Creativity Out Of Boredom

I have realized that those who are creative, can see the big picture. They can visualize the finished product. I on the other hand cannot. I see the plain piece of cloth, you say you can make a dress out of that? I see the broken down building, you can fix it up and and it will be great? Naomi and even my husband, can look at something and see the end result. Perfect example: Naomi made these shell animals. Very creative, me, I see shells, until she shows me the finished product. Many days my kids get creative out of boredom. 

Naomi made these out of shells

Signing to the deaf lady. We know very little sign language. This lady  has a shop across from the church. In one of my
previous post I mentioned her. I have taught Nehemiah a few signs and she is signing to Nehemiah. I think she had her hearing at one time, because she can say some words and we can understand her, also her and Naomi write back and forth. Nehemiah, he didn't realize there where deaf people, until we saw her on visitation. Nehemiah didn't know what to think. I then explained it to him that that is why we learn the signs because there are people who can't hear or talk. He was ready the next week.

Kids on visitation

Kool-Aid Sherbet

1 C Sugar
1 Pkg. Kool-Aid (any flavor) we found the citrus ones are the best!
3 C Milk

Combine all ingredients. Pour into a shallow freezer container, cover and freeze for 1 hr. until slightly thickened. Place in a mixing bowl and beat until smooth. Return to freezer, cover and freeze until firm.

We have an ice cream bowl, so after the first freeze, we then put it into our ice cream bowl and thicken up that way, but not necessary, we have done both ways.

You can also do this with Ice Milk:

In place of the Kool-Aid, use 1 C cocoa powder. You will have to heat some milk and the cocoa powder and sugar until dissolved. Place in freezer the same way, or just put into refrigerator for chocolate milk

New Beginnings

We have been quite busy since this new year began. We have two birthday's this month, tomorrow is my handsome husbands. I won't tell you how OLD.

We have moved our evening church services back one hour. We have been going out before church on Wednesdays, inviting folks to come to church and if the opportunity arises to witness and tell them about our Lord Jesus Christ. We have also moved our Saturday soul-warning (winning) to 2:00 on Saturdays. I have to say, I was a little, okay very upset about moving Wednesday services later so we can go earlier?? I was not to happy. However much to my dismay, I have enjoyed and even look forward to going out on Wednesday. Which brings me to a story about Peter, Emmanuella and Ebeneezer. The are some kids who have been coming to church since our Revival in October, faithfully, every Sunday. This Sunday before church started they where there helping set up the tent for Jr. church. Mack was able to talk with Peter and he accepted Christ. We knew his mom had a store near the church but we didn't know where. As Naomi and me were out inviting folks to church, we ran across a few people we knew and even a teen age boy who used to come to church, we tried to encourage him to come back. It was getting late so we started to head back to the church. I told Naomi, "Let's pass this way, I want to see if we can find Peter." Well we got to talking and our focus was on getting back to the church, I forgot to look for Peter. We had passed many little stores and was almost to the stairs to go up to the main road,  then I hear, Madame Jackie, Naomi! PETER! We found Peter, well he found us. There they all  were. We got to meet his Mother and Father. I was talking with his dad and asking him questions and I asked him if Peter had told him what he did on Sunday? So I called Peter over and he told his dad that he accepted Christ. I also told his dad if it was okay with him that we would like to start baptismal classes with him. I told them what good kids they where and how much we have enjoyed them, and thanked them for allowing their children to come. I also said, but it would be nice if their mom and dad came also, he agreed, and said he would come some time?? Many Ghanians say I will come, I will come. I do believe and am praying that they will come. We need another good family in our church. Their names are Fergus George and Sarah. I also learned they have another son a little older than Peter, whose name is George Jr.

The Kids

Nehemiah, Joe, Naomi, Matthew

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Pass the Napkin

2013

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year! We enter the new year with a birthday, Joseph turned 11, on the 3rd of January.

While eating dinner, Nehemiah asked to pass the napkin to wipe his face. At our house, we often pass one or two napkins or towels around the table. It never occurred to me that that may be strange to others. My missionary friend noticed and said, oh I am glad you all pass the napkin around at your house, we do too. We don't get paper napkins or paper plates very often. So we have cloth napkins we reuse. As me and my friend were talking, they are not always all washed at the same time. So we just share what we have available. Your talking 6 napkins every meal. I don't know about you, but I don't want to wash 18 napkins a day....so we just share a couple at a time.

