This morning's Sermon....

This morning our sermon was profound....it hit me so hard, that I honestly wish I had stayed home and not heard the word.  I know that sounds terrible and it IS terrible, but I feel so burdened.  Surely others felt the same way, but I find myself with a real dilemma.  It seems that I always have a real spiritual dilemma anymore.  You see, several months ago, I started praying for true spiritual discernment...I ask GOD to break my heart for the things that break his; to show me areas in which I need to grow; to show me my gifts and where I can be of use.  While I wanted clarity, sometimes it is really overwhelming.  I feel he has shown me more than I can really even deal with at times.  For months, I felt led to leave my dream job.  Finally, I found the courage to do so....and the end result was misery for me.  My days were very unsatisfactory and I just didn't understand.  In the last month, GOD has powerfully shown me why I left my previous job.  With this resolution, I found peace, and I am thankful.  Suddenly, I feel thrown into another spiritual puzzle...does anyone else ever feel this way?  This morning's message was titled "Excuse Me".  I am going to share my pastor's outline...

Luke 9:49-62
I. What or Who does your life revolve around? - Lk. 14:16-24
A. It's my world, you're just living in it (Life is about me).
B. Family First?
1. The importance of being equally yoked - II Cor. 6:14
2. Kids (Grandkids) rule, right?
**We are sacrificing our kids on the altar of ________**
C. Stuff (possessions, hobbies, events, etc.)
II. What's your motto?
A. I don't let Jesus get in the way of living life.
B. I don't let life get in the way of following Jesus.

I encourage you to really think about what your life revolves around.  Most of us, would quickly say our families, right?  Normally positive intentions push us to make a great life for our family and especially children.  We work hard to provide entertainment, allow for sporting activities, birthday parties, etc.  I mean heaven forbid, we have a child who hasn't been given the opportunity to be an athlete worthy of a scholarship or a child who is lacking in social skills.  We want our kids to have great clothing, be popular or at least accepted, and a host of other things.  You know, on most nights, I rush from one event to another...very few of which are church-related.  Often, I'm conflicted about this, but do little to stop it. 

Even worse, for 15 years, I've allowed myself to attend a church that I do not like just to please my husband.  I've allowed Satan to convince me that attending church as a family is more important than my spiritual growth.  God has been showing me show much and I am ready to set the world on fire.  The tough part is, my husband isn't willing to go with me.  This message today confirms what I've been feeling for months and it scares the crap outta me.  Time to move on...time to branch out.  Time to take ahold of GOD's commandments and obey my number 1.  Live with passion, everyone.  That's where the fulfillment lies. 

Menu Plan Monday

So, it appears that Fall has kicked in very nicely.  This morning was a cool 53 degrees and trees are beginning to turn slightly.  The air is crisp and fresh.  While this SHOULD be motivating to me, I have felt so lazy the last couple of days.  Because of this, I have no desire to cook.....I can promise you, however, my family has not lost their desire to take nourishment.  This week's menu is feeling quite tentative, we'll see.  This week we will have our usual soccer practices, games and church activities...one change will be Saturday evening.  My sweetie and I will be celebrating our anniversary a few days early as the actual date falls mid-week.  I have no idea WHAT we are doing (or what I am buying my husband either...eep!).

This is what I'm thinking:

Monday:  Potato soup, cheese and crackers, Nutella brownies

Tuesday: Pork chop and hashbrown potato casserole, greens, biscuits with pumpkin butter

Wednesday:  Broccoli chicken, rice, pre-packaged eggrolls

Thursday: Subway (out)

Friday: Leftovers or restaurant.  On Fridays, I travel a good distance to get babygirls allergy injections and try to pick up groceries for the week while we are in the city.  Often, I pick up a pizza as it is 7ish when we get out of the grocery.

Saturday: Anniversary dinner

Sunday: Pork Roast with cooked carrots and mushrooms, mashed potatoes and cornbread.

Top Ten Tuesday

On any given day, many things are buzzing through my mind (I am a wife and mother, after all).  I am a major planner and list maker, so I feel it only natural that I do lists on my blog.  I make lists for groceries, meal plans, education, clothing needed to properly outfit my prep, etc.  Oddly enough, I don't make honey-do lists for my husband.  That is another post...lol.  My great love of reading prompts me to keep book lists as well.  If time allows, I will read a book per day!!  My Vera must be big enough to carry a print book as well as my e-reader.  Today, I will provide you will a top 10 of my favorite books as of late.  Probably won't be hard to spot this librarian's favorite genre :)

1) Lisa Scottoline's, Don't Go
2) Lisa Scottoline's, Daddy's Girl
3) Lisa Scottoline's, Think Twice
4) Wanda E Brunstetter's, The Hope Chest
5) William Davis', Wheat Belly
6)Danielle Steel, Until the End of Time
7) Danielle Steel, A Gift of Hope
8)Jentezen Franklin, The Spirit of the Python
9) Jentezen Franklin, Fear Fighters
10) Julie Andrews', Home: A Memoir of My Early Years

Happy Reading!!!

