Life Happenings: General Life Happenings

Life Happenings: General Life Happenings

Bible Study: Week Five

Week 5

I'm going to start with this tidbit... "Not only can God change your life, but he can change your day, and not only can he change your day, but he can change your mood." God isn't only in control of the big things, but if you not having a good day, spend a few minutes focused on God and he can turn your whole day around, and the same applies to your mood! WOW! That is inspiring! 

 

Another awesome thing that Beth Moore brought to light during tonight's study of our inheritance was that God is our inheritance, we get him, he is our portion! He is our inheritance, what if the most important thing we passed on to our families was God, not possessions but God himself. Its so amazing to me that I get God as an inheritance, I don't deserve him and his grace and mercy, and yet he gives himself to me freely! Now, the second part of this was that in several places in the Bible (Deuteronomy 32:7-9, 4:20, and Ephesians 1:18) where it states that WE are HIS inheritance! We are God's inheritance; he is our portion and we are his! If we could grasp that and know that to God we are the most precious treasure he has on this earth. He owns the whole universe and yet we are his inheritance! I am going to try to focus on that this week that I am so blessed to have God as my inheritance and yet he considers me important enough to be his most precious inheritance! 

Now to end on, I'm going to put in our memory verse and the verses that follow because it just touched me tonight. 

"Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will your Holy ones see decay. You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures as your right hand." 

PSALM 16:5-11

GOD BLESS

Life Happenings: General Life Happenings

Life Happenings: General Life Happenings

Bible Study (I've Missed a few weeks)

Ok, so these last few weeks I have totally spaced and been really busy and haven't been able to post about the last few weeks of Bible study. So here are a few tidbits from last few weeks. 

Week 2

Beth Moore asked the question "Do you believe that God is a GIVER or a TAKER?" And I couldn't believe what a profound question that is. Of course the Christian in us tells us that God is a giver, but her question was if we truly believe that. We are often so afraid of what God could take from us that we don't give him complete control of our lives and therefore we miss out on the wild ride of life that he could give us! God gives to us to get glory, he wants us to have everything he can give us and he wants to provide all that we need, but sometimes there are things in our lives that we don't want to give over to God because he could ask us to give it up to glorify him. But a thought  that occurred to me was that if its something God wants us to give up than it probably isn't good for us and he has something much better waiting for us. 

Week 3

In week 3 we learned that NOTHING IS LEFT TO CHANCE! Because God holds my plan in his hands, everything happens in either the outright will of God or in the permissive will of God, nothing happens just because, it all has a part in where I'm going. She also mentioned that we all have an assigned area of influence that we can do God's work in (it could be work, school, our friends...) and that we need to figure out who else is in our field and work with them to bring light to those around us! 

Week 4

There were several great points made during this week. The first was about how God wants to give us all the greatest gift, salvation, but we have to be proactive and take it! We often just want things handed to us without any work on our part, but God wants us to work for our salvation so that when we are tempted and the Devil tries to take it from us we can hold on to it. If we don't develop the muscle to hold onto our inheritance/salvation, when its tested it can easily slip through our fingers. 

The next point that has really hit me this past week is that we often have press through fear to possess our inheritance and possess the things that God has in store for us. We have to press through the fear to get where God wants to go. And if we cant press through it and feel fine going in, then we just to do it scared and eventually it will get easier! She said that fear can be the ruining of someones calling because they will not push through their fear and fulfill it. This has been a big thing for me this week as I'm trying to figure out some job options. I'm planning to be a substitute teacher, I'm almost done with the whole application process and then I will be able to start subbing. Its exciting but also really scary for me, I have no idea what I'm doing in terms of kids/teaching... I don't know if I can handle it or what it will like, but as I was thinking about it I realized that I just need to push past it and put my faith in God's ability to take care of me and to help me if I don't know what I'm doing, and that helped although I'm still terrified but I'M GOING TO DO IT SCARED! 

GOD BLESS

Life Happenings: General Life Happenings

Life Happenings: General Life Happenings

Bible Study: Week One

Yesterday I began a new Bible study by Beth Moore. Its called The Inheritance. Its my first step toward becoming involved in our new church in Lemoore, and Im really excited about it. I am really  hoping it will give me the perspective I need this year to see where God wants me and what he wants me to do!

