The Full Armor of God!

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Heb. 4:12

The Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

I really loved reviewing these verses and I have been printing out pages for teaching to our Children.  I want them to  understand just what the Full Armor of God means.   We need to show them what the Bible teaches so that they can withstand the enemies arrows!  Helping our children learn about the Power of God and His Word is a Gift to them that we are mightily blessed by teaching!

1. Read the Armor of God verses in Ephesians 6:10-18

2. Memorize scriptures pointing out the Belt of Truth: (Psalm 18:1-3)  Breastplate of Righteousness; (providing us with the knowledge of the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ)
Sandals of Peace (provided to us by an ongoing relationship with Jesus Christ) Shield of FAITH ( Psalm 3:3) Helmet of Salvation: Salvation through Jesus Christ
Sword of the spirit: God's Word is Powerful and Real(John 1:14)

 Help your children know that the armor is not like a magic shield, you can't go into to sin and then expect it to magically keep away evil.
 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7
    God bless  you all as you strive to teach and train up your children :) Love Karen

My Mission Statement

I have a pretend interviewer asking me some of my thoughts about my blog and where it is going!

What are you hoping to accomplish through your blog?
I would love to share the things I have learned, the things I am learing and the desire of what I would like to learn in the future.
What are you already accomplishing with your blog?
I have been striving to help others learn about a farming lifestyle, a natural foods diet and the joys of Homeschooling.
Where is your blog taking you?
I have been challenged to stay diligent to blogging and to the many trials that bringing forth God's Truth has sent to me :)
Where are you taking your blog?I really would love to take my blog onto a level that would allow others to see that I am not perfect, have made mistakes and will make more and that the road ahead is not an easy one, but a fulfilling one.

My deepest thoughts are that God's Word is True and is Infallible, I will always use it and the principles in it to guide me.  I would also like to help younger women to Not look to others for their approval, and not expect your life to be that of mine. Our Vision for our Homes is a very personal Vision given to us by a Very PERSONAL GOD! When something works for me, I am happy to say it, happy to share what doesn't too, but that doesn't mean the same thing will be right or wrong for you. Each of us is accountable to God for what He leads and what He is asking us to do. If you homeschool, great, and if not, I encourage you to seek the Lord's leading, not mine. If you are a mommy that has a heart for her home, super, if not, I encourage you to seek a vision from the Lord. 

If you have any questions you would like for me to answer directly, PLEASE feel free to leave me a comment!  I would love to answer your questions.  I would love to bless you and I would be honored if you would share with me by posting a comment when you can!  When we all share, we all get so much more!  I am so thankful for each and everyone of you!

Biblical Love I Cor. 13:8

I began our Series on Biblical Love with this Post if you would like to read more

8Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

Love never Fails!

When you insert the Name of Jesus in the place of the word Love throughout the verses of 1Cor.13 you see that Perfect Love of Jesus.
 Jesus Never Fails!

His Love is perfect!  His Love unfailing!  He is PERFECT!  When He is in us we have HIS perfect Love to give to our families!  We have access to living a life based on His Perfect Love, and Acceptance.  We have a permanent  love.

permanent:

 /ˈpɜrmənənt/ Show Spelled

1. existing perpetually; everlasting, especially lasting.  

2. intended to exist or function for a long, indefinite period without regard to unforeseeable conditions:

But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. Psalm 13:5

 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. John 15:12

When I look in my own life for the Love that never fails, I know I have failed.  I know that throughout my life as a Wife and Mother, I have failed many times!  Is my Love Perfect?  Is my Love forgiving, longsuffering, is my Love unFailing? No! a resounding No! But...

Of all the Gifts we are given in our Christian Life, it is the Gift of Forgiveness.  We have the ability to begin over!  Each time I have fallen (which have been many) the Lord is there to receive me and to forgive me!  To Pick me up and to dust me off and set me on my feet moving forward.  He has allowed me the Gift of Grace and He Gives me Unfailing Love for my Family.  I would encourage you in bringing Grace into your thoughts as you are dealing with your Family and that you would seek His Unfailing Love.

Thank you All for Joining Us all on our Biblical Love Series, if we can help you in anyway, please feel free to comment or if you need to ask me directly please use my personal email Victorianrosesoap@gmail.com

And a Very Special Thank You to My Friends:

 Renee @ I Am The Clay,

Kasey @ These Five of Mine Plus Two, 

Blair @ TheStraightened Path

and Gail @ The Imperfect Housewife



We have a WINNER!!!!

