Crock Pot Fiesta Chicken

Ingredients:

4 Boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 can of black beans

1 small can of corn

1 can of cream of chicken soup

1/2 packet of taco seasoning 

1/2 bottle of salsa

Shredded Cheese (optional)

Directions:

Place frozen chicken breasts, black beans, corn, cream of chicken, taco seasoning and salsa into crock pot on low for 6-7 hours.

Serve with rice

I love finding new recipes that I actually like!

Hope you enjoy!

God's timing

God has some AWESOME timing! Heard this song today and it really hit home for me.

Day 21 - God's perfect timing when certain situations arise and you need to be encouraged or encourage someone else.

30 Days of Thankfulness

Since the beginning of November I have noticed many people posting the daily statuses about what they are thankful for.  I love to see people sharing their thankfulness and so I have decided to go along with this and since I am very behind I thought I would include make it a blog post!

So here it goes....

Day 1 - My husband - He is so encouraging and uplifting and speaks love into my life.

Day 2 - My dad - I will always be a daddy's girl

Day 3 - My mom - She's my best friend and someone I talk to everyday

Day 4 - My family - Even though many miles separate us we still stay connected.

Day 5 - The house over my head 

Day 6 - Being able to live life comfortably with what has been provided to me.

Day 7 - Spending time with some AMAZING students who are so in love with God.

Day 8 - Living in a place where we are free to worship whoever we want.

Day 9 - Knowing that some day I will see my loved one's again.

Day 10 - Memories

Day 11 - Having awesome co-workers - people who are always encouraging me.

Day 12 - My job 

Day 13- Seeing God provide so many things and having the best timing.

Day 14 - Relaxation time

Day 15 - Sharing laughs and tears with my hubby.

Day 16 - God's faithfulness and patience with me as I learn to be patient.

Day 17 - Friends that are always around and speak encouraging words.

Day 18 - Mini -vacations

Day 19 - Sharing in a memorable day as two people become one in marriage.

Day 20 - Spending time with family members across the US at the breakfast table.

More to come!

" Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song." Psalm 95:1-2

Fear of God

Here is a snippet of what I'm reading...

"I would like to suggest that Church become a place of terror again; a place where God continually has to tell us, "Fear not", a place where our relationship with God not a simple belief or doctrine or theology, it is God's burning presence in our lives. I am suggesting that the tame God of relevance be replaced by the God whose very presence shatters our egos into dust, burns our sin into ashes, and strips us naked to reveal the real person within.  The Church needs to become a gloriously dangerous lace where nothing is safe in God's presence except us. Nothing - including our plans, our agendas, our priorities, our politics, our money, our security, our comfort, our possessions, our needs...Our world is tired of people whose God is tame.  It is longing to see people whose God is big and holy and frightening and gentle and tender...and ours; a God whose love frightens us into His strong and powerful arms where He longs to whisper those terrifying words, "I love You." Mike Yaconelli - "What Women Fear" by Angie Smith

It seems that fear of God is a subject that has come up quite frequently today as I read this book and also prepare a lesson on fearing God for the students on Wednesday night.  God is preparing me and teaching me to fear Him.  Will I listen? 

"And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last." Revelations 1:17

Sweet & Sour Chicken Recipe

I was looking on Pinterest for a new recipe and found this AMAZING recipe for sweet and sour chicken!  It was absolutely delicious.  The recipe on Pinterest was linked to Mel's Kitchen Cafe http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2008/07/sweet-and-sour-chicken-updated.html

*Note: if you like extra sauce, double the sauce ingredients – pour half over the chicken and follow the baking directions in the recipe and pour the other half in a small saucepan. Cook the sauce on the stovetop at a simmer for 8-10 minutes until it reduces and thickens. Serve it on the side of the chicken.

*Serves 4-6

Chicken:
3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and pepper
1 cup cornstarch
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup canola oil

Cut boneless chicken breasts into chunks. Season with salt and pepper. Dip chicken in cornstarch and then in egg. Fry in a little oil until brown but not cooked through. Place in a single layer in a baking dish. Mix sauce ingredients (below) together and pour over chicken.

