I am cook. It's not just something I do randomly when I want to. Right now I have to cook every single day or people will go hungry. Not to make that sound like I'm irreplaceable because just the other day I was suddenly trapped in bed when my stomach decided that it wanted to empty it self out and well everyone was still fed by a marvelous cook.
It's not just my hobby. It's my job, but I prefer more to think of it as my hobby rather then my job. Because in hobbies you try new things and do things randomly just for the joy of it.
I might have confessed before I have a problem of not following recipes. You know its much more adventurous to season things yourself. Problem is sometimes it takes several tasting until you find the right combination and then when you do serve the meal you find yourself not eating because your not hungry anymore. This of course does not of course look very good if the cook doesn't partake of her own cooking. If only they knew I had all the terrible bites just so they could taste some deliciousness.
Sacrifice I know.
The other problem with cooking "as you go" is that sometimes people ask for recipes and you have to give them the non existent recipes. You can try telling them to dump in various amounts of seasonings that smell right, but those who are OCD may not appreciate a such free approach to cooking.
Well though can people really complain if the food is editable? Unfortunately sometimes all the food is editable because sometimes random cooking just doesn't always work. Bland is sometimes better then big and bold. Sometimes it is just better to let people pepper their own food instead of adding it for them. Not everyone appreciates a good cleaning out of the sinuses.
Unfortunately at the risk of everyone's stomachs I keep cooking and I keep getting bored in the kitchen and the cycle of experimenting and randomness will probably never stop...
until I get so old that I forget what I have put in and then I will probably have to eat the whole pot of soup in tastings before I figure out what has gone in and what hasn't...
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
peace be Still
Dusk is falling too fast, but not fast enough to shut out the breath taking sunset that spreads across the sky.
It's changed from the pink and orange that it was to the dark gray and blue against the last remaining light of the day. I want to take pictures, but its too late for my little camera to capture the beauty. Instead I just sit and take in the display of colors. The air is coated with silence and I find myself thinking deep wondering thoughts.
Everything is lovely and I want to push the pause button and just relish this little piece of life.
Interrupting the silence though is a siren. Piercing the night air with an eerie noise that signals that somewhere something has gone wrong for somebody on this lovely night.
I find the contrast quickly. I sit there looking at the beauty God has created, while at the same time listening to the very opposite of beauty...the pain life interrupted by unpleasantness.
There I sit in the calm of a balmy fall evening while thousands of miles away people are preparing to bed for the night in a room filled with hundreds of other people who have fled the storm. No quietness surrounds them, even in their minds they wonder what will be left after the storm has finished with their homes and livelihood.
I'm watching the sunset and everything seems so lovely.
Wind is shrieking and ran is coming down too fast. Lights have gone out and there is nothing to do, but let the storm rage.
It's changed from the pink and orange that it was to the dark gray and blue against the last remaining light of the day. I want to take pictures, but its too late for my little camera to capture the beauty. Instead I just sit and take in the display of colors. The air is coated with silence and I find myself thinking deep wondering thoughts.
Everything is lovely and I want to push the pause button and just relish this little piece of life.
Interrupting the silence though is a siren. Piercing the night air with an eerie noise that signals that somewhere something has gone wrong for somebody on this lovely night.
I find the contrast quickly. I sit there looking at the beauty God has created, while at the same time listening to the very opposite of beauty...the pain life interrupted by unpleasantness.
There I sit in the calm of a balmy fall evening while thousands of miles away people are preparing to bed for the night in a room filled with hundreds of other people who have fled the storm. No quietness surrounds them, even in their minds they wonder what will be left after the storm has finished with their homes and livelihood. I'm watching the sunset and everything seems so lovely.
Wind is shrieking and ran is coming down too fast. Lights have gone out and there is nothing to do, but let the storm rage.
"peace be still"
Sometimes there is no outward way to calm our surroundings, but inwardly we can find the strength and peace of God. Peace sometimes is not the halting of problems, it is resting in the strength of the Lord.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Of Casting Votes
I usually write what's on my mind, but this time I think I should refrain.
