My kids love spaghetti. My husband not so much. One time he was in the hospital for back surgery. He hadn't eaten all day. He was recovering in his room and was terribly hungry. The supper hour had passed but I was able to flag down an orderly to ask him if he could manage to find him something to eat. The orderly came back after 15 minutes with a huge smile on his face. He had "just the ticket." He had found Lewis some spaghetti. Lewis was less than thrilled but spaghetti can put a smile on my kids' faces anytime.
I do take the easy way out using a jarred spaghetti sauce.
Ingredients
1 1/3 lbs or 1 package of Caston hamburger meat.
Salt/pepper
Spaghetti noodles cooked as directed on the package but leave about 1/4 -1/3 cup of the water. When you drain it completely, you lose some of the starch that adds good texture to your spaghetti.
1 jar of Prego spaghetti sauce- I like the three cheese variety.
1/4 cup of sugar.
Brown the hamburger meat adding salt and pepper to taste. There will be very little to drain but drain the meat. Add the jar of Prego to the meat. Mix well. Dump this into the cooked spaghetti and add the sugar. I often have to add a little more sauce to the mix so I do keep an extra jar in the refrigerator. Top with Parmesan cheese.
Perfect with bread sticks, a copy cat Olive Garden salad (get the dressing in the salad dressing aisle at your local grocer, add cherry tomatoes, Romaine lettuce, purple onion, Parmesan cheese, and croutons.
Monday, April 27, 2020
Meat Loaf
Meat Loaf has been a favorite around here for a long time. It's that Sunday after church lunch that my family looks forward to. It can be made with very little mess. The fact that the main dish is home grown makes it even more special.
Yes
Ingredients
1 1/3 lbs of hamburger meat or 1 or our packages
1 roll of Ritz cracker crumbs
2 eggs
1/3 to 1/2 c of ketchup
salt and pepper to taste.
Put the hamburger meat in a large bowl. Crush one roll of Ritz cracker crumbs inside the pack. Add that to the hamburger meat. Add your two eggs, salt, pepper, and ketchup. Now dig right in. That's right. Dig your hands in that mix and mix it all together. Get the ingredients good and incorporated. Dump all of that into a loaf pan and top with more ketchup. I like to make sure every inch of the loaf is covered in ketchup smoothing it out over the top with a spoon. Cover with aluminum foil and place in a 350 degree oven. Let cook about 40-45 minutes covered. Uncover and cook 15 more minutes. Serve with mashed potatoes, green beans, and deviled eggs. Left overs are even better the next day!
It's a family favorite for sure!
Saturday, April 25, 2020
The Biscuit Games
When I was a little girl and my sister and I would go to Granny Clem's, I remember her letting us put in our request for breakfast. I always wanted a runny egg- which meant a fried egg and CANNED biscuits. My sister would request homemade biscuits. After this week, I clearly know I must have been her favorite as homemade biscuits aren't easy.
My biscuit making has always been less then wonderful no matter if I used canned or frozen. I always managed to burn the bottoms. The biscuits would be eaten except for the litter of burnt bottoms that were pulled from the biscuit and left on the cookie sheet. And homemade---- well that was totally out of my league. But this week, this week I was determined to learn how to make a delicious biscuit.
My first attempt this week was less than perfect! I was completely set up for success, had the perfect recipe, and was prepared to be a champion at first attempt. I always keep both kinds of flour in my house and the easy thing to do would be to mark the container self-rising or all purpose. But that would be easy. I choose to leave them unmarked and just do a taste to see which is which. I find my self-rising- because it's a little salty and proceed with the recipe. I had freezer cold butter- I had my 1 cup and half of flour, I had my parchment for rolling, my milk for liquid -- I was prepared. So I mix and I roll. I had read that you just pat but my recipe called for rolling. I did everything as directed and waited patiently. I pull my biscuits out after a few minutes and they look a little strange. Almost like cornbread. I mean, I didn't have my glasses on when I pulled out the flour but my taste buds never lie. I tasted them- a little salty. I did use salted butter instead of unsalted. They crumbled. Oh MY! I didn't notice the texture. I had used self rising corn meal for my biscuits. They were terrible!
I move on to my next attempt. I watch a granny on Facebook and she uses oil and just brings it in with her hand. One of my friends sent me a recipe that was similar so I watch her multiple times and I'm ready. These biscuits are a no fail! I feel like a super hero ready to conquer the biscuit enemy! I make her recipe, wait patiently, and what do I have? I have a flat biscuit. It didn't work! FAIL! (my friend's recipe did say just drop them in the cast iron skillet but the granny patted them out- you can't argue with a granny can you?)
So, I research. Maybe self rising flour isn't the trick? Maybe the biscuits need to have a little more baking powder in them than self rising flour provides. Taylor sends me a recipe she finds on Pintrest. I also change my fat from oil to unsalted butter. This recipe has a little sugar. How can you go wrong with a little sugar? Off I go to make the biscuits. I make the biscuits -flatter than a flitter- no success! My daughter has been staying with me due to a water leak at her house and she is now referring to my biscuits as biscuit cookies.