Sauce:
¾ cup sugar
4 tablespoons ketchup
½ cup vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon garlic salt

Bake for one hour at 325 degrees. Turn chicken every 15 minutes so it is evenly coated with the sauce. Serve over rice.

The only thing I did differently was that I used flour instead of cornstarch.

Mel has a bunch of great recipes that I want to try!

It's October, Where has the year gone!

Well, it has been a while since I last blogged.  This time of year is extremely busy with all the happenings and adventures that we do with the youth group, craziness of work and just everyday life.  I enjoy being busy and spending time with the people that I love but I enjoy rest too!   


Within the past month I have been diving into some great books and worship music.  Here is what I've been enjoying... 

Great Christian Fiction Series

Deep and Understanding

 Even though these books are completely different there are many ways that I can link them. Right now on http://www.incourage.me/category/bloom they are going through each chapter in What Women Fear!  Feel free to link up and join them.

 

This is my cry with all that is going on personally and in our world.  It's so good to know that God is listening and working.  We may not get the answer that we want or at the time we want it but He is always there.  

"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with  you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

Deuteronomy 31:8

Labor Day Weekend Camping Trip

I enjoy camping and have started liking it more and more since I have gotten married but I have got to say that I was skeptical about this trip. This adventure involved hiking to our campsite, no electricity and not being right next to the bathroom.  I am so used to always having electricity and always being in close proximity to the bathroom so this was a big deal.  It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be but lets just say that it was an unusual camping trip at least for the girls!  On Saturday, the guys were planning on going on a long hike up the mountain so the girls decided to go to Greenville and do some shopping!  I know definitely not the usual camping activities but we had a good time.Our mission on the shopping trip was fans for our tents so that we wouldn't be so hot at  night!  Mission Accomplished!!  Sunday, Katey and I decided to go hiking on our own since the guys weren't up to it.  We began our hike up to Rainbow Falls.  We thought that the trail was going to be an easy one but turned out to be intense at times.  I didn't think I was going to make it up but I had some very good encouragement pushing me along the way and we made it up to see the beautiful waterfall!  Our last adventure involved packing up camp in the rain and of course it started pouring as we were hiking down to our cars.  Lets just say we were ready to get home!  I definitely had a great weekend away and got some good reading in and time spent with friends but it was good to be home and sleeping in my own bed.

Here are a few pictures from our trip....

Campsite

Stream by our campsite

Next camping trip will hopefully have electricity!

My Finished Pinterest Product

I finally made it to Michaels to get some more letters to finish my ribbon wreath..so here is the finished product!

Loving Pinterest

My first pinterest creation...

Green Bay Packer Ribbon Wreath

16' styrofoam wreath 

8 yards of white ribbon to wrap wreath 

different colors/patterns of ribbon (I used 6 different ones)

wooden letters

paint

*Gonna add Packers to the top of the wreath and a football..will add new picture when its complete*

Be prepared for my next post about my hiking/camping trip this weekend with the hubby and some friends.  It should be an interesting trip!

"Hold Us Together" by Matt Maher

This is a new favorite! 

"And love will hold us together, 

Make us a shelter to whether the storm,

And I'll be my brother's keeper,

So the whole world will know that we're not alone."

"This is the first day of the rest of our life,

This is the first day of the rest of our life,

Cause even in the dark, you can still see the light,

It's gonna be alright, it's gonna be alright."

Hope you enjoy!

Back to School

Tomorrow begins a new school year...

You may have mixed emotions on the upcoming week but one thing is for sure for each and every one of you.  YOU ARE NOT ALONE! This school year marks a new beginning..a fresh start to the many things that you want to accomplish and change.  Let's make it big!

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12

Stand firm in what you believe and don't back down!

I will be praying for each and everyone of you!  