 We are Celebrating!

We have drawn number 7

The Winner is Gail from Imperfect Housewife!

Congratulations to Gail Harris!

Thank you for Everyone that Entered

I would love to Offer you all a Discount for our Website when you go and order from our site for your Special Valentine, We offer a 20% Discount with the Code "Victorian Rose"



Valentine's Giveaway!

Oh we are excited to announce a Valentine's Day Giveaway!

Please leave me a comment letting me know how you heard about our Giveaway and also share us on Facebook and/or your Blog and enter into our Giveaway!

You can like us at facebook.Victorian-Rose-Soap-Company-Handmade Goats Milk Soaps

The Gifts!

A beautiful 2 Bars of our Valentine's Day Soaps and a wonderfully fizzy Bath Boomie that will make your bath water soothing and soften your skin!  They smell great and are super wonderful for dry skin!

And added comment if you stop by our Website and let us know what your favorite Soap/Soaps are :)

Victorian Rose Soap Company

If you would like to be added to our Newsletter * an update on new soaps, or new kids that join our farm etc.

Leave your email address or add it to our comments on our website and we will send you out the latest news that happens here at the Lossing Farm (Add another comment to the Drawing Please)

That will be 4 entries total:

1.)Liking our Facebook page and telling us where you heard about the giveaway. (1 comment)

2.)Sharing our giveaway! (1 comment)

3.) Visiting our website and telling us what you like! (1 comment.)

4.) Subscribing via Email. (1 comment)

The Drawing will Close and winners will be drawn on Saturday Morning 10 am. PST God Bless you all as you celebrate the Loves in your life!

Love from Karen and all!

Valentine's Day Party Gift!

We have a few more gifts to give out for our Valentine's Day Celebration!  If you come and order you will receive one Free Valentine's Day Bar as well as Free Shipping.  Just enter the code "Valentines Day" and receive both gifts! 

We love sending out Gifts as we have been given the BEST GIFT OF ALL:

Jesus!

Please come by and visit our Website

Victorian Rose Soap Company

Cherish Each Moment!

Children!

I love to encourage Young Mothers that are working hard doing a task that often seem daunting, that TIME IS SHORT!

I know by experience that your days of caring for and training up your children will  end all to quickly.

I wanted to take a few moments today to send you encouagement in your work!

Service to our Families can lay a Heavy Burden on us, causing us to question is this really worth it?  I say: It SURE IS read here to see why here

The reasons I say it sure is worth it, are many.  I will attempt to list out just a few, as I wanted this to be a SHORT note to you :)

Benefits of Homeschooling

It's Affordable

It provides a strong bond

Super adaptable

Morals Friendly

Parent Influenced

Positive Enviroment (well most times)

It's a LOT MORE FUN

and the list continues

Our lives with our children are often times a struggle!  Yes it's work, and it's hard.  But anything of true Value is Hard Work!  The dividends far outweigh the work.  In the end when you have finished your task you will Hear From The Lord: Well Done My Good and Faithful Servant!  Your time is so precious, we all must try not to let it be wasted by being overwhelmed or disheartened.  I too have to battle even when I have run this course and need to keep running it.  Our Small Children will need Schooling for MANY years to come.  Seeing the lives of our older Children gives me hope as well.  If you question what you are doing, spend a little time with Homeschooled Young People.  It won't take you long to KNOW the difference it makes in a person's life!  When you feel discouraged and you are on your knees remember this is where Our God works BEST in our hearts~ Sending you Love and Hope



We have Winners!  Did You Enter?  Remember our Blogging Series "How to on a Budget"? read winners Here

Encouragement!

Young Mothers!  Older Mothers, homeschooling Mothers, and Mothers of Many! 

We all need encouragement.  In this present day of Mothering there are so many ways to be encouraged especially on the internet.   When we began our homeschooling journey 22 years ago, there weren't many on the same path.  In fact there were so few that those of us that were homeschooling spent much of our time explaining homeschooling!  Besides giving out explanations we also needed to give some form of proof that this "hair-brained" crazy idea would have merit!  read more here

During Our Many Years of Homeschooling we have used a lot of different curriculum's! I am often asked what I like best! I always recommend that parents look towards your children's bent. The way in which they should go the Bible says in Proverbs 22:6

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Phonics

We teach our children phonics when they show the progression in their lives that shows they are ready for the fine motor skills of phonics training

Balance and Coordination Skills

Your Child hops on One foot?

