12.17.2008
If We Are the Body...
V1
It's crowded in worship today
As she slips in... trying to fade into the faces
The girls teasing laughter is carrying
Farther than they know
Farther than they know, Lord
Chorus
But if we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching?
Why aren't His hands healing?
Why aren't His words teaching?
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
There is a way.
V2
A traveler is far away from home
He sheds his coat
And quietly sinks into the back row
The weight of their judgmental glances
Tells him that his chances
are better out on the road
Bridge
Jesus paid much too high a price
For us to pick and choose who should come
And we are the bo - - -dy of Christ
Chorus
But if we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching?
Why aren't His hands healing?
Why aren't His words teaching?
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
There is a way.
Jesus is the way.
Let me repeat that..... JESUS IS THE WAY.
11.26.2008
A Time For Thanksgiving
Well, so many things are happening in mine and Justin's lives right now. Obviously, tomorrow is Thanksgiving, so the inlaws are coming in to share that with us. I'll be running errands, cleaning, washing the dog & cooking tonight so that there will be less to do tomorrow. BUT I'm VERY stressed.... more than very... COMPLETELY stressed. EEEK!
Tuesday, December 2nd, my amazing husband is turning 22.... seriously?!?!?! How about another... EEEEK! He continues to amaze me - he is such an incredible man and an even more incredible husband. He makes my life just that much more amazing! We will be spending his birthday in North Carolina, hopefully making pit stops to see friends and family. But what I'm excited about is seeing TWILIGHT!!!! YAY!!!!!!! I'm so excited! I've been waiting and waiting and I even reread the Twilight Saga last week (yes, all 4 books in 1 week) so I'd be ready to go! Justin wants to go to our favorite Mexican restaraunt, Las Cazuelas, which is also where we had our first date on 2.14.06.
Other than that.... Christmas is coming soon, and I'm hoping to have a new sewing machine sitting in my home so I can start sewing up a storm! I want to make a lot of the crafts I've seen on Jill's Website, http://www.homemadebyjill.blogspot.com. She has made and found some of the coolest crafts EVER! I don't have any children right now, but eventually I will and she has some CUTE stuff - bibs, burp clothes... all kinds of cuteness! You should totally check it out!
Anyways, I also wanted to ask if you would pray for my mom and her side of the family this week. A year ago, on Thanksgiving Day, my maternal grandfather passed away. He was an AMAZING man, and my mom misses him more then I could ever explain. Please keep everyone in your prayers!
Have a happy Thanksgiving!!!
11.23.2008
Garlic Chicken Pizza
Ingredients:
Pizza Dough/Crust (we used a premade crust for this pizza)
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup garlic powder
1 cup parmesan
1 cup mozzerella
2 tablespoons parsley
2 tablespoons basil
1/2 cup diced tomatoes
1/2 small onion sliced thinly
1/2 green pepper sliced thinly
1 chicken breast, diced
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
First, dice your chicken and toss with 1 tablespoon basil, 1 tablespoon parsley, 1/4 cup garlic powder, and 1/2 cup parmesan. Throw on the grill on low heat. Next, slice your onion & pepper and grill these beside your chicken. Drain your diced tomatoes (we use the canned version) of any excess fluid and toss with your veggies.
Meanwhile, in a small frying pan, mix your butter, remaining garlic powder, basil, parsley and 1/4 cup parmesan over low heat. There will be enough for your pizza sauce AND to dip your pizza in.
Once your sauce is melted, pour over your pizza crust (not too much or you'll have a soggy crust).
Next, add your veggies & chicken - doesn't have to look pretty! LOL
Then add your mozzerella and the remaining parmesan.
Cook until your crust is browned (lift the pizza with a spatula to check center) and your cheese is melted. Slice and enjoy :)
11.15.2008
Booooooring.
So yea..... now I'm just wasting time wishing i had something interesting to post about...... nope nothing. Maybe tomorrow will be more interesting!
