Adventures in Cooking

I used to be the worst cook ever.

I was the person who burned toast, put too much milk in the cereal, and messed up Easy Mac. That's right, I messed up EASY Mac. I was the typical college student...microwaving noodles when Gano was just too bad.

Then I became an adult. I started living on my own. And selling Pampered Chef. My job required me to learn how to cook. And my friend, Kristen asked me to help cook for the Victorian Tea Party. I mean, she KNEW me and asked me to help. I think she was (is) crazy. Then there were all these events and church potlucks that I was expected to cook for. It was inevitable. I had to become decent at this.

In the beginning I used a recipe for EVERYTHING. Hamburgers needed a recipe to follow. Mashed potatoes needed a recipe. I had no "cooking common sense." But it grows on you. And starting small and easy is where it's at. Most people fail at cooking because they get something really complicated and hard to understand.

There were a few blunders. Like, the baking soda/baking powder scone fiasco. The recipe called for one, I put the other, and we had sour scones. Or the shortbread cookie roast. I have had the misfortune for having 2 ovens WITHOUT timers. Thankfully, shortbread isn't flammable and just turns to coal after being in the oven for 3 hours.

Fortunately there were more successes than failures. For that, I need to thank Kristen and Leah for passing on good (and easy) recipes, inviting me to dinner, and just giving me advice. They are the cooking queens and I've learned a lot from them. I should also thank allrecipes.com. They've got a TON of recipes and they're all rated and have reviews from other people. They also have cooking tips. I can also thank Pampered Chef. They have some good recipes. Some are odd (Banana Caramel Ravioli?), but delicious all the same.

I've grown to the point now where I can venture out on my own. I don't need a recipe for most things I make around the house. I started making my own types of chili, and baked chicken, and hamburger steaks. I am, however, still perplexed by fish.

And it's come to the point where people ask me about cooking. It blows my mind. What blows my mind even more is that I know what to say to them. I can plan a meal and make it in 45 minutes (I've done it at least 5 times....:-/)...and while I don't recommend that, it is attainable.

Not that I'll ever be a cooking guru. I don't really enjoy trying new recipes. I won't be posting recipes on my blog (unless you really want a recipe for hamburger steak). I have friends who love cooking and are super at it. I'm just fine with being decent.

Because of this new found skill, I feel like I've become more of a Proverbs 31 woman. I could provide healthy sustenance for my family (if I had one). I can make food for the hungry or needy. I just found another way to serve God and those around me.

I'm not strong.

The Lord is my rock, my protection, my Savior. My God is my rock. I can run to him for safety. He is my shield and my saving strength, my defender. Psalm 18:2

The teachings of the Lord are perfect; they give new strength. The rules of the Lord can be trusted; they make plain people wise Psalm 19:7

The Lord saves good people; he is their strength in times of trouble. Psalm 37:39

I've been incredibly negative lately. I'm sure those who are around me have noticed.

I'm just sick on this job search. I'm sick of filling out applications. Getting call-backs, setting up interviews, not getting jobs, turning down jobs.

I'm just ready for it to end. All of it.

I thought I was doing well, spiritually and emotionally. But the truth is, you can't measure how strong you are in the good times. Body-builders don't measure their strength when sitting on a couch. They measure it based on how much stress and pressure their muscles can talk. I can't measure my spiritual strength when everything is good. I takes a good dose of stress and pressure to see how strong I am.

The truth is, when the hard times come, you truly figure out how weak you are.. How much you can't handle.

And hopefully, you remember how strong God is. How He can take care of everything. He will handle your problems.

I'm not that strong. I'm not as strong as I think I am sometimes. But God always is. He will not let me down.

So while I'm tired of trying to find a job. Weak-spirited. Sad. God is strong for me. He's got it covered. He's my strength in times of trouble.

Worship...Daily Scripture Challenge #7

Worship has been coming up in my life a lot lately. Last Sunday's class was about "When is worship? Is all of life worship?" Then I had a conversation with a friend the other day about what was worship.

After doing some studying, I find that the New Testament definition is somewhat vague in comparison to the Old Testament. I mean, the OT has so many rules and regulations for worshiping God and the sacrifices and when and where and how and how often and who.

Then the NT gives the five acts of worship. To do them in spirit in truth. Not in vain. On the first day of the week. When Jesus was a baby, the wise men worshiped Him. As he traveled in His ministry, people worshiped Him by offering words of praise and faith.

