Thankful Thursday

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Wow, what a day. There are so many things I want to give thanks for in my life. As I sat around my table with a few friends today we shared what we were most thankful for. Here is part of my list:

First and foremost, I am thankful for Jesus Christ.
My family
Dear friends
My kindred-spirit friend, Chris Parker
Sunshine
Books
Joy
Running shoes
Yogurt
Smiles
Hope

Truth Tuesday

This morning I got on the bus to head to my office and saw one of the first-year students in my program. I sat across from him and noticed that he was reading a Bible. I asked him if he was a follower of Jesus. He said yes and I responded enthusiastically that I was too. He asked what church I went to, I told him and returned the question. He replied that he went to the LDS church. He moved the conversation to another topic, but my brain was screaming STOP!

Truth.

There we were both professing to be followers of Jesus but we actually have very different views of who Jesus actually is. The truth is, I hope that I will get to tell him about the actual truth.

I know that Jesus is the Son of God.
I know that God the Father sent his Son to the earth.
I know that Jesus lived a perfect life.
I know that He died on the cross.
I know that Jesus came back to life.
I know that He is now with the Father in heaven.
I know that all of this was for me.

I don't just believe I know.
I know because this is what the Bible says.
I know because I see the works of God all around me.
I know because the Holy Spirit is in my life.

It is not fiction. It is fact. It is not a story. It is truth.

Musical Monday

Jesus loves me this I know
For the Bible tells me so
Little ones to Him belong
They are weak but He is strong
Yes, Jesus loves me.

This song is so sweet, simple, and truthful. JESUS LOVES ME. Is there anything greater? Is there anything more important? Today I was working on memorizing the Bible verses below. They speak of this great, pure love that God has for us. This is true love. Since I am so loved by my Father in heaven, I have no other response then to love those around me. May the rich love of the Lord be seen flowing through me.

1 John 4:7-12
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

Soupy Sunday

Mushroom Soup
Serves 8

Ingredients:
2 T olive oil
4 cups sliced mushrooms
1 onion
1 stalk celery
1 carrot
5 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup uncooked rice
3 T soy sauce
pepper to taste

Heat oil and saute mushrooms, onion, celery, and carrot. Add broth, rice, soy sauce. Bring to boil and simmer 20 minutes or until rice is tender. Season with pepper.

Foto Friday / Summary Saturday

I fell behind. I didn't post on Friday or Saturday so today I am posting a combo make-up post.

Winter is here and the snow is so beautiful. Yesterday I was talking with my brother in AZ and he was telling me that it was 50 degrees warmer there than it was here. Burr.

Thankful Thursday

There are so many things to be thankful for. I fear that some days I get so focused on the tasks at hand that I forget to take the time and be grateful for all of the blessings that are in my life.

Today I am the most thankful for listening ears. There are a few people in my life who are so good about listening. It is such a joy to be able to share my heart and thoughts with them. Thank you my dear friends!

Wacky Wednesday

Some days you just need something goofy that will make you smile. Today it was knee socks with orange and brown stripes under my boots. :) It made me smile.

Truth Tuesday

"This is what the Lord says: Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls." Jeremiah 6:16

So often I find myself standing at crossroads. There are so many choices always before me concerning both everyday decisions and decisions that will dictate the direction of my life. As I stand at the crossroads, Lord I ask that You will direct me. Show me the way that is good. Lord, I desire to walk in Your way.

