tired

I’m Tired

I’m Tired

tired

I’d like to think I have something profound to say today, but after reading Stasi’s blog I just feel like her words are more powerful and really express what I am feeling so I want to share them with you.  She says:

Status – I’m Tired
“When I hop on Facebook, which I confess, I haven’t been doing as faithfully as I want to be, it always asks me my “Status” and 90% of the time, I want to write “I’m tired.”  But that isn’t very cheery or encouraging so I let that pass and dig down into what is more deeply true.  “I’m loved.”……………

My times with God haven’t involved long times in the Word or even much worship but instead an adult coloring book.  I color away while meditating on one scripture.  Very soothing.  I recommend it if you can make the space to sit still for more than a moment.  Sitting still for more than a moment is also something I recommend.

At the beginning of each year, John and I pray and ask Jesus what his “word” or scripture is over our lives for the whole year.  In that past, it’s been “Intimacy”  (yay!) or “Follow” (yes!).  Sometimes it takes me more than a month to hear anything.

Last night he answered.  The word is “Fresh”.

Fresh.

Oh my.  I need fresh.  It feels like the opposite of tired.  Just hearing his word and intention over my life breathes new hope into the places that have become weary.  I am so grateful.

So, wherever you are at, and I mean WHEREVER you are at…I want to encourage you to ask your Father for his intention, his word over this next season over your life.  And then wait.  Keep asking until you hear.  And when you do hear (and you will), WRITE IT DOWN.  Put it on your mirror.  Write it at the beginning of your journal.  Dive into the word and explore it in scripture.  Camp in it.

I’m sure going to.  Because “tired” is not what Jesus has for me.  I’m not running from it or pretending I’m not feeling it but I am saying YES to God.  I desire the fresh wind of life that God has for me.  And I want it for you too.”

Stasi’s Blog

I love her idea of adult coloring book as devotion time.  I purchased one but have not started it yet.  Creative time helps relieve stress and I can see that just sitting and coloring with a scripture on your mind would be very refreshing.

That is definitely how I feel some days.  Just plain tired, worn, exhausted.  Mentally, physically and yes, spiritually.

Tenth Avenue North’s song speaks to this ache in my soul so many times.

“I know that You can give me rest, so I cry out with all I have left……..”

just breathe

Just Breathe

Just Breathe

just breathe

I work at a tax office and this time of year is a more stressful time than most for me.  I am so thankful for a cubicle mate that also loves Christian music.  We play it softly throughout the day and when this song comes on we both pause and “just breathe”.  Life is stressful and sometimes we do wonder if we matter and what it’s all about.  All the Lord wants from us is relationship.  Really.  Just to be with Him and to take moments throughout the day to acknowledge Him and whisper thank you and to just sense that He is there and present in our work a day lives.

I am becoming and trying to reorder my life by laying “down what is good to find what is best.”  For each of us it is different.  But spending time with Jesus if only for one minute occasionally throughout the day is a step in the right direction.  For a moment I am asking you to watch the video and JUST BREATHE.

Breath – Jonny Diaz

“When the stress is on the rise in my heart I feel You say

Just Breathe, just breathe
Come and rest at My feet
And be, just be
Chaos calls but all you really need
Is to just breathe
Is to take it in fill your lungs
The Peace of God that overcomes
Just breathe
Let your weary spirit rest
Lay down what’s good and find what’s best
Just breathe”

BREATHE – Jonny Diaz

sour cream gravy

Gluten Free Swedish Meatloaf

Gluten Free Swedish Meatloaf

I have adapted this recipe from my Betty Crocker meatball recipe that I used for years- I switched out the pork for pasture raised hamburger and cut back the salt a bit.  Also, I substituted the dehydrated mushrooms for the breadcrumbs.  This time when I was making this recipe I did not have an onion in my house so I used dehydrated onion flakes also.  This was so delicious.  You wouldn’t need the gravy, but for a special meal it is nice to do.  I have also made this as meatballs and baked them in the oven instead of frying on top of the stove.  No turning and watching constantly.  But I really like it as a meatloaf – saves time from shaping all the meatballs.  🙂

swedish meatloaf ingredients

Gluten Free Swedish Meatloaf

Ingredients

Meatballs

2 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef

3/4 cup dried chopped mushrooms

1/2 cup finely chopped red or white onion

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley

1 teaspoons salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1/2 cup milk

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 egg

 

