RV?

Ok, so...
This CRAZY idea came to mind yesterday. However, now, I don't really think it was a crazy idea, I think it was a bit of an answer that I've been looking for. After talking it over with my husband last night, I actually feel somewhat at peace today...for the first time in a few months.



So, what are your thoughts on selling and/or giving away most of your belongings and moving into an RV. Then, continuing to examine God's plan for us? Last night, we even talked about how this could potentially free us up for missions work, etc.

Is this really part of God's plan? or is it still just us searching and grasping for anything that feels somewhat right?

Lord, please help us feel Your guidance!

Jesus Use Me

For some reason, Jesus Use Me has been running through my mind the last couple weeks. I've also been struggling with figuring out God's plan for us right now. I'm really trying hard to find times to just be and try to hear God's voice a little more clearly. What is just mind talk and things I'm "making up" while trying to grasp for answers, and what is really God's gentle guidance? Oh, I realize I have a long way to go in order to rebuild my relationship with Him to where it was YEARS ago. I also don't want to settle for that either, I want the relationship to be even stronger.



I keep hearing my grandfather's voice when he told me he always thought I was supposed to be a missionary. I also keep hearing something tell me it doesn't have to be an international missionary. I also have been pulled to Mark 10:24-25 lately:

...Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

I have a really strong sense that where we are at right now is NOT where we are supposed to be, but I can't get a strong sense of the direction our path is supposed to move towards. Oh, I pray that my relationship with God can grow deeper and stronger, not only so that I can feel I am on the right path now, but so that I can truly serve Him in the way He has planned for me.

How to "wallpaper" using fabric | How About Orange

How to "wallpaper" using fabric | How About Orange

Definitely a project I would LOVE to do. Maybe I can find a neat fabric to use as an accent wall in Trinity's room, especially now that she has a "big girl bed."

Magical Story Puppet Pouch

1001 Peeps Summer Camp: Magical Story Puppet Pouch | Whipstitch

This is definitely a project I plan to do for Trinity! I'm just going to make myself finish (well, actually I need to start it, too) the Minky blanket for her first.

Benot Box - Bento Fiesta (Bean and Rice Burrito)

Last night we had Mexican food for dinner, so we decided to use our leftover beans and rice to create a bento fiesta for today's lunch. Although Mexican food is often high in calories and fat, keeping items simple and pairing them with fresh fruits and vegetables is a healthy way to enjoy this popular cuisine.



Menu

•     Bean and Rice Burrito on a Whole Grain Tortilla
•     Green Salad
•     Salsa
•     Tortilla Chips
•     Mango Slices

Preparation Notes

• Fill a whole grain tortilla with beans and rice. Roll up, cut in half and pack into your large unlidded container.
• Toss tomatoes with green leaf lettuce and pack into your large lidded container along with your dip container filled with salsa.
• Fill one of your medium containers with tortilla chips.
• Slice and peel a mango to put in your other medium container.

Source: Laptop Lunches

Randomness

Boy hate I steroids. I’ve had a lot on my mind lately, but taking a round of oral steroids just adds to the chatter in my head. The fact that I cannot focus on a single topic longer than a couple of minutes while they are in my system, added to the fact that it seems as if I can’t get my mind to shut-off, and throw-in all the things that have been on my mind lately…boy, that makes for some “fun.” Thus the title of this post… I just have to get some of my thoughts out, even though I know this will probably turn out to be a lot of disjointed, rambling thoughts; maybe it will give me some perspective on things at some point later on.
 
Location…location…location…

What’s more important – opportunities for your children or family? Is it more important to raise your children near family and build those close bonds or raise them in an area that you feel provides them with more opportunities? A couple of years ago, we were leaning towards opportunities, but now we’re changing our minds on that. We are starting to decide if there’s an area that might offer some middle-ground. We don’t like how we see certain communities taking a down-hill slide, but we think there are enough larger, surrounding communities that might still offer options, although none of the closer ones offer as many opportunities as we have available at our current location. Man, how I am praying we follow His will and guidance on this decision. I'm welcome to your thoughts and input. Maybe it will shed some light on an aspect we haven't focused on or an aspect we're struggling with.

Conception or adoption/foster

We know we want to welcome at least one more child into our home. Lately, it seems like God might be leading us into a ‘different’ direction. Besides our last pregnancy being considered high-risk, there are no signs to say that we could not conceive another child. However, for some reason, the ideas of foster care and adoption are staying at the front of our minds. 

