My Unbelief / His Glory

This is one of those days when I know my heart / life resembles an Israelite wandering in the wilderness. 

Although the LORD has saved me, fed me, clothed me and called me his own, I still grumble and bemoan my circumstances. I'm looking back and foolishly desiring Egypt when I've been set free and promised a land flowing with milk and honey.

I confess, I am weak and in need of a reminder that:

• God is Faithful

• He is Good

• He does good

• He is Love

• He is Merciful

And so, I humbly request for an increase in my faith

Mark 9:23-24(ESV)

23 And Jesus said to him, "'If you can'! All things are possible for one who believes."

24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!"

and, as Moses requested: an assurance of the presence of the LORD.

Exodus 33:17-20 (ESV)

"17 And the LORD said to Moses, "This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name."

18 Moses said, "Please show me your glory."

19 And he said, "I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name 'The LORD.' And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.

Exodus 33:17-20 (ESV)

Guilty & Forgiven

This year I'm reading through the Bible chronologically.

After 48 days I've read Genesis, Job, Exodus and now am little more than 1/2 way through Leviticus.

While reading through the detailed laws of the Old Testament, I'm becoming more fully aware and grateful for the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.

I had some catching up to do so being home from work on this #snowday (really ice & sleet) has given me time to read.

Reflecting on Leviticus 5:17-19...

Because of my sins I am guilty before the LORD. 

The Israelites had to bring a spotless lamb/ram as a blood sacrifice, the priest made atonement on their behalf and forgiveness was given.

For me and all believers, Jesus is the final spotless sacrificial lamb. He took on my guilt before the Father. Jesus blood was shed through his death on the cross. He is The High Priest and made atonement for my sin. Therefore I am forgiven for every breach of faith against the LORD.

So powerful during this season of Lent. 

“If anyone sins, doing any of the things that by the Lord’s commandments ought not to be done, though he did not know it, then realizes his guilt, he shall bear his iniquity. He shall bring to the priest a ram without blemish out of the flock, or its equivalent for a guilt offering, and the priest shall make atonement for him for the mistake that he made unintentionally, and he shall be forgiven. It is a guilt offering; he has indeed incurred guilt before the Lord.” http://bible.com/59/lev.5.17-19.esv

Rest, Recuperate and Heal

My posts have been what can only be described as sporadic, and today day, as I find myself sitting in bed, per doctors ordered, it seems only appropriate to write a post.

The past several weeks have been full of activity:
* full days at work; several projects with similar deadlines; preparing for summer learning
* making travel arrangements for a "cousins trip" to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic in October
* final weeks of Bible study in Exodus - amazing!
* weekly dates with Stan
* conference planning for NCTM Annual in Denver (held last week)
* conference planning for Learning Forward Annual @ Gaylord in Grapevine (coming up in Dec)
...and so much more

In the midst of all of this, I was getting sick.
It hit me during the last day of the NCTM conference last week. Let's just say, I was grateful to only have a 90 min flight from Denver to DFW.

I knew I was sick, so I stayed home from work on Monday and scheduled the first available appointment on Tuesday morning.

After a breathing treatment in the doctor's office and a set of X-rays she confirmed I had pneumonia. Not at all what I was expecting.

So until my doctor learns me, I'm confined to home and bed rest.
I understand the severity of my diagnosis and do. it want further complications. so tool answer your wonder, Yes, I'm taking prescribed medications and resting.

I will say the inhaler that I've been given, in addition to a strong antibiotic, is the worst part of all.
It really makes me feel jittery...causes my heart to race. If for reason except to never have an albuterol inhaler again, I will rest and recuperate.

The Joy of Recipes from Friends

I enjoy cooking. I enjoy a great recipe.
I especially enjoy a great recipe from a friend. And it's even more wonderful when its a recipe that you've had and used for long time. A recipe that results in tasty, not just trendy, food

Well...last weekend i pulled out one if those recipes.

The first time I ate this I was at the home of a family, the Hovis', with whom I attended church when I moved to Texas and began teaching in the early/mid 90s. It was probably one of the nights I was tutoring one of the two older girls in math. I also know that I cooked it once for the girls- Jaclyn, Reagan, & Laura Beth (then probably ages 16, 14 and 10) when I spent a few days with them as "nanny" so  the parents could go out of town for a few days.

