Turkey Trottin'

"You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?" Galatians 5:7

With Thanksgiving just around the corner I am excited about running my first "Turkey Trot" race. I don't consider myself a runner and if you would have told me just six months ago that I would be entering, much less excited about, a race I would have bet you Thanksgiving dinner you'd be wrong. However, three months ago I got bored with walking and decided to "step it up" a bit and began running. Since then I have found myself actually looking forward to the solitude and comfort that comes with my early morning runs. Sure it takes some discipline to crawl out of a warm bed, early in the morning while everyone else is still asleep, but the time alone with God and the feeling of accomplishment is completely worth it.

Then this morning when I opened my Bible to Galatians and read the verse above, I was amazed yet again at how neat God is that he would show me such an appropriate verse for my upcoming race. Not because I need to anticipate someone "cutting in on me" while running next week but to serve as a reminder that as a Christian I am called to run a good race and that I need to constantly be aware of the things that can cut into my race and distract me from the path I need to stay on to cross the finish line. I'll admit I have taken many wrong turns in my race, been cut in on and have even followed those running a completely different race but thankfully the Lord has always come along beside me and helped me get back on the right track.

So, if you're going to be turkey trottin' next week too, keep in mind you're running a good race and finish strong! Here's something else to keep in mind, cranberry chutney and Italian macaroni and cheese go great with turkey!

Cranberry Chutney
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 bag fresh cranberries
1 cup chopped apple
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/4 cup apple juice
juice from 1/2 an orange
juice from 1/2 a lemon
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg

Combine sugar and water in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Add cranberries and return to boil then reduce heat to simmer. Add remaining ingredients and cook 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat, let cool then serve.

Italian Macaroni and Cheese
12 oz wide egg noodles
2 cups heavy cream
2 cups milk
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 cups Havarti cheese
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3/4 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Butter a 13x9x2 inch baking dish and set aside. Cook the noodles according to package directions then drain but do not rinse. In a large bowl blend well the cream, milk, flour, salt and pepper. Stir in 1 cup Havarti, 1/2 cup Parmesan, 1/2 cup Mozzarella and parsley. Add noodles and toss to coat. Pour noodle mixture into prepared baking dish. Combine remaining cheeses and sprinkle over noodle mixture. Bake uncovered until cheese bubbles and begins to brown on top, about 20 minutes. Let sit for 1o minutes before serving.
**Diced ham can be added with the noodles before baking to make a complete meal.

Poor Me

I've been feeling sorry for myself lately. I have been dealing with a minor injury that has kept me from my normal activities and is forcing me to take it easy. Granted at one time, I would have lavished in this laziness but over the past several months I have established a routine that I really enjoy and it is bothering me to have to take time off from it. However, as I was sitting around planning my pity party I eventually realized I had absolutely nothing to complain about. The Lord has blessed my family with health, our home and with an income. I know there are many people struggling with serious illnesses and with job losses that would covet my life and though a pity party sounded like fun at first, I decided I would try the "Thanksgiving Approach" since it is, after all, Thanksgiving. So, here are 25 things I am thankful for:

1. My salvation (ok, so it's the churchy answer but I really couldn't imagine life without my Jesus).
2. My husband, that he has a way to make me feel more loved everyday.
3. Fisher, my first miracle and my pride.
4. Easton, my second miracle and my sunshine.
5. Finley, my third miracle and my joy.
6. My parents and their commitment to each other.
7. Eric's parents and their consistency in their walk.
8. My church and pastor.
9. My sisters and the fact that though we may not talk or see each other daily we are always there for each other.
10. My friends and the ability to "Jesus talk" with them.
11. My freedom to worship the Lord openly and publicly.
12. PUBLIX!
13. The ability to hear my kids say "mom" even though I cringe sometimes when they do.
14. Flip flops, need I say more?
15. Taste buds, although I have a love/hate relationship with them (wish they didn't work so well).
16. That I got to experience pregnancy even though it may have been on my back for three months.
17. The beach and the sand and the salty water and even the dang jellyfish just because they are all part of the experience.
18. Clouds because a little shade is nice in Florida and because Easton saw one the other day that looked like a pig.
19. Spatulas, for spanking and for getting the last bit of peanut butter out of the jar.
20. Harold, my KitchenAid Pro Line Mixer.
21. Telephones and the ability to pick one up and call, who am I kidding, I mean text, a friend whenever I want or need to.
22. Farmer's Markets and Art's and Craft shows and the memories of my grandparents that they evoke in me.
23. Beth Moore AND her Texas Sheet Cake.
24. Vacations and time spent alone with family minus all the distractions of daily life.
25. Our dog because even though she doesn't walk on a leash all that great, barks nonstop at squirrels, eats non-edible items and chews the kids' toys, I saw Marley & Me and know how empty life would be without her.

Something you'll be thankful for is what we're having for dinner and though the ingredient list is a little long, stuffed chicken with yellow rice is really good and relatively easy to make.

