You Gotta Have It

You gotta have this recipe. It's yummy, it's healthy, and it's easy to make. My relationship with this dish all began when I went over to a friends for lunch. This friend is quite the culinary diva - and I miss her so:) It was actually leftovers, I ate it cold, and it was pasta. Are you thinking what I think you are thinking? Leftover pasta? Cold?! Just trust me my friends, its a good one...trust me!!! It might become a staple in your house as it is now and mine. Eat it hot or cold, eat it with or without chicken, just eat it!

Asian Chicken Noodles (If you have a better name, I am up for suggestions)

1 lb. wheat pasta
1/4 cup peanut butter
2 T honey
1/4 cup warm water
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 garlic clove (chopped)
Juice of one lime
1 t hot sauce (optional)
3 T peanut oil
shredded carrots (3 carrots?)
4 scallions (thinly sliced)
2 T parsley or cilantro
2 cups shredded chicken
1/4 cup chopped peanuts
1 cup fresh spinach (chopped)

-cook noodles then run cold water over them
-microwave peanut butter in 10 second intervals
-add honey and warm water
-whisk in next four ingredients
-whisk oil slowly
-add veggies, peanuts, and sauce to noodles
-top with chicken (I usually broil or grill the chicken)

Lastly, don't skimp on ingredients!

Swimming in September

It is fall and we are still swimming!
So we are not feeling cool seventy degree weather but...

I dont get it!

I really dont get it.

I dont understand God fully when we have hard times and I dont even understand Him in some of the good times. What do I mean? This journey of planting a church involves a yucky part called fundraising. (HARD) You know, asking people for their money. And do you know what? We have people in our lives that our giving us their money! (GOOD) They believe in us...they believe in God...they believe in investing for eternity...the believe in helping the city of New Orleans. God amazes me! Peoples generosity and faith amazes me!

It is a very humbling journey.

Now listen up, hear me out - I know there are many out there praying for us and that believe in us that cant give a dollar, and I am just as humbled by that. I am thankful for all those aboard!
This particular post is just simply about the fact that I dont get God sometimes...His ways. He has called us...me...what is he going to do through ME? I want to give Him my all, but I did not know it would be in this way. He is caring for us...me...we WILL feed our children and give them b'day presents :) lol
I dont know what I expected when I jumped on this fundraising wagon. I was ready for anything. It is like getting on a roller coaster ride for the first time and holding on tight not really sure what is ahead. You wonder how much you and your family will have to "sacrifice."
He is a gentle God. God tells us that He wont give us more then we can handle. I truly believe that. He is showing me His gentleness whether it be through people, or His word, or just through time.

We just had a couple come down for a week (they drove twelve hours) to spend time encouraging us through words and action. They helped us finish painting the inside of the house, installed all of the kitchen cabinets, trimmed out all the windows...It was awesome! The man owns a business renovating and remodeling, so I am not only grateful for the job getting done but getting done well. They also just seemed to say the words that we needed to hear. What is even more amazing - these were not super close friends, I mean we knew them and I had been to their house for church stuff but never had sat down with them and had any in depth conversation. Why were they coming? a question I would ask myself. Well, they love God, they love us, and see the need in the city of New Orleans. They understand what it means to invest time and money for eternity. I sure hope they got out of the visit as much as we did.

Never did I think I would be on such the receiving side of life. Seeing the way God is blessing us in this journey I have complete faith that He will bless the church.

Psalm 63:3 "Because your loving kindness is better then life, my lips will praise you."

Acclimating and ReAcclimating

Moving to your hometown after being away for about fifteen years can make for quite an adventure ...especially if it is the city of New Orleans ...especially if you decide to give new life to a completely gutted home in an area that was hard hit by Katrina (the hurricane that hit in 2005) ...especially if you are coming from a small town you HAD acclimated to for six years.
It has been an adventure, an adventure wrapped in God's faithfulness, goodness, and love. It is an adventure that I am glad to be apart of ...on most days (hee,hee)

>It is starting to be second nature to drive around town and see bars everywhere. When I first got here it was disturbing to me, particularly as a mom, all the many signs that have to do with clubs or bars. >It is nothing to drive somewhere now and it take at least thirty minutes. Where we came from, twenty minutes is all the way across town!! >And the heat, oh my, the heat. What can I say other then, 'it is daggon hot!' My hair is usually in an 'up do'

There are things that I am REacclimating to b/c somethings in New Orleans do not change and it is just a matter of getting used to those things again. But there is also an element of acclimating. Yes, even though I grew up here.
I have never lived here as an adult, I have a new found appreciation for the city and for its history. There is history in the communities, in the buildings,etc. I am getting to know it on a deeper level or from a broader scope, if you will.
I never used to view it through anything but a consumers eyes, there is a need that can sometimes be overwhelming. This city is bringing me to my knees. I am eager to find out about all the ministries around the area that are bringing hope and salvation to the people.
As I said earlier, I am a parent now in New Orleans and that takes acclimating. This is where I don't even know where to begin, what to even say ... My greatest desire for my kids is to #1 love God with all their heart and #2 have a strong bond as a family (particularly brothers) As we venture to raise a family here, I can only give it to God. He is the author and perfecter of our faith and He loves my children more then I love them.

