Overpaid Babysitter

I like my job. I'm really good at my job. But I feel like an overpaid babysitter. I work with seven, 40-something men all day...who are worse than women. They come into my office, ALL DAY, and complain about each other. I would seriously rather have a group of women all pmsing. It's that bad. "He said this about me." "He touched me." "I can't go to lunch when I want to." The part that stinks is I really love my boss. He's one of the most wonderful bosses I have ever had. He lets me be me...knowing full well that I tend to rub some people the wrong way. But sometimes I have to! I'm in charge of the office by myself...and sometimes that screams, "young female I can take advantage of." Hence, I am looking for a new job. I have about 7 months to find one...I have a 'feeling' my boss is retiring. Time to break out the interviewing skills......

I hate Valentine's Day

I never really did before. I always liked it. I can recall making my card box for school...spending weeks prior decorating it. Do you remember waking up and having that feeling in the pit of your stomach? That uneasy, exciting feeling like anything could happen today? Anyone could surprise you? Everyone was nicer than usual...everyone was a little more willing to go the extra mile. Yea. I'm pretty sure those days are gone. I went from being married, getting the usual red roses and card with almost no facial expression behind them to being newly single (I think) and not knowing if he was going to call or not. Or remember it was Valentine's Day. Or remember me on Valentine's Day. The day came and went. Without a call. Or a card. From him. Did I mention I was feeling a little bitter today?

Vegetable Stir Fry

Ok...I'm 13 days in. Feeling pretty good! The caffeine headaches have subsided...and it's really not that difficult to stick to the allowed foods. I really didn't eat alot of dairy or pasta to begin with. But I've had a breakthrough! I have found a dish that makes enough for days...and is filling...and tastes AWESOME! Brown rice, lots of fresh veges sauteed, and organic Italian dressing. Sounds simple, right? It is! But it really tastes amazing...and lasts for days! You really need the dressing to make it not so dry or bland. I tried the Maple Grove Farms of Vermont dressing at Giant Eagle...and it was delicious!

Grace to Endure

Something that I heard Andy Stanley say in one of his messages the other day that really hit home...

"God, I accept no for an answer, but if you're not going to change my circumstances, you've got to give me grace to endure."

WOW! Talk about a new way to view things. How often does it seem like God is inactive in our lives because we aren't getting the answer we want? He used the example of a child and a parent. Kids want alot of things that aren't good for them. They want things that their parents know aren't good for them. And when the parent says no, what happens? A temper tantrum usually...stomping around...slamming doors...giving the silent treatment, etc. Is that how we are reacting to God when He says no? By now, as grown adults, we should have realized that when we were kids, our parents were just trying to look out for us. They had our best intentions at heart, and knew what was best. Isn't that what God is doing? To tell us that even though we think we want something now, even if we really pray about it, or believe with all of our heart that it is really what we need, He knows better. He knows what is right for our lives.

2 Corinthians 12:9 But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

Although we may not always get what we want, or what we pray for, we need to be understanding of the fact that God knows what is best. Ever hear your Mom or Dad say, "This is going to hurt me more than it hurts you"? God loves us. He doesn't want to see us hurt. You've got to lean on Him...hard! Lean on Him through your weaknesses. He wants people to be amazed at His power in your weakness.

2 Corinthians 12:10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Our greatest weakness is God's greatest opportunity to show Himself in us! It takes more faith to endure a no from God, than it does to acquire a yes. When God says no, it is not a reflection of your faith. It is simply an opportunity to become a reflection of His greatness!

"God, I accept no for an answer, but if you're not going to change my circumstances, you're got to give me grace to endure."

Tortilla Soup

I found this recipe from Holly Furtick's website. I tried it...and I LOVE IT! Good soup even if you aren't on the fast. It makes alot too!


Ingredients:
1 carrot chopped
1 celery stick chopped
1 medium onion chopped
3 garlic cloves, pressed
2 tbsp olive oil
8 c vegetable broth (the expensive kind has 2x the flavor- I found that out by accident)
4 c water
1 can of black beans (Libby's organic have no added salt, found them at Walmart)
16 oz frozen corn
1 red tomato chopped
1 yellow tomato chopped
1/4 c chopped cilantro
2-3 tsp sea salt
1 lime
6 corn tortillas (found at Trader Joes)
Directions:Heat oil in the bottom of the pot and saute the first 4 ingredients until soft. Add everything else except the tortillas. Low boil for about 30 minutes. Add tortillas. Cook for another 10 minutes.
Serve topped with fresh chopped avocado and green onion.

