In the kitchen

My mom has an incredible recipe for oatmeal cookies but the best part is the dough!  I think the dough tastes even better than the cookies!  It's sweeter and we all know that I love me some sugar.  It's a quick and simple recipe and you'll be dipping into the bowl for bites of the dough for sure!

Oatmeal Cookies (This particular recipe is my dad's favorite)
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup lard or shortening  (but I always used sticks of margarine)
1/2 cup milk
1 t. vanilla
4 cups quick oats
1 3/4 cup flour
1 t. baking soda
3/4 t. salt

Heat oven to 375.  Mix brown sugar, butter, milk and vanilla.  Stir in remaining ingredients.
Drop dough in 1 inch balls about 3 inches apart on an un-greased cookie sheet; flatten cookies.  Bake until golden brown, 8-10 minutes.  Immediately remove from cookie sheet.  

I prefer to bake them for the minimum time because we like them soft inside. They may seem undercooked when you remove at 8 minutes but when they cool, they set up but are still moist inside.

Enjoy!

 

Prepping for Phase 2 of Marriage 101

We've got down Phase 1 of Marriage 101.  Actually getting married.  Check.  There is much to learn in marriage - a union of two, very different people.  Are we still figuring it out?  You betcha!  And my bet is we will continue to figure it out for awhile.   Just contemplating Phase 2 = STRESS-OR!

However, I am anxious.  I am anxious for the next phase in our lives.  Is it time yet?  It doesn't feel like a big change is upon us.   So it appears I've got some time.  Allow me to catch you up on the things we've been mulling around but figuring out when all of this goes down is the big question. Phase 2 includes a lot... you ready?  Here we go.

1) We've been house hunting.  Not full out house hunting but looking online, driving around St. Charles, checking out neighborhoods, nothing too committed. 

2) WHEN to move - #1 question of the year (in my mind) - Next summer at the earliest.

"Why is this a big deal?" you ask.

3) The #1 answer is that it's currently a buyers market.  Will it stay low over the next year or two?  Should we strike while the iron is hot?  Or can we count on our failing economy to come in handy in a year or two when we'd like to buy?

4) Also, my job is tied to this move.  Roughly a 1.5 hr commute both ways is not exactly my idea of time well spent.

5) Babies.  When?! and What Ifs?! 

6)  Do I work?  Do I stay at home (much preferred).  Is a mortgage, house repairs and a baby, and life in general... is this even do-able with one income?!

And now allow me to say the only thing that makes the most sense.  "Lord, HELP!  I think my head is going to explode."  We're trying to be responsible, plan wisely and take care of finances.  But where do you draw the line of planning too much and not relying and allowing God to carry us through?  Will he not carry out all the details I am fretting about?  Faith... it's tricky when you over-think it.  Lord, give me a child-like faith in this time when all I want to do is "arrive as an adult."

My unnecessary desire for decorative pillows

I admit it.  I love decorative pillows.  

Do I own many?  No.  

Why?  They're over the top, ridiculously, outrageously, ashamedly over priced. (I'm sure I could have thrown one more adverb in there if I thought for another 10 seconds but I think you get the point).

Anyway, despite the cost, I still love them and long to have them on our couches and bed.  They add color, texture, and personality.  I mean look! They're so fun!  Maybe someday...

The unnecessary desire for wanting decorative pillows of course brought to mind the scene in "Along Came Polly" with Ben Stiller and Jennifer Aniston.  Despite the truth of decorative pillows which you will witness in this video, I still want them.  Darn.  If I go through with it, there goes 2 days a year of my life.

My sweatpants

Do you remember those kids in school who were rarely in school because they were always sick?  Well that kid wasn't me.  I rarely get sick.  But rarely doesn't mean never and I've been hit with a very annoying and long lasting cold with the mother of all coughs. 

I have literally spent 4 days parked on the couch.  I've watched way too much TV and consumed more cough drops than should be allowed.  My diet has consisted of saltine crackers, bread, hot tea, vitamin C and other random food items.

Actually... being sick isn't what this blog is about.  It's actually about two things I don't ever want to give up, as simple or meaningless as they may seem.  Being sick just proved these two points further.

