Saying Goodbye

I received an email early this morning from Dad. Grandma Ruby was in the hospital, her heart was only functioning at 20% and her kidneys were at 25%. Just a few hours later, she passed from this life.

I have so many wonderful memories of a sweet Grandma. I'll write more in the next few days, but for now I just ask that you remember my family in prayer as we make preparations and say goodbye.

Friday Foodie

I tried two new recipes this week and was very happy with them both!!

Southwestern Minestrone with Ravioli

2 Tbs. olive oil
1 small onion, diced, 1 cup
1 zucchini, thinly sliced, 1 cup
2 ribs celery, cut into 1/2" slices, 3/4 cup
2 carrots, cut into 1/4" slices, 3/4 cup
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 tsp. dry Southwestern seasoning
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 cans (14.5 oz each) chicken broth
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with mild green chilies
1 can (14.5 oz) black beans, rinsed, drained
1 cup frozen mini ravioli

In large pot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add vegetables and seasonings; cook, stirring occasionally until softened, 10 minutes.

Add broth, tomatoes and beans; bring to boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until flavors have blended, 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook ravioli according to package directions; drain. Stir ravioli into soup.

I, of course, made a few tweaks to the original recipe. I followed the first two steps, but then put everything in my crock pot on low for about 4 hours. The original recipe called for a 13 oz. package of ravioli, I only used a cup and it was plenty. I did not cook the ravioli, but about an hour before we ate, I just dumped them in the crock pot too.

Nutritional info: 140 calories, 5.6 g fiber, 1.1 g fat, 1.8 WW points per serving. Makes 6 servings. FYI, the original recipe was 284 calories, 8 g fiber, 8 g fat, 4.7 WW points! All I reduced was the ravioli!

This was really good! I used original Rotel tomatoes and that made the soup very spicy! We loved it. I also made No Pudge brownies that day - chocolate, the perfect follow up to spicy food!

My second recipe was one I got from my sister-in-law, Monica. She made this for us on Christmas and I had to get the recipe!

Butternut Squash Bake

1/3 c. butter or margarine, softened
3/4 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 cup evaporated milk
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups mashed, cooked, butternut squash (1 squash)

Topping
1/2 c. crisp rice cereal
1/4 c. brown sugar, packed
1/4 c. chopped pecans
2 Tbs. butter or margarine, softened

Bake squash until slightly softened. I put mine in the oven at about 300, and did housework! I checked it from time to time until it seemed about as soft as a baked potato. I think it was in the oven for about an hour. Then I peeled it, split it open, and got rid of the goop!

Cream butter and sugar in bowl. Beat in eggs, milk, vanilla. Stir in squash. Mixture will be thin. Pour into greased pan (mine was a 10" pan). Bake uncovered at 350 for 45 minutes or until set.

Combine topping and sprinkle over squash. Return to oven, bake 5-10 minutes or until bubbly.

I made very minor changes to the recipe - used Egg Beaters instead of eggs, low fat margarine instead of the full fat and Splenda instead of sugar. I thought this might be high on the points scale because it is so yummy, but was pleasantly surprised!

Nutritional info: 154 calories, 1 g fiber, 5 g fat, 3.3 WW points per serving. Makes 8 servings.

Quiet Strength

I've been reading the book by former NFL coach, Tony Dungy, entitled "Quiet Strength". Tony was known as a coach who didn't scream on the sidelines or at his players. He quietly led, by example and by setting expectations.

His first head coaching position was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a team at that time not known for winning. He later led the Indianapolis Colts to victory in the Super Bowl. During all those years he had one way of leading, he believed in it and stuck to it. In spite of criticisms, he maintained that his teams would:

Do what we do.
Whatever it takes.
No excuses, no explanations.

I've lived long enough to know that if you're doing something, you're going to face criticism. You will never please everyone. Don't let criticism stop you from trying. When you know you're doing what is right, continue on and:

Do what we do.
Whatever it takes.
No excuses, no explanations.

