On My Plate N0. 012

| Chai Cupcakes |

These were so good and pretty easy to make,

for some reason the consistency of the frosting was a bit strange but it still tasted so good!

Get the recipe here.

that is all.

What I'm Loving...

Here is what's going on..

  

 

Chai Almond Tea Latte.

Cherry Pomegranate Greek Yogurt

Red Raspberry Jalapeno Jam

(*So good)

{Breakfast today}

Pancakes wth strawberries & chocolate strawberry spread.

My "peeps" (the hammers)

Greek paradigms

{study sheet for Greek exam}

_____

| P I N T E R E S T-ing |

(via)

(via)

(via)

(via)

(via)

pieces & chips

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

long sigh, I am feeling really stressed. 

Stare at this photo for a minute or two 

& breathe deeply....

Do you feel any better?

I think I might.

Today has been a day,

not horrible but not great.

My emotions are running high....

My mind has been everywhere lately,

I feel like this photo today,

I'm a wall,

throughout the day cracks & chips happen,

pieces fall & at the end I am not the same.

I hate it when people try to make me look foolish,

or use my weaknesses for their gain,

even in fun.

I already feel guilty a lot,

so when someone makes me feel more guilty

& like I can't measure up,

or possibly be as great as they are

my feelings are hurt.

I had hurt feelings today, 

people were rude.

Honestly, how can people be so rude?

I work at a homeless shelter for women & children,

we get no government funding, 

those who stay do not have to pay,

all we ask is that they follow our guidelines & rules.

Yet, most all seem to think they are entitled.

We already serve them,

but they want more.

When I encounter those people I just want to shout at them:

HOW ABOUT A LITTLE GRATITUDE!

PLEASE or THANK YOU!

seriously....

Nothing we do there  is ever good enough.

I was the night shift manager tonight so I was seeing all the guests, 

checking them in,

answering questions & problems.

I like that position but I do not appreciate when people are rude,

especially when I am being nice & respectful to them.

Days like this make me want to cry...

I am a person too.

I have feelings,

& they were hurt today.

By co-workers, 

family,

acquaintances...

I have been thinking about how people who are close to me are leaving,

some in a month for the whole summer.

Some in several months for 6 months.

Some are leaving in a year,

Some just have plans they are going after.

They know what they want to do,

God has shown them...

How I wish that feeling was familiar.

I feel left out.

My biggest dream/hope/calling is something I have no control over,

it's not something I can just pursue or make happen.

Selfishness is not my desire with this.

God has given me talents, skills dreams, hopes for a reason.

Many of those I don't know how to use now.

I am thankful for what God has given me.

He is good.

He is faithful.

He is loving.

He is full of mercy.

He is full of grace.

He is the redeemer.

He is the truth.

These things I know.

but....

I am broken,

dull.

let down.

lifeless.

shattered.

Tonight I need Jesus....

a lot.

I need love.

hope.

forgiveness.

rest.

peace.

focus.

a voice.

words.

encouragement.

Jesus...

What I'm....

obsessing over: why my face keeps breaking out???? 

{it's probably stress &/or chocolate}

working on:fundraiser ideas for South Africa trip. edits. new ideas.

thinking about: when I won't be stressed...

what I will do tomorrow...

my face...

anticipating: time to get things dones...

when I can focus... 

this weekend.

listening to: Trip Lee "The Good Life" (LOVE IT)

eating: /pancakes & sausage/cereal-fruit loops (I'm so grown up)/smoothie/hard boiled egges/

wishing: for a lovely house of my own,

 for different circumstances, that I could focus & actually be productive,

that I could just trust the Lord & have more faith.(yep still that)...

& that I could do more of what I love & get paid more for it!

Fridays Letters

Dear hormones & emotions......why must I act like a total fool & moron when you decide to flare up? I really hate that.
Dear Baby M..... I am so happy I was able to spend time with you this week! I love you and missed you bunches. You are a beautiful little guy!
Dear Friend "G"..... I love you girl! Spending time with you & Baby M makes my days brighter. Chatting, eating chocolate, cleaning, organizing, movie watching, exercising & being silly is so great with you!
Dear Greek Exam.... I am hoping, wishing, praying that I will conquer you on Monday. I love the class but do not care too much for the exams.
Dear God... I feel like there is so much going on, so much I have to think about. I need more energy & motivation. HELP ME!! I am losing it! Help me to focus.