Speaking of my kids, they have been awesome! How resilient (most) children are to change. They have handled the move so well. It sure helps to have Internet and endless minutes on our cell phones:) It is fun to show them around, to have them apart of all that we are doing, and to introduce them to things like beignets - mmmmmmmm!
We went this morning to a church on Magazine Street that is just getting on their feet and is meeting in the upstairs above a gym. We didn't park in a parking lot, we just parked on the side of a street. We also had to walk about a block to take the kids to 'kids church.' (a kids church of only 10 kids total) And as we are getting out of the van my oldest son (7 yr old) says, 'this is a weird church to go to' then my husband responds, 'that is what is so cool about New Orleans, things are just different here.' Weird/Different, it was fun to see them talk regarding just having a perspective on something different as being fun or cool.

The last thing I want to mention (I know this is lengthy and really wonder who will actually read it) is a devotion I read the other day that seems fitting - Colossians 1:11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy. Next to the verse it says, we learn to be victorious only by surrendering our lives completely to the Spirit of God, not by gritting our teeth and trying harder.

The Most Creative Job in the World

It involves
taste,
fashion,
decorating,
recreation,
education,
transportation,
psychology,
romance,
cuisine,
designing,
literature,
medicine,
handicraft,
art,
horticulture,
economics,
government,
community relations,
pediatrics,
geriatrics,
entertainment,
maintenance,
purchasing,
direct mail,
law,
accounting,
religion,
energy
and management.
Anyone who can
handle all those
has to be somebody
special.
She is a mom.
(wall street journal...
from a long time ago...
at a time where a woman staying at home was praised)

Ready, Set, GO!!!

Well, I am ready. I started feeling this way when a group of friends gave us a going away party last friday. All the month of June people have been asking me if I was packing or getting ready. All the month of June I have been making the most of my time to enjoy our last days here and to spend time with lots of friends. Just a week ago did I think to myself - it is time.
We have now two more days and then we drive down. I would ask for your prayers for safety on the road (so my tears wont blur my vision - ha ha!) and that the boys will do fine. I have done all I can to prepare them and I think they are very aware of what is going to happen, they just have no clue the feelings that may (probably) occur once all is said and done.
I am excited! We have felt God's love thru the people in our lives. They are on board with us, they believe in us, they inquire, they love us with good food and gifts...etc. It is an honor to be on this journey.
I am also exhausted...physically, emotionally, and mentally. I have been asking God for strength alot this past week. I am also trying hard not to dwell on what wont be but what will be. I am pressing on to what is ahead and so grateful for ALL my friends.

Some beautiful days in the Neighborhood...

We just finished a great week with our ministry partners. It was a time of 'bonding' for both families (spending time in an 1,100 square foot home with one bathroom and no dishwasher:)The most important activity on the agenda was to hold two informative meetings at our church to tell people about the future of our church plant. In the mean time, our five boys played beautifully together with very little need for our attention. I cant wait to get these pictures out ten years from now.

Yee - Haw Eli !!!

We have had so much fun this year watching instructional league. The improvement in the kids has been phenomenal! Athan got to play on a team that had three other boys from his class. Close to the end of the season, the boys teacher decided to come watch them play and it is something I don't think we will ever forget. We love you Ms. Street!!

Athan got to suit up at one of the games. It was a great experience and he did a great job.

They are getting bigger! It is especially fun to just be sitting in the living room and hear them begin their tweeting b/c momma bird just arrived with some food. I got to watch them get fed b'fast this morning - so cute.

The beginning of music on the square! A great way to spend a Friday evening with friends. We are going to really miss Kayleigh and her family, they have been like family to us. Aiden wants to marry her but she says she is marrying Carter! LOL! (you had to be there:)

Yes, what you see here is wiffle ball being played in our living room. We were enjoying an evening with some dear friends and we broke out a game of wiffle ball! Fortunately nothing got broken. Its crazy, I know...but lots of fun and laughter!

Last but not least, we bought a home in New Orleans!!!! If you want to see the picture then you will have to go on facebook to see it:)

I never thought that I would cry tears of joy over a gutted home but I did. God has been so good, so gracious, and so tender at this time in my life. I look forward to the way God will use us to bless the city of New Orleans. I am in awe of his work. I don't understand his ways but I'm doing my darnedest to surrender to those ways. I praise Him!