tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48598662258514623262024-03-13T08:04:47.389-04:00One Blessed Mama"Come to me all ye weary and I will give you rest" Matt. 11:28Jodi aka One Blessed Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05658451428090108007noreply@blogger.comBlogger392125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859866225851462326.post-70607312566789666522013-06-30T12:01:00.001-04:002013-06-30T12:01:58.052-04:00Back to the Old Bump and Grind... Menu Plan RestartAfter a couple weeks of sickness and getting our house together while being "quarantined", I am ready to get back to a good routine. For us, a good routine always starts with a menu plan and good home-cooked meals. (<a href="http://backtothetableonedayatatime.blogspot.com/">Check out my other blog... :)</a> )<br /><br />This week, we will be focusing on using up some cooked chicken. There will be quite a few chicken dishes but that won't kill us. :)<br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b><u>Sunday, June 30th</u></b><br />
Treat of Tim Horton's<br />
<a href="http://backtothetableonedayatatime.blogspot.com/2012/01/best-and-easiest-pizza-dough-ever.html">Pizza</a><br />
<a href="http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/make-ahead-meals-cheesy-beef-and-rice">Cheesy beef and rice</a>, salad<br />
<br />
<b><u>Monday, July 1st</u></b><br />
Smoothies, fruit<br />
Sandwiches and pretzels<br />
MIL's birthday dinner<br />
<br />
<b><u>Tuesday, July 2nd</u></b><br />
Yoghurt, fruit<br />
Spaghetti, garlic biscuits<br />
Chili, salad, corn bread<br />
<br />
<b><u>Wednesday, July 3rd</u></b><br />
Breakfast cookies, fruit<br />
Cheese, crackers, fruit<br />
Three cheese garlic pasta, peas, salad<br />
<br />
<b>Thursday, July 4th</b><br />
Easy breakfast casserole, yoghurt<br />
Re-runs<br />
4th of July festivities<br />
<br />
<b><u>Friday, July 5th</u></b><br />
Toast, fruit<br />
Hot dogs, chips<br />
Chicken enchiladas, refried beans<br />
<br />
<u><b>Saturday, July 6th</b></u><br />
Pancakes, breakfast meat<br />
Re-runs<br />
Chicken Divan, salad<br />
<br />
Goodness! I feel so much better already! Who would have thought a simple menu plan would take the weight of the world (or at least a bit) off my shoulders?!Jodi aka One Blessed Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05658451428090108007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859866225851462326.post-41412942833226906002013-06-28T19:56:00.001-04:002013-06-28T19:56:33.529-04:00Peaches - Friend and Fruit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDeK79nsROoQi0KXDVZlPH3APjl60F_VTt9plnz7yeA8MrabvAn5rhyX9hqY8ORXYRZFeMJFknYVQOMxtLlhCjzwWp0nfrGSYVTmcREtvQeaIz1-NpURLdjA-aiZA3o8OP2Yb1Pyej1NL/s1600/IMG_20130628_120121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDeK79nsROoQi0KXDVZlPH3APjl60F_VTt9plnz7yeA8MrabvAn5rhyX9hqY8ORXYRZFeMJFknYVQOMxtLlhCjzwWp0nfrGSYVTmcREtvQeaIz1-NpURLdjA-aiZA3o8OP2Yb1Pyej1NL/s400/IMG_20130628_120121.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I have this friend. I have never met her. She is a rock star. Somehow, she always knows just what I need to hear.<br />
<br />
Things have stunk around here lately. After weeks of a really sick boy, we finally found out Dylan has pertussis. He is miserable. I am tired and miserable. Miserable times.<br />
<br />
Life must go on. I know this sounds silly but peaches had to go on. Peaches were on sale and needed preserved.<br /><br />
I am tired. I have the can't help its. I haven't had a good night's sleep in weeks but in my mind, I see a chance at saving money, being frugal, making healthy foods and stocking up for winter dancing through my mind.<br />
<br />
So what did I do? I went and got peaches.<br />
<br />
Erg! What was I thinking?! Half way through, I was sitting here, resenting those stupid peaches. So MAD at those stupid peaches. Ridiculous, huh?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/your-home-is-beautiful">Enter Laura's post about her house. Laura has a house. Laura has an awesome house but sometimes, Laura doesn't like her house. Laura changes her thinking and sees it as a blessing.</a> Laura recognizes and is thankful for her blessings and in turn, reminds me to look at my blessings and be thankful.<br />
<br />
Peaches. I am so tired of peaches. However, let's break this down...<br />
<br />
We had money to buy peaches. We have jars, pectin, lids, rings, lemon juice, sugar and all the kitchen tools needed to make the jam and put on the peaches. I am alive to make peaches. I have kids to eat peaches. I have a husband that makes such an approving taste of the peaches. In the winter, we will have fresh peaches.<br />
<br />
I am blessed. Blessed by peaches. Not just the fruit peaches but the peach of a friend and sister of Christ. Thanks, Laura! <3 p=""><br />
Coming soon, I will share how I preserved those peaches! :)<br /><br /></3>Jodi aka One Blessed Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05658451428090108007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859866225851462326.post-55865978473877634772013-03-14T11:08:00.001-04:002013-03-14T11:08:07.229-04:00And again...Lately I have been reading a lot of Christian Living/Homemaking/Parenting books. And here I sit. Depressed as can be. I know the purpose is to show me that others are going through the same trials and can overcome it. Yet here I sit overwhelmed tired. Feeling like a failure. A big fat mommy failure.<br />
<br />
Not enough patience.<br />
<br />
Not enough energy.<br />
<br />
Just plain tired.<br />
<br />
I hate to say I need a break but I do. I know it's selfish... and again, the guilt continues.<br />
<br />
I used to use this blog as an outlet. Now I avoid it. I yearn to be transparent but fear I will be seen as a negative Nelly.<br />
<br />
Frustration again.<br />
<br />
Where do I turn?<br />
<br />
Anyone out there dealing with this as well?Jodi aka One Blessed Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05658451428090108007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859866225851462326.post-39524755392442382582013-02-04T05:31:00.000-05:002013-02-04T05:34:37.349-05:00A Work in ProgressI have been up for hours.<br />
<br />
I have been thinking for hours.<br />
<br />
There have been many situations that presented themselves this weekend. Situations in which I made the wrong choices. Situations in which I let my insecurities and the devil interfere in what I should have done.<br />
<br />
I have been beating myself up for hours about how I made choices in which I am not proud. But I know just as the insecurities that are flooding me right now, this unmerciful beating I am giving myself is not from the Lord.<br />
<br />
I sought His forgiveness and once again, He delivered. It is I that cannot forgive myself. As I sit here and delve into His word, I am comforted that He knows me.<br />
<br />
Yes there are many things I need to work on. I yearn to love others as He loves me and them. I yearn to show compassion and understanding. I yearn to reach out and comfort.<br />
<br />
Though I am not prone to those feelings, with His help and guidance I can bring them to fruit. But the key is to not beat myself up when I fail. I will continue pressing ahead.<br />
<br />
So.... Next time....<br />
<br />
When a hurting heart is before me, instead of listening to the thoughts others have placed in my head, I will reach out.<br />
<br />
When my kids are rowdy and not listening, I will choose grace and love.<br />
<br />
When a mama reaches out and tries to get to know me, I will pull out a chair and welcome her instead of being scared.<br />
<br />
When a friend isn't who I thought they were and hurts me, I will continue to love them and try to get to know them.<br />
<br />
I will smile more.<br />
<br />
I will look people in the eyes when they talk to me instead of being nervous and look away.<br />
<br />
I will try to hug more.<br />
<br />
I will be more patient with myself and my husband.<br />
<br />
I will reach out.<br />
<br />
I will worry less about what others think of me and if they like me and instead will be more concerned if He is seen in me.<br />
<br />
I will focus on my relationship with the Lord, my marriage, raising little souls for Him and our haven before I concern myself with outside affairs.<br />
<br />
I will do my best and let the rest go.<br />
<br />
I will stop beating myself up.<br />
<br />
I will see myself as the daughter of the Most High King.<br />
<br />
