Four New Baking Items Found on "Blessings From Baking"

We've updated the Blessings From Baking blog. There are four new items available for purchase. Each purchase helps us get that much closer to our goal of funding missions trips around the world. New items include:

Lemon Poppyseed Scones

Lemon Curd (Orange or Lime Varieties too!)

Organic Raw Cashew Butter

Organic Raw Almond Butter too!

Abbey's Cake Pops

Click on the links above for more details and to discover for which there are Gluten Free, Dairy Free or Vegan options. If you have any questions or would like to place an order, we can be contacted at blessingsfrombaking@gmail.com

Brave

In our household, Pixar is a happy word! Over the years, they have produced most of our favorite family movies. Now, we're hoping they're just in a slump.

Okay, so Cars 2 wasn't the greatest but we were really looking forward to Brave and most of us were sorely disappointed. It's not terrible, it's just not great...like we've come to expect from Pixar. Usually, they're movies are timed to debut near our youngest daughter, Leah's birthday. For several years, going to see the newest Pixar flick has been just part of her birthday routine. Such was the case again this year.

Since she's our "princess-y" girl, I was thrilled to see Pixar delving into the princess arena for the first time. The main character, Merida, shares hair and eye color with our oldest (red and bright blue, respectively...not a typical combination) so even Abbey was excited to see how this princess movie played out!

And there were some highlights (hopefully, not spoilers!):

• It's a mother/daughter film, which I think, just may be a Disney first. The girls and I were trying to think of any Disney animated film that even has a mom (not stepmom or captivity inducing witch)  in it. Mulan was the only other one we could come up with. It seems most Disney girls have daddy issues that need resolved. Elinor, voiced by Emma Thompson (one of my all-time favorite actresses) is a mom that has high expectations for the good of her daughter, yet is blind to her daughter's strength, skill and passion.
• Merida's three troublesome brothers are cute and funny. Think Huey, Dewey and Louie...only Scottish, mute and each with a bright red shock of hair.
• No mushy love story where a 16 year old thinks they're old enough and ready to leave home to be with her handsome "prince"
• The overall theme is good...listen to each other, without giving up your hopes and dreams. Of course, this is only achieved after some serious soul-searching and many comical blunders and tender moments along the way...par for the course for most Disney movies.

But there just wasn't that "oomph" for lack of a better word. And yes, this is a spoiler...but I wish someone would have told me there would be several male (albeit, animated) bums that would make an appearance as well. 

Alas, I'll continue to support Pixar in the theatre...I just hope next time it's back to the caliber of the Toy Story series, Cars, or Monsters, Inc. (Yes, there was even a preview for the new Monsters University too.) In an effort at full disclosure, I have to admit that The Incredibles, Ratatouille and Wall-E weren't necessarily my favorites at the first time either and each of them grew on me with subsequent viewings. In fact, The Incredibles is my all-time favorite Pixar movie now. So who knows...maybe when the DVD arrives and I watch it again, I'll like it more. For now, I'm content to go retro and enjoy some nostalgic Pixar...maybe A Bug's Life tonight!

Just...Wow!

I will grant you that I tend to go overboard at times with superlatives. But when you are limited to language to describe the Creator of the universe and all that He is or does, superlatives are not even enough. Such is the case when faced with the task of describing just exactly how the Holy Spirit has used Randy Alcorn's book, Heaven, to speak to my heart. So yes, "Just...Wow!" sums it all up.

I really wanted to wait to post until I'd completed the book and then do a one-time review. But if you've been reading this blog over the last month or so, you'll see that some days there were lessons I just had to share. (see "The Joy of Unfulfilled Dreams  "Doing What Matters...Watching the Clouds Roll By"   "And the Theme Continues"  and "Becoming Heaven-Minded") And I already see that even though this may be my last "official" post regarding the book, I pray that the focus on all things eternal doesn't end here. In fact, my plan is to buy a copy of the book and read it with my children for our devotional time once we start back to school. Why? Because I can't imagine a greater gift to my kids than teaching them that they were made for more than this life. They were made for an eternity of adventure and love with their Savior, Jesus.

