Jan 27, 2015

Am I Rebellious?




I hate it when I know I need to do something and since I know I should and it's expected it becomes crazy hard to do it. I'm not sure why I'm so rebellious, more so to myself than anyone else but I am and I admit it. I'm not totally in the dumps about it 'cause even Paul had the same problem;


For that which I do I allow not: for what I would , that do I not; but what I hate , that do I .     Romans 7:15

So at least I'm in good company. Anyhow, that's exactly where I find myself today. In so many more ways that I care to admit I am there.



  • Running - Okay first off, I am absolutely such a bum lately when it comes to running. I know I should and the weather isn't that bad, not to mention the treadmill in the basement. Plus I know the longer I wait, it's been a week, the harder it's gonna be to start back. My dear, sweet, disciplined husband runs every other day and I know I am falling behind and before long he'll be out running races without me and that in itself makes me want to rebel. I hate it! I know I need to and I actually want to but I just can't seem to make myself. Urgg!



  • Eating - Here we go! My eating has been so good for so long and I have almost nothing to show for it. I am completely at a stand still 15 lbs above my goal and I don't like dislike hate despise  it!! I have been so good and I just can't seem to get past this mountain. I have gone back to the beginning and while it seems to be working it only works when I eat way under my allowed food. Anyhoo, I made sugar free, lowcarb, gluten free cookies yesterday and although they're good for me I probably shouldn't eat 10! I know I shouldn't but I am in such a rebellious state lately that guess what I did...I ate 10!



  • Preparing - There are so many things I should be working on right now, from Sunday School lessons to grocery lists. I have a ton of stuff to do for our upcoming furlough including a new prayer card and graduation invitations for Hannah. We have guests coming in March and my guestroom isn't ready and my garage needs a total spring cleaning. I know I need to be redeeming the time but in this moment right now, I just don't want to!!!



  • Creating - I have stacks of stuff that needs to be finished and I can't seem to get the "umph" to get up and do it. My Christmas quilt is almost finished, and no, I didn't finish it for Christmas. Honestly I got down to the last 4 rows of quilting and then the binding and I would have been finished.
     I have new pillows I bought still in the shrink wrap waiting to be covered. I have an IKEA bag setting in my foyer filled with goodies for sprucing up my kitchen and there it sets! I know I could finish it in a few hours but I can't seem to get my keester up and moving.
       


  • Blogging - Oh how I love my blog! Did you know my blog started in June of '06? It's old! I have kept it going all these years and I really love it but I can't seem to get the motivation to write or post. I'm in a blogger's rut. I know I should and simply because of that I can't seem to get it in gear and post (except for this one). I have missed reading all your blogs this last few days but again, as much as I know I should and I want to I can't get it going. 


I did great last week. I cleaned out my closet and my dressing room with the help of Zoi.
I know, it wasn't terrible but there was tons of stuff I couldn't even wear just taking up space. So I did what I read on on Arlene's blog Nanaland;

PURGE, TOSS AND ENJOY THE LOSS, 
and I did and I'm enjoying the loss. Clutter is so demanding of time and effort and we're better without it.




Zoi was so helpful, she always is. I let her be my helper 'cause Hannah would have just moved all my junk to her room and that's not cool. 

I finally finished my closet and my whole dressing room. I love how clean it is and how organized. I still wanna get some boxes from IKEA to organize the top of the closet but that'll be for next week when I'm not so rebellious. 

Oh yea and before anyone asks; Yes, that is all my clothes minus my outerwear and drawer stuff. I'm a very simple lady, not at all fussy.

I also cleaned out all the drawers in the bathroom last week and then kitchen cabinet with all my towels and cleaning supplies. I also deep cleaned my bedroom and living room. 

I just remembered that I totally cleaned the foyer hall and washed the windows too. I forgot about that. Also, I washed all my big leaf plants with mild soapy water. Winter is hard on them and a few in the foyer had a strange moldy stuff on them. 

