Talk-to-Myself-Tuesday, April 27th

My family tells me I talk to myself...

I prefer to think of it as "thinking outloud!"

Either way, here's what I've been saying...

- Having our friends, Troy & Noelle, and their adorable

little ones with us this weekend blessed my gizzard!

Their love, dedication, patience & commitment encouraged

me. Plus, just being able to actually hug people that I love,

instead of just sending cyber hugs, was WONDERFUL!

Lots of happy tears were shed... by me!

Oh, and if you want to give toward their mission to

Belfast, Northern Ireland, click here! (They're moving

to Belfast in June!)

- When I'm feeling overwhelmed it's usually cuz I'm thinking

about myself only.

- Sometimes... just sometimes, when I'm feeling overwhelmed it's

because I really do need a break... usually plain ol REST!

- Thankful to my Man who gave me a needed rest yesterday

while he took the kids to the Zoo & beyond. Thanks!

- Praying in the Spirit MORE!

- Missing my friend, Jodi!

- Looking forward to having the Real Church Midtown campus meet

together with the Hamtramck campus for a little while as we

await the Midtown Miracle.

- My little Boy is gunna be a Ring Bearer this weekend

and I can't wait to see him in his Tuxedo. Too cute!

- I need to get something decent to wear to Mariah's graduation...

there's isn't a section in dept. stores entitled "Mother of the Graduate"

is there? Hopefully NOT!!!

- Been playing phone-tag with my Mom for days. This is crazy!

- Only a few more weeks of homeschooling left this year! YIPPEE!!!!

- In I Thess. Paul speaks of how the enemy kept him from going

to see them. It's changing the way I'm praying about the Midtown

Building. JESUS is more powerful than the strong forces of evil

in Detroit. (If that sounds too super spiritual to you... um)

- Already sent Mother's Day gifts to My Mom & Mom-in-Law!

This may be a record for me.

Usually I mail stuff on Wed. before the holiday.

What's been on your mind lately?

I know there's lots of you who read my blog (you tell me you do),

so why not leave a short comment about stuff going on in your head!

Menu Plan Monday, April 26, 2010

MONDAY

Lunch- Scrambled Eggs, Peaches

Dinner- TBA

TUESDAY

Lunch- Lasagna

Dinner- Turkey Cobb Salad, Cheesy Bread

WEDNESDAY

Lunch- Grilled Ham, Rice, Asparagus

Dinner- Cheesy Roll-ups

THURSDAY

Lunch- Veggie Meat Wraps

Dinner- Crockpot Meatballs & Spaghetti, Salad

FRIDAY

Lunch- Chicken Tortilla Soup

Dinner- with friends

SATURDAY

Lunch- Low Carb Flatbread Sandwiches

Dinner- Chilton Chili in crockpot

SUNDAY

Lunch- TBA

Dinner- Chili covered Nachos, grapes

For more ideas check out Orgjunkie.com

Big Family & Earth Day

Plus =

Recently my oldest daughter did some research for a class

regarding large families. Those opposed say that large families

leave "big carbon footprints" and that having a lot of children

is irresponsible & uses up too much of our resources. *

But, she also discovered in her studies:

Large families don't buy, spend or throw-away nearly as much

as an "average-sized" family does. Large families find new uses

for things, save more and waste less!

She found this proven true right here at home!

We're not huge recyclers (although we do recycle cans!),

but we fit the description of "large families" in the

above paragraph.

- Make MUCH of our own food products, so there's much

less tin cans, cardboard, plastic & chemicals brought into our home.

- Clean with Baking Soda, Vinegar & other types of products

- Reuse clothes (hand-me-downs, Baby!)

- Reuse sheets, fabric, table clothes, pillows, curtains,

worn-out clothes, etc by making them into various

other products for our family's use

-Use those horrid lightbulbs that save tons of money & energy

(but make everything look dark & gloomy after a few weeks!)

- Bring our own grocery bags to the store

- We're now making an effort to recycle more items & take

advantage of monthly drop off sites in our area. (Detroit

doesn't have curbside pick up for recycling. Bummer)

- and plenty of other things that I'm too rushed to think of now

Although I'm not a huge "Save-the-Earther", I wanna care for the

resources that God has given to us.... and this frees me up to focus

more even more important things/people....

"Saving the People of the Earth!"...

well, JESUS does the SAVING! I just do the telling & discipling!

* Note: I didn't take the time to link all the into to the sites

where we found it. Sorry. Pressed for time today.

Talk-to-Myself-Tuesday, April 19th

M
My family tells me I talk-to-myself!

I like to think of it as "Thinking Out-Loud!"

Either way, here's what I've been sayin'...

I've been playing Candy Land for nearly 17 yrs,

and honestly- I'm SICK of it...

But... my little ones love it and they've only been playing it

for a short while. So... I'll keep playin it with a smile! :)

What's the point of Roman Numerals anyway?