I've decided to more or less present a summary here...a summary of what I've learned and some of my favorite quotes from the book. It truly has changed my perspective and reminded me that any sacrifices during this lifetime for the Kingdom pale in comparison to what God will redeem, renew and resurrect for the future.

• "Christian, meditate much on heaven, it will help thee to press on, and to forget the toil of the way. This vale of tears is but the pathway to the better country: this world of woe is but the stepping-stone to a world of bliss. And, after death, what cometh? What wonder-world will open upon our astonished sight?"--Charles Spurgeon
• Our enemy has deceived us into believing that this life is all there is....even Christians fall prey to this. Why else do we feel like our dying dreams, our squelched passions, our missed opportunities, our sacrifice of pleasure, time or money will never be restored to us?
• If instead we can remember that all of the above are only delayed, then what we feel we have "lost" will not be quite so traumatic. For example, I have since my early 20's had an almost overwhelming desire to travel. God has refined this desire over the years to include service to Him. I can imagine no greater joy in my life than to travel to new places (locally, nationally or internationally) and serve in His name. For far too long, I set aside this passion thinking it just wasn't possible because of family obligations. Now that our children are getting older, for the last two years, I've bemoaned the fact that we don't have the financial resources to do it. (Actually, wallowed is probably a better word than bemoaned). As I see the same passion growing in our daughter, I've become overwhelmed to the point of shutting down and even shutting God out because I "just don't see how it can ever happen." God's loving Spirit has comforted me in two ways: 1. If God calls us to missions for Him...He will make it happen, and 2. When the New Earth is redeemed and renewed to the glory of God, I will not only be able to see the things I've longed to see and experience the cultures I've longed to know...I will be able to witness the perfected versions...as God always intended they should be. Amen!
• "Another reason people assume Heaven is boring is that their Christian lives are boring. That's not God's fault; it's their own. God calls us to follow him in an adventure that should put us on life's edge. He's infinite in creativity, goodness, beauty, and power. If we're experiencing the invigorating stirrings of God's Spirit, trusting him to fill our lives with divine appointments, experiencing the childlike delights of his gracious daily kindnesses, then we'll know that God is exciting and Heaven is exhilarating. People who love God crave his companionship. To be in his presence will be the very opposite of boredom." page 395, Heaven
• "I feel within me that future life. I am like a forest that has been razed; the new shoots are stronger and brighter. I shall most certainly rise toward the heavens the nearer my approach to the end, the plainer is the sound of immortal symphonies of worlds which invite me. For half a century I have been translating my thoughts into prose and verse: history, drama, philosophy, romance, tradition, satire, ode, and song; all of these I have tried. But I feel I haven't given utterance to the thousandth part of what lies within me. When I go to the grave I can say, as others have said, "My day's work is done." But I cannot say, "My life is done." My work will recommence the next morning. The tomb is not a blind alley; it is a thoroughfare. It closes upon the twilight, but opens upon the dawn."--Victor Hugo, quoted on page 397, Heaven
• And one more, but definitely not the last, area in which I was redirected is just exactly where and how I'm spending the limited amount of time I have left on this Earth that is under the Curse. It's even helped me when advising my kids about relationships and their time spent. Allow me a rather lengthy quote to explain this:

     "In a sense, we're already in Heaven with Christ: see Colossians 3:1-4.
     Our intimate link with Christ in his redemptive work makes us inseparable from him, even now. As we walk with him and commune with him in this world, we experience a faint foretaste of Heaven's delights and wonders.
     Though it's true that Christ is with us and within us while we're on Earth, it also works in the other direction--we're united with Christ, so much so that we are seated with him in Heaven: see Ephesians 2:6
     Notice that the following description, written to believers alive on Earth, is in the present perfect (not future) tense, which expresses a completed action: "You have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect." (Hebrews 12:22-23)
     In a metaphysical sense, we've already entered Heaven's community. By seeing ourselves as part of the heavenly society, we can learn to rejoice now in what Heaven's residents rejoice in. They rejoice in God, his glory, his grace, and his beauty. They rejoice in repentant sinners, the saints' faithfulness and Christlikeness, and the beauty of God's creation. They rejoice in the ultimate triumph of God's Kingdom and the coming judgment of sin.
     Heaven, then, isn't only our future home. It's our home already, waiting over the next hill. If we really grasp this truth, it will have a profound effect on our holiness. A man who sees himself seated with Christ in Heaven, in the very presence of a God to whom the angels cry out, "Holy, holy, holy," won't spend his evenings viewing Internet pornography.
     No wonder the devil is so intent on keeping us from grasping our standing in Christ--for if we see ourselves in Heaven with Christ, we'll be drawn to worship and serve him here and now, creating ripples in Heaven's waters that will extend outward for all eternity." (page 184-185)

