Prayer Warrior #1

Prayer Warrior #1

What is a "Prayer Warrior" you might be asking?  A "Prayer Warrior" is an individual who receives God's provision and protection by asking and listening to God through PRAYER.

  Today I am starting a regular feature - true life prayer stories showing proof that prayer works.  The picture above is my great grandmother Dorothea.  The story that I share below is about Dorothea & her family told from my grandmother Sophie's perspective - this story really happened.  

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The Avoidable Train Ride

True story - written by Angie Ouellette-Tower

It was near the end of World War II and Sophia's family had been forced to move here and there numerous times over the past few years.  They travelled by horse and buggy, on foot and even packed like sardines in train boxcars.  Sophia started the war living in a small village in Yugoslavia but now found herself in Oberheit, Austria with her 3 children and her parents, but she also found herself husband-less.  She hoped that her dear husband was still alive but due to wartime constraints she had not heard from him in months.

A truck with a loud speaker just rode through Oberheit informing the townspeople that this heavenly mountain village would soon be a battle zone!  Everyone had to pack their bags and be on the last train, leaving in less than 1 hour.

Sophie was frantic! - As, she had done many times before - she packed for an unknown destination.  Her daughter Lydia was very helpful; at 11 years old she was packing for herself.  Sophie was also thankful for son Willy (soon to be 13);  he and Sophie's dad were occupying Elfie who wasn't quite 2 years old yet.  Sophia noticed that her parent's bedroom door was closed and she knew that her mom was doing the packing in there. 

Sophie darted back and forth, opening cupboards and grabbing necessary items.  Every time she rushed to the other side of the room she passed her mom's closed door and heard the clock ticking - tic tock tic tock tic tock.  How much time did they have left?  There was only one train leaving! - no second chances!!  Back and forth, hurry!  Up and down, dash!  Open and close, rush!

Just as Sophie had almost finished packing,  the bedroom door opened and her mom appeared in the doorway empty handed.  Sophie's mouth dropped in shock but then her mom spoke and said: "I have just been praying and God made it very clear to me that we are NOT supposed to get on that train."

The family was used to "Oma's" prayer announcements and trusted that her answer was truly from God.  Sophie stopped rushing around and went to the window.  Outside many people were scurrying by with baggage in hand heading toward the train. 

Sophie sat down and could barely swallow with that lump of worry in her throat.  She thought, "What have we done?!  Our only way to safety has just hooted into the distance."  Then she calmed herself by thinking: "Trust God and obey."  Just as she finished telling herself to calm down and trust God another truck came through town announcing that the Americans were coming & that everyone in town were planning on surrendering.  They hung white sheets outside the windows indicating their submission.  They were safe without getting on that train!!

They later found out that the last train that left town that day had been blown up by land mines on the track! -   If they had taken that train that day, they would have all been killed or severely injured! 

God answers prayer & we must trust & obey! 

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Recently on this blog we have been talking about Prayer: 

"The Ultimate Spiritual Weapon" where we learned about the full armor of God (click HERE to view). 

"By Prayer & Petition" where we learned how to pray (click HERE to view).  

"Finding & Understanding God's answers to our prayers"  where we learned different ways to look for God's answers (click HERE to view).

Click on each title below to view more:

Prayer Warrior #2 - "Can We Get the Mail?"
Prayer Warrior #3 - "Even A Hamster"
Prayer Warrior #4 - "Prayer & Persistent Action" (about my grandmother)

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If you have a true life story about answered Prayer and would like to share this "Prayer Proof" with us here on this blog then please fill out this form: click HERE 

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Introducing Week#4 Co-host(s) for the July Chain "Linky" CLIMB

 

Please welcome The July Chain "Linky" CLIMB week#4 co-host:  Nannette from "Hope In The Healing"
(Click on the blog button below to visit her blog)

Nannette's blog is so inspiring!  She writes about her life (with a wonderful husband, 3 fantastic sons & 1 daughter-in-law) and about her faith in Jesus Christ.  There is some very helpful information on Fibromyalgia & Pain.  Also - if you need prayer - please contact Nannette & click HERE. She also writes monthly for the "Internet Café Devotions".  Please checkout her encouraging blog! 



To join in on this month's Chain "Linky" CLIMB (a month long blog hop) - please click HERE 

 

 

 

Turning an Old Shed Into A Playhouse - Puffy Flower Curtains

Turning an Old Shed Into a Playhouse - PUFFY FLOWER CURTAINS

My twin nieces love playing in this transformed shed.  Last week you saw the beautiful murals that my nieces painted and today I will show you the "Puffy Flower Curtains" that I made for them. 



This shed happens to have 4 windows but if you are turning an old shed that has no windows into a playhouse, then maybe you could pain a "window mural" and make curtains for that "pretend" window.

The "puffy flower" portion is actually a valance because I made basic slide-to-the-side type curtains.

I began with a pile of scrap material.

Then I picked the colors/fabric for the flower petals & the fabric for the leaves and then the material for the flower middle.

Three of the flowers have 4 petals and the last flower has 5 petals (I don't know why - it just happened that way) - then there are 2 leaves per flower (that's a total of 8 leaves for 4 windows).

I drew the petal & leaf patterns on paper first & then cut the fabric



I sewed these petals and leaves into pillows, stuffed them with fabric fiberfill and then sewed a half line on top of each petal & leaf (after it was stuffed) to look like the petal had a little pucker in the middle.

Then I cut 4 circles out of cardboard (which will be the middle of each flower).  Then I cut fabric about 2 inches larger than each circle - I "glue-gunned" some stuffing on the cardboard and then secured the fabric over the stuffed cardboard by using the glue gun on the back of the cardboard folding over the longer fabric (allow to cool & dry)

Cover a round dowel rod or round curtain rod with the same fabric as you used for the leaves

Glue (using a glue gun) the petals onto the back of the round middle.  Then glue the leaves onto the fabric covered dowel rod (see pictures above or below) and finally glue the flower onto the middle of the dowel rod covering the inner edges of the leaves that you previously glued onto the rod

Last step is to screw some open hooks onto the walls inside the shed & then hang the valance & curtain

ENJOY!!






Part 1 - Rainbow Sunflower Mural

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Caramelized Onion Chicken Meatballs

Caramelized Onion Chicken Meatballs with Wine Cream Sauce

These are the most scrumptious meatballs that you will ever eat!  You know me and flavor combinations - one day I thought "wouldn't caramelized onions be great in a meatball", and then I created this delight!  The combination of the sweetness of the caramelized onions along with the sweet basil and Wine Cream Sauce will make this meal a family favorite for years to come. 

NOTE:  I cook and bake with wine & liqueurs often but I am not a "drinker."  I am proud to say that I have never been drunk in my life.  I have no problem with having a small glass of wine with dinner but in my opinion "drinking to drink" is pointless.



Printable Recipe

The Meatballs

1 large Vidalia Onion (peeled, finely chopped, sautéed in butter for 7 - 10 minutes with 1/4 cup brown sugar added near the end)

1 lb ground chicken

3/4 cup Italian breadcrumbs

1/4 cup milk

1 egg

1/4 cup parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon dried basil (click HERE to see how to dry your own basil)

1/4+ teaspoon ground black (or white) pepper

dash of Worcestershire Sauce

1/2 teaspoon salt

Prepare the onion as described above (see picture above) and set aside to cool.  Mix all of the ingredients together (including the cooled caramelized onions) in a large bowl (see bottom left picture below).  Form small balls with your hands until all of the mixture has been used up (about 20 to 25 meatballs).  Spray or oil a large Pyrex baking dish.  You can either place the meatballs directly into the Pyrex dish or place them on a rack & then put that rack in the Pyrex dish (this way any grease will drip down into the dish instead of be absorbed into the meatball) (see picture below to the right). 

  

Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes (or until desired browness is achieved)



NOTE:  Continue on & cook the noodles as directed & make the cream sauce while the meatballs are in the oven

1 package of Fettuncine Noodles (cook as directed)

Wine Cream Sauce

4 tablespoons butter

4 tablespoons flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

2 cups milk (I use whole milk)

1+ garlic clove(s) (minced)

1/2 Vidalia onion (peeled, chopped)

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

1/4 cup red or white wine (I used red)

(a little olive oil)

In a large frying pan - sauté the onion & garlic in a little oil for a few minutes - remove the onion & garlic & set aside for later.  Melt the butter in this same frying pan and whisk the flour into the butter until mostly mixed together (see picture below). 

Slowly add the milk - whisking all the time over medium heat (see picture below). 

Keep stirring until the sauce thickens.  Now add the wine, parmesan cheese, salt & pepper & stir until the cheese is melted.  Finally add the onions & garlic from the previous step.  You should have a silky cream sauce resembling the picture below.

Assembly:  You can either place the meatballs on top of the noodles and cream sauce or place the meatballs on top of the noodles and top both with the Wine White Sauce.


ENJOY!!

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All My Bloggy Friends
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Thursday Favorite Things
Home Acre Hop



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Please checkout this month's wonderful Sponsor!!

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Themed Blog & Shop Hop - "Beach Fun" and the colors Blue & Tan

 

 

WELCOME to the 17th

"Themed Blog & Shop Hop"

July 15th 2013!

I'm so glad that you stopped by!

For those of you who are not familiar with "Hops" (a.k.a. Linky party) - a Blog Hop &/or Shop Hop is an event where viewers/followers can upload links onto my blog......Links to their items in their Etsy shops (or online shops) or links to their Blogs. And then we can "hop" from blog to blog or shop to shop.

The theme this month is:
"Beach Fun" and the colors "Blue & Tan"
Please share with us any item in your shop or from your blog that is mostly blue or tan (or both), or anything that has to do with the BEACH or anything "FUN".

If you have anything that remotely touches this topic - then please share it with us.

 

Although I would love it if everyone joined my blog or became followers of my blog - that is not a requirement to participate in this "Hop". All I ask is that you keep your submissions decent - no offensive content please.

 

Well, actually there is a second rule:

only 2 submissions per person please.

If you do not have a blog or a shop then please still stop by and take a digital walk through our virtual mall. 

 

 

I will be having a "Themed Blog & Shop Hop" once a month - the middle of each month. Next month's hop will be on:

AUGUST 16th, 2013

ENJOY!!

 

 To Etsy shop owners - please only upload links directly to the items that you would like to share with us - not a link to your entire shop - Thanks.

To Blog owners - you may submit any post that fits into the theme - it can be an old post from many months ago (it does Not have to be a recent post). Also, please submit the link directly to the post and Not a link to your homepage - Thank you!

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Please checkout this month's wonderful Sponsor!!

Michelle from
"Ya Gotta Have A Hobby" has such a fun blog full of unique craft ideas, delicious recipes and every hobby under the sun!! 

(Please click on the ad above)

 

June RESULTS for the Blog & Shop Hop

 

I would just like to thank all of you again for either visiting or participating in my 16th "Themed Blog & Shop Hop" - I had so much fun and I hope that you did also!

Now - The Results (If you haven't already - please checkout these wonderful shops & blogs) (Remember I have 2 "featured buttons" if you were featured and wanted to place one on your blog - NOT a requirement)

 

With the most "likes":

<a href="http://www.godsgrowinggarden.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="God’s Growing Garden" src="http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o501/AngieOuelletteTower/ButtonLike150_zps91cbd14b.jpg" /></a>    

These lovely yellow flower earrings by RazielaDesigns received the most likes







With the most "clicks":

<a href="http://www.godsgrowinggarden.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="God’s Growing Garden" src="http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o501/AngieOuelletteTower/ButtonClick150_zps66aa90cb.jpg" /></a>

I was unable to paste photos from Amy's blog but please visit!
Amy Mayen from "Sews'n Bows" received the most clicks with this darling "John Deere Tractor Dress"

Thank you all for your wonderful submissions!!!

