San Francisco Trip

These are a few pictures from my weekend! My brother is out in CA from Michigan for his navy reserve duty, and mom and I went to visit him. It is always lovely to get to see my brother, as it only happens about twice a year. We had a very nice time. We went to Pier 39 for a few hours, had some great seafood, and then headed to the store for some groceries. Went back to the apartment, made dinner together, and enjoyed another nice meal. Yes, my family likes to eat together. It's one thing we enjoy...cooking together or enjoying nice meals out.

It was a nice break to get away for a day or so even though it was short. My honey couldn't come with us as he had work and school to attend to. No worries though, my brother gets to come home this weekend, so we will spend more time together. So, that was my weekend. Thought I'd share with you all!

Contentment

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:12-13

I read Philippians chapter 4 today. There is more to digest than one can think about properly in one evening. I'm going to takes chunks of the verses and work on them in my life. I'm convicted over a few things in the chapter, and know that I can live my life so much better for Christ than I am right now. I am always striving to be a better wife, a better Christian, a better servant for Christ. What does that look like?

Being content starts with being in Union with Christ. We cannot have strength, or contentment, without seeking those things from Christ. We cannot truly find these things anywhere but Christ. Often we get caught up in worldly thoughts about how to be happy, how to be content, how to be successful. Many think you can achieve these things by making more money, working harder, or getting a promotion. But the truth is, you can crash and burn doing all those things, and still not find contentment, or strength or peace without serving God, trusting God, and leaning in His arms for strength.

I want to learn the secret of being content, whether well fed or hungry, living in plenty or in want. I want to rely on the strength I receive from God, not from anyone or anything else. I want to rest in the arms of my heavenly father and trust him to lead my life.

So, this is just a snippet of what God began speaking to me today. I'll be sharing more as the week goes on. Love and blessings to all of you!

Baking Fun

I've recently started to bake...a lot! I've been inspired by Mommy Reg, who has taught me so much and have found that I love to bake. It is very stress relieving and I love accomplishing something and blessing my husband with my homemaking skills. Now the only problem I am running into is baking the same thing and not trying other new recipes. I've tried two out of the thirteen I listed on my blog, and then baked Chocolate Chip Cookies again because my husband loves them. I do want to try more new recipes, but I've got to get out of my rutt!



I've included a few pictures of my accomplishments with the Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Thursday Thirteen (Baking Edition)

Thirteen Recipes out of my Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook I want to make (or bake as the case may be):

1. Yellow Cake
2. Oatmeal Cake
3. Banana Cake
4. Carrot Cake
5. Pumpkin Cake Roll
6. Chocolate Chip Cookies (made this week!)
7. Oatmeal Cookies (with chocolate chips)
8. Snickerdoodles (Dough is chilling in fridge as I type!)
9. Peanut Butter Blossoms
10. Blondies
11. Pumpkin Bars
12. Strawberry Shortcakes
13. Bananas Foster

I am learning to bake, and am really finding myself in it. It is so much fun and very stress relieving. Well, I am off to check on my dough!

The Thoughts in My Head

So I haven't posted in awhile now. Too much going on, and not a lot of inspiration to write. I still don't have anything too terribly profound to write but thought maybe I should post something so everyone knew I was still alive!

The main thing I am learning in life right now is to follow your heart, passions, and to use the gifts God has given you in the direction he leads you. Anytime you try to mold your life to something that is not 100% God's direction...you will know. I am discovering that yet again in life and feel God leading me in a new direction. I don't know how to get there exactly but I do know that somehow, I (and my husband) must find a way to be at the center of God's will for our lives. My heart and passion is not being used where I am at in the professional world right now, and needs to be, desperately.

I went to school to be a teacher, but because of many health issues, was not able to finish my BA degree (three classes short) and was forced to quit my student teaching job. I then found a job where I could work from home, which allowed me to manage working and deal with the pain I face from my health issues. I've tried to make this work and take life in a new direction, but my heart and passion is for kids. That is where I want to be. This week I was driving and passed a class walking down the street on a field trip. Every part of my being wanted to be that teacher, leading that class. I am meant to work with children. I know that is what God created me for. I feel God leading me back there. I don't know how to get there, and I don't know how my health will hold out. I do know I feel God's leading on my life, that it is time to get back to my passion. I want to finish my degree and get my teaching credential. I am waiting for God to show me the rest of His plan. I feel His prompting though, and I know God is speaking.

Worth it All

Just a quick post as I want to share the lyrics with everyone to a song I love, that really picks me up when I am down. It talks about living for God and putting our trust in Him. A simple, and short song that I think says it all. "Worth it All" is sung by Rita Springer.

Here are the lyrics:

I don't understand Your ways
Oh but I will give You my song
Give You all of my praise
You hold on to all my pain
With it You are pulling me closer
And pulling me into Your ways

Now around every corner
And up every mountain
I'm not looking for crowns
Or the water from fountains
I'm desperate in seeking, frantic believing
That the sight of Your face
Is all that I need
I will say to You

It's gonna be worth it
It's gonna be worth it
It's gonna be worth it all
I believe this
It's gonna be worth it
It's gonna be worth it
It's gonna be worth it all
I believe this

You're gonna be worth it
You're gonna be worth it
You're gonna be worth it all
I believe this
You're gonna be worth it
You're gonna be worth it
You're gonna be worth it all
I believe this

You can find Rita on myspace at: http://www.myspace.com/realritaspringer

This song is on there for you to listen to. It is also on my myspace for those of you who are friends with me on there!

Blessings to you.

Children and Money

Most of you out there know that I can't have kids. For whatever reason, that is the path God has chosen for my life. While that is a very hard reality to face, My hubby and I plan to adopt when God allows. That being said, I have many conversations with people about not having children. Sometimes the things I hear from people really blow my mind.

The most recent conversation I had was with my family doctor (who's been my doctor since I was six) and therefore should have a pretty good idea how much the thought of being a mom means to me. I was explaining to my doctor how hard it is emotionally to deal with not having children, especially in a time where the majority of my friends are starting their families. While I know that God is working out a perfect story of how our family comes to be, it is still hard watching everyone around me start their families. Anyway, I was blown away when his response was one of relating all of it to money. He started telling me about a good friend of his who could never have children and how he had just taken his wife on a vacation (to some tropical place that I can't remember the name of) and how they had front row tickets to all of the shows and how if they had had children, they wouldn't have all that money to do those things.

I just sat their with a blank stare on my face thinking "does he really think I care about money and vacations? I just want to be a mom." I'm kinda blown away with people thinking that I (or any other childless woman) really would rather have money for extravagant trips than a child, or two or three. :) I didn't go into it with him anymore. I just let it go and left the office shaking my head. I'm glad that conversation wasn't the purpose of my visit to the doctor, or my money would have been wasted.

So the moral of the story is: No amount of money could replace the longing to have a child of my own. But I also know that God has a special story waiting to be unfolded and I will adopt children one day. I also know that it is okay to grieve my loss when I need to. And, until my own children come along one day, I will spoil everyone else's and love them like my own!