Today I filled out my ballot if that gives you any clue whats on my mind. With black ink I filled in the circles and then held my breath realizing I just took a part in changing history. Really though its one vote and the fate of our country is not going to rest on one vote.
No the fate of our country is resting in the hands of the Lord.
Four years ago I was barely old enough to vote and I well remember getting up in the middle of the night to check the election results.
I trusted in my vote.
I didn't trust in the Lord.
Four years later I vote again. And I ask myself what am I to lay my trust in?
I believe the biggest impact I can make right now is on my knees. Interceding before a God who knows more about what we need as leaders then any professional politician.
I've already said too much for someone who promised not to state their mind. I have no words on whom should be voted for or on using the right to vote. Well I do have thoughts, but I'm not turning them into words, just because I think other people could do it better than I and this isn't that type of blog.
End of story:)
Today I filled out my ballot if that gives you any clue whats on my mind. With black ink I filled in the circles and then held my breath realizing I just took a part in changing history. Really though its one vote and the fate of our country is not going to rest on one vote.
No the fate of our country is resting in the hands of the Lord.
Four years ago I was barely old enough to vote and I well remember getting up in the middle of the night to check the election results.
I trusted in my vote.
I didn't trust in the Lord.
Four years later I vote again. And I ask myself what am I to lay my trust in?
I believe the biggest impact I can make right now is on my knees. Interceding before a God who knows more about what we need as leaders then any professional politician.
I've already said too much for someone who promised not to state their mind. I have no words on whom should be voted for or on using the right to vote. Well I do have thoughts, but I'm not turning them into words, just because I think other people could do it better than I and this isn't that type of blog.
End of story:)
Friday, October 26, 2012
Voice
Sometimes I can't find my voice. People ask how I am and I want to tell them it hasn't been the best of times and I'm fighting just to keep the normal, but I my voice chokes and I say I'm fine.So they smile and nod and say good and I want to fling myself upon them begging for them to listen, but my voice won't let me.
You go to church and sit in the pew. All around you sit people and afterwards you get up to talk to them and they say everything is fine.
Are they really using their real voice? Or are the words that are choked out faked to show a false security?
Everyone has a voice, but more often then not they aren't using it. Their using the fake voice to show the world that everything is just fine. Too often we fall for the trap. We believe everything is fine and go on in our merry way ignoring the problem.
Look for the hidden voices. The ones that need to be heard and listened too.The voices that are weary and need to be rested in the Lord.
Are you listening?
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Just do it Already
The other day I was reading the writings of my first years of a blogger. Some were amusing, some were down right terrible and frankly most of them had a writing style that just sounded ordinary and like most everyone elses writing style. Not that everyone else's writing style is wrong, but it is wrong to be like everyone else.
I'm a writer. I'm also person unlike any other person in the world. True I've met the people who do strange quirky things in their brain and have a sense of humor remarkable like mine, but still these people are not exactly like me. Which of course is a very good thing because the world can only handle one "me".
It's time to write more which means I will be writing about whatever is on my brain. Perhaps it will make you think. I hope it will make you laugh at loud and above all that my writing will glorify God.
All that aside here comes today's post.
Wind is blowing hard outside me window and my feet are like ice that of course is my own fault for not wearing socks, but in my limited knowledge of fashion ankle socks and skirts really don't go together.
Today I have e-mailed my mother. And I have done....well lets see I have done pretty much nothing. Except for of course literally rising before dawn to feed the school breakfast.
Does it count that I've thought about doing lots of things? Really if all the things that were swimming around in my brain would have manifested themselves in real life I probably would look like a super woman right now.
Unfortunately while thinking is very good it accomplishes little unless acted upon, so there is little crossed off my to do list.
There in lays the problem. I didn't make a to do list for today. You know what they say "aim at nothing and you will accomplish just that" or something along those lines.
Right now I could insert a discourse on how to have a highly effective day, but I'm the wrong person to write on that subject.
Instead my advice to myself and whom ever else read this is...
"do the next thing".
Simply do it. If only for half an hour. Even if its the tiniest and maybe not very important task. Just do it, because personally I feel better if I have done something. For some people that some people maybe be simply rising out of bed and getting dressed, but at least you have done something.