Into the Water

Last night...I did one of the most dreadful things to me. I was on a stage. In front of lots of people. And I mean LOTS of people. Not only was I on a stage, in front of lots of people, I had to watch a video of myself, and then get in a pool. In front of lots of people. At least my clothes were on! I got baptized last night! It was the most scary, adventurous, emotional, fantastic, and liberating thing I have ever done. Making that outward expression of my inward change and profession of faith in Jesus Christ. I am so blessed by everything that has happened in my life...and gotten me to this point. By being saved a year ago...to realizing the true magnitude of God's love for me...to knowing that He has healed my heart. Getting in that water...and leaving all that junk there...and rising to walk in the newness of life with Christ, was the most amazing experience of my life! And what made it even better was that my parents were able to be there. After some good ol' fashion guilt...they came. And I know they were happy they did! They sat on opposite sides of the church...my father in the very last row and seat possible...not before he asked me if he was going to see anything that would freak him out however. But the important thing is that they were there. And I couldn't have been happier :)

Dinner with Kristin and Peter

Tonight I was lucky enough to be invited to have dinner with our Youth Pastor and his amazing wife. Their family is so beautiful...and their children are the cutest kids I have ever seen. And I know everyone says that...but really...they are the sweetest kids. Did I mention there are 4 of them? And that Peter and Kristin are 29 and 30? I arrived to their house (which they are renting...they recently moved from Colorado) which was SPOTLESS. I'm talking my apartment was messier...and it's just me. Ella, the 1 year old, greets me with the biggest smile I have seen all day...and her hands fly up as to say, "Hi!! Welcome to my home! Come on in!" Kristin is behind her...welcoming me in with open arms. I had always thought I was a great hostess when I was married. That was one of the best things that I did. I loved having people in my house...to cook for and entertain. And if I was good at it, Kristin takes it to another level. I just stared at her with awe. She took care of four kids all day, made dinner, had the kids fed and in their p.j.'s in time for Peter, herself, and I to sit down to have dinner. And at 8pm on the dot...Peter and Kristin told them it was ready for bed...and they said their good nights, and were off. In bed. Making no noise. I couldn't tell them enough how well behaved they were. They actually liked playing with each other. They actually listened to their parents. I could learn alot from these two! Especially Kristin. She was so humble...so real...so honest. I had so many questions for her! How did she handle having four kids when Peter was gone alot? Now don't get me wrong, Peter is there alot...and is a GREAT Dad...but when there is a spouse in ministry, they tend to have their hands in so many areas. Which leaves a very tired husband, and sometimes a self-pitying wife. This was my problem...not really a problem, but a question. How to avoid feeling that self-pity that you will eventually feel. I know one day I will be facing the same type of issue...and I that I can learn alot from this incredible woman! And she did it all with a smile...and brownies. :)

By the way...I cheated tonight on my fast. God and I talked about it. He understands.

Give Me Faith 2

Pastor Steven gave his second sermon is his series "Give Me Faith." I am so blessed to have come across P.S. and his wonderful church! He really brings it in his messages every week! Oh what I wouldn't give to just pack up and move to Charlotte...sigh...Anyway.
Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

What a huge concept of faith! To rely on what you have heard and learned, though you have not seen it. Jesus did some amazing things back in the day...things that we really aren't seeing now. But, are we? I know I have seen some pretty awesome stuff through Jesus. Healing the sick, overcoming addictions, protection, etc. But as far as the hugeness of public miracles is concerned...there aren't any. I think this is partly due to the fact that Jesus wants us to perform our own miracles...through knowing and spreading the Word of God. The Bible also shows that God doesn't necessarily want us to see His truth and where He is working during this age, so that we don't have to be fully accountable and we can be extended more mercy. Having faith means having a confident belief or trust of something. And I think something that we all forget that P.S. really brought home for me was that "Our faith is not in our faith. Our faith is in the faithfulness of our God." My faith is in the knowledge of God, knowing that He is the faithful one. He is the only faithful one. Faith is something that I am clinging to these days. Reminding myself that the trials that I face and go through are all for the Glory of God...and to let it be seen by all that although you are going through whatever is it you are...you are still faithful to our Lord and He will use the fires in your life not to destroy you - but to demonstrate His power towards you! He will stand with you in your trial to glorify Himself in your life. And what a remarkable thing that is! I find it humorous that people who are Christian think that because they are Christian, they will no longer face any trials. Wrong! You will probably face more...because there's another one that the devil has to fight against. Another soul saved. We just need to remember that we would have faced those trials with or without God. And I don't know about you, but I'm glad that when I'm facing them...I know He is with me and on my side. Forever.