Stay Hydrated.

Being thirsty ..have you experienced that feeling? How about really thirsty?  I have.

I love water. Its my favorite thing to drink ..I would even chose an unlimited supply of water over coffee, which is saying something, because I also LOVE coffee :)

Whenever I am inspired to really focus on my health, my first move towards my goal is to work on a habit of drinking water. Water is essential to the proper function of my body, mind and even spirit. Right now, I am feel especially inspired to being healthy and so I am working on that very habit. A couple of things I have noticed...

* The more water I drink, the more thirsty I am.
* I feel much better when I have gotten the water I need.
* In order to be truly hydrated, I cannot "binge" drink ..I have to do it a little at a time
* I need water
* I didnt realize how dehydrated I was, until I started drinking

Reading this morning, I am reminded about how often God uses water and thirst to describe both our need for him, and his provision for us. He not only gives us good things to take in (like a steak, or a butterfinger :) he provides for us water ... the only thing in all the world that none of us can live totally without.

The things I noted about physical water I can say of God and His water... "

*I more of His Spirit I drink, the more thirsty for him I am ...I have noted this before, and feel even stronger than before that it is true
* I feel much better when I have drunk of His Spirit, and allowed Him to hydrate my soul ..mentally, spiritually, and even physically
* In order to be fully hydrated in my spirit, I cannot just take Him in once a week, or even once a day. I have to constantly sip on His spirit ...making him part of every thought, action and purpose of the day
* I am more aware than ever that I need Him and His Spirit ...I am learning how weak I really am!
* I am often unaware of how much I am lacking being filled up with Him, until I start feeding my spirit what it needs ...suddenly, I find out how dehydrated my spirit is, how I have deprived myself

Scripture is rich with imagery like this ..."..those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling stream within them, giving them eternal life." John 4:13

"The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring." Isa 58:10

"..for you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see." Psalms 36:9

Are you thristy? Do you need to fill up with Him today? 

I do too :) 

Just Be ..on purpose

I had a post in mind today, but I honestly wasnt feelin' it.  Our morning started off a bit crazy, and I was having a hard time focusing my mind in the direction I wanted it to go.

But ...I am doing a study by Casandra Martin, called A Light in the Darkness. God used it this morning to remind me of something important that really applied to several things on my "stress list" this morning.

Like I have already mentioned this week ...this idea of "just being" is on my mind and heart lately. I smiled when today's lesson of the study was focused on Psalms 46: 10 ...."be still, and know that I am God."

{I love how God does that ...sets the same verses in front of you from many different places all at once!}

One of the things on my heart and mind lately has been how chaotic our evenings are around here. Our daddy is working and going to school full time right now (yes, he IS super dad!) which means that we spend most days and every evening just the four of us (me and the three boys).  It never, ever fails that our evenings start picking up in noise level and frustration about 4pm and doesnt stop until 9pm when they are all bedded down for the night and I finally get to breath a quiet breath.

Most nights, I end up putting my kids to bed feeling worn out and often defeated, frustrated that we often finish great days with a feeling of irritation and exhaustion. And its not just me ...my children feel it too! Aside from their increased energy level, my 6 year old commented the other day how it was sad he didnt have a "good day."  Talking about it, I realized that the reasons he felt that way were largely things that had happened in the last couple hours of the day.

God spoke to me this morning, when I had this mind ...what do I do about this problem?

It struck me how purposeful we need to be in that "just being."    Its not just about taking a deep breath, and praying a sense of quiet (which, of course is a great way to get that in the middle of the chaos) but its also about creating moments of quiet, rest and stillness.

I felt like God was clearly reminding me that I need to BE still, CREATE quiet, just be ...on PURPOSE.


Stillness is not passive ...not in our day and time, and not in this house.  Quiet is not a default setting for these boys, or me for that matter. True rest does not come naturally...which is kinna ironic.

So, my plan for the midst of our crazy hours is to purposefully create an alone time for everyone ..me included.  I am praying that it will derail our crazy train for a bit, enough to help us end our evenings peacefully :)

What will you do to just be ..on purpose..today?

Tips On Tuesday: Keep Your Receipts

Since NOT following this tip has caused a significant degree of stress in my house TWICE over the last couple of months, I thought I would pass on this tidbit!

In the past few weeks, I have been desperate to locate a number of receipts for purchases that we have made over the last couple of years. Interestingly, it is for two totally different reasons and yet having receipts would resolve both problems and have saved us a significant amount of money in both cases.

I actually have a TON of receipts from the past few years, the key is 1) keeping the right ones and 2) keeping those where I can find them, and where they are grouped with other pertinent information.

The first situation where I needed to find several receipts was when our garage was broken into. Several of my husbands power tools were stolen, and then found at the pawn shops very near our house (how is that for brilliant?!).  The problem was, that despite the fact that we could actually put our hands on OUR tools, because could not locate a receipt AND having a serial number off the tool ..we could not prove that they were ours.  So, we have watched all our tools disappear from the shelves, knowing that someone benefitted from our lack of organization!

