Maxwell Family Blog

On the Road!

March 7th, 2012

We passed Des Moines a few minutes ago. It is an overcast evening, with cool temperatures. Back in Leavenworth, we had strong wind over the past two days, but the winds have subsided, which is a blessing. It is also wonderful that there are no winter storms! In fact, the scenery has been rather bland: brown landscape. I have to say that Des Moines “rush hour” was the most interesting part of the drive so far. Smile.

We are grateful that the repair was made in time. It’s a long story, but we finally had all of the correct parts a little before 8 a.m. this morning. The repair was difficult because it was in a very hard-to-get-to area and also time consuming because the coolant had to be drained and hoses replaced. The Lord gave John wisdom, and Uriah is perfectly back together and happily running.

It was a little after 2 when we left town, and we will arrive in Chicago late evening. Tomorrow morning is set up, and the conference opens at 3 p.m. Nathan needed to work at a client’s today, but he will fly out in the morning, arriving about lunchtime. It would have been great to bring Melanie and the girls, but with Melanie’s pregnancy, the increased activity level would not be a good thing.

Anna and Mom put together a delicious beef stew for tonight, which cooked in the crock pot. Whenever someone lifted the lid, the aroma filled the front of the bus . Plus, Anna made cornbread yesterday, so it was a hearty dinner.

Love,
Sarah

My Bible time this morning.

Anna made herself a smoothie for breakfast.

Fresh flowers.

Anna taking out the cornbread for our dinner.

Jesse's guinea pig.

Parts

When we were at the shop last week, we stocked up on boxes of oil.

Mary ironing.

Jesse loaded the bus.

Joseph heading to Nathan's office for his webinar.

John working on the bus.

Jesse washed the bus.

Waiting to leave.

“But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.” (Psalms 68:3)

Posted in Ministry News, Travel | 16 Comments »

Preparing

March 7th, 2012

We are preparing to leave on the trip. We’ll post pictures and an update later .

Love,
Sarah

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
(Proverbs 3:5-6)

Posted in Family News, Misc. | No Comments »

Uriah Update

March 2nd, 2012

The shop could not find anyone to make that size of hose, so we opted to get Uriah and fix it ourselves after all.

While Dad and I were on our way to get the bus, John worked on ordering the needed parts. Hopefully the parts will be here tomorrow, with Saturday delivery.

John and Jesse worked on the bus this evening with John being the mechanic and Jesse the assistant .

Love,
Sarah

“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” (Psalms 90:12)

Posted in Family News, Ministry News | 6 Comments »

Preparing Uriah for the Road

March 1st, 2012

We’re excited about our upcoming trip to Chicago next week for the Family Economics Conference. Dad and Mom will be giving a total of three sessions, and Nathan, Joseph, and John will be on a panel. We plan to leave Wednesday, after Joseph’s webinar is finished.

John was doing some maintenance today and discovered a leaking transmission fluid line in a hard-to-get-to-area. It seemed too risky to leave it, because if we did, and it blew while we were driving, it could cause serious damage to our new transmission. John thinks it was damaged when the transmission was replaced. Simply a minor inconvenience, because we don’t have the bus here for trip prep. So, we drove the bus into the shop late this afternoon. We’re supposed to have it back Monday, but it would be wonderful if we received a call tomorrow afternoon saying it was done.

Love,
Sarah

“O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.”

–Jeremiah 10:23

Posted in Family News, Ministry News | 6 Comments »

Cooking with Anna: Chocolate-Peanut Butter Squares

February 29th, 2012

Ready for tasty chocolate granola bars? Find the step-by-step pictures and instructions below, with the recipe following. Use your creativity for optional add-ins!

Measure butter.

Pour honey into a measuring cup.

Melt butter.

While waiting for the butter to melt, measure oats into a bowl. Mix cocoa into the oats.

After the butter is melted, add the honey. Stir.

