Praying the Psalms

Okay, I've done terrible on blogging my Psalm prayers.
I apologize. I've been praying them, but some days they are very personal, and other days I just have a hard time finding the time to sit down and write a blog, with my wild 2 year old, and my whiny 1 year old.
And I guess part of it comes from the fact that I'm getting no feedback about it-- is anyone even reading these posts? Because if no one is, then I won't feel guilty for just reading and praying the Psalms, but not blogging them!

Old Navy, I LOVE YOU!

For those of you new to my blog, I've written about Crowdtap here, 

and the Old Navy Style Council sample share I was chosen for here.

I was so excited to take my sister, Julie, with me for our sample share. We each got to pick out a swim suit for FREE!!! thanks to the Old Navy Style Council and Crowdtap!

We got our husbands to watch the kids and had a girls' day out, which was such a blessing! I love my kids, but they have been a bit rotten lately, and I really needed the day off. Julie and I had a blast! I swear, the people working at Old Navy probably wondered what was going on, we were laughing so hard in the dressing room. We were trying to get into some of the smaller sizes of Control Max swimsuits, and it was taking both of us and some crazy motion to make it happen-- but, dang! they really did some super controlling! Plus they were pretty cute!

Unfortunately, I didn't get very good pictures. I meant to take my camera, but since our Old Navy is an hour away, I was stuck with just my old school camera phone, since my newer phone is dead. 

We tried on all different colors and styles, and finally found a couple of cute suits. 

What I really wanted was this swim suit in black or grey, but they only had it in sizes x-small (do people who fit extra small even need control max?), small, and x-large.

 

What I ended up getting was this other Control Max swimsuit:

My sister picked out a wild but cute bikini:

I even found a super cute shirt that I had to add to my wardrobe.

It was super fun. My only complaint would be that the selection was pretty picked over by the time the coupons arrived, and that the coupons arrived with less than 10 days until they expired. But as my parents always taught me, beggars can't be choosers! 

Thanks, Old Navy and Crowdtap for the opportunity!!!

And if any of you are interesting in getting chosen for some awesome opportunities like this one, or like the McCormick Grill Mates party my husband won, join me on Crowdtap! Just click on the icon below, and you can sign up in only maybe a minute using facebook:

June 18th: Psalm 18

Lord, I love You! You are my rock and my fortress! You deliver me! You are my everything, and I thank You for giving me salvation.
You are worthy of all praise, Father, and I thank You for listening to my prayers. Even when I feel overwhelmed by everything that's going on in my life, I know that I can trust in You to deliver me.
You hear me when I am distressed- when everything seems to be going wrong in my life. On the days when both kids are crying, I'm feeling stressed and tired, and I can't seem to get anything done, You are there for me!
Father, help me to keep Your ways, and to do the things You desire.  You save those that are humble, so please, Lord, don't let me get full of myself. Keep my lamp burning-- turn my darkness to light!
You are perfect, Lord, and Your ways are flawless. You protect all who take refuge in You.  I find my strength and protection in You alone.
I praise You, oh Lord! You are amazing! You are my rock and my fortress!
Amen.

This Week's Menu: June 18-24

I was totally planning to share my monthly menu, but then I got invited to be part of a freezer meal group, and that kind of screwed up my month last month. I say that in the greatest way-- it was awesome!- but it caused me to seriously stray from my menu.
So I'm just sharing this week, instead of the whole month.

Monday: Grilled Chicken Salad. Made with romaine lettuce, grilled chicken breasts, sliced tomato and cucumber, and ranch dressing

Tuesday: Black Bean Pesto

Wednesday: Cilantro Lime Chicken

Thursday: Dr. Pepper Beef

Friday: Shredded beef enchiladas using the leftover roast

Saturday: Homemade pepperoni pizza

Sunday: Leftovers

Black Bean Pesto

This might sound really weird, or even gross to some of you. This was a meal I was served by a vegetarian that I used to babysit for. It looked gross, but my parents taught us to ALWAYS eat whatever we are served. And it turns out, it was really good. This is actually one of my favorite foods.

1 1/2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
1 Large Onion
1 Garlic Clove, minced
1 3/4 Cups Black Beans, drained and rinsed
3/4 Cups vegetable broth (I use chicken broth instead)
1 Cup Peas, fresh or frozen
2-3 Tbsp. Pesto (I usually use quite a lot of pesto, but I really love the flavor of basil)
salt and pepper to taste
Linguini, cooked according to the package
Sliced green or red peppers
Mozzarella Cheese

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When hot, add onion and saute for 3 minutes. Add garlic and saute 1 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
Place beans and broth in food processor (or blender) and puree until smooth. Poor into skillet with onions and garlic.
Heat over medium-low, adding peas, pesto, salt and pepper, and cook 7 minutes, stirring often until mixture thickens slightly.
Serve over noodles, and garnish with peppers and mozzarella cheese.

