Romans 8:9-11
You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. but if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raise Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
LIFE FOR ME!
Friday, February 4, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Horrarrassment Story #1,892
I think that because I am sitting on my sister AK's bed listening to the rain and working (NO--this is not work, this is a break), I should share with you one of my horror stories. Most people have embarrassing stories, and I have many too, but I have even more horror stories. This one is both horror and embarrassment. A horrarrassment. Look it up in my dictionary.
Almost 4 years ago, while I was attending Liberty University in the Burg, I was a healthnutfreakcrazyperson. I was working out a lot and attempting to drink a lot of water every day. You know those big Nalgenes? The old school ones that we put bumper stickers all over? I would drink 5 of them a day. So my bladder got big and stretched out. Yay! In between two of my classes at school I had to pee real bad. So I ran downstairs to the bathroom and on the way in, I ran into a girl that I had shared classes with in the past. She liked to talk. More than me. That's a lot. So she was talking and talking and talking and I was squeezing and holding it and in pain. And I casually placed one leg in front of the other in order to help myself out. And guess what she did? Talked. And I couldn't say "no" or "hang on" or "just a moment" or "SHUT THE *BLEEEP* UP BEFORE I PEE ON YOU!". I lost all my self esteem and gumption and straightforwardness, and I smiled and nodded. Do you remember where I said I was standing? On the way in. As in, IN the entrance to the bathroom. I was that close, people!
So finally I said I needed to run but I'd see her later, and I spun out of my adorable positioning, and on the first step, that tinkle straight up gushed out of me. Imagine a dark pee circle on my jeans that started at crotch and ended near ankles. Now imagine the whole situation. How do you get to your car to get home and get pants without the whole world knowing? Well, this is where you'll be SO impressed with me. It was the dead of winter and freezing outside and so I had on a spaghetti strap shirt with a fitted cardigan over it. So I stripped the jeans and put them in my backpack. And I took that cute, fitted cardigan which was WHITE and I buttoned it around my waste. Imagine--tight white skirt buttoned up the back. Told you you'd be impressed. Now-you should know-LU has a Liberty Way which involves official rules blah blah blah. My outfit was NOT Liberty Way. It was very opposite of Liberty Way and it was very opposite of Whitney way as well. But I marched my hoochielookinself to my car across campus looking like this. Imagine: white, short, tight skirt buttoned up the back where you could see my hiny. Spaghetti strap tight shirt. Freezing cold. I told myself that if an RA approached me to write me up, I'd have her smell my backpack. But none did, and I've never gotten to my car quicker.
Thanks for listening to my horrarrassing moment. I love you. The end.
Almost 4 years ago, while I was attending Liberty University in the Burg, I was a healthnutfreakcrazyperson. I was working out a lot and attempting to drink a lot of water every day. You know those big Nalgenes? The old school ones that we put bumper stickers all over? I would drink 5 of them a day. So my bladder got big and stretched out. Yay! In between two of my classes at school I had to pee real bad. So I ran downstairs to the bathroom and on the way in, I ran into a girl that I had shared classes with in the past. She liked to talk. More than me. That's a lot. So she was talking and talking and talking and I was squeezing and holding it and in pain. And I casually placed one leg in front of the other in order to help myself out. And guess what she did? Talked. And I couldn't say "no" or "hang on" or "just a moment" or "SHUT THE *BLEEEP* UP BEFORE I PEE ON YOU!". I lost all my self esteem and gumption and straightforwardness, and I smiled and nodded. Do you remember where I said I was standing? On the way in. As in, IN the entrance to the bathroom. I was that close, people!
