Sunday, April 17, 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Requests.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
"In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly."
"May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests."
Do you ever want to ask God for something, but feel it's so trivial that you should keep your timid request to yourself? Or have you ever taken it upon yourself to handle a problem or situation, relying on your own strength, rather than lifting your hands and giving your Father complete control? These are the actions that I am all too familiar with.
As I read verses such as the ones quoted above, I am reminded of the intimacy of my Heavenly Father, His continual faithfulness, and His constant provision.
Slowly but surely, I am learning to make my requests known to My God. I am not to approach Him as a timid child, but I am to boldy approach His throne with gratitude and expectancy for His moving.
The thing is... so often I put God in a box. I allow my feeble human mind to limit the outcome of situations. Instead, I want to build intimacy with My Creator- to pour my heart out onto His table and cast my cares at His feet. I want to encompass my family and friends in His peace and protection. I want to claim His promises that He specifically gives us in His word. And I want continually seek His will in ALL things; His will and not mine, so that I am able to recognize His God-size miracles.
My challenge today: to boldly present my requests before Him. He just wants my heart; He is way beyond able to answer my cries for help. His reply will far surpass anything I could ever ask or imagine. He wants to amaze me. I must be in the place to receive His blessings.
Doors I never even noticed before will be opened.
I will walk as He leads me.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Healthier Version of a Classic Fave
SO, the year is 2011 and I'm 24 years old. Say what?!?!?! Anywho, I've come to the realization that since I'm not an 8 year old schoolgirl, my baby fat is just not cute anymore. Further past the "cute" factor that chubbiness is seriously missing out on, it's hitting me that my health no longer just effects me...it can potentially effect my future family. To begin this new chapter of life, I am making some life changes. I use this phrase rather than "diet"; I am not merely restricting myself from fatty, greasy, carb-loaded, coma-inducing foods. Rather, I am changing the way I do this life thing- eating healthier (and reducing insulin intake) exercising (correctly for the first time in my life, thanks to Emily the trainer), and etc. All I can say is... I feel GREAT! And you all better be ready for the hott photos that will ensue as time goes on.
Blah, blah, blah... Now to the good stuff...
Homemade lasagna is a recipe I've been dying to try in my own kitchen! And with the overload of snow days Metro has been given (let's not get on THAT subject), I made it a "snowday goal". Since initiating this life change, however, I was on a mission to tackle 2 goals: 1) make homemade lasagna for the first time, and not have it rolling off the plate. 2) Creating a low cal, low fat lasagna recipe that would still be full of flavor.
Ladies and Gentlemen...I did it!
After combining a few online recipes, here is my own rendition of:
Low Cal, Low Fat Lasagna Recipe
1 lb. whole-grain lasagna noodles
Meat Sauce:
1 lb. ground turkey
1 lg. onion, chopped
2 (14 oz.) cans stewed tomatoes
2 (6 oz.) cans tomato paste
1 c. water
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. basil
Dash of garlic powder, garlic salt, salt & pepper
Filling:
2 2/3 cup low fat cottage cheese
4 oz. Parmesan cheese
6 oz. low fat Mozzarella cheese
1 tbsp. parsley
1 tsp. basil
1 tsp. oregano
Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes
So delish! Enjoy!
Monday, January 10, 2011
You Hold My World
This past trip to sunny Bradenton, Florida, I experienced the impact of this well-known phrase: "There's no place like home."
(Adopted from Dorothy in my all-time favorite movie, "The Wizard of Oz"
I lead a fabulous life here in Nashville. Not that I do anything worthy of mentioning or require recognition for some amazing task. When I say I lead a fabulous life, I simply mean, I live a blessed life! God has poured blessings into my life, He is continually teaching me new things everyday, I do not know the meaning of a "bad day" (well, most of the time anyway), I never want for anything, He provides for all my needs, I am surrounded by amazing friends and supported by a loving church family. BUT...
There truly is no place like home.
In college, visiting home was always great! Especially because my family lived in Florida...if nothing else, at least I knew the weather would be beautiful. :) However, by the end of my stay, I was always more than ready to return to Nashville; to see my friends, live in all-girl quarters again, and yes, even start classes. Since graduating, though, each visit home makes it a little bit harder to leave.