Something Ideas
Text a Bible verse to someone
Write a note to someone
Clean off a surface
Fix your hair
Read your Bible
Make a to do list
Make someone their favorite cookies
Say Thank you
I realize that I just sounded like one of those motivational mom blogs, not that those are wrong, but I'm just not a mom so I really don't feel I should equate myself with the league of those who have far more on their plates then myself. Anyway all that to say that sometimes no matter the season of your life sometimesyou me need the reminder to just do something.
My something is uh going to be eating lunch. Just being completely honest with you, but after that is 30 minutes of work on my photo book.
I'm a writer. I'm also person unlike any other person in the world. True I've met the people who do strange quirky things in their brain and have a sense of humor remarkable like mine, but still these people are not exactly like me. Which of course is a very good thing because the world can only handle one "me".
It's time to write more which means I will be writing about whatever is on my brain. Perhaps it will make you think. I hope it will make you laugh at loud and above all that my writing will glorify God.
All that aside here comes today's post.
Wind is blowing hard outside me window and my feet are like ice that of course is my own fault for not wearing socks, but in my limited knowledge of fashion ankle socks and skirts really don't go together.
Today I have e-mailed my mother. And I have done....well lets see I have done pretty much nothing. Except for of course literally rising before dawn to feed the school breakfast.
Does it count that I've thought about doing lots of things? Really if all the things that were swimming around in my brain would have manifested themselves in real life I probably would look like a super woman right now.
Unfortunately while thinking is very good it accomplishes little unless acted upon, so there is little crossed off my to do list.
There in lays the problem. I didn't make a to do list for today. You know what they say "aim at nothing and you will accomplish just that" or something along those lines.
Right now I could insert a discourse on how to have a highly effective day, but I'm the wrong person to write on that subject.
Instead my advice to myself and whom ever else read this is...
"do the next thing".
Simply do it. If only for half an hour. Even if its the tiniest and maybe not very important task. Just do it, because personally I feel better if I have done something. For some people that some people maybe be simply rising out of bed and getting dressed, but at least you have done something.
Something Ideas
Text a Bible verse to someone
Write a note to someone
Clean off a surface
Fix your hair
Read your Bible
Make a to do list
Make someone their favorite cookies
Say Thank you
I realize that I just sounded like one of those motivational mom blogs, not that those are wrong, but I'm just not a mom so I really don't feel I should equate myself with the league of those who have far more on their plates then myself. Anyway all that to say that sometimes no matter the season of your life sometimes
My something is uh going to be eating lunch. Just being completely honest with you, but after that is 30 minutes of work on my photo book.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Small Group Musings
Its hard to count the number of times in my life I've been discontent. They have been all too numerous though. A longing for something to go away or for something to come, something to happen...anything but the experience I was going through.
In small group at church we have been talking about lots of very good stuff, but last night we talked about the sin of discontentment.
Yes I said sin.
Discontentment in my definition is being dissatisfied for who God is. Really when we want something to change we want God to be doing something different and even opposite of his character. We fail to see what God is doing in our lives through that situation.
There was the year where over and over my mom told me what was going on in my life was God preparing me for the road ahead, but I didn't want it.
I didn't want to watch my grandma die.
Every time I went to her room in our house I couldn't take a breath till I saw the rise and fall of grandma's chest. Then I was assured she was still with us. Sometimes I still get an odd feeling whenever I see someone sleeping soundly and I before I know it I'm checking to see if they are breathing.
During that year of watching grandma's health fail I was dissatisfied with God. I didn't see Him as good and thought if He indeed were good He would removed the situation. I didn't understand because God was good He was taking me through the trial to teach me His grace.
Some would say that I just a teenager should have been sheltered from the reality of aging and dying. Grandma should have stayed in care facility and we could have brought her flowers on the weekends and the nurse would tell us when something was wrong.
Those people are wrong. A few short months of my life. Sometimes awful painful days of learning to see the joy. Would it not been better if I could have simply been a happy carefree high school graduate?
