I've struggled recently to balance in my mind the tasks and things to be done with resting and enjoying our home with my husband. I can become very task oriented as I desire to get things done, without ever realizing that I'm ruining my day in the hustle of it all. Beyond that I'm keeping myself busy with things I've decided to do, not really things that affect our lives in big ways at all, and definitely not things that Matt would prioritize either. Its been exhausting, and its not been good for me or good for us. It has come from a hard that is not trusting in the Lord either. Rather than trust Him to mold me into the wife and woman He desires me to be, I've been busying myself doing things that I think will make me a good wife and woman. Its been quite backwards. I can't do it myself, only the Lord can work in me by His Holy Spirit to create in me the character that is pleasing to Him. While keeping my home is part of His desire for me, there are many other lifetime traits that matter in a different sense... am I patient? gentle? Am I trusting Him more than I am myself? As I read Proverbs 31 today I saw great character traits that this "excellent wife" possessed. In the past, I've often read that chapter and considered the things I should DO as a result of her example, today I realized that while this woman seems like she must have been quite busy... she possessed Godly character.
vs. 11: she was trustworthy
vs. 12: she did good to her husband
vs. 13: she served "with willing hands" joyfully not out of a heart of duty
vs. 15: she was diligent
vs. 16: she was thoughtful
vs. 17: she was strong, probably physically a little bit, but I was thinking strong in spirit
vs. 20: she was generous
vs. 25: she was again strong, but also exhibited dignity
vs. 26: she was wise and kind
vs. 30: she feared the Lord
Finally I was reading a Puritan prayer for the end of the year... I found it especially true:
O Love beyond compare,
Thou art good when thou givest, when thou takest away, when the sun shines upon me, when night gathers over me.
Thou hast loved me before the foundation of the world, and in love didst redeem my soul;
Thou dost love me still, in spite of my hard heart, ingratitude, distrust.
Thy goodness has been with me during another year, leading me through a twisting wilderness, in retreat helping me to advance, when beaten back making sure headway.
Thy goodness will be with me in the year ahead;
I hoist sail and draw up anchor,
With thee as the blessed pilot of my future as of my past.
I bless thee that thou hast veiled my eyes to the waters ahead.
If thou hast appointed storms of tribulation, though wilt be with me in them;
If I have to pass through tempests of persecution and temptation, I shall not drown;
If I am to die, I shall see thy face the sooner;
If a painful end is to be my lot, grant me the grace that my faith fail not;
If I am to be cast aside from the service I love, I can make no stipulation;
Only glorify thyself in me whether in comfort or trial, as a chosen vessel meet always for thy use.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008
God's provision
As I went to a Christmas Tea yesterday at our church I was encouraged by a testimony which was shared about the Lord's providence and provision. After having a Friday night of some small frustrations, I was reminded that the Lord is always gracious in His provision for us. Then I was able to see so many blessings that He's given us first-hand.
Friday night I was feeling anxious and worried about finances. This month things have been closer than usual budget wise, after extra expenses when family visited, new electronics purchases, etc. I was upset about expenses the weekend would bring, and thought things just might come up short. What little faith I had! Matt was kind and gentle in his reminders that the Lord has been good to provide for us. He helped me think through our expenses and plan for them which put my mind at ease a bit. Its so hard to understand why I can become so "derailed" in faith just because I selfishly wish I had a little bit more (on Friday night, I wanted extra money for us to get Starbucks while we looked at Christmas lights... very trivial).
So the Lord is amazingly good. Rather than leaving me alone in my unfaithfulness He instead showed me more greatly His good provisions. In fact, I'd say He lavished provision upon us in the following ways:
~ we didn't have the extra money to do our "stockpiling" with coupons and the Grocery Game this week, but we had just enough to buy all we needed for a full week's menu (baked potatoes, chicken fried steak, pumpkin pancakes, biscuits and gravy, tuna salad sandwiches, and homemade pizza)
~ we even had the pantry items to make great breakfasts like waffles to eat today and then freeze, omelets which were yesterday's breakfast, and granola
~ another seminary student in our apartments received a trunk full of breads! so he knocked on our door and offered us some great bagels which added good variety to our breakfast options
~ our neighbor below us knocked on our door with a bag of chicken fried rice she and her husband wouldn't be eating since they were going out of town
~ my coupons at CVS allowed me to buy my perscription, a bar of soap, a bottle of shampoo, and two first aid kits for only $5... even the cashier was amazed
~ I then had money left-over to pay for our Christmas Tea tickets
~ we had a free Red Box code for a movie date last night which we enjoyed greatly (we watched "The Visitor")
~ we emptied our change collection and cashed it in to make quarters and had just enough for this week's laundry
~ the $2 left went to buying 2 newspapers for coupon clipping
PSALM 31:19
Oh, how abundant is your goodness,which you have stored up for those who fear you, and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!
PSALM 69:16
Answer me, O LORD, for your steadfast love is good;
according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.