Just when it seems safe to put away our winter clothes

the weather does that Michigan thing and I have to

put shorts back into the drawer & pull out heavy coats.

I'm more excited than my 9 yr old about her unit on the

Middle Ages... Kings, Knights, Battles, etc... so awesome!

Planning a party is much easier when you have a good

solid theme.

My oldest daughter graduates in a few weeks...

and that's freakin' me out for SO many reasons!

sigh

What color should my livingroom be? I really don't like

the first sample I tried - it's too white. Green, I want

a light green. hmmm

Sometimes I spend way too much time in the kitchen.

I haven't eaten sweets in over TWO weeks... and the scale

hasn't said a thing about it. Grr!

It's so cool that I'm reading this wonderful book about the Holy Spirit,

Forgotten God by Francis Chan,

reading Acts, Chilly's preaching a new series called

"Holy Ghost Hunters" , it has a cool video, and

my little ones' nighttime Bible Stories are from

the book of Acts right now, too.

Holy Spirit, do what YOU want in me!

What's been on your mind?

Menu Plan Monday, April 19, 2010

I'm finding out that choosing one cookbook to find inspiration

for the week is lotsa fun! (Too bad I don't get kick-backs from

the publishers... ha!) But it's nice to have just one book out for the week.

(I own about 35 cookbooks!... gifts & hand-me-downs, etc)

Here's the book of choice this week...

It uses lots pre-prepared & processed foods which I don't,

but I'll just adjust it. It's inspiration only.

MONDAY

Lunch- Meaty Wraps (cold cuts, cheese, veggies, in a wrap)

I love the whole wheat wraps from Aldi. They're rectangle!

Dinner- Crockpot Ham & Mashed Potatoes, Gr. Beans

TUESDAY

Lunch- Tossed Salad & Cheesy Bread

Dinner- Honey Mustard Chicken Wings (pg. 136)

WEDNESDAY

Lunch- Meatballs & Noodles, Carrots (pg. 144)

Dinner- Cottage Cheese w/Fritos, Peaches

THURSDAY

Lunch- Grilled Sandwiches, Grapes

Dinner- Shredded Beef Tacos (pg. 162)

Treat- Jelly Beans cuz it's Nat'l Jelly Bean Day!

FRIDAY

Lunch- Green Chili-Chicken Casserole (pg. 214)

Dinner- Homemade W.Wheat Pizza

SATURDAY

Lunch- Black Bean Dip w/veggies & chips (online recipe)

Dinner- Lasagna, Salad, Bread

SUNDAY

Lunch- TBA

Dinner- Tamale Pie (pg. 244)

More Powerful than you think

(NOTE: You can have this blog sent directly to your email if you

go the little box on the right, below my pic/description. Just sayin')

_______________________________________________

Leaders...

we're powerful you know!

(gulp)

Whatever we lead ... in any kind of position, we have the power

to shape & mold.

You already knew that.

But I've been thinking for several weeks about how spiritual

leaders have the "power" to give someone a great impression

of Jesus....

or ...

a wrong, angry, judgmental impression of Jesus.

Especially kids...

How many adults have you encountered that told you about how

they didn't like church as a child & the first chance they got

they split & never went back? If you prob deeper they may

tell you a story of a harsh person who scolded them, or a

Sunday School teacher who informed them that they were

dressed "disrespectfully"... or whatever.

That scolded child then became an adult who thinks God is

very much like that cranky lady at his childhood church.

It's scary.

Our position as leaders (at any level) holds the ability

to form a person's view of God. Although this sounds silly

and we can all argue that

"we're not perfect" &

that "people shouldn't look at people they should look at God,"

etc... it's true.

Plain & simple.

If my life reflects love, kindness & compassion...

then I'm impressing on others that

GOD is LOVE, Kindness & Compassion!

If I am NOT reflecting these qualities then I'm

giving people the wrong impression of JESUS!

Scary!

Even when I must correct, guide & teach...

it MUST be in LOVE, kindness & compassion!

Jesus,

Please keep me be aware of YOU & allow Your

Holy Spirit to speak & live through me!

Menu Plan Monday, April 12, 2010

If you read my post on Sunday, you'll know my struggles

with organization. Sigh.

When I post my menus each week, some of you (Renee)

often comment that you're "so impressed!"

And I usually say, "Don't be."

Well, menus & grocery shopping lists have been a mainstay

for me. At least ONE area of our life is constantly organized...

and when our tummies are full, all things seem better. :)

But, thank You, Jesus, for guiding me to pull other areas of

my life into line, too!

I love it when He's in charge!

Oh, I used this book as my inspiration this week, again.

