Tomato Salsa Chicken

The snow and ice did not prevent the Diva's from swapping meals last night. I was really looking forward to filling my freezer with five more meals again this month. I was looking forward to some girl time and perhaps even a yummy treat.

I did leave with five other meals. I was also feeling grateful for so much more than the meals to go in my freezer. I was ever so grateful for the gift of authentic friendships. These women are real. They do not live in glass houses high on hill. They bring their meals and are unafraid to open their souls to the vulnerability from deep within. The responses from the other Divas are shared from places of love, friendship, and compassion. I am grateful for each of these women and their trust in all of us to be able to share the burdens of their hearts . I can only hope that in some way these women left feeling a little lighter from being to unload some of the hurts and weights of the world with their friends. I am glad that I have the blessing of having real friends to love me unconditionally both when life is good and when it is not. I am also grateful for the opportunity to be a friend and love others in return as well. Maybe this is why our meals taste so good? Meal swap is so much more that swapping meals...

Here is the recipe for the Tomato Salsa Chicken meal that I made this month. It is yummy. It used to be a favorite in our house back in the newlywed stage of my life. I think this recipe got lost in my recipe file and it was a step back in time to find it the other day. I hope you enjoy it.

Blessing Bags

I have mentioned Blessing Bags here before I think. I had read about this wonderful concept in the fall around the Thanksgiving holiday. Our family got together will some friends and made a simplified version of these bags over the Christmas break from school. Our kids wanted to make them for the homeless folks that we come into contact with in our day to day life. I thought this was a wonderful way to spend time with friends and to be a part of something big, something that would have lasting effects in the hearts of the folks that would receive these bags. The kids used paper lunch bags and decorated them with markers. Some of the bags were very colorful and others included short messages as well. We filled the bags with a variety of snacks such as pretzels, animal crackers, and peanut butter crackers and a water bottle.

I placed the Blessing Bags in my car. My heart was filled with good feelings knowing that our family would be able to help someone else even in a simple and small way. I feel like I just can't get enough of these types of activities...they do my heart good.

What I didn't expect was the reactions that I have received thus far and also the way it would make me feel inside as a result. I'm not saying that the money that I used to give wasn't helpful or anything like that, it's just that giving these bags that the children created and prayed over, had a deeper more profound meaning attached to them. There was love in that bag handed over from one hand to another hand, one heart to another...and I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in this project. I can't take full credit I was inspired by both a blog friend and a real life friend.

I have given money in these situations before, but there is something more humbling to my soul when I give these bags. Each person that I have given a bag to seems delighted to receive it. There have been gracious hands, smiles, and tender words spoken with each experience. There have been eyes that have met face to face and that will never be forgotten. I have driven away each time with tears flowing down my face. There are tears of sadness and brokenness, tears shed in the wonderings of the details of their lives and how they found themselves where they are at the present time, tears as my heart breaks for these people suffering in this cold and bearing the weight of various and difficult life situations. I hurt for them and wonder what more could be done to help them. There are also the tears of gratitude for my blessings in life, tears of gratitude for my ability to share my blessings with someone else, and tears of remembrance and perspective knowing all too well that no one is exempt from a life altering situation at any time. I also shed tears knowing that my kids are learning compassion for others, tears for the many ways to be active in doing something about the hurting hearts all around me, and of course tears for the realization that at times it feels so sad to know there is an abundance of hurt in this world. I am more and more aware of the ways to stop in my day to day hustle and bustle of life and to know that it ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, makes a difference to share love...don't just think about it, DO SOMETHING.

Jeremy and the journey that we have been on ever since, have taught me many things. One of the most profound lessons is in the simple and even small gestures of love shown to others in need. Love begins as a feeling in your heart. Unless you act on that feeling and make it an action word, it stays in your heart, all bottled up for yourself. Love is meant to be shared. In fact, the bible commands that we love one another.

The song Hosanna by Selah has been playing over and over in my mind today. The lyrics are down right powerful.

Heal my heart and make it clean

open up my eyes to the things unseen

show me how to love like you have loved me

Break my heart for what breaks Yours

everything I am for Your kingdoms cause

I recently visited with a friend who was planning to make a dinner for a local homeless shelter with her girl scout troop. She shared the details of what they were making and invited the community to help be a part of this mission by helping to supply some or all of the necessary ingredients to make this meal. My friend also shared how a representative from the shelter had come to speak with the girls about the shelter. The representative had shared that she wished that more people would support the homeless community by giving out bottles of water and those packs of peanut butter crackers. She shared that for some that simple pack of crackers could be three meals for a homeless person on the streets. This very sentence uttered reminded me that yes, this simple gift, is very meaningful and worthwhile.