I am His...Jodi aka One Blessed Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05658451428090108007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859866225851462326.post-32414023505711030982013-02-01T11:20:00.000-05:002013-02-04T05:18:22.398-05:00Mind Swirling, Purging on you & IPKWsWhat a title!!<br />
<br />
Goodness. I am about to purge a whole bunch of thoughts and feelings and ramblings on you. I'm pretty sure that if you continue reading, you might have wished you had clicked the "x" at the top right corner. ..<br />
<br />
Where to begin?<br />
<br />
Let's just be completely transparent and dive in. Many of noticed my mood. My funk. My yuckiness. My lack of initiative. My lack of it all. All but the couch and the TV. I don't know if you can say that I have been battling the waves of depression or if I'm just tired and recovering.<br />
<br />
I have been a hot mess. A hot mess I tell you.<br />
<br />
Let's begin with the journey our family began at the beginning of the new year. We, after YEARS of prayer and God-searching, left the only church that any of us had ever known. We had researched, watched sermons and prayed over churches for months. We knew the one God was calling us to try. We have really enjoyed it but...<br />
<br />
It has been a struggle.<br />
<br />
Much more than I had ever thought. It has opened sores, past hurts, insecuities and questions in myself that I had never known existed. It's made me examine.<br />
<br />
It has been extremely hard to go to a place where people have to get to know you. Where people aren't just family and where people like you to like you, not because you're related or they wiped your bottom.<br />
<br />
It has been equally as hard to let people get to know you when you don't know you. I don't know who I am anymore. I don't know what's important to me. It's so hard to step out of your family's faith and stand on your own two faith feet. It's been painful. Painful especially when you see such disappointment in their eyes. It tears me up.<br />
<br />
Let me take you back to the moment when I realized JUST how important this decision and many decisions I am making are...<br />
<br />
----------------------------------------------<br />
December 14th, 2012 at 12:13 - I catch a quick glance of the news. Why is the news on? It's never on. I don't like my children to hear the news.<br />
<br />
Wait. A school shooting?! What is going on?!<br />
<br />
For the next hours, I hold my babies and glance out the window waiting for Dylan to get home from school. It had been hours of excruciation. I had been fighting the urge to go and grab him from the school and yell with all the hurt in my heart for those families... "I can't trust you! My child is safe NO WHERE but with me!". I didn't. It was hard. And honestly, it was only the Lord that kept me from making a fool of myself and upsetting my child.<br />
<br />
Over the next few days my mind was a whirl with questions. How can I keep my babies safe?! How can I keep them from harm? Should I bring them back home to be schooled? Should I allow them to ride with anyone but me and Andy? Should I put bars on the windows of our home?<br />
<br />
After days and days of the questions, only one answer resounded....<br />
<br />
I couldn't.<br />
<br />
There was nothing I could do to protect them against everything. Nothing.<br />
<br />
Honestly, it was the scariest, most humbling realization. It hurt. A lot.<br />
<br />
The only thing I could do was make sure they were being fed every spirititual fruit available. Make sure that no matter what happened here on Earth, their hearts and souls and lives were the Lord's.<br />
<br />
Now, that task felt more daunting and overwhelming than protecting them frome everything.<br />
<br />
I am a disappointment. I am a screw up. I mess up all the time. How could God give these little hearts to me?! WHAT was He thinking? He most not be perfect because that was a HUGE mistake. There was NO way I could prepare these precious hearts for eternity with Jesus. I cannot even seem to keep my own together.<br />
-------------------------------------------------------<br />
For well over a month, I have been fighting these feelings and many others. I have been fighting the lack of love for myself and others. The mass disappointment I feel for myself. The questions for the Lord. I have been fighting.<br />
<br />
I am tired.<br />
<br />
I have been praying and searching.<br />
<br />
This morning, I went to take a shower and next to the bath tub was my favorite book EVER. I picked up the book and began reading.<br />
<br />
How good God is to have sent an angel to place that book right in my sight this morning!<br />
<br />
As I read this book, I realized. I am NOT perfect but I am HIS. I will not be able to reach my children without Him. He knew just what He was doing when He gave me those beautiful blessings. Who am I to question?<br />
<br />
Reading this book, I have come to see that it's OK if my mission field isn't in Haiti or down town Dayton. God has given me a mission field at my home. God has given me little souls to make His. I am blessed.<br />
<br />
As I read on, the idea of IPKWs came to grow.<br />
<br />
IPKW = Intentional, Purposeful Kingdom Work<br />
<br />
In my home and in the lives of my children, I need to be intentional and purposeful in my pursuit to guide them to the Lord. It's OK if I am just finding my own two faith feet. We can learn together. God will guide me and what better teacher could I ask for?<br />
<br />
I have begun to pray about my IPKWs and as the Lord guides, I will work on those Kingdom Works and once God has allowed them to come to full fruit, I will move to the next.<br />
<br />
This is going to be hard. It's not going to be fun. Just like finding a church that is a better fit for your family, it might be met with looks of disappointment and tears BUT if you seek the Lord's guidance and yearn to walk with Him, it will be worth every minute. If we give our hearts, our lives and our homes over to the Lord, He WILL deliver.<br />
<br />
I pray that my journey will be a light to you and that the Lord's goodness be shown...<br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<br />
<br />Jodi aka One Blessed Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05658451428090108007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859866225851462326.post-25060465019140379982013-01-25T21:14:00.001-05:002013-01-25T21:15:27.225-05:00He's Got the Whole World in His hands...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq89KXA9TYGNQ7DoFYnqkHMMwYG-wIX5JWGk-M0aTviXMWBb_3qwdWo90ReY9eEmSIX4EOWaKXNOz3M0fsHU_ejH36P2y2snxAG4pCBpdy6AhosLDADyeSIBne-GIRlU-cWD6gRW6qsQgb/s1600/God's+Hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq89KXA9TYGNQ7DoFYnqkHMMwYG-wIX5JWGk-M0aTviXMWBb_3qwdWo90ReY9eEmSIX4EOWaKXNOz3M0fsHU_ejH36P2y2snxAG4pCBpdy6AhosLDADyeSIBne-GIRlU-cWD6gRW6qsQgb/s320/God's+Hands.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Today was tough. Maybe one of the toughest days I've had in a long time. Before getting to the hospital, I got a text from a friend who has been in Cleveland clinc undergoing surgery and procedure after procedure for cancer. She said that she was praying for me and to please text her how the surgery went so that when she woke up in a week she would know. Red flags went up! A week?!<br />
<br />
Taryn is being placed into a medically induced coma. The doctors are baffled as to why they aren't able to treat some of the symptoms. All they can think to do is to induce the coma so that her body can rest.<br />
<br />
I am so scared and anxious. To explain what kind of girl she is would not be possible. Words cannot express.<br />
<br />
So for the next week, I will probably use my blog as a sounding board for my fears and someone to "listen" to as I am anxious to her from her.<br />
<br />
I end this entry with an encounter I had today when I was getting being discharged from the hospital...<br />
<br />
Today this little old lady walked Andy back to see me in recovery. As they walked up, I noticed that she<br />
was holding Andy with both hands. I know that I am a bit groggy but ... she came over and whispered in my ear that she had been praying for me that morning and that I was in the palm of God's hands. She kissed me and walked away. I have joked about it today but it touched me in ways I cannot explain. Today, I know for sure that God sends angels to comfort those He loves.<br />
<br />
