Days 24, 25 and 26

Sandra has posted the last three days on her blog. I can not believe how quickly the last month has gone by and the change and the work that has happened for us during this time of prayer. I am definetely going to be doing this again and sometime soon :)

A crawler, mover and shaker

I prayed this day would not come for a LONG, LONG time but today my journey from baby to toddler has begun. Samuel has in the last two days started to move himself across the room. He is an allstar at the army shuffle but has started to be up on all fours and has been seen moving both arms and legs in a crawling motion. AHHHHHHH...

Day 22-23

You can find days 22-23 on Sandras's blog . Enjoy these two posts as they have brought much encouragement to me and my marriage!

My version of a pirate cookie

This afternoon I baked. I baked a batch of chocolate chip cookies, and a batch of Peanut butter Sandwhich cookies.  I had wanted to make the sandwhich cookies for a long time but never a. had enough peanut butter  and b. because I didnt want 340 calories(per cookie) cookies in my house.

But I did it. I did not use the original sandwhich recipe. I used the Kraft Super Quick Peanut butter cookie recipe.

1 cup Peanut butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg

Mix well and bake at 325 for 15 minutes or until golden brown. This is my kind of recipe. Def delish.  for the icing inside the cookie I made a chocolate icing.  Now my chocolate icing has no recipe. I do not measure I just add some butter, cocoa, icing sugar and milk. I play the propersions until I get the icing the way I like it.  I think that next time I will try to make them more like PIRATE cookies with peanut butter icing.. but we shall see.

BAking day!

I am having a baking/ cooking day at mi casa today!  A good friend of mine is coming over and we are baking. the only horrible thing about this is that it is going to finally be a HOT day! WE have been waiting and waiting and the one day I plan to bake and cook it is probably gonna be way to warm... hmm maybe the landlords will kick on the AC today....

We have a couple treats up our sleeves so stay tuned:)

Day 19+20

Checkout Sandra's for days 19+20.  Hope you all have a fabulous day :)

O me O MY -- Pinterest :)

Ok.. Through other bloggers have I discovered the wonderful world of pinterest.  When I need to feel inspired or am looking for creative ideas guess where I am heading.. PINTEREST! :)

Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes.

Best of all, you can browse pinboards created by other people. Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests.

The site is by invite only so if you are wanting to join just send a request!  

I came across a wonderful idea which I have used in the past and am planning on using in my own home.  My first day at Bible school 7 years ago we were all given a rock and challenged to write down people, possessions, ideas... on a rock. We then built an alter, releasing the things on our rocks to the Lord.

This image reminded me of this and seeing as I am presently on a journey I think an alter is in order.  LOVE IT. Caleb is a rock collector so it will be easy to use this as a teaching tool and a fun activity to bring the boys into my journey. :)

I found this bookshelf... HOW I WANT TO DO THIS!!!! Any friends wanna attempt this with me??

Finding treasure

Today was a day of treasure hunting. O how I had fun.  I snuck out this afternoon ALONE(first time in a while) and hit up winners/homesense. I was given a gift certificate and have been spending it slowly.

I found a couple things and LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM.  I think I will alter a few in order to make them mine, but they were mostly on clearance so I can have a clear conscience about alterations :)

 star shaped cookie cutters... I can just see my Christmas tree this year :)

 Have been needing one of these. I am not a fan of the colour I think I may sand it down a bit to take away the brightness of the green.

O yeah cha-ching.  I think I am going to change the colour to black and maybe even paint the door a cream colour...

Ideas are welcome.. what should I do with this?  It is really only for keys, hats, soosoos, etc but colour ideas?  Sure do love it though

Now onto my REAL treasure. In our neighbourhood, they do real estate garage sales. Each real estate company will host garage sales. Today was one of those days. We were not able to head out until almost the end but let me tell you.. I will be the end seeker of garage sales from now on. I got free loot. :)

I paid $0 for the items below.

 Canisters.. I am going to scrub them down and see how they look after a little TLC and will post after pics :)

 A basket along with wooden fruit.  With a teething baby and touchy toddler, wooden fruit is the way to go.  This is now the center piece on my ottoman.  Boys enjoy

Close up of the bananas grapes and some other fruit. :)

I wanted to give you all an update for how my 31 days of prayer have been.  Monday-Friday I find them wonderful. I feel like I am able to pray earnestly and am at peace.  Then the weekends come and I fall pittifully.

