Just a Reminder
I've moved to http://cheesyfishcrackers.wordpress.com/
Update your feed readers! =)

Moving AGAIN?
Would you hate me if I moved my blog again? I'm thinking of switching to WordPress because it's so much cooler than Blogger. I know because I just started using it for that ministry website I'm admin-ing. FishCrackers is taken though... by some foolio who hasn't blogged for a year and a half.
Ok, why am I even asking? What can I say? I just like occasional change. I like that my blog (which no one actually visits except to comment) will be easier to make pretty, even though it's all about feed readers now adays. So go ahead and add my new blog http://cheesyfishcrackers.wordpress.com/... I'll start using the new blog here soon. But don't delete me here just yet, just in case. ;)

What's for Dinner?
This is my mom's spaghetti sauce from some random old cookbook that was never consulted for anything else really (sorry whoever!). It's the best homemade sauce I've ever had. It's only this or Old Spaghetti Factory for me (which is no longer for me since the closest is in Denver). I've simplified the process a little, and made a tiny modification (like why not just use a full pound of beef rather than 3/4 lb?) I'm guessing this would be great minus the beef and pureed smooth for a vegetarian version, too. Connor loves it.

1 (29 oz) can tomato sauce
1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
6oz. water (use the paste can)
3 Tbsp. red wine
1 tsp. sugar
1 stalk celery, finely chopped
1 Tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped
1 tsp. salt
1 bay leaf
1 Tbsp. dried basil
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 lb. lean ground beef/sirloin
olive oil
1 cup onion, finely chopped
1 large garlic clove, minced
2 fresh mushrooms, finely chopped

Combine the sauce, paste, water, wine, sugar, celery, parsley, salt, bay leaf, oregano, and basil into the Crock Pot. While that's warming, brown the meat. Chop the onion and garlic while the meat cooks. Toss the meat in the pot, then saute onion and garlic in olive oil until tender. Toss that in the pot. Then cook the mushrooms in a touch more oil until tender. This can simmer in a pot on the stove for a couple hours, but I love the toss it and leave it for hours in the Crock Pot method. Dinner is done.

"The Impastor"
Tonight at the midweek service we had the opportunity to hear Rob Stennett (Creative Director at the somewhat infamous New Life Church) read the first chapter of his novel The Almost True Story of Ryan Fisher, as well as just talk about his ideas and motivations for writing the book. It's like Christian satire... The first chapter was pretty funny, and has me curious to read the book. An interesting premise I think.

Here is one of the editorial reviews from the Amazon page:
Screenwriter Stennett offers a satirical look at a non-Christian's ascent to pastor of a megachurch in this engaging, highly readable novel. Ryan Fisher is a 28-year-old real estate agent who doesn't believe in God, but lists himself in the Christian Business Directory (along with a Jesus fish symbol) to beef up sales. He and his wife, Katherine, attend church to validate his new religious image, where he sees the possibilities of utilizing business principles to create his own megachurch. They move to Bartlesville, Okla., and create "The People's Church" where Ryan preaches a feel-good, do-good gospel ("I'm not encumbered by things like the Bible and Jesus"). As church numbers swell, Oprah calls, local pastors are on the warpath, a religious fanatic plots Ryan's assassination, and Katherine is smitten with Cowboy Jack, a karaoke singer-turned-worship leader who pens Christian lyrics to popular radio tunes. Is Ryan in over his head? Interesting narration and Dave Barryesque footnotes make this humorous entertainment with a faith-based message. -- Publishers Weekly - June 2008

Reading Through the Bible in a Year: Week 3
Somehow I'm a day behind, but oh well. With the conclusion of week three I've read through Psalm 20, Genesis 20, 1 Chronicles 24, and Luke 12. Reading through Luke continues to bring to mind sermons and teaching from last year at church.

Last night I read again the story of Lot. Here's what I wrote about Lot last July:

MacArthur, in The Gospel According to the Apostles, describes him as "a pathetic example of compromise and disobedience" (p. 109). Gen. 19:16 says that Lot hesitated when he was supposed to flee Sodom and he had to be grabbed and taken out of the city. Then, of course, there's the story of the incestuous relations his daughters had with him in Gen. 19:30-38. That was pretty much my knowledge of him.

