The Raindrops

What if God IS answering our prayers, just not the way we think He should? What if we are looking for God's mercy in the wrong places? What if our greatest disappointments or the aching of this life are revealing to us a greater thirst this world can't satisfy? What if the rain, the storm, the hardest nights are His mercies in disguise?

Laura Story's song, "Blessings" is such a sweet reminder to me of God's presence and mercy in the midst of life's challenges. Take a minute and listen to it here.

These are the lyrics:

We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
And all the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things
'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your word is not enough
And all the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe
'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not,
This is not our home
It's not our home
'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise

Lord, you are good. Please help us to see!

Spring Eats

One of my favorite things about the seasons are the foods that I associate with them. Spring has finally arrived, so my weekly menus have officially started changing! Lemon, asparagus, coconut and greens are just a few of my favorite spring flavors. Anything that seems light and fresh!

Last weekend, Aunt Cyncy came for a visit and I made her a birthday meal incorporating all of them!  I've made this meal many times and it's one that's worth sharing. This was a new Martha Stewart Dessert recipe, but I have added it to my collection to make again soon. Delicious! It was the perfect meal to kick off spring well! 

Check out the recipes by clicking on the links below. 

Orange Balsamic Chicken (I use chicken breasts when I make it)

Lemon Risotto (I leave out the mint leaves)

Roasted Asparagus (tossed with extra virgin olive oil and s&p and roasted at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes)

Coconut Crunch Cake   (Despite what it says, the recipe did not take as long as it says to make!)


What are your Spring favorites?

As Long As I Have Breath

I didn't always know God. I knew things about God, but didn't know Him. And to be honest, I didn't always know there was a difference.

As a little girl, I remember lying in bed wondering if God saw me or if he heard my prayers. When I was by myself, my mind would race with questions. Does God have a plan for me?  Does He see that I am afraid? Does He care? Does He see that I'm sad? Does He have all the answers?  I wondered if he liked to hear me talk as much as I enjoyed talking! As a family, we didn't go to church much. I learned bits and pieces about God, but it wasn't something that was emphasized. My desire to know God wasn't something I was taught. I believe God began drawing me to himself as a little girl.

He placed people in my life to show me His love and care for me. He gave me family and friends who taught me and encouraged me along the way, but looking back over my life I can see the ways He whispered to my heart in my most quiet moments. He put the spark there for me to receive the things He wanted me to learn. It was always between me and Him. He didn't just want me to know about Him. He wanted me to know Him and have a personal relationship with Him. He was the only one who could open my eyes to see.

three year old me.

 As young as four, I would talk to God as I fell asleep each night.

When I was seven, I remember being in my room alone and listening to a tape of Bible songs over and over again. I don't know where it came from, but I loved dancing and memorizing all the words. Now, I can see how my mind was being filled with God's truth and I didn't even know it.

At ten, I remember thinking that God must be our only hope. Somehow I knew he was bigger than what was going on in my life.  I wouldn't fall asleep without diligently sharing all of my biggest concerns with him.

My 10 year old birthday party. Check out those glasses! :)

Eleven, I remember being at my best friend's house for a sleepover. I was so concerned that God wouldn't be able to hear my prayers if I didn't say them out loud. The fear in that moment was so real, that I asked my friend, Catherine, if she thought God would hear me if I said the prayers in my head. She assured me he could hear me even if I never said a word of it out loud. I sensed such a deep need then to be connected to Him.

One night when I was twelve, I remember not being able to fall asleep because I was gripped with fear about what would happen to me when I died. My mom came in and did her best to comfort me, but the answer didn't really come that night.  I believe God was stirring my heart for the answers that only His truth can satisfy. I eventually got to sleep, but not before crying out to God for some peace. I asked Him for answers.

When I was fifteen, one of my closest friends invited me to a church youth group she had been visiting. Without knowing what to expect, I was eager to check it out. I made new friends quickly and loved spending Thursday nights with them. At first, I thought I was just like them. I loved God. I had talked to Him my whole life. I wanted to be there. You see, the pastor shared often about Jesus. But one night, I heard him LOUD AND CLEAR. While I knew that Jesus had died on the cross for our sins, I saw for the first time that Jesus died on the cross for my sin and that I needed a savior. I realized that putting my complete trust in Jesus was the only way to know God. It was the answer I had been waiting for. The only way to have the personal, intimate relationship with God that I had been longing for my whole life was to recognize my own sin and my need for Jesus to forgive me.