Some other fun facts about this family is that I have had the privilege of watching all 3 girls grow up to be fabulous wives and mothers! Check out Jaclyn's designs/decorator business - The Turquoise Giraffe and her family life at The Mommy Revelation

This recipe is memorable not only because it was given to me by Laura Hovis, but also because its was the main course of the first meal I ever cooked for Stan's parents when we were dating.
[Note: I would liked to have know ahead of time, that my now in-law's version of spicy and mine are quite different. So...if your making this for someone who thinks green chiles are spicy, adjust accordingly. Good thing I redeemed myself with by having sour cream available and a good dessert]

OK - enough reminiscing, here's the recipe!

Chicken Spaghetti (from Laura Hovis) - serves 6 (3/4 cup servings)
12 oz pasta; I like farfalle(bowtie)
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
1 cup onions, chopped
1-2 cloves garlic, minced OR 1 tbsp minced garlic
8 oz fresh mushroom, sliced (optional)
1 can diced tomatoes with green chiles (Ro-tel)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can stewed tomatoes (I substituted a 5.5 oz can of V8 when I didn't have a can of stewed tomatoes)
1 tbsp oregano, dried
8 oz chopped chicken, cooked (can substitute 2 large cans canned chuck chicken)
salt
pepper

1. In a large stock pot, prepare pasta according to package directions, drain and set aside 
2. In a mixing bowl, combine diced tomatoes, stewed tomatoes, cream of mushroom soup and oregano
3. Over medium head, in the large stock pot, saute mushrooms, onions and minced garlic in butter until tender; season with salt and pepper to taste
4. Add chopped chicken to saute. Let reheat 2-3 minutes
5. Add tomato and cream of mushroom soup mixture, creating sauce; bring to a simmer
6. Add pasta; fold into sauce to evenly coat noodle

Serve with garlic bread and a salad

Joy of Praying Friends

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A sweet friend sent this to me today and I thought I would pass it along.

What joy in knowing that a friend is praying for you

 

ESTHER 4:13

"Be still for a while and praise God for His favor, His grace and His awesomeness. God is able to do the impossible and is always near. He loves us unconditionally."

Dear God, This is my friend whom I love and this is my prayer for her. Help her live her life to the fullest. Please cause her to excel above her expectations. Help her to shine in the darkest places where it is impossible to love. Protect her at all times, lift her up when she needs You the most, and let her know when she walks with You, she will be safe.

Amen!

The Joy of New Recipes w/ Bacon

Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Thighs marinated in sweet ginger garlic soy (based on a recipe for Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin in the Crockin' for the Holidays by The Crockin' Girls)

INGREDIENTS
1 package chicken thighs
1 package bacon

Marinade
3/4 cup soy sauce
3/4 cup white sugar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp black pepper
1/2 onion chopped
1 tsp white vinegar
2 tsp ginger, ground

DIRECTIONS
Wrap chicken thighs in bacon, covering completely.
Mix marinade
Place meat in 9x13 baking dish, cover with marinade.
Cover pan with plastic wrap.
Refrigerate at least 3-4 hours (or overnight).
Prior to cooking:
Preheat oven 350 degrees
Lightly coat 8x8 baking dish with cooking spray
Transfer wrapped chicken to 8x8 baking dish and spoon some marinade over each thigh.
Bake for 35 min.

A Prescription for Recovery

Every Christmas I bake Crunchy Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies and give both my Daddy and my Father-in-Law their own special tin. My dads know they can return the tin and it will be refilled!

Daryl, my Father-in-Law, had a total knee replacement surgery at the end of June and I refilled his tin for him to enjoy while recuperating.

During a visit a couple of weeks ago, I received a request to refill the "prescription" refill.

Once again, heres the recipe. Enjoy!!