As I pray for Taryn, I am sad and scared but I know how amazing she is... I cannot blame God for wanting to go another day without her by His side. So today, I pray for God's will and I pray that I have the strength and grace to accept it. Tonight I pray for the many people who love her. I pray for peace of mind and heart.<br />
<br />
I am in love with a Savior who has the hold world - even Taryn and myself- in His hands.<br />
<br />
Will you join me in praying for Taryn?Jodi aka One Blessed Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05658451428090108007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859866225851462326.post-57979409067291902232013-01-10T19:45:00.000-05:002013-01-10T19:45:13.781-05:00Day 12 - Replacing The Negative Stuff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITAy1qfKk8ba9KPrbblthLRApuZ6kT_30Avc0lb1euHKCfxyfjTTTblTjbXWI8ZSOtv3tATz7y9PstibTNVx2AEqB06QeZM0huQxjTYHzsRXibTTB6MtOvAZJCrelFBQCdzC4UTidr0Iw/s1600/be+positive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITAy1qfKk8ba9KPrbblthLRApuZ6kT_30Avc0lb1euHKCfxyfjTTTblTjbXWI8ZSOtv3tATz7y9PstibTNVx2AEqB06QeZM0huQxjTYHzsRXibTTB6MtOvAZJCrelFBQCdzC4UTidr0Iw/s400/be+positive.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Negative thoughts invade. I find that when I am alone with my thoughts they push their way in. Washing the dishes and humming a favorite song suddenly turns to the dark thought side.<br />
<br />
<i>How could I do that?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>What's wrong with me?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I cannot believe I thought that. I am so stupid!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Then comes the comparing myself to others.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4WnaacdOWVS1ljtXQcnkV1hkKZfZJYB1EtRx_bGYIPYWoM1Wyz3jMr2SI5vtoT8t3A5qrZPmaHwTDHYaQIsXmrLdcrGniX_ZfEGpQvqQg4YGNHS-tZ1XiIVqFXfIV10BeyZyEREFO1kC/s1600/love-yourself.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4WnaacdOWVS1ljtXQcnkV1hkKZfZJYB1EtRx_bGYIPYWoM1Wyz3jMr2SI5vtoT8t3A5qrZPmaHwTDHYaQIsXmrLdcrGniX_ZfEGpQvqQg4YGNHS-tZ1XiIVqFXfIV10BeyZyEREFO1kC/s320/love-yourself.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&newwindow=1&tbo=d&tbm=isch&tbnid=QeJjDoceMVKVoM:&imgrefurl=http://insignificantatbest.com/2011/09/15/friday-learn-anything/&docid=Vcwf3zK6WRsgsM&imgurl=http://insignificantatbest.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/love-yourself.jpg&w=1000&h=800&ei=jF_vUIbXIJLq0QGK2YBw&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=475&sig=112086109207123360035&page=1&tbnh=141&tbnw=176&start=0&ndsp=10&ved=1t:429,r:8,s:0,i:136&tx=82&ty=116&biw=910&bih=400">Photo Credit</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Today I urge you to dream big and rid yourself of all those negative thoughts and self-doubts the Devil is feeding you. <a href="http://oneblessedmamaofboys.blogspot.com/2011/10/comparison.html">While you're at it, take a minute and read an old post that I wrote</a>. It rings just as true now as it did when I wrote it. :)<br />
<br />
<br />Jodi aka One Blessed Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05658451428090108007noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859866225851462326.post-14616862569993245842013-01-09T17:51:00.001-05:002013-01-09T17:51:19.404-05:00Day 11 - When Stuff Happens <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYrXIpC9vsQwSgLbdd89eZ-hoDwOnVW0NM-PmKRCcLBj2lzbZy4G1uONKFmTYD3_wny65HA26X9I5TnFNDaI_pmsnpqv8TDx1L5SM0nfsQZtSfwaze-iwUH_rlF0xeKSdqrM68bM4ofrqV/s1600/praying_hands_005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYrXIpC9vsQwSgLbdd89eZ-hoDwOnVW0NM-PmKRCcLBj2lzbZy4G1uONKFmTYD3_wny65HA26X9I5TnFNDaI_pmsnpqv8TDx1L5SM0nfsQZtSfwaze-iwUH_rlF0xeKSdqrM68bM4ofrqV/s320/praying_hands_005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Stuff happens... Goodness - it happens often.<br />
<br />
I feel Satan attacking me. I feel him threatened. He is attacking me from every direction. He knows he's losing the battle with me - so he attacks more and harder.<br />
<br />
Death, sickness, uncertainty and spiritual battles have been been one after another this new year.<br />
<br />
What happens when we feel stuff continually happening?<br />
<br />
An old hymn my grandpa used to sing proclaims...<br />
<br />
<i>"My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ the Solid Rock, I stand. All other ground is sinking sand!"</i><br />
<br />
My answer is to give it all to Jesus. The good, the bad and the ugly. Give it ALL to Him.<br />
<br />
<i>Will you join me?</i><br />
<br />
Lord Jesus - I give it all to you... My faith and in times, my lack of faith. My fear and my strength. My marriage. My children. My finances. My womb. My health. My possessions. It's Yours. Be glorified.Jodi aka One Blessed Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05658451428090108007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859866225851462326.post-6025783505872558562013-01-07T14:56:00.002-05:002013-01-07T14:56:56.422-05:00Organizing Your Stuff<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwhdY4v4xdIR27FqgShN2rVuGFFA3qJGaRqipirNG7JLXVQ51iVM8Yap-Ebw2AD82JogrmuLyDsuHwktRlctTsoweduS62EUkmaLHnulF3iWjRY7-EW4NJtdd6ASFvz9uhDmTMKZP6A6be/s1600/organize+list.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwhdY4v4xdIR27FqgShN2rVuGFFA3qJGaRqipirNG7JLXVQ51iVM8Yap-Ebw2AD82JogrmuLyDsuHwktRlctTsoweduS62EUkmaLHnulF3iWjRY7-EW4NJtdd6ASFvz9uhDmTMKZP6A6be/s320/organize+list.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I feel kind of like an imposter writing a post on organization.<br />
<br />
Honestly quite often, I do the bare minimum. Enough to get by. But often times, it is not nearly enough and I find myself ready to pull my hair out.<br />
<br />
This year and on, I want to be diligent in being good stewards of my blessings by organizing them.<br />
<br />
My first step is my time. I have been allowing time to run me and not the other way around. I want to be intentional about a routine and putting events directly on the calendar. <br />
<br />
There are also many different daily planners (also known as homemaking binders) that you can put together. (Click <a href="http://resolvetosimplify.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-homemaking-binder.html#comment-form">here </a>to view mine... ) You can go to almost any homemaking blog and search and there homemaking binder will appear. The important thing is to mold it to what works for you and your home.<br />
<br />
The next area to work on is organizing the material stuff. After I have decluttered, every will have a "home" or a place it belongs. This is vital when trying to teach little people to put away. If there is a specific home, they know the place it belongs and there is no question.<br />
<br />
There are MANY organizational tools and products out there. Many homemakers and moms find that <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/">Organized Junkie</a> is an awesome resource.<br />
<br />
As soon as I have my home decluttered from the Christmas craze, I am going to begin finding homes for everything. I feel a long road ahead of me but one that I am sure will be worth every minute!<br />
<br />
<i>What are your organizing tips and secrets?!</i><br />
<br />Jodi aka One Blessed Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05658451428090108007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859866225851462326.post-27216106048242501522013-01-04T09:37:00.000-05:002013-01-04T09:37:36.305-05:00Day SIX of our Journey - Decluttering that STUFFI think I have found the key to cleaning and decluttering. Almost anything that I HAVE to do but don't necessarily like to do...<br />
<br />
Do it with a friend!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyv2tZS_K03ScIR5ts8s3nihQYlQ_aU3QIIJPjaiOI1wUi6mdJlfkz6IKrP8vVdwmALjMRUcLjx-k3OC9IxMOyP_yK8owctsKlS0HRr4XQ2xIzf9dJ6M7qFaPjHAJBzjDUCJaskmcEGaqU/s1600/tour_cleanup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyv2tZS_K03ScIR5ts8s3nihQYlQ_aU3QIIJPjaiOI1wUi6mdJlfkz6IKrP8vVdwmALjMRUcLjx-k3OC9IxMOyP_yK8owctsKlS0HRr4XQ2xIzf9dJ6M7qFaPjHAJBzjDUCJaskmcEGaqU/s400/tour_cleanup.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://goodearthfarmschool.com/">Photo Credit</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
