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Good Intentions

“We are a culture trained to be a great starter but not a finisher”

-Beth Moore, A Woman’s Heart God’s Dwelling Place. Video session 9.

I am a gal filled with good intentions. I daydream and plan loads of things, good things, and helpful things. The problem is, is that they usually don’t come to pass. I have purchased supplies to create beautiful things, and ingredients to cook delicious things to just have them collect dust and turn rotten. I am by no means a mass collector of stuff, (I actually loathe clutter, even the secret kind) I am just a do it tomorrow person.

When watching the above mentioned video, my heart was deeply convicted. Out of all I have learned and studied the past 10 weeks in this Bible study God decided this is where he wants me to focus a little more intently and seriously.

I seriously made the exasperated sigh generally reserved for teenage parental annoyance. Seriously, of all things to call me out on You are choosing to call out my good intentions?

It brought me to a place that had me looking and praying long and hard as to why God was calling out this seemingly, insignificant part of my life. Here is what I learned. God wants me to make the most of my gifts and abilities. By not following through I am falling prey to laziness. Not just to my good intentions but to the most important parts of my life such as prayer, worship, wife, mother, homemaker, homeschooler, etc… I’ve looked over my life lately and see where my laziness as crept into every facet of my life. Several verses came to mind but the one that really stuck to me was Proverbs 14:23, “In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.”

So all my talk and good intentions is stealing my full potential of what God has in store for me. It never ceases to amaze me that God longs for us to strive for righteousness and He uses, sometimes, interesting outlets to bring forth change in us.

I am always a work in progress but I am sure glad to know that God sees the value in me and puts forth the love and time to help me to be all He has created me to be. What an awesome God we serve.

Has the Lord convicted you of anything recently? I would love to know how God is working in your life.

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

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Categories Faith, Family

Homemade Corndog muffins

21 Aug

I have been inspired by many Pinterest recipes some with and some without success. Here is my version quick, easy, and delicious. Keep reading for the printable recipe.

This is all you need!

My lovely assistant is demonstrating putting the hot dog pieces into the muffin pan.

Cover each hot dog piece up with some batter and bake for 15 minutes.

Voila! Let cool in the pan for about 5 minutes to avoid them becoming a crumbly mess . Was it a success? Let’s find out….. Two enthusiastic thumbs up from my boy-o-boy. He prefers it with no cheese. As for my Mells?…..

She gives it two thumbs and two toes up! She prefers hers with cheese.

Like it spicy? Add some chopped Jalapenos to the batter. Want it more meaty? Go ahead and add more hot dog to each cup. Have fun making it your own!

This recipe is economical, healthier than the fried alternative especially if you use turkey dogs. It is quick, and easy enough the kids can help! Makes a great on the go meal. Thanks for visiting!

Click here for Printable Recipe

~ Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

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Tags: baking, baking with kids, believers, Bible, blessed, blessing, cheap dinner, cheap meals, children, christ, Christian, christianity, comfort, cooking, cooking with kids, corndog muffins, corndogs, dinner, eal planning, easy, economical meals, Eternal Vaue, faith, family, family fun, food, fun, God, gratitude, homemade, homemade corndogs, homemaker, homemaking, housewife, husband, Jesus, Joy, kitchen, Lord, love, meal plan, media, motherhood, muffins, parenting, Pinterest, quick dinners, quick meals, recipe, recipes, scripture, Servant, servants heart, serving, teaching, Truth, wife, Woman

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Categories Food

Strawberry Cheesecake Salad

15 Aug

There is something about the words strawberry and cheesecake that just makes my day. So imagine my delight on a recent Pinterest pin-fest that I came across this little gem. So in my usual fashion I decided to make my sweet and sometimes brave family guinea pigs once again. If you are interested in this recipe keep on reading.

This and love is all you need.

Add the yogurt, cool whip, and pudding mix into a bowl and mix well. Place in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

If you made it the whole hour-pat yourself on the back. Add all sliced strawberries, bananas, and marshmallows. Mix well.

Just for the sake of “science” I dished two little scoops on the plate. Portion 1-NO crushed graham crackers. Portion 2-With crushed graham crackers. So what’s the verdict?……..

Two enthusiastic on camera thumbs up and three off camera thumbs up. No graham crackers was the winner.

We really enjoyed it and it couldn’t of been easier! It is best when served fresh . If you would like a little crunch-go ahead and get wild and add some crushed graham crackers on top.

Recipe:

12 oz whipped topping (Cool Whip)

3.4 oz box cheesecake flavored pudding ( don’t add the milk)

3-6 oz strawberry yogurt

1 lb fresh strawberries, sliced

3 bananas, sliced (do this right before serving to prevent browning)

Miniature marshmallows (I used 1/2 the bag)

Thaw whipped topping if frozen. In a large bowl stir together whipped topping, yogurts, and pudding powder. Place in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Wash and slice strawberries. Before serving add strawberries, bananas, and marshmallows. Add crushed graham crackers on top if desired.

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~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

Tags: baking with kids, believers, Bible, blessed, blessing, budget, budget dessert, budget friendly dessert, budget friendly meals, budget meals, children, christ, Christian, christianity, comfort, cooking, cooking with kids, cream cheese, dessert, dinner, easy, easy dessert, easy recipe, easy recipes, Encouragement, Eternal Vaue, faith, family, food, fruit, God, gratitude, homemaker, homemaking, Jesus, Joy, kids, Lord, love, media, motherhood, no bake, no bake dessert, parenting, prayer, recipe, recipes, recipes for kids, salad, scripture, Servant, servants heart, serving, simple recipe, simple recipes, strawberries, strawberry cheesecake, strawberry cheesecake salad, summer salad, tasty, teaching, wife, Woman, yogurt, yummy

Comments 9 Comments
Categories Food

Something Funny Happened on the Way to the Grocery Store

9 Aug

I found myself alone in the car today. I was feeling a little sorry for myself-Stressed at the first week chaos of homeschooling and all the little things that come up in life. I won’t lie, there were tears. Oh poor me tears. Self consuming tears. Selfish, life isn’t fair tears. But then, something funny happened. God showed up in a song and it changed my heart. A song I’ve heard a hundred times, but today the words came to life.

It got me thinking about how very blessed we are to live in a country where we are free (for now) to share our thoughts and opinions, to disagree, to think freely, to dress as we please, to go where we please, to eat what we please and to worship our God freely and openly without fear. This is normal life to us. We don’t really appreciate these freedoms until we are reminded that life isn’t so everywhere else.

I know many friends who came here seeking a safe place to lay their heads. Coming from places so volatile that all they can mutter about it is that they are blessed to be here. Perspective is the greatest humbler. So I will shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth (Psalm 100:1) and I will do it without fear, for I am a blessed American woman! Here is the song that changed my attitude http://youtu.be/_MbcYyOsF50
A prayer for you:
Thank you God for blessing me with being a woman, wife, and mother here in America. Thank you for the blessing of clean water, abundant food, education, and medicine regardless of money. Thank you God for the freedom to worship you wherever and whenever we choose- free from persecution. Lord, I pray for the people who live oppressed persecuted lives. For the people who live in fear and without hope. Lord, somehow someway touch them and deliver them from the bondage. With praise and thanksgiving to you, my mighty, loving King.

How is God working in your life? I would love to know.
~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~
Rebecca

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Tags: American, believers, Bible, blessed, blessing, bondage, burdened, children, christ, Christian, christian music, christianity, Encouragement, Eternal Vaue, faith, family, forgiveness, God, gratitude, homemaker, homemaking, homeschool, homeschooling, housewife, humble, humbler, husband, Jesus, Joy, Lord, love, media, mother, motherhood, music, parenting, perspective, praise, prayer, scripture, Servant, serving, sin, songs, stress, stressed, teaching, transformation, trust, Truth, weary, wife, Woman

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Categories Faith, Family

Dreamy Creamy Chicken Burritos

3 Aug

This is easily one of our favorite meals and it is the most requested by my extended family and friends. Simple, delicious, and slow cooker friendly! Keep reading to get the printable recipe.

You will need: 1-10.5 Oz can of cream of chicken soup, 3/4 C salsa,
3/4 C sour cream, 1/3 C milk, 1-4oz can chopped green chilies and 1 C shredded cheese.

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Set aside.

I sprayed a Pyrex baking dish with non stick spray and added a little
salsa on the bottom of the pan, this keeps the tortillas from sticking
to the bottom of the baking dish.

