Nathan was accepted into Asbury Theological Seminary! And, he can begin classes this semester - Spring 2011! He enrolled in one class involving the Old Testament, I don't recall the full title of the course. It officially starts tomorrow - wow!
This is so exciting, and a little intimidating. It will probably take at least 5 years as he'll be working full time while completing the work for his Masters of Divinity. No, we don't have to move, he'll be doing most of the course work online and traveling to Kentucky for some intensive work here and there.
We are so grateful and feel so blessed by this next step in our journey. Only God knows what the future holds, and we confidently place our lives into His capable, loving hands.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Toddler-hood
We have been struggling so much with tantrums and Isaac's behavior, especially whining and crying. It can be confusing and frustrating. Mostly we are trying to remain calm and patient.
Another thing that's been hard is his sleeping. My child who used to go to sleep peacefully and sleep 12 hours at night, and 1 1/2 - 3 hours for a nap each afternoon, has been not napping, crying at naptime and bedtime, waking in the middle of the night, and waking for the day as early as 5 am. It has been a struggle for Mama, Dada and Isaac.
But, I am just so joyous this morning! Isaac slept until 7:30!! This was his usual wake-up time for months on end, but it has been over a month since he's slept this late. Also, in the recent past he has woken up crying and upset. He was so happy and sweet this morning. And it continued. He has been fighting getting dressed vehemently. He actually asked to put on his shirt this morning. Then, he asked for his pants! I was just trying to soak up and enjoy every minute.
It's Saturday, so he went to breakfast at Hoskins Drug Store here in Clinton with Nathan, Pa and Mr. Jim. He happily put on shoes, coat and hat, gave me a bye-bye kiss, and climbed in the car. This is especially huge because he has been very clingy to mama for a while now.
Hallelujah! Praise God! I am so grateful for such a wonderful morning and such a sweet and precious boy.
Another thing that's been hard is his sleeping. My child who used to go to sleep peacefully and sleep 12 hours at night, and 1 1/2 - 3 hours for a nap each afternoon, has been not napping, crying at naptime and bedtime, waking in the middle of the night, and waking for the day as early as 5 am. It has been a struggle for Mama, Dada and Isaac.
But, I am just so joyous this morning! Isaac slept until 7:30!! This was his usual wake-up time for months on end, but it has been over a month since he's slept this late. Also, in the recent past he has woken up crying and upset. He was so happy and sweet this morning. And it continued. He has been fighting getting dressed vehemently. He actually asked to put on his shirt this morning. Then, he asked for his pants! I was just trying to soak up and enjoy every minute.
It's Saturday, so he went to breakfast at Hoskins Drug Store here in Clinton with Nathan, Pa and Mr. Jim. He happily put on shoes, coat and hat, gave me a bye-bye kiss, and climbed in the car. This is especially huge because he has been very clingy to mama for a while now.
Hallelujah! Praise God! I am so grateful for such a wonderful morning and such a sweet and precious boy.
Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken
Thanks to my dear friend Melissa Leedy, I have a new favorite recipe. AND it's a crockpot recipe - yahoo! My husband has always held the opinion that chicken in the crockpot turns out dry, even the old chicken-and-bbq-sauce recipe. (Throw some chicken and bbq sauce in a crockpot, cook on low all day, voilà, dinner!) But he had to admit this chicken was moist, and delicious!
Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken
(you can totally fudge on amounts, I'm just putting some measurements in for initial guidance)
1 1/2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken (tenderloins or breasts)
1 can cream soup (original recipe called for mushroom, I used chicken, you could probably use any)
1/2 c sour cream
small can of pineapple tidbits
large red bell pepper
small onion (any kind ok, I used sweet yellow)
salt and pepper
Throw the chicken in the crockpot. Stir soup and sour cream together and add to chicken (OK, I admit it, I just put them both on the chicken separately and then stirred to avoid dirtying another dish). Drain pineapple (save the juice - yum!) and add to crockpot. Cut up the red bell pepper and onion and add this as well. Low 7-8 hours. Salt and pepper to taste.
To make this recipe a little more healthy, I used 98% fat free and sodium free soup, lite sour cream, and pineapple in 100% juice.
Enjoy!
Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken
(you can totally fudge on amounts, I'm just putting some measurements in for initial guidance)
1 1/2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken (tenderloins or breasts)
1 can cream soup (original recipe called for mushroom, I used chicken, you could probably use any)
1/2 c sour cream
small can of pineapple tidbits
large red bell pepper
small onion (any kind ok, I used sweet yellow)
salt and pepper
Throw the chicken in the crockpot. Stir soup and sour cream together and add to chicken (OK, I admit it, I just put them both on the chicken separately and then stirred to avoid dirtying another dish). Drain pineapple (save the juice - yum!) and add to crockpot. Cut up the red bell pepper and onion and add this as well. Low 7-8 hours. Salt and pepper to taste.
To make this recipe a little more healthy, I used 98% fat free and sodium free soup, lite sour cream, and pineapple in 100% juice.
