Thursday, September 27, 2012

The Wash Cycle

We are doing some remodeling in our basement.  It wasn't supposed to be the huge project it has turned out to be.  I wasn't supposed to be living in a home with no running water for more than a week (I think it's been 1 1/2 weeks so far, and I'm pretty sure I'll have at least another week and half more)  We flush the toilet with secondary water (for those not from this area, that is the water we use to water our gardens and yard, it comes directly from a lake, and is not filtered at all, oftentimes, when I turn on the spigot, the water resembles coffee!  NOT potable at ALL!) and we get culinary water (the water for showering, washing dishes, drinking, cooking, etc) from our next door neighbor (filling 2 6-gallon water jugs a couple times a day).  We're doing fine like this as long as I remember to keep my eyes focused on GOD who is my STRENGTH.  When I think too hard about it, or think "rationally" (or worldly?) about it, that's when I start freaking out.  SO, ANYWAY.....last Friday I finally took several loads of laundry to a nearby laundromat.  Haven't been to one in years, I think the last time was in Louisiana!  I'm taking a writing class at church on Saturdays and was given a little notebook to write thoughts, ideas, etc that I might want to write about.  As I sat in the laundromat, I started thinking about the sounds there.  I jotted down a little.....poem?.....note....something.  A jot!  :D  And later transcribed it to my writing notebook with some other thoughts about it.  So here it is:

In the challenge of being waterless, while doing laundry at a nearby laundromat...
Sitting in the laundromat
The thundering sound of clean
   ringing in my ears.
Waiting, watching,
Listening to life at the basic level...
   ...clean laundry!

How does this writing glorify God (one of the goals of the class I'm taking)?  Being thankful for all things!  In the midst of challenging times, we can always find things to be thankful for!

Thank you, Abba, for blessing me with Glenn as my SuperHero husband.  He is such a hard worker and really works hard to make a good life and place to live for his family.  Abba, thank you for giving me the strength and compassion to be his helpmeet, to support him even when the rest of the world looks in and thinks we're crazy.  That's okay, because it's You that matters, not the rest of the world, and You've given me this ministry to be Glenn's helpmeet, to encourage and support him, to help him and love him, and when times get challenging You breathe strength and endurance and wisdom into me that I might continue to bless this man, this SuperHero, this son of Yours that You've given me.  Holy Spirit, continue to keep my eyes focused on kingdom things!  In Jesus' name!  Amen! and Amen!

PS Never knew how much I'd truly come to appreciate this propane heated camp shower we bought for camping a few years back!!  :D 

Monday, September 10, 2012

A good work

From my prayer journal this morning:

Philippians 1:6  "And I am convinced of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will  continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion. "  (Amplified Bible, emphasis added)

In yesterday's sermon, Pastor Kellen Criswell asked, "What has God started in you that the enemy is trying to rob you of?"  This is what I "chewed on" during my quiet time this morning, because the last few days have been very.....trying.....we're remodeling downstairs and have run into more problems than we expected (and so the project keeps getting bigger), I started the 2 younger kids school last week and while I'm excited about the curriculum I got for the Girl, it's going to take some getting used to, on both our parts, and other stuff also happening.  Just started feeling overwhelmed and ready to throw in the towel and wondering what else could happen.  Then this.  Wow!  Hear the brakes squealing on all my whining??  See my neck snap so my focus is realigned?  Yup, it did!  

So, knowing that I have several friends feeling that same overwhelming "ACK!!", I'm also sharing the prayer conversation God and I had.

Lord, in Philippians 1:6 it says that You desire grace and peace for me.  Grace is Your favor and blessing for me, and peace is a peace within my heart.  These things are NOT dependent on my situation, but rather on my focus on You.  When the waves toss me, I need only focus on You, knowing You are for me, You will never leave me nor forsake me, and You ARE doing (and continuing to do) a GOOD work in me.  Thank You, thank You Abba!!!!

Monday, April 23, 2012

Micah 7:7:
But as for me, I will look to the Lord and confident in Him I will keep watch; I will wait with hope and expectancy for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.


Ran across this verse this morning, and wow!  Just what I needed to hear.  Going to memorize this as a go to verse for all the craziness that comes my way.  I will wait with hope and expectancy for the God of my salvation!!!  Amen and amen!! 