We met friends Friday for pool and dinner. Went to the capital city of Zagreb to visit a member in the hospital on Saturday. We had church on Sunday and then yesterday was Pro-bowl football day with a fellow missionary friend and today I have a sick 17 year old. 

So after telling you guys all that I'm thinking that maybe I'm not as rebellious as I thought, maybe i'm just really tired. I'm not sure if that's true but I'd much rather be worn out than rebellious. Who knows, maybe this post was just what I needed to get me out of my funk and back in the land of the living and productive. 

Oh wait!

What is that I feel?

Could it be motivation? 

Oh yea it is!! 

Motivation to get up and refill my half-empty IKEA coffee cup (the only thing that made it out of the IKEA bag that came to live in my foyer a month ago).

Jan 24, 2015

The AH-mazing Book

Sitting here this morning reading my Bible I can't help but reflect on what a sure word we have in the KJV Bible. What a gift to be able to read the words of this book and know without a shadow of a doubt that these are the very Word's of God.



It's an amazing Book that is alive and becomes new to the reader with every word.

Here are some really interesting Bible facts. 

Did you know.....

1. The Bible can be read aloud in 70 hours.

2. A number of verses in the Bible (KJV) contain all but 1 letter of the alphabet: Ezra 7:21 contains all but the letter j; Joshua 7:24, 1 Kings 1:9, 1 Chronicles 12:40, 2 Chronicles 36:10, Ezekiel 28:13, Daniel 4:37, and Haggai 1:1 contain all but q; 2 Kings 16:15 and 1 Chronicles 4:10 contain
all but z; and Galatians 1:14 contains all but k.

3. The system of chapters was introduced in A.D. 1238 by Cardinal Hugo de S. Caro, while the verse notations were added in 1551 by Robertus Stephanus, after the advent of printing.

4. A Bible in the University of Gottingen is written on 2,470 palm leaves.

5. According to statistics from Wycliffe International, the Society of Gideons, and the International Bible Society, the number of new Bibles that are sold, given away, or otherwise distributed in the United States is about 168,000 per day.


BIBLE STATISTICS:                                                            

Number of books in the Bible: 66

Chapters: 1,189

Verses: 31,101

Words: 783,137

Letters: 3,566,480

Number of promises given in the Bible: 1,260

Commands: 6,468

Predictions: over 8,000

Fulfilled prophecy: 3,268 verses

Unfulfilled prophecy: 3,140

Number of questions: 3,294

Longest name: Mahershalalhashbaz (Isaiah 8:1)

Longest verse: Esther 8:9 (78 words)

Shortest verse: John 11:35 (2 words: "Jesus
wept").

Middle books: Micah and Nahum

Middle verse: Psalm 118:8

Middle chapter: Psalm 117

Shortest chapter: Psalm 117 (by number of words)

Longest book: Psalms (150 chapters)

Shortest book (by number of words): 3 John

Longest chapter: Psalm 119 (176 verses)

Number of times the word "God" appears: 3,358

Number of times the word "Lord" appears: 7,736

Number of different authors: 40

Number of languages the Bible has been translated into: over
1,200


OLD TESTAMENT STATISTICS:                                      

Number of books: 39

Chapters: 929

Verses: 23,114

Words: 602,585

Letters: 2,278,100

Middle book: Proverbs

Middle chapter: Job 20

Middle verses: 2 Chronicles 20:17,18

Smallest book: Obadiah

Shortest verse: 1 Chronicles 1:25

Longest verse: Esther 8:9

Longest chapter: Psalms 119

Largest book: Psalms


NEW TESTAMENT STATISTICS:                                     

Number of books: 27

Chapters: 260

Verses: 7,957

Words: 180,552

Letters: 838,380

Middle book: 2 Thessalonians

Middle chapters: Romans 8, 9

Middle verse: Acts 27:17

Smallest book: 3 John

Shortest verse: John 11:35

Longest verse: Revelation 20:4

Longest chapter: Luke 1

Largest book: Luke


RANDOM FACTS:                                                                