Love it! (Click on it & go straight to Amazon to buy it)

MONDAY

Lunch- Beefy Cheese Homemade Rice-a-Roni (pg. 208)

Dinner- TBA

TUESDAY

Lunch- Veggie Lasagna (homemade w. wheat noodles), salad

Dinner- Meaty Roll-ups

WEDNESDAY

Lunch- Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup

Dinner- Loaded Baked Potatoes (lotsa veggies)

THURSDAY

Lunch- Chicken & Broccoli Enchiladas (pg. 104), Rice

Dinner- Homemade Veggie Pizza

FRIDAY

Lunch- Sausage Braids (pg. 95)

Dinner- PB & J, Chips

SATURDAY

Lunch- Pasta Salad w/tons of veggies

Dinner- Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore (pg. 101)

SUNDAY

Lunch- Slow Cooker White Bean Sausage Soup (pg. 193)

Dinner- Cheesy Roll-ups, Carrots

Back to what I shoulda been doing anyway!

I'm NOT organized by nature.

It's all learned behavior... and most of the time it seems that I

haven't learned it too well, yet.

But I trudge on.

While recently praying (complaining) about

my endless "To-Do" list,

Jesus pointed out that I've wandered away from actually

making a physical "To Do List"....

it's that crazy list in my head that seems to be the only record

of what's supposed to be happening.

When I'm relying on the "brain-list,"

the jobs & chores just go round & round

in my head, and I count them over & over, getting more & upset

each time I think of them.

The Spirit gently pointed me back to my giant, red,

3-hole punch organizer/calendar that has sat, rejected, on my

desk... so close to me yet so ignored, so abandoned.

So I obeyed.

(always the BEST option!)

I made a detailed list of small, do-able tasks;

breaking down larger things into short jobs.

Planned ahead & instantly started breathing slower!

And WOWsa!

My day was crazy productive!

I did even MORE than what was listed!

Thank you, Jesus, for reminding me of what You've already

taught me to do...

and not just conking me on the head

(though I totally deserve that, too!)

How do you handle the many tasks/demands of your life?

What method has God directed you to use?

Are you actually doing it? Why? Why not?

Three Cheers for UPWARD!

This should've been posted a couple of weeks ago...

but I just HAVE to give props to the wonderful people

Ferndale Free Methodist church who hosted the

UPWARD basketball/cheerleading league that Zoe

took part in this winter.

SHE loved it.

She was loved.

She was constantly encouraged, blessed, developed.

She loves her coaches and she's super excited to be

involved next year.

The final event this season was the pom routine they

performed at the Detroit Pistons game. (pictured below)

This church & it's program are very impressive, very humble,

kind people who share the love of Jesus. We were all blessed!

Menu Plan Monday, April 5, 2010

MONDAY

Lunch- Easter Remix (leftovers)

Dinner- Little Caesars

TUESDAY

Lunch- Hamburgers, deviled eggs, celery sticks

Dinner- Veggie Wraps

WEDNESDAY

Lunch- Parmesan Almond Crusted Chicken, Broccoli, Rice

Dinner- Grilled Cheese, Tossed Salad

THURSDAY

Lunch- Roast, Potatoes, Carrots

Dinner- PB & J, Bananas (Meat & Cheese for Mom & Dad)

FRIDAY

Lunch- BBQ Chicken, Ice burg Wedges, Crusty Bread

Dinner- Homemade Pizza (covered in grilled veggies)

SATURDAY

Lunch- Hot Wings (made on Friday night, eaten cold)

Dinner- Burritos & Cheese

SUNDAY

Lunch Ham, Mashed Potatoes, Asparagus

For more ideas check out www.orgjunkie.com

Rooftop Real Church, Easter 2010

Real Church Detroit... not even 3 months old yet

Chilly sharing the WORD!

My wonderful friend, Stephanie!

(it took us about 9 takes to get this pic...

I'm not so good at taking pics of myself! hee hee)

Even my front yard is starting to bloom for Easter!

(well, technically it's HALF of my front yard)

Some friends joined us for lunch & David gave

Max "skateboarding lessons"...

(looks more like free rides to me)

I'm wanna THEM!

When reading the story of Jesus' death I have to admit

that I get ticked off when I read the part where people

are heckling Jesus.... while He's dying... for THEM!

They're saying stuff like,

"If you're really the Messiah, come on down from the cross!"

"Hmm, you could save others, go ahead & save yourself!"

"Hey, come down from there and then we'll believe in you!"

It's the last one that really gets me... grr! How could they?

Yesterday I was reading the part from Matthew 27:42 and

suddenly felt smacked in the face!

It's You, Netta!

Me? Lord , they were so rude! So Proud!

Yes, you do the same thing.

(Appalled & wounded...) But, how?

Think of all the times you've said stuff like,

"Lord, please work this out & then I'll be sure to do _____."

or

"Lord, just get me through the holidays and then I'll eat right

and be more careful with my time and money."

or

"Lord, just wait until I do ____ and then I do ____ that

You've instructed me to do. "

Ugh.

OUCH.

Ick.

Repenting followed.

Geez, when will I learn to stop being so quick to sum up

the "Bible People"...

I'm just like them.

I'm wanna THEM.

(and JESUS loves me, too... in His great MERCY!)