With much love,
Mrs. Joseph Wood

Below is a link and note from Tracy, the wife of Chris Klicka, just moments after his entry Home! If you would like to read more and see photos of precious moments between the family, I encourage you to visit their Care page at: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/chrisklicka I would also encourage you to take time to learn more about the hardwork and dedication Mr. Klicka gave for our homeschooling freedoms through HSLDA: http://www.hslda.org/docs/news/200910050.asp

PRECIOUS IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD IS THE DEATH OF HIS SAINTS...

Dear praying friends,

There is a part of me that would have liked to keep this news to ourselves for a little while. Chris' journey toward home has been very public, which has been a blessing to us through your intercession and words of love and encouragement. Yet, at this moment, while his loss is so fresh, I had hoped to savor his last moments with us and his passing all to ourselves, but such is not the case.

So with great sadness and with a joy that we can barely contain, we announce that our husband/father Chris has gone home to be with the Lord. He slept peacefully lsat night, though his breathing was shallow and very rapid. Then this morning when the hospice nurse came to check him over, she commented specifically how low his blood pressure had gotten and that with the mottling around his knees and ankles, grayer skin tone and coldness in his face, that he didn't have much time left with us.

I had been sitting with Chris this morning telling him about Megan and her wedding dress and how kind God was to let all us girls be together when she found it. I told him I had so hoped he could see her in her dress before he went Home, and as I was talking two little tears trickled down his cheeks. I know he would have loved to see her! I know, too, he so wanted to be able to communicate with us at the end. It broke my heart to see his sadness. I imagine, though, too, that his tears were mingled with joy for Megan's future with Brendan.

After Anna (the hospice nurse) took Chris' vitals a second time, his blood pressure having dropped some more, she recommended that I get our kids down to see and talk to their dad.

I called them all from whereever they all were around the house, and when the last child came, Bethany announced, "Hey, Dad, we're all here. We love you!" Chris took one more breath and was gone.

I know to try and describe our sadness--the longing and aching in our hearts right now--would be impossible, so I won't try. I will share a picture the Lord gave within minutes after Chris' departure.

I saw him with his old western boots and jeans on (like he used to wear at Grove City College when he would run over to see me at my dorm--he was a senior and I was a freshman when we met there), running at top speed in Heaven. I pictured a huge smile (the one I love best) on his face and fellow saints yelling out greetings of welcome to him, some even asking him to stop and visit with them, and heard his reply, "I've got to run for the Lord up here. I'm making up for lost time down on Earth. I'm praising God and have to use my legs to do it. Stop me in about 100 years, and we'll sit down and have a nice long visit!"

Two days before God brought Chris home the Lord gave me this short verse to encourage me:

"No longer cloaked in frail humanity,
His spirit soars to gain Celestial joys,
Unimpeded by death's dark night
And free from the weight of sin's alloys.

My beloved sings! The object of his song
Is the One who bled and died for him,
No sweeter name did e'er he speak
Or treasure in his inner man."

Thank you, for both grieving AND rejoicing with us, and for your continued prayers for us these next weeks and months!

Looking forward to that day, when we too, shall see our beloved Jesus face to face,
Tracy, for Chris (one last time) and the whole Klickaclan

Monday, October 12, 2009

A Moment in M.O.M.'s Kitchen- My Favorite Flavors of Fall

I believe the treats of Autumn are simply delectable! I love to create a home that appeals to all the senses of my family and guests. This time of year, I indulge myself and purchase an Yankee Apple Spice candle to have burning all through the day. I don't wait for company to arrive to create this environment, it is my children and husband I want most to please! Baking is on the top of my 'to do' list each day. I am always searching for creative, inexpensive and yummy treats. A few of my favorite fall treats are: Caramel Popcorn, Caramel Apples with sprinkles, Hot Apple Cider, and Pumpkin bread. Not to mention the tummy warming meals of potato soup or chili with cornbread. Today, I wanted to share just a few of my Favorite Flavors of Fall with you. Lord willing, I can come back and share more soon. If you have a Favorite Flavor of Fall you would like to share with me, I would love to hear from you! I hope you will make time to create a warm and inviting home while creating memories with those the Lord has entrusted to you.

With much love,

Mrs. Joseph Wood

Caramel Popcorn:

Take a look at this post for the recipe my Joe has always made for our family:

http://amomentwithmom.blogspot.com/2009/09/moment-in-moms-kitchen-poppa-joes.html

Caramel Apples:

12 apples (We like ours best when we pick them fresh from our trees)

2 bags of Soft Caramels (currently on sale at Dillons: 2 bags for 2 dollars)

4 Tbs of water

12 Popsicle sticks (mine come included in the soft caramels this time of year)

Fall colored sprinkles (I found these in the baking aisle as well as the ice cream section.)

Directions:

Wash your apples and place the popsicle sticks through each apple

Unwrap each caramel and put in a pan over low eat. Add 4 Tbs of water and stir often until completely melted. Remember not to walk away and forget your caramels or get in too big of a hurry and turn the heat up- it can burn easily. Once the caramels are melted throughly, dip the top half of each apple coating it with caramel. Then quickly add the sprinkles so they stick. All there is to do next is enjoy!

Hot Apple Cider:

This is our economical version of Hot Apple Cider. We get all the spices from The Bulk Herb Store I appreciate their quality and prices!

3 gallons of apple juice with no sugar added (currently on sale at Walmart for 1.69 a gallon)

5 Cinnamon Sticks

2-3 Tbs Cloves

2 Tbs. Dried Orange Peals

2 Tbs Allspice (found at your local grocery store)

Directions:
Heat over the stove on high till it begins to boil then turn the heat down and let it simmer. Serve warm to your family although I like mine best when it is hot and the steam is rising from my cup. Oh my... it is simply delicious!