Musical Monday

We Will Trust You
by Ginny Owens

How precious is your heart, O God
Righteous and true
Gaze on me with infinite tenderness
I surrender to you

Compassionate friend, Lord of my life
I will trust you
Master of wind and raging tide
I will trust yiu
Through the stormy night
I will trust you
God of mercy and light
I will trust you
O Lord, I will trust you
O merciful Lord

We praise you, magnificent Lord
Merciful one
Cover us with your hole light, O God
Shelter us with you love
Shelter us with your love

Compassionate friend, Lord of our lives
We will trust you
Master of wind and raging tide
We will trust you
God of mercy and light
We will trust you
O Lord, we will trust you

When lightning is flashing in the night
When ominous waves crash on the shore
I will reach for the sky
When thunder roars
I will trust you, lord

Compassionate friend, Lord of our lives
We will trust you
Master of wind and raging tide
We will trust you
Compassionate friend, Lord of our lives
We will trust you
Master of wind and raging tide
We will trust you
When the sky is dark
We will trust you
Keeper of our hearts
We will trust you
God of mercy and light
We will trust you
O Lord, we will trust you
O merciful Lord
I will trust you

Soupy Sunday

Chicken Tortilla Soup
Serves 8

Ingredients:
1/3 cup onion
3 cloves garlic
3/4 t cumin
3/4 t oregano
1/4 t chili powder
1/4 t pepper
8 cups chicken broth
1 can tomatoes
1 can green chilies
10 corn tortillas
1.5 lbs chicken
2 T cilantro

In 5-6 quart pot over medium heat, stir onion, garlic, cumin, oregano, chili powder, and pepper until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add broth, tomatoes with juice, and green chilies. Cover and bring to boil. Add tortillas to boiling broth. Reduce heat, cover, simmer 15 minutes. Rinse chicken and cut into 1/2 inch pieces. Add to broth and return to boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until chicken is fully cooked. Stir in cilantro and salt to taste. Garnish with avocado and cheese.

Foto Friday

At Reiman Gardens there is a spectacular butterfly wing with thousands of butterflies. I love to go there and watch them flutter all around. There is something so soothing and captivating about them.

Thankful Thursday

I am so thankful for study groups. I don't think that I would be able to make it through grad schools if it weren't for my study buddies. Thanks my friends!

1 Chronicles 16:8 "Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done."

Lord, I do give You thanks for all of the blessings that I have in my life. They are all from You. May I use all circumstances in my life to make Your name heard among my friends.

Wacky Wednesday

About three weeks ago I somehow injured my hip and have not been able to run since then. (This is very sad for me as I was running about 35 miles a week.) I have been going for physical therapy for about a week and I really enjoy it. Well, aside from the pain part. :) My physical therapist thinks that it the problem is actually with my foot and has caused hip pain too. This doesn't really surprise me because I had a lot of foot issues in high school.

Anyway, back to the story. About two months ago I asked my mom and brother if they wanted to run a 30K (18.6 miles) race with me while I was home for Christmas. I was looking forward to it and trying to train. So on my second day of physical therapy as I am painfully doing stretches, I ask my therapist if she thinks I will be ready to run a 30K by mid-December. I know that she was struggling from laughing as she kindly told me that no, I would not be ready. I am now just hoping that I will actually be able to run a pain-free mile by then...

Truth Tuesday

The following is one of the truths that I try to live my life by:

Isaiah 61:1-3
1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,

2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,

3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

Musical Monday

I really like music by Heather Clark. She pretty much sings straight scripture. It is a great way to memorize scripture and focus my mind. One of my favorite songs is Psalm 77.

Psalm 77
1 I cried out to God for help;
I cried out to God to hear me.

2 When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out untiring hands
and my soul refused to be comforted.

3 I remembered you, O God, and I groaned;
I mused, and my spirit grew faint.
Selah

4 You kept my eyes from closing;
I was too troubled to speak.

5 I thought about the former days,
the years of long ago;

6 I remembered my songs in the night.
My heart mused and my spirit inquired:

7 "Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?

8 Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?

9 Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?"
Selah

10 Then I thought, "To this I will appeal:
the years of the right hand of the Most High."

11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

12 I will meditate on all your works
and consider all your mighty deeds.

13 Your ways, O God, are holy.
What god is so great as our God?

14 You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.

15 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
Selah

16 The waters saw you, O God,
the waters saw you and writhed;
the very depths were convulsed.

17 The clouds poured down water,
the skies resounded with thunder;
your arrows flashed back and forth.

18 Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,
your lightning lit up the world;
the earth trembled and quaked.

