PLEASE PRAY!!!

My oldest son was over today for a haircut and shared with us that a girl he works with is pregnant by the guy my son shares a house with. She apparently confides in him and told him that she is going to have an abortion as soon as her boyfriend and her can come up with the $650 it will take to murder this baby. She also has a three year old.

I know abortion goes on all day everyday around the world and that we should be praying unceasingly about this. I am ashamed to admit that I don't. I am asking you to pray fervently for the life of this precious baby, his/her mother and father. Pray also for my son to be bold to share the truth any opportunity he has. Pray that if the Lord had him tell us for any reason other than to pray that it would become evident and that He would provide an opportunity to minister to this young woman.

We have offered to talk with her, pray with her, provide her help, adopt her baby . . .

Please pray!!!! Thank you.

I just can't get my mind off of this, it is a BABY!!! A teeny tiny baby whose going to be murdered!

"Saucey" Beans and Rice

We frequently have a 'beans and rice' meal to be able to keep our healthy eating within budget. I have gotten bored with plain old rice and beans, beans and rice, though the children don't mind. We have refried beans and rice and black beans and rice.

This week I tried something different and it was so simple and tasty!

I sauteed some onion, red pepper and garlic in some oil. I added about two cups or so of tomato sauce. (could have been diced tomatoes or whatever kind of tomato product you have on hand) some homemade chicken stock (about a cup) and some of my "Homemade Taco Seasoning" and a lot of soaked, cooked, frozen then thawed black beans! (One reason this is so simple is that I always cook up a ridiculous amount of beans and freeze them in freezer bags to have ready for such a meal as this.)

I then let it simmer for about 20 minutes for the flavors to meld.

I served this over brown rice that had been soaked and made in the oven, ( so easy) and a salad with homemade Ranch dressing! Yummy!! I thought I had made enough for two meals, but the children loved it so much that many of them had three helpings!

Recap:

chopped onion

chopped red pepper (any color will do)

chopped garlic

coconut oil

Saute for a few minutes, until tender.

Add:

soaked, cooked black beans

tomato product of your choice

taco seasoning

chicken stock

Simmer for 2o minutes and you have what we call "Saucy Black Beans"

Serve over rice or with your favorite organic, non-GMO corn chips!

Please, please check out my $75.00 give away!! Come check out how you could win $75.00 of free grass-fed beef! Hurry while you still have a chance!

Which of You Do NOT Want Free Beef?

Okay ladies, this is an easy one. Just watch Food Inc., write a post about it and you make yourself eligible to win $75.00 of free grass-fed beef products from U.S. Wellness Meats. You get to choose which products, it's like cash in your pocket!! Who wouldn't want that?

Help me spread the word. Each of us can play a small part in making some huge changes. When we sit around and do nothing 'they' win! As far as I know we still live in a 'mostly' free country, therefore we should get to CHOOSE what we put into our bodies!

Click on this link to find out how you could be feeding your family $75.00 of grass-fed beef for FREE!!!!

"I care about what I feed my family!"

Winner Winner, Chicken Dinner!! How We Afford It

I had a blast making these videos to show you how we afford to eat real food. Sorry about the foil noise in the first segment. I promise the rest is better ;-) I broke it down into two sections because I know it is so hard to take the time to watch long videos on blogs. (six minutes each)I did this because so many people ask, 'how can I afford to eat like this?', and I personally find it easier sometimes to just 'see' it being done. I hope this inspires you. I also posted the steps below, as well as the final cost analysis.

*Procure Organic Free-Range Chicken

*Prep chicken for roasting

*Roast Chicken

*Serve reasonable amount of protein per person

*"Pick" chicken for meal later in week

*Put carcass in stock pot with water and vinegar (for at least one hour or overnight)

*Put stockpot on in morning to simmer all day with veggies of choice (carrots, onion, celery)

*12 hours or so later turn off and strain stock into jars

*Re-pick chicken

*Refrigerate stock until cool

*Pour into freezer bags and freeze flat

As stated in the video, for $36.00 I got:

* two ample protein based dinners,

*two very full lunches,

*two 3- ounce portions of chicken breast for lunch for myself,

*enough 'picked' chicken for stir fried rice and

*9 1/2 quarts of delicious, good for you bone broth!

