It is Almost April, For Goodness Sake!

Good Morning from Colorado Springs! It is freezing here with a slight now and lots of ice. It took my husband about 30 minutes to get the ice off his car and it warm enough to even sit in it before taking off for work. On top of that, he slipped on the ice in the driveway and was not a happy camper this morning. I am glad I don't have to leave the house. I am sitting by the fire thankful for a husband who provides for us and the things he goes without so I can stay home with the kiddos. 

Not everyday am I happy that I stay home with kids. Most days, I complain about all the mundane chores I do. I don't like to cook, I could do laundry everyday for the rest of my life. But today, I am very glad that I don't have to get up and get out of the house. I am blessed to stay here by my fireplace and drink hot tea all day in my pj's and slippers. 

It is all about perspective. I just got a e-mail from a friend who just attended a friends funeral who was a 45 year old woman and had kids. All the sudden, her life seemed so much easier and felt silly about the things she complained about. 

We can all relate, can't we? It all comes down to what we are focusing on. Yesterday, I was focusing on the fact that it would be fun to dress up each day and go work somewhere that didn't need me to wash their dishes or clean their clothes. Today, I am thankful for the blessing of sitting by the fire while the boys are watching Star Wars. Perspective is a powerful thing. 

One day, this life will be but a blink of the eye and we will have wished that we saw things from His perspective. The things we worried about, cared about, mean so little on the other side of eternity. Let's all change our focus to His focus. 

So, today I leave you with this. 

2 Corinthians 4: 16-18 "Therefore we do not lost heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. " 

Eyes To See

I just started Beth Moore's Psalm study this morning. This quote, along with 100 others, stuck out to me. 

"If we could only see beyond the veil of the natural world, look upon our true surroundings, see the kingdom in the distance, and behold the face of Jesus Christ, we'd realize the tragedy of ever settling into a stagnant, mediocre relationship with God." 

I am praying for eyes to see beyond the natural world. To glimpse my life in light of eternity. To see beyond the everyday and grasp the eternal value of why we are here. What really matters. 

It is so easy to get caught up in the everyday mundane things of life, the responsibilities that we have to take care of. God doesn't want us to forsake the responsibilities but to see them in light of eternity. To see them in light of the kingdom ahead. 

This is hard to do, at least it is for me. To live here but focus on the eternal value of what we are doing here. 

That everything I do, I do as unto the Lord. Even when it is dirty dishes, laundry and a pile of other things that seem to have no eternal value. 

Oh Lord, give me eyes to see you. To behold the face of Jesus. To realize what a tragedy it would be to settle into a life of a stagnant, mediocre relationship with you. Don't let me rely on the relationship we have had - to feel secure in the things I do know about you but to long for more. To seek you with all my heart. To be open to whatever it is you have for me! Be real to me. Be HUGE, let your glory fall on this house. 

Clothed With Power

Do you feel in a hurry to do something? I think all of America is in a hurry. We want it and we want now. Even the good things. I think one of the most dangerous places we can be in is rushing God. We have dreams, desires, and plans and we want them accomplished right now. But usually we don't want to wait for God's timing. 

I noticed something this weekend while our pastor preaching and he was in Luke 24 where Jesus is with His disciples and telling them that they are to be His witnesses. Then He says in verse 49 "I am going to send you what My Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." BUT stay UNTIL. Those words were huge to me. Why? I think many times as Christians we get all these good (maybe even great) ideas of what we are going to do for God. Then we go and do it. 

They key here was that they were to stay there until they received His power to do what He has called them to do. I like to just get busy - I want to be moving. It is hard to stay and wait until I am clothed with His power. 

He also gave them specific instructions of what they were to do. I sometimes get so far ahead or away from the instructions that God has given me and get lost in my own ideas. He tells us what to do and then gives us the power to do it. 

He says, don't worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. I think God wants us to daily rest in him and wait on His power to do what HE wants. To stay put till we are clothed in His power. 