But in 2 Peter 2:7-9 we read this:
If [God] condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)— if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment.

Two times Lot is referred to as righteous, once his soul was called righteous. His respect for angels was evidence of his fear of God (Gen. 19:1-2) He was obedient to God when he didn't turn back as they fled the city, as opposed to his wife who was turned into a pillar of salt because of her disobedience (v 26). MacArthur goes on to talk about how this verse in 2 Peter says that Lot was "tormented" in his soul, and "evidently his conscience was not seared." So verse 9 sums up one lesson on Lot's life, that "the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment." The Lord used severe chastisement as a means of rescuing Lot from temptation - Lot lost his home, his wife, and was disgraced by his daughters. So God always chastens and disciplines His children who sin (Heb. 12:7-8).

I suppose I was just struck again by how it was God who brought Lot out of Sodom as He was about to destroy it, God who did the work to keep Lot. Lot was considered a righteous man, but he still was UNable to flee on his own when commanded and had to be practically dragged by the angels to get moving. Then to top off his story we learn about his daughters' disgraceful behavior... How long did it take Lot to find out he'd impregnated his own daughters? The guy seems to have had major issues with avoiding sin, not to mention unwise in how he did try to avoid it (ie. offering his daughters to be raped rather than the angels). Yet Lot was chosen by God, called righteous (2 Peter 2:7-9), rescued and kept by the grace of God. I find it kind of fascinating.

1 Corinthians 1:27-31 seems fitting with this story.
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."

What's For Dinner?
We have company coming over next Sunday (college friend of Josh's that lives in Woodland Park). Tired of the same old company dinners, I wanted to try a new (to me) chicken dish, so tonight was a tester. It was a success! Really easy, pretty quick, and kind of elegant. I only made 3 cutlets, but didn't worry about cutting the recipe otherwise. I actually ate a whole piece, which is saying a lot because sometimes chicken breasts get too dry and blah for me to finish, and Josh ate the other two. I didn't have unsalted butter, and that did seem to make a difference. Maybe just use less salt in the brine if the same goes for you.



Chicken Piccata
This is courtesy of Cook's Country.

1/2 cup salt
1/2 cup sugar
8 boneless, skinless chicken cutlets (about 2 pounds), thin-cut
Pepper
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
4 Tbsp. unsalted butter
2 garlic cloves , minced
2 Tbsp. drained capers
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup white wine
4 strips lemon zest (each about 2 inches long)
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

1. Whisk 4 cups cold water, salt, and sugar in large bowl until salt and sugar dissolve. Add chicken and refrigerate, covered, for at least 15 minutes but no longer than 30 minutes.

2. Pat cutlets dry with paper towels and season with pepper. Spread flour in shallow dish. Dredge one side of each cutlet lightly in flour; transfer to large plate. Heat 1 tablespoon butter in large nonstick skillet over medium heat until foaming subsides. Cook 4 cutlets, floured-side down, until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Flip and cook until just cooked through, about 1 minute on second side. Transfer to clean platter and tent with foil. Repeat with additional tablespoon butter and remaining cutlets.

3. Add garlic and capers to empty pan and cook over high heat until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add broth, wine, and lemon zest and simmer until reduced to ½ cup, 8 to 10 minutes. Return chicken and any accumulated juices to pan to heat through, about 30 seconds. Off heat, stir in remaining butter and lemon juice. Serve.

Crab Fondue
Haven't tried this, seeing as it was just posted on SimplyRecipes.com, but boy does it sound good.

18 ounces (3 6-oz packages) cream cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon mustard
2 Tbsp powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1-2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
1/4 - 1/2 cup dry white wine or dry sherry (optional)
1-2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
3/4 lb to 1 lb of lump crab meat, fresh or canned
1/4 cup chopped green onion greens, chives, or parsley
Day old French or Italian loaf bread (best not fresh or will fall apart when dipped), cubed into 1-inch cubes

1. Slowly heat the cream cheese, mayo, powdered sugar, garlic powder, Old Bay, lemon zest, and mustard in a double boiler until the cheese is completely melted. (If you don't have a double boiler, fill a saucepan a third of the way with water and bring to a boil, place a metal bowl over the saucepan. This will work as a double boiler.)