As I pray for my husband I feel that I to am working through and am praying that I too will be consscience of certaint things. I struggle huge with fear and doubt.. so I am needing to reject and claim a lot.

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is MY refuge and MY fortress, MY God, in whom I will trust." 

Psalm 91:1-2

But as my boss says... ONWARD.  I will trudge through the mirkiness and keeping praying. I know that the only way my husband will change or renew himself is by the working of the Lord.  

Day 18

Pray that your husband will have an eternal perspective - living in the light of eternity.  Pray that he will reject materialism and temporal values and put God first in his life.

Matthew 6:33

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well."

Deuteronomy 6:5

"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your mind and with all your strength."

Ephesians 5:16

"Making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."

Psalm 90:12

"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

I've been a baby food makin

With my youngest little squirt just a little bit over 6 months, I have been busy preparing smooth purees for him.  I started him on solids just a little less than a month ago and so far he has tried

- baked sweet potato
- green beans
- rice
- peas
- carrots
- baked butternut squash
- pears
- apples
- prunes
- oatmeal

I do not believe that I can shovel foods quick enough into his mouth so suffice his appetite.  I am always surprised at the amount he eats. Tonight for dinner he had peas, carrots, squash and cereal.  P-I-G-G-Y.

I was asked to post some recipes that I use for my baby food.  I will post Samuel's favourites

Baked Sweet Potato

Preheat oven to 450 degrees and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil (keeps them from sticking).  Scrub outside of potatoes and poke with holes. Place on middle rack of oven and cook away. I buy the largest ones I can find so I bake mine for 1 hr to 1.5 hrs. Bake until soft. Mash with fork or puree with whatever you have to puree with.

Green Beans and Rice

1/2 cup Rice
1 cup water
1 cup green beans

In a medium size sauce pan add rice and water. Bring to a boil stirring occasionally.  Turn heat to low, cover and cook for 10 minutes. Remove lid adding green beans.  Cover and cook for another 5-7 minutes or until rice is done.

When cooked I just portioned out the amount of rice and beans that I wanted to puree.  This recipe makes about 1 - 1.5 ice cube trays.  When pureeing either add water or vegetable stock to create the right texture for your baby. After 6 months you can also use chicken stock.

Samuel loved this one a lot.  It was a nice change from the rice cereal.

Peas and Carrots

1/2 cup peas
1/2 cup carrots
water

You can use frozen or fresh. I used frozen sweet peas and freshly peeled and chopped carrots. In a pan add vegetables and just enough water for them to sit in not cover. I try not to boil them. I like to keep the flavour. ( I used a small frying pan to do this).  Turn burner on medium and let them cook. Add more water as it evaporates just a little at a time until the vegetables are cooked.  Puree adding a little bit of the extra water for right consistency.

Pears and Apples


Wash fruit first.  Peel and dice into 1" pieces.  Put in saucepan.  Add a little water and cook over medium heat until soft.  Puree and add to either cereal or eat alone. COOL FIRST THEN SERVE.  ALWAYS TEST TEMPERATURE BEFORE FEEDING TO CHILD.

Prunes


I used dried prunes. I purchased 4-5 out of the bulk food section at my grocery store. Less than 1 dollar for 5.  Put prunes in a jar or a container with lid.  Cover with water and refrigerate to rehydrate.  I left mine over night but I at least 8 hrs.  Then puree with some of the liquid to right consistency.  I add this to his cereal in the morning.

Day 17

Pray that your husband will enjoy his manliness as he patterns his life after Chirst and strong men in faith.  Pray for his physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual strength.

Ephesians 3:16

"I pray that our of glorious riches he may strength you with power through his spirit in your inner beings."

1Peter 2:21

"To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps."

1Corinthians 10:11

"These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come."

Day 16

Pray that your husband would choose healthy God honouring activities. Pray that he will not live in bondage to any questionable habit or hobbies, but that he will experience freedom in holiness as he yelds to the Spirit's control.

1Corinthians 6:12

"Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial.  Everything is permissible for me - but I will not be mastered by anything."

1Corinthians 10:31

"So whatever you eat and drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

2 Timothy 2:4

"No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs - he wants to please his officer."

HAPPY 1/2 BIRTHDAY SAMMY

We love you very much booboo!! Happy 1/2 birthday baby.

Craving

Since the hubby has been away for 2 weeks I find myself sneaking into the freezer for a few of these once the boys are settled in.  I am sure glad that my hubby comes home tomorrow. It has been a long two weeks and we are sure glad that his presence will be back in our home.

