Independence!

My baby is growing SO fast.  She is also VERY independent!!!  I am learning very soon to enjoy the times that she asks me for help.  Yesterday she opened the door, went down the stairs, into the sanctuary, and just sang and had church all by herself.  She didn't even ask!  I didn't know whether to be happy or cry.  I was scrap booking, so I just let her stay and enjoy herself until nap time.  I enjoyed the day with Aaliyah; but I wasn't happy initially about having to stay home.  I wanted to go with my hubby into "town" and shop; but he said it wasn't the best day for me to go.  I have no idea why; but this didn't rub me the right way.  I walked around the house upset for a while (remembering my single days when I would just get up and go wherever and whenever I wanted to and even more recently when we had two vehicles and he was at work from 6am until 6pm).  I had to stop and realize that I was allowing the Devil and my flesh to control my attitude and rob me of precious time.  I sat and read my Bible for a while and this verse hit me right in the face - 1 Timothy 5:14.  (my memory verse for this week.)  I am sure I have read this many times before; but I really needed to be reminded of my place as a wife and mother.  I was also reminded of the passage in Titus 2 which covers more about our duties and responsibilities and what our attitudes should be.  Once again I asked to Lord to help me to be not just content; but to thrive and be joyful for the place and position He has put me in.  I really am extremely blessed to be the wife of such a wonderful man and the mother of such a beautiful and sweet daughter.  God truly is good to me...even when I am grumpy!

On another note: This week I noticed that Aaliyah has developed a new skill...she has learned to shake hands at church, and other places.  She woke up from her nap yesterday and instead of my usual hug, I got a handshake.  She is so proud to be able to shake hands with people. 

Until next time,

Tinyla

Spring!!!

I am so happy that Spring is finally here!  Normally this is not the case as my allergies and asthma usually start to act up; but I have had no such problems this year.  My midwife says it's because of preggo hormones and if that is true then I praise the Lord even more for baby beckles #2  - Raymond DeShawn or Cassidy Moret (more-ae) Beckles.  Thus far this has been such an easy pregnancy.  My only "symptom" would be fatigue...this child must sleep during the day and play all night!  I am not complaining though, I REALLY enjoy feeling the life, a living soul, being formed and fashioned by our Creator in my womb.  What a wonderful blessing and privilege it is to be a woman and to be used by the Lord to bring new life into this world.  (Here is where my husband would interject that he had some part in it.  He is really excited about number two as well.)

Right now I am enjoying life as the wife of Raymond D. Beckles, Aaliyah's mother, and pastor's wife, etc.  This past week we were really busy.  The highlights for my week were planting seeds in our garden and attending a ladies meeting (COEBA ladies meeting in Jacksonville, ARK).  I was challenged greatly by the words of Mrs. Jeannete Baldwin, Mrs. Lora Baldwin, Mrs. Hart, and Mrs. Bethany Baldwin.  
Mrs. Jeannete Balwin really challenged me about my love for the Word of God.  She read her Bible through four times last year (for fun!) and her goal is to do it five times this year!  Isn't that wonderful!!! 

My loving hubby is calling me, so I must go; but I hope you enjoy these photos of our precious Aaliyah "helping" me in the garden.

Until next time,

Tinyla

This weeks favorite meal...Meatballs!

Last Friday evening we had meatballs, green beans, and yellow potatoes.  The recipe is as follows:


Meatballs
1 lb.      ground beef
1/4 - 1/2        cup oatmeal
1 TBS.  salt
1 tsp.    Garlic powder

1 TBS.  sugar
1           egg
black pepper to taste
1 bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce.

Mush the top 7 ingredients together in a bowl with your hands.  Form your meatballs to a size you like - I did about an inch in diameter.  Bake at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes, then remove the meatballs from the oven and put in a large pot on the stove and cover with the bottle of sauce. ( I used Hot and Spicy BBQ sauce)  Let simmer for about 20 minutes to an half hour and Voila!

Green beans
2 cans green beans
2 TBS Butter
1/4 cup diced onion
2 cloves garlic minced

Cook stove top until done.

Potatoes
I cut up about four medium sized yellow (or sometimes called golden) potatoes and steamed them until they were tender.  Then I transferred them to a bowl and covered them with about 2 TBS of butter and a pinch of salt.

Note: The oatmeal in the meatballs can be replaced with bread crumbs or crushed crackers; but oatmeal is so good for you and it works great in meatballs as well as meatloaf.  I don't use salt in my recipes if I use a canned veggie (i.e. green beans).

Lost and Found



This past week was not my week!  I found a quarter at the laundry mat, but lost $20 ( My husband thought I had been in a car wreck or something when I got home because I was crying so much about the lost money), I broke my husband's favorite mug, I cut my finger on the toilet lever while trying to flush...you get the picture; But PRAISE THE LORD we had a great day Sunday.  Attendance was low; but I really was blessed by who did attend and the messages.  We also had two visitors and one young person respond to the invitation.  I'd like to try and and start posting our favorite meal from the past week.  I thought that would be fun, and it will also challenge me to find new recipes and try them. So read the next post to find out what my husband's favorite dinner was last week.

Until next time,

Tinyla

Aaliyah gets stuck in her toy grocery cart.  I told her not to get in it; but she didn't listen.  Instead of rescuing her and "taking care" of her disobedience,  I decided to let her experience the fruit of her disobedience.  I took a picture, then I rescued her.   (She refused to say "cheese!".)  She doesn't realize she is growing.



Praise the Lord...

It seems my husband may have a part-time job at Wal-mart!  When we first arrived in Ark.  he put in countless applications from every job from janitor to astronaut (not quite; but you get the picture!) and we received not one phone call.  Last Thursday we had lunch with a visiting preacher and he asked us about our finances so we gave him the update. In passing my husband mentioned that he always wanted to work for Wal-mart; but not even they would hire him!  Well, yesterday afternoon he received a phone call for a job interview to be a greeter, today he had the interview during which they found out he was mechanically inclined so they offered him a job as a tech in the tire and lube section...if he passes his drug test :).  We are excited!!!  My husband said that if the Lord permits, we will save  and look for two months, then move into our very own home!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Praise the Lord!!!

Until next time,

Tinyla