We pray to give thanks for the things we have around us and we pray to give thanks for answered prayers. Sometimes we pray for things we want or need and then pray to give thanks when those things have been received. Have you ever stopped and prayed and given thanks for the things that happen in our everyday life. Such as the scrapped knee your child got that day, or the high grocery bill you paid at the store that day or even the argument you had with your spouse that morning. Every night when I lay my head down I give thanks for the day and all the blessings this day held and then I take a moment to give thanks for the things that I would not have placed in my day had I been in total control. I give thanks for the argument because of the apology and the closeness and love you feel when everything is okay. I give thanks for the scrapped knees and tears of my children because without those I may not have been able to hold them for that 10 minutes that they would have been doing other things. I give thanks for the high grocery bill because at least I can pay it, there are those who starve everyday because they can't. Not all things in our lives are things we would pray to receive. However, when we do receive these things good and bad, happy and sad, we should give thanks. Through all things we have our lives, our health and our loved ones. Most important through all things we have our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So when your day is filled with the unwanted things and happenings and you wish the day to be over, take a minute to say thanks because when you close your eyes it could be just that....over.
John 12:25
Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Sunday, April 11, 2010 was an absolutly beautiful day. The sun was out and the weather was warm. We had nothing planned except for baseball practice that afternoon. Keith was at work and the kids and I spent the day just "hanging out"! Keith came home and changed clothes then got Riley ready and off they went to the ballpark. We made the decision before he left that since the kids did not have school on Monday, we would make this movie and pizza night. This would consist of everyone in their p.j.'s and sleeping bags out in the den and a great movie to watch together. After they left I jumped in the shower. When I got out I heard police sirens that stopped right outside our house, which happens to be the entrance to our neighborhood. I looked outside and saw one police car, then two, then three and next the fire and rescue trucks from our area and then another police car. They were all heading in the direction of several homes where my daughters friends live. We jumped in the car and headed that way. As we made it to the end of the street, our lives along with everyones in our community, city and state changed forever. We saw the rescue workers working on someone in a front yard and I told the kids that someone may have had a heart attack or over did their yard work and got over heated. We stopped and asked some friends of ours what happened. A 2 year old girl had been hit accidentally by a car in a neighbors driveway. I told the kids we needed to go home and get out of the way. It was worse than I thought and we did not need to be there. We left in front of the ambulance that carried this precious child to the nearest hospital where she was pronounced dead. Abigail Dahlen was playing outside and wandered into the neighbors driveway. The 18 year old boy that lived there was in the family car and backed out. He never saw her. This poor boy is devestated. Needless to say the Dahlen family is greiving terribly.
I know it is not for us to question why things happen. And it is very common for people to say that people die once they have served their purpose here on earth. However, does that make it any easier? We were not directly associated with this family. They lived a block away. We saw them in the area and attended a backyard vacation bible school with them. But to say we knew them would not be true. We only knew of them. But this tragic accident has hit us as if they were close family friends. As a mother, I can not imagine the loss this mother feels. I also can not imagine the feeling of the boys mother to watch her son suffer for something that was totaly out of his control. Both families are suffering in their own way.
I told my own children once, that they were not mine to keep. They were on loan from the Lord. The bible says "Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb, a reward, Psalms 127:3-5 .He gave them to me to take care of and when the time comes that he wants them back, they will go and there is nothing I can do. I am borrowing His precious jewels and I must take very good care of them. I have to return them the way they came to me, PERFECT! It is a blessing to be given children and a blessing for them to go back home. I want nothing more than for my children to lead a healthy, happy life. Well that is not entirely true, I do want something more. I want for them, one day, to be blessed enough to see our Lord. I would hate to lose my child as this mother has lost hers, but I would hope I could find comfort in knowing that one day I would see her again.
Another mother who lost a child to soon wrote on her blog recently and I read it. Her son drown in the family pool. She said her sons life did not end in that pool that night, it began. I thought about this for a while and smiled because yes, our lives have not begun, not really. We are here to earn our life, our eternal life. So I guess you could say, in the two years Abigail graced this earth she earned her way back home. If you look at it that way you have to think it is amazing! As a mother, I pray everyday and ask the Lord to PLEASE bring my babies home safe to me. It is a selfish prayer but I do pray it. I pray it for myself not for them. I am the one that does not want to lose them. However Jesus said "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Mathew 19:14.
This will one day be bearable for these families but I do not believe it will be easier. Life will continue to go on around them and eventually for the sake of their other children, they to will have to go on. But on the heart of every person that knows them, loves them or has just heard of them, this little angel Abigail has a special place on everyones heart. She will never be far from everyones hearts and minds. I will continue to help in any way I can but the one thing i know for sure that I can do, that will help them is pray.
