Take Charge!

In this passage we learn three things about Lydia. She was a dealer in purple cloth, worshiped God and had a take charge attitude. After she was baptized, she insisted Paul and His companions come to her house. Later her home became a place of worship. Lydia didn't wait to be asked to provide a place for Paul, she didn't sit around until someone asked her to do something, she saw what needed to be done and did it.  New and old Christians often struggle with this. We aren't sure of our ability or if we can really be of help, but just as Lydia stepped forward and offered, we need to also.  We need to be looking for opportunities to serve instead of waiting to be asked to serve. Be on the lookout today for opportunities to serve God, it maybe as simple as making a phone call or opening a door, but it is still an opportunity to take charge and serve.

Acts 16:13-15 NIV

13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. 14 One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. 15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us. 

Who has been your angel?

Elijah was distracted, discouraged and doubting! He was running for his life, couldn't see how things could get better and doubted if he made any difference. I am guessing we have all felt this way at one time or another. We get distracted by a situation, feel helpless to change it and doubt if we are making a difference, we just want to sit down and mope! But just as God sent Elijah an angel, He sends us angels too. Who did God send when you were feeling discouraged?? Maybe it was a call, a friend stopping by, a loved one checking on you. God sends us help in our times of doubt and discouragement, He gives us the energy and hope to go on. Thank God today for the angels He has sent you!  Also thank Him for making you someone else's angel, because I know each one of you have been!

1 Kings 19:3-6 NIV)

3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 5 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 6 He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.

Perfect!

Many of us try very hard to be perfect! We struggle daily with trying to do the right thing, say the right thing, be the right thing for others. How can God expect us humans to be perfect? He can because His definition of perfect is different than ours and He has transformed our lives and given us the Holy Spirit to help us. Being perfect isn't doing good things or trying to be godly, it letting God express His life through us. It is exhibiting God-like characteristics without even realizing it. When we truly trust God and let the Holy Spirit guide ours lives, giving control to Him and not the world, then we will fulfill this verse. We will be perfect without ever realizing or agonizing over it. God made us to be like Him, we just need to get out of the way and let Him live in and though us!

Matthew 5:48 NIV
48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Paths and Ways

I have prayed these verses before, but as I read them again I wonder if I really meant it. Do I really want God to show me His ways and teach me His paths. His ways are not always easy, glamorous, or popular. His path maybe bumpy, uphill and through seemingly scary places. To the world God's ways and paths may seem like this, but to Christians they are full of love, joy, and companionship. When we allow God to show us His ways and paths, we grow in our relationship with Him, we trust more and love harder.  Though the it may not be how you imagined it, let God show His path and ways, let Him teach you the truths and then enjoy being filled with love, hope and companionship that never ends! 

Psalm 25:4-5 NIV

4 Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. 5 Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Being a Grandma or Nonna or Queenie!

At the age of 50, I now have a granddaughter!  She is a month old and I still don't know what I want her to call me.

Grandma
Nonna (Italian translation of grandma)
Queenie (this is my favorite, but not my daughters)


When I was growing up you just called your grandparents Grandma and Grandpa or Grandmother and Grandfather.  My girls were the first of the grandkids and they called my mom Grandma and my dad Pawpaw.  Of course that stuck through the rest of the grandkids.

When my daughter first found out she was pregnant she asked what we wanted to be called and 10 months

later we still can't decide.  I think my husband would like Nonno (Italian version of grandpa), that is what he called his grandpa in Italy.  So I am thinking Nonno and Queenie!! Queenie comes from the boys at work calling me queen!

What are your thoughts? Here are some photos to help you decide!!

Craft Room Explosion

Many of you don't know it, but I am a craftaholic, though not just with one craft, but many.  Seems I can't not have something in my hands, be it a book, knitting needles, computer, beaters, food or my newest craft - making wreaths.

Over the years I have tried my hand a rug hooking (the old fashioned type with strips of wool and they call you a hooker), making and painting Victorian style birdhouses, making baskets, short dabble at jewelry making, woodworking, knitting and crocheting, cross stitch, another short dabble at scrapbooking, and various little crafting projectes along the way.  I still paint a little, do woodworking, sewing, and knitting and crocheting.

Recently I have added deco mesh and burlap wreath making to the list.  I had seen the wreaths on Pinterest and a friend at church had made some and I was really interested in making one, so I did the thing I do best and googled it!  I watched a few videos, read a few blogs, asked a few questions and started.  I have been making wreaths for about 4 months now and I have seen improvement in my skills and clutter in my craft room

 

One of my first wreaths

Last two wreaths I just made

Speaking of my craft room, formerly my oldest daughter's room. I was prompted by my youngest daughter, when she and her husband bought a house and she wanted the bed in that room, to make that room into my craft room.  I wasn't sure about it, but she convinced me I didn't need the extra bed and did need a craft room. Well I am not sure that was such a good idea. As the youngest often says now, "Mom, it looks like Hobby Lobby had a baby in your craft room!"

I had great intentions of organizing the "room" while we were off on Christmas break, but I barely made a dent.  However, Jim and I are working slowly on adding some organizational items and stacking and hanging things.  It is looks better all the time.

I was going to post a picture of it, but still not wanting to embarrass myself too much!

Next post will include some of my recent knitting projects and burlap wreaths.  Now I am try to figure out how I can work from home so I can craft more! I also have a great recipe for you, forgot to take pictures when I made it last.  Have to work on remembering to do that!

Have a blessed day and stay warm! (20 F here right now)

New Recipe

It has been forever since I have posted, but tonight I tweaked a recipe from Pinterest and wanted to remember so I thought I should just blog it!

Taco Casserole - My version

I had pinned this recipe recently for a low cal taco casserole, Healthy. Delicious. "Doritos Locos" Taco Bake.  It looked delicious and just 272 calories per serving so I decided to try it tonight.  I didn't have garlic or ground beef or ground chicken, so I swapped a few things.

Here it is:

24 corn tortilla chips

1 sm.-med. onion

2 t. olive oil

pinch of red pepper flakes

1 - 12.5 oz canned chicken, drained

1 T. taco seasoning

1 can black beans, rinsed

1 sm can diced green chilies

1/2-1 c chunky salsa

3/4 c. shredded cheese

1. Heat oven to 350

2. Heat oil and red pepper flakes in skillet

3. Add onions and sauté until soft

4. Add chicken and taco seasoning. Break up chicken and stir all together

5. Heat for about 5 minutes and then add black beans, chilies and salsa.  Heat until no longer juicy. (My salsa was very think so it didn't take long.)

6. Line bottom of a casserole dish (I used a 2 quart dish) with the tortilla chips, press down to break chips into bite sized pieces.

7. Spoon chicken mixture on top of chips and top with cheese.

8. Bake for 20 minutes.  

Serve with sour cream or guacamole and extra chips

Approximately 272 calories per serving and 7+ WW Points

Happy, healthy eating!