A Peek Into My Life this Week

As I mentioned yesterday, we are away attending a conference in California this week  Since we’d never been to this area, we came a couple days ahead of time to see a few sights.  We enjoy getting to travel together, and each part of the trip has been a great event!

Since I’m not at my computer, I’ll share my own pictures next week, but for now I’ll just highlight a few things we’ve gotten to do:

Santa Monica Pier

The Grove – Farmer’s market and shopping area

Drove down Hollywood Blvd

In and Out Burger – Hmmm, I believe they rival Pal’s!

That’s a small list, but we are blessed to be here and not only glean spiritually, but also in fellowship, fun, and strengthening our marriage.  Our God is good all the time and we thank Him for the good gifts of each day.

From my California porch,

We are in the desert this week ~ Lancaster, California to be exact.  I look out my window and see mountains, but they are not the lush, green kind at home in the Smokey Mountains.  They are brown and dry.  Everything looks thirsty in the 100+ degree temperatures.  The rose bushes outside the church we attended Sunday had no mulch surrounding them – only dry, sandy dirt.  They look thirsty.  The flat land sprawling on the sides of the interstate boast only of desert plants like cactus and tumbleweed.  They look thirsty.

We are here attending a conference because we, too, are thirsty.  Oh, we don’t have sand in our shoes or parched lips, but our very souls are longing for a long, cool drink of Living Water from the Word of God.  I am so very thankful that because Christ is our High Priest, and we are each believer priests,  you and I can get fresh water from God’s Word every single day. But there are times that we need a longer, more concentrated time of refreshment.  It’s for that reason that your pastor holds revival meetings, urges you to attend conferences, or camps.  He knows you need to stand and fill up your reservoir! It’s at times like this that we get recharged, encouraged, inspired and challenged. 

Are you taking advantage of times of long refreshment in God’s Word?  If you’re contemplating attending a revival meeting, a conference or camp, think of the desert plants and see yourself just as needy for the Living Water.  Then GO!

“Long drinks” will sustain you during the dry desert days that could be ahead.

Who’s attending a conference, camp or revival this  summer where you’ll be given a fresh drink?  I’d love to hear where you’re going or what you’re doing!

With love,

Leftovers can be a huge help when mealtime rolls around, but honestly, sometimes serving the leftovers the same way you had them yesterday can be a bit boring, right?  I like to disguise use my leftovers in ways that are a bit creative.

Recently we (meaning my husband) grilled chicken outside on the gas grill.  The flavors are so wonderful on the grill, and we love it so much that I planned a little extra chicken for the first night so I’d have chicken left for the next day.  My plan was to make these ~ Barbecued Chicken Quesadillas…

 I took the leftover chicken breast, and pulled the meat off the bone and then shredded it.  (I added extra barbecue sauce to the chicken.)  I sprayed a tortilla with cooking spray, place it in the pan, sprayed side down.  The meat was placed on the tortilla, then topped with shredded cheese.

This supper meal was ready in under 15 minutes!  This meal is reason enough to make barbecued chicken again!  Hope you’ll try it!

What do you do to disguise leftovers?

With love from my country kitchen,

One of the (many) great things about summertime is the fresh produce!  One of my favorite fruits is Watermelon.  Juicy.  Red. Sweet.  Cold.  Salty (I add just a touch).  You can’t beat it on a hot day.  BUT it’s so discouraging to have high hopes of a delicious watermelon and get it home and find out it’s sorry tasting!

This melon with the white/yellowish ring is what you’re looking for.

I read recently how to ensure that your watermelon will be delicious.  There are only two easy tips.  Ready?

This picture’s color is unedited.  It was so sweet and delicious!

During the hot days of summer, not much will refresh you like a slice (or two) of a perfect melon.  Now you know how to find which one to bring home!

Stay refreshed in the Word this weekend.  Prepare your heart before going to church.  Be ready to hear from the Lord when the teacher teaches and the preacher preaches!

Stay refreshed,

Okay, I admit it.  I am a recovering shoe addict.  Well, maybe not recovering, but how about an admitting one?  But I get it honestly.  It’s in my genes.  And I think I passed it on to a couple more female carriers.  What can I say?  I like for what’s on my feet to match my outfit, and that can only happen if there’s a variety of choices…right?

However, I read in Psalm 36 this week that my feet can turn against me!  Even if they are wearing something “cute” they can become an enemy in my walk with God.  Here’s what I read: