I have been a fan of Dekker for a while now, having read Thr3e then the Circle Trilogy. This last book, The Bride Collector, has been the most penetrating to my soul. I identified so much with Paradise. The inner demons and self-loathing that occurs only in the mind driving one insane. I lived that until I met my Bridegroom. It was He who made me feel as His favorite, loving me enough to cover me with His blood. My Bridegroom loved me so much that He even gave me a bridegroom here on earth to shower me with so much love that I have begun to see the true nature between Christ and His Bride. Wow.
Thanks Ted, for telling my story, and the story of all of us who have swam in the dark, murky waters of our minds. I look forward to reading your next novel. You haven't disappointed me yet!
Being Yourself - - - Wild at Heart
Recently, I've had a restlessness that has not abated. The wanderlust of my nature has been buried long enough. I feel as though I need to break free of something, maybe of myself.
What I mean is this, I am finally learning to accept myself as the woman whom God created. He doesn't make junk, so I have determined to live in the freedom that comes from knowing Christ.
So what does that mean? That means I can live free and wild! No, I'm not going to go out and get a tattoo or dye my hair a unique color although the thought has crossed my mind.
I am choosing to live life to the fullest.
What I mean is this, I am finally learning to accept myself as the woman whom God created. He doesn't make junk, so I have determined to live in the freedom that comes from knowing Christ.
So what does that mean? That means I can live free and wild! No, I'm not going to go out and get a tattoo or dye my hair a unique color although the thought has crossed my mind.
I am choosing to live life to the fullest.
Summer's Almost Here
Wow! It's been a long time since I've posted anything. Subbing has kept me pretty busy. I've doing some editing, too. I'd like to keep up with this blog. It's good for the creative juices. Maybe I'll get that book written that's buried somewhere in my head.
Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world
Today after church dismissed, one of the members alerted us to a shooting which had just happened this morning. A man entered the First Baptist Church of Maryville, Illinois, spoke with the pastor then shot and killed him. The full story can be found at a variety of St. Louis news stations. A prayer vigil will be held another church, Metro Community, this evening.
My husband and I think it's important for us as a family to go to the prayer service. So, we explained to our kids during lunch what happened and that we need to go and pray. We mentioned the pastor's family and the church. Our son said, "and the man, too?". Wow! He understood that this man, the one who shot the pastor, needs Jesus too.
Greater is He (our Lord Jesus Christ) that is in me, than he that is in the world. Our kids caught that today. Whatever happens in this world, Jesus is Lord and is powerful and mighty to save.
My husband and I think it's important for us as a family to go to the prayer service. So, we explained to our kids during lunch what happened and that we need to go and pray. We mentioned the pastor's family and the church. Our son said, "and the man, too?". Wow! He understood that this man, the one who shot the pastor, needs Jesus too.
Greater is He (our Lord Jesus Christ) that is in me, than he that is in the world. Our kids caught that today. Whatever happens in this world, Jesus is Lord and is powerful and mighty to save.
Sausage and Bean Stew
I love to try new recipes. I really, really enjoy creating (or experimenting, my husband says) new ones. Here's one I came up with today. It's a good hearty stew on a blustery cold day.
1 lb. sausage (I used mild, but any would work)
1 onion
1 small can tomato paste
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can black beans
1 can red kidney beans
1 can cream of mushroom soup (diluted with 1 can water)
1 - 2 Tbsp oil
chili seasoning to taste (or any kind of seasoning packet you have on hand)
Saute onion in oil until golden. Add sausage and brown. Stir in tomato paste, diced tomatoes, beans, and cream of mushroom soup. Add seasoning. Simmer on low heat until desired thickness. Serve with your favorite bread or over rice.
1 lb. sausage (I used mild, but any would work)
1 onion
1 small can tomato paste
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can black beans
1 can red kidney beans
1 can cream of mushroom soup (diluted with 1 can water)
1 - 2 Tbsp oil
chili seasoning to taste (or any kind of seasoning packet you have on hand)
Saute onion in oil until golden. Add sausage and brown. Stir in tomato paste, diced tomatoes, beans, and cream of mushroom soup. Add seasoning. Simmer on low heat until desired thickness. Serve with your favorite bread or over rice.
