Knobby Apple Cake

1 stick of butter
1 & 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
6 cups diced apples (around 6 medium apples)
1/2 cup chopped nuts
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Mix all ingredients together & put in 13 x 9 pan.
Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.
Good topped with whipped cream. Tastes excellent served warm or cold!

Watch this video as it brings out the part about the little sheep knowing better, but not doing better…

Didn’t Oprah say, “If they knew better they’d do better.”? Sorry, Oprah. That’s not what Isaiah says. So many times I for one know better but sure don’t always do better. (Romans 7:14-25) It’s frustrating. It’s disgusting. It’s deadly if left go. It’s called sin. And Jesus died to remove it. He’s the Only One Who could. (Romans 8:1-13) It’s humbling & amazing & moving to realize Jesus hunts us down just like that shepherd even when we get ourselves into the thorn bushes & other such messes. There is not one person created that Jesus doesn’t love as much as that father who welcomed his lost son. None of us are beyond the loving reach of our gracious Shepherd/Father. Some who have wandered farther or take longer to turn to Jesus suffer longer-term consequences but there is ALWAYS hope! It’s never too late to turn to Him.

Just last night I was feeling down in the dumps; feeling like I was sitting in the thorn bush. How could I be so stupid & end up surrounded by these dumb thorns again?? But as Anders left for school this morning, because we talked about the lost things Wednesday night, I gave him a “gold” coin & told him to use it to remind him every time he looked at it or felt it today how MUCH God loves him. God goes after us when we’re in trouble; is always with us, never leaving us. “Coincidentally”, the verse for the week (B – we’re going through the alphabet of quotes from Jesus) is “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” (Rev. 3:20) He’s talking to the church here, not unbelievers. He’s talking to me! I’m thinking I’ll leave a coin or two in choice places to remind myself. He loves me & is so very patient with me. I don’t deserve it. This fact should give us all the grace & patience we need to deal with all the other sinners around us.

One of the biggest thing He’s working with me on (& has been for years) is the area of taking care of my body; not giving in to all the foods & amounts I want & stop being lazy physically. I know there is a spiritual connection to the physical. Some days/months/years I do well in this area & other times I am downright lazy & selfish. I eat whatever I want. I don’t exercise out of sheer laziness. No other excuse. God has given me several verses to “feed on” over the years. I share so that if this is one of your thorny areas, maybe these verses can minister to you, too. They’re not in any particular order…

Hebrews 12:1-2 – Fixing our eyes on Jesus is the key to getting & staying un-entangled.
Psalm 119:103 – God’s Word is what my soul was made to crave.
Genesis 25:27-33 – Esau foolishly gave up everything for food & instant gratification. Do I do the same thing?
Genesis 3:6 – Eve did what she wanted in spite of what God told her – even eating what God directly told her not to!
Psalm 34:8
1 Corinthians 6:19 – I am not my own. In this area, I get “a chance to die” as Amy Charmichael said.
John 6:50
Psalm 23:5
Matthew 5:6 – Do I know what it feels like to hunger & thirst after righteousness? Am I satisfied by it?
Psalm 19:10
Psalm 141:3,4
Luke 9:23, 24
Psalm 81:10 – We don’t have to live in Egypt – slavery to anything. He wants to fill us!
Psalm 63:1-5 – Is this the cry of my heart today?
Jeremiah 15:16
John 3:30 – I know JtB was talking about something else, but it is also true in my life. When I allow the HS to increase His will over mine in one area, other areas come more under His control as well as I decrease my will across the board.
Leviticus 3:16 – I used to joke about this one, but no more after last reading through Leviticus & reading further…
Leviticus 4:31 – I use this verse to remind me when I exercise, it is an offering to the Lord. I even use a red notebook & pen to record what I did for the day to remind me…and I believe He is just as pleased with my daily burning the fat on the EFX machine! “…it will be very pleasing to the Lord.” It has changed my attitude about exercise.

Like I said, last night I was down in the dumps about letting my weight once again get up so high my clothes are uncomfortable, etc. Graciously, God had Ryan Dobson talking to Greg Thomas yesterday & today so I just happened to be able to listen to the perfect podcast first thing this morning. Again, God is so gracious and patient with me! I know all this stuff, it’s just so good to be reminded gently again. (To hear the podcasts, go here.)

