Monday, August 30, 2010

What's Missing?

These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.  John 15:11, New King James Version
Have been thinking on joy lately- & my lack of it. Jesus says He gave us His joy and that it may REMAIN - not be lost, stolen, unfelt or surrendered. 
Joy is given to us that we may have it as a God given reality in our everyday life. Joy is also outward fruit or evidence of the impact of God in our life. (Gal 5.22)
I want this joy. 
I am going to be right in front of The King at His feet until I know it as a reality-  If you need some joy too I will hopefully meet you there!!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

N.Z Lemon Bread Tart

This is the easiest dessert and you make it all in the food processor- a quick zip zip and your done!!

Pastry:
1/2 c of icing sugar
1 C plain flour
125gm firm butter
Whiz all together in food processor til it clumps around the blade.
Drop on a floured bench.
Roll out to the size of your tin. Put in your greased tin
(I use a 10 inch round  loose bottom tin.)
Pop in the freezer for 10 minutes.
Put in the oven at 160"C for 15 minutes to lightly cook.

Filling
lemon juice and zest of 2-3 lemons = 1/2 Cup
1/2 C sugar2T plain flour
100gm melted butter
4 egss

Whiz all in the food processor .
Pour over base (that is now hot & dry but not cooked through).
Put back in the oven for 25minutes until set
Dust with icing sugar, serve with cream, cour cream or yoghurt.

Too easy!

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Puppet

I'm trying to get in agreement with:
Psalm 27:1,3

"Light, space, zest-- that's God! So, with him on my side I'm fearless, afraid of no one and nothing. When besieged, I'm calm as a baby. When all hell breaks loose, I'm collected and cool."
Fear and worry and reasoning sneak back in and steal my peace.
I do get afraid.
Life happens, my toddler gets sick, my hubby goes away, my teen comes unstuck- I want this calmness and peace- not to be subject to circumstances like a puppet on a string.
I am reading to try to find an answer to grabbing hold of this peace.

Creamy Salmon & Corn Bake

This is a standby I have when I am tired- so it is a quick easy alternative to take away.
It is also a great dish for my 13DD to cook for the family as it involves mixing everything together and putting in the oven.



420gm can of cream of mushroom soup

210gm can of salmon- drained

420gm can corn kernals- drained

1 C tasty cheese (+ 1/4c extra)

1/2 cup of cream

1/4c breadcrumbs

2 spring onions (the kids snip these with kitchen sissors)

250gm cooked pasta (great if you have leftover pasta!)



Combine soup, salmon, corn,cheese, cream, pasta & spring onions into an ovenproof bowl.

Sprinkle with crumbs and extra cheese.

Bake 180'C/375F for 20 minutes



Serve with garlic bread and a salad.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Turbulence

I have had such a turbulent 2 days with lil C back in hospital and really sick last night and I was braced ready to be heading into the tornado again, then calm- the right nurse, the right dr, totally the wrong paediatrician ... but that is a whole other story.... we got help and in the midst if anxiety, no sleep, no beds, no family or contact (stupid shielded Emergency) we are home again.
I settled into my chair and started to read, My sweet Father speaking to me through a dear sister in Christ's words:


"When the winds come, at times they come with such force and strength that it catches me off guard. In those moments, will I choose to trust, facing the wind and embracing the flame? God does not promise that it will not be painful at times, these winds of change. But He does promise that if we will lean into it, surrender to it, He will bring us through, unscaved and much stronger."


He is just going out of His way to remind me He is with me.

Take a minute , grab a coffee and please stop over and visit Barbie , you will be glad you did.
I certainly was :)

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Yay!! A good day!

Just a lil musing before bedtime- yep it's late and I have a headcold and feel pretty ordinary!! Never-the-less tonight was a shocker - lil 3 yo DD C had a really bad evening - the cerebral irritaion was dreadful- she was totally not herself, falling down, aggressive, agitated then....

WOW it hit me!

On the whole- today was a good day - with a bad patch!
Since the encephalitis we have had so many bad days with sprinklings of good bits but today- nope!- it WAS definately a GOOD day with a bad PATCH!!

