What a week!

This week has been CRAZY! Very stressful.   I have been without a husband most of the week. :( The chapel is facing deployments. We had one Chaplain deploying this week for Korea, and another that has already left for the desert.   There are a lot of transitions happening within our Chapel community and with transition there is always a lot of extra time away from your family. God is faithful though. He has given the grace and strength we have needed this week.  I need to learn to rely on God more.  Everyone deals with stress differently.  I don't sleep well or even eat well during stressful times, and the lack of good sleep and lack of healthy food will make you even more stressed. It is a vicious cycle! :-)  A simple verse I learned as a child is my chant today! :) Proverbs 3:5,6

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths".   God help me to trust. Help me to believe you are who You say You are.  

Chaplaincy is a wonderful ministry that we feel like God has called us to.  It is just that.  A ministry.  Not a career for us.  Kyle is not in the Air Force to be an officer, make the next rank or just to provide for me and Emma.  We are here because God directed us to chaplaincy.  

Our chapel community is facing a time of transition and it so hard on the people. We have pastors leaving for deployment and also a couple of the Chaplain's will be switching around to new services.  If you think of us...pray.  We really need wisdom right now.

With Kyle working a lot of hours, I have had extra time on my hands to work on some projects this week.  I am so excited about the SPA theme program coming up.  I have been researching some fun stuff on the internet.  spaindex.com is a site where I got tons of ideas for creating your at home spa.  During the program, I am wanting the ladies to have the chance to create their own bath salts, sugar scrub and do some other pampering type things.  On this website there is a chocolate facial you can make it home.  I am going to try it.  I absolutely love chocolate and this would be one way to be around chocolate without sabotaging my healthy eating desires. :) I think I am going to try it and have nice relaxing evening instead of being all stressed out over the future. 

writing out my ideas before I forget them....

One of my favorite things I am involved in is organizing programs and events for PWOC (Protestant Women of the Chapel).    Call me weird, but I thrive on organizing fun things like this! Last week, PWOC had a ladies night out at Color Me Mine, paint your own pottery. It was a lot of fun.  I always love Color Me Mine.  I love creating something that is unique. Last year, I made a fruit bowl that I love and use all the time.  I painted Kyle his own latte mug. He is quite the coffee drinker now that we live in the far North.  It turned out pretty cute.  The handle is a little overly colorful.   But I made it special for him, so he likes it. :)  

I think Emma and I will make a trip back before Valentine's Day and make Daddy a present. Emma loves art and I think she would love painting something like that.  I love it too. 

I am working on a couple of programs right now for PWOC.  The next one coming up is Valentine Banquet.  It should be fun.  We are having a catered meal which is always a blessing! It should be fun.

The other program I want to do this spring is getting worked out in my brain! ha.  I have the idea to call it InSPAration.  I know it's not spelled the same way as inspiration, but for the sake of the SPA theme I wanted to call it that. The InSPAration idea came from our Chaplaincy Conference.   Make it look like a spa and have peaceful spa like music in the background.   Decorate with rocks, water and natural soothing elements.  

I wanted to focus on the verse Love the LORD your God with all your HEART, SOUL, MIND and STRENGTH.  Using those four: heart, soul, mind, strength as topics for that evening.   I am sort of stealing ideas I gathered at different places. Today's Women website has all these four topics on their home page.   My vision is to have four different speakers speak for about 10 minutes each.  One could talk about the heart, which would be family, marriage, kids.  The second the soul, which would be the spiritual aspect of a Christian women, prayer & devotion. The third subject, the Mind,  the topic could be anything from guarding your mind to building your mind.  Important issues for women would be education on money matters.  Some money don't know how to balance a checkbook, or they don't know if their family has a will.  Etc. Fourth, would be STRENGTH, which would focus on living a healthy lifestyle.  Exercise to eating.   I am excited about this program.  I think it would be fun to giveaway some gift cards to a spa.  I will have to work on getting those donated.  I wish I could win one today!  