In study last night, Beth Moore made several statements that still have me thinking this morning. The first was that if I really applied what I learn from this study in the next 9 weeks, that this could be the year that changes my life. Wow, that is an interesting concept. This could be the year that I see what God's purpose in my life is, wouldnt that be amazing! Another thing she said that kind of goes with the first is that the dreams I have for myself cant even come close to the things God has prepared for me. That is an encouraging thought, since sometimes I feel that the things I dream for or want are so far out of reach for me, but yet God has bigger and better plans, and he will enable me to reach those plans! 

The last thing that she was talking about was about us being heirs to God's kingdom. This study will be teaching us what that means exactly, but she was talking about how we as women are "heiresses" and that with that, in the words of Paris Hilton no less, we are not supposed to be BORING! Yes I did say Paris Hilton, apparently Beth Moore read her book about being an heiress, and the little tidbit she took away was that Paris felt it was the worst thing to do in life to be boring. Beth Moore agrees that as heiresses of God we should not be bored or boring. We should be full of life and out for a wild ride through life with God at the wheel. I will be pondering this week and probably throughout this study if I am bored or boring and if I am what I am going to do to change that. 

So as I go through this study I plan to blog a little each week about what kind of progress its making, if I am learning new things about myself, about my amazing God, or just my life in general. I'm really excited for this journey and I cant wait to see where I am at the end! 

God Bless

Life Happenings: General Life Happenings

Life Happenings: General Life Happenings

Its a new year!

Ok, so its officially 2011 and I cant believe that 2010 is actually over! Its crazy to think that at this time last year I was still living in Mississippi, didn't have a dog, or a truck, or a winged Naval Aviator husband! Wow how things have changed! In the last year so much has happened and it has been a blast and also has had its tough moments. Traver and I got a dog, who we love, a new truck, and I ran 4 races! Traver got his wings in July, we took a road trip in August, we moved to California in September, and have settled into our new town and life pretty nicely so far! 

I had a job for a while, but it didn't work out, so I'm back to being a stay at home wife, for now at least. But I have goals in that area. I'm working on getting my substitute teacher credential for the state of California, just a few steps away from getting that finished. I have decided to get my Event Management and Wedding Planner Certification. The navy will pay for me to get it, and since I really think that is what I want to do with my life I am going to take this course to help my chances at getting a job! 

Traver and I bought another new (at least to us) car a few weeks ago, after our red mustang was totaled in an accident in November. We were rear ended, lame! I always figured we would get in a car accident in Mississippi where the drivers are terrible, but somehow we survived over a year there, and within 3 months here we get rear ended! But nonetheless, we got a new 2006 mustang to replace our 2000, its beautiful and really fun to drive, I named her Stella! 

Other new things going on... I have decided to take up cake decorating and my goal is to use it as a ministry to make cakes for people who could use a pick me up! Also, my goal for January is to have every single box unpacked or put in the attic, if it doesn't have a place in the house (other than shoved in the closet) it will go to goodwill/garage sale or into the attic. I want the house 100% settled by the end of this month! Wish me luck! 

Other than that I'm just really looking forward to a new year, full of new adventures and experiences! I'm going to try to better about blogging about them as they come up! 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Life Happenings: Excursions in the Kitchen

Life Happenings: Excursions in the Kitchen

So, several of my girlfriends in Lemoore and I have started a recipe swap, each Sunday one of the girls sends out a favorite recipe or something they have been hoping to try and it give us all a chance to try some new things. It rotates every week sends the recipe and its been really fun so far! So I figured I would start posting them on here when they come in. Im a little behind, so there will be three new ones this week, and from now on Ill try to post the new one each week when I get it! 

Sarah's Bacon Wrapped Chicken

Needed

3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1'ish per person)

1 lb. precut bacon (I'm sure you could use turkey bacon, I never have)

16oz Sour Cream (you can use lite)

1 can cream of mushroom soup (you can use health choice)

1 can mushrooms (we like mushrooms so I use a bigger can)

Wrap each chicken breast in 1-2 pieces of chicken.

Combine sour cream, cream of mushroom soup and canned mushrooms

Place chicken in casserole dish and cover in sour cream mixture. Put in 350 oven for 1 hour.