According to my husband who is way better at math than I am, that is 78 cents per serving, per person for organic, free range chicken!! (46 servings) Woo Hoo!!

AND!!

9 1/2 quarts of stock that easily could sell for $4.50 a quart. ( I have paid this much, on sale, for organic chicken stock) that is $42.75!!!

So, do you get that???? I paid $36.00 (2.85 lb.) for the chickens and I got 46 servings and over $42.00 worth of organic chicken stock!

(for our Tuesday leftover meal, this week, White Chili, I actually have enough for another lunch for the children)

Please DO NOT do this with plain old store bought chicken. It must, at the very least be organic!

Gift From a Sweet Friend and God

I have been having several pretty rough days in a row after a wonderful run of about 10 days of finally feeling well.

Yesterday I was making dinner, the grill flared up and was charring our organic grass-fed steaks, the kitchen was a mess, I was fighting the tears when my dear husband walks in with a hug and the mail. There was a package for me, which helps the tears dry up ;-) and look what it was!!

Thank you my sweet friend, Linda, you made my day! The details behind me getting this bag are too many to type, but trust me, this bag will always remind me of how much my Jesus loves me!



This Market Bag is adorable! The quality is amazing! Please go check out Linda's blog, Prairie Flower Farm. She has a very sweet blog and on her sidebar you can see all the really neat things she makes and sells.

Let's Visit!

Today I am over At the Well, won't you come visit?

As I was meditating on Isaiah 40:29-31 this morning,

He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.

Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,

But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.


The word 'wait' struck me so I looked it up in my word study dictionary, and this is what I found.

Wait means to bind together (by twisting) to be joined, to meet, to lie in wait for someone, to expect, to hope, look patiently, to be confident.

So, those who bind themselves together with the Lord, who are joined to Him, who lie in wait for Him, who are expecting, hopeful and look patiently to Him shall renew their strength.

Why don't you head on over to At the Well . . . in Pursuit of Titus 2 and hopefully be encouraged to bind yourself together with the Lord, doing HIS will for your every day.

$ 75.00 Give Away!!

Today I want to announce a $75.00 giveaway! Yep, you read that right, $75.00! And yes, I believe it is that important!

It is actually a $75.00 gift certificate to U.S. Wellness Meats! I have mentioned them before, they sell awesome grass-fed meat products and other various items. We buy all of our ground turkey from them, as well as some specialty meats for a treat once in awhile.

All you have to do to enter the drawing for this awesome

$75.00 gift certificate from U.S. Wellness Meats

is:

Watch Food Inc. and then blog about it on your blog. Come back here and leave a comment on this post with the link to your post so I can go and read it. An idea to post about might be some action steps you are going to take since seeing this movie.

If someone reads about this on your blog, and then watches Food Inc. and also blogs about it, and then comes to my sight leaving their link as well as mentioning your name, you will get another entry in the drawing as well as them. Your name will be entered in for each person that mentions your name after they too have posted about it.

I will give two full weeks to do this in. Food Inc. is available on Amazon (for purchase or rent)and Netflix, as well as many local video stores and local libraries. All entries must be in by Monday, April 5, 2010 by midnight.

If you have already watched and posted about Food Inc. in the past, you must re-post or write a new one. I want the word out afresh. Make sure you spread the word, the more people who mention they saw it on your blog the more entries you will get! You will not be disappointed with the products from U.S. Wellness Meats, I promise!!

Please feel free to ask any questions. This sounds clear in my head, not sure if it translates on paper, please let me know!

In Summary:

*Watch Food Inc.

*Post about on your blog

*Come back here with your link

*Encourage others to do the same

I am sorry, U.S. Wellness Meats does not ship to Canada ;-( I am going to limit this give-away to the United States only. Due to the fact that my whole purpose in doing this is to spread the word about the quality and origin of our food, I am going to have to limit this to people with blogs. I am trying to make as big of an impact as I can with this.

