What's Cookin' Wednesday!

So with not much time and a hurt hand, I didn't really do much "cooking" last week.  So no brand new recipes to share :-(.

I did however make a fruit tray for a Friday meeting and I wanted to share a tip about that and my Nanny's delicious fruit dip recipe.  I had to call her and make sure I was getting the right ingredients!  I am so thankful for my Nanny, and I am especially thankful that she is such a great cook.  She and my mama, who is also an awesome cook, taught me everything I know!

Have you ever cut apples for a party only to have them turn brown before the party even started.  Well, for a fun and tasty treat that the kids and adults both love, try shaking your diced apples in jello.  Just wash and dice apples; place in large ziplock bag and add a few tsp of cherry, raspberry, or strawberry jello powder.  Shake it up (my girls love doing this part), and wha-la...you have yummy candy apple treats. They do not turn brown, and the kids will eat their apples for sure.  I pack these in my daughter's lunch box.  Every time I take these to an event, they are wiped out and I get a ton of people asking me how to do it.  My husband's family especially loves this treat, and requests it every Christmas.  There are a few diabetics in his family, so I use sugar-free jello powder and splenda.  Taste just as yummy and very healthy!


For my Nanny's fruit dip...

8 oz cream cheese at room temperature
3 Tbsp milk
7 oz jar marshmallow fluff
8 oz extra creamy cool whip

Beat the cream cheese and milk.  Once combined, add in marshmallow fluff and beat until smooth.  Slowly fold in cool whip with a spatula until well combined.  Refrigerate and enjoy with your favorite fruit.  It is so heavenly.  My girls also like to dip graham cracker sticks in it.  Yummy stuff!


I hope you will try these treats and your family enjoys!

Today's Verse

"For the scripture saith, WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH ON HIM SHALL NOT BE ASHAMED."  

Romans 10:11

I Voted

I voted!  Did you?

I am not going to get political today.  That is just not me.  I will say I voted and thankfully it didn't take me very long :-).

I think I heard it said best by a local radio personality on a Christian radio station yesterday...
"Pray.  Vote.   Pray."

Pray about your vote.  Go out and cast your vote.  Then, pray about the outcome and the direction our nation is headed.  It is a right and privilege to go out and vote today.  A privilege many men and women have died for and continue to fight for to this very day.  We are a blessed nation.  I am more than thankful to be able to worship my Lord freely and openly.  I am more than thankful that I have the right to vote for whom I choose to vote for.  I am more than thankful that I am an American.

No matter the outcome today, let's continue to pray for our nation, pray for the President that is voted in office for the next four years, and pray for every elected official.  We may not agree with those in office, but it is our job as Christians not to bad mouth them, but simply pray for them!

May God continue to bless America!

Today's Verse
"LET every soul be subject unto the higher powers (governing authorities).  For there is no power but of God:  the powers that be are ordained (appointed by) God.  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God:"  Romans 13:1-2a

Stopping and Starting

Aren't you glad God has a sense of humor.  We are made in His image, and we all possess a sense of humor, well most of us anyway :~).  So you know He has to have one.  I heard a preacher say once, you know He has a sense of humor because He created men and women so differently!  Have you ever had something happen that you know could have only been orchestrated by God.  It could be miraculous or just plain funny!  Well I have had plenty of moments and one such event happened this weekend.  It was so funny, I couldn't stop laughing and I knew only God could make it happen...

I have a  bad habit, well in all honesty I have a few, but this one is something I have recently been trying to change.  I love to exercise, and, in the next breath... I hate to exercise also.   I start and stop all through the year.  It feels so good to get into a consistent exercise routine. I feel better about myself and can feel the benefits that come with exercise.  But, it feels good to skip the routine every now and then.  And suddenly every now and then becomes weeks, and there I am... right back to not exercising at all.   I am not proud of it, but I just keep stopping and starting every exercise plan I start.  I have been this way since college!

So this weekend I was trying to start again.  Starting can be so difficult.  The time.  The energy.  The effort.  The willpower.  So much has to be in place and arranged just to get in a few minutes of walking or an exercise video.  But as I lay on my floor after stretching, I started feeling bummed out.  I thought of all my starts and stops.  My beginnings then only to fail AGAIN.  I was feeling sorry for myself.  So, I cried.  I then began to pray.  I literally said outloud, "God, does the Bible even say anything about exercise?  I know we are suppose to take care of our bodies, but do You say anything about actual exercise in Your Word?"  I felt better after my little pity party, and I hopped up to proceed with the day.