Another friend was planning and participating in an event at church where all of the children involved in their Sunday School classes would be making these Blessing Bags this weekend. Wow...

I felt the nudge to share. So, try it for yourself. Gather some lunch bags, water bottles, pretzels, and peanut butter crackers as part of your next shopping trip to the grocery store. Add more if you'd like...small toiletries are also sometimes recommended. Place these items in the bags and then keep them in your car. The time will come when the opportunity presents itself to share one of these bags with someone. Open yourself up to the love and blessings that will pour out in many directions.

On My Way

A catalog.

junk mail to most...

fun for a moment and then off to the recycle pile

me?

Hmmm

Read this and it stuck in my mind.

Was it what I needed to hear today?

Yes.

She wasn't where she had been.
She wasn't where she was going...
but she was on her way.
-Jody Hill

I am on a journey.

I still do not have any idea where it is that I am going but I am growing more comfortable with the uncertainty of the whole thing. It is almost becoming more peaceful living in the mindset of one day at a time. That is really all that we can do. I can only do the best that I can today. I can make decisions based on what I know today. Tomorrow, well that is an unknown for us all. We can plan all we want, but the outcome of those very plans just isn't up to us all the time. Simply stated but true.

The fate of the catalog? Well...I think I'll hold onto this one a bit. I may cut out this quote and add it to my chicken wire frame.

Me ?

Still loving that chicken wire frame. Still loving all of the faces that stare back at me everyday.
Still loving that I made that with my Dad.

Still don't love how I got here, on this journey.

Still committed to working hard not to become bitter on a permanent basis.

Still seeing love everywhere I look.

Still so grateful to see that love everywhere all around me especially when life sucker punches me and I can't breathe. This still happens at least once everyday.

Still finding amazing yet painful lessons along the way.

Still on this journey. Honestly, still not fully surrendered to it, but still here none the less. What can I say? There's a lot of fight in me!

Still holding on tight to the hand of Jesus.

Still walking toward Him.

Still believing in a God who works ALL things together for the greater good, even when life hurts the most and when it makes no sense from where I stand.

Still walking toward Him and a life lived eternal filled with peace.

Still asking for His grace to fill the spaces in my soul that are empty.

Still at His feet when I can't breathe.

It is there...at the foot of the cross. It is there that He meets me. Every time. All the time. Unconditionally.

This journey? Just one foot in front of the other, following His lead. I will arrive just where He wants me to be and at the very precise moment that He planned for my arrival.

Psalm 46:10 (New International Version, ©2010)
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;"

Valentine Love Bags 2011

It's been a few days but there is still heart shaped confetti dancing across my floor. As usual it is taking time to let the experience of Valentine's Day settle into my soul before I am ready to share it with the world.

I tearfully captured a picture of the contents of the Valentine's Day gift bags before they were delivered to the families who would receive them this year. This Mama's heart would still like nothing more than to deliver these bags and to have a little three year old running around with his Valentine's too. I guess one doesn't need Valentines in heaven.

I'll start with the left side back of the photo. In that adorable heart cellophane bag there were Lindt Chocolate Truffles, Hershey's Raspberry Hugs, and Dark Chocolate Cherry Three Muskateers. MMMmm who doesn't love chocolate? Each bag also contained Conversation Hearts and a granola bar, hand stamped with a heart sticker. How cute is that? A friend made a homemade from the heart Cupid Snack mix. There was also an individual box of chocolates, M&M's, Lifesavers, and mints.

Each bag also contained a water bottle, some red or pink drink mix pouches, a journal, a red pen, hand sanitizer, red Chapstick, nail polish, a hand stitched, heart filled, tissue pouch with tissues included, Wisp toothbrushes, Calming Lavender lotion, heart stickers, and most of all LOVE.

I am ever so grateful for the opportunity to deliver such love filled bags to families that are so near and dear to my heart,. These families were me.., not too long ago. I can relate to the emotions of their hearts and to their footsteps. I know that we cannot take their pain away but we can and will walk beside them to offer comfort and LOVE along the way.

Thank you for the support and the prayers to make this project possible. I could not do this alone nor would I want to. It has such deep meaning to me to know of the many people involved in this project that all worked together to make a difference in the hearts of many this Valentine's Day.

More to come later, but for now...much love, sunshine, and gratitude to all of you.

A Sucked Out Juice Box

Back in the day, I used to attend a mother's group called MOPS (Mothers of Preschool Children). It was a wonderful part of my life that still holds very special memories for me. MOPS groups are alive and well, I am just not a member at the present time. I am pretty sure that I heard the term of A sucked out juice box to refer to the way that moms feel sometimes at one of the MOPS meetings that I attended. It basically was referring to the outweighing of the many demands of a mom and the lack of activities that fill us up, or refresh us, if you will.