Enjoy!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Musical December
It has been so wonderful to have such a musical December this year!
The Oak Ridge Community Orchestra, in which I play violin, had our Christmas concert Saturday, December 4th, and also a few members played at Kroger, a local grocery store, this past Saturday while customers shopped.
Yesterday afternoon I went to see my dad play trombone in the Oak Ridge Community Band's annual Christmas concert and sing-a-long. It was so fun to see the band decked out in red and green, some with reindeer antlers, some with jingle bells, (my dad with a red Rudolph nose). The church where they played, First Baptist of Oak Ridge, was also so pretty with lighted Christmas trees and poinsettas.
Sunday the 4th, we had our Children's Christmas program at church, which I led as a part of my interim Children's Music Director position. The kids did wonderfully, I was so proud of them. They sang five songs, with scripture and short lines for everyone in between. They were dressed as angels, shepherds and kings.
Last Saturday Nathan and I went to the Sound Company show, a local song-and-dance group for kids as young as 5 up through high school seniors. Tonight we're going to Show Stoppers, which is the Clinton High School glee club if you will, to see their Christmas show.
Yesterday morning in church I sang with the Praise Band. We did a couple traditional carols and a couple praise and worship songs as well. Next Sunday is the Lessons and Carols worship service, which is composed primarily of choral numbers accompanied by strings and scripture. One of my favorite services of the year.
Later that day, some of the church members are going caroling. I took the initiative to put this together. When I was growing up, we'd all pile in the church van and drive to church members' homes who were elderly and couldn't get out to come to church. There is something very nostalgic to me about standing out in the cold, bundled in scarves and gloves, holding candles and singing a cappella or with guitar to a smiling neighbor in their doorway. I am excited about going, I think it will be such a blessing.
The Oak Ridge Community Orchestra, in which I play violin, had our Christmas concert Saturday, December 4th, and also a few members played at Kroger, a local grocery store, this past Saturday while customers shopped.
Yesterday afternoon I went to see my dad play trombone in the Oak Ridge Community Band's annual Christmas concert and sing-a-long. It was so fun to see the band decked out in red and green, some with reindeer antlers, some with jingle bells, (my dad with a red Rudolph nose). The church where they played, First Baptist of Oak Ridge, was also so pretty with lighted Christmas trees and poinsettas.
Sunday the 4th, we had our Children's Christmas program at church, which I led as a part of my interim Children's Music Director position. The kids did wonderfully, I was so proud of them. They sang five songs, with scripture and short lines for everyone in between. They were dressed as angels, shepherds and kings.
Last Saturday Nathan and I went to the Sound Company show, a local song-and-dance group for kids as young as 5 up through high school seniors. Tonight we're going to Show Stoppers, which is the Clinton High School glee club if you will, to see their Christmas show.
Yesterday morning in church I sang with the Praise Band. We did a couple traditional carols and a couple praise and worship songs as well. Next Sunday is the Lessons and Carols worship service, which is composed primarily of choral numbers accompanied by strings and scripture. One of my favorite services of the year.
Later that day, some of the church members are going caroling. I took the initiative to put this together. When I was growing up, we'd all pile in the church van and drive to church members' homes who were elderly and couldn't get out to come to church. There is something very nostalgic to me about standing out in the cold, bundled in scarves and gloves, holding candles and singing a cappella or with guitar to a smiling neighbor in their doorway. I am excited about going, I think it will be such a blessing.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Knitted Book Cover
Wow I am so behind on posting! We've been to Florida, celebrated Thanksgiving, and many other things since I last posted.
Well, for now I want to share my latest knitting project. It only took a couple nights to make, and I really like it! It's my first time doing a book cover pattern, but it was easy and I definitely plan to do it again!
Basically, you cast on enough to make the length of the book from top to bottom, then make a long rectangle that is long enough to wrap around the book (from inside front cover to inside back cover), bind off, and sew the flaps. There are 3 rows of rib stitching at the beginning and end, garter stitch for the spine, and stockinette stitch for the rest. The kind of yarn and needle size is flexible.
Well, for now I want to share my latest knitting project. It only took a couple nights to make, and I really like it! It's my first time doing a book cover pattern, but it was easy and I definitely plan to do it again!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Sharing from my Quiet Time this morning
I just finished my quiet time. I am so grateful for this reassurance this morning from Beth Moore:
While it may not always be God's will to remove all physical suffering while we are on this earth, or to grant us every blessing we hope for, it is always His will for us to be free from all strongholds. "You will never have to worry about whether you are praying in God's will concerning strongholds. 'It is for freedom that Christ has set us free' (Galatians 5:1)" (Praying God's Word, Beth Moore, p. 36)
I find so much comfort in this, because throughout my faith walk with Jesus, I have gone through different phases of how I pray. There was a time when I prayed for the outcome I wanted in a situation. Then, after learning more about God's will vs. my own, I would simply pray for His will to be done. But then, after more time passed, more scripture reading and fellowship, I meditated on Matthew 7:7-11 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"
And so, now I usually pray for the outcome I think is best for myself or those for which I pray, but I also pray for God's will. Yet this reassurance from Beth Moore speaks so loud and clear to me! If I am praying for freedom from a stronghold, be it addiction, guilt, unforgiveness, depression, among other things, I need not worry that this isn't God's will!