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Word Filled Wednesday




Over at Cafe Internet Devotions, Wednesdays are particularly for sharing the Word of God, pure and simple.  The "challenge" (more of a blessing to me) is to find a picture that, to you, symbolizes some certain scripture.  I have a picture that is very dear to me.  These are my godparents, my Auntie Chris and Uncle Bob.  Sadly, Uncle Bob passed away this fall, before his 90th birthday.  I feel like the most blessed person alive to have these two be my godparents, always made me feel so special.  They're not wealthy, or fancy, or anything like that, but they are SO rich in love!!!!  For each other, for family, for friends.  Oh how I love them and oh how I love their love for one another!  So this is a favorite picture of them, taken in Maine.  Auntie Chris laughing her gentle laugh and Uncle Bob with that good-natured  grin on his face.  I miss him sorely, but I'm pretty sure God needed a really good gardener up in heaven!

Monday, December 5, 2011

A couple recipes I use in catering

Sleeping In Breakfast Casserole
.................................................................................... ........................
Prep Time: 20 minutes + it soaks overnight while you sleep!
Cook Time: 1 hour
Servings: 8
Ingredients:
6 whole Onion Rolls
1 cup Grated Cheddar Cheese
1 8 ounces Cream Cheese
1 stick Butter
10 whole Eggs
2 cups Milk
1 teaspoon Chopped Chives
1 teaspoons Dry Mustard
1/2 teaspoons Salt
1/2 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
Get Cooking:
Generously butter an 9x13 baking dish.
Tear onion rolls into chunks and place them in the bottom of the baking dish. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese, then tear cream cheese into small pieces and place over the top. Cut 1 stick butter into pats and place over the top.
Mix remaining ingredients and pour over the top of the dish. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
The next morning, bake at 325 degrees, covered, for 45 minutes. The remove foil and continue baking at 350 for 10-15 minutes.
Notes:
Just because it says "sleeping in", doesn't mean you should not double check your alarm clock!!  I made this for the weekend catering for the AEF retreat staff....I was supposed to get up at 5:30 to get it going in the oven....I woke up at 7!!!!!  Yowza!!!  But people ate it later for lunches and snacks, so it was still enjoyed by all!! 


Another recipe I used for the weekend catering for the AEF retreat staff.  This was a big hit.  Don't be afraid of the cayenne in it, it gives it a little bit of a spark with the chocolatey cinnamon taste.  A friend who prefers using boxed mixes suggested just adding the cinnamon and cayenne (in amounts listed) to a boxed brownie mix.  I'm pretty sure that could work just as well!

Mexican Brownies
2 sticks unsalted butter, plus more for greasing
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2/3 cup good quality unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground Mexican cinnamon (canela)
1/4  teaspoon pequín chili powder or cayenne pepper
1/2  teaspoon kosher salt
1/2  teaspoon baking powder

1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Line 2 9×13 inch baking dishes with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides.  Press the paper into the corners of the pan and lightly grease the paper with butter.
2. Melt the 4 sticks of butter in a nonstick saucepan over medium-low heat; do not boil. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly. Add the sugar, eggs, and vanilla to the saucepan and stir with a wooden spoon until combined.
3. Add the cocoa, flour, cinnamon, chili powder, salt and baking powder and mix until smooth. Spread the batter in the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out fudgy, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool in the pan on a rack, then use the parchment paper to lift out the brownies before slicing.

both recipe titles are hyperlinked to the site where I found these recipes.  Visit their pages for more yumminess!

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Warrior's Prayer

A dear friend of mine shared this prayer with me.  Wow!!  What a great prayer to start your day!!

Heavenly Father,
Your warrior prepares for battle.
Today I claim victory over Satan by putting on the whole armor of God!
I put on the Girdle of Truth!
May I stand firm in the truth of Your Word
so I will not be a victum of Satan's
and his demons' lies.
I put on the breastplate of Righteousness!
May it guard my heart from evil
so I will remain pure and holy,
protected under the blood of Jesus Christ.
I put on the Shoes of Peace!
May I stand firm in the Good News of the Gospel
so Your peace will shine through me
and be a light to all I encounter.
I take the Shield of Faith!
May I be ready for Satan's fiery darts of
doubt, denial and deceit
so I will not be vulnerable to spiritual defeat.
I put on the Helmet of Salvation!
May I keep my mind focused on You
so Satan will not have a stronghold on my
thoughts.
I take the Sword of the Spirit!
May the two edged sword of Your Word
be ready in my hands
so I can expose the tempting words of Satan.
By faith your warrior has put on
the whole armor of God!
I am prepared to live this day, in spiritual victory!
In His most Holy Name!!!
Amen