I try again- I changed the fat to Crisco and still using all purpose flour. NOPE! By this time both girls are at the house and have an interest in making the perfect biscuits.
Torrie decides she will try. She uses a recipe with cream of tartar. Her biscuits are somewhat better and not near as flat, but still no sure fire "I want you to make me some biscuits because they taste awesome recipe!"
I text one of my good friends. She tells me to go back to using self rising flour and I will know by the feel of the dough. It will be a little sticky. We also take to Facebook asking for our friend's thoughts. This morning we have made it a step closer. We have use some of your tips and tricks. We left the dough a little sticky. Our friends have said let the mixture get cold so the steam will release and make a fluffier biscuit. We have placed our biscuit cutter directly down in the dough and not twisted. We patted out our dough leaving it a little thicker than maybe we have in the past. (We have toggled between patting and rolling.) There have been all kinds of combinations of self-rising flour, types of fat, amounts of milk, and the temperature of the oven. We have chose to follow daughters' grandmother in law's secret recipe- she told us to follow the recipe on the WR self rising flour bag and we couldn't go wrong. In all we have tried seven batches of biscuits. And when Grandma says you can't go wrong with her recipe, she doesn't know us. On to batch eight changing the recipe again!
My biscuit making has always been less then wonderful no matter if I used canned or frozen. I always managed to burn the bottoms. The biscuits would be eaten except for the litter of burnt bottoms that were pulled from the biscuit and left on the cookie sheet. And homemade---- well that was totally out of my league. But this week, this week I was determined to learn how to make a delicious biscuit.
My first attempt this week was less than perfect! I was completely set up for success, had the perfect recipe, and was prepared to be a champion at first attempt. I always keep both kinds of flour in my house and the easy thing to do would be to mark the container self-rising or all purpose. But that would be easy. I choose to leave them unmarked and just do a taste to see which is which. I find my self-rising- because it's a little salty and proceed with the recipe. I had freezer cold butter- I had my 1 cup and half of flour, I had my parchment for rolling, my milk for liquid -- I was prepared. So I mix and I roll. I had read that you just pat but my recipe called for rolling. I did everything as directed and waited patiently. I pull my biscuits out after a few minutes and they look a little strange. Almost like cornbread. I mean, I didn't have my glasses on when I pulled out the flour but my taste buds never lie. I tasted them- a little salty. I did use salted butter instead of unsalted. They crumbled. Oh MY! I didn't notice the texture. I had used self rising corn meal for my biscuits. They were terrible!
I move on to my next attempt. I watch a granny on Facebook and she uses oil and just brings it in with her hand. One of my friends sent me a recipe that was similar so I watch her multiple times and I'm ready. These biscuits are a no fail! I feel like a super hero ready to conquer the biscuit enemy! I make her recipe, wait patiently, and what do I have? I have a flat biscuit. It didn't work! FAIL! (my friend's recipe did say just drop them in the cast iron skillet but the granny patted them out- you can't argue with a granny can you?)
So, I research. Maybe self rising flour isn't the trick? Maybe the biscuits need to have a little more baking powder in them than self rising flour provides. Taylor sends me a recipe she finds on Pintrest. I also change my fat from oil to unsalted butter. This recipe has a little sugar. How can you go wrong with a little sugar? Off I go to make the biscuits. I make the biscuits -flatter than a flitter- no success! My daughter has been staying with me due to a water leak at her house and she is now referring to my biscuits as biscuit cookies.
I try again- I changed the fat to Crisco and still using all purpose flour. NOPE! By this time both girls are at the house and have an interest in making the perfect biscuits.
Torrie decides she will try. She uses a recipe with cream of tartar. Her biscuits are somewhat better and not near as flat, but still no sure fire "I want you to make me some biscuits because they taste awesome recipe!"
I text one of my good friends. She tells me to go back to using self rising flour and I will know by the feel of the dough. It will be a little sticky. We also take to Facebook asking for our friend's thoughts. This morning we have made it a step closer. We have use some of your tips and tricks. We left the dough a little sticky. Our friends have said let the mixture get cold so the steam will release and make a fluffier biscuit. We have placed our biscuit cutter directly down in the dough and not twisted. We patted out our dough leaving it a little thicker than maybe we have in the past. (We have toggled between patting and rolling.) There have been all kinds of combinations of self-rising flour, types of fat, amounts of milk, and the temperature of the oven. We have chose to follow daughters' grandmother in law's secret recipe- she told us to follow the recipe on the WR self rising flour bag and we couldn't go wrong. In all we have tried seven batches of biscuits. And when Grandma says you can't go wrong with her recipe, she doesn't know us. On to batch eight changing the recipe again!
Saturday, April 6, 2019
The Walk
If my crazy facebook posts are a little too much for you and you get tired of the journaling of my experiences of this reality I call life, you may want to just keep scrolling. This may turn out to be a long one and just really wear on you.
