What I'm Reading

I just wanted to do a quick post about a book I'm reading. I started this for my devotions last month and am really loving it. I am also doing the workbook with it as well. I highly recommend it. It has really challenged my thinking in the area of God's sovereignty.

I was one of those that would say I absolutely believe in the sovereignty of God, but would put Him in this little box. I had my expectation as to how God is supposed to work and what kind of circumstances He uses in our lives. That doesn't go along with Scripture though. Just today, the verse that really spoke to me in the study was Job 42:2. Look it up. And better yet, read the book.

Happy Birthday!!

I want to wish a very Happy Birthday to the Big Kahuna! I'm hoping this post makes up for the fact that I haven't gotten him anything for his Birthday yet. (Just to clarify for those of you who don't know who this is, let me introduce to you to Phil Betz the dignified director of IRBC.)

Crispy Black Bean Tacos

The orginal recipe for Crispy Black Bean Tacos come from this site. If you want the original, you will have to find it there. The recipe below is my take on it. It's super yummy and pretty good for you too.

Crispy Black Bean Tacos
1 15-ounce can black beans, drained
1 teaspoon ground cumin
5 teaspoons olive oil, divided
1 clove garlic
2 cups red leaf, green leaf or romain
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
4 white or yellow corn tortillas
1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 grilled chicken breast seasoned with olive oil, garlic (already prepared)

Place beans, cumin and garlic in small bowl; partially mash. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Heat for just a minute in the microwave. Mix cilantro with lettuce. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in large nonstick or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add tortillas in single layer. Spoon bean mixture onto half of each tortilla with few pieces of chicken; cook 1 minute. Fold tacos in half. Fill tacos with feta and and lettuce.

In the pan ready to fry.

Before all the yummy feta cheese and lettuce. This is such a good recipe. I'm hungry for it right now!

Young for My Age?

This past weekend I had four teen girls stay with me. I said going into it that I would either feel really young or really old. Well, I started the weekend on the young side and the meter started tipping toward the old side Sunday afternoon. We had a great time! I enjoy so much the opportunity to give these girls a place to get together and hopefully influence them positively.

We laughed a lot, watched movies, cooked amazing meals, had some serious discussions and ended the weekend with a prayer time. These girls are amazing and God is going to use them in amazing ways.

Here are some highlights:

We made fruit salsa the first night. (You can find the recipe here)

And then they ate it all the first night too.

The next day we went bowling. Pamela beat us all with a score in the 80's. I know it's really sad.I just loved this picture so had to put it in. Amanda had to leave us on Saturday and we missed her the rest of the weekend.

They did my hair for me and told me that when I woke up the next morning it would be beautiful. I don't think I have ever seen my hair so big! I also told them that this look would be good if I were 15.

Sophie and Pamela had the Shirley Temple look going on. They slept on theirs and it did look absolutely beautiful the next morning.

Monday was Sophie's Birthday, so we celebrated by going to Cabin Coffee before I took them home.

I'll have to post some of the amazing recipes we made later.

Just to Tide You Over

I promise to post something real this week. But here is another video to tide you over.

Another Video to Brighten Your Day

Music Is Powerful

I have written before about the impact lyrics to a song can have. Well, this one is so powerful and really touched me last night. The second verse really impacted me as I thought of the words.

Before the Throne of God Above
Verse 1
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea,
A great high Priest whose Name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.

My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart,
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

Verse 2
When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end to all my sin.

Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free,
For God, the Just, is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me,
To look on Him and pardon me.

Verse 3
Behold Him there, the risen Lamb,
My perfect, spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace.

One with Himself, I cannot die,
My soul is purchased by His blood.
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ, my Savior and my God,
With Christ, my Savior and my God.

Olive Cheese Bread

I made this recipe over Christmas and wanted to post it then, but forget to take pictures of the finished product. Well, made it again last night for company and once again forgot to take pictures. It was a hit both times, so here's the recipe and I hope you make it because it's fabulous!

Olive Cheese Bread

1 can black olives

1 jar green olives

1 stick softened butter

1/2 cup mayo

1 clove minced garlic

parsley

1 loaf french bread

Chop up the olives and mix all the ingredients together. Slice the loaf of bread lengthwise. Spread mixture on bread and bake at 325 for 25 minutes. I also broiled the top a bit to brown the cheese more. Cut into slices and serve.

I made two whole loaves last night and one of them didn't have olives. It was good too and went over just as well.

Here are the two pictures that I did take over Christmas.

Mmm. Look at all that yummy stuff. A couple of my guests last night don't like olives, but they still liked the bread. I was surprised, but glad they liked it.

Sorry I don't have a picture of the finished product. You'll just have to trust me that it's wonderful! I would also recommend putting foil on the bottom of the pan so the cheese that runs off doesn't get crusted on the pan. (This was a side note from the girl that hates washing dishes. Which reminds me...I better get to it. I went to bed instead of washing them last night. )

Brighten Your Day

I've been a little absent again. It's retreat season, what can I say. Besides, my brain is jello and I can't think of much to write right now. So here is a little something to let you know I haven't forgotten about you. Hope this makes you smile!

Why I Love Iowa

My dad got this poem from a missionary and shared it with me. Not sure who wrote it, but it sure fits.

Why I Love Iowa

It's winter in Iowa
And the gentle breezes blow
70 miles per hour at 52 below.
Oh, how I love Iowa,
When the snow is up to your head;
You take a deep breath
And your nose turns to bright red.
Yes, the weather here is wonderful;
I guess I'll hang around.
I could never leave Iowa
Cause I'm frozen to the ground!