Pure, unstained religion, according to God our Father, is to take care of orphans and widows when they suffer and to remain uncorrupted by this world. James 1:27 GWT

What are your thoughts on choosing to foster or adopt when you could still potentially conceive? It might just be out society, but it seems as if adoption is usually an option taken after one has exhausted efforts trying to conceive. That may be why it feels a little strange to be led down a different path. I’m still praying for God’s guidance on this to make sure we are listening to Him and following His will.

Family

Feeling the desire to be closer to family makes this next topic a little harder. Oh, how I want my daughter to grow-up near our extended families and have a very close relationship with them, just as I had when I was younger. However, there are certain things that aggravate me. You know those family members who always expect something? Ugh! My husband is still getting “guilt-trips” over the fact that we didn’t send anything back to our families for Christmas. Ok, excuse me, the end of last year was rough for us in more ways than one! I have my on-going health issues; plus, we started trying to live by more of a budget. I really wanted to send out a “family letter,” and I even bought all the stationary and hoped to get one created and mailed by year’s end. Needless-to-say, that didn’t happen. Now, all my husband hears is how upset they were because we didn’t send them anything for Christmas. That’s not the only incident of this ever occurring, either. More-and-more, it seems like all they are interested in is what we can do for them. I don’t mind trying to help out when we can, but when money, gifts, etc. are all that seem to be important to them, I start getting aggravated.

Ginny Owens - If You Want Me To

The pathway is broken

And the signs are unclear

And I don't know the reason
Why You brought me here

But just because You love me
The way that You do

I'm gonna walk through the valley

If You want me to

'Cause I'm not who I was

When I took my first step

And I'm clinging to the promise
You're not through with me yet

So if all of these trials
Bring me closer to You

Then I will go through the fire

If You want me to

It may not be the way
I would have chosen

When You lead me through a world
That's not my home

But You never said it would be easy

You only said I'll never go alone

So when the whole world turns against me

And I'm all by myself

And I can't hear You answer my cries for help

I'll remember the sufferin' Your love put You through

And I will go through the valley

If You want me to

[...extended...]

'Cause when I cross over Jordan,
I'm gonna sing, gonna shout

Gonna look into your eyes
And see You never let me down

So take me on the pathway
That leads me home to You

And I will walk through the valley
If You want me to

Yes, I will walk through the valley
If You want me to

Unbaked Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 stick oleo (butter)
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons cocoa
• 3 cups one-minute oatmeal
• 1/2 cup (crunchy) peanut butter

Instructions:

• Mix sugar, oleo, milk, and cocoa in pan and bring to a rolling boil.
• Boil exactly one minute.
• Remove from heat and add oatmeal and peanut butter.
• Drop on wax paper by teaspoonful.

Third Day - Call My Name

Call My Name

It’s been so long
Since you felt like you were loved
So what went wrong
But do you know
There’s a place where you belong
Here in my arms

When you feel like you’re alone in your sadness
And it seems like no one in this whole world cares
And you want to get away from the madness
You just call my name and I’ll be there
You just call my name and I’ll be there

The pain inside
Has erased your hope for love
But soon you will find
That I’ll give you all
That your heart could ever want
And so much more

You just call my name
You just call my name

Call my name, say it now
I want you to never doubt
The love I have for you is so alive

Call my name, say it now
I want you to never doubt
The love I have for you is so alive

You just call my name
You just call my name
You just call my name now

The love I have for you is so alive
The love I have for you is so alive
You just call my name
You just call my name
You just call my name

Twinkie Cake

Ingredients:

• 10 Twinkies
• 4 bananas
• 1 box instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1 can crushed pineapple
• 1 (8 oz. Carton) Cool Whip
• 1/4 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Instructions:

• Cut Twinkies in half
• Layer Twinkies in 9x11 inch long pan with cream side up
• Slice bananas over Twinkies
• Mix pudding as directed and pour over bananas
• Drain pineapple, pour over pudding
• Top with Cool Whip
• (Optional) Sprinkle with nuts

Notes:    You can use strawberries or fresh peaches instead of pineapple if desired, about any canned fruit works.

NewSong - Thousand Steps

Thousand Steps (Give Yourself Away - Track #8)

With one eye open I saw her slowing start to stand
Her trembling hands wiped her tears away
She looked so tired and broken
She never lifts her head, she softly says,

I can't make it through another day

I'm as far away from God as I can be

Is there any way that He still loves me
Can He still love me

If there were a thousand steps between you and God
And you could see no way across the great divide
Just take one step towards His loving arms
And He'll take nine hundred and ninety-nine

He slips into the back door and he straightens up his tie
His bloodshot eyes tell of the night before
He comes here every Sunday, but his life is never changed
He's played the game but he knows there's something more

I'm so close but still so far away
I can't live like this another day
Not another day

