Recipes

So, the fact that I even have an entry titled "recipes" makes me chuckle a bit. Never one to spend much time being productive in the kitchen, I've gotten a little brave as of late and have made some pretty good attempts at some tasty delights. Here are a few:

Peppermint Bark

Melt 18oz. white chocolate.

Break apart candy canes into bits no bigger than 1/4 in.

mix that junk up in a bowl.

Add a splash of peppermint extract.

Pour over some parchment paper and chill for about 45 minutes.

Break that mess apart and eat it up.

Lazy Pierogie Casserole

Put yourself 5 lasagna noodles (al dente) in the bottom of a glass 9x13ish dish.

Mix up an egg, 2 c. of cottage cheese and a dash of onion salt.

Plop that mixture right on top of those noodles.

Put yourself another layer of lasagna noodles on top of that.

Then put 2 c. of mashed potatoes with about a cup of cheddar cheese mixed in.

Put yet one more layer of lasagna noodles and then melt a c. of butter and mix that up with a c. of diced onions...dribble that deliciousness on the top of your casserole.

Pop it in the oven for 30 minutes at 350.

Porkchops a la Orange (or whatever)

Sear 4 boneless porkchops with a bit of salt and pepper.

Generously sprinkle some cinnamon on those bad boys.

Dump a can of mandarin oranges (with juices) on top.

Cover and let simmer for about 30 minutes.

Serve over egg noodles.

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

If you've got recipes, send 'em my way!

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EKS

Ena's first bath!

What a blessing a sweet new life is! I spent a majority of my time away from work over the past two weeks in the nursery at St. Francis Hospital, holding on to dear little Ena. The hospital plays a lullaby over the loudspeaker anytime a baby is born. One night, Ena and I hummed along to the song three times as more sweet little babies were brought into this crazy, wonderful world! Ena is home now, praise the Lord. Please continue to pray for her. She'll be on an apnea monitor for quite a while. Her parents are rockstars - handling everything with grace and a wonderful sense of humor.

Have a great week!

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A Slap in the Face

Soooo. I was going to start this post by saying that I am embarrased to have wiped the dust off my Bible tonight. And then I read my previous post. I suck.
I've been riding a wave for a few months...surrounded by great colleagues at work...enjoying my students who say the funniest things and truly entertain me for eight hours of the day...learning the game of golf...hours upon hours of Wii boxing...truly not a care in the world!
And when I am not stressed, I tend not to look inward. And when I do not look inward, I live in this state of pride and selfishness that is so blinding that it makes me see only what I want to see.

And then God slaps me in the face.

I spent time with my dear friends, Mark and Nicole, on Sunday. Expecting their first child in December, it's been really fun talking about the future with them. And then Tuesday Mark called down to my classroom - Nicole delivered Ena Kathryn on Wednesday morning after God knows how many hours of labor, with me watching the contractions on the monitor and discouraging Mark from saying innapropriate things to Nic in the middle of it all. Five weeks premature. Now, I love babies. And I've seen lots of them. But never have I seen anything as tiny and perfect as sweet little Ena. Today was the first day that I held her and in those thirty minutes of her in my arms, I was once again reminded of how Great He Is. How Ever Present. How His Hand is in Everything, though I cycle through the moments when I don't acknowledge It.
So, last week was a time of reflecting and praise for this sweet little life.
And then Friday morning came. And I did not pass my boards. And there was such frustration and screaming and crying because I really felt like I deserved to pass. I felt entitled to pass.
Ah, there's the rub.
My selfish entitlement.
When I picked up my God's Word tonight (and my 90 Day study of David that I've been reading though for a year...), I was reminded through Isaiah's words, "Your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear." I have always been an expectant one...looking ahead and what I do not have. But I get so wrapped up in my own sin that I do not see the blessings in front of me. How frustrating it must be for my Father to watch me go through this cycle time and time again.
When we focus more on our battles than on God, our enemy appears bigger, we appear weaker, and our God appears smaller. This cannot be.
If I could, I would sit in the level 2 nursery and love on Ena for all eternity. If I could, I would would make sure I pass my boards this second time around. If I could, I would make sure that my Bible never becomes dusty again. But once again I'm reminded that I need more than my own strength to do these things. I thank God for humbling me through Ena's early birth and my own earthly failure. I am thankful that the wave I was riding crashed last week and left me tiring of treading water. And I pray that I keep my eyes on the One who keeps His eyes on me.

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Ruin Me

So once again, I've gone over a month...almost two...without blogging. And it once again isn't because nothing exciting has happened. But I've failed in being introspective of late and have instead thrown myself into work and my kiddos. My blog isn't the only thing that's missing out on attention. I picked up my Bible and my Beth Moore study the other night and blew a month's worth of dust off the top.

Pretty pitiful on my part.

But glorious on God's part. When I got home one day last week, there was a number on the caller id from "Pennsylvania." How cool that an entire Commonwealth would call?! Imagine my joy when I listened to the voicemail from Pittsburgh Public requesting an interview...an interview that I have prayed for and waited on for more than a year. And yet, I am consumed with my kids in Charleston. And as much as I want to, I cannot be consumed with the children of Pittsburgh right now. So, I'll interview in May...