1) I love sweats.  When I come home from work, I typically make a beeline for the bedroom to pull on my beloved sweats.  Yes, of course I like to dress up - I am a woman.  But my sweats have proven to be dependable.  They're soft and comfortable ... every time. And I don't care what I look like in my sweats.

2) I love sugar in my tea.  I've tried to drink tea with little to no sugar.  I don't feel like a true tea connoisseur when I doctor up my tea.  But, darn it, it's just not as good without it, in my opinion.  I love the sugar.  I need the sugar.

And there ya have it.  Get me a new pair of sweats for my birthday and be sure there are sugar packets nearby when we have hot tea and I'll be in a happy place!

Music to my ears

I'm thankful for musical artists and the talents they share with the rest of us.  The lyrics, the beautiful melodies, God uses music to touch you and speak to you in such a way that either brings light to what you don't understand, comfort you in times of need, or express the joy you feel inside.  Why is it the lyrics always seem to hit exactly on point what we're feeling?

Well probably because the artist is.... you ready?... human too!  Just. like. you. and just. like. me.  So naturally, we're going to be experiencing very similar feelings throughout our lives.

Feeling alone, feeling joy, feeling thankful, feeling worshipful, feeling convicted, etc.

This morning, two songs have hit home and I'd like to share them with you because the lyrics very clearly explain my feelings and my prayers over the last months as well as provided comfort and hope.

Meredith Andrews - 'Can Anybody Hear Me?'

Can anybody hear me?
The silence is deafening
Why do You feel so far away?
When I know You’re here with me
But I just need faith to see
Nothing can separate me from Your love

Kristian Stanfill - 'Always'

My foes are many, they rise against me
But I will hold my ground
I will not fear the war, I will not fear the storm
My help is on the way, my help is on the way

Oh, my God, He will not delay
My refuge and strength always
I will not fear, His promise is true
My God will come through always, always

Even when God seems so far away and I keep asking, "Can you hear me Lord?", I am reminded by these lyrics that His promises are true and He will come through... always!

Have a listen and be encouraged today.

Tim Tams, Nutella and Rooibos

In 2007, I went to South Africa on a missions trip and have vowed to go back a second time at some point in my life. I experienced some new things while I was there and silly me, didn't realize until recently we have all of the following here in the states!  Regardless, I had a lot of fantastic 'firsts' while in South Africa and when I eat them, drink them or use them here at home, it reminds me of that wonderful land.  I'm able to have a piece of South Africa here with me and someday, I hope to return.

Tim Tams - a Tim Tam Slam is a must.  A Tim Tam Slam will knock your socks off with its wonderful, chocolaty goodness.  If you haven't experienced the Tim Tam Slam, you must go to Target this very minute, run through the store,pick up some Tim Tams and ask me how to do the Tim Tam Slam.  

You'll thank me later.

Nutella - a lovely hazlenut spread.  Spread it on a piece of toast and enjoy!  And while you're at Target picking up Tim Tams, grab some Nutella too.

Freshpak South African Rooibos - South Africans serve tea to their guests like Americans serve coffee.  Nothing beats unwinding after a long day of service projects like a hot cup of Freshpak South African Rooibos with sugar in the raw and a bit o' milk.  Delicious.

 

Satchel - After our luggage was lost in Amsterdam... or Africa.... or over the ocean... who knows where... the airlines gave us money to buy some clothes to hold us over until our luggage arrived.  While at the mall in SA, I came across a satchel.  Still have it.  Still use it.  Still love it.

 

Pashmina - While shopping, I came across some pashminas.  Everything in SA is extremely inexpensive.  I found these for like $1.50, so I bought lots of different colors!  I wear them all the time!

If you have the chance, go to South Africa!  The people and the land are simply remarkable.  Don't believe me?  Google 'Cape Town, South Africa' and see for yourself :)  And then actually go there - it'll be one of the most amazing things you do in your life.  The people you meet, the things you do, the places you go and the things you see are all breathtaking.