So finally I said I needed to run but I'd see her later, and I spun out of my adorable positioning, and on the first step, that tinkle straight up gushed out of me. Imagine a dark pee circle on my jeans that started at crotch and ended near ankles. Now imagine the whole situation. How do you get to your car to get home and get pants without the whole world knowing? Well, this is where you'll be SO impressed with me. It was the dead of winter and freezing outside and so I had on a spaghetti strap shirt with a fitted cardigan over it. So I stripped the jeans and put them in my backpack. And I took that cute, fitted cardigan which was WHITE and I buttoned it around my waste. Imagine--tight white skirt buttoned up the back. Told you you'd be impressed. Now-you should know-LU has a Liberty Way which involves official rules blah blah blah. My outfit was NOT Liberty Way. It was very opposite of Liberty Way and it was very opposite of Whitney way as well. But I marched my hoochielookinself to my car across campus looking like this. Imagine: white, short, tight skirt buttoned up the back where you could see my hiny. Spaghetti strap tight shirt. Freezing cold. I told myself that if an RA approached me to write me up, I'd have her smell my backpack. But none did, and I've never gotten to my car quicker.
Thanks for listening to my horrarrassing moment. I love you. The end.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Little Mister
Waiting for the doctor.......
My baby boy has the flu!! Boooooo.......I gotta go love on him for hours. :( Poor lil stinker....
My baby boy has the flu!! Boooooo.......I gotta go love on him for hours. :( Poor lil stinker....
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Cashew Chicken
Those of you who know me know I love to cook! BUT I do NOT make anything difficult or with complicated ingredients--no siree. That's for people who have their own cooking shows and snobs and such.
So lemme preface this recipe--my husband was born in Korea, and he loooooves Asian food, or mainly just rice. And with rice--he must have meat. Every night. Meat. And Rice. Get it? K! So when we lived in Lynch-vegas (that's Lynchburg, Virginia, for those of you who don't know where some of my best memories and friends are), we used to go to a yummy restaurant called Thai 99 and eat Cashew Chicken. We miss it, and I cry myself to sleep every night longing for it. Just kidding, only once! So I did some research and I found this amazing recipe (amazing because it's easy) for Cashew Chicken and here it is.
Thai Cashew Chicken
3 T Canola oil {or whatever oil! I used Olive Oil, because Popeye rocks my world}
1 lb chicken {who puts chicken on a scale? for realz. I use 4-6 chicken breasts}
2 1/2 T Thai chili paste {or straight up chili paste. DO NOT ADD EXTRA...this amount alone will make everyone around cough and run to the hills if you don't have a fan on!}
1/2 c chicken broth {or more if you're me and read it wrong and add 2 cups....but we like LOTS of juice, so it turned out better}
1 red bell pepper in 1/2" slices {my husband doesn't like veggies, I skip}
1/2 large onion in 1/2" slices {I tell my husband to get over it, and I add this}
1/4 c oyster sauce {Asian section in Kroger (or Krogers if it's my grandmother)}
1 T sugar
6 dried red chiles {riiiight, never did this part}
1/2 c raw roasted cashews {or MORE}
Cook chicken in 2T oil in large skillet. Set Aside. Add remaining oil to skillet and heat. Add chili paste, stirring constantly to break it up for 1-2 minutes. Add chix broth, red pepper, onion, oyster sauce, and sugar. Stir well and simmer 3 minutes. Lower heat to medium, add chicken, and cook until sauce is slightly thickened and veggies are tender, 4-5 minutes. Add chiles and cashews. Stir and serve over rice.
Here are the pictures of the way all this went!
I first poured a glass of...ahem....apple cider!
Ingredients!
Olive oil in cute green cast iron dutch oven. I love Martha Stewart.
I got tired, and husband hottie had to pour me another...ahem....apple cider.
Because I was feeling nice, I made the onions that said husband hates separately!
Chircken!
Broth...too much...so I had to add more of other stuff too...I like!
Finished product. Love button.
Feed to hungry guests. The ones happy to have their picture taken. Sometimes they hate me. But I always love them.
So lemme preface this recipe--my husband was born in Korea, and he loooooves Asian food, or mainly just rice. And with rice--he must have meat. Every night. Meat. And Rice. Get it? K! So when we lived in Lynch-vegas (that's Lynchburg, Virginia, for those of you who don't know where some of my best memories and friends are), we used to go to a yummy restaurant called Thai 99 and eat Cashew Chicken. We miss it, and I cry myself to sleep every night longing for it. Just kidding, only once! So I did some research and I found this amazing recipe (amazing because it's easy) for Cashew Chicken and here it is.