Crunchy Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies
based on a recipe from Lifetime Entertainment Services (1997)

Ingredients:
Note: make sure you have parchment paper

Group 1
2/3 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt (omit if using salted butter)
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional)
1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats

Group 2
6 oz (1-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, soft
2/3 cup sugar
2/3 cup light brown sugar
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups pecan pieces (optional)
2/3 cup dried cranberries or raisins

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a small bowl, whisk together Group 1 ingredients. Set aside

In medium bowl, using a mixer, cream together soft butter with the two sugars until light and fluffy. Add the egg and beat until thoroughly incorporated. Scrape down the bowl with rubber spatula and beat for another 30 seconds. Beat in the vanilla

Fold the flour mixture into the butter mixture, incorporating completely. Fold in the pecans and cranberries or raisins. The batter will be very soft

Form the mixture into little balls about 1 inch in diameter. Place the balls on the parchment lined baking sheet about 3 inches apart (theses cookies spread!)

Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the cookies are golden brown. They will have a lacy, bumpy appearance.

Cool completely on the prepared trays. Use a metal spatula to release the cookie underneath and transfer to a rack

Store in a air tight container.
Serve with your favorite hot beverage or a glass of milk!

Spiced Apple & Mandarin Orange Smoothie

I needed a little something before heading out on a walk this morning, so i made a smoothie.

I know...making a smoothie is no big deal. I wanted something refreshing (using mandarin oranges), but without using banana or berries.

It was quite yummy with the spices similar to those in chai tea.

Spiced Apple & Mandarin Orange Smoothie
Blend the following:
*vanilla whey powder, 1 scoop
*1/2 cup organic unsweetened applesauce
*1/2 cup mandarin oranges and their juice
*1/4 tsp each - ground cardamom, cinnamon, ginger & nutmeg
*1/2 cup ice

EnJOY!

The Joy of Finishing!

Sunday, February 26, 2012

The Cowtown Half Marathon (Fort Worth, TX)

13.1 Finisher!!!

official chip time - 3:49:31 

In Oct 2011 I committed to my first 1/2 Marathon.

I got a group together for motivation (most of whom were already runners), designed a fun shirt

Troubled Angels

"Scathingly Brilliant"

30 minutes for the officially 7am starting time

Meeting at 5am on a Sunday morning to drive 30+ minutes and then run/walk 13.1 miles is mark of true friendship. I was so blessed to have Linda and Jill participate with me.

 And you never know who you'll run into at such a popular event. It was quite fun seeing Trey Spalding. He warned me some about the hill between mile 8 and 9...he was NOT kidding. It's kind of cruel that you can see it for a mile before you actually start going up. 

The anticipation of what was coming did help me set mind on going up it, one step at a time...All you've gotta do is take the next step!

Trey Spalding

I found Katti (another Troubled Angel)

Jill and I started together in Corral 5

6 miles and still smiling!

Just a few before I crossed the finish line, my calf muscles cramped. I fell, but with assistance was able to get back on my feet and cross the finish line. When asked if I wanted to go to First Aid I unashamedly said yes, got in the back of the golf cart. I was grateful to the attendants who stretched and massaged my calf muscles.

When I was finally able to reunite with Jill, we headed to lunch. It was great way to finish the morning

So proud of our finishers medals!! 

Here's how it all began...
I started running Aug 2010 using C25K because walking wasn't enough of a cardio boost anymore (unless I walked for 2 hours at a time).

Since that time I have come to really enjoy running. (I've completed six 5Ks)

Vineyard Run 2010, Jingle Bell Run (2010 & 2011), Hot Chocolate 2011, Get You in Shape supporting Coppell Special Olympics 2011, Weight Watchers Challenge (2011)

If you would have told me 20+ years ago that I would say those words and really mean it, I would have called you a liar.

So here's my advice:

• Get a good pair of shoes and the right clothes, including socks and undergarments
• Commit to the training schedule, including strength and conditioning.
• Begin with 5Ks and make sure you do a couple of 10Ks as well.
• Stick with your pace and don't be ashamed to use the run/walk interval method
• Take advantage of the water stations

The feeling of accomplishment is like none other!
All that to say...YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Sunday, February 26, 2012

The Cowtown Half Marathon (Fort Worth, TX)

13.1 Finisher!!!

official chip time - 3:49:31

Joy of Christmas Baking Traditions

Every Christmas I bake Crunchy Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies.

I give both my Daddy and my Father-in-Law their own special tin, and keep plenty on hand for Stan and me. My dads know they can return the tin and it will be refilled!