Measure peanut butter and add to the honey/butter mixture.

Stir.

You’ll need vanilla and cinnamon.

Heat until the mixture is just bubbling, making sure to stir occasionally so the bottom doesn’t burn.

Pour cinnamon and vanilla in.

Pour heated mixture over the oats.

Stir. And for those who enjoy taste testing, now is the time!

Spoon mixture into a pan.

Spread evenly.

Put in freezer to allow to harden up a bit.

Delicious. Thanks, Anna, for another great recipe.

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Squares

by Anna Maxwell

3 cups rolled oats

3 tablespoons cocoa

1/4 cup butter

3/4 cup honey

1/4 cup peanut butter

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Melt butter in pan. While melting, toss oats with cocoa in medium bowl. Once the butter has melted, add honey and peanut butter and cook on low until it starts to bubble. Remove from heat and quickly stir in vanilla and cinnamon. Pour over oats and mix well. Press firmly into 8×8″ pan, and freeze until firm enough to be able to cut. Cut and place in container. Best if stored in refrigerator.

“My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste.”

–Proverbs 24:13

Posted in Family News, Recipes | 25 Comments »

ITonRamp Webinar + Hot Chocolate = Perfect Combo

February 22nd, 2012

I (Sarah) am taking the ITonRamp course, HTML-Step One in Website Design. I’m learning a lot and finding it challenging. Every Wednesday, I join other students to watch the webinar, all from the comfort of home. Joseph teaches, and in between his teaching, he answers questions students are asking him (via a question box). Lately, what I’ve found to make a perfect webinar is the addition of hot chocolate . The webinars generally last an hour and a half, and then we have a reading assignment and homework (which is extremely practical) to do before the next week.

I come away from the webinars amazed at the practical information and the way it is presented. Okay, so you probably think I am biased, and I guess I am just a little, but it’s true.

The Lord laid the burden of ITonRamp on our hearts, and it finally came to fruition this last year. Families want a way to prepare their young people for a future career and to become more familiar with their computers. We’ve also found parents are taking the courses and greatly benefitting from them too.

Nathan continues to teach the five week Home Track, which is being renamed Computer Essentials. It entails a weekly webinar, with students given the ability to type questions to Nathan during the webinar, reading assignments, and homework. He will be starting the next class February 27th. I really encourage you, if you haven’t already, to consider enrolling one of your young people, or even you yourself, in it. It is very, very practical. Last track, we even had a business owner enroll employees in it.

Love,
Sarah

“So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding.”

–(Proverbs 2:2).

Posted in Misc. | 9 Comments »

Babies on the Way Update

February 14th, 2012

I know there have been several asking for baby updates, and you’re right, it’s time!

Let’s start with Melanie. She is currently over half way and is grateful for a fairly non-dramatic pregnancy. She still has to be careful of her activity level being watchful of contractions: no real exercise, limiting trips up and down the stairs, and keeping stress and excitement to a minimum. She still has contractions, but they don’t seem to be very concerning, and the doctor is satisfied with how she is doing. Melanie is on a heavier dose of progesterone, administered by a shot, once weekly. We give them a fair amount of help each week. Mom goes grocery shopping for them and we girls (Sarah, Anna, and Mary) clean their house. From all appearances, Baby seems to be doing fine, is active and has a great heartbeat. We continue to pray that Baby will wait until close to due date before entering the world!

So far, Anna Marie has had an uneventful, smooth sailing pregnancy with normal first trimester nausea. She is about four weeks ahead of Melanie and is excited to be starting into the third trimester. Baby seems very active and to have a great heartbeat.

Both Nathan and Melanie and Christopher and Anna Marie are thankful to the Lord Jesus for their little ones and are looking forward to meeting him/her.

There you have it!

