FIT Fridays: The Heart

Dear bloggy friends,

When it comes to living a healthy lifestyle, we make a plan. We decide to cut calories and increase exercise -- starting tomorrow. The morning comes. We hit the snooze - again and again - and the time for exercise is gone. Disgusted over the failure, we eat doughnuts and a tall coffee with cream and sugar. Why not? "I'll just start tomorrow." Of course, tomorrow comes. So do the same bad decisions. We give up.

Even though we know calories in minus calories out equals weight gained or lost [cal in - cal out = weight gain/lost], we struggle. On rare occasion, a health condition affects that balance and a doctor's assistance is necessary.

Good health isn't as simple as a math formula. We have to factor in the intangible: Health is a matter of the heart. We must have the heart desire to make the change. Like any change (I blogged yesterday about my bad parenting habits), it's hard. We live in the age of "do what feels good now."

To win the battle (whether it's food or something else), we need God. God tells us we can overcome any obstacle -- even persistent habits -- if we let Him fill our hearts instead. Colossians 3:7-10 says:

You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander and dirty language. Don't lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become more like him.

For two weeks I've struggled about whether to share that verse. I don't want to condemn anyone or motivate by guilt trip. We heap enough guilt on ourselves as it is. I certainly don't need to add to anyone's burden. No matter what, though, choosing food (the old nature) for comfort instead of turning to God (our new nature) is sin. Until we choose God over something else, we cannot break free from it.

Let me be clear, food is not the enemy. Any old habit that we turn to instead of God could be substituted for food here -- it's a matter of the heart. I scream, yell and stomp my feet instead of praying for wisdom, patience and calm when I discipline my kids. That's the old self vs. the new self. I get bad news and run to the tub of ice cream in the freezer vs. pray and seek God's comfort. That too is the old self vs. the new self.  The only difference between a food battle and most others is that we can't hide our food battle! Like it or not, it shows.

Let's fill our hearts with the word of God instead of filling our stomach with temporary comfort. Let's win the battle. Romans 8:2-8, 11-13 says:

And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. ... So God ... sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin's control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.

 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God's laws and it never will. That's why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.

... The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by the same Spirit living within you.

 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature you will live.

To make the switch to healthy living now and forever, be sure to equip yourself.

1. Study God's word and find strength from him.
2. Resource yourself. There are several great Christian books on healthy eating and living. Choose one and pursue it.
3. Develop accountability. God didn't create us to do life alone. Ask a friend or family member to help you stand strong.
4. Pray!!!
5. Make the choice and begin. Today!

This will be the last FIT Fridays post. I could come back each week to encourage and share, but I've said all I know. From here, it's up to you. And God. Together -- you're unstoppable!

Dear God,
Thank You for giving us your Spirit to walk through life with us. Help us to listen to the Spirit's nudge when we need it. Help us turn to You for guidance and strength. Help us overcome the past to live for You -- and only You.
In your Son's precious name I pray,
Amen

Another Chance

CRASH!!! The booming noise shakes the house. The picture on the wall gets knocked askew. Again. I've had it with these kids!

I pound up the stairs to the bonus room. I'll show them! I burst through the door, and face red with rage, I scream, "KIDS!!!! Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!"

Silence.

They freeze in place. My oldest speaks calmly, definitely not what I deserve. "But Mom. We were playing football with Ellie. She thinks it's hilarious when she tackles us and we fall." Ellie is six. She weighs about 38 pounds, tiny for her age. The boys are 16 and 13. Can you see this from Ellie's point of view? Little one topples the mighty giants. Her joy. Their delight.

"Well, umm, look. Just don't fall so hard okay." Sheepishly, mumbling a sincere but embarrassed apology, I slink away.

I wish I could tell you that happened a long time ago, but it didn't. I wish I could say this was before I knew Jesus. But that's not true either. I've been a Christian for decades. I've been in church leadership for years. I read the Bible. I pray. I am "plugged in." And yet, I fail. Miserably.

Until about six years ago I made excuses for my anger. "This is just a part of who I am." I blamed my parents. "My dad has a short fuse, so I must have inherited it." Sometimes I blamed hormones. I could even throw scripture in there. After all, the Bible says, "The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother." (Pro. 29:15).

Then, Ephesians 4:26 grabbed hold of my heart. "In your anger do not sin." God was done with my excuses. He wanted me to know that with Him there is a better way. Really, God? You want me to change who I have been my entire life? That's impossible!

God assured me that with Him, nothing is impossible. His word says in 2 Cor. 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come." I realized I must simply choose to trust His way. The angry bouts lessened  -- though my kids would watch, waiting for the bomb to explode. I learned to listen to their explanations rather than jump to conclusions. I learned to instruct in kindness instead of scream. I learned how to hold them accountable for their behavior. I understood, finally, their battle is not mine.

Just like my kids, I stumble.

I respond in selfish anger. Paul said, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." (Phil. 3:12) Paul understood that we will never be perfect. Jesus is our perfection. Jesus fills our heart. The Holy Spirit is here to guide us to make Godly decisions -- the choices Jesus would make.

In my humanness, I hear that voice whisper "in your anger do not sin" and ignore it. I pound. I scream. I rage.

The Holy Spirit keeps whispering. I press in to listen. I ask forgiveness. God gives me another chance.

How about you? What excuses do you make? Will you ask God to help you overcome your bad habits?

Dear God,
You are love. You are mercy. Forgive me for my anger. Help me listen more carefully to the wisdom you whisper into my heart. Thank you for always giving me another chance.
In your Son's precious name I pray,
Amen

Memorial Box Monday: Answered Prayer

Yes, I'm writing my MBM post on Wednesday. It's okay -- next year if you come back to revisit this post you won't even know I didn't write it on Monday!

If you don't know what Memorial Box Monday is, it started with Linny at "A Place Called Simplicity." Linny had this brilliant idea that we should remember the prayers God has already answered. We should cherish that answered prayer and revisit it when we need encouragement. MBM represents my family's faith journey. Much of it centers on our daughter's adoption. Today I realize that I have never prayed as fervently or walked as much by faith as I did then. (I need to get back to that place of total dependence.)

When I first told Rob that God was calling us to China to bring home a little girl, he wasn't as convinced as I was. He had his reasons. All of them logical. One thing he pointed out was that we had just paid off more than $100,000 in student loans the month before. We had a plan for the next stage of our financial life - to start saving for retirement and the kids' college. I'm a planner. Normally, he's more relaxed.

Unusually calm and clear, I suggested that we should pray about the finances. He agreed. So that night we asked God to show us. Our prayers were a lot like Gideon's fleece test. God, if this vision is really from you, prove it.

The next day...

Yes, I said, THE NEXT DAY! We got a letter in the mail from the student loan company. I opened it, expecting the payoff letter. The letter was there, but it said we had overpaid our payoff.

