I'm still here!

I know that I have been mum lately, I honestly couldn't believe how long it had been since my last post. It's horrible to admit it but I have not sat down to my blog because God had placed something on my heart and I was avoiding it, scared of it. Once I gave in I was worried that if I posted about it then I would take 10 giant steps backward (it always happens that way!)

So what was this big thing I was running from?

Being a better steward of the things God has blessed me with.

If you would have asked me if I thought I was a good steward three months ago, I would have told you it was one of my strengths. I am always willing to give money or items to those who are in need... but then I looked at stewardship closer.

Steward: one employed in a large household or estate to manage domestic concerns

Stewardship: the conducting, supervising, or managing of something; especially : the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care

I had gone my whole life not knowing what stewardship REALLY was, and more importantly not living it out. I grew up hearing parables from the Bible of good stewardship, but something got lost in translation to my brain and heart. I have spent the last month taking a good hard look at the gifts God has given me and how irresponsible I am with them.

God has given me amazing children, but how am shepherding them?

We live in a beautiful home, but how will am I caring for and using it?

I have been blessed to not have a bunch of obligations competing for my time, so why am I wasting so much of it?

I have been striving to be more purposeful with the things and relationships God has given me. I still have a lot to work on, but with God's guidance and Matt's support, I am taking steps towards progress.

Black Bean and Corn Salad

I have been on a bit of a salad kick lately, but I am not a plain-old-lettuce-tomato-cucumber kind of girl. The other night I was having one of my cravings, so I raided my fridge and pantry to see what I could come up with. This was the end result.

Black Bean and Corn Salad

1 head of lettuce- roughly chopped

1 can black beans- rinsed

1 can sweet summer corn (i used the vaccum sealed kind)

2-3 chicken breast

Cherry tomatoes halved

mixed cheese

tortilla strips

1 1/2 teaspoons cumin

2 teaspoons paprika

Lightly season chicken breasts and brown in a skillet over medium heat (5 to 10 minutes depending on thickness). Remove chicken; add beans, corn, cumin and paprika and heat for 5 minutes. Layer salad together and top with desired dressing, I like ranch.

This is a very hearty salad which made enough for the 4 of us to have dinner, plus 2 lunch portions for Matt and I. It was quick, easy and filling, just the way I like it!

Happy New Year!

January 1 of every year, I go through a list of things I want to accomplish or work on through out the year. I lose sight of things within the first 4 or 5 months and just wait for the beginning of the next year when I get my "fresh start". In reality, God gives me a fresh start every single day. Each day I wake and have to make a choice. I am not saying that having goals are a bad thing, but maybe the way I go about setting these goals needs to be adjusted. This year I have chosen a verse to memorize and start each day putting it to practice.

⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

You see this is something that I struggle deeply with... I make decisions without seeking my heavenly father first. I worry about what others may say or think about my choices and I try to stay in my own comfort zone at all costs. I need to begin committing EVERY SITUATION to God, only then will I experience the peace of God. Only then will my heart and mind be guarded in Christ Jesus. Not only do I long to gain that peace that comes from knowing I am in God's will, I also want to show my children what it means to fully rely on God.

Right now there are a few things our family has on our2013 prayer list:

- The gym: Matt and I are still working on our personal training courses and seeking God's next step for us.

- Adoption: We have felt the call to adopt since before we had our own children, we are praying about God's timing and will. We are also praying about the funds needed to do this.

- Homeschooling: This is one that I debate day in and day out, part of me can't wait for the break that I will get when the kids start school, but another part of me feels like the best thing for my children would be to homeschooling. This is where I let others opinions weigh too heavily on my mind.

I believe in the power of prayer, is there anything I can be praying for you about?