A Visit From Washington!

My dear, dear, dear friend Shelli graced us with her presence a couple of weeks ago.  Yes, she drove the 16+ hours from WA to come.  What a friend!!!  A definite bonus was in bringing her lovely daughter, Autumn.  We all definitely made the most of the 3 days they were here.

My hubby was so kind to keep the kiddies overnight, so Shelli and I got to have a ladies night out.  It was nice to have her here to talk with, pray with, and have tons of laughter with. 

Of course, the kids enjoyed her and Autumn immensely.  The girls played to their heart's content.  Timmy and Offie also tried to get their Auntie Shelli & Autumn fix.

It was hard to say bye again, but what a blessing to have had them here!

Chris Tomlin Concert Pics & Review

Last night, my husband, two girls, and I had the privilege of attending one of Chris Tomlin’s “And If  Our God Is For Us” 2011 concerts.  In my humble opinion, this singer/song writer is responsible for some of the most beautiful, God-glorifying, music out there today.  To be quite honest, in the days leading up to the concert, my main excitement was due to the fact that I’d get to see a great Christian artist in person.

This changed, however, when we finally got there and the concert, or more appropriately, the worship,  began.  Both my husband and I noticed that Mr. Tomlin never talked about himself or any personal matter.  Not once did he claim credit for anything or put himself on a “pedestal-like” position.  If I’m not mistaken, in most cases, people put in a platform like that would at least share a little bit about themselves.  The entire night, from beginning to end, God alone was given the spotlight.  The songs praised the Lord.  They rang of biblical truth.  Another treat was when the Passion Movement founder, Louie Giglio came out and shared a message.  Who shares a message at a concert?  Well, apparently, they do.  He shared out of the Psalm where God’s creation praises Him.  We are part of the symphony that makes up God’s creation who is to praise Him. 

At the end of the night, as my husband and I chatted on our way home, I realized that not once during the concert did I become star struck over the man I was so excited to see.  Rather, I ended up worshipping the Lord through song and in hearing His word taught.  This is a testament to the love these great artists have for our God.  Their goal was to let God and His Son, Jesus Christ shine.

Don’t get me wrong, I still bought the must have concert t-shirts.  (In fact, I got 2!)  But overall, attending the Chris Tomlin concert was a blast because I got the opportunity to worship the Lord with people I know and folks I’ll probably never see in this life time, but will see in the life to come.

Yummy-licious Authentic Indian Dishes

My wonderful friend Arpita came over a couple of weeks ago and taught me and another friend how to make a couple of authentic Indian dishes.  Boy oh boy, were we in for a treat!  I'm not usually fond of Indian Cuisine, but this stuff was sooo yummy.  My kids all loved it!  My hubby scraped his bowl clean!

The first dish she made is called Palak Paneer, and the second one is Chicken Curry. 

Palak Paneer

Spinach 2 bunches ( wash, cook the spinach in boiling water for about 5 minutes, cool and grind it to a paste)

Onions 2 big ( finely chopped)

tomatoes 2 big (cook whole tomatoes in boiling water till they become soft, for about 7 to 8 min, cool and puree the tomatoes)

Paneer .....Cut into small cubes and shallow fried till it is golden brown on two sides (Buy paneer from an Indian store, I would use the $5 packet, which weighed about one pound)

Vegetable oil ....1/4 cup ( you may need more)

Heavy whipping cream 1/2 cup

Ginger and garlic paste ...1 and 1/2 tbs

Finely chopped garlic 1 tsp

Finely chopped green Serrano chilies ...1tsp

Whole garam masala ( 2 bay leaf, 3 cloves, 2 cardamom, 1 tsp cumin seeds, 5 black pepper corns, 1 inch stick cinnamon)

Garam masala powder 1 tbs

cumin powder 1 tsp

coriander powder 1 1/2 tsp

Fenugreek leaves ( dried) 1tbs...crush it within your palms and make into a powder

Heat oil in a big pan. When the oil is hot, add the whole garam masala. Let it sizzle, the cumin will start crackling, at this point add the chopped onions and cook them till they are golden brown ( making the onions brown will take about 10 to 15 min, do not make them dark brown,) When the onions are ready add the chilies, chopped garlic and the ginger garlic paste and cook for about 2 min( continue stirring once in a while), now add the tomatoes and cook again for 3 to 4 min. Now add all the powders and after cooking for 2 min add the spinach paste. Mix it properly. Now add salt as needed and 1 tsp sugar. Add the fried paneer and cream, mix and cover and cook for 4-5 min. Palak Paneer is ready!

Book Review: "Seasons of a Mother's Heart" by Sally Clarkson

In this book, Mrs. Clarkson shares great spiritual insight, personal stories that reveal the different seasons in her life, and truths she learns as she seeks to honor the Lord through homeschooling her children. 

God used this book to greatly encourage me in one of the roles He has blessed with, a homeschooling mom.  It shows our complete dependence on God as we strive to honor Him in how we teach and raise our little blessings.

Here are several quotes from the book:

“When I spend time beside the restful waters with my Lord, it is not just because I selfishly need to be refreshed.  Rather, it is because my children need to be refreshed, and my husband, and my neighbors, and my friends, and the world.  I am here to live, not for myself, but for Jesus.  He is the living water who wants to live in me and let his life flow through me.”  Page 45

“  I want to be a channel of God’s grace so that when they are with me they are being touched in some small way by the eternal.  ..I can shine with God’s glory within my family.”  Page 45

“God will be real to them only if he is real to me.”  Page 58

Meet Optimus & Bumble Bee

Our little guy and his buddy.  Boys will be boys!

Our Jealous and Merciful God

Deuteronomy 4:29-31

²⁹ But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul. ³⁰ When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and obey him. ³¹ For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your ancestors, which he confirmed to them by oath.

These verses come after God says that He is a jealous God.  He has made Israel His inheritance and warns them of idolatry.  Even now, we ourselves are guilty of putting idols before our Holy God.  Whether they come in the form of others, ourselves, financial or emotional security.

Though we are sinful and undeserving, our merciful God has promised that when we do turn back to Him and seek Him with all our heart and soul, we will find Him.  When we are in distress, He will not abandon us.

We have such a merciful, kind God.  He does not treat us as we deserve.  May we seek Him with all that we have.  He is faithful!

A Great Reminder

Deutoronomy 4:9-10

"Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. ¹⁰ Remember the day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, when he said to me, “Assemble the people before me to hear my words so that they may learn to revere me as long as they live in the land and may teach them to their children.”

God in His kindness showed me this verse at a time when I needed to be reminded.  I wake up every morning with the intention of having a wonderful, sweet time of bible reading with my children.  But alas, when our day gets full from the get-go, guess what gets shortened or completely neglected?  That's right!  Our bible time. 

God here reminded me to take heed, pay close attention and be diligent about NOT forgetting what He has taught and showed me.  I am responsible to teach them to my children; to teach them, show them the faithful, merciful, loving, holy God.  May He be revered!

Timmy's 1st Baseball Game--Finally!

Because of unpredictable weather, Timmy's previous baseball games have been cancelled.  This past Saturday though, it was a beautiful, warm Spring Day.  Timmy got to play his favorite sport for his favorite team...Go GIANTS!