Swept Away

Brad and I are off to a funeral this morning. It is the nephew of a good friend. He was 22 months old. Very close to the age Jake was when he died. The memories are flooding back. Almost too much to bear. However, it is such a faith builder to look back and see how far we have come since that dreadful day. How much our families have healed, how God has used our testimony in so many ways. How we have learned how alive and present God is in our lives. How to walk through the valley of the shadow of death and have a peace that passes all understanding. 

My heart breaks for the family who just lost their son. What grief and heartache they have ahead of them. Yet, there is a part of me that misses that heartbreaking grief. Funny, I know but God's grace on us each moment was so REAL. It was alive. It had to be - we couldn't move without it. We couldn't get out of bed, we didn't want to live - yet, we did and God came through victorious in our lives. It was a special time, a time we relied on Him so heavily, the intimacy there. Not that I would ever wish to walk through that again but it is so comforting to know that He walked us through it. There is a certain level of faith that we have that we never could have without our loss. To know without a doubt that we can withstand our worst fears through Him is without a doubt a awesome blessing. No matter what we face in this life, He is there and He knows and will comfort us. 

I told y'all that my plane home from Dallas was cancelled due to weather. Dallas had major rain and many parts of it were flooded. As my sister and I were driving along to the lake we kept looking at all the water and  how quickly it had flooded. My sister kept saying how powerful water is. It has the power to fill an ocean or a backyard. It has the power to sweep away cars - sweep away a life. 

I think I understand now why Jesus told the woman at the well that if she knew who He was, she would ask for living water. He told her that everyone who drinks of well water will thirst again but those who drink of the water that He gives shall never thirst again, the water He brings will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life. (John 4) What Jesus offers her and us is a powerful solution to all life deals us. 

Water in scripture stands for life giving. Jesus was offering her a new way to live. He offers it to us too. When life seems to be sweeping us away, He knows how to make our feet stand. He continually renews us. He brings us into contact with Living Water. 

Tomorrow we celebrate Easter, the ultimate resurrection. He is the Resurrection and the Life. Today, as I look at the snow falling all around us (only in Colorado does is snow on Easer) I stand amazed at The Living Water. He has brought us through all the things that threatened to sweep us away. Now, I am swept away by His powerful love and grace.

Easter Traditions

After a cancelled flight and a longer vacation with my sisters and family than I planned. I find myself on Thursday, the day before Good Friday in a mess. I haven't planned what to cook for Easter, much less what things to do with the kids to remind them why we celebrate Easter. We make Resurrection Rolls on Easter morning each year but was wondering if y'all had any other good ideas for Easter. 

I think I will go and get the Resurrection Eggs today that tell the Easter story. I am all ears for your ideas. 

Here is the recipe for the Resurrection Rolls

1 can of refrigerated crescent roll dough

8 large marshmallows

melted butter

cinnamon

sugar 

Directions:

Give each child one triangle shaped section of crescent roll. This represents the tomb. Each child takes one marshmallow which represents the body of Christ. Dip the marshmallow in the butter and roll in cinnamon and sugar mixture. This represents the oils and spices the body was anointed  with upon burial. Lay the marshmallow on the dough and carefully wrap it around the marshmallow. Make sure all seams are pinched together well. (Otherwise, the marshmallow will "ooze" out of the seams) Bake according to package directions. Cool. Break open the tomb (the oven) and the body of Christ is no longer there. 

I must give you one warning when your kids are little and still in the literal thinking stage - they might be very disturbed to think that are actually eating Jesus' body! My youngest was highly upset thinking what we were eating Him! Kids, don't you just love them?

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice, That's What Girls Are Made Of!

We asked Isabel to pose and she said, "NO!" while folding her arms. A girl after my own heart!

My New Nertz Partner!

Yes, she did beat me (a few times). We were in our pj's so she didn't want her picture taken but I knew y'all would want to know if I was playing!