Up until that point, I didn't think I was that bad. Though I had been aware of and sensitive to God for as long as I can remember, I was content doing my own thing. I would still call out to God in my time of need, but was going my own way with the wrong priorities. I was trying to be a good person, but my life was defined by trying to please and impress people.  For the first time that night, I saw the difference between knowing about God and truly knowing Him. He had been whispering to my heart for years and that night I responded with my whole life.

I agreed with God that I am sinful and I didn't want to live that way anymore. I trusted that God would forgive my sins completely because Jesus died for me. And I chose to follow Jesus and put Him first in my life. In that moment, my life changed forever.

Today, I was scrolling through Instagram when this verse popped up.

(Check out the Between You and Me Signs Etsy shop)

As I read it my breath literally caught in my chest and my heart was overwhelmed with gratitude. In that moment, I was reminded of the many "God moments" I just wrote about. I thought of how my story began. Humbled by the many times I cried out to Jesus and He faithfully bent down to listen.  How patiently He drew me to himself when I knew no better and desperately needed a rescuer. Oh God, I will pray to You as long as I have breath.

Then, I looked up the verse in my own Bible. The NIV said this:
 

God turned his ear to me before I even truly knew WHO I was praying to. With so much grace and mercy, Jesus rescued me. I will call on Him as long as I live!

I love Him, because He first loved me. 

Where do you see God's fingerprints on your life?

Friday Favorites: Trader Joe's

In 2012, Trader Joe's opened in near us. I had friends who were excited for months when they heard the news of the new location. I had friends who took trips to New Hampshire and returned home with bags full of their TJ staples when there was no store nearby. I was intrigued, but didn't fully understand the hype until I started shopping there myself. Now I totally understand all the excitement.  I can now say I have my very own long list of favorites, but every time I go in there I find new and unique products that we love. I feels so much better about putting it in our bodies too!

The produce is deliciously fresh. The selection of cheeses is amazing. The ingredients are quality at a great price. Even in the snack foods and prepared frozen foods, you can actually identify what you are eating in the list of ingredients in the back. The food has no artificial ingredients and minimal processing. It's real food!

I remember asking lots of friends for their favorites list when I was started shopping there, so I thought I would share my most recent favorites with you. It's not an exclusive list! There are so many gems o be discovered, but here are just a few that I think are worth checking out on your next (or first) trip! 

1. Greeting Cards: It hadn't crossed my mind to check out the greeting cards until the day I needed one and was conveniently at TJ's. First of all, all of their cards are $.99, but most of them look like they are from the fun hipster section at Target. Need I say more? Cards that aren't $4 each that are fun? They don't look like they are cheap-o cards, but instead have fun sayings and unique graphics on them. I've even purchased a couple to frame and add to the cute gallery wall I'm slowly creating for the girls' room.

2. Roasted Coconut Chips: If you like coconut, you need these in your life. Imagine crunchy coconut shavings that are much more substantial than shredded coconut. Not only are they delicious to munch on, but make perfect toppings for yogurt, ice cream and oatmeal. Those are the ways I've used them, but just found this recipe for coconut chicken. Adding that to my menu next week!

3. Ridge Cut Sweet Potato Chips: Really good. And again only have four ingredients in them! Slightly addictive especially paired with TJ's Bacon Ranch Dip or Carmelized Onion Dip. It made my husband a happy man when I brought them home and paired them together for him. After all, chips and dip are one of his many love languages.

4. Lightly Salted Crunch Green Beans: I would buy them more regularly if it weren't for the fact that they are $4 for a very small bag that I could eat in one sitting. They are a delicious snack that satisfies the cravings for salty chips, but is totally a vegetable (not just a veggie flavored chip).

5. Sweet and Sour Chicken: I'm actually not sure that they carry this anymore because last time there was Sesame Chicken in it's place. Either way it is worth noting because normally I don't buy frozen meals in our house (beyond the occasional frozen pizza). I just enjoy making my own with fresh ingredients and then freezing it myself. BUT, the frozen foods section at TJ's is impressive and as I said contains quality ingredients. When we are in the mood for an at home take out kind of a meal, I've found that I can stop a TJs for an Asian inspired dinner. Their Sweet and Sour Chicken tasted better than the Chinese take-out we get from our local spot. I never would have known it was from the freezer. The Sesame Chicken was the same way. We like to pair ours with TJ Potstickers or dumplings and TJ Fried Rice (if I don't make my own). Makes for an easy go-to meal to keep in the freezer when it happens to be one of "those" days.

6. Coconut Cranberry Granola: Delicious. It pairs perfectly with some Greek yogurt. Check out the breakfast below that I've been enjoying lately.