Did I mention, $75.00 U.S. Wellness Meats Gift Certificate??!!

Have I Learned the Lesson?

This morning I was reading a devotional about not just accepting God's will, but rejoicing in it. Of course, it is so much easier to rejoice when it 'feels' good or His will is exactly what we wanted, right? It is easier, that is, if we remember to praise Him and rejoice in Him when things are going as 'we' planned.

How much more difficult it is when His will is darkness or hard times. It seems we do well to at the very least not to complain. Sometimes that is all we can muster, right? 'At least I am not complaining, I am standing still under this intense darkness', we think.

This devotional asked the question,

"Have you learned this lesson yet? Not simply to endure or to choose God's will, but to rejoice in it "with inexpressible and glorious joy"?

And a line from a poem,

But soon my heart spoke up from beneath our burden and said, 'We can do more than this, O Soul', it whispered. 'We can be more than still, we can be glad!'

From my journal,

Oh, my patient and merciful Father, I dare say I have not learned this lesson yet. I often hear the faint cries of my hart to rise up and praise, but I fear the most I often muster is to be still, to simply endure. Oh, how I long to sing and praise You even in my darkest hour. By Your grace, 'I shall yet praise Him, Who is the help of my countenance, and my God!'

Aren't you so glad He is patient with us? That He is so merciful and kind?

Thank God in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].

(1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Yummy and Fresh

I have made this recipe two times now and I love it. This time of year I am so tired of the same old, same old veggies and salads. This is a refreshing change. It is easy to make and keeps for about a week in the fridge, if it lasts that long. The water content of the jicama and cucumber make this a very hydrating raw salad. It is so important to get as many raw veggies as you can, and this is a tasty way to do it.

If you have never used a jicama (pronounced HEE-kah-mah)before, give it a try. They are very crisp, watery and lightly sweet . Nutritionally, 1 cup of sliced jicama has a mere 46 calories, and 11g of carbohydrate (of which 6 huge grams are fiber) and 30% of the daily value for vitamin C.

Here is the link:

Jicama Salad Recipe

I hope you enjoy this. We are loving it!

Winners Announced!

Announcing . . .

The Winners of the Busy Mom's Bibles

are

Alice

and

Memmay!!

Please email me asap so I can get your address and get these out to you!!

My husband and I put the names in a container, prayed, and had our little girls draw out the names. It is always so exciting when we have a drawing! I love knowing the winners are chosen by God!

Also, could Joy and Strength please email me.

Have a beautiful weekend!

Bible Giveaway!

I was given a Busy Mom's Bible (actually two, by mistake) to review. I would love to give these away to someone who could use them. As pretty as it is, brown and pink! I really won't use it as I am madly and passionately in love with my Amplified bible.

My review:

First of all, it is very pretty! I love brown and pink. It has a nice 'feel' if you are picky about these things as I am and know what I am talking about. ;-)

I am sure the little devotional that are placed sporadically throughout the bible would come in handy for someone just wanting to flip open their bible and find something to meditate on. I don't think I would personally use them much as I already have a set routine with my devotions.

I was not thrilled with some of the topics in these devotional sections, but I know that working women, carpooling moms, blended families, ect. are a reality that can't be ignored. I am not judging women for these things, I just don't know if I like it smattered throughout my bible. I would rather see more devotions encouraging women to be keepers at home and to love their husbands and children. I am not saying these thoughts might not be conveyed in here, I am just saying they weren't the focus.

Regardless, besides these sections it is just a really nice NIV pink and brown bible. I don't know that I would choose it because it's the "Busy Mom's Bible", but it is very nice. I personally choose a bible on my version preference and pretty color (can't help it, I like a pretty book).

So, if you would like one of these bibles, or know of someone who could use one, please leave me a comment and I will draw two winners and send them right out to you, free! I will draw on
Saturday morning!

Quiet Your Heart

Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee.

(Deuteronomy 5:12)

Give Me a heart that has learned how to become quiet and to rest. Anybody can work. Few people know how to be quiet. Ye must be able to collect yourself--to take time to absorb the Spirit of God. For to be freshly filled with the Spirit will bring the guidance and direction and wisdom and the will to do His bidding.