Day 15

Pray that your husband will choose his friends wisely. Pray that God will bring him men who 

will encourage his accountability before G

Proverbs 13:20

"He who walks with the wise grows wise but a companion of fools suffers harm."

Proverbs 27:17

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."od, and will not lead him into sin.

Day 14

Pray that your husband will speak with words that build up your family and reflect a heart of love.  Pray that he will not use filthy language.

Proverbs 18:21

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."

Ephesians 4:29

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth but that which is helpful for building others up according to their needs that it may benefit those who listen."

SAMUEL ROY!

 Samuel snoozing away smothering himself in blankets

 I could hear him breathing so I figured I would be okay to snap a few

 Caleb and I goofing around

 The boys watching the backyardigans

 WEEEE.... In the swing

 We had the digging hole all to ourselves.. THIS NEVER HAPPENS

Happy sons! :) I am blessed

Ahh..... again I fell into the devil's trap and have been listening to his lies.  BLAST.  When I read Day 10 I did not realize that Gabriel and I were heading into a rough weekend. He was coming home for only 2 days and had been sleeping maybe 4 hours a night while he was working.  That right there was a setup for disaster.  


Ephesians 6:10-12
"Finally be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blod but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the powers of evil in the heavenly realms."


Clinging to this as we start another week apart.

Day 13

Pray that your husband uses practical skills to build your family. Pray that he makes wise decisions for your welfare. Pray that your husband will serve selflessly.

Galatians 5:13

"You brothers, were called to be free.  But do not see your freedom to indulge the sinful nature. Rather serve one another in love."

Philippians 2:3-4

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but in humilty consider others better that yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own intersts but also to the interests of others."

Day 12

Pray that your husband will yield his sexual drive to the Lord and practice self control. Pray that your sexual intimacy together will be fresh, positive, and a reflection of selfless love. 

Proverbs 5:15,18

Drink water from your own cistern,

running water from your own well. 

May your fountain be blessed,

and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.

1 Corinthians 7:3

 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.

Song of Solomon 7:10

I belong to my lover,

and his desire is for me

Day 11

Pray that your husband will have a humble, teachable spirit and a servant’s heart before the Lord. Pray that he will listen to God and desire to do His will. 

Proverbs 15:33 

The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, 

and humility comes before honor.

Ephesians 6:6 

 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.

Day 10

Honestly I have procrastinated about posting and doing this all evening :(...

But, I am choosing to be faithful to my committment. So have at it

Pray that your husband will cultivate strong integrity, and not compromise his convictions. Pray that his testimony will be genuine, that he will be honest in his business dealings, and will never do anything that he needs to hide from others. 

Proverbs 20:7

A righteous man who walks in his integrity--

How blessed are his sons after him.

1 Timothy 1:5 

But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

1 Timothy 3:7 

And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 

Ephesians 6:10-12

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 

Festive Fridays at the Burslem's

Yay.. Today is Friday!!!!! I made it. I have completed 5 days without my husband.  For those whose husbands are gone longer.. I am sorry but, this is the longest that Gabriel and I have EVER spent apart.  We have the weekend together, then he is gone again.

We had a busy day. A coffee with Gramma B. this morning, a doctors apt, shopping, and I totally got suckered into to helping my mother reorganize her entire upstairs.  I laugh because we are similar this way. I am continually moving, changing layouts, switch furniture positions looking for contentment.  Well... at my mom's we moved 2 dining room furniture sets (tables, chairs etc), an antique oak buffet table, a sofa, a library table, end tables, and well she almost made me move a solid oak deacon bench.  We are almost done reorganizing when my younger sister came home and told us she did not like it.  Her idea was to just move one of the tables. My mothers idea?  MOVE IT ALL BACK!....  So what did I do? I helped her move it all back.  booooooo......

I wish I would have taken pictures. It would have been a hoot.  NOT.

I have some thrift store finds that I will be blogging about miñana!

Day 9

Pray that your husband handle finances wisely, will have discernment concerning budgeting and investments, and will be a good steward of his money in regard to giving to the Lord’s work. Pray that money will not become a source of discord in your family. (Prov. 23:4-5; Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:5)

Proverbs 23:4-5

Do not wear yourself out to get rich;

have the wisdom to show restraint. 

Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,

for they will surely sprout wings

and fly off to the sky like an eagle.

Romans 12:13

Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Hebrews 13:5

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
"Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you."