“When we judge or criticize another person, it says nothing about that person; it merely says something about our own need to be critical.” - Unknown

“He has a right to criticize, who has a heart to help.” - Abraham Lincoln

“Criticism is something we can avoid easily by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing” - Aristotle

If We Were All Eyes

My Bible reading recently took me to the book of 1 Corinthians. Chapter 12 contains an interesting passage about the body of Christ and its members. Paul gives such a clear illustration when he states in verses 15 through 21:

15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

It's interesting that he spends more time talking about the parts comparing themselves to another part. Only verse 21 talks about an eye or a head saying they don't need another part. How often do people get discouraged because they compare themselves to someone else? "Because I'm not the preacher, I'm not important to the body." "Because I'm not the head usher, I'm not important to the body." "Because I'm not..."


It would be an awfully strange looking body if it was entirely made up of eyes. God is the designer. Just as He designed our bodies to function, so He designed each of us to function within the body of Christ. Be who God called you to be! Find joy in your calling, no matter how great or small.

Every talent, strength, and compassion is a gift of God.
- Mom's Bible

Think On These Things

My verse of the day yesterday was Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Last Wednesday night Les was asked to give a short Bible study on entertainment, what is acceptable and what is not. He did a great job and really challenged my thinking! I don't want to squander my days in idle pursuits.

He did not hand out a list of dos and don'ts. He encouraged us to use the "Philippians 4:8 Test." If you're faced with the decision of choosing to participate in an activity or not, ask yourself if what you're contemplating is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. This can apply to what you read, listen to, talk about, places your go, or just your own thoughts.

I'll be putting my posts through this test as well!

Will I Be Dodging Puddles Tomorrow?

There is more rain in our forecast. 14% chance at 4:00 am that jumps to 94% at 5:00 am. So the question of the night - will I steal a run in the morning or get rained out?

I'm hoping it holds off until after 7:00. I ran 10.5 miles this morning and felt great. I'd like to see the trend continue!

I'll let you know how it goes in the morning!

Tuesday morning update:

The forecast did not changed over night, it was cloudy but the streets were dry so I headed out at about 5:40. Got in another 10 mile run and I'm looking at blue skies now! The lesson here - forget about the forecast, look up for your direction!

Much Better

If you didn't read yesterday's post, today's won't make much sense.

I had an incredible run this morning! Again, it was about 35 degrees and I loved it. I don't know why this California girl has such a love for running in the cold, but I really do! I knew within the first mile it was gonna be a good run. Before mile two I started up one of the steepest streets in our neighborhood - we call it the "Silverthorne Wall." I didn't just run up it, I was practically sprinting up it! I surprised myself with how strong I felt.


That stale run from yesterday was just an unpleasant memory as I "flattened the hills" today. I ran ten miles and could have easily done more, but there was church to get ready for (which was great!)


Okay, I'll let you connect the spiritual dots for yourself...

Running on Fresh Legs

It finally stopped raining! We've received over 9 inches this month. It was a beautiful morning for a run - clear, still and cold! About 35 degrees.

Since I hadn't run since Tuesday, I was ready! I headed out and did a half mile warm up. Unfortunately, I never felt warmed up. My legs should have been fresh after so many days off, but I was stale instead. This has happened before so I know tomorrow will be better but I was still disappointed.

Ever been stale in your spiritual walk? I sure have. Skip one day of prayer and you don't feel too bad. Skip 2 or 3 days and that first day back feels a little stale. You're not even sure how to start. Should you apologize to God for your absence? It's a little hard to ask for help from someone you've been ignoring. Unfortunately for many, they won't take that first step back, so the days turn to weeks then months.

Just as I know my legs will feel better tomorrow - I'll run faster and farther - getting back into a daily prayer routine makes me feel so much better! So if you've taken some time off due to rain, get back at it today - you won't regret it!

Friday Foodie

Before I share my newest recipe, I have to show my newest toy! It's a KitchenAid Food Processor!! I don't know about you, but when I ask my husband for a gadget it's always better than what I would have bought for myself. He likes to do the research, make sure he's buying something that is going to last. And this thing does it all! Here are some sliced mushrooms - aren't they pretty? I would have never gotten them so thin.


It's also VERY quiet! I couldn't believe it when I turned it on. I have a blender that can wake the neighbors (well maybe not quite that loud), but this little baby is super quiet! One of my favorite features is the slicing/shredding disc. With just a flip of the disc I went from slicing mushrooms to shredding carrots!

Okay, on to my latest recipe - Chicken Pot Pie, Weight Watchers style! I received this at my meeting last week and decided it would be perfect for this rainy weather.