Souper Burger, my way...

Every so often, I include souper burgers in my menu and I decided I needed to post a recipe/explanation.  While it is true that I often make typos and don't bother to take time to catch them with spellcheck (sorry), I haven't misspelled the name of this recipe...it is indeed S-O-U-P-E-R.  The above picture is an good ole sloppy joe.  We are all familiar, right?  My recipe is nothing like a sloppy joe, other than the sloppiness (which my family totally enjoys) and the texture.  While perusing the internet, I found that souper burgers do exist outside of my little "Mayberry" world and that my mother isn't the creator of this recipe.  This breaks my heart in a way because I thought this was a recipe my mother came up with just for her darling children.  Darn her for misleading me :(  Anyway, my recipe has evolved from my mother's a bit and I truly DID NOT see any like mine online, so I will share.  This recipe is great for a busy night and is a messy, kid-pleaser.  It must be eaten with your hands, and will someway somehow manage to end up on your lap, shirt and table area every time.  This recipe is not terribly unhealthy, but the sodium content is quite high.  Please keep that in mind.

1 lb of hamburger meat, crumbled, browned and drained.
1 can Campbell's French Onion soup
salt and pepper to taste (easy on the salt and the soup is loaded for bare)
cornstarch and water for thickening.
sliced swiss or provolone cheese
mayo
butter
King's Hawaiian rolls

This is so easy, you will feel as though I've left a step out...promise I haven't.  Brown hamburger, pour in can of soup and allow to simmer until slightly reduced.  I add a bit of salt and pepper, then add my slurry for thickening.  This mixture should be quite thick.  You want the consistency of sloppy joe's.  Now, this is where I differ from my mom.  She would plop this mixture on top of a piece of bread and we were blissfully ignorant that things could be better.  I use King's Hawaiian rolls that have been split in half.  I smear them with a bit of butter and toast them before adding the meat.  Add meat and cover with a slice of provolone or swiss cheese.  Usually, I add a bit of mayo as well.  In my family, each person gets two sliders, but I have also served this when I needed smaller portions such a church small groups, parties, etc.  Should easily serve 10-12. 

Meal Plan Monday

I have exactly 8 minutes to make this post happen as I have supper in the oven as we speak :)  This week, babygirl is on Fall Break and while we were afraid to make vaca plans due to family health issues, we have lots planned at home.  I allowed babygirl to choose the meal plan this week...I think she did a pretty good job!

Monday:  Spaghetti, mixed salad and garlic cheese muffins
Tuesday:  White beans with ham, corn muffins
Wednesday: Souper burgers, baked fries, and carrots and dip
Thursday: Chicken stir-fry, beans and mushrooms with oyster sauce, and rice
Friday: Eat out
Saturday: Mom's choice, undecided
Sunday:  Mexican night:  Chicken quesadillas, refried beans, chips and homemade salsa and guacamole.

Even though we are on Fall Break, we still have soccer practice and youth, so we will still have busy nights.  Tonight, is a free night, so I will be making both pumpkin and apple butters.  Yummy! 

Lunch is usually leftovers from the previous night and salad. 

Simple Woman's Daybook

From my window:  Glorious sunshine!  At 68 degrees and sunny, the day is perfect.  Should be in the low 80's this evening for babygirl's soccer game.

I am hearing:  The light breathing of Miss L beside me as well as the sound of Fox News.

In the Kitchen: Breakfasts dishes are cleaned up, sink empty (gasp) and everything is tidy.  Will run the dishwasher when little bit wakes up.

I am smelling:  Two of my favorite scents...decaf hazelnut coffee and my apple harvest Scentsy.  Smells cozy and fall-like.

I am thinking:  How life can change in the blink of an eye; hoping for clarity on a matter from the Lord.  His timing and will instead of mine :)

I am reading: The Invisible War by Chip Ingram.  Other than the bible, I am out of reading material as the bookmobile was unable to stop here last week :(  Our local library has changed hours and I am unable to make it in as I used to.  Such a pain!

Around the house:  Babygirl and I were able to get our Fall scene done in the front yard.  We have hay, corn shocks, pumpkins, gourds and mums.  It looks lovely.  My house is pretty tidy at the moment and doesn't require any immediate care....that makes my heart happy!

For the week:  Soccer tonight, Thursday and Saturday morn, Youth Wednesday and Youth get-together at our house this Friday.  We have done allergy shots for the week and all my shopping is done.  Hopefully this will be a week of rest!