So I'm sure you have all heard about family devotions and many of you probably already have them. Well, my husband and I have been thinking for a long time this would be a great way for him to exercise his headship and for our family to do something wonderful together. It has been a 'planned' thing that we keep meaning to get to. Until now...

We have now joined the ranks of family devotion-ers! It has been so wonderful! Asa is really taking the lead on this and it has been a blessing. To be real with you, it has been a bit awkward for my daughter and I. For 12 years it was just her and I and I was the 'head'. Sure Asa was there for a lot of that, and he would help, but it was still my responsibility until we got married to be the head of the house. Folks, that is a LONG time to be operating in independence, not to mention the very liberal, hippie, jezebel  upbringing I had.  

Fast forward to being married and having to learn how to be a helpmate and not the head has been a bit challenging in some areas. It is so natural at times to just do what needs to be done and be the 'alpha parent'. The one who does the most of the parenting all by herself without dad's input or help. Yeah, it's not easy. It doesn't help when your husband is a sweet, generous loving man who has a hard time saying no. It's amazing what happens when I step back though. I just have to keep reminding myself to be quiet and step back to let him parent and lead.

Well, we had a great first devotion time last week. Asa chose 'the beatitudes' in Matthew to start with. We are going verse by verse and trying to memorize the passage. We are doing it right after meal time while we're all together. Asa reads the passage, gives his take on it and we have a discussion and possibly some looking up of words for deeper understanding. Then we each pray, trying to incorporate the passage we just studied. And that's it! We keep it short and sweet and around 15 minutes. It's been hard to keep it up on a regular basis. There are so many other things that want our attention. It is a habit that will take time to get used to, but one we want to make!  We're just so used to running around and doing other things! It has been such a blessing to see Asa step out and do this. It has been great for me to work on letting him lead. It has been good for Lovebug to have a father that will lead her in God's word. I am such a BLESSED woman! Thank you Lord Jesus!!

blessings to you and yours,

traci  :)

...you look at the clock and realize it's getting way too late to really prepare the dinner you wanted to, but you have to do something before you give up and go to the nearest drive-thru?  

Heere eez dee recipee for success:

Traci's Mas Rapido Mash 

1 lb ground meat (turkey, beef, chicken...)

1 can corn

1 can beans (red, black, kidney, pinto...)

1c cooked rice per person (white, brown, instant, regular...)

1 jar taco sauce/salsa

Seasonings:cumin, cilantro, chili powder, black pepper (salt if you want to)

Brown meat with seasonings(to taste-we like a lot of flavor) in skillet. Add rinsed beans, corn and already prepared rice. (You can make the rice as you're browning the meat.) Warm all ingredients in skillet and add jar of taco sauce/salsa. Simmer until warm. Ready to serve in a few minutes and feeds about 4-6 people(?)!

(There are 3 of us and we each had seconds and there was some loft over.)

Now, the cool thing is that this recipe can be tailored to your family's preferences. For example: make it spicy, don't use beans, don't use meat, etc.

There's also adding more to it when you do have time to prepare: fresh peppers, onions, jalapeno, 2 different kinds of beans, etc.

 You can turn it into Taco Mash and put the whole thing on a shell and add your favorite condiments for taco night.

Go the salad route and fix your favorite greens in a bowl, add the Mash, top with black olives, sour cream, more salsa, etc.

I hope you and your family enjoy this. Tell me if you try it and let me know how it worked for you!

Vaya Con Dios!!!!

Traci ;)