What a day.

Yesterday I woke & by 10:30 I was ready for a do-over.
Wednesday night I went to bed all emotional, crying & all.
Thursday I woke up and was emotional...crying & frustration.
Even the exercise machine at the gym was frustrating me. Later, I did something so so so so stupid, that one action could have caused so many problems.
I was driving I pulled out onto a street, I was stopped at a light waiting to turn left. When I was sitting there waiting I was thinking, this seems weird. A car beeped at me, I looked around and realized I was in the far left lane...on a two way street....IN THE WRONG FREAKING LANE! With oncoming traffic getting ready to turn or come my direction. I thought {HOW THE HECK DID I DO THIS? WHAT THE FLIP AM I THINKING??? I AM SO D*** STUPID} I moved over but still wasn't in the correct spot. Then a car came towards me, I had to back up, pass two cars & get to the correct lane. Thankfully that part wasn't really difficult. I felt so stupid, I am not a horrible driver, I am not usually so absent minded. Ever since the night before I had been emotional & crazy and it still continued...
I really don't know what my issue is... I have BIG problems focusing, & having drive & energy to get this done. I love to be productive, but lately I am not seeing the point. I guess I feel like I keep trying but never make progress. There seems to be so much on my plate, I want to get things accomplished but it never happens.
Frustration seems like it is a consistent part of almost every moment of every day. Crying out to Jesus happens over & over...
Oh man I need some peace, organization & motivation.

What I'm Loving...

 | Pinterest-ing |

(via)

(via)

(via)

(via)

(via)

(via)

(via)

(via)

| clearly I'm loving coral  & peach |
_________________________________


 |  What I'm listening to...  |

I am really liking this sermon series by Mark Driscoll at Mars Hill Church.
You can listen here. (*I've listened to the first 6 so far)
I love that you can listen/watch all these sermons, they are also available to download, for free!
Such great, great people of God preaching His Word.
(*Some of my other favorite series: "It's all about Jesus", "Gods work our witness", "The Peasant Princess", "Religion Saves", "The Rebels Guide to Joy".
GO CHECK THEM OUT NOW!!! You will be blessed.



Trip Lee - "The Good Life"
Loving it, started listening to it on Spotify last week,
ordered it on amazon,
got it yesterday,
popped it in the car stereo this AM!

________________________________

This lovely photo of the Michigan capital, captured on my phone.

________________________________

Mac-N-Cheese "cupcake"

found this recipe on Pinterest,

changed it a tad,

kind of because I forgot some stuff { ;) oops }

however it still tasted good!

___________________________

 

I made this, I saw something similar on Pinterest

but I think that one might have been painted.

I like the original better,
but I will keep trying.

 

My weekend & the one about diet.

Over the weekend, I went to Flint to visit my friend. Basically I took some photos.

We watched movies & ate some junk food.

Lately I have been trying harder (then normal) to eat healthier,

I was feeling a bit guilty for chowing down on some junk food.

The chips (whole-grain) & cheese. Oreos & peanut butter. Sparkling grape juice. pretzel M&Ms.

Not too bad, but I could feel the breakouts coming. ewwww

Then I realized later.... I wasn't pigging out & nothing was wrong. Eating those things does not happen often and for this weekend away it was ok to have a bit of junk food.

So there... I still feel a tad guilty but I will get over it and do what I normally do and eat healthy.

On that note I have made a decision in the last week that I am no longer eating fried food (except for the occasional sushi that is fried). It's not a commen thing for me to eat a lot of fried food but I decided that if I decide not to I won't do it when the opportunity comes.