19 Your path led through the sea,
your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.

20 You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Soupy Sunday

Hearty Vegetable Soup
Serves 6-8

Ingredients:
2 T olive oil
3 large carrots, diced
2 large parsnips, diced
1 onion
6 cloves garlic
8 cups chicken broth
2 medium potatoes, diced
2 cups spinach
1 can cannellini beans
10 oz frozen lima beans
2 slices bread
2 t thyme
1 spring rosemary
1 bay leaf
salt and pepper to taste

Heat oil. Add carrots, parsnips, onion. Cook 5-7 minutes. Add garlic, cook about 30 seconds. Add broth, potatoes, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until vegetables are soft, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat. Discard bay leaf and rosemary. Transfer 3 cups solids, 1 cup broth, and bread into food processor. Puree until smooth. Stir back into pot and add spinach, cantellini beans, and lima beans. Cook about 8 minutes or until hot.

Summary Saturday

This week has brought the beginning of winter. We have had snow and the temperature has gotten really cold. I am not ready for winter to come. When it gets this cold outside, I exercise in the gym using an elliptical. This is sad because I love to run outside, but it is also good because I work on my scripture memory while working out. I find that I do a much better job at memorizing Bible verses during the winter, so that is good.

Also this week:
1. I paid $1.99 a gallon for gas!
2. I got an extra hour in my week.
3. I saw three deer in the park behind my house while I was out for a walk and a raccoon on campus after I finished exam Thursday night.

Foto Friday

Today I awoke to snow and it has been flurries all day. Fortunately the ground is still warm enough that the snow isn't sticking...yet. So today I need some sun and warmth in my life.

This picture of the sunset was taken a few weeks ago, but it is so pleasant to look at the sun today.

I feel a little warmer when I look at this picture of the Grand Canyon that I took two summers ago.

Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful for:

My Bible - it is alive in my life and I am always learning new things from its pages.
Down blankets - yes that's plural, I already have two on my bed and have a third to add soon.
Hot tea - my favorites are green and peppermint, but I like most kinds.

Can you tell that I have been cold this week? This morning I awoke to a dusting of snow outside.

[Two notes: First, I realize that it is actually Friday when I am writing this, but I had an exam last night from 7-10 pm and couldn't think well enough to post once I got home. Second, yes I changed my Thursday topic. I think that this one is much better.]

Wacky Wednesday

10 random facts about me:
1. I love to be outside, which is one of the reasons why winters in Ames are so difficult but summers are lovely.
2. I eat a gluten free diet. That means no wheat, rye, or barley.
3. I live in an attic. Good thing I am short or I wouldn't fit; I don't think my sister, Carina, could stand up straight except in the middle of the room.
4. I don't like to drive. I love living in Ames in the summer because I can get everywhere on my bike. I have to drive my car during the winter because it's way too cold.
5. If I could only eat one thing it would be yogurt. There are so many different flavors that it would take a long time to try them all.
6. My ideal day would involve: running, sunshine, hiking, reading, and baking.
7. I really want to get a Beta fish and name it Alpha.
8. I am the silliest when I am with my brother, Christian.
9. I love the smell of clean clothes drying.
10. I read cookbooks and running magazines for "down time."

[Yes, these are copied from my facebook profile, but I have an exam tomorrow so my brain is fried tonight.]

Truth Tuesday

Here are three pieces of truth that I have been thinking about a lot lately.

Romans 8:37-39
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, not anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Psalm 139:13-14
For you created my inmost being;
You knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed be the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing, and perfect will.

November

I can hardly believe that it is already November! I decided that this is going to be a theme month for posts. Below is a description of what you can read here every day of the week.