But I'm left wanting more! Is singing a hymn on my while driving somewhere in my car worship? Is listening to a sermon in my spare time worship? Are all of my daily prayers worship? Is worship only with the church?

Everyone's opinions on this seem to be different.

One thing I do know: I have to be pure in my worship. I have to do it in spirit and truth. I have to devote my whole being to God when I worship Him. It's important.

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." Romans 12:1

Sweet Salvation...Daily Scripture Challenge #6

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In God's great mercy he has caused us to be born again into a living hope, because Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Now we hope for the blessings God has for his children. These blessings, which cannot be destroyed or be spoiled or lose their beauty, are kept in heaven for you. God's power protects you through your faith until salvation is shown to you at the end of time. This makes you very happy, even though now for a short time different kinds of troubles may make you sad. These troubles come to prove that your faith is pure. This purity of faith is worth more than gold, which can be proved to be pure by fire but will ruin. But the purity of your faith will bring you praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is shown to you. You have not seen Christ, but still you love him. You cannot see him now, but you believe in him. So you are filled with a joy that cannot be explained, a joy full of glory. And you are receiving the goal of your faith—the salvation of your souls."

1 Peter 1:3-9

There's nothing I can add to that. It's perfect.

The Difference

Four-and-a-half months into this relationship and it feels.....different.

Typically in relationships, things start off in high gear. You know, the "honeymoon" phase. And after a while things start to fade. You learn the other's faults and bad habits and shortcomings. And things just aren't as bright as they once were.

By now, as in most relationships, we've gotten into a good routine. We've learned each others likes and dislikes. We know each others schedule. This can also mean that the newness has worn off. It's just normal. It's not exciting anymore.

But there are some very distinct differences in this one.

1. He still adores me. It's like it hasn't worn down. Maybe it's even gotten stronger. He wrote me a poem last night. He tells me even more than before how much he thinks of me and loves me.

2. I still adore him. I feel like I love him more everyday. I didn't even think it was possible. 4.5 months in and I love him more than I've ever loved anyone. (I realize I'm being "mushy" which is entirely against my nature, but this is a big deal.)

3. We're still putting God first. You know how after a while, things start to be put on the back burner. Unfortunately in my past relationships, one of the first things to go was God. In this one, we're still getting stronger in Him. Sure, sometimes it's difficult to find time to pray in the morning or at night because of our schedules, but we stay up later or wake up earlier to make it happen. It's hard to stay on the straight and narrow, even with a Christian mate, but it's a lot easier when you have someone pulling you in the right direction. It's easier when you have someone to confide your temptations in. It's better when someone is there to help you and protect you from the world.

Almost 5 months ago, I went out with Jonathan but didn't expect it to work. I was broken. I was set on being single and I did not need another man in my life. But he was sweet, and cute, and deserved a chance. He was smart and funny and kind, but I figured after a while it would wear off and he would become like every other man that has been in my life.

I was cold at times. Unloving. Unlovable. I didn't have any hope. My heart was shut off and though he was a great guy, I wasn't going to fall for him.

For some reason, he stayed around. He thought I was worth something. He was patient and careful. He didn't push me to love him or rush me into feeling things that I never wanted to feel again. He helped me put my life back into place. And after a while I found myself really loving him. Not just because he was my boyfriend, but because he brought light back into my life.

For those of you who don't know, the first 4 months of 2011 are just a picture of darkness for me. The life that I led was bleak and hopeless. I was a mess. A complete and total broken mess.

And at my worst, Jonathan saw something that he liked about me. (I still don't know what that is, but bless him for finding something.) And if you know Jonathan, you know he's stubborn and determined enough to not give up on me. He knew I was worth it. He gave me hope and love when I couldn't bear to love back. He found me at my worst and stuck by me until I was better.

This one is different. This man is different from all the others.

Why Courting is Not for Me...

In the September issue of Think magazine there is an interview featuring a couple who courted instead of dated before marriage. While it was a well put together article and an interesting read, I disagree with most of its views.

First, let me explain what courting is.

Courting typically begins after the age of 18. Generally, parents choose or suggest a mate for their son or daughter. The young man asks the lady's father for permission to court his daughter. This usually entails supervised outings or time with her family. There is little to no physical touching before marriage, nor is there substantial "private" time between the couple. The only motive for courting is marriage.