2. Slowly stir in the wine and lemon juice (adjust quantities to taste and desired consistency). Slowly stir in the crab meat and onion greens.

To serve, transfer to a heated chafing dish or fondue pot to keep warm. Present with bread cubes and forks for dipping.

Serves 8.

And speaking wine for recipes... We never have any alcohol here at home because neither of us care for it. And here in CO, you have to actually go to a separate liquor store to even buy the real stuff, which I find very inconvenient (However, this does makes for clean, non-porn-laden liquor stores!) Anyway, this last time I went to the liquor store I found the little 4 packs of 1 scant cup wine bottles. For me, this is a nice alternative to buying a whole bottle of cheap wine for a recipe that calls for 1/4 to 1/2 cup, and having to dump the rest before it can be used again. So I picked up one each of the white and red wine varieties. And FYI, just read on the Cook's Country website that in their cooking tests they found that it didn't matter whether you used $5 or $30 wine, just don't use the cooking wine you find in grocery stores because it has a lot of extra salt and an odd flavor. Otherwise, the only people who could tell the difference between the $5 and $30 varieties in the recipes where the hoity-toity wine connoisseurs (not the words they used, and I don't have those kinds of friends anyway!).

Please Hold...
While I experience the flu. I haven't had the real flu with fever and body aches in years. I was always blessed with stomach flu instead. I think I'll take this over that any day, but boy, does being sick like this make life with pre-schoolers difficult.

The Whole Story
This evening at the midweek service at Vanguard Church, I had the opportunity to share this story of God’s goodness and graciousness toward me. This week I came across Psalm 40:5 which says, “You have multiplied, O LORD my God, your wondrous deeds and thoughts toward us; none can compare to You. I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told.” (ESV)

In September I'd checked on my retirement account that had been started and left from when I worked at Biola. It had lost like $1000 in a month. But at the same time, it has practically doubled in the time since I left Biola. The next day (this seems to be a theme for God in my life... just wait till tomorrow!), when I was at church, Pastor Kelly was talking about the SwaziWalk. This was an event that was taking place to raise money to buy a car for a pastor in Africa, who walked an estimated 40 miles per week to minister to families and orphans in his community.

So I'm sitting in church, Pastor Kelly is talking about what God might be asking you to give up in order to be able to give, not only in the case of Swaziland, but just as a general way of life. I thought of that retirement account and my heart started to beat a mile a minute because I felt like God was telling me to just cash it in and give the entire amount.

Ummm... Well, the amount in the account was more than a months income for us. And I don't even HAVE a car. So God, do You seriously expect me to just give this amount with which I could buy my own car, to benefit a pastor in Africa? What about all the taxes I would have to pay? The early withdrawal and taxes were about $1500 alone. The SwaziWalk was a week away, and it would take weeks for me to get the money withdrawn and then a check issued to the church. I seriously thought, sure, I'm willing, but why am I being asked to do something that'll take weeks to actually complete?

I just felt really strongly that this was what God was asking me to do though. As we left church I told Josh, and asked him if he was ok with me doing that. I loved his response. "Well, no, but if that's what you really feel like God is asking you to do, I'm not going to question it!" A couple days later I made a point of writing an anonymous letter to the church telling them of my experience on Sunday, and my intention to do this.

Only a day or two later I was at the midweek service when Pastor Kelly pulled out my letter and read it to the congregation. Again, I just about had a heart attack as my heart raced and I tried not to visibly shake. But I was more than encouraged by the couple of amens I heard from the tiny crowd, and when our pastor said of me, "Here is a person living out a real relationship with Jesus Christ." After what I'd experienced just months before, being questioned on the reality of my relationship with Christ, this was a very sweet moment that God allowed me to experience.

In the days that followed I just prayed that God would show Himself to me through this somehow. I kept hearing Mark 10:29-30 in my head when Jesus actually says that whoever gives up things in this life for the sake of the gospel will "receive a hundred times as much in this present age... and in the age to come, eternal life." I didn't need a hundred times back, but just something to know He was listening and watching, ya know?

