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The blog has a new home: blog.justinandkathryn.com.

Tonight I wrote a little on Luke 17:11-19, go check it out! 

Birthday Present for Grandma

Miles away or right next door

Good thing my love reaches near and far.

This poster wasn't really Do-it all by myself. I Justin, my husband, found pictures from Bing maps of all the places where my Grandma's family live. On the bottom of each picture Justin added a banner with the family name. Since some people live "right next door" it was easy to fit everyone in four different maps. The saying, while not stunning or exciting, is all my own. I hand wrote "Miles away or right next door" above the four pictures and "Good thing my love reaches near and far" along the bottom.

The frame and mat, I bought at Hobby Lobby. The mat was custom so it cost around $15 and the frame was 40% off bringing it to about $12. I'm really wishing I ever kept my receipts right about now. It all came together really easy and I think my Grandma loved her birthday present. The only remark people had was to add a marker pinpointing the place on the map where each family lives. I wish I would have added little hearts to the maps to mark the households. 

Finding Direction

While my blog is very much random in it's intent. Random still needs focus and themes. I myself am random, but I still grow and develop through focus. I've decided to try and pre-plan my blog for the next month. Not all of the blogs are completely planned out yet, but I have decided on some recurring themes.

Monday will be- Made by me Mondays- where I will share a craft that I've made.

Wednesday will be- Rest for the weary Wednesdays- a day to share a short devotional from something I've been reading in scripture.

Friday will be- Friday night dinners- on this day I will share a recipe. Tthe name comes from my favorite TV show Gilmore Girls.

Sunday- "Sunday school" kids say the cutest things- a short story of the cute things our Sunday School kiddos say or do.

I hope you like the direction I'm taking.

Psalm 143

Psalm 143

1O Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy;

in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.

2Do not bring your servant into judgment,

for no one living is righteous before you.

3The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground;

he makes me dwell in darkness like those long dead.

4So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed.

5I remember the days of long ago;

I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.

6I spread out my hands to you;

my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.

7Answer me quickly, O Lord; my spirit fails.

Do not hide your face from me

or I will be like those who go down to the pit.

8Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,

for I have put my trust in you.

Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.

9Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord,

for I hide myself in you.

10Teach me to do your will, for you are my God;

may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

11For your name's sake, O Lord, preserve my life;

in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.

12In your unfailing love, silence my enemies;

destroy my foes, for I am your servant.

This chapter describes how I've been feeling lately. "The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in darkness like those long dead. So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed" Psalm 143:3-4. These days I have been struggling immensely with finding joy in my life. At work I sit in my office by myself, not talking to my friends, I'm quiet at home and I don't talk with my family much.

I feel pursued and crushed by the enemy. The enemy in my life can be described as stress at work and a deep desire for God to bless us with a baby. Waiting is so hard, but verse eight reminds me, to "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." God's love is unfailing. As much as I know that God never fails and I should trust him, I don't always believe.

He's proven that's he trustworthy over and over; I need to remember and meditate on those times. Verse five talks about remembering all that God has done before. Whether it's the things He's done in Scripture or the things He's done for me. "I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done." Our pastor calls it preaching to to ourselves, and that's what I must do.

Yes, I feel crushed, covered in darkness, dead, dismayed, faint... Yet, "In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant." I am His and He will hear my prayer.

Scaaarry!

It's almost done. I bet you're wondering what it is. It's a bunny! HaHa, I know it doesn't quite look like a bunny. But, I tried so hard!

Just kidding. It's a monster doll for my sweet "niece" Allie. She turns one in March so I made her this doll for her birthday. Her dad, my friend Richard, always calls this sweet girl, "Monster." She's no monster, actually she's soo cute that she can pull off any nickname.

This might not be the gift, but someday I would love to give a little kid their security toy: a blanket, stuffed animal, lucky t-shirt. Any of those would work, hopefully someday I'll get to give a kid that toy.

Allie, since you're not on the blogosphere quite yet, I'm not too worried about you finding out about your present early.

Lazy Day Pancakes

Today has been the break I've been needing. We didn't have to work, and we have spent the day chatting, vegging and watching some TV. My kind of day. We're actually settling in for a little more Warehouse 13, one of my new favorite shows.

To start off our day we made pancakes. Pancakes are our usual Saturday morning breakfast brunch choice. Since today was lazy day we had pancakes. These weren't normal pancakes; they were pecan cinnamon roll pancakes! I saw the idea on Pinterest, my favorite addiction. I love it when I make things from Pinterest.

These were delicious. I'm not one to really use recipes so these are more just go with it kind of instructions. I used a mix for the pancake batter and stirred in a handful of chopped pecans. In a bowl on the side, mix together melted butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Once your griddle is hot with water dancing across it. If you've ever made pancakes in your life, I think you know what I mean. Pour on your batter, whatever size pancakes you want, then pour the sugar mixture in a spiral onto the pancakes. Once they've cooked for a few minutes flip and finish cooking the other side. Amazing!

Words Are Telling My Story

Writing is something that I've enjoyed since my freshman year of high school. Even though I'm not really sure if I'm good at it. I love the days that words come easy. Like today, I got to work with a college student, helping him write a quote for a postcard. He's a wonderful student who I really enjoy working with. We laughed and spoke way to loud about all the things he likes about his classes. Jordan is an art major at HLG who is bright, funny and an awesome worker!

His quote turned out awesome, “At other colleges, the world is the sole focus of art, but at HLGU I get to study art through a Christian lens.” How awesome is that? He has a graphic design emphasis and is a photographer. It was an awesome play on words.

Most days, sad to say, words don't work that way for me. I stumble over them, doubt their meaning and simply get blocked. Words mean so much, I want to share more of them.

