Check this out

I just came across this you tube video on another blog this week about the book, Kisses from Katie. I had seen the book at the store but I never actually knew what it was about. I now have to read the book.... what an amazing
young lady!

Menu plan

I know I tried this awhile back but I'm linking up to I'm an organizing junkie for inspiration and encouragement to keep this going. 


For the new year, my hubby and I are trying to stick a little closer to the P90X diet. Although, I'm doing a combo of P90X and going to the gym. So here's our menu to start off the year. I'm also starting back to work this week, so I'm using my crock pot alot!




Monday-        Baked Tilapia, steamed broccoli, and corn 

Tuesday-       Crockpot hamburger steaks, green beans


Wednesday-   Leftover hamburger steaks


Thursday-      Crockpot Chicken Meal (I'll post this recipe soon)


Friday-           Eating at a friend's house


Saturday-       leftovers


Sunday-          out    

Lord Reign in Me

Happy New Year!!

I'm very excited about 2012! Although I must admit, I was ringing in the new year in deep sleep. We've had such a busy, fun, family packed two weeks that my sleep schedule has suffered and I'm gonna feel it when I have to go back to work this week. We celebrated Christmas three times over the past week and it seemed that Christmas could go on forever! One thing that I love about our Christmas celebrations is that every year it's a little different. This year we celebrated with Trevor's family on Christmas, Trevor and I celebrated the day after Christmas, and then we traveled to my parents to celebrate on the 30th. It has been a blessed week.

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I've been thinking a lot about 2012. I've been thinking of goals I want to set and changes I want to make. It's no secret my husband calls me "the list queen". I know I may annoy some people with my lists. I have a to-do list at work that I keep on my desk to keep me on track of things needed to be done each week.  I have a cleaning list, monthly menu list, shopping list, gift list, and so on. To keep them organized so I don't lose them all, I keep them in a  three ring binder. To some people that may be too much but it works for me. So, making lists and setting goals for the new year just comes naturally. I can be quite detailed when it comes to my goals but this year I'm trying to keep it simple. I have been praying about this years goals... to have a clear direction of what God wants me to do. As I've been thinking about this, one song always comes to mind and we sang it in church today, Lord Reign in Me.  I think this is my song for the new year. The words reflect my heart and desire to be filled with more of Him and less of me so that I can be vessel He works through. In case you've never heard the song, here it is.....

 

Praying you have a blessed new year!!!!

Keeping Christmas Simple

Since Trevor and I've been married, for the most part we've kept Christmas present giving simple. As we started out, 12 Christmases ago, we agreed we would stay within a budget and purchase gifts that we could afford. Some years we didn't get each other anything, some years we bought a together gift of something needed or just bought for stockings, and then there have been a few years where we did purchase gifts for each other. Even our first year together, we decided not to buy gifts but that we would make something for the other. That's when I discovered my husband's talent in carpentry. This was my gift!!

That Christmas was so sweet and special.

For the most part, we've done really well sticking to a budget. We always wanted to make sure we had some funds to buy presents for family. Over the years, especially our second Christmas, money was extremely tight. We were both seminary students and had moved to New Orleans. As I love to give and enjoy picking out presents for others, I had to learn to be creative in order to stay in a budget. That particular year, we combined gifts for couples in our family. Over the years, as I've really learned who God made with my likes and dislikes, I realized how much homeade gifts mean to me and how I enjoy making gifts. I guess I'm kind of old- fashioned. I think how our society over indulges themselves and sometimes I wish I lived in a more simpler time period where "stuff" really was not the focus. So, since God placed me in this place and time, I'm gonna try to keep my home focused on keeping Christmas simple and to adopt traditions and gift giving that glorifies God. - Not the way our world abuses it today!

I also attribute this to my upbringing. My parents were always thinking of others and lived it out in front of me. Every Christmas Eve for most of my childhood and until I was in college, my parents invited a couple from our church to eat Christmas Eve dinner with us. This couple did not have children and didn't have any family close by. My brother and I kind of adopted them as grandparents and always looked forward to spending Christmas Eve with them. I have so many wonderful memories of them, who've both gone on the be with the Lord.

Another year, as a family, we went and bought a Christmas tree, some decorations, and groceries for a family who faced financial difficulties and who were in great need. When we went to deliver the "goodies", no one was home. So, we left the items on their porch. I can remember being so excited. We weren't able to see their expression but what an impact that made on my life!