Pumpkin/Peanut Butter Apple Dip (or Harvest Fruit Dip)
You may be thinking that pumpkin and peanut butter are a strange mix. Hold judgement until you taste. My picky-eater (the 7 year old) absolutely loves this dip. In fact, she'll eat it by the spoonfuls. Try it and let me know if you like it.
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup peanut butter (I like to use 1 cup)
3/4 cup canned pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie)
1 tsp vanilla
Mix and serve with sliced apples. Yummy!
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup peanut butter (I like to use 1 cup)
3/4 cup canned pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie)
1 tsp vanilla
Mix and serve with sliced apples. Yummy!
Veterans' Day
Thank you to all the veterans who have served our country, and some of you are still serving. I appreciate your hard work and sacrifice. God bless you all.
Challenge to be Healthy
I'm finding it more and more difficult to shed some unwanted pounds. I was doing fine until I had surgery on my right hand. Then, everything went south. I fixed whatever was easiest, but still trying to be healthy.
Here's the challenge: I will be writing about my journey to health. If you would like to participate with me or offer advice feel free to comment.
Here's the challenge: I will be writing about my journey to health. If you would like to participate with me or offer advice feel free to comment.
Life is Precious
Today Jesus reminded me just how precious life is and how I take so much for granted. I'm also aware of how often worry consumes my life when so many of my neighbors are hurting.
Our dear neighbors, R & K, have three boys. The youngest was born back in July. He has been diagnosed with a metabolic disorder and severely jaundiced. Hospice has begun making visits. I held R in my arms as she cried. This is the second time she will be losing a son. She let me hold the little one, and he looked right at me listening to my voice.
My worries of not finding a job to help our family seemed to melt away as I held that tiny baby. I am praying and hoping for a miracle, but most of all I pray the Jesus will be glorified. R told me this isn't the story she would have written for herself, but she knows God has better story to tell.
Our dear neighbors, R & K, have three boys. The youngest was born back in July. He has been diagnosed with a metabolic disorder and severely jaundiced. Hospice has begun making visits. I held R in my arms as she cried. This is the second time she will be losing a son. She let me hold the little one, and he looked right at me listening to my voice.
My worries of not finding a job to help our family seemed to melt away as I held that tiny baby. I am praying and hoping for a miracle, but most of all I pray the Jesus will be glorified. R told me this isn't the story she would have written for herself, but she knows God has better story to tell.
Tasty Enchiladas--an easy recipe
Enchiladas:
corn tortillas
2 cups cooked rice (brown or long grain)
2 (15-ounce) cans black and/or other beans, drained
1/3-2/3 cup salsa
1/2-1 teaspoon taco seasoning
Warm tortillas in oven at 350 for about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, mix beans with rice, salsa, and taco seasoning. Take warmed tortillas and stuff with bean mixture and place in a greased(cooking spray) casserole dish, seam side down. Cover with cheese sauce. Bake to golden brown. Makes quite a lot, enough for leftovers.
Note: this recipe is great to use with leftover beef (like roast), pork, or chicken.
corn tortillas
2 cups cooked rice (brown or long grain)
2 (15-ounce) cans black and/or other beans, drained
1/3-2/3 cup salsa
1/2-1 teaspoon taco seasoning
Warm tortillas in oven at 350 for about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, mix beans with rice, salsa, and taco seasoning. Take warmed tortillas and stuff with bean mixture and place in a greased(cooking spray) casserole dish, seam side down. Cover with cheese sauce. Bake to golden brown. Makes quite a lot, enough for leftovers.
Note: this recipe is great to use with leftover beef (like roast), pork, or chicken.
Growing,Growing, Growing
Just when you think you've gotten ahead, life slaps you upside the head. We've had terrible weekend of sinus infections and bathroom time. Poor Curtis, our one and only son, it was his birthday Sunday. He's four! We had planned to celebrate with his friends, but had to reschedule since he had a sinus infection. Happy Birthday, anyway. Then our little Caty-bug came down with a sinus infection, too. So, no church on Sunday. THEN, Joanna had diarrhea.