Thai Cashew Chicken
3 T Canola oil {or whatever oil! I used Olive Oil, because Popeye rocks my world}
1 lb chicken {who puts chicken on a scale? for realz. I use 4-6 chicken breasts}
2 1/2 T Thai chili paste {or straight up chili paste. DO NOT ADD EXTRA...this amount alone will make everyone around cough and run to the hills if you don't have a fan on!}
1/2 c chicken broth {or more if you're me and read it wrong and add 2 cups....but we like LOTS of juice, so it turned out better}
1 red bell pepper in 1/2" slices {my husband doesn't like veggies, I skip}
1/2 large onion in 1/2" slices {I tell my husband to get over it, and I add this}
1/4 c oyster sauce {Asian section in Kroger (or Krogers if it's my grandmother)}
1 T sugar
6 dried red chiles {riiiight, never did this part}
1/2 c raw roasted cashews {or MORE}
Cook chicken in 2T oil in large skillet. Set Aside. Add remaining oil to skillet and heat. Add chili paste, stirring constantly to break it up for 1-2 minutes. Add chix broth, red pepper, onion, oyster sauce, and sugar. Stir well and simmer 3 minutes. Lower heat to medium, add chicken, and cook until sauce is slightly thickened and veggies are tender, 4-5 minutes. Add chiles and cashews. Stir and serve over rice.
Here are the pictures of the way all this went!
I first poured a glass of...ahem....apple cider!
Ingredients! 
Olive oil in cute green cast iron dutch oven. I love Martha Stewart.
I got tired, and husband hottie had to pour me another...ahem....apple cider.
Because I was feeling nice, I made the onions that said husband hates separately!
Chircken!
Broth...too much...so I had to add more of other stuff too...I like!
Finished product. Love button.
Feed to hungry guests. The ones happy to have their picture taken. Sometimes they hate me. But I always love them.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Amazing Grace
So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.
~Romans 7:21
~Romans 7:21
Recently, three of my favorite women in the world-Tasha, Andrea, and Kelli, came in town. While they were here, at different points with different women, we were able to have a few of those talks in which you feel like your soul has been heard. And because God is really good, these women shared personal stories as well. I was able to hear about their marriages, key family relationships, struggles, and how God is loving them to Himself through various teachings. Many of the things said that weekend resonated in a really deep way with me and with my spirit.
One discussion we had was about listening to God through meditation, prayer, and the Scriptures. This may seem silly--but it has left me in a state of spiritual renewal. I am constantly busying myself with new spiritual commitments (reading through the Bible, reading "spiritual" books, praying the "ACTS" way, etc.). There is nothing wrong with these commitments except that I can never complete or finish them and they are busy work for me. I do not spend time praying that the Holy Spirit would convict me of my sin, show me ways to intentionally serve, and teach me how to worship. Instead I spend time learning cool spiritual things to talk about or get discouraged because I don't naturally always LIKE to pray or spend time in the Word.
Anyway, I have spent more time in Scripture, praying, and worshiping in the last few weeks than in many years and actually have a DESIRE to do this. I am asking God to help me pay attention to Him in my day to day life by making clear the needs of others, convicting me of my sin, and helping me to be thankful for the undeserved blessings He pours out to me in my daily life. He is really teaching me that my worship, relationships, prayer, and theology will never be perfect, but He already sent His perfect son for that, and that is SO freeing!!! For example, many people in a church I grew up in believe that closing your eyes, raising your hands, or dancing during worship on Sunday mornings is merely an attempt to receive attention. For me I worship BETTER when I can concentrate on the words by closing my eyes, and can raise my hands to physically express my praise and adoration for our AWESOME God, and dance (no booty dancing, don't worry). These are not acts to get attention when I'm quite certain these get more negative than positive attention where I come from, but are acts that God has asked me to do. They are also biblical....VERY biblical. God has not called everyone to worship this way, but He HAS called me to do this. That is only one example, and I am LOVING worship now.