I surely felt like a sucked out juice box last week. With a sick child at home for over a week straight, a consequently adjusted schedule, and also two to three kiddies waking up nightly, etc., etc., etc. I realize that it may sound like I am complaining or whining. I have surely lived through far worse and I do have that perspective. Don't get me wrong, it is my place and I wouldn't have it any other way. But...I won't lie, it is still hard sometimes. I am not always the Mom that I want to be or should be. I am not Supermom or perfect.

Last night we had Parent- Teacher conferences. My parents offered to babysit our kids so that both of us could attend. I do think it is very important when at all possible, for both parents to attend these conferences. I was honestly prepared for only one of us to be able to attend since one of our kids was still somewhat under the weather, but I was pleasantly surprised that we were both able to go in the end. The bonus, we even got an opportunity to grab dinner afterwards. I dressed up and Hubby made reservations. We even had a bottle of wine. Isn't this funny?
We are total label shoppers, almost always throwing all wine knowledge aside when choosing our selection. This label made us laugh and with it being Valentine's Day weekend and all we thought it was most appropriate. It really was a good choice after all. I would buy it again. Dinner was romantic, delicious, and amazing especially since I didn't have to cook it or clean it up one single dish. Nope, not even one! I especially love the ability to stay local in our community and support a restaurant right in our own hometown. Last night was the best night's sleep that I have had in awhile and so that was refreshing too.

Today, I celebrated the birthday of a dear friend. I was so focused on her and her influence on my life. I marveled at the time when we met, all that we have been through together, and how how our friendship has blessed me a million times over in almost seven years. I never considered how much fun I would have too just being there with her celebrating her special day. It was great to see and spend time with another friend that I don't get to see as often as I would like to. I had meaningful conversations with several other friends as well. I am grateful for the authentic friendships that I have in my life. Real moms, real women, and the real opportunities to be brutally honest about life. It was refreshing to just relax among my girlfriends. I had the best time. It was so refreshing, more so than I had even expected.

I came home to a table set for dinner, kids playing peacefully, and a hubby making dinner for us. I almost thought I came home to the wrong house. HA!

I am refreshed. We all NEED this. I still need to figure out why we fight the opportunities to take care of ourselves. The time away is nourishing to ourselves and refreshing, allowing us to be better wives and moms for it. Sick child is on the mend, not totally herself, but better.

I am grateful for dear friends, for the dinner made for me again tonight. Hmmm how can I get this to stick??? I am grateful for my beautiful family, good soothing music, good birthday cake, and yes, even a bottle of good wine! I am most grateful that I no longer feel like a sucked out juice box! I hope this feeling lasts for awhile!

What refreshes you?

Condensed LOVE

I love the blog world. Funny thing that a few short years ago, blog, why they didn't even exist. Today, they have become part of my daily life.

A blog friend inspired me to make this blessing ring. I love it. I wrapped a binder ring with yellow ribbon on one side and turquoise ribbon printed with yellow sunshines on the other side. I now have a much prettier way to store the prayers, comforting words, and well wishes that have been shared with me over time.

Before the blessing ring, I just taped them to my front door. These words, penned by family, friends, and prayer warriors do nothing short of breathing sunshine into my parched soul and comforting a hurt from a place so deep within me. I need these words out in the open where they are visible and accessible at a moments notice. The blessing ring certainly allows for both and is able to accommodate more cards, messages, and notes at one time. Condensed LOVE.

I fully acknowledge the power of one little card. One little message. One little something...Remember a few posts ago when I mentioned ways to show broken hearted love with a hurting soul. These cards represent one way to do just that. Obviously these cards and messages have special meaning to me. I have saved every single one....from the beginning. I read them when they first arrived in my mailbox and I have reread them often ever since. Not a one has been tossed aside or ever forgotten. Another amazing thing about cards and message of the such is that you can read them whenever you want to or need to.

While this post began as a simple way to share a recent inspiration, it has grown to be an entry of deep gratitude for the prayers and support that have sustained us these last two years.

Hallmark is a good thing. Love isn't meant to only dwell within your heart, it is truly best when it is shared.

GO on...share some love. Share some today.

Loving This...

My word charm arrived in the mail. Have I told you how much I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE wearing it around my neck every day? It really does help me to be intentional about keeping my word ever present in my thoughts, which by the way, shapes the way we act.

For those of you following along on this One Little Word journey with me, I'd love it if you would share your own ideas for how you are keeping your word front and center in your every day lives. Here's where we can insprire, help, and encourage one another.