Maytag Rocks!

A picture of a young married girls heart:

I remember almost 11 years ago we moved to New Castle Indiana when Ron took the job as youth pastor at Memorial Wesleyan. I was thrilled about the move after just having finished one very (first I might add) difficult year of ministry with my husband in Kansas. We moved into a small home just beside a beautiful park; our first little home. When we were settling in we realized that we would need a washer and dryer for our new home. Needless to say we were on a very tight youth pastors salary type budget :) I told my husband that I would like a new washer and dryer, a really pretty set in red or blue (which were all the rage in 2001). He told me that we probably should just look for something used to save money. He is the logical one, and I'm the dreamer. I was bummed, really bummed. Reluctantly, I began to look for a used set for sale in the paper. Not too long after looking, we discovered a Maytag set for sale for $75. We called and set up a time to go look at the washer and dryer. The next day we took one look and we were sold!

That same set has lasted us 11 years of marriage!

My young, immature, and dreamy self wanted a new washer and dryer but God knew what He was doing...what a blessing those used appliances were to us!

Just yesterday we bought a new washer after over 13 years of marriage. And no, I didn't get my shiny/fancy red or blue front loader washer, but I did get an energy efficient, digital one.

Since those days long ago I've learned to be more careful with my money and wait upon the Lord for His guidance. It all seems to work out in the end.

Philippians 4:11-13

" I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength."

This I am daily striving for!

Snazz up a salad!

During my short vacation away last week I was able to peruse a few of my magazines. It was so nice to just sit and enjoy them! I subscribe to the Food Network Magazine and Everyday with Rachael Ray. I think I had like 10 magazines from over the last few months to catch up on. While I was enjoying reading my newest Rachael Ray mag I came across this recipe for Zucchini Fritters with Tuna. It sounded different and was appealing to my taste buds lover of all things tuna ;).

I made these little zucchini fritters tonight and the cold tuna salad that topped them. While the fritter is fried, the salad on top is light and is a nice contrast to the rich fritter it sits on. These were quite good, something to have on occasion (being that they are fried). I will add this recipe to my keeper pile :)

Zucchini Fritters with Tuna

One 12 oz can of tuna
4 scallions, coarsely chopped
1/2 cucumber-peeled, seeded, and chopped
1/4 cup of kalamata olives, sliced
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 tablespoon of mayonnaise
1/2 pound of zucchini, coarsely grated
1 cup of batter mix
vegetable oil for frying

Batter

In a bowl, whisk together 1 cup of flour, 1 tablespoon plus 1 tsp
baking powder, 1/4 tsp sugar and 1/4 tsp of salt.
Beat 1 cup of milk, 3 beaten eggs, 5 tablespoons of melted butter
and 1 tablespoon vegetable oil until smooth.

Directions

1. In a bowl, combine the tuna, scallions, cucumber, olives, olive oil and mayo.
In another bowl, combine the zucchini with the batter.
2. Fill a large skillet with enough oil to reach a depth of 1 inch and heat over
medium-high until it registers 350 degrees. Drop 1/4 cupfuls of the zucchini mixture
in the oil and fry until golden, about 3 minutes; drain. Top with the tuna
salad and serve with lemon wedges if desired.

Enjoy!

Contentment

I was flying home from a quick, but lovely trip to visit friends and family in Indiana and Michigan last weekend when I took this shot. I love flying, for many reasons. First of all it makes traveling so much quicker, as I'm not one for long car trips. But, I also love flying because it feels like you're floating on air, well I guess you are ;) I enjoy seeing the beautiful clouds and the different configurations they make in the sky.

On this particular day I was listening to my iPod while flying and was spending some long needed quality time with my Lord. The sun was shining through the clouds and it was almost as if I could feel the warmth of the Savior on my face. I paused and thought for a moment....I was content. Contentment has been a challenge for me to find some days...but today I was content. It's a grand feeling, something I want to continue to work on. This state of being called contentment, it really is a spiritual discipline.

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee." Isaiah 26:3

This Girl I love

This girl is mine and I am her's.

1 Samuel 1:27 "I prayed for this Child and LORD has granted me what I asked of Him."

I can never thank God enough for His most precious gift to me.

Everyone needs a bit of SONshine

I'm working on being a more positive person. However, in all honesty, it's been hard these last two weeks with rainy days after rainy days. Sometimes I feel cooped up in the house and have wondered on these days if the rain would ever end! Eventually it did end. These last few days have been gorgeous! I've enjoyed playing outside with Addison and tilling up our garden, preparing it for plants.

I'm so thankful for the sunshine today, but even more for the SONshine in my life. Without Him, life would be meaningless and hopeless. Even though on those seemingly endless rainy days, I still have a warmth in my heart from my Savior's love for me.

Ironically, as I write this blog it has begun to storm outside...but my Lord resides within and it's all dry and sunny here.

Knowledge is Freedom!

My husband was told at an early age (second grade) that both he and his mother were stupid. His insensitive teacher scolded him in front of his whole class only to find out later that day she herself was wrong, not the other way around. Sometimes life happens and sin enters our world. For Ron one day in second grade changed his life forever.

Learning for Ron has always been hard. Extra hard. "I had to work harder than other kids" he told me once. In doing so he grew more and more steadfast in his studying. He would work for hours on schoolwork when he was in high school. We believe Ron has a learning disability-dyslexia. Oh how I wish as a child he would have been tested so that he could have received help all those years. It hurts me to know he struggled so much in his earlier years with no added help in the classroom.

I share all of that to say...Ron is amazingly strong and dedicated.

Ron is winding down his Capstone Project (research paper) for his Master's degree this week. It has been a long 2 1/2 years for us all. I could choose to focus on all the hardships it has caused but I know that these challenges were for all of our good. My husband has learned so much through his education...things he would have never learned otherwise. I have seen him grow, change, strengthen, and find an even deeper calling to his ministry over these last couple of years. Which for me, is the ultimate prize in all of this.

I am so proud of him. Proud of what he's accomplished. Proud of who he is. And I can't wait to see where God will take him from here!

Way to go Ron! We love you~

Romans 8:28

²⁸ "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Taco Pie

My family loves tacos! Every time we have taco night around her it's like a fiesta!! We like soft tacos, hard shell tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, and quesadillas. This week I searched for a different kind of "taco" recipe to try with my family...something outside of the box. I went to my favorite recipe site, allrecipes.com and found this recipe. I had to share it with you because it was FANTASTIC!

Taco Pie

1 (8 oz) package refrigerated crescent rolls (reduced fat if you desire)
1 pound lean ground beef
1 (1 oz) package of taco seasoning/or use home make mix
1 (16 oz) container of sour cream (reduced fat if you desire)
8 oz shredded Mexican-style cheese blend (reduced fat if you desire)
1 (14 oz) bag of tortilla chips, crushed

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Lay crescent dough flat on the bottom of a square cake pan and bake according to package directions.
3. Meanwhile, brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the taco seasoning and stir well together (I added 3 tablespoons of minced onion to this). When dough is done, remove from the oven and place meat mixture on top, then layer with sour cream (I used reduced fat) and cheese, and then top off with the crushed chips.
4. Return to oven and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

Enjoy!