PSALM 145:7
They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness,
and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
Friday night I was feeling anxious and worried about finances. This month things have been closer than usual budget wise, after extra expenses when family visited, new electronics purchases, etc. I was upset about expenses the weekend would bring, and thought things just might come up short. What little faith I had! Matt was kind and gentle in his reminders that the Lord has been good to provide for us. He helped me think through our expenses and plan for them which put my mind at ease a bit. Its so hard to understand why I can become so "derailed" in faith just because I selfishly wish I had a little bit more (on Friday night, I wanted extra money for us to get Starbucks while we looked at Christmas lights... very trivial).
So the Lord is amazingly good. Rather than leaving me alone in my unfaithfulness He instead showed me more greatly His good provisions. In fact, I'd say He lavished provision upon us in the following ways:
~ we didn't have the extra money to do our "stockpiling" with coupons and the Grocery Game this week, but we had just enough to buy all we needed for a full week's menu (baked potatoes, chicken fried steak, pumpkin pancakes, biscuits and gravy, tuna salad sandwiches, and homemade pizza)
~ we even had the pantry items to make great breakfasts like waffles to eat today and then freeze, omelets which were yesterday's breakfast, and granola
~ another seminary student in our apartments received a trunk full of breads! so he knocked on our door and offered us some great bagels which added good variety to our breakfast options
~ our neighbor below us knocked on our door with a bag of chicken fried rice she and her husband wouldn't be eating since they were going out of town
~ my coupons at CVS allowed me to buy my perscription, a bar of soap, a bottle of shampoo, and two first aid kits for only $5... even the cashier was amazed
~ I then had money left-over to pay for our Christmas Tea tickets
~ we had a free Red Box code for a movie date last night which we enjoyed greatly (we watched "The Visitor")
~ we emptied our change collection and cashed it in to make quarters and had just enough for this week's laundry
~ the $2 left went to buying 2 newspapers for coupon clipping
In all these small ways, that I often might over-look, the Lord showed me His abundant goodness in a personal way. I am thankful to Him for His goodness and grace.
PSALM 31:19
Oh, how abundant is your goodness,which you have stored up for those who fear you, and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!
PSALM 69:16
Answer me, O LORD, for your steadfast love is good;
according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.
PSALM 145:7
They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness,
and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
my "first" Thanksiving
(for some reason I couldn't quite get the pictures where
I wanted them to be, so instead its quite the collage!)
I wanted them to be, so instead its quite the collage!)
I'm so glad to let you know, that it was a success. My real Thanksgiving dinner prepared apartment style in our little kitchen with sometimes three people crammed in at once! I was amazed that after eating at 2:00pm, and starting to clean up about 2:45 or 3:00pm, it was all finished by 3:45pm! Now we have a refrigerator fully stocked with delicious leftovers, which we'll love to enjoy in the upcoming days.For our family's entertainment we've had the following outings thus far:
~Matt and Jacob went to the Fraizer International History Museum
~Mom and I went to the malls to find a few more Christmas gifts for my dear husband
~we all went to Bernheim Forest, a enjoyed the amazing holly trees (I didn't have my camera with me unfortunately)
~we've upgraded our technology to the new digital TV converter box (the one public television is talking about)... let me tell you, we can see very clearly now, I'll know how much the antiques are worth when we watch Antiques Roadshow now (before I couldn't read the prices due to the "snow" on the screen), and we also purchased a new DVD/VCR combo as our old one made funny sounds when we watched anything
~we've enjoyed watching "Bella", the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, and the dog show which followed... they just finished "Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving" and we may watch Luther tonight
Here are some pictures of the feast...
my mom's deviled eggs and some great rolls
the giant 14 lb turkey, before and after carving
the whole spread, above and to the left... (including: cranberry sauce from a can, sweet potato casserole frozen, Paula Deen's green bean casserole, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cottage cheese, deviled eggs, and rolls)
also something I loved as a little girl, my mom cross-stitched the towel to go into the bread dish, it says, "Give us this day our daily bread..."
Lastly, my mom brought our anniversary present to us early...I cross stitched this sampler while we were engaged, and we're just now finally able to hang it, since she kindly had it framed.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
the Lord at work in me
This is from an email I recently sent to a far away friend serving in Guatemala... I thought it was a good summary of life now and worth sharing in blog-land too:
My dear friend I was so glad to get your most recent update with the lessons that you are in the process of learning. I too am in the midst of many lessons the Lord is desiring for me to learn, sometimes through difficult days.
(This is kind of long... so you may want to wait to read on, if you're busy right now.)
