Proverbs 8 and Mom's Banana Bread

I try my best to read one chapter of Proverbs a day corresponding with the day of the month.  Most months it works perfectly because there are 31 chapters in Proverbs and 31 days in most months.  I have come to realize I will never grow out of learning and heeding wisdom [insert: sarcasm. I did not just come to realize that].

[Rabbit Trail: bad part about writing and/or blogs is that sarcasm is hard to notice and I tend to be sarcastic time to time. Sorry, I am not sorry]

Sometimes, I read the one chapter of Proverbs in addition to what I am studying and/or reading for my quiet time.  Other times, that chapter is solely my quiet time.  Let's get real, Proverbs is all about wisdom and instruction and I tend to mess up.....[like everyday]......so it's good for me just sit, pray, and meditate on it, because it tends to slap me in the face, encourage me, and/or challenge me.

I read Proverbs 8 today.  There was section that I wanted to share:

The first person in this passage is 'wisdom'.  After I read this, I noticed that these [words I underlined] are identifiable characteristics of wisdom.  When we are looking for wisdom or asking for wisdom, these are characteristics that we can look for in a decision, an action, a conversation, our words, and the list could go on.

Wisdom......speaks noble things, it will reveal right things, only truth will be uttered, wickedness is an abomination to it, righteousness comes from it's mouth, and there is nothing crooked or perverted that comes from it.  Therefore, Proverbs 8 shows us what wisdom IS and what it IS NOT.  Identify those characteristics.  How sweet is the Lord to give us His Word to guide us?

Side Note: I am sure that I have read this passage many times, and yet the Lord teaches me something new about it.  I love that He continues to teach us new things with the same passage.

Prayful Days & Chocolate Cake

When I started this blog, I said the primary reason was the document events, happenings, and things we are learning in our life so that I may look back and read about it later.  I think that is an especially sweet thing to look back and see what the Lord has done in your life!

The past two months, there have been many specific things to pray for in our lives and on behalf of others.  I am so thankful that I can, at any time, start having a conversation with my Savior.  He is never too busy or needs you to make an 'appointment'.  Sometimes when I pray about little things, I think how small and insignificant this must seem to my Lord in comparison to His kingdom and eternal plan. I have learned that is not the case.  He is interested in every part of our lives.  He wants us to go to Him for anything....because it is about a relationship with Him.  Since I have been more intentional about being prayerful these past few months, I have learned and/or observed a few things about prayer:

- It causes me to remove my focus from myself and fix it on the Lord
- Just like any relationship, you get to know them by talking to them and spending time with them. This     is the same with my prayer time with the Lord.  I know Him more, now.
- Handing my burdens over to my Mighty, All-powerful God brings "peace that surpasses all understanding"
- It causes me to be thankful that I am not in "charge" of my life.  No, the GOD of all the universe, who has created the smallest detail and has orchestrated the happenings of our life is in charge and it is GOOD.
- Humbles me knowing that my Great God and Savior cares about my life.  I fail Him so often.
- Causes me to realize how much I can talk and chit chat to the Lord when I just  need to stop and listen

The things I have been praying about these past few months, I have learned are out of my control or Lee's control.  These include, my future career and the waiting part of it,  a critical outcome of a big business project for Lee, the loss of a church family's dear son, the healing of relationships, the redemption of souls,  and the healing of bodies.
I realize in some of these situations above, I can make the steps that I know are smart to take and "do my part", which we have or I have done.  However, in the end, all I want is for God's will to be done...and nothing more.  As I look back on my life and others' life stories, God's plan is always good and always better, no matter how I am feeling in that very moment!  Sometimes, emotions can have such a firm grip on your reasoning and thought process.  How frustrating can that be?  I realize I have to make the decision to know that the Lord knows what will happen in 2 weeks, 2 months, 2 years and His will be done and it will be good.  In the meantime, I need to follow hard after Him and seek Him wholeheartedly so I can be sensitive to His calling and plans.

" Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God " Philippians 4:6

 " May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ" 2 Thessalonians 3:5   -- How sweet is that!

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I think I could blog any of the recipes from The Pioneer Woman that I have cooked or baked to date.  They are so delicious and just...perfect! I always have loved old recipes that have been handed down to each generation - I think they are always the best tasting.  I have noticed that all of them have very simple ingredients, usually things you have in kitchen already.  I gather this is because they didn't have all of the complex, specialty ingredients either because they lived out in the country and because those ingredients did not exist many years ago.  I have been watching The Pioneer Woman's new cooking show and she always mentions that her recipes are simple because she lives out in the country and is not able to just "run to the store".  That is a reason why I like her recipes - they are simple, absolutely delicious, and pretty easy! The more simple, the better, I think!