I usually bake the first batch at Thanksgiving or the first week of December, but I'm getting a bit of a late start this year...schedules happen.

I thought I'd share the recipe since it is a season of giving.

Enjoy!!

Crunchy Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies
based on a recipe from Lifetime Entertainment Services (1997)

Ingredients:
Note: make sure you have parchment paper

Group 1
2/3 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt (omit if using salted butter)
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional)
1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats

Group 2
6 oz (1-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, soft
2/3 cup sugar
2/3 cup light brown sugar
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups pecan pieces (optional)
2/3 cup dried cranberries or raisins

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a small bowl, whisk together Group 1 ingredients. Set aside

In medium bowl, using a mixer, cream together soft butter with the two sugars until light and fluffy. Add the egg and beat until thoroughly incorporated. Scrape down the bowl with rubber spatula and beat for another 30 seconds. Beat in the vanilla

Fold the flour mixture into the butter mixture, incorporating completely. Fold in the pecans and cranberries or raisins. The batter will be very soft

Form the mixture into little balls about 1 inch in diameter. Place the balls on the parchment lined baking sheet about 3 inches apart (theses cookies spread!)

Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the cookies are golden brown. They will have a lacy, bumpy appearance.

Cool completely on the prepared trays. Use a metal spatula to release the cookie underneath and transfer to a rack

Store in a air tight container.
Serve with your favorite hot beverage or a glass of milk!

The Joy of Giving Thanks to the LORD

On this Thanksgiving Day 2011, my heart is full of thanks to God for...
...His mercy
...His peace
...His provision
...His love
...His saving grace
...His forgiveness

Chronicles 16:8-36

8 Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!
9 Sing to him; sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!
10 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!
11 Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!
12 Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgments he uttered,
13 O offspring of Israel his servant, sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
14 He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth.
15 Remember his covenant forever, the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,
16 the covenant that he made with Abraham, his sworn promise to Isaac,
17 which he confirmed as a statute to Jacob, as an everlasting covenant to Israel,
18 saying, "To you I will give the land of Canaan, as your portion for an inheritance."
19 When you were few in number, and of little account, and sojourners in it,
20 wandering from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people,
21 he allowed no one to oppress them; he rebuked kings on their account,
22 saying, "Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!"
23 Sing to the LORD, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day.
24 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!
25 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be held in awe above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.
27 Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place.
28 Ascribe to the LORD, O clans of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!
29 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness;
30 tremble before him, all the earth; yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.
31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns!"
32 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it!
33 Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth.
34 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
35 Say also: "Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather and deliver us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, and glory in your praise.
36 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting!" Then all the people said, "Amen!" and praised the LORD.

The Joy of Bacon!

"Bacon is meat candy!"

I don't know who said it, but i agree. So heres one of my favorite appetizers. Thanks to Susie Yeatts for bringing these to the New Year's Day celebration at the Lancelot's all those years ago. I make them every Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Bacon Roll-Ups
10-12 slices bread (cheap), trim crusts and cut each slice in 3 strips
1 lb bacon, cut each strip in half
Olives, green (regular or jalapeño stuffed)
1 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
Baking sheet, 9x13
Toothpicks, 24-36

Preheat oven to 350 degrees


Place 1/2 strips of bacon on baking sheet.
Place a bread strip on each piece of bacon.
Spoon 1/2 tsp Parmesan cheese on top of bread slice.
Set an olive in the middle of the strip of bread.
Roll and secure with a toothpick.
continue until baking sheet is full
Bake about 30 min, until bacon is thoroughly cooked.
Cool 2-4 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!

Joy of Leftover Mashed Potatoes!

After we finished our Thanksgiving meal at work, there were alot of leftover mashed potatoes. It occurred to me that this may be typical for many during the holidays. So I thought i'd share with you what I shared with my coworkers. 

Rachel Ray’s Mashed Potato Soup

(rachelrayshow.com)

Ingredients

·        Drizzle of EVOO - Extra Virgin Olive Oil

·        6 slices bacon, chopped

·        4 tablespoons butter

·        1 medium onion, chopped

·        4 tablespoons flour

·        4 cups chicken stock

·        2 cups leftover mashed potatoes

·        8 ounces shredded yellow cheddar cheese

·        Chopped chives, for garnish

Preparation:

·       In a medium pot or Dutch oven, heat a drizzle of EVOO over medium-high heat. Add bacon and cook until crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate and reserve.