Three weeks went by as I called, signed, notarized, mailed, received the check, cashed the check, and reissued the full amount in a check made out to the church - some $3200 plus. The night before I was to deliver the check the thought crossed my mind that if there was no God this was quite possibly the stupidest thing I've ever done. And I don't recall a time when I ever seriously thought there could be no God. So I turned in the check with a little note telling also about this. Again, this time Pastor Kelly read the second note on a Sunday (the day my mom just happened to be visiting), noting that I had in fact followed through... having committed to giving probably at least $3,300, the check was for $3,268 or something. Mind you, I was careful to be very anonymous about all this unless I felt God wanted me to share something. I think it’s safe to say that what followed is too amazing to not share.

Life went on, the only difference being I didn't have the security of money in some retirement account anymore. I'd have bad days. I'd think... um, I just gave a bunch of money... now what? Can I get a break? But still I was ok with the thought that God wouldn't do anything. If nothing else I felt like the letters that had been read were probably a testimony and encouragement to some people in their faith and acting on their faith.

Little things would happen though. One time, I was having a bad week, listening to our Worship Pastor Fike’s song "Listening" over and over. "Father, I've come to lay this down at Your thrown. Are You listening to me?" We hadn't sang that song at church that I know of, but the following Sunday, Fike chose that song for the worship set. Hmm. It was like God saying... Yeah, I'm listening...

November rolled around. Cosette was climb-falling out of her crib and we needed to move her to a toddler bed, and Connor to a regular bed. That cost several hundred dollars. But I felt like it was a necessity so I went and bought it. I had checks in my purse to deposit - random sources, a escrow refund check, a cash back rewards, a paycheck for special events Josh had worked on, and some PayPal income... it came out to exactly 8 cents more than what I paid for Connor's bed. I'd heard of this kind of thing happening, and secretly I totally wanted that to happen, but never expected it and especially not for a bed, of all things. My faith was definitely renewed again. God will provide.

It was days later that I was at home late at night after everyone was in bed, and I heard a woman screaming from 5 buildings down because she'd found her husband dead from an aneurysm. I called 911 and ran down to help however I could, which only involved opening the gate for the fire truck. As I walked back home feeling shocked by her reaction and heavy hearted for her, I prayed for this stranger... if she wasn't a Christian that this would somehow lead her to Christ. If she was a Christian, I prayed that she would be surrounded by a supportive church family, and that her faith would not be crushed, but would grow out of this.

The following Sunday (again!) I didn't go to church. Alisha told me that that day they'd played this movie clip of a woman standing with her two children over her husband’s grave, and Alisha just felt like that service was for her. Pastor Kelly had spoken on faith the size of a mustard seed, and acting with the little faith you have rather than waiting and asking for more faith. So she'd gone up to him after the service and asked for prayer. She didn't expect that they'd pray over her right then and there after the worship song, with the elders also. Right after the service Josh had called me, not knowing the woman's name from that Thursday night, he asked, "Is her name Alisha?" And then, “She's here!” I felt like God was telling me that I needed to seek her out.

I wrote to Pastor Kelly and got her contact info. Offered to bring a meal or whatever she needed, I was available to her. She was going out of state for her husband's memorial service and Thanksgiving though.

One Sunday I saw a young woman kneeling at the front with tears streaming down her face... I didn't see Alisha on that night very clearly, but for some reason I thought this could be her. I watched her and she went to pick up her daughter. I was pretty sure it was her, but I felt stupid approaching someone unknowingly like that, so I didn't.

Weeks later I emailed her again just to check up, and didn't hear back. “Hmm, God... what do you want me to do here? I want to give her the space she needs, but I want her to also know that there are people here who care for her at this time.”

Christmas passed. On the last Sunday of the year, I went to the first service, and Josh was working sound for both. After that service, Alisha had gone up to him and introduced herself. I still don't know how she knew he was my husband unless I don't remember telling her he worked sound occasionally.

First Sunday of the year, I got up at 6 am. There was snow outside, and Josh had to be at church by 6:45. I told him I was not going, and he could take the car. As I went back to bed Hebrews 10:25 popped into my head, “Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another all the more, as we see the Day approaching.” So I took him to church, came home, then went back for the 9am service. As I dropped off the kids, I decided, “What the heck, I’ll just stay for both services so that I don’t have to go home and come back to pick up Josh.” After the first service I pointed to the woman I'd seen before and asked Josh, "Is that her?" I had been right. That was weird to me... how did I know that some random person crying was the woman I'd heard screaming, and had only seen from a distance in the dark of night?