Be Who You Say You Are

I have been reading "God Works the Night Shift" by Ron Mehl.  It is a very encouraging book that makes you realize that even though you may not be able to physically see God working in your life He is always there and always within arms reach. As I was reading today I was reading about how God is calling us to be holy it really struck me hard. 


Here is the excerpt that got me..

"When do we become hypocritical? It's when we lose the active sense of God's presence with us. When we find ourselves more concerned about what other people think of us than what our Lord and Savior thinks about us, we're in dangerous territory." 

I think a big struggle with believers today is being who you say are at all times.  Each person has struggles, each person makes mistakes and everyone sins. 

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." Romans 3:23-24

Do not allow the world dictate who you are and what you stand for.  Days may be tough and you may not feel like doing the right thing but it will pay off in the end and will become eternal.

"In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith - or greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire- may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." 

1 Peter 1:6-7

Entrust someone to keep you accountable to being who you truly are.  Someone who isn't afraid to call you out when they see that you are doing wrong.  

Here are two quotes from this chapter that I loved..

"Let your pain be an agent to purify your heart."

"Let the crushing circumstances that come into your life push you even deeper into a holy lifestyle."

Let the Takeover Begin...

Encounter 2011 - 

God does some powerful things when you get a bunch of students together!

It's hard to describe in words how AMAZING camp was not only for myself but also for each and every student.  I love seeing the difference in them from when they show up to camp compared to when they leave. 

It was filled with times of fun...

and times of worship...

Each part brought each and every person together to form one bond and a closeness to Jesus Christ.

I am proud to be a part of such a great family..

This group of students full of leaders is ready to take over Beaufort, South Carolina.  

"He must become greater; I must become less."

John 3:30

"It's Your Life"

As I prepare for "Encounter" and the great impact that it is going to have on all the people experiencing it this song comes to mind.  "It's Your Life" by Francesca Battestelli is about realizing that your life is what you make it.  Are you going to sit around and watch it fade away or are you going to do something that leaves a legacy?

Love this song! 

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."

Psalm 51:10

*Encounter is our church youth camp

"I Will Not Be Moved"

"So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good."

1 Peter 4:19

This verse definitely gets me thinking...  So many things are running through my mind as I'm trying to type this. I am thinking of the many people that are overseas in dangerous areas sharing the gospel or the missionaries who have left the comforts of the United States to help the underprivileged third world countries.  Then I come back to me and the one thing I am sitting here worried about is posting something on Facebook and what  people will think.  That seems so small  minuscule and unimportant compared to everything else. This verse makes me look deep inside myself and ask if I truly know what suffering means, let alone suffering for Christ. 

 Suffer means to undergo or feel pain or distress; to sustain injury, disadvantage or loss; to undergo a penalty, as of death. 

Do you really suffer for Christ as defined above?  What makes us so different from the the missionaries in other countries or the people sharing the gospel in dangerous areas? Are you willing to suffer for Christ?  Are you willing to be that light on the hill in your world?  

This verse makes me think of a song by Natalie Grant.  It is the reason for the title of this blog "I Will Not Be Moved" Don't let your faith be moved because of things in your life.  Be willing to live as Christ did and be willing to die for him as He did for us.

Waiting On God

Waiting On God

Definitely something I needed to hear. Waiting is hard but always worth it!

Thanks Courtney from Women Living Well!

New Music

Just heard this song today and I love it.  Definitely describes how I feel some days.  So good to know that God is so faithful!

Wedding, Wisconsin and Wide Open Spaces

This past week was so AMAZING!! We traveled through 12 states and spent numerous hours in the car but it was well worth it!

The Bride

Bride and Groom

 

Beautiful Skies

Wisconsin - Mother In Law's house

Millenium Park - Chicago

Hiking Eagle Falls Trail

Eagle Falls - Cumberland Falls, KY

Blue Ridge Parkway - North Carolina

Now the trip is over and it's time to get back to work!

Women Living Well Blog: I'm a Planner

Please take the time to read this blog entry by Courtney at Women Living Well. I am definitely a planner and I really needed to hear this.

