Music

Too bad I'm not musically inclined because music speaks so incredibly loud to me! 

I just downloaded some songs my BFF in high school and I used to listen to, really loud, driving too fast down the highway. But they brought back so many memories, good and bad. 

I always associate songs with certain time periods or people or situations. Do you do this?  I am really moved by music. 

Hmm that's all :) 

Trip update and random thoughts.

These things never go the way I anticipate!


Once again, blogging on a plane.....kind of... On and off... In a car, plane, on a couch, etc.

Trying to download angry birds for the 2 year old to play while flying! Kids today haha just kidding I think it's cool she knows how to operate an iPad and iPhone. There are actually some cool apps for kids!

We got delayed once. Suck. However, I would rather get delayed than fly into the tornados and hail that ended up occurring right outside Detroit.

So three things so far....1. My new baby cousin is super cute! 2 days old when we saw him! 2. Old stories are fun! 3. Uh....super annoyed by social media and the fact that people use it to promote something awesome and worthwhile then screw it up by getting thrown in jail.

I feel even more dumb because I promoted the KONY 2012 video. I don't doubt  the organization is legit or beneficial. I just should have educated myself before following the trend. My eyes were opened when a few articles surfaced about invisible children and their leadership. That's all I'm going to say.

Well trip is off to a good start. Seen a lot of people. Heard a lot of good stories. Glad I came even though I was stressed about work.

I think it's awesome that the friends my dad had growing up, he is still able to pick up where he left off with. The stories are awesome, wholesome or not, haha and it just gets me thinking.... Why don't I live my life in a way that it will be a lesson to others? I know some things will be, or I hope because I didn't go through it all for nothing!  But good and bad experiences, everything happens for a reason. I know my dad lived his life for a reason and one day realized the hope he had for his kids. I don't have kids but I am realizing that I have the same hope. A hope for a fuller life, for more opportunities, for more experiences....etc, for others, and, still, even myself.

I want to live a story. Something I can write about-not blog! I want to see the world and not let money or responsibility deter every fun experience I could potentially have... Except sky diving and bungee jumping, no thanks! I want to be the one telling the stories one day!

I pray about that a lot. Purpose. I want to know I've impacted someone's life. Not for selfish reasons.  I don't need to be famous or "special" in anyone's book.  Not having kids, its hard to imagine whose life i will impact, but I have hope.

This brings me to my next point... Is being hopeful a fault? I have so much hope in so many things that I sometimes think it's to my detriment.

But I always remember there is hope in my heart for a reason .... Thus, why I continue to hope!....

Jeremiah 29:11- "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, 'Plans to prosper you and not to harm you.  Plans for a hope and a future' "

He DECLARED it.... So it must be for real!

Recipes, Rants, and Raves

I think that is the title of a friend’s blog – or maybe her “tag line” – so technical. Sorry if it is!

So first up – recipes. My mom has asked for two recipes and I just do not know what to tell her…because, well, quite frankly I do what I want. As is my motto most of the time. I know it shouldn’t be, but anyways… here are two “recipes” for you:

Crockpot tortilla soup

Throw in a crockpot on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours:

The following cans of things:

-          Tomato sauce

-          Crushed tomatoes - 2

-          Diced tomatoes with green chilis

-          Enchilada sauce – 2

-          Corn - 2

Chop and/or sprinkle the following

-          Onion

-          Garlic

-          Taco seasoning – 1 packet

-          Red pepper flakes – uh make sure the container has the thing with the holes in it or you will be fishing out red pepper flakes like I was!!! Then adding milk, vinegar, and baking soda to calm down the HEAT!!!