It’s going to be one that if a kid was writing this as an assignment, they would be asking “where do I begin?” because there are so many beginnings. You might want to say ,”start at the beginning,” but I really don’t know where that is so here I go. Fours things I know: God is real! God has a voice he speaks to me in! God Listens! God puts people in your life that you need! God has a sense of humor and he is having a great time watching my comedy club of life today!
This morning I woke up and looked out and there was a peaceful fog surrounding the farm. Excited to see this I jumped out of bed and hurried to get dressed because I wanted to get some photos of the fog resting in different locations. Ok That’s a lie. I laid in bed and looked slumberly at the fog and thought that it would look good in some pictures but just didn’t want to exert the energy. Tuned into my favorite Saturday program, The Today Show, (I know right) and it was finishing the morning. You just never know on a Saturday how long it’s going to be. I get on up and Lewis is getting around and asks his usual question, “What are you going to do today?” I mean approximately 34 years x 52 Saturdays not counting days I’m off for breaks from school, he’s pretty predictable. “What are you going to do today?” Just like when he comes in for lunch or supper he asks, “you got a good dinner cooked?” Let’s do that approximately 34 x 365 days and twice a day when I’m off for breaks. Ok enough of that. What am I going to do? Well I’m going to try to clean this house but first, I’m going to run over to the peaches and get some pictures. (Didn’t mention the fog influence because he might have had some insight) Before that can happen, I must fall into my normal routine of morning. One thing I do before I get dressed is I weigh myself. OK I’m a little predictable myself. Up a little on the scale. Hmmm Really need to watch what I eat today. Silent thought prayer. “Lord help me not to eat anything I shouldn’t. I have already bought a dress for Torrie’s wedding and if I don’t quit eating I’m not going to get in it. Amen” Fantastic prayer don’t you think? The Lord will Work. Trust me! And I have Asthma!
I get on my lazy clothes, which by the way, the elastic has come out of my pants and they are constantly needing pulled up but they don’t bind so perfect for taking pictures except that you have to pull them up every five steps. In fact earlier in the week Lewis asked me “do those pants make good shoes?” as they had slipped so far that with my steps they had curled around my feet. It’s like they have become a onesie only with my toes poking out. (Keep this in mind.) The Lord will Work. And I have Asthma.
I burst out the door to get the fantabulous pictures that were awaiting me. Should I take my Acadia, the FOUR WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK, or the KUBOTA? Hmm? That little voice-The voice that speaks to me to help me make decisions- The Lord speaks to me, “you should take the truck or the Kubota,”
“But the truck smells and I don’t like to drive it and it’s a little chilly for the Kubota so I think I’ll take the Acadia.” the better decision I think. The Lord will work! And I have Asthma.
Driving down the driveway, you can see how beautiful the spider webs look in the fog. “There’s you a picture,” The Lord’s voice in my head.
“ I don’t have time to get that picture. I’ll get it later. I’ve got to get to the peaches and besides, that picture will be there the next fog. The peaches are in a stage they will only be in today. I’ve got to hurry to get the fog rising in the orchard.” I keep driving. The Lord will Work! And I have Asthma!
I take off to the peaches, and I get over on the road looking out where we call Guymon’s (close to Rebecca’s for you Oniaites) and the fog is breathtaking, rising out of the ravine and the cattle walking in its midst is a marvelous site. I stop and glance and I hear, “There’s your picture. Take the time to drive over there and get that picture.” There were beautiful black heifers walking on top of the ridge with the rising fog in the background. It was absolutely gorgeous.
“Lord, I don’t have time to go over to take that picture. I’ve got to get over to the peaches. That fog is going to be beautiful rising in there and you know those heifers won’t be there when I get over there.” Big Mistake- Telling God what he knew as if he needed my advice. I take a distant shot and hop back in. The Lord will Work. And I have Asthma!
Excited for the picture that awaits me, I am probably driving a little faster than you should for a county road. I get over to the orchard and what do I see? No fog. Zip! No sign! Nada! Not a trace of fog in sight! Deflated and disappointed is what is going on in my head at this point. The orchard is too high to have fog rising at this time. I don’t really know if it ever has fog. It was just something I imagined that would exist and would be so beautiful. It’s a disappointing sight which could have all been avoided, probably, if I would have mentioned fog in the peaches when I first told him about what I was going to do. But I pull on in. As I drive, I feel the Acadia is slipping. I better back up before I get stuck. I’m backing and now there is no movement backward so I try to go forward. I am stuck. This is not the first time this has happened nor is it the first time this week I have done something not so intelligent. The Lord is Working! And I have Asthma!
I get out and decide I’ll walk around the orchard and take a few pictures of what is left of blossoming trees. The leaves have really came on and have taken over so there is more green than pink. But it is still beautiful. I walk the perimeter of the orchard and get some nice shots. Remember I have on the pants that fall every five steps. I have my phone and my big camera trying to get some super pictures. Every few steps I tug on the pants. They are slowly becoming shoes. Step step step step step, take a picture, juggle the phone and big camera, tug on the pants, and continue.