  • The last word in the Bible is AMEN
  • About 50 Bibles are sold every minute 
  • The Bible was written in three languages: Hebrew, Aramaic, and  Greek. 
  • Dogs are mentioned 14 times in the Bible, and lions 55 times, but domestic cats are not mentioned at all. 
  • The Bible, the world's best-selling book, is also the world's most shoplifted book. 
  • The word "Christian" appears only three times in the Bible: Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16. 
  • There are 66 books in the Bible, 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. 
  • The 66 books of the Bible is divided into 1,189 chapters consisting of 31,173 verses. The Old Testament has 929 chapters, the New Testament 260. (King James version) 
  • The King James Old Testament consist of 592,439 words consisting of 2,728,100 letters and the New Testament 181,253 words consisting of 838,380 letter (total 3,566,480 letters). 
  • The longest line in the Bible is Esther 8:9 - 89 words, 425letters.
  • The longest word in the Bible is Maher-shalal-hash-baz: Isaiah 8:1. 
  • The longest book chapter in the Bible is Psalm 119, the shortest is Psalm 117. 
  • There are 594 chapters before Psalm 118 and 594 chapters after it. 
  • Psalm 118 verse 8 is in the center of the Bible: "It is better to trust in the Lord than put confidence in man." 
  • Obadiah, with 21 verses consisting of 602 words, is the shortest book in the Old Testament, and the third shortest in the Bible. 
  • II John has the fewest number of verses of any book in the Bible - it is the shortest book in the Bible. 
  • III John has the fewest number of words of any book in the Bible. 
  • Job is the oldest book written in the Bible - it was written by an unknown Israelite around 1500 BC. 
  • Malachi, written about 400 BC, is the youngest book in the Old Testament. 
  • James, written around 45 AD, is the oldest book in the New Testament. 
  • Revelation, written about 95 AD, is the youngest book in the New Testament. 
  • The verse in the exact middle of the Bible is Psalm 117:8. There are 594 chapters before Psalm 117 and 594 chapters after Psalm 117. 
  • Paul wrote 14 (of the 27) books of the New Testament. 
  • The word "Lord" appears 1855 times in the Bible. 
  • The word "God" appears in every book except Esther and Song of Solomon. 
  • The word "grandmother" appears in the Bible only once: 2 Timothy 1:5. 
  • The word "eternity" is mentioned only once: Isaiah 57:15. 
  • Seven suicides are recorded in the Bible. 
  • In Old Testament times the Mediterranean Sea was called the Great Sea. 
  • There are 7 different Jeremiahs in the Bible: 1 Chronicles 5:24; 12:4, 10, 13; 2 Kings 23:30; Jeremiah 1:1; 35:3. 
  • The raven is the first bird mention in the Bible. It appears in Genesis 8:7, when it is sent out from the ark by Noah to see if the flood waters have abated. The second bird was a dove, in verse 8. 
  • Almonds and pistachios are the only nuts mentioned in the Bible. 
  • A chariot imported from Egypt cost around 600 shekels of silver (1 Kings 10:29). That would be about $77,000. One shekel was 4 days wages. 
  • The word "trinity" is not mentioned in the Bible. 
  • Methuselah is the oldest man on record: 969 years old (Genesis 5:27).



MY BIBLE AND I

We've traveled together through life's rugged way
O'er land and o'er water, by night and by day:
To travel without it I never would try;
We keep close together, my Bible and I.

In sorrow I've proved it my comfort and joy,
When weak my strong tower which nought can destroy;
When death comes so near me 'tis thought I would die,
We still are together, my Bible and I.

If powers of evil against me would come,
And threaten to rob me of heaven and home,
God's Word then directs me to Him in the sky;
And nothing can part us, my Bible and I.