A short briefing about that:
My school continues to provide me with great challenges every day. Really I shouldn't say "my school", mainly I mean my students. As a whole, they are the most disobedient, defiant, and disrespectful children I've ever encountered. They really don't care to learn much of anything, and they instead occupy most of our moments together in fights of one sort or another. They speak with cruel words (often cursing, and terrible name calling), and fight brutally (we call our recess time, "prison watch"). There is usually a fight every day in one of the four third grade classrooms which has to be stopped by teachers or security guards separating children who would otherwise continue the brawl until someone was bleeding or injured more severely. I've really never known anything like it existed. The students are clearly troubled by many factors in their lives, the most obvious being their homes and families. During a recent personal narrative lesson one student wrote about her "baby brother's daddy" who tried to stab her mom in front of her, another wrote about her cousin being shot in a drive-by and spending time at the hospital with him, and still another wrote about his older brother who tried to set his grandmother's house on fire when he was suspended from school. They are so full of anger it is a very upsetting place. I have seen so clearly that without the Lord's work we would all be in the same situation. I know that without the Lord working in their lives they are headed for great difficulties and a life filled with turmoil.
So as a result, Matt and I were fairly sure that I wouldn't teach there next year. We felt like the emotional and physical energy I spent on school every day wasn't helping our marriage or my general wellness. I still believe that I could never live through a healthy pregnancy teaching there (not that I'm pregnant, but that we'd like to think about that in the next couple of years). Its a troubling place to be. On the other hand, I constantly considered that without Christians in such places there is no testimony of the Lord. I also know that these children need to see adults who lead "normal" and "responsible" lives. I also remember thinking that if I were a "missionary" in title I would expect great hardship and trial, but being "just a teacher" I wanted something more comfortable. That didn't seem to add up in my mind. That with a certain title I felt suffering wold somehow be easier. So then we began thinking more about finances. Right now teaching is providing for our "life" but not for us to pay Matt's school tuition. So we had loans. The loan interest was astronomical and constantly rising (about 10%). So we realized, and had wise counsel that it wouldn't be wise to continue in that direction. So we're shifting our plans. Matt will slow down the pace of his school (taking fewer classes a semester), work part time (a matter of prayer... he's sent out a lot of applications with no response yet), and we'll use his income to pay for school as we go. We may be here in Louisville a little longer. At the same time, also means we need me to continue in a job which totally provides for our "life". Therefore quitting teaching isn't really an option, as the other jobs I'd considered (nannying, etc.) wouldn't be able to provide a similar income. So now I'm seeing the Lord at work in developing endurance within me and a knowledge of His presence that will always strengthen me for each day.
All that to say this is a passage which has particularly encouraging lately and made me think of you as well:
COLOSSIANS 1:11-12
"May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light."
A cross reference I also read is very similar:
ROMANS 15:4-6
"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."
We're reading Colossians with our small group and also using some of Sam Storms' book The Hope of Glory to help in application and discussion. I thought these comments of his were also especially encouraging based upon the Colossians passage:
"The goal of this empowerment is endurance and patience, the former a reference to persevering in the face of difficult circumstances, the latter a reference to steadfastness that does not retaliate against those who resist us. Events and trials and hardship tempt us to quit, but God grants endurance. People and criticism and injustice tempt us to seek revenge, but God grants patience."
I was also so thankful to see in Romans that the basis of our encouragement and endurance comes from the Scriptures. It helps me to remained focused as I seek the Lord in study of His Word... knowing that I need it, desperately. And knowing He has given it in order that I might know more of Him and rely fully upon His promises. That is especially helpful in facing each day with God and His purposes on my mind.
Well, this has been long... I hope that this may encourage your spirit my friend. If it doesn't seem to resonate with you now in the ways I might hope, then maybe it is just a testimony of the Lord working in my life, and for that I hope He would also be glorified as well.
My dear friend I was so glad to get your most recent update with the lessons that you are in the process of learning. I too am in the midst of many lessons the Lord is desiring for me to learn, sometimes through difficult days.
(This is kind of long... so you may want to wait to read on, if you're busy right now.)
A short briefing about that:
My school continues to provide me with great challenges every day. Really I shouldn't say "my school", mainly I mean my students. As a whole, they are the most disobedient, defiant, and disrespectful children I've ever encountered. They really don't care to learn much of anything, and they instead occupy most of our moments together in fights of one sort or another. They speak with cruel words (often cursing, and terrible name calling), and fight brutally (we call our recess time, "prison watch"). There is usually a fight every day in one of the four third grade classrooms which has to be stopped by teachers or security guards separating children who would otherwise continue the brawl until someone was bleeding or injured more severely. I've really never known anything like it existed. The students are clearly troubled by many factors in their lives, the most obvious being their homes and families. During a recent personal narrative lesson one student wrote about her "baby brother's daddy" who tried to stab her mom in front of her, another wrote about her cousin being shot in a drive-by and spending time at the hospital with him, and still another wrote about his older brother who tried to set his grandmother's house on fire when he was suspended from school. They are so full of anger it is a very upsetting place. I have seen so clearly that without the Lord's work we would all be in the same situation. I know that without the Lord working in their lives they are headed for great difficulties and a life filled with turmoil.