My "diet" is not yet figured out. I don't consume a lot of meat, I don't think I have even had meet since last Thursday; but I am not a vegetarian {I like sausage/bacon & chicken too much to do that}

Also veggies are hard to get into my diet but I am trying more and more; like adding spinach to my smoothies and cooking broccoli with pasta. Fruit...eat it everyday. Dairy....yup everyday.

I'm still figuring this food thing out... it'll happen.

_______________

While visiting my friend I also went to her church, I adore that church.

It's small but relevant.

Each time I have attended I am left challenged and convicted.

This church doesn't have a music ministry,

just straight up preaching and communion.

LOVE. IT!

On Sunday the sermon was about 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1

(ESV) Do All to the Glory of God

²³  “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. ²⁴  Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. ²⁵  Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. ²⁶ For “the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof.” ²⁷ If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. ²⁸ But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience— ²⁹ I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else's conscience? ³⁰ If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?

³¹ So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. ³²  Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, ³³ just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

11  Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

So many things struck me in this sermon. I had my Greek New Testament as well as my ESV Bible. Here are some of my notes: V.23-There are certain things that some consider wrong, but really they aren't necessarily wrong, they are just not useful (i.e. going to entertain guests, your child dumps out legos all over to play, not wrong, but it's not useful at the moment for what is going to happen).

What is my focus on?

How am I limited?

Am I using my time wisely?

Is what I do useful?

Am I seeking to be loved by people and to please people?

Because of my freedom in Christ I am free to partake or obstain, depending on the uesfulness or the hinderence it is to those around me. (This doesn't be use drugs or behave however I please)

Is what I do bringing me and others closer to the feet of Jesus?

Instead of trying so hard to please people, lay it all down at Jesus feet and please Him.

The people will never be satisfied, be satisfied in Jesus.

Am I living unhappy? Quit finding fault in life, quit finding reasons to be unhappy. Stuff happens, life happens. God uses both to bring Him glory. It is in my limitations that I must depend on the Lord for strength and courage.

Maturity and true freedom is this.... when one proceeds through life handling limitations with submission to God, grace and humility.

Be well trained. Wild and free isn't useful, die to selfishness. Fully rejoice in your freedom in Christ.

Am I overly concerned about exterior? (yes)

Walk Wise, Be Wise.

Focus on Jesus.

LAY.IT.ALL.DOWN.



Some things to think about.

Jesus, help me to be useful in the things I do.

May the words of my mouth & the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight.

My my hearts desire be to be satisfied in You and to please You!

May I walk wise and be wise.

God I need Your help,

I need wisdom every day.

May I humbly come to You each day and ask for Your favor,

for strength, for me to die to myself.

Give me a greater heart for You Jesus!

On My Plate No. 011

Tortillas

cheese

tomato slices

onion slices

Cheese sauce

Hot sauce

We put the ingredients on half of the tortilla,

folded it over put it in the oven on broil for about 7 min.

________________

I grabbed some chicken breasts from the freezer the night before

and placed them in a Ziploc bag with fresh squeezed lime juice, 

olive oil, green onion, enchilada spice.

Then cooked it in a pan.

______________

Oh goodness this was so good!

basically it's suppose to be like a margarita w/ out the alcohol.

Frozen Limeade

Orange Juice

Ice

*1 Lime (depending on how many you make)

{*also pineapple &/or pineapple juice goes great with this too!}

Take some lime zest and green decorating sprinkles,

put them on a plate.  

After rubbing the lime around the rim 

 put the cup into the mixture of lime zest & sprinkles.

Then pour Limeade mixture in & enjoy!

Fridays Letters

Dear other inhabitants of the house...I have noticed your effort to clean up after yourself lately, thank you! Keep it up...I really mean it in the nicest of ways. Otherwise words come out of my mouth that shouldn't *Jesus and I are working on that*

Dear "diet" & exercise....So after going to the gym, almost everyday, for the last 2 1/2 months I really wish I was seeing more of a difference. I won't give up though.

Dear Fried Foods....we are over! I am done with you *except for the occasional fried sushi that I have maybe once a month or once every two months*


Dear Sunshine...Please stick around. General morale is better when you do.

Dear New Blender....You are a sight to behold and a wonder to use.