When evil temptations are brought to my view,
And I in my weakness know not what to do,
On Christ as my strength I am taught to rely;
And so we keep company, my Bible and I.

When life's path is ended; if Jesus should come
And take all his blood-purchased brethren home;
Or if, in long suffering, He waits till I die.
We'll never be parted, my Bible and I.

And when in the glory my Lord I behold,
With all His redeemed gathered safe in the fold,
My Bible and I close companions will be,
For God's Word abides for all eternity.
—Author Unknown





Not only is the Bible an amazing Book but it's also a help in times of trouble, a sure footing when we're confused and a friend when we're lonely. The Bible gives the answer to life's questions about eternity. If you're not sure where you would spend eternity if you were to die, please take a moment and to read what God says about eternal life in Heaven.  

The Bible, what a Book!!


Jan 20, 2015

16 Sew-able Valentine Tutorials

Okay, so with Valentines Day just around the corner, I guess you could say I'm in a lovely mood. So, since I love to sew and I love love I found some tutorials that include both. Enjoy and make sure to leave a comment and thank the creators for the tutes.

1. Adorable Secret Pocket Pillow from See Kate Sew.



2. Wonderfully cute heart quilted table setting from Moda bake Shop. (Love this site!)



3. What a cute gift for the reader in your life. Sweet heart bookmarks from Simple Serendipities.




4. Who doesn't need red heart hot pads for the kitchen? Look at this tute from Made by Me & Shared with You.



5. Okay I super-love rainbows and that's probably why I chose this one. Who says Valentines can't be rainbow? Check it out at Momtastic DIY.




6. I love this Heart Strings pillow from Allisa Jacobs, so cute and easy.



7. I want one of these A-dorable Valentine aprons from One More Moore.




8. If my Nan was almost 18 instead of 18 I'd be making one of these for sure! Check it out at Make It & Love It!



9. There's a great tute over at June Johnson for these adorable Hugs and Kisses pillow covers.



10. I super-love this anatomical heart pillow; love the whimsy! You can find a tutorial over at Hearts and Sharts.



11. Look how cute this Hex and Heart coasters are from Cosmo Cricket.



12. This is such a great idea. The Renegade Seamstress has beast idea for a sweater Valentine Upcycle.



13. Here's another adorable kids clothing project I found over at Polkadots on Parade.



14. I really need to make one of these cute Valentine Buntings from Life in Liberty Canyon.



15. DIY Dreamer has these sweet little heart bookmarks and a tutorial for them to boot!



16. Last but not least, check out this adorable Lego man love applique at TrashN2Tees.


Okay, now get sewing and make sure to share your projects!!

Jan 18, 2015

My Old Black Book

Okay, here's my old black maroon BOOK. Of all the things that belong to me my Bible is probably the most valuable. It's been with me for a long time and it is filled with memories and messages. 


I've had this KJ Bible since 1999. It was a gift from a church in Dearborn Heights, MI. They asked us to give them a few items we would like and they would try to get them for us for the missions conference. I had a Bible but it wasn't very nice and so I asked for a Bible and they gave me the Old Scofield Study Bible. I immediately fell in love with this Bible. It had great references in the back including a proper name concordance. I know that Scofield was off in a lot of places with his doctrine and I wouldn't suggest this Bible to a new Christian but for me it was great. 

I've personalized my Bible through the years. I have pictures of my family in the front and back. The above pictures are: 

(the left cover across the top and then bottom) 
Johnny reading his Bible in 1997 in Hungary on our survey trip to Croatia, My babies while we were on deputation, my family also while on deputation, my dear Daddy who died when he was 39, he's 38 in that photo.  

(the right side across the top and then bottom) 
the photo on our second prayer card, Joshua and Cody looking cool, and my sweetie


My Bible is filled with great quotes and sayings I have heard through out the years. I only have one signature in my Bible, that of Bro. McCracken's wife Nancy. I heard her testimony in a meeting in Romania and was so moved by her faith after a terrible crippling car accident. 

