OK, well November is about gone. I was forced into a Pioneer Woman cooking break with Thanksgiving and show debuts, etc, BUT I did manage a few awesome recipes before the madness took over.
Here is a quick review:
Edna Mae's Sour Cream Pancakes -- absolutely worth it! But go ahead and double the batch or even triple. It doesn't go as far as you'd like. Also, mind the griddle. There's no telltale done-ness bubbles like traditional pancakes. The family really enjoyed these--even my husband--king of the breakfast griddle.
Perfect Pot Roast--The title does not lie! It is divine! So perfectly moist and flavored it wants to melt. I've actually made it 3 times in the last month. I ended up doing one for my son's 13th birthday party for making french dips. Also, I made another for Thanksgiving to help stretch the turkey. I think I liked it better than the turkey! I'd probably gone years--well, at least months--without making pot roast and now it's becoming a habit. I whole-heartedly recommend this recipe!
Creamy Mashed Potatoes--I made these BUT I didn't actually put in all the cream cheese or butter that the recipe called for. I wanted to maintain a little sanity and also the current weight decade. My husband also made them for Thanksgiving. I can't say how much or little he followed the recipe, but I can say that we ran out far before we wanted. They were very creamy and delicious.
Buttermilk Biscuits-- Yes!! Try these! They are flaky and yummy. I made them, and also my son and husband collaborated on them to make biscuits and gravy for our Saturday breakfast. They are great savory or with honey.
Cowboy Calzone--I did not use the Hot breakfast sausage but opted for the good old normal sausage. I was glad because there was plenty of heat from the tomatoes and chilies that are in there. This was pretty yummy although not much like what you'd think of with an Italian calzone. It seemed more like a really yummy, fancy hot pocket. The biggest problem for us was that it only makes 8. It would have been nice to either have some for lunch the next day or else some for the freezer. I have plans to try this recipe again in the very near future and right the wrong by making a bigger batch.
As you can see, I'm much more into the savory. I guess I'll have to try that Chocolate Sheet Cake just to balance things out.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Censoring God?
Have you ever found yourself avoiding praying for something because if you don't ask for it you can't be told "no"? Well, I found myself doing that just yesterday.
Each day before we jump into school work, we have a time of Scripture memory, reading and prayer. We mention things we want to be praying about and then pray together.
Well, there is something in particular that my daughter and I have been praying about for 3 years now. There are some things going on that could possibly be the answer to those prayers but also it could go the other way--in fact, it looks like it will most likely go the other way . And when it came time for prayer yesterday, I nearly brought it up as something to specifically ask God for again, but I stopped. I made the conscious decision NOT to pray about it. I had my reasons.
You see, it makes no sense that it would happen. There is every reason for it not to work out. Good reasons. Reasonable reasons. It's never worked out before reasons. It would be too good to be true reasons. I've been here before reasons. Cynical reasons.
And though my excuse was not wanting her to be hurt or disappointed in God, the truth is deeper. I don't want to be disappointed in God. I maybe already am.
When I awoke this morning, my mind was already back there. Wishing. Praying. Wondering if fasting would help (and knowing that I'd be sunk even if it would). Then it was like the Lord pointed to me and said, "You CHOSE not to ask when you were with your children." And then all the Scripture I've ever learned on prayer came flooding back:
"You do not have because you do not ask".
"You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives,"
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."
"Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son."
"With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God."
"For nothing will be impossible with God."
"Truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed.."
Wow, had I really tried to censor what the Lord is doing and wants to do? Had I become bitter with God? Would it now affect my children through discouraging prayer? Lord forgive my unbelief and my bitterness. How my faith in God lacks and my need to control abounds! He is more than capable of deciding what my kids can handle in regards to prayer. But He wants us to ASK!
I went over why we WOULD ask for this particular request again in my mind:
Would it further His kingdom?
Would it bring Him glory?
Would it show His greatness?
Would it demonstrate His love and care for us?
Well, yes. All of those!
What would happen if He said "no"? Would it provide an opportunity to trust Him despite the disappointment?
Absolutely.
Should either outcome be missed by my children because I think I already know how things will turn out? Should the opportunity to see God work and "do something for which only He would get the glory" be missed? Should it be missed if it means that my kids learn that He is trustworthy despite the circumstances? Despite the answer?
God is good all the time. And here is an opportunity to show them that. Lord forgive me for trying to censor YOU.
Each day before we jump into school work, we have a time of Scripture memory, reading and prayer. We mention things we want to be praying about and then pray together.
Well, there is something in particular that my daughter and I have been praying about for 3 years now. There are some things going on that could possibly be the answer to those prayers but also it could go the other way--in fact, it looks like it will most likely go the other way . And when it came time for prayer yesterday, I nearly brought it up as something to specifically ask God for again, but I stopped. I made the conscious decision NOT to pray about it. I had my reasons.