If there were a thousand steps between you and God
And you could see no way across the great divide
Just take one step towards His loving arms
And He'll take nine hundred and ninety-nine

Maybe you think that there's a place you can go and He won't be there
He won't even care
Didn't you know that there is no depth or height to keep us from
His amazing love

If there were a thousand steps between you and God
And you could see no way across the great divide
Just take one step towards His loving arms
And He'll take nine hundred and ninety-nine
He'll take nine hundred and ninety-nine
Nine hundred and ninety-nine

Take one step

Pecan Pie Bars

Ingredients:  

• 1 box yellow cake mix (reserve 2/3 cup)
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup softened butter or margarine
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 1/4 cup light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3 eggs, well beaten
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions:

• Reserve 2/3 cup yellow cake mix; with the remainder, mix 1 egg and 1/2 cup softened butter.
• Press into greased 9x13 pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 350F (preheated).
• While that is baking, mix 2/3 cup cake mix, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 1/4 cup light corn syrup, 1 tsp. Vanilla, 3 eggs (well beaten), and 1 cup chopped pecans.
• Pour over crust and bake 30-35 minutes.
• Cool and cut into bars.

Broccoli Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1 (2 lb.) box frozen broccoli
• Salt and pepper
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 stick oleo (butter)
• 8 oz. jar Cheese Whiz
• 1 can cream mushroom soup
• 1 can cream chicken soup
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 1/2 cup minute rice

Instructions:

• Cook 8 minutes
• frozen broccoli, salt and pepper, & 1/4 cup water
• Heat
• oleo, cheese whiz, mushroom soup, and cream of chicken soup
• Raw
• chopped onion, chopped celery, and minute rice
• Mix all ingredients together and bake at 325F for 45 minutes.

Notes: Add 1-2 cans of chicken to make this a one-dish meal.

Bento Box - Easy Pizza Bento

Pizza's for lunch! Need we say more? While pizza for lunch is a definite treat, we also included steamed kale and persimmon wedges to help balance the meal out, so enjoy!

Menu

• Pizza Muffins
• Parmesan Cheese
• Steamed Kale with Mixed Seeds
• Persimmon Wedges

Preparation Notes

• Top a whole grain English muffin with marinara and sliced swiss cheese. Bake at 350 degrees until the cheese has melted. Let cool before putting into your extra large container.
• Fill your dip container with parmesan cheese and store in your extra large container with your pizza.
• Steam kale. Once cool, mix in sesame, sunflower, and pumpkin seeds. Put your Kale salad into one of your medium containers.
• Cut a persimmon into wedges and put into your other medium container. 

Source: Laptop Lunches

Sidewalk Prophets - The Words I Would Say

The Words I Would Say (These Simple Truths - Track #4)

Three in the morning, and I’m still awake

So I picked up a pen and a page

And I started writing just what I’d say

If we were face to face

I’d tell you just what you mean to me

Tell you these simple truths

Be strong in the Lord
And never give up hope
You’re gonna do great things
I already know
God’s got His hand on You
So don’t live life in fear
Forgive and forget
But don’t forget why you’re here
Take your time and pray
These are the words I would say

Last time we spoke you said you were hurting

And I felt your pain in my heart

I want to tell you that I keep on praying

That love will find you where you are

I know cause I’ve already been there

So please hear these simple truths

Be strong in the Lord
And never give up hope
You’re going to do great things
I already know
God’s got His hand on You
So don’t live life in fear
Forgive and forget
But don’t forget why you’re here
Take your time and pray
These are the words I would say

… From one simple life to another

I will say… come find peace in the Father

Be strong in the Lord
And never give up hope
You’re gonna do great things
I already know
God’s got His hand on You
So don’t live life in fear
Forgive and forget
But don’t forget why you’re here

Take your time and pray

And thank God for each day

His love will find a way

These are the words I would say

Bento Box - Veggie Omelet

We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but it is often also the most rushed. Having breakfast for lunch is a great way to enjoy some of your breakfast favorites--but in slow fashion.


Menu

• Vegetable and Cheese Omelet
• Home Fried Potatoes
• Orange Segments
• Lemon Poppy Seed Muffin

Preparation Notes

• Make an omelet with cheese and your favorite steamed vegetables to put into your large lidded container.
• Cut a lemon poppy seed muffin in half and put both halves in your other large container.
• Prepare home fried potatoes, let cool and put into our medium container.
• Peel and cut an orange into segments to put into your other medium container.

Source: Laptop Lunches

Bento Box - Savory Coconut Curry and Rice

Enjoy this curry mild or spicy according to your preference. Balance the meal with some tart apples and sweet peanut butter and dark chocolate--a lovely meal for a cold, wintery day!

