Take Action

The Take Action video by Lysa Terkeurst wow, this is so inspirational!!! It is very thought provoking.  I was not going to do part two but now I feel like I am suppose to.  Please take the time to listen to the video. Think about joining the study.  The study is called Made to Crave Action Plan 

One of the things that Lysa says in her video that reached out to me was to grow closer to the Lord we need to distant ourselves from that which is distracting us.

 



Be Self controlled and Alert

When I look at the verse this week. 1Peter 5:7-8a Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares
for you.  Be self-controlled and alert.  That is a powerful verse: It says Vicki cast all your anxiety on Me(the Lord) because I(The Lord) care for you Vicki. Vicki, be self-controlled  So much of the time I think "I got this!"  However, how much better I would be  if I cast all of it on Him.
For the Lord is my self-control and He is the one who will keep be alert.  When you take a verse and put your name in it and have it as if the Lord is having a conversation one on one with you it is so much more powerful.  We need to be alert and be mindful that Satan is right there to distract us.  "Oh, you can have this.  It will be alright."  "You can start tomorrow"

 

We were made for more and we need to remember that.  I am thankful that this study is helping me to remember that. 





The Plan

In our bible study we have been asked to come up with food plan.  I believe I am going to try Lysa's plan that she describes in her book.  I am doing away with sugar, bread, things high in carbs. I will be doing good carbs vs bad carbs.  I will eat more fruit and vegetables.  My verse I am concentrating on is Psalm 73:26 My Flesh and my heart may fail but GOD is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

                                      



Made To Crave!!!

I am doing a online bible study through proverb31.org  Made to Crave bible study It is the first time I have done a bible study on line.  I am so enjoying it.  Today it asked us to write our favorite verse. I have many favorite verses.  The verse of the week was Psalms 84 :2  My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord, my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.  We had to do verse mapping which led me to this verse. Psalms 73:26 My flesh, and my heart may fail, but God is the strength, of my heart and my portion forever.  This verse really touched my heart.  That will be my verse throughout this study.  It is God who will give me the strength because my flesh will fail and he will guide my portions.  I know portions could mean a lot here.  However, I am going to say it deals with my portions regarding food.  That is what reached out to me today.  We go to God for many things but rarely to we go to him regarding our food choices. I am learning that scripture deals with food many times throughout the bible.  I Corinthians 10:23 Everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial!!! Wow, that verse speaks volumes. My body is the temple of God and I need to remember that when I eat.  I need to change my habit in eating.  It is with God's strength and grace that I will.

Bon Appetit! Enjoy Your Food or Book!

I have a project on donorschoose.org. I have only 13 days left to get my project funded.  I need 487 more dollars.  Please take time to look at this project or forward it to a business or organization who might be willing to help.  I would be ever so grateful.  My children would too.  I have 11 donors already.     Bon Appetit!!! Enjoy Your Food or Book!! 

Hibiscus, my flower for the Summer!

I have enjoyed the summer and can not believe it is about to end. I have gotten into my flowers this year.  I bought 3 hibiscus plants this year.  I have so enjoyed looking at them.  I have heard they come back each year.  I have to put them under the house or in the house.  I am not sure which I will do.  I also just bought rose trees.  These are different than a rose bush.  We extended our patio and we put them around it.  I have to say it looks pretty good. 

In Touch Daily Devotional

In Touch Daily Devotional  This is so true. 

A Summer Bird Bath

This so caught my eye!! I am going to give it a try.  It is made out of terra cotta pots.

Source: theculinarycougar.wordpress.com via Vicki on Pinterest

The pots are turned upside down 14",12",10".  The top is a 16" terra cotta saucer.  The containers are  are held together with acrylic based silicone caulk.   Spray is used along with a sealant.The link for this is
theculinarycougar.wordpress.com

Tomato Pie YUM, YUM!

So I found a delicious recipe I want to share.  I found it off www.pinterest.com  and it came from www.myheartsdesireblog.com  If you love tomatoes you will love this recipe!!  It will be great with the tomatoes from your garden. 

Source: myheartsdesireblog.com via Vicki on Pinterest

Enjoy!!  I am making another today because we enjoyed the first one so much.

1 unbaked pie crust (I prefer refrigerated Pillsbury)

8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup chopped onion

2 T. chopped, fresh basil

2-3 fresh tomatoes, peeled and cut into thin slices

1/2 t. salt

1/4 t. pepper

1/8 cup olive oil

1/3 cup fresh, grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Using a very sharp knife, peel and slice tomatoes. Lay the tomatoes on top of two layers of paper towels. Sprinkle tomatoes with a dash of salt and place one more layer of paper towels on top of tomatoes. Leave tomatoes to drain while you prep the other ingredients. This will prevent your pie from becoming too watery.  Layer the pie according to the ingredients!! 

The Smell of Coffee

So I have become  Pinterest addict  almost!! I found this the other day and am definitely going to try it.  I love the smell of coffee  So you put coffee beans in bowls and put tealights on top of them

Source: buzzfeed.com via Vicki on Pinterest

Chicken Bacon Quesadilla

I made these and they are delicious.  I am starting a new diet!! Ha Ha so I could only have one.  I used bacon bits instead of bacon and I used wheat tortilla.  It was delcious!! 

Plainchicken.com

Source: plainchicken.com via Vicki on Pinterest

Colorful Flower Pots!!