So as a result, Matt and I were fairly sure that I wouldn't teach there next year. We felt like the emotional and physical energy I spent on school every day wasn't helping our marriage or my general wellness. I still believe that I could never live through a healthy pregnancy teaching there (not that I'm pregnant, but that we'd like to think about that in the next couple of years). Its a troubling place to be. On the other hand, I constantly considered that without Christians in such places there is no testimony of the Lord. I also know that these children need to see adults who lead "normal" and "responsible" lives. I also remember thinking that if I were a "missionary" in title I would expect great hardship and trial, but being "just a teacher" I wanted something more comfortable. That didn't seem to add up in my mind. That with a certain title I felt suffering wold somehow be easier. So then we began thinking more about finances. Right now teaching is providing for our "life" but not for us to pay Matt's school tuition. So we had loans. The loan interest was astronomical and constantly rising (about 10%). So we realized, and had wise counsel that it wouldn't be wise to continue in that direction. So we're shifting our plans. Matt will slow down the pace of his school (taking fewer classes a semester), work part time (a matter of prayer... he's sent out a lot of applications with no response yet), and we'll use his income to pay for school as we go. We may be here in Louisville a little longer. At the same time, also means we need me to continue in a job which totally provides for our "life". Therefore quitting teaching isn't really an option, as the other jobs I'd considered (nannying, etc.) wouldn't be able to provide a similar income. So now I'm seeing the Lord at work in developing endurance within me and a knowledge of His presence that will always strengthen me for each day.
All that to say this is a passage which has particularly encouraging lately and made me think of you as well:
COLOSSIANS 1:11-12
"May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light."
A cross reference I also read is very similar:
ROMANS 15:4-6
"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."
We're reading Colossians with our small group and also using some of Sam Storms' book The Hope of Glory to help in application and discussion. I thought these comments of his were also especially encouraging based upon the Colossians passage:
"The goal of this empowerment is endurance and patience, the former a reference to persevering in the face of difficult circumstances, the latter a reference to steadfastness that does not retaliate against those who resist us. Events and trials and hardship tempt us to quit, but God grants endurance. People and criticism and injustice tempt us to seek revenge, but God grants patience."
I was also so thankful to see in Romans that the basis of our encouragement and endurance comes from the Scriptures. It helps me to remained focused as I seek the Lord in study of His Word... knowing that I need it, desperately. And knowing He has given it in order that I might know more of Him and rely fully upon His promises. That is especially helpful in facing each day with God and His purposes on my mind.
Well, this has been long... I hope that this may encourage your spirit my friend. If it doesn't seem to resonate with you now in the ways I might hope, then maybe it is just a testimony of the Lord working in my life, and for that I hope He would also be glorified as well.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
A Great Break!
So, in spite of a recent and trying cold these days of no school have been productive. I've been so thankful for all that the Lord has allowed me to accomplish, while also enjoying sleeping in and resting in general. I look forward to finishing up tonight with a little bit of ironing, watching election results, reading, and resting with Matt in general.
Here's a snapshot of some recent projects:
*Our flowerpots needed some new life. The impatients were frost-bitten although the begonias and geraniums have been so hearty. I was excited to replace the impatients with pansies... a fall favorite.
*Matt and I were very excited to finish most of our family's Christmas shopping so early this year. We went back to the museum we'd visited with his dad so that we could pick up some things from the gift shop that they'd passed by on their trip. We think they'll be really excited. Then we decided that I could make winter wreaths to give to his family as well. One is for his mom, the other for his dad, and the last one for his grandparents. I'm really enjoying wreath making... maybe someday it'll be my own small business :)
*I also had a great time baking lots of things to freeze (in part). Matt really loves breads and muffins so I was able to make lots of them so that when we run out of cereal (he inhales it quickly every week) there's something else for breakfast. I made:
(There's also a Sara Lee Pumpkin Cheesecake purchased in a great ALDI sale to save for Thanksgiving when my mom and Jacob come to visit!)
The last big accomplishment of the day: Cleaning the oven! I was able to clean out all sorts of cooked on messes with no trouble using salt and baking soda. I couldn't believe it!
So all in all, I would count this a very great break. Now, I need to remember that tomorrow the children will return to school, and I'll need to be ready to love them and teach them as the Lord gives me His strength. Colossians has been an excellent encouragement to me lately as we've begun reading it with our small group. We've also looked at Sam Storms' book "The Hope of Glory" as a helpful guide to application. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for something refreshing to study.
With our love and prayers in Louisville,
Laura
Here's a snapshot of some recent projects:
*Our flowerpots needed some new life. The impatients were frost-bitten although the begonias and geraniums have been so hearty. I was excited to replace the impatients with pansies... a fall favorite.
