Well it looks like I’m almost ready to swing back into my school work full time now. I am going to try to get all of my senior work done before Christmas. Might happen, might not happen. It’s hard to say right now. But we can be hopeful right? :)

I am really interested in the body structure (how the bones and muscles and intestines work together to keep your body healthy and growing in the right places and staying balanced and all that kind of stuff) right now, so I am looking to acquire a good book specifically about that…there are so many out there I have to research it before I buy it:)

I hafta run for now. Ill write more later….Rae

Jobs you have had
1. Babysitting
2. Cleaning
3. Teaching
4. Being a servant of Christ

Movies you could (or do) watch over and over again
1. Little Women
2. The Christmas Shoes
3. Narnia
4. The Sound of Music

4 Places you have lived
1. Illinois once…
2. Missouri once…
3. Missouri twice…
4. and Illinois again for now!

4 TV shows you love to watch
1. Law and Order
2. Little House on the Prairie
3. I Love Lucy
4. Trading Spaces

4 Places you have been on vacation
1. Arizona
2. Florida
3. Colorado
4. Washington D.C.

4 Websites you visit daily (usually)
1. HSB:)
2. EBay
3. AshtonUSA
4. Google

4 of your Favorite Foods
1. Lasagna
2. 7-layer salad
3. Pie
4. Pasta salad

4 Places you would rather be right now
1. Heaven…
2. Heaven…
3. Heaven
4. and…..Heaven!

4 Bloggers you are tagging:
1?
2?
3?
4?

Well, alot has happened in the past 3 weeks.

I am very excited to say that my sister is pregnant with number four!!!!!

We went to my cousins wedding the weekend of July 22 and had a fantastic time visiting and making memories. The wedding was gorgeous and the bride was beautiful. I cried…not anything new but this one was especially special to me.

My sister and her husband came down for the wedding and left their two oldest kids here for two weeks, very fun.

This past week has been VBS and so we have been busy with that.

Tomorrow we have to drive into Chicago to deliver my niece and nephew to their other grandparents for a visit with them. Isn’t it fun to be busy???

My toe is improving sooooo fast, it’s almost unbelievable. I am truly amazed at how perfect God created our bodies to be.

My best friend is having her graduation next weekend. I am happy for her, but I somehow feel everything will change…that we won’t be as close as we used to be. But I suppose that my fears are kind of unfounded and I need to trust God way more.

Here are some pictures of my family from the wedding:

Above is all of the cousins and Grandma in the middle. I am the one second from the far left, bottom corner.

Above is all of the Girl cousins. I am the second one to the left in the back row.

Well My toe is supposedly getting better, but it looks way, way worse than it did at the beginning. It is raw flesh now, but it has started to itch, and that gives me hope :)

One thing it gets me is sympathy *hahahaha*, although I’d rather not have this injury than have sympathy!!

Through all of this the Lord has been speaking to my heart about pride and vanity. I suppose that I was PROUD of my toes in a fashion. And that makes me vain.

So maybe the Lord wanted to remind me that the things that He gave me I should not be proud of, because they were not created for that purpose.

I also thought that maybe the devil was testing me, wanting to know if I loved the Lord even when He let this happen, and I have really been thinking about that. I mean, yeah of course I love Him still. But do I really love Him as much as I should? Have I blamed Him in some part? Am I going to let his get to me? Or am I going to come out stronger, and closer to the Lord than before. Something to think about in everything that happens to us.

It is ultimately annoying, it doesn’t hurt that much but I have to be oh-so-careful with it, so it doesn’t get infection, and so it doesn’t get wet and dirty. But it looks like I am going to survive!

Well, I did something really, really dumb today. I was on the garden tractor without any shoes!!! I got my right big toe stuck under the belt and it seared the flesh there. There was black skin all around the affected which means that I got a 3'rd degree burn.

Now there is a concave dent a ¼ inch deep and ¼ wide and is about one inch long. It feels absolutely awful, and I feel really stupid. About two years ago my sister hurt her foot on a garden tractor, and I still didn’t learn. *shakes head*

Right now I am VERY numbed up. And it still hurts; I really don’t want to think about what it will feel like when the pain killer wears off. :O

I hope and pray that it doesn’t hurt very badly.

I will supply a picture for those who are strong enough to brave looking at it :)

My foot. (Caution: content is not for children prone to nightmares.)

(The picture was taken before my toe was fixed up.)

Tonight was Wednesday night prayer meeting and Pastor mentioned a verse in Isaiah. (Hmmmm….again :)

It goes as follows:

 “But the Lord was pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, and the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand.”