Two additions to this:

1) you can use frozen chicken which I do all the time, b/c I forget to take it out of the freezer

2) you can put this in the crock pot on low for 6 hours, stir once or twice during cooking. I do it this way the most b/c it makes the chicken just fall apart!!

I serve this over rice

It's a family favorite, super easy (esp. in the crock pot) and makes GREAT left overs

Jacquee's Thai Coconut Chicken

1 Tbs vegetable oil

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts- cut into bite-size pieces

1 tsp grated lime peel (can use lime juice)

1 tsp grated ginger root (can use powder)

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

1 jalapeno chili, seeded and finely chopped (if you want it spicy, use the seeds.)

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro

1 can (about 14oz) coconut milk (not cream of coconut)

1 tsp packed brown sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1 Tbs soy sauce

1 cup sugar snap pea pods

1/2 medium green bell pepper, cut into 1/2 in cubes

1 medium tomato, chopped

1 Tbs chopped fresh basil leaves

Hot cooked jasmine rice

In a nonstick wok or 12in nonstick skillet, heat oil over high heat.  Add chicken; cook until chicken is no longer pink in center.  Add lime, ginger, garlic, jalapeno, and cilantro.  Stir-fry for about a minute.

Pour coconut milk over chicken.  Stir in brown sugar, salt, soy sauce, pea pods, and bell pepper.  Reduce heat to medium.  Simmer uncovered for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are crisp-tender.  Stir in tomato.

Spoon over rice and top with basil.

Kristin's Slow Cooker Pizza Casserole

1 1/2 lbs Ground Beef 

1 lb   Bulk Pork Sausage  

4 jars (14 ounces each) Pizza Sauce 

2 cups (8 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese 

2 cups grated parmesan cheese 

2 packages (3 oz each) sliced pepperoni 

1/2 cup finely chopped onion       (Or ultra minced to hide it from your hubby )

1/2 cup finely chopped green bell pepper 

1 clove garlic minced   (The 50 cent jars of garlic at the commissary . . .  great deal!) 

1 lb Rotini pasta, cooked and drained

1. Brown beef and sausage in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, stirring to break up meat. Drain. 

    Place meat in slow cooker. 

2. Add all remaining ingredients except pasta; stir til blended. 

3. Cover; cook on low 3 1/2 hours or high 2 hours.

4. Stir in pasta. Cover; cook 30 minutes until pasta is hot. 

Bon Appétit!

Life Happenings: General Life Happenings

Life Happenings: General Life Happenings

Wings, Family, and Vacation

At the end of last month Traver recieved his wings of Gold and is officially a Naval Aviator! I am so proud of him, he has accomplished so much and has worked so hard to get to where he is now. We found out that we will be moving to Lemoore, CA where he will learn to fly the F/A-18 Super Hornet in squadron VFA-122! We were thrilled with this because it was our first choice to go to Lemoore and it was his first choice to fly Super's! We will be so much closer to family and friends and be on the best coast! Now if only they would cut us orders so we could know where we are leaving! 

The winging week was great because both Traver and my parents came out for it, so we got to see family and celebrate all together! We all got the chance to go into the T-45 (the plane Traver flew here in training) simulator, which was really realistic and much more challenging than we imagined it would be. It was fun to show the parents around the squadron and for them to see where Traver works everyday. We also got the opportunity to go out to the runway and watch other students come in for touch-and-go landings! It was incredibly loud but awesome at the same time! They even had a family day at the squadron where we got to meet Traver's CO and they gave out awards to the guys for different things they did throughout flight school. Traver got an award for excellent bombing skills and also for having the highest grades at the aircraft carrier when they went out to land! I even got an award for my wonderful work as a student naval aviator spouse, haha, it was funny but also greatly appreciated! The winging ceremony itself was great, it was fun to get to pin Traver's wings of gold on his chest, he even got me a wing pendant that I wear all the time now!

