What We're Eating this Week

As a part of my new-found motivation, I decided to record my menu here, at least for the time being.  Something about publishing it on my blog keeps me accountable.  Everything I'm making this week is already in my pantry.  (Aside from fresh fruits/veggies) What a great feeling!

Monday: Pizza Chicken over Rotini
Tuesday: Cheesy Ham and Hash brown Casserole (Crock Pot)
Wednesday: Pork Chops with Potatoes and Gravy (Crock Pot)
Thursday: Stroganoff
Friday: Skillet Chicken and Rice
Saturday: Turkey BLT Quesadillas
Sunday: Teriyaki Chicken and Rice

Here's what I'm making for snacks and breakfasts:
Muffins: Banana, and Blueberry w/orange glaze
French Toast for the Freezer (Need to use up some bread)

What's on your menu this week?
~Melissa

Where I Find My Strength

This is such a beautiful song and the prayer that has been rising from my heart lately.  Just thought I would share it.  The name of the song is "Please Be My Strength."  Their new album "Ghosts Upon the Earth" comes out September 20th if you like their style.

I've tried to stand my ground
I've tried to understand
But I can't seem to find
My faith again

Like water on the sand
Or grasping at the wind
I keep on falling short

So please be my strength
Please be my strength
'Cause I don't have any more
I don't have any more

I'm looking for a place
Where I can plant my faith
One thing I know for sure

I cannot create it
And I cannot sustain it
It's Your love
That's keeping me

Please be my strength
Please be my strength
I don't have any more
I don't have any more

And at my final breath
I hope that I can say
I fought the good fight
Of faith

I pray your glory shines
This doubting heart of mine
And all would know that You

You are my strength
You are my strength

You and You alone
You keep bringing me back home

Oh, You are my strength
You are my strength

You and You alone
Keep bringing me back home
It's You and You alone
Bringing me back home

Company Girl Coffee - The Vine and The Branches

There are many things I love about my new house, but one of my favorite things this Summer has been caring for the grape vines that have gradually wound their way up the lattice to my second floor deck banister.  Part of caring for them has been carefully pruning them and guiding them as they grow.  They will not produce fruit this first year, but I am told that next year they might. 

When I was researching what to do to bed them down for the winter I noticed that expert gardeners recommend pruning them back 90% in their first year.  That seems rather extreme, but in order to help them produce healthy fruit in the years to come, that is what is necessary. 

It is just as necessary for the Lord to also do some pruning in our lives from time to time.  In John 15:1-6 Jesus explains why:

"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.  I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing."

There is a relationship between the vinedresser (The Father), the Vine (Jesus), and the branches (us).  God the Father does His work, or "pruning" in our lives so that we can be even more fruitful.  We also cannot live without being connected to God the Son.  For apart from Jesus, we can do nothing.  We must both be pruned by the Father, and also Abide in the Son.

There are definitely times when I attempt to do things in my own strength.  Those are usually the seasons where I become weary and dry, badly in need of some TLC from the Great Gardener.  The good news is that Living Water is always available from the Father, flowing freely through His Son.  When we are tapped into the vine, abiding in Him, we are nourished, and able to produce good fruit.

I am reminded of this picture of love every day when I look outside my kitchen window to see the growing grape vines.  That is why I have chosen John 15:5 as my memory verse for the first part of September.

"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

We are headed into a new season here.  I will take the necessary steps for my grape vines to survive through the winter.  I pray that God will do the same for me in the many seasons of my life.  Prune me Lord, that I may bear much fruit in Your Name!

From one branch to another - have a blessed weekend,
~Melissa

At Summer's End

There's only a few short days left of Summer before my kids go back to school.  We've been busy registering, touring the school, and even meeting a teacher or two.  Not to mention buying new shoes, clothes, and school supplies.  With four kids in school, I'm very glad that we own a Dollar Plus Store! 

I know I've neglected my blog this Summer.  It's not for lack of having something to say.  And I sure haven't lost my passion for writing.  I've just been so busy adjusting to a new town, home, and job (I'm working for my in-laws an hour or so a day).  I keep thinking life will slow down when the kids start school but we'll see. 

Today I took the kids (minus our oldest who went to work with her dad) up the street to ride their bikes and scooters.  There's a housing complex that only got as far as laying down the roads and walking trails.  It's a great place for us all to get a little exercise.  I might even make it a daily mommy/CD thing when the rest of the kids start school. :)



My little pioneers at Pioneer Park!