I don't know about you, but when I pay a bill, I don't ever want to pay more than needed. I called the student loan company before I wrote that final check. I followed all the automated prompts to get to payoff information. The automated voice told me our payoff amount and that it had to be received by a certain date (three or four days later). I repeated the amount and checked my figures. Twice. I wrote the check and sent it in.

Back to the letter we received... It said we overpaid the payoff. Not humanly possible. It included a check to reimburse us for the overpayment.

As I write my heart is pounding from the excitement of that day!

I called my husband right away. Again uncharacteristically, I calmly read the letter and told him about the check. I didn't connect the dots. This check was for him. From God. To help him see that our money is not ours. God can do whatever He wants whenever He wants. We just have to be obedient.

My husband and God had a little talk that day. I think we both learned how very great, how very loving, and how very in control our God really is.

To remember God's faithfulness, I'll put the check stub (yes, seven years later I still have it) in our memorial box. I never want to forget that God is in control and I don't need to worry about anything. I want my daughter to know that God cared about her from the moment she was conceived. I want her to know that God made sure we listened and brought her home -- where she belongs! May she never doubt His love -- or our love -- for her.

Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are? Matthew 6:26

Perfect. NOT!

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, 

but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Phil. 3:12

Long ago, I was a criminal prosecutor. People hear that and often ask if it was exciting. I wish I could say it was, but a job is a job is a job. Criminal prosecution is not like Matlock. The truth is prosecutors pursue a number of cases at the same time. Court rules wouldn't allow Matlock's grand displays (that would have made it easier though). Rarely -- virtually never -- did the last second smoking gun materialize. Nope, Matlock is not real life.

Perfection is not real life either. Jesus said we will face troubles in this world. He didn't say the undeserving will face trouble. He didn't say there are a special few who get to go through life unscathed. Every one of us faces trouble. None of us is perfect.

Why do I bring this up?

Too often, I have encountered people who say, "If I had.... my life would be perfect." 


More than once someone has said she wishes for a husband like mine -- one who cooks, helps with homework, knows how to sort and wash laundry. But here's the thing... You'll never hear from me what my husband does to drive me crazy! He's not perfect (I love you, Treds, and hope you don't mind me sharing this...). You'll never hear his mistakes or his "character flaws" from me. I married ALL of him -- the wonderful parts and the not-quite-perfect parts. I CHOOSE to focus on the good parts.

My kids are not perfect either. Inherently, they are kids with selfish desires, anger issues, lazy traits. Don't get me wrong. I am blessed with GREAT kids! I am incredibly proud of what God is doing in their young lives. My heart bursts with pride when I see Nathan minister through music or when someone tells me about Ben's quiet, encouraging ways or Ellie's nurturing soul. This is God's design for my kids. He has a plan for them. I CHOOSE to pray for that plan, every single day. From sun-up to sun-down, my role as their mom is to encourage, instruct, teach, rebuke, or whatever it takes to help them get there. Ephesians 6:4 says, "[Parents], do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." 

Kids become who they are meant to be when God is the center of their lives. See, God's perfect plan for my imperfect family is to train and instruct the kids in God's ways. Beyond that, all I can do is trust that God will be the center. I pray that they will become rooted in His love, His way, His plan for them. Time will tell if that's what they choose. 

Along the way, though, I make mistakes. Don't believe me? Then read through some of the posts on this blog... I'm constantly learning! Most often, from my mistakes. The apostle Paul understood this. He understood that outside of Jesus, there is no perfection. We aren't perfect people. Only Jesus is perfect. Paul understood that dying to his selfish thoughts every moment of every day meant putting Jesus there instead. I can almost hear him saying, "I am really ticked off that I'm here in this prison when I've done nothing to deserve it. Jesus, take that feeling from me. Fill me with your way of doing this. Let me find peace, contentment, and opportunity to share your love even in this horrible moment." 

Focusing on my husband's flaws -- or highlighting those among friends -- is that unconditional love? Is that the way Jesus loves him? Screaming at my kids -- throwing in the towel and giving up -- is that what Jesus did? No. Jesus loves at all times. Jesus forgives at all times. Jesus lived to teach, encourage, and instruct us in the love of God. He never quit -- not even on the cross when he died for my sins.

Perfection. No. Daily walking in the love of Jesus. Constantly asking for forgiveness when I blow it. Choosing to focus on those things which are good and pure when part of me wants to scream about the unfairness of life. Yes.  ...I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

What a Blessing!!!

Friends,

Check this out! What an awesome way to start the weekend!

Karen,

I just spent a few minutes catching up on your blog -- very inspired and ready to try some new recipes.

I also read your posts about Ben with great interest -- he displays such confidence (not overly- confident, but an appropriate confidence), even when he struggles.
Yesterday many of the kids had trouble with reading some of the words in their papers -- not just him.

But I watched his face -- the determination when he got stuck -- he would silently mouth the next section and then read it out loud.
When he lost his place, he just calmly went back and found it.
The skills (and love) you have given him were on display for me -- I admire both of you so much.

Anyway, just wanted to share that -- hope you guys have a good weekend.

Jenny (Jenny teaches Ben and ten other kids his age on Fridays. Email shared with permission)


Whatever trials we face, God is bigger. God redeems. God answers prayer! Praising Him this morning!

FIT Fridays: Check this out!

Hey FIT Friday Friends,

Very busy day. The best part was celebrating my friend's birthday... I don't want to rush my post... so it will be here next week.

If you haven't seen this blog entry from Lysa Terkeurst, then check it out. AMAZING!

Have a wonderful weekend!!!
God bless,
Karen

Morning Routine

Every morning and evening they present burnt offerings and fragrant incense to the Lord. 

2 Chronicles 13:11

Every weekday morning, our daughter wakes up at 7:15. (Honestly, she wakes every day at this time -- even Saturdays. Thankfully, she has learned to read books and let the rest of us savor Saturday sleep-ins.) She heads downstairs, climbs onto the counter and gets a bowl. She pulls a spoon from the drawer and the cereal from the pantry. Then she waits. Patiently.

She knows that within moments one of us will come to pour her milk. (She can't lift the full jug, so she waits... whether it's full or not.) She carries her bowl to the table, wiggles into her chair and eats her breakfast.

She brushes her teeth, dresses for school and tromps down the stairs.

That's when the day really begins. Every morning, we circle up at the base of the stairs, joining hands to pray. We have so much to be thankful for: a caring teacher, good friends in class, and bus drivers who care. We invite Jesus to be the center of her day, asking Him to fill her with compassion and kindness. We pray that she will discover new things. Every day we pray.

She grabs her backpack, trots down the driveway and joins her friends at the bus stop. I watch from the window. My heart fills with joy as her giggle bounces down the street. The bus arrives with a squeak of the brakes, and without fail (except for one day when she completely forgot about me), she turns to our window, waves and blows a kiss. Then she's gone.

Dear God, 

May our prayers each morning be a fragrant offering to You. She's all yours, God. May she bring You great joy today. Thank You for watching over her. Thank You for blessing her with an incredible kindergarten experience. Thank you for blessing us with this special little girl. 