This past Christmas was GREAT!!! I arrived a day earlier than my family expected, providing the ultimate Christmas surprise. And boy, did I get 'em good! (Jaws hanging literally happened.) Because I am a teacher and receive 2 weeks paid vacation (thank you, Jesus!), I was able to truly get in some quality family time. After crashing from the Nashville buzz, here are some highlights of the trip:
Hiding in the back of the church van and surprising Parker & Jordan when they opened the doors...priceless
Jumping out of the kitchen when my parents returned home that night; jaws dropped, mom squealed, dad cried
Listening to my brothers jam in the den on piano, guitar, cahone... Oh, how I miss hearing them sing
Playing Yahtzee versus my Granny...the ultimate gamer
Teaching the fam how to make Oreo Balls (then delivering goodies to the Grandparents and family friends)
Savoring the wide array of Christmas goodies my Granny makes every year
Watching movies til all hours of the night with the fam
Naps
MPJ Only day out- shopping/laughing/picking on Jordan...you know, the usual
Sitting on the beach for hours, just listening to the waves and reading
Getting reacquainted with an old, but dear friend
Watching the bros lead worship at a new-start church
Candlelight service at church Christmas Eve; seeing old church family members and meeting new ones (and hearing the rents sing...it's been a while!)
Spending Christmas Eve with my Granny & Paw-Paw
Cooking an Italian feast for my entire family on Christmas Day (Never felt so pressured about cooking a meal before, but it actually turned out pretty delicious!)
Hearing my grandparents rave about my Italian feast (meant a lot)
Opening presents (I'd be lying if I said this wasn't a favorite event!)
Dad setting up my new vinyl turntable; rummaging through his old records & seeing his face light up with each discovery
Mom crying AND laughing when she opened her new camera (compliments of codeine)
Taking my little cousins to see "Despicable Me"
Cooking dinner for high school/teen group friends
Special lunch at a surprisingly-posh-for-Bradenton cafe with the rents for my birthday
Running into friends from high school and sharing about life (My, how it's different)
Special birthday dinner
At the last minute, deciding to stay an additional day before heading back to the cold weather
Some of the things that were difficult about being home:
1. Observing & realizing how much older my grandparents are becoming. I feel like they've aged quite a bit since I last saw them. But, I was incredibly thankful they're both doing better health-wise, and even more thankful for the time we got to spend together.
2. Leaving.
That's right, folks. This time, leaving was really hard.
As I pulled out of the driveway at 4:30am, my parents' tears began flowing even before I closed the driver-side door. I kept it together, trying to be comical for "their sake". As soon as I pulled out of the driveway though, I lost it. Tears. Fell.
This isn't college anymore. I'm not leaving to attend class, knowing that I'll return someday soon. This distance is because of a life-change I decided to make, and the time of my next return is unknown. Now, I am not regretting my life here in Nash AT ALL! I am simply stating that real-life seemed to rush at me as soon as I left the security of Bradenton. For a moment I felt as if I were tumbling through the ocean, in a current that is so strong I am forced to just flip and turn and ride it out.
Then suddenly, it hit me. As the sun began to rise, and morning light overpowered the dark of night, I was surrounded by a real Presence, right there on I-75, in my tiny yellow bug. God's presence surrounded me, calmed me, provided promises to never leave me nor forsake me. ''
I am a HUGE fan of Israel Houghton. For those of you that know me well, you are aware of my love for Black Gospel music. At that moment, one of Israel's songs, "You Hold My World in Your Hands", played through my ipod. As His Presence guided me and the lyrics of the song became true to my soul, to say that I was blaring the song would be an understatement.
I treasure the time I'm blessed with at home with my family. I love my family tremendously, and hate parting from them. But at the same time, I cannot hold on to them so tightly that God is not able to move among us. I cannot cling to who/what I know as familiar and comfortable for God won't be able to mold me and change me.
That early, early morning, I as reminded of this. And since that morning, I have begun my mornings spending time with Him- the One who holds me world in His hands. It never ceases to amaze me how much different my day unfolds when I begin the day with Him, and release my world to His Spirit.
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