-Isaiah 53:10

I guess that I was surprised that this verse was so contradictory to everything else that I had ever read in the Bible. I have always known that He loved His son, and that He suffered deep pain with Him on the cross. But never had I heard that He was pleased…. I had a hard time swallowing that one. But I guess it makes sense that He wanted Jesus to be able to do this and be a part of it.

I am still working on trying to figure that verse out though.

I have always had a problem praying in public…. I am fine in front of my family but I just feel that Ill say something dumb and that I will get flustered. But I also know that I am not praying to impress the ladies around me but I am pouring my heart out to the Lord and he won’t care if I stumble or say something dumb. Anyways just a side note :)

1. Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, and find line 4. Type what it says:

Sheridan to come. Once our troops take over the…..

2. Stretch your left arm out as far as you can. What can you touch? 

A picture of some missionaries, papers on the desk, A box of unused checks, a timer, an un-named body sitting next to me :), a pair of glasses, and lots and lots of stuff……

3. What is the last thing you watched on TV? 
Hmmmm, I think it was Sixty Minutes on Sunday night.

4. Without looking, guess what time it is.

5:30

5. Now look at the clock. What is the actual time? 
5:31

6. With the exception of the computer, what can you hear? 

The washing machine, people chattering, a fan (on because mom wont let us turn the air conditioner on because its “not hot enough”, but the humidity level is at its worst)

7. When did you last step outside? What were you doing? 
About 10 minutes ago to take my puppy to the bathroom

8. before you started this survey, what did you look at? 
My Brother-in laws blog

9. What are you wearing? 
A pink shirt and a jean skirt

10. Did you dream last night?

Yes I did. I don’t remember it, but it was really weird :)

11. When did you last laugh? 
Probably a few minutes ago, but I don’t really remember.

12. What is on the walls of the room you are in? 
Pictures of my siblings, a thermostat, a wall hanging, speakers, …

13. Seen anything weird lately?

A homemade Numa-Numa dance music video *made me feel really stupid*

14. What do you think of this quiz? 
Kinda cool

15. What is the last film or video you saw? 
Napoleon Dynamite (not the first time *rolls eyes*)

16. If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy? 

Oh my goodness, pay off my parents house, buy the house that my grandma lives in, remodel my moms kitchen, give my parents business a boost, (all after tithing it of course)

17. Tell me something about you that I do not know. 
Hmmmm, I have no idea what the people that read this blog could possibly not know about me, but I guess I could say that I LOVE mowing!!!

18. If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do?
Remove all things evil, hence the devil and his workers, which would make this a perfect world. *dream big*

19. Do you like to dance? 

Only with my little siblings when we are being really silly.

20. Comment to George Bush: 
Do everything that you do to the honor and glory of the Lord, so that others might know you by your actions.

21. Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her? 
Megan Louise

22. Imagine your first child is a boy, what do you call him? 
Michael Lawrence

23. Would you ever consider living abroad? 
Maybe for a little while, but I wouldn’t like to forever, but then again I’d love to move wherever the Lord wanted me

24. What do you want God to say to you when you reach the pearly gate? 
"Welcome, my daughter. Well done thou good and faithful servant.  Enter into the joy of your Lord." Hopefully that’s what everyone wants Him to say.

25. 5 people who must also do this quiz on THEIR blog:

Well I want Mom and Becca, and Debra, and anybody else that wants to :)

This morning I was reading from Isaiah, and I came across this verse:

 “And I have put My words in your mouth; I have covered you with the shadow of My hand, that I may plant the heavens, lay the foundations of the earth, and say to Zion

‘You are My people’.”

-Isaiah 51:16

And I was reminded that He already knows what’s going to happen in the future. He has even planned every word that we say. That’s why he said to guard our mouths.  I wonder if he notices every time someone says something that He didn’t plan.

That the words that he has given us to say help Him to “plant the heavens…” Doesn’t that give you a Huge sense of responsibility?

I have felt that I need to guard my mouth, Way better that I do now, lately; and then I come to this verse. I guess it’s something I need to work on. Huh?

