Mysteries, Mexico and Monday??

Along with the book of John we are studying together as a group, I have been reading through the new testament for a few months. There are so many amazing mysteries there, but what is more amazing to me is the fact that the God of the universe wants to spend time with me every day! I know I wouldn't want to spend time with me if I were Him, but then thankfully I am not. I could really mess things up even worse than they already are! I have noticed a pattern in my life early every morning since I have been reading like this. Anywhere from 10 minutes to 30 minutes before my alarm goes off, I wake up. Boing! Eyes wide open and no more sleep for me. I finally figured out He was telling me He wants the first part of my day with Him. At first it was sometimes a little annoying; I just really wanted to sleep that 30 minutes more. But I realized what was going on and just started meeting with Him first thing. He has rewarded me with not only His presence close to me (as if that weren't enough) but daily, He reveals mysteries from His word that I would have completely missed if I weren't spending that time with Him.

I finished I Timothy 6 this morning and in it I saw how there is nourishment provided for us at every turn in the road. If the pressures of this life keep pressing in on us, as they do, He is there with what we need to keep one foot in front of the other as we walk. This chapter is talking about our attitude towards others, no matter who they are. And that is always what Jesus focused on; our heart. How do we react to those who have any kind of say-so in our lives? It doesn't matter what kind of people they are, it matters how we react to them! Bottom line! It always seems to come back to that. The mystery in that is that usually you and I aren't capable of a good attitude towards others all the time. So how can He expect us to maintain that good attitude? It goes back to that daily process of emptying ourselves, just as Jesus did, so that He can fill us up with Him! He wants to touch others, love others, through us. No matter who we think "others" are or how they should be treated. He's the judge and jury, and in the end has the final say so over those we would like to throw to the alligators right now. The Creator of the universe created each and every one of us, loves each and every one of us equally. It's an amazing thing to me.

And then there is Mexico. I haven't told some of you about Bennie's up-coming trip to Mexico. He is excited. It's getting closer. He has a real hard time rolling his "r's" but he will be with many other people who I'm sure will help him communicate his need to find the "los banos"! (restroom)! So we are packing an crossing off the list the many items for the trip. Thank you Rachel for the awesome hand made soaps with scripture coins in them. I am sure they will love them. It's 90 degrees there today, so compared to the 33 here this morning, there will be the climate shock as well as the culture shock. We won't be able to communicate while he is there which will be difficult. Thank you in advance to all our friends who are praying for us.

And as Monday approaches it will be a very busy week. I have classes to attend for "Training the Trainer" that I have to attend all week in Wilsonville. I'll be counting it a big blessing if I make it home every day with less than 12 hours put in for that day. So today spaghetti sauce goes in the crock-pot that will supply dinner for a couple of nights, and Bennie is cooking a chicken dinner for us (the girls will be here for dinner!!) I take Bennie to the airport by 5:30 am Friday, have a quick breakfast with him after he checks in, and then off to work, and he flies off to sunny, arid Hermisillo.

So if you don't hear from me for a few days, you'll understand why. I do hope YOUR week is a week full of mysteries, blessings and the knowledge that God is right there, waiting to love you, and help you love others!

California Fires

There are many links you can view for info on the California fires. One is www.ocregister.com. This morning they know that some of the fires were set on purpose. 1600 homes gone, many could have died, thousands of fire fighters risking their lives....it escapes me that a person is capable of such hardness of heart.

It's Harvest Time

OK, now I am getting into this fall thing again. I woke up with a headache, a blessing in disguise, so decided to play hookie! It's a bit under control now so I decided to investigate the garden area. I realized even though I dug up the potatoes yesterday and they are supposed to sit about 36 hours before bringing them in, it was starting to rain. So I brought in some of them. They are still thin-skinned so I will leave the rest out until tomorrow. I planted about 23 plants just because I could. They are of the easiest plants to grow. So I think I ended up with about 70-80 pounds of potatoes this year. One of the plants was the result of a red potatoe I had in the cupboard that grew many eyes. I decided to just stick it in the ground and lo and behold, I got 10 pounds off that plant! One of the potatoes weighed in at 1 3/4 pounds all by itself. Some of the russets are siamese, and some look like a wrinkled old man with a very knobby nose. Oh, and the sugar pumpkins, there are about 12 I just pulled up, and we will be sampling some of those in the way of....you got it, pumpkin pie. And....roasted pumpkin seeds!