Fast forward a few hours later, and I sit down with Bible in hand.  I was very blessed to have a devotion printed in a small daily devotion publication for Oct, Nov, and Dec.  I have been reading along as part of my quiet time.  I turned to that day and there it was..."Fit for Life" by Lisa Crayton.

"You have got to be kidding me."...I said outloud for nobody but God to hear!

I laughed so hard.  Only God could have allowed me to suffer and cry out to Him, ask those specific questions, and then two hours later put this in my hand.

I begin to read the suggested verses, 1 Timothy 4:6-16.  There it was in black and white..."But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.  For bodily exercise profiteth little:  but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come."  1 Tim 4:7-8

I knew many books of the Bible spoke of strength, and I knew Paul wrote of running the race, but there it was...the actual word "exercise".  My KJV Women's Study Bible says this about the verse, "For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness, the result of spiritual exercise, has unlimited value, since it brings blessings for both now and eternity."

So am I going to try to keep up with my exercise routine?  Yes.  I don't think God was trying to tell me it was ok not to exercise.  I do think He wants to make sure I am not starting and stopping my spiritual exercise.  There again, sitting down with God in His Word and praying takes time, effort, energy and willpower to have that One on one time with our Savior, but this is must for living the best life He has for us.  Yes there are many proven positive effects from exercise, but I can guarantee the positive effects of reading my Bible and praying are much greater for me.

Things might happen, and we might skip a day of reading our Bible, but let's not ever make it two days and never ever a week.  Stay in His Word everyday!  Our quiet times will aid us in fighting the temptations we face, brighten our outlook on life, provide wisdom, strengthen our faith, revive us, comfort us, and the list goes on and on and on!

Today's Verse
"Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually."  1 Chronicles 16:11

Let's leave the stopping and starting behind and continually seek His face!

Let the goodies begin!

I am barely able to type this post as I am injured again!  :-)  What else is new?  I do have a serious infection in my finger which makes it very hard to type and write.  I am on an insane amount of antibiotics and will go back to the doctor on Wednesday.  But as for now, a lot of typing is so out of the question.  I did want to post the recipe for this week.  Whether you are headed to your church's fall festival or out to get the goodies by trick-or-treating, this is a quick easy supper you can have waiting when you get back or right before you take off.

This is a fun version of french dip sandwiches.  I hope your family enjoys!

In a small crock pot mix together one envelope of french onion soup mix, 3 cups of water, and 8-12 oz of deli sliced roast beef.  Cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 2-3.  Right before serving take crescent rolls and lay them flat on a parchment lined cookie sheet.  Sprinkle with Italian seasoning and bake in the triangle shapes for 12-15 minutes or until lightly brown.  Place meat on the crescent and top with favorite sliced cheese.  We love cheddar, pepper jack, or provolone.  I also occasionally add bell peppers to the soup mix as well, for a little extra color and taste.  You can serve a with a small bowl of juice to dip the sandwich in if you would like.  Perfect for these chili fall nights!

Today's Verse
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."  
2 Timothy 1:7

This is the verse I use for the girls around this time of year when things can look a little scary or spooky!  I love how there is a verse that can be used for every little thing we might face!  I hope to be back next week!

Don't go overboard on the sugar!  Let the holiday goodies begin!

What's Cookin' Wednesday

So here is a simple treat I made recently.  I know I have seen recipes out there for fruit salsa, but instead of looking one up, this is what I came up with just using what I had.  The girls loved it, and it was different and fun and most importantly...tasty!  This was just enough for us girls, but I am sure you could double or triple. Hope your family enjoys!

1 large flour tortilla
nonstick butter flavored spray
sugar
cinnamon

1 kiwi
2 slices fresh pineapple
6-8 small-medium strawberries
1 tsp orange juice
1/2 tsp sugar

Cut or tear tortillas into triangles.  Place on cookie sheet.  Spray w/ butter spray and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar; flip and repeat. (If tearing, this is great for the little ones to assist!) Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned and crisp.  Meanwhile, finely dice fruit and mix with OJ and sugar.  Serve with warm chips.  Very Yummy!

Today's verse
"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."  John 15:5

Searching

So I did something crazy today.  And yes I do something crazy everyday, but I can honestly say I have never done this.  I was on the cordless house phone while getting ready to go pick up my kindergartner.  I was buckling in my toddler and still just chatting away.  I was almost ready to pull out when it occurred to me that my phone would cut off if I left the driveway.  I made the confession to the person on the other line, which thankfully was my husband who already knows I am a little crazy, and I told him I'd have to call him back on my cell.  I kept the house phone with me because I had already locked up the house.