No it would not have. The lessons would never would have been learned. Who knows how even more painful life could have been if I had not simply worked out some crucial things about my view of God.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
(Romans 8:28-30 ESV)
Those words are the essence of why God does things in our lives we may not understand at the time.
In small group at church we have been talking about lots of very good stuff, but last night we talked about the sin of discontentment.
Yes I said sin.
Discontentment in my definition is being dissatisfied for who God is. Really when we want something to change we want God to be doing something different and even opposite of his character. We fail to see what God is doing in our lives through that situation.
There was the year where over and over my mom told me what was going on in my life was God preparing me for the road ahead, but I didn't want it.
I didn't want to watch my grandma die.
Every time I went to her room in our house I couldn't take a breath till I saw the rise and fall of grandma's chest. Then I was assured she was still with us. Sometimes I still get an odd feeling whenever I see someone sleeping soundly and I before I know it I'm checking to see if they are breathing.
During that year of watching grandma's health fail I was dissatisfied with God. I didn't see Him as good and thought if He indeed were good He would removed the situation. I didn't understand because God was good He was taking me through the trial to teach me His grace.
Some would say that I just a teenager should have been sheltered from the reality of aging and dying. Grandma should have stayed in care facility and we could have brought her flowers on the weekends and the nurse would tell us when something was wrong.
Those people are wrong. A few short months of my life. Sometimes awful painful days of learning to see the joy. Would it not been better if I could have simply been a happy carefree high school graduate?
No it would not have. The lessons would never would have been learned. Who knows how even more painful life could have been if I had not simply worked out some crucial things about my view of God.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.(Romans 8:28-30 ESV)
Those words are the essence of why God does things in our lives we may not understand at the time.
"to be conformed to the image of his son"
I didn't understand it then, but I do now. God was good during that year of tears, unknown, fear, frustration, uncalled for anger, and hopelessness.
He held His child close and would not let her escape His teaching. She balked and even sinned, but in the end it was the Father in His mercy who prevailed drying the tears with His comfort. The storm still raged, but the child knew the safety and care of her Father's arms.
My mom was right you know I can see now what God was doing and whenever now I feel like I can't see I just remind myself..."God works all things together for good".
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Horrible and Wonderful Meet
Last night I lay in bed. The muscles of my back screamed with pain. All over I felt warmer then one normally should. I desired neither liquid or food, my stomach had earlier emptied everything stored in it.
Miserable. Absolutely miserable there was no other way to describe. The wish for blissful sleep that would not come and the hope that perhaps heaven was near. Well maybe it wasn't that bad...
Laying in bed feverish and nauseated I began to feel thankful because it had been a good day.
God was good. In my dire sickness I could say that because it was true.
My niece took a hefty spill and after showing alarming systems she ended up in the ER. CT scan came back clear and be evening she was her normal chatterbox self.
Just a few days ago we prayed for the heartbeat to remain steady as the newest member of our family made its entrance into the world. Safely into its mother's arms the baby arrived, but the trial wasn't over yet as mommy had a bit of trouble recovering. All is well now and the new happy family is progressing as all new families should.
That is why as I lay in bed virtually unable to do anything I could say the day was good. No I hadn't been able to do what I normally did, but others graciously filled my place.
I felt horrible, but the goodness of God was wonderful.
It isn't often we are privileged to get a first hand glance on how good He is in just a few days time. Maybe it wouldn't have been better had the bad things would never had happened, but what chance then would we have had to glorify God?
Somehow we sometimes have a bad habit of saying God is good and faithful only when we go through a particularly difficult situation. No matter the circumstance, good, bad, extraordinary, mundane, shall I not say God is good? I am a creature of habit and will I make my habit to say that God is good in every situation?
Because He is good I will say it... over and over again.
Miserable. Absolutely miserable there was no other way to describe. The wish for blissful sleep that would not come and the hope that perhaps heaven was near. Well maybe it wasn't that bad...
Laying in bed feverish and nauseated I began to feel thankful because it had been a good day.
God was good. In my dire sickness I could say that because it was true.
