Our Week

The week has been full. 

We are doing an amazing amount of school work for this time of year. It seems like the kids would like to keep right on going.  We'll officially end this school year in May - though I'm guessing most will be starting the new  year mid-summer. ::snort::  Monday and Tuesday were filled with extra school. 

Wednesday is PWOC (Protestant Women of the Chapel - women's ministry). We'd missed a week when I was sick, and then another week for spring break, so Stacia and I were happy to be back with our study groups. 

The 2014/15 PWOC Exec board had a meeting with Ch. G after study; followed by our first face to face board meeting. 

I met with new ministry team leaders to discuss their expectations and vision for their new positions.  This turned out to be quite a bit of fun for the kidlets.  Joy cracked us up when she called me not "Gemma," but GRANDMA and then LAUGHED because she KNEW I was going to freak out...or so my 16 yo insists. 

Stacia found a SNAKE on her way to check the mail - at the end of our driveway. She found an unexpected critter.  A quick google search convinced me he wasn't poisonous - but I hate him anyway - and do not want to share my home with him.

 He is even more disturbing when he headed for my flowers. 

Maybe you remember Jared was campaigning for an election on 10 April....and you may have assumed he lost as I didn't comment on election results.

That would be a false assumption. It would seem, at ASU, you can campaign, win an election, have the other side be shocked and complain loudly, make accusations (without proof) and wa la - the administration will call a SECOND ELECTION!!!!! With NEW and IMPROVED WRITTEN election codes which supersede the old election codes....  This led to new and improved restraint as Michael and I did NOT write a letter to either the school administration nor the local paper....it seems there comes a time when a letter from home is just not cool. ::snort::  I have no idea if Jared and Ross will win again - the element of surprise is gone - the competition now realizes they could possibly be beaten by two  normal guys. ::snort::  BUT the re-election has led to new campaign ads....these being some of my favorite. I think Jared and Ross should win for sense of humor alone.

Friday we explored Roseville. We had hoped to explore San Francisco or go hiking at Tahoe but it was raining - a lot. We went to watch the new Muppet movie and then went bowling and a very nice, clean, quiet bowling ally.

Today - we aren't motivated at all - and we need to GET MOTIVATED. Michael preaches tomorrow. I need to cook for the chapel potluck.....I want to sleep.

Here I am at the end of the day and we DID get motivated. We even got our van tire replaced and grilled dinner. Stacia asks nearly every day if we can make s'mores.I thought tonight would be the perfect night. THEN discovered we only had 4 graham crackers left....I heated up the toaster oven and she enjoyed the bite.

Evidently, she's the front person and they all are CRAVING them. LOL

I need to replenish the stock of approved graham crackers now that summer is on the way. There is an organic brand that tastes good and has no fake stuff or BHT.

Arielle is finishing the night watching Henry V. The others kids opted for quiet times in their rooms. LOL

I'm torn between the hot tub or a book after I click publish. ::snort::

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Crispy Baked Asparagus Fries (Vegan)

Via Closet Cooking

Ingredients:
1 lb asparagus, trimmed 
1/2 C flour 
2 flax eggs* (or eggs)
3/4 C panko bread crumbs
1/4 C cashew cheese (Parmesan, grated)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425*.

Mix crumbs and "cheese."

Dredge asparagus in flour, then egg, then crumb/cheese mixture.

Place in single layer on wire rack on baking sheet.

Bake until golden brown - 7 - 13 minutes.

Notes: The flax egg really works and is tasteless.

The second time I made these I used my homemade left over Shake and Bake....dipped in "egg," then shake and bake...proceed and we liked it a lot.  I believe I will be doing this with many veggies in the near future.

*flax eggs - 1 T of ground flax seed, 2 T of water - mix equals one egg

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Resurrection Day 2014

I wanted to get some photos before we left the house this morning. Fancy outfits were easy this year - not that we usually do them - but THIS year I told the kids, "Pick one of your wedding outfits." 

While Michael finished getting ready, I grabbed a few shots. Unfortunately, Stacia insisted she could not open her eyes outside...this is the best shot...though I have lots of blackmail material for her future life. 

I figured out the self-timer and grabbed this one inside....

Michael joined us for a shot. 

Of course there are many fun outtakes. 

The kids put on a great skit this a.m. at Chapel. Arielle was the voice of Mary Magdalene....and Stacia was Mary Magdalene, Zander was the disciple John, Nolan was Jesus.....and we had angels, disciples and crowds. They all did a great job. 

Niki loves to speak Japanese with us...and these two speak some each week. This soothes deep places in my heart...and I think it does the same for Niki. 

After chapel we grabbed lunch. It was Nolan's week to pick and he chose Subway down on Plumas Street. There was a big greed fest Easter Egg Hunt going on across the street which was interesting to watch. 

We watched Heaven Is Real - good movie - then came home and watched a Jerry Lewis movie. Movies are about all we had energy left for after the busy week. 

We Skyped with BreZaak again tonight - great way to end the day or begin a new week! So happy about the scholarships Izaak pulled down for his last semester of Bible College. 

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

An Observation From Easter Morning

As I read through the  accounts of the crucifixion and the resurrection, one thing consistently showed up

Via Google Images

between the varying accounts.  When the women returned from the empty tomb trying to tell all of the disciples what they had seen, there was much confusion - the men regarded what they had to say as nonsense (Luke 24:11) but not all of the men.  Peter and John took off almost immediately to check this out.  The two of them found the tomb empty.  Peter went in and looked everything over very carefully.  Peter did not understand as of yet what this all meant, but in John 20:8, John saw and believed. 