11.14.2008
Fever
So enough of my multitude of obsessions, I've been feeling pretty yucky lately. As I sit here writing this at my desk I'm feeling nauseus and achy and my head is THROBBING. And I think I should apologize for the multitude of CAPS I've used. So I guess I'll leave you with this... and stop writing for not only my sanity but yours....
“For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,”
- 1 Peter 3:18
11.06.2008
Love
Here are the videos:
Fastforward to 2:30...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2TlG55zH04
Fastforward to 4:25
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JivLqrvHItg
10.30.2008
My Precious Grandmother
10.21.2008
Cupcake Bites/CuppyCakes!
10.18.2008
Crunchy Stuffed Baked Chicken Parmesan!
2 Chicken Breasts (or more..... depending on your family size)
2 cups of Plain Corn Flakes
2 egg whites
1/4 cup milk (buttermilk is best)
Mrs. Dash (I suggest the original)
1 Tspn Chipotle Pepper
2 Tspn Adobe Seasoning (you can find this with the Mexican foods/seasonings)
A pinch of cinnamon
1/2 cup of parmesan
2 cups of Mozzerella Cheese (shredded)
1 cup of Spaghetti Sauce (i like traditional)
First, prepare your chicken breasts by taking either a pair of meat scissors or a knife and cutting an opening large enough for 2 fingers (you will stuff mozzerella & seasonings into the chicken breast). Once your chicken is cut & ready, mix 1 cup of mozzerella & some Mrs. Dash (your preference to how much) in a small bowl. Stuff half of the mixture into each Chicken Breast. Set the chicken aside.
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
Prepare your breading. Crush your cornflakes, you can leave them larger, but I like my cornflakes crushed finely. Mix the cornflakes, a fair amount of Mrs. Dash, the Adobe seasoning, Chipotle Pepper, Cinnamon, & 1/4 parmesan. In another bowl mix the egg whites & milk.
Spray the pan you'll be cooking your chicken in and make an "assembly line". Chicken first, egg white/milk mixture second, Breading mixture third & finally your greased pan. Dip your stuffed chicken into the egg/milk mixture and then roll it around in the breading mixture. Cover your chicken thoroughly. Place on your pan and stick it in the oven. Usually takes 30-45 minutes depending on the size of your chicken breast. My general rule is to slice the largest chicken breast at the 30 minute mark to see how done they are.
Once the chicken is cooked, pull the pan out and smother it with your remaining cheeses & spaghetti sauce. Place back in the oven just long enough for the cheese to melt and the sauce to get hot.
Serve with a salad & breadsticks and you've got a tasty meal!
I'll post pics later (maybe!)
10.11.2008
I Need to Vent
9.20.2008
Who Am I?
9.18.2008
Long Overdue!
Jeremy Camp's song entitled, "Walk by Faith" is one of my favorite songs. Here are the lyrics:
8.10.2008
Reassurance
8.08.2008
Christian One-Liners
-Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited until you try to sit in their pew!
-Many folks want to serve God, but only as Advisors.
-It is easier to preach ten sermons then it is to live one.
-The good Lord didn't create anything without a purpose... but mosquitos come close!
-When you get to your wit's end, you'll find God lives there.
-People are funny; they want the front of the bus, the middle of the road, and the back of the church.
-Oppurtunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your door forever.
-Quit griping about your church; if it was perfect, you wouldn't belong there.
-If the church wants a better pastor, it only needs to pray for the one that it has.
-God, Himself, does not propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you?
-Some minds are like concrete. Thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.
-Peace starts with a smile.
-I don't know why some peoplechange churches; what difference doesit make which one you stay home from?
-A lot of church members who are singing 'Standing on the Promises' are just sitting on the premises.
-We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges.
-Be ye fishers of men. You catch them - He'll clean them.
-Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.
-Don't put a question mark where God put a period.
-Don't wait for 6 strong men to take you to church.
-Forbidden fruits create many jams.
-God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
-God grades on the cross, not the curve.