2 serving(s) butter-flavor cooking spray
1 tsp butter
1 small onion(s), chopped
2 cup(s) mushroom(s), sliced
1/4 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp dried thyme, crushed
1/2 tsp table salt, or more to taste
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 cup(s) frozen mixed vegetables (I used peas, carrots, celery, and green beans)
1 cup(s) canned chicken broth
3 cup(s) cooked chicken breast, chopped
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1/2 cup(s) fat-free evaporated milk, divided
4 roll(s) reduced-fat crescent roll dough, unrolled

Instructions:

* Preheat oven to 375ºF. Coat a 10-inch round shallow baking dish with cooking spray.

* Coat a large pot with cooking spray. Add butter and melt over medium heat. Add onion and mushrooms and cook, until tender, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Stir in paprika, thyme, salt and pepper. Add vegetables, broth and chicken. Cover and simmer 15 minutes.

* In a small cup, combine flour and 1/4 cup of evaporated milk; stir into chicken mixture. Cook over medium heat until thickened, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes. Stir in remaining 1/4 cup of evaporated milk and cook until mixture is slightly thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes more.

* Spoon chicken mixture into prepared baking dish. Unroll crescent rolls and arrange dough around inside edge of baking dish to form a border (there will be a hole in the middle). Bake until rolls are golden brown and filling is bubbly, about 15 minutes. Cut into 6 pieces and serve.

This was delicious and very easy! Les and I both loved it. It was even good reheated - big bonus when you have 6 servings. To reheat, I put it in the microwave for 3-4 minutes, then put it back in the oven at 250 for another 5 minutes so the crust would not be soggy.

Nutritional values were not given, but one serving is listed as 5 WW points. Trust me, this is a steal. Marie Calendar's pot pie has 540 calories with 35.1 grams of fat, and measly 2 grams of fiber making it a whopping 13.3 WW points!!

This is My Brain Today

I have dozens of thoughts bouncing around, so many that I can't get any of them finalized and posted! And I really need to be working on music for the next few hours, so my blog will need to wait. I do have a great Friday Foodie for tomorrow.

We have received the promised rain and more is falling today! I had to partially (manually) drain my pool yesterday - the water was above the drain line and it was coming down faster than the drain could work! According to Weaterbug.com we've received over 7 inches of rain this month! Our annual rainfall is 16 inches, so this has been a big shot in the arm.

My "Little" Project Completed!

Way back in September 2009 I wrote about our family pictures. I thought I'd show you the finished product. I scanned nearly 700 pictures, sorting and labeling them by person or persons. There were days (okay, weeks!) that I really didn't think I would get this done before Christmas, but I scanned on... and on...

The final product was a CD with all the pictures and this book:


I created it using Shutterfly and was able to do it all online, never leaving the comfort of my home! The book is about 30 pages, with pages featuring Mom and Dad...


I made pages for each of us kids ...


and the grandkids...


And there are a few pages of candids...



All in all I was very pleased with the finished product! I got it done just in time for Christmas and this gift was definitely a hit with everyone. I'm glad I did it because some of the pictures are really starting to fall apart, so now they'll be preserved for everyone. Of course now I have all the pictures I'll ever need to put on this blog!

After the Rain

After receiving almost 2 inches of rain yesterday, I was able to sneak in an 8 mile run this morning. Weatherbug.com was reporting 98% chance of rain, but it wasn't raining so I took a 2% chance that I'd stay dry!

I love the air after the rain. It is so clean and there is always God's promise: Genesis 9:12-13 "And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth."

This song was running through my mind this morning as I ran. I love the bridge that says "you'll never have to face the storm alone."

After the Rain

I cover my heart
Turn from the wind
Button my coat
Here comes the storm again
What can I do but to trust in Him

'Cause I know the deeper my faith runs
The stronger I become
And the thunder, it may shake me
But I always know that

CHORUS:
After the rain
You can look to the sky again
The clouds will give way
To the light of the sun
After the rain
You know that you've made it through
And you'll finally see the joy from the pain
After the rain

Everyone needs
Everyone hurts
Everyone feels
The weight of the world sometimes
But don't let the wind sweep your heart away

'Cause even the roughest waters cleanse
So when they come again
Let them serve as a reminder
You can always know that

CHORUS:
After the rain
You can look to the sky again
The clouds will give way
To the light of the sun
After the rain
You know that you've made it through
And you'll finally see the joy from the pain
After the rain

Can't you see the hand of Jesus
Reaching out for you
You never have to face the storm alone

Batten Down the Hatches!