And there it is...the reason why I need to become less media-focused...the reason why giving out of our meager income instead of hording all for ourselves...the reason why focusing on relationships that will carry over into eternity instead of chasing after those that really don't want to invest in my life either...the reason why giving away all that I have, even my life, if asked, well...matters. Because when I truly grasp that what matters in Heaven matters here..."it creates ripples in Heaven's water that will extend outward for all eternity." I've yet to find anything else that even begins to compare...have you?

Archived March 2012 Prayer Requests

3/26/12: As Boundless Ministries looks forward to our second year, please pray for God's continued leading, guidance and provision. From day 1, we have said this is His ministry to do with as He pleases. Continuing in that path is our hope and plan. We know He wants to lead, pray we'll be open to seeing and hearing His call!

3/26/12: Mom of 1 has had long battle regarding custody & has so far agreed to many disadvantages for herself just to keep the peace for her child, but the demands continue and have gotten out of hand. Please pray for her wisdom, peace and for her child's peace & protection as her ex is attempting to put the child between them.
3/26/12: Mom of 4 has court date to finalize divorce in early May. Mediation could not be agreed upon over custody concerns. Please pray for her continued peace through this trying time. 5/4/12: This date was just to go before the judge and confirm they needed to set a trial date. Date has been set for August 2012.

3/3/12: Please pray for our daughter, Abigail, as the Holy Spirit is laying upon her heart a passion for foreign missions. She is excited about the prospect of where and when He may lead. I too am excited for her! My prayer is that she will have clear discernment from God's faithful Spirit as to how she can best prepare for her future serving Him. I am praising Him that He has already intersected her journey with a great couple who are full-time missionaries through Master Provisions and this relationship offers great wisdom and insight for Abbey. 5/1/12: Abbey is going to have an opportunity to attend a leadership conference for youth in June at Holland, MI. Continue to pray for God to speak to her heart. This could be a life-changing event.

Archived February 2012 Prayer Requests

2/28/12: Mom of 4 requests prayer for a second court mediation with her ex-spouse on 3/19/12. Many financial and way-of-life decisions will be necessary soon. Please pray for peace as she seeks God's wisdom and leading in all the choices she must make. 3/20/12: Ex-spouse wouldn't agree on any details of custody and housing. 5/4/12 they go before a judge to set a trial date.

2/5/12: Mom of 3 is desperate for some financial relief. Please pray for God to give His wisdom on the direction she should go in regards to work,schooling her children, housing and bills.

Bi-monthly Update for Prayer Requests and Needs

Here's the link to the Page for our Prayer Requests and Needs.

Thank you for praying for Boundless Ministries and the single moms we know or whose requests are passed on to us. I continue to be astounded at how amazing God is and how He puts things all together for our good and His glory.

If you'd ever like to become a Prayer Partner and receive bi-monthly e-mails with the link to the Prayer Request Page, just send me an e-mail at a.barthauer@gmail.com with "Prayer Partner" in the subject box.

The Joy of Unfulfilled Dreams

No...I've not gone off the deep end. Rather, God is giving me peace about the things I've always longed to do, the places I've always wanted to visit, the hobbies and projects I've always wanted to finish and yes...even the dreams I've always dreamed but never seen fulfilled.

We all have them don't we? Whether as kids we dreamed of being a fireman, a cowboy, a princess or a movie star...we all have at least one dream...and probably many, many more that we gave up on too long ago to recall. But what if you didn't have to give it up? What if you knew that someday, somewhere, somehow...the hopes, dreams, plans, goals that you'd long ago set aside could amazingly be dusted off and actually see the light of day? Wouldn't that be worth every single sacrifice or abandoned hope you'd made along the way? Maybe the more appropriate question is: Doesn't that sound like Heaven?