Love,
Sarah

Melanie and Anna Marie and Babies

“For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.” Psalms 139:13

Posted in Family News, Misc. | 33 Comments »

Snow

February 13th, 2012

Our winter has been quite mild, with less than an inch of snow. That changed this morning, when a pretty, white blanket quietly fell on our town. It is a reminder of God’s cleansing over the lives of those who have accepted Him as Savior.

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18

How can blood make something white? This, my friend, is the beautiful mystery of following Jesus, Who loved you so much, that if it had only been you on this earth, He still would have given His life. Just for you. It is an incredible thing to serve Him. He alone is worthy to be praised.

“Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.” Revelation 5:12

Love,
Sarah

Bethie getting a ride in the sled.

What a great daddy!

Bethany was pretty serious all bundled up--but then the smiles came.

The squirrels are grateful for the food provided (sunflower seeds).

Posted in Family News, Misc. | 12 Comments »

Cooking with Anna: Yogurt Making

February 11th, 2012

Making yogurt is not hard nor is it a complicated process. And, if you flop a batch? No problem. There are plenty of things plain yogurt is good in, so runny yogurt would work great. Start thinking muffins, cornbread, smoothies, and more. That being said, we have not had any problems (except for forgetting the milk on the stove and what a mess that makes!) that we can remember with this way of making yogurt. The full recipe is at the end of the post.

Get your gallon of whole milk out.

Pour the milk into a large pot. We know others that use crockpots, but Anna prefers the large pot.

Stir, keeping an eye on the temperature. Beware; it does take a while to warm up, so it is easy to forget about it! Setting a timer is a must. We have experienced forgetting it and finding milk boiling out of the pot–it got just a little too hot!

Checking the temperature.

Once the temperature has reached 185-190°, remove pot from stove. Place the pot in the sink, and fill sink with cold water.

Stir occasionally, keeping an eye on the temperature. Once it has reached 120°, you are ready for the next step.

It’s best to have these next two ingredients out and ready so once your milk has cooled you can add them. This is unflavored gelatin.

Yogurt starter ready.

Dump into cooled milk.

Empty gelatin packets in. Make sure you stir the milk well!

Pour milk into jars.

Put lids on each jar.

Place in cooler.

Give the jars a warm/hot water bath.

Let sit in cooler for 6-10 hours.

Take out of cooler, wiping each jar off.

Yogurt is ready to be placed in the refrigerator.

After yogurt is chilled, enjoy! Make it into fruit yogurt by stirring in non-sugar sweetened jam. Add vanilla and honey for a creamy, vanilla yogurt. Top with fruit and drizzle honey for a pretty breakfast. Add yogurt to a breakfast smoothie. The possibilites are endless. Use your creativity.

Anna’s Yogurt Recipe

1 gallon whole milk
2 packets unflavored gelatin
1 Yoplait yogurt (I like to use Yoplait, because I know it works well. The little bit of starter doesn’t flavor the batch, so it doesn’t matter what flavor you get. Important: whatever brand you get should say “Live and Active Cultures” on it!)

Pour milk into saucepan. Turn on low. Stir while heating milk (Doesn’t have to be constant, but don’t want the milk to burn on the bottom). Heat milk to 185-190° then place pan into cool bath of water in sink. Cool to 120°. Thoroughly whisk in the yogurt starter (Yoplait yogurt). Whisk in gelatin. Pour into jars and put on lids. Place jars in small cooler. Cover jars with hot tap water. The goal is to keep the cooler around 110°, but it varies. I really don’t watch the temperature that closely anymore I just make sure it stays nice and warm in the cooler. Let it sit for about 6-10 hours give or take a few hours. When it has reached the desired consistency/tartness remove from cooler and put in fridge. Once it has cooled serve and enjoy.

You can make smaller batches just by shrinking the recipe without any problems.

“Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.”