Pumpkin Bread:

This recipe can be found at Cooks.com We use our own pumpkin when it is available. I have three pumpkins waiting for me as I type.

LIBBY'S PUMPKIN BREAD

3 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. each nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon
1 1/2 c. each granulated sugar and packed brown sugar
1 c. oil
2 c. canned pumpkin
4 eggs
1 c. each raisins and nuts (optional)

Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices. Add the sugars, mixing well.Mix dry ingredients with the oil and pumpkin, stirring until well combined.
Add eggs, one at a time, blending thoroughly. Pour into 2 greased and floured 9 1/2 x 5 1/4-inch loaf pans.
Bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes or until tester comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes. Remove from pans. Place on wire rack to cool.

Real Moments in my Home!

I purchased a butterfly net for my children since we are having a delightful time watching them this fall. As Matthew ran out the front door he exclaimed with great pride, "I'm the BUTTERFLY hunter!"

As I cleaned out my purse, Sammy and Matthew sat on the bed watching as I went through each item. I found skittles at the bottom of my purse, a cheez it, nickles, dimes and pennies, lip gloss, receipts and more. Sammy said, "Mom it's like another world in your purse!" That child makes me smile!!

Ezekiel just informed me that making my coffee everyday should count as school work... he thinks it falls in the chemistry section since he is mixing coco with my coffee! lol!

After reading our proverbs for the day the children will tell me what verse they liked and what it meant to them. Today, Sammy was extreamly excited to share and raised his hand saying, "Pick me! Pick me! I know what my favorite verse was." "Okay Sammy, what was your favorite verse?" I asked. He replied, "My favorite verse is the one that says: Let no man throw a frog at his brother." The entire family started to laugh. I instantly read through the text again to see what might have sounded like that to him. Finally, I said, "Sammy, I can't find what verse you are talking about." He remained confident and said, "That's the way I heard it." When I told Grandma about it she said, "Well you know that is kinda biblical.. frogs are a curse so what Sammy was saying is: Let no man throw a curse at his brother." It's a good thing we always discuss what we hear in our Bible study.

As Matthew approached his fifth birthday he seemed disappointed. When I questioned him he said, "Momma? Can't I please just skip five and be six?!" I replied, "No... you have to be five first. Why don't you want to be five?" After a pause and with a discouraged countenance he said, "Because five is odd and I don't want to be odd Mommy!"

After all the children had their dentist visit Samuel began explaining how he had such good results. He said, "If you want to be like me all you have to do is only brush your teeth sometimes... the rest of the time... EAT THE TOOTHPASTE"

Bekah walked in while Matthew and I were working on his addition flashcards. She asked, "Matthew what are you doing?" "Doing my Plusing," He replied. I said, "You mean doing your addition" With confidence he turns to me and says, "Yes, that's it's middle name."

Bethany was helping Josiah look for beef cattle online when she came to me and said, "Momma, they had these really sad looking cattle that were super skinny called 'Commercial Cattle'. Momma that's all they would be good for - there wasn't enough meat on them for anything else." My Beth is just too sweet!

Timothy and Elisha were talking about all the contents of the Ark of the Covenant. When Elisha told Timothy that God had put the 10 commandments in it. Timothy replied with confidence, "Well He had too so that Moses wouldn't break them again!"

After several trips to the emergency room with my Timothy. I said, "Timothy, you really must stop hurting yourself like this. Each time we go through that hospital door it's costing Daddy 100.00!" He sweetly replied, "Is there another way we can get in Mommy?"

As Ezekiel and I poured over the garden magazines we ran across the brussel spouts. Ezekiel had never seen them before and with excitment said, "Momma, Look! They sell bite size lettuce!"

As we prepaired to vacume seal our newly butchered chickens. My Beth-Joy said, "Mom I know we want to seal our chickens but I can't figure out how we are going to get that chicken through that skinny slot!"

Jed was about five years old when he ran out to the kitchen and met me with excitement saying, "Mom I think God made my wife last night! I counted my ribs and now I am missing one!"

Matthew and Samuel were playing when the girls and I overheard them and couldn't help but giggle. Matthew wanted to play house and have a baby but Samuel informed him that, "You can't have a baby, Matthew- you're only a 2T"

While driving I often lose cell phone reception with my Joe. I never realized how much the little ones were listening until one day I overheard them say, "Mom and Dad broke up again!" "No Mommy broke up with Daddy" replied Matthew. "No! It was daddy. He broke up with Mommy again!" Replied Sammy. As I listend I thought it was a good thing no one was ease dropping into their coversation- they would think my Joe and I had a pretty rocky marriage! LOL

While on one of our "girls days" Bethany was having a hard time falling asleep. Grandma encouraged her to count sheep. After a few moments of slience we heard Beths sweat voice say, "Thump" We all thought about it for a moment and then Grandma asked, "Beth what was the thump about?" "Oh, one of my sheep ran into the fence... that's all Grandma."

A Note From M.O.M.

Welcome to a Moment with M.O.M(Mother of Many)

Have you ever wished someone would answer your questions, pray for your requests and listen as you ponder, pray and pursue your duties as wife and mother? Well, then you've come to the right place! Please join me as I, Jeanette Wood, share my heart, real moments from my home and loving encouragement on heart issues and practical tasks alike. If you have a question please feel free to email me and I will respond as the Lord allows. I don't claim to have all the answers but I know the One who does. I love to share what He has done in my life with others so that you might glean some of the gems that I have learned over the years. Come, sit on my porch or walk with me through the pastures as we share the goodness of the Lord.
Because of His Love,
Mrs. Joseph Wood

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