Finally, I get back to my car and try to move it. Nope it ain’t budging! Not one little inch. I decide it’s time to start walking home to get on with the day. I’m unclear which way I should go. Do I head through the woods which would be the shortest but also the roughest? Do I turn right and head the way I came? Or do I turn left and head off the hill through the blueberries. I decide to go back the way I came. I really don’t know how far it is. It’s a least a couple of miles with a few hills to walk. Remember I weighed a little more than I wanted to and I whispered that prayer. Oh Yeah! I don’t have an inhaler on me so that’s a little bit of concern because I have had a few struggles lately with all the pollen. The Lord will work! And I have Asthma!
Before I started towards home, I knew my church family was on a working for Jesus day. I sent a little text to my good friend Suellen that said. “Hey if you really want to work for Jesus today, I’m stuck at the peaches and someone could come pull me out. I’m not telling Lewis because I’ve already had one series of misfortunate events this week.” I just sent it to be funny because they were at the church and there is ABSOLUTELY no service at the church! The Lord will work! And I have Asthma!
I continue my walk home pulling up my pants every five steps, juggling my phone for instant pictures, carrying my big camera around my neck, oh yeah and for some reason I thought it would be a good idea to bring along my coffee cup out of my car to also carry and sip as I walk. Step step step step step, pull up pants. There’s a neat picture, snap it with the phone, snap it with the big camera, juggle the coffee cup, spill coffee, tug the pants again, get the pants out from under my feet, move on. Step step step step step- pull up the pants. It’s almost a lather rinse repeat kind of experience. I get a text from my friend, Robin, who has had a crazy fun morning as well and I share with her that I’m having the same kind of morning and I’ll tell her about it later. Step step step step step, pull up pants, take some videos of the sound of the birds and the waterfalls, take some of the braying donkey for the 4 millionth time, keep walking pulling up my pants, juggling the phone and the coffee cup. Thoughts run through my mind of just leaving the coffee cup behind because it is now such a burden in the routine of taking pictures and pulling up my pants, but I look around and see litter everywhere so I carry it on. The Lord will Work! And I have Asthma!
As I keep walking I get a text from Taylor who is at work. “What are you doing today?”
“Currently, I’m walking home from the peach orchard because I got stuck.”
“Do you have your inhaler?”
“No, I’m walking slow and haven’t eaten carbs. It makes it worse.” In my mind, I’m starting to have concerns of an asthma problem but no need to alarm anyone.
“We are going to tie one around your neck.” The Lord will work! And I have Asthma!
I keep walking laughing at all my craziness. Reflecting on if I had just listened to that voice- The Lord’s Voice- telling me what to do I wouldn’t be in quite this predicament. I was clearly told to either take the four wheel drive truck or the kubota, both of which would have prevented being stuck. I was clearly shown a perfect picture to take on my way to the peaches, but I knew better and kept driving. I did say a prayer for his help with my eating which is a direct connection to my weight which is a direct connection to exercise. The Lord is seeing to it that something gets done about that number I don’t know whether it is by smart eating or exercising. God is listening and answering even about something like my weight. Oh and how beautiful the morning is on the April morning in the community of Onia. If I hadn’t got to take this walk, I would have missed the sounds of the birds, the sounds of the distant waterfall in the ravine, the braying of the donkey; I may not have experienced the soothing sight of the fog still lifting in the pasture, the peacefulness of a still morning had I not started this adventure. God’s work is so amazing. But my story doesn’t end there. The Lord is Working! And I have Asthma!
I keep walking toward home and am starting to dread the walk up the long hill to my house. I’ve done ok so far. No problems breathing. Step by step I’m doing fine but that hill up to the house. It will do a number on my asthma. I’m dreading it! The Lord will Work Again! And I have Asthma!
I decide I will give Robin a clue to my crazy morning before I relay my long story to her, so I record the sounds of my steps hitting the rocky road to make her curious and send her the video. (She gets a kick out of my crazy life.) The Lord will Work! And I have Asthma.
As I walk, I look up and I see a familiar white chevy heading my way. It’s my church family! I am tickled to see them. They had gotten my text. Melissa tells me they are here to rescue me. When I hop in the truck laughing at my crazy antics, Suellen speaks up and says, “I’m surprised that I got the text. I was already at the church and I never have service and I never get a text there.” They go on to say they really didn’t know which way to go to come get me. They are Oniaites and know I had several choices I could have taken. They delivered me safely home. When I looked back at my phone, the video I meant to send to Robin had gone to Suellen. I don’t think she had gotten it before they had set off to come get me, but I found it a little reassuring that God allowed me to make that mistake so they could get me before I had to walk that long hill that I’m sure would have caused me breathing troubles. The video of the steps would have told them where I was by the surroundings. The Lord was Working! And I have Asthma!