My Favorite Pancakes

Here are the best pancakes from Original Pancake House. You roll them up and eat them! They are wonderful, wish you were here with me!

Infants!

I am doing lots of walking with my new niece. She won't stop crying unless you walk, pat, and bounce. Once she is good and asleep you can keep her quiet if you bounce when you sit and rock back and forth. I forgot what it is like to have a new born. They are lots of work. It is probably why Paul wants us to "no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. (Ephesians 4:14-15). When we have infants we do these things - pat, walk, and bounce and occasionally rock them. But not for long. Next time I come, Malia should be a bit farther along in her maturity. She won't need to be coddled so much. I must ask the question, do we need to be coddled? Are we moving along in our maturity in Christ? I sure hope so, babies are lots of work! 

Tiny Tidbits

The stove that I almost blew up the other day, well, it is a precious stove. Why, because not too long ago a member of my family, I won't mention who, the other adult in the house got frustrated and slammed his hand on the top of the stove. He shattered it in a million pieces. We had to pay $300 for a new glass top. Yes, a precious stove. I finally cleaned it yesterday and the house once again smelled like smoke. God is continually reminding me how yucky smoke smells.

I found the jeans at Costco I have been wanting for months for HALF – PRICE! He is good to provide the needs and every now and then those extra special wants. YEAH GOD!

I have realized that I am totally treating our youngest like a true baby of the family. A few mornings ago, I was making breakfast and my youngest kept changing his mind about what he wanted for breakfast (something I never would have let our oldest do). Our motto was "you get what you get and you don't throw a fit." But you know how it is with the younger ones – you get lazy and they get away with so much more. So Drew (the oldest) looks at Jackson and says, "You are a spoiled brat." Now, we are not allowed to call each other names in our house, but that said a lot. I need to make sure I am not raising a brat. On my knees I go, I don't want to grow weary in doing good. I want to be faithful and consistent with the baby of the family. He will thank me for it one day and so will his wife!

Our Mom's group was on discipline today. OUCH. It was so good. I needed it. I know what to do – just need to do it. Isn't that how it is. We know what God wants us to do, just need to do it. Don't be just hearers of the word, but doers.

I finally beat Melanie in Nertz last night. It was beautiful!

I leave tomorrow for my trip to see my sisters. I can't wait to sit on the plane and read a book and not talk to anyone or worry if my kids are kicking the seat of those in front of them. I bought a new book just for the trip. A fiction that I hope will bring some mind-numbing relief after a full week.

Drew got selected by his teacher to go to a leadership enrichment class. I was very proud!

I think I am addicted to sugar! I love it!

 

 

No Smell of Smoke

I have a new and healthy respect for fire. Let me tell you why. Yesterday, Brad and I asked some friends over for dinner. I stuck a brisket in the oven that morning to be ready for dinner. I followed all the directions for the oven bag that you are to put it in. Well, almost. When it was about time for our friends to arrive I realized that I needed to put rolls in the oven. So, I turned up the heat a little (ever had God turn up the heat a little in your life?) and started to take the brisket out to the oven. Well, the brisket was heavy and I couldn't hold it steady and juices began to drip out in the oven which then started a fire inside the oven. I dropped the brisket and ignited more of a fire. Thank the Lord, I mean really, I thank the Lord that Brad was right there and smart enough to think to use the sprayer from the sink (it was already on because I had left the water running – which, this time, Brad didn't mind!). He got the fire out but not before all the smoke alarms in the house were going off and the neighbors were coming out to check on us. We had the privilege of telling them, all is well, Kasey is just cooking. They all seemed to understand and went back into their houses.

After we had all calmed down and I had lectured the boys on fire safety and what to do if they ever heard that sound again. RUN! They missed all the excitement; they were downstairs playing video games. Kids! Even a fire doesn't really interest them anymore.