In Jesus' name I pray, Amen

Memorial Box Monday: Law School

Memorial Box Monday started at "A Place Called Simplicity." A friend of mine introduced me to it last week, and I love it! love it! love it!!! Memorial Box Monday provides an opportunity to remember all the good things God has done. Huge, gigantic things and little things that might seem insignificant. God's word is clear: "Cast every care on Me, for I care for you." (1 Peter 5:7).


Our home is filled with talk of PSAT and SAT testing as our son prepares to apply to colleges. He's been asking lots of questions about his dad's and my journey to college (some of it, we're too old to remember!) Last week before he took the PSAT, I reminded him that all he has to do is give the best he's got that day. We prayed together before I sent him off to school -- asking God to prepare the way for whatever is next in our son's life.


It reminded me of when God changed the total course of my life -- sending me on a journey I never would have picked in a million years! Partway through my senior year, the dean of my college called me into his office. I went to Ohio State and we rarely met senior administration, much less get called to their office. I was concerned.


He said, "You need to go to law school." What? Me? Never, not once had I considered it! I made some quick objections: 

1. I don't know anything about law school. He explained that "all" I had to do was take the LSAT.
2. How much does that cost? I don't have any money to take that test. He assured me that my financial need would be covered by the Ohio State law school. All I had to do was fill out a paper that proved my need.

All my objections answered, he sent me off to the law school to inquire about the test. Within moments, I had applied for a test fee waiver and was approved. Seriously! The lady gave me a trifold brochure that explains the question types, the test date and location of the next test. She also told me it was the last day to apply for the next LSAT and wished me luck. It was that simple! 

I didn't know about LSAT study guides, not that I could have purchased one. Instead, I prepared by reading the brochure. More than once, I wondered what I had gotten myself into.

Test day arrived. I headed to the testing location and listened to the litany of testing rules. I sat with fellow test-takers, some of them taking the test for the second, third and even fourth time -- hoping for better scores to get into their desired school. 

I sat down at an ancient wooden desk with a Pepsi and a poptart (don't ask... I was in college and considered that a good breakfast). I surveyed the room, realizing I had no business being there. I closed my eyes and told God, "If you really want me to go to law school, You better show up big time. Make it abundantly clear that this is the plan you have for my life." I didn't think this was it. 

Sometime later, I got my test results. I had scored in the 97th percentile in the whole country! Only 3% of test takers had higher scores. I was astounded. Then, I had no idea what to do next. Thankfully, I worked with some amazing people who helped me figure out what to do. I applied to three schools -- fees waived because of need -- and was accepted at all of them. I chose to stay at Ohio State. Law school wasn't easy -- there's definitely a learning curve to law education -- but the professors were awesome and helped me figure it all out.

People often ask if I'll ever return to law practice. I honestly don't think I will. God called me to a law career to do something specific, which I did. He provided me a great education that helps me stay organized in ministry. It helps me research my kids' special needs and provide for them. God knew law school would provide skills I need for everyday life. It may not be the traditional course, but I wonder -- how often is God's plan predictable? or ordinary? 

I'll put a picture of Rob and me at my law school graduation in my memory box to remind me that God's plan is not always what I think it might be. I hope it helps my son remember that no matter what his test scores are, God has a plan for his life too and will never leave him or foresake him. 

FIT Fridays: Three tips for a healthy diet

Hey FIT Fridays friends,
I recently ran into a friend I hadn't seen since May. At first, I didn't even know it was her -- the only thing I recognized was her hair. She had lost 50 pounds! In five months! I asked her secret (so I could share with you). She said it was really simple. She was tired of looking in the mirror every day and hating the person who looked back at her. She was tired of her kids asking her to play outside and being too tired to do it. She was tired of snapping at her kids when she knew, deep down, really she was mad at herself for letting her body become her enemy. She said she finally looked in the mirror one day and decided enough was enough. Food would not be her comforter any more.

I think many of us fall into that trap. We know what we're doing right and we know what we're doing wrong. Hating who we see in the mirror, we turn to food anyway, consoling ourselves with doughnut, chips, ice cream, convinced we just don't have what it takes to change.

Last week, I shared practical tips to get the most from your exercise routine. Exercise alone, though, doesn't  bring good health. Without healthy eating habits, our bodies lack the fuel they need to work efficiently. Even thin people can suffer from bad health because of poor nutrition, such people are "skinny fat people." Honestly, that's been me for most of my adult life. I can eat just about anything without gaining weight (or at least much slower than most people), but I still am at risk for major health problems. Whether you're thin or a little more curvy, what you eat matters!

Restrict Calories:
For those who want -- or need -- to lose weight for optimal health, restricting calories is a necessity. Exercise alone helps, but the weight loss is so slow, it's discouraging. When I want to lose weight, I watch every bite, every crumb, every drop that goes in. It's as they say: What goes in must come out... sometimes it goes out with our waistband. I track:

• every meal, 
• every snack, 
• every lick of a spoon, 
• every bite I nibble from my daughter's plate (those really do add up). 
• I track the calories in my multivitamin and in my calcium supplement. 
• I track how many glasses of water I drink each day. (Goal of 8 per day. Work up to it, starting at 4 glasses per day if you don't already drink water)

I aim for a total intake of 1,350 calories or less per day. Over the course of the week, it usually averages out to about that. Until I began restricting calories, I exercised with no weight loss results. Sure, the arm flab got a little less wiggly. My belly got more firm. But I still didn't feel the energy I had expected. Once the extra baggage started coming off, I realized how important calorie tracking is.

Watch fats and cholesterol:
Heart disease is a risk for women, not just men. High fat and/or cholesterol intake affects our heart health. As a skinny fat person who can eat just about anything, I tended to eat the yummy higher fat foods that taste oh so good. Fat and cholesterol tend to coexist in the same foods. Even if we eat a low cholesterol diet, our bodies manufacture it. Fatty foods may lead to greater cholesterol production than other foods. Too many calories can lead to cholesterol production.

Think of your blood vessels as a garden hose and cholesterol as glue. If you squeeze glue into a garden hose, eventually it clogs up so the water can't pass through. Your flowers would die from not getting water. The same is true for us. The cholesterol clogs our blood vessels restricting blood flow. Eventually we can die from it... and until then, we wilt. (That's a simplified version). Why would we do that to our bodies?

Choosing cholesterol free foods high in fiber and low in fat will help lower your cholesterol. Some "super-foods" such as such as fatty fish, walnuts, oatmeal, and oat bran, and foods fortified with plant sterols or stanols are especially beneficial. Read those labels, educate yourself and take action!

Add fiber:
In addition to the best known benefit of fiber (that's improved efficiency in the bathroom), it also helps fight diseases and improves weight management. Fiber improves the efficiency of the digestive system. It fights diseases, particularly heart disease, many types of cancer, diabetes, diverticular disease and gallstones and kidney stones. Fiber helps us feel satisfied more quickly and keeps us feeling full longer providing weight management. For those who want to lose weight, adding fiber rich foods will help tremendously. For more detailed information on the benefits of fiber, check out this article.