I hope you see that I have had some truths proven to me. God is real! We can see that in his creation and the beauty. Take time to enjoy it. Even if things are piling up. Slow down and enjoy the good things God has given us. God has a voice! God speaks to all of us. Some people may refer to it as their conscience and I guess scientifically it is a conscience, but for me it’s God suggesting to me the best decisions to make. I have the free choice not to listen and sometimes when I don’t listen- I make room for mistakes, heartbreak, or in this case comedy. God listens to prayers. I have prayed for many things this week not the least is for a little peace and calm as well as my eating and weight. God was answering my call. God puts people in your life you need! My family, my school family and my church family are important to making my days complete. I hate to think of the asthma attack I might have had walking up that hill to my house. I hate to think of the headache that would have resulted from not being able to breathe properly. I am thankful to my church family for helping me. The people in my life make my life whole. And last, if you can’t laugh at this one piece of craziness of my life, and if you can’t know that God was enjoying every bit of my crazy choices you need to check your funny. God allows us experiences to allow us to reflect and and smile upon and I just know in my heart that he had a good time watching me struggle and laugh at my on self today. The Lord will work! The Lord is Working! The Lord was Working! And I didn’t have an Asthma Attack Today.
PS- None of my walking counts today because I didn’t put on my watch that tracks my steps!
Monday, May 22, 2017
Dieting- There are harder things.
It seems for most of my life, my mind has had my body on a diet. No, I haven't actually been on a diet, but my mind is telling me I should-therefore I am on a fake diet. I have spent my time on Weight Watchers and 3 day diets. I have spent my time avoiding ice cream and potato chips-my loves-but I have spent much of my life indulging as well. (As is indicated by the person I have grown to be.)
Currently, I am on the latest- counting carbs. I have had a lot of inspiration from groups on Facebook and friends who have taken pictures of themselves and posted their weight loss. I must say this diet is going much better than I expected. That collection of chip bags that hang out in the corner of my cabinet, the ones I draw my every calorie from when I get home from school, are still there as full as they were two weeks ago. The ice cream in the freezer only has a relationship with my husband. I can only hope both (the ice cream and chips-not my husband) are not emotionally distraught over my ignoring them.
As difficult as it has been to avoid the temptation of those empty calories I so love, the most difficult thing I have done lately is to listen to God's voice. I once put a post on Facebook about my husband's opinion of Facebook and Twitter and basically all social media. I can't remember it exactly but it went something like -Twitter is from the Devil and Facebook is straight from Hell. (or vice versa) It is so true! All social media has the potential to be a force for the Lord and reach others but so often it is used for just the opposite. It is used to seek and destroy. Those posts that are stirring thoughts or comments that are going to be "just left right here" to see what drama the post can stir. Those posts that arise anger in you that you almost lose control of your thoughts. Those posts that let Satan creep into your mind.
Yes, the hardest thing I have faced as of late is to put Satan behind me and lift the situation up to God. I must say that God and I have been in touch a lot lately. Every time I feel that little snake creeping in on my soul, I have to repeat, "God, I lift this situation up to you. You know my heart and desire. Take control of the pain I feel and others feel. I lift this up to you for you to take care of. Help me understand there is a bigger picture and that with you all things are possible." It is the hardest thing I have done- more difficult than avoiding chips and ice cream- more difficult than reminding myself to drink water-more difficult than making myself exercise. It would be so easy to grab my phone and make social media what my husband says it is- from the Devil- but I refuse to let it. I grab my Bible and let God lead me to what I want to hear. And God is so faithful. He knows exactly what I need to read- even though I say "Really God, Hear, Here? I need some Proverbs." But God knows, and it is so spot on it brings a smile to my heart.
At this time I am choosing to pray. I am choosing to trust. I am choosing to believe. I am choosing to have faith. I am praying to understand that this might be a long process but I have put God in control and he can see the good at the end.
Sunday, May 14, 2017
Rallying the troops- Listening to God's Voice
Sometimes we are faced with situations that make us so upset-so angry we can't get control of our own thoughts. We need someone to turn to- someone to be our listening ear. We take to Facebook, text messaging, phones, or whatever gossip tool we have to provide us with comfort. We want someone else to feel our pain and identify what we are going through and give us some comforting words.
I am reminded of Job who had absolutely everything. The Bible tells us of his prosperity- ten children that he loved, seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred oxen, five hundred donkeys, and a very large household. Job had been blessed and Job blessed God for all that he had.
Because of these blessings, Satan being who he was/is wanted to stir trouble. Satan and God had a conversation about Job. God was speaking to the blamelessness of Job and his upright character and Satan had a response that went something like this......."Of course Job praises you. Look at what he has. You have made it easy on him. He has everything. He wants for nothing. But, if he were to lose everything, he wouldn't be such happy camper.... such a blameless and upright man. Job will turn his back upon you." God gives Satan permission to bring misery on Job. He can destroy his belongings. He can put him in distress, but he can never touch his life.
When Job finds out of all the destruction that has been brought upon him- the loss of his children-the loss of his belongings-Satan is sure Job will curse God. Job is sorrowful, no doubt, but in all of his turmoil, he turns to God and Blesses his name. (all of this from Job 1- the whole book of Job is full of Job's misery.)
We all have those moments that work against us We have those people who want to bring us destruction. Though we are Christians ourselves, we may be the ones who have Satan working on our emotions and our thoughts-taking control of us- to make us work for him. We need to RALLY THE TROOPS to get us through our turmoil. And what troops do we need to rally?