I introduced myself to her, and we talked and sat together for second service. Afterward, as we picked up our kids she turns to me and says, "So you only have one car?" Yes. And then she proceeded to offer me one of the two paid off vehicles she owns as a free gift. She'd been praying about what she should do with the extra car, and particularly that God would show her someone who needed a car and would be blessed by the gift.

Wow. So you see, it wasn't just that she was offering me a free car. It was that a total stranger was offering me a free car when months before, in faith, I'd given up a large chunk of money that I could have used to buy a car myself.

Alisha and I talked on the phone for an hour and a half the next evening. And I felt like I needed to tell her that, and how much of a blessing it was to me for her to do this. She was encouraged because like I'd done after giving up that money, she said she'd walked out of church thinking, "What have I just done? That was probably really stupid!" But she said that she's actually thought of those letters (not knowing they were mine) that Pastor Kelly had read about the person who'd given money and had felt the same way. Again, wow. Alisha also said that through this she has been seeing over and over how God is in the details of her life, having specifically answered her prayer as well, and that was encouraging to me! I really did enjoy talking to Alisha and hope that a real friendship can develop.

Soo... life goes on again. But these times when God reveals Himself in tangible ways are very precious, and help me to deal with the not so good times and memories. 2008 has been a spiritually challenging and exhausting year for me, definitely.

After sharing this story tonight, I have already again been blessed by the responses. Our executive pastor, Rick, got up and said that he’s been carrying around my two anonymous letters in his Bible for these months, praying that this person would be revealed. He said that the money given for Pastor Walter in Swaziland was multiplied and they will be buying the car for him here soon. Rick has promised to give me a picture of Pastor Walter standing in front of his new car, which I think will be an awesome reminder of what God has done here.

I just wanted to share all that in a nice big wrapped package so that you all may be encouraged by God's grace, provisions, and activeness in all of our lives.

I'm a Winner!!
I love winning stuff. I just won a John Piper Logos Sermon Manuscript Library from DesiringGod.org. This was the 3rd prize, of which they gave away 98 copies. I kind of wanted to win the pastor's conference tickets and give them to our pastor, but this will do!

My "Bookshelf"
As this phase of my life goes, I currently am in the middle of reading about 3 books, I guess (not counting the Bible). Future Grace by John Piper I am enjoying going through just slowly. Each chapter could practically stand alone as an essay, although they do build upon each other, so I don't feel like I'm losing anything by slowly reading through. I'm taking a lot from it, and feel like it is opening my eyes to things we deal with on a daily basis.

Closer Than Your Skin by Susan Hill I'm half way through. Because it's more of a personal story maybe, I started to loose steam with it. I do like that it's about all the little "coincidences" of life and how it's God working... something that I've definitely been experiencing lately! More on that subject possibly later this week, if I feel so led.

I tried to start Reading The Classics Together with Challies.com, but I'm just not in the mind set for reading CS Lewis... I need easy reads at this point in my life! I also was ready The Shack early in the fall, but lost interest in it half way through... darn fiction! I think the last time I finished a fiction novel was Christmas of '05 when I was pregnant with Cosette! I might still try to finish it since it was interesting, just not gripping.

A couple days ago I started another John MacArthur book, A Tale of Two Sons, which is a study of the parable of the prodigal son. MacArthur talks about the need to see yourself in the parable. I've never really had a problem seeing myself at the older brother because I always related to the "I stuck around and did the right thing" attitude. I used to think though, "Why is that guy such a jerk?!" But as I've grown, the older brother's heart has become more clear to me - the resentment toward his younger brother, sense of entitlement, judgment, etc. And I have seen myself even in those things sometimes, as much as I hate to admit it. Anyway, I'm looking forward to reading this one and getting new insights on this parable. I really like John MacArthur and his style. Now that I've read a couple of his books, I plan to just pick one of his up every now and then.

