Book Review: Discerning The Voice Of God

by HJ Ozborn

Ever heard someone talk about how they’ve heard from God. Or that God has laid it upon them…. Or that God has put it on their hearts…. ??

And as these words have washed over you, you’ve wondered, “really?”. How do you know? How do I do that? I want to hear from God, too!

I found myself in that place several years ago.

Struggling with a decision and fighting uncertainty about what thoughts were mine and which were sent from Him. Paralyzed by fear that I would make the “wrong” decision. Wanting desperately to ensure I aligned with His Will for my life because the ripple effect of the decision was HUGE. Wishing that He would just communicate to me in such an obvious way that it simply couldn’t be missed.

Burning bush anybody?

I’d heard people talk with certainty about how they hear from God all the time and struggled to understand why I never did.

And I NEEDED to, right now!

Enter: Discerning The Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer

I cannot describe the impact these words contained within this book made on my life – almost immediately. And as I worked through the book… journaling, reflecting, sitting in quiet…one chapter at a time, my mind was blown!

This book has probably taught me more than any book I’ve ever read and propelled my growth and walk with HIM into another dimension.

Instead of being one of those reads that winds up on a shelf collecting dust, or tossed in a box for donation when attempting to minimize becomes a priority, it’s served as a reference guide.

I return to it (as well as my journal entries) often.

I’ve shared bits of wisdom from within with others.

If you’re struggling to hear from God – regardless of where you are in your walk – this one is for you.

Wondering what happened with the important decision I needed to make?

As time ticked on and a decision deadline was nearing (and I was no where near through done reading this book) I simply prayed that he would take all decision off the table. If yes _______, if no _______.

Turns out, the answer was “no”, and when that time came so much peace and relief washed over me that I cried. His involvement and hand in it all was obvious.

I continued my study and growth in seeking to really hear Him, and now, I feel more confident in my ability to do so. The key is to stay close in my relationship and growth with Him and find time to simply be still.

Get your copy ASAP and, so long as your heart is open to it, prepare to be changed and/or renewed in monumental ways!

Scalloped Potatoes

by HJ Ozborn
Jump to Recipe

Click link above to head straight to this gluten free/celiac safe recipe!

One of my favorite things is being able to pick up whole turkeys and hams after the holiday season at a discount.

LOL – you know you’re an adult when….

It may seem silly to cook an entire turkey or ham for a family of five but I’ve found it such a cost effective way to get meals on the table.

Where turkey and ham is involved, these meats are versatile and can be used in SOOOOOO MANY recipes. Plus, they freeze well after cooked.

We typically have a “meat main with sides” the first night one of these bad boys comes out of the oven. From there, I determine how I’m going to use the leftovers, portion appropriately into freezer-safe containers and tuck them away for a later time.

We DO NOT do weeks on end of turkey or ham dishes.

Not that there’s anything wrong with this – it’s just that, for us, enthusiasm will be lost quickly and dinner will turn into the battle it was never intended to be (and sometimes is anyway).

I wasn’t able to locate any turkeys this year but we grabbed a couple hams (bone in) on the cheap.

What better side to accompany ham than scalloped potatoes?

Creamy, cheesy, sans-gluten and wonderful…

Make a double batch and stick one in the freezer!

Print Recipe

Gluten Free Scalloped Potatoes

Tender potatoes in a creamy, cheesy sauce. So delicious you won't even know they are gluten free!
Prep Time20 mins
Cook Time1 hr 30 mins
Course: Side Dish
Keyword: Side Dish
Servings: 4 people

Equipment

  • Food Processor with slicing blade

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup rice flour can use regular all purpose if not needing gluten free
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 2-3 cups red potatoes sliced thin, skins on
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar

Instructions

  • Wash and slice potatoes. A food processor with slicing blade makes quick work of this step and keeps potatoes uniform in thickness. If no food processor, use a sharp knife.
  • In saucepan, melt butter
    Stir in flour and salt, cook a couple min, stirring constantly
  • Add in milk, stirring constantly while it comes to a boil and thickens
  • Stir in cheese until melted
  • Add potatoes
  • Pour into a greased casserole dish (or disposable pan if making for the freezer)
  • Cook uncovered for 1-1 1/2 hrs at 350 degrees, until potatoes are tender

Notes

**if freezing, be sure to cook and then cool potatoes first. Cover tightly with foil and store in freezer 3’ish months. 
When ready to use from freezer, thaw in fridge over night and warm through (covered) at 350 degrees (about 30’ish minutes)

Seedlings 2020

by HJ Ozborn

It’s been a couple years since I tackled a seedlings project.

In fact, the last attempt was minimal effort (at best) and quickly destroyed by the cat.

At the time I had new’ish foster kiddos in the home and our life was next level chaos. Starting over – or really having my heart in it to begin with – just wasn’t happening.

I promised myself that this year, however, I would get back on it with starting my own seeds and reserve what little bit I do have in the budget for Garden 2020 to be used to invest in this, and future, years seedling projects.

Once the initial equipment is purchased there is huge cost savings to starting your own seeds (versus buying plants) and it doesn’t take long for the equipment to pay for itself.

Since filling our house <quickly> with kiddos, I’ve lost my original seedlings project space. My minimal effort attempt a couple years ago proved that I needed to start from scratch and get creative this season.

The new space needed to be close to a power source, have opportunity to easily hang (and adjust) the grow lights AND provide protection from the cat.

The cat who is curious by nature and grumpy by life circumstance (she’s old and we went from our quiet life to all chaos, all the time in the blink of an eye…who could blame her for feeling a touch on the grumpy side?).

The perfect solution presented itself via Amazon Deal of the Day many, many months ago:

An indoor ‘greenhouse’.

You might be wondering why on earth I need this when I have a whole big greenhouse sitting in the backyard.

Here’s why: it takes quite a lot to heat that beast out there (i.e. added expense) when I really only need a small’ish spot. And, if I’m honest, I don’t particularly want to trudge out to the greenhouse to keep an eye on delicate seedlings…especially when weather gets to be as it does here through the winter months. If I’m extra honest, having to bundle up and scoop a path to the shed out back just to haul in some seed starting supplies this week felt like a monumental task.

It’s simply more cost effective and convenient to have these babies in the house. So the indoor ‘greenhouse’ along with the perfect space in the utility room is the perfect solution!

So…I week or so ago I went through and did an organization and inventory of the seeds I have on hand. Then mapped out a planting plan, erring on the side of giving more indoor grow time. The seeds I have on hand are old and I don’t even know what will still be viable. Plus, they spent part of the winter outside in the greenhouse where a panel in the roof came loose (thanks to wind) and the box of seeds got a little bit wet. It’s possible I’ll actually end up running behind on account of my seeds not being good and having to start over with a fresh batch.

But…I’m okay with this because I’d like to make due with what I have if possible.

This week I hauled in, cleaned up and tested the lights and heat mat. Everything was still in working order! Woo Hoo!

I also assembled and situated the indoor ‘greenhouse’.

And the first round of seeds have been planted — because it’s GO TIME!

Now I wait patiently to see what happens with these old seeds…but man was it good to sink my hands in the dirt again…even if it was indoors!

Anyone else have Garden 2020 on their radar? Anyone else attempting to tackle a seedlings project? If so and you need some pointers: this post from years ago is a good place to start!