Recipe for Love

Mary Glenn and Jule had chocolate bars wrapped in this at the rehearsal dinner (the wrapper is actually pink).

One month later...

I can't believe it's been a month since that plane landed back in the US of A.  I won't soon forget the joy of seeing Maggie's face at the airport and the delight of eating Wendy's late night.  Yet more than that, I still can't forget my week in La Plain.

So many thoughts have run through my little head over the past month.  I'd love to say that I have it all figured out, but I don't.  Far from it, in fact.  Things I do know:

• Looking at a friends recently posted Haiti pictures makes my heart hurt...in a good way.
• I don't want to say no to anything God presents to me and want to be open to possibilities He may have planned.
• I want to be forever changed: in how I look at the world, the Lord, money, helping others, etc.

A month later, I'm still so thankful for my time in Haiti and can't wait to see how the Lord continues to use it in my life.

One day; two excitements!

First off, it is Chick fil A's cow appreciation day!  Also known as one of the funnest days of the year!  I try to get two meals a day and am usually successful.  I swung by this morning and was their first cow!  They rang a bell in my honor and were pretty jazzed to see me.  I ordered a spicy chicken biscuit and a worker came by, "would you like hash browns as well?  You're really dressed up and can get a free meal, not just the biscuit!"  Who could say no to that?!

Secondly, I'm leaving work early today, picking up a friend, heading for round two of CFA cow appreciation day, and then heading to Florence to celebrate Mary Glenn and Jule!  Can't wait!  Looking forward to a fun weekend with the bride.

Veneer

I read this article on adoption a few weeks ago; the author co-authored a book that I thought looked interesting.  An Amazon purchase was made and I took a reading de-tour from Atlas Shrugged.

Veneer: Living Deeply in a Surface Society

It's great.  It's a fast read with a lot of heart and lots of questions that made me consider my life and my heart before the Lord.

As Christians, the idea of veneer goes against our core beliefs.  One of our foundational beliefs is that we are broken, that we don't have it all together and that we need Christ; he gives us our identity.  If this is true, and if the acceptance of this compelled us to follow Christ, then why do we try so hard to live as if we aren't broken (26)?

Life's realities make following along this narrow path difficult.  It can be lonely.  We'd rather be friends with God and fall into a nonchalant faith of church attendance and worship events than seek him in the brilliant silence (124).


Our quest for purpose should not be focused on figuring out what we're doing in this life with regard to schooling, career, or vocation.  It should be focused on the assurance that God knows us, has a task for us, and will empower us to do it for his glory.  Ask yourself, How can I best glorify God?  And then go and do it (231).

Born into Brothels

I can't imagine being in the line.  Or growing up around it.  But so many children are growing up in and around prostitution.  Courtney had this documentary on Netflix and I watched it last night.

Calcutta, India.  A photographer lives there off and on to take pictures of the women and learn their stories.  She inevitably got close to the children.  She started teaching them how to take photos and about the photography process.  She also tries to get them into boarding schools in order to get them out of the brothels.  The red tape is nothing short of a nightmare; the stigmas add a layer of frustration as many schools refuse to take kids from the red light district.  But the children's pictures were beautiful and rich and telling of their lives. Watching this made me think that being born in America is like winning a lottery I never bought a ticket for.  These quotes were chilling.

Photographer:  Of course as soon as I entered the brothels, I met the children...they are filled with children.  They are everywhere.

Kid: One has to accept life as sad and painful.

Kid: I live with my grandmother.  My mom can't take care of me