Ya'll (all 2 of you who read my blog) think I'm just really awesome now, huh? Okay, so now the big news--I have ALSO found myself SO critical of others, bitter and jealous towards certain people, frustrated, and impatient. It is so extremely frustrating. And here is where you should read again the verse I began with. :) I read this this morning and I am so certain that Paul wrote this for me specifically. It is SO true. I am finding a new joy in the freedom of Christ right now, but feel that instead of being wholly in tune with the fruits of the Spirit, I am so entirely full of judgement, hatred, and sin. BUT I am certain that God is revealing this to me so that I know this new-found joy is not of me, it is entirely of Him. I have no glory in it--it is not because I am doing more, I am actually failing more. It is because He loves me, and He wants me to be free in him. He hates how much I love my own glory, schedule, comfort, and abilities.
I am falling on my face every hour of the day right now, embarrassed of who I am, insecure in who I am, and hating my sin. But He is teaching me that He is my security, and when I'm embarrassed about my sin, how it affects and wounds others, and how I am constantly screwing up, He is teaching me and letting me rest in His never-ending love. He is there all the time--when I gossip and am embarrassed because it hurts others, when I am jealous and bitter, when friends betray me, and when I care more about myself than my husband. He is the only reason any of this can change, and He is the only reason a messy marriage, mundane diaper changing, and wounded friendships can be changed to a beautiful love story, guiding and giving security to a covenant baby, and loyal, comforting camaraderie.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Christmas Fa-reakout
Aren't they the cutest tree-trimmers you ever saw?? I'm pretty obsessed. If only all of December were this lovely.
Every year around December 23, I have a Christmas freakout. No, a Christmas FA-reakout. It's inevitable. Jed and I normally have 9-5 jobs (this year mine is from 9-9--as in it never stops, a thank you very much), I have to shop for all the family (this includes 27 people this year), we have Christmas party after Christmas party, we HAVE to put up a tree and decorate, we have to take a Christmas card pic and send out a million, and on and on and on (you get the picture). Don't get me wrong. It's the most wonderful time of the year and all that, and I have fond memories and feelings associated with Christmastime, but around December 23, I fa-reak out.
Usually this is the scenario: Jed comes home from work, I have dinner cooking and a drink poured for him, I am wearing a cute winter dress and apron, and then I sweetly tell him that I'm a bit stressed.
NOT!!!!!!!!
Real scenario: Jed comes home from work, I am looking a hot mess, he can hardly get to the kitchen because of all the wrapping utensils and gifts on the floor, I have no thought of dinner because our house is not stocked with drink OR any type of food that could go together for a "meal," and then I say, "I NEED YOUR HELP! I STILL DON'T HAVE GIFTS FOR 9 PEOPLE AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'LL GET THEM AND THE TRAFFIC IS SO HORRID IT WILL TAKE 8 HOURS TO SHOP FOR EACH OF THEM INDIVIDUALLY WHICH LEAVES US WITH NO TIME FOR ALL THE ENJOYING EACH OTHER I WANTED TO DO".
And then my face starts to scrunch up and do the pre-cry thing and I say, "I J-J-JUST W-W-ANTED CHRISTMAS TO B-B-BE GOOD THIS YEAR, AND I C-C-CAN'T STOP FREAKING OUT IN MY H-H-HEAD BECAUSE I DON' T HAVE THOSE GIFTS YET, AND NOW I'M A BAD WIFE B-B-BECAUSE WE HAVE NO FOOD OR COCKTAILS, AND OUR HOUSE IS A WR-WR-WRECK AND HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO ENJOY WAKING UP ON CHRISTMAS EVE LIKE THIS?"