7. Organic Tea Lemonade: Those who know me know that I am an Arnold Palmer connoisseur. It's my favorite. If you blindfolded me and put different brands in front of me, I could probably distinguish the difference for you easily. TJ's Organic Tea Lemonade wins first place. Honestly, it is probably in a league of it's own. Must be something about real sugar and lemon vs. artificial flavoring that takes it to another level.

8. Fresh Flowers: I love love love fresh flowers. I love to have them throughout my house all year long. It brightens everything up, makes life more cheerful (and colorful) and makes home even more homey. Half the time the grocery store selections seem cheesy (I'm not a fan of daisies dyed with neon food coloring) and way overpriced. Just one more reason I love a grocery trip to TJ's...their fresh flower selection that is not only diverse and beautiful, but CHEAP. A large bouquet of purple tulips $4.99. An assorted bouquet of Gerber daisies $3.99. Hydrangeas...$5.99. Sunflowers...3.99. For $10, I can put flowers all over my house.

9. Soup: Their boxed soups are flavorful and fresh tasting! I like a bunch of them, but the Tomato/Roasted Red Pepper is my favorite.

10. Gone Bananas: Amazing frozen chocolate covered banana slices. Perfectly ripe bananas covered in chocolate. Two ingredients...bananas and chocolate. Yum!

11. Fresh Ravioli: Their fresh ravioli choices are unique! We are fans of the Lobster Ravioli and Portabello Ravioli.

12. Nuts: They have a great assortment of nuts. Beyond the normal nuts that I love, I like their Salt and Pepper Pistachios and a couple of their Thai Chili Lime Cashews at a time.


And as promised....

here's what I've been enjoying for breakfast this week: A yogurt parfait complete with vanilla greek yogurt, TJ's Coconut Cranberry Granola, TJ's Roasted Coconut chips, fresh strawberries, TJ's Honey Roasted Almond Slivers and TJ's Chia Seeds.  So satisfying, fresh and delicious.

I'm thankful for Friday and for the promise of the weather finally breaking next week. Spring is ALMOST here! 

It's so LOUD in here!

Starbucks, time with Jesus, early morning quiet and catching up with a good friend all before 8 a.m. = total gift

I'm a morning person. I always have been. Even as a teenager, if I slept in, I'd wake up feeling like I'd missed out on the day. Then, I'd spend the day trying to catch up with the world. During my years at Old Navy, I was one of the few people who looked forward to (even hoped for) the 5 a.m. shift. I love getting started before the world wakes up. Having little ones who wake up before 6:30 gives early a whole new (and even earlier) meaning. Being a morning person doesn't mean getting out of bed is easy for me, but when I do, my life is so much better. In those hours when the world is quiet and still, I have much more space to focus my mind and heart on that which matters most.

The world is noisy. It's not just the constant sounds of little girls I hear from the minute I open my eyes in the morning. There is static everywhere. Opinions, headlines, advertisements, social media, the busyness of my schedule and the demands of every day life threaten to drown out the only voice I really need to hear, God's. With so many (loud) voices around us all the time, it takes intentional effort to lean in and become attuned to God in the midst of it. Often, I have to choose to turn the noise off. Put down my phone. Choose to not check Facebook one more time. Get up earlier than my little early birds. Start my morning in the Bible hearing from God first. It's a choice and it has to be intentional. Without effort, it simply won't happen.

 

The truth is I'm not really good at it. I tend to move too fast and the chaos drowns out the Peace in my life. The other day I read John 10:27, which really got me thinking about all of this again. The verse says, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." Now more than ever, I see the need, the total importance, of God's voice being loudest in my life.                          

So, it got me thinking and I will continue to process this for the rest of my life in all of its seasons. If His voice is the only one I want to follow...if I want to intentionally teach my girls to hear the voice of the Shepherd in their lives...

How can I intentionally learn to hear and listen to his voice more in the midst of the noise?

Slow Cookin'

Confession: I'm not someone who's totally in love with my slow cooker. I love the idea of a slow cooker. In theory, it's sounds wonderful. Having dinner put together before breakfast, the yummy smells filling up the house all day and knowing dinner is going to be ready right on time. Sounds great.

But, here's the thing. Beyond the practical purposes of keeping things warm, making soups, dips, oatmeal and pulled pork/chicken, I haven't found many recipes I love. I tend to try one and then we decide the recipe is not worth making again. I'm not a big fan of creamy condensed soup recipes and I tend to think beef in the crock pot tastes like dog food. Truthfully, I'm really okay with that because at the end of (most) days, I look forward to getting in the kitchen, chopping my onions and prepping for a fresh meal. My family likes the results better anyway!