What woman doesn't like to be pampered?

beauty of Alaska

Did anyone see tonight's season finale of Amazing Race?  If so, you were able to see footage of the city we live in, Anchorage, Alaska.   It must have been filmed this summer, because it looked sunny and much warmer.   Alaska is a beautiful state to live.  God has created a beautiful world for us to enjoy!    

I love living here, but lately I have noticed the lack of sunlight and having to stay indoors a lot really bothering me.  I love warmer climates so you can take walks and play outside with your kids.  Kyle is off tomorrow for MLK day.  I am hoping we can go snowboarding at the ski lodge on base.  He went Friday all day, and I didn't go because he went to Alyeska Ski resort.  You have to be pretty good to ski there, and I am not very confident. Mostly because I just don't get to go very often.  The lodge on base is much smaller and for people like me!  No matter if we go or not, at least we get to sleep in tomorrow! yeah!!!

Where would you spend your money?

If someone gave you $5000 to spend at the clothing store of your choice, what would it be? Would you go for the high fashion of Gucci or Prada? Or would you stick with the mid-priced stores?  

I think even if someone gave me $5000 or even more to spend just on clothing, I would not buy Gucci or Prada or Chanel.  I think I would get more for my money and go to the same stores I always go to.   Mostly, because the clothing that is super trendy does not work for my real life.  I get puked on.  I change diapers in these clothes.  I get dirt and grime accidentally wiped on my outfit by my child.  Here is the look I am going for: chic, put together, sort of trendy, but not enough to make people think I am over the top, romantic, & comfortable.

believing God

Wow.  My first day of heartwork (homework) from Bible study and I am on fire.  I really love learning.  I love when I have read a passage several times before and then suddenly out of no where it becomes ALIVE to you.   The study that I am currently going through is Believing God.  Not believing that God exists, but actual faith that God will do what His word says He will do. Believing God.  I had a list of scriptures I was supposed to read and write little notes about what the concept of believing God is in each verse.     

The verse I was to read was Eph. 4:11-16: 

"It was he who gave some apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be build up. Until we reach unity in faith and in knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of  teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grown into him who is the Head, that is Christ.  From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does it work." 

I don't think I fully grasped the concept of what this passage is saying until today.  Not only are we responsible as believers to walk in faith ourselves, but our purpose is to build each other up in faith, until we reach the "unity in faith".  Or to put simply... not only do we have to believe that God will do what He says He will do, but we have to encourage those around us to believe as well.  It's not a one man race. It's not a competition against each other of whose is the strongest, fastest. We are all on the same team.    If we are a Christian, then we have a responsibility to make sure that our brothers/sisters make it to the finish line.  

 A couple of years ago Kyle ran in the Air Force marathon, and I learned some cool things.  I learned that there are people all along the entire course cheering you on, giving you these gummy bears for energy, and cups of water.   At the end of the race they take your picture, give you a medal and these weird foil looking towels to stay warm.  I heard Katie Holmes ran in the NYC marathon this fall, and she said thought it was almost over, and then she heard someone say she had six more miles to go.  She wanted to get into the car with Tom and her baby, but she didn't. She kept running.  

I think sometimes people are so worried that they won't finish the race, that they don't even think about the other people around them that might be needing some encouragement to keep believing. Believing that God will do what He says He will do.   I have been there myself a few times.  It's hard enough for me to get time to get my devotional time in, much less make sure other people around me are encouraged to do the same.  I think what I have learned today is that I need to become more intentional about encouraging others in their journey of believing/faith.   I am trying to think of ways I can do that.  Maybe write an email, a phone call, a prayer for them as I am driving down the highway.  

