How many times of running the washer do you think it took to get rid of the hair from the dog's towels? Care to share any tips?
Friday, June 08, 2007
Wow!
Well, I finally made the Beef Chimichangas after their presence on my weekly menu for three weeks. They were a HUGE success!! My husband raved about them, my kids couldn't get enough of them, and best of all, the recipe was so easy!! These were so good I couldn't wait until the next Menu Plan Monday to share.
We will definitely keep this in our recipe file, although due to the fact that they are fried, we won't have them a lot.
I would make one change: the sauce for the chimichangas was really spicy, and the filling was not, so next time I'll probably put half the jalapenos in the filling and the other half in the sauce. With the exception of my younger son, we all really like spicy food in this house.
We will definitely keep this in our recipe file, although due to the fact that they are fried, we won't have them a lot.
I would make one change: the sauce for the chimichangas was really spicy, and the filling was not, so next time I'll probably put half the jalapenos in the filling and the other half in the sauce. With the exception of my younger son, we all really like spicy food in this house.
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Count Your Blessings, Name Them One by One
I have so may things to be thankful for, but sometimes, when I am dealing with wild animals the natives my children I forget that. Sometimes, when my husband makes me want to scream irritates me forgets things gently disagrees with me I forget that.
Seriously, my husband and children are blessings and I believe it is useful to have a list of my blessings and things for which I am thankful to reflect on upon occasion. God gives us so much, and it is so easy to think we deserve to have this or that or just to take our gifts for granted. With that in mind, I present my first weekly set of 7 things for which I am thankful, in no particular order.
1. St. Mary' Lake, Glacier National Park, Montana (It was here that I became convinced that God was real and not a fairytale--yes, I was quite slow on the uptake).
2. Daffodils (They are the first sign of spring to me. I used to love picking bunches of them from my Grandma's yard).
3. The color blue (I find it very peaceful).
4. My younger son's laughter (It is a belly laugh, full of good humor, and makes me want to join in).
5. My daughter's hugs. (They are, quite possibly, the sweetest things on earth. There is nothing better than to have her little arms wrapped around me and hear the words, "I love you, Mommy. You are the best mommy in the whole world.").
6. My husband and older son sumo wrestling on the sand (To see the two of them cutting up together gives me great pleasure, especially to see my son having a father-son relationship and enjoying it so much).
7. Gulf Shores, Alabama (Growing up, I spent many weeks here with my cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc. After being to a variety of beaches around the world, I still prefer Gulf Shores and the surrounding area).
Seriously, my husband and children are blessings and I believe it is useful to have a list of my blessings and things for which I am thankful to reflect on upon occasion. God gives us so much, and it is so easy to think we deserve to have this or that or just to take our gifts for granted. With that in mind, I present my first weekly set of 7 things for which I am thankful, in no particular order.
1. St. Mary' Lake, Glacier National Park, Montana (It was here that I became convinced that God was real and not a fairytale--yes, I was quite slow on the uptake).
2. Daffodils (They are the first sign of spring to me. I used to love picking bunches of them from my Grandma's yard).
3. The color blue (I find it very peaceful).
4. My younger son's laughter (It is a belly laugh, full of good humor, and makes me want to join in).
5. My daughter's hugs. (They are, quite possibly, the sweetest things on earth. There is nothing better than to have her little arms wrapped around me and hear the words, "I love you, Mommy. You are the best mommy in the whole world.").
6. My husband and older son sumo wrestling on the sand (To see the two of them cutting up together gives me great pleasure, especially to see my son having a father-son relationship and enjoying it so much).
7. Gulf Shores, Alabama (Growing up, I spent many weeks here with my cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc. After being to a variety of beaches around the world, I still prefer Gulf Shores and the surrounding area).
So there you have it, this week's list of seven things for which I am thankful. What are you thankful for?
Adoption is at the Heart of the Gospel
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" Romans 8:15
And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. Romans 8:23
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" Galatians 4:4-6
Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:4-6
Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:4-6
Adoption is at the heart of the Gospel. There are several biblical instances of adoption, such as the adoptions of Moses and Esther. In both cases, God used their new life circumstances for His glory. Even more apparent is that our relationship as children of our Heavenly Father, as demonstrated by the verses above, is made through adoption.