Shredded Beef Enchiladas

3-5 lb Beef Roast
1 Tbsp. Oil
1 Large Onion, chopped
2 Cloves Garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. Chili Powder
1 can Tomato Sauce
1/3 Cups Water
6-10 Flour tortillas
2 Cups Grated Cheddar, divided

Cook Roast in crock pot for 6-8 hours. Shred the beef with a fork.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Heat oil in a pan, and saute onion and garlic. Add the chili powder, tomato sauce, and 1/3 Cup water.
Add the cooked shredded beef and 1 1/2 cups cheese.
Fill each tortilla with the mixture, making sure to leave enough mixture to spread a little over the top. Put each rolled and filled tortilla in a casserole dish (size depends on how big of a roast you used). Cover with the extra sauce, and remaining cheese.
Cover and bake for 30 minutes.

Creamy Cilantro Lime Chicken

4 Chicken Breasts
2 Cups of your favorite salsa
Juice from one lime
1/4 to 1/3 cup Cilantro (use less if you're not a big cilantro fan)
1 Jalapeno, chopped
One packet of taco seasoning
16 ounces of Sour Cream

Mix all the ingredients EXCEPT the sour cream together in a crock pot. Cook over low for 6 hours. Use 2 forks to shred the chicken, and mix all the ingredients together. Cook for another 30 minutes or so. Stir in the sour cream, and serve over rice.

June 17th: Psalm 17 & Father's Day

First off, I would love to say Happy Father's Day to my amazing husband! Dan is the greatest father-- he is patient but firm, loves playing with the kids, and always treats the kids and me with respect. We couldn't ask for more (unless maybe he could be the same guy but a rich doctor?).
So, Dan, thank you for being my best friend and for helping me raise our rowdy kids!

Psalm 17

 Lord, please hear my prayers. I'm losing patience with my kids, and I'm so tired of not getting enough sleep. I'm not asking you for any evil or selfish reasons, but I need You to hear my prayers! I can't be a good mom when I'm not getting any sleep! 

I call on You, my God, for You will answer me! Turn Your ear to me and hear my prayer. Show me the wonders of your great love, You who save by Your right hand those who take refuge in You from their foes. Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wing. Give me rest, Lord, and let me see Your face.

Amen.

June 13th: Psalm 13

I read through this, and felt like it said it perfectly, so I'm just including Psalm 13 from the NIV translation.

Psalm 13

How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 

How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?

Look on me and answer, Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him, ” and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.

Amen.

June 11th: Psalm 11 & a Sweet Boy's Birthday

Today is my baby boy's first birthday! I can't believe it has been a year-- it's flown by, and yet I feel like he's always been a part of our family. I sure love his cute dimply smile, his courageous, determined personality, and his amazing hugs.

Psalm 11
Thank You, Lord, for being my refuge. You protect me and make me whole. It gives me comfort to know that You watch over me and that You know everything about me. How can anyone doubt You, Lord?
Please, Lord, let me find favor with You. I want You to see me with love, kindness, and mercy, not with hate like You see the wicked.
Oh God, You are righteous! Thank You for loving justice! Please, Lord, let me see Your face!
Amen.

June 10th: Psalm 10

Lord, I don't understand why it seems like You have abandoned me.
Sometimes it seems like the wicked are the ones that prosper. Like those who waste all of their money prosper, while we keep budgeting and budgeting, but things like Trevor's surgery and a broken fridge at the rental keep happening, so we never seem to get ahead!
Don't forget us, Lord! Please notice that we are trying so hard to be good stewards of Your resources, and bless us! Maybe then, others will see our blessings and hear our story, and they will turn to You.
I know that You care about our troubles, and I thank You that we can trust in Your provision. Even though we've suffered some setbacks, You have been faithful, and we haven't had to go into debt over them.
Thank You for hearing my cries and for filling my heart with encouragement. I pray, Lord, that You would send extra blessings to those who read this today.
Amen.

Fun Yard Sale Finds!

Can I just say that I LOVE yard sales?!
They are so much fun, and it's like bargain shopping to the max.
Today I found a great yard sale with a bunch of toddler boy clothes. The lady had the clothes marked for 25 cents each! She had a box of coats sitting nearby, so I asked how much the coats were. Her answer? 25 cents!!! For coats in great condition! Woo Hoo!!!

