Wednesday, March 28, 2012

When is enough, enough?

I am hoping this blog post doesn't offend anyone but I am very annoyed today and not sure what to do next. Let me give you the back story here.

We moved to Jackson, TN back the end of July. The first three months we were bombarded with local churches stopping by, ringing the door bell, inviting us to church, inviting us to dedicate our life to the Lord, leaving literature. If I was home I spoke to these individuals letting them know we are CHRISTIANS. A couple of the local churches continue, even today, to come by during the day and ring the door bell again (typically while my husband is sleeping after closing the restaurant the night before and it not only wakes him up but sends our dogs in a barking tissy). Several months ago I made a Christian Home sign with a cross and no-soliciting over our door bell which seemed to help some. There is also a huge metal cross decor piece on our front door.

The churches we visited when we first moved here didn't even come by the house instead they sent emails, letters or postcards thanking us for attending and welcoming us to come back again. I understand outreach ministries but when the same churches keep coming again and again after we have told them we are Christians and have a church home, what do we do short of calling the pastor and asking them to stop coming to our home? It honestly feels like we are being harrassed to try there church. Were do you draw the line?

I am a CHRISTIAN. I proclaim HIM as my Lord and Savior. I read HIS word. I pray. I am active in church. I strive to live my life in christ like manner. My husband is a CHRISTIAN. I am all for proclaiming HIS name but not in a harrassing way. You should live your life with a christian walk but not by hounding and harrassing others to come to your church or dedicate your life to the Lord in their presence. Ours isn't the only house they hit, they go to all the houses in our neighborhood. I am a BELIEVER and I'm Aggrevated. What are the non-believers thinking?

Suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks!

A Frustrated Christian

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Ding-Dong - Psalm 34:8

Ok, so how many of you enjoyed an occasional ding-dong as a kid? I did and this week my Boss's wife sent a Ding-Dong Cake to work and I have to say it was amazing! It looked and tasted just like a ding-dong.

I remember when I used to visit my Grandmother she would walk with me down to Mr. Beek's store in her neighborhood and we would buy ding-dongs; Grandma-ma liked them too!

I thought I would share the recipe with you today. I can't wait to have an occasion to make this recipe one day soon.

Ding-Dong Cake
1 Box Devils Food Cake Mix (mix and bake according to directions)
1 Container (tub) of Chocolate Frosting
1 (8 oz) Cool Whip (thawed)
1 (4 oz) Cream Cheese (softened at room temp)
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Make cake mix according to directions; using 2 round cake pans for a 2 layer cake. Cool the layers completely and stack bottom layer on your cake plate. For the filling, mix the softened cream cheese (at room temperature) with the powdered sugar and then fold in the thawed cool whip. Put the filling mixture between the two cake layers. Place the top layer on top of the filling layer. For the topping place the chocolate frosting container in the microwave for 30 seconds, stir and then drizzle all over the cake so it will run over top and down the sides. Refrigerate Cake (I personally recommend you use the chocolate fudge icing (any brand is good) and you might want to get a 2nd container so you have plenty to cover the cake).

Psalm 34:8 "O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him".

Bon Appetit!

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Pink Eye & Chicken Burritos

So I woke up today with pink eye. I have no kids and I am a hand washing, hand santizing freak...Shouldn't be contagious after tomorrow with 24 hours of meds.

When I got home from the doctor I went through the pantry and freezer and made chicken burritos in the crock pot. Easy recipe...just put a package of frozen boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins in the crock pot, add 1 can of rotel tomatoes, 1 cup sour cream and 1 package spanish rice. Cooked on high for 4 hours. Served on flour tortillas. A delicious and easy dinner!

While dinner was cooking and I was enjoying a nap thanks to Benedryl, the dogs went nuts and I look out and "Chance" a neigbors dog from the next neighborhood over, was across the street making his way to our house. When he gets out he always ends up at our house and I take him back home. He is a black/white boxer mix that was rescued a few months ago, he is still a puppy but so friendly and affectionate. We rescue him about once every week or so, but afraid that soon he will become the 5th member of our family... for now Terry or I always take him back home.

This is the day the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it (even with pink eye)

Have a blessed day! Try the chicken burritos they are delicious!

Bon Appetit!

Thursday, March 8, 2012

My Grandmother, My Mentor, My Rock

Heaven gained an angel last night as my Grandmother went home to be with the Lord. We, her family, was gathered around her rejoicing and weeping as she drew her last breath here on earth and made her heavenly journey. She had a gathering of family and friends awaiting her heavenly arrival as well; her Momma, Daddy, brother and sister, her daugther and her husband, my daddy, her two husbands, cousins and many other family and friends were there by God's side greeting her with open arms and today she is walking the streets of gold, no longer in need a walker, wheelchair or any assistance from us. Her homegoing was peaceful after a battle with leukemia.

My Grandmother was a spiritual woman. She loved the Lord, had a gentle spirit and a servants heart. Many people stay I take after my Grandmother that way, which is such a compliment. I spent boo-kuttles of time at my Grandmother's house growing up from infant until she moved into the assisted living, 6 years ago. We moved to FL right after and every visit home included time spent with my Grandmother. Since we moved back to TN last July, I have spent many hours by her side and would not have traded a minute of it.

I have so many grand memories with my Grandmother. I always LOVED spending time with my Grandmother and so many of my memories throughout my life revolve around Grandma-ma.

She was self-employed as a seamstress so there were always ladies coming ang going from Grandma-ma's house trying on clothes she had made them, derpping off and picking up their alterations and it never failed that I would step on at least 10 straight pins that had fallen into her shag carpet in the bedroom when I came to visit. If there were scraps of fabric leftover she would make me something out of them. Many times she made me dresses, clothes for my dolls, blankets, an apron, a bible cover, a purse and even a scarf/bandana for my hair (when I was a pre-teen and that was in style)...

She was my mentor. She was always telling me she loved me and she was proud of me. She never failed to teach me something when I was with her, whether it was a way to sew, a scriptute verse, a way to be kind to others, a way to show someone I cared, etc. She was a giving and loving person and I have strived to be like her.

She will be missed on this earth but over the course of her 91 years, she touched many lives including mine and I will always remember her sweet spirit, smile and the fact that she LOVED me and was PROUD of me and told me that every time I saw her.

Today Grandma-ma, I am so blessed to have had a Grandmother like you, who loved me, encouraged me, taught me, and who loved to spend time with me. I pray the Lord will use me my next next 50+ years the way he used you every day as you spread his love through all you said and all you did for others. Lord, give me a servants heart and a gentle spirit like my Grandmother for all the days of my life.

I love you and will miss you Grandma-ma but I know I have another angel looking out for me and can't wait until the day I make my journey to Heaven and you and the rest of my heavenly family are there to welcome me with open arms.

God Bless!