Soupy Sunday - a favorite soup recipe since this is perfect soup weather
Musical Monday - a song that has been running through my head
Truth Tuesday - a word of truth that I am learning
Wacky Wednesday - a wacky tidbit about me
Thankful Thursday - a few things that I am thankful for each week
Foto Friday - a picture from the week
Summary Saturday - a summary of the week

[Do you like my alliteration? :) ]

Musical Monday

For some reason I have been singing Mayberry by Rascal Flatts for the past week. This song kind of reminds me of Ames. Whenever I go to the store, I always see someone I know. I run at the same time everyday (or I did before I hurt myself). I see the same people and it's almost like you become friends just because of the familiarity. Small town Iowa is a little bit like Mayberry.

Sometimes it feels like this world
Is spinning faster
Than it did in the old days
So naturally, we have more
Natural disasters
From the strain of a fast pace
Sunday was a day of rest
Now it's one more day for progress
And we can't slow down 'cause
More is best
It's all an endless process

(Well) I miss Mayberry
Sitting on the porch drinking
Ice cold Cherry Coke
Where everything is black and white
Picking on a six string
Where people pass by and you call
Them by their first name
Watching the clouds roll by
Bye, bye

Sometimes I can hear this old
Earth shouting
Through the trees as the wind blows
That's when I climb up here on
This mountain
To look through God's window
Now I can't fly but I got two feet
That get me high up here
Above the noise and city streets
My worries disappear

Sometimes I dream I'm driving
Down an old dirt road
Not even listed on a map
I pass a dad and son carrying a
Fishing pole
But I always wake up every time I try
To turn back

Extra Hour

Today we got an extra hour added to our day. Having grown up in Arizona where there is no daylight savings time, I still think this is an unusual process.

I haven't quite decided whether or not I am excited about the switch. The good part is that it will be lighter out in the morning, but the bad part is that it will get darker early. I cannot decide which is better.

Yesterday I was walking with a friend and she was talking about how she felt like she needed to get the most out of the extra hour. I admitted that I didn't have any problem with using it for extra sleep. That is exactly how I used 30 minutes. And then when I woke up, I still had 30 minutes before I needed to start getting ready for church. So I made some tea and crawled back into bed with my Bible.

It was a wonderful extra hour!

Soupy Sunday

It's soup weather! I am going to post one of my favorite soup recipes each Sunday in November.

Southwest Black Bean Soup
Serves 8

Ingredients:
4 cans black beans - drained and rinsed
3 cups vegetable broth
1 can tomatoes
1 cup corn
2 cups chunky salsa
2 t ground cumin
1/4 t cayenne pepper
1 T ground coriander

In a food processor combine 2 cans beans, broth, salsa, 1/2 can tomatoes, and spices. Blend until fairly smooth. Transfer into pot. Add corn and remaining beans and tomatoes. Heat over medium heat.

This is good with a little cheddar cheese on top and warm corn bread.

Awhile back I posted recipes for apricot lentil soup (view here) and squash soup (view here)

Summary Saturday

This post is a synopsis of this past week in POLITICS.

Every day I received mail from both campaigns telling me why I shouldn't vote for the other party. I think I know more why I shouldn't vote for the candidates than why I should.

I was only on campus 2 days, but I was probably asked 20 times if I was registered to vote here in Ames.

I received 27 emails reminding me to vote and giving me "facts" from political parties at ISU.

These didn't come this past week, but I have also received about 10 absentee ballot request forms. Nope, I'm going to be here on Tuesday...headed to the polls.

I am glad that there is such an effort to get people to vote and make well formed decisions, but I must admit that I am ready for the election to be over. I am tired of all of the negativity. I am tired of having to listen to people in my office make snide remarks about one party. I am tired of the criticism and hypocrisy...well not that this is really going to stop once the elections are over.

Anyway, find some reliable sources, make an informed decision, and VOTE.