My heart filled with thankfulness as I looked over the list of beloved books that our family has read over the years. How blessed we have been to fill our minds and hearts with such wonderful, godly literature. Many of the Christians that I met through the pages of biographies feel as if they have become dear godly friends and mentors. They have taught me so much!

 I’ll be adding to this list periodically. I have a stack of books I am currently working through. Many of these books can be ordered through our website bookstore which helps our family with a small credit.

(Please remember that only God’s Word is perfect, so as always, read
with discernment.)

Encouraging stories for wives
Henry and the Great Society by Roush, Sr. 
Stepping Heavenward by Prentiss
First We Have Coffee by Jensen
A Way in the Wilderness by Wagler
Aunt Jane’s Hero: Portrait of a Christ-Centered Home by Elisabeth Prentiss

Godly Wives, Instructional
An Excellent Wife by Peace
A Woman After God’s Own Heart by George
Lies Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Child Training
Shepherding A Child’s Heart By Tripp
Age of Opportunity by Tripp
The Mother at Home by John S. C. Abbott
The Little Book of Christian Character and Manners by Dedrick

Stories of Faithful Christians
A Heart for Imbabura by Charles W. Shepson (Ecuador)
Autobiography of George Mueller (England)
Hudson Taylors’ Spiritual Secret by Dr. Howard Taylor (China)
Mrs. C. H. Spurgeon by Charles Ray
Mimosa by Amy Carmichael (India)
Green Leaf in Drought by Isobel Kuhn (China)
Gladys Aylward by Gladys Aylward & Christine Hunter
Evidence Not Seen by Darlene Rose (Papua New Guinea)
Eternity in their Hearts by Don Richardson
Granny Brand by Wilson (India)
Through Gates of Splendor by Elliot
In the Arena by Isobel Kuhn
They Looked for a City by Buksbazen
Mary Jones and Her Bible
Jonathan & Sarah: An Uncommon Union by Gerstner
Idelette by Gerstner
A Token of Love by Janeway

Spiritual Growth 
Loving God with All Your Mind by Elizabeth George
The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn
Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper
The Blazing Center by John Piper (DVD)
Practicing the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by Keller
The Pursuit of God by Tozer
The Knowledge of the Holy by Tozer
Knowing God by Packer
The Pursuit of Holiness, The Practice of Godliness & The Discipline of Grace by Jerry Bridges
The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Burroughs
Future Grace by John Piper
In the Shadow of Death by Kuyper (old reprint on nursing those who are dying and those who are facing death)
Amy Carmichael’s books… too many to list.
Quest for Meekness and Quietness of Spirit by Matthew Henry (old repint)
Decision Making and the Will of God by Friesen
Spiritual Depression by Lloyd-Jones
Charity and it’s Fruit by Jonathan Edwards
When God Weeps by Joni Eareckson

Missions
The Road to Reality by K.P. Yohannan

Classic Allegories
Pilgrim’s Progress by Bunyan
Hinds Feet on High Places by Hurnard

Children’s Books
Missionary Stories with the Millers by Martin
Princess in Calico
Mary Jones and Her Bible by Ropes
Children’s Heritage Series (Too many to list)
Aunt Vera’s Bedtime Stories (missionary stories told to Aunt Vera’s adopted children) by Vera Dingman
Huguenot Garden by Douglas Jones

Teen Books
Mimosa by Amy Carmichael
Green Leaf in Drought by Isobel Kuhn
Gladys Aylward by Gladys Aylward & Christine Hunter
Evidence Not Seen by Darlene Rose
Stepping Heavenward by Prentiss
Eternity in their Hearts by Don Richardson
The Quilt by T. Davis Bunn
Mary Jones and her Bible by Mary E. Ropes
Princess in Calico Anonymous
Pilgrim’s Progress by Bunyan
Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard

A Few More Good Titles
Passion & Purity by E. Elliot
Quest for Love by E. Elliot
The Quilt by T. Davis Bunn
Princess in Calico by Anonymous

Help for those suffering
Praying Through Cancer: Set Your Heart Free from Fear: A 90-Day Devotional for Women by Susan Sorensen and Laura Geist

Classic Devotionals
My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers
If by Amy Carmichael
Joy and Strength by Tileston
Morning and Evening by Spurgeon
Daily Strength for Daily Needs by Tileston
The Attributes of God Journal by Tozer
Just a Moment with You by Kay Arthur
The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotion by Arthur Bennett

Knowing God
Trusting God by Jerry Bridges
The Attributes of God by Arthur Pink
Knowing God by J.I.Packer 
The Attributes of God by Tozer
Pursuit of God by Tozer
The Sovereignty of God by Pink

Learning How To Study the Bible
How to Study Your Bible by Kay Arthur

Hermeneutics and Exegesis: Rules of proper Biblical interpretation
Studying, Interpreting, and Applying the Bible by Henrichsen & Jackson
How to Read the Bible for All It’s Worth by Fee & Stuart

Bible Application: How to apply the scriptures to your life
Applying the Bible by Jack Kuhatschek
How to Apply the Bible by Dave Veerman