The fridge

About a year ago, I had some extra craftsy materials laying around the apartment.  I used them to make magnets to put on the fridge with verses on them.  Being in and out of the refrigerator multiple times a day, I thought that having a verse literally right in front of my face would help with being encouraged through God's Word.  
Unfortunately, I've come to realize that when I head to the fridge, it's for one thing and one thing only.  I have my eye on that only prize.  Milk for my cereal usually :)  So the verses on the fridge get looked over most of the time.  They have now become the refrigerator.  All I see is 'refrigerator'.

This morning as I ironically opened the fridge to, oh yes, get the milk for my cereal, something wonderful happened.  The refrigerator wasn't just a refrigerator anymore.  It became a mosaic of color and depth with pictures, magnets, Christmas cards, wedding invitations, gym schedule, coupons, and the verses!
My eyes grazed over the verse as I opened the fridge.  I thought to myself  'I should read that verse... I don't even remember what it says..." as I continued to grab the milk with vigor as my Golden Grahams were sitting there, waiting for me, calling out with its mouth-watering honey deliciousness.  I started to walk out of the kitchen... but did a little rock step motion as I looked at the verse on the fridge.

And then it hit me.  
Romans 12:12
"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."

When I wrote this verse down on the magnet last year, it did not mean at all then what it means now.

I have gone through a particular season over the past year that I do not wish to repeat.  This particular season has been dark and dreary.  I, along with others, have been in a tunnel.  There is no light and we are stumbling over anger, bitterness, sadness, impatience, grief, hopelessness, as we shout out in hoarse, cracked voices "Are you there Lord?  Are you even listening to our cries?  Will you ever answer?"

The short answer is yes, of course.  But the above verse speaks loud and clear to me now after experiencing this season.  Many times, I have cried and poured out my heart to the Lord and shouted to him, "I have no hope God... I don't see the light at the end of this tunnel and I honestly feel we'll never get out."

But the Lord has been growing my hope through this.  I am learning what it means to fully trust that the Lord will take care of us when we cry out to Him, when we have hope, when we are in constant prayer.  When we do all of these things, patience washes over us, because we then believe that the Lord will answer our cries.
I am amazed at the husband the Lord has blessed me with; he has been a huge support as I have trudged through this past year's experience.  He has listened, held me when I cried, prayed for the situation at hand, and I thank the Lord for the beautiful blessing of my husband.  If I am a puzzle, he is the missing puzzle piece. He completes me and he feels what I feel.  And I am honored he has chosen to walk beside me in this season.

Romans 12:12 is on my fridge.  I hope it doesn't become the fridge again as it has become a true reminder of the Lord, yet again, providing in His time.  My hope is in you.

Temporary wall tattoo

We knew we were only going to be in our first apartment for a short time.  How long exactly, that's unknown, but temporary all the same.  We discussed painting the living room but quickly decided that it wasn't worth it since we'd have to eventually paint it back to its original color of plain ol' white.

The living room remains plain ol' white but I decided to spruce up a section with a verse.  We didn't have the extra $20-$30 laying around to purchase a ready made "graphic embellishment."  So, I went with the craftsy basics: paint, paint brushes and my own unsteady hand.  Now, I'm no artist.  So my technique and tools are far from correct.  But I'm happy with it.
It's a pretty bold verse to plaster across the wall for all to see.  Caleb and I talked for awhile about which verse we want to speak for our lives.  There are tons of verses we could have gone with (and still lots of verses that speak for our lives), but the verse we chose, our reasons are 2 fold.

1) It's a personal charge for our lives and to remind us of what lies ahead.

2) It couldn't be extremely long because I only had so much room to work with.

Philippians 1:21

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."

 

This is my favorite wall in our apartment :)

 

Philippians begins with Paul in prison for sharing the Gospel of Christ.  He hopes that he will in no way be ashamed and that he will have sufficient courage so he can always exalt Christ, whether he is alive or whether he is being taken away to face execution.

This verse for Caleb and I means that life is Christ.  Our lives shouldn't mean video games, marriage, vacations, shopping, you name it, our lives are not full unless it is centered on and around Christ.  He's it!  He is life.

And to die... is even better... it is gain.  To be in the presence of the Lord God Almighty, to worship Him forever, is the ultimate gain for believers.

Ode to C-bass

My husband... Caleb James Redelman... also known as C-bass.  I do not refer to him as C-bass but that's his nickname among college friends.  If you're outrageously curious, ask him how the nickname came to be.