My mom likes to tell me, "this too shall pass, something worse will take its place". Isn't that uplifting? But you know, really, what goes wrong can make us stronger because we must depend on God. If I didn't do that on a daily basis, I just might end up in the loony bin.
My mom likes to tell me, "this too shall pass, something worse will take its place". Isn't that uplifting? But you know, really, what goes wrong can make us stronger because we must depend on God. If I didn't do that on a daily basis, I just might end up in the loony bin.
You're The Hobbit!
by J.R.R. Tolkien
All you wanted was a nice cup of tea when some haggard crazy old man
came into your life and told you it was time to do something with yourself. Now you're
all conflicted about whether to stick with your stay-at-home lifestyle or follow this
crazy person into the wild. While you're very short and a little furry, you seem to be
surrounded by an even greater quantity of short folks lately. Try not to lose your ring,
but keep its value in perspective!
Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.
My husband tagged me again.
Here are the rules:
Those tagged will share 5 Things They Dig About Jesus.
Those tagged will tag 5 people.
Those tagged will leave a link to their meme in the comments section of this post so everyone can keep track of what's being posted.
Here are my "digs":
1. Jesus died for me.
2. Jesus loves me.
3. Jesus accepts me as is.
4. Jesus forgives me.
5. Jesus sets me free.
I tag the first five people who read this and want to participate
Here are the rules:
Those tagged will share 5 Things They Dig About Jesus.
Those tagged will tag 5 people.
Those tagged will leave a link to their meme in the comments section of this post so everyone can keep track of what's being posted.
Here are my "digs":
1. Jesus died for me.
2. Jesus loves me.
3. Jesus accepts me as is.
4. Jesus forgives me.
5. Jesus sets me free.
I tag the first five people who read this and want to participate
A TRIBUTE TO MY COUSIN
My cousin Jeremiah Wring passed away into heaven last night. He had been battling melanoma cancer for a year. He was thirty years old. Last week I drove down to visit him and say goodbye. It was a sweet time. I held his hand as I sat with him. He didn't say much, but he knew I was there. Before I left he wanted to clear the air between us. We had crossed words two years ago, and he wanted to make it right. We forgave each other and then hugged one last time.
It's never too late to make things right. The time is now. Live like you will die tomorrow. Jump into God's hands and watch Him take you places you never thought possible.
It's never too late to make things right. The time is now. Live like you will die tomorrow. Jump into God's hands and watch Him take you places you never thought possible.
Random Facts
My husband tagged to describe eight things about myself.
Here it goes:
1. I was born at a naval hospital in Millington, Tennessee.
2. When I was four years old and my sister was three, we walked down the hill buy ourselves to the store to buy candy. We told the cashier that our mommy and daddy would pay for it. She called our parents to come get us. Boy, did we get it when we got home.
3. My personal walk with Christ began when I was seventeen years old.
4. In 1995, I spent the summer working in Yellowstone Natl. Park.
5. I have read The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings trilogy every year (except these last two) since 5th grade. I also treasure The Chronicles of Narnia.
6. My husband and I met at our missionary orientation in March of 2000 and married eight months later.
7. I am the mother of three beautiful, independent, energetic children.
8. I have lived in Egypt and Ukraine. I have travelled to Moldova, the Netherlands, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Cyprus. I have swum in the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea.
Here it goes:
1. I was born at a naval hospital in Millington, Tennessee.
2. When I was four years old and my sister was three, we walked down the hill buy ourselves to the store to buy candy. We told the cashier that our mommy and daddy would pay for it. She called our parents to come get us. Boy, did we get it when we got home.
3. My personal walk with Christ began when I was seventeen years old.
4. In 1995, I spent the summer working in Yellowstone Natl. Park.
5. I have read The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings trilogy every year (except these last two) since 5th grade. I also treasure The Chronicles of Narnia.
6. My husband and I met at our missionary orientation in March of 2000 and married eight months later.
7. I am the mother of three beautiful, independent, energetic children.
8. I have lived in Egypt and Ukraine. I have travelled to Moldova, the Netherlands, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, and Cyprus. I have swum in the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea.