Love in action

I am one unmotivated writer. I just don't do it. I keep thinking I'll update, but I don't. This officially starts round three for this blog. Except, my blog is changing focus. I know that I don't want to write just to write. I've known that ever since I started writing. Even though I stated earlier that I wanted to write for me; its not true. I want to write for attention. Like always, I want the praise of man for the things that I do. I want someone to read my words and say that they liked them, that they inspired them, or that it made them laugh. Well, I don't need that. What I need is to find out how to glorify my God with whatever I do. A couple of weeks ago I read a verse in Colossians saying, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." Well I don't. God has made that very clear to me recently. I haven't been working for Christ in my job. I haven't been doing my best to the ability that He's given me. And I'm tired of being that way. So in everything I do I will do as working for the Lord and that includes this blog. So this blog has another purpose, to bring Glory to God. Now my problem is that I don't know how to do that. Any ideas? Well, here we go:

The song currently playing is one that sings through the 23rd Psalm, and I cannot listen to it without crying. I keep thinking of my Grandpa and how he is with God and it's such a beautiful thing, but goodness I miss that ornery old man. I mean, we had our differences, but there are so many things that I respected and loved him for. I loved his attention to detail and how even from his hospital bed he would notice the little things, like Justin being left handed while he worked on his phone. Or my two year-old Sunday school class, he would always ask about them. I respected him for the man that he was, for leading Sunday School and for being a deacon in that country church for years.

But honestly, I don't know... Everyone has told me that he's in Heaven but I was never brave enough to ask him myself. I don't think my mom or grandma are lying to me but I wish I knew for sure. And I never want to feel that again. There are other people in my life that God has been throwing into my mind to encourage them and help them find Him. I'm tired of hating people with my actions because I'm too timid in my spirit to talk to them. My best friend, my coach, a new colleague that I've only known for a short time and the other, my dear Aunt. I want them to know that I love them and that's why I care about their salvation.

It feels so good to write things out. To say things in print that I normally won't admit to myself in my own mind. So I guess writing is still something that I do for myself, but I want it to be more. Thoughts and reflections that will honor God and maybe somehow draw others to him. Because as I get closer to my God hopefully his light will shine a little brighter through me each day.

Why I love my hubby?

Because he's the greatest. When we first started dating 5 years ago, before we said many ooey gooey things to each other; I always told him that he's great. Well he still is.

We've been married for around a year and a half but today we're celebrating our first anniversary. The anniversary of the night that he called my dad and asked if he could date me. Over these years we have learned a lot about each other and with each passing year I have fallen even more in love with him. Here is a list of things that I love about Justin.

He waits for me. He waits for me to get over all of my crazy hyper moments and loves and laughs with me through them.

His arms. I will always feel safe when I'm in his arms.

The smile in his eyes. He gives everything away in his eyes and I count myself blessed to have a husband who is so honest.

His techieness. I know that I just made that work up, but it describes him. He's so smart and his desire to learn more inspires me.

His compassion. What I lack in compassion he makes up for abundantly.

His cooking skills. Man he's amazing.

His voice. I love when he sings; I especially love the made up songs we sing to each-other.

His family. We are both blessed with wonderful families. I love how he treats his family.

His perfectionism. He's so maticulous but the end result is so wonderful.

I'm so happy that we met and that he dated me instead of the first girl that I tried to set him up with. Funny story for some other time.

Happy 5 year anniversary, love!

Monte Christos

Every week Justin (my hubby) and I try to set a menu. Sometimes this is easy, like during the beginning of the month when we have money to spend, and other times it's really hard to dig through the cabinets to find dinner ideas. I could eat the same thing everyday, but since I do love my husband I don't force that diet on him.

It was a couple weeks ago we made a food that I really enjoy. It's not a favorite because my favorites I want to eat all the time. Ask Justin just how much I love broccoli? Such a weird food to crave I know.