–Genesis 50:21

Posted in Family News, Misc., Recipes | 38 Comments »

Mooooo … Mmmm Milk

February 8th, 2012

Ready for the tour

Saturday, we girls, Mom, Bethie and Abby, went to a dairy farm for a tour. This dairy farm, Shatto, is known for their amazing milk. The milk is sold in glass bottles in a number of stores in the Kansas City area. It was an interesting time, and it made me appreciate the hard work farmers go to to provide us food. To you farming families, thank you! Thank you for your sacrifices, for your endurance, for working to produce quality food. We are grateful!

Love,
Sarah

A close up.

Okay, so I milked a cow, just briefly, but enough to give me the experience. Abby perched on my lap and watched me.

Bethie in the Ergo carrier.

Cows lined up to be milked, the automatic way.

In front of the milk truck. For those a bit older reading this, you'll know that milk used to be delivered in trucks like these.

“If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey.” (Numbers 14:8)

Posted in Misc. | 16 Comments »

How Great Is Our Faith?

February 2nd, 2012

Matthew 17:20: “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”

If one considers how small a mustard seed is, it is amazing to think how small our faith really must be. I have thought of this verse recently in praying for the salvation of several people. I found myself doubting if those people will ever get saved. Then, the Lord prompted me with the verse I shared.

Lord Jesus, please give me more faith.

Mark 10:27 says: “And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.”

May we take heart, ever more earnestly praying for the salvation of others.

May our hearts break for those who are on their way to an eternity in hell.

“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16)

Love,
Sarah

Posted in Family News | 15 Comments »

Vaporizer Followup

January 30th, 2012

Thank you to everyone who commented on my vaporizer questions. I enjoyed seeing that I’m not the only one that has struggled with picking the perfect unit.

I found your answers informative and helpful. One thing I learned is that using purified water is a good thing.

I have ordered a Crane Drop Shape Cool Mist Humidifier. It seemed to have the best mix of features for the price.

My favorite recommendation was the “Heaven Fresh HF 707 Digital Ultrasonic Cool & Warm Mist HUMIDIFIER” — it looks like an amazing unit – but was more than I was wanting to spend. In hind site, since this Crane is now the fourth humidifier we’ve bought, I’ve already spent the equivalent of the Heaven Fresh.

Again – thank you for the help.

In Christ,
Nathan

“Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14).

Posted in Misc. | 5 Comments »

Happy 10th Anniversary, Nathan and Melanie!

January 26th, 2012

Ten years ago.

Fast forward many years.

Nathan and Melanie, Happy 10th Anniversary!

We love you all so much and delight to see the Lord Jesus working in your lives. It is hard to believe it has been 10 years since that exciting day when you became Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Maxwell. These past years have held many joys, and intense sorrow, when you lost your first-born little girl. Through it all, our Lord Jesus has been faithful to uphold you, gird you, and carry you along. We delight in your family!

Love,
Dad (Steve), Mom (Teri), Sarah, Joseph, John, Anna, Jesse, and Mary

“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:24).

Posted in Family News | 23 Comments »

Thank you!

January 23rd, 2012

I want to express my gratefulness to each and every person who commented on the birthday blog post. Wow! You all were so kind to take the time to post and share. My family made Thursday an extremely special day. There were balloons, countless “happy birthdays,” special meals, shopping trips with the girls, nieces play time, and wrapping up the day with a special family party. I love my family so much; the Lord truly has bonded us into an incredible team.

I am also grateful for those of you who pray for me. It is such a blessing to know you are upholding me to our Heavenly Father. I know without a shadow of a doubt that if the Lord wants me married, it is an easy thing with Him. But, that appears to not be His plan at this very moment, so I joyfully go with His plan and know that when it is His timing, it will happen. I rest contentedly and happily in what the Lord has given me.

Love,
Sarah

Joseph made an amazing card for me out of cherry wood and custom designs. It is currently on my desk.

“Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time” (Colossians 4:5).

Posted in Family News | 14 Comments »

Happy Birthday Sarah!!!

