January Update

Thank you for holding me accountable.
There is something about putting your goals out and letting others know.
Most of you would not ask probably and are too far away to check up on me,
but you have encouraged me to greater diligence this month.
I am still far from where I want to be, but I am encouraged to see progress.

Personal Goals

Blog at least 3 times a week  (you all can attest to this one)

Develop (and use) a Prayer Journal to be more focused in prayer by February. 
(was encouraged to use 3x5 cards - just put together yesterday and am excited)

Read through the Bible in the year. (On track)

Memorize 24 Psalms (1-24) - 2 per month.  (Psalm 1 and 2)

Review/Rememorize - James, I - II Thessalonians, I-II Peter, II Timothy, Galatians, Jude (1 per month).
(not as far as I wanted, but Galatians 1-2 are reviewed)

Memorize I,II,III John (remaining months after reviewing others).

Exercise 4 days per week.

Meet step goals daily.

Learn Hebrew Using Rosetta Stone program - 4 lessons a week - 2 years.
(I've failed this one in previous years)
(Started strong with 41 lessons done in January)

Read 12 books (1 per month) emphasizing American History and Missionary biographies.
(Read 1 1/2 - One on Encouragement and one on George Washington)

Family Goals

Help encourage, format, and edit hubby's commentary on the book of Isaiah.
(suffered a little, but we are getting our rhythm back)

Walk at least 4 miles together each week.  (sometimes 2-3 times)

Be done with regular housekeeping by the time hubby comes home each day. (Improvement seen)

Ministry Goals

Write 1 card to a college student each week.  (3 cards, 4 happy mails, 14 local Hershey snowmen)

Write one note of thanks or appreciation each week (in the home, at church, in the community).
(4 for the month)

Entertain in our home at least once a month for a meal.  (got in 2)

Find a place of ministry.
(we are seeing how narrow minded we have been in this area - 
right now we are focusing on encouragement for others)

Home Goals

Continue developing a useful meal/recipe book - Reorganize it monthly.  (Failed!)

Work to organize and declutter 5 home areas - 2 under bed areas, 2 closets, and 1 shed.

Nailed It!

The purpose of the visit was to get to know one another better.

We had a family over on Friday night - 

a family with 4 under 4 (or maybe under 3).

That included a little 1 month old little girl - I could have held her all night.

A sweet family considering ministry in Colombia.

Not only in Colombia - but possibly with our nephew and his wife in Columbia.

Small World!

They brought some sweet hostess gifts.

This is the one they nailed.

We have not known each other long, but plants are just AOK in my book.

What cheery daffodils!

and come Spring they will go in the ground and will encourage me year after year.

It was definitely nice to have these pleasant little faces cheering me as I did taxes.

But the taxes are done

and I look forward to next year with no health insurance penalty

and a larger standard deduction!

Avoiding the Flu

It has hit with a vengeance.

The flu is bad this year.

So far, we have avoided it,

but we wonder if it is a matter of time the way numbers are dwindling at work and church.

I did get the flu shot, but only because I had to have it to volunteer at the hospital.

Before getting the shot, I read that the best flu shot is Vitamin D - time in the sun.

Hubby and I have been trying to soak up the sun when it appears.

In addition, we have buckled down on the limiting of sugar.

Oh - That one is hard.

We have "Thieves Oil" diffusing in the house.

We have increased the leafy greens through smoothies.

We also used some sweet potato in one smoothie to increase vitamin A.

Our favorite smoothie this weekend was ...

Green Tea and Grape Smoothie

1 1/2 c green tea (we used matcha powder)

2 c spinach

3 c frozen grapes (preferably white/green grapes)

1 avocado

2 tsp honey

We weren't sure of the combo,

but it was really good.

It was also very filling.

Tonight we went with the fermented foods for combatting sickness.

I have been drinking an occasional kombucha, but hubby won't give in.

So tonight,

Porkchops and Sauerkraut!

I wasn't sure about it,

but it was a childhood favorite for hubby.

Pork chops and Sauerkraut over mashed potatoes

and some heart healthy beets on the side.

Are you staying healthy?

Any suggestions you have to boost immunity?

Winter's Chill

Why be thankful for "winter's chill?"

Of course, the chill of NC is different then many parts of the country,

but ...

I am thankful for winter's chill because...

... my walks outside are less crowded.

... others have to wear more clothing (be more modest).

... it is more comfortable to clean out an outside shed.

... there is nothing like a hot beverage on a chilly morning.

... I love to wear sweaters.

... if I can't wear flip-flops, I love to wear boots.

... it kills the bugs.

... it showcases the warmth of the sunshine.

... it prepares us for greater appreciation of the warmth and beauty of Spring.

... it is soup and chili weather.

... baking doesn't overheat the house.