Anyhow, I have some pretty nifty sayings too. 

Treasures in Heaven are laid up as treasures on Earth are laid down. -Dr. Todd Lasseter (my pastor)

You can't clean a polluted well by painting the well house. -Dr. Bob W. Smith 

I'm narrow minded because I travel a narrow road. -Bro. Floyd, Fellowship Baptist, Jackson, MI

I'm not shouting on credit, I'm should on a "paid in full" bill. -Johnny Leslie

85% of being successful is simply being in my place. -Dr. Smith

I'm a nut but I'm screwed onto the right bolt! -unknown

You fall the way you lean. -Charles Wetherbee

Meekness: Having strength under control. -unknown

To be a missionary you don't have to cross the see but you do have to see the cross. -unknown

Joy is not the absence of trouble but the presence of Jesus. -unknown

Stay in the Book till the Book stays in you. -Dr. Raymond Barber

I don't know how often Noah fell down in the Ark but I know he never fell out! -Dr. J.C. House

No man can ever be used of God until he's willing to be forgotten by all. -Veteran Missionary Jimmy Rose

If it doesn't move you enough to pray about it, don't whine about it! -Pastor Wes Bailey

A tear today is an investment in a laugh tomorrow. -Dr. Lasseter

A heart touched by grace brings joy to the face. -Dr. Lasseter

The church is not a museum of Saints. -Pastor Bocook

Anyhow, those are just some of the little sayings I have in my Bible. I love to go back every once in a while and read them all. They're like mini sermons!


I have on one of the front pages of my Bible this poem: 

There is a treasure,
Rich beyond measure, 
Offered to mortals today;
Some folks despise it, 
Some criticize it, 
Some would explain it away.

Some never read it, 
Some never head it, 
Some say, "It's long had it's day";
Some people prize it, 
And he who tries it, 
Finds it's his comfort and stay. 

God gave this treasure, 
Rich beyond measure, 
His Word, we call it today. 
Let us believe it, 
Gladly receive it, 
Read, mark and learn to obey. 
                              -A.M.N.


Over the name of each book I have the name in Croatian. Several years back I realized I didn't know all the names so I thought that would help, it did. 

Also above Genesis 1:1, I wrote DEAR TORI. Our preacher Dr. Smith preached once about the Bible being a love letter from God to us. He told us how he wrote in his Bible at Genesis 1:1: DEAR BOB and after Revelation 22:21 he wrote: LOVE, GOD. I loved this idea and I did the same with my Bible. It's a love letter to me from God!


My Bible is bilingual too. I have notes in both English and Croatian. I have many wise quotes from the national pastor, Rajko Telebar


And again on the back cover I have more photos. Actually a lot less than I used to have. I need to add some more current ones soon.

(the left cover across the top and then bottom) 
My best friend Amanda Rasbeary, Preachers wife in Wylie, Texas and I, Madison (Johnny's sister's oldest daughter), Johnny again, Madison and her little sister Kaitlyn (I super-love those girls)

(the right side top to bottom) 
Johnny again (can't get enough of him), and my Daddy back in 1976 sitting with Santa

Anyhow, that's my Bible. It means a lot to me, not only because it is God's inerrant, preserved Word but because it holds 16 years worth of memories. 

Anyhow, if you decided to share your Old Black Book, let me know so I can check it out!!

Jan 16, 2015

Friday's Fave Five

Hey Guys! Can't believe it's already Friday. January is speeding by at light speed! Today I'm joining Susanne over at Living to Tell the Story for her Friday's Fave Five. I was reading hers this morning and found it hard to find 5 blessings for this week then I realized that I need to spend some time contemplating how good God is and has been this week, so here I am!

1. Loved one coming back! This week I was shocked to find out that someone for whom we've been praying finally had that moment when they realized enough was enough. I can't tell you how long we've been praying and finally a huge answer to our prayers. We're so excited to see what God will do over the next year with this person. Praise the Lord, He's always waiting for us to come back!

