10, 20, 30...

10 years ago, I was...

in my senior year of high school
trying desperately not to like stupid boys
taking the SATs and applying to colleges

20 years ago I was

in 2nd grade
loving being a "eager beaver" in Ms. Wilma's class
learning that I was a perfectionist

30 years ago I was

not born....=)

I tag all of you ladies reading this!

Help!

I need some date ideas. I am attempting to come up with a list of at least 10 new ideas for dates. So far I have two! Please post any ideas you may have for fun outings. These dates can include new restaurants to try, new sights to see, etc. It doesn't matter if they cost money or not!

Thanks ladies!

"God Grew Tired of Us"

Miguel and I are members of Blockbuster On-Line. It's Blockbuster's version of Netflix. We don't watch a ton of movies, but the $10.99 price tag for unlimited movies makes it worth our while. All that to say, I watched a fantastic documentary this week. To be honest, I wasn't aware it was a documentary, and probably would not have put it in my queue if I would've know!

And, I would have missed out on a phenomenal film. "God Grew Tired of Us" is a beautiful and moving film. National Geographic follows the story of three men born in Sudan during a time of intense civil war. These boys, "the lost boys," as they called themselves, were part of 27,000 boys who walked over 1,000 miles to safety and freedom. Upon entering adulthood, these three men were offered the opportunity to move to the United States to live, work, and play.

The film made me laugh: Imagine all of the "new" experiences that tribal people would have upon entering an airport in America. Escalators can be quite scary, I'm sure!

The film made me cry from sadness: Images of children literally wasting away from lack of food.

The film made me cry from joy: A man reunited with the mother he had not seen or known since he was 5 years old.

Have you watched an other great "unknown" flicks lately?

Hymn

I have a worship CD that has this song on it. Though I haven't listened to it in a while, I woke up with these lyrics running through my mind. I hope they encourage you as you face your daily trials.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
His holy will abideth;
I will be still whate’er He doth;
And follow where He guideth;
He is my God; though dark my road,
He holds me that I shall not fall:
Wherefore to Him I leave it all.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
He never will deceive me;
He leads me by the proper path:
I know He will not leave me.
I take, content, what He hath sent;
His hand can turn my griefs away,
And patiently I wait His day.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
His loving thought attends me;
No poison can be in the cup
That my Physician sends me.
My God is true; each morn anew
I’ll trust His grace unending,
My life to Him commending.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
He is my Friend and Father;
He suffers naught to do me harm,
Though many storms may gather,
Now I may know both joy and woe,
Some day I shall see clearly
That He hath loved me dearly.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
Though now this cup, in drinking,
May bitter seem to my faint heart,
I take it, all unshrinking.
My God is true; each morn anew
Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart,
And pain and sorrow shall depart.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
Here shall my stand be taken;
Though sorrow, need, or death be mine,
Yet I am not forsaken.
My Father’s care is round me there;
He holds me that I shall not fall:
And so to Him I leave it all.

Dave Harvey

Do you have those speakers that you simply love to listen to? Preachers whose messages impact your life, whose words stick with you for years? I remember a message preached years ago by a pastor about Mary and Martha. It has stuck with me. I am a Martha who desperately wants to be a Mary. Recently, I heard a message preached by the same pastor on trials.

I have trials in my daily life, don't we all? My trials in this season are not health related; they are not earth shattering, but they are very personal and very real. My tendency is to question God's faithfulness and to worry (hello, Martha). One thing that the pastor stated has stuck with me throughout the past few weeks. "This is exactly what you need." My trials are exactly what I need at this exact time in my life. I do not understand why they are here. I don't even understand how they could be good or needed. I don't know when or if they will ever end. But can I trust that God is sovereignly, slowly, working for my good and His ultimate glory? Yes, I surely can!

I have done a lot of self-talk over the past weeks, taking stock of my long-term vision and faith. I am struggling to see the purpose in these trials, but I know beyond a doubt, that these trials are exactly what I need! How confusing and amazing is God's faithfulness to me.

Cookbook Love

Here is a quick and easy recipe for healthy, hearty waffles. The recipe is from my beloved South Beach Quick and Easy Cookbook.















1 C. Whole wheat flour
1 C. old-fashioned rolled oats
1 T. plus 1 t. baking powder
3 T. granular sugar substitute (Splenda)
3 T. Canola Oil
1 1/4 C butter milk***
1/2 C. Water
1 Large Egg

Combine flour, oats, baking powder, and sugar in a medium bowl. Whisk together oil, buttermilk, water, and egg in a separate bowl. Pour the buttermilk mixture into the flour mixture and stir until combined.

Heat waffle iron; coat lightly with cooking spray. Add a generous 1/2 C batter per waffle. Cook about 5 minutes, until brown.

Makes 4 waffles.

***To make buttermilk: add 1 T. lemon juice to 1% or skim milk and let sit 10 min.