So I picked up a 2T and a 3T coat (who knows what size Trevor will be in-- he's almost a year and already wearing 18 & 24 month clothes). I got 2 jackets, 2 shirts, 2 pairs of Osh Kosh shorts, a pair of swim trunks, and a sun hat. And I spent a whopping $2.50!!!

Follow Me

Obviously, these are Christ's words, and they had a much different meaning when He said them, but if you wouldn't mind following this blog, I would really appreciate it! When people follow my blog, it gives me more opportunities to attempt to make money through my blog.
Thanks!

June 8th: Psalm 8

Oh Lord, You are so amazing! Everywhere I look I see Your glory.

I hear You in the amazingly beautiful things Emma says, and in the intricate way Trevor was made. How can anyone see Your creation and not believe in You?

I am so amazed that You would create such beautiful things-- the eclipse we saw a few weeks ago; fingerprints on my babies before they were born; the geological wonders that we see everyday-- and yet You are still interested in me. I'm floored by that, Lord! What is there in me that You could possibly find interesting? 

 

Thank You, Lord, that You are not only interested in me and my life, but that You sent Your son to die for my sins-- to redeem me! You are awesome, Lord!

Emma's Kitchen

After spending time looking at ideas on Pinterest, and spending more time trying to decide what exactly I wanted to do, I have finally finished a project!!!

I turned an old end table into a kitchen for Emma (and Trevor, but mostly for Emma).

We have an old TV that is very heavy. It is definitely NOT a flat screen. It is right at the level that little fingers love, so we have had an end table in front of it for quite some time. Not a beautiful fix, but it keeps the kiddos from pulling the TV over on themselves and crushing them. So this same end table got a dressing up, and now it is functional for the kids, better looking, and still very strange to have in front of the TV, but oh well! :)

Here are some of the cute ideas I used as inspiration.

 

And here's my finished kitchen:

It's actually a dark blue, although these pictures make it look almost black. I let Emma pick out (with some direction from me) the fabric for the curtains.

My goal was to try to buy almost nothing to make this, but instead to use things we already had around the house. Obviously the end table was used (I think it actually used to be a vinyl album holder). 

My husband was awesome about helping out. He has a stack of old cabinet doors that he got for free, so he helped me screw one to the back of the end table. We also cut a chunk off of the door to use as a shelf for under the "window." 

For the window I used a picture frame, and mod-podged a piece of scrapbook paper to it. 

 The stove burners are some cardboard coaster I had from a houseparty I had. I hot glued 3 coasters together, and then I used hot glue to make a ridge in circles so they look like burners.

 It was a lot of fun, and the only costs ended up being the fabric I bought for curtains, and the spray paint. 

And I have to send out a big THANK YOU! to my amazing husband-- this project could not have happened without his help!

Are any of you doing any fun recycling projects? I'd love to hear what you're up to!

June 6: Psalm 6

Lord, please be merciful to me. I'm not strong, and I fall into sin so easily, but I pray that You would strengthen me and please be lenient with me, Lord. Please deliver me, not because I am deserving of Your mercy, but because You are full of love. Let me live, that I might proclaim Your power.

I'm tired of feeling depressed, Lord. I feel like I've cried a thousand tears, and no one but You hears me. I know that You hear me, and that You will remind me of Your love and mercy for me. Hear my prayer, Father, and give me joy again.

Amen.

June 5: Psalm 5

Lord, I'm praying to You with a heavy heart. Hear my prayers-- see my tears!

I will pray expectantly to You, Lord. I lift up my voice to You in the morning, knowing that You hear me, and You will answer. I know that You love good, and You hate evil. You won't put up with those who are arrogant, so please Lord, keep me from falling prey to pride. 

Let me do that which is right. Keep me honest, Lord. I thank You, Father, for sending Your son to die for my sins. It is only through His love and sacrifice that I am allowed into Your presence-- that I am able to commune with the God of the universe! I will bow down with reverence to You, oh Lord!

Give me wisdom, and show me the path You want me to take, Lord. Lead me through this life.

Let me know who I can trust, so that I'm not led astray by those who desire my downfall. Let those who want to see me hurt fall into their own trap. Let them be caught in their own lies.

Let me find gladness in You, Father, and fill my heart with Your everlasting joy. Protect me, and I will rejoice in You. Bless me, and surround me with Your protection.

Amen.

June 4th: Psalm 4

Lord, do you hear me? Why don't you answer me? Be merciful, God, and answer my prayers! 

I see so many people trying to pervert Your people, and Your word. They pick verses out at random and try to make You look like a terrible, unloving god. How long will You let them do this? Show them Your truth, Lord, that they might turn away from their unholy "gods" and run to You!