Day 8

Pray that your husband would work hard to provide for you family to the best of his ability.  Pray that the character qualities necessary for a successful career and minister will be a growing part of his character - persistence, decisiveness, strength, an analytical mind, organizational skills, positive relationships with people and determination.

Romans 12:6 

"We have different gifts according to the grace given to us..."

1 Corinthians 15:58

"Therefore dear brothers stand firm. Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain."

Skillet Lasagna

So I was looking for something new and yummy for dinner and a friend mentioned how she loved making Skillet lasagna!  So I googled it for a while this afternoon reading different recipes and then made the walk to the grocery store.

 Brown Italian sausage and onion in a large skillet over medium heat.

 Add green pepper and continue to brown until sausage is cooked through and no longer pink.

 Drain off fat and add mushrooms

 At the same time add your frozen spinach

 Add pasta sauce and noodles. Cover and let cook for 10 minutes until noodles are soft.

Add mozzerella and cover and let the cheese melt 

YUMMY

1 package frozen spinach

5-7 mushrooms

1 large can/jar extra thick past sauce

1 package mild italian sausage

1 green pepper

1 green onion

italian seasoning

5 cups egg noodles or mini lasagna noodles

If I were to make this again I would add carrots, celery and zucchini.  The more veggies the better. Caleb asked me to make it again tomorrow. I am so glad that he loves what I make and asks for seconds

From Proverbs 31 Woman devotions for today!

“People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will slip and fall.” Proverbs 10:9 (NLT)

She was single and had been at peace with that … until his words stirred up feelings of loneliness and longings for affection. He was married with children.

Here she was a Christian who suddenly found herself in desperate need of clarity and support. She was falling into an emotional affair and wanted to talk with me about it.

A former boyfriend contacted her out of the blue. At first it was a fun blast from the past to hear his voice and find out what he was up to. But it didn’t take long before he confessed he had been thinking about her, missing her.

He told her his marriage wasn’t doing well, and hinted that he longed to be with her again. Sure enough, feelings of attraction bubbled to the surface of her heart. My friend said she and this man had not reconnected face-to-face, but they were reconnecting voice-to-voice, mind-to-mind, and heart-to-heart through the computer and phone.

Have you ever had the feeling someone else is really meant to be your soul mate?

Once someone pledges themselves to another in marriage before God, they essentially become soul mates. “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.” (Mark 10:7b-9 NLT)

Years ago I witnessed a woman begin an emotional affair with a man she “had more in common with” than her husband. Never mind the fact that she had her school-aged children in common with her husband. She was eventually confronted by members of her church, but did not end the relationship. She is divorced today.

We have to be honest with ourselves and with God. Jesus said we can commit adultery in our minds (Matthew 5:28); we can also commit an affair in our hearts. Plus, an emotional affair is often just the beginning stages of a physical one.

My friend struggling with this is single, but the man she’s falling for is not. This isn’t just a “married women’s issue.” We all have to guard our hearts. The Bible says they are the wellspring of our lives.

If you are in some type of affair now, I urge you to end it. Stop feeding that addiction. Run quickly from sexual immorality. Change your phone number, your email address and your daily routine if necessary to avoid him. Thankfully, my friend stopped speaking with her temptation.

If you are not entangled in this presently, guard yourself from falling into the trap. Be alert to slippery slopes. Don’t go trolling the internet to check on past loves. Beware confiding anything too personal, especially your marriage woes, to members of the opposite sex — find a female friend or counselor to talk to instead. Have an accountability partner periodically ask you how you’re doing in this area. And if you are married, invest in your marriage.

Finally, let’s turn our attention to the One who is Love (1 John 4:8) and who knows our hearts better than anyone else can. Let’s draw near to Christ who is truly our souls’ mate. We can safely satisfy our hearts in His.

Dear Lord, strengthen my friends to do what is right. And help me keep pure — mind, heart, body and soul. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Day 7

Pray that your husband will safeguard his heart against inappropriate relationships with the opposite sex.  Pray that his heart would be pure and undivided in his committment to you.

Proverbs 6:23-24

"For these commandments are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the correction of discipline are the way of life, keeping you from the immoral woman, from the smooth tongue of the wayward wife."

Provers 6:26

"For the prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread and the adultress preys upon your very life."

Romans 13:14

"Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and do not think about how to gratify the desires of your sinful nature."

If anyone is looking for the original post for 31 days of Prayer for your Husband :)

Day 1 of 14 complete

This morning my wonderful man left for 14 days. This is the longest we will have ever been apart since we met (tear, tear).