When I say, "Declutter with a friend...", it has to be a special friend. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A friend that has stuck around through those bad monthly times. Those times of crazy hormonal pregnancies and crazy melt downs. A friend who will stick with you through the thick and thin. A friend that really loves you. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The kind of friend who can say, " I love you but you don't need five popcorn poppers." </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The kind of friend who can handle it when you exclaim, "But we LOVE popcorn and one might BREAK!"</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It is important to remember a few things when you find a cleaning/decluttering buddy and dive into it - </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<ol>
<li><b>Make a plan before you jump in.</b> Think about it rationally. If you are a new declutterer, don't resolve to get rid of everything. You will go into shock and regret it and get bitter after.</li>
<li><b>Think of where you want the stuff to go. </b>I know for myself, thinking of giving the excess stuff to people who will need it or turn it into cash to put towards debt excites me. This helps me push through.</li>
<li><b>Find a friend that is patient</b> and will continue to plow through all the stuff even with your nasty comments about how she just doesn't understand. You need that large tote of wire hangers! </li>
<li><b>Find a friend that you can tell your goal and they will hold you accountable. </b>For me, I know that my husband is not a good fit. We both are hoarders (we like to call it frugal!) by nature and we always find some kind of reason to keep everything. Also, I often get very offended when he wants me to get rid of my treasures. (He just doesn't understand. I NEED 73 pair of flip flops!)</li>
<li><b>Carry out your plan.</b> It will hurt but if you made a realistic plan, it will feel better - not worse.</li>
<li><b>Remember! </b>Remember that you are going to help your friend in turn go through their clutter. Make sure you treated them how you want to be treated because its their turn to be nasty about their plastic plate collection to you! (We NEED 27 plastic plates. We might have GUESTS!)</li>
</ol>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZSHaYyS2N9sLYk1penXnuGnZsYGt1fQairycrDEMnuiBAgXAsnQWu955ThcQl2SIzbIOVLGqtaP73kcU_GDerLjPvXLymOQ9hBcLyxRvarRnXqEhYaR97pxCjH7bmaocYS-ah0XDkrwD/s1600/168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZSHaYyS2N9sLYk1penXnuGnZsYGt1fQairycrDEMnuiBAgXAsnQWu955ThcQl2SIzbIOVLGqtaP73kcU_GDerLjPvXLymOQ9hBcLyxRvarRnXqEhYaR97pxCjH7bmaocYS-ah0XDkrwD/s400/168.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
All the "conversations" above are just a couple of the crazy pack-rat comments that I come up with. All have been said by me at one time or another. This summer, we decided to get serious about getting rid of our clutter. We get rid of about 30% of our stuff in the downstairs. People have walked into our house and asked if we've been robbed. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We still have a lot of stuff but we have drastically cut down. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If I can do it, anyone can do it. It was painful. I wanted to cry. However, it was so worth it. I can clean my house faster and there are many less toys to fight with my children to pick up. We can find and LOVE the things we have even more. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When I think of clutter and STUFF, I think of a zap to me. It zaps my energy, I have to clean. It zaps my joy because I am continually harping for people to clean up. It zaps my time. I have more time to spend loving on my children and doing fun things with them. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Getting rid of the clutter has really brought more peace and joy into my life. Have I "arrived"? No way. I am still on the journey to rid our house of unnecessary things but I am trying and making progress. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>How about you? Do you struggle with the clutter and stuff that is all around you? Or do you have a good system to rid your home of clutter?</i></div>
Jodi aka One Blessed Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05658451428090108007noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859866225851462326.post-51199511552716672392013-01-03T13:16:00.003-05:002013-01-03T13:16:50.886-05:00Day FIVE of our Journey - Hmmm....<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yesterday I wrote about how I wanted to start a series on stuff. I began the series and was sure to continue it today... but I'm not going to. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Today I am going to write about letting my self be still and silent. Listening to His small voice. Our 2013 has started out on a sad note. I am in the midst of what some would consider a spiritual battle and I just need to be still. I yearn for His voice. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So today, I am putting down the stuff and waiting patiently for His voice and guidance. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations. </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>I will be exalted in the earth"</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">- Psalm 46:10</span></div>
Jodi aka One Blessed Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05658451428090108007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859866225851462326.post-2234924271033259812013-01-02T08:49:00.000-05:002013-01-02T08:49:25.721-05:00Day Four of our Journey - Stuff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5tIrBpvgg1_X60bG9IGOX37TnBPNUk54ItmOgpBhY5ybgAokq4o6F7xSqY5xWBoGDXv2Xwb6tgn_AYFZWGOmxgQfr6wG0ye3mu1IsvQk8i_F03Aw3xpzNgEYPzthCZaxt_oR6xSPAqrX/s1600/384c81f638.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5tIrBpvgg1_X60bG9IGOX37TnBPNUk54ItmOgpBhY5ybgAokq4o6F7xSqY5xWBoGDXv2Xwb6tgn_AYFZWGOmxgQfr6wG0ye3mu1IsvQk8i_F03Aw3xpzNgEYPzthCZaxt_oR6xSPAqrX/s320/384c81f638.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I am going to be starting a series on stuff. Just that stuff. Could I get more specific? Eh. Maybe but probably not. I will narrow it down a bit ... Here is a list of what I intend on covering.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Stewardship of the material stuff we have been given. </li>
<li>Decluttering the material stuff.</li>
<li>Organizing the material stuff.</li>
<li>Getting rid of that negative stuff in our minds and replacing it with positive.</li>
<li>When "stuff" happens...</li>
</ul>
<div>
-----------------------------------------------</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Stewardship of Stuff - </b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's a new year. A new beginning. I know in my family we were so blessed to receive more stuff. Our family and friends were so gracious and gave us not only what we wanted but a lot of what we needed. This year I was pleased with how intentional and thoughtful people were. I truly know they were thinking and praying for us as they browsed for our gifts.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I really feel the need to be more intentional about the stewardship of the stuff we have been given. I need to take better care of and maintain it better. If it is broke, fix it. If it out, put it away. If it is dirty, clean it. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So often I leave it for tomorrow an it becomes a bigger mess than if I would have just taken care of it today. Beginning today, I am going to be more intentional about taking care of all the material possessions we have been blessed with. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>What about you? Are you a good steward over your material possessions? Do you work a little harder to keep them nice and maintained?</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Jodi aka One Blessed Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05658451428090108007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859866225851462326.post-17884014027294503682013-01-01T22:05:00.001-05:002013-01-02T08:58:00.137-05:00Days two and three of our Journey - Contentment<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.100000381469727px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<b>Philippians 4:11-12</b>- </div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.100000381469727px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<i>Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.</i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.100000381469727px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
Being content. I struggle with being content. I always want to move on to the next thing. I never sit and rejoice in the moment. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.100000381469727px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