Randy Alcorn thinks so...and his book, entitled just that, Heaven, is a scripturally supported work that challenges us to hope for the day (or rather, the eternity) on which we'll see our God-given dreams fulfilled. After all, we're told that every "good and perfect thing" is a gift from the Father, (see James 1:17) so isn't it safe to assume that these hopes and dreams came from Him? I mean, is there truly anything wrong with dreaming of travel to Africa, Australia or Asia? Isn't it good to want to run a marathon? Isn't there good to be found in the dream of singing praise, glory and honor to our Savior? Isn't it more than just good to want to have perfect relationships where there is no bias, no angst, no miscommunication, no doubt, no guilt and no pain? So if God is the giver of all good things, why would those dreams end just because this life under the Curse ends? Thanks to Alcorn, I'm realizing for the first time that they won't!

So yes, I am finding "The Joy of Unfulfilled Dreams". God is releasing me from the regret of missed opportunities. He's weeding out the bitterness that results from lost hopes. He's healing the hurt and insecurity of not having the resources to do all that I want to do for Him. He's helping me get beyond the questioning of "Where did I go wrong?" and "At what turn did I miss His leading?" He's showing me that someday there will be a New Earth and the sights, sounds, cultures and pleasures I've longed to enjoy now...are just being delayed for 40 or so (or fewer!) years...and I'm becoming okay with that.

But He's also opening my heart and mind wider to another realization: There is ONE thing I'll never again be able to do once I've shed this decaying form that is just a shadow of the perfected me yet to come...I'll never again have the opportunity to bring more people into His Kingdom along with me. Maybe that's why Jesus said over and over again that the "time is now" and that "the Kingdom of God is at hand". (see Mark 1:15 and (Matthew 4:17) He knew better than anyone that short-term sacrifice is long-term gain...like eternity-type long-term!

Do I still long to see the Australian Outback, the Great Wall of China, and just to step foot on Africa...anywhere in Africa? Absolutely! But knowing that someday I will not only see them...but I'll see the renewed, perfected, non-decaying versions of them, makes it a less bitter pill to swallow. The cool thing? Because I'm willing to make the sacrifices in the here and now of giving to the needy when we don't have enough, spending time with single moms and their kids when no one else wants to or doing without the fancy vacations, fancy food, fancy clothes, fancy cars, fancy "whatever" so that even more people I know (or have yet to meet) will be able to go see all of those things with me...THAT, my Friend...is "The Joy of Fulfilled Dreams!"

Mentioned in this post:

Date Night

When you're the youngest of four, there aren't too many "firsts" to which you can lay claim. Such is the case with my almost nine year old, Leah.

She'll never be the first one to ride a roller coaster, go to Disney World, feed a duck or have a sleepover. In fact, as I've realized in the last few years, she even has missed out on some of the "firsts" the older kids have enjoyed. I always swore I'd never make the youngest one grow up just to accommodate the schedules of the "big kids". Unfortunately, to some degree...it just happens.

But thanks to our local Chick-fil-A, she experienced her very own "first" that no one can ever take away from her...a limo ride! Recently, I saw a mom we know from home school co-op post a link to a "Daddy-Daughter Date Night" on her Facebook page. Once I clicked on the link and found out what they were offering, I signed up Dale and Leah without even asking them. I absolutely knew Leah would eat up (no pun intended) the chance to have a "date" with her dad. And I was right.

What I didn't know was to what extent Chick-fil-A was going to go to make it a special night. Sure they gave the girls a flower, they brought your food to your table, they set the table nicely, there was a Princess Cow, and place mats with conversation starters were available too. But violin music? Wow! They really went above and beyond to make this a special event for the families...and it all started with a limo ride!

This was the first thing Leah shared with me...but she was so excited, she couldn't even verbalize it...she just handed me the ticket for the limo ride to see it for myself. I know my daughter pretty well and the euphoria from being treated like a princess will last a really long time. I truly do not think I've ever seen her face beaming before that night. It was a joy to see what a blast she had.

To top it all off, her sister, Abbey, had put up her hair and she wore a pretty sundress. But because the three older kids and I were out volunteering, we didn't get any photos of the event. Guess what? That's right...Chick-fil-A did! The best part?

