Foodie Friday ~ Inventory

After reading some really great blog posts this week, I was inspired to do some inventorying. (Does that look like a strange word to anyone else but me?) I started with my pantry, because, let's face it, it was much less daunting than the freezer(s). Then, after a short (ok long) break, I tackled both of the freezers. What I found surprised me a bit. I mean, I knew I had lots of meats in there, but enough meats to cook 28, yes 28, dinners for my family of 4!?! Well, looks like I will be cooking from my freezer for at least this pay period. Which is a good thing, considering there aren't that many good sales on meat this week.


But what to cook? Not really sure on that one yet. I want to try to step outside the box a little bit and try some new recipes that are not only healthy, but tasty, too! So, my goal for today is to find at least 5 new recipes to try in the next couple of weeks. I've got to finish today so I can make my list and head to the grocery store tomorrow. If anyone has suggestions, please feel free to comment. :)


Here are some pictures of the 'after' of both the freezers. Didn't get a before because I just thought of it. Maybe next time. :)

Much more room now!

Lots 'o room and I know what's in there!

Do you hear an echo, echo, echo?

Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. 1 John 4:20-21

Thursday Thankfulness ~ Jesus

With this being my first 'thankful' post, I think it's only appropriate that it be the thing I'm most thankful for. My best friend...my hope...my joy...my Redeemer...my Savior...my Jesus. Boy, would I be an even bigger mess without Him...and I'm a pretty big mess right now.


While taking my girls to school this morning, we were listening to KLOVE. The news came on and there was lots of talk about the memorial service for those who lost their lives in the terrible shooting in AZ. Now, I don't normally listen to or watch the news because it usually makes me angry. Some of the things that make the news just appall me. And others, I wonder to myself, "How is this news?" Mostly, it just saddens me. It saddens me how much the enemy has perverted the world. It saddens me to see how many lost people there are out there. But at the same time, it brings a bit of gratefulness and thankfulness.


I'm grateful and thankful that I am no longer lost like many in the world. I'm thankful that Jesus came and met me where I was...and didn't leave me there. I'm grateful for the reminder of what He's done for me. It warms my heart to hear stories of others' triumph over sin in their lives.


After dropping the girls, the DJ's were doing a 'Headline of Your Life' segment and were taking calls from listeners. There was one in particular that moved me to tears. This caller (just so happened to?) called from Arizona. Her headline was something along the lines of...had the privilege to pray with her 78 year old mother to receive Christ as her Savior and Lord. I'm not kidding you, it moved me to tears...I was crying like a baby! (still am, actually) I love that the Lord knows just what I need. He didn't want me stewing on all those things wrong with the world. He didn't want me to be angry about the things on the news. He wants me to live a life focused on Him...so, He redirected me with this caller's headline.


Thanks God...


"that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God." 2 Corinthians 5:19-20

Wordless Wednesday

I have seen several blogs that have themes for different days and I think it's a great idea. One of my favorites is wordless Wednesday. So, I'm going to take a picture (or find one) that I feel expresses me in a nutshell each week. Without further ado, here's today's. (Mine won't truly be wordless, as I will still put a Scripture with the post)

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26-28

A whole lot to chew on and digest...

Wow, this whole blogging thing is way more intensive than I thought. Not that I plan on making any money with it, but sheesh! I was looking into ways to get more traffic to my site, and wow...just wow. If any of y'all reading out there have any suggestions, please share. I'm a bit overwhelmed at the moment...LOL!


“When hard pressed, I cried to the LORD; he brought me into a spacious place. The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Psalm 118:5-6

Change on the horizon?

I've found a few fantastic blogs over the last few days that have inspired me. So, I'm thinking I might just be doing a bit more writing. About what? My life, duh...LOL! But specifically, I'm not too sure right now. I don't think my life is anything super spectacular, but I'm sure the authors of these blogs I found feel the same way...and yet, they inspired me. I love that God uses the most random things to speak to us exactly what He wants us to hear, when we need to hear it. So, I pray that the things He inspires me to write will somehow speak to someone in some way. (um does anyone else think that's a whole lot of 'some' words in a row...LOL) Blessings y'all!


But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16

Trial and error...a good parenting philosophy?

I am a mother to two young(ish) children. I say 'ish' because it feels as though the next time I close my eyes, I'm going to open them to find both of my daughters grown, married and with children...especially my oldest. She is on the threshold of tweendom...eek! Her birthday, as she keeps reminding me, is in 19 days. She will be 11. Where did those years go? She has grown into a very beautiful, talented, God-fearing young lady. This makes my heart smile! But, as with all things in life, with the ups come the downs.


She is my oldest. Every step she takes forward, we are taking together...for the first time. Her as a child/tween/teen, and me as a parent of said child/tween/teen. This journey is hard for her...but it's hard for me, too. What makes it even harder, for me, is that I feel as though I have to work so hard on having a relationship with her. Not because of the stage of life she is in, but it's always been this way. My bond with her doesn't feel natural. I don't know if it is because she is my first child. Or if it's because I was young when I had her. Or some combination of the both...but either way, I have to work hard at feeling connected to her. And I know if I feel this way, she does too...and that hurts me.