Cook up the chicken and add the sauce.

Spoon chicken mixture onto tortilla and sprinkle with a little more cheese.
.

Add the rest of the sauce evenly over the tortillas and add the rest
of the cheese over the top.

Let rest for 5 minutes before cutting.

That is if you can wait that long! Enjoy!

Printable Recipe

This is also an awesome dip- I put the chicken mixture in a slow cooker and serve with tortilla chips. Serve with shredded lettuce, fresh diced tomatoes and extra sour cream or salsa! Serve this at your next potluck or dinner party and I promise everyone will want to leave with a copy of the recipe!

~Be Blessed and Be a Blessing~

Rebecca

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Tags: and a sprinkle of love, appetizer, believers, Bible, blessed, blessing, blogger, budget meals, burdened, burritos, casserole, cheap meals, chicken, chicken breast, chicken burritos, chicken dip, chicken enchiladas, chicken enchilida's, children, chip dip, christ, Christian, Christian blog, Christian mother, Christian wife, Christian woman, christianity, church pot luck, comfort, company, cooking, cooking with kids, creamy, crock pot, dinner, dinner party, dip, dreamy, easy, easy dinner, economical meals, enchilida's, Encouragement, Eternal Vaue, faith, family, family friendly, family friendly meal, family meals, favorite meal, food, freezer cooking, freezer meal, God, gratitude, holiday cooking, holiday party, homemaker, homemaking, hot dip, housewife, husband, Jesus, Joy, Lord, love, main dish, meal ministry, meal planning, meals, media, menu, menu planning, mexican, mexican casserole, motherhood, nachos, parenting, party food, party recipes, picnic, pot luck, prayer, quick dinner, recipe. recipes, scripture, Servant, servants heart, serving, simple, simple ingredients, slow cooker, teaching, transformation, trust, Truth, weary, wife, Woman

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Categories Food

The Quarrelsome Wife

1 Aug

A long day, over scheduled, tired mama keeping it together until the garage door opens. In he walks, hoping for the smiling faces, warm embraces, and the imminent smell of dinner. Instead, he walks into a pressure cooker. He already knows he is in for it and immediately wants to be anywhere but home. His home is no longer a safe haven from the world it is a place of discord and tension.
Yes, I am guilty of being that wife. I am guilty of nagging him until he relents, treating him as if he is inferior, and throwing all his shortcomings at him (exaggerated and imaginary ones at that). Shameful! I have seen the tension and pain this has caused him and my family. I don’t want to be THAT wife. So how do I strive to be the wife my husband deserves?
First and foremost I meet with God daily and pray that I would be a wife of noble character (Proverbs 31:10-31). We pray for our family or for so-and-so to change, but really we need to be in prayer for God to help us change our hearts. Secondly, I can’t expect my husband to be my god. If you hold your husband responsible to be your everything-he will fail you and let you down, daily. Give him grace and trust that God will meet all your needs (Philippians 4:19). Respect him. It can be tough, but a man would rather be respected than loved. God doesn’t tell us to respect our husband only if he (name any expectation). God calls our husbands to love us and for us to respect them (Ephesians 5:33). Lastly, prepare for him to come home. 20-30 minutes before he gets home have the kids help you tidy up, comb your hair, brush your teeth, get dressed, do something that makes you feel pretty (make-up, perfume, jewelry, etc). Get the kids excited. A few minutes before he arrives home tell them something like “Hurray, daddy will be home soon, who’s excited? Who will be the first to give daddy a big hug?” or something like that. When the kiddos are excited chances are you will be too!
Just think of the power you have to set the tone of your home. When your husband is greeted by a cheerful wife chances are this man will do just about anything you ask of him. Believe it or not, he really does want to please you, you just have to go about it the right way.
Give it a try and see what a positive difference it makes not only in your marriage but in your family.

