Hope Continually -- Psalm 71:14

We are trying to eat more healthy at our house these days.  Winter is the time you most feel like eating unhealthy and just consuming all those comfort foods.  Plus, those sweaters can hide it, right?  LOL!  I tried this recipe this week for our lunches. I really loved it!  Why? 1.  It is delicious! 2.  You can do the prep for the week on Sunday and not have to mess with it each night.   Just grab it in the morning and put in your lunch bag and you are ready and prepared with a healthy lunch.  If you work full-time like me, it is a huge thing.  When you get home at night, you don't feel like doing a ton of stuff for the next day. Mediterranean Green Power Bowls 8 cups spinach 2 cups cooked brown rice or quinoa 1 large cucumber, diced 1 cup Kalamata olives, drained 1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes, halved 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced 1 cup marinated artichoke hearts, drained 1/4 cup pomegranate...

Menu Ideas for Your Week Here we are nearing the end of January!  January is my least favorite month so I will be glad to see it go. :) Here are some meal ideas that I am using this week: Greek Chicken Lemon Rice Soup Garlic bread (Got these recipes off BuildaMenu.com)  It uses a lemon pepper rotisserie chicken - mmm! Quick Chicken Stir-Fry This meal is all-in-one!  Carbs, protein and your veggies. Cream Cheese Potato Soup Turkey Bacon BLT'S Crock Pot Beef and Noodles Mashed Potatoes Veggie This is a hearty Midwest style meal!  It is great for the winter and cooking all day in your crock pot. Gnocchi, Sausage and Spinach Soup Grilled Swiss Cheese, Turkey and Carmelized Onion Sandwiches What are you cooking this week?  Happy cooking!

Thursdays.  Every other Thursday here at Max Packaging is a good day.  Maybe it is my imagination...but it seems as if everyone is happier...has a little more pep in their step...laugh and joke and smile more. I imagine it is because it is the last day of the work week...and it is pay day.  LOL!  I mean that just makes sense. The other days of the work week - meh.   I was reading in the book of Numbers this morning in my devotions and God was talking about Caleb.  There was something about Caleb and it reminded me of "pay-day-Thursday" attitudes.  The Bible says, "But my servant Caleb, because he had a different spirit with him and followed me fully, I will bring him into the land where he went, and his seed will possess it." Wow!  God noticed Caleb and one of the reasons why?  Caleb had a different spirit with him.   "Pay-day-Thursday" spirit.  God obviously liked that about him because He promised to br...

Today did not go as planned.  I am one of "those people" who tend to plan out their day and when it doesn't go according to plans, it throws me off. The dog woke me up at 2:30am to go to the bathroom.  We used to keep the dog door open all the time but we have problems with Max jumping the fence so we can't do that anymore.  So up to let them out and let them back in.  I had a hard time falling back asleep...and then up at 3:45am to take my husband and Nathan to the airport.  They were headed to Vegas for Idea Day.  I got home and right away left with Max for our morning walk.   When Max and I got back, I settled in with a hot cup of coffee, my Bible reading and the morning news until I would have to leave for work.  Ahh. I literally just sat down and my phone went off with a text from my husband.   "I just saw this e-mail from Leeway...they said I was supposed to do Lot 229 and I did 227.  Can you check the e-mail?" I...

Sometimes, I need fresh ideas to boost my mind for meal planning.  I thought I would share some dinner meal ideas I am using this week. My daughters cook dinner four days of the week so our meals are not fancy or difficult. :) Breaded chicken sandwiches Tomato soup Parmesan crusted chicken Crockpot mac and cheese Peas Snappy Tuna Melts Ranch pasta salad Applesauce Beefy nacho soup Quesadillas Potato, sausage and kale soup Grilled cheese sandwiches Slow cooker layered enchilada dinner Corn Little Caesar's $5 pizza - LOL! (When Eric is in Vegas) Happy cooking!

I mean, it was only January 2nd.  Literally made those New Year resolutions only hours ago.  And to make it worse, it was one of those resolutions you make that you don't even tell anyone.  Because you are embarrassed that you struggle with "it" anyway and maybe you just didn't have enough faith that you would be able to keep it.  You needed that silent inside victory before you wanted to let it known. And then you blew it.  Well, that didn't last long, did it?  You got angry with yourself and cried.  The thoughts of why did I even think I could do this came to mind.  "You always do this" was said.  And that's how you felt.  "I always do this". Been there?  Even if we aren't honest outwardly, we are inwardly admitting, Yes. Every year, our church hosts Financial Peace University.  I was all fired up to host the class again this year...until you know, you have the thought of no one cares.  You push and...

So, one of my goals I shared was to read two books in each month for growth.  I'm always looking for good books to better myself and grow.  I thought I would share the first two with you. The first was Whisper by Mark Batterson .  This was my first book by Mark that I read and I definitely want to read more!  Mark has a style of writing that is easy to read and keeps you engaged.  He uses illustrations and stories all throughout the book - those good ones that you have to stop reading and share with your husband or someone nearby that will listen.  LOL!   The main point of Whisper is how to hear the voice of God.  He shares with you about the special places he goes to hear that voice and special and amazing events that happened as a result of hearing God's voice and obeying. Whisper is definitely an inspiring book that you will enjoy! The second book I read was Capital Gaines by Chip Gaines .  Most of you probab...

I love the start of a new year.  It is a great time to restart and refocus.  I thought I would share my 2018 goals for this year. Focus for 2018: Strength - Isaiah 40:31 2017 had some pretty big speed bumps for me.  It was a tough year mentally and emotionally.  I didn't handle it well.  I want 2018 to be a year of strength - to become strong through Him! Spiritual Goals: Read through the Bible one time.   I already started this goal on You Version.  Last year, I had a goal of reading through the Bible in one month and I completed that in January.  I actually read through it for a second time Sept-Nov. on a three month plan.  I find it vital for my spiritual growth to make goals that involve reading His Word. Develop the fruits of the Spirit - Love, joy and peace .  These are definitely the fruits that were revealed that I need to work on from 2017. Personal Goals: Read two books per month for growth.  My first bo...