There were two different groups of disciples that day: the first group was stuck in the paralysis of analysis.  They all stayed behind and hid in their upper room hiding place,  fearful of even their shadows, trying to understand what had happened; the second group was Peter and John - they heard the report of the women and went to check it out.  Merely reasoning it out in their minds would not suffice.  They had to see. 

I wonder how many times we get stuck in the same paralysis of analysis instead of "checking it out."  It was Peter and John that saw the stone rolled away- not the nine that stayed behind.  It was the two that saw rolled up grave linens - not the nine.  It was these two that saw the empty tomb - not the nine.  They had the joy of bringing the news of the risen savior back confirming what the women had said earlier. 

Just wondering...

By Grace
Michael
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Sensational Saturday

I bought these to make big swords  - but they decided they are nicer without handles.....

Arielle needed to drive me to newly opened Dollar General and buy enough noodles for everyone to have their own -  plus  two extras for visitors.  Great fun! 

We were EGGED! We loved the quick visit with Stephanie and Sarah! 

Where could those eggs be? ::wink:: 

Being Egged was a pleasant surprise! We will have to play it forward next year in Sarah's memory. 

Dinner - we just happen to have some burgers to burn....and veggie burgers too.  Nolan was the master of the big grill.....

Though Michael came down from studying long enough to pass on some helpful pointers. 

It was the perfect night to eat outside - and these two provided dinner entertainment....it didn't take long for another game to be invented. I wonder how many new games using the swim noodles will be invented by the end of the summer. ::grin:: 

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

They believed and were Zealous

I read it a week ago. I focused on other parts of the chapter, but it kept resurfacing. 

"...you see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed and they are zealous for the law;....." Acts 21:20.

Paul and his disciples have collected an offering for the Jerusalem church from the Gentile believers. The gift is delivered and instead of a heart-felt thank you, THIS is part of their response to Paul. 

They glorified God when they heard the report of the gospel spreading among the Gentiles. 

But see...there were many thousand Jews, living in and out of Jerusalem, who have believed in Jesus as Messiah. They are zealous for the law. They'll be offended.  Isn't religion always easily offended? 

Paul is asked to make a vow, pay for four others to fulfill their vows...and he does. Paul is all things to all men to win some...he pursues peace. By the end of this chapter he's in jail.  Much, much to glean from studying Acts and Paul's ministry. He is OK with jail - he's zealous for Jesus, for the cause of Christ. 

"....they have believed and they are zealous for the law." 

I read the words. 

I studied the words. 

I prayed the words.

I savored the thought.

Can you imagine the AUDACITY! Why not a thank you?

Because they are zealous for the LAW.

They ARE believers. They know Jesus is the Messiah.  They are zealous for the LAW.

The Greek word used here, Zelotes, means to eagerly desire something. It is also the label given to a Jewish sect that was 1/2 religious and 1/2 political. This sect led to wars in the ancient days.

"....they have believed and they are zealous for the law." 

They aren't zealous for Jesus....or grace or relationship. They are zealous for religion.

How sad. How silly. How like us  me.

I've been told I tend to get "obsessive" about my passions. I prefer to call it "hyper-focused."

It dawns on me -  ANYTHING I am zealous about other than Jesus could lead  to audacious responses and disunity.  Think about it.

We tend to get zealous for so many things....a leader, a ministry, a Bible study speaker, the word, a social cause, politics, the environment, a vision, a diet, an educational style, a medical choice ...but we are called  to be zealous for JESUS. Yes, Scripture mentions being zealous for good works, and spiritual gifts and probably a few other things...but those come in response to relationship with Jesus.

I have really listened this week to the zealousness in conversations, in the media, and  in my heart.

I am determined to be one of which it can be said, "She believed and she was zealous for Jesus, for grace, for the cause of Christ."

She believed and she was zealous for relationship over religion.

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Avocado Salsa Dip with Black Beans and Corn

I made this for last week's BBQ and it was all eaten.  A second dish was brought and eaten as well.  I had ingredients and made more this week.  I'm the only who eats it in our family - but I love it. Yucky photo as I forgot to take a photo either time I made it. This is a couple of days old and the end of my lunch bowl. This would be good to add to a Yumm Bowl. 

Ingredients:
1 ear corn
2 T olive oil
1 c cherry tomatoes, diced
2 avocados, ripe but firm, pitted and chopped
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained (or a couple of cups of cooked beans)
1/2 medium red onion, chopped

Dressing: 
1 tsp agave nectar
1/2 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 clove garlic, minced
3 T lime juice
Pinch cayenne pepper (or whatever heat you like)
3 T fresh cilantro, chopped
3 green onions, chopped (optional)

Shuck the corn and preheat the grill. Rub with olive oil and place on the grill. Cook for about 5 minutes. Remove from grill. Cool and remove from the cob. Or use frozen corn.

Chop cherry tomatoes, avocados and red onion. Rinse and drain black beans. Combine these ingredients.

In a separate bowl,, mix 2 T olive oil, agave, cumin, lime juice, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper.

Add to the avocado mixture and gently mix to coat everything.

Chop cilantro and green onions and fold into the salsa.
Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...