Celebrating our Freedom!

The fourth of July is a great holiday.  It is good to remember and to appreciate the blessings of God on our country and the freedoms that we still enjoy today.  I enjoy the patriotic hymns and the family get-togethers.  It has a new face since I married 8 years ago.  After living the military life for 6 years, I realize more (though not completely) the price of the freedoms that I enjoy.  The Star-Spangled Banner's second verse brings tears to my eyes as I think of those who stand "between their loved homes and the war's desolation."  There are many families who were separated this weekend, because they believe in freedom and are willing to sacrifice for my family. 

The holiday also becomes more sober as I think of the fact that there is little left that God should bless.  We have left Him out of so much of our lives.  We have relegated Him to one day or lumped Him with false gods in an effort to "just get along."  America is no longer a Christian nation and unless she turns back in revival, there is little to look forward to in her future.

I love America and am glad to be a citizen of the greatest country in the world, while still weeping at the fact that we have left behind many of the principles that she was founded on.

Back at the computer

Well, I said goodbye to Facebook this morning and invited all of my friends to keep updated with me on my blog ... SO I AM BACK!  It has been tough adjusting to the summer schedule and the computer has been SO SLOW recently, but I will try to be more disciplined and more patient.

It is Monday ... so I try to share a recipe.  Hubby challenged me to try to get through all the "stockpiles" of canned goods and the food in the freezer to save on the summer budget and to start fresh later this summer, so cooking has been more of an adventure so far this summer.  I did discover an AWESOME chicken marinade for the grill.

Peanut Butter Chicken

1/2 c peanut butter

1/2 c vegetable oil

1/4 c white wine vinegar (I used apple cider vinegar)

1/4 c soy sauce

1/4 c lemon juice

1 Tbsp brown sugar

2 tsp chili powder or crused red pepper flakes

2 tsp ground ginger

2 garlic cloves

2 lbs chicken breasts

Combine all but chicken in blender and blend until sppon adding a few drops of water if mixture is too thick.  Place in glass dish or resealable plastic bag with chicken.  Turn to coat.  Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Drain chicken and discard marinade.  Grill!  Delicious!

Psalm 23:1

The Lord is my shepherd;

I shall not want.

Psalm 84:11b

...no good thing will he withhold from them

that walk uprightly.

I have been struggling lately to rest in the promises of God and in His goodness.  God has promised to meet my needs and if I am walking in His will to give me all good things.  Why then do I question His plans and ways in my life?  Why should I battle discontent? 

Psalm 63:1-8

O God, thou art my God;

early will I seek thee:

my soul thirsteth for thee,

my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land,

where no water is;

To see thy power and thy glory,

so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.

Because thy loving kindness is better than life,

my lips shall praise thee.

Thus will I bless thee while I live:

I will lift up my hands in thy name.

My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness;

and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:

When I remember thee upon my bed,

and meditate on thee in the night watches.

Because thou hast been my help,

therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

My soul followeth hard after thee:

thy right hand upholdeth me.

Take Your Wife To Work Day!

I am a fairly curious body, and I especially like to know and understand everything that my hubby does on a daily basis.  I like to be able to carry on intelligent conversations about "his world" because I know people, places, activites that he is involved in.  While he was in the Navy, I tried to gather information like this by visiting, taking tours, taking available family cruises, but his work required security clearance so I never saw him actually in the plant.  Hubby came home on Thursday and said that he would be working all day on fences by himself, so I asked if could go along.  It was a busy day.  I got to chase cows away from newly strung fence, so hubby could finish the job; I got to drive truck; we shopped for fencing supplies; I "cleaned" clutter; I enjoyed a day outside with my darling.  It was a nice change and gives me more understanding of hubby's day-to-day activity.  I didn't go this morning - Saturdays he scrapes stalls!

Gracious and Merciful God

Nehemiah 9:31

Nevertheless for thy great mercies' sake

thou didst not utterly consume them,

nor forsake them;

for thou art a gracious and merciful God.

The children of Israel during Nehemiah's time just finished recounting the many gracious acts of God in their history and the failings of their people through the ages in forgetting the goodness of God and turning to idols.  We are so prone to turn from God.  There are so many things that can become a substitute for God or that can crowd God out in my life.  Despite my failings, He is still gracious.  How thankful I am for a relationship with a caring God who never fails.  I need to fall into His grace and mercy daily and to seek strength from the ONLY one who can sustain me.

It is a beautiful morning, and the heat is supposed to be back today.  Hubby is off to work and Thursday is my primary piano lesson day, so I will be "working" as well.  I picked peas this morning and it won't be too much longer before the pea plants are ripped out and the beans will go in the ground.  I need to be more diligent - the cut worms have already found my winter squash - ooh, they are so gross and so destructive.  Cucumbers are blossoming as are the tomatoes and I see some little zuccini on the way!  The damp, humid days have been good for the garden ... and the lawn.  I will need to mow again tonight or tomorrow morning.  Oh ... and all my cans of beets sealed ... Hooray!