These lyrics have bee in my head all day:

 Take these hands / and lift them up / for I have not the strength to praise you near enough / See, I have nothing / I have nothing without You / Take my voice / I pour it out / let it sing the songs of mercy I have found / for I have nothing / I have nothing without you

Chorus: All my soul needs / is all your love to cover me / so all the world will see / that I have nothing without you

 Take my body / and build it up / May it be broken as an offering of love / for I have nothing / I have nothing without you

Chorus: All my soul needs / is all your love to cover me / so all the world will see / that I have nothing / but I love you

With all my heart / with all my soul / with all my mind / and all the strength that I can find

Take my time / here on this earth / let it glorify all that you are worth / for I have nothing / I have nothing without you

 Sometimes I wonder if people really know what it means to really give your-self over to God.

 I listen to contemporary Christian music, and the other day I was listening to a song that I really like about giving Him everything, and I was like “Can they possibly conceive of the magnormous effect that would have on how they do their work?” I mean, would they really go that far out of their way to be so “in” with the styles of clothing, or the type of singing?  Then I wonder if they really know what it feels like to be in the position of not having anywhere else to turn, of being in want, of being broken down and not knowing what else to do? Is their heart really that true and pure?

 I know that I am searching for a better way to live my life, and I am finding that the best place to find comfort and solace is in my Savior’s loving embrace.

 Everything He has given me is for a reason. I believe that he gives everyone the parents they have for a reason.  I know that some people say that they should be able to make their own decisions, but I know that it takes two people to fight and it also takes two people to agree. I think that he gave each of us each other, and that he has a reason in mind. There are so many different reasons that there could be, just think of all of the possibilities! There are so many things that have happened on my life, and it would all probably be different if I had not been born into this family. I love to sit and think of all the thought that He put into making my life, and creating what I would become. So many things he could have made different. But he made me THIS way, and He must have thought that I was best this way.

 My parents have been having financial difficulties lately, and I have been struggling about some of the feelings I have been having. I wanted to be angry that He would do this to someone who had given their life to Him so wholly and completely.  I mean He loves us right? So why would He choose to take so much away from us? Then I heard a quiet voice reminding me of something I had forgotten in the heat of the moment.

 “Do you remember who made you? Do you remember who breathed the breath of live into you? Do you remember who gave you everything you have? You are blessed with MUCH, and the material things that mean so little are not something to get upset about. I have not taken away from you anything you cannot live without. Besides, you still have Me.”

 I do still have everything that is truly important, and I need to be so much more thankful.

 Well tonight it seems that I have a very full heart. I have found myself talking to the Lord often today. He wants so much more for me than I can give myself. And yet I fight Him at every turn of the road.

 I feel like I am always thinking and praying about myself. I don’t want to be selfish, but I know that I have to have my own heart in the right attitude before He will listen to anything else. I do love talking to the Lord, just talking, and discussing my day and pouring my heart out to Him.

 I have been doing quite a bit of scrap booking lately, it is very fun!!

 I wouldn’t mind if you would spare me a prayer or two, when you think about it……..

I got this thing in an email from one of my friends, so I decided to post it!

1. FIRST NAME? Rachel

2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?  My Great-Grandma

3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY?  Tonight?

4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?  I guess

5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT?  Shaved Turkey

6. KIDS? I am surrounded by kids, how could I not like themJ

7. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS
WITH YOU?  I guess, but you really can’t tell

8. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL?  Absolutely  

10. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?  Yes?

11. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?  If I could

12. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Yogurt Life

13. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?  No?

15. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?  Chocolate chip cookie dough

16. SHOE SIZE?  9- 9 ½

17. RED OR PINK? Red

18. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My tendency to do wrong when there is “nobody looking”

19. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Grandpa Smith

2 0. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?  YES!!!

21. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?  I don’t want to tell you :)

22. DO YOU HAVE A BOOK THAT YOU READ OVER AND OVER AGAIN? IF SO WHAT IS IT?  Christy by Catherine Marshall

23. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? My dad jabbering in my ear

24. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?  Deep Blue

25. FAVORITE SMELL?  Chocolate Malto-meal

26. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My niece Jenna

27. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? The expression on their face

28. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?  Are you kidding? Definitely

29. FAVORITE DRINK?  Russian tea

30. FAVORITE SPORT?  Football, but volley ball comes in close.

31. EYE COLOR?  Deep, deep blue

32. HAT SIZE?   I have no clue?

33. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?    Nope, thankfully I don’t need glasses at all.

34. FAVORITE FOOD?  Chocolate

35. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDING?  Depends what kind of mood I’m inJ

36. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED AT THE MOVIE THEATRE?  The End of the Spear

37. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?  Red and white stripe

38. SUMMER OR WINTER?   Summer I think

39. HUGS OR KISSES?    Ill give a hug to most anybody, I save kisses for special.

40. FAVORITE DESSERT?   Rhubarb Crisp

41. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?  Debra

42. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?   No clue

43. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING?  “Black Coffee”, by Agatha Christie

44. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? CompUSA, the computer superstore

45. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV?  Little House on the Prairie?