We need to recognize the troops that need rallying is not a plural but is ONE. God is our troop. He's the only troop that can provide comfort and answers to our situation. How do we rally God as our troop? We find a quiet place, we go to him in prayer, and we have devotion with him. We let God do his work on our situation.
Personally I am trying to read through the Bible on my own plan. Oftentimes I find just where I am reading in the Bible are the versus I need to speak to where I am in my life. Sometimes, I have to close the Bible and whisper, "God you know what I need. You know the versus I need to hear. Lead me to what I need to read." Oftentimes I turn to the most strange places and I want to say "You have got to be kidding me. How in the world is this place going to provide me any comfort?" God convinces me to read on and I see what he is trying to tell me. You see when we ask, we need to expect to be led. When we are led, we need to listen.
Today is a day like that. God led me to the first chapter of Job to read about his prosperity and his anguish. This was after listening to Dr. Charles Stanley preach about listening to God's voice.
I can only conclude that God wanted me to hear- "Rally the Troops- I (God) am that Troop. Come to Me (God) and in all things -prosperity, suffering, and misery- I (God)will be there. "
Psalms 78:1 says Give ear O my people to my law; Incline your ears to the word of my mouth.
Go to God and LISTEN to what he has for you. RALLY THE TROOP!
I am reminded of Job who had absolutely everything. The Bible tells us of his prosperity- ten children that he loved, seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred oxen, five hundred donkeys, and a very large household. Job had been blessed and Job blessed God for all that he had.
Because of these blessings, Satan being who he was/is wanted to stir trouble. Satan and God had a conversation about Job. God was speaking to the blamelessness of Job and his upright character and Satan had a response that went something like this......."Of course Job praises you. Look at what he has. You have made it easy on him. He has everything. He wants for nothing. But, if he were to lose everything, he wouldn't be such happy camper.... such a blameless and upright man. Job will turn his back upon you." God gives Satan permission to bring misery on Job. He can destroy his belongings. He can put him in distress, but he can never touch his life.
When Job finds out of all the destruction that has been brought upon him- the loss of his children-the loss of his belongings-Satan is sure Job will curse God. Job is sorrowful, no doubt, but in all of his turmoil, he turns to God and Blesses his name. (all of this from Job 1- the whole book of Job is full of Job's misery.)
We all have those moments that work against us We have those people who want to bring us destruction. Though we are Christians ourselves, we may be the ones who have Satan working on our emotions and our thoughts-taking control of us- to make us work for him. We need to RALLY THE TROOPS to get us through our turmoil. And what troops do we need to rally?
We need to recognize the troops that need rallying is not a plural but is ONE. God is our troop. He's the only troop that can provide comfort and answers to our situation. How do we rally God as our troop? We find a quiet place, we go to him in prayer, and we have devotion with him. We let God do his work on our situation.
Personally I am trying to read through the Bible on my own plan. Oftentimes I find just where I am reading in the Bible are the versus I need to speak to where I am in my life. Sometimes, I have to close the Bible and whisper, "God you know what I need. You know the versus I need to hear. Lead me to what I need to read." Oftentimes I turn to the most strange places and I want to say "You have got to be kidding me. How in the world is this place going to provide me any comfort?" God convinces me to read on and I see what he is trying to tell me. You see when we ask, we need to expect to be led. When we are led, we need to listen.
Today is a day like that. God led me to the first chapter of Job to read about his prosperity and his anguish. This was after listening to Dr. Charles Stanley preach about listening to God's voice.
I can only conclude that God wanted me to hear- "Rally the Troops- I (God) am that Troop. Come to Me (God) and in all things -prosperity, suffering, and misery- I (God)will be there. "
Psalms 78:1 says Give ear O my people to my law; Incline your ears to the word of my mouth.
Go to God and LISTEN to what he has for you. RALLY THE TROOP!
Sunday, April 30, 2017
Teacher Appreciation Week.
So it's Teacher Appreciation week and I'm a member of some craft groups. They have posted some really cool gifts for teachers and have plans to give gifts every day. As I look at each of them, I marvel at their creativity and time they have taken. Looking at all of these things and admiring them, I got to thinking out of all those gifts which would a teacher want the most and I came to this conclusion.
Teachers would like your support. We are just as tired of giving and grading homework as you are helping with it. We have looked at our standards and realized we still have things we are expected to have covered for them to be prepared for next year. We have also looked at grades and think we may be able to give a child a better chance of making a better grade by providing opportunities to increase their grade.
Teachers want your understanding. Understand that decisions we make at this time are based on a large group not just one child. Though your child is the most important child in your life, there are 60-200 important children in our lives. We consider them all special and important.
Teachers want you to send your child with the expectation you have for them to be on their best behavior and give their best effort. Realize Education is our job and learning is your child's job. Recognize there are two sides or more to every situation that happens. Realize you are getting the point of view that best benefits your child.
Teachers did not become teachers because they wanted to be mean to children. Teachers become teachers for just the opposite reasons. They love kids and feel like they have something to offer. They want only the best for kids. They want children to succeed.