Courting is sometimes called the "Biblical way of finding a mate." While there is truth to this, it was also the cultural way to find a mate for that time period. As with other things, such as head coverings, Christians today have evolved in culture perspective since that time.

Now, for the 2 types of dating:

As a general American tradition, the goal is NOT marriage. Now, take into consideration that this is the world's view of dating. The world views dating as a way to have fun and get to know people. It may lead to a relationship, a purely sexual relationship, cohabitation, engagement, or marriage. This is wrong and sinful.

Christian dating is much different. The motive of Christian dating IS marriage. Christians choose who they would like to get to know in the context of dating, based upon mutual interests and characteristics that they are attracted to. They spend time together getting to know each other without substantial involvement from their parents. (Though the approval of their parents is important.) The goal is to find someone who will help you get to heaven.

I believe that those who choose to court their children do so because they are afraid of worldly dating. I also believe that Christian parents should raise their children in a manner that prepares them for Christian dating and the ability to choose a good mate for themselves.

I am not writing this to tell you that courting is wrong. I'm sure it works for some people. But here's why it wouldn't work for me.

1. I don't have a Christian father to find a suitable mate for me. There's no one to ask permission from.

2. I may have stricter regulations for the man I want to marry than I think my mother does. We have different personalities and what I value in a man, is not necessarily what I value.

3. I really need to know the guy before I agree to marry him. I need to spend a lot of time talking to JUST HIM. Being constantly supervised does not leave a lot of time to get to know the other person as well. He will always be putting on a front for the family. People are completely different when they are alone. Once you get to know each other well, you may not like their personality at all. For couple who court, this won't take place until after marriage, in which there is no way out.

DSC...without a Scripture...

Day 5: A Scripture that changes your view on life.

I haven't always been so keen on Bible study.

There were those years in high school when I went to church and youth group things because I knew it was the right things to do. (Oh, and also because I could hang out with my boyfriend there....)

I'm not sure when it hit me...but at some point I realized, "If I want to get to heaven, I've really got to study this thing." (AKA, the Bible.)

It might've been one of Martin's sermons. It might've been a Bible class at FHU. It could've been my wonderful Christian friends who knew way more about the Bible than me.

I dunno.

But I now know that in order to change my life for the good...in order to be right in the sight of God...I've got to study the Bible.

It really is the Life Book.

It is the standard by which I should live by. I find it amazing that as old as the Bible is, it still applies to today. I mean, how many books can do that? Only one, I think.

So I'm sure that I could pick a verse or so that changes my view on life. But to be completely honest, the whole Bible has changed my view on life. It's given me support in hard times, rules to live by, encouragement, hope for the future.

It's changed my life.

24

I'm back to blogging!

I've been absent for a while due to 2 things.
1. I was busy. I very special wedding occurred last weekend. I was too busy having fun with friends, wearing a gold dress, eating cake, and catching up with friends to blog.
2. My computer charger magically disappeared. I thought it was in Jonathan's car. So I asked him to please look for me. He said, "It's not in my car." I said ok. And then I found it, in his car. *sigh*

So ANYWAY. I'll be back to the 30 day Scripture Challenge soon...and by soon I mean, as soon as I finish this post.

But first I want to tell you about my birthday.

It was my first birthday in Ohio. I spent it doing laundry, having lunch with Janie, Heather, and the cutest 5 year old ever, Jack. We had Panera Bread, then went to Esther Price, a DELICIOUS chocolate store.

For supper, the Glasses took me to The Cheesecake Factory. I had the Brownie Hot Fudge Sundae Cheesecake (or something like that). It was great. I basically gained 800 pounds yesterday.

Jonathan and I meandered around the mall. I went to Anthropologie for the first time EVER. Let me tell you. It's my new favorite store. Ever. I wanted to buy everything.

I also went to Teavana. Jonathan bought me some Strawberry Lemonade Herbal Tea. It's really good.

Another good thing about my birthday is the birthday coupons. :-) I got a free redbox rental and $10 off the next purchase at a clothing store.

OH! I almost forgot about my gifts. The Glasses got me a pair of TOMS. I've been wanting some for over a year and I FINALLY got them. I love them. And Jonathan got me a Super Nintendo. I've been playing it A LOT. I'm sure the newness will wear off, but I really love video games. Especially vintage ones.

So all in all, this birthday was great. One of the best ever.