I know the complaint, but the side effects... Properly cooked, high fiber foods do not have quite the same effect as under-cooked high fiber foods. Make sure those beans are cooked through. Steam the broccoli, cauliflower and other veggies to ease the effects on the digestive system. Your body may talk back for a few days, but once it's used to having all that healthy food, these effects do decrease.

The internet is full of healthy food recipes, exercise suggestions, meal planning tips, calorie counters... We know what we need to do to live a healthy life. Like my friend, though, nothing changes until we decide we're really committed. Not half committed (like I've been much of my life), but fully committed. Willing to say NO to the desserts, the chips, the fried chicken. Willing to fill our plates with vegetables and whole grains. Willing to say, "I love that person in the mirror and want her to have a long, fulfilling life!"

No matter how many FIT Friday posts I write, just reading this won't change your life. You must choose -- I must choose -- to make the decisions that lead to excellent health. What do you think? Is this your day to look in the mirror and take a stand.

**As with all diet and exercise recommendations, please see a doctor if you have any concerns whatsoever about your health.**


Dear God,
Please speak life into the heart of each person who reads this post. Let them know you love them, just as they are... and that you want the very best for them. Help me live out what I speak through this page, getting healthier myself so I can serve you more. We adore you for creating us.
In Jesus' name I pray,
Amen

Very Vegetable Soup

It's dreary today - an Eeyore looking mess outside. It's a perfect day for soup!

You can prepare this soup stovetop or put it in the crockpot to simmer all day.

Prep time: 5 minutes
Active cooking time: 20 minutes
Start to finish, stovetop method: under 1 hour

Ingredients:
6 carrots, cleaned and chopped
6 celery stalks, cleaned and chopped
1 onion, diced
1 garlic clove, minced
olive oil
pinch of salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
(instead of salt and pepper, I sometimes substitute 1 tsp of Montreal chicken seasoning)

2 cans of diced tomatoes
1 32 oz. box of chicken or vegetable broth
2 cans of beans (black, kidney, or cannellini), drained and rinsed
2 cups water
1 cup brown rice (you can use white rice, but brown rice is more nutrient rich and your family will never know!)
shredded cheddar or monterrey jack cheese

For all cooking methods:
1. Drizzle olive oil into the pot and allow it to heat on medium. When you smell the olive oil, it's ready.
2. Add the onion and garlic and cook for a minute or so.
3. Add half the carrot and celery and cook for about ten minutes so it can begin to soften.
4. Add the rest of the carrots and celery and the seasoning. Stir.

** At this point, if you want to use the crock pot, dump the carrot/celery mixture and the rest of the ingredients into the crockpot and simmer on low, at least four hours. If you'll be cooking it longer, you may want to add an additional cup of water to the soup. **

5. Immediately add the tomatoes and broth, turning the heat to high.
6. As soon as it starts to boil, add the rice and bring it back to a boil.
7. Once it starts to boil, turn the heat to low and stir in the remaining ingredients.
8. Cover and simmer at least 30 minutes to allow rice to cook fully. It can simmer longer, though you may have to add water, 1/2 cup for every 1/2 hour.

9. To serve, top each bowl with shredded cheese.
 

Two extremes: Children's Cup and Chilean miners

Today, the Christian community mourns the passing of a special man. Dave Ohlerking, the founder of Children's Cup -- a ministry for orphans in Swaziland, Africa -- leaves a legacy of love, service, and faith in Jesus. I only met him twice, each time his genuine love for the children of Africa shined through. He knew his purpose and he walked each day in God's plan for his life.

Today, the world celebrates the rescue of 33 Chilean miners trapped 2,300 feet below ground for 69 days. Can you imagine 69 days in total darkness? 69 days in a dirt tunnel far below the ground? Can you imagine 69 days without "all the comforts of home"? I can't! Yet, these men survived. Their rescue is front-page news. Their response to their situation worth noting. One of the miners said that those of them with faith prayed the group through and those of them without faith now have it. In the worst situation, faith in God helped them through.

Today, two extremes. Neither is a surprise to God.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

To everything there is a season, and
a time to every purpose under heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to get, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

A time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate;
a time of war; and a time of peace.

Dear God,

Thank you for the life of Dave Ohlerking. Thank you for calling him to start Children's Cup and for guiding him each day. Thank you for all the children who have regular meals, learn their schoolwork, and most importantly, learn of your love because of this man's faith in You. God, I lift his family, his friends and the Children's Cup ministry to you. Comfort them with your love and peace. Continue to lead them as they share the gospel -- as they are the gospel for lost and hurting orphans. 

Thank you, Father, for protecting the Chilean miners these past 69 days. Thank you for their testimony of faith in You. As they return to their families and lives, Lord, continue to give them strength. Be with them through the adjustments, Lord. You saved them and we praise You for it.

We don't understand why some must leave us and others get to stay a little longer, but it's all part of Your plan. We know you will comfort the grieving and give strength to the weak. Through it all, God, I praise you for being the God of the universe. 

In Jesus' name,

Amen

Top 5 Healthy, Easy to Prepare, Fall Foods

When fall arrives, produce stands fill with pumpkins, sweet potatoes, acorn squash, kale and more. Dinner planning incorporates as much fresh produce into the meal as we can. It's healthy and tastes great. With all the choices, it's hard to know which is the best for your family's menu plan.

I've compiled a list of the five best, based on nutritional value and ease of use. After all, healthy food that takes hours to prepare isn't likely to appear on the average family's dinner table.

Pumpkin. Pumpkin, that bright orange gourd known best for carving at Halloween, is rich in beta-carotene, an important antioxidant the body converts to vitamin A. According to the University of Illinois, beta-carotene may reduce the risk of developing certain kinds of cancer and help fight heart disease. It is also rich in fiber and many minerals. This versatile fruit is much more than a holiday pie. It can be prepared as a main dish, side dish, breakfast item or dessert. (You can often substitute sweet potatoes or acorn squash for the pumpkin in many of these recipes.) Try these great pumpkin dishes:

• Spiced pumpkin pancakes. These delicious pancakes smell like fall, perfect to welcome the family to a chilly Saturday morning.
• Pumpkin soup. This savory soup works well with dried herbs as well if you don't have fresh available. I substitute skim milk for the cream for a lighter version. Great with a hunk of warm, whole-grain bread.
• Herbed pumpkin. This rich side dish will certainly help you see pumpkin in a whole new way. It's easy to prepare and tastes incredible. I don't add sugar to mine to let the rich pumpkin flavor shine through.