46. FAVORITE SOUNDS? Crickets at my house (on the outside of courseJ)

47. ROLLING STONE OR BEATLES?   Beatles

48. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME?  Arizona

49. WHAT'S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT?  Decorating and organizing

50. WHEN & WHERE WERE YOU BORN?  Thats  my business:)

51. Who sent this to you?  Janna

 I feel very charged up and ready to go at it … I guess I should explain. This past weekend my family (including me) went to the homeschool convention. I really learned a lot of good ideas, and I want to get started now. But I know that it takes a lot of planning and serious decision making. I am just not that kind of person, and I guess that I need to learn patience. :)

I want to go to a place called Summit Ministries, and it costs $600. I, personally, do not want to spend that much money, but it really is unavoidable if I want to go. And I am really discouraged because I want to be a nurse, and I know that that is a very expensive venture as well. I feel very exasperated, and fed up. I learned a lot about Christian worldviews, science, and alternative ways to do college. I hope I feel some better in the morning, and I can concentrate on the services at church.

I have a cold and I am very uncomfortable. I want to just lie in bed all day, but I have things that I need to do today, and I cannot let myself be lazy!*grrr*

Anyway, I suppose that I should add another recipe on here, and I really do not have a decent excuse for not doing just that, but for the fact that I feel quite lazyJ

I do get to feeling guilty once in a while, and I have to look at what I am doing and see why. Sometimes I am quite clueless, and other times I have felt uneasy about it for some time. Either way, I have to deal with it or I feel the definite distancing from God. So that was just random, but I was thinking about it, and I thought it worthy of being written down.

This weekend we are going to the Homeschool convention, here, and I am really excited, although I don’t know why! There are going to be some speakers there that I want to hear, for instance: Dr. Jay L. Wile, Jeff Myers, & Scott Wightman….just to name a few.

But that’s good.

And now I have to go outside and mow our 3 acre yard …… sound like fun?

Oh well, I guess I have to do what I have to do.

I just thought this was a very thought provoking story. The first time I read it I felt some reminders of things that I need to work on in my life, and had been avoiding. It reminded me of things that I had waited for previously in my life, and, as I can see now, they were indeed the “wrong” things to be waiting for.

 So many times we can only see the wrong we are doing ourselves, and others, till it is almost too late. And indeed, for some people it is too late, but for most people, the light is just ahead, if only we choose to open our eyes to see the truth and let it set us free.

Worth Waiting For

By JB

The princess, a young girl who was deeply loved but often forgot this, was strolling casually through the exquisite gardens of the King.  Her long, loose gown fluttered gracefully around her, brushing the tips of the silvery green grass blades.  It was dusk, and the rain had drizzled for most of the day, so a damp mist permeated the sweet smelling air.  The sun had just gathered up its folds of light and receded behind the horizon, smothered in heavy grey clouds.  A thick purple cloak descended on the kingdom, causing the trees, shrubs and buildings to seem like vague black figures, softened by the ambience of violet.  The princess smiled faintly, breathing the moist air and spreading her bare arms to feel the last rain drops slide off of the leaves and splash onto her skin.  What a romantic place this is, she thought.   

As if on cue, she heard a soft footstep behind her.  Quickly turning to see who was following her, her gown billowed and her hair whipped about her face.  The shape of a man stood about 15 feet away, but all the princess could see was a black silhouette.  The princess wasn't afraid; no one could come into the Kingdom unless the King allowed it.  She was merely curious, and said, "Who are you?"  The dark form replied, "My name is Stephen.  I couldn't help following you; you are so beautiful."  The princess blushed.  Not many people complimented her so openly.  "You have the same name as the King," she said as she walked closer to the stranger, "and I can now see that you look very much like Him as well."  The stranger laughed softly, "What a coincidence.  Actually, I try to imitate the King in everything I do.  He is my hero.  I want to be just like Him."  The princess was impressed, for she felt the same way.  "Yes, I can understand that," she said quietly.  Stephen silently looked at the princess for many moments.  She began to feel a little embarrassed, but pleasantly embarrassed.  She began to feel her heart melt for this stranger; in such a short time, he had already revealed himself to be the sort of man she could love with all her heart.  Someone called the princess's name from the castle, and the princess called back, "I'm over here!"  The voice replied, "Come back now, it's getting late!"  The princess turned to the stranger with an apologetic expression on her face.  He smiled and said, "I want to come back and talk with you again.  I love you."  The princess was surprised by this statement, but replied, "I love you, too."  It was not a bad thing to say; in this Kingdom, most people said that very often to each other.  She felt a little giddy saying it, however.  She watched the young man turn to leave, then ran back to the castle.