Can I share one more area where God has been so gracious with me? The whole last post was about the royal wedding, so I’ve been thinking a lot about Keith & me & how blessed we are by God’s grace in our lives. God protected us both as children. He saved us for each other. He brought us together. And He continues to remind us how blessed we are to be walking this road of life together. Our own children heading so quickly to adulthood (especially now that we have one in high school) has caused me to pray more fervently for their hearts. When I think about the guys I had a crush on as a kid, it causes me to pray, pray, pray as well as repeatedly talk to the kids about guarding their hearts & not trusting them. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) One of the guys I happened to like as a kid is now a divorced jailbird while another is living in homosexuality & chronic depression. Oh, what incredible pain God graciously spared me!!!! You can’t really help crushes – they just happen to you, but if I’d have acted on my crushes, I don’t even want to think about what a mess my life would be right now. Not to say those two aren’t beyond God’s grace either. In fact, I do hope someday to hear wonderful stories of how God has turned their lives around. I’m just super thankful I don’t have to walk through the horror with them on their rebellious road away & back!

I pray our children don’t foolishly act on crushes their deceitful hearts spring up on them. Many seemingly harmless books, videos, etc. these days try to tell our kids, especially girls, to “follow their hearts” – teach your children the subtle but very foolish lie this is. Just as my parents did for me, teach wisdom early & often in the area of marriage & pray for God to graciously bring just the right person for each of them at just the right time. With wisdom, they’ll recognize & be attracted to the character qualities that make for a strong godly home. Not to say there’s a perfect spouse out there – your child’s not perfect either! Pray that weaknesses (we all have them) will be honestly talked through on both sides & with prayer together, taken to the Lord to handle as a team with His grace. Honesty & teamwork against sin makes for a powerful marriage. Pray with your children for their future spouse sometimes. It is powerful when children hear our prayers for them. We’ve got to impress these things on our children intentionally & repeatedly as they grow though, because they are getting all the wrong messages from the world, setting them up for disillusionment, broken hearts, & broken homes. Just what Satan wants. And just what grieves the Holy Spirit. Jesus has better for us! (John 15:10-12) Which takes me right back to Rev. 3:20.

GRACE!!! I am so thankful for it! May the grace He’s given me overflow out of my life onto others today & every day.

PS – For that fan who’s wondering why in the world it’s been five months since a post, go here & here to see. I have been busy, just not here.

The Royal Wedding was impeccable!! Absolutely stunning. I loved seeing all the hats & pomp & regalia. So romantic!! But even as I enjoyed watching & making up a silly Brit guest name for myself & all that, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for Kate. I’ll tell you why & get a bit personal, even if perhaps it is a little uncomfortable, because I think it important to share especially for all those young girls yet to marry. It’s time we’re open about some of these things since the world so openly flaunts their side. I don’t want my daughter or nieces to grow up hearing/seeing that weddings are for “bridezillas” & a big show, all about the flowers & invitations, etc. which is what the world tells our little girls. I want them to hear Truth so they can make good decisions when it’s their turn. I hope the following words ring in their ears as they wait for their prince.

I’m sad for Kate because (hopefully) this will be the only wedding she gets. And although it was perfectly performed, neither of them had that sparkle in their eyes that comes from two people who saved themselves for each other. Sorry, I just have to say it. She was gorgeous! He was dapper (with his hat on). His smile would melt any woman’s heart. Since I really only follow royalty for weddings & babies, I hadn’t honestly even heard of Kate until this last week. But after hearing their story, I just couldn’t help but feel sad for her. They have been living together for how long?? She sold herself cheap to him years ago. And he didn’t respect her enough to give her anything but a hussy reputation & non-commitment for ten years. He didn’t even look her way until he saw her on a cat walk in lingerie! Now THERE’S real love, my friends. Goodness. I just shake my head. How embarrassing for both of them.

I know it’s “old-fashioned”. I know it’s passed off as to be expected, shacking up before marriage. I know some even think a “trial run” is a good thing, even after we’ve known for years that research proves premarital relations cause problems in marriage period, even if you don’t believe God tells us the best way to live this life in His Word. I know it’s perceived as “judgmental” to say anything. I also know without a doubt that what I’m saying is true & I just don’t hear people telling their stories to prove it much. I’m not sure if the quietness is due to embarrassment at themselves not doing it right, or for whatever dumb reason, being embarrassed at having come to the altar unscarred?? All I do know is I’m sick of seeing so-o-o-o many trodding down the same crooked, beaten down road; many not even having a clue there is anything wrong with what they are doing – that’s the truly sad part.