-          Chili powder

-          Cumin

Throw in some frozen boneless, skinless, chicken breasts and a little bit of chicken broth and let it cook! (Shred the chicken with a fork when it’s done) so tasty and feeds a million people! (Not a million)

Next on the recipe list – stuffed bell peppers

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

Half a can of corn

Small onion chopped

Garlic – generous amount

Colby Jack or Chedder cheese – same as above

Little bit of water

I would guess I added the following…

2 teaspoons each of chili powder, paprika, and cumin

A shake of red pepper flakes (or less)

2 bell peppers for stuffing (I used green, but would use red next time)

Sauté onion and garlic in medium saucepan

Meanwhile add beans, corn, water, spices, flakes, and a few pinches of cheese

Add all that to the onion and garlic

Let simmer for 15 minutes

While that simmers put the bell peppers (after you cut them and cleaned out the insides) in the oven to cook at 400 degrees. I left mine in about 10 mins so they could have been in there for 15 minutes

Remove bell peppers and add the mixture to the insides, top with cheese and broil for 2-3 mins

All done.

Rant time….

I have nothing to rant about. Except I hate how clumsy I am. No need to call myself out – but the less accidents, the better…. As long as I’m not wrecking my car, we are good. Oh and this whole getting sick when eating certain things. Better not be gallstones or my grandma and mom will be saying “told you so”.

Oh – and people who are ignorant. Someone tried to say the Kony 2012 thing was a hoax. Get real. No one is asking for your money. Getting the word out is more than enough. I think its funny this person posts pictures of TOMS they have purchased. Those things AIN’T cheap. I love my TOMS and my niece will love her two pair too! We all choose to tithe and give back in different ways, to different organizations, and different ministries. So that brings me to my next point….

Rave time…

Kony 2012 – make the invisible, visible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4MnpzG5Sqc&feature=youtube_gdata_player

EAT GOOD FOOD, SPREAD THE GOOD WORD

Such a baby!

My mom sends me stuff relatively often that leaves me rather choked up. I am such a baby. But it's good stuff, nonetheless! This is from a Proverbs 31 devotional she sent me this morning...

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
 
Well, darn it all! I don't deserve a reward...at all! I believe in Him and have faith in Him but I'm not the most earnest seeker. And then, to top it all off, I fall more than short of the faith line. I was upset because there are things I want to let go of, that I've desperately TRIED to let go of, that I would much rather not ever worry about...but I know that I haven't given over full control of the situation.

It's those situations where if "x" would happen I would be happier, or if "y" were  a for sure thing then things would be awesome, etc. I am so afraid that He will keep telling me "no", over and over and over. I don't even think I'm afraid of being told "no" as much as I am afraid of having to accept it, get over it, be okay with it never happening. Here is a snippet of the devotional (full link is at the bottom):

"We can envision ourself with this thing, this person, this opportunity. And all things are better. So, why doesn’t God give us this longing of our heart?

Because He wants us to willingly release it to Him.

Ouch.

Not the answer we want. Why would God let the aching desire linger and not make things happen? He could. He’s certainly able. But when He doesn’t it seems unfair. Not good. Confusing.

It’s easy to get down when we’re constantly let down."

That scares the living day lights out of me!!! That's why I was acting a fool and tearing up earlier. It's most definitely NOT what I wanted to hear. I'm big on that, wanting to hear certain things, and that's never a good idea.

The lady writing the devotional is trying to sell me on the idea that if I were to just "let go and let God" that I would be rewarded. But I just CANNOT imagine letting go of some of my biggest hopes and dreams - especially when there are so many in my life who keep trying to encourage me ( and some who reprimand me and incessantly point out my mistakes). I want to believe that I have DESIRES in my heart for a REASON. I want to believe my friends and family when they say "your time will come".

All I can do is pray for God to change my heart's unmet longings. I don't think I will ever be okay with accepting "no" as the final answer unless my heart can rest easy with peace and understanding. Call me stubborn...

Dear Lord, I sacrifice chasing this so I might more fully and with more focus chase You. I release this grip of desire. I praise You for who You are, what only You can bring, and how You will fill whatever gap this release might leave. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Her words, not mine...but important prayer to be said.

The link to the devotional, as promised!