Another year we delivered presents to a family with young children who were not able to afford gifts. I could go on and on. An important part of this that impacted my life is that we would pray for and with the families.

So as an adult, I want to continue looking for opportunities to bless, encourage,and be the hands and feet of Christ.- Not only at Christmas, but throughout the year.

Christmas is in the air

Well, the countdown is on.... Thanksgiving is over and I can officially play Christmas music in my house. Yes, I married to a man who does not want to listen to Christmas music or watch Christmas movies until after Thanksgiving. I totally understand that Thanksgiving needs to be celebrated first but I think why not enjoy Thanksgiving while listening to Christmas music... heehee! But I must confess that I have secretly been listening to it for several weeks now!!
Well, we had a great Thanksgiving and I really enjoyed being with family. Especially my niece and nephew of whom I don't get to see enough of....

                                                  

Oh, yeah, I promised a picture of the pumpkin roll- although it's half-eaten!!

We had a really fun day filled with love and memories! 

Now, it's on to Christmas... Trevor and I usually decorate the house and tree the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving. This year since we were away with my family we decorated Saturday and Sunday. I love decorating for Christmas... it brings back so many memories of when I was child and how much fun it was to decorate with my family - So thankful for so many wonderful family memories as a child. 

Of course, since I've been married, I've kept some of the traditions from my childhood but Trevor and I have made some new ones as well. A few years back, friends of ours introduced us to "themed" trees. They had several trees in their house and all were decorated with a theme. We thought it was pretty cool so we started the tradition. Every year since 2004, we have had a themed Christmas tree. Our first themed tree was a candy tree. Of course, I've taken pictures every year and I scrapbook the memories. It's so fun to look back and see all the different trees and ideas we've had.  Well, this year we've struggled with ideas. So, I'm just going for a primitive looking tree. 

Ok, the picture is not the greatest... (Dear Santa, I need a camera for Christmas!) but I bought fabric and cut strips and tied them to the tree. I also bought some little brown stars from here and used them as ornaments. It's still a work in progress. I took an afghan that my mom had made and wrapped it around the bottom as a tree skirt. I think it turned out cute but I love primitive decorating so this is right up my alley!!

                                    My tea cup tree in the kitchen.

And yes, you are seeing correctly! One of my wise men has been be-headed... eek! I use to leave the whole set out all year but one summer about three years ago, I bumped knocked over the table I had set it on and I had decapitated one of my wise men. So sad... So since then, I only leave out Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus year round and of course the "special" wise man gets to set out as well. Trevor hot glued his head back on but I was moving him and picked him up by his head.... not very smart!!! So now he's headless again! 

 8 days until my Christmas break begins and 19 days left to Christmas... I'm choosing to bask in God's love, enjoy the blessings He gives me everyday, and take each day as a celebration and an opportunity to share what God has done through His son Jesus and what He is doing in my life.

Blessed

Can you believe there is only about a week left in this month?! I guess I anticipate this time of year so much that it seems to come and go so quickly. Today was my last day of work for the week. We had a Thanksgiving chapel this morning and my students made me proud!! They quoted a Bible verse and recited a poem. They dressed up as pilgrims and Indians.... they were so cute and did an awesome job! I am SO thankful for my job! 


Speaking of being thankful.... my heart is full today! As this is Thanksgiving week, I have been really thinking about how blessed I am. Okay, so this sounds like I'm not thankful any other time, but I am, it's just that this time of year really helps me to stop and focus on the goodness of God. How he even cares about the little things in my life and how he knows me even better than I know myself. I am so thankful I serve a living God who is constantly with me and helping in this journey of life. 




              Shout to the Lord, all the earth, Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 
              Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. - Psalm 100




This Thanksgiving I'm very thankful that I'm able to spend time with my family and enjoy all the wonderful, yummy food that my mom will be cookin' up! I'll be bringing the pumpkin roll, again! That seems to be my job every thanksgiving... not that I mind because I think I could eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Hopefully, I'll be helping mom out in the kitchen when we get there. Oh, and the shopping.... I always go shopping the day after Thanksgiving. When Trevor and I got married, we decided it was easier to alternate Thanksgiving and Christmas every year with our families. So, this year I get to shop with my mom. And yes, we get up early and are usually ready for lunch by 9am.... heehee. I'm also hoping to get my family to play some board games on Friday, after the shopping of course.... oh, and the nap and dinner.  Ok, so we'll see. But mom if you're reading this.... pull the games out and dad  - chinese checkers... although you're usually the only one who can beat me (heehee)! I'm also looking forward to a little getaway with my honey tomorrow. I'm SO excited!! 


