Being Everything for Everyone

Being everything for everyone isn't easy.  And I know a lot about busy.

As a stay-at-home mom, working 3 quarter-time jobs, going to school quarter-time, and doing steady volunteer/hobbies, and... oh yeah!  Being a wife (girls, you can't forget to be that!)...  Hey, I, of all people get it.  There's so much to do, and so little time to do it.

Everyone works in their own ways too.  I am, what books will consider, The Worker.  I can't ever let myself sit still, and if I do, I feel guilty about it unless it's my quiet time with God.

But recently I had a mom tell me I was her hero.  Haha!  Me!  What?  I am a jack of all trades, but have no time to be a master at one, so how could I be a hero?  Well of course, I took it as a joke, as I knew it was merely a kind exaggeration, but it still took a bit of my guilt away.  I feel guilty a lot because of how many things I am involved in, but after much prayer over a long period of time, I still find that I am right where God wants me.  In fact, a prophet spoke over me (and my hubby) about our busy-ness, and how it would continue... Busier than we've ever dreamed, I believe was his point, and that it was all in God's Will.

And still to this day, I find peace.  And I find purpose, even in a struggle that seems most often stagnant, considering.

So I encourage you today with my personal Arizona Chili Recipe.  What?  Did she just say that?  Yes, even a crazy, busy mom like me has time to make a meal that we can all eat on for a few days.  And on a crazy awesome budget!  When funds are low, there's nothing wrong than buying those cheap cans of beans, corn, rotel, and tomato sauce, mixing in some beef and fun spices, and living off of it for a few days.  (*Double tip--buy the bags of uncooked beans.  Even cheaper.  AND they make a cute display in a glass jar.)  My husband and I lived in Tucson for a while, and it was pretty much heaven (although we weren't there during monsoon season...)

Here it is, my ARIZONA CHILI:

Add a can of mixed corn, cooked and drained ground beef, tomato sauce and your favorite diced tomato-mix can to a large pot.

Then add some good ol' cheap cans of your favorite beans in with their juice.  (I highly suggest black beans and chili beans for this one.

Then add a little cayenne pepper, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder and minced onion flakes.

Let it get boiling hot, then simmer.  The longer it simmers, the better it tastes.  Lastly, put in a Spanish dish and top with some Mexican crumbling cheese (which lasts forever---worth the money), and you've got yourself a Tucson, Arizona home-cooked meal.  Maybe even a bag of Sante Fe rice would help hit the spot on an extra cold night.

 With love,

TK

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Giving (And Even Getting!)

Wow. Someone just made my family homemade chicken tortilla soup and a side of beautiful bread. And it's only Tuesday!

Why is Tuesday so significant? Because Pastor spoke on giving Sunday, and I'm already learning a lesson. And in such a kind, gentle way. Isn't that our God?

Sunday we read about giving fully and freely. We also read about working hard and still finding poverty. The catch? Being stingy.

You may, like I, not even realize there are areas in your life that you are being stingy, but they're there. That's right, just when you think you've got it all figured out, you don't.

Take a look at all your financial, and even social, giving. Do you tend to put others first, or do you look out for your family first because, let's face it, times are tough.

Ask God to reveal to you your stingy ways, and he'll be gentle, in my experience, and give freely back... And sometimes, in very yummy ways.

My love, TK