After all the official stuff was over, we went to lunch with the other guys from VT-9 (Traver's squadron) at one of their houses and got all the family together and it was great! That night was the winging party, which my mom, Janice, and I had arranged for all the food and cake. We BUILT and aircraft carrier cake, it was AWESOME! Everyone was super impressed that we had made it because it looked pretty realistic! We even had plastic airplanes landing and taking off of it, which ended up either stolen or crashed into the cake by the end of the night! The party was great, all our best friends were there and we got a chance to celebrate with everyone! The next morning we all (Traver and I and the parents) took off for Pensacola, FL. It was nice to show them where we so often go for weekend getaways. They got to see the beach, which was luckily all cleaned up after the oil spill and we took them to a favorite restaurant of ours, Mcquires, its an awesome Irish Pub that we go to most times we are there. We even got to take them to the Naval Aviation Museum. All in all it was a great trip and it was great to have the parents here for it! 

We didnt have long after the parents left before we left on leave to drive up to Annapolis. We camped our way up (Boeing too), stopping in Ft. Payne, AL for one night (worst nights sleep ever, hott and muggy, gross) and then we stopped in the Great Smoky Mountains for another night which was awesome, it was beautiful in the mountains (and cooler). We then drove up to Reston, VA to stay with my cousins and go to a wedding in Annapolis. The wedding was great and it was fun to see some of Traver's classmates we hadnt seen in a while. Boeing made good friends with my cousin's dog T-Bone and they got to swim and run and play alot, I think he is lonely and bored at home now, haha! We spent three nights there and then went down to Lake Anna where my great aunt and uncle live and stayed two nights with them. We camped one more night on the way home in the Great Smoky's, which was almost a disaster, since the campground we planned to go to was up a deserted, overgrown, dirt road, we went almost all the way up when we decided it wasnt worth getting stuck, crashing... where there is no cell service and no way anyone will ever find us! Boy it was nice to get home after that! 

All together we traveled 2251.5 miles on the trip and spent a total of 40 hours and 52 minutes driving (that isnt including stops that is actual driving time)! 

Now we are just trying to get the house back to normal, and Im preparing to go out to Cali for a job interview in Fresno and to do some house hunting in Lemoore for when we finally get orders and get to move! It should be pretty exciting! Ill let you know how it goes! 

Live it UP!!!!!!

Life Happenings: General Life Happenings

Life Happenings: General Life Happenings

Busy Busy

In the last few weeks since we got Boeing, things have been pretty crazy. Things with Boeing have been awesome, he has turned out to be a pretty great puppy. He is pretty well housebroken at this point, with the exception of the last two days when he has been having trouble. He is crate trained and loves his crate. He has cutest quirks. Like he loves to play with his food, he will take one piece out of the bowl and chase it around the floor, pushing it with his nose or paws, and then he will cover it with a paw and look for it and push his paw around with his nose and then have an "ah-hah" moment when he lifts his paw up and eats it. We have also learned he loves to play with water bottles and that the broom scares him. He sleeps like a champ now though, he will sleep through the night and not have to go out until we get up to let him out, its awesome! He did however find a dead baby snake in our backyard last week while Traver was gone, yuck! 

Traver has been really busy the last few weeks with training, he spent last week in El Centro, California to do several flights that require really good weather that we just dont get out here. It was pretty sucky week for me, I missed having him home and having to deal with Boeing all by myself for a week was trying. The worst part of it was that he got zero cell service out there so we hardly got to talk at all, bummer! Oh and I was sick, which was really lame, because I never get sick, and I was! But he finished out there with good grades and made it home for our trip to Pensacola we had planned for this past weekend. It was great, there was a ball down there that we went to which was fun and a whole bunch of guys from our base got their wings and had a big party down there which was really fun. We stayed in a not so great hotel because we took Boeing with us, and nice hotels dont generally allow dogs, but it was alright. We took Boeing to the dog park for the first time, he loved it and there werent really any other dogs around, so he just got to run around and have fun! It was a great way to exhaust him before the 3 hour drive back up to Meridian. 

At this point things are good, but Im getting impatient to find out where we are going next. We should hopefully have an official winging date for Traver soon, and we are hoping it will be sometime in mid or late July. Then we should hopefully be moving to the west coast (fingers crossed) sometime in August. Although we finally found a church and I have some great friends here, I am ready to move, get a job, and start the next chapter of our lives. But everything happens in God's time and it will work out just like its supposed to.

God Bless!