Speaking of simple, here is the best Chocolate Cake recipe.  I made this for our community group and everyone seemed to love it!

Chocolate Sheet Cake
Makes one 18x12-inch cake
*Note - I used one that was a few inches smaller and it was fine. You could also use a smaller, thicker cake pan for a thicker cake or separate these into round pans for a layered cake.

Ingredients [for the cake]:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup buttermilk
   *Substitute: 1/2 cup milk + 1 1/2 tsp of distilled white vinegar. Stir. Let sit for 5 min.
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter
4 heaping Tbs cocoa powder

Ingredients [for the icing]:
1 3/4 sticks butter
4 heaping Tbs cocoa powder
6 Tbs milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 pound powdered sugar
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Stir & set aside.
In another bowl, mix the buttermilk, eggs, vanilla, baking soda. Mix with fork & set aside.
In a medium saucepan, melt butter and add cocoa. Whisk together to combine.  Meanwhile, bring 1 cup of water to a boil.  When butter is melted, pour boiling water in the pan.  Allow to bubble for a minute, then turn off heat.
Pour chocolate mixture into the flour mixture.  Stir together for a minute to cool the chocolate.
Add the egg mixture.
Stir together until smooth, then pour into an ungreased pan.  Bake for 20 min.

While the cake is baking, make the icing.  Melt the butter in the saucepan (use the same one to save yourself some dishes). Add the cocoa powder and stir 'till smooth.  Add milk and vanilla.  Add powdered sugar. Stir together.  If you wanted the pecans, you would dump those in at this time.

Immediately when you remove the cake from the oven, pour the warm icing on top.  Try and distribute evenly and let it spread on its own.  You'll want to avoid too much spreading.

Now, your life is complete.  Amen.

P.S.  I have her first cookbook right now and use it all the time!  In just a few weeks, her new (second) cookbook is coming out and I. can't. wait!!

Excerpt from 'The Valley of Vision'

Excerpt of "Sixth Day Morning - The Gospel":

We are lost: but in it thou hast presented to us a full, free, and eternal salvation,

Weak: but here we learn that help is found in One that is mighty,

Poor: but in him we discover unsearchable riches,

Blind: but we find he has treasures of wisdom and knowledge....

...May his glory fill our minds,

His love reign in our affections,

His cross inflame us with ardour.

Let us as Christians fill our various situations in life,

escape the snares to which they expose us,

discharge the duties that arise from our circumstances,

enjoy with moderation their advantages,

improve with diligence their usefulness,

And may every place and company we are in be benefited by us.

I highly recommend this book. It is a collection of Puritan prayers that is organized by topics. Don't let the "old" language of 'thou', 'hast', 'thy' scare you.  The words used and sentences written are so rich in the way they are put together!  Sometimes, you don't know how to put into words what you want to pray and I think this is a great resource for that.  However, I do know that "...we do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us..."(Romans 8:26), Who is our perfect, and greatest Resource.  You can make these prayers your own personal prayer.  Many times I just read them at random and they immediately challenge me, remind me of incredible Truth, and urge me to make it my own personal prayer.

Banana Boat

I've heard of this dessert before somewhere and then saw it on the food network this week. It is simple, easy, and quick! I think it may be the perfect portion of dessert and level of 'sweetness'.

With the peel on and intact, cut it down the middle lengthwise, but not all the way so as to make a 'boat' to place the fillers. I stuffed in marshmallows and chocolate chips, but I am sure you could get creative. Wrap it loosely in foil. Put in the oven at 300 degrees for 5-7 min or until the chocolate chips are nice and melted.

Yummy and yummy!!

To Know His Word

I wanted to share a method of memorizing scripture that I learned last summer during a women's Bible Study!  I have always tried to memorize scripture, but would only work on it for a few days, then forget about it.  Or, I would memorize the verse, then forget it 2 weeks later.  Now, what is the use in that?

Some may wonder why it is important to memorizing scripture.  There are so many places in the Bible that teaches us why it is important: knowing His word to keep our lives pure (Ps 119:9), used for teaching and admonishing one another (Col. 3:16), know the Word accurately and can know when you hear false teaching (2 Tim. 2:15), Psalm 119 tell us of the passion we should have for His Word.  We can memorize verses that will comfort us in time of need, direct us in a decision, reinforce His promises in times of doubt, give us strength to work diligently for the Lord (Col. 3:23-24).