I know it is not for us to question why things happen. And it is very common for people to say that people die once they have served their purpose here on earth. However, does that make it any easier? We were not directly associated with this family. They lived a block away. We saw them in the area and attended a backyard vacation bible school with them. But to say we knew them would not be true. We only knew of them. But this tragic accident has hit us as if they were close family friends. As a mother, I can not imagine the loss this mother feels. I also can not imagine the feeling of the boys mother to watch her son suffer for something that was totaly out of his control. Both families are suffering in their own way.
I told my own children once, that they were not mine to keep. They were on loan from the Lord. The bible says "Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb, a reward, Psalms 127:3-5 .He gave them to me to take care of and when the time comes that he wants them back, they will go and there is nothing I can do. I am borrowing His precious jewels and I must take very good care of them. I have to return them the way they came to me, PERFECT! It is a blessing to be given children and a blessing for them to go back home. I want nothing more than for my children to lead a healthy, happy life. Well that is not entirely true, I do want something more. I want for them, one day, to be blessed enough to see our Lord. I would hate to lose my child as this mother has lost hers, but I would hope I could find comfort in knowing that one day I would see her again.
Another mother who lost a child to soon wrote on her blog recently and I read it. Her son drown in the family pool. She said her sons life did not end in that pool that night, it began. I thought about this for a while and smiled because yes, our lives have not begun, not really. We are here to earn our life, our eternal life. So I guess you could say, in the two years Abigail graced this earth she earned her way back home. If you look at it that way you have to think it is amazing! As a mother, I pray everyday and ask the Lord to PLEASE bring my babies home safe to me. It is a selfish prayer but I do pray it. I pray it for myself not for them. I am the one that does not want to lose them. However Jesus said "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Mathew 19:14.
This will one day be bearable for these families but I do not believe it will be easier. Life will continue to go on around them and eventually for the sake of their other children, they to will have to go on. But on the heart of every person that knows them, loves them or has just heard of them, this little angel Abigail has a special place on everyones heart. She will never be far from everyones hearts and minds. I will continue to help in any way I can but the one thing i know for sure that I can do, that will help them is pray.
Friday, March 26, 2010
I was tired of the same old thing and really am trying to cook healthier. Try this "POP" Chicken Rub and this Grilled Asparagus recipe. ENJOY!
1Tbs. Ground Mustard
1/2 Tbs. Salt
1/2 Tbs. Chili Powder
1/4 Tbs. Ground Pepper
2 Tbs. Brown Sugar
1 Tbs. Olive Oil
*Coats about 3 chicken breasts
Directions:
Rinse 3 Boneless Chicken breast and pat dry. Drizzle the olive oil anduse hands to spread around. Spinkle the rub on one side and rub in and then turn over and coat the other side and rub in. Cover and marinate for a couple of hours and then grill.
This chicken has a sweet taste with a spicy pop at the end!! Great with a ranch dip or on a garden salad with ranch dressing.
1Tbs. Olive Oil
kosher salt (to taste)
black pepper (to taste)
1 Tbs. Balsamic Vinegar *I used a Balsamic Vinegar infused with Pomegranit
Directions:
Wash asparagus and pat dry. Drizzle and toss in the olive oil. Sprinkle with the salt and pepper to taste and then toss. Grill on both sides about 2 minutes each (4 minutes total) or until soft/crisp. Remove from grill and drizzle with the balsamic vinegar and toss. Serve immediatly!
"POP" Chicken Rub
1Tbs. Ground Mustard
1/2 Tbs. Salt
1/2 Tbs. Chili Powder
1/4 Tbs. Ground Pepper
2 Tbs. Brown Sugar
1 Tbs. Olive Oil
*Coats about 3 chicken breasts
Directions:
Rinse 3 Boneless Chicken breast and pat dry. Drizzle the olive oil anduse hands to spread around. Spinkle the rub on one side and rub in and then turn over and coat the other side and rub in. Cover and marinate for a couple of hours and then grill.
This chicken has a sweet taste with a spicy pop at the end!! Great with a ranch dip or on a garden salad with ranch dressing.
Grilled Asparagus
1 bunch fresh asparagus1Tbs. Olive Oil
kosher salt (to taste)
black pepper (to taste)
1 Tbs. Balsamic Vinegar *I used a Balsamic Vinegar infused with Pomegranit
Directions:
Wash asparagus and pat dry. Drizzle and toss in the olive oil. Sprinkle with the salt and pepper to taste and then toss. Grill on both sides about 2 minutes each (4 minutes total) or until soft/crisp. Remove from grill and drizzle with the balsamic vinegar and toss. Serve immediatly!
Disney!