Ok, then I had another bright idea, the first being me in the kitchen, now I thought to use my self clean feature on the stove. Why clean up that mess when the stove will do it for you. Our pretty new stove has an automatic lock on the stove, for safety reasons, I am sure. I proceeded to clean the stove. Brad looks up and screams "fire," again, I thought?? Now, our wonderful safety feature on the stove would not let us open the door to put out the fire. I wonder how safe that really is. We finally had to turn off the whole oven so that we could put out the second fire in one night in our house. Whew! Aren't you glad I didn't ask you over for dinner? We ended up at On the Boarder for dinner. Impressive, I know.

Thankfully, I have good friends who are neighbors and they came over immediately to help. She came armed with her air purifiers and Febreeze to help with the smell. It was so smoky in the house my eyes were burning and Brad was coughing over and over again. I am going through Daniel in our Bible study and I couldn't help but think of the Daniel's three friends who were thrown in the fiery furnace. You know the one that the king ordered them to turn up 7 times hotter. The same fire where the mysterious person appeared and they were not burnt. Coming as close to the fire as I just did – I just can't imagine it. Fire is consuming and if it isn't stopped, it will burn everything in sight. Listen to this verse in Daniel 3:27b "They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them." It is God and only God who could make that happen. I can still smell smoke in my house.

How is it with us when we are put through the fire? Do we stink? Do we sound off the smoke alarms with our bitterness and resentment towards the fire? Or do we withstand the fire and not smell? God, at times, heats up the fire in our lives, or allows things to happen that heat up the fire and it is hot. God will be with you in the fire. He will stand with you so that you can through and be a pleasing aroma to those around you. Don't set off the smoke alarms – let those around you see that God is in the fire with you and He is protecting you. He is all you need!

Most Requested Recipes

I am joining in on the recipe swap at http://lysaterkeurst.blogspot.com/ . Here are my most requested recipes. Enjoy!

SCONES – BEST EVER!

2 cups flour

4 tbs. Butter – melted

2 eggs

1 ½ tsp. Baking powder

½ salt

1 Tbs. Sugar

1 cup of heavy whipping cream

Add 1 carton blueberries (can use any fruit you want)

Mix together and clump on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 425 for 20 min or until golden on top

Crème

8 oz cream cheese

8 oz sour cream

1 cup powdered sugar

1 ½ tsp flavoring (vanilla, maple – whatever you have)

Tiny bit of lemon juice

Whip together and serve with scones. This make allot – can easily half or double the scone recipe.

OREO TRUFFLES

1 1/2 packages of double stuff Oreos

1 8oz. of cream cheese softened

Almond bark (chocolate/ white)

Put Oreos in food processor until crushed. Mix well with cream cheese. Form into balls and place on wax paper and refrigerate 1 hour. Melt almond bark per package instruction and coat on balls, place back on wax paper until set. Drizzle extra chocolate on top in opposite color for decoration (I dip and fork in the chocolate and drizzle over top). You can use regular Oreos, mint, whatever you want!

CHICKEN FETTUCCINI-KAREN

1 whole fryer (I use 5 chicken breasts instead)

1 cup of chicken broth, approximately

1 12-oz pkg. fettuccini noodles

3 medium onions, chopped

½ bunch green onions

1 tbsp. chopped parsley

12 oz. Half and Half

1 tbsp. Creole seasoning

3 stalks celery

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 ½ sticks butter or margarine

Black pepper, to taste

Parmesan Cheese, to taste

1 lb. Velveeta, cubed small pieces(Save 1/3 to put on top)

Cook chicken and deboned. Cook noodles and drain. Sauté onions, celery and parsley in margarine until soft. Add Velveeta to noodles, then add other ingredients. Mix well and pour into casserole dish. Bake 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

This will make one large and one small casserole. I add parmesan cheese and black pepper to taste. Also, after I get it in the dishes, I add some of the chicken broth over the top.