Apples. If you're like me, knowing which apple to use for which preparation is hard to remember. I cheat and use this awesome chart instead. However you prepare your apples, they are rich in fiber and vitamin C. This sweet fruit, which is higher in sugar than some other fall foods, is a great dessert, simply sliced and served. It can also be used to enrich the flavor of many dishes. Two of my favorites are:

• Crock pot herbed pork roast. This tender roast is rich in herb flavor, balanced by the sweet notes of the apple. The juice left over in the pot reduces nicely to make a flavorful gravy, just pour into a saucepan and simmer until it thickens a little bit
• Chicken sandwiches. This recipe is great for leftover chicken (or turkey). Served on whole grain buns, this is a satisfying weekend meal that requires little preparation.

Kale and Swiss Chard. Growing up in the north, I wasn't familiar with these dark green, leafy vegetables. I couldn't imagine a cooked "lettuce" tasting good. Wrong! Kale and swiss chard (chard is available earlier in the season than kale)  not only taste great, they are incredibly healthy. They're packed with lutein, which protects the eyes from macular degeneration, beta carotene, vitamins C, E and folate and minerals for strong bone strength. Try these recipes, and add a new food to your family's menu too:

• Kale with pancetta (or bacon). It's true, everything's better with bacon. There's only a small amount of bacon in this delicious recipe -- and I cut that in half. It's still scrumptious.
• Swiss chard wraps. Swiss chard replaces bread in these vegetarian wraps with mozzarella and tomato. 

Cabbage. This dense leafy vegetable is rich in vitamin C and fiber. Cabbage is thought to help fight against many types of cancer. You might be deterred by the smell of cabbage, which is most intense when boiled for five to seven minutes. To lessen the smell, boil less than five minutes. You can also add a stalk of celery or half of a lemon to the water to offset the smell. With that complaint taken care of, try these recipes:

• Braised red cabbage. This quick, simple recipe brings out the best in cabbage -- and apples! It's a great side dish to accompany just about any dish. Serve it as a side dish with roast chicken or pile it high on a burger with swiss cheese.
• White bean and cabbage soup. You can also prepare this rich soup in a crock pot. At step two, place all ingredients in a crock pot and cook on low all day. 

Pecans. You probably know that nuts, including pecans, are high in healthy monounsaturated fats. Did you know they are also rich in fiber, 19 vitamins and minerals and protein? Their only drawback, like so much else, is too much of a good thing is bad. Add healthy pecans to your diet, but know the serving size. One ounce of pecans, or nineteen pecan halves, is one serving at 193 calories. Enjoy these healthy recipes that incorporate pecans without overdoing it.

• Spiced pecans. This quick recipe provides a crunchy holiday snack, great for parties. No one needs to know how easy it is or how healthy!
• Lemon pecan green beans. The pecan, lemon and rosemary in this dish elevate everyday green beans to something truly special. (NOTE: This link takes you to a page full of delicious pecan side dish recipes. Enjoy each and every one!)

These five fall foods are highly nutritious, easy to prepare and versatile. Once you're familiar with them, you can modify the recipes here or experiment and make your own. Healthy, delicious fall eating is just that simple. Enjoy!

Have a favorite fall recipe that you'd like to share? Please take a moment to share it with the rest of us!

Memorial Box Monday: Romans 8:28

My son is incredibly smart, funny and sweet, by far the snuggliest of all my kids. His whole life, though, he has struggled with a communication disorder. After years of searching for answers, in fourth grade he was diagnosed with orthographic processing disorder. As with other disorders, there are degrees of severity, and his is fairly extreme. He doesn't just struggle with learning to read -- in fact, few reading disorders are strictly that.

Most of us pull information from our brains much like a computer. The information is stored in a particular file, but the processor is able to search the files and retrieve it quickly. My son's brain is more like a filing cabinet. The information gets to a file in his brain (sometimes misfiled). He searches each file, piece of information by piece of information, to find what he wants and retrieve it. Often, it takes so long that he forgets what he's looking for.

When he was little, he couldn't learn colors. He saw each one as separate and distinct, so "blue" was the crayola blue crayon color. Denim blue didn't fall into the same category -- he couldn't generalize. He insisted that they both could not be blue. It took a couple years for him to finally "move" all the blues into the blue file in his brain.

He couldn't "read" facial expressions and body language either. The subtle social cues that help us navigate life eluded him. So often, he'd push -- push -- push, until finally, someone ended up screaming, "I told you to stop!" He was astonished by the reaction, deeply hurt. Usually, he ran to his room, sobbing into his pillows with anger, confusion and frustration. He learned to "read" facial cues, interpreting the non-verbal cues he couldn't understand. When he saw something he couldn't categorize he asked, "What does that person's face say?" I cried countless tears over it. I simply can't imagine having to work that hard to function.

His social skills have improved dramatically the past few years. His reading and spelling are improving, slowly and steadily, with a lot of hard work. We have developed an arsenal of techniques to make it easier. He and I know that eventually he'll figure it out.

He volunteers in our elementary ministry, serving kindergarten and first grade kids with a gentleness few of us have. He is sensitive, watching over those who struggle most. He doesn't want recognition for it. When he gets praised, he simply responds, "It would be horrible if they couldn't..." Whatever it is he sees, most would miss.

This year our school district, like most across this nation, has suffered staffing cutbacks due to the economy. A teacher friend shared her concerns for a couple of her ESL students who no longer qualify for resource enrichment, but really aren't at the same level as their peers, particularly in reading and spelling. I offered to help.

Once each week, I get to work with these two boys. Last week, we studied spelling, using a number of the techniques I employ with my son. Neither of them had scored higher than 30 on a spelling test all year. Friday came. Test day. I prayed for the boys. Late Friday night, their teacher emailed me, "Just wanted to let you know both boys scored an 85 on spelling tests."

My stomach still does flip-flops when I see those words! Do you see it? God gave me my sweet son to nurture and teach. My guy and I have pushed through all sorts of obstacles and barriers so he can learn. God brought my friend and me together, uniting us in our joint loves for vacationing and ethnic European foods. When she shared her need, God moved my heart to offer help. She was receptive to the offer, humbly recognizing that I offered something she couldn't. She wasn't threatened by it.

I've learned so much with my son. I appreciate his heart and determination. More than anything, I am thankful that God is using us to help other people. My son's sensitivity to little kids is a rare gift, God using his life experience to touch hearts that need love most. The boys I'm tutoring, I can only help because of what I've had to learn with my son. The Bible says that God uses all things for the good of those who love him. (Romans 8:28) My son's disorder is no mistake. God is redeeming every struggle, allowing us both to love beyond ourselves. I am truly thankful that this is the road He chose for us.

I've printed the email the teacher sent and putting it in my memorial box. Whenever I struggle with the road God puts me on, I can read it and remember. God will redeem that battle too.

Memorial Box Monday started at "A Place Called Simplicity." A friend of mine introduced me to it last week, and I love it! love it! love it!!! Memorial Box Monday provides an opportunity to remember all the good things God has done. Huge, gigantic things and little things that might seem insignificant. God's word is clear: "Cast every care on Me, for I care for you." (1 Peter 5:7).

