Repairing the Hole in Our World

Break my heart for what breaks yours!  Hosanna! Hosanna!  Glory in the Highest. 

I am having a good cry right now.  My heart is breaking and I am so so sad!

There is a hole in our "world" that needs repairing. 

There are orphans across this world that need loving homes and Godly parents who are willing to step up and share the love of Jesus Christ with them.  A generation on our knees, a revival of sorts in the making!  Adoption is in right now.  Praise God for these wonderful people who are stepping up and taking care of the orphans as we are called to in God's Holy Infallible Word.

There is a huge movement going on right now to bring clean water to people across the world who have no clean water to drink.  None! Zip! Zero!  This has had a huge impact on my children.  They have heard. We often talk about families and children who have to drink water out of the stream that clothing gets washed in, that people use to wash their dirty bottoms in, water that animals drink from and maybe even poop in.  They ask what can we do?  It just breaks my heart Lord I know it must be breaking yours too. There are so many people who are willing to open up the check book and send money to dig wells; to adopt orphans; send Bibles to Mexico, Guatemala, and other third world countries; go rebuild homes destroyed by fire and flood. It amazes me in such a self centered world that there are so many generous and giving people. People who give money in the jars at the cash register for the person they never met with cancer, to bring a meal to a new Mom. To provide a Thanksgiving Dinner to a family that would have had to eat Hamburger Helper on Thanksgiving Day. AMAZING! GOD IS GOOD and his Mercies endure forever!


If you are still with me my tears have started again.  My heart is breaking I know my Jesus' heart is breaking too.

What would it be like if we had this much fire and passion right here in Hamilton?  What if people were willing to step up here?  What if we gave of our time?  What if we really believed that our actions gave Jesus joy?  What if we really listened to the call?  What if we reached out to someone in our own community?

Hard to answer isn't it?  

Why, why, why,  why Dear Father wont people step up in Hamilton MI?  I don't get it.  I don't understand.  It makes me sad, angry,  and resentful.   Forgive me Jesus!

1. Joy comes in Opportunity!  How many times have I seen ads in the bulletin for people to step up and give 2 hours a week to LOVE INC? Two hours---TWO HOURS out of how many hours a week?  I'll tell you it gives me great joy!!!  (Yes at times I drag my feet, yes at times I want to stay home, yes at times I grumble) ~~~ BUT~~~  T would miss me. He doesn't even talk to his teachers at school. His Mom is glad he talks to me.  C doesn't have a "mom" to talk to about her joys at school and learning to play the flute.  A, I, and F it is so great to see you smile again.  Divorce is hard and I am glad we get a chance to pray together.  I could go on.

2. Joy comes in Victory!  Victory over what?  Poverty, divorce, fighting, addiction, single family parenthood, abuse, neglect...  These kids have a place, for two hours a week, to go to that is safe and excepting.  They get a meal that feeds there body and a "dinner time" that is safe where they can share the joys and sorrows of the past week.  They are fed the Word of the Lord.   Why is this victory....if you spent 2 hours a week with them you would soon realize that this is NOT the norm for many of these kids.

3. Joy comes in Salvation!  What a joy it will be when I see the seeds I have planted in my own children grow and take root.  What a joy it will be see the seeds that I have planted in these other kids grow.  Many of these kids don't go to church.  Easter is about the bunny and candy.  Christmas...What is a manger?  Yup true stories!  They don't know because no one has taken the time to tell them.  (Forgive me here...water is important but can it get you into heaven?)  Break my heart for what breaks Yours!

4. JOY comes in the RELATIONSHIPS!  That is personal folks.  That is more than just writing a check or dropping some money into a container.  It is flying thousands of miles to China to pick up your daughter who you have prayed about for 5 years!  RELATIONSHIP.  It is meeting your two sons for the first time in Ethiopia, holding them, loving them and telling them that soon, very soon, you will be back to take them home.  RELATIONSHIP.  It is the years of praying for that sweet child you gave birth to, to take a stand and say I choose Jesus.  RELATIONSHIP.  It is hanging on a cross, being spit at, mocked, beaten, denied, scorned, killed...... RELATIONSHIP   Break my heart for what breaks yours!