We spent the morning here at home. A girlfriend dropped her little one off so she could get her car fixed and it was nice to have a girl in the house for a change. We then headed out to play at the water park. LOVE THE SUN!  Seriously soaking up the vitamin D.

This evening I took at the task of lowering Samuel's crib.  This was donting. First reason being, I had already tried to put the boys to bed and Caleb kept climbing in the bed to join Sammy. Second being the lack of screw driver presence in my house. 3.  Caleb was trying to help and was FRUSTRATING ME.


But, the task is completed and my boys now sleep in peace. I have promised Caleb that when Samuel is one I will let them sleep together.  He loves his brother, but I am afraid of them smothering one another. Caleb is not fun to sleep with TAKE IT FROM ME. I figure by one Sammy will be able to handle his older brother and if need be I can rearrange beds then. Was not doing that tonight.

Day 6

Pray that your husband will love righteousness and hate wickedness, especially the evils of the culture. Pray that he will recognize and avoid wickedness in his own life, and if necessary, take a clear, strong stand against evil. (Prov. 27:12; John 17:15; 1 Cor. 10:12-13)

Proverbs 27:12 

"The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it."

John 17:15

"My prayer is not that you take them out of the world, but that you protect them from the evil one."

1 Corinthians 10:12-13

"So if you think you are standing firm be careful that you do not fall. No temptation has seized you but that which is common to man. God is faithful he will not let you tempted beyond that which you can bear.  When you are tempted, he will also provide you with a way out so that you can stand up under it."

Update for the 31 days of praying for your husband

O how I have been struggling...(long stretch of a still keyboard).

To be brutally honest, as I have began to seriously pray for my husband I am convicted of some pretty major things.
1. My fear.  I am afraid and I as I pray I see how much of my words are driven by fear and doubt about Gabriel and about what God has given me.  I know God has given me my perfect fit but daily I do not believe this and continually doubt the gift I have been given.
2. Releasing him.  I am struggling with letting Gabriel fail or fall.  I find myself praying that he would not fall and then am left wondering if that is infact God's plan for him. If it is would I be okay with that?
3. LOVE.  I love Gabriel deeply as I am sure you as wives do too.  I am asking and seeking that this loved would be refined.  I am learning and realizing that so much of my love is actually superficial and not biblical. OUCH.
4. I am scared to trust and leave my life in Gabriel's hands.
5. I am finding it hard to put this out there, knowing that many will read this ... but I doubt. I doubt everything. I doubt that Gabriel is for me. I doubt ..................  I DOUBT.


Then Day 6 comes.... I realize that I am sinning by doubting and not loving, holding to tight, fearing.... I see where Satan has been using me to destroy all that we have been given.  I am writing this so that when the 31 days are over  I can be reminded of where I am struggling and not let Satan reign.

I have been journaling my prayers and love reading of how I am working each days prayer out in my life. I struggled huge with Day 5.. actually putting it off until right before I began day 6. Do I know why? No but it scared me.

Mark 10:27

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."

Day 5

Pray that your husband will be faithful to his wedding vows. Pray that he will have a desire to cultivate your relationship as a sign of his loyalty and commitment to you, and as a picture of Christ’s love for the Church. (Prov. 20:6; Gen. 2:24)

Proverbs 20

6Many a man proclaims his own loyalty,
But who can find a trustworthy man?

Genesis 2:24 (New American Standard Bible)

24 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.

Matt 11:28

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

When I stared praying for my husband June1 I never imagined the turmoil that I would feel in my heart and feel in my home only a few days later.  

I believe that I am being attacked and pressed on all sides.  I wrote to Sandra whose blog I am following for 31 days of praying for your husband.  She wrote me back explaining that she too is feeling attacked by Satan.

We were unable to attend church this morning and so we went to the park and while Caleb played and Samuel napped I enjoyed  my own worship time.

2 Corinthians 4:8-10

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; ⁹persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; ¹⁰ always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.

If there is anyone else out there who is doing the 31 days let me know how you are doing and if you are feeling the same way :) 

Day 4

Pray that your husband will grow in leadership skills in your relationship—protecting and providing for you. Pray that he will lead you wisely and love you sacrificially, so that God will be glorified in your marriage. (Eph. 5:25-29; Col. 3:19)

Ephesians 5:25-29 (New King James Version)

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.

Colossians 3:19 (New King James Version)

19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.