FIT Fridays: Effective Exercise!

Good morning (or afternoon or evening) my bloggy friends!

As promised, today's post focuses on exercise. I've shared tips before, but today, it's more concrete. How does exercise work to improve weight and/or health?

Long ago, before dishwashers, electric washing machines, electric dryers, riding lawnmowers and cars, we used our bodies to work. Before grocery stores, women kneaded bread, knelt by the kitchen fireplace and baked it. We chopped wood, scrubbed clothes on a washboard, and walked to the neighbors house. What?! No texting? It's true. Today, the only muscles that get regular exercise are our fingers!

To stay healthy, exercise has to replace what we used to do just to survive. Of course, if you don't want to exercise, you could give up all the electronic goodies and go back to the old-fashioned way of doing things, but I sure would miss you here in bloggy-world.

Effective exercise does two things. It revs up the heart rate and strengthens muscles. The heart is the key to much of our health. It drives the blood through the bloodstream. The blood carries oxygen to the body so it can function well. Efficient bloodflow decreases swelling in the ankles. It speeds digestion and improves our ability to absorb the nutrients we need. Without a strong heart, we don't function well.

We need strong muscles too. The core muscles in our lower abdomen and back, as well as the muscles that wrap around from back to front, give us strength and stability. Strong core muscles improve our posture. Good posture improves our lung capacity. We breathe in stronger, getting more oxygen. The increased oxygen improves the oxygenation of our blood. Better oxygenated blood improves the health of the muscles... and so on and so on. It's one big circle. One intricately created, enormous, delicate circle.

An effective exercise regimen balances cardio work for the heart and strength training for the body.

To maximize your cardio workout:

• Participate in an aerobic exercise (walking, running, elliptical machine, bike),
• Learn your target heart rate (explanation and chart here),
• Warm up at a lower heart rate for five minutes,
• Maintain your target heart rate for half an hour (more details available at the AHA site) 
• When first starting exercise you may not be able to maintain a half hour of strenuous exercise. This is the goal to work toward over the course of a month.
• When you can sustain your workout for thirty minutes at your threshold target heart rate, increase your heart rate for a more vigorous workout.
• Cool down at the end for about five minutes.

Why?

• This workout strengthens the heart muscle to pump more efficiently.
• Cardio workouts that don't push the heart rate up (they aren't uncomfortable, they don't take your breath, they aren't difficult), don't work the heart effectively. When you've completed an effective workout should feel physically weary.
• For instance, strolling through the park for three hours could be called three hours of walking, but it doesn't work the heart. Walking at a brisk pace through the park for thirty minutes, sweating, breathing hard, and feeling the heart pound, is effective exercise.

To maximize muscle strengthening exercises:

• Start with larger muscle groups first (chest, abdominals, thighs, and rear end) because they stabilize the body to improve core strength,
• Crunches and leg lifts work the abdomen,
• Squats and lunges work the thighs and rear end,
• Push ups or knee push ups work the chest.
• Start with a number of repetitions that is challenging but not painful.
• Controlled, steady movement that works the muscle is more effective than quick movement. Quick movements use momentum and work the muscles less. 

Alternating days between cardio and strengthening exercises should provide a healthy workout. Push yourself hard every day, to the limit of what you think you can do. 

As with any exercise or health regimen, be sure to consult your doctor if you have -- or think you might have -- any medical condition that might make exercise harmful!

God bless!

Karen

Colossians 3:23

Whatever you do...

In Birmingham a couple weeks ago, Nathan and I went to church before catching our flight home. Between church and airport check-in, we had just enough time to sneak in a real breakfast. We couldn't linger over a hot cup of coffee, but we did have time for something more than a fast-food rubber egg sandwich! We headed to an Ihop near the airport. The host seated us immediately (so this is how parties of two get in and out so quickly while families of five wait forever). She handed us our menus and told us the server would be right with us.

We waited.

Our server, after several minutes, stopped by to let us know she'd be right with us. I'm fairly certain I didn't offer a "take-your-time-sweetie-we're-just-happy-as-clams-waiting" kind of look... though, I don't think I gave her the "oh-are-you-gonna-get-a-piece-of-my-mind" evil eye either. She didn't come back. More time passed and Kris, who was not our server, appeared at our table.

"Can I get you something to drink?" he asked politely. Sure. We ordered our drinks. He brought them quickly, with extra lemon, and told us our server would be right with us.

He moved on, checking with a customer at one table. He stopped at another table, not his, on the way to the kitchen and bussed it, removing a stack of dishes with swift efficiency. Moments later, he came out the other kitchen door, served a family in another area and passed through the restaurant again, bussing tables, refilling drinks, all over the place. Kris moved a mile a minute, but never seemed rushed.

I checked the time and told my son, "Sixty seconds. If no one takes our order, we have to go. We won't have time to eat." Our server appeared and said, "I'll be right with you." She walked off. Again.

Work at it with all your heart...

I checked the time again. To be honest, I studied it, watching the second hand make its little trip around the dial. Just about ready to call it quits, Kris appeared again.

"I can take your order." He said it so calmly. You'd never guess how hard he worked. He gave us his full attention, as if we were his only concern. I explained we were in a bit of a rush, and he assured me he'd get our order to us quickly. We placed our order.

He didn't write it down. He looked us each in the eye, repeated our orders precisely and headed off.

Not toward the kitchen.

First he stopped at another table to check in on everyone. Then he bussed yet another table. All very quickly. Efficiently. Never rushed, though. Intriguing!

Finally, into the kitchen. Then out.

I pointed him out to Nathan, "Watch how he works. He's everywhere, but he's so calm about it."

Moments later, he returned to the kitchen and brought us our breakfast. Serving us, he asked if we needed anything else and went on his way. Again. Serving, cleaning, checking on everyone and everything.

As I took my last bite, he reappeared, asked if we needed anything else and cleared Nathan's dishes. Finished with breakfast, Kris gave us our bill.

As though serving God, and not for man.

Before he left, he paused. "Would you like a cup of water to go?" "No," we replied.

He paused. He placed his hand gently on the table. "I hope you both have a really blessed day." With a nod, he was gone. Cleaning, bussing, serving.

If you ever get to Birmingham, I hope you'll head to the Ihop at 7748 Crestwood Blvd. Ask for Kris' table. 

Frugal lessons learned from football -- yes, football.

Dear bloggy friends,

Forrest Gump says, "Life is like a box of chocolates." I say, "Life is like a football game!" If you know me, you know I love football -- especially Ohio State! I have compared my faith to a football game. My family to a football team (my husband is at quarterback. I'm his number one receiver. The kids, depending on their moods are either offensive linemen, helping us make the next first down. Or, they are defensive madmen, slowing us down!) It seems our financial plans fit the scenario too. When we are young, newly employed and/or newly married, we think the world is ours. We think we're invincible and can never lose. Can you hear the chant, "We're number one. We're number one!" Unfortunately, our opponent, Debt, whose key players are: greed, selfishness, unbudgeted, and impulsive, thinks the same thing. Without a good gameplan, debt steals the ball of life and runs the other way. Score: Debt, 7 - Us, zero! It happens again and again. Before the first half ends, debt runs up the score: Debt, 35 - Us, still zero. Ohhh.