What if you gave two hours?
Why wont you give two hours? 
Why can't you give two hours?
Why are the people right here in Hamilton not important you? 
Why do you turn a blind eye to them? 
Why do you gloss over reading the bulletin announcement for Mentors and Children Volunteers?
Why don't you step up in your own town?

Will you step up and volunteer with me?

Canning

We picked 125 pounds of apples.  So I have made apple sauce, dehydrated slices and chips of apples, and made pie filling.  Tomatoes canned every way possible, beans, beets, jams, jelly, juice, peaches.... You get the idea I can a lot.

I have read about these reusable Tattler lids before.   Then I found this blog on how easy they really are to use.

I buy lids at E & S Sales 1265 N State Road 5, Shipshewana  IN 46565-9163 (260) 768-4736.  This summer I bought Ball wide mouth for $1.89  and Ball small mouth for $1.35.  Still really cheap compared to what you can find them for in the Holland area.  Or an even more expensive option buying them right here in the metropolis of Hamilton.

So the dilemma since lids are cheap at E and S and Tattlers are about .80 a lid but reusable for life...what to do?  Has anyone ever tried Tattlers?  What do you think of them?

I made some FABULOUS juice today.  It has tomatoes, beans, beets, garlic, celery, pumpkin, onion, carrots, tomatillos, green pepper, radishes, kohlrabi, cucumbers, potatoes, thyme, rosemary, chives.  Salt and pepper to taste.  I boiled it till tender and let it cool.  Then ran it through the salsa screen of my Sauce Master, ran the pulp through again.  Then switched to the screen that comes with it, heated it up and pressure canned it  it is so good.  Give it a try.

I LOVE Fall.

I like the fact that the days are shorter.  The boys are back in school.  I like warm sweaters and fuzzy slippers;  chili;  homemade soups; sleeping with a window cracked and having the electric blanket on (not that I can do this with Dan in the room); hot butt burning showers, oh wait that is what I like about winter.  More on that in a few months.  I love Summer fresh foods but I also love the comfort foods and smells of Fall and Winter.
Today I took Benjamin, armed with umbrellas, to the Farmer's Market and got some wonderful squash.  So that along with some of the pumpkins and carrots from our garden are roasting in the oven.  The beef stock is on the stove ready to be turned into soup and for dinner I made this WONDERFUL recipe (a great way to get veggies and whole wheat into your children's diets).....I LOVE FALL!

Pumpkin Pancakes with homemade Cinnamon Syrup

1 C white flour
1 C whole wheat flour
3 T brown sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 C milk
1 C canned pumpkin (JUST pumpkin)
1 egg
2 T oil
2 T vinegar

Mix dry ingredients together.  Mix wet together.  Then mix them together.  This is THICK and that is good.  Use the back of a spoon to spread it.  YUMMY  (I didn't have allspice so I added a little bit of cloves and a little nutmeg.)

Syrup

Bring to a boil

1 C Butter (BUTTER)
2 C raw sugar
1 15 ounce can evaporated milk
1 ounce of water
2 T honey
2 T vanilla or Butter Shots (I used the Butter Shots)
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

(This is a double batch of syrup by the way.  I am going to mix the extra with powdered sugar and see how it tastes on cinnamon rolls.)

This gets thicker as it cools.

 If you try these PLEASE let me know what you think.

MOMMY I AM STUCK!!!!!

What happens when you have Asperger's Syndrome and Sensory Dysfunction,

and forget that your not two anymore?

He had GIANT tears.

You patiently wait....

for Daddy to take the chair apart.

Powerful

For I am the LORD your God, who churns up the sea so that its waves roar— the LORD Almighty is his name.  Isaiah 51:15

What do you think?

What do you think about getting something for free?  I am thinking about doing a give away.  Perhaps a dip mix, a loaf of bread, cinnamon rolls, bean soup mix?  Leave me a comment.  If there is enough interest I will do it!!!  So START COMMENTING!

What's for Slupper?