I say something out of concern because, as two who did get there unscarred, I can tell you without a doubt IT IS WORTH IT!! Only by God’s grace were we raised in homes that taught us the Truth & we listened. We didn’t see how far we could go without getting caught. We didn’t date around & give bits of our hearts to people before we met. Even after we were engaged, we didn’t do anything alone that we would be ashamed to have our parents or Jesus sit next to us & see. As a reward, Keith & I don’t have to wonder if the other still has feelings for some long-lost lover or live in guilt or shame, remorse, insecurities or comparing. We don’t spend any time untying tight knots of issues in our hearts from giving ourselves too early or to others. He respected me enough to wait for me. THAT, girls, is a PRINCE! I loved him enough to save him my whole heart. And the blessings that flow from a marriage free from all that garbage is beyond what all the money in the world could buy. So many never have that – I want that for my children! Keith & I pray for that now for each of our children and the little ones in our extended families & church. It starts by teaching them early that it’s worth it to wait for that special one God has for them. This whole crazy dating early stuff has baffled me for years! Why encourage that with children too young to handle it or be ready for it? Shouldn’t we as parents be protecting our kids from this? I just don’t understand that, but sorry, I digress.

Kate will never see in Will that look I saw in Keith’s eyes on our wedding day. It’s not anything I can put into words, it’s just worth waiting for!! I tear up every time I remember. I could feel God there. He made two people one that day. It truly is a mysterious thing, but it’s true. When we watched the video the next year, apparently a baby was fussing pretty loudly the whole time we said our vows to each other, but I never heard a bit of it. I was totally enraptured. All I remember was the tender love in Keith’s eyes & the complete heart I was able to give him as we promised ourselves to each other to the end of our days. I remember my heart fluttering & the flush in my face as Keith put his hand on my waist for pictures – that was the first time he’d ever done that. We had saved “quickening” our love inappropriately until our wedding day & it made that day inexpressibly precious! I saw none of that mystery for obvious reasons with Will & Kate. As beautiful, memorable, regal, ceremonial, etc. as it was Friday, for Will & Kate, it was just the beginning of a lifetime of that kind of thing. But that special day when you give yourself to another can never be recreated. God intended for that to happen on your wedding day to cement you two together for good. He knows best – He made us. I can tell you, it is worth the wait! And even if you spend tons of money & have the world a twitter at your smashing dress, if you don’t do it the way God intended, you end up with a whole lot of needless heartache guaranteed.

I say all that with no malice, only to tell those little girls (& boys) watching that they can have better! Kate & Will have NOTHIN’ on my wedding & it had nothing to do with the dress or fanfare, etc. I want for my children to have the awesome day God intended for them to look back on with wonder & romance & joy all the rest of their lives. It is not naivety, it is love & wanting only the best for our children. And as long as God gives me breath, I will teach them & guide them to that end until they say “I do”.

I pray Will & Kate have many, many happy years together. It will be fun to watch them have a family, her wear beautiful clothes, etc. I love that kind of stuff! But I also know, with the start they had, there will be major storms coming. Every marriage has storms, but they will have deep scars & issues due to the last ten years that will require either Jesus to heal (and He can!) or a whole lot of faking it to the media. It just makes me sad. I pray when those storms come, they look to Jesus to take their broken pieces & make something truly beautiful as only He can. I really do pray that for them.

Next planned post (a follow-up): Now What?
(For those who are already scarred; it’s never hopeless!!)

Here is the perfect example AGAINST using sarcasm (even the humorous kind) in the home:

Days ago, Keith was hunting down his headphones in the moving madness. He was hoping to listen to his iPod while sorting a while. Every once in a blue moon, we talk “Honeymooners” style. I don’t know, I guess it’s funny to us because Ralph reminds us of my Grandpa Bob. It’s sad really, but since it’s never been an issue in our relationship, there’s something ridiculously absurd in the whole spouse accusing their spouse of harming them intentionally. So anyway, Keith said in jest, “Where did you put my headphones??” like I had some devious plan to get him. So I came back with the silliest answer I could come up with on short notice, “I flushed them down the toilet.” We had a good laugh, but Jack was listening. He followed me to the bathroom this morning, FOUR DAYS LATER, with, “Did you fwush Daddy’s headphones down the toyet?? Why did you fwush Daddy’s headphones down the toyet??”, needing an answer & looking down earnestly into the toilet. *shaking head* I’ll never do that again. And THANKFULLY he hasn’t tried it himself!! @_@