·       Drain off excess bacon fat from the pot and add butter. When it is melted, add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle flour into the pot and cook with a wooden spoon for 1 minute. Whisk in the chicken stock and bring to a bubble. Cook until slightly thickened, about 2-3 minutes.

·       Whisk in mashed potatoes, then stir in the cheddar cheese with a wooden spoon and cook until the potatoes are hot and the cheese is melted.

·       Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with the reserved bacon and chopped chives.

Enjoy!

The Joy of Working Toward a Goal

Recipe for Success in reaching 200 Miles by Christmas

Completed 35 miles
165 miles in the next 10 weeks
16.5 miles every 5 days
3.3 miles (5K + .1K) 5 days per week
45 min per day
I CAN/WILL do this
One day at a time!

Enough

"I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
I hope ". ~ Psalms 57:2

As I was praying with my my Steps Sponsor tonight, there was a recurring theme of realizing the sufficiency of Christ.

The lyrics to the chorus of "Enough" by Chris Tomlin convey the worship in my heart tonight.

"And all of You is more than enough for all of me.
For every thirst and every need,
You satisfy me with your love.
And all I have in You is more than enough.

More than all I have
More than all I need
You are more than enough for me

More than I know
More than I can see
You are more than enough"


The joy of Enough!
~ Michelle

The Joy of a Challenge - Zion National Park

July 9: Hiking in Zion National Park provided an experience like none other.

Mom and I selected a trail that let to the Lower and then Upper Emerald Pool.

The trek involved some pretty rugged hiking,

All in all, we really enjoyed ourselves.

Fun in Park City

Today we went up to Park City, UT. We had an early dinner, walked Main Street and then took a ride on the Alpine Coaster. What a fun time with Mom, Lizzy (we used to work together in Denton ISD) and Clint. Special thanks to Clint Christiansen from School Improvement Network for showing us around his hometown.

During lunch a mountain storm blew changing the temperature and creating a need to buy a sweatshirt (as if I need a reason to shop).

After buying our sweatshirts, we window shopped on Main Street and stopped in an ice cream parlor. Lizzy was elated! She soothed her craving for ice cream and chocolate all at the same time.
Of course, Clint could not pass up an opportunity to "ride the cow".


We ended our adventure with a ride on the Alpine Coaster.
Mom and I rode together. We laughed (and screamed a little) all the way down the mountain.

 So much FUN!!!

The Joy of a Challenge - Zion National Park

July 9: Hiking in Zion National Park provided an experience like none other.

Mom and I selected a trail that let to the Lower and then Upper Emerald Pool.

The trek involved some pretty rugged hiking,

All in all, we really enjoyed ourselves.

The Joy in Friendships: Road Trip 2011

What a blessing to have a 20 year friendship

I met Jennifer as a sophomore at the University of Iowa (we were hired as resident assistants in the all girls dorm - Stanley Hall) and I my life has NEVER been the same!

During the past 20 years, we have enjoyed may football games and basketball games. We've been in each others weddings and I have a deep affection for her son.

Like her mom, Jen has the gift of hospitality. So when I told her about ROAD TRIP 2011, she was more than willing to have Mom and I as guests for a couple of nights.

Mom and I arrived on July 4 after an easy day of driving from DFW area (we left at 5am and arrived at around 3:30pm). After I got a warning for speeding in Iowa Park, TX (just west of Wichita Falls), I slowed my speed down to 70 until we hit the New Mexico border where you can legally drive 75! I tend to "round to the nearest 10" and 80 seems to be the preferred speed of our rental car :)



Not only did we get to spend time with Jen and her family, but we were also able to visit with Being with Jen's parents.


Gary and Fran live in Rio Ranch too. We even got to meet Jen's nephew who was visting from Iowa.
To celebrate July 4, we went to the fireworks hosted by the City of Rio Rancho at Rio Rancho High School.

 Count it 

ALL Joy!

~ Michelle