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

My Mom, My Friend

With Mother's Day fast approaching I wanted to show some love to my mom! 

Word's cannot even begin to describe the love and affection that I have with my mom but I shall try to make do.  Not only is she my mom, she is one of my best friends, confidants and encourager's. I have no idea what I would do without her in my life.  God has truly blessed me with one of the best's!  Not only do I love her on her special day of the year but she is loved every other day as well.  

More Than A Mother 

When God set the world in place,

when He hung the stars up in space,

when He made the land and the sea,

then He made you and me. 

He sat back and saw all that was good,

He saw things to be as they should.

Just one more blessing He had in store;

He created a mother, but whatever for? 

He knew a mother would have a special place

to shine His reflection on her child's face.

A mother will walk the extra mile

just to see her children smile.

She'll work her fingers to the bone

to make a house into a home. 

A mother is there to teach and guide,

a mother will stay right by your side.

She'll be there through your pain and strife,

she'll stay constant in your life. 

A mother will lend a helping hand

until you have the strength to stand.

She'll pick you up when you are down,

when you need a friend she'll stick around.

A mother is one who listens well,

will keep her word; will never tell.

A mother never pokes or pries

but stands quietly by your side,

giving you the strength you need,

encouraging you to succeed.

A mother is one who can be strong

when you need someone to lean on. 

You're more than a mother to me;

a reflection of Him in your face I see,

a love that knows no boundaries.

I'm glad that you chose to be

all this and more to me.

You share a love that knows no end,

you're more than my mother,

you are my friend. 

Kari Keshmiry 

You learned to be a mom and a friend from one of the greatest!  I see granny in you more and more each day! 

I love you to the moon and back with all my heart!

"For you created my inmost being;
   you knit me together in my mother’s womb."

Psalm 139:13