It's been really fun to explore the parks here in our new town.  That's one thing I love about living here.  They take pride in all of their parks and keep them up really well.  The kids' favorite park so far is the "one with the birds."  They have a bird sanctuary at Pioneer Park with everything from Peacocks to every type of duck you can imagine! 

Well, I've got to go for now.  I've got some batch cooking (burritos) that I want to get done this afternoon.  I'm trying to get back on a regular schedule of menu planning after a long summer of pretty much winging it!

Have a great weekend all!

~Melissa

Words, Deeds, and Giving Thanks

Ever since I picked up a few hours at my in-laws ACE store, I've been thinking a lot about work.  Not just my job there, but the tasks that I do every day at home.  I have been asking myself if I am I putting forth my best efforts, as if working for the Lord, the way that Colossians 3:23 instructs.  Proverbs 31 uses words like "eager, vigorous, and profitable" when referring to the wife of noble character's work.  I wonder, could my work be described as such?

Just as I began to seriously question and criticize the quality of my work, I came across Colossians 3:17.

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

A couple of things about this verse appeal to me.  One, it covers both words and deeds.  When I talk to my husband, my children, my co-workers, my boss, or whoever else I come in contact with, I should speak to them as if doing it in Jesus' name.  Whether I am reconciling the reports for a paycheck, or doing the laundry for my family, I should complete those tasks as if I am doing them Jesus' name.  Whatever I say or do, I must do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Two, it covers HOW I do these things.  "...giving thanks to God the Father through Him."  Did you catch that last part, "through Him?"   On my own, there is no way that I have the power or strength to give thanks for all the conversations I have or tasks that I complete.  I couldn't possibly be thankful for that tough reprimand I have to give my son, or the toilets that have to be cleaned, again.  BUT when I call on the strength of the Lord Jesus and give thanks through Him, all of a sudden the impossible becomes possible.

Philippians 4:13 says "I can do all this through him who gives me strength."  This includes giving thanks when I do not always feel like it.  For example, when I find myself grumbling about having to sweep and clean our hardwood floors, I stop and say a prayer of thanks for the beautiful, large home that the Lord has provided for our family of seven.  There are so many blessings in life to be thankful for, why dwell on the negative?

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great weekend!
~Melissa

Company Girl Coffee - Taste and See

"Hey Mikey!  He likes it!"  Anyone else remember that commercial for LIFE cereal?  Some things just stick with you over the years.  The point of the commercial was that Mikey was a picky eater, but sure enough, he liked LIFE.

I have five kids.  Very few meals that I serve receive the stamp of approval from all five of them.  When one of my kids doesn't like what's put on the dinner table I simply say "Just taste it and see.  You might like it this time."  They all know that I am not a short order cook, and you get what you get.  I do my best to serve them healthy meals with a wide variety of foods while their little taste buds are still developing.  With children it is often necessary to offer a new food half a dozen times before they approve.

There is one thing though, that every single one of my kids are hungry for every day:

The Word of God. 

They ask for it frequently and I am more than happy to give it to them.  There's nothing I'd rather be doing with them more than reading and discussing the Bible.   I love that they are developing a taste for God's Word early in life, because there is nothing more satisfying.

 "Taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him!" -Psalm 34:8 (NIV)

Have a great weekend!

~Melissa

 

Our New Home

This morning as I sat on the porch swing of our new deck drinking my coffee I felt thankful.  Thankful for the rich blessings of God.  What started as questions and dreams, became a reality to us.  He has blessed us with a new business, a dwelling place closer to extended family, and a beautiful large sized home that we will grow into over the years.  The waiting was long and the path was not easy, but it was all worth it.   

The unpacking is coming along, and I am beginning to decorate the little nooks and crannies of the house.  With every day it feels more like our own little sanctuary.   In the middle of all my unpacking and getting settled, I came across the perfect verse in my Bible, that then became my memory verse for this half of the month. 

"Trust in the Lord and do good.  Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness." -Psalm 37:3

That just about sums up my life right now.  Trust God, do good, and cultivate faithfulness.

Below are a few photos from the upstairs.  It also has a spacious downstairs where we have put an office, a guest bedroom, and RL now has her very own bedroom! :)  Plus there's a kitchen, another living room, and a space for the kids' computers/school work area.  As I said, plenty of room to grow! 

Have a blessed weekend all!

~Melissa

The Entry



Upstairs Living Room



My Kitchen!!

JS and BC's Room



LR and CD's Bedroom