*Matt and I were very excited to finish most of our family's Christmas shopping so early this year. We went back to the museum we'd visited with his dad so that we could pick up some things from the gift shop that they'd passed by on their trip. We think they'll be really excited. Then we decided that I could make winter wreaths to give to his family as well. One is for his mom, the other for his dad, and the last one for his grandparents. I'm really enjoying wreath making... maybe someday it'll be my own small business :)
*I also had a great time baking lots of things to freeze (in part). Matt really loves breads and muffins so I was able to make lots of them so that when we run out of cereal (he inhales it quickly every week) there's something else for breakfast. I made:- Amish Pumpkin Bread (it makes 3 loaves, I made 2 loaves + 18 muffins)
- Homemade Granola (kind of a hit, except that next time there will be no salt!)
- Apple Cinnamon Muffins
- Whole Wheat Waffles (plain for Matt, with chocolate chips for me)
- Good-for-
You Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies (no oil, only egg whites, oatmeal, and whole wheat... they're my new favorite cookie, and I'm glad that they're healthier!)
(There's also a Sara Lee Pumpkin Cheesecake purchased in a great ALDI sale to save for Thanksgiving when my mom and Jacob come to visit!)
The last big accomplishment of the day: Cleaning the oven! I was able to clean out all sorts of cooked on messes with no trouble using salt and baking soda. I couldn't believe it!
So all in all, I would count this a very great break. Now, I need to remember that tomorrow the children will return to school, and I'll need to be ready to love them and teach them as the Lord gives me His strength. Colossians has been an excellent encouragement to me lately as we've begun reading it with our small group. We've also looked at Sam Storms' book "The Hope of Glory" as a helpful guide to application. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for something refreshing to study.
With our love and prayers in Louisville,
Laura
Monday, October 27, 2008
fall hostessing
A Busy Weekend of Entertaining Fun!
This weekend Matt's family came to visit us. We toured Locust Grove (a historic Revolutionary War era home), Churchill Downs, and The Frazier International History Museum. We also ate out at lots of good restaurants (thanks to their generosity). Here are a couple of pictures from our weekend along with the link to recipes I made for "easy" hostessing meals. It was a lot of fun!
Locust Grove with the reinacters dressed up
Churchill Downs
This weekend Matt's family came to visit us. We toured Locust Grove (a historic Revolutionary War era home), Churchill Downs, and The Frazier International History Museum. We also ate out at lots of good restaurants (thanks to their generosity). Here are a couple of pictures from our weekend along with the link to recipes I made for "easy" hostessing meals. It was a lot of fun!
Locust Grove with the reinacters dressed up
Churchill DownsSo I had fun making three meals for us over the course of the weekend:
FRIDAY NIGHT DINNER:
Taco Salad... very easy and delicious!
Doritos
ground turkey (browned but not seasoned, the Doritos add flavor)
lettuce
shredded cheese
olives
tomatoes
salsa
sour cream
Thousand Island dressing on top (it might sound funny, but is just the right flavor for this)
Toss the ingredients and serve... make just the amount you need, it doesn't save well because the chips get soggy and the lettuce wilts quickly
Since there were quite a few of us I served it with Taco rice, and black beans.
SATURDAY MORNING BREAKFAST:
From a Kraft Foods magazine, Blueberry Cream Cheese Crescents
(the ALDI version of cream cheese, frozen mixed berries, and crescent rolls... saves money and tastes delicious)
From Real Simple magazine, an easy Spinach Quiche
(so great... I was thrilled to finally find the Stouffer's Spinach Souflee's here in Louisville after looking at my normal Kroger, sending dear Matt to another, and finally finding it at the last one I visited)
I also added some bacon strips and set up a very fun beverage area with our hot drinks... I used our coffee maker and my yellow tea pot (which I love). It looked so pretty with the colorful Fiesta mugs, it was my favorite part of the weekend's hostessing!
SUNDAY LUNCH:
Chicken Tortilla Soup
From AllRecipes.com a slow-cooker one... it was very easy to put together and leave during church. It made a lot of soup which I loved. I'll be taking it to school as leftovers this week for lunch. I wish I knew if it could be frozen, but I'm not quite sure how that works. I will need to investigate that in the future. I took some other reviewers ideas, and added the can of black beans and also put the chicken breasts in whole and shredded them at the end. It wasn't bad at all. I planned to serve this with cheese quesidillas but didn't have enough cheese. Plan B was grilled cheese sandwiches, which I burned. So it was pretty much just soup with chips, avocados, sour cream, and cheese on top. Oh ya, we did have some cornbread muffins with it as well.
Lastly, I added some fresh flower bouquets to the house for an extra welcome... they were on sale at both ALDI (the bouquet in the green vase for $2.50) and Kroger ($4.00)... my idea of a great find!
FRIDAY NIGHT DINNER:
Taco Salad... very easy and delicious!
Doritos
ground turkey (browned but not seasoned, the Doritos add flavor)
lettuce
shredded cheese
olives
tomatoes
salsa
sour cream
Thousand Island dressing on top (it might sound funny, but is just the right flavor for this)
Toss the ingredients and serve... make just the amount you need, it doesn't save well because the chips get soggy and the lettuce wilts quickly
Since there were quite a few of us I served it with Taco rice, and black beans.