Menu

• Long Grain Brown Rice
• Tofu Potato Curry
• Fuji Apple Slices
• Peanut Butter
• Dark Chocolate

Preparation Notes

• Prepare the curry according to the recipe HERE. (included below)
• Cook the rice.
• Slice the apple.
• Scoop the peanut butter into the dip container.
• Add a square of your favorite chocolate.

Source: Laptop Lunches


Tofu Potato Curry


There's nothing like a hot curry on a cold day. Make it mild or spicy according to your preference. Serve over brown rice, or take the opportunity to introduce yourself to a whole grain that you've never tried before.

Ingredients:

• 1 can Vegetable Broth
• 1 can Coconut Milk
• 2 Tbs. Curry powder (or to taste)
• 1 Brick of Firm Tofu
• 2 White Potatoes
• 2 Red Potatoes
• 4 Carrots
• ½ medium Red Pepper
• 1 Serrano Pepper (optional)
• 1 Stalk of Lemon Grass (optional)

Directions:
  1. Cut tofu and vegetables into cubes.
  2. Mix broth, coconut milk, and curry in a sauce pan.
  3. Add peppers, lemon grass, and tofu.
  4. Cook on medium heat until liquid comes to a low boil.
  5. Turn heat to low and add potatoes and carrots.
  6. Cover and cook until carrots and potatoes are tender.

Francesca Battistelli - This is the Stuff

I lost my keys

In the great unknown

And call me please

'Cause I can't find my phone

This is the stuff 

That drives me crazy

This is the stuff 

That's getting to me lately

In the middle of my little mess

I forget how big I'm blessed

This is the stuff 

That gets under my skin

But I've gotta trust

You know exactly what 

You're doing

Might not be what I

would choose

But this is the stuff You use

45 in a 35

Sirens and fines

While I'm running behind

This is the stuff 

That drives me crazy

This is the stuff 

That's getting to me lately

In the middle of my little mess

I forget how big I'm blessed

This is the stuff 

That gets under my skin

But I've gotta trust

You know exactly what 

You're doing

Might not be what I

would choose

But this is the stuff You use

So break me of impatience

Conquer my frustrations

I've got a new appreciation

It's not the end of the world

This is the stuff 

That drives me crazy

This is the stuff 

Someone save me

In the middle of my little mess

I forget how big I'm blessed

This is the stuff 

That gets under my skin

And I've gotta trust

You know exactly what 

You're doing

Might not be what I

would choose

But this is the stuff You use

This is the stuff You use

Bento Box - Potato Pancakes and Applesauce

Few things go together as well as potato pancakes and applesauce. Combine that with a bit of spinach, salad dressing and some sausages, and you've got an awfully good lunch.

Menu

• Cinnamon Applesauce
• Potato Pancakes
• Mini Spinach Salad
• Italian Dressing
• Sun-dried Tomato & Basil Sausages

Preparation Notes

• Prepare the potato pancakes.
• Scoop some applesauce into the large water-tight container.
• Fill the dip container with Italian dressing.
• Pack the spinach around the dip container.
• Add some of your favorite sausages. (Pictured here: Tofurky brand Italian Sun-dried Tomato Basil Sausages.)

Source: Laptop Lunches

Bento Box - Lasagne Leftovers

Pack your leftover lasagne from last night's dinner. Consider updating your favorite recipe by using whole wheat noodles, eliminating the meat, reducing the amount of cheese, using lowfat cheese, and including a layer or two of spinach or sauteed vegetables.

Menu

• Lasagne
• Steamed Cauliflower
• Oatmeal Bars
• Orange Slices

Preparation Notes

• Pack your leftover lasagne from last night's dinner. Consider updating your favorite recipe by using whole wheat noodles, eliminating the meat, reducing the amount of cheese, using lowfat cheese, and including a layer or two of spinach or sauteed vegetables.
• Steam the cauliflower.
• Prepare the oatmeal bars, a healthier alternative to many pre-packaged cereal bars and cookies. Use the recipe from page 74 of the Laptop Lunch User's Guide.
• Slice the oranges.

Source: Laptop Lunches

Bento Box - Comforting Bento Lunch

As the winter continues on, we decided to put together a healthy, yet comforting bento lunch. Eaten hot or cold, this week’s lunch is sure to warm you up and keep you plowing through these final weeks of the season.

Menu

• Macaroni and Cheese
• Tomato Soup
• Steamed Cauliflower
• Sliced Bosc Pear

Preparation Notes

• Prepare macaroni and cheese, let cool and put in your large unlidded container.
• Prepare tomato soup, let cool, put in your large lidded container and sprinkle with minced parsley.
• Steam cauliflower for one of your medium containers.
• Slice a bosc pear for your other medium container.