All of my children are adopted. I love them deeply. Yet for all my love, there have been trying times. One child, extremely angry over his life circumstances, has allowed his heart to be eaten up with rage and self-centeredness. You may think it unkind of me as a mother to say such a thing about my child, but I could tell you many things which have happened that demonstrate this. Has this child been difficult to love? Yes, at moments, because I am sinful. Will the reward ever be known? I don't know, but God has shown me much about who He is and who I am through these circumstances. And, graciously, He has given me a great love for this child who so desperately needs the hope of Christ. God has also made very real to me the fact that He alone can bring true healing to the human heart.
If we are honest with ourselves, we will admit that prior to knowing Christ, we too were ugly on the inside (and occasionally after knowing Christ), yet He loves us. The Bible tells us that we love Him because He first loved us. Yes, even as we were ugly and "unlovable". Despite who I was, my God was faithful to adopt me as a co-heir with Christ.Isaiah 64:6 teaches us that our righteous acts prior to grace are as filthy rags (or filthy garments or polluted garments, depending on the translation). When my child does disgusting things to exert control or does cutesy things that ring false to gain favor, I must remember the state of my own garments before knowing Christ.
As an adopted child, I cost the Father greatly. His Son carried the burden of my sin. Yet, He has remained steadfast in His relationship with me. Through adopting my children, I have experienced motherhood, a wonderful privilege accompanied by tender moments and humorous moments. I have also experienced knowing God more, and learning about the wickedness of my heart.
My love is not as easy and forgiving as I once thought it. My perseverance and patience is not longsuffering. My ability to put my neighbor or even my child's needs above my own has been weak, at times. But, through it all, God has brought me into a deeper knowledge of Him, a more honest examination of myself, and a life that has eternal meaning. He is teaching me to be faithful, to persevere, to show a true love rather than a fickle one.
I don't know for what purpose God chose my children out of the millions who need mothers and fathers, but I do know that He chose them to be mine for a time. I pray that one day His call on their lives will bring glory and honor to Him and His truth will be made known in a greater capacity. I thank Him for the privilege of loving my children and having them for however long He allows me to.
To learn more about how adoption is at the heart of the gospel, I strongly urge you to read this message by John Piper and the accompanying letter he wrote his wife as he shared his commitment with her to adopt their daughter.
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Menu Plan Monday
Okay, so my mom decided to drop in at my sister's house for a week. Of course, my sister lives a mile from me and works during the day, so I spent lots of time with mom, which was good, really good, except my menu plans were extremely messed up for the week. Aahhh, but if life were too organized it would be boring (at least that's what I keep telling myself).Below is the key for new recipe ratings:
aaaaa As my grandpa used to say, "luscious"
aaaa A new family favorite
aaa Pretty good, worth making occasionally
aaNot our favorite or a mixed review
aYuck!
Last week we tried:
This recipe is definitely not a keeper! We were a little surprised by how much we disliked it as it had a 5 star rating from Taste of Home. Perhaps we just didn't know what we were doing with the phyllo dough, but it tasted like many many layers of paper were around the meat--not something we cared for much. It might be good with some modifications, but with so many other recipes out there, I doubt we'll bother.
Here is the game plan for this week:
Monday: Hamburgers, Chips, Salad
Tuesday: We'll eat at the ballpark as our choir is performing the National Anthem!
Wednesday: Family Night Supper at church or sandwiches at home
Thursday: After three weeks, we're finally going to try and get the Beef Chimichangas on the table!
Friday: Grilled Chicken with a side of pasta
Saturday: Chicken & Rice Casserole, a green vegetable, Bread
Sunday: Crisp & Creamy Baked Chicken, Broccoli Casserole, Bread
Monday: Hamburgers, Chips, Salad
Tuesday: We'll eat at the ballpark as our choir is performing the National Anthem!
Wednesday: Family Night Supper at church or sandwiches at home
Thursday: After three weeks, we're finally going to try and get the Beef Chimichangas on the table!
Friday: Grilled Chicken with a side of pasta
Saturday: Chicken & Rice Casserole, a green vegetable, Bread
Sunday: Crisp & Creamy Baked Chicken, Broccoli Casserole, Bread
Happy Cooking!
Sunday Scripture
Faith Without Works Is Dead
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe--and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"-- and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe--and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"-- and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
James 2:14-26, ESV
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