This method of memorizing scripture as been extremely effective! I remember verses that I first memorized back in June, when I started it with the Bible Study.  I can't tell you how many times these verses have come to my mind in time of need (for comfort, direction, encouragement, etc).  Here it is:


Get yourself a index card box or binder.  I got a binder because it is small and fit anywhere if I want to bring it anywhere.  This is what mine looks like when I open it up...

I think I got this one at Office Depot.  It came with two tabs.  You want to make a section for "Daily", "Weekly", and "Monthly".  The verses in the front of mine are the "Daily" verses.  

I put the number of verse that I am on in the left hand corner.  In the right hand corner, I put the month and year that I started memorizing it.  This is just for me to know. Of course, you don't have to do this!

On the back of the index card, Write "D, W, M" to represent "Daily, Weekly, Monthly".  You will read the verse once a day for 50 days, then once a week for 50 weeks, then once a month for 50 months.  I know that it sounds like a lot at first.  All you have to do is read the verse once in that day.  I add one verse each week.  Sometimes, you may have 25 verses to read in one day, but if you only reading them once, it will only take a few minutes!

This really is such an easy method and is extremely effective! I am so grateful that our Bible Study leader shared this method with us because it has definitely been such a wonderful discipline in my life.  I hope I have shared a method that will encourage at least one person.  

If none of the verses above encouraged you to memorize scripture, let the truth that it is God's words, a way that He communicates to us, be the reason for knowing His word by heart!

This will surely bless you!

A First for Me: New York City

Recently, I got to make a trip to New York for my first time! One of my best friends, Paige, just  moved up there in September because she is adventurous and spontaneous.  No really, she moved up there because this was a perfect time in her life to just move to a new city, find a job, and love life! I mean, how fun is that?  I am so glad she took advantage of this time in her life, because there are not many times (if none at all) in life where you can just say "I am going to go live in New York for a while!"  I am so happy for her that she is experiencing another pace of life, another culture, a new job, and new relationships!

Before I left, do you know what one thing that I might have been only slightly nervous about? Getting a taxi.  I know, I know laugh at me.  I am really not nervous to do or try anything new.  I think I was picturing a bunch of people waving down taxis along with me trying to do the same and someone abruptly jumping in the one I hailed down. Because, well, that is how I pictured New York.  I grew up in Dallas, so I know what a "big city" is like; however, I knew that New York was different level of "big city".  Don't worry, the taxi issue played out just fine except when me or the taxi driver didn't really know where we were going at one point.  To ease nerves (mostly my mom's nerves), we figured it out together and he was the nicest taxi driver!

As we were circling NYC and preparing for landing, I am pretty sure I saw Times Square from the airplane.  Once I was on the ground and got to see Times Square for myself, I realized how that was a great possibility considering it is so bright that for a second you might think it was daytime.  Anyways, I got to Paige's apartment and waited for a little bit for her to get back from work.  She is a nanny to a great family and has the most hilarious stories about one of the kiddos.  I think Paige might be secretly in a nanny reality show considering the consistent hilarious moment she shares with me.  It had been five months since I had seen this girl, so needless to say we embraced each other for a good couple minutes.  Anybody else might find that an awkward amount of time, but I consider it just making it up for all the hugs that would've been given and received during five months.  A lot of squealing and "Omg, I am so happy", "I can't believe I am here" moments occurred.  We didn't waste any time and headed out towards Times Square. Let me just say, I had my first NYC subway system experience this night and it was the most confusing, "how did you know to get on this one?", "how do you know all of these streets and where the subway stops are? moment ever for me.  I was so impressed with Paige and kept telling how proud I was of her, because I don't think she would mind me saying that directions were not her strong suite while we were in Dallas :-) I was so happy to see her grow up in front of my eyes, hehe.

We went and ate at this restaurant (Oops, forgot the name) and had some amazing pizza.  We met Matt, Paige's awesome boyfriend, for dessert at Juniors.  It was so great to see Matt because I met Matt and Paige at the same time when we all worked at Pine Cove a couple years ago.  Sunday morning we got up and went straight to the roof of her apartment to take some pictures against an amazing view of New York.

This is actually a view from Paige's apartment window. What a great view!

We headed from there to indulge ourselves in the most amazing burger-shake-fry combination I would experience to date.  (Note: I still have a committed love to In-N-Out. This was just an East Coast version, ok? Settle down).  I am not embarrassed to say that we actually talked about this meal for the rest of the day.  Ok, maybe I should be embarrassed of that.  Oh well, it happened. I loved it. Then I got more Shake Shack before I left for Arkansas. The end.  

