For the tough days ...

There are days that are just tough...

there are things that don't seem to make sense ...

there are imperfect people ...

there are accidents ...

there are tragedies ...

I was reminded of this song this morning.

It is based on a Psalm.

The reminder is perfect.

I don't have to know why ...

I just have to remember that I serve a perfect Heavenly Father.

His Way Is Perfect

by Becky Kistler

When my way seems dark and drear and the future I don’t know, 

My heart feels so empty as the tears unending flow.

When my heart breaks with sorrow and a tempest fills my soul,

This one thing I know for sure: my God is in control.

Chorus

His way is perfect, His way is perfect.

Though I don’t understand His wise and loving plan,

His way is perfect. His way is perfect.

Take my life and make a vessel purified.

God makes no mistakes, His way is best. 

 

When the toils of life are come and my heart is worn with care,

I faint ‘neath the burden of a cross I cannot bear.

When the joy has departed from my sorrow stricken soul,

This one thing I know for sure: my God is in control.

Psalm 18:30

As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: 

he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

Throw It On the Grill

Summer temps have hit NC.

I watched the trailer temp hit 85 before the AC turned on for hubby's homecoming.

With temps like that, we like to get the heat outside.

I had never done a pork roast on the grill before - 

it was so good ... and so easy.

Zesty Pork Tenderloin

¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

¼ cup olive oil

2 Tbsp grated lime rind

2 cloves garlic, minced

1½ lb pork tenderloin

½ tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper

Combine cilantro, oil, lime rind, garlic and pork in a large zip-top plastic bag. 

Seal and refrigerate overnight. 

Preheat grill to medium high heat. 

Remove pork from bag; discard marinade. Sprinkle pork with salt and pepper.

Grill pork, covered with grill lid, 20 to 25 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 145°F. 

Let stand 3 minutes before slicing.

Note: Bake pork at 400°F for 20 to 25 minutes instead of grilling, if desired.

This Week's Menu:

Sunday: Out 

Monday:  Denver Omelet

Tuesday:  Hamburger Pie

Wednesday:  Fish with Creamy Lemon Sauce

Thursday: Lime Chipotle Grilled Chicken

Friday:  Hot Dogs and Potato Salad

Saturday:  Vegetable Soup

A $4 Gift

I showed you the valances that I worked on for the church sanctuary on Tuesday.

I also promised a story about the fabric.

On this Thankful Thursday,

I am thankful for the $4 gift of fabric.

The pastor's wife heard of a thrift shop that had a fabric corner.

When I stopped by,

I found a fabric that I thought just might work.

It was high quality.

It was a neutral color.
There was enough of it for 6 windows.

I asked the owner how much they would charge for the remainder of the roll - 

I guessed that it was about 12 yards.

The bill ... $4.

Even if my fabric choice was vetoed, I wasn't out much.

When I got it home, it had 10 1/2 yards.

I searched for the brand online.

It was a local manufacture.

They listed the fabric at $55 per yard!

I don't suppose that too many people would pay that,

but they might pay $30 per yard.

God gave it to us for $.40 per yard.

Praise the Lord!

Love Is ...

I remember the old Peanuts cartoon ...

Happiness is a warm puppy.

So what is a simple definition of love.

My mother and I would say ...

Love is closed windows on a beautiful spring day.

(Our hubbies both suffer with spring allergies)

Love is a haircut during a busy week.

(My hubby gave me a haircut this week even though he had a lot on his plate.)

Love is an understanding caress without a word.

Love is a quick call over a lunch break just because.

How about you?

Do you have a practical definition of love?

Check It Off!

For weeks,

my daily calendar has had "Valances" as one of my activities.

I was held up by a search for fabric.

On Friday, I found the fabric.

So today ...

6 valances for the renovated sanctuary.

I still need to press again and close the side seam,

but it is good to have that done.

I have 2 more smaller curtains/valances to make - 

one for the church office

and one for the nursery.