To fix this, I would suggest two things for when you buy anything in your home that has a higher price value, that you would want/need to replace if stolen or lost....1) staple the receipt to the booklet that comes with the item.  It is easier to keep up with a booklet (I keep all my booklets/instruction books/etc in a file folder in my file cabinet) than a receipt, and that way it all together.  2) immediately write the serial number on the receipt and/or booklet...even with the receipt, we could not have gotten that stuff back if we didnt have that identifying number also.

Any home owners insurance company would suggest this as well. In the even that your things are stolen, you will be able to get them back (if they are found) or have them replaced for insurance purposes MUCH easier. 

I have found that it doesnt take but a few minutes to go through the house and inventory my tv's, computers, large power tools, appliances, etc.  I may not have the receipts for those, but having that number will help if needed.

The second reason we needed that all-important receipt, makes me feel like an idiot. I apparently hadnt learned as of 2 years ago the importance of the receipt for the validity of a warranty. We have a tv that we have purchased about 2 years ago, along with the extended warranty the store offered (I know, another lesson learned). Now that the tv has broken, and we need to use that extended warranty ...that $150 purchase is null and void because we didnt keep/attach the receipt for its purchase.  That was a $150 piece of paper!

It also true of manufacture's warranties ...a receipt is necessary to claim.

Again, attaching the receipt to the booklet would have solved this one.

A little organization now, can save a lot of headaches later!

Less Stressed Dinner: Crockpot Ham

A friend shared this great tip with me recently and I have used it TWICE since then ..great tip for a family who LOVES ham and mashed potatoes!

It has gone on sale recently for us, so I had to pick up several of them to make sure we had a great supply for the next few months. Only problem, you usually have to think about cooking it 1.5-2 hours in the oven.  I dunno, for some reason adding foil just adds stress to the whole process for me :)

BUT...I LOVE the less stress version of cooking a ham because I can put it in the pot first thing in the morning or late afternoon on high, and avoid trying to manage something in the oven for a couple of hours at the peak hours of our craziness. My friend puts sprinkles the bottom of her crock pot with brown sugar and then places her ham, bone side down in the pot ..that is all.

After about 4 hours it is awesome, hot, falling apart of oh, so yummy!

Now, because we love it and I got a good deal on the price we have been making some large hams lately.  To avoid the same meal over and over again, I have used this way yummy ham in a few different ways ...

Ham and Cheese Chowder

Chopped or shredded ham, about 2 cups

2 cups of milk

Cream of Chicken Soup, 1 can

4 medium potatoes, cubed

celery, some, sliced

onion, some chopped

corn, 15oz can

garlic powder

8 oz of cubed velveeta cheese

I just heated up the milk/soup, added the potatoes, onions, and celery. Cook until potatoes are tender, add corn, ham and cheese. Season to taste with garlic powder, kosher salt or whatever you have in the pantry. 

Also, I grew up on beans and rice. Nothing makes a pot of (super cheap) pinto beans yummier than a leftover ham bone! I always take this into account when I am slicing up my ham, making sure to leave a good amount of ham stuck to the bone. I usually put this in a ziplock and save for later when we arent "hammed" out :)

To make a pot of ...

Beans and Ham

1lb dry pinto beans

1 ham bone with some meat

Some shakes of cumin, garlic and kosher salt

Again, I use the crock pot! I put the beans in the crock pot, cover with water til the beans are covered about an inch or so. Soak beans for about an hour (if you have time, if not no worries).  Add ham bone right in the middle of the beans, it can even be still frozen. Turn crock pot on low for the day, or high for 4 or so hours.  We usually serve over rice for a yummy and super filling dinner!

What else do you do with your leftover ham? ...we also love ham sandwiches ...yum!

Just Be.

I find myself having to be reminded on a constant basis to slow down.

My default settings require of me that I am in constant motion, if not physically I am mentally running a marathon. My mind never stops, my thoughts always are processing and pondering. My heart is always mulling and considering, evaluating and planning.

This morning, as I listen to the music and consider the beautiful words I found this morning on A Holy Experience ..I am reminded by the stillness this morning to just be.

To be at peace.

To be calm.

To be still.

To value quiet, and encourage rest.

I have much to do today, as every day simply because I have three little ones, a husband, a home and responsibilities to fulfill.

In that, I will still rest ...my spirit at peace, knowing that all things are passing and my only job is to do what I have to do with a sense of purpose to bring Him glory ..that is all.

It is not easy for me, because the world tells me I have to rush, produce, be busy. Of course, there are things to do ...but my prayer is that today you and I can find that rest amidst the chaos of our wonderful lives...

"Be still, and know that I am God."

Psalms 46.10