My first reaction was just that, a reaction. “WHAT???? Didn’t I REMIND him??? What do I have to DO??? Can’t anyone else take responsibility around here????” Etc. Luckily, this was all done in my head, the kids were asleep upstairs, & the boys/Keith were already off to school. I was so close to picking up the phone, knowing Keith was on the way to school yet, & “remind” him of how the list of books had NOT been taken back, etc. etc. etc. : [ After my initial inner rant, I got to thinking, I'M the one who took Callie & got all these books. I can't be 100% sure I told Keith about THIS list of books (we get lots of stuff out of the library). AND, this is the email that I check, Keith doesn't. It really is my fault & I don't have any right to blame Keith for any of it. AND, it really is no big deal because in a few weeks, the library is having its annual "Read Your Fine Off" week where you sit & read there at the library & for every hour you get $5 knocked off your fines. No biggie!!

There was absolutely no harm done, but God reminded me of something. I am SO easily swayed to think negatively over such minor things! And guess who's planting those negative thoughts toward my husband in my brain, do you suppose? Of course Satan wants to get me all up in Keith's grill first thing in the morning - it drives a wedge between us ruining the picture of marriage God wants to show the world, puts both me AND Keith in bad moods distracting us from the Holy Spirit working in & through us to do whatever He wanted to do today, just to start the list!

I am NOT proud of this little story, but I put it out there to illustrate how QUICKLY we women can let Satan use our emotions to do some big damage. DON'T LET HIM!!! Today's dare is this: EVERY time you have a negative thought toward your spouse today, recognize it, identify who it is that's putting those thoughts in your head, and turn it around. Do not sit & stew over all the things you wish your husband was, did, etc. etc. Those unmet expectations are killing your relationship! Speak TRUTH to yourself. Say it out loud even. Tell Satan to beat it! Remind yourself of what is true. In my example from this morning, I reminded myself of how it really was MY fault, but then reminded myself of how MUCH Keith had going on over the weekend, what a SUPER dad & husband he is, AND how he never blames me for things like this. He is SO gentle & kind & patient! If he ever has thoughts like these about me, he never verbalizes them - what a blessing! I want to be that blessing back to him.

You & your husband have other issues & you have other situations where you start to think negatively about your man. But it really doesn't matter the details. The bottom line is still the same: Satan wants to trash your relationship because it's a special reflection of God. He wants to use your thoughts to do this. When negative thoughts pop up, set your mind on Philippians 4:8 - "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." It's TRUE that my husband is... It's NOT true that he... Call Satan out on it. Stop the negativity right in its tracks. Don't wander down that path with your thoughts for even a second!

Bonus dare: This is the same dare, only kicked up a notch & harder to do, but my husband is good at it & it is POWERFUL, so I share. The next time you're in a heated debate with your man, do the same as above only out loud. STOP it as soon as you realize what's going on. Recognize what Satan's doing there with your relationship & call him on it. Keith has said, "Satan's messing with us here. Let's pray!" If you've never done that before, you will be AMAZED at how fast that defuses whatever issue has gotten heated up. Satan is alive & well, folks. And he's messing with our marrages. It's time we wake up & call him on it.

Song by Seeds Family Worship. Video by ??

Other verses:
John 17:15-22 – “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—”

PS – Along the same lines, though not about our spouses, I’ll add this second example of how quickly our thoughts can be skewed. 95% of the clothes we get for the children is from Once Upon a Child (a second hand store with awesome clothes!). I have always been thrilled with what the Lord has provided for us – exactly what we need & more – after our biannual trips there. Because of a uniform jumper I purchased for Callie three years ago, we got a Land’s End Kids catalog in the mail the other day. No big deal. I like their clothes: rather plain (vs. cartoon characters all over them, etc) & well made. I thought I’d thumb through it quickly to see what the new fashions are for our daughter since I really don’t keep up with those things very well. Cute stuff!! It took all of two minutes flat for my mind to be down the road of discontent. “Sure wish WE had money to wave a magic wand & get whatever I wanted for our kids out of this catalog.” etc. Incredible!! It’s not just the obvious women’s magazines we have to watch out for. Satan will use anything! Watch out for him! I put the catalog down & started speaking truth to myself: we have NEVER wanted for anything! Keith, by God’s grace, makes plenty enough money for our family. God has always given us over & abundantly all that we need & more. This is the TRUTH. The discontented spirit was a pack of lies Satan was whispering in my ear. That time, I stopped him. : ] Be on the lookout for his wily ways.