That being said, I've committed to working hard to make sure my children feel loved at home, by me. I know that this is crucial to their social development, education and spiritual growth. I want them to be successful adults who don't struggle in showing and receiving love to and/or from others. I began reading The Five Love Languages of Children a few years ago, but never got completely through it. After a rough time with my Big Girl, I decided to re-read it to help me show my children how much I love them. I was sure I had both of the girls figured out. I decided to give them a little quiz to pinpoint their primary love languages. Neither of their responses were exactly what I expected. Angel's were close, but Big Girl's were WAY different. I thought I wasn't expressing love to her in what I thought was her primary language. But what was really happening was I was wrong about her primary. Oy!


Now that I know which direction to go, I can try to better express my love to the girls. This will still be a difficult journey because their primary languages are not mine. I will have to step out of my comfort zone to show them I love them. But isn't that what parenting is all about? Being uncomfortable for the sake of your children's well-being? Leading by example?

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2

Being a tool...

Yeah, you read that right...a tool...in the hand of God that is. I had the awesome privilege last night to pray with 2 young ladies. Let me back track just a little bit...


The theme this year at our church is 'Refreshing.' Who doesn't need a little of that? How great does it feel after hours of working in the yard to drink a tall glass of sweet tea or lemonade if tea isn't your thing? How much better does it feel to be refreshed by the Holy Spirit when you are dry? Last year was 'the year of creativity' the year of pouring out. So it only makes sense to 'refill' after you've poured out.


The message that was brought forth last night by our awesome youth pastor, was right in line with the theme of the year. As a matter of fact, the title was "Aaaahhh, that's refreshing." I think it really struck a chord with some of the students. During altar time, as I said earlier, I had the opportunity to pray with 2 students. One came forth in need of some refreshing from the Lord. I prayed with her and she stayed at the altar and spent some time with God. There is nothing more precious to me than seeing a young person, or any person for that matter, encounter and spend time with God. The second student came forward with such a pure heart and desire to share Jesus with everyone she can. And wouldn't you know it, the enemy had lied to her and given her fear....stupid devil. So I had the amazing privilege to pray boldness over her. I also was able to give her a word that the Lord had given me during the message. (While I was writing this word down, I was quite confused, but when she came to me, it all made sense!)


I must say, I enjoy being a tool in the hand of God. I'll take more God...


“[Be Holy] Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.” 1 Peter 1:3

Merry CHRISTmas!

Just wanted to wish all you readers, if there are any, a wonderfully Merry CHRISTmas! I pray that you all know the reason behind this season...Jesus Christ who came and died for you to have eternal life. It is my Christmas wish that you all come to know Jesus this Christmas. God bless you all!

Thankfulness for health

As I sit here reading posts on Facebook about several friends and their families being sick, I stopped to think about my family. I had some sinus junk a few weeks ago, as did the hubby, but I can't remember the last time the girls got sick...no seriously. I can't remember. We moved here almost exactly 4 months ago and they have only been to the doctor once...to get a flu shot. So it has been at least before we moved here. And if I remember correctly, their last doctor appointments before the move were for well-child check-ups. Why do I bring this up? Well, why...why aren't my kids getting sick? Lucky? I think not. I am 100% certain that this is absolutely in no way a coincidence.


Let me explain. I believe that God is a right now God. I believe that He is still in the business of healing. (among other miracles as well) I don't think it's always something He does just because He wants to though. You have to want it. You have to ask for it. How does one go about doing that? Well, I have made it a habit within the last few years to pray health over my children daily. The words I say are not profound in any way, but they come from an earnest heart. I ask the Lord to watch over my children as they are away from home. I ask Him to protect them from illness and injury...and so far, so good. There was this one day, last school year I didn't pray for health over them...and wouldn't you know it, my Angel came home sick that day from school. I haven't missed a day since...and He has been faithful.


So, thanks God for keeping my family healthy. Thanks for Your Son whom You sent to die for us to have healing and freedom. Thanks for being faithful to me as I am faithful to You.


I challenge you to try it...try praying health and healing over yourself and your family...and see if He isn't faithful.

“When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”” Matthew 2:4-6

Movie Review: The Way Home

The Way Home is based on a true story. This family has young children and a father who works hard and is seemingly absent from the home. The Simpkins family got a wake up call that none of us ever wants. Their youngest son goes missing. The movie centers around the search for their child and is a great story of a community coming together. And a family finding the importance of faith in God and in one another. It is a very heartwarming story with a feel-good vibe.


My family and I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and have watched it several times. The story is easy to follow and is played out well enough for my two children to follow easily. My only complaint about the movie is the camera work. Some of it is a bit shaky and unsteady in parts. It is something that is easily overlooked, however. I will recommend this movie to all my friends and family. I might even be purchasing a copy or two for Christmas gifts!

A copy of this movie was provided by Booksneeze.com.  I did not receive any compensation in exchange for this review.  All opinions expressed here are my own.