I what ways should I quiet my heart and rest?

from Dialogues with God, by Frances J. Roberts

Have a lovely and restful weekend, my friends!

Are You Tired?

Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as He was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour. (John 4:6)

This verse spoke volumes to me! Do you see it? Can you guess why it spoke to me? Right there in the middle of the verse it said that

'Jesus was tired from His journey'!

The Son of God was tired. Another version said He was wearied from His journey. This so struck me because I think the Lord has been trying to convince me that it is OKAY to be tired, weary or weak. I fight this with all I have. It's like I just can't accept that I get tired or weary from this journey. Like it is some sort of weakness that I need to root out! It is crazy, I know. Over and over I read the verse where Paul glories in his weakness. I know this makes sense and it true, but I just can't wrap my mind around it.

I felt as if the Lord was saying to me, if My Son was tired and weary from His journey, how much more might you be? Is it not prideful to think that somehow 'I' could escape this tiredness or weariness?

Just one more sweet and patient word from my Father that it is OKAY to be tired, to need rest, to be human for crying out loud!

Sweet Mama, the journey He has called you to is a precious one indeed. One that often times takes all you have physically, emotionally and spiritually. That is okay! He is aware of this and if you are weary or tired, just rest. It is okay. Your Shepherd is a good and gentle Shepherd. He never drives you too hard. Weary one, let Him hold you near to His breast, close your eyes and rest in Him.

Priceless!!!!

She was crying so hard, this little one of mine. Chest heaving with each breath. What ever could cause such a little one to sob so desperately hard, I inquired.

"I 'feel' like God doesn't hear me when I pray and isn't answering me."

Oh, how I can relate to this adult size struggle.

This little one, you see, has really bad eczema and has a very restricted diet. She itches, she hurts, she watches others eat what they want. We have prayed and still do, for healing, for wisdom, for answers, for grace. I guess it was just too much for her tired little heart last night, the flood gates were open wide. So much like her mommy, I'm afraid.

I took a deep breath as I stroked her hair, buying time,really, praying for words from my Father to soothe her saddened heart.

"Oh, sweet one, do you know that God loves you so much? He hears us when we cry, He always does! His Word says so and we can trust His Word! I want to tell you three things about our God that might help you, okay?

First, God is all sovereign and all powerful. He controls every single thing in this whole world. This big and powerful God is in charge of everything that happens to you, everything.

Second, He is all wise. He knows everything! His word tells us that His ways and thinking are far, far above our ways and the way we think. Let's just say He is way, way smarter than us, okay?

Third, He LOVES you so much. I mean so much that before He even created the world He had plans for your precious life. And that was, like, thousands of years ago! He knit you together in my womb, planning each day of your life. He is probably crying with you right now because He loves you so much that it hurts His heart to see you crying, but He knows better, sweetie. He knows the beginning from the end. He knows what is best for each of us to go through to make us more and more to like Jesus. That's what we want, really, to be like Jesus.

Oh, honey, we can trust Him with this. Remember, He is all powerful and in charge of everything. He knows far better when to heal you and when to make us wait. Oh, and the best thing is He loves you so much. You need to believe that and when the enemy comes whispering that He doesn't hear your prayers or you 'feel' like He is not answering your prayers, you just remember what we have talked about, okay. You say, NO! that is not true, my God hears my prayers! Remember your verse? The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their cry!? Right?"

We prayed for grace to trust Him more. We held tight in each other's arms until the floodgates had closed and the breathing was calm, and off to sleep to hear her Father singing over her.

Are we not among the most privileged there is to be able to minister hope, truth and comfort to these precious ones? What would you trade for this honor? Don't you think for one minute that what you do is not 'ministry'! Priceless, I am telling you, priceless this honor that He bestows on you and I. Priceless!

Oh, and couldn't this same message be spoken to our weary and fearful heart?

Comforting AND a Promise!

He knows the way that I take;
When He has tried me, I shall
come forth as gold.