We have Tomatillos that are starting to get ripe.  So I made fire roasted Salsa Verde with them.

I took about 20-30 or so put them in a 9x13  with 8 cloves of garlic, with the skin because I am lazy, 1 jalapeno, about 1/2 of an onion.  Drizzled with EVVO and broiled stirring every so often so that they were somewhat charred.  Let it cool.  Squeeze out the garlic, picked of the big black bits added 1/2 the jalapeno with no seeds or ribs and a quarter with the rib and a few seed.  Took that juice and all into the food processor added fresh cilantro, lime juice, salt and pepper and blended it.  YUMMY!

Today i browned 1.5 pounds of ground beef, 1 onion, 1 large clove of garlic crushed,  1 tsp oregano, 1/4 cilantro, salt, pepper, lime juice (if you want tang) and 1 cup of the Salsa Verde from above.  Cooked it down and turned into nachos.  Fabulous!!!  Try it you will thank me!!!

Cinnamon Roll Madness

I spent my morning making......

And sold them all!

From the Bakery

After several requests for different baked goods and hours of thinking how that looks in my life as a wife and mother this is what I have come up with.

Honey Whole Wheat --Large (1 pound 15 ounce) $2.75--- Freezes Well.  This is a blend of white and wheat (WW) flours, eggs and milk. Lighter than 100% WW but more dense than pure white.

Cinnamon Rolls--- Large Pan 9 Rolls (2 pounds)  $6.50--- A blend of white and WW eggs and milk.  Iced with a thin drizzle of icing. 
Cinnamon Rolls--- Small Pan 4 Rolls (1 1/4 pounds) $5.00 --- A blend of white and WW eggs and milk. Iced with a thin drizzle of icing.

Hamburger Buns---6 per bag (1 pound) $2.00 a Bag--- Freeze Well.  All white topped with a thin egg white wash.  Sesame, Onion or Plain

Shooting Star Potato Bagels---6 per bag (1 1/2 pounds) $3.50 a bag---Freeze well.  White Flour,  potato, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), agave nectar.  Topped with sesame, poppy, onion, or plain.  A very chewy but not tough bagel.

Rosemary Focaccia Bread---1 pound $4.00--- White flour, EVOO.  Great dipped in EVOO.  Herb choice can be made by you.  ei: rosemary, oregano, Italian herb blend (may be dried herbs depending on my herb garden)

Olive Oil Pita Bread---11-15 ounce $1.50 a bag---White with semolina flour (nutty taste), EVOO.  Soft and tender.

This just a sampling of items and price.  Items with EVOO, and other expensive ingredients, and things that take more work will cost more.  I want you to be satisfied with your order.  An example; a standing order customer liked the bread I had mad made but it was rather dense for their liking.  She paid for the order and has decided to keep the bread and together we have decided that her next order will be at a discount.  If she had decided it was just bad I would have given her a refund.

Some items I may make for my family, AKA Guinea Pigs, to eat and am willing to give you a sample to see if it is something you would like.  I am thinking this would work like this; a posting saying...I have made Salsa Corn Meal Bread.  If you're interested I will have samples available from ?-? on Wednesday.  Come over and try it.

I have many bread, rolls, and bun recipes.  If your looking for something let me know.  I can do dinner rolls with bread dough, pure white bread, rye breads, pizza crusts, beer bread.... different sweeteners like Agave Nectar, Brown Rice Syrup and Honey or regular sugar. If that isn't enough I have breads that I can hide vegetables in like zucchini, pumpkin, or squash.  I also have done non yeast healthy sweet breads and pumpkin rolls.

I also have cinnamon oatmeal pancake mix made with whole wheat flour, regular (non quick) oatmeal, and dry milk.  These are protein packed for staying power( the morning that I make pancakes, I can save one for you to taste) these freeze well for an easy school day breakfast;  dill dip, taco seasoning mix, bacon dip, hot chocolate, pudding mixes, cappuccino.  (all made by me)

I also have taught canning classes.  I will bring my "stuff", you buy what you want to can, and together I will show you what to do, you get to keep the jars.  I pressure can as well and will show you that that it is nothing to fear.  We can do this at your house or mine.  $50 for a 3-4 hour hands on lesson.  I will also do group lessons.  Contact me for the cost.  4 people maximum.