SATURDAY MORNING BREAKFAST:
From a Kraft Foods magazine, Blueberry Cream Cheese Crescents
(the ALDI version of cream cheese, frozen mixed berries, and crescent rolls... saves money and tastes delicious)
From Real Simple magazine, an easy Spinach Quiche
(so great... I was thrilled to finally find the Stouffer's Spinach Souflee's here in Louisville after looking at my normal Kroger, sending dear Matt to another, and finally finding it at the last one I visited)
I also added some bacon strips and set up a very fun beverage area with our hot drinks... I used our coffee maker and my yellow tea pot (which I love). It looked so pretty with the colorful Fiesta mugs, it was my favorite part of the weekend's hostessing!
SUNDAY LUNCH:
Chicken Tortilla Soup
From AllRecipes.com a slow-cooker one... it was very easy to put together and leave during church. It made a lot of soup which I loved. I'll be taking it to school as leftovers this week for lunch. I wish I knew if it could be frozen, but I'm not quite sure how that works. I will need to investigate that in the future. I took some other reviewers ideas, and added the can of black beans and also put the chicken breasts in whole and shredded them at the end. It wasn't bad at all. I planned to serve this with cheese quesidillas but didn't have enough cheese. Plan B was grilled cheese sandwiches, which I burned. So it was pretty much just soup with chips, avocados, sour cream, and cheese on top. Oh ya, we did have some cornbread muffins with it as well.
Lastly, I added some fresh flower bouquets to the house for an extra welcome... they were on sale at both ALDI (the bouquet in the green vase for $2.50) and Kroger ($4.00)... my idea of a great find!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
God's sovereignty, grace, and glory
Over the weekend I was thrilled to go on a Women's Retreat with our soon-to-be church home (as long as we're voted in... there's a bit of a process involved here). I was so thankful for the opportunity it gave me to meet other women who are in the same season of life. The teaching was the most Biblically solid teaching I've ever been around at a "women's retreat". It was not full of silly stories, or old e-mails which have circulated the web for years, instead it was full of the Bible. The biggest insight that I took away from our time in the Word was the speaker's challenge to consider these three aspects of God's character as a way to filter the "crisis times", sins, and daily circumstances through light of the Gospel. When our minds seem full of an issue (big or small... she shared about coveting a kitchen island) or as we consider our own sin we must recognize in the midst of it all God's sovereignty, God's grace, and God's glory. Some of her ideas were adapted from a Sam Storms book with devotional readings on Colossians... I'm not sure what was and what wasn't originally his. Anyway... its not just saying to yourself, "Oh ya, I shouldn't sin... God is sovereign, gracious, and glorious." Although that is true, and would be good there is more to be gained in these things... for example:
the sin of covetousness
~God's sovereignty: "Do I remember that God is in control?" "Do I think that He knows what I need?" "Do I trust this desire to Him, knowing that He knows my ultimate good?"
~God's grace: "Do I know that all I ultimately need He's given me in Christ's atoning death on the cross?" "Do I praise Him for such a good gift?" "Do I know that He has given me everything I have out of His goodness, and He is no less good for withholding something from me?"
~God's glory: "Do I know that its not all about me and what I desire?" "Do I know that even if I think my house would be more beautiful with an island in my kitchen, its God's glory that is more important than mine in having a beautiful home?"
So, such a perspective has come into my mind many times over these last few days... it is humbling, grounding, and full of focus upon the Lord for me. It reminds me again and again of His Gospel for which I should live above all else. It reminds me of my position and who I am... apart from Him and because of Him. It also helps me as I consider the sin and struggles of others around me. I must consider that to non-Christians and Christians alike I reveal and display God's character in lots of ways. I pray that it would be accurate to the reality of who He is. On a closing note, we also used these three topics as points of referece in studying Scripture in our quiet times. I also found it a helpful focus for prayer.
I hope this is an encouragement to you... ask questions if it doesn't make sense... sometimes its hard to type everything you've discussed in "real life".
the sin of covetousness
~God's sovereignty: "Do I remember that God is in control?" "Do I think that He knows what I need?" "Do I trust this desire to Him, knowing that He knows my ultimate good?"
~God's grace: "Do I know that all I ultimately need He's given me in Christ's atoning death on the cross?" "Do I praise Him for such a good gift?" "Do I know that He has given me everything I have out of His goodness, and He is no less good for withholding something from me?"
~God's glory: "Do I know that its not all about me and what I desire?" "Do I know that even if I think my house would be more beautiful with an island in my kitchen, its God's glory that is more important than mine in having a beautiful home?"