Your child balances on one foot?

Your child skips?

Your child can hop on each foot one at a time?

Your child can sit patiently for 10-15 mins. at a time?

Spend as much time with your children outdoors as possible. Hiking, walking and running all aid in your success for phonics. Having conversations with your child about anything and everything will develop their language skills.

After Phonics we teach

Mathematics

Math training in the early years are simple with Mom made math lessons.
  Saxon Math has been very popular and also highly used. Our family has liked Saxon and I do recommend it!

Life Skills

are probably one of the most important and often overlooked area of Homeschooling. When we teach valuable life skills we teach our children the importance of learning. Learning is something that our children will do for the rest of their lives. So teaching needs to revolve around teaching how to learn...not just WHAT to learn!

Instilling in your Children the Love of LEARNING is a Gift and one that they and you will treasure!  I encourage you to seek the deepest gift you can give the Love of God in your child's heart! 
Of course there are many more subjects to teach your children.  And thankfully there are so many sources that you won't have trouble finding them.  I would just like to encourage you to seek the Vision the Lord has for your family.  Oftentimes the Hype of buying curriculum is marketed to you as the WAY to teach, but I have found that once the hype is gone we often times sent the hyped up curriculum up into the attic :(  Yes we all find curriculum's that help us, but is this the only one for you?! Faith in asking for Wisdom is by far the best gift you have for schooling your children :)
 Sending you love and Prayers!

Got Milk?

Milk!

Milk is such a lovely addition on a Farm!  I often get asked what do you do with all the milk besides make soaps?

I thought today would be a great time to do a post on

Milk

read more here

milk and more!

When a Female Goat Freshens (gives birth) she produces milk for her kids as well as extra for us to use. We hand milk all our goats and use the milk to make soap, cheeses, and to drink. Goat's Milk is naturally homgenized so we can't make butter with it. We do however own two Jersey Milk Cows that produce an abundance of Cream that we make into butter for our family. I often times make this ahead and freeze it for later use.

We love to use Goat's Milk cheeses fresh by simple adding a probiotic bacteria and then culture the milk to produce a probiotic friendly cheese. I add a culture from either a store bought culture or by adding a 1/2 cup of yogurt or kefir to a gallon of warmed milk ( 86 degrees). I set this in the warm oven with a light on in it or a pilot light and keep warm for 24 hours. At this point you can use this as yogurt or kefir or you can strain this in a very tight weave cheesecloth and drain for 24 hours.

One of our favorite Companies to purchase products for cheesemaking is found Hoegger's farmyard.

This Great Christian Company also has a lot of information as well as seeking info on youtube videos.

Finding a source of Goat's Milk or Cow's Milk is also getting easier if you check your local ads. Craig's list is often a source of fresh milk farm direct.

Kefir is one of our favorite drinks. We keep cultures on hand and use a culture rather than beads. I found beads more difficult and time consuming and not nearly as fast as opening up a packet or using a culture from the healthfood store. I use this with fruit and sweetner as well as any health supplements that I can add to it. I also use it in cooking or in baking. Over pasta is delicious and in scones and breads, it adds fluff and richness.

Buttermaking.

We have a very large Churn which we use to churn butter with. We skim off nearly all the thick cream from Cow's Milk and add this to the churn, which I turn on and leave it for about a half an hour. When the butter comes together I wash them in very cold, rinsing very well to keep the butter from going sour. Then I shape into blocks and use fresh and freeze.

Cream Cheese is also great when made homemade. Our favorite is homemade cheesecakes as well as using it to top over cinnamon rolls. With Cream Cheese you would need to purchase a culture from the above mention Hoeggers. Using cream you can make a very thick cream cheese or you can also add some milk to this to make a thinner cream cheese.

All cheese recipes are pretty the same or nearly the same concept each needing the warmth and the constant temperatures, carefully measuring them is crucial for successful cheesemaking. Also it is important to purchase the equipment necessary for making the cheeses. One inexpensive cheese drainer found at Hoeggers is easy to use and quick as well to ladle curds into

I would ladle curds and the drain this for 24 hours to make a soft cheese. You might also want to drain it further in fine mesh cheesecloth.
Well, I will share more later, as I don't want to overwhelm you :) I hope you enjoy this and will begin to be creative when it comes to making cheeses. Remember if you are not able to purchase a cow or goat, or fresh milk, you can use store bought yogurt and drain it for a very simple yet tasty soft cheese. You can add fruit and sweetner or you can add garlic and herbs. Which ever will be sure to please you and your family just because you made it!
God Bless You ALL!