Southern California is bracing for rough weather this week. Four storms are heading our way with an anticipated rainfall of...

Wait for it...

It's almost more than we can bear...

4-8 inches!!


We are such wimps! That's only 1-2 inches a day! This would not slow most of the country down, but we're preparing for the worst!! There are some communities in danger of mudslides because of fires this Fall, but it's silly the way we react to a little water falling from the sky.

Must go prepare my ark now...

January 17, 1994

With a jolt we were awakened that morning. Sleeping on the third level of our townhouse it seemed someone had taken our little place and was violently shaking it. An earthquake with a 6.7 magnitude struck the Southland at 4:31 that Monday morning. Along with the shaking there was the noise - dishes falling out of cupboards, pictures falling off walls, drawers flying out of dressers, the crack of our kitchen window as it broke from the force.


It was still dark when we hurriedly dressed and made our way outside looking for safety. The normal LA sky glow was gone. Power was out and the freeway was empty. The same freeway that would be closed for more than a month due to extensive damage.


We spent the day in numbness. Shock kept the tears at bay as we viewed cracks in nearly every wall. Power and water were both off. We purchased plywood to cover our kitchen window and began the process of sweeping up glass and figuring out what was salvageable.


As night fell, we were unsure of the stability of our home and chose to move our van to the street and sleep there. Still no electricity. It would be many weeks before I slept peacefully as aftershocks were a constant reminder. One large crack in our bedroom seemed to haunt me.


I remember those details again as I think of Haiti. An inspector told us our homes were built for earthquakes - to bend and not break. Very few lives were lost considering the magnitude. The dishes we lost were more than most Haitians will own in a lifetime. My terror was real, but at the end of the day my home was still standing.

Also, the difference between a 6.7 earthquake and 7.0 is much larger than you might think. The Richter magnitude scale is a mathematical equation that I won't pretend to understand or explain, but here are some differences:

2.0 = 1 metric ton
3.0 = 32 metric tons
4.0 = 1 kiloton
5.0 = 32 kilotons
6.0 = 1 megaton
6.7 = 16.2 megatons (this is what we experienced in 94)
7.0 = 32 megatons (this is what Haiti experienced)

I can barely look at the heartbreaking images. It will be months and possibly years before they recover. But recovery for Haitians will still be poverty.

I'll say it again, Please Pray for Haiti. Give if you can. Pray because you can.

Move Past It!

I've been reading the story of Joseph and a new realization hit. I'm familiar with his response to his brothers, "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." (Genesis 50:20) But I had never thought about the fact that he did nothing to Potiphar's wife once he became second in command in Egypt.

An additional chapter in Genesis could have been written. We could have read about Potiphar, his wife, and entire household being hauled off to prison. Here was Joseph's opportunity for revenge! He could have told Pharaoh all about his problems with that woman, but as far as I can tell, he moved on. There were seven years of plenty to work and plan for before seven years of famine. He had work to do - he was too busy for grudges!

What a tremendous example! How many times have you or I been hurt, talked about, or mistreated and then we sit around waiting for the one who has wrong us to be paid back? We can't get on with the task at hand because we're too busy plotting our revenge and having imaginary conversation that usually never take place. There is too much work to do! Grudges only hurt the one carrying them. The best thing we can do is move on.

2010 is still relatively new (although it seems to be moving at the speed of light!). How about it? Can you leave 2009 and its hurts behind? I know this, there is plenty to do!

Amazing

(This is my Great Grandpa George Gannaway, Grandma, Dad and Kim)

Last Wednesday, January 6th, Grandma Ruby turned 90! I didn't write about her that day since I wasn't writing at all, but I just want to say what an amazing lady she is.

She's the last of six siblings:


Mom to four:


Grandma to many:


And even Great Grandma to a few...


Something happened last week that I find amazing. Grandma fell. Now that is not an amazing thing - people fall all the time. But what is truly amazing is that at 90 years old she did not break any bones! As you can see, she's never been a big woman, and she's a tiny thing now, but I believe that all her years of walking (2-3 miles a day) made the difference.

So take a lesson from Grandma Ruby: the mile you walk today could be the bone you don't break tomorrow!

Pray for Haiti

A 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit the island of Haiti today. It's been more than 25 years since I visited the island but I've never forgotten the faces. Here are a few, I'm sure the children are grown now but they still need our prayers.



