Yummy

urban farmgirl: my summer snacking obsession...: Let me start by saying, I take ZERO credit for creating this amazing recipe.That being said... I can't wait to try them.

Sunday's Word of the Day

About two miles into today's run, I came upon today's word of the day - shades.  As in; the various shades of color that God created for us to enjoy.  During this part of the run, there is a slight clearing in the woods and I was just struck by the various shades of green that were contained in this little clearing.  Each leaf, each indivdual blade of grass, pine needles, etc. were all different shades of green.  Each was unique but, when viewed as a whole it looked beautiful.  They complimented each other.  Well, I got to thinking that in many ways that same concept should be prevalent in my life.  There should be no distinct 'right' or 'wrong' way of doing things, of experiencing life, of judging people.  To often, I find myself comparing what I feel, to what I think I should be feeling.  Wrong.  What color of green is good for one person, may be the wrong shade of green for me.  God made me to be unique, I was created in his image.  Let me never forget that.

Sunday's Photo of the Day

I really enjoy my long morning runs.  I try to get on the road by 5:00am.  There are days, where I feel like I am the only one up.  Sometimes, I run across the paper delivery person.  Very rarely.  For the most part, it's just me, the birds and the occasional deer.

I also get to observe the sky waking up.  What, you didn't know that the sky wakes up?  Oh but, it does.  It starts out with just the first hint on sunshine in the east and ever so slowly the sun begins her ascent over the horizon.  It's incredible to see and witness.  One of the many times that truly takes my breath away over the beauty that the Lord creates.

Photo taken at 5:45am.  Taken about 6 miles into an 8 mile run.

Psalm 51:10

Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me

I've been reflecting on this verse for the past couple of days.  Maybe it's the idea of a new year and a chance to start over.  A chance to make changes in my physical, emotional and spiritual life.  A chance for me to renew my faith in God, to look towards him to heal me.  To create in me, a loving spirit.  A spirit that honors God.  A spirit that honors the preciousness of my being and all human beings.

Gracious Lord, I seek Your forgiveness and patience as I struggle with life's many changes and challenges. Renew in me your loving spirit, so that I may honor your name through out my daily life.  In your name, I pray.  Amen.


Peace be with you!

Day 4 of 365 project

Days 4 of the  365 project

This is a square from the quilt that my paternal grandmother, Marie Kiesling, made.  She was diagnosed with breast cancer in the early 70's.  Before she died, she made quilts for each of her 3 granddaughters that were to be given to them on their wedding day.

Renew

One of my resolutions for 2012 was to increase my donations to St. Anthony's Retreat Center and to the St. Francis Horse Rescue.  In order to do this, I had a plan of increasing my savings deductions by another $50/paycheck.  So with my direct deposit that I have, I won't even see the money.  But, my anxiety level is increasing as I'm contemplating doing this. Like everyone else, our house hold budget is getting pretty lean.  Everything is costing more; from gas prices to the cost of groceries.  Can I really afford to do this?  These thoughts are going through my mind as I'm going to the credit union to fill out the paperwork. But, as I was driving into the credit union parking lot a bible verse from Matthew 'popped' into my head.  I couldn't remember the exact verse nor could I have quoted word for word but, I knew that it had to do with sparrows and look how they don't worry about things.  I felt a little less anxiety about increasing my money into savings but, I was still nervous.  So when I got home, I looked up the bible verse.  It's Matthew 6:26,

Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?

And further on Matthew 6:30


So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. 

At this moment, after reading those verse, I know that I have made the right decision and things will work out.

Peace be with you

Day 3

For my 365 project.

At a stop light on Center Point Drive

If interested in learning more about the project click here