Green Chili Sauce for Chicken or Pork
1/2 cup onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp. coriander
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 Tbs. butter
3 Tbs. flour
1 8 oz. carton sour cream
2 cups chicken broth
4 oz. diced green chili's, canned or fresh roasted.
1/2 cup Monterrey jack cheese, shredded

In pan, sauté onion, garlic, coriander, and the pepper in butter. Stir flour into sour cream. Add to onion mix. Stir in broth and green chili's all at once. Cook till thickened. Remove from heat and add cheese. Serve over pork roast or chicken breasts.

Pork Roast: Shake 2 tbs. flour in oven bag. Pat pork dry. Place a medium onion, chopped, on bottom of bag. Sprinkle salt, pepper, and garlic powder on roast. Add roast to bag. Close and tie. Cut 6 slits in top of bag. Bake 1 - 1 ½ or until meat thermometer reads 160. Slice pork and spoon sauce and juices over top. 8 servings.
For Chicken: do the same, only bake time will be less.

Pork Chops with Cherry Preserves Sauce
Cooking spray
4 (4-ounce) boneless loin pork chops
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
1 cup cherry preserves
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
Chopped chives (optional)

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Sprinkle pork with ¼ teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper. Add pork to pan; cook 4 minutes on each side or until browned. Remove pork from pan, and keep warm.

Add preserves, vinegar, remaining ¼ teaspoon salt, and remaining 1/8 teaspoon pepper to pan. Cook 30 seconds, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Serve with pork. Garnish with chopped chives, if desired.

A New Thing

We had the dedication of our new church building last night and it was awesome. God's spirit filled the place. The worship was rockin', His name was glorified in each song, hands were lifted in praise, hearts were rejoicing in all He has done, and the Word was preached! What a night. Most importantly, God was glorified in what HE did for our church. We gave Him the praise, honor and glory for His blessing on our church. We had different pastors come into say a few words and pray over the church. One of the pastors felt that God had given him a word for our church. It was Isaiah 43: 19, "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." What a word from the Lord that is! He wants to do a new thing in us and in our church. God is into new things, big things. He is a big God. He makes a way for us in this desert (mountains and cold).

When I was at church yesterday someone made a comment about how we have said over and over that it is not about the building, it is about the people (which is SO true) so why do we dedicate the building? I argued with him over and over (surprise, surprise!) why we were having a dedication. How we take things and let the Lord know that we want to give it to Him. But it had no effect. You know when you are trying to tell someone something and they just don't get it or want to think anything other than what they already think. This was the case. We dropped it and moved on but I just can't quit thinking about it. Why do we dedicate? What does it mean to dedicate? I looked it up and the Bible says that to dedicate is to declare. We are declaring what God has done for us. Why do we give Him the glory for what He has done?

Because if we don't praise Him, the rocks will cry out! We have got to give Him His glory! Or what compels Him the next time when He didn't get any credit the last time?
Ok people. We have got to GIVE GOD HIS GLORY! Don't let the moment pass. Get excited about it – jump up and down, lift your hands in praise! I want God to like doing things for me. Don't you just love it when you give someone something and it is just obvious that they love it - they are vocal about it, they show you that they are thankful for what you have done? They demonstrate to you that they are appreciative. That is what we need to do with God. I want Him to think it is great to do things for me – my reaction pleases Him. I want to dang well take NOTICE of what He is doing. To clap, shout, and jump for joy of all He has done. I don't want the rocks to have to cry out (however, I sure would like to see that!)

"Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done!" Ps. 40:5

"I am the Lord; that is My Name! I will not give My glory to another or My praise to idols...Let them give glory to the Lord and proclaim His praise...!" Is. 42:8,12

I am not fussing. (Ok, maybe just a little) Just feel passionate about it. Enjoy your God! Give Him the glory He deserves for all that He has done for us. He is so worthy to be praised. Don't let the minute pass without giving Him thanks. Stop and clap your hands for Him. We clap for everyone else, why not Him?