So, such a perspective has come into my mind many times over these last few days... it is humbling, grounding, and full of focus upon the Lord for me. It reminds me again and again of His Gospel for which I should live above all else. It reminds me of my position and who I am... apart from Him and because of Him. It also helps me as I consider the sin and struggles of others around me. I must consider that to non-Christians and Christians alike I reveal and display God's character in lots of ways. I pray that it would be accurate to the reality of who He is. On a closing note, we also used these three topics as points of referece in studying Scripture in our quiet times. I also found it a helpful focus for prayer.
I hope this is an encouragement to you... ask questions if it doesn't make sense... sometimes its hard to type everything you've discussed in "real life".
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
an unfortunately crazy day
Well, a bit of venting... I'd rather not have the posts very often. So, today this was my excitement. After having a fairly "fine" morning (in spite of being shown one bloody lip which was the result of a series of daily after school fights between two darlings) we came back from lunch hoping for a similarly "fine" afternoon. Our center time went pretty well--(other than one child who ran away-for the second day in a row-after being publicly corrected, which I shouldn't be doing because his IEP indicates that any corrections send him into depression...) which is a big plus as students work independently at literacy centers for at least 40 minutes or so while I work with smaller groups and book sets. Then we needed to take our afternoon bathroom break. My dear friend who is bipolar and often unmedicated gathered her coloring book and crayons to take with us. I told her these supplies would not be necessary and that no one would be coloring in the hall either. She became very aggravated but with great hesitation followed us into the hall. The longer we were in the hall the wilder she became... all over the coloring book. Finally, she ran away from me and went into the room where she held the door shut from the inside. When the rest of the students entered (she finally let go) she hit two of them in her coloring book tantrum. The consequence for hitting is moving a stick which says H and stands for "hands or feet on others or property" and as a result losing 2 minutes of recess... most kids would recover... too bad these kids are so easily set off. She began screaming shouting and pulling the sticks off the wall and throwing them. Next she reached for a chair and held it above her head coming toward me... every now and then she slammed it on the ground for the terrifying effects she hoped to have. In the meantime one audacoious other student comes up to me saying "Mrs. Peery, Mrs. Peery" ready to tattle about another chaotic bit errupting on the carpet. I couldn't believe it! I backed to the phone and called our security who came to the rescue. If only they totally took care of things I would be happy. Unfortunatly, they just sent her to another room for the rest of the day and she joined us for recess. I wonder what these children are learning about behavior and consequences?! CRAZY!!! That's the rant... and a rant it is.
Friday, September 19, 2008
a domestic day
Since I've been home this week I've enjoyed a lot of domestic opportunities. They include the following:
~baking my first ever bread pudding... which Matt loved, for him to rave about a dessert is a rare and great thing!
I found the greatest recipe online... I would highly recommend it... I took some reviewers suggestions and modified the recipe a bit by only using 3 eggs and adding 1/4 cup of brown sugar:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Bread-Pudding-II/Detail.aspx
yummy!
~putting the finishing touches on a "welcome home" wreath for a soon-to-be mom and dad who are our upstairs neighbors and wonderful people
I think she loves wreaths, at least she's had one on her door since
we moved in, so I thought this would be a nice gift for the family!
~baking my first ever bread pudding... which Matt loved, for him to rave about a dessert is a rare and great thing!
I found the greatest recipe online... I would highly recommend it... I took some reviewers suggestions and modified the recipe a bit by only using 3 eggs and adding 1/4 cup of brown sugar:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Bread-Pudding-II/Detail.aspx
yummy!~putting the finishing touches on a "welcome home" wreath for a soon-to-be mom and dad who are our upstairs neighbors and wonderful people
I think she loves wreaths, at least she's had one on her door sincewe moved in, so I thought this would be a nice gift for the family!
~making homemade household cleaners thanks to Martha Stewart's trustworthy advice in the Homekeeping Handbook I was given for Christmas last year. Martha says its "green" and more compelling... its cheaper and better for your house. She explains that lots of our store-bought cleaners are much harsher than they need to be and cause things to corrode... I found it quite interesting. So now I have countertop cleaner (2 cups water + 2 TBSP Ivory dishsoap), shower cleaner for soap scum (1 cup white vinegar + 1 cup water), and bathroom cleaning paste (a paste consistency of baking soda + Ivory dishsoap + a little bit of water) for tougher places. I'd say "it's a good thing", haha!
I also decorated our home for fall... my favorite, a centerpiece:
a leftover wedding bowl, with last year's Hobby Lobby clearance 90% off pumpkins
(I think each one was only about 10 cents at that point... amazing!)
I also decorated our home for fall... my favorite, a centerpiece:
a leftover wedding bowl, with last year's Hobby Lobby clearance 90% off pumpkins(I think each one was only about 10 cents at that point... amazing!)