That needs to change. I need to be happy where I am. I need to be content. Enjoy this season of life. Enjoy where the Lord has me. Be a witness in the day in which I am living. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.100000381469727px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
My next step in making all the changes from 'Burb Girl to Cowgirl is to find contentment where I am. Even if it's in the middle of this stinkin' suburb where the neighbors are drunk and rude. Where my soul and spirit feel dampened. I will lean on God. He knows the plans for me (Jeremiah 29:11). He is guiding me. He has blessed me. He does good for all those who love Him. He knows my heart and I must trust in His timing.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.100000381469727px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
It's OK to make plans and work towards the future (Proverbs 6:6 - 8) but I should not get so wrapped up in them that I miss out on today. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.100000381469727px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
How about you? Do you struggle with rejoicing right where you are in life? Do you long for the next thing? </div>
Jodi aka One Blessed Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05658451428090108007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859866225851462326.post-88491249209550430512012-12-29T16:02:00.000-05:002012-12-29T16:04:10.354-05:00Day One of our Journey - The Day of Rest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKErSwfSYHKnH0ZbQsekNyI9DLNG_JGBQHX1JtxXi5S9YsVeUDVmvt8YNoKtgBZ4RJrfuoeO7cH9AUZsglxbFsOCt_9bXMvc6ppHX9hETzDa1amWrSP8xPtQnv-v8hYLqYxqjix5yAAGDl/s1600/Rest_Stop_Brown_Bear-1600x1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKErSwfSYHKnH0ZbQsekNyI9DLNG_JGBQHX1JtxXi5S9YsVeUDVmvt8YNoKtgBZ4RJrfuoeO7cH9AUZsglxbFsOCt_9bXMvc6ppHX9hETzDa1amWrSP8xPtQnv-v8hYLqYxqjix5yAAGDl/s320/Rest_Stop_Brown_Bear-1600x1200.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I guess I should begin by making sure that I communicate clearly. This is now my journal. A way to look back and reflect. A way to see blessings and some not so great decisions. A time to learn. This is MY and my family's learning. Therefore, when I write posts, I am writing for my family and my opinions of my life. I would never tell anyone how to live. My hope is that through my writings, you will be stretched and maybe find some new ways of doing things. If you don't, that's fine too. You can just sit back and call me crazy. It's OK, I have already heard it a few times. :)<br />
<br />
How fitting it is to start this journey the day before the Lord's day. A day to worship the Creator of all things, relax and reflect. A time to rejoice in praise and rest while rejuvenating our mind, body and soul. It is fitting because it's the foundation, the backbone one might say, of setting up a productive and God-filled week. A week of hard work and staying on track. A day to be thankful for the blessings that abound.<br />
<br />
The Sabbath has been abandoned. We fill our schedules and we run, run and run some more. If the Lord of Lords, the God of the Universe, had to take a break after six days of hard work, why would I think that I would not? Am I super woman? Do I have more strength to continue? God did not take the day to rest because He was tired. I really don't know that He gets tired. He's amazing and perfect. I think He took the day to reflect and look back on what he achieved during the days before.<br />
<br />
The first step in our journey is to embrace the Sabbath. Go back to how the Lord would like it.<br />
<br />
I will be working very hard (and it will take some preparation) to not cook, clean, use the computer or internet and abstain from places in which someone has to work on the Sabbath. Is that extreme? Some might say it is. However, as you can probably tell, I am an extreme person.<br />
<br />
I also know that for some, the Sabbath is not Sunday. For that, I totally understand. Find a day during the week that works for you. A day where you can look back at the six days before and know you've done your best work. A day where you can put everything aside but your love for your Father and family. Relish the moments. Enjoy the day. Relax.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="heading passage-class-0" style="background-color: white; color: #5c1101; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span class="text Exod-20-8-Exod-20-11" id="en-MSG-1048" style="text-indent: -1em;">Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Work six days and do everything you need to do. But the seventh day is a Sabbath to <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">God,</span> your God. Don’t do any work—not you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your servant, nor your maid, nor your animals, not even the foreign guest visiting in your town. For in six days <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span> made Heave</span><span style="text-indent: -1em;">n, Earth, and sea, and everything in them; he rested on the seventh day. Therefore</span><span style="text-indent: -1em;"> </span><span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps; text-indent: -1em;">God</span><span style="text-indent: -1em;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -1em;">blessed the Sabbath day; he set it apart as a holy day. </span></b></span></div>
<div class="passage version-MSG result-text-style-normal text-html " style="background-color: white;">
<div class="hang-1" style="margin-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: -1em;"> - Exodus 20: 8 - 11 (Message)</span></span></div>
<div class="hang-1" style="margin-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: -1em;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="hang-1" style="margin-left: 1em; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 16px; text-indent: -1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>What about you? What does the Sabbath look like for your home?</i> </span></span></div>
</div>
Jodi aka One Blessed Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05658451428090108007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859866225851462326.post-57853162957226520122012-12-29T12:42:00.000-05:002012-12-29T12:51:50.663-05:00Dreams Become RealityLet's just get this out of the way... I am twenty-eight years old. I feel much, much older but I guess in the whole picture of life, I'm not really that old. Maybe it was just the toll three boys took on my womb. I swear I had soccer players before they were born.<br />
<br />
With feeling old and being a mama of young chickens, the feeling that this is all life is and that there isn't time for your dreams to unfold engulfs your mind. That is the battle in which has been raging at the forefront of my mind. Add that to the fact that I have no self-confidence and I feel people will laugh at it, and I'm stuck. I'm in this limbo of wanting a dream, yearning actually and the feeling that I don't know where to begin and it's silly. I feel like I have multiple personalities. The devil versus angel on the shoulder. The same old debate. I know others have it. I know I cannot be the only one...<br />
<br />
It is time to take a stand. A time to hold fast to the promises of God. It is time to put on my big girl (hmm....) panties and take hold of my life. I am tired of living life, scratch that riding the wave of life being scared.<br />
<br />
With much prayer and a passionate heart, I am embarking on a new journey. A journey in which I will finish and see to the end with the Lord's help. A journey that will redefine me and refine my family. One in which we will grow.<br />
<br />
My dream involves bringing all my passions to one place... A farm. A piece of land. A place where my heart can soar and peace engulfs me.<br />
<br />
I yearn to live off the land. Be self-sufficient (to a point.). Raise our kids along side of my husband. Be free of debt and worry about money. Give continually. Share my passion of raw nourishing foods. Teach others. Raise free range beef. Work hard and love harder. Be content and peaceful. Look at the windows and see the hard work.<br />
<br />
And mostly... I want to share my journey. I want to be a testimony to God's enduring promises. I want the Lord to use me. I want to live daily in His grace and love and share it with others.<br />