"How to be a Helpmeet on a Budget"

Joining: The Imperfect Housewife, I am the Clay, These Five Of Mine Plus Two, and The Straightened Path for a
 How to Posting

Free Shipping Gift!

FREE SHIPPING IS OVER  :(

UPDATED ON JAN. 24
We are offering a "free shipping week this week in Honor of it being a Holiday Week.  If you place an order totaling over $20.00 throughout this week we will ship your order free of charge and we will ship it  priority mail.  This is a value of $5.95 and is valid this week only.  God bless you and thank you for stopping by this week.  Please enter the code of Victorian Rose to receive the discount. 

www.victorianrosesoap.com

Welcomed Additions!

On a Frosty Morning after Eating Breakfast we were given this gift!

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

Peacefully sleeping triplets

And Next came this blessing!

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. Malachi 3:10

We are so very thankful for the newest additions to our Farm.  Each one is lovely and has been carefully bred for it's great confirmation!  We are excited to see just how these new additions will prosper our farm and bring a value to our Soap Company!  We are excited as we await more of our wonderful colorful herd that is so lovingly cared for by our Daughter Emmeline.

We pray that you are all blessed by the cute little kids that have joined our farm.  And we pray that you are blessed with your family on this day and everyday!  love, Karen and Family

~Praying~

Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalms 100:4-5

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. John 16:23b

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. John 16:14

Praying is a gift!   When I have had the priviledge to pray for others, the Lord has given me such a blessing.  I find each time I lift up a friend in prayer, I become actively seeking the Lord's will in my own life and in the life of those I am praying for. 

How much more do we need to pray for your family.  Our husbands need our constant prayer.  Prayer returns our thoughts into a perspective that we are not in control of our own lives, but that we place them at the feet of God and seek His Will in our lives.

Our Children need prayer as well.  Mrs. June Fuentes has addressed this so well in her post on Praying for your Children prayers-for-our-children describing each of the prayes that they need in their lives for protection, growth and repentance.  I encourage you to read it and pray this for your children.  I am committing to do so as well.

I pray that each of you have a blessed day and a blessing in your prayer life!

Love, Karen

~Pleasant Words~

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24

      


A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver~Proverbs 25:11

     Words are so important. As I write these words today, I pray over them asking the Lord to use them in my heart! We all say words we wished we hadn't said, and yet once spoken never to be retrieved. I pray that we will each think of the words we use and that we use them to bless not to curse.
      

     For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech~ 1Peter 3:10
Sending you Love and Prayers!
 Love, Karen 

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Building a Home Business part 111

     Writing these blogging posts on building a home business is a goal I have.  I would love to be able to make this transition much easier for you.  Please refer to my other posts as well Beginning-home-business Part One    and also Part 2 found here Another-in-beginning-home-business

 I have complied a list of steps to take







1. Pray for Guidance

2. Wait and be patient

3. Pray again

4. Wait some more!

5. Choose out a business Name

6. Seek professional Advice

7. Find out Business Laws in your Area

8. Find your market. And look for a niche that others may not have thought of

9. Remember to find a way to increase your sales, by increasing your products

10. Make your business as professional as you can!

 

This is VERY IMPORTANT

 

How does your Husband feel about this Business?

If you are married and your Husband is behind you in this business that is Great! IF your Husband isn't in this line of thinking...please set it aside. You cannot take on something this big without your Husband's Support. No amount of added income will be worth the trials you will endure if you are going this on your own.

Is this a calling for now or for later?

    Do you feel as if you are being called to a home business?  If you are a Mother with small children, hopefully homeschooling, cooking, cleaning and caring for your family, a home business may not be feasible.  You may hear the Lord calling you in preparation to building the business.  In my own life many years ago, I found my time so valuable that the small amount I added to our income wasn't worth the strain it took on our family.  I knew I needed to wait until my children were older and more capable to help rather than hinder.  If this is what you are facing, don't feel disappointed.  Just be able to glean what you have, file it away until later and grow with your family.