But regardless of his name, he is my husband.  He is an amazing gift that the Lord has blessed me with.

What is today?  Just your average Wednesday (although today happens to be Ash Wednesday) but apart from that it's a normal day where I'm deciding to write an ode to my husband.  It's one more day the Lord has granted me time with him.

The things I love about Caleb James... C-bass

• His genuine smile
• His kind eyes - this is the first thing I noticed about him when we met.  It was almost as if I could see who he was just in his eyes.
• His giving heart
• Servant
• Boldness in sharing Christ
• Driven
• Intelligent
• Passionate in all he does
• Respectful
• Loving
• His ability to grow a full beard in 5 days
• Helpful
• Sensitive and empathetic
• Challenges himself, me and those around him
• Wise
• Godly
• Makes me laugh
• Great with children
• Kind
• Fearless
• Goal oriented
• Genuinely cares about my thoughts and feelings
• He makes me a priority
• Equips people
• He sides me with except when he needs to calls me out and speaks truth.
• He is selfless and will expend all his time to be there for others in times of need.
• Desires God at the center of our marriage and will fight for that with everything he has.

My husband is the best thing that has ever happened to me.  He is the best part of me.  I am humbled daily by this gift the Lord has given me and am so thankful that the Lord brought us together.

Caleb... C-bass... I love you and am honored to walk beside you in this life, hand in hand, through the ups and downs.  May we sharpen each other daily.

 

                                                               
Proverbs 27:17

"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."

Ecclesiastes 4:12  

"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

Free will... beautiful yet frustrating.

Free will.  It's beautiful yet frustrating.  You know that person that keeps making all the wrong decisions and you just want to shake them and yell, "How do you not have this figured out yet?!"  Frustrating isn't it?  

How can you knowingly make a decision that results in you falling down in the dirt.... on your hands and knees... again... and every time you start to get back up, you make yet another decision that pushes you right back down in the dirt.  This time flat on your face with a big ol' mouthful of dirt.  You're tired.  You're irritated.  You're dirty.  You're angry that you are going nowhere but down.  Down in the dirt.

You're fed up.  You begin to resent people.  Everyone is to blame.  They're the reason you're being pushed around.  No one can be trusted.  Everyone is your enemy.  Everyone is out to hurt you.  

Well... part of that is true for certain miserable people in this world.  But we have been given a gift.  We can choose.  We can choose many things.

We can choose what people we want to be surrounded by.  The negative Nancys, the mean Marks, the joyful Jacobs, the encouraging Elizabeths.

We can choose to be content and be thankful for what we have.  Or we can choose to complain and be discontent.  You'll get a big mouthful of dirt on that one.

We can choose to surrender our lives and let God work.  Or we can hold onto our pride and refuse to understand His truths.  You'll be flat on the ground for good on this one.

I am so thankful that the Lord chose to give us free will.  Free will enables us to choose to accept His free gift of eternal life.  He's not standing above us with an iron fist forcing and manipulating us to love Him.  
No, that is not the God we serve.  He loves us so much that He gave us the most unbelievable gift imaginable.  The verse we know and love says it all,
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him, will not perish but have eternal life."

Yet, some refuse this gift.  The most precious gift on earth, the one gift that is free yet came at the ultimate price... this gift, as beautiful as it is, is refused by so many.  Frustrating isn't it?

Why are you making the same mistakes?  Why are you continuing to hold on to your anger?  Why do you choose to wallow in discontentment?  Why do you choose to look out for only yourself and blame others?  Aren't you sick of choosing these things and ending up in the dirt again?
It's your choice.  But if I have a gift in front me that offers peace, joy, truth, understanding, and eternal life with the one true God versus living life on my own, falling in the dirt over and over, feeling anger, bitterness, loneliness... I know exactly what I'm going to choose.

Do I fall in the dirt now even as a follower of Christ?  Absolutely.  But here's a secret.... **Whisper** God is there to pick me up, wipe the dirt off my face, and say, "It's ok... let's try this again."  And I continue with the Lord.

Free will... beautiful yet frustrating.  What will you choose?