Lent 2013: Unfinished Business

I was trying to decide what to do to observe Lent this year and knew that something needed to change as my current schedule consisted of: Work, Home, Netflix / iPad games for hours, Late to Bed. Repeat. 

That's a whole lot of time not doing a whole lot. 

So, I was inspired by a friend of mine as I was browsing her Lenten reflections on her blog and decided to adopt the idea (with a few revisions)! Since Lent is basically 8 weeks I decided to take those weeks to re-order my time. To use it wisely. Creatively. To do things that I enjoy and to bring more time strengthening my faith, working on the most important relationship which I usually leave in the dust: my relationship with Christ. So I embarked on the following:

*Read*

*Create*

*Write*

*Cook*

*Pray*

*Read* essentially oriented my time to reading the Word. I already wanted to read through Ephesians so thought why not add all of the books that begin with "E"? So, in 8 weeks I read:

• Ecclesiastes 
• Ephesians
• Esther
• The first 8 chapters of Exodus
• The first 8 chapters of Ezekial
• Ezra

You can read more of my reflections from the richness of these past forty days here. 

*Write*

Write 8 hand-written letters of love, encouragement, gratitude. Send.

*Cook*

Check out the recipes I attempted here. (It was a bit of a circus, but I am proud of the results!)  

 

*Create*

I have a large pile, actually, lots of large piles of projects I keep meaning to do. And somehow while I watched Netflix, they didn't magically get done. So. I also decided to finish 8 projects I have been putting off. Below are the results!

#1. Wedding Card Book

Found, compiled and now no longer stored in a tub are all of the kind things and cute cards people sent us for our wedding! 

#2. Circle Scarf

I've wanted one for a while and had some super soft yarn from my mother-in-law for Christmas, so gave it a whirl. 

#3. Sewing Projects

Holes, missing buttons, rips and tears are all now something of the past...(for a while at least)

#4. Emergency Binder

After the fire alarm went off in our apartment building and Nick relayed his chaotic panic (and in hindsight, hilarious story) trying to get the cats and important things out (only to find out it was a false alarm) spurred me to finally finish this project. The internet helped me put this together...there's LOTS of blogs with helpful hints, templates, checklists etc.  

#5. Camcorder --> DVDs

After going through ~25 DVDs and ending up with about 3 that actually worked, and downloading copious amounts of software all recommended by experts I finally found the Movie Maker from Windows and LOVE it. And love my new DVD collection!

#6. Card Scrapbook

Went through my box of old cards and finally finished the book I had started. If ever I'm feel blue just reading a few of these cards will put into perspective just how blessed I am to be surrounded by the people who wrote such encouraging notes. Seriously, it's the cheapest therapy out there.  

 

#7. Scarf for Nick

So, quite a while ago, I knit Nick a scarf which he wore fairly often. And after making a baby blanket and another scarf for presents during Christmas-time I convinced Nick to throw his scarf in the wash too... well, the baby blanket and other scarf came out super soft and clean and Nick's scarf was a hard, felted-together, pathetic piece of ruined yarn. Thus, I've owed him a scarf since then and finally got it finished. (And also noted the yarn label: HAND WASH ONLY!)

 

#8. A Whole Lot of Scrapbooking

From graduation (nearly 3 years ago) until now. I am officially caught up with the miscellaneous albums I'd started and the crazy amount of ticket stubs and programs I'd packed away and carted in boxes to three different apartments. They are finally in beautiful big books.

(And I think I am officially moving to Shutterfly-esque projects except for BIG trips or events.)

Can I just say, PHEW!

 

 

And most important of all... *pray* through it all! 

Reflections: Lent 2013

"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace that He lavished on us."

Ephesians 1:7-8

 

 

And here we are on the eve of Easter.

Forty Days.

A rugged cross. Suffering.

And now waiting.

 

I was reflecting on what these past forty days have revealed to me and I am always astonished by what God has to teach us.

 

The biggest lessons I've learned these forty days wandering is balance. And patience. Stewardship of time.

 

I was frustrated and felt stuck - just going through the motions - feeling nothing but exhausted and bored by the end of the day. Time was slipping through and I was missing it. I was focused on other things. Like watching Netflix and playing games and justifying that I was "resting" because it had been a long day and another one tomorrow.