We have enjoyed a well needed Christmas break from SCHOOL!!! It is so nice to wake up and NO SCHOOL! 

Looking forward to what the Lord has for us this year! 

CBBC Christmas Gathering

We had a great time at the church's Christmas gathering. Martin and Nelly came over in the morning to start cooking the chicken and fried rice. Priscilla came over a little later to continue helping and make the stew. Naomi was on popcorn duty. We filled the bags with a couple cookies, that we made the other day and popcorn. My kids also put together the kids goody bags that will be passed out on Sunday. After eating our yummy fried chicken, rice and stew, we played white elephant and then watched a movie. We enjoyed our time with our church family. We want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

                                                                ~ from the Siekbert's ~

Nelly preparing the vegetables for the fried rice

Martin frying the chicken

Joel, Priscilla was watching him, so we tried to entertain him with some popcorn.

Priscilla serving the rice and chicken

Enjoying the food!

White elephant

Movie Time! We did a Bible DVD Trivia before we watched the movie.

Christmas Cookies and the Wii?

I usually have a few girls come to the house and make some Christmas cookies for the Church Christmas party. We had some tea and biscuits after all our hard work!!! Then they played the Wii. That was very entertaining. Afterwards we tested our knowledge and played Bible Trivia. Enjoyed the day.

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Esther's 1st time to roll out dough

Celestina defeating Esther at Table Tennis!

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Christmas Decorations!

Pinnocchio sings a Christmas song!

We have many school art projects around the house as well.

'Tis The Season for SNOW!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We went to another missionaries house and had a great time of food and fellowship. For Black Friday, we went to market circle to see what deals we could find. (not really) We got out the Christmas decorations, but have not put up the tree. We will have a church Christmas party on the 21st of December.

We had a birthday in the family, our youngest son, Nehemiah turned 6, on the 28th of November. We just renewed our residence permit, to allow us in to stay in the country, that all went well. We are good for another year!

I have this recipe for Maple Syrup/Snow Cone Syrup that I thought I would share with you:

2 C White Sugar
1 C Water
1/2 t maple flavoring

Mix sugar and water in saucepan and bring to a boil, boil for 1 minute, add flavoring!

for snow cones, replace maple flavoring for, one packet of kool-aid, Enjoy

I store my syrup in an old syrup bottle, for the snow cone syrup, I use a sports bottle with a pop-up lid so you can squirt it on the ice.

'Tis the season for SNOW, well in our part of the the world we have to make the SNOW!!!!!

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Nehemiah turned 6

Laura giving Mack a BIGGER dessert plate!

9 Years in Ghana!

We boarded the plane to Ghana 9 years ago. We left our home land and our loved ones, for a people we didn't know. Why? To tell them about Christ and how they too, can miss a burning hell, by excepting Jesus Christ as their Savior. To also teach them about the Bible and start a Biblical church in their area.

As I look back at the pictures over the years, I am teary eyed. God has done great things. Mark_5:19  Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. I have learned so much over the years. I came to Ghana not knowing how to do many things, that is required to make due here in Ghana. I have also learned, my way (or the American way) is not always what works here. They have taught me their ways and I have adapted to many of them. I first came, hating the hot weather. I now LOVE the weather. Year round it is summer! Palm trees, coconut tree, orange tree, banana trees, mango, plantain and so many more.

I am not going to lie, many times it is hard and you get discouraged. Then you have a pity party for yourself, ho hum whoa is me. Then you just have to reflect on how good God is, then you realize, you don't have it so bad. Pretty good actually! We are blessed with so many blessing!

Psa_97:12  Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. KJV

Before Thanksgiving?

I am listening to Bing Crosby's "A White Christmas" CD. I know it is WAY to early. Today being Election Day, I am trying hard to get my mind occupied on something. Can you tell? Besides thinking of "Silent Night" is more calming. The boys worked on the clutch on the car today with their Dad. Naomi and Nehemiah played on the slip and slide. It has been really warm here. My MS is reminding me it is still there. My right arm in trying to go numb,and my legs are tingling, but I am enduring. Feel fine, other than that.