Since I am apart of the Cottage Food Industry there are some things that I can not do. Please look at this PDF for the State of MI  for a more clear definition.

Call me at 269-751-7011, email at JulieABauman@gmail dot com, facbook message, or comment here.

To my Friend!

What a surprise!!!  Dan went to get the mail today and there was something in the mail for me, that was not a bill.  YIPPY!  It looked like a wedding invitation.  It had no return address.  When I opened it up I about flipped.  Dan started to cry.  Seems we have a "friend" who was thinking of us and sent 2 gift cards.  One for school supplies for the boys and the other for a family night out.

I want to say Thank You "friend" for touching my heart.  For blessing me and meeting our need right at the perfect time.  It is amazing to stand on this side of our job-loss journey and know that in that huge world of hate and despair,  there is a person like you, who cares so very much for my family.

May God richly bless you my "friend",  whoever you are; and know that it is with  humble gratitude that I accept your gift.

My God ROCKS!

Our Adoption Journey

I have ALWAYS wanted a lot of children but after a miscarriage in my 20's with my former husband, another last year, and my "advanced maternal age" sadly I wasn't meant to be.  I know a lot of people who have adopted, something I would love to do, but being jobless and "old" this to is something that just wont happen.  So why did I title this post this way?

We just adopted a Red Ear Slider Turtle.  Seems the preschool place at our church  needed to find a new home for Freddie.  So after NO consideration we took him.  He came with all of his supplies his tank, filters , the whole shebang for free.  Grayson, who has always wanted fish just like Benjamin, is now very happy to have a turtle in his room.  Wonder how happy he will be when he notices that the feeder fish we eventually put in his tank turn into food.

Today on the garden cart I put out Shooting Star Potato Bagels; all but 1 bag has sold.  Benjamin named them.  He is still really excited at having watched for shooting stars.  The bagels were poppy seed, sesame seed, onion, and plain.  Seeing as I am on the topic, someone told me the cinnamon rolls are WAY under priced.  She thought that I should be able to sell them for at least $10 a pan.  Not sure maybe in few weeks I'll raise the price a dollar.

I am excited a family from church has requested a standing bread order.  This will included cinnamon rolls and whatever else I make for them to try.  She has wanted, for at least a year, for me to make them bread.  I have been very chicken to do this.  What if they get sick, don't like it, I charge to much and they tell people I ripped them off ....  I guess it boils down to my life long battle of low self esteem.  Years of counseling have not fixed it and I battle it often. Off on another rabbit trail save that subject for a different day.

Happy Birthday Grayson

I can not believe that 5 years have flown by so fast.  It seems like yesterday that I was just holding my newborn son.  Looking at him and trying to figure out how anyone could have a partial birth abortion or abuse a tiny infant.  It just boggles the mind! Fast forward 5 years and he has a collection of dead Cicada bodies in his room. Yesterday he had a toad in a bucket and wanted to keep it in his room. Today we found a Luna Moth caterpillar. He is living in a cage in our living room. We did a little research and the neighbor has a Sweet Gum Tree that it will eat. I love my Sons!

Grayson goes to the Pediatrician tomorrow.  I sure hope he will do the ear and eye test.  Last year he dug his stubborn feet in and would not do it.  Not even for candy.  (he takes after his Dad here)  I told him no Young-5's if he doesn't do the tests.  Time will tell.  According to our door chart he has grown about 4 inches this past year.  I am excited to get the official numbers.

The garden cart is GREAT we have made $75 in about 3 days.  The neighbors and 2 families from church have each bought stuff saying...Really good, you should open a bakery, wow these buns were better than mine.  The real worry one of the church families is MIA.  I hope they didn't get sick or worse die.  lol  I am thinking a vacation but time will tell. We are gearing up for an event in Pullman where they will allow us to sell our homemade goodies.  I am making dill dip, bacon dip, gourmet hot cocoa mix, cinnamon oatmeal pancake, mix bread, roll, buns and what ever else I can think of to raise so money for tires.