Sometimes our journey of faith can feel lonely. But, we aren't alone.  I met three ladies yesterday that just joined Bible study. They said they have literally cried everyday for three months because they didn't like Alaska.  My heart hurt for them, and I told them "I wished I would have known you then, I would have called you or invited you to study".   They felt like God led them to study and I know He did.  One said, "I haven't cried in two weeks".   I was so excited about getting to know them, and I think it maybe because I was able to do what this verse is talking about- encouraging another believer in their faith.  

cleaning out the closet

I feel like we just lost 100 lbs... in our closet that is!  We were snowed in last night and family night was canceled, so were able to clean out our closet.  I clean my side out all the time, because I struggle to keep my side neat.  Kyle's is always neat, but he just has way way too much clothing. Last night, he broke free!  He got rid of probably at least 50 t-shirts, maybe 75. I am not kidding.  He also got rid of at least 50 pairs of jeans/cargo's.   It is so hard for him to get rid of t-shirts that have special meaning to him.  I kept telling him to hold the memories in his heart, not cluttering up our closet. ha!   I have watched enough of the show "clean sweep" to be really good at helping people get rid of clutter.   Kyle keeps his clothing in mint condition and it is hard for him to get rid of things that are still really nice looking, but are probably four sizes too big for him.   Some of the pants literally were four sizes than he wears now!  Huge. It looked like he went on some huge diet and lost 100 lbs or something.  I think because the style used to be to wear your clothes really big, or maybe he just wanted to wear them really big.  I don't know.  Now I have to take a car load of clothing to Salvation Army and another car load to Plato's closet, and it's pouring down the snow.  

I love cleaning out closets and cabinets.  It makes me feel good  inside.  We are good about keeping our house neat, but not as good at keeping closets clean out.  That is my New Year's resolution. Keep closets orderly and rid of extra clothing we don't wear! 

I think a good rule would be every time I bring a new piece in, I should get rid of something I don't like.  That way I am always staying on top of the closet situation.   It might make me think about twice about purchasing more clothing!

 

Isn't that a spiritual concept?  We keep our outside looking good and clean, but inside we are rotten to the core.  The Pharisee's did a lot of that in Jesus day.  They kept up  their appearance so to speak.  They fasted, prayed and gave money at the right times. But, inside they were full of all kinds of filth.  I don't want that kind of life.  I want my relationship to be real inside and out.   God help me to have a heart like Yours.  

one my fav's

I cook so much more now that I am a stay-at-home Mom.  It is so much easier than going out to dinner with little ones. I am constantly looking for something new recipe, because I get weary with the same old recipes. 

I love the food network and their website.  I think I visit their website at least once a day, sometimes more if I am searching for a new recipe.  I tried a chocolate chip muffin recipe yesterday that was great.    One of my favorite recipes lately was a recipe from Emeril live.  Yummo.  I love Italian now more than ever.  I think I like it more than mexican food now.  Isn't that amazing?  

This recipe is so easy.  Easy on  budget and  time.   You should try it. 

Fettuccini Alfredo with Prosciutto and Peas

Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, 2006

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 shallots, minced

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 cup heavy cream

Salt and freshly ground pepper

1/4 pound prosciutto, julienned

1 cup frozen peans, thawed

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus more for garnish

1 pound fresh fettuccini

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shallots and garlic and saute for a couple of minutes or until tender. Add cream and cook for 1 to 2 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper, to taste.  Add prosciutto and peas and toss gently to combine.  Sprinkle cheese over top and stir to melt and combine. Cook until heated through.

In a large of boiling salted water, add fettuccini and cook until al dente, just a couple of minutes for fresh pasta.  Drain, reserving 1/4 cup pasta water. Add teh reserved pasta water and drained fettuccini to skillet.  Toss to combine pasta with sauce and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve garnished with extra cheese.

new study

I am pumped. Today was the first day of Bible study for the spring semester.  It was a nice Christmas break, but I missed my schedule and routine. 

We had six new ladies today for Bible study, and four other ladies that bought books that will join us next week.  Several ladies just moved here within the last three months!  I love meeting new ladies and getting the chance to make a new friend.  The spring study is Believing God by Beth Moore.  I am so looking forward to going thorough one of her studies.  I have always taken  the other class offered every time we do a Beth Moore study at Protestant Women of the Chapel.  

PWOC or any ladies Bible study group is a great way to make girl friends that will encourage you in your faith and walk with Christ.  I found that to be true in my own life.  I need that time without Kyle or Emma to be able to focus on my relationship with God, and also to encourage my friends in their relationship as well.  I am thankful for the changes that God has brought in my life through a ladies Bible study group.   These women are truly a blessing in my life.