You see, it makes no sense that it would happen. There is every reason for it not to work out. Good reasons. Reasonable reasons. It's never worked out before reasons. It would be too good to be true reasons. I've been here before reasons. Cynical reasons.
And though my excuse was not wanting her to be hurt or disappointed in God, the truth is deeper. I don't want to be disappointed in God. I maybe already am.
When I awoke this morning, my mind was already back there. Wishing. Praying. Wondering if fasting would help (and knowing that I'd be sunk even if it would). Then it was like the Lord pointed to me and said, "You CHOSE not to ask when you were with your children." And then all the Scripture I've ever learned on prayer came flooding back:
"You do not have because you do not ask".
"You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives,"
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."
"Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son."
"With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God."
"For nothing will be impossible with God."
"Truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed.."
Wow, had I really tried to censor what the Lord is doing and wants to do? Had I become bitter with God? Would it now affect my children through discouraging prayer? Lord forgive my unbelief and my bitterness. How my faith in God lacks and my need to control abounds! He is more than capable of deciding what my kids can handle in regards to prayer. But He wants us to ASK!
I went over why we WOULD ask for this particular request again in my mind:
Would it further His kingdom?
Would it bring Him glory?
Would it show His greatness?
Would it demonstrate His love and care for us?
Well, yes. All of those!
What would happen if He said "no"? Would it provide an opportunity to trust Him despite the disappointment?
Absolutely.
Should either outcome be missed by my children because I think I already know how things will turn out? Should the opportunity to see God work and "do something for which only He would get the glory" be missed? Should it be missed if it means that my kids learn that He is trustworthy despite the circumstances? Despite the answer?
God is good all the time. And here is an opportunity to show them that. Lord forgive me for trying to censor YOU.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Trying to Gain Perspective
Well, there's no denying it. I'm disappointed with the results of the election. Sick feeling, actually. Nothing to do but trust ourselves to the hand of a sovereign, just and merciful God. That's a good place to be.
With all the bad news this evening, it's almost hard to remember that there was a hopeful, enjoyable day that preceded it. But it was a fun day and I'm going to share a little about it.
The younger kids and I took the day off and went on a field trip with Ryan. He took us up to Portland to a studio to watch an Intel marketing video being shot. It was fun to watch the dancer perform on a giant green screen and observe the production process. My 3 year old would observe and then mimic the dance moves. I half expected them to halt everything and thrust HIM into the spot light. I'm sure we'll be getting a call any day now.
We also got to partake in all the food they had on the set, which meant we finally got to try Portland's famous Voodoo Doughnuts. Free! Woohoo! And there was lots of pizza too. The kids were very happy.
It's always a mixture of awkwardness and discomfort for me when my husband brings us along for work related stuff. You are thrust into a room of artsy, hip, Portlanders doing their thing and are introduced as a stay-at-home-homeschooling-mom. Oh, and you have 3 of your 5 kids in tow too. You are pretty much a new species to them.
But you have your cute 3 year old with you and he is always a big hit, so you take a deep breath, smile and try not to do anything to confirm their preconceived ideas. I have to say that they were very friendly and gracious to us. We also took a nice walk through the leaves and enjoyed the break from the rainy weather. Overall, a good time.
After a stop by the mall for Legos, smelly soap and shoes, we headed back to our little corner to make dinner and watch election results. I do wish it had been a better outcome. But I know that God who blessed us with good today will undoubtedly bless us tomorrow too. His steadfast love never ceases, His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning.
With all the bad news this evening, it's almost hard to remember that there was a hopeful, enjoyable day that preceded it. But it was a fun day and I'm going to share a little about it.
The younger kids and I took the day off and went on a field trip with Ryan. He took us up to Portland to a studio to watch an Intel marketing video being shot. It was fun to watch the dancer perform on a giant green screen and observe the production process. My 3 year old would observe and then mimic the dance moves. I half expected them to halt everything and thrust HIM into the spot light. I'm sure we'll be getting a call any day now.
We also got to partake in all the food they had on the set, which meant we finally got to try Portland's famous Voodoo Doughnuts. Free! Woohoo! And there was lots of pizza too. The kids were very happy.
It's always a mixture of awkwardness and discomfort for me when my husband brings us along for work related stuff. You are thrust into a room of artsy, hip, Portlanders doing their thing and are introduced as a stay-at-home-homeschooling-mom. Oh, and you have 3 of your 5 kids in tow too. You are pretty much a new species to them.
