Many young women today have no clue about cooking. Often it is because their mothers did not pass on this important art to them. Cooking nutritious and aroma-filled meals and sitting around the table together to enjoy them is a tradition that should continue down the generations!
And yes, cooking is an art. We learn it We hone it. I think that one of the reasons my daughters are doing TRIM HEALTHY MAMA today is that mealtimes were always the most special time of each day in our family life. We loved eating good food. We loved sitting around the table together and discussing, and yes, debating too. Our mealtimes were not quiet. They were filled with robust conversation and even loud voices!
That’s why cooking is so important. It’s not just cooking; it’s what it leads to. It paves the way for fellowship and interaction which is the spice of life. It’s one of the most important things to establish in your family home.
The art of cooking is being passed down the generations in our family. It’s already up to the fourth generation. My mother loved to cook healthy meals. She was famous for her nutritious soups, date scones, and bran muffins—apart from her dinner meals which were always delightful. It was a privilege for anyone to sit around her table.
Now my grand-daughter, Rashida, has the same anointing (among the other granddaughters), too, of course. Rashida is now married and expecting her third baby, but did you know that the next TRIM HEALTHY MAMA cookbook to come out (when it is ready) will be TRIM HEALTHY MAMA recipes by Rashida! Oh you will love them.
Rashida has always loved to cook. She started cooking for their family of twelve when she was a little child. The whole family missed her cooking when she married!
When my father was alive, he would come to visit us all from New Zealand each year. And each year Rashida would cook a special meal for her great-granddad. It was something special she loved to do for him. And he would go back to New Zealand and boast about it to everyone!
You’ll hardly believe what I’m going to tell you, but it’s true. I wrote it down all those years ago so I wouldn’t forget! She was only seven years old when she prepared this feast for her great-granddad—roast turkey with coos coos stuffing (including sundried tomatoes, cashews, pine nuts, figs and raisins) * marinated grape leaves stuffed with lebani, placed in a bowl with figs, dates, and black and green olives * mashed potatoes and gravy * salad with homemade dressings (almondaise and Green Greek dressing) and tamarind date chutney. Yes, there was dessert too—ginger steamed pudding and raw nut balls.
If a seven-year-old can do it, you can too. Hone the art so you can keep passing it on down the generations.
Blessings to you today from Nancy Campbell
P.S. You may like to read this article, MORE THAN TOAST AND POTS AND PANS, that Pearl (my daughter) wrote years ago (before she was married) about my mother. It brings me to tears every time I read it.
http://aboverubies.org/…/846-family-meal-table-more-than-to…
Picture: Rashida Simpson, Meadow Hall, and Kahoru Barrett. Rashida and Meadow, cousins who spent every day of their lives together until they were married. Rashida and Jack have two darling little girls, Ezra and Emory and are now expecting a little boy. Meadow and Kendall have a little boy named Warren and they are also expecting a little boy (they are currently living in Japan).
You will see Meadow and Rashida (and their little ones) and other granddaughters in the new magazine, #97, page 2.
Meadow (Pearl’s daughter) and Kahoru are sisters-in-law. Kahoru is married to Bowen, Pearl’s oldest son and they have a little boy named Finn. Kahoru also loves to cook. She makes amazing creations, and everyone loves her desserts! They are all passing on the wonderful art of cooking and the love of family meal times.
Is the cross of Jesus Christ the preeminent theme of your home? Do your children know, without doubt, that it is only by embracing the cross of Jesus that we have hope in this life and the next?
Psalm 91. Are we walking in fear or faith? I wrote about how fear can work against us on Facebook yesterday. Email me at 
Dear lovely ladies,
Are you reading Psalm 91 as a family each day? A little reminder! 
How often does the name of Jesus fall from your lips during the day? How often do your children utter the name of Jesus?
We are encouraged to be Sarah's daughters! And how do we do this? By not giving in to fear! Every time you are tempted to fear about the current situation of COVID-19 or anything that sparks fear in your life, speak these words out loud: SARAH'S DAUGHTERS DON'T PANIC! You don't have to fear when God is on your side!
I could write about many things today, but perhaps I should write my thoughts about COVID-19. Although, of course, if you are like me, you’d like to hear about something else. It seems we don’t here anything else from the media at the moment.
We all know that God looks upon the heart and it is our heart attitude that counts. However, I do believe that we reveal outwardly what is in our hearts. I believe that when we come to worship the Lord with God’s people that we should dress appropriately. What does this Scripture say? “In holy attire.” We should dress in a way that is glorifying to God and that is aligned with holiness. God wanted the priests to be clothed in ”holy garments” and “for glory and for beauty” (Exodus 28:2). And guess what? You have been made a king and priest into God! 
Mother, never underestimate the power and influence of your high calling of motherhood. The world may disdain your role but God holds it in high esteem. Even the devil knows the power of motherhood. That’s why he tries to woo mothers out of the home. He wants the mothers out of the way so he can get his hands upon the children. Don’t ever be intimidated by the world or the devil! 
Someone asked me recently, “How do I respond to folk who think large families are a drain on the environment?”
Who or what gets the most attention in your home?
What are you breathing today? Of course you breathe to keep alive, but what else are you breathing? Threatenings to your children? Or love and kindness and truth?
Do you, like me, long for the “restoration of all things,” the time when God will subdue all wickedness and bring everything, everyone, and all nations into subjection to Christ? Or perhaps you are longing for restoration of situations that are nearer to hand. You have relationships in your family and extended family that need restoring. You need marriage restoration.
We constantly hear about de-cluttering our homes, but have you thought about de-cluttering your shopping cart? It's amazing how much we can eliminate and save money at the same time.
Dear mother, God has commissioned you to be part of a great building program, the building and strengthening of your family. There is no greater building program in the nation. Building each individual family builds the nation and continuing generations.
Isn’t it nice when everything is peaceful and lovely? We would rather not be in a battle, would we? But did you know that God leads us into battles? If you are facing a battle right now, maybe it is God who has you the battle.
Mother, you are a life-giver to the world.
Are you an encourager or a nagger? 
Nehemiah faced persecution on every hand. His adversaries tried every way to stop him from building up the gates and wall of Jerusalem that were broken down. You are also in a building program and the adversary, the devil, does not want you to succeed in building either. He wants your marriage and family weakened.