I can't believe Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Nehemiah says, "When is Easter, and when do we get to eat chicken?" I said, "It's Thanksgiving, and we eat turkey." He says, "whatever." I have so many things to be thankful for. My salvation and my family are just two of so many. Well I guess the count down begins to see who our next President will be. 

Joseph was so proud he was dirty, from fixing the car

Not A Bad Day Just Eventful

My morning started out calm and quiet. Everyone up doing their devotions. I was about to start mine, when, I hear the dogs fighting. This wasn't just their usual spat. My first thought was why are they fighting with Taffy our littlest dog. It sounded like they were going for the kill. I run down the hallway, make my way outside. Mack and the kids are already outside. I run past the boys. Why are they fighting Taffy? There not, a dog got into our gate, still running past them. All three of our dogs have this strange dog cornered behind our kiaz. Mack is trying to get Ringo off this dog. He finally succeeds. The strange dog takes off, the other two dogs are now chasing this strange dog around the house. We are trying to stop them. Matthew goes for Femur, Naomi tries for Taffy. Around and around they go. I try and stop Femur, no luck. Finally Matthew slows her down enough to where I tackle her. Okay, Mack says I didn't tackle her, I grabbed her and fell and I just held onto her. I like tackled better...ha ha sounds like I did something. Falling, huh! Finally we get this strange dog out of our gate.

Now how did this dog get into our compound. The boys first said, it climbed on the wall? My first thought, how did that dog get on top of our wall. Our front wall is not very tall, but still. They said no, he came through the wall? okay like Jesus entering the room? Joh 20:19  No, the dogs pulled him in. Pulled him in?    We have spindles that run across the front of our wall. The strange dog was looking into our compound and sniffing around. Ringo grabbed one paw, Femur grabbed the other paw and started pulling, then Ringo got it's head and they pulled him in. I am just glad Mack was here and was able to get Ringo off of the dog. If not, well bye bye little dogie. The strange dog bit Mack on the leg and Naomi on the arm. They are not deep or even punctured. Mack's looks more like the teeth scraped him and Naomi's is more bruised. We made our way inside, I got cleaned up from my "tackle" and cleaned up the dog bites, then started the day. It when by smoothly after that.

We get ready for our revival had a great service, with many visitors. On our way home, we drop off Prince and his family. We always pull over on the wrong side of the road to let them out. In Ghana you can  park or pull over on the wrong side of the road, even drive backwards. Well I won't get into all of that. Well this man was upset because we pulled in front of him to drop them off. He gets out of his car. I am a police man, I will arrest you. Okay. He was talking to Prince and arguing. So we pulled away. Getting closer to our house, Mack rounded the corner and said, uh oh, the clutch just went out. We make it home in 2nd gear. We stop to drop off Kendall, which is just a street over, not far at all. Well then Mack can't get the cart into gear. He says call Kendall back out here. All the boys pushed the car back to our house. Me and Naomi walked to the house to get the dogs and the gate open so they can just continue pushing without stopping and waiting for the gate to open.

They pulled the dog in through the bigger square opening. 

It was not a bad day, just and eventful day.The mechanic came to the house Tuesday and fixed the clutch and we had great services on Tuesday night as well.

Is There No Difference?

RETRACTION:

I have a correction about my blog "Warming Up." I mentioned students entering JSS, they are entering SHS, Senior High School. I apologize for the mistake. They have so many different names. Class 1, Form 1 etc..

"A True Disciple" Matt 16:24  Lives a different life in Christ. If there is no difference in you than an unbeliever what kind of disciple are you? If you are still living and doing the things the old man did, check your faith. If you have Christ, show it. Don't hide in the crowd. - Pastor Prince Tackie

"When You Cannot See God You Can Still Believe" Ps 27:13 The Land of the Living. He saw no good. He believed God was there even though he couldn't see it. He learned to wait on the Lord, found courage and strength. "I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living" Ps 27:13- Pastor Koasi Amouzou

We had two new visitors this Sunday. Everyone is inviting for our Revival. 

Fall In My Neck Of the Woods

 Everything is in full bloom due to our rainy season that is ending. We have banana and plaintain growing. It is good to see the fruit!