But you have your cute 3 year old with you and he is always a big hit, so you take a deep breath, smile and try not to do anything to confirm their preconceived ideas. I have to say that they were very friendly and gracious to us. We also took a nice walk through the leaves and enjoyed the break from the rainy weather. Overall, a good time.
After a stop by the mall for Legos, smelly soap and shoes, we headed back to our little corner to make dinner and watch election results. I do wish it had been a better outcome. But I know that God who blessed us with good today will undoubtedly bless us tomorrow too. His steadfast love never ceases, His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning.
Monday, November 5, 2012
My Best for God's and How that Relates to Moving 5 Times In 6 Years
Since our big move to this area 2 years ago, something our college pastor said way back in the 90's, came back to my memory. He told us that in our futures, we should consider moving/relocating on the sole basis of attending a good church. At the time, I pondered it for about 3 seconds before it bounced off me as "not for me". Little did I know.
.
Friday night, Ryan and I were visiting with some friends. The subject came up that we had lived in a nearby neighborhood 6 years before. I added that we have lived 5 places since then. (3 of which stemmed from our one decision to relocate here.) We laughed and shook our heads. One of them asked if it had anything to do with Ryan being former military. I conceded that that could have something to do with it. After all, when you are military, you know that moving is part of life and what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. You realize that it is just part of the job description. Yes, I suppose that experience made me realize moving is just a "thing". It was a piece of my past that made me understand that I could pick up and go and that life would reset and then go on. It made the decision to help with this church plant that much easier.
I didn't verbalize our personal struggles with the Lord over it all. We had settled in nicely to a home and a life near friends and family and a church community that would easily see us through all the ups and downs of life. But God had other plans for us.
I'm not saying these things I wanted were wrong. They were good! But God desires good gifts from us. He wanted our "perfect life" on the altar. He wanted my dreams of being settled. He wanted our social lives. He wanted our educational plans. He wanted the best we had to give.
Even though the decision was hard and the reality is sometimes harder, He has been faithful. He has given back what we thought we were losing. It is different what we have now, but given by Him to experience and enjoy. Being a part of our church family here has been truly an amazing blessing that I wouldn't trade. Seeing God work in my children's lives through their own sacrifices has been priceless. Getting occasional glimpses of what God is doing in other's lives in this community is such a privilege. All along the way He has blessed us with laughter, friends, beauty, rest and good things so that our youth is renewed like the eagle. We feel at home. We are glad we came.
There is this adventure we are all on as believers. An adventure of following the Lord, of trying to please Him in all respects, of bearing fruit in every good work. Many times it calls us out of our comfort zones into the unknown. Sometimes it has us plugging away, being faithful right where we are. But always, it His story being written, not ours. As much as we think we have it figured out, as much as we think we are settled in our houses and communities, He is choreographing our lives and adds beauty, intrigue, suspense and His beautiful grace.
.
Friday night, Ryan and I were visiting with some friends. The subject came up that we had lived in a nearby neighborhood 6 years before. I added that we have lived 5 places since then. (3 of which stemmed from our one decision to relocate here.) We laughed and shook our heads. One of them asked if it had anything to do with Ryan being former military. I conceded that that could have something to do with it. After all, when you are military, you know that moving is part of life and what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. You realize that it is just part of the job description. Yes, I suppose that experience made me realize moving is just a "thing". It was a piece of my past that made me understand that I could pick up and go and that life would reset and then go on. It made the decision to help with this church plant that much easier.
I didn't verbalize our personal struggles with the Lord over it all. We had settled in nicely to a home and a life near friends and family and a church community that would easily see us through all the ups and downs of life. But God had other plans for us.
I'm not saying these things I wanted were wrong. They were good! But God desires good gifts from us. He wanted our "perfect life" on the altar. He wanted my dreams of being settled. He wanted our social lives. He wanted our educational plans. He wanted the best we had to give.
Even though the decision was hard and the reality is sometimes harder, He has been faithful. He has given back what we thought we were losing. It is different what we have now, but given by Him to experience and enjoy. Being a part of our church family here has been truly an amazing blessing that I wouldn't trade. Seeing God work in my children's lives through their own sacrifices has been priceless. Getting occasional glimpses of what God is doing in other's lives in this community is such a privilege. All along the way He has blessed us with laughter, friends, beauty, rest and good things so that our youth is renewed like the eagle. We feel at home. We are glad we came.
There is this adventure we are all on as believers. An adventure of following the Lord, of trying to please Him in all respects, of bearing fruit in every good work. Many times it calls us out of our comfort zones into the unknown. Sometimes it has us plugging away, being faithful right where we are. But always, it His story being written, not ours. As much as we think we have it figured out, as much as we think we are settled in our houses and communities, He is choreographing our lives and adds beauty, intrigue, suspense and His beautiful grace.
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