The princess spent the entire next week in the gardens, sleeping under the three sided shelters which were scattered over the area.  At the end of those seven days, the princess walked with quick, anxious strides to the palace.  Stephen had not come, and she suffered from her hunger pains for his presence.  She sailed into the throne room, hurriedly bowed to the floor, and briskly addressed the King.  "Stephen has not come."  The princess had no need to clarify who Stephen was, for the King was well acquainted with every part of her life.  The King sat on an intricately carved throne.  It was composed of deep reddish wood and edged with slim ribbons of ivory.  Before the princess's arrival He had been studying a map, likely formulating a plan to thwart the actions of His enemies.  Now He looked up and studied the young girl before Him.  He spoke calmly and kindly, "What would you like me to do?"  The princess's eyes gleamed and she said in a high-pitched voice, "Send out troops to search for him!  Bring him to me!"  The King's facial muscles didn't shift, but deep in His eyes there seemed to be a frown inspired by this request.  "I don't think that this would be wise," He said. "You need to wait."  The princess pouted, but realized that the King was right.  Stephen probably wouldn't like her as much if she proved herself to be the sort of girl that runs after boys. 

For months afterwards, the princess walked the gardens for hours everyday, hoping to see Stephen again.  Friends came and sympathized with her, but advised her to spend her time doing something constructive.  After more months passed and still no sign of Stephen had surfaced anywhere, the friends of the princess began urging her more and more to give up hoping and waiting, because nothing was happening and she was wasting time.  She refused, and continued to spend hours walking around and around the gardens.  Memories of his face, his voice, and his words burned in her mind, and it was eating away her ability to reason.  She loved the memory of this man so much that she forgot her duty to everything else. 

One morning, the King decided to go talk with the princess. 

He was truly a magnificent being, regal and mighty in His air.  He walked down to the gardens with long, confident strides, and the gardeners stopped working to bow humbly as He passed.  He kindly nodded at them and smiled a wise, knowing smile.  Even without His royal robe and shimmering crown, He looked like a King of Kings.  The princess didn't even look up as He came near, but remained seated on the grass, looking off into the distance.  The King sat beside the princess, not minding the dew that seeped into His clothing.  After a few moments of silence, He spoke.  "You must stop spending your time alone here in the gardens.  You are wasting too much of your life.  Now, come back to the castle and enjoy what I have prepared there for you."  The princess didn't even look at the King.  She frowned and said, "I'm waiting, am I not?  I'm doing what you told me to."  The King's voice remained steady as He said, "Trust me and move on.  Don't cease your living on account of a vague promise.  Come back to life."  The princess turned to Him and said, "Just stay out of this.  I know what's best for me, and if you know what you say you know, you'll realize that Stephen is the only thing that can make me happy."  The King never flinched, but that sorrowful frown darkened the depths of His gaze in a way that made the princess regret what she had just said.  However, she hardened her face and continued to scowl.  She could tell that the King had something more He could say, but, as was His way, He kept some truths to Himself.  The princess was usually curious about this, but this time she stubbornly clung to her pride.  The King stood up and walked away.  He never hung His head when He was sad, but that shadow stained His fathomless eyes in a way that communicated exactly how He was feeling.  The princess was His daughter, yes, and He would do anything for her.  He knew, though, what she needed to satisfy her, and it wasn't Stephen.

Months turned into years, and although the princess tried to engage in other activities in the kingdom, she still pined away for Stephen.  No one heard from him.  The princess first developed dark circles around her eyes from lack of sleep.  She then grew thin and pale, and continued to worsen until she was very sick.  She eventually grew so ill that she confined herself to her room.  Those who cared for her often gathered in fretful knots in the airy hallways outside her bedroom discussing her condition.  They were seen coming and going out her door several times in a day, and each time their expression was a little heavier.  The best doctors couldn't do anything for her.  They said it was her decision to live or die. 

The King visited her daily, but didn't discuss the reason for her condition.  