If this is a calling for later

     Learning what you can without the rush and work of actually setting up the business can be a great blessing.  I learned many years ago how I would like to make Goat's Milk Soaps.  I took classes, learned about ingredients and gained a basic knowledge of what attracted me to Handmade Soap.  I am so thankful now that I have this knowledge and that I was able to gather other important information about additives that would increase the scope of my business.  I am also thankful that I am not needing to learn those items now, as I am very busy learning other facets of a home business.  Such as setting up a website and keeping inventory.

    I pray I can help you during this time of change and prayer.  If I can help in any way at all, please feel free to ask me for anything.  I would love to be of help in this area or any other area!  Love, Karen

www.victorianrosesoap.com









    
  
    

Why and How of Healthy Food

Breakfast of the New Year.  I often get asked just how do you incorporate healthy eating?  I say lots of Vegetables.  We add Veges, to every meal.  We eat veges in each food we can.  Always incorporating vegetables in sauces helps to hide the unpleasant taste of any that you might not want to eat plain.  I also use juicing veges to add more to our diet.  I don't serve any cooked juice, only freshly juiced using my champion juicer.  This juicer can handle the bulk that carrots, and beets can bring and also make peanut and almond butter.

    This morning for breakfast, I made a Vegetable Frittata with any vegetables we have.  It included

 two purple potatoes, zucchini squash, red peppers, dried tomatoes, dried summer squash, pesto ( I make this in summer and freeze in small batches to add for many different dishes....basil is very effective digestive help) and bacon bits for flavoring. This was organically grown bacon, and only in a very small amount.  If you would prefer you can also use some turkey bacon.

   We also enjoyed some of my Triple Chocolate Scones.  I use raw Cacao Powder and Cacao Nibs.  Along with coconut oil, yogurt, hazelnuts, raw organic sugar or Organic Agave Nectar.  I also include chunks of chocolate truffles!  These Triple Chocolate Scones are rich but loaded with antioxidants.  Very quick to make and taste delicious.  Your family won't know you are eating health food :)

    Triple Chocolate Scones

This is a large batch

4 cups of Freshly Ground Whole Wheat Soft White Wheat Flour

3/4 cup of Raw Cacao Powder (check Amazon for powder and nibs)

1 cup of Sugar...please look for organic raw...only dehydrated sugar cane crystals.

2 tablespoons of baking powder (once again only rumford, which is aluminum-free)

1/2 tsp. of Pink Himalayan Salt

and 3/4 cup of Coconut or Palm Oil not liquid and butter is a great alternative!

Grind this all up in the food processor making sure your flour is covered with the oil....

In processor bowl,

3 eggs...farm raised Organic Eggs (if possible)

1 cup of yogurt or sour cream

1 tsp. of Jill's Vanilla (http://gratituesday.blogspot.com/p/homemade-vanilla.html)

mix up and add with a very large fork to your dry ingredients...mix with a fluffy type movement, add the chunks of chocolate or chocolate chips, hazelnuts and scoop out onto ungreased cookie sheets for 17 mins.  I change the trays halfway...and at times need to cook a little extra maybe another two mins.

Let cool on racks and enjoy.

Vegetable Frittata

I used any vegetables I had on hand.  Small amounts cooked in a Stainless Steel skillet with butter.  Add as many as you can and make sure you have plenty of color.  Color is so important to our bodies, both for the health benefits and for our eyes :) cook these till slightly cooked.

I used a lot of farm fresh eggs, we have a large family so it took 18 eggs, and I added a 1/4 cup of cream to the eggs and whipped them up and added to the empty skillet.  I cook the eggs until the begin to hold up, and then add the vege mixture back into the eggs.  Top with Parmesan cheese, and then bake in a 375 degree oven for 25 mins.  I take this out with large potholders...and keep the handle COVERED at all times.  I know by personal experience that the temptation to take that handle in your hand as you are dishing this out is very great! :( and it is burning hot :(  So I keep this handle away from my family and away from me by keeping it covered all the time.  And don't let some other member of your family come and take away that cloth for some other reason!  It will still burn you for a LONG time after you have removed it from the oven.

      I cut our fritatta and serve with sour cream and some fresh salsa, with lots of Cilantro....it removes heavy metals from our bodies)

I pray you are all blessed in our New Year and that you bring Glory and Honor to our God !

Love, Karen