Tomatoes didn't do so well for me this year. Next year I need to plant them in a location with full sun. I pulled the last of the carrots. I have a few beets left in the ground. All in all, it was well worth the effort. I am reaping much more than I expected and I've already forgot about the hard work. I am hoping for a greenhouse next year so I can keep some things going all year round. But for now I have to put the garden to bed and say goodnight until Spring. Link to David Jeremiah studies today is talking about reaping what we sow, including showing the relationship between gardners (farmers) and our lives.

Getting the Best out of Teas

To tea or not to tea...that is the question! I learned more about teas today and wanted to share. You probably already know green teas are great anti-cancer teas, right? They also are good at lowering cholesterol. Did you know white tea is the purest, the least processed and has the least amount of caffeine in a tea? And then red tea is the best for drinking when you have had a rich meal. It aids greatly in digestion. Oolong teas are somewhere between green tea and black tea with only a moderate amount of caffeine. And then there is good ol' black tea. It of course, has the most amount of caffein which is still equal to only about 1/3 the amount of caffeine in a cup-o-coffee! Then there is jasmine, which is a flower tea, American and Chinese ginsengs....etc. The list is endless. The Chinese use tea medicinally in many ways. One can increase circulation just by adding cinnamon, cloves or ginger to teas. These work great as natural sweetners too. Whatever your cup-o-tea, it gives a lift to these gray days ahead. So enjoy one with a friend soon!

I couldn't have said it better

You put it well Jeannie. Our battles are with the forces of darkness in the heavenly places, and here. It's not a battle we see with our eyes per say. And God does have it all under His control, of which I am so thankful for. He is a good shepherd. And He knows His flock. My on-going desire is that I am open to Him using me to help others see. In the last days we know He is calling many to the great wedding feast. I want to be in tune with His plan to lead others to that wonderful feast we are all awaiting. I don't wish for any single person to miss out on that day. Come on and join the party!!

Threats and Such

Jeannie's take on the warnings and threats that come out of the Middle East:

I think these warnings and threats are probably real, and intended to be taken seriously. However, I also fully believe that everything that happens is under the control of the Almighty God of the universe. The intents and plans of man are under the authority of God's plans. While evil and terror are relished by evil and terrible people, they can only carry out their threats if given permission by our Heavenly Father, according to His infinite foreknowledge and ultimate good for His own people--those who are called according to His purposes.

Therefore, I do not fear whatever may come. I simply trust in His sovereignty and watchcare over me. During the last couple of weeks or so, I have been reading the book of Ezekiel in the New Living Translation. Before that I read the books of Daniel, Jeremiah, and Lamentations. It has been absolutely amazing to me to see the simlarities and significance for the time period that we are living in currently! This morning I read chapters 31-35, where it talks about the "valley of dry bones" and the events of Gog and Magog.

Instead of fearing what might happen on October 12 (this week), I felt incredibly excited about what might happen in God's plan as a result of whatever evil men are planning for that day.

My heart joyfully and eagerly responds:

"Even so, come Lord Jesus!"

In the headlines.....

JOEL ROSENBERG is airing on KPDQ at 1:00 pm today, our local radio station in Portland.