Dear God... help me to focus & be productive, my head has been everywhere else.

Dear Weekend...I hope it's great, looking forward to a fun, relaxing time with my good friend.  Maybe new friendships? Who knows, God has it.... and I am at peace...at least about that.

what I'm...

obsessing over: Pinterest, coffee, colors, Spring.  working on:  Edits of a Senior photo shoot, Music & lyrics slides for worship sessions, Fundraising letter for South Africa.  thinking about: How I am tired & hungry, the upcoming weekend & plans with a friend, the future. anticipating: Eating, cooking morning tomorrow with my friend, the weekend.  listening to: Sermon about Luke by  Mark Driscoll, {lately} Britt Nicoles album "Gold", Trip Lees album "The Good Life", Jimmy Needhams album "Clear the stage"  eating: Well today it's been yogurt, hard boiled eggs, toast, ceral & smoothie.  wishing: for a lovely house of my own, for different circumstances, that I could focus & actually be productive, that I could just trust the Lord & have more faith.

On My Plate No. 010

I made this the other day, Oh.My.Goodness...

YUM!

This sandwich was so, so, so good!

I got the idea from this recipe, which I have made before, and loved. 

However, I didn't have all the ingredients for that so I improvised.

What I used:

• Mini sub buns
• Leftover ham from Easter dinner {so good}
• Mexican shredded cheese {because it was what I had, I would have preferred swiss/cheddar/mozeralla}
• Canned pineapple chunks
• Red onion slices

For the Sauce:

• Honey mustard dressing
• Mustard
• Garlic
• Melted butter

{*Sorry I don't know the exact measurements, I just squeezed, poured & dumped until it felt right. Even if you don't like mustard it's ok the butter kind of masks the mustard taste depending how much of each you put in.}

1. take the buns seprate the bottoms from the tops

2. place the bottom of the buns in a oven safe pan.

3. put all the ingredients on.

4. place the top bun on.

5. Pour the sauce over the top, make sure some settles in the bottom of the pan.

6. Add some pineapple & onion to the top.

7. Cover with foil and bake for about 10 min at 350

8. Remove foil and broil for like 5ish minutes.

9. EAT!!!!

Make this, it is so delicious I want some more!

Obedience

This morning I was reading in Titus and found the above list of things to be or do.

Be obedient.

do good.

slander no one.

be peaceable & considerate.

show true humility.

{true humility...not fake..act ike your humble}

What a list.

How was I obedient today?

Did I do all that was good?

Did I avoid slander?

How was I peaceable & considerate?

Did I show TRUE humility?

I don't ask myself these questions enough or at all.

My mind is always stuck on
"Plan for success, not failure"

of course that is a good thing to live by, but at the same time my mind is always focused on efficency & productivity & I tend to loose the relational side of things.

Overview of today,

I was kind of lazy,

didn't feel like doing a whole lot.

What did I do?

Went to the gym . came home & showered . dressed . some Bible reading . ate breakfast . made food for lunch & to take to work for dinner . watched TV/movie . "edited" . ate ice cream . went to work.

That really sums up most of my days, I really need to be more intentional about life.

Not just productive but humbly serving Jesus in what I do so at the end of the day

I can go to sleep knowing I did my best for the Lord.

to obey,

do good,

not slander,

be peaceable & considerate,

and be truly humble.

_________________

*Overheard tonight*

Lady: .....hose.....

You don't know what I meant, I could have been talking about panty hose, or a garden hose.

Lady 2: You weren't...

______

Lady 1: Ughhh I can't find it...

Lady 2: check your blankets

Lady 1: It's not there

Lady 2: Check them!

Lady 1: I'm not gonna check it's not there

Lady 2: You have like 15 blankets, check them.

Lady 1: I do  not have that many...

Lady 2: yes you do... check it.

Lady 1: ughh....fine.

*(apparently finds it)

Thank you sweetie...

Lady 2: you're welcome

_______

Lady 1: she a low down heffa.

______

Photos

Photos from a George Moss & Leeland concert I went to a couple weeks ago.