Tuesday, April 27, 2010

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!



Sunday, April 25, 2010

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
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

Thursday, April 22, 2010

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.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

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
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?









Sunday, April 18, 2010

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
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)


Thursday, April 15, 2010

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!


Monday, April 12, 2010

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
Dinner- Homemade Veggie Pizza

FRIDAY
Dinner- PB & J, Chips

SATURDAY
Lunch- Pasta Salad w/tons of veggies

SUNDAY
Dinner- Cheesy Roll-ups, Carrots








Sunday, April 11, 2010

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?






Saturday, April 10, 2010

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!













Monday, April 5, 2010

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)





Saturday, April 3, 2010

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!)