God has always worked on me to teach me how to wait. How my timeline is so much more imperfect than His. And that by trusting Him, He will make things happen...in His time.

I think that the phone call last week was from My Father, more than from the Commonwealth. A message saying, "Hey you. Where've you been? I'm still working on you, whether you spend time with Me or not. I miss you."

Well, here I am, Lord. Your servant is listening, willing to follow where You are leading, on your timeline and not my own.

The lyrics of Jeff Johnson...my reluctant prayer for some time...

Ruin Me

Woe to me I am unclean

A sinner found in Your presence

I see you seated on Your throne

Exalted, Your Glory surrounds You

Now the plans that I have made

Fail to compare when I see your glory

Ruin my life the plans I have made

Ruin desires for my own selfish gain

Destroy the idols that have taken Your place

'Till its You alone I live for, You alone I live for.

Holy Holy is the Lord Almighty !

Holy is the Lord!

Holy Holy is the Lord Almighty!

Holy is the Lord!

I leave you with a prayer request. A dear friend and her husband have been told that they will be parents in early April! This after they were told they would not have children of their own. This after they completed the application process to be foster parents. As delighted as they are, they are both very aware of the level of risk of her pregnancy. Will you join me in praying for health, patience, and trust? Let me know if there's anything I can pray for on your behalf, too. Cheers!

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Sometimes He Comes in the Clouds

I spent the first part of July driving around Western Pennsylvania, enjoying quiet moments (and rowdy moments) with old friends in Pittsburgh, and cherishing time with my parents at the lake house. If you've read my blog at all, you know that my theme for living is to be light. For my students, my friends, my family, random people I meet on the street. In my continued study of David, a warrior king who wanted nothing more than to go where God lead him, I've learned that my heart requires constant alteration in order that I may be light to those in need. I was in the car by myself for about 30 hours over the course of ten days. While I sang along with Jeff Johnson and David Crowder most of the way, there were times when I drove quietly...looking, listening.

The last year has been very interesting because it has led to me to completely different place than where I used to be, even though I haven't moved anywhere. I thought for sure that I would be spending this school year in cooler temperatures, surrounded by faithful friends with whom I have a great history - finishing each other's sentences, sharing the details of the Faith Walk, and working in the middle of the inner-city, which I felt called to do when I was 14. I prayed for this move more than I've prayed for anything in my adult life. At the tail-end of the each prayer, I mumbled "...if this is Your will, lead me down your righteous path." And yet here I am. And amazingly enough, I realize that with my Rock leading me, I am on His path. Though I don't know what is around the next bend and I am uncertain of what the final destination is, I am enjoying the walk with my Lord.

I really love summer thunderstorms. In Charleston, you can actually smell them coming before they get here! The thunder, the torrential rain, the sometimes power-killing lightning never lasts long and it's always hotter and muggier after the crash and boom than it was to start. But the constant reminder that weather, life, our circumstances, can turn on a dime and that there is a Consistent One who has my best interests at heart makes me ready and willing to accept His grace.

My God is Mighty to Save. May I never measure an obstacle against my own strength, but against Yours.

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Pop pop pop pop pop pop pop pop......

So, ten minutes ago, I was sleeping peacefully...listening to my ipod, dreaming about Brad Paisley and Dolly Pardon singing together in Heaven when I was awakened to the sound of a clicking (read: snapping, popping) noise. I thought for sure after a few seconds it would go away, but indeed it did not. This disruption went on for what seemed like forever - of course I had to investigate. So, with my loyal steed at my side, I located the obnoxious culprit at the window above my bed.

Could the screen be slipping out?

Maybe the glass is moving down?

Perhaps my prince charming is just outside, throwing pebbles to wake me up?

Not so much.

Picture this: A 26 year-old female, disheveled hair, wearing nothing but a ratty Air Force t-shirt and Campbell University cotton boxers standing in the front yard trying to figure out what in the Hey Ho has her up and out of bed a night before she has to interview 4 potential candidates for a teaching position. Believe you me, not a pretty sight!

After moments of banging on the outside of my house, the brother came out and announced that there was a bug (read: insect, critter) in the house one day this weekend making a popping sound. Mmmm. So, I did what any red-blooded American did who needs her rest. I grabbed the hose, cranked up the water to "jet spray," soaked the front of the house, and now am going back to sleep - in peace - knowing that if poppy-bug can't swim, he's S.O.L.

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Just because you like Britney doesn't mean that I like Britney

When the school year draws to a close, my life comes to a screeching halt! Praise God! This is the first time that I have done absolutely nothing with myself. I sleep late, go days at a time without showering, and do not a thing to enhance my intellect. I enjoy reading friends' blog updates and continue to pray wholeheartedly for God to open doors so that I can be effective in his ministry. Blessings to everyone. I'll touch base if anything exciting happens:)

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