A Song of Comfort

Singing a song of comfort this week.

It is needed reminder that my God sees and understands.

My Savior cares.

I have a High Priest who is the example of grace that my heart wants to follow.

Perhaps you need the song today too.

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained

Too deeply for mirth or song,

As the burdens press, and the cares distress,

And the way grows weary and long?

Refrain:

Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,

His heart is touched with my grief;

When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,

I know my Savior cares.

Does Jesus care when my way is dark

With a nameless dread and fear?

As the daylight fades into deep night shades,

Does He care enough to be near?

Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed

To resist some temptation strong;

When for my deep grief there is no relief,

Though my tears flow all the night long?

Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye”

To the dearest on earth to me,

And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks—

Is it aught to Him? Does He see?

Just A Little Bit of Heat and a Frugal Meal

We are definitely in the Fall months now.

The evenings are cool.

The days are pleasant, especially when the sun is shining.

We are excited for a return to soup weather.

I have a turkey carcass from Thursday in the freezer just waiting to become soup.

We tried a fennel and chicken sausage soup last week that was oh so yummy.

But a couple of weeks ago,

I tried this bean recipe.

So easy, and so good.

It is also a good excuse to make cornbread muffins

or any fresh bread for that matter.
It also goes well with the leftovers of the pork from earlier this month.

The key is in the jalapeno lime oil that is drizzled in the end ...
Don't skip that step!

Jalapeno-Lime Black Beans

6 TBSP olive oil

2 c chopped green bell peppers

1 1/2 c chopped onion

3 cloves garlic, minced

3 cans no salt black beans (drained and rinsed)

3 c vegetable broth

3 jalapeno peppers - minced

3 limes

1/2 tsp salt

Heat 1 TBSP of oil in Dutch oven over Med-High heat.

Saute bell pepper and onion for 4 minutes.

Add garlic and saute 15 sec.

Stir in beans and broth and bring to boil.

Reduce heat to med; cover and cook 10 min until veggies are tender.

Stir together 5 TBSP oil, jalapenos, juice of 1 1/2 limes, and salt.

Divide bean mixture between 6 bowls; drizzle with jalapeno mixture.

Cut remaining limes and serve with beans.

When You Have to Walk the Walk

Sometimes it is so easy.

Sometimes it is incredibly hard.

We have the reminder on our wall.

Sometimes you can't see the path that you will walk,

but you know the One leading you down the path.

"Oh for grace to trust Him more!"

Using the Slow Cooker

Usually one night a week I get home after hubby,

or we walk in together.

One night a week I am giving piano lessons to a family and we can't begin them until after school at 3:30.

On these nights, easy or make ahead meals are a must.

Today, I used the crock pot to make Pork Carnitas - 

basically Mexican Shredded Pork-

which we then put on corn tortillas with black beans and avocado and tomatoes.

The topping options would be endless which is nice for when we have been super busy and may need more calories, or it is easily scaled back when we have not been as active.

Pork Carnitas

Carnitas Meat:

3 lb. pork loin

1 bay leaf

1 1/2 C. water

Carnitas Rub:

2 Tbsp. chili powder

2 tsp. cumin

1 tsp. coriander

1/2 tsp. cloves

1 tsp. onion powder

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. sea salt

1 tsp. oregano

Combine spices and rub on pork loin.
Place in slow cooker along with bay leaf and water.
Heat on low for 6-8 hours, until pork falls apart.
Shred the pork with a fork, then continue to heat on low until serving.

Carnitas Topping/Filling Options:

Corn or whole wheat tortillas

Black or pinto beans 

Brown rice

Cilantro

Onions or scallions

Romaine lettuce

Diced tomatoes

Diced avocado

Shredded Cheddar cheese

Green chiles

Salsa

Carnitas Sauce:

1½ C. Greek yogurt

1 teaspoon ground cumin

½ teaspoon sea salt

1 tsp. lime juice

½ cup skim milk

I didn't try the sauce, but it sounds like something that I would really enjoy.

Just Have Faith

Many of you make a habit of reading through the Bible each year

(or maybe each time through takes longer than a year).

It often amazes me that new things stand out each time through.

It should not amaze me, but it does.

As wives, mothers, or wives and mothers-in-training,

we must be filled with the Scripture in order to help to protect and guide the home.

I was reminded of that this week.

Hubby reminded me of a Bible account that I had used in our decision making a few years ago - 

it had returned in some decision making this past month.

Yes, you can make a difference!

This week, I have been reading in Matthew.

I just finished reading about a variety of people who were rewarded for their simple faith.

Most of these examples had faith for healing,

but the heart of the passage applies to many situations.

Are you doubting?

Do things look impossible?

Are you in a hard place?

Place your faith in the One who deserves that faith.

He will not let you down.

Are you in the Word?

Dig, glean, hide it in your heart.

It will never be time wasted.