<br />
So... With that being said... I am back. I am going to write. I am going to share the ups and downs of our journey. I am going to share and pray that this blog portrays me... A Jesus lovin', help-meet to Andy, mother to three amazing boys 'burb girl and her journey to the land. The land she feels in her heart she can find peace. Will you journey with me? Will you pray for me? Will you laugh with me through the ups and downs - mistakes and blessings? Will you lovingly hold me accountable? Will you DARE to dream with me?<br />
<br />
Once again, pull up a chair. I know you're tired. Open your eyes to the possibilities of your dreams becoming reality. And will you dream big with me?Jodi aka One Blessed Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05658451428090108007noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859866225851462326.post-7063995832252234782012-12-27T21:12:00.001-05:002012-12-27T21:12:23.483-05:00Jesus isn't in the Manger - A Christmas TaleAs I sit and reflect on Christmas a couple of days ago and the time leading up, I am sad. I am disappointed. I was blessed but something was missing. Someone was missing. I misplaced Jesus. He not only wasn't in the manger, He wasn't at the center of my thoughts.<br />
<br />
Every year, I begin to prepare for the Advent season and every year, it seems, I get off track. The hustle and bustle is more than I can take. I give up before it even gets started. I am overwhelmed. I am saddened by the commercialism and materialism. I stop. My excitement wanes. I hide.<br />
<br />
For five days we ran back and forth, each moment slammed packed with another celebration. Another place to be. It was too much. By Christmas morning, the boys were holding on to the door frame and we were pulling them trying to get them to go to another event. They just wanted to be still (How often can you say that for boys!?). They just wanted to play. It broke my heart but I had to get us to the next place. If we weren't there and there on time, someone might be angry. Someone's feelings might have been hurt.<br />
<br />
As I sit here and reflect, I cannot help but wonder where Jesus was in my celebrations. Only speaking for myself, He wasn't at my heart and mind's center. Jesus was missing from the manger. The reason my heart yearns to celebrate was not present.<br />
<br />
I cannot help but wonder how many people especially mamas feel like this during the Holiday season? How many feel that Jesus was missing from the manger? And as mamas and women of faith, how can we make sure our hearts and minds are focused on the baby that lay there?Jodi aka One Blessed Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05658451428090108007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859866225851462326.post-80703167093045041302012-11-29T20:27:00.000-05:002012-11-29T20:27:00.005-05:00Eggnog Bread<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsEY1EG6Z_nTy0v3MENKZcK_CLAaOwefPIO_lmOArkO8HaCIG8GOy9ytCMrPziZaS0gIE40oK5lJStDqMG28yKqbr9vMpTQDv8yLMB7xWdQuANXUJGW6nM_GT5GyuCPj36EJedKhYlUji/s1600/eggnogbread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKsEY1EG6Z_nTy0v3MENKZcK_CLAaOwefPIO_lmOArkO8HaCIG8GOy9ytCMrPziZaS0gIE40oK5lJStDqMG28yKqbr9vMpTQDv8yLMB7xWdQuANXUJGW6nM_GT5GyuCPj36EJedKhYlUji/s400/eggnogbread.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>Eggnog Bread</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Mix in bowl #1-</li>
</ul>
<br />
2 ¼ cups flour<br />
2 tsp. Baking powder<br />
½ tsp. Salt<br />
¼ tsp. Nutmeg<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Mix in bowl #2 (large bowl) - </li>
</ul>
<br />
2 eggs<br />
1 cup sugar<br />
1 cup eggnog<br />
½ cup melted butter<br />
1 tsp. Vanilla<br />
½ tsp. Almond extract<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Add to dry ingredients in bowl. Mix well.</li>
<li>Bake in greased loaf pan at 350 for 45-60 minutes.</li>
<li>When cool, frost with a mixture of ½ cup powdered sugar, ½ tsp. Vanilla, ¼ tsp. Nutmeg, add enough eggnog to reach consistency of a glaze.</li>
</ul>
<br />
Jodi aka One Blessed Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05658451428090108007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859866225851462326.post-17555423898644670632012-11-29T19:56:00.001-05:002012-11-29T19:57:07.821-05:00Pumpkin Gingerbread<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2aKyj3y0qTs1fuUL1lmBFr38ZZo7J43SGT5Hplm8nXDr6frg9mbAkpdPPiqk-gdW4_q-peak8DRa-0k7HKutjlUnrE1b50F8p54lolBnIqWGWtZzifkjhlT9TBL16tIC7Z2EdymaboVO/s1600/IMG_3468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2aKyj3y0qTs1fuUL1lmBFr38ZZo7J43SGT5Hplm8nXDr6frg9mbAkpdPPiqk-gdW4_q-peak8DRa-0k7HKutjlUnrE1b50F8p54lolBnIqWGWtZzifkjhlT9TBL16tIC7Z2EdymaboVO/s320/IMG_3468.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
<b>Pumpkin Gingerbread</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
2 ½ cups brown sugar</div>
<div>
2/3 cup vegetable oil</div>
<div>
4 eggs</div>
<div>
1/3 cup milk</div>
<div>
1/3 cup molasses</div>
<div>
16 oz. Can pumpkin</div>
<div>
2 tsp. Ginger</div>
<div>
1 tsp. Cinnamon</div>
<div>
1 tsp. Cloves</div>
<div>
1 tsp. Nutmeg</div>
<div>
3 ½ cups flour</div>
<div>
2 tsp. Baking soda</div>
<div>
1 ½ tsp. Salt</div>
<div>
½ tsp. Baking powder</div>
<div>
1 tsp. Vanilla</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Preheat oven to 350. </li>
<li>Grease 2 loaf pans or 6 mini loaf pans.</li>
<li> Beat sugar, oil and eggs until smooth.</li>
<li>Add milk, molasses, a nd vanilla and beat until well blended. </li>
<li>Beat in pumpkin and spices.</li>
<li> In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. </li>
<li>Add to pumpkin mixture and blend just to mixed. </li>
<li>Bake one hour. </li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I made some of this for my husband and son's birthday party this weekend. The clan gave it two thumbs up! I thought it was pretty good but it is REALLY hard to beat the Eggnog Bread!</div>
Jodi aka One Blessed Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05658451428090108007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859866225851462326.post-76769852078219323132012-11-22T07:12:00.002-05:002012-11-22T07:12:43.803-05:00Blessings....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0rlTtUP5Wwe-8BBBeGS5vfqTBLloSnjM1O0yKbIvElfezW55cOsMGXfhg1qn8g_x-jOKZfcj5kMa91qRYvNPc0pzpPIZtz3C_xNU0_-MBTZSfkfiPF-8ksvxMVVgOUyXIHLiR4L2VaTF/s1600/01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0rlTtUP5Wwe-8BBBeGS5vfqTBLloSnjM1O0yKbIvElfezW55cOsMGXfhg1qn8g_x-jOKZfcj5kMa91qRYvNPc0pzpPIZtz3C_xNU0_-MBTZSfkfiPF-8ksvxMVVgOUyXIHLiR4L2VaTF/s400/01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As the craziness of the Holidays begin to unfold. Don't forget to go to the Lord</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in thanks for your many blessings. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Thanksgiving!</div>
Jodi aka One Blessed Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05658451428090108007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859866225851462326.post-19360123671195203112012-11-16T11:35:00.000-05:002012-11-16T11:35:34.281-05:00BEST and Easiest Pizza Dough EVER! :) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2fRoOIMiQ8CnAxDv0E2JmoHHPYKSenyLlxvIUk5XmL4Kobgf2Rm_zYmj0zb4nfadtk-8o0wqvT-6fpHtvbgI2q15uI4zgUJyaXW3yaX5uzaSpPovhuznvGpyhuwBlgEXuxe8yx4whyphenhyphenLE3/s1600/pizza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2fRoOIMiQ8CnAxDv0E2JmoHHPYKSenyLlxvIUk5XmL4Kobgf2Rm_zYmj0zb4nfadtk-8o0wqvT-6fpHtvbgI2q15uI4zgUJyaXW3yaX5uzaSpPovhuznvGpyhuwBlgEXuxe8yx4whyphenhyphenLE3/s400/pizza.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.866666793823242px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.866666793823242px;">Remember this <a href="http://oneblessedmamaofboys.blogspot.com/2009/09/family-fun.html">post</a> about finding ways to have some family fun? This pizza has made it all come together!!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.866666793823242px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.866666793823242px;">This crust keeps my family from having pizza delivered! It is just that yummy and easy. All you need to do is plan ahead BECAUSE you put everything in the bread maker and allow it to do the work! Easy-Peasy! :) </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.866666793823242px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.866666793823242px;">Put in machine in this order:</span><br />
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.866666793823242px;">