(Job 23:10)

I love this verse! Especially in light of this post, Testing of your faith. I get the sense that there is some serious testing and purifying going on in all of our lives and that we just need to persevere, cling to Him and trust Him.

It is so hard, I know!

The work "know" in this verse is one of my favorite Hebrew words, yadha, which is a word used to express such an intimate knowledge.(taken from The Complete Word Study Old Testament) It is even used for the word meaning intercourse between a man and woman. It is that intimate. So, this says that God intimately knows the way (our journey, way of life, lot in life)! The God of the universe, the great I AM knows the way that I take, the way that YOU take! I get a sense of His very fingerprints all over my life! Isn't that comforting?

Also, it says that when we are tried, we SHALL come forth as gold! No maybe, no, 'I hope so', nope, it says we SHALL! come forth as gold. There is the promise!

This promise is found in many places, one favorite is 1 Peter 5:10

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you.

To Him be the dominion, power, authority, rule forever and ever. Amen.

WooHoo! My God is intimately involved in all that is going on in my life now AND He will complete and make me what I ought to be! Oh, don't you just love Him!?

"And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint. "

(Gal. 6:10)

Don't give up! "Often the last step is the winning step. It is when heaven's heights are in full view that he gates of hell are most persistent and full of deadly peril" (Streams in the Desert, March 5)

Praying for strength to persevere and hold on through this purifying of your faith. Faithful is He Who has called you, He will be all you need!

Testing of Your Faith

As I was once again seeking the Lord this morning, about the amount of suffering, sorrows and trials that seem to be overwhelming myself and the women who have contacted me, I feel the Lord brought me to 1 Peter and ministered to my heart. I pray it does the same for you.

I asked Him why I seemed to 'faint' in the battle? Why I am overwhelmed when the flood comes in? Why I can't seem to stand upright and feel as though I am always going under and can't even see Him in the middle of the mess? When I come out of it, then I see Him, and I see the foolishness of my thinking. I see the doubt and fear, but not when I am gasping for air as the waves are sweeping over me.

I read a devotional based on the verse, "without a vision the people perish" and it said, 'faith must first have visions: faith is always born of vision and hope! We must have the gleam of the thing hoped for shining across the waste before we can have an energetic and energizing faith. . . We need a transformation in "the things hoped for" . . .we need to be renewed in mind, and renewed in mind daily."

I believe these verse helped to 'renew my mind' as to the purpose of these trials and the hope we have in Christ.
( I am going to turn the words around to speak to you)

You were chosen and foreknown by God the Father and consecrated by the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and to be sprinkled with [His] blood: May grace (spiritual blessing) and peace be given you in increasing abundance [that spiritual peace to be realized in and through Christ, freedom from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts].

Praised (honored, blessed) be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)! By His boundless mercy you have been born again to an ever-living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Born anew into an inheritance which is beyond the reach of change and decay [imperishable], unsullied and unfading, reserved in heaven for you,

Who are being guarded by God's power through [your] faith [till you fully inherit that final] salvation that is ready to be revealed [for you] in the last time.

You should be exceedingly glad on this account, though now for a little while you may be distressed by trials and suffer temptations,

So that the genuineness of your faith may be tested, your faith which is infinitely more precious than the perishable gold which is tested and purified by fire. This proving of your faith is intended to redound to your praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) is revealed

Without having seen Him, you love Him; though you do not [even] now see Him, you believe in Him and exult and thrill with inexpressible and glorious (triumphant, heavenly) joy.

[At the same time] you receive the result (outcome, consummation) of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

So brace up your minds; be sober (circumspect, morally alert); set your hope wholly and unchangeably on the grace that is coming to you when Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is revealed.

You must know that you were redeemed from the useless way of living inherited by tradition from your forefathers, not with corruptible things such as silver and gold,

But you were purchased with the precious blood of Christ (the Messiah), like that of a sacrificial lamb without blemish or spot.

SO, SINCE Christ suffered in the flesh for us, for you, arm yourselves with the same thought and purpose patiently to suffer rather than fail to please God. For whoever has suffered in the flesh having the mind of Christ is done with intentional sin [has stopped pleasing himself and the world, and pleases God],

So that he can no longer spend the rest of his natural life living by [his] human appetites and desires, but he lives for what God wills.