It's teacher appreciation week and gifts are not necessary. Understanding, support, and an expectation you have of your child to do what's right and try to learn something is the best appreciation you can show.
We are tired but your child is too important for us to sacrifice their education whether it be standards based lessons or life lessons.
We are teachers. We want the best for all of our students.
Teachers would like your support. We are just as tired of giving and grading homework as you are helping with it. We have looked at our standards and realized we still have things we are expected to have covered for them to be prepared for next year. We have also looked at grades and think we may be able to give a child a better chance of making a better grade by providing opportunities to increase their grade.
Teachers want your understanding. Understand that decisions we make at this time are based on a large group not just one child. Though your child is the most important child in your life, there are 60-200 important children in our lives. We consider them all special and important.
Teachers want you to send your child with the expectation you have for them to be on their best behavior and give their best effort. Realize Education is our job and learning is your child's job. Recognize there are two sides or more to every situation that happens. Realize you are getting the point of view that best benefits your child.
Teachers did not become teachers because they wanted to be mean to children. Teachers become teachers for just the opposite reasons. They love kids and feel like they have something to offer. They want only the best for kids. They want children to succeed.
It's teacher appreciation week and gifts are not necessary. Understanding, support, and an expectation you have of your child to do what's right and try to learn something is the best appreciation you can show.
We are tired but your child is too important for us to sacrifice their education whether it be standards based lessons or life lessons.
We are teachers. We want the best for all of our students.
Monday, November 28, 2016
Take care
Yesterday our preacher delivered a message from Haggai, a minor prophet in the Old Testament. I don't know about you, but I had never read the words from Haggai, nor do I remember a sermon from that particular chapter in the Bible.
His message was simply "Consider your Ways!" Consider what you do on day to day basis and are you putting God first or are there other things interfering? Do you have false gods (not a graven image) that keep you from putting God first in your life? Are there things that get more of your time or more of your consideration than doing the will of God? It was a wonderful message and definitely gave me food for thought about the things that get my time.
But me being me had to do a little Bible surfing to read other verses. This particular verse spoke to me and gave me comfort. Granted it is talking to the people of Haggai's time specifically but if you insert your own name it may speak to your heart as well. "I am with you says the Lord. So the Lord stirred up the spirit of Bennetta wife of Lewis, mother of Tyler, Taylor and Torrie, grandmother of Case and Addie, and she came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts. Then you move on down and the Bible tells you the the Lord is with you. "My Spirit remains among you; do not fear."
Powerful words- "My Spirit remains among you; do not fear."
So, as I go on this daily journey of life, putting God first and taking care of his house inside of me, there should be no worries that God can't help me handle. Decisions I make in my personal life. Decisions that I make at my job. Tend to the temple inside of me first, and God will take care of the rest.
"My Spirit remains among you; do not fear."
Friday, April 15, 2016
The Bedroom
But when I looked inside this time, I just stopped and stared. I stared at the unmade bed and I thought to myself, "this chick isn't coming back to this room anymore. This isn't Taylor's room."
Taylor's room is somewhere else now. It's out on Cove Road on the other end of Stone County. Taylor's room is with that one special man that has her heart. He grabbed her heart back in March of 2008, and in March of 2016, he took her heart forever. Taylor has found her Prince Charming. So as I looked in that room and I thought about her not coming back anymore, it made me a little melancholy-tears filled my eyes and a quiet lonesome entered my soul. But at the same time, it also made my heart happy.
No, she's not coming back to that room anymore. She has found her happily ever after. Taylor has found the one her soul loves. The room is empty but her heart is full and her heart being full is what I want most for her.
No, that chick is not coming back to that room anymore, and I don't think I would ever want her to. 
Sunday, January 3, 2016
Clearance Aisles
Since before Halloween you could walk through most any department store or discount store and see the sparkle and shine of Christmas. The sparkling decorations in a multitude of reds, greens, golds, silvers, and purples lined the aisle. Christmas trees were lit up beckoning shoppers to purchase a new tree to brighten up their home. Piping through the intercom were the sounds of Bing Crosby singing Silent Night, Mariah Carey belting out All I Want for Christmas is You - Instrumentals of Christmas tunes just made the mood light and lively. If you were lucky enough to be in a store that sold groceries, an action alley shelf was dedicated to the baking needs of the holidays- pumpkin for pies and pumpkin rolls, candied fruits for fruit cakes, chocolate chips (all varieties) and nuts for baking any goody you can imagine, Christmas cookies, cakes and pies just waiting for someone to take them home and devour. Christmas was everywhere!
Last night after a dinner date with my husband, we made that routine trip to the grocery store to get some necessities to make it through the week. The only sign of Christmas was in the Clearance Aisle - no sparkle and shine-no melodious Christmas tunes. What was left of Christmas was marked half price or less! I'll be the first to admit that I did make a trudge to one of my favorite stores the day after Christmas to check out the Clearance Aisles to stock up on some things for next year. Clearance Aisles-you never know what you will find. I love a Clearance Aisle!