Hope you enjoy!

Women Living Well Blog: I'm a Planner: "I am a planner - I like to plan my day, my week and well - I'd plan out my entire year if I could! lol! Are you a planner? I must admit th..."

Distractions from the left and right

"You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? "

Galatians 5:7

The story that comes to mind as a read and think about this verse is " The Tortoise and the Hare" We all know that the hare should win the race because he is obviously faster than the tortoise but as the story goes on the hare allows distractions to enter into his path and he ended up losing the race because of the distractions.  

I think the story is a great example of our faith.  Our life is a race and we are striving to get to the finish line.  The question is...How many distractions are you going to allow in your path before you reach the finish line?  Why is it so hard to ignore those distractions? Yes, our ultimate goal is to make it to the finish line but what if we focused on the steps it's going to take to get us there.  Not only do we want to finish this race we are in but we want to finish strong and blameless.  What are you going to do to finish this race strong?  

Crazy Weeks, Weekend Relaxation and Books

What a fabulous yet crazy week this has been for me. My week began by being able to enjoy my Memorial Day at the beach with some great people!  I DEFINITELY enjoyed my day off! 

Tuesday started off a crazy/insane week at work. We weren't expecting it to be that way but it happened.  The great news is that the office made it through it with smiles! 

Now that the weekend is back I am looking forward to some relaxation and time spent with our awesome family!  Another thing I'm looking forward to is diving into my new book by Kelly Minter called "The Fitting Room."  If y'all haven't heard of it you can get some more information at the link below.  A little sneak peak...putting on the clothing of Christ!  So excited!


http://www.incourage.me/category/bloom




Hope everyone will read along with me!

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."

Colossians 3:12

Under Construction

As I sit here and type this blog I am listening to a theme song for many who desire to live like Christ.  The song is "Change in the Making" by Addison Road.  I have realized that I am a change in the making and that I need to take certain steps to achieve this change.  I'm growing each and every day and I want to grow even more.  I want to become NEW!

I challenge you to listen to the song and think about who you are and who Christ wants you to be. Are you willing to make the change?

Being Satisfied and Thankful

"Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless."  

Ecclesiastes 5:10

Growing up we never lacked for the essentials.  My brother and I were taken care of and given an immense amount of love.  Of course being a kid we always wanted everything in the toy section at Walmart but didn't always get it. As I sit here and reminisce about these things I realize that my parents were teaching us a valuable lesson that I think the world distorts.  Just because you want it doesn't mean that you need it.  After studying and pondering the verse above it gets me thinking....People think that money and materialistic things will make them happy.  Well, it does for about a week and then they are looking for the next bigger and better item. Our world is full of want, full of looks and full of keeping up with everyone else.  Why does it matter what the person across the street has? It doesn't! Does it mean that the feeling of want will go away? No, probably not. 

I'm slowly learning that less is more and that we should be thankful for what we have and not for what we want.

Gratitude List of the day...

1) Smell of coffee brewing

2) Relaxing and Reading

3) My blooming flowers that I have managed not to kill (with help from my hubby)

4) A new candle

5) Curling up with a quilt from my Granny

6) Comfort of a Recliner

7) Chirping Birds

8) Garage Sale Deals

9) Much needed rain

10) Love

(Gratitude list idea from "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp)

Summer Time!

I always remember summer being the best season of the year because you got a break from school and could just hang out with your friends and have fun.  Even though I still enjoy summer, it isn't quite the same when you have grown up and gotten a real job and you don't really get summer vacation for three months.  You take each day off and cram as much as possible into it.

I am looking forward to this summer.  My hubby and I will be traveling to Missouri in June for my best friends wedding!  I am super excited for this especially since we have been friends since we were eight!!  It also saddens me because she is the last of our group to get married. Its bittersweet! I'm so glad that I will be able to join her for her special day!  After the wedding we will be heading up to Wisconsin to visit the hubby's mom!  I'm also pretty excited for this due to the fact that I have never been there and I get to see where he grew up and became who he is today.  I'm truly looking forward to this awesome road trip with my best friend and companion.

