Friday Favorites: Skype

We love Skype! We video call both sets of our parents frequently and Justin and I use it to chat back and forth occasionally throughout our day! And did I mention it's free?

Train Your Thoughts

My mind can take some big jumps. It goes off on tangents and exaggerates and fills in the blanks with its imagination. If I thought I could get by without it, I'd fire it! Seriously though, my thoughts can cause me big problems! God gave us our minds with all their abilities and He also commands us to control our thoughts.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.                       2 Corinthians 10: 3-5

We are also told in Philippians 2:5, "Let this mind by in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." God wants our thoughts to honor Him and benefit us.  God even gives us a checklist to measure our thoughts by in Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there by any praise, think on these things." So what do we do when our thoughts don't measure up? Cast them out!

Easier said than done, right? We need to have something to replace our wrong thoughts. When I am struggling with fear, worry, criticism, anger, or some other thought that doesn't line up with God's Word, I can replace it. Here are some things I use to replace wrong thoughts.

1. The Bible! Read it. When you absolutely can't get something out of your head, go read your Bible. If you are paying attention you will not be able to think those things at the same time. Memorize it. Find verses that apply to what you are struggling with and learn them. Then you can quote it to yourself if you can't get to your Bible.

2. Sermons. I listen to sermons frequently while going about my work around the house. Not only are you concentrating on that instead of your wrong thoughts, but the Scripture will be changing your life at the same time.

3. Good music. Listen to music that uplifts and encourages you. There are plenty of songs that remind us of God's attributes and abilities.

4. Praise. Stop whatever you are thinking and start praising God. Thank Him for everything He's given you. Do this multiple times a day.

5. Pray. God can handle your emotions. You can tell Him your fears. You can tell Him how someone hurt your feelings. You can tell Him the things that make you mad. You don't have to tell everybody else. And then you can leave those things with God.

I also try very hard to be careful what I put into my mind. I watch very little television. My husband and I typically watch some show that we carefully pick out and that's about it. I don't watch the news. I'm careful about what music I listen to and what books I read.

Let's try to line our thoughts up to God's Word this week and see how it affects our lives!

Happy Memorial Day

How much our soldiers and their families have sacrificed! I am thankful for everything they have given and for our wonderful country!

Friday Favorites: Reminders



A Week of Reminders

1. A friend of mine from college visited this week. She is preparing to go to Papua New Guinea to work on Bible Translation with Wycliffe. What a challenge! But it made me think about how very thankful I am to have the whole Bible in my own language! And to be able to read it!

2. Justin and I took Micah to the playground last night. Every time I go to the playground I am reminded how careful I want to be about my tone of voice! Most of the parents' tones make me want to cringe.

3. People always come before my lists. The needs of my family are more important than any to-do list I might have. That's often hard for me to realize when I'm busy checking things off my list :)



Micah was wearing Justin's shirt this morning. It was pretty funny!

He was waiting on Daddy to open the door!

I think he enjoyed the shirt. He's an adorable child!

Wearing daddy's sunglasses at the park!

Driving the lawn mower around the yard!

In Times of Adversity

Sometimes life isn't what you expected or wanted or hoped for. Sometimes you get bad news. Sometimes people hurt you. Sometimes you are discouraged, let down, or fearful about the future. But God is using those times to shape you into the person that He can see you being. He has a beautiful master plan that we cannot see.  Even knowing that, you have to make it through those valleys. Here are some things that have helped me in the past.

Helps for the Hard Times.

1. Reaffirm your commitment to Christ regardless of the outcome of the situation.  It reminds you what your goal in life is and I believe it warms God's heart as well.  Job 13:15, "Though he slay me yet will I trust him:"

2. Don't blab your problems to everybody you see. Nothing screams "I don't trust God!" more than "I'm so upset! You'll never believe what happened!  What am I going to do???" Take your problems to Jesus. You can tell Him over and over and He won't get tired of hearing you. And tell a trusted advisor or friend so they can be praying with/for you.

3. Pray for the needs of others. Their problems are as big to them as yours are to you. It's also good to get your mind off yourself.  Matt. 7:7-11, Luke 11:5-13

4. Spend extra time giving thanks. It's easy to get totally caught up in the problems and miss the wonderful things God has done and is doing in your life. Remind yourself of how God has manifested Himself in your life in the past.

5. Memorize Scripture. Quote it to yourself over and over to remind yourself of God's truth. Some of my favorite verses in hard times include Is. 43:2,7; Is. 26: 2-3; Pro. 18:10; Ps 23; Is. 41:10, 13; Jer. 29:11; Ps. 138:3; Ps. 139. Quote them to yourself over and over and over to combat fear and worry and to remind yourself that God is in control and has not left you.

6. Rest extra. I find it's harder to keep from feeling overwhelmed when I am tired. Take a short nap. Get in bed earlier.

7. Follow your normal routine. Did that sound contradictory to Number Six? You do need extra rest but it does not help you or your family for you to sit and stare at the wall. Get up and get going. God will give you strength.  Especially be faithful to your Bible reading and prayer time, your work at church, and your service to your family.

8. Look for ways to bless others. Once again, take the focus off yourself and bless someone else.

There is an end to everything, even the darkest trials. And God is working even when we can't see it.

Chicken Alfredo

I love pasta! And Olive Garden is at least an hour away so it's necessary to make it myself. And it's much cheaper that way too!  And please don't look up how healthy this dish is. It's not. I have a friend on Weight Watchers and she calculated the Weight Watchers points. It's better not to know! 

It's a very simple dish to make. Only a few ingredients.
3/4 pound pasta of choice- I used penne becaues it's much less messy than fettuccine
1 1/2 cups broccoli, frozen or fresh
2 chicken breasts, cooked and sliced
1 tablespoon butter
1 pound mushrooms, sliced
2 cups heavy whipping cream
2 tsp. garlic powder
1 cup parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish

Cook pasta according to package directions. Add broccoli for the last three minutes of cooking time. Do this while you are completing the following steps. Melt butter and small amount of oil in deep pan.

 
Add mushrooms and cook for two or three minutes.

Pour in heavy whipping cream. Add garlic.

Cook until sauce starts to thicken. It should lightly coat the back of the spoon. Add parmesan cheese and stir while cheese melts.

Slice chicken. I put cajun seasoning on two chicken breasts and seared both sides. Then I cooked for 10-12 minutes in oven until juices ran clear.

Drain your pasta and broccoli.

Add pasta and broccoli to sauce. (This is why you use a deep pan!) Stir to combine and top with more cheese. Then add the chicken and stir.

I made French bread and cut it in half lengthwise. Top with softened butter, garlice, and parmesan cheese.

Toast until broiler until brown. Slice!

Dish up pasta and serve with garlic bread.

Interesting notes: If you are short on sauce you can add milk and stir. Also, to reheat, add a tablespoon of milk and warm in microwave.

This is one my favorite meals! Enjoy!

Friday Favorites: Sewing Table

  

Micah eating a snack and watching Mary Poppins. Isn't he adorable? And he loves cheerios.

Micah's nutritionist had a company send us a low-protein cookbook. I'm very excited to try some of the recipes. They look delicious and appear easy to make!

My hubby bought a table for my sewing machine. My mother-in-law gave me the machine (yes, she's wonderful!) but it's very heavy and I can't lift it right now. So it's been sitting on the closet floor. Not very useful there!

Now my machine is useable! So to figure out how to use it...I guess I'll have to not nap at naptime and play around with it!