I hope that you enjoy your Thanksgiving and remember to cherish the special times that God blesses you with your loved ones. Treasure the memories and  maybe even start a new tradition. Also remember those who are less fortunate, and be a blessing to someone else. Share the love of Christ with someone by sending them a card, inviting them to your Thanksgiving dinner, or taking dinner to them. Pray and ask God how He would have you reach out to your neighbors or those who are hurting. 


Well, I'll leave you with my pumpkin roll recipe. It's very easy and delicious! I'll have to show you a picture next time.... I'm not making it until later tonight..


Pumpkin Roll

ingredients:
3 eggs, beaten
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
2/3 C. pumpkin
1 C. sugar
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp ginger
3/4 C. all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. nutmeg


Beat eggs till frothy. Gradually add sugar and lemon juice. Add pumpkin. Combine flour, baking powder, ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Mix until well blended and add to pumpkin mixture. Spread on a 15x10 waxed paper lined jelly roll pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 15min. Turn onto dish towel sprinkled with powdered sugar. Roll up and cool.

Icing:
6oz. cream cheese
2C. powdered sugar
4 tbs of soft margarine
1 tsp. vanilla

Beat until smooth. Unroll bread, spread with filling and reroll.
Refrigerate.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Renewanation

Last Tuesday night, I attended a benefit banquet with the staff from my school. The banquet was for an organization call RENEWANATION and included area Christian schools, churches, businesses that have supported them. This organization was birthed out of a pastor's heart to see every child in America be offered a Christian based education. Their mission is to secure a bright future for America and the world by instilling a Christian worldview in the hearts and minds of children.

Ok, so I must admit I really wasn't looking forward to going last week. Actually, I was looking forward to the dinner part. The banquet was held at the Hotel Roanoke and I knew I would at least enjoy a nice dinner. I know, that sounds awful, but it's the truth. Lately, my weeknights at home have been few and far between and I felt like this was just "one more" thing added to list of places to be. Well, I must say, I am so thankful I went and when I left I felt refreshed, encouraged, and  sensed God speaking to my heart. And an added bonus, my school was one of three in our area to receive a $10,000 grant. What a HUGE blessing!

The speaker for the evening was Dr. Jeff Meyers from Summit Ministries in Colorado. Wow, did he have a powerful message. He challenged us, as Christian educators and parents, to not sit on the 'sidelines" and continue to allow the world to take control of the minds of our children and youth. He reminded us of how important it is to take every situation to teach our children to have a Biblical worldview. He referenced Deuteronomy chapter 6, specifically verse 7-9 ... You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
He gave a really neat example of this. As a researcher, he had done tests on the effects of video games and the brain. So, he said he came home from work and told his children that they wouldn't be playing video games for awhile. Of course, his kids quickly tried to convince him that there was a "new" kind of game system that kept the body active while playing. Their example was playing tennis... so he said okay, you want to play tennis, then get in the car. He took them to play tennis. Then he said they continued to push and said they could also act out bowling on this game system. He said, ok, you want to bowl.... then get in the car. He ended up taking them bowling. Finally, his kids told him that they actually liked to play the "shut 'em up" games. He said, ok...... get in the car.  LOL! He took them to buy airsoft guns and they played in their backyard that evening. His point was that as he was playing with his children, he was also teaching them, spending time with them, using the situations to talk about God.  One morning as he was coming downstairs for breakfast, he said he could hear his children discussing "deep theological" issues like Clifford. You know.... the big Red Dog! lol   Their discussion was whether Clifford really loved God or not. So as he was listening, his three year old said... "I don't think he loves God because he never talks about him." This really made me think. A biblical worldview does not just happen by chance or just by going to church.... it starts in the home and then filters out into other influences... school, church, etc.  Because their father spent time playing with them and while playing, talked about God... he was instilling a Christian worldview in their hearts and minds.

Eventhough I'm not a parent, God has called me to be a teacher. I pray that I am instilling in my students a christian world view and that I'm taking every opportunity to teach them about God... not just during our Bible lesson but in every part of our day.

A challenge to you.... are you taking every opportunity to develop a Biblical worldview in the lives of the children in your life?!

I encourage you to check out the renewanation website.

Have a blessed week!!