Homemade Bagels!

This week I decided to make bagels to have for breakfast on Shabbat. I tried making them once before but I just used dough I had already made for bread. Those bagels turned out ok, but the ones I made on Friday from this recipe were DELICIOUS! 

My hubby has informed me that we will no longer be buying bagels. So I figure I wouldn't be too good of a friend if I didn't pass along this great recipe. :o)

If you decide to make them, I hope you enjoy them.

Shavua Tov!

Torah Momma Journal 12-27-12

What did I…

Offer thanks for? Having 4 wheel drive! We went out not realizing there was a snowstorm and  having 4 wheel drive was a HUGE blessing. 

Accomplish? Sadly not much. This week has been slow and not very productive. I did however find a site with some homeschool resources I am very excited about using next week :o)

Struggle with? Energy! For some reason this was a tough week and I am sooooo looking forward to Shabbat. 

Teach my children? We've been working on learning the days of the week. 

Study and learn? I've been working on some songs to play on the piano. 

Laugh about? My girls are always providing lots of things to laugh about. One thing that sticks out was when the girls were supposed to be sleeping but were up talking about what they were going to wear to church! Well one was asleep and one was awake, but they were talking to each other lol. 

Pray about? Oh lots of things. My hubby is still looking for work, so that's been the most pressing thing. 

What is this week’s Torah portion and what did I learn from it? 
Vayechi Genesis 47:28-50:26

This portion is about the blessing on Joseph's sons, as well as the 12 sons of Israel (Jacob). But what stood out the most to me was Gen 50:20 "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." This stood out to me because, Joseph fully forgave his brothers for what they did. He was able to look past their bad choices and see the hand of God. That is a prayer of mine. That no matter what happens to me, good or bad, I would be able to see my Elohim and His protection/provision. 

Picture

Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls... Jeremiah 6:16

This post is part of a Torah Momma link up over at TorahFamilyLiving.com, you can head over there to see more posts like this one, from other mommas seeking the narrow way.

My Interview with Sowers of Hope!

Shalom Ladies! I was recently interviewed by the very lovely ladies at Sowers of Hope and I'd love for you all to check it out. While you're over there look around at some of their beautiful creations. I have a few items from them and they are all very well made and high quality. Here is the link: my interview

A Lesson I Learned This Past Shabbat

As  I was reading in Ezekiel this past Shabbat, Adonai dealt with me about something. I was just starting to read Ezekiel so I hadn't gotten very far before things started to make sense as to why I was even reading Ezekiel in the first place. The verses that the Lord used were Eze 2:6-8.

And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious. But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee.

Now just to clarify, I believe that scripture has one interpretation, but many applications. So while these verses only mean exactly what they say and are an account of what happened with Ezekiel, that does not mean that Adonai can't use them to speak into my life. Ok, now on to my point :o)

As I was reading I felt like Adonai was telling me to pay attention to what was about to come, and then I read those verses. If you knew me personally, in my "real life", you'd know that I will gladly share with you about Yeshua (Jesus). I have no problem witnessing. But what I do struggle with is sharing my convictions. If you asked me why I wear skirts, or a headcovering, I most likely won't give you scripture and tell you exactly why. I'll just say oh it's my conviction or something else similar. If you asked me why we don't celebrate christmas, I'd just tell you well it's pagan in origin and so we choose to abstain. But I will quickly change the subject. Now of course if someone presses the issue I will share. Because it's not that I'm shy, it's that I'm afraid. I'm afraid of being the odd one, or being looked at funny. But I shouldn't be because YHVH in His Word {1 Peter 2:9} says that I am to be peculiar!

I am Set-apart for my HOLY Elohim, and I should not {and neither should you} be "afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks". I am to speak HIS Words to them, or else I'm being rebellious! Ouch! I don't want to be in rebellion to my Creator. Now this is not to say that I need to, or even should, go around preaching to everyone. It's not so much a matter of preaching, as it is teaching. Who knows how often the enemy has used my fear to keep me from sharing the truth with someone who was searching. When we refuse to open up we aren't allowing Adonai to use us. We were not created to fear! 

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. -2 Timothy 1:7

 The really funny thing though is that it's not the unbeliever that I fear. It's the other so called Christians who are quick to scream legalist, when in truth my hearts desire is the please my Abba. Not to be under bondage, or to put others under bondage. Every conviction that I hold has come from YHVH, and whether or not "they" see it is not my concern. What is my concern though is to always be prepared with scripture for why I live the way I live. Not to argue or to condemn another but so that those who would falsely accuse me, can know of the hope that I have in Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus Christ)! So I am leaving behind that spirit of fear and stepping forth in the truth of my Abba. His Words will be my reply and His Spirit my guide. :o)

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. -1 Peter 3:15-16

Our Shabbat in Pictures

And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made;
and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. -Gen 2:2

Our Shabbat didn't go exactly as we planned, but it was a blessing none the less. We watched some videos from Passion for Truth, spent time reading scripture, and enjoyed each others company. After I lit our Shabbat candles I got the idea to share our day with you. Everyone was too hungry for me to take any pictures of dinner though :o)

The challot I made!

They looked so pretty, before I baked them lol. The funny shaped one was part of a project I'm working on for a friend. 

The funny shaped challah didn't make it pass dinner!

This is what it's all about, spending time with Abba.

Pumpkin cookies! 

Lunch!

The girls "reading"

Time for havdalah:
grape juice, spices, and braided candle.

Hubby doing the havdalah service.

There you have it, our Shabbat. It was very refreshing and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to fellowship with my family. I can't wait until next week! Shavua Tov {good week}from my family to yours!

Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. -Revelations 14:12

Preparation Day

I can't believe it's been over a year since I've written a preparation day post! Wow. I guess that's just a reflection on how we've been living. We've gone back and forth over the Sabbath issue so many times. While we know the truth of the Sabbath it can often be hard to walk it out, especially alone. 

2012 has been a really difficult year for my family. Lot's of changes and upheavals have happened. But through it all Adonai has been nothing but faithful to us. We've purposed to end this year on a much better note and to head into 2013 with a renewed devotion to our Elohim. For me that means lot's of readjusting our diets (so that we are taking care of our temples), getting back into studying Hebrew, and reaffirming commitments that I've made to YHVH. For my family it means walking in the ways of Adonai, no matter how difficult it may be. 

Recently my husband and I watched Identity Crisis again (if you haven't seen this teaching I highly recommend it) and this time around something clicked for him. It was like the things that we've known for awhile took on new meaning for him. So now I've got a man on a mission, on my hands. :o)

How this will look in the coming months is unclear, but I trust that my Abba has a plan for my family. I do however know the first step that we must take is getting back to keeping the Sabbath! Shabbat was always a favorite of mine and I'm so excited to begin keeping it again. We will still be attending our church on Sundays, for the reasons found in this post. Only difference now is that my husband is able to be home for Shabbat and we're able to truly set aside this time for our Elohim. 

Well enough with all the heavy stuff, want to see my menu?!?

Dinner: Moroccan Chraimi Fish with roasted potatoes and corn 

Breakfast: Homemade Bagels, Cinnamon Rolls 

Lunch: Tuna Salad 

Plus: Challah, Pumpkin Challah, and Pumpkin cookies (if I get to them)

I am going to be busy, busy, busy but I'm super thankful my hubby has agreed to tackle most of the cleaning, so that I'm able to get everything done. 

May you have a blessed Erev Shabbat (Sabbath eve/preparation day), as you prepare to usher in the shalom of YHVH this Shabbat. 

Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you.- Exodus 31:13

Shabbat Shalom!

More Than We Purchased

Tonight we were supposed to go to a Journey to Bethlehem event. As we were driving we decided to call and make sure we weren't going to arrive too late. Turns out we were two weeks late! I was really sad about it, but my hubby said we'll try to find something similar to go to over the weekend. I still wasn't fully cheered up but I was getting there. 

We decided we should go and get some groceries. So off we went and I was glad that I'd still have people to give tracts to. Of course the tract queen (my 4 year old) decided that it was her job to hand them all out, so I let her. She gave one to a lady who was so excited about receiving one that she said (kind of loudly) "Oh yea, that's my man Jesus!" Which of course made our girls laugh. After that we all went about our business. 

Once it was time to check out we got in line, and it just so happens we were behind the lady who got excited  about the tract. She finished checking out and then walked around the other isle behind me. Then she grabbed a few of our items and said "I'll pay for these". Totally shocked we said thank you and continued checking out. She then preceded to tell us that the Lord was about to bless us. She very specifically said it was going to be a financial blessing that there wasn't going to be room enough to receive it {Malachi 3:10}. 

After we were all done checking out she came over to where we were standing and asked to pray with us. Right there in the store she prayed for our family and our finances, not knowing that my husband is still looking for work. Then she told me I need to be praying for my husband and children. Now I know this, but I haven't been very faithful in keeping them covered in prayer. She reminded me that I am my husbands helper and that I need to stay before the throne! She encouraged us to just stay faithful and that God would come through. 

We left the store complete shocked by all that had just happened. We had a rough start this morning and were a little worried about some things financially. But we decided to just leave it up the Lord, He knows how best to handle it anyway. Then this happened. I don't know if it means anything. I don't know if there is something big coming. But I do know I left feeling encouraged. 

I left home thinking I was going to experience Elohim {God}one way and He revealed Himself to me in another.  

The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. -Deuteronomy 29:29

Praying...

I can't even begin to comprehend the depths of the tragedy that took place in Newtown, Connecticut. This town is less than an hour away from my home, it's the same town that the man who gave us our tire blessing is from,  it's the school my husband used to drive by daily on his way home from work. I can't wrap my brain around it... 

I can not, and will not, pretend to have all the answers; but I know where to find them. 

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. -Hebrews 4:16

{Please pray for the families of Newtown}