Other days it's even worse than not finding the right words. Some days I don't even have anything to say. I think I have something to say. It may be small and sometimes insignificant but it's something. It's a thought, idea, encouragement, cry, plea, prayer...it's something.

Well Hello Again

Today, I feel as though I’m in a funk. I’m not in a bad mood, and many things that happened over the weekend were really good! Yet, with the overcast weather and my thoughts still a wondering, I only want to sit in my funk. I tend to choose music that amplifies my current mood more than helping my mood get better.

I crave slow songs, some about pain or heartache, all that let me sit comfortably in my current mood. I don’t know if this is normal or what others do but maybe I should try something different. Instead of starting my daily dreaded 3:30 task of phone calls while listening to the same sad songs, I’ll try something happy and optimistic. I wonder if that will help me get over these winter blues.

Today I shared my new cookbook with a friend at work. This cookbook is full of weird and crazy ice cream flavors. While she wouldn’t even try some of them I followed her up with, “I’ll try anything once.” It’s true; I will try anything once (at least food). So how about good for me, make me smile music? I think I’ll give it a go!

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.

Wacky Wednesday- Neighbors

It's been a while since I really wrote anything. Let alone wrote something with a deadline in mind. I cannot have Wacky Wednesday if I post this on Thursday or Friday. Wacky Wednesday is a spin-off of my college newspaper article, World Bizarre. I was not the first writer of World Bizarre but once it was first assigned to me I fell in love. There have been some greats; the guy who used his own fat to make meatballs and then serve them to his friends at a dinner party. I really hope that I can never top that article. There have also been some ironic stories that gave me a chuckle. For my first Wacky Wednesday post I'm going to touch on neighbors, something that most of have. Some of our neighbors are wonderful people and some of us have no desire to get to know our neighbors because of what we might find.

Parking Problems?
When someone steels my parking spot I get angry. I admit that I have a bit of a mean streak but there is only so much I would actually do in retaliation. Biting off some one's ear is not one of them. In Milwaukee, Oregon two roommates got into a fight over the “preferred” parking spot. By the end of the conflict, the parking spot stealer was being treated at the local hospital with an ear injury. Doctor's were unable to reattach his right ear lobe and his former roommate is now sitting in jail with a $250,000 bail. –AP

Good intentions or bad?
Craigslist is great. I have recently discovered the joys of buying great used stuff and now know another amazing use for Craigslist. You can sell your neighbor's pets! If they're keeping you up too late, there's an easy fix. A Pennsylvania woman listed her neighbor's terriers on Craigslist for $150. She found the purebred dogs without any tags and decided to sell them on Craigslist to give them a good home. She seems like a humanitarian but in the back of my mind I cannot think but wonder if they were just too loud next door and this was the perfect way to dispose of the little critters. –AP

Looking for a new pet?
I’m not a pet person; actually I cannot really stand them at all. The two dogs from the above mentioned story would have been enough to drive me crazy. Imagine seeing three vans arrive to remove more than 100 chickens, rabbits, rodents, iguanas, and tarantulas from a two-bedroom apartment. That was recently the scene in Buffalo, NY. Sometimes it feels a little crowded in my two-bedroom apartment with only three people let alone having old McDonald’s farm living with you. If you are a humanitarian and are thinking of these poor mistreated animals, the animals have all been removed from the home and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is looking for many good homes. –AP

25 Random Things

1. I have a hard time holding on to people.  I don’t like that about myself.
   
2. I’ve worked with some really amazing people who I miss a lot, but because of number #1 I don’t talk to them near enough.
   
3. I miss volleyball, and I didn’t think I would this soon.
   
4. I really like sad songs; they’re my favorite. 
   
5. I only wear my high healed shoes when I’m mad and I want to be intimidating.
   
6. When I was in high school my best friend and I would get together and bake I don't even know how many cookies, just to give them away to our friends at church.   One time there was a fire in the oven.  Those are some of my favorite memories.
   
7. It drives me nuts when people don’t use the right their/they’re/there.  Seriously...8^thgrade English.
   
8. Sometimes I talk too much in the conversation. 
   
9. I really hate losing and being wrong more that I let on.  But I’m working on it.
   
10. I could and probably still can play Back in Black on my flute.
    
11. My mom is one of my best friends.  One summer when I had to get to work extremely early she would get up with me just because.  It meant the world to me.
    
12. I hate debt and the faster Justin and I can pay off our college loans the better.
    
13. Last spring God tugged on my heart that I should be more persistent with my prayers.  He then provided two amazing blessings.
    
14. I love to read and sometimes wish I could be a librarian.  Reading, shelving books, I really like the Dewey decimal system.  That makes me a dork.
    
15. I was on the math team in 7^th and 8^th grade.  In 7^th grade I was selected for it because of my grades and in 8^th grade I actually “tried out” for the team.  Again, dork!
    
16. I really like to write.
    
17. I want to get my masters in non-profit communication.
    
18. Someday I would like to teach.
    
19. Someday I would like to own a bakery.  But that probably won’t happen because I cannot see myself getting up at 4am to bake the bread.
    
20. I’m slowly losing my ambitions, which I think is a good thing.
    
21. I was once scared of midgets but now I just find them to be a strange phenomenon.  But I’m still not going to sit down and watch Little People, Big World.
    
22. My husband is amazing and I know that he’ll always take care of me.
    
23. I want to change somebody’s life.
    
24. I have a deep desire to see something beautiful; I mean stunningly beautiful.
    
25. I really want to have my own blog.  My blogging idol is Brandy Campbell, one of my college professors.  
    

Stay tuned, I may actually post more than one blog.