Purple Hands

Today, I am having my first attempt at canning.  I have purple hands, because I am processing beets.  I am just a LITTLE excited about this and hope this is the start of a good stash of winter veggies.  We received a canner last Christmas and then some funds for my birthday to get started with some Mason jars.  Hopefully the jars will fill with beets, beans, tomatoes, pumpkin, pickles, apple sauce, pears, and peaches.  The Lord gave a beautiful day for starting - there is a cool breeze blowing through the kitchen making the steam more bearable.

I usually share a Psalm or song on Tuesdays, but I have a verse from Ecclesiastes 4.  It has been a tough month emotionally for me.  I don't really know why I am more sensitive to things this month, but this verse helped me through yesterday.  Ecclesiastes 4:6 "Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit."  If my hands are full or empty because that is what God has given and I have peace, that is far better than to have something that God does not want me to have and the trouble that might come with it.  I constantly need the reminder that God's ways are perfect.

Eating Simply

No fabulous recipe this week.  We did have a fabulous meal yesterday, though.  The garden is beginning to produce and I am falling in love with snap peas.  It is dangerous that my garden lines the front walkway, for every time I leave the trailer, I grab a handful of snap peas.  Delicious!  On Sunday, we had a simple meal of Teriyaki marinaded grilled chicken, brown rice, and gingered snap peas.

Gingered snap peas

1/2 lb. Fresh peas trimmed

1 Tbsp water

1 Tbsp butter, melted

1/4 tsp ground ginger

1/8 tsp salt

Microwave peas in water for 3-4 minutes.  Drain.  Combine butter, ginger, and salt.  Drizzle over the peas; toss to coat.

I just love eating FRESH veggies from the garden.  I am amazed at the glory of God's creation and His bountiful provision for us.

It is enough

I am currently reading a book by Craig Hartman called Through Jewish Eyes.  It is actually hubby's summer reading, but I got sucked in as well.  It is an easy read and very fascinating.  The book is designed to give insight into Jewish tradition as well as to tie each tradition to Christ and Christianity.  I just finished reading a chapter on the Passover and the seder.  I was struck by the way that the Jewish people remember the events of the Passover and the flight from Egypt.  As the leader recounts the events, the others in attendance reply "It is enough."  By this they mean, if God had only led them out of Egypt and stopped there, it would be enough.  If God had only drown the Egyptians and removed His hand, it would be enough. If God had only led them with the cloud and the fire, it would be enough.  Do you get the point?  God has done so much for us!

Am I this thankful?  If God had only given me breath, it is enough reason to thank Him.  If God had only given my the privelege of growing up in a Christian home, it is enough.  If God had only (does this sound odd to you too?) saved me, it is enough.  If God had only given me a well-used trailer, it is enough.  If God had only given me the man of my dreams and the man that I needed, it is enough.  If God only provides my breakfast in the morning, it is enough.

I am only deserving of death and punishment.  GOD IS SO GOOD!

These comments remind me of a comment that used to go around when I was in college.  When asked "How are you?"  It was common to hear the response "Better than I deserve!"  Perspective.  Our God daily loads us with benefits ... I just need to see them!

Psalm 13

How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD?  for ever?

how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?

How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily?

how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?

Consider and hear me, O LORD my God:

lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;

Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him;

and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.

But I have trusted in thy mercy;

my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.

I will sing unto the LORD,

because he hath dealt bountifully with me.

Are you in difficult place?  Do you feel alone?  These were obviously the concerns of the psalmist. 

His answer? ... trust in the Lord, rejoice in salvation, sing to the Lord, give thanks for His goodness.

The South still doesn't like the north and a surprise success

Well, I had a simply lovely birthday.  Hubby was home by noon and he had decided to take me to my favorite restaurant.  It is about 1 1/2 -2 hours from Shelby, but it is my little piece of the north ... Friendly's!  Needless to say, I was excited.  I had not been since our trip north in June and had gone last May for my birthday as well.  We did a little shopping on the way and enjoyed our trip to arrive at an empty building with space for lease.  How did it not survive?  The south just can't apppreciate a good scoop of icecream or a unique sundae!  So my day was a little anticlimatic.  Hubby did find a Dragon Buffet to treat me to which was also a memory from our days in Albany, NY.  He is such a sweet heart.

Last week, I mentioned that I had BBQ lentils in the crockpot.  I wasn't sure if it would be a success or not, but it sure was easy.  Hubby likes BBQ, but not in excess.  It turns out that he just LOVED this dish - HOORAY for the chef and the menu planning and the budget.  Here it is.

Barbecued Lentils

2 c bbq sauce

3 1/2 c water

1 lb dry lentils

1 pkg hot dogs, sliced

Combine all ingredients in slow cooker.  Cover.  Cook on low 6-8 hours.

How's that for easy!