 

But these forty days have shown me the joy and beauty in creating. In relationships. Focusing on Him. We are made in the image of God.

God the Creator.

God the three-in-one, relationship.

God the Giver and Savior.

 

"Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

Ephesians 5:1-2

 

Redefining how I live and give and spend my time.

It's not always perfect.

It doesn't always mean sacrifice, for your joy is God's joy too.

Balance. But always everything in Him.

 

God has met me here in this desert. He has begun to transform me. I can't go back to the way things were. Only forward listening, creating, and living. Before it was inevitable that I went back to eating the chocolate I had refrained from, or soda, or Facebook for those were good seasons of silence. But this? This has changed me and given me joy. Joy instead of the stress I thought. Energy instead of the exhaustion I thought. Excitement instead of the dread I thought.

 

Always room to improve. Always needing to come back to the cross. Always prayings and seeking and listening. That is where I want to be. Thank You, Lord for these past forty days. Thank You for Good Friday and going it alone where we could not go. Thank You for the hope and promise of Tomorrow.

 

"Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."

Ephesians 5: 15-17



Lent 2013: Recipes

I have this fear of the kitchen. Mostly because I don't really enjoy cooking or baking unless I'm "in the mood" and I'm rarely "in the mood". And I have a knack for substituting, not planning ahead and making disasters (see #4 below). But, as part of my Lenten Journey this year...here are my attempts of making those recipes I keep collecting, but won't try. Almost all of them were a fabulous success! :) 

#1: Homemade Bread

Delicious and crunchy with a soft middle. Had it dipped in oil & vinegar, and in the morning, toasted with jam. Yum! 

Recipe here. 

#2: Quinoa Salad

Nick and I had this for lunch one week -- super delicious and easy! 

Recipe here. 

 #3: Challah Bread

This is DELICIOUS, though quite a process. And a gem I found on my friend's cooking blog that I have been meaning to try for a while. So good! 

Recipe here. 

 #4: Black Bean Soup

This will have to go on my do-over list. 

The recipe sounds delicious and I still recommend it (recipe here)...I just do not recommend what I did! My impatience and stubbornness won on this recipe so I learned the following:

- When the recipe calls for 2 cans of black beans & you decide to substitute bagged black beans...

...measure correctly and don't just pre-soak, but actually COOK the beans. I did not. 

- When the recipe says to saute garlic & onions... 

...Make sure you have an onion as well as garlic. I did not. 

- When the recipe says to simmer with water and chicken stock for 15 minutes...

...don't BOIL for 15-20 minutes in a desperate attempt to cook the raw beans, then haphazardly add more water and stock because you've boiled off the original portions. I did that. 

- When the recipe says to immersion blend, or take half of the soup and blend...

...don't blend ALL of the soup in an attempt to hide the fact that the black beans are not cooked. I did that. 

-When the recipe says to add 2 tsp of Chili Powder...

...Make sure you have enough chili powder. I did not. I had enough for about 1 good shake. 

So. I ended up with bland black bean paste. 

However, added spices, cheese, and warmed it for (a WHOLE LOT) of delicious bean dip. :)

#5: Irish Soda Bread

In celebration of St. Patrick's Day I had to give this one a whirl. Turned out pretty well, though I don't have a  9x5 inch loaf pan so I just made 2 smaller ones (which overflowed, oops!) at 325 degrees for 50 minutes. 

Recipe here.

#6. Lasagna Rolls

I don't normally like lasagna, but Nick does and this recipe looked yummy. 

They turned out well and I enjoyed them!! Though next time I would use a little more sauce. 

 Recipe here. 

 

 

#7. Cheese Danish

I am not big on candy, or chocolate, or cake. I can pass by those without much thought. My weakness? Pastries. I drool over doughnuts and danishes and cinnamon rolls (though I don't love frosting or glaze...) I was browsing some doable recipes for my pastry cravings and found this recipe. Oh. My. Word. were these delicious, delectable and hit the spot.

 

 

#8. Kale Salad

After demolishing a huge bowl of the "All Hail Kale Salad" at VeggieGrill my interest was piqued for kale salads. Found this recipe on a blog I read and thought it sounded delicious. Prepared it tonight for our Easter dinner tomorrow...had to sneak a taste - really refreshing! With a zing of spice.

Recipe here.