Finally, one day a servant came to inform the King that His daughter looked very, very bad.  The King left His throne and hurried to her room.  He rushed through the door and knelt beside her bed.  She was too weak to harden her face or her heart, and she wept when she saw the King's earnest face beside the bed.  She knew she had been wrong, but it seemed too late to change anything.  The King spoke first, "Why did you doubt me, my daughter?  Why did you nurse this desire when already you were satisfied in my house?"  The princess wept more tears at these words.  Her pale lips formed the words, "I was waiting.  I thought..."  The King's brow wrinkled and His eyes burrowed into hers as He finished her sentence, "You thought you were doing the right thing by waiting.  Darling, learning to wait is good, but only if you are waiting for something worth waiting for, and something you are content to live without.  I have a plan for you, my child.  Set your heart on my plan, and hide your future in my will.  Delight yourself in me, and I will show you what is worth waiting for."

And as if on cue, a gentle breath of wind drifted through the open window and caressed the white forehead of the princess.  A light appeared in the depths of her eyes, and a smile of contentment broke out like a sunrise on her face.  She had chosen to dive into the fathomless ocean of satisfaction, that ever rolling abundance of delight which cries out with every frothing wave, "Here is peace, here is joy, and here is love.  Come to me, all you weary, burdened slaves, and drink deep.  Here you will find refreshment in trouble, rest in waiting, and joy in reality.  Here, all that you need is satisfied, all that you want is sanctified, and all that you lack is found further up and further in."

The End

This is a really yummy and “creamy” dish. We had it a couple weeks ago, and it was instantly deemed a favorite!!

Creamy Chicken and Broccoli

1 pound of boneless, chicken skinless breast; cut into 1-inch cubes

1 small onion, chopped

2 tablespoons butter or margarine

1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted

2/3 cup mayonnaise

½ cup sour cream

2 tablespoons white wine or chicken broth

1/8 tablespoon garlic power

Salt and pepper to taste

1 cup cubed, fully cooked ham

1 package (10 ounces) frozen broccoli florets, thawed

3 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

Hot cooked pasta or rice

1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Swiss cheese, optional 

In a large skillet, sauté chicken and onion in butter until meat is no longer pink. In a bowl, combine the soup, mayonnaise sour cream, wine or broth, garlic power, salt and pepper. Add to the chicken mixture. Stir in the ham, broccoli and bacon; cover and cook through. Serve over pasta; sprinkle with cheese if desired.

I am so very tired all of the time, and I don’t know why... I usually go to bed at about 10:00, and get up at 7:00. So why am I so tired? I have no idea.

This week I *got started* on a gift for a very dear friend of mine. I am very excited about it.

I also went over to a lady’s house that I very much admire, to learn how to quilt. I have wanted to make myself a quilt and it seems that it is really easier than I first thought. I guess that it just seemed very overwhelming before when I didn’t know how to do it.

I am looking forward to this year’s ICHE Convention, there are some interesting speakers that are going to be there, and of course, several of my friends are going to be there that Id like to see J

I just love the feeling of spring that is in the air; you can hear the birds singing their song of welcome to spring, and there is the fresh, unique smell that doesn’t smell like snow!, and there is the early plants popping their sleepy heads out of the warming soil. There is just so many beautiful things about spring.

 But it mostly reminds me about the coming season of Christ’s Sacrifice, Good Friday, and His triumphant resurrection, Easter!

 I am in awe every time I think about what He did, how very much that He suffered. There’s a song I know that goes like this “The pain of searing loss, as the Father turns His face away” I do wonder though, what He was thinking every time he saw the priests and pharisees and that he was dying for numberless, thoughtless, and thankless men and women just like that. And I wonder that He died for me, I who am just like the priests and pharisees, wanting to do my will, and only my will. I feel truly ashamed, and I also know that I must do my part. Doing everything in my power (which isn’t much) and borrow from His power, to do exactly as he asks of me. And that means NOT doing my will, but exactly His.

Western Fritatta
Yield: 4 servings

2 tbsp. butter
4 oz. Canadian bacon
2 medium onions
7 eggs
1/2 cup Swiss cheese
1/4 tsp. pepper

In 10" skillet heat 2 tbsp. butter over medium heat. Add bacon sliced and cut into 1/2" strips, cook 1 minute. Add sliced onions, cook 3 minutes, stirring frequently; remove from heat.In bowl beat eggs, grated cheese, pepper and bacon-onion mixture. In skillet melt butter over medium heat. Add egg mixture, reduce heat to medium-low, cook 10-15 minutes until bottom is set. Meanwhile, preheat broiler. Broil frittata until top is set and lightly browned, about 3 minutes.