It's in the limo!

"Got My Mind Set On You"

Last night, I shared with a friend that I've felt like I've been avoiding God. I started asking Him today, "Why?" I think there are a few reasons, but one has been this lesson of being at peace with complete dependence upon Him. What He's asking of me is so counter-cultural, so mind-boggling that I can't even begin to get my brain around it.

For an uber-analytical mind like mine...this has been driving me nuts. So, I've been avoiding Him because I didn't want to do the "work" to process with Him exactly what He is calling me to do. I know I sound vague, but I cannot put into words the thoughts I've had. They are so much higher than my finite thoughts that this is going to take a lot of time and patience and yes, even money, with and from God to sort it all out.

And if you've ever needed to believe that God must have a sense of humor...let me assure you...He does.

You see, this song...an old 80's throwback to my teen years...for the last year or so has occasionally "popped" into my head...often out of nowhere...when I've struggled to comprehend or just to process what God is saying or sharing with me. I cannot even begin to count how many times this has happened. I would only let myself repeat the line "I got my mind set on You" over and over again, because I didn't like the next line that says, "It's going to take money, a whole lot of spending money." I was content to recite the first phrase over and over again. It sort of became a way of "recalibrating" my brain back to focusing on God.

This morning as I turned again to Him and truly began to ask, "Why am I avoiding You?" "What are You asking of me?" "How do I begin to have peace in our circumstances, when I know the bottom line and You say, 'Don't worry...I've got your back!'" Ugh! It was excessively overwhelming and I was becoming exasperated with no answer.

But then...I felt led to open up Jesus Calling...and I was a few days behind (yep...that avoidance thing again!). In God's perfect timing, I read today what was scheduled for yesterday:

"For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace..." (Romans 8:6)

And once again, George Harrison and his 1980's hit began playing non-stop in my mind. You see, when I've "God my mind set on (Him)" there is life and peace! When I set it on the flesh or my earthly surroundings or my cultures demands...there is only death.

Just for kicks, I wanted to post the video from Youtube. It's cheesy...but all of the words are appropriate for today. It is going to take lots of money (from God), lots of time and lots of patience (from me) to "do it right". But if I've "Got my mind set" in the right place there will be "life and peace".

Amen!

A Serving Summer

I normally like to home school year round. At least we usually do a few days of schooling per week, but much to my children's delight, we're postponing our start until July. One obvious reason is that we needed a month off. The not so obvious reason is that in an effort to continue becoming more Heaven Minded, (and beat away the "I'm bored!" I hear far too often!) we have intentionally contacted friends to come to our place to swim (at our complex's pool). We're also attempting to be intentional about having the kids' friends to our home for sleepovers and scheduling families to come have dinner with us and hang out by the pool. We want to be very proactive about living in community with our friend this summer.

But one of the things I'm most excited about was my friend Kari's idea of a summer challenge. Instead of participating in our local library's reading program, we've developed our own challenge...tailored to each child's gifting and abilities. The challenge is broken down into three different categories: spiritual, mental and physical. Instead of winning a book at the library that they'll never read, if they complete the challenge, they'll each receive a monetary prize that they can spend on anything they want. Sounds great doesn't it?

My favorite category is spiritual...and I'm not just saying that to sound self-righteous. On their own initiative, they are reading their devotions and as a family we're serving together throughout the summer. In our first week alone, we chalked up 5 1/2 hours. Truly...we're not serving just to mark something off our list. If you've read this blog very long, hopefully you've picked up on the idea that serving together as a family is extremely important to me.

We'll continue our monthly rotation at the Henry Hosea House in Newport and now that I'm not working, we'll be able to rejoin our friends at our monthly nursing home volunteer day. But two new places where we're volunteering are Master Provisions (this one is Abbey's passion) and with our church at a government subsidized neighborhood just down the road from where the church building is located. These last two have my heart pumping because both are an extension of our calling and passion to serve single moms. Both serve the desperately poor and as expected, mostly single moms.

Also, as God leads and provides opportunities through Boundless Ministries, we will continue to pray for and serve the single moms we know and the ones we have yet to meet. I've even been brewing up a creative idea on how to serve expectant single moms that I hope to unveil in the near future.