Laptop Lunches Products Used:
Bento Set Original or 2.0

Source: Laptop Lunches

Bento Box - Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

Macaroni and cheese may not be the most nutritious choice, but preparing it from scratch provides an opportunity to have fun and add value to an otherwise starchy meal. Select whole wheat pasta, use lowfat milk and cheese, and add some fresh chopped herbs or vegetables like parsley, broccoli, peas, zucchini, onions, and mushrooms.

Menu

• Cabbage Salad
• Made from Scratch Macaroni and Cheese
• Sliced Banana
• Steamed Yams

Preparation Notes

• Prepare the a shredded cabbage salad according to the recipe HERE. (included below)
• Prepare the macaroni and cheese from scratch. Mollie Katzen's "Not-from-a-box Macaroni and Cheese" recipe from her Honest Pretzels Cookbook is one of our favorites.
• Slice the banana.
• Peel, cube, and steam the yam.
• If you're cooking for kids, getting them involved in the kitchen will foster excitement for this great lunch.

Nutty Cabbage Salad

Keep a head of cabbage in the refrigerator for those days when you need a fresh vegetable and don't have time to run to the store. It's versatile and doesn't spoil as quickly as many other vegetables.

Ingredients:

• 1 heaping Tbs. almond butter
• 2 Tbs. rice vinegar
• 1 Tbs. tamari or soy sauce
• 1 Tbs. water
• 5 cups shredded cabbage
• 1/2 cup chopped almonds or pecans
• 2 chopped scallions
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

Directions:
  1. Stir the almond butter, vinegar, tamari and water to form a smooth paste.
  2. Chop the cabbage, nuts, scallions and cilantro.
  3. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly.

Bento Box - Frittata for Lunch

Frittatas are delicious, and they're great for using up whatever vegetables you happen to have on hand. Be sure to include lots of fresh herbs as well. Don't be intimidated by the Caesar salad. Instead check out this simple recipe.

Menu

• Frittata
• Caesar Salad
• Navel Orange Slices

Preparation Notes

• Prepare a frittata of your choice (try the recipe HERE). Be sure to include lots of fresh herbs and vegetables. (recipe shown below)
• Slice the orange.
• Prepare the ingredients for the Caesar salad:

1. Tear romaine lettuce into bite-size pieces.
2. Prepare the dressing:

• 1 Tbs. lemon juice
• 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 clove of garlic (minced)
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/8 tsp. pepper
• 3 Tbs. olive oil

3. Sprinkle some of the dressing over the lettuce and toss.

4. Add parmesan cheese and croutons (optional).

5. Toss again.

• Alternatively, pack the salad ingredients separately and assemble at lunch time.

Source: Laptop Lunches


Asparagus Fennel Mini Frittata

Enjoy this delicious frittata for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Frittatas are a wonderful way to add fresh seasonal vegetables to your weekly fare.

Ingredients:

• 1 medium red potato, julienned
• ½ red onion, chopped
• 1 tsp. olive oil
• 8 asparagus spears, chopped
• 4 Tbs. fresh fennel, thinly sliced and chopped
• 3 eggs, beaten well
• 3 Tbs. grated parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
  1. Coat a small frying pan with the olive oil.
  2. Add the julienned potatoes and chopped onion, and sauté until just cooked through.
  3. Add the asparagus and fennel and sauté for about a minute, stirring occasionally.
  4. Beat the eggs.
  5. Mix the parmesan cheese into the eggs.
  6. Pour the egg mixture into the frying pan and stir once or twice to combine with the vegetables.
  7. Cover and cook on low heat until the eggs have set. Remove from the pan and enjoy.

Bento Box - Four Cheese Ravioli

Ravioli is easy to prepare and, with the seemingly endless combination of fillings and toppings, is sure to be a hit amongst the entire family. We served our four-cheese ravioli with a fresh green salad, oranges and chocolate squares for dessert, which made for quite the lunch time treat.

Menu

• Four Cheese Ravioli with Marinara Sauce
• Green Salad
• Tuscan Salad Dressing
• Orange Slices
• Dark Chocolate Squares

Preparation Notes

• Cook the ravioli, and spoon it into one of the large containers. Top with marinara sauce and fresh basil.
• Create a simple salad by tossing your favorite greens with dried cranberries and walnuts, and pack it in the other large container.
• Fill the dip container with Tuscan dressing to drizzle over your salad.
• Fill one bento divider with dark chocolate squares, and place the chocolate and Tuscan dressing in your medium container.
• Slice oranges to put into your other medium container.