2. I realized this week how blessed I am to have a true best girlfriend. It's a rare thing to find someone who will love you and stick with you through thick and thin. Amanda has been my best friend, or more like my sister for the last 20 years. She's a pastor's wife in Texas and is one of the most real people I know. I love her and i'm thankful for the opportunity to be her best friend.

3 Amazing weather!! I can't believe it's already January but to top that, it's in the 60s today!! That's crazy for this part of Europe. We're just south of the Alps and we're usually sloshing through the snow right about now. I washed my sheets and duvet today and hung my pillows out to air out, in Jauary!! Crazy but awesome!

4. Grandma Agatha is a member of our church and is the biggest hoot I know. She has an amazing amount of life in her for a 75 year old and she keeps us rolling all the time. Yesterday in the car she was cracking us up. She and Hannah have this ongoing playful rivalry and I love watching them. the Lord said that if we were to follow Him we would have to forsake all including family. It's been hard over the years to watch our children miss their family and especially grandparents in the States but I'm so thankful for the family and Grands that God has given us here in Croatia. Not only do we have family in the States but we have a large, loving family here too!
Matthew 19:29  And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
5. My last fave today is my Bible. I'm amazed that a single book could contain the wisdom of all time. It's a living Book! It never changes but It seems to always be new. I'm so thankful that God have us His thoughts. He chose to leave us a manual to love by and not leave us wandering with no direction. I love my King James Bible and I'm so thankful to know that It is complete Truth!! I never have to wonder!
I have this poem taped in the front cover of my Bible and it perfectly describes the Amazing Book!

God's Treasure

There is a treasure,
Rich beyond measure, 
Offered to mortals today;
Some folks despise it, 
Some criticize it, 
Some would explain it away.

Some never read it, 
Some never head it, 
Some say, "It's long had it's day";
Some people prize it, 
And he who tries it, 
Finds it's his comfort and stay. 

God gave this treasure, 
Rich beyond measure, 
His Word, we call it today. 
Let us believe it, 
Gladly receive it, 
Read, mark and learn to obey. 
                              -A.M.N.


Thanks to Susanne over at Living to Tell the Story for Friday's Fave Five. It was good to sit and actually write about some of the blessings of this week! God sure is good!





Jan 15, 2015

Low Carb Ranch Dressing Recipe

I'm always looking for low carb options and this is a great one. This low carb Ranch dressing is great and sure helps dress up a salad.

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoon sour cream
4 tablespoons heavy cream
2 teaspoon white vinegar
3 drops Tabasco
1/2 tsp lemon pepper seasoning
1/4 teaspoon granular Splenda
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon celery salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon dill
1 teaspoon chives
2 teaspoon fresh parsley, minced



DIRECTIONS
Mix all of the ingredients and chill well before serving.

 Around 1.5 net carbs per two tablespoons.

Enjoy!!

Jan 12, 2015

Sunday Review Monday (expanded)


Well yet another weekend down and we're almost to the middle of January! How did that happen? I just put my tree up and we're already looking at the middle of the month. 

Anyhow, we had a great weekend. We had a baptism service for the Gypsy church and we were so happy to see 4 people follow the Lord in believer's baptism. The new church is in a local Gypsy village and is exclusively Gypsy. It's a very small building so we don't have a baptismal so we take the new believers to the first church plant that is now pastored by a national. They have a great baptismal and it's warm!! Or at least isn't suppose to be warm but I guess when it's 20 degrees outside the water cools off pretty fast. It was quite funny amusing sad to see everyone shivering in the water. Sad for my poor hubby who was in there the whole time, but it's okay, it'll make him tough! 


It was a huge blessing to see Dražen and his wife Jasna get baptized. They also had their 5 adorable little ones with them. The smallest one was terrified of me! Every time I looked at him he broke out in a crazy loud cry. Didn't really do much for my self esteem. 