Anyway back to the recipe that I'm going to share with you. It's a Monte Christo sandwich. I think that a lot of people have their own version of the Monte Christo sandwich, its kind of just a hodge podge kind of sandwich. Well here's how I make mine:

Serves 2 ( because that's how many people I cook for)

8 slices of bread (toasted)

2 eggs

2 T milk

3-4 slices American cheese

Deli sliced Ham

Breakfast syrup for serving

Turn oven on to it's lowest setting. Mine has a warm setting. Preheat griddle pan to medium heat. Pan is hot enough when water dripped on it dances. Next mix eggs and milk in a shallow container. Cover both slices of bread with egg mixture and place on griddle. Cook each side until browned. While you finish making all of your, I'll say it "french toast," place finished pieces in a pan and place in warmed oven.

After you finish making all of the french toast place 2 or 3 pieces back on the griddle, as many as will fit. Cover with ham and cheese. (Here's why I say 3-4 slices of cheese. I think a whole piece of cheese on my sandwich is too cheesy while my husband likes it that way. Do what you like). Top with second piece of french toast and cook until cheese is melted. Serve immediately with syrup.

These are delicious and easy. What could be better. Enjoy the recipe. Hopefully there will be more to come soon.

Sneak Peak

Here is a sneak peak of my latest crochet project. I’ve been working on it since Thanksgiving, and I’m very proud to say that it’s almost finished.

The picture doesn’t show much for a reason. My goal is to be completely finished by Super Bowl Sunday and I will unveil it then. I don’t care about football one bit; I chose that day because it’s a little less than 2 weeks from now. I’ll post several pictures once I get it finished.

A Baker's Dozen

Along with my goal of writing more, I would also like to read more. I use to read at least a book a week when I was in high school. I’m not sure why I had all that time to read then but now I have a hard time forcing myself to read at all. Like last night I went to lay down with my current book and didn’t even open it.

This year I have set a very attainable goal. I’m going to read a baker’s dozen of books, just over 1 a month. Hopefully, this is a goal that I can complete and strive for more beyond this year.

So far this year I have completed one book, The Visitation by Frank Peretti. A friend of mine leant it to me a while ago but I just finished it.

It was great; one of those books where I tell myself I’m just going to finish the chapter then I’m going to bed. Yet, I would find myself in the middle of the chapter before I knew it. That is why a long time ago I learned to use a post-it note as a bookmark. The ends of chapters always entice me to keep reading so when I find my answer that I had to keep reading for I can mark the line where I stopped with my post-it. Pretty ingenious I think.

Anyway, this book is about recognizing when Jesus comes to town. A man who does miraculous things shows up in a small town quickly gaining a following and it’s everyone’s choice to make this man their savior or to know what he really is. The main character of the book is Travis, a fallen pastor, who is seeking to find the truth with the help of the new pastor of his old congregation. Throughout the book you get to see a lot of Travis’ spiritual development throughout his life and why the new man in town doesn’t fool him even when Travis is purposely shying away from religion.

Like I said this book was hard to put down. It’s a good read that I can see myself reading again sometime. Currently, I’m attempting to read The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis, which I’m sure I’ll have an even harder time explaining than The Visitation.

Obsessions

Writing is something that I’ve enjoyed for a long time but really got into during college. Since then, a short year and a half ago it has gone by the wayside. I still write snippets here and there for work but nothing like I use to. Last year around this time I started this lovely blog, named alphabet soup. Since that time I have updated twice, including my first entry. That is just sad. So this year on January 14th, I have decided once again that I really miss writing.

I chose the name alphabet soup because it’s random. And being random is something that I’m good at. Picture eating some lovely alphabet soup and at times you get some noodles maybe a p, a w, or an e. You just never know and sometimes you get that little chunk of carrot. Well that’s a good representation of my life. I work; sometimes a lot and I really enjoy this part of my life. I also bake, way too much but it’s a huge passion of mine. My latest obsession is yarn, right now I’m crocheting but hopefully I’ll pick up my needles again soon. So there are tons of different subjects that might come across this blog, adding to the randomosity that you will surely see. So beware of the carrot!

If no one reads this, it’s fine. I’m writing because I miss writing, but if you do read it please let me know what you think.