<li>1 cup and 2 Tablespoons water</li>
<li>2 Tablespoons olive oil</li>
<li>3 cups flour </li>
<li>2 Tablespoons Parmesan cheese</li>
<li>1 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning or pizza seasoning</li>
<li>1 teaspoon sugar</li>
<li>1 teaspoon salt</li>
<li>1 teaspoon garlic powder</li>
<li>2 1/2 teaspoon yeast </li>
</ul>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.866666793823242px;">Select the dough setting and walk away! After the bread maker's dough setting is complete, punch down dough and spread onto pizza pan. Add choice of sauce and toppings. Bake at 400 for 18-20 minutes.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.866666793823242px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.866666793823242px;">Go ahead! Give it try this weekend. The only think you'll regret is not doing it sooner! :) </span>Jodi aka One Blessed Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05658451428090108007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859866225851462326.post-822290347504101422012-11-16T09:16:00.001-05:002012-11-16T09:16:23.848-05:00The Battle Within<br />
Many changes are happening at the Davis Dwelling...<br />
<br />
So much to talk about. I have recently began an adventure into Direct Sales and it took off with a boom! Yet there is still this constant battle within. This battle telling me to simplify my life. Telling me to make time slow down. Telling me that this is not my dream.<br />
<br />
With the government the way it is, I am scared. I am nervous. We are on the edge of a financial collapse. Am I the only one who sees it and feels it? I think not.<br />
<br />
Even with that feeling, I have allowed us to stay right where we are with our finances. NOT GOOD! So I am back and I am ready to fight debt with all I have. I am going to open our wounds and let you see the real stuff. Not the stuff that feels good and makes it look like we've got it together because we don't. Not at all. The stuff that makes us vulnerable and holds us accountable. The stuff that shows we are human but with God's help, we can conquer.<br />
<br />
Will it be easy? I think not.<br />
<br />
But will it be worth it? I am sure it will.<br />
<br />
Please join me and take part in your own debt obliteration OR just sit back and pop some popcorn and watch and join us as we celebrate and struggle. We are going to do this.<br />
<br />
First goal - Current by January 1st! Who's with me?!<br />
Jodi aka One Blessed Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05658451428090108007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859866225851462326.post-62311176382602187592012-07-25T21:18:00.000-04:002012-07-25T21:18:01.456-04:00Dear Leaders<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Dear Leaders - </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Just because you do God's work... does not give you the right to treat people poorly. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Just because you're a man of God... you don't have the right to make people feel inadequate and silly. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Just because you are a church leader... you do not have the right to make decisions and hurt people in the process. The church is not your free reign. It's the Lord's.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Just because you are a leader... you don't get have the right to take a teenager a side and belittle him and make him feel horrible because he forgot to take his hat off in the sanctuary. The Lord is glad that he is here helping shape young minds for Him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Just because you are a leader... you don't just get to say what you want and act how you want all the while not caring about how others fee.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Just because you are a leader... you do not have the right to say whether my son will be dedicated because my son's sperm donor was not a Christ-follower.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Just because you are a leader... you don't have the right to pick your favorite group and make everyone else outcasts. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Just because you are a leader... you don't have the right to judge.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Just because you are a leader ... you don't have the right to say one thing and do the other.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Just because you are a leader ... you don't get the right to call other people out. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Dear leaders... I am aware that everyone is human and sins. However, you are not exempt of the teachings in God's word. You are still held to the same standards, if not higher than everyone else. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"<span style="font-size: 16px;">Not many of you should become teachers, </span><sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30321A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup><span style="font-size: 16px;">my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged </span><sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30321B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup><span style="font-size: 16px;">more strictly." - James 3:1</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />Jodi aka One Blessed Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05658451428090108007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859866225851462326.post-66185478630638432232012-07-09T16:25:00.001-04:002012-07-09T17:07:54.103-04:00This is Heaven?!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkZB3cawn8DR9My-otBIvLl8EeutY9wfHSSQiVAXCU9f1Oc6qtvILhjOfRJC10-tf0YwGYbRBCeLWuhK56ig3tVzr9OakfqGrwAb2zpTv8m8-19IiBYyaTF_QIfDpZYDWEjRMSvEXo858/s1600/clouds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkZB3cawn8DR9My-otBIvLl8EeutY9wfHSSQiVAXCU9f1Oc6qtvILhjOfRJC10-tf0YwGYbRBCeLWuhK56ig3tVzr9OakfqGrwAb2zpTv8m8-19IiBYyaTF_QIfDpZYDWEjRMSvEXo858/s320/clouds.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">Revelation 22:1-5</strong><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><b>Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.</b></em><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Time to be honest. I struggle with the idea of Heaven. How could a place where I am not known as Andy's wife or Dylan's, Lincoln's or Kristian's mama be a perfect place? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am a control freak and the unknown sends me into a panic attack. I feel so unholy sometimes when I get scared about Heaven. I feel like less of a Christ follower. However we were made to feel homesick for Heaven.<br /><br /><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">Philippians 3:20-21 </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><b>But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.</b></em></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">While I know I should not doubt, I find comfort in that the Lord went to Thomas and showed himself. The Lord knows my doubts and my heart. He knows of my deepest love for Him and understands that I do not doubt because of a lack of faith but more a fear of the unknown.</span></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>John 20:27</b></span></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This morning my son, Dylan, asked me a hard question. He often does that. He asked ... "if people disliked Obama so much, what will they do if he is in Heaven with us?" My wheels began turning. All I do could was quote scripture and pray he understood.<br /><br />The Bible calls us to love everyone. And I am going to say it... Even politicians. Even people we feel are out to destroy our beloved country. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Matthew 5:43-48 </span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“<em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.</em></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When I begin to feel anxious about the leadership of the country, I try to bring a few things to the forefront of my mind. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The first, the Lord knows how it's going to play out. Though we have a will of our own and other's have a will of their own, God has a plan. He is here. Right. Smack. Dab. in the middle of it all. Even an election year. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong>Isaiah 46:9</strong></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b style="background-color: white;">I am God, and there is none like me, </b><b style="background-color: white;">declaring the end from the beginning </b><b style="background-color: white;">and from ancient times things not yet done. </b></i></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b style="background-color: white;"><br /></b></i></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Second - He is always listening to my concerns and heart. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Phillipians 4:6</b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.</i></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Third - The Lord is going to take care of the judging of our leaders and I need to steer clear... </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Romans 2:1</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgement on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgement to do the same things.</span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fourth, the Bible calls us to respect and submit to authority. Even if we don't like it or them.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Romans 13:1-7</b> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil. Wherefore it is necassary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them; tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to who fear; honor to whom honor."</span></b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Lastly, the Bible is very clear about how we enter the gates of Heaven. Through Jesus Christ alone. I know not the heart of Obama and I will not know of his heart when his time on this Earth is through. I might very well be sitting in Heaven next to Obama.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">John 11:25</span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live</span><span lang="en-us" style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">.</span><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">”</span></i></b>
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Does that scare me? Ummm... Yes. However, it empowers me. There is no one, NO ONE, whom I wouldn't want to share eternity with and I will begin praying for the Obamas. Though I am frightened by what the leadership is doing to our country and I couldn't disagree with them more, I will pray for the hearts of the Obamas and all leadership. I will be praying for our country and I will be praying that love abounds and Christ is shown through all things.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Will you join me? </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #336666; font-family: 'Josefin Sans'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #336666; font-family: 'Josefin Sans'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>Jodi aka One Blessed Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05658451428090108007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859866225851462326.post-63967725895117412352011-12-13T09:10:00.000-05:002011-12-13T09:10:49.132-05:00New JourneyI am embarking on a new journey. Andy and I decided there is no time like the present to curb our terrible habit of eating out and often in front of the TV. Please join me and walk beside me through comments and following on this new excursion! Love and prayers are much appreciated! :)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://backtothetableonedayatatime.blogspot.com/">Back to the Table One Day at a Time - 365 Day of Only Eating at Home and Around the Family Table</a>Jodi aka One Blessed Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05658451428090108007noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859866225851462326.post-67878017987527898702011-11-13T12:00:00.003-05:002011-11-13T12:03:15.092-05:00Chicken!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>We are now home from vacation and we're ready to embark on a new journey! Without too much being said, we are entering a time of life in which we need to start minding our financial "Ps and Qs" even more.<br />
<br />
I am quickly finding just how much growing boys can eat. With a husband, three growing boys and God-willing more in the future, I really need to learn how to stretch our food budget all the while trying to obtain good nourishment!<br />
<br />
This week I am going to issue a challenge for myself. I have a family pack of split chicken breasts that has been in the freezer for a while. I am going to challenge myself to make as many nutritious meals out of that chicken as possible.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CYpvValY4S-KauZXVLz4iADkupNp5h2zJAaPZmNAyyHtu6g9yH9T-MvuSArkc7NfNh119jBYFV0387H04HN7donHyFM1w-Cz1WvVCqG58n36pdO3MFqgSARNq6R1CyL2j8d7mJSI5Gu1/s1600/raising+chickens+with+a+rooster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CYpvValY4S-KauZXVLz4iADkupNp5h2zJAaPZmNAyyHtu6g9yH9T-MvuSArkc7NfNh119jBYFV0387H04HN7donHyFM1w-Cz1WvVCqG58n36pdO3MFqgSARNq6R1CyL2j8d7mJSI5Gu1/s320/raising+chickens+with+a+rooster.jpg" width="249" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.backyardchickensite.com/chicken-coop/raising%2520chickens%2520with%2520a%2520rooster.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.backyardchickensite.com/&h=392&w=306&sz=218&tbnid=xvgkqvwvPsYhuM:&tbnh=94&tbnw=73&zoom=1&docid=zeV1f0csj3NxxM&sa=X&ei=0Pe_TsOnOIWL2AWZlqXhBw&ved=0CE0Q9QEwBw&dur=490">Photo Credit</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Now I know that some would say, "Cook it and refreeze it so you won't get burnt out on chicken." but I'm not one of those types. If it goes in the deep freeze, it stays until we clean it out. As hard as I try, I just cannot keep up with what I have in that big ol' thing.<br />
<br />
Enter...<br />
<br />
<b>Operation 5 1/4 lbs. Chicken Breast Challenge</b><br />
<br />
I used to just bake the chicken with some seasonings and call it dinner, however I need to learn how to stretch it further and bring more vegetables onto our plates.<br />
<br />
I will begin the challenge Sunday night. I will be putting chicken into a slow cooker with vegetables and allow the chicken to slow cook - I will be saving the vegetables to make bone broth.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Monday</b>: </i>2 cups chopped chicken - no broth<br />
<a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/easy-chicken-enchiladas-2/detail.aspx">Chicken Enchiladas </a> - with re fried beans and salsa<br />
<br />
<b><i>Tuesday:</i></b> 4 cups chopped chicken - 4 cups of broth or broth from cooking chicken<br />
<a href="http://oneblessedmamaofboys.blogspot.com/2010/01/white-chicken-chili.html">White Chicken Chili</a> - with salad and bread (This while make enough for several lunches and LOs)<br />
<br />
<b><i>Wednesday</i></b>: 1/2 cup chopped chicken - no broth<br />
<a href="http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/easy-alfredo-sauce">Chicken Alfredo</a> - with salad<br />
<br />
*I will be making the chicken stock out of the bones and vegetables for other meals*<br />
<br />
<b><i>Thursday:</i></b> 2 cups chopped chicken - 4 cups of chicken stock<br />
Chicken Gnocchi sou- with garlic bread and salad<br />
<br />
<b><i>Friday:</i></b> 1 cup of chopped chicken - no stock<br />
<a href="http://oneblessedmamaofboys.blogspot.com/2009/09/bbq-chicken-pizza.html">BBQ Chicken Pizza</a> - fruit and veggie tray<br />
<br />
<b><i>Saturday:</i></b> 1 cup of chopped chicken - no stock<br />
Chicken Quesadillas - with Spanish rice and chips and salsa<br />
<br />
<b><i>Sunday:</i></b> 2 quarts chicken stock<br />
<a href="http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2009/06/crockpot-baked-potato-soup-recipe.html">CP Baked Potato Soup</a> - with sandwiches<br />
<br />
<b><i>Monday:</i></b> 1 cup shredded chicken and remaining chicken stock<br />
Chicken and Noodles - with green beans and mashed potatoes<br />
<br />
<b><i>Tuesday</i></b>: 1 cup of shredded chicken<br />
<a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/buffalo-chicken-dip-79116">Buffalo Chicken Dip</a> - with tortillas, chips and salsa<br />
<br />
As I look through these meals, it's really going to be a stretch to get all these meals out of 5.36 lbs of chicken but we're going to give it a whirl! :) If I get all of these meals out of that chicken, I will be stretching one chicken into NINE meals!<br />
<br />
Wanna take the challenge with me? Go ahead, try it! :)Jodi aka One Blessed Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05658451428090108007noreply@blogger.com1