My niece took a hefty spill and after showing alarming systems she ended up in the ER. CT scan came back clear and be evening she was her normal chatterbox self.
Just a few days ago we prayed for the heartbeat to remain steady as the newest member of our family made its entrance into the world. Safely into its mother's arms the baby arrived, but the trial wasn't over yet as mommy had a bit of trouble recovering. All is well now and the new happy family is progressing as all new families should.
That is why as I lay in bed virtually unable to do anything I could say the day was good. No I hadn't been able to do what I normally did, but others graciously filled my place.
I felt horrible, but the goodness of God was wonderful.
It isn't often we are privileged to get a first hand glance on how good He is in just a few days time. Maybe it wouldn't have been better had the bad things would never had happened, but what chance then would we have had to glorify God?
Somehow we sometimes have a bad habit of saying God is good and faithful only when we go through a particularly difficult situation. No matter the circumstance, good, bad, extraordinary, mundane, shall I not say God is good? I am a creature of habit and will I make my habit to say that God is good in every situation?
Sunday, October 7, 2012
The Birth
Today there was a birth. A new life came into the world screaming and wailing and very perturbed at this new some what unpleasant environment.
Expectancy. Nine long months of waiting. Wondering of what the new little one was to be. Anticipating the thought of holding the tiny fragile bundle. Fearing of the becoming of parents and all that entails. The excitement of family and friends who eagerly ask about the joyous arrival.
Then its here. The labor.
The work. Hours of it and then in a few seconds a baby comes into the world.
There is not just a birth of a baby, but a birth of a mother. A woman who all her life has cuddled babies and wondered what it would be like to hold her own. Now in her arms is the baby she carried close to her heart. Her baby that she prayed for. The baby she will pray for the rest of her life even when it has long outgrown its baby shoes.
The man lets go of the hand that gripped his hand fiercely during those long hours. In his work worn hands he grasps his tiny son. With the birth of the mother there is the birth of the father. Gently and firmly this man will bring up his child to adulthood. By his father the child will be taught many things, but most importantly the child will be taught love.This man will love the child's mother and show the child what love really is.
Together the new parents marvel over the baby who they brought into the world. Together they thank the God in heaven. The God who saw fit to bless them with this child. The God who will watch over this child for the rest of it's life. The God who will be there when the child finds out the world is cruel. The God who will comfort when the child finds out what death is. The God who will protect this child from things of which the parents may never know had threatened their child .
The God who will guide this child in His ways when the child decides to follow the one and only God for the rest of his life.
Today there was a birth not just of a baby, but a mother and a father. Two lives forever changed and one life just beginning its legacy, all because of the handiwork of God.
Expectancy. Nine long months of waiting. Wondering of what the new little one was to be. Anticipating the thought of holding the tiny fragile bundle. Fearing of the becoming of parents and all that entails. The excitement of family and friends who eagerly ask about the joyous arrival.
Then its here. The labor.
The work. Hours of it and then in a few seconds a baby comes into the world.
There is not just a birth of a baby, but a birth of a mother. A woman who all her life has cuddled babies and wondered what it would be like to hold her own. Now in her arms is the baby she carried close to her heart. Her baby that she prayed for. The baby she will pray for the rest of her life even when it has long outgrown its baby shoes.
The man lets go of the hand that gripped his hand fiercely during those long hours. In his work worn hands he grasps his tiny son. With the birth of the mother there is the birth of the father. Gently and firmly this man will bring up his child to adulthood. By his father the child will be taught many things, but most importantly the child will be taught love.This man will love the child's mother and show the child what love really is.
Together the new parents marvel over the baby who they brought into the world. Together they thank the God in heaven. The God who saw fit to bless them with this child. The God who will watch over this child for the rest of it's life. The God who will be there when the child finds out the world is cruel. The God who will comfort when the child finds out what death is. The God who will protect this child from things of which the parents may never know had threatened their child .
The God who will guide this child in His ways when the child decides to follow the one and only God for the rest of his life.
Today there was a birth not just of a baby, but a mother and a father. Two lives forever changed and one life just beginning its legacy, all because of the handiwork of God.
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