Check back on Thankful Thursday for the exciting story about the fabric.

Chocolate and Mint - A Recipe for Success

We are in celebratory mode here.

The colleges in our area graduate this Friday and Saturday.

So Sunday night, we had a Crunch and Munch for the graduates.

I brought some buffalo quinoa bites, ants on a log, pizza bread sticks and grasshopper bars.

I did not try the bars, but hubby has been enjoying them.

I did try the mint layer - it was more coconut flavor than I expected,

but still good.

Coconut and Avocado Grasshopper Bars

MINT LAYER INGREDIENTS

1 Haas avocado
1/4 c. honey
6 T. coconut oil, melted
1 1/2 c. shredded unsweetened coconut
3/8 t. mint extract (I multiplied this by about 5)
dash of salt

CHOCOLATE LAYER INGREDIENTS

1/4 c. coconut oil
2 T. honey (I doubled this too)
1/4 c. cocoa powder
1/4 t. vanilla extract
dash of salt

MINT LAYER INSTRUCTIONS

Line a 9×9 inch baking dish with foil.
Place all ingredients in high powered blender or a food processor. I did the avocado, honey, and oil in the blender 
and then added the finely shredded coconut in a bowl and mixed with a spoon.Smooth mixture into prepared dish and stick in the freezer.

CHOCOLATE LAYER INSTRUCTIONS

In small saucepan, melt coconut oil and honey over low heat.
Remove from heat and stir in remaining ingredients.
Pour over chilled bottom layer and return to the freezer for about 15 minutes,
or until the chocolate layer is hardened.
Remove from foil and cut into bars. Store covered in the freezer.

This Week's Menu

Sunday:  Veggie Frittata

Monday:  Burgers with Guacamole

Tuesday:  Pecan Crusted Chicken

Wednesday:  Zesty Pork Tenderloin

Thursday:  Chicken Nuggets

Friday:  BBQ stuffed potatoes

Saturday:  Chicken w/Balsamic Strawberry Sauce

Everything

Will you be thankful for the busy schedule?

Thankful for the work before you?

Thankful for the disappointments?

Thankful for the heartbreak?

Thankful for the interruption?

What are the trials teaching and developing.

You can be thankful for the discipline you are developing,

the patience you are learning,

the sympathy you are developing,

the trouble the interruption keeps you from.

I am preparing for a lesson on the 10 lepers this Sunday.

Only 1 - a "stranger" - was grateful.

We have so much - Give God thanks.

Are You Ready?

There is nothing like "new love."

Nothing like a "first love."

Being associated with a college,

we are often surrounded by "sparks" and questions.

When am I ready to marry?

I suppose that there are many answers,

but the answer that often hits my lips first is ...

... when you are ready to give of yourself for the one you love forever.

Marriage is not about "catching" someone and then living like a single.

It is not all about dates and one-on-one time.

It is not about sweet gifts and surprises.

It is about serving another -

It is about putting someone else first.

I love dates, gifts, surprises

and I also love the work that keeps the love behind these things alive.

The way you "get" them is the way you "keep" them.

Holiday!

I suppose that it is a greeting card holiday,

but I don't have to give them my money to celebrate it ...

Today is ...

Kiss Your Mate Day!

To the married readers ... enjoy the day!

Cooking Up Another

While it is still about 2-4 weeks away,

the next book is getting closer.

There are about 20 pages left to edit ...

the cover arrived this morning ...

then we just have to do a reading of the proof copy.

We are looking to a little extra time coming up ...

college students head for home,

renovation work at the church wrapping up,

the text of the next book (Philippians) is still only in the beginning stages

...

This Week's Menu:

Sunday:  Grilled Hamburgers

Monday:  Grilled Lemon Chicken

Tuesday:  Lemon-Thyme Grilled Tilapia

Wednesday:  Rosemary-Garlic Chicken

Thursday:  Quick Minestrone

Friday:  Chicken and Broccoli Stir-fry

Saturday:  Southwestern Quiche