Do you believe in dreams. I do! Disney was a dream that came true. Walking down Main Street USA toward Cinderella's castle didn't seem real. There I was a little girl again staring up at this beautiful castle wondering what was going on in side, which bedroom was Cinderella's. Would I see any movement inside behind the curtains to show me this was real. No matter how many times I stood in front of the castle and looked at it, I still became that child in awe of what I saw. Disney is definatly the most magical place on earth. The place where all your dreams can come true.
To watch my children with thier innocent expressions and the excitment in thier eyes is a site that is burned perminatly in my heart. The week was magical and we can not wait to go again!
To watch my children with thier innocent expressions and the excitment in thier eyes is a site that is burned perminatly in my heart. The week was magical and we can not wait to go again!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Can we go for Chinese.....PUHLEEEZE!
Chinese take out again? How about Chinese eat in? This seemed like a great idea and I knew if I cooked it myself it would be made with freash ingredients and I could put a "little" bit of a healthy spin on things. So the menu is....
Sesame Chicken
Fried Rice
Spring Rolls
Chinese Brocolli
Sounds yummy,huh?
The recipes are as follows:
3 Whole Chicken Breasts
*Marinade=
2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
1 tablespoon wine or cooking wine
a few drops of sesame oil
2 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons cornstartch
2 tablespoons water
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
*Sauce for Sesame Chicken
1/2 cup of water
1 cup chicken broth
1/8 cup of vinegar
1/4 cup cornstartch
1 cup of sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 teaspoon chili paste
1 clove of garlic, crushed
*2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds (to toast, lay them in an even layer in the bottom of a skillet and turn heat to medium and keep the pan moving and remove when they are lightly browned)
Directions
Cut chicken into pieces and set aside. Mix together the marinade ingredients. Drop the chicken into the marinade and let sit for about 20-30 minutes.
Prepare the sauce by mixing all the ingredients together. Pour them into a pot and bring it to a boil, stirring continuously. Turn the heat down to low and keep warm while frying the chicken. Deep fry the chicken piece until golden brown ( I use peanut oil). Drain off the oil and pour the sauce over the chicken and then sprinkle with the toasted sesame seeds.
ENJOY!
Sesame Chicken
Fried Rice
Spring Rolls
Chinese Brocolli
Sounds yummy,huh?
The recipes are as follows:
Sesame Chicken
3 Whole Chicken Breasts
*Marinade=
2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
1 tablespoon wine or cooking wine
a few drops of sesame oil
2 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons cornstartch
2 tablespoons water
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
*Sauce for Sesame Chicken
1/2 cup of water
1 cup chicken broth
1/8 cup of vinegar
1/4 cup cornstartch
1 cup of sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 teaspoon chili paste
1 clove of garlic, crushed
*2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds (to toast, lay them in an even layer in the bottom of a skillet and turn heat to medium and keep the pan moving and remove when they are lightly browned)
Directions
Cut chicken into pieces and set aside. Mix together the marinade ingredients. Drop the chicken into the marinade and let sit for about 20-30 minutes.
Prepare the sauce by mixing all the ingredients together. Pour them into a pot and bring it to a boil, stirring continuously. Turn the heat down to low and keep warm while frying the chicken. Deep fry the chicken piece until golden brown ( I use peanut oil). Drain off the oil and pour the sauce over the chicken and then sprinkle with the toasted sesame seeds.
ENJOY!
You only....
live once, but if you work it right, once is enough.
Hmmmm, pondering this thought. What I get out of it is that if you live each day to the fullest and enjoy each and every person, every opportunity is taken, you love with all your heart, you take in every aspect of life, you smile, you look at your glass as always half full, you fulfill all your dreams and accomplish all your tasks, you become who you were destin to be, you seek nothing but find everything, you dream in black and white but live out your dreams in color .....then....there is no need for more than one life. Because there is nothing left.
Hmmmm, pondering this thought. What I get out of it is that if you live each day to the fullest and enjoy each and every person, every opportunity is taken, you love with all your heart, you take in every aspect of life, you smile, you look at your glass as always half full, you fulfill all your dreams and accomplish all your tasks, you become who you were destin to be, you seek nothing but find everything, you dream in black and white but live out your dreams in color .....then....there is no need for more than one life. Because there is nothing left.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
15 years ago today....
I married my best freind. I married the man that could love me the most. He is the person that makes me the happiest and the maddest. He has made me who I am today. Because of him I have peace. Because of him my life is full. Times are tough and times are easy, each day presents its own unique challenges and each day we overcome them.....together. There are times you sit and wonder why and what if. Those times are few and far between because I know the why and what if answer and I do not think for one second I would be where I am today and have the things I have without him. He has in the fifteen years we have been together given me 3 priceless gifts, Our Children! And to him, for that, I am forever greaful. He is a good, hardworking, Christian man. He goes without so that we may have. I love him more and more everyday and would not want to live life without him by my side. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, KEITH!
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12: 9-21
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
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