Ok, I'm done!

Nertz

Ok, I am totally obsessed with Nertz. It is a card game that I just can't win. I think this is why I am obsessed with it. I just can't get to where I can win it consistently and I play it enough that I should be able to win more than I do. I had a group of ladies over for lunch today and finish up our study of 5 Aspects. Yes, we play cards after our study. My son thinks that we don't really study the Bible we just sing Jesus Loves Me while we play and count that toward Bible study. We aren't that bad.

The only reason I love it so much is it is such a challenge and I just can't "win" every time no matter what I do. It is not a game that you win every time. So you continue to play it over and over again. But when I am playing good, I get so excited. It is rather exciting around our house when the game is being played. There is lots of yelling, screaming and harassing each other. Total fun! I will usually play any time, day or night.

Why is it we always want what we can't have? It is in our sin nature. Our ladies were talking today about how women compare ourselves to each other and one of my friends commented that she usually compares and wants the things in other ladies she doesn't have. Like say, I had a friend who was good at sewing, I can't sew on a button so I long to have that trait. Comparing ourselves with each other is by far one of women's worst traits. We have all heard it said that women get dressed to impress other women, men get dressed so they won't be naked. How true it is.

Sometimes, we as women can use the things we study and learn to categorize women and grade them up and down based on our own personal score pad. How do we get past that? How do we see each other for who God made them to be and who they are striving to be and not compare ourselves to them?

It goes back to 1 Timothy 6:6 "But godliness with contentment is great gain." It goes on to say that we brought nothing into this world and we surely aren't taking anything out. But we do lack contentment. I am not content to lose Nertz so I keep playing and playing. Maybe one day, when I am a mature Christian, I will be content to just play. Right now, I am not!

Let's work on being content with where we are, what we have, and love each other for who they are and what we can learn from them. If you can't sew, find a friend who can. If you can't decorate, find one who can. If you can't win at Nertz, find new friends who are slower than you!

God’s Business

Do we really believe that God is for us? I mean really, don't most of us think that if we totally surrender to God He is going to do something horrible to us? Or make us move somewhere we don't want to move? (Peru) Why is that?

I think we really don't believe God is who He says He is. If we really believed Jeremiah 29:11 that says, "For I know the plans for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Would we doubt anything He asks us to do? I could list verse after verse of how good God is and how He can be trusted. We could say many of them by heart. So, why do we doubt?

I am studying to teach Hannah and I have learned so much. Hannah was barren and longed for God to give her a son. She cried out to God and asked Him to give her a son – He did, but when Hannah asked God for a son, she also told the Lord she would give her son back to Him, for His service. Was Hannah bargaining with God? No, I don't think so. Hannah had a true heart change. Instead of coming to God for all the things she thought she needed, Hannah preferred God's will being accomplished to having her own way. Here lies the problem. We want our own way. We want to serve the Lord, just in our own way. Until we decide to do it the way HE wants, we are in trouble. Even in Peru or right here in my house. My way conflicts with His way just about every minute.

My way says will you get _________ for me. His way says, "What can I get you?"

My way says my needs need to be fulfilled. His way says, "How can I fill your needs?"

My way says I need that new pair of jeans(7 for all mankind, if you are interested in knowing what brand, Brad didn't get it). His way says, "I will provide for all your needs."

My way says I can't live without TIVO. His way says, "My strength is made perfect in weakness." (For those of you who have asked, we went on a fast as a family asking God what we needed to remove in our lives that was hindering our walk with Him. Directv is the first thing - we are a movie-only house now.)

My way wants to be served. His way is to seek, serve, and give our life as a ransom for many.

My way wants someone to wash my feet. His way washes the feet of others.

We can't walk in His way apart from Him. We can't do it without Him. But with Him, we can. Have a "WITH HIM" kind of love today for everyone you meet.