And then I start baaaaaawling, "HOW CAN YOU STILL LOVE ME? I'M CRAZY. WOULD YOU HAVE MARRIED ME IF YOU KNEW THEN I WAS CRAZY? OH, AND I HAVEN'T DONE ANY LAUNDRY BECAUSE OF ALL THE CHRISTMAS PARTIES WE WENT TO THIS WEEK, SO WE'LL HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR FOR CHRISTMAS, AND YOUR MOM CALLED AND WE NEED TO BRING A CASSEROLE TO THEIR HOUSE TONIGHT, AND WE NEED TO TAKE HOMEMADE BISCUITS TO MY PARENT'S HOUSE IN THE MORNING. AND I HAVE TO BE AT THE CHURCH LATER TONIGHT TO PRACTICE SINGING FOR TOMORROW'S CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE AND I'LL HAVE TO BE REALLY EARLY TO THE SERVICE TOMORROW AND WILL THAT FRUSTRATE ANYONE??? I TOLD YOU I'M CRAZY. WHY AM I CRYING? I LOVE CHRISTMAS! (desperately) WHY AM I CRYING!!!????"
So this year I'll add, "AND BRADEN WON'T STOP CRYING AND HE BARFED ALL OVER HIS CHRISTMAS OUTFIT, AND HE HAS POOP UP HIS BACK, AND HE NEEDS DINNER EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE TO WALK OUT THE DOOR IN 5 MINUTES, AND HE HAS NO CLEAN CLOTHES EITHER, AND I'M OUT OF DIAPERS, AND I NEED YOU TO RUN TO THE STORES FOR THOSE, AND I FORGOT STOCKING STUFF FOR HIM!"
So my Christmas resolution is to NOT have quite as big of a break down this year. I think eliminating it would be nice, but let's be realistic! I think I'd like to have the gifts already bought, food in the fridge (oven pizza?), and maybe not be outta diapers.
Merry Christmas Home-home-homeboy!
Oh, and thanks, babe, for putting up with me. :)
Every year around December 23, I have a Christmas freakout. No, a Christmas FA-reakout. It's inevitable. Jed and I normally have 9-5 jobs (this year mine is from 9-9--as in it never stops, a thank you very much), I have to shop for all the family (this includes 27 people this year), we have Christmas party after Christmas party, we HAVE to put up a tree and decorate, we have to take a Christmas card pic and send out a million, and on and on and on (you get the picture). Don't get me wrong. It's the most wonderful time of the year and all that, and I have fond memories and feelings associated with Christmastime, but around December 23, I fa-reak out.
Usually this is the scenario: Jed comes home from work, I have dinner cooking and a drink poured for him, I am wearing a cute winter dress and apron, and then I sweetly tell him that I'm a bit stressed.
NOT!!!!!!!!
Real scenario: Jed comes home from work, I am looking a hot mess, he can hardly get to the kitchen because of all the wrapping utensils and gifts on the floor, I have no thought of dinner because our house is not stocked with drink OR any type of food that could go together for a "meal," and then I say, "I NEED YOUR HELP! I STILL DON'T HAVE GIFTS FOR 9 PEOPLE AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'LL GET THEM AND THE TRAFFIC IS SO HORRID IT WILL TAKE 8 HOURS TO SHOP FOR EACH OF THEM INDIVIDUALLY WHICH LEAVES US WITH NO TIME FOR ALL THE ENJOYING EACH OTHER I WANTED TO DO".
And then my face starts to scrunch up and do the pre-cry thing and I say, "I J-J-JUST W-W-ANTED CHRISTMAS TO B-B-BE GOOD THIS YEAR, AND I C-C-CAN'T STOP FREAKING OUT IN MY H-H-HEAD BECAUSE I DON' T HAVE THOSE GIFTS YET, AND NOW I'M A BAD WIFE B-B-BECAUSE WE HAVE NO FOOD OR COCKTAILS, AND OUR HOUSE IS A WR-WR-WRECK AND HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO ENJOY WAKING UP ON CHRISTMAS EVE LIKE THIS?"
