looking forward

“But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.”

2 Peter 3:13

I was asked late yesterday to help serve a meal after a funeral that took place at our church this morning. It was no problem and I told our church hostess I would be there.

As I helped prepare the meal this morning and was able to hear some of the service, I really struggled with sadness. I told one of the older ladies: “Miss Flo- you know how I know I am still young?” She asked why. “Because funerals still really shake me up.” I thought another moment and said “I guess I just still- in some sense- view myself as immortal.” She just laughed. When I am her age, I will probably understand why she laughed. All jokes aside, however, I was really shaken up.

15 minutes or so later I was off to drop Sammy off at speech therapy. On the way back to the church, the most fitting song found its way to my ears via the iPod. It’s called “The Best is Yet to Come” and I think God knew I needed to hear it. The artist sang:

The race is long, sometimes I stumble
He helps me up each time I fall
When I lose hope he gives me courage
So I’ll press on and give my all
’cause I know I never have to run alone
and I can hardly wait to make it home

The best is yet to come
The promise of heaven awaits
I’ll finally see my Lord and Savior face to face
For He has set me free
For all eternity
When my life on earth is done
The best is yet to come

In every joy In every trial
I need to keep my eyes on him
He is the way My sole provider
No matter how the road may bend
When earthly treasures cloud my point of view
He reminds me that I’m only passing through

The best is yet to come
The promise of heaven awaits
I’ll finally see my Lord and Savior face to face
For He has set me free
For all eternity
When my life on earth is done
The best is yet to come

Nothing can compare with what’s in store
When we join with the angels singing
Holy is the Lord
I needed that song this morning. I was able to draw the perfect comparison while I drove across town back to church this morning. When I find myself on a vacation or an overnight trip, I am so excited to go. Though the trip may be an absolute blast, I am always ready to come home. I suppose you could say I am usually “itching” to do so. Though the time away from home is fun, it’s not home. And the same rings true here. The hurt I felt today- over sin and death- is just what God is using to help me “itch” for home. I consistently find myself amazed by those who are close to death. In most cases they will usually say “I’m ready.” I am always blown away by such bold statements because I’m not ready. I still like the world. I like my “things.” Today, however, as I spent a few minutes in the car mourning and weeping for sin and death we will always know this side of heaven, I believe God took me one step closer to one day being able to boldly and confidently- with anticipation and delight- exclaim that I am ready.

this weekend

It has been 60 degrees this weekend and we took advantage of it. A few in our front yard:

Then David and I got to go out last night and we attended a Sunday School party for some of the adult classes:

David and I. By the way, one day I’ll get my teeth fixed and won’t look like a 15 year old anymore. I am so thankful to finally be getting my teeth fixed, but smiling makes me cringe:

Another of us. I love this one but it is SO dark. Sorry!

David was part of the group asked to sing “Let Me Be Your Sweetheart.” He used to have to sing it to couples who came to the steakhouse he worked at in high school on their anniversaries.  It was too funny…and took first place as best performance of the night. By the way, the man in the gray and black polo is the city school superintendent.

Some of the L.O.L’s (little old ladies). They are absolutely hilarious! The one on the left (in her younger days) went to the top of Capulin Volcano many years ago and filled it with tires and lit them on fire! David and I go into hysterics every time we hear that story. It’s by far the best practical joke I have ever heard.

Carl and Carol. SO made for each other. I mean, look at their names. They are always the life of the party! Carol is one of Noah’s Wednesday night teachers. And she would be his preschool teacher had we enrolled him this year.

hats off to safeway

I am so pleased with our grocery store, Safeway. Over the last year or so, they have made it increasingly easier to shop organically. I am still trying to work meat and milk into our budget, but O Organics has made it possible for me to provide my family with organic fruits, veggies, grains, and yogurts. Hooray!

Water safety

You absolutely HAVE to see this. Supposedly you can find ISR classes near you, but I haven’t the slightest idea how. If someone figures it out, let me know!

for the Michigan-ers

Is it Dee-troit (clearly 2 syllables) or Duh-troit (could possibly be one syllable)?

As requested

Southern Style Meat Sauce

An exact recipe is kinda difficult. I took the recipe I found online and used it as a base. Then I turned it into my own. As my mom taught me, I add spices by the “shakes” and not the “spoons”. Where one might say “add 1 tsp. onion powder” I say “6 shakes of onion powder”. Bear with me and I’ll try to convert as best I know how.

2 T olive oil
10 cloves garlic
2 t onion powder (if you like onions, use an onion, but I don’t)
2 lbs. ground beef (we use extra lean but I am sure full-fat beef would add great flavor!)

Saute. When beef is no longer pink, stir in:

2 (6 oz.) cans tomato paste

Then add:

4 (15 oz.) cans tomato sauce
2 (15 oz.) cans beef broth
2 T worcestershire sauce
2 t balsamic vinegar

Lastly, stir in:

2 T sugar
4 T basil
4 T oregano
3 T salt (this is a lot of salt! I usually reduce a little depending on whether or not I bought low sodium broth)
~1 T red pepper flakes (if the kids are eating, I omit) If you like extra spicy, add more. However, when I omit the flakes, I usually add a little black pepper for flavor)
2 bay leaves

Simmer about 2 hours. This makes a lot of sauce. I usually half it if only our family is eating and we still have leftovers. Freezes well. I don’t recommend the slow cooker. It doesn’t thicken up well in the crock pot.