Week 1: Reading Thru the Bible in a Year
So I was thinking that each Wed. I might check in and report on the whole reading through the Bible in a year thing for the couple people I know of that are doing that. I'm using the ESV Study Bible plan. I know if we're each doing a different plan, we'll be in different portions of Scripture, but that I'll just share whatever I feel like from what I've read. Wednesday just seemed good for this, being hump day and all.

This week I read (or listened and followed along to!):
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Psalms 1-6
Genesis 1-7
Chronicles 1-7
Luke 1-4:13

I like that this is starting off in Luke, since our church spent the whole last year reading through it, and I vaguely remember some of the things taught on various passages.

Today I'm just thinking about Luke 2:19 and 2:51.
"But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."

"Then [Jesus] went down to Nazareth with [his parents] and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart."

Over the last couple of days I've been "treasuring up" things that God has done over the last few months. Things He asked me to do, that I did, and how He responded and revealed Himself through it all. I've been surprised how things have worked out in ways I never would have imagined. And I've just been reflecting on what it all means about who God is, and who He has made me to be. It's so good, but it's weird how it doesn't make life any easier, or how I still think about horrible things that could happen and how I would deal with them. Perhaps Mary felt the same way at times - blessed, surprised, confused, fearful, but full of faith ... and then seeing her son crucified and wondering how she would make it through.

How did your first week of the year go?

New Friends
I just spent an hour and a half on the phone with my new friend, Alisha. We had a really interesting conversation about things God is doing and how things are working out. It was all very encouraging, and I enjoyed getting to know her a little better.

Taco Night and Beyond
Here's another recipe from my sister. This recipe uses a hot Mexican tomato sauce, not to be confused with enchilada sauce. Amy swears by El Pato brand (in a little yellow can), but they don't carry that here in CO. The closest I could find here was some Ro*tel brand diced tomatoes with habaneros peppers, and pureed it smooth. I also substituted dried minced onion (about 3-4 Tbsp.) for the onion and like how that worked. Olives are option, and I usually put them on half the casserole for those who don't like them. This is fairly quick and very easy.

Beef Enchilada Casserole
1 lb. hamburger
½ cup onion, chopped
3 cans (8 oz.) tomato sauce
¼ to ½ cup El Pato Mexican hot style tomato sauce
1 small can sliced black olives
1 Tbsp. chili powder
1 tsp. salt
¼ tsp. pepper
Grated cheese
12 corn tortillas, lightly buttered

Brown hamburger and onions; drain fat. Add to skillet tomato sauce, El Pato sauce, olives, chili powder, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. In a 1½ qt. casserole dish, layer one third of tortillas, tomato/meat mixture, and cheese. Repeat twice more. Cover and bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes.

We've done taco night twice in the last month and it seems the boys (Josh and Steve) would like to make it a regular thing for us to do together. I'm not a fan of tacos... I discriminate against their shape because it's very difficult to get all the stuff I want in them. But I love nachos or a tostada with the same ingredients plus some. Steve fried the shells for us the last couple times, and I think that's really the way to go! I even partially overcame my fear of hot oil to make some myself with our leftovers. Basically the enchilada casserole was just another good way to use up some of the huge bag of corn tortillas we still have.

I've also been doing the homemade taco seasoning thing (courtesy of Bill Echols, AllRecipes, slightly modified). I plan on making a large batch of this to just have on hand. This recipe makes seasoning for 1 lb. ground beef. Brown your beef, drain the fat. Add seasonings and 2/3 cup water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for a few minutes until water is absorbed.

Taco Seasoning
1 Tbsp. chili powder
¼ tsp. garlic powder
¼ tsp. onion powder
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper (or to taste)
¼ tsp. dried oregano
½ tsp. paprika
1½ tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. pepper
2 tsp. corn starch

God Works in Mysterious Ways
Again this morning I woke up at 6am. Such an ungodly hour. Especially when it's accompanied by light snow and wind. 9 degrees, and -3 windchill. I got up, looked outside and told Josh I was not going to church, or in other words, not driving him to work so that I could go to church later.

But already as I was heading back to bed (where I VERY easily could have fallen asleep in 2 seconds), I thought I should go to church. It's just a little cold. And lack of sleep. And getting kids in and out of the car a couple extra times. And oh yeah, the carseats were not even IN the car, so I had to do that at 6:15am, too. Always the little camp song of Hebrews 10:25 plays in my head, "Let us not give up on meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another all the more as we see the Day... as we see the Day... approaching."