Systematic Theology
Systematic Theology by Grudem

Bible Study Tools
The Complete Word Study Dictionary by Zodhiates
Strong’s Concordance
Vine’s Expository
Westminster Confession of Faith

Biblical Counseling: Learn how to counsel others using only Scripture
Competent to Counsel by Adams
The Biblical View of Self-Esteem, Self-Love,
Self-Image by Adams
Self-Confrontation by BCF
Christian Counselor’s Manual by Jay Adams
(All of Jay Adam’s books.. too many to list)
Women Helping Women by Fitzpatrick & Cornish
The Peacemaker by Ken Sande
Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave by Welch
Love to Eat, Hate to Eat by Fitzpatrick
Competent to Minister by Bobgan
Blame it on the Brain by Welch

I’ve been reading a page or two of the Tightwad Gazette each night before I go to bed. I remember reading that Laine  would read through her volume once a year and I thought it was a good idea. One thing I read lately that struck me as helpful is to stop buying plastic bags. All kinds.

I’ve periodically washed out my bags over the years depending on our financial state. So, that was nothing new to me. But, the TG mentioned something I hadn’t thought of before. She said that she began to save any type of plastic bag that she normally would have thrown away. For instance:  cereal bag linings, vegetable plastic bags from the grocery store, bread bags, frozen vegetable bags.

Washing and drying plastic bags can discourage someone trying to acquire this new frugal habit. I have a few different methods depending on how I feel. Once I wash them I use the end of a hand towel over one hand, which I place inside the bag, while using the other hand wrapped in the opposite end of the towel to wipe the outside dry. Or I hang them to dry on a line using clothes pins. I store them in an old baggie box or sometimes I’ve wrapped them around a paper towel cardboard tube and use a rubber band to secure them.

Since my husband’s job change we really don’t have money left for groceries in our budget so I’m all for finding ways to use what I have on hand.

I didn’t really know how to ‘keep house‘ when I married.  My precious parents gave us daily chores but putting it all together to keep a home did not come easy for me.  I tried different housekeeping schedules over the years but never landed on one that worked for me until I found FLYLADY.  (Actually, it was a routine similar to FLYLADY but I now use FLYLADY’S routine)

I don’t follow her routine perfectly. Some weeks I only get the HOUSEBLESSING finished. But, overall, the FLYLADY method helps me stay on top of the basic jobs in my home.  I basically do the HOUSEBLESSING at the beginning of the week which takes me about 1 hour.   I then work 15-30 minutes  daily in the ZONE assigned for that week.  FLYLADY posts the ZONES at the beginning of each week. A zone is the room that you are going to organize or deep clean!  Remember, though, it’s only for 15-30 minutes a day.  This week the zone work is in the kitchen.

So, as I’m puttering in the kitchen during meals I’ll take special note of anything that needs to be cleaned. This week I have washed my kitchen rugs, mopped the floor, wiped down the window blinds and washed all the counter tops along with the front of the kitchen cabinets.   I still hope to wipe down the fridge and polish the stainless steal and clean the oven.  

 I prayed for many years that God would teach me how to keep an orderly home.  It didn’t happen in one day, one month or even one year. In fact, I continue to learn new skills every year.   I couldn’t see it at the time but God was teaching me … small things.. step by step. I remember choosing one skill to work on at a time. One time, in particular, I focused on changing the habit of not making my bed daily. I heard someone say to match an undisciplined habit with an established habit. So, I decided to not leave the bedroom after dressing until my bed was made.  Somehow I never found the time to go back and make it once I had left the room. Making that one small change made a big difference and helped to establish a good habit that helped in my overall housekeeping routine.

I have found in my Christian walk, more times than not, that habits don’t always change overnight. Some do.. but  for a myriad of reasons some take more time.  That doesn’t relieve me of the responsibility to obey God daily if there is sin involved.  But, it does help to remember that sanctification is a process and if I do my best and trust that God is working out His best……then I find hope that a bad habit (or sin) will eventually be changed into a good (or godly) habit.

Homemade Tortilla’s

This is Laine’s recipe for homemade tortillas and they are wonderful. I’ve tried other recipes but this has been the best.

Jen’s Tortilla’s

4 c. flour
1/2 c. Crisco
1 t. salt

Blend together well until the size of small peas. Work with your hand. I also saw on Laine’s website that she recommended using a bread maker set on the dough setting. I’ll try that next time.

Stir in:

2 1/2 c. boiling water

Stir in and mix well until a nice dough forms.  You may need to add more boiling water, if necessary. Let cool 5 minutes. Knead 5 minutes. You can store this dough in the fridge and pull it out to use as needed. Pinch dough off, about the size of a golf ball, and roll into flat circles. Fry on an ungreased, hot skillet for 1-2 mintues on each side or until lightly brown. Wrap in a towel to keep warm and pliable. Store in plastic bags. Makes 15 tortillas.

My notes: I made up the balls first and lined them up in a 9 x 13 so they were ready to cook. I used 2 cast iron skillets going at one time. I also used a little flour to roll them out.