... I sleep better in a cool/cold house.

Another reminder about perspective.

There is always something to be thankful for.

Winter Surprises

This week I have finally buckled down and hit the "abysses."

I attribute the "push" of having admited to the blogosphere that I really needed to get this done.

I attacked 2 closets and the outdoor storage shed.

3 trash cans full later - they look pretty good.

I also spent time today to make some mailbox surprises for some of our local college students.

It is a Hershey bar wrapped in white paper.

The hat is a baby sock cuffed to fit.

4 pieces of yarn wrapped a few times to make a scarf.

Marker features.

Hubby and I made baby snowmen at Christmas.

They called for Hershey nuggets.

The hats were made from cut off glove fingers.

No scarves or buttons required for the little guys.

Our snow is all gone, but I sure do like to celebrate winter while I can.

Dealing with the "Antsy"

In the past month,

we have gone from full throttle

to full on stop.

It is an odd feeling.

It is easy to feel useless.

It is easy to waste time.

But I was reminded as I work on memory in Galatians,

there is a time just to wait.

Paul was miraculously saved on the road to Emmaus.

He had his orders.

He was more than qualified and trained.
He could have taken the world by storm as soon as he regained his sight.

But God had plans for him for 3 years away from the action.

It is easy to get antsy when I am used to the hustle and bustle.

But there is so much to learn in the stillness.

There are quieter ministries.

There are people who are easily overlooked in busy-ness.

There is learning that needs to take place.

And there is a refocusing and recharging that is easier in the peace.

Seasonal Breakfast Treat

A couple of weeks ago,

I had a craving for cranberry-apple something.

The famous Google search brought up 

muffins,

baked oatmeal,

pie,

cobbler,

crisp ...

I decided to try the crisp for breakfast.

Hubby was a little nervous,

but it passed the test.

I am probably a little late - not sure that cranberries are even available in the stores anymore,

but I have a bag or 2 in the freezer - YEAH!

Cranberry Apple Crisp

Filling:

2 lbs apples

1 1/2 c fresh cranberries

1 tsp orange zest

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

2 TBSP coconut sugar

2 TSBP maple syrup

1 TBSP tapioca flour (corn starch or regular flour would be ok)

Topping:

1/2 c almond flour

1/4 c tapioca flour

3/4 c rolled oats

1/4 c coconut sugar

6 TBSP coconut oil (I used butter)

1/2 c chopped pecans

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350*

Combine all Filling Ingredients and pour in a 9x9 pan.

Combine Topping Ingredients except nuts until it is a course meal.  Toss in nuts.

Cover fruit with topping and bake 45 minutes.

Cover with foil if browning too fast.

Just Trust ... and Refocus

I mentioned that Tuesday was a down day.

I needed to heed what I was memorizing and reading.

I needed to refocus and trust.

I don't feel like my faith was very great,

but then again ... all it takes is a grain of mustard.

I mentioned that I wanted to minister to young people.

On this thankful Thursday,

I am thankful for an answer to prayer.

On Wednesday,

an opportunity presented itself.

What a blessing!

God is waiting to bless,

I need only to "trust and obey."

So easy to say,

so hard to do.

I am also thankful for our snow day yesterday.

Nothing beats having company ALL day!

Hubby humored me and took me for 2 - 4 mile walks (I know it sounds like I am a dog).

The first one was fairly comfortable, the second was a lot more windy and cold.

That's How We Roll

We started the morning in our typical fashion.

4:30 wake up call for a 1/2 hour workout.

During our 6:00 devotions, the text came through ...

2 hour work delay.

We were up, we were going ...

why not take a four mile walk in the snow

before heading to work at 9:30?

(this is not our home, but one along our walk - I call it the Kincaide house)

So we did.

So pretty, so quiet ... good couple time.

During the last 1/2 mile,

work was cancelled for the day.

Oh, and tack on a 2 hour delay for tomorrow.

I know, I know ...

the picture doesn't look worthy of all the excitement ...

... but that is how we roll in the south!

And of course, this calls for chili and cornbread for lunch!

Chili is in the crock pot and should be ready in time.

The grocery shopping will keep until tomorrow, or even Friday.

Today, I will enjoy our winter wonderland while it is here

and extra time with my hubby.

Psalm 2

Psalm 2:12 b

Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

It seems that every day that I work on verse memory

a new part of the memory work is a blessing.

Last week, Galatians 1 was a blessing as I acknowledge 

and seek to work on not be a man pleaser but to put God first in all things.

Today was a little bit of a down day.

My mother's heart (if you believe a non-mom can have one) was yearning to help a young person.

A grey sky with the promise of snow lacked the bright cheer of a winter sun.

Struggles of faith.

Struggles of trust.

Struggles from within and without.

He promises His blessings, His help

if only I trust.