Let’s see…highlights of Greenville -
- checking out downtown. It’s pretty! I really didn’t know much about Greenville before visiting, but it is a very beautiful city. They also had everything from tulips & hyacinths up to cherry trees & phlox! Spring had sprung there so we get to enjoy an extra long spring this year. Back home, our crocuses are just now popping up. I just can’t get enough of the spring flowers.
- time with my little brother, Luke. It really is nice to get to spend time one-on-one as adults. He’s a lot more of a salesman than I thought he was, which is very helpful since I really don’t have a sales bone in my body.
- success with my first attempt at listening to & helping a little girl who struggles with her reading skills. She was 7 & not doing a few things. Usually Mom’s the one who does the diagnosing, & she’s been telling me for a year that I know a lot more than I think I do, etc. But to fly solo & realize I knew EXACTLY what to do in about three areas to help her Mom get her over the hump in her reading was very exciting! It really does pop out at you when you know what you’re looking at. After hearing her read one page, I was able to give her mom three valuable tools to help her get to the next step. What a rewarding feeling!
- disappointment: Mom not being there, but also not getting to meet up with my blogging buddies. Both were unable to make it. Hopefully next year!

Well, the company blog is next on the agenda around here, so as sparse as my posts are these days, I don’t think my personal blogging will be getting any better around here. But you can head over to burtonreading.com to hopefully find some excellent blog posts on reading, homeschooling, etc. very soon.

One down, six to go. The first conference went great!! Memphis was all we
hoped for & more: we got the word out to lots of families, meeting & sharing with several key people (bloggers,
homeschool group coordinators, etc.), presented, & sold! Greenville is three times the size
of the Memphis conference, so now that we got one under our belt, we are charged
& ready to rip it up in the first big one. : ]

Highlights include: meeting some of our homeschooling heroes like the Mally kids
& Linda Hobar, etc., ribs at Rendezvous, talking to many families with
beginning readers, our vendor neighbors (chiropractor, cursive experts, & novelists),
Mom’s presentations, Stehpen & David (inside joke),
our first sale, early spring with magnolias & pansies, and
finally visiting The Lorraine Hotel.

The carriages & trolleys down town were beautiful & the Pyramid was a cool surprise – I didn’t know Memphis, TN had a pyramid. Now I know. But the lady who wins the prize for most memorable at the convention was the one who said she had gone through the 100 lesson book on teaching your child to read & was starting through for a second round since her kid didn’t learn to read the first time around. Oh, my. She SO-O-O-O-O needs Burton Reading! We came back more convinced than ever that BR is a huge need in the homeschooling circuit. We just want to shout it from the rooftops that we’re here, but know it’s just going to take time to get the word out there. I am most looking forward to the time when, a few years from now, the first little child comes up to Mom at one of these conferences & says, “HEY!! That’s Mrs. Burton!! She taught me how to read! Thank you!!” It’ll happen. I’ll be sure & get a picture when it does.

We’ve been taking turns laughing with & barking at each other over the last week, but so far there’s been more laughter than barking – pretty good for 3 days out until take off. In fact, I’d say we’re doing great! As long as two out of the three (those of us that will be spending four days together SOLID, three times this month!!) are laughing, we can overlook the one who’s barking. We all take our turns at being that one. It’s pretty funny really.

Yesterday was my turn to do the barking. A guy called at 9:30AM & asked if he could come over & look at the house at 12:30. He needs to get out of his house by April – it sold quickly – & so he’s in a bit of a rush to see our house. Well, March isn’t really going to get any better for showing the house, so he might as well come on over & see it as is. I’m not planning on busting my behind in the deep house cleaning department any time soon! So, we cleaned like 5 madmen yesterday morning. It was not pretty at times, but we got ‘er done. Then we sat & waited for him to show up & admire our beautiful home, only to have him stand us up. Really, I totally appreciated having a clean house, & it was Saturday chore time anyway, so nothing lost, but still. So yesterday I was the barker. I guess that leaves me to be a laugher until Tuesday. Sounds about right. Tuesday, I’ll be trying to pack & make sure everything is ready to go.