We heard for Shire again, called the Doctor again.  This is like about the 10th time either we or the Doctor have spoken to them about Dan's medication.  I guess they are going to give us a 1/2 dose allotment,  3 pills a day.  He is going on 3 weeks with out his medicine so I get nervous every time I hear him burp and think he is having a flare-up.  He is enjoying the break from the pills....they make being in the sun VERY VERY painful.  Poor guy.

I was so surprised today when a teenager, that I had graduated high school with, turned middle age man along with his wife and son walked in the door of church.   We have lived within 2 miles of each other for 3 years and didn't even know it.  How cool is that!

In closing....Thank You Jesus for Grayson.  It has been an honor to raise him for you for 5 years.  I pray that his life will be filled with your abundant blessings and loving mercies in the years to come.

Summer Food

I am making Peach Vinegar.  I googled recipes and found several that would work.  I took about 3 pounds of ripe peaches and mashed them in the pan.  I added 1/2 gallon of White vinegar at 5% acid.  This is important to preserve the peaches.  Make sure the acid is no higher than 7%.  I also added 1/4 cup sugar.  Bring this to a simmer.  Let it cool and transfer it into a glass jar(s).  Store in a cool dark place for 3-4 weeks.  Strain through several layers of cheese cloth.  At this point I may add more sugar.  And maybe some fresh herbs.  Store in the refrigerator to preserve the lovely color.  I plan to use this to make fruit dressing for fall lettuce that we will soon be planting and as a marinade for meat.

The next is Beet Hummus  YES BEETS!  Dan loved it and he hates hummus.

Roast 4 beets until tender.  350 for about an hour.  I let them cool and peeled them.  sliced them up into a food chopper.  I like tahini so I added more but start with 4 Tab., 4 Tab of lemon juice and the grated peel of 1/2 the lemon, 2 cloves of pressed garlic, and salt and pepper to taste.  Whirl it around.  Taste it and adjust it to your liking.  The color is breath taking and the taste is just as good.  Serve with whole wheat crackers or cut fresh veggies.  Try it it is really YUMMY!  Remember that fresh beets can do funny things to your "output".  Like turn your urine a nice rosy color and also turn you bowel movement red.

Garden Cart of Blessings

Today we sold 3 pans of cinnamon rolls, 2 loaves of bread and assorted vegetables.  I am just thrilled that maybe, just maybe, we will be able to get new tires before winter.  I hope that the people that purchased our goods were happy with them.  Time will tell I guess if I put more out and no buys them.  HA Dan came in early in the afternoon acting all upset.  I was like what's wrong.  He flops down and says...Your bread is selling better than my vegetables are .  HAHAHAH   Love you honey!  Also found out that Labor Day in Pullman they are having a craft fair and will allow Cottage Businesses to sell goods.  YIPPY.  I hope we can get a small following of people that would items on a regular basis.  This can then become my job and I can still stay home and raise my boys.

 Two someones, who shall remain nameless, drove buy today and didn't stop.  I had to call one of the someones and she said "Hi Julie Yo*&..."  I was like huh what ever she said beats me.  So we talk some more and she says bye Julie Yod^&*.  I hung up and it clicked They called me Julie "Yoder".  I about snorted when I got it.  Seems our garden cart and my baking remind them of the Amish.  Anyway thanks for the laugh J and D.

We picked $34 in Red Havens today.  So it looks like I will be spending my Saturday canning peaches.  YUMMY  Grayson said in the car it was the most fun he ever had.  Guess we need to get that boy out a little more often.  Another funny from Grayson; We took the kids to Ohio in July to visit the Olson's and no matter where we drive he says "Hey this is the way we went to the Olson's."  Funny boy, Pullman and Ohio Turn Pike look nothing alike. 