-God loves everyone, but probably prefers'fruits of the spirit' over 'religious nuts!'
-God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.
-He who angers you, controls you!
-If God is your Co-pilot - swap seats!
-Prayer: Don't give God instructions-- just report for duty!
-The task ahead of us is never asgreat as the Power behind us.
-The Will of God never takes you towhere the Grace of God will not protect you.
-We don't change the message, the message changes us.
-You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to discourage him.
-The best mathematical equation I have ever seen: 1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given.
8.07.2008
I really gotta start postin more often!
Since my last post, a lot has happened! Last Friday I paid the last bills for our apartment in NC and paid our official first month's rent for our new apartment (yay!) and once I got home from the post office and counted my money.... I HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO VISIT JUSTIN!!! So, I called my supervisor and asked if I could take the weekend off, and since she is AMAZING and knows how much I missed him, she said, "GO! Do NOT call me until Monday afternoon!" I hit the road, and made it to TN in record time! I got there at about 8:30ish, and on the way there Justin called me, but he didn't know I was on my way, so I had to keep all my joy to myself and pretend like I was miserable without him for another week! I arrived at his job RIGHT after he went off break, so I looked ALL over for him, eventually I lost hope and walked outside and as I went out the doors and glanced behind me... there he was! So I started walking towards him, and when he realized who I was a HUGE grin spread across his face and he said, "What are you doing here!?" He was so excited, and kind of bummed because I had ruined what would have been his suprise of visiting me on that following Wednesday! I beat him to it, lol. I headed back to the apartment until he got off and we had an AMAZING weekend together. I missed him SO much!
I headed home Sunday afternoon, and have been at my inlaws since then. My father in law went to TN on Wednesday and picked Justin up so he could come and see Nanny (suprised her!) and spend some quality time here before we both are officially TN residents! We're going out to dinner tonight with my parents AND having burgers with the inlaws.
I have a job interview at a law firm for a receptionist position on Monday afternoon, I'm nervous and excited, so pray that I get that job! Well, I think that's about it for me, atleast in a summary! I'm sure there will be many new updates in the future!
7.28.2008
Been Awhile!
Well, as of today there are 11 days until my last day at work and 12 days until I move HOME! I have an interview at a law firm on that following Monday for another receptionist job and I'm praying that it's God's will for me to get this job. It would be a great job to start with in TN! I'm praying hard!
That's all I feel like typing today, maybe more will come later in the day. God Bless!
I just love this verse... so I'm gonna share it again.
"The joy of the Lord is my strength!"
-Nehemiah 8:10
7.22.2008
7.21.2008
Home Sweet Home!
This is the spare bedroom... soon to be the guest room/craft room/ and someday when we have kids the nursery!
Our stairs, this is a townhouse apartment so the bedrooms and bathroom are upstairs, while the kitchen and living area are downstairs :)
View looking up the stairs...
Our closet and Snickers' "room", lol
The master bedroom - it's a mess!!!
Part of the master - we basically just threw everything in so we could sleep in our own bed this wknd... eventually it will be moved around.
Our living room and the doorway to the kitchen/dining area
Living area with two of my greatest loves... Justin & Snickers
7.16.2008
I WANT TO LEAVE THIS STUPID JOB.
7.15.2008
Sarah's Falling Apart - Oh No!
7.14.2008
UTI Maybe?
25 days and counting - Justin's leaving in 4!
7.12.2008
RIP
7.11.2008
28 Days and Counting
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
-Phillippians 4:4-7
7.10.2008
29 Days and Counting
Justin and I have been researching churches in Sevierville, and I am excited to say we think we may have found one! It's a First Baptist Church and it's HUGE! Not as huge as the church we've been going to, but from what we've read/seen so far, it looks amazing! I hope to get involved with the youth group, maybe chaperoning trips and such. They go to Xtreme Summer in Florida, which is where I went when I was in school too!