So I went. Each year our pastor has a different theme and goes through a particular book or books for the whole year. This year's theme is The Gospel of Gratitude and Godliness, and we will be going through 1 & 2 Thess., 1 & 2 Tim., and Titus.

Anywho, last week while Josh was working sound, Alisha had come up and introduced herself to him. I don't really know how she knew he was my husband, but either way at least he now knew who she was. I thought I'd seen her at church, but I wasn't sure, having not gotten a good look at her that night. I saw her again though and asked Josh for confirmation she was who I thought she was. So at the beginning of second service I went up and introduced myself to her. We talked about being at Vanguard and getting connected. She's been there several months, but has found it difficult (as I did when we first got there) to get info and involved.

Did I mention that I decided to stick the kids in their classes for both services, because once again I was too lazy to pack them up and take them home for 90 minutes before I would have to come back and get Josh?

Alisha and I chatted through the first song, and then I asked if I could sit with her. During worship and communion she went up and knelt at the front, as we're invited to do. I know at times when I have done that part of me has just wanted someone, anyone to come and put their hand on my shoulder and either pray or tell me they are praying for me... but that usually doesn't happen. And honestly, I'm not the kind of person who would walk up to someone like that either. Double standards, ya know. So I felt like God was prompting me to go up to her while she was there, but it took a while for my feet to move... By the time I got near, she was getting up and going toward the line for the elements. But I gave her a hug anyway as we went through the line together.

After the service she asked me about the night that her husband died and my being there. And she told me all about the last time she talked to him at 8pm. He'd told her he'd bring her daughter home (they were separated) at 9pm on his way to work. She waited till shortly after 9:15, and then knew something was wrong because it was not in his character to not answer his phone, or bring her daughter back. She'd parked outside the complex and jumped the fence, not having a gate code. She didn't even know where he lived because he'd just moved in 2 weeks prior. So she'd run around, practically in a panic already, looking for his car (which doesn't really help locate a condo here). Eventually she got a hold of a friend or the landlord who told her where to go. She found him probably 2 hours after he'd died of an aneurysm. Her 4 year old daughter, who'd celebrated her birthday just 2 days before, had been asleep in a chair. The rest was kind of a blur to her in her state of shock.

Connor and her daughter are in the same class, so we went and picked up the kids. And she asks me, "So you said you only have one car?" Yup, and then we got all caught up in kid-picking-upping. As we stood in the lobby she started to tell me about how she now has two cars, both paid off and about 6 years old.... She told me she'd been praying about what to do with them. Originally, she thought she would trade them both in for a new car, but then she thought that she should see if anyone needed a car. But she didn't know of anyone, so she'd been praying that God would just show her someone who could use a car... She'd found one family, but they had 3 cars, and she wanted to find someone who really needed one. And well, I seemed to fit the bill.

What?? Well, that was just completely unexpected! Here I thought I was supposed to be encouraging someone who's just gone through this horrible ordeal, and she offers to bless us with a free car! Wow.

Happy 5th Birthday!
Today my kid turns 5. Wow, that sounds huge.

Age 1


Age 5


Next Saturday we are having a party for him at Pump It Up (located conveniently a couple blocks from home). I've invited the ladies from my MOPS table, plus a few of Josh's friends from church with kids in the 2-5 year range. Right now we have some 10 kids plus parents coming, and I was afraid no one would show! Party planning just intimidates the you-know-what out of me, thus the many Chuck E. Cheese "parties." I wanted to do something a little more special with friends this year, since last year we didn't know anyone around his birthday time. I think this will be fun.

But first! I get to register Connor for kindergarten this week! Yikes! Yup, this will be Connor's first school experience since we haven't done pre-school. But I'm hoping the fact that he's uber social, and does well in Sunday School settings will be a plus. Not to mention the fact that I've worked with him a little on reading and started basic math stuff with him. He will be behind on some stuff that I've probably overlooked, but ahead on other things. I think it'll balance out nicely, hopefully.

Then come next Aug. I'll kick him out the door, and off to school he goes! Oh, he's there. (View of school from our front door)