January 18th, 2012

Happy birthday, Sarah. We are greatly blessed as we think about all the ways you serve and bless this family and others. Eleven years ago, when the Managers of Their Homes book came out, you immediately took responsibility for packing and shipping each order. Now you effectively and efficiently manage all of our book titles, including their initial printings and reprints. You process orders, make sure we have the right boxes and other shipping supplies, handle the taxes and filing, answer the phone and e-mails, take photos, keep up the blog, and coordinate our speaking trips. Somehow in the midst of all of that, you find time to write your own books – books that have blessed, encouraged, and mentored thousands of children.

Not only are you the backbone of Titus2, you help with meals and cleaning here at home. You clean for Nathan and Melanie when Melanie is pregnant and unable to do so herself because of her difficult pregnancies. You make lunch for Gigi and Grandad one day a week and eat with them plus help with cleaning their house.

We love your heart for the Lord Jesus, your sweet spirit, and your great desire to fully serve and obey Him. We delight in the time we have had with you as a beautiful young woman who has chosen to continue to live in our home when you could have moved on to live any life that you desired.

While we are prepared to take over all that you do should the Lord bring a man into your life to be your husband, we are grateful for all you have given to our family and invested in so many others around the world. We are blessed to have you as a daughter and sister.

Your Family

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.” Proverbs 31:10 (KJV)

Sweet Sarah

Posted in Misc. | 75 Comments »

“She Maketh Herself…”

January 17th, 2012

Anna, Sarah, Liz, and Mary

We enjoyed sewing time with Liz! I (Sarah) haven’t sewed for a long time, and it was a joy to get back into it. This particular fabric was purchased from Hobby Lobby. For those of you who have wanted to learn how to sew, take heart. It isn’t hard; it’s only a matter of following directions, staying patient, and having a seam ripper handy .

Love,
Sarah

“She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands” (Proverbs 31:13).

Posted in Misc. | 27 Comments »

It’s John’s 21st Birthday!

January 13th, 2012

Our incredible, wonderful John turns 21 today. Happy Birthday, John! Where did all of those years go?! You were the mischievous little Maxwell boy, who was going to let his children climb the bathroom shelves and eat Rolaids whenever they wanted to. Oh, but things have changed, and no longer is that the thought.

We love you so much and delight to see you serving the Lord. You bring an extra spark of life to wherever you are–truly, your contagious personality brings a smile to people who cross your path.

Happy 21st Birthday, John! We are excited.

“But if any man love God, the same is known of him” (1 Corinthians 8:3).

Posted in Family News, Misc. | 24 Comments »

Things

January 10th, 2012

Our friends, Dave and Liz, are here for a visit. Days have been filled with many productive tasks:

Putting together a wood floor for Sarah and Anna’s desks
Assembling Anna’s “new” desk
Work
Sewing (girls)
Time in God’s Word
Fellowship in the Lord
Meal prep
Exercise
And more!

On top of that, the weather has been beautiful.

Love,
Sarah

Liz and I

Sewing!

Joseph and Dave

The dining room was turned into a sewing room but by lunch time, the table was reclaimed.

We had a great set up--three sewing machines, a serger, two irons.

And then it was turned into an art classroom.

Art class in progress.

“Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind” (Philippians 2:2).

Posted in Misc. | 8 Comments »

Vaporizers

January 7th, 2012

With having two young children, we find we are often in need of a vaporizer. This winter, we are experimenting with running a vaporizer year round, whether they are sick or not.

The problem, is finding a good vaporizer. Does anyone have any suggestions. Here’s the criteria I’m looking for:
- Cool mist
- Ultra-sonic – these run quieter and have great control on mist output. When the girls aren’t sick, we run it on a very low setting over night.
- Easy cleaning – the ultra-sonic one we just discarded (due to mineral deposits I couldn’t get off the base, hence it wasn’t putting out mist) made it virtually impossible to clean the tube that the mist travels up. I found a thick, gross looking layer of pink slime coating the inside of this tube. I need to be able to get a cleaning brush/rag on every internal surface. I handle vaporizer cleaning, while I’m happy to use power tools to get things dis-assembled and clean, I don’t know that the vaporizer will work once I’m done with it.
- Easy filling — This is not a necessity, but would be very nice. Does that tank stay upright when upside down?