This church has some many wonderful programs for people of every age, such as music camps for the children, a preschool choir, bible school, Monday night worship for teens, Thursday night worship for College Students & Young Adults, luncheons for the Senior Citizens, Study Groups for both men & women, a group for new moms and experienced moms, handbells, an orchestra, and even a group for children/young adults with special needs. I'm SO excited!
Check out the layout for the church, how neat is that? Justin and I saw this church when looking for the apartment we were checking out. So it's just down the road in downtown! Oh geez I'm excited!
7.07.2008
32 days and counting
I am looking forward to moving Justin into our new apartment though. It's an awesome home, and I look forward to making it our own. It's a two story townhouse apartment, with 2 bedrooms and one bath. You walk in the front door into a quaint, carpeted living area with huge windows in the front. When you walk through you come to a kitchen (a good sized kitchen - with room for a table!). There's a full sized stove & a full sized refridgerator with LOTS of cabinent space and enough room in the cabinents that our dishes will ACTUALLY fit in. (Our current apt has cabinents but they aren't big enough for regular sized dinner plates!) There's also a little nook underneath the stairs in the kitchen where we can store Christmas decorations and such, so that's convenient. At the back of the kitchen is our back door with a small patio & grassy area which will be great for Snickers and for cookouts :). If you go back towards the front door in the living area is where the steps are to the upstairs. You go up the carpeted stairs and directly infront of you is a small closet (which we'll probalby use for towels). Then once you turn, the bathroom is directly across with a full sized tub/shower, cabinents & a cute little sink with storage also. To either side of the bathroom are the two bedrooms. Our bedroom, the master bedroom, is at the front of the apartment w/a covered patio like deck with sliding glass doors. AWESOME. Both bedrooms are carpeted and pretty big. We are SO excited. Snickers will finally get to live with us again, we have a nice apartment, and a new start on life.
Now, I just gotta get through this next month and everything should be in order!
I say this one a lot, but I love it..
"The joy of the Lord is my strength!"
Nehemiah 8:10
7.03.2008
It's About Time!
7.02.2008
Tired of Drama
I just feel like sometimes my friends don't see the big picture. They get mad if I can't get together and go out with them, or they get mad if I have to cancel at the last minute. All I can say is I'm sorry. I don't know what else to say. I realize that they might not understand, but I think they should kind of realize that I have to worry about other things... I'm frustrated. I'm stressed. I'm TIRED of the drama. Ugh.
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
-John 16:33
6.30.2008
WE'RE MOVING!!!
So yes, sometime today Justin will be giving his notice... and I was supposed to do the same but I'm still trying to get my nerve up to do that. I'm TERRIFIED. If you've read my previous blogs, you'll know that my current FT job is pretty ridiculous.
Yesterday, we took Snickers to be groomed at Petsmart, she was starting to look ridiculously like a huge fuzzy puff ball, so it just HAD to be done. So 3 hours and 40 dollars later.... she looks like a real dachshund! LOL The groomer was so sweet, and he was very gentle with her. I'm pretty sure she was terrified, but all ended well!
This week is the 4th of July, time to celebrate our freedom (of some sort) and relax (or pack) on our 3 day wknd! Woohoo!
" 'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.' "
-Matthew 5:3-12
6.26.2008
Wowzers! Thursday already?
After tomorrow is over (and we hopefully have a future home) I'll be heading back to hang out with a close friend (Hannah!) who is FINALLY back from Europe! Yay! And finally on Saturday, we're having a big yard sale at Justin's nanny's house! (And then I get to work all wknd.... yay?)
So far, everything is looking great, I really feel like this is what is supposed to happen for us. This month has been GREAT, money has been coming it like it's going out of style, I'm on FIRE for the Lord, and I have an AMAZING husband! Yay!
Ok, enough yays, I have to get back to work!!
"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."
-John 15:11
6.24.2008
The Search is On.... Or Over?
The first one is a townhouse apartment, two stories, two bedrooms, one bath, and we can have Snickers! The downside: no w/d connections, no dishwasher... blah. But we can deal! Lol!