Set me apart, Father. Please don't allow my life to mirror their evil ways, but give me wisdom and truth. Thank You for hearing me when I call.

Let everyone know the fear of the Lord! Let them tremble in the knowledge that He alone is God!!  When I lie down, remind me of Your mercies. When I get up, remind me of Your powerful ways. Father, I want to be transparent to You-- I will not try to hide my sins from You, even when they are so grievous that I cannot bring myself to say them out loud, for I know You see them anyway. I will repent and trust in You, Lord, for You alone bring forgiveness.

I look around at the world- at my friends- and see that their main goal in life is money, and the things that money can buy, but I know that true value comes only through You. I don't ask for material wealth, Lord, but I ask simply that You would let Your face shine on me. Fill my heart with joy, even when I do not prosper.

Thank You, Father, that I can sleep peacefully in the knowledge that You alone will prosper me, and that by having You in my life I have everything I could ever need!

Amen.

Technical Difficulties

I don't know why, but blogger keeps putting my June 3rd post before my June 2nd post. Very strange. I tried reverting to draft and republishing, but that didn't work. Sorry for the inconvenience!

June 2nd: Psalm 2

Thanks for joining me for Day 2 in the Psalms! Please feel free to share your thoughts. If you didn't make it yesterday, just jump right in! I recommend reading through the Psalm for yourself, and then praying it in a way that makes sense and makes it relevant for you.

Here's what my prayer looked like today:

Psalm 2

Lord, it breaks my heart to see the nations plotting against You. I know that their ungodly deeds will not last, but I cannot stand to see them gathering together against You. The wicked think that by infiltrating the Christian ranks, they are somehow "enlightening" those of us who are so "naive." 

I know that You laugh and scoff at them, for they are the ones who are truly ignorant and misled. 

Lord, rebuke them in Your anger! Terrify them in Your wrath!  Say to the ungodly, "I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill."

I will proclaim Your decrees, Lord. 

You tell me that I am your daughter-- that You are my Father!!! You offer me the blessings of the nations- of the ends of the earth- as my inheritance, if only I ask it of you.  The wicked will be ruled with an iron scepter and they will be dashed to pieces like pottery.

Lord, let our rulers be wise. Warn those who are in place over our country, and those ruling all the other countries of this world. Give us leaders  who will serve You, oh Lord. Instill in our leaders the fear of You, God. Let them bow down and kiss Your Son. Please don't destroy our country in Your anger and wrath, Lord. Give us refuge in You, Lord, and rain down Your blessings upon us.

Amen.

June 3rd: Psalm 3

Okay, so I guess praying the psalms was maybe only cool to me ;)
But it was something that I felt led to do, so I plan to see it through!
Oh, and just as a side note, it is my Grandma's 80th birthday today!!! 

Psalm 3

Father, I feel like I have no friends. Everyone seems to be set against me. It almost seems as though they desire to see me fail.
But I know that no matter what, I have You, Lord. You will protect me from their gossip and unkindness. I will lift my head up-- I will be proud in the knowledge that You are on my side.
When I pray, I look at the mountains that You have made, and I know that You will answer me-- You are never too far away to hear my prayers.
Thank You for being my sustenance, Father! I would not even have a single breath if You didn't will it, so I know that You have a purpose for giving me each day. Give me courage-- don't let me give in to my enemies' animosity!
Lord God, please deliver me. Give me true friends, and break the jaws of those who would be backbiters. But bless those who have true hearts; those who long to do Your will. You are the only one who can sustain and uplift me, Lord, and I thank You for that!

June 1st: Psalm 1

How you choose to pray the Psalms is entirely up to you. I will read through the Psalm to get a feel for it, and then try to pray it in a way that applies it to me. I will be sharing my prayers, so you're more than welcome to just pray those, but I think you'll get more out of it if you "make it your own."
I would love for you to leave comments about anything that stood out to you, and to share what God said to you as you read today's Psalm!

Psalm 1

Lord, please keep me away from the counsel of wicked. Bless me with people in my life who will give me wise and godly advice. Help me to remember that when I surround myself with sin, or those who mock others, I will be brought down, but that when I surround myself with godly people I will be blessed.

Let me delight in Your law, Oh Lord! Give me such a desire for Your word that it consumes me both day and night!

Let me be like a tree planted by streams of water, growing strong in Your word, yielding fruit-- so that others may see Your grace and Your glory!  Keep me from withering. Prosper me, Father!

You say that the wicked are like chaff, blowing away in the wind. Their works accomplish nothing of value. Keep me from becoming like them, Lord. Allow me to stand in the assembly of the righteous.

You watch over the ways of the righteous-- let me be one of those. Let me not perish like the wicked.

Amen.