As I strolled around in the forgotten Christmas items, I got to thinking about my personal Clearance Aisles. I have many. Clearing out the old, straightening and rearranging, winter cleaning of items I don't need, straightening the cabinets and closets.... All of these make a good clearance project but then there is The Clearance Aisle in my spirit. Have I put the Spirit of Christmas in the Clearance Aisle? During Christmas time it is easy to have an attitude of giving- after all we were given the greatest gift when Jesus was born in the manager so long ago. As a Christian during Christmas I have that constant reminder to try and be a little kinder. I put my Christmas spirit on display just like a business. I have a care for those who are not as fortunate as myself. I have a little fire in me to be a better person-to be or to try to be worthy of the gift of Jesus which is the sole purpose to celebrate Christmas. Oh sure, I can get caught up in the hustle and bustle of shopping and finding the perfect gift and getting to everything, but I have to admit, I enjoyed my shopping trips I had this year. I enjoyed the family get togethers that others hosted for me and that I had the opportunity to do for others. But where will these times go? Where will the attitude of caring for others be in a few weeks? Where will these times of spending time with friends and family be for get togethers and games? Where will this Christmas Spirit that has been following me around for the last couple of months end? It seems it may be ending up in the Clearance Aisle.
What to do about this Clearance Aisle? I am positive it starts with a connection with God and becoming more dedicated to my walk with him. I want to sparkle and shine with my Christian Spirit. I want to be that tune that you hear that brings you that happy feeling. Oh I am positive there will be days, I will act like I'm on the Clearance Aisle, but my hope -my goal is to live more days as though I have the best gift to offer for I have received the best gift from God.
Christ our Savior is born! Christ our Savior is born!
Last night after a dinner date with my husband, we made that routine trip to the grocery store to get some necessities to make it through the week. The only sign of Christmas was in the Clearance Aisle - no sparkle and shine-no melodious Christmas tunes. What was left of Christmas was marked half price or less! I'll be the first to admit that I did make a trudge to one of my favorite stores the day after Christmas to check out the Clearance Aisles to stock up on some things for next year. Clearance Aisles-you never know what you will find. I love a Clearance Aisle!
As I strolled around in the forgotten Christmas items, I got to thinking about my personal Clearance Aisles. I have many. Clearing out the old, straightening and rearranging, winter cleaning of items I don't need, straightening the cabinets and closets.... All of these make a good clearance project but then there is The Clearance Aisle in my spirit. Have I put the Spirit of Christmas in the Clearance Aisle? During Christmas time it is easy to have an attitude of giving- after all we were given the greatest gift when Jesus was born in the manager so long ago. As a Christian during Christmas I have that constant reminder to try and be a little kinder. I put my Christmas spirit on display just like a business. I have a care for those who are not as fortunate as myself. I have a little fire in me to be a better person-to be or to try to be worthy of the gift of Jesus which is the sole purpose to celebrate Christmas. Oh sure, I can get caught up in the hustle and bustle of shopping and finding the perfect gift and getting to everything, but I have to admit, I enjoyed my shopping trips I had this year. I enjoyed the family get togethers that others hosted for me and that I had the opportunity to do for others. But where will these times go? Where will the attitude of caring for others be in a few weeks? Where will these times of spending time with friends and family be for get togethers and games? Where will this Christmas Spirit that has been following me around for the last couple of months end? It seems it may be ending up in the Clearance Aisle.
What to do about this Clearance Aisle? I am positive it starts with a connection with God and becoming more dedicated to my walk with him. I want to sparkle and shine with my Christian Spirit. I want to be that tune that you hear that brings you that happy feeling. Oh I am positive there will be days, I will act like I'm on the Clearance Aisle, but my hope -my goal is to live more days as though I have the best gift to offer for I have received the best gift from God.
Christ our Savior is born! Christ our Savior is born!
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Social Media-The Second Tongue.
Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
The tongue. I've always had trouble with it. What pops into my head comes out and what does the Bible say? How little a fire it kindleth.
Let's think of the tongue, just for the sake of analogy -not trying to change the Bible, but let's think of the tongue as the voice. The voice kindleth a fire. The voice is a fire, a world of iniquity. The voice defineth the whole body.
Hmm. Voice. What do we use as our voice in these modern times? We put things out on social media for others to read. We are letting our typing-texting become our tongue.
I'm a little hesitant to put this out there because as every good fourth grader knows... When you're pointing a finger at someone else there are three pointing back at your own self. So, I put this out there for food for thought for all-myself included. Think about what you put on social media. If you're/we are putting something out on social media to go in a round about way to let someone know what you think, how they have wronged you, or even doing it purposely to hurt someone without mentioning names, are we setting a course of nature of hell fire?
What profit does it gain? Probably nothing. The only thing to gain is hurt feelings and destroyed relationships.
The tongue-the voice-typing,texting- social media- what do you want it to express?
Thoughts provoked from the television sermon of Dr Stanley. His message was seeking God first in your decisions. Reading the entire chapter put this in my head. Maybe seek God first before using that voice.
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