Recently I decided to try a new recipe. I made orange glazed pork chops with rice and sauteed spinach with berries. I found a basic recipe but made several changes to it because I did not have all of the ingredients that the recipe called for. I also thought the the recipe I found was lacking flare. David helped prepare this meal. He often helps in the kitchen, but it was fun making something together that we had never made before. (more…)
Author Archive
Glazed Pork Chops
Friday, February 11th, 2011Perspectives
Tuesday, February 8th, 2011
During my recent Bible reading I have noticed some differences between the stories told in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. While the books parallel one another some of them include details not included in the other versions. Some people would call these inconsistencies but I consider the differences to be based on perspective. For example: (more…)
Working vs. Stay at Home Moms
Saturday, February 5th, 2011
I am so tired of the Stay-at-Home Mom (SAHMS) verses Working Mom (WMS) fight. The newest study indicates that children of working moms are over-weight. The study focused on the fact that Working Mom’s multi-task and sometimes don’t have time to cook nutritious meals and rely on fast food. This study is flawed for several reasons: (more…)
Forever Family
Thursday, February 3rd, 2011
Two years ago today Madilyn became a legal member of our family. After seven months of being our daughter in our hearts and minds on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 10:36 am she became a legal Lloyd. (more…)
Raised Garden Beds
Monday, January 31st, 2011
It was a beautiful weekend here in Georgia. Caleb and David spent a lot of time outside preparing our garden area for the coming spring. Caleb found some carrots and I cleaned them and made them into carrot bread. I was surprised that the carrots actually grew and survived the winter. The smell of these carrots gave me a touch of Spring Fever. (more…)
Are fears separating you from God?
Friday, January 28th, 2011
Earlier this week I read Luke 8: 37 “Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left.”
After focusing on this verse for a few moments I began to wonder how many of are separated from him due to our fears. How many of us ask Jesus to leave us alone because we are afraid and do not have faith to trust in him. We may not come right out and say, “Jesus, leave me alone” but our thoughts, actions, and deeds can send the message to him loud and clear. (more…)
Is it Spring yet?
Wednesday, January 26th, 2011
One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it provides. ~W.E. Johns, The Passing Show
Is it Spring yet? I am ready to play in the dirt again. I would not call last years garden a success, but it was a learning experience. Over the course of the next few weeks I will be planning my garden and preparing for the coming spring. (more…)
Family Update
Tuesday, January 25th, 2011
Caleb finished his first semester of high school. Boy did that go by quickly. He got all A’s and B’s. I really like that I work at the school he attends. I get the chance to do what most parents want to do but never get a chance to do. I get to see him interact with his friends, see how he acts in the hallways, and I have daily conversations with several of his teachers. (more…)
Raising an Adopted Child
Monday, January 24th, 2011
Many people have asked me over the course of the past 2 and a half years, “how is raising an adopted child different than raising a biological child?” During an average day in our lives David and I hardly ever think about the fact that our daughter is adopted. We do spend a lot of time thinking about how to get her to eat her breakfast, not run in the house, and to do what she is told to do. (more…)
Still Learning
Tuesday, January 18th, 2011
This year I have made it a goal to read my Bible from cover to cover. Today as I read Mark 8: 17-21 I realized that I still have much to learn about the word of God. I have also been reminded that it is MY responsibility to take time to read, study and focus on the word of God.
Mark 8: 17-21 17 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of pieces did you pick up?” “Twelve,” they replied. 20 “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many baskets full of pieces did you pick up?” They answered, “Seven.” 21 He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”
I remember in Sunday school learning about the little boy who gave his five loaves and fish to the disciples and that Jesus turned that little lunch into a large feast. I also remember hearing numerous sermons covering this story. However what I have never heard preached is that Jesus did this on more than one occasion. I wonder why pastors and Sunday school teachers don’t point this out to people while they are teaching. I wonder why I did not know this until tonight.
I am on day 18 of reading and have only finished Matthew and half of Mark and have learned and been reminded of so many things during these few days. I wish I would have started having a more organized and focused reading time sooner.