Here's our little group after the baptisms. We're so thankful for what god is doing there in Krsanec and we're blessed to be able to spend our lives working with these dear people. 

Sunday morning was great also. We had church as usual at Victors Baptist Church and the spirit was wonderful. We were so excited that our landlords who live in Austria came to the service too. 

Saturday I made some almond flour and blanched my almonds for the first time. It's really hard to find things like almond flour here in Croatia. I'm gluten free and honestly it can get a bit boring without any baked goodies. Anyhow, I usually ground them with the skins on but I thought I would give it a try. Here's is the super easy process. 

1 lb. of almonds makes 3.5 cups of almond flour. 

Put almonds in boiling water for 1 minute. 

Immediately rinse with cold water. 

Dry the almonds off with paper towels and then just slip the skins right off. This took the longest. 

After I finished with the skins I stuck the whole pan in the over on very low just to completely dry them before grinding. 

Here it is! My 3.5 C of ground almond flour, HOMEMADE! 

Anyhow, I have to lastly say, I'm incredible broken. There was a terrible travesty this weekend and it broke my heart. The Cowboys had the playoff victory against the Packers ripped out of their hands due to a very unjust call and I guess the hustle of the Packers had something to do with it too. This is my first year of actually watching football and here I am, end of season and completely fingernail-less! Maybe this whole football thing is just too stressful for me. 

Jan 8, 2015

A Recipe ~ A Yummy One!


Spicy Chicken & Lime Soup

Ingredients
  • 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
  • 1 medium  onion
  • 2 celery stalks
  • 1 medium jalapeno
  • 4 cloves of garlic
  • 3/4 lb. chicken breast
  • 6 C chicken broth
  • 1 can (14.5 oz.) chopped tomatoes with chilis
  • 1 tsp. oregano
  • 1/2 tbsp cumin
  • 1 medium lime
  • 1/2 bunch cilantro
  • 1 medium avocado
Instructions

1. Sautee chopped onions, celery, jalapeno (minus the seeds) and garlic in large pot until translucent, about 5 minutes.

2. Add the chicken breasts, broth, canned tomatoes, oregano, and cumin. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer, covered for an hour.

3. After an hour, shred the chicken, return to the pot. Squeeze the complete lime into the soup.

4. Roughly cut the cilantro, add to the pot and serve with chopped avocado. 

*my family added tortilla chips to their soup and a dollop of sour cream. 

This is the most amazing recipe. It tastes just like the one I had years ago Mexican restaurant. Not only is this the most flavorsome soup ever but it's low carb too!!! That means I can fill up on it and without guilt! 

Sadly, I can't claim the credit for this recipe and I can't remember where I go it. So just enjoy!

Jan 6, 2015

Christmas pouting!

This is what Christmas looked like for this lowcarb, gluten free and sugar free girl. Glad all the goodies are gone!!

Jan 3, 2015

4 Guardrails for Marriage

Well, it’s a new year and with that I have been thinking about my life and relationships as many people do this time of year. I thought about my children and their lives, our family stateside, my dear friends and then I reflected on my husband.  I realized that this year we will celebrate our 24th wedding anniversary. My husband is my best friend, literally, not just as a cliché. We have such a wonderful marriage. The fact that we’ve made it 24 years in today’s world is pretty amazing but it didn’t happen by accident.



I remember sitting in church one night and our pastor was away preaching somewhere else so we had a fill-in preacher in the pulpit. I remember the sermon like it was yesterday. The preacher preached on putting up guardrails in our lives; putting up some protection along the slippery roads of life that would keep us safe in times of trouble. We decided that night that we were going to establish those guardrails and live by them to keep us from veering off the right path as our lives moved through days and years.

We established many guardrails for our family but the most important guardrails we built were those in our marriage. I believe and know that those guardrails have kept us from many an accident. Many times we could have careened off the winding road of life and into a ditch of destruction if it hadn’t been for those guardrails.