When we experienced the Northridge earthquake in 1994, the damage was extensive. I remember standing outside as an aftershock hit and watching our car bounce in the street. The living conditions in Haiti are primitive at best, and with the collapse of a hospital, I can only imagine how horrible the next few days are going to be.

Grapes, Figs and Pomegranates

I have a daily devotional that I'm reading through this year. The title is "Grapes, Figs and Pomegranates" by LaJoyce Martin. The title comes from Numbers 13:23 "And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff; and they brought of the pomegranates, and of the figs." This verse refers to the Promise Land. There is a verse and thought for each day. I loved the thought for January 2nd:

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. (Joshua 24:15)

On God's second day of Creation, He had a water problem. The waters of heaven and earth all ran together. How could anybody see the sun through all that water? He took care of that by putting some of the water above and some below.

There are some things this year that I must put above other things, or my life will be unproductive. I'll have to make a "firmament," placing some of my own plans at the bottom of the list.

My priorities will be my service to God and my family. This is the only way that I will be able to see heaven.

That spoke exactly what I needed to hear to start 2010! I want this to be my most productive year in God ever and by putting my priorities in place that will happen.

I'm Sorry

To all my friends who do not live in Southern California, I only have one thing to say:

I know you're freezing, literally. It's been in the 70s and 80s here and we're sleeping with our windows open. Hey, it's the payback we get for wildfires and earthquakes!

In the Garden

We had a wonderful week of prayer. Most evenings, we concluded our time of prayer with this old hymn:

In the Garden

I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The son of God discloses

And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known

He speaks and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet that the birds hush their singing
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing

And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known

There really is no greater joy than time spent alone with Him.

After 30-40 minutes of individual prayer, Pastor White had focused prayer each night. Tuesday night the children, 11 and under, gathered up front and took turns praying for each other. Wednesday night our youth group did the same, followed by the ladies on Thursday night and the men on Friday night. Pastor White instructed us to spend Saturday night prayer in preparation for communion, making sure our hearts were clean when we partook of the Lord's supper on Sunday night.

Sunday morning we gathered once again. Our children and young people had Sunday school, but the adult class prayed. Our focus was the Toys for Tots visitor list - this list contained over 500 names of people who were either in service with us or received a gift at our church the days following our Toys for Tots presentation. What an opportunity for us to reach out!

Last night was another time of prayer, then communion. I'm so thankful for the blood of Jesus!

I spent a lot of time praying about what God has for me this year, what He wants from me. And I prayed for your needs, too! I'll be keeping a prayer journal this year. This is the first time I've done such a thing, but I want it to remind me to both pray for needs and to see how many prayers God has answered.

I'm believing God for great things in 2010!

Anna Week

This is our annual "Anna Week" at Victory Tabernacle. It is a time of prayer and fasting. It is named after Anna the prophetess found in Luke chapter 2. Anna was a widow who "departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day."

Pastor White has not called a "media fast," but I am feeling called to take one, so this will be my only post of the week. I want to focus on prayer, Bible reading and fasting this week.

As I was finishing up 2009, reaching my running goal, I wasn't nearly as pleased with my spiritual progress. I didn't work nearly as hard to finish reading the Bible in a year as I did to run 2600 miles. As I thought about the hours I spent on the road running, my heart was pricked with the question, "How many hours did you spend in prayer?"

I'm trying to get it all back in balance. I'll keep running because I want my physical strength to remain, but I know I need to work on my spiritual man.

So pray for me this week, okay? And I'll be praying for you! I will check email twice a day, so if you have a prayer request you can leave a comment. I won't post it, but I will pray.

Love you all!

Happy Anniversary, Rick and Diana

Yes, they were as young as they look! January 2, 1981 - Rick and Diana were still teenagers when they were married 29 years ago today!

Love you both!

Happy Birthday, Mom

I can't think of New Years Day without thinking of (and missing) Mom. Other holidays we celebrated and Mom made them special, but New Years was hers! We would usually start it at midnight - at church, after our watch night service. Of course she didn't want a fuss, but I was at least going to find and her and embarrass her if possible!


Could this have been the original "Girl with the Curl?"


Mom and her little sister, Aunt Joyce.



This is a typical pose! An "I Love You" sign and not wanting to look at the camera!


Mom, you'll always be missed!