I might not have many, but here are some of my favorite slow cookin' recipes to share:

1. Tyler Florence's Pulled Pork BBQ - Seriously yummy. We love pulled pork in our house. It is perfect for entertaining in every season. It feeds a whole lot of people AND there are so many fun ways to repurpose pulled pork leftovers. Speaking of...I'm adding it to this week's menu.


2. Bourbon Chicken - Do you ever find yourself in the mood for some deliciously questionable food court chicken? You know...the kind they try to hand feed your on tooth picks every time you walk through the mall. It probably isn't very good for you, but it is pretty yummy. That's why when someone shared this recipe with me, I had to give it a try. It didn't disappoint. It tasted a whole lot like the chicken at Cajun Café, but way better because I know how clean the kitchen was it came from, as well as what ingredients I put in it. My girls ate it up and asked for seconds. The recipe was passed a long a few times and I'm not sure of it's origin, but here it is:

2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1/2 onion, diced 
1 cup of honey
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tbsp. veg oil
1/2 cup soy sauce
2 cloves of garlic, minced (or grated in)
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes (or less depending on your heat capacity)

Season the chicken with salt and pepper.  Place chicken in the slow cooker. Combine the rest of the ingredients in a bowl and pour over the chicken. Cook on low for 5-6 hours. At the end, combine a tbsp. of corn starch with a tbsp. of water in a small bowl. Pour in the chicken sauce to thicken. If not thick enough, repeat.  

3. Slow Cooker Banana and Coconut Milk Oatmeal - recommended recently by my friend Chrissy. Everyone loved it. I'm looking forward to making it again soon and even trying some different mix-ins. This one is for you Heather. Yum coconut! 


Next on my list of slow cooker recipes to test out:
Rachael Ray's Slow Cooker Paella

What are your favorites? Share your best slow cooker recipes in the comments!

Currently

loving: that our family made sweet memories this weekend on our trip to the Great Escape Water Park. 

reading: Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero. While I usually move through books pretty quickly, I've been pacing myself with this one. I don't want to miss a bit of the revolutionary biblical application the author shares. Lots to process/apply in my own life and it's SO good. 

waiting for: Spring to arrive. I know...who isn't? While I've been ready for a season change for a while, spring fever is in full effect. I'm ready to open these windows and enjoy the sunshine. Oooo fresh flowers and pastel colors everywhere! 

excited about: the opportunity to be a part of a new adult tap class next month. I love learning and I love dance, so I'm double excited about learning a new form of dance.

trying to: catch up with life and balance my priorities in this season of my life. 

working on: a fun spring cleaning challenge for myself. I told you I have spring fever. Well, part of that for me is decluttering and starting fresh. I'm making the goals small and manageable, but I plan to get through every room/closet/organizable space in our house by the end of April. Spring = fresh. clean. new. 

enjoying: the She Reads Truth community and the current two week reading plan that began today taking us through the book of Jonah. Exciting for what God wants to teach me about his character through this study.

using: a new app called If: Equip. This app helps to daily equip women to know God more deeply and live out their purposes with a scripture reading plan. Right now, the app is taking us through John. One of the things I'm appreciating most about it right now is the lack of additional content attached to the scripture passage. After the Bible passage, the app encourages you to process and journal with the same three questions. (If you believe this is true: What does this mean about God? You? The world?) It's been a great reminder to process the passage on my own before listening to other teacher's thoughts. Then, there is a short three minute video discussion highlighting a point from the passage.

new recipe I'm trying this week: Lemon Chia Seed Pancakes with Roasted Strawberries 

wearing: this super fun bracelet from Charming Charlie

planning: a special surprise for our girls that I still can't believe we've decided to do (stay tuned for that big news)

singing: Let It Go over and over again. We can't get enough of the Frozen soundtrack in our house.

needing: to go to bed early tonight. 

learning: to accept my limitations.  God continues to reveal His grace to me as I learn to release my tight grip on my to-do list and the daily/weekly/momentary expectations I place on myself. I'm learning to freely embrace and enjoy life, not live consistently disappointed by all I didn't get to.

listening to: Dancing with the Stars. I don't even watch every season, but I'm rooting for Candace Cameron Bure this time! Pray for her as she lives for Christ in Hollywood. Go DJ Tanner!

wishing: my Nagymama wasn't headed back to Florida this week and that she was still here to whip me up another batch of Palacsinta. I could make it myself, but it is that much more special when it is made with love by her.

dreaming of: all my windows being opened and feeling the warm, spring breeze!