And earlier, on page 45,
"Believing God is never more critical than when we have strongholds that need to be demolished. Believing God is also rarely more challenging. Why? Because we've battled most of our strongholds for years and perhaps tried countless remedies in an effort to be free with very little success. The enemy taunts us with whispers like, "You'll never be free. You've tried a hundred times. You go back every time. you're hopeless. You're weak. You're a failure. You don't have what it takes." Every one of these statements about you is a lie if you are a believer in Christ. You do have what it takes. You have Jesus - the Way, the Truth, and the Life. But you can't just believe in Him to be free from your stronghold. You must believe Him. Believe He can do what He says He can do. Believe you can do what He says you can do. Believe He is who He says He is. And believe who He says you are."
What freedom! What encouragement! What reassurance I find in God's Holy Word! He is "Wonderful, Glorious, Holy and Righteous! Victorious, Conqueror, Triumphant and Mighty! Healer, Deliverer, Shield and Defense! Strong Tower, and My Best Friend! Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Soon Coming King! Alpha, Omega, Lord of Everything! Holy, Holy, Holy is His Name!" (taken from an incredible song I once sang with my worship choir in Tampa).
He is all these things and more, and we are His children. He loves us with a Father's love. Believe this. Believe Him. We are children of the Most High King!
While it may not always be God's will to remove all physical suffering while we are on this earth, or to grant us every blessing we hope for, it is always His will for us to be free from all strongholds. "You will never have to worry about whether you are praying in God's will concerning strongholds. 'It is for freedom that Christ has set us free' (Galatians 5:1)" (Praying God's Word, Beth Moore, p. 36)
I find so much comfort in this, because throughout my faith walk with Jesus, I have gone through different phases of how I pray. There was a time when I prayed for the outcome I wanted in a situation. Then, after learning more about God's will vs. my own, I would simply pray for His will to be done. But then, after more time passed, more scripture reading and fellowship, I meditated on Matthew 7:7-11 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"
And so, now I usually pray for the outcome I think is best for myself or those for which I pray, but I also pray for God's will. Yet this reassurance from Beth Moore speaks so loud and clear to me! If I am praying for freedom from a stronghold, be it addiction, guilt, unforgiveness, depression, among other things, I need not worry that this isn't God's will!
And earlier, on page 45,
"Believing God is never more critical than when we have strongholds that need to be demolished. Believing God is also rarely more challenging. Why? Because we've battled most of our strongholds for years and perhaps tried countless remedies in an effort to be free with very little success. The enemy taunts us with whispers like, "You'll never be free. You've tried a hundred times. You go back every time. you're hopeless. You're weak. You're a failure. You don't have what it takes." Every one of these statements about you is a lie if you are a believer in Christ. You do have what it takes. You have Jesus - the Way, the Truth, and the Life. But you can't just believe in Him to be free from your stronghold. You must believe Him. Believe He can do what He says He can do. Believe you can do what He says you can do. Believe He is who He says He is. And believe who He says you are."
What freedom! What encouragement! What reassurance I find in God's Holy Word! He is "Wonderful, Glorious, Holy and Righteous! Victorious, Conqueror, Triumphant and Mighty! Healer, Deliverer, Shield and Defense! Strong Tower, and My Best Friend! Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Soon Coming King! Alpha, Omega, Lord of Everything! Holy, Holy, Holy is His Name!" (taken from an incredible song I once sang with my worship choir in Tampa).
He is all these things and more, and we are His children. He loves us with a Father's love. Believe this. Believe Him. We are children of the Most High King!
Monday, November 1, 2010
Healthy Veggie Recipes My Toddler Loves (& we do too!)
Gotta give credit to my husband for this first one. He created it as far as I know. Super easy and incredibly yummy!
Roasted Broccoli
Preheat oven to 450
Cover a cookie sheet with aluminum foil, lightly spray with cooking spray
Chop a head of broccoli into flowerettes, place on cookie sheet in a single layer
Either spray broccoli with cooking spray or drizzle with oil
Sprinkle broccoli with seasoning salt
Roast approximately 10 minutes
Credit goes to my mother-in-law for this next one. I don't have the recipe in front of me with exact measurements, but this is the general idea. You really can't mess it up too much.
Cauliflower Soup
Chop an onion, saute in 2 Tbsp olive oil
Chop a head of cauliflower into flowerettes, add to onion, saute 5 minutes
Add 1 1/2 c chicken broth and 1/2 c skim milk to cauliflower
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer 30 minutes
Put mixture in a blender until desired consistency
Whisk in 4 oz shredded cheddar and fresh dill
These are both favorite recipes of mine, healthy and delicious, and my son loves them! Hope you and yours do too. Enjoy!
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