Now I need to go make our bed with the day's clean sheets (we did the laundry today also) so that we can go to sleep! I look forward to more days like this in the future. I am very amazed at the Lord's work in causing my heart to be so fulfilled in our home and in making it a lovely place for us to seek Him and rest from our days. I am so thankful to the Lord for His goodness in creating women to fulfill these purposes.
an unexpected break
The Lord is so good! This week Matt and I have thoroughly enjoyed a very unexpected break from his classes and my job teaching. Due to left-over hurricane winds which hit Louisville Sunday the power has been out throughout the city this week. While that is not a "good thing" in many ways, school was canceled as a result. Our power was out from Sunday through Tuesday, but came back Tuesday afternoon upon our return from the mall (specifically the food court where we sat and charged our cell phones near a fake plant!). We used flashlights and candles to see and went to sleep pretty much when it got dark on those first evenings. Once our power returned, we pretty much felt like vacationers and decided to see more of Kentucky than we'd been able to since we moved here.
Matt is a wonderful husband, and went with me yesterday 3 1/2 hours away to explore an Amish community in Western Kentucky, very close to Missouri's bootheel (sp?). We enjoyed seeing their homes and even arrived back in Louisville with some Amish goods... homemade and very fresh banana nut bread (Matt's favorite), two handmade Amish baskets to give as gifts to each of our moms, and a spaghetti squash which I've always wanted to try.
So the week has been incredibly restful, peaceful, and full of joy which is exactly what I'd needed after becoming so worn out from teaching. Pray that I will continue to rest in the Lord and pursue my joy in Him, even when teaching begins again Monday.
a tree we saw in a near by neighborhood
(I'll work on adding some pictures soon of the damage we saw throughout our city, as trees and power lines went down everywhere.)
Matt is a wonderful husband, and went with me yesterday 3 1/2 hours away to explore an Amish community in Western Kentucky, very close to Missouri's bootheel (sp?). We enjoyed seeing their homes and even arrived back in Louisville with some Amish goods... homemade and very fresh banana nut bread (Matt's favorite), two handmade Amish baskets to give as gifts to each of our moms, and a spaghetti squash which I've always wanted to try.
So the week has been incredibly restful, peaceful, and full of joy which is exactly what I'd needed after becoming so worn out from teaching. Pray that I will continue to rest in the Lord and pursue my joy in Him, even when teaching begins again Monday.
a tree we saw in a near by neighborhood(I'll work on adding some pictures soon of the damage we saw throughout our city, as trees and power lines went down everywhere.)
Sunday, August 31, 2008
a new beginning
As you may know Matt and I moved here to Louisville about 2 months ago now. Looking back it seems time has flown by, but along the way there were many days when it seemed like the unknowns were making time stand still. Now our routines have begun since Matt's classes have started and I've been teaching for a few weeks. Not that everything is totally settled, but much more so than it once was. I like to feel settled... I've been thinking about the balance of faith and trusting the Lord along with wanting comfort in routines. I'm still thinking, but hope He will show me a balance.
This week was the beginning of two great opportunities I'll have to meet and fellowship with other women on campus. Tuesday evening was the first Pendergraph Women's Ministry event. I enjoyed talking with the ladies at my table and sampling a variety of Louisville food... delicious! The time of worship was so sweet as I was encouraged by being a part of this body of women seeking the Lord in this common stage of life. I realized how much the Lord has wired me to need His Body and fellowship with His saints. It was a blessing.
On Thursday evening, the Seminary Wives Institute began. I have been praying specifically for a like-minded friend here. I met another seminary wife in my small group who is also from Kansas City, lives in our apartment complex, and teaches 3rd grade at a public school very close to mine and with an almost identical demographic of students. As the weeks progress in this class we'll choose accountability partners for prayer and discussion outside of our small group meetings... maybe she'll be mine. Anyhow, I'm so thankful to see tha the Lord has many people in the same season of life here, all learning our own individual lessons, but very much experiencing some of the same things. I hope to learn from other women and to be an encouragement as well.
That's all for my Louisville Life today... I'll update as often as the mood strikes and I find time.
This week was the beginning of two great opportunities I'll have to meet and fellowship with other women on campus. Tuesday evening was the first Pendergraph Women's Ministry event. I enjoyed talking with the ladies at my table and sampling a variety of Louisville food... delicious! The time of worship was so sweet as I was encouraged by being a part of this body of women seeking the Lord in this common stage of life. I realized how much the Lord has wired me to need His Body and fellowship with His saints. It was a blessing.
On Thursday evening, the Seminary Wives Institute began. I have been praying specifically for a like-minded friend here. I met another seminary wife in my small group who is also from Kansas City, lives in our apartment complex, and teaches 3rd grade at a public school very close to mine and with an almost identical demographic of students. As the weeks progress in this class we'll choose accountability partners for prayer and discussion outside of our small group meetings... maybe she'll be mine. Anyhow, I'm so thankful to see tha the Lord has many people in the same season of life here, all learning our own individual lessons, but very much experiencing some of the same things. I hope to learn from other women and to be an encouragement as well.
That's all for my Louisville Life today... I'll update as often as the mood strikes and I find time.
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