In recent news, there is a warning from the president of Iran (that's easier than trying to spell his full name), and while there is always someone it seems, threatening us more and more in recent years, one wonders if these threats should be ignored or taken lightly. For me, I am glad we know the end of the story. That doesn't mean we know exactly what will happen until then, so I am prepared as much as one can be. I keep a day's supply of something to eat and drink in my car. I have supplied our shelves with food and back-up heat for a month. And most importantly I stay tuned to the Holy Spirit daily! Some of you may think I am an alarmist. But I don't take these things lightly anymore. So many things are pointing to the road leading to the return of the King. While it is exciting for me and many others I know, it can also be a little unsettling, not knowing for sure how things will exactly play out and when. My chiropractor has given me an exercize to do often that involves stretching my neck back and upwards for a few minutes everyday. It only reminds me that it is the perfect place to keep my eyes focused. Up!!

Honey mustard chicken , potatoes & broccoli

I've added a link to Rachel Ray's Cooking Show for recipes. I was able to watch it last week and she had a recipe on there for Turkey Meatloaf to die for! The show was called double down, meaning she cooked enough for 2 meals and then used the leftover meatloaf for what she called enchilasagna!! Take a look at her under my "view other websites" on the right!
An easy, quick and healthy Sunday Supper:
2 Chicken breasts (better and healthier with bone in)
Homemade honey mustard (made in a flash!)

Simply place the chicken breasts in a shallow baking dish. Season lightly, and coat with honey mustard: 1 teaspoon honey, 1 teaspoon dijon mustard, 1/2 lemon, and 1/4 cup olive oil. Whisk honey, lemon juice and mustard together, and then whisk in olive oil for 1 minute. This is also great on a green salad.

I serve this with easy boiled red potatoes, or you can roast them in the oven with the chicken. Just drizzle them with a little olive oil and pinch of salt. Cook chicken and potatoes 35 minutes in a pre-heated 350 oven, covered. Then remove the cover, baste with a little more honey mustard and turn the oven up to 400 and cook for 15 minutes more to brown the chicken.

A great vegetable side dish, your favorite vegetable ( I cooked fresh broccolli for 15 minutes, then squirted a little lemon and olive oil on top, with a dusting of parmesan cheese), or a green salad with the leftover honey mustard dressing. *You can use salmon instead of chicken, but only cook 15 minutes, with the last 5 at 400.

Healthy Eating (You are what you eat)

In light of the fact so many people I know are in need of good information on how to eat healthier, I want to include recipes and links that I hope will be helpful. Many people are intimidated about cooking foods that have previously been foreign to the palate, and some have misconceptions about healthy food being yukky and difficult to cook. Cooking healthy and tasty foods have been my passion for many years and recently I was diagnosed with food allergies that were causing big problems. I had no idea that changing my eating habits would bring such comfort and a new energy level I haven't had in years. I would love to share this with all who can use it to their own benefit and pleasure! Here's to happy eating and a healthier you! Look under "websites I view" on the left side of my blog for more information.

Summer days are on their way out, and fall is approaching quickly here in the Northwest. This picture was taken when our daughter and her family were visiting this summer. I so wanted summer to last at least another, well 3 or 4 months! But back to reality; I need to get out in the garden and prepare it for next years' planting. Out with the old (crops) and in with the new....when Spring decides to peek its' head out in a few months. My work load has increased and will continue to do so for the next couple of months. That isn't all bad; it keeps me from scowling under these gloomy skies. So I always try to find lessons in life. Even in this I can see that it is similar to the dry, seemingly unproductive seasons in our lives that God is still yet at work in us. Change is certain for all of us, and as we 'go with the flow,' we can indeed look forward to emerging, in a new season, a brighter butterfly. These kinds of seasons are just as necessary as watering the seeds in the springtime. Without each distinctive season, the richness and beauty wouldn't be nearly as bountiful. Each growth period produces a richer you and me, more useful and beautiful for the gardner and, the surrounding landscape which we are all a part of. This gives me reason to look beyond these gray days, and forward (with a little patience) to another new season. Happy growing!

Bennie's Birthday Bash

We had great fun and enjoyed seeing all of you who came. Daughter and family from California, his sisters came from Iowa and California. Aunts & Uncles from Spokane and Renton as well as many good friends from near and far. Thanks to all who came to celebrate!!