Slow Moving Sunday

This really is my "motto" for this Sunday.  I spent most of today either laying in bed reading, watching television or playing around on the internet - mostly Pinterest, of course.

It doesn't help that yesterday afternoon I went to Ross and found this lounge dress/house dress - call it a moo-moo if you want. It's extremely comfortable, so soft and silky and brightly colored.

I've finished up The Hunger Games while drinking a hot cup of hazelnut coffee with matching creamer. I wasn't really impressed with the book, but it was a fairly quick read and I'm excited about seeing the movie and how it lines up with what I've read so far.

I still have the last two books to finish and I'll be done with the trilogy. By the time I finish those up it will be time for me to take another trip to the bookstore. Which for me, is always an exciting thing. :)

When in doubt

Wednesday evening at church my pastor gave a sermon on "Why do you doubt". At the time, I didn't know how much his words would play into my life just a couple of days later.

This afternoon I got a letter in the mail that I won't discuss in great detail. But it did create a lot of frustration, anxiety, and of course, doubt. As I threw myself a little pity party and felt bad for my situation, I decided to go back to my devotional that I read this morning, in Sarah Young's "Jesus Calling". This morning as I read the devotional for March 16th, I wondered how or if it would even tie into my day, and again, just as I doubted that Wednesday nights sermon would tie into my life, I also doubted today's devotion would too.

But then, God decided it was time to prove me wrong. He's pretty good at doing that.

Today's devotional was:
"It is good that you recognize your weakness. That keeps you looking to Me, your Strength. Abundant life is not necessarily health and wealth (this spoke straight to the situation I was in this afternoon); it is living in continual dependence on Me. Instead of trying to fit this day into a preconceived mold, relax and be on the lookout for what I am doing. (again, speaking right to me and how my day turned out) This mind set will free you to enjoy Me and to find what I have planned for you to do. This is far better than trying to make things go according to your own plan. Don't take yourself so seriously (God knows me well on this one!). Lighten up and laugh with Me. You have Me on your side, so what are you worried about? I can equip you to do absolutely anything, as long as it is My will. The more difficult your day (this afternoon was a little rough), the more I yearn to help you. Anxiety (read first paragraph of this post) wraps you up in yourself, trapping you in your own thoughts. When you look to Me and whisper My Name, you break free and receive My help. Focus on Me, and you will find Peace in My Presence.

I found so much comfort in those words, and knowing that it truly spoke to what I was going through and feeling this afternoon. Some may say it's just luck that my situation this afternoon lined up with the devotion, but I believe, and know, that it was truly the working of God. As I went over the notes I took on Wednesday night I listened to Pandora Radio's "It is well with my soul" radio station and was moved yet again, by the words in a song by Selah called "Unredeemed".

"Life breaks and falls apart,

but we know these are places

where grace is, soon to be so amazing.

It may be unfulfilled, it may be unrestored,

but when anything that's broken is laid

before the Lord, just watch and see,

it will not be unredeemed."

So I laid my situation this afternoon before the Lord in prayer, and I gave it to Him. I gave God full control over this situation, and I am trusting that He will take care of it in a way He sees fit. I refuse to let doubt have any control, and I refuse to replace my faith with fear.

Sweet and Spicy Chicken

Last night I made the most delicious, moist chicken breast I've ever had! I got the recipe where I'm getting most of my recipes these days - Pinterest! I could easily spend hours upon hours "pinning" things on that site!

This particular recipe is called "Sweet and Spicy Chicken". It's fairly simple too, and it a one pot meal, which is always nice, as I don't like doing dishes.

Ingredients:
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast
Garlic Powder
Chili Powder
Salt
Pepper
Brown Sugar
Bacon

Cut your chicken breast into thirds, length wise (think long strips), depending on how many people you're serving will determine the number of chicken breasts you'll need. I used three large chicken breasts and that was more than enough to feed my family of five (and plenty left over).

After you have your strips, season the chicken with Salt and Pepper, Chili Powder and Garlic Powder. Wrap a slice of thick cut bacon around each piece of chicken, then roll everything in a bowl of brown sugar. Place chicken in a well oiled pan (I use my favorite casserole dish), and cook at 400F for 30-40 minutes, or until finished.  That brown liquid in the bottom of the pan is bacon fat and brown sugar, or otherwise known as HEAVEN! Hallelujah!

Those drippings work well in mashed potatoes, either cooked in or used as a "gravy". It also works well drizzled on top of your chicken. Not that it needs it, because the chicken is so moist and juicy.

Farewell Facebook

For the last month, maybe longer, I've contemplated leaving Facebook. There were various reasons as to why I wanted to leave, everything from a lack of time, lack of interest, and the fact that I started to feel obligated when it came to posting status updates for every little thing that took place in my life.

So after breaking the news on Facebook, today I finally deactivated my account. And although I like knowing that if I wanted to go back for any reason I could, I am a bit unhappy knowing all of my information is still floating around out there. Unfortunately, there's not an actual way to delete your account, unless you painstakingly delete every photo, every status, ect.

 

I'm looking forward to being back on Blogger and writing, rather than feeling confined to a "status". I'm looking forward to more reading, more crafts, more cooking, more photography, and more time for Bible study - something I've been seriously neglecting.

Speaking of more reading! Early this morning (and by early I mean 2:00am!) I bought the online Kindle version of "The Hunger Games". Although I'm not entirely impressed with the book so far, the price on Amazon was impressive - I got all three books for less than $20!