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~
Rebecca

Tags: believers, Bible, blessed, blessing, burdened, cheerful, children, christ, Christian, christianity, comfort, couple, Encouragement, Eternal Vaue, faith, family, forgiveness, God, grace, happy, homemaker, housewife, husband, Jesus, Joy, joyful, Lord, love, man, marriage, men, nagging, needs, noble, positive, prayer, proverbs 31, quarrel. quarrelsome, respect, scripture, Servant, serving, stress, teaching, tension, transformation, trust, Truth, weary, wife, Woman

Comments 5 Comments
Categories Faith, Family

Fix it and Forget it Pork Chop Bake

30 Jul

It’s true…making homemade scalloped potatoes is not scary-in fact it is almost fool proof (trust me). This recipe was born out of my love for the potatoes but not of the strange looking dehydrated like potatoes you can buy in the box. This is a fix it a forget it meal. So versatile and you can easily add in extra ingredients and flavors to fit your likes. I will share the basic recipe and from there have fun making it your own!

Ingredients needed to get started.

First step add1-2 bouillon cube (s) to 1 3/4 C water and bring to a boil and remove from heat.
You want the bouillon cube to dissolve. Or go ahead and use equivalent already prepared stock (14 oz.)

In a large skillet heat 1-2 Tbsp olive oil over med-high heat.
Season your chops with salt and pepper.
Add pork chops to pan and brown both sides-3-4 minutes per side.

While chops are frying prep your potatoes.

Nice and golden on both sides.

Add your sliced onions to the same pan. Let the onions cook in the drippings

Remove onions from pan.
Melt 2 Tbsp butter in hot pan.

Add the flour and whisk to make a roux.

Add in the chicken broth and cream of chicken soup( and optional cheese.and any other veggie add ins).Add the onions back in and turn heat to low.

Butter a 13×9 (or whatever works for you) casserole dish. And arrange
potatoes in an overlapping stacking pattern (yes, it is OK to arrange the potatoes in 2 layers-
it will still cook evenly and thoroughly).

Pour sauce over potatoes-no need to mix.

Lay pork chops on top of potatoes. No need to press them down.

Cover with foil and bake in a 350 oven for 65-75 minutes or for extra tender chops bake in
a 300 degree oven for 2-2 1/2 hours.

Ta-Da! Remove foil and let sit for 10 minutes to give the sauce a chance to thicken.

Click Here For Printable Recipe

See-easy 🙂 You can also make this ahead of time and stick it in your fridge until you are ready to cook. Just remove from fridge 30 minutes before baking to allow the pork chop bake to come to room temperature (ensures even cooking time and keeps meat from being tough).

Try adding sauteed mushrooms, different cream soups such as cream of mushroom or cream of celery, or our favorite green beans. Season with your favorite herbs and spices to give it even more flavor. Try adding some grated cheese to the sauce-makes the dish even more decadent! This is also an easy meal to put together to bring to a sick friend or a family with a new baby.

~ Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

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Comments 62 Comments
Categories Food

God Will Meet You Where You Are

18 Jul

Finding a quiet moment when you are parenting little ones can be tricky. There is never enough hours in the day. Sleep is a precious commodity, and going to the bathroom alone requires careful orchestration. We are busy caring for our children and husbands, tackling a never ending laundry pile, cooking dinner, running errands, and a hundred other things. Something has to give and unfortunately that usually means our quiet time (guilty!). Carving out a few minutes to meet alone with the Lord each day is so important-especially in this busy season. What are the benefits? Many. We get direction and wisdom from His word (Psalm 25:4-5). We grow more like God and His word gives us truth and correction (John 17:17). We have the opportunity to delight in the Lord and to worship and thank Him (Psalm 29:2). Those are just a few of the reasons. God will meet you where you are. In the bathroom, in the car, and even at Target. Start small, a few minutes each day. Grab your Bible and/or a devotional and meet with God.

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

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Image courtesy of [debspoons] at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Tags: believers, Bible, blessed, blessing, burdened, business, busy, busy mama, busy woman, chaos, children, christ, Christian, Christian blog, Christian mother, Christian wife, Christian woman, christianity, comfort, delight, devotions, easy, Encouragement, Eternal Vaue, faith, family, food, Frazzled, God, God will meet you, God's love, gratitude, homemaker, homemaking, housewife, husband, Jesus, Joy, Lord, love, media, mother, motherhood, need, parenting, peace, prayer, quiet time, scripture, Servant, servants heart, serving, teaching, time, transformation, trust, Truth, weary, wife, Woman, worship

