brand new crockpot

So, my grandmother gave me a crockpot for Christmas and yes, I was SO very excited to get it... it even matches my kitchen! Now all I need is some help accumulating great Crockpot recipes. Anyone have any they'd love to share? I'd love some new ideas...

Laurin, I'm sure you've got some good ones! :)

Bobbi, do you have some healthy ones?

latest [temporary] addition to my family

I don’t think I ever tire of seeing the beautiful picture of Christ that earthly adoption paints for us. This little guy (all 4lbs and 11oz of him) is about to become an another beautiful example…

haunted

It is quite frequently that I am haunted by thoughts from the previous Sunday’s sermon at GC. Not to disappoint, this week has been no different. Last week's sermon was an issue I’ve been wrestling with for some time now and thankfully the Lord was gracious to provide a few more thought provoking questions in regards to glorifying God in the workplace and the development of a God-centered view of vocation. I think for far too long my heart has tried to default to the view that there is a difference between a secular vocation (calling) and the sacred. This past Sunday we were exhorted to remember that in reality there is no difference between the secular and the sacred… a distinction simply does not exist. One of the heaviest take home points for me was the exhortation to gaze on Christ’s glory and as I do, pleasing God through my vocation will become an expression of my love to him (real worship!).

At any rate, maybe some of the questions that have been haunting me this week with spur you on toward a more God-centered view of your vocation, whatever your calling is.
-Am I always doing my work well (genuinely, heartily) as unto the Lord? Colossians 3:23…

-or are my ears sensitive to the applause of men?
-Do I remember that the reputation of Christ is at stake as I flesh out my vocation?
-Is it my aim in the workplace to draw attention to Christ or myself?
-Do I exhibit the humility of Christ in my vocation?

WHATEVER 2009 brings your way....

Remember:

If God doesn’t rule your mundane,
then he doesn’t rule you, because
that’s where you live.
-Paul Tripp

Initially, I'd beg to differ with anyone that says that my 2008 was mundane. As a whole, it was not. With that said, I will admit that I did also have my fair share of mundane days mixed in among the rest. Through every day, I'm so very thankful God rules in every detail of the mundane exactly as he does in the mist of everything else (excitement, chaos, tragedy, sadness, change, etc). So whether your (or my) 2009 turns out to be eventful or mundane... or most likely both... be ruled by Christ each day in this new year. Happy New Year!

Emmanuel

A couple of weeks ago my pastor made a statement in the Sunday service, "Jehovah has become Emmanuel." What an amazing statement that has been divinely engraved into my memory over the last several weeks. The God of the Old Testament became Emmanuel, literally "God with us." I am thankful that he did this in the form of Christ pouring himself into a human container, being vulnerable as a small child, and ultimately for Christ's fulfilling the purpose for which he was sent, namely, to glorify the Father and save us from our sins. So this day, among all others, I am grateful for Emmanuel. Merry Christmas as you celebrate Christ this day!

Christmas Tree Poll... PLEASE VOTE!

Ok everyone, I need a little help! I'm taking an informal poll or survey on which Christmas Tree is the best! Please leave a note in the comment section with your favorite tree... Please type "Left" if the Charlie Brown tree you see to your left is your fav or "Right" if the sophisticated, classy tree on the right is your preference. [Note: you can click each photo to get a more detailed view of each.] Happy voting!

Additional picture of the "Left" tree... just in case you were still undecided...

how to fold a fitted sheet!

I have to admit this has always been my least favorite part of folding sheets.... the dreaded fitted sheet! Check out this great video and learn how to revolutionize your sheet folding!

o christmas tree, o christmas tree....

Ok, so I put up my Christmas tree up the weekend after Thanksgiving but I've been too busy to post. This picture is a little old because now I have my tree skirt around the tree and a beautiful bow (tied by my very creative mother) on top. Merry Christmas!

lead me to the Rock

Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name. Prolong the life of the king; may his years endure to all generations! May he be enthroned forever before God; appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him! So will I ever sing praises to your name, as I perform my vows day after day. -Psalm 61

kicked asphalt... all 26.2 miles of it!!!

I've been back from my trip to Philadelphia to run the marathon for a week now and haven't gotten around to updating with details. So, here goes...

"Kick Asphalt" is the official theme of the Philadelphia Marathon and I must say that's exactly what I did! This was a great race (well organized, great course, etc.). It started and finished in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which of course was made famous from that great scene in "Rocky." The race started at 7am and it was freezing... literally. I actually prefer a cold race and once we got started running the day turned out to be perfect for running a marathon. The course provided you with a great foot tour of the city... We passed the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Philadelphia's "Old Town" (the historic part of the city), the Philadelphia Zoo, Drexel, and The University of Pennsylvania. The last 13.1 miles of the marathon was an "out and back" to this cute little town, Manayunk, with a great, quaint main street. This town was so cute I wanted to take a break in middle of the town (mile 20) and do some shopping!

Thankfully, this race eventually came to an end at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. As if just running 26.2 miles wasn't enough, I had to run up the stairs of the Museum of Art just like Rocky did, for a photo opp (crazy, I know!). To make things even better, after all that... I had to walk a little over a mile just to get back to my hotel. No rest for the weary, right?

However, once I completed the trek back to my hotel (btw folks: technical running clothes designed to keep you warm while running do a fabulous job of just that. However, they do a rather lousy job of keeping you warm any other time... in other words, the walk back to the hotel was miserably cold.) I must say I was ready for a nice warm shower to help me thaw (yes, I totally skipped the ice bath!), this tasty new hot chocolate/recovery drink (which is wonderful after a cold run!!), and a much deserved NAP!

While in Philly, I also got to see the room in Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence and our nation's Constitution was signed. Here's a pic... By the way, the only piece of furniture that is original to the room is the big chair in the middle of the picture. George Washington himself actually sat in this very chair. How cool!?!?

I have to add that while we were in Philadelphia we did LOTS of good eating (I totally justified it with the fact that I was/did run 26.2 miles). To name a few, we ate at great tapas bar, Continental; a great Itallian resturant for our pre-marathon meal, Spasso. However, more than any other resturant, it was very appropriate that we went here to enjoy fabulous food...

All in all, a fabulous weekend!