Stuffed Chicken with Yellow Rice
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tbsp crumbled feta cheese
1 tbsp chopped walnuts
1 tbsp chopped parsley
3/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 egg
2 tbsp milk
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp butter
1 pkg yellow rice

Prepare rice according to package directions then set aside. Cut small slit in side of chicken breasts to make a pocket. Mix cheese, walnuts and parsley and put 1 tbsp of the mixture into each chicken breast pocket. Mix flour, salt and pepper. Dredge chicken in flour mixture. Mix egg and milk then dip chicken in egg mixture then again in the flour mixture. Place in fridge until ready to cook. Heat oil and butter in large skilled over med-high heat and cook chicken until light brown on both sides then reduce heat and cook until done. Place rice on serving dish, top with chicken then pour sauce (recipe below) over both. Serve with steamed broccoli.

Sauce
3 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped carrots
1/4 cup chopped celery
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 (8 oz) can tomatoes, drained and chopped
2 tbsp chopped parsley
1/4 cup white wine
1/4 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp dried oregano

Heat oil in small skillet. Cook onion, carrots, celery and garlic until tender. Add tomatoes, parsley, wine, sugar and oregano. Simmer 20 minutes or until thick.

The Armor of Myself

"Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." Ephesians 6:11

I am fully aware that I should be putting on the "Armor of God" every morning but I constantly assume that the armor of "myself" is sufficient. I read my Bible and pray in the mornings but then I dress in the Armor of Carrie which is about as effective as a cute apron, a cookie sheet and a spatula in the middle of the trenches. Sure the apron might keep my clothes from getting dirty, the cookie sheet might deflect a bullet (if we're talking BBs here) and I may be able to swat a hand or two with my trusty spatula, but really, the flimsy armor of myself for protection?

Ephesians 6 makes it clear that the battles we face are not battles we can handle on our own. Verse 12 says, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." So what does this mean? It means from the moment we wake up to the second we fall asleep Satan is trying to defeat us. The "flaming arrows" he constantly shoots at us are to weaken us, to make us struggle and to make us fall. He wants us to believe we can handle life on our own. That we don't need protection, wisdom or a Savior. Satan wants us to walk out the door every morning wearing our own fallible and penetrable armor called self-sufficiency so that when he takes aim and finally hits us in our weakest area we collapse. Whether our weakness is the inability to forgive, the tendency to wander or the constant desire to be in control of our lives, Satan knows where to aim.

Fortunately there is a better armor available. One that is strong and has been forged through the test of time. The Armor of God: The Belt of Truth (knowing the will of God), The Breastplate of Righteousness (making the right choices), The Sandals of Peace (knowing God is in control), The Shield of Faith (believing God's plan is best), The Helmet of Salvation (remembering Jesus is always with you) and The Sword of the Spirit (knowing God's word is true). Wearing this armor doesn't guarantee an easy battle, but it does guarantee victory in the end.

I will be breaking out that cute apron to make dinner tonight but thank the Lord it's just to keep the Chili from splattering on my clothes.

Easy Chili with Corncakes
1 lb ground sirloin (or turkey)
1 med. onion, chopped
2 (15oz) cans pinto beans, undrained
1 (28oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (15oz) can tomato sauce
1 (4.5 oz) can chopped green chilies, undrained
2 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

In large soup pot brown beef and onion over med-high heat. Add the remaining ingredients, reduce the heat to low and cook for an hour or until the chili has thickened, stirring occasionally.
Serve with sour cream, green onions, cheddar cheese and topped with a corncake.

Corncakes
1 (8.5 oz) box Jiffy corn muffin mix
1 egg
2 tbsp butter, melted
3/4 cup milk

Preheat skillet or electric griddle to med heat. Grease lightly with butter or cooking spray. Blend ingredients, batter will be slightly lumpy, then cook on hot skillet. Flip when bubbles appear. Enjoy!

Light and Dark

Although I love that it's light out when I wake up in the mornings I'm not crazy about it getting dark so soon in the evenings. All summer long we were able to enjoy several hours of sunlight outside after eating dinner but now with the time change we basically have to turn on every light in the house just to see what it is were about to eat for dinner!

This morning (while enjoying the sunlight) I read in Ephesians chapter five that Paul noticed a difference in the light and darkness as well and though he wasn't referring to "Daylight Savings Time" he wrote about something much more important. In verse eight he wrote, "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light". Now my kids LOVE playing in the dark with flashlights but I'm not thinking this is what Paul meant by "children of light." However, there is a lesson to be learned in the flashlight:

1. To be effective a flashlight has to be turned on. If we are to be effective as Christians, we need to be turned on and into God's will.
2. To be effective a flashlight has to be pointed in the right direction, ahead of you where you are trying to go, not behind you spot-lighting where you have been. To be effective Christians we need to point the way to Jesus and salvation.
3. Finally, to be effective a flashlight's batteries occasionally need to be recharged. To be effective Christians we need to recharge ourselves by spending time in the Bible, worshipping God and by spending time with other Christians encouraging each other.

All the lights in our house will be on tonight as I make Chicken Parmigiana for dinner! May our home be a light in our neighborhood!

Chicken Parmigiana
4-6 chicken breast fillets (thin sliced)
3/4 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1 egg, beaten
1/3 cup vegetable oil
4-6 slices Provolone cheese
1 (15 1/2 oz) jar spaghetti sauce
1/2 box of spaghetti noodles

Cook spaghetti according to package directions then drain and set aside. Heat spaghetti sauce in medium sauce pan over low heat.

Combine breadcrumbs, salt, pepper and Parmesan cheese. Dip chicken in egg then coat in breadcrumb mixture. Place chicken on a cookie sheet and chill in fridge for 10 minutes. Heat oil in large skillet over med heat. Saute chicken in oil until golden brown on each side. Remove chicken from skillet and place in a 13x9x2 baking dish. Spoon a little spaghetti sauce over each chicken fillet then bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes. Add a slice of Provolone cheese to each chicken fillet and bake an additional 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Pour remaining sauce over noodles. Serve chicken with sauce and noodles and a salad.

My Son

Today, November 5th, is Easton's birthday and this morning when I opened my Bible to Proverbs 5 (because today is the 5th, of course) I was moved to tears as I was given another gift from the Lord. You see, Easton is adopted and the first two words I read this morning, from Proverbs 5:1 were, "My son."

He came to us from the hospital on a Wednesday, when he was just four days old. He was a scrawny five pounds and was very quiet. I don't remember him crying much and when he would guzzle down just two ounces of formula then fall asleep with a full belly curled up on the spot just below Eric's shoulder right above his heart, he would sleep soundly until his next feeding. Three days later at a life group picnic I kissed him for the first time. He was starting to feel like "My son."

I had been reluctant to love on him worried my heart would be broken should he have to leave but after caring for him for just three short days I was head over heels in love with the little guy. As I showed him off at the picnic I instinctively kissed him on his head then instantly realized what I had done. It felt so natural and so easy. No longer was he the baby we were fostering, he was, "My son."

You can imagine the heart ache we felt when we were called the following Monday and told that he would be leaving. A judge had ruled that he could live with his birth mother provided that she would be able to care for him at her court assigned living facility. I was devastated. It had taken five days for me to develop a bond that would last a lifetime and he was leaving. After the case manager picked him up I went inside and cried like I hadn't cried in years. The next day was my 29th birthday and I celebrated with a broken heart. I prayed like crazy for him and that if God would so choose to bless us with being able to raise this little boy, somehow He would give me back, "My son."

Five weeks later, again on a Wednesday and just four days before Christmas, he came back. His birth mother was not well and could no longer care for him. Needless to say we had a wonderful Christmas and though there were many ups and downs, twists and turns over the next two years, on December 20, 2007, Easton 'officially' became "My son."

As I think back to all the "coincidences" that we encountered on the journey to adopt Easton I can now completely see they weren't coincidences at all. They were God's way of leading us through a wilderness performing miracle after miracle to bring me to the place I am today, celebrating "My son's" fourth birthday.

Happy Birthday Buddy. You have always been and will always be, "My son." I love you.

Forget cooking dinner tonight! We're going out to eat! Woo hoo!

Turn That Cheek

"If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." John 8:7

This verse came to mind today when talking with ladies from my Bible study. We weren't talking about adultery or even forgiveness, we were talking about "turning the cheek" when a picture of the woman this verse is talking about came to my mind.

What if this woman, instead of quietly standing next to Jesus, started accusing those who accused her? What if she yelled back at them claiming they were as guilty as she was or what if she picked up stones and started throwing them at her accusers? Other than thinking she was crazy, they probably would have had a lot harder time walking away from stoning her.

My point is when someone accuses us or wrongs us, the way we react can either draw someone in or push them away.

In the story of the adulterous woman, she clearly had been living a sinful life and though we may be innocent of our "charges," if we fight back with a vengeance, seek revenge or back lash with gossip we become just as guilty as those doing the accusing. Jesus wasn't a door mat but he wasn't a bully either. Keep Him in mind the next time you are feeling the need to lash out at someone for "doing you wrong" or for "throwing you under the bus." Remember, the way we react can either spur on our enemies to pick up those stones or encourage them to realize their wrong doing and judgmental attitudes.

Nothing wrong about dinner tonight...Italian sausage with pasta, peppers and onions.

Italian Sausage and Pasta

1 pkg Italian mild sausage

2 tbsp olive oil

1 green pepper, chopped

1 med onion, chopped

1/2 cup white wine

1 jar spaghetti sauce

1 cup Alfredo sauce (1 small jar, save the leftovers for steamed veggies another night)

1/2 box rigate pasta

Cook pasta according to package directions, drain then set aside. In large skillet with deep sides, heat oil. Place sausage in pan then add enough water to almost cover them (half way). Simmer until water has evaporated then brown on both sides in remaining oil. Remove sausage and set aside. Add peppers and onions to the skillet and saute until tender. Add wine and reduce heat. Slice sausage into bite size pieces then return to the skillet. Pour in spaghetti sauce and simmer 30 minutes then add Alfredo sauce and simmer 10 more minutes. Add in pasta and serve with garlic bread and a salad.