There’s the challenge. What have you found to work well? When responding, if you have both the model number and the name of the manufacturer I would be grateful.

Thank you.
Nathan

“But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.” Genesis 2:6

Posted in Family News, Misc. | 31 Comments »

The Gingerville Designers

January 4th, 2012

We’ll post them in order of who got the most votes.

Anna and John built the grocery store.

Mary and Jesse constructed the Victorian Cottage.

Joseph and Sarah put together the Mayor's House.

Dad and Mom did the church.

Abigail, with a little help from her daddy, creatively made the zoo.

“Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.” (Psalms 105:3)

Posted in Family News, Misc. | 16 Comments »

Pictures

January 1st, 2012

We had a wonderful week of celebrating Jesus’ birth, while also having extra family time, which we always love! The night before Christmas Eve (sorry, no pictures!), we first read all the prophesies of Jesus birth on the Old Testament and the accounts of the nativity in the New Testament.

We had a delightful Christmas, and as always we enjoy our family celebration on Christmas Eve! We find great joy in giving gifts that are practical, and this year was no exception. We buy gifts for each other in teams. Each team is a pair (with the exception of Nathan’s family) buys gifts for everyone and also for their partner. We love to go shopping with our partner to find the right gifts for each person, and then we usually wrap them together!

Many times people ask what we give as gifts and here are a some things that were given this year: clothes, kitchen items, car things, bible cover, tools, house decorations, and calendars made from family photos. On Christmas evening, we did our traditional Christmas program! It is always special to read the Scripture of Jesus coming to earth and sing the Christmas carols that coincide with the Scripture verses.

Reading books to Bethany.

Abby helping Aunt Anna open a candle.

Nieces love to help open presents!

Uncle Joseph and Bethany

Abigail and her daddy (and Abby's new doll).

Tools are very practical.

Grandma and Abby

Sarah and Anna

A new Bible cover.

Fun with play dough.

Bethany and Aunt Anna. Aunt Sarah did the pigtails.

Christmas morning the guys made us breakfast.

Christmas evening, we did the Christmas program. It was a sweet time of reflecting on God's Word and praising Him through song.

Sarah and Anna again

Grandad

Most of the family (Dad took the picture, and Nathan, Melanie, and the girls weren't able to come).

“I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.” (Psalms 9:1-2)

Posted in Family News | 9 Comments »

Scripture Print Closeout

December 27th, 2011

We wanted to let you all know that we are discontinuing the Scripture Prints. They just haven’t sold much, and we are ready to clear them out. Perhaps it is because they aren’t framed, or it might simply be that people aren’t interested. Whatever the case, we have some stock that we are going to clear out as we discontinue the Scripture Prints.

If you are interested, please see this link or click on an individual print below. This offer is only good while our supplies last.

Love,
Sarah

PS – A Christmas blog post with pictures will be coming in the next few days.

“And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.” Deuteronomy 6:9

Posted in Family News, Misc., Products | 1 Comment »

Blessed Christmas Everyone!

December 25th, 2011

Our family wishes you a very blessed Christmas. Even if our circumstances, our health, or our finances aren’t all that we may desire, the fact that God came to redeem fallen man is something to celebrate. God did what we can’t do on our own. He paid the penalty for our sins, and those who have received His gift of salvation have something for which to praise Him.

Even though it’s unlikely that December 25th is the day Jesus was actually born, may we join our hearts in worship of God the Father, Who poured out His grace in sending us Jesus.

We love you all and are thankful for the opportunity to be a part of your lives.

The Maxwell Family