Beloved, do not be amazed and bewildered at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test your quality, as though something strange (unusual and alien to you and your position) were befalling you.

But insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, rejoice, so that when His glory [full of radiance and splendor] is revealed, you may also rejoice with triumph [exultantly].

Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you,

Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.

Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring, seeking someone to seize upon and devour.

Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset--rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world.

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you. (Yeah!!)


To Him be the dominion, power, authority, rule forever and ever. Amen.

If you would like to read these scriptures without all my passion and 'emphasis added', they can be found in 1 Peter 1, 1 Peter 4 and 1 Peter 5.

A Word for Those Struggling

My heart is so heavy with all of the trials and afflictions that so many women are going through. I have gotten many emails, comments and have read of so many women struggling right now. From severe marriage to serious health issues with everything in between, including financial hardships, emotional issues, relational issues, death of loved ones, caring for elderly parents, parenting struggles, and spiritually challenging situations. I have been praying a lot lately and as I was seeking the Lord this morning these verses stood out to me as an encouragement for those struggling to hang on right now. I pray they speak to your heart and strengthen you to press on! They have me.


Say to those who are fearful-hearted,

“ Be strong, do not fear!
Behold, your God will come with vengeance,
With the recompense of God;
He will come and save you.”
“ Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.
For I am the LORD your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

You are precious in My sight,
You have been honored,
And I have loved you;
Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

Even to your old age, I am He,
And even to gray hairs I will carry you!
I have made, and I will bear;
Even I will carry, and will deliver you

Remember the former things of old,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like Me,
Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things that are not yet done,
Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
And I will do all My pleasure,’

You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
Trust in the LORD forever,
For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.

Women of God, do you hear what this is saying? He will come and save you! You are HIS and you are precious in His sight! He will strengthen you and carry you. There is none other like our God! Keep your mind stayed on Him! Do not faint, who knows but your deliverance is right around the corner. Lift up your eyes and begin praising Him right now for the deliverance that is on its way to you! Trust in the LORD forever, for YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength! Read the end of the book, ladies, we win!!

These verses were taken from the book of Isaiah, chapters 35, 43, 41, 46 and 26. (Emphasis mine)

Who Is Master of Your Life?

Who is master of your life? Who are you allowing to rule over you? Your job? Baggage from the past? Unforgiveness? Hatred? Anger? Unhappiness? Your children?

These are some of the wonderful questions Jenifer has asked us this week as we continue our study of "God, Who are You . . . " Please feel free to join in anytime!

Wow! What a great question. One I thought about for only a few seconds when I was so sure my answer was, Jesus! God! Right?

Well, generally. But as the day has gone on, I have continued to ponder this and I realized that maybe it wasn't God.

I started to realize that on a good day it was Jesus, but what about last week when I was overwhelmed with the fear that I was never going to get better? What about when I was so angry because nothing is changing? What about when I am swallowed up with hopelessness? What about when I push my agenda on my day and watch out to anyone in my way? What about when I doubt God is even leading me? What about when I just want to quit!? What about when I am rehearsing all the negative and difficult in my life?

Hmmmm, who is the master of my life in those moments? Not Jesus. Not my Father.

As a rule, yes, Jesus is Master and Lord over my life. I do live my life for Him and every circumstance and situation has been through His Almighty fingers before it has every been allowed into my life. But, if I am being honest, which the Holy Spirit has been so gracious to point out ;-) there are moments when 'others' rule over me . . .fear . . .doubt . . . hopelessness . . .self . . .

Yes, there are real 'reasons' and 'excuses' for some of this behavior, real physical reasons, but I also believe that if God says to 'thank Him in/for all things' and 'to trust in the Lord with all your heart', He means it and He will provide a way for me live through these experiences in a God honoring way.

Lord Jesus, forgive me for allowing others to rule over me when you have set me free. I bow before Your Majesty and claim you Lord of all my life. Cause my heart and mind to line up with this truth. Convict me when fear or doubt tries to take the throne. Open my eyes to see. I love you, my Lord, I serve YOU! In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Party Time!