I am writing this out from memory. If I get home and realize I have left out an ingredient, I will edit.

ENJOY!

a must-share!

Tupperware is having a 50% off sale on select baby and children’s items! I love Tupperware but I can never afford it unless it is on sale. That is how I have managed to stock up on many of their items up over time. Click here to check it out!

Did you know?

Spaghetti gives way to spiritual insight? Allow me to explain.

Earlier this week , I was making my all-time favorite “Southern Style Meat Sauce” to have spaghetti later that night. I love making spaghetti sauce! I love to watch the whole process unfold. First you saute the beef, onion, garlic, and olive oil (honestly, in my opinion, I could just stop right there and eat). Then you add your tomato ingredients…yum! The whole process culminates with the addition of all the spices and I am nearly salivating by this point! Has it become completely obvious to anyone yet that Italian is my favorite type of food?

Some time passed and, as I always do, I decided it was time to have the first, of many, taste tests. As I sampled my normally fabulous (I give no credit to myself- I got the recipe online) sauce, something was…missing. It was salt! I added the needed component and it got me to thinking: there has to be a spiritual application here. Perhaps my brain now camps in children sermon mode as a youth pastor’s wife…whatever…it doesn’t matter, I suppose=)

I read 1 Cor. 12: 14-20:

For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body.

Ok…I know that the primary meaning behind this passage probably has nothing to do with my spaghetti sauce comparison. Clearly, Paul was emphasizing the importance of unity within the body while also stressing diversity among the brethren and the beauty in embracing one another’s gifts. In essence, we see a call to contentment regarding God’s appointment of gifts and the need for each of us to bring glory to God through those gifts.

However, I can see a noteworthy application. Spaghetti sauce is singular. The sauce is one, but the ingredients are many. Each has it’s assignment and, since we’re talking about spaghetti sauce here, we see no arguments from any particular ingredient=)

But what if we did? Has anyone seen that Centrum commercial that has been on air recently? The Centrum company has reformulated their vitamins in order to more effectively protect and benefit the body. The commercial presents us with many different men and women dressed up in costumes, each labeled as different vitamins and minerals. Well, vitamin C is upset because she didn’t get paired with zinc and perhaps vitamin B6 is jealous of iron (you get the point). Funny as the commercial is, it makes me wonder: are we the same way as Christians?

I love many of the applications that David makes to small children…perhaps because I can understand them better (no comments necessary). What I see here is the sheer importance of every member of the body, the necessity of spiritual growth for all Christians, and fellowship/unity within the church. As David says, it’s just like the human body. If we cut off the finger, the toes are gonna feel it. When we lose fellowship with a believer, whatever reason that might be, the whole church body is going to notice it. This should show each of us the utmost need and goal for love and restoration within the body. Have I said body too much?

Ok…that was a mouth-ful. Perhaps my spaghetti sauce illustration is a horrible one? I am not as good as others around me at using illustrations to point to something spiritual. But it worked for me. I am thankful as well that God used a day in the kitchen to show me the importance of every member and how our unity, and diversity as well, should point to Him and bring glory to His name.

Some thoughts

1. I got a new cell phone. I broke my old one. The insurance company denied the claim because I waited more than 30 days to file it. So I had a razor and now I have a cheapo LG phone that I had to pay full price for. It is pink, however, and you know me and pink.

2. Isn’t it grammatically wrong to end a sentence with a preposition? (See #1)

3. I am snacking on peanut butter and pretzels, probably my favorite snack ever. My other favorite snacks:

• baked lays (cheddar and sour cream, of course!)
• devil’s food cookies (the low-fat ones, of course!)
• strawberries!

4. Peanut butter is always a risky snack, given my ever-stupid gallbladder. I hope I don’t pay for this later.

5. I just saw some raisins come flying in front of me. The boys must have grown bored of their lunches. Excuse me while I address the issue…

…

…

…

Ok, I’m back.

6. Now I’m having grapes. YUMMY!

7. Why is Sammy streaking across the house?

8. I don’t like my new haircut as much as I thought I would. If I wear it down and put on a pea coat, you may as well have Beth Moore standing in front of you. (Side note: I love Beth Moore’s hair. I just don’t know if I like Beth Moore’s hair on me.

9. I’m still hungry and we are almost at the end of our groceries. I guess it’s more turkey.

10. Our life insurance premiums went up $10 a month because my husband has high cholesterol. I shall be making the doctor’s appointment that he doesn’t want to go to later this afternoon.

The older I get…

the younger I dress. I think it’s the excuse (I mean, joy) I have because my husband is a youth minister. I wanted to share a couple of my latest finds:

Check out my new shirt I got here:

(what’s going on with my smile in that second pic…and, by the way, did you notice I got bangs?!)

And my new shoes (I love them!):

The youth keep me young, what can I say?