Comments 14 Comments
Categories Faith, Family

Teaching our Children to Have a Servant’s Heart

2 Jul

More than anything else I want my children to have a servant’s heart and to have empathy for those who are lost and hurting. I want their eyes to be open to see that life doesn’t revolve around them but life could be better for someone because of them. To serve in the name and love of God and not in the name of their ego and pride. To serve knowing their eternal reward is far better than any worldly award or recognition (Knowing it is by grace they are saved not works-Ephesians 2:8). To put all selfish desires aside, religious beliefs, social class, racial class, and any other worldly obstacle aside and love because He loved us first ( 1 John 4:19). To teach them to be ready to give their coat, to bandage a wound, to give a hug, to offer encouragement, to offer a prayer, a listening ear, a strong back, but mostly be ready to tell of their Savior and the great gift of salvation He brings (Proverbs 11:24-25, John 3:16).

How, in the midst of an entitled culture do I do this? First, and most important, I need to be in the word and in prayer. Second, I don’t indulge every whim and fancy of my children. A gift then becomes a real surprise, welcomed with true gratitude. We discern the difference between want and need and they are learning to appreciate a job well done. Lastly, practice what you preach. Your children do as they see not as they hear.

I am a work in progress, always! I fail more than I succeed. I just pray that in the middle of my shortcomings, they see the true intentions and through that, I pray, compassion sprouts.

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

Let’s connect on Pinterest!

Tags: believers, Bible, blessed, blessing, burdened, children, christ, Christian, Christian blog, christian blogger, Christian mother, Christian wife, Christian woman, christianity, comfort, easy, empathy, Encouragement, Eternal Vaue, faith, homemaker, homemaking, housewife, husband, Jesus, Joy, Lord, love, media, motherhood, parenting, prayer, scripture, Servant, servants heart, serving, teaching, transformation, trust, Truth, weary, wife, Woman

Comments 17 Comments
Categories Faith, Family

This is not Heaven

1 Jul

“The song of the whippoorwill. Let her sing. Let her sing in the dark. let her sing at the dawn. Let her song remind you that you were not made for this place and that there is a place just for you. But until then, be realistic. Lower your expectations of earth. This is not heaven, so don’t expect it to be.”

~Max Lucado~

I just now read that. I had to stop and read it a dozen times. As I sat quietly looking this over, this thought came to my mind-“Will what you sow now be worth reaping in the future?” In Galatians 6:7-10 it says that “for the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”

When we live for worldly things it creates turmoil and misery in our lives, well, actually our soul. When we give in to the lusty appetites of our flesh our only gift is endless disappointment. But, when we live under the influence of the Holy Spirit we reap everlasting life.

It is hard to comprehend sometimes. We are fallen and of the flesh brings immediate gratification. Doing something for eternal value sometimes can be uncomfortable and even painful. I needed the reminder that what I do or don’t do has eternal effects. Is what I’m planting going to have kingdom value for tomorrow and tomorrow’s tomorrow?

Not always, but God reminded tonight to be more mindful of my life and those who pass through it. To plant seeds of truth and life. To look up and remember this is only my temporary home. To find my joy in the Lord and to not make this place heaven because heaven will never let us down.

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

Let’s connect on Pinterest

Image courtesy of [ponsulak] at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Tags: believers, Bible, blessed, blessing, burdened, children, christ, Christian, Christian blog, christian blogger, Christian mother, Christian wife, Christian woman, christianity, comfort, easy, Encouragement, Eternal Vaue, faith, family, future, Galatians, God, gratitude, Heaven, Holy Spirit, homemaker, homemaking, homeschool, housewife, husband, Jesus, jesus christ, Joy, life, living, Lord, love, Max Lucado, media, motherhood, parenting, prayer, scripture, Servant, servants heart, serving, teaching, transformation, trust, Truth, weary, wife, Woman

Comments 3 Comments
Categories Faith, Family

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…..and a sprinkle of love

Good Intentions

Homemade Corndog muffins

Strawberry Cheesecake Salad

Something Funny Happened on the Way to the Grocery Store

Dreamy Creamy Chicken Burritos

The Quarrelsome Wife

Fix it and Forget it Pork Chop Bake

God Will Meet You Where You Are

Teaching our Children to Have a Servant’s Heart

This is not Heaven

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