Okay, so the daughter of a woman I adore and respect is having a blog party and I simply cannot resist. It is sunny and warmer (40 degrees, only in MI is 40 degrees warm LOL) and I want to have some fun. Care to join me? Just follow Abigails button and you will find out all you need. Abigail is an awesome, talented young lady. She custom designs blogs, and they are beautiful! Check her out!

1. What's your favorite time of the day, and why?

MORNING! Yes, I love the morning, when it is still quiet and dark. I grab my tea and my bible and soak up time with the Lord! Truly the best time of the day! Or maybe 5:30, my beloved comes home.

2. If health wasn't an issue, what food could you live off of?

Oreos dunked in milk, whole, so your whole mouth oozes with mushy Oeros. AND Doritos and the canned Jalapeno Cheese Dip! A girl can dream, right?

3. If you could have one wish granted (besides wishing for more wishes), what would it be?

To feel all better! ;-(

4. What's one thing that you get teased about a lot?

My passionate personality.

5. If you could choose one movie, book, or TV show to spend your life in, which would you pick? What type of character would you be?

Steel Magnolias comes to the top of my head. I think I would like to be Truvy, played by Dolly Parton, no, not for the obvious reasons! I loved her character, I love to 'do hair' and she does have a tiny waist. (too vain for you? sorry)

6. If you could have one talent that you don't already have, what would it be?

SINGING!!!

7.If money were no object, where would you go on vacation?

Italy with my beloved! (you are not giving trips away, are you???)

8. If you were an awesome singer, which genre would you sing?

See # 6, I am so not! After I was done sitting at my piano worshipping the Lord for hours with my exceptionally beautiful voice I would probably belt out a country love song.

9. If you could have a $10,000 shopping spree to one store, what would it be?

Some wonderful furniture store or an antique store.

10. If you could live in any point in time, when would it be?

Little House on the Prairie days! Wait, they did have blogs back then, right?

11. If every outfit in your wardrobe had to be one color, what would it be?

Black, I don't think I would get sick of it.

12. If you were one of the seven dwarves, which one would you be?
(Doc, Grumpy, Sneezy, Sleepy, Bashful, Happy, or Dopey)

Sleepy, right now, due to Adrenal Fatigue. Happy, if I am going by what I think I used to be like before I got sick. Dopey, often times, especially while trying to get a joke. Bashful, in a crowd of new people. Sleepy, right now, did I say that already? Grumpy, when I don't get my way and/or PMSing. Doc, is what I like to think I am when it comes to solving health problems.

13. What's the last album you listened to?

I don't think I really listen to music that often, hmmm, must be a Selah CD.

14. What's something we'd be surprised to know about you?

I don't wash my feet. ;-)

Homemade Taco Seasoning

I have been trying my hand at my own homemade taco/chili seasoning for some time now. While the family has been happy, my taste buds have told me something was off.

A couple of months ago I came across a homemade taco seasoning called, Best Ever Taco Seasoning. I have used it in several applications and I think it's name is accurate.

I hope you give this a try. Now you won't have to wonder what are those "spices" in your store bought packets or jars. I have read several places that companies can use words like, "spices" or "natural seasonings" which may or may not include MSG without having to label it as such. MSG is a neurotoxin (Neurotoxin: A substance that causes damage to nerves or nerve tissue. For example, lead is a neurotoxin.) and it is in so many processed foods. If you still have processed foods in your pantry ;-) go read some of the labels. Here is a link, and another, that shows you the various words to look for.

I make up several batches of this at a time so I don't have to frequently haul out all the ingredients. I store it in a quart Mason jar and it is always handy!

Best Ever Taco Seasoning

Ingredients
•1 tbs chili powder
•1/4 tsp garlic powder or granulated
•1/4 tsp onion powder
•1/4 tsp cayenne
•1/4 tsp dried oregano
•1/2 tsp paprika
•2 tsp ground cumin
•1 tsp course salt

Directions
1.Mix together and store in airtight container.

Enjoy!