We frolicked and skipped and giggled our way down to Central Park. Ok, maybe none of those actions took place.  However, our moods would've matched them perfectly.  Central Park is bigger than I ever expected.  People are getting their work out on, food trucks and carts, children playing, fountains, and... caricatures? Yes. Guess what? Paige thought it would be a great idea to sit down and let the guy draw us and let people laugh at us.  Do you know what the hilarious result was? It looked like the SAME person, twice! Paige and I have come to realize we look nothing a like.  So, when we saw this...sketch.  We were confused and I think the poor artist could see it on our face.  However, it was a hilarious adventure that we will remember!

On our way out, we had a magical idea of topping our cheesiest moment ever and capturing it.  We asked this gentlemen to take our picture.  When he grabbed the camera, I stopped him and said "Please don't judge us.  We are about to get really cheesy and you might laugh at us".  We took our places and BAM! Cheesiness captured.  I am not ashamed.  It captures our relationship perfectly.  Also, I will not complain about the amazing background!

We walked around any girls' dream location: 5th avenue.  Tiffany's, Louie Vuitton, Bergdorff Goodman, and all their fellow, luxurious sisters.  Obviously, Paige and I tried to walk in and acted like it was a reality for us shopping there, but I am not sure our dropped jaws and "oohhhss aahhhs" hid that very well.  

That night, we went to the famous restaurant, Serendipity's for some serious dessert! Happy that I got to experience some of the restaurants everyone talks about when they go visit New York.  Monday morning, we got up early to go get tickets for Sister Act on Broadway for that night's show.  So exciting!! I am just going to go ahead and say that it was a flawless, entertaining performance.  I think my jaw may have been dropped several times from the amazing talent that was on the stage.  I was amazed that they performed like it was their first time, even though they do this night after night! 

We decided to head to Rockefeller Center to stop by the Today Show.  By this time, it was about 10:45am and so we weren't expecting to see anything since the show wraps up around 11:00am (I think).  Nevertheless, I was so excited to go because I watch the Today Show all.the.time.  If I am home in the mornings it is at least on in the background!  When I can watch the later segment, Kathie Lee and Hoda Kotb crack me up.  Anyways, we walk around the corner and there they are sitting in the window! It was so strange seeing someone you have seen on TV for several years right there. We were both very giddy!! 

At this point, there is a lady next to me screaming "KATHIE LEE!!! KATHIE!!!!".  I immediately ducked out of the way because I didn't want to be on TV with her.  I am sorry, ok? I am sure she is a really fun woman.  I mean you would have to be really fun to be willing to yell at Kathie with the camera pointing at you.  So, kindly, I stepped away because I wanted her to have her moment of glory, because those were my intentions of course. In reality, I laughed really hard and actually did duck out of the way.  In the end, Kathie Lee kindly turned around smiled and waved.  Happy Ending for funny, nice lady.  

Our frolicking in NY continued.  That day, we had the most delicious thai lunch, stopped at Magnolia Bakery (so delish!), went to the most giant, fun M&M store, strolled around Chelsea Market - one of my favorite parts of NY - and saw Sister Act!

At one point during our miles of walking, I realized we were sprinting.  Ok, not really. Sprint-walking.  Everyone is in a hurry in NY, even if you are not actually in a hurry. I mean, I got a great workout.  But, hey, let's stop and smell the....cement or just take it in.  I loved diving into NY culture.  That is a main reason why I love traveling.  I love to see the "normal" for other people. What they see and do on a normal day.  It is so interesting and exciting to me!

Sweet, cute Magnolia Bakery

On that day, we stopped into a Forever 21.  A four story forever 21.  I tried to capture all the escalators into one picture.  Excuse, the terrifying manikins that looked like they were thinking about attacking me. That's beside the point.  We were mindlessly shopping and this lady with a headset and clipboard comes up to me and says "Hey, I'm with MTV.  We are shooting a pilot downstairs for a fashion-type show.  We need extras to line the runway and be interviewed on their votes.  Would you  be interested?" I immediately think, Why not?  We didn't have a schedule or anywhere to be at any time.  So, Paige and I went downstairs and became extras.  We watched as the models walked down the runway, then voted on which designer we liked the best and then were interviewed about it.  They never told us the show's name or when it would air, so I'll try and keep my eyes out for it.  The designers had to come up with a "Night Out" outfit under $100.  We voted.  I later told my husband "Babe, I think I might have been super awkward on camera during the interview". Do you know what his response was? "Probably".  How supportive and encouraging!! :) Haha, I thought it was funny though.  I think Paige and I kept looking at one another for affirmation as we were talking in the interview.  Oh goodness....