We get quiet, tense, and worried. Like a losing football team, we sit on the bench, face in hands, shoulders sagging. Dejected. Demoralized. Defeated. Team Debt gloats in ruining our life and enthusiasm. Can you see it? Team Debt on the far sideline, fist-pumping and high fiving? It breaks my heart!

The best defense, of course, is a good offense (at least in the game against Debt). If we don't get into debt in the first place, debt can't win. My husband and I made some tough choices early in our marriage. We bought with cash. We didn't settle, buying cheap things on credit card in the moment when we knew we wanted something specific. (We were married 13 years before we had an entertainment center. Really!) We cut up our ATM cards after realizing we weren't good with them. We thought, "Ready cash? All the time. Sweet!" (You can read the details of that lesson here) Bottom line: we couldn't manage the ATM card and we didn't want it running our lives, so we chopped it up into little tiny bits and threw it away. Forever! ATM cards did not fit our team strategy!

What do you do, though, if you've lived on the defensive and are losing the game against Team Debt?

First of all, don't give in! Once the mess gets so big, it's easy to quit trying. I've watched many lopsided football games, always marveling that the obvious loser comes back for more in the second half. Like scrappy dogs, they come out fighting. I still remember "The Comeback" -- when the Buffalo Bills overcame a 32 point deficit to the Houston Oilers to win their playoff game. Truly, amazing! We couldn't believe our eyes! You can do the same thing! Consider this moment your halftime. No matter how big the deficit, head into the locker room with your "team" (that's your family) and come up with a new gameplan. Choose now to "Go. Fight. Win!"

What can you do:
1. Cast the vision. Great coaches give inspired speeches at halftime, giving the team focus, confidence and hope. Do the same with "your team." Encourage your family to commit to debt free living. Help your family see the improved quality of life you'll have if you change your ways. The reality is, if the whole team doesn't help, you can't win. Kids can handle the truth. They'd rather eat peanut butter every day than watch their parents fall apart, fight, and worry. Really!

2. Change the game plan. Great coaches make adjustments at halftime. They change their strategy to address what the opponent is throwing their way. Do the same with your family.

• Reevaluate your need for cable TV, magazine subscriptions, prepackaged snack foods, bottled water, and gourmet coffee shop coffee. This is not an exhaustive list. What else can you get creative with?
• Ladies, if your husband can give up cable sports, you can give up professional mani-pedis and hair color! We all go gray sometime, let's just be real about it!
• Embrace left-overs. I have two teenage boys. They are always hungry. Always! With some help and encouragement, they have learned to eat the left-overs after school rather than pull something new out of the pantry. Regularly we have "clean the fridge" dinner nights. Anything previously prepared is fair game and it's first come first served. We eat those left-overs and don't throw them away anymore! Tons of money saved... or at least not dumped in the garbage can.
• Consolidate errands. Running a car is expensive, so plan. Keep a list of errands you need to do on the refrigerator, such as "Lowe's - fluorescent lights for laundry room. Walmart - return outfit that was too small. etc." When the errands start to line up, then do all of them at once. Some advanced planning saves you money AND time! Awesome.
• Grocery shop with coupons. We regularly save $20-50 per week using coupons. Some cautions, though. Don't clip coupons for items you wouldn't normally purchase. Make a list -- and stick to it!
• Turn the temperature up a couple degrees in summer (we keep our A/C at 76 in the summer and turn it down only if we have guests). Turn the temperature down in winter (we keep our heat at 68 degrees).
• Set budgets for clothing, eating out, etc. and stick to it. Teach kids about budgets and refer back to the budget when they ask for items not on it. Our older two kids have a clothing allowance for the year ($250, which includes shoes, underwear, coats and clothes). Anything else they want, they have to save for -- birthday gifts, mowing lawns, babysitting, etc. They don't ask for much anymore and they are learning how to live frugally! Honestly, we have a harder time "sticking to it" than our kids do. Remember, though, this is the football game of life. Do you want to win the game?

3. Celebrate the success. When a football team makes a great play, the whole team knows it and celebrates instantly! Do the same with your team. At the dinner table, share a temptation you faced and overcame! Praise kids for wise choices. Offer a monthly report to the family highlighting the reduced debt. Celebrate the success along the way, just like a football team does. It's true. Success breeds more success. Get that momentum going and watch your family win!

May God bless you with wisdom, patience, and passion to live a life free from debt!

Will you do it? What strategies does your family use?

By popular demand

Did you read yesterday's miracle that led us to Ellie? Did the post leave you curious about the little face that instantly stole our hearts? (I heard from some of you who let me know you are! :D)

Well, wonder no more. Here she is!

Isn't she the cutest thing you've ever seen???

Memorial Box Monday: She's the one

Memorial Box Monday started at "A Place Called Simplicity." A friend of mine introduced me to it last week, and I love it! love it! love it!!! Memorial Box Monday provides an opportunity to remember all the good things God has done. Huge, gigantic things and little things that might seem insignificant. God's word is clear: "Cast every care on Me, for I care for you." (1 Peter 5:7).


I first felt the pull to adopt in October, 2003. Our church was holding a women's conference and at some point during the day, this thought just popped in my head. We need to add a little one to our family. A girl. A Chinese girl. It left me feeling -- well -- crazy! I argued with my thoughts... telling this rogue all the reasons why we DON'T need to add a little one to our family.


We had several friends who'd been to China to bring their daughters home. We'd even lent our luggage to the cause, both happy to let the suitcases go and confident we never would. Our parenting "philosophy" had always been divide and conquer! We never intended to be outnumbered. We never wanted an odd number of kids... someone always gets left out. We had reached such a nice, peaceful place.


The thought stayed with me. I reasoned the thought away for months. "It's a midlife crisis." "It's the hormones talking." "You just feel this way because the boys are more self-sufficient and you want to be needed again." No matter what, though, the idea grew and grew.


I vividly remember watching an NFL playoff game with my husband. He sat on the couch. I snuggled in a blanket, curled up in our burgundy recliner next to him. My head screamed, "Tell him. Tell him. Tell him." As the football game continued, the internal dialogue grew quite loud. "This is a midlife crisis. I will NOT tell him." I didn't say a word.


A week later, in church I finally could take it no more. Our pastor had preached a sermon about reaching out to the needy and less fortunate. He was talking about world missions -- and shared the starfish story. The voice in my head was screaming. I shut my eyes tight. As he spoke of starfish, I saw row upon row of sweet Chinese faces, lined up in cribs, looking up with soulful eyes. It was so clear, I could ignore it no longer.


The congregation stood to sing the response song. I tugged on my husband's sleeve and said, "We have to talk."