 Please join us tomorrow for the 17th Themed Blog & Shop Hop!  

 

 

 

Finding & Understanding Answers to Prayer

Finding & Understanding Answers to Prayer

Recently we have been talking about Prayer:  "The Ultimate Spiritual Weapon" (click HERE to view) where we learned about the full armor of God and "By Prayer & Petition" (click HERE to view) where we learned how to pray.  Today we will be studying how to find God's answers to our prayers.

Below is a sign that appeared on my dad's church sign - my dad's priest came up with this very catchy slogan:

The following are 8 ways to find and understand God's answers to our prayers:

1.  God's Word - The Bible

"For the word of God is living and active." Hebrews 4:12

There have been many times when I have been praying intently and decide to read my Bible.  I'll take my Bible in hand and just open it without looking for any certain verse or book and then I'll read wherever my eyes land  - and lo & behold that place where my eyes landed is the answer to my prayer!!  This has happened a few times but most of the time I need to meditate on God's word  - a little bit each day before finding an answer.

2.  Urgings from the Holy Spirit

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him."  Psalm 62:5

This is that "gut feeling" found deep down in our being.  You might find yourself at a crossroads in your life and pray about what direction to turn.  You decide upon a pathway but when you start down that road you get a very uneasy feeling that can't be ignored - this is the kind of urging that I'm talking about - this is the Holy Spirit telling you that you've made the wrong decision.  When something like this happens - STOP and PRAY some more before you turn around and go back the way you came.  (This "pathway" of course is a symbol for whatever it is that you're praying for - it might be guidance on a job or decision on where to move etc). 

3.  Through others around us

"Make plans by seeking advice" 

Proverbs 20:18

After praying about a certain concern or question - go to your clergy, family member, friend and ask their opinion.  Sometimes God might even send you an answer through a neighbor or even a stranger.

4.  Quiet time

"Be still and know that I am God" 

Psalm 46:10

"Quiet time" can be different for all of us - it might be sitting on a beach watching the waves, or sitting in your house watching the traffic go by or maybe a walk around the neighborhood at night with nobody else around.  During these "quiet times" you are not praying but just listening - God might pop an idea in your head or even speak to you through your thoughts.  Try it - you might be surprised at the result!

5.  Deal with sin

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"  Matthew 7:3

This verse talks more about judging others but the other point of this verse is to clear up your own sin and change your ways.  Sin is blinding - you can pray and seek until you are blue in the face but if there is still an area of sin in your life then you won't be able to see or hear what God is telling you.  Clean up your life first.

6.  Timing

" 'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the Lord."  Isaiah 55:8

God's thoughts & ways are not the same as ours and His timing is also different.  We might feel that we need the answer right away or else.......or else what?  What if you are waiting to hear if your loan went through to be able to buy that dream house - you wait so long and eventually lose that house to a different buyer.  Maybe through that wait and loss God was saying that you were not supposed to buy that house.  God's timing is the only clock to live by. 

7.  Trust & accept "no" as an answer

"....for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him."  Matthew 6:8

We might not understand why the answer is "no" at the time - but later (maybe even years later) - something will happen and then you'll say to yourself: "That's why the answer was 'no' ".  God knows better than we do - just trust Him.

8.  Pay attention

"We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we

do not drift away."  Hebrews 2:1

This verse of course is talking about drifting away from our Christian walk but I also believe that it applies here.  When we are waiting for an answer to prayer we must pay attention to everything until we receive that answer.  It might take longer than we are comfortable with but there is a reason even for that wait.

pray Pray PRAY everyday & everywhere! 

 

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