Source: eatingrules.com via Donna on Pinterest

I saw this on www.pinterest.com  and thought it would be so cool to try.  I am so ready for Spring!!

Cooking New Things

So I have really been into trying new recipes lately.  Here are a few good onesMexican stuffed shells 

Here is another Potato soup recipe It was wonderful Potato Soup

Now if you want something sweet you need to try this reciped.

Today I will make a Difference

Cover of On the Anvil (Walker Large Print Books)

Today I Will Make a Difference 

This is an email I received from Up Words with Max Lucado.  It really touched my heart.  I also noticed it was the same email sent out today by Bob Proctor

Today I Will Make A Difference

Today I will make a difference. I will begin by controlling my thoughts. A person is the product of his thoughts. I want to be happy and hopeful. Therefore, I will have thoughts that are happy and hopeful. I refuse to be victimized by my circumstances. I will not let petty inconveniences such as stoplights, long lines, and traffic jams be my masters. I will avoid negativism and gossip. Optimism will be my companion, and victory will be my hallmark. Today I will make a difference.

I will be grateful for the twenty-four hours that are before me. Time is a precious commodity. I refuse to allow what little time I have to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom. I will face this day with the joy of a child and the courage of a giant. I will drink each minute as though it is my last. When tomorrow comes, today will be gone forever. While it is here, I will use it for loving and giving. Today I will make a difference.

I will not let past failures haunt me. Even though my life is scarred with mistakes, I refuse to rummage through my trash heap of failures. I will admit them. I will correct them. I will press on. Victoriously. No failure is fatal. It's OK to stumble...I will get up. It's OK to fail...I will rise again. Today I will make a difference.

I will spend time with those I love. My spouse, my children, my family. A man can own the world but be poor for the lack of love. A man can own nothing and yet be wealthy in relationships. Today I will spend at least five minutes with the significant people in my world. Five quality minutes of talking or hugging or thanking or listening. Five undiluted minutes with my mate, children, and friends.

Today I will make a difference

.

Mac Lucado
From "On The Anvil"

Copyright (Tyndale Publishing, 1985) Max Lucado, Used by Permission
With more than 28 million books in print, Max Lucado has touched millions with his signature storytelling writing style. Awards and accolades follow Max with each book he writes. You can visit his web site at: www.maxlucado.com

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Another Angel in Heavan

Well another school year is coning to an end.  I had to give a summary of my year.  I have so enjoyed this group of children I have had.  I am not always able to say that.  They have stirved in all areas and have made me very proud.  There is some sadness to this school year ending.  A former student who was in third grade died in a car accident over Memorial Day weekend.    I love my students.  I have them for 180 days and just because they leave they are still mine.  I always tell them that.  "Remember, I had you first"  We had prayer on the third grade hallway before the students got there.  The presence of God could sure be felt.  Even though we may not understand; God needed him  John 14:18  Jesus says he will come to us to comfort us.  That is my prayer for the family today. 

As this year comes to an end.  It also brings an end to my son's highschool years.  Yes, he is graduating and I couldn't be more proud of him.  As one of my friends said "Phase one done!! Now to get them through college!!!"

Time fliles

Time has sure flown by.  I have loved and cherished every moment.  My son's senior prom was this weekend.  It was bittersweet moment.   So proud of where he is in his life and the young man he has become.  I can't believe he is grown up.  It seems like just yesterday I was packing his lunch.   

Inches count too!!

I am reminded inches count!!! I have lost more in inches than pounds but that is good thing!!! This is much slower coming off than the low carb diet was.  However, I think I am learning more.  So I am giving a showout for weightwatchers  program.  Excerise is the key.  I think it is always the key.  I am cooking some great recipes also!!  Did you know you can take a regular brownie mix.  Do not add the oil or the eggs.  Get a can of black beans and drain well.  Then put the beans back in the can and fill with water.  Dump the can with the beans in the blender.  When it is smooth, pour than in your brownie mix.   It is very moist.   Hubby did not like it.  My girlfriends at work did!!  I have not tried this yet but you can take a cake mix and instead of oil or eggs  you add diet drink to the mix.

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I Can Do All Things Through Christ!!

Well, I decided to join Weight Watchers online.  I have been going to the gym but decided I needed to watch my food more.  I think I love salad dressing too much.  I hate fat free dressing.  My portion size is something I am also realizing must be smaller.  I am reminded of the verse Phillipians 4:13 I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.  It says "all thiings"  even losing weight!!  I am doing the online version it was much cheaper and more conveinant for me.   I am so glad I have the Lord's help in doing this.

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Life is but a vapor

As I think about the events that happened on Saturday in Arizonia I am deeply saddened.  I knew not one of them personally but yet feel the loss of life as if I did.  Our life is but a vapor.  We don't know when our last breath will be.  Live each day like it might be your last.  Take time for family, friends and yourselves.

I also lost a dear co-worker this week.  The head custodian at my school.  He had been there since the beginning of  my career.  He always made sure I had everything I needed for my classroom.  He would fuss when I would fill out a request form more than once a month but he always filled the order.  He could be gruff but his bark was worse than his bite  Sometimes when I would ask him for things he would tell me to go to Wal-Mart.   I am going to miss him. 

Roxanna Green: Christina’s Light Shines on All of Us

Roxanna Green: Christina’s Light Shines on All of Us A 9 year girl who just wanted to learn more about government. My prayers go out to the the victims in Arizonia's tragedy yesterday.

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