"Now?" he asked, clearly perplexed.


"Yes, now. And you're not allowed to laugh at me!"


We sat right then, the congregation singing all around us. I told him bluntly we needed to adopt a baby from China. 


Stunned (I've never asked what he thought I would say, but I know it wasn't this), he laughed and he cried. I cried -- relief, I think, that I finally got it out. People around us had no idea what was going on, but offered words of encouragement. One sweet man said, "Whatever is going on, God will help you get through it. Your marriage can survive." I guess we made a scene. 


Rob did not say yes... yet. (Obviously, he eventually did... and we stepped out on an amazing faith journey... but that's a different story.)


Fast forward one year. We received THE call from our caseworker -- adoptive parents know the anticipation. All the paperwork, the interviews, the checks written, the money scrimped. It all comes down to this one day... the day we receive our referral. In China, the referrals come from the Chinese government. We have the option to accept or reject the child they match us to. Some of my adoptive friends have shared that they anguish over the decision whether to accept the child "matched." They wonder if they would ever know. We never considered that. We KNEW that our daughter would be whoever came in that referral.


The papers came. Instantly, I was in the car, headed to my husband's office. I wanted him to meet her at the same time I did. We opened the envelope and pulled out her picture. Instant love. After crying over that picture, swallowed up in her big, wondering eyes and wishing we could kiss those sweet cheeks, we read the brief report that accompanied it. Qiu Li Xien, our Ellie, lived in an orphanage. In.An.Orphanage. Just like the vision I'd had in church. In China, a significant number of orphans come from foster care, raised with families until they are adopted. Not so many come from the orphanage (at least not back then).


The next thing I noticed was her birth date. Ellie was born in June of 2004. You know what? That's nine months after October 2003. When my little girl was first being knitted together in her birth mother's womb, God was knitting her together in my heart -- no matter how much I resisted.


Dearest Ellie, I pray you will never doubt God's plan for you. I pray you will always know that He wanted us to be your parents. But if you ever doubt, I hope knowing this -- the dates that so perfectly line up, the vision He gave me that matched your situation, and more than anything, the love we have for you -- will help you get past those doubts and rejoice in the life you have. We love you!


So, into my Memorial Box goes this picture, reminding me of God's plan!

Sweet girls, lined up in rows... just like God showed me.

Sausage Spinach Soup

Ohhhh yum!

You have got to try this!!!!

Ingredients:

32 oz. chicken broth (or stock for richer flavor)

2 boxes frozen spinach

1 lb. italian sausage, spicy or mild
1 onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup brown rice, not cooked
1 cup parmesan cheese, grated

Dump the chicken broth and frozen spinach into a crockpot turned on low.
Brown the sausage (break bulk sausage into smaller pieces or chop sausage "links" into bite sized pieces). Drain the grease from the sausage and add it to the broth and spinach mixture. In the sausage pan, cook the onion and garlic until the onion is translucent and add it to the soup mixture. Cook on low for four hours.

Add the brown rice. Simmer on low for another two hours until the rice is cooked. (You can add the rice at the start and let it simmer all day for convenience).

Ladle into bowls and top with parmesan cheese to serve.

My family LOVED it and asked me to make it again! YAY for soup! If you try it, let me know what your family thinks. :)

FIT Fridays: Another step forward

Hello FIT Friday Friends,

How are you this week? Southern friends, has the soggy weather dampened your spirit? your energy? Has it sent you scurrying to the pantry for snacks? Yep. Wet weather can do all those things. I've certainly battled a lack of energy -- like a sun-loving annual, I wilt in too much darkness.

This rain signals fall's entrance. The weather, preparing the land, trees, bushes and flowers for another season of cold hibernation. (Thankfully, we southerners don't hibernate too long!) As fall drops in (get it? rain drops?), it's time to make a plan. What's the next step on your road to good health?

Spirit: My quiet time with God tends to suffer in the fall. The dark mornings just don't spur me out of bed to spend time with the One who made me. I'll trick myself into thinking that's okay -- God knows I don't function well without sunshine. After all, He made me. What a lie! When the sun's not shining, I need the Son more than ever! Like so many women I know, when the darkness sets in, so do bad moods and lack of energy. Press ahead, just one step forward. Commit to waking up each morning for some time with God.

Consider these verses:

• Daniel 2:21
• Matthew 4:4
• Genesis 8:22
• Ecclesiastes 3:1-22

Diet: As my quiet time dwindles each fall, so does my commitment to healthy eating. With so many harvest soup recipes, fall may be the easiest time to eat healthy. Other foods are abundant as well such as apples. Try different varieties to discover your favorite. 

One of my favorite soup recipes is:

3 carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces

1 sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces

1 butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces

1/4 cup olive oil

1 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

Set oven to 425. Toss the above ingredients together. Spread into a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast in the oven for about 30 minutes, stirring at 15 minutes so the vegetables roast evenly.

While roasting the vegetables, prepare the rest of the soup.

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 stalk of celery diced

1 sweet onion diced

1 quart of vegetable broth (you can use chicken or beef broth instead)

pinch of salt

ground black pepper to taste

Drizzle the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Stir in the celery and onion; cook and stir until the onion turns translucent, but not browned. Pour in the broth and bring to a simmer, uncovered. Add the roasted vegetables from the oven and continue simmering for about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If the soup becomes too thick, you can add vegetable broth.

Feel free to substitute other vegetables: parsnips, turnips and celery root would work well.

Crock pot method: Instead of roasting the veggies and cooking stovetop, you can put the chopped vegetables in the crockpot. Take the time to cook the onion and celery and then pour over top with the rest of the ingredients. Simmer all day on low. Roasting adds depth of flavor, but this method is great for during the week.

Exercise: This may be my biggest downfall. I slow down so much in the fall. No matter what I want to do, I just have no energy. This is our opportunity for mind over matter... really, for prayer over mind over matter :). God designed us to use our bodies. He rewards our efforts. When we exercise our energy level increases. Exercise is a great antidote to seasonal affect disorder (SAD). Will it eliminate it? Maybe not, but exercise will increase the endorphins, leading to a sunnier outlook regardless of what the skies tell us! Let's keep moving ladies!

It's time to ramp up the intensity to fight the doldrums that come with gray skies and raindrops. This is the best time ever to bump up the number on that bike. Increase the reps. Move it - faster! Whatever you do, this is not the time to slow down, but to increase your momentum. Let the energy of exercise carry you through the dark days.

Next week, I'll be focusing on the exercise component more specifically. If you have exercise questions, comments or suggestions please share them here. Let's move into the new season together, committed to finishing the year strong and changing our lives for the good, forever.

With love in Christ,

Karen

If you don't know what FIT Fridays is all about, check out where we began. If you're a long-time friend of FIT Fridays, please read over old posts now and then. It never hurts to be reminded of the basics! Please, share FIT Fridays with your friends who are dedicated to healthier lives, spiritually and physically. I hope to hear from you!