Gravy

1/4 cup spelt flour

1 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

2 cups boiling water

3/4 cup sour cream

 Directions

  • In large bowl, mix all Meatloaf ingredients until well combined. Press into loaf pan
  •  raw meatloaf
  • After baking for about 1hour at 350 degrees remove meatloaf from loaf pan cooked swedish meatloaf
  • and put drippings into skillet.

Read More

Herbal Eyebright

Help for Eye Strain Issues

Help for Eye Strain Issues

For several years I have struggled with eye issues either due to excessive computer use, florescent lights and allergies.  At one point my eye doctor gave me steroid drops which really helped but are not a long term solution.

A friend had told me several years prior about Dr. Christopher’s Herbal Eyebright which is a cayenne based solution.  They told me it did sting a bit and honestly the thought of putting cayenne in my eye was not very appealing.  J  However, when I am desperate for relief and really don’t want to go the medical route if possible I am willing to try about anything.  The steroid drops stung too so I figured why not try it? Read More

winter friends

Winter Friends

Winter Friends

dove and bluejay

One of the upsides of feeding the birds right out in front of the office window is not only the different birds we get to see but all the other critters that are hungry and hang out.

They provide great entertainment for us.  The squirrels are braver and come out in the middle of the day.  squirrels

Their antics are hilarious.  At one point we had 5 of them running and playing with each other.   Read More

chicken supper

Update on My Palate Cleanse

Update on My Palate Cleanse

The past few days have been difficult.  I did have to add in protein to my tomato veggie soup after the first day.  For lunch I added 1/2 cup of plain yogurt and for supper lean grass fed hamburger.  Just being real with you all and letting you know my struggles.  Today I had eggs for breakfast instead of the green juice.  Even though the sugars in the juice are fruit I really feel like it was too much sugar for my system and that adding protein is more important.  Every one is different and I know I would have a lot of difficulty with being a vegetarian.  🙂  I like meat.  I just like to make sure that whomever I am getting the meat from is raising their animals in a humane manner before their life is ended. Read More

Vicks VapoRub to Cure Toenail Fungus

Vicks VapoRub to Cure Toenail Fungus

For a long time my second toe on each foot has had a thicker nail and the skin (or whatever it was) underneath was getting thicker.  Because my toe is the longest it got banged around on my shoes more when walking so I thought that was the cause.  Then I read the following articles on how putting Vicks VapoRub on your toes could kill fungus and I thought- why not??   I wasn’t certain if it was fungus or not, but I do have issues with candida yeast in my system so I figured it wouldn’t hurt to try it.  I cut those two toenails very short so that the Vicks could get to the tissue under the nails as much as possible.  The first night after washing my feet I put on the Vicks and then a sock.  But it was summer and I get super warm so that was too uncomfortable.  So after that I just put a bandaid over the Vicks on my toe.  I did this faithfully for 8 weeks.  While my toe nail is now totally grown out from the nail bed after about 4 months the nails seems much more normal.  I would say this is a success.  Of course I will have to continue to watch and see if there are negative changes, but for now I am really happy I tried it.  Read More

veggie soup ingredients

Veggie Soup- It’s What is for Lunch!

Veggie Soup- It’s What is for Lunch!

veggie soup

Day two of cleanse and I am doing ok.  Yesterday started out with 16 oz of green juice, I am allowing myself organic coffee with some coconut milk also.  Yesterday’s lunch was homemade chicken veggie soup, snack of a pear in the morning, an apple in the afternoon.  Last night’s meal was brocoli, onion, chicken stirfry with mandarin oranges for evening snack.  Also, I drank a gallon of purified water throughout the day.  

Today starts the three days of green juice for breakfast and this lovely veggie soup for lunch and supper.  Snacks will consist of pear, apple, grapefruit or berries, depending on my mood and if necessary I will add almonds for some protein.   Read More