We are walking through this valley- it is tough but we are walking THROUGH with the Master holding our hands and leading the way
Sleep well, I will!
Hugs. :)

Pizza!!

We made a pizza dough that was so simple- it only had 2 ingredients!!




2 Cups Self Raising Flour

1 tub natural yoghurt


Mix! Knead and roll out to the size you want.

Add your toppings. (we used salami, ham, fetta, sundried tomato/artichoke/capsicum mix from the deli)

Bake in a preheated oven : 200'C (400'F) about 15 mins depending on your oven.

Easy as and quicker and healthier than takeaway!!



We have a ceramic pizza stone that helps give pizza a nice crispy base.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Hebrews 10:24 Challenge--A Spirit of Grace or a Spirit of Complaining?

I am really convicted to change my thinking and being a positive model for my family.

Yes we are going through tough times, but we ARE going THROUGH them with God and I am missing the contentment that seems to be replaced with a deep hollow "what else??..." I am searching for that contentment despite circumstances.

I am joining up below- please check out Mary Joy's site- you will be glad you did!

Seeds of Encouragement Sewn with Grace: Week 4 Hebrews 10:24 Challenge--A Spirit of Grace or a Spirit of Complaining?

Monday, August 9, 2010

Monday, Monday

Today the sun is shining and there is definately a promise of spring in the air.


My DH came home from his week away from work and when I met him at the door:

Such a sweetie!
It has been a lovely weekend and I feel refreshed and full of hope.




I have for months been missing the fresh veggies we usually always have from our garden but with all the hospital trips and things the garden has fallen by the way. I really miss this place of harvest and abundance- of seeing things grow and watching God transform tiny little seeds into crops, I miss popping out and grabbing some fresh peas or some spinach and the wee ones used to eat so much more fresh veg as often they would just eat t raw from the garden.



Well I spent some time out in the sun in my veggie garden yesterday afternoon, I have been inspired by many of the pics of everyones gardens and with winter drawing to a close for us here in Australia I really am itching to get back out into the beds.



Everyone had a great time- Lil 3yo, DD was in there- not a care in her lil heart about medical reports or the events of last week- after all there was dirt to be played with! So refreshing and so lovely to hear and watch some much needed giggling. My heart was lifted.



We did lots of digging and there was weeds to get rid of and rocks to throw out and then when everything was nearly ready for planting we spread ALOT of manure over the garden- this manure made the garden rich with everything it needed to support the coming growth and harvest, then in went the seeds & seedlings and we put back the little protective netting to keep our ducks out and let the veggies grow in peace.



This is so like what is happening all around at the moment- the turning over and breaking up is difficult and hard, then stuff is added to life that just seems wrong and dreadful, but with the things of God, protection, sunshine and a little rain the garden will grow & grow and the harvest will come. Thank you Lord for the lessons you teach me in my garden.



Have a great Monday,

Hugs

C

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Wham!!

One punch- and another, then wham- here's another. Do you have days or weeks like that too? When you feel your soul can not take another blow- another problem, another conflict, not an ounce left in you for any hardship.
That's exactly how I felt last week- what changing medicine? What is that going to do? 
Then  WHAM! 
In the mail is the specialist report- WHAM! Metabolic disorder WHAM! Genetic Disorder WHAM! WHAM ! The thud that goes into your guts & heart when you get unexpected bad medical reports.
This may be a medical report or illness but for you the stress of a big bill, the pain of broken relationship, the hurt of conflict but I'm sure you know exactly how I felt when I opened the letter. Thud, WHAM. When your head and heart start spinning-
No!  
What does this mean? 
And even harder -Why?
Then the tears- the waves of sobs that come from the depths of the mumma heart that wants different things for your toddler, for no more pain and no sickness.
I didn't see this coming- but God did- He knew. 

I don't know what this means  for the future- He does. (Jeremiah 29.11)

I am filled with fear and anxiety- He has invited me to give the worry to Him (psalm 55.22) and He will get me through.

The hardest and most overwhelming times are when my faith is tested, refined and deepened. I have a mumma's heart and it feels like it is going to break, I have a Saviour and He says He has us in the palm of His mighty hand.