Snow Day Fun

I woke up this morning excited to see something other than dead grass in my front yard. After breakfast, we ventured over to mom and dad's house to go sledding and to hang out with Paul, Kelli, and the kids.

Everyone enjoyed sledding and acting like kids again.

All 3 of us

Nana

Jason and I raced down the road on a boogie board.

Jason went the farthest. I ran off into the ditch.

Craziness

These are the crazy people I live with:

Black Beans and Rice

At the end of each chapter in my Bible study book, the author gives a recipe to try at our own group meeting. Chapter 1's recipe was Black Beans and Rice. At first, I was thinking, "blah", especially with brown rice, BUT it was actually very delicious, and so so simple. I'm thinking it would make a great party dish...like for the Super Bowl. Here's the recipe:

*****

4 cans black beans

1/2 yellow onion, chopped

6 cloves of garlic, minced (I used the kind already minced in a jar.)

1 bunch cilantro, chopped

8 oz shredded Monterey Jack cheese (I used bagged Mexi cheese.)

2 cups whole grain brown rice

avocado, sliced

salsa

sour cream

tortilla chips

*****

Heat black beans in a pot over medium/high heat, keeping most of the juice. Saute chopped onion, cilantro, and garlic. After beans have heated for about 20 minutes, stir the sauteed ingredients into the black beans. In a separate pot, begin preparing the brown rice according to the package. Pour black bean mixture into 13x9 pan and add shredded cheese on top, extensively. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for about 30 minutes at 325 degrees. Serve over rice. Have avocado, salsa, extra cheese, sour cream, and chips as toppings. Serves 6-8 people.

Pops-Mania

Gavin's favorite person came over to play tonight...Pops.

He loves his Pops so much!

"Personal Pharaohs"

I am doing this Bible study...

...and it is GREAT! I'm only on the first chapter, and already several things have convicted my heart. It's about "modern day idols" in our lives. At the very beginning of the book, the lesson defined what modern day idols would be: something we set our heart on, that rules us, and we have an overattachment to.

Let me just give you a taste.

Today's lesson was from Isaiah 44:1-20. It talked about how craftsmen used their skills to make idols. They used God-given materials and God-given skills for other purposes other than worshipping Him. So, the author focussed on our skills, passions, and talents, and how we use them. She gave the example of a fitness guru, and how one may be obsessed with his/her figure and working out. But then she went on to say this, "Certainly being skilled and wise are worthy and desirable goals. They become a problem when we use these things to create false gods that we end up serving."

She challenged the reader to think about our skills, talents, and expertise; and then asked us, "How are these things being used for the glory of God."

"Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31

My personal connection: Jason and I were asked before Christmas to be the directors for our toddler children's church. My plan was to politely decline because my heart is at Wellford Baptist with my family and hoping to move my membership back there; and plus, I'm not a big fan of working with church children (it's not the same as school kids). But I had been praying that if God wanted us to stay at Tucapau, then I needed Him to open doors and open my eyes to where we could be involved and get more out of our church experience. My mind was already made up - I was going back "home", but then this door opened, and Jason wanted to give it a try and convinced me that this is where we need to be right now. I have an education degree, and I have a toddler of my own, so it seems like I have SOME "skills" in this area. But I have reluctantly (and bitterly in my heart) begun to work with our toddler program. Then this lesson hit me - Am I using my skills (with a positive attitude) to glorify God? My answer is no, when it should be yes. My bitterness in my heart to do this job I've been asked to do for the Lord does not glorify Him. And although this isn't an idol I'm worshipping, the bitterness in my heart is like an idol because it has ruled me and has attached itself to me.

Let me just say that my heart was convicted.

Are you using your skills, talents, expertise, and passions to glorify God?

No Words Needed

THAT parent

I have now become THAT parent that I said I would never be. Before having Gavin, there were so many things I said I would NEVER do as a parent. I actually said several times, "If that were my child, I would..." or even "My child will never act that way." (Giggle)...oh my...how those words have come to bite me in the rear-end. It's as if God is laughing at me saying, "Kristi, remember when you said...? Well, let me just show you." Here are 2 of the most recent things:

I said I would never buy one of these leash harness things for my child to wear.

"Children are not animals, and I would NEVER do that! My child would either ride in the buggy or stroller, or I would carry him," I would say. ... Well, now that my strong willed child will not ride peacefully in a buggy or stroller anymore, I thought maybe he could walk on his on like a big boy beside my buggy while I shop. Well, that hasn't worked out so great - when I let him walk on his on, he decides to run way ahead or stick out his arm as he walks by a display and knocks everything off the shelf; OR decides to run and hide under the display tables at Belk and makes it nearly impossible for Jason to reach him (during Christmas). That is the moment when I became THAT parent. I have resorted to a leash harness thing for my child. And I will admit, Gavin likes his "backpack", as he calls it.

Another example. My before-Gavin complaint: "Why bring children into the church service when there is a nursery?? Why distract others in the pew or sanctuary with a child who cannot sit still?? I would NEVER bring my young child into the sanctuary because it causes way too many distraction when others are trying to focus on the message. My child will always go to the nursery or children's church." Well, again, that has come to bite me in the rear. Gavin refuses to stay in children's church. He literally screams bloody murder. So, the only way we get to go to service is if he goes into the sanctuary with us. I pack a full bag of crayons, coloring sheets, juice, snacks, and other quiet things. Instead of doing those things, he wants to climb under the pew and play hide-and-seek. He lasts all of about 15-20 minutes before he makes so much noise that the people around us are turning around looking at us. After several kind smiles in our direction (with probably not so kind thoughts), I usually motion for Jason to take Gavin out. This is our regular routine now for church. I am now THAT parent who brings her noisy child into church service just so I can get a little bit of Jesus on Sunday mornings.

It's funny how things change when you have a child, especially when you have a special, one of a kind, prove me wrong, gift from God. :)

Could it be true?

I believe - with fingers crossed - that we have finally detached ourselves from "pap". It has been 2 full weeks since our last encounter. We simply said that we lost them and don't know where they are. Gavin asked for them for a couple of nights, but never cried or had a meltdown without them. I was expecting it to be quite traumatic. I can't believe how easy it was. Now...the goal is to use the potty.

Did you eat this?

Did you eat this today?

collards

black-eyed peas

We've always "believed" that if you eat a lot of collards, you'll have lots of money for the year. And if you eat a lot of black-eyed peas, you'll have a lot of pocket change for the year.

We ate our traditional New Years Day meal at Chef Mom's house. The best southern meal you'll ever put in your mouth (other than pinto beans, mashed potatoes, & cornbread): collard greens, peas, chicken & dumplings, dressing, cornbread, cranberry sauce, and fat back of course; and Mrs. Abrams brought her famous homemade banana pudding - the hot cooked kind...the best you'll ever put in your mouth.

I think I gained 5 pounds today. Thanks Mom for such a great lunch.