The entire time I was away from home, the screen read "searching".  The phone was searching for that home signal that meant it could be used.  It wasn't usable without that signal.  If I had needed to make a call, I would have to use my cell phone.  The phone had everything needed to dial a number, but without that home power source, it was simply useless.

We are like that phone.  We are searching for what God will have us to do.  We want to be used.  We want to be an instrument for Him.  But our purpose and tasks have to be arranged by Him.  We can't take matters into our own hands and say, "I am going to be a great worker for God and this is how "I" am going to do it."  Without His power and His leading, we cannot carry out the job He has for us.  We will simply be lost and searching with no real use when we are not within His plan.

Do you pray before answering a call to serve?

I am guilty of not seeking God's guidance before volunteering for projects or taking on a huge task.  In the past I would immediately say, "Oh I would love to do that job!", only to feel overwhelmed a few days later.  I have learned through some heartache that I cannot do every job I feel I am called to do.  I have to be sure I am in range of His signal so that I am being useful and doing exactly what He wants me to do.  It's okay to say no when we feel the Holy Spirit is leading us in another direction.

Today's Verse
"Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go."  Isaiah 48:17

This is my daughter's memory verse for the week and I LOVE IT!  It kinda goes along with the post from yesterday as well.  He is our Redeemer and He will lead us in the way we should go!  We have to seek His guidance before we take on a task.  It is necessary to get His approval before saying yes.  Things will go so much more smoothly if we are in His range of signal and then we can truly be used.

My phone went right back to normal as soon as I pulled back into my driveway.  It had found its source of power and was no longer searching.  I am so glad I know my Source of Power as well, and I pray He will use me however He sees fit!

Mazes and Maps

So here is an embarrassing story...

I was pregnant with my second daughter.  My husband and I thought it would be fun to take our oldest daughter to a pumpkin patch and corn maze one fall Saturday afternoon.  Now neither one of us have a great sense of direction.  We do not follow maps very easily, but it was a corn maze, how hard could it really be????  Well it ended up being one of the hottest October days ever.  After about an hour in the maze with my hands and feet swelling rapidly, and being at the water stop for the third time, it was time to give up and wave the help flag.  Yes, thankfully, we were equipped with a large flag that the spotters could see as we went through the maze.  We were to wave it if we wanted to be rescued, and wave it we did!  How embarrassing!!!!!

One of the farmers came in a truck to lead us out of the maze.  It ended up being fun getting a behind the scenes tour of the farm.  This farm girl was fascinated.  We were a little blue we didn't finish the 2 mile maze, (and yes it was 2 miles which should have been our first clue) but we were so glad not to be wondering in circles!

It is hard when you are lost and are not sure which way to turn and every turn looks the exact same!

Well I had flashbacks of the embarrassing day this weekend, when once again we headed to a corn maze.  And to my dismay, this one did not offer safety flags for those in trouble.  There was a more detailed map this time, but still, I had too many reservations.  We chickened out and just made one small loop and came right back out.  I was not about to relive the same scary event again!

In life we know we have a Watcher that is watching for us to wave our flag.  He is there to guide us out of the maze and to the finish line, but we have to wave the flag.  We have to ask for help.  We have to be willing to admit we cannot make it through the maze on our own.  It is not embarrassing.  It is freeing.  It is relying on God, just like He created us to do.  He may send guidance in His Word, through the Holy Spirit, or through a fellow Christian.  But no matter how He gets us out of the maze, we just know He will get us out.

One day I hope I hope our family can make it all the way through a corn maze.  Maybe our girls will be a little better with directions than their parents.  But I hope I am able to use these stories of getting lost in the corn maze to teach them to always rely on God to direct our steps.  To know wholeheartedly they cannot get anywhere in life without His guidance and His Word (our map).  To know they can call on Him day or night when they are feeling lost and anxious.  To teach them to have that relationship with Him so they never have to fret over where their life headed.

Today's Verse
"Order (direct) my steps in thy word:"  Psalms 119:133a

When decisions have to be made; when life is not going how we pictured it; when we seem to be turning around in circles, we must pick up His Word and wait for His answer.  He will direct our steps, we just can't take matters into our own hands.  We will not remain in His will if we are not willing to seek His guidance.  We want to stay on the path He has for us...which is always the best path of the maze!