And then I start baaaaaawling, "HOW CAN YOU STILL LOVE ME? I'M CRAZY. WOULD YOU HAVE MARRIED ME IF YOU KNEW THEN I WAS CRAZY? OH, AND I HAVEN'T DONE ANY LAUNDRY BECAUSE OF ALL THE CHRISTMAS PARTIES WE WENT TO THIS WEEK, SO WE'LL HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR FOR CHRISTMAS, AND YOUR MOM CALLED AND WE NEED TO BRING A CASSEROLE TO THEIR HOUSE TONIGHT, AND WE NEED TO TAKE HOMEMADE BISCUITS TO MY PARENT'S HOUSE IN THE MORNING. AND I HAVE TO BE AT THE CHURCH LATER TONIGHT TO PRACTICE SINGING FOR TOMORROW'S CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE AND I'LL HAVE TO BE REALLY EARLY TO THE SERVICE TOMORROW AND WILL THAT FRUSTRATE ANYONE??? I TOLD YOU I'M CRAZY. WHY AM I CRYING? I LOVE CHRISTMAS! (desperately) WHY AM I CRYING!!!????"
So this year I'll add, "AND BRADEN WON'T STOP CRYING AND HE BARFED ALL OVER HIS CHRISTMAS OUTFIT, AND HE HAS POOP UP HIS BACK, AND HE NEEDS DINNER EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE TO WALK OUT THE DOOR IN 5 MINUTES, AND HE HAS NO CLEAN CLOTHES EITHER, AND I'M OUT OF DIAPERS, AND I NEED YOU TO RUN TO THE STORES FOR THOSE, AND I FORGOT STOCKING STUFF FOR HIM!"
So my Christmas resolution is to NOT have quite as big of a break down this year. I think eliminating it would be nice, but let's be realistic! I think I'd like to have the gifts already bought, food in the fridge (oven pizza?), and maybe not be outta diapers.
Merry Christmas Home-home-homeboy!
Oh, and thanks, babe, for putting up with me. :)
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Christmas Cards
A few years ago, Jed and I sent out our first Christmas card. We were so darlin' in our cute little nicely prepared outfits. THEN we took a few years off, and I was too lazy or busy to actually order Christmas cards. Now we have a baby, and you know what that means....we HAVE to send out a card. It's like the innate Christmas rule. People are supposed to disown people who are in their family, have children, and don't send out a Christmas card.
I have a few friends who are obsessed with Shutterfly. They love their prints, the gifts they create are sa-weet, and it is all pretty inexpensive. And now I am so excited about the new promotion that Shutterfly is running. In exchange for a blog post, I get 50 free Christmas cards. The best part? The Christmas cards are some of the cutest I've ever seen. Seriously, I have no idea how I'll decide!
I love the idea of having our family picture PLUS little pics of Braden.
Buuuuuut I also love the more funky square ones.
Oooooor I could go with the classic family shot on gorgeous card??
I dunno. Honestly, I still haven't even looked at half of the options because the first half was so overwhelming!
And speaking of Christmas, Shutterfly also has some amazing options for cool Christmas presents:
1. Thank you cards
2. Calendars
3. Photo Wall Art
OK...so maybe I'm a little excited. But what can I say?? It's all really cute. And since we just had a baby, all of our family members want photo gifts for Christmas. And can you blame them? Just look at him!
Welp. Merry Christmas!! Now off to actually TAKE a picture to put on this card!!
I have a few friends who are obsessed with Shutterfly. They love their prints, the gifts they create are sa-weet, and it is all pretty inexpensive. And now I am so excited about the new promotion that Shutterfly is running. In exchange for a blog post, I get 50 free Christmas cards. The best part? The Christmas cards are some of the cutest I've ever seen. Seriously, I have no idea how I'll decide!
I love the idea of having our family picture PLUS little pics of Braden.
Buuuuuut I also love the more funky square ones.
Oooooor I could go with the classic family shot on gorgeous card??
I dunno. Honestly, I still haven't even looked at half of the options because the first half was so overwhelming!And speaking of Christmas, Shutterfly also has some amazing options for cool Christmas presents:
1. Thank you cards
2. Calendars
3. Photo Wall Art
OK...so maybe I'm a little excited. But what can I say?? It's all really cute. And since we just had a baby, all of our family members want photo gifts for Christmas. And can you blame them? Just look at him!
Welp. Merry Christmas!! Now off to actually TAKE a picture to put on this card!!
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