The next day, Paige had to work, so I was on my own to explore the city!  This was exciting for me.  At this time, I felt fairly confident of my subway skills.  I am sure I did not appear confident, since many of my friends have told me that you can tell what I am clearly thinking by looking at my face.  I have been working on that recently, because as you can imagine, that is not always a very good quality and could ensue an awkward situation.  I had the opportunity of going to Greenwich Village to go see my Mom's cousin Debra, her husband John, Jake (son), and Jessica (Debra's niece). They were SO gracious to take me to lunch and show me around Greenwich Village.  I loved it!

 I think if I ever lived in NYC that is where I would want to live.  The next day, I said goodbye to NYC with a farewell meal at Shake Shack with a new friend, Sarah, Paige's roommate :) Thanks for showing me around Brooklyn!

Even though my post was long, I wanted to record my amazing adventure in New York City with Paige and all that I was thinking and seeing while I was there.  I am so grateful that I was able to go and visit her and see her life there.  She was an excellent tour guide. I am so thankful for her! She has been a loyal, loving, adventurous best friend.  I loved that even though it had been five months, as soon as I saw her it felt like I saw her yesterday! 

Graduation

It's almost been a month, but I wanted to document a very exciting time for me - Graduation!

During the week of graduation, my nursing school has a Pinning Ceremony.  We are pinned for the the work we have accomplished and the service as a nurse that we are about to embark on in a short amount of time.  I appreciated the personal aspect and celebration of the Pinning Ceremony.  During that time and on the day of the Commencement Ceremony, I have never felt such a feeling of relief, accomplishment, and excitement.  Relief because I knew the work of "nursing student" was over, which to be honest, was brutal most of the time.  Accomplishment because I knew the amount of hours, focus, and diligence had paid off to the fullest.  Excitement because of what opportunities and experiences are ahead of me with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing next to my name, especially the patients that I will have the opportunity to help make the most of their day & their life circumstances.

Pinning Ceremony

(Blurry) Getting Pinned

It was such an honor to have both of my families - mine and Lee's - come and celebrate with me.  They have been a family of support, enthusiasm, and encouragement to me these past years.  I could never explain my gratitude to my parents for their support in EVERY sense of the word - financially, spiritually, emotionally, etc! My mom always let me call to "vent" and tell her that my world was in extreme stress and chaos, which in all reality I was being slightly dramatic even though I very much felt like it was doing that during school.

It would not be a complete "thank you" without acknowledging my incredible husband, Lee.  Wow, this man has integrity and is unwavering through all times! I told him after graduation "thank you for loving me even when I was being unlovable due to stress".  I am pretty sure I emphatically told him on multiple occasions "I will NOT be a nurse.  I am changing my major tomorrow. I have no idea why I chose this major". He would carefully listen to me, nod his head, and let me be crazy for a moment.  In the morning, I would tell him "I'm just kidding.  I love nursing.  I was just being emotional and ridiculous"....He would respond "I know".  He was sound of reason and wisdom especially through this last year and a half of nursing school while we were married.  I will be forever grateful to him for his steady patience and love!  This really was graduation for him as well ;-)

Elizabeth, Emilie, and Ryan were so gracious to come to my Pinning ceremony!  It was so meaningful to me because of how all three of them have been there since the very beginnings and some even before of me pursuing my Bachelor's.  It makes me so grateful to think of all the years that we have watched one another grow through so many different situations and circumstances in our life!  Their pictures represent so many of my friends that have been consistently there to support and encourage me more than I could have ever asked for in a friendship! I am so thankful for all of my friend's enthusiasm for me and wanting to hear my weird/gross stories from clinical :) Thank you to each and every one of you - you know who you are! I hope I have made my gratitude evident to you.

 

I am so thankful to the Lord for continually reminding me of my calling and the passion that he has given me to be there for people at one of their most vulnerable parts in life - when they are sick, healing, bringing in new life - wherever the Lord leads me as a nurse!  I am so looking forward to see what position God has for me as my first nursing job.  I pray that I won't look at it just as a "job", but as an opportunity to meet people's needs where they are at, working for His kingdom, and loving people in their most vulnerable time!

Now, I must study hard for the NCLEX.  I sort of need that "RN" next to the "BSN" ;-)