A note of sadness...Dan started pulling the corn stalks up.  It is gone, finished.  When driving to Pullman today I noticed trees that were starting to change color.  This does make Dan sad but I am glad.  I do not like this humid weather at all. YUCK  If this is a taste of Hell, I can tell you that I am glad I am a child of the King.  I can't begin to fathom what it would be like to spend eternity in Hell.  no water, no relief,  pain, tears, gnashing of teeth,  fire...  How awful.  It makes so sad to think I have family members that deny the existence of Christ; Atheists, raising babies to believe the same thing.  What a grim future they have.  And another who is Agnostic.  Same thing raising babies.  In a blink your life can end and to take a chance that Hell and all that comes with it is a "myth" is just not worth it to me.

"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" Joshua 24:15

Hillsong - I stand in awe of you

Blessings that flow like rain!!!

What a roller coaster this week has been.  Scrambling around trying to get things in order to head to Canada and get Dan his medication along with a garden that is going in full swing, trips to the zoo, birthday parties, and the list goes on.....

Got word this morning from Shire that Dan is now back on the drug program; that they had told us twice by mail in the last three weeks; and 1 phone call;  "Sorry we no longer allow Crohn's as diagnosis to get the medication Pentasa."  No one but God the Almighty worked this out for us..  NO ONE!  No matter what we said Shire was not budging on this.  PERIOD end of discussion!!!!  So what do we do Pray about it "What do we do Lord you know our situation how do we get this medication, go to Canada?  Tires are bald, front end needs work....Whatever you decided make it clear."  Well a letter in the mail box is pretty clear!!!

 LOVE IT

Next up  MONEY or lack there of,  the theme of the week.  I know that when Dan goes back to school I am going to have to go back to work.  But I also know that I have been called to stay home and raise my children.  What to do....worry and fuss, take the problem back and fix it myself, pray about and ask for direction?  What would you do?  I choose pray.   And found I can start my own business.  MI just approved the Cottage Food Law.  I can make bread, rolls, jams, vinegars.... in my home and sell them to Joe Public.  Up to $15,000.  What an answer to a huge area of concern in my life.

What more?  Benjamin is very behind in school.  Autism is not my friend.  Anyway I went to the Zoo yesterday for $1 per person.  So 3 bucks got us in!!!  I stopped at this booth and got information on a place that offers tutoring on a sliding scale.  They focus on a lot of the areas that he is struggling in school.  I still need to do a fare amount of research and check with the people on his team at school but overall I am very encouraged by what I have read.  Another answer.

My God is an awesome God.  I stand in awe at the power of the phrase "Your will be done".  The freedom of giving it away and the struggle of taking it back from Him.

MIA

Seems it's been a while since I posted anything.  First off it is my Birthday today so please do me a favor a get out there and VOTE!  You have no right to complain about anything if you keep silent and don't vote.  So do it, it won't hurt and it is FREE; trust me free is good.

The garden is in full swing and the first of the veggies have hit the garden stand.  Dan wants to break even and make enough money to pay for next years garden.  I say let's dream big and get enough to go on a vacation!

We are still jobless.  Dan is going to go back to Michigan Rehabilitation School to learn a new trade.  CAD work as he has know it is a dying field.  Businesses don't want to pay 2 guys to do a job; when they can pay one (the engineer) to do it.  So at 43 he gets to carry a backpack.  Wonder if he will need a lunch box. With no job comes the next topic DRUGS

 If you follow me on Facebook this will be old news.  How do we get drugs from Canada? $357 in Canada or $1,411 at Wal-Marts (s added on purpose).  That is for 3 months of Pentasa 500mg 540 pills.  Yup Crohns is an expensive disease.  I have tossed around adding my Pay-Pal gadget to this blog.  But since none of my readers are millionaires I decided to forgo that.  (and maybe no one reads this to begin with)  Seriously this is a huge issue for us.  With no job comes no health insurance.  We are at an impasse.  Pay the house payment or buy drugs?  Stay healthy or live in a box and become "freegans"?  The lady on the website http://www.ccfa.org/info/about/crohns told me that we could always claim the hospital stay that will result from a bad flair-up on our tax return.  WOW that made me feel better.   So it looks like we are heading to Canada.  I will keep you posted.