So this is a serving summer for us...and I wouldn't have it any other way! Join in the fun and ask God how you can best serve Him this summer!

Updated Family Page

We updated our page called The Families We Know. We hope to include more families in the near future. We'll post again as we do.

Our hope and prayer is that as God leads people to pray for the women and their families on this page, that their lives will be transformed, healed and blessed by His overwhelming Love.

Bi-monthly Prayer Requests and Needs

Here's the latest update to the Prayer Requests and Needs. Please also click on The Families We Know Page and pray for each mom and her children.

As always, if you'd like to become a Prayer Partner for Boundless Ministries, you can either e-mail me at a.barthauer@gmail.com or comment to this post and request to be added to the bi-monthly e-mail. Our Prayer Partners are absolutely vital to anything that God does through Boundless Ministries. From the beginning, we believed we would see Him do amazing things that would leave us speechless when His people call upon His name and believe that He can still do wonders in our world!

Amen!

Doing What Matters...Watching the Clouds Roll By

As God's Spirit is daily reminding me and drawing me more and more into this new adventure of making everyday count, I have had so many words written and spoken urging me into a focus on doing things that will eternally matter. I hope to finish Randy Alcorn's book, Heaven, and review it soon...but, for now,  I can't help but share how in less than half of its pages I am challenged to become primarily Heaven minded.

I have to admit, I've been fighting with God over something too. I may share that later...for now, it's settled...and Praise Him...He won...but I'm still processing and probably wouldn't make much sense if I attempted to put it into words. At the center of this battle has been one theme, "Are you going to do what I say matters (being Heaven-minded) or are you going to listen to the voices of the culture telling you to follow them?"

I learned a long time ago, you can't mix God's ways and man's ways. My heart's desire is to follow God's. So today, I did a simple, yet profound for me thing. I set aside the computer for about 30 minutes...stopped indulging myself in me time and went outside with my eight year old, Leah. She was bored and honestly, a little annoying...and then in my head it just "clicked". I could continue to offer suggestions at which she balked...or I could go outside, lay on the grass on her Daddy's quilt and do something that regrettably, I've never done with her before...watch the clouds roll by.

Before I thought of taking pictures, we saw a rhino, Mickey Mouse, E.T., Cleo the poodle from the Clifford TV show, and Sid from the Ice Age movies. I leave you with some pictures that we took.

It was a good day...one that mattered!

A taco! I know, not very original.

A colonial mole, wearing a tri-corner hat, carrying a walking stick in front of him.

(We were becoming more imaginative with practice!)

A swimmer, cutting through the water, his face turned toward us and his arm, on top ready to come up over his head.

And this one? This one was just cool!

Summer Serve Day

Today, the kids and I attended our first Summer Serve Day at First Church of Christ. Our family participated in packing clothes with Master Provisions. My two oldest girls were happy that their friends came along at the last minute. I was glad they had friends because serving is always more fun with your buddies.

We were packing clothes that will eventually arrive in Kosovo. That was great because it hasn't been that long ago that our family prayed for Kosovo through the Operation World website. My kids at least had some idea of where in the world their hard work and love for others would be heading.

The photo below is one of the skids we loaded with packed clothing. We completed an additional half flat also. Each of these bags weighs between 80-100 pounds! Not too shabby for about 30 volunteers.

It was a fun morning, but we were all fairly wiped out for the afternoon. Took us a couple of hours to recoup. Guess what? We're going back on Tuesday for Champ Camp...another chance to pack on a kid-friendly day!

May 2012 Financial Statement

In an effort to always be an open book, here's our Boundless Ministries Financial Statement for May 2012. You can see, it's lean...but God always faithfully provides when a need arises. And He always provides in His best timing and in the way that best reveals who He is...a God of mercy, grace and love!

Just in case you need a little extra reassurance of God's daily provision, please read The Theme Continues and God's Good Thing of the Day. My prayer for Boundless Ministries, the single moms we know and our own family is that every day I remember the words the Holy Spirit profoundly spoke to my heart, "It's not about money, Angela. It was never about money. I have the money...the question is...do you have the faith?"


Amen!