I think that road trips are probably my favorite thing. If I had the time I would love to drive all across the US and visit each and every state along the way.  One day I will do this...

If you could do anything for your summer vacation what would it be? No matter what you have planned I pray you enjoy your summer and the time spent with family and friends! Make this summer the time for change!

Your word is a lamp for my feet, 

   a light on my path.

Psalm 119:105

Zucchini Bread

One of my favorite recipes that my mama makes is zucchini bread! It is absolutely delicious and is best served warm with a little bit of butter.

Ingredients:

2 cups - all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon - baking powder

3/4 teaspoon - baking soda

3/4 teaspoon - salt

1/4 teaspoon - cinnamon

1 cup - Granulated Sugar

2/3 cup - vegetable oil

3 - eggs

1 1/3 cups - grated, unpeeled zucchini

2/3 cup - chopped pecans(optional)

2/3 cup - raisins (optional)

Instructions :

Preheat oven to 350° F. Generously grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan. In medium mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Make a well in the center of the dry mixture and set aside. In another medium mixing bowl, combine sugar, oil, eggs and zucchini. Add zucchini mixture all at once to dry mixture. Stir just until moistened. Fold in the pecans and raisins. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Bake 55-60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes; remove from pan and cool completely on wire rack. Wrap in plastic wrap or foil. 

Makes 1 loaf.

Comfy In The Kitchen: Crescent Chicken

Comfy In The Kitchen: Crescent Chicken: "This delicious recipe comes from my Grandma (or 'Nana B' as we call her)...I have wonderful memories coming home from college to this del..."

Such a yummy recipe! One of our favorites!

Sunflowers and Strawberries

A wonderful afternoon spent by gazing at the giant sunflowers and picking yummy strawberries with friends....

"Keep your face to the sunshine
and you cannot see the shadow.
It's what sunflowers do."
by Helen Keller

Strawberries are the angels of the earth, innocent and sweet with green leafy wings reaching heavenward.  ~Terri Guillemets

You Really Are a Jesus Freak..

The title of this post says it all.."You Really Are a Jesus Freak"  When I was driving in the car one day with a few of the youth girls this comment was made and I wasn't quite sure how to react to it at the time.  As I think about it today, I realize that the comment is such an uplifting and encouraging message.  I shouldn't be upset or hurt by a comment like that because in all honesty it's such a great compliment to be called a "Jesus Freak."  My desire is to live more like Christ and with that comment it shows that I am headed in the right direction.  So I want to say THANK YOU to the anonymous person who made this comment!  Thank you for showing me that I am making a difference in myself and that you have noticed.  I pray that one day someone will call you a "Jesus Freak."

Now on to what brought the comment back to my mind after a week.  I have started reading "Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl" by Lysa Terkeurst and after reading the first chapter I am blown away and cannot wait to continue with it.  Sometimes with each passing day we don't realize how our faith can become so ritualistic.  We think that has long as we do the "good girl" things that we will continue to grow.  We think that if we pray, read the bible, do a bible study, go to church and be nice that we will automatically grow closer to Christ.  Even though those things are part of it if we do things as part of a standard ritual without any feelings then we won't neccessarily be filled.  One of my favorite quotes from the book so far is..

"Seeking with all of your heart requires more than just the routine Christian good girl checklist." Lysa Terkeurst

If your desire is to be more like Christ and to grow in your relationship with Him than you have to do more than just go through the motions.  You should have a deep desire to have a true and meaniful connection with God and allow your relationship with him transform you into a new being in EVERY area of your life.  If you want this to happen you must realize that things are going to change, you are going to change and that people will come and go because they don't understand but ONE person will always be on your side and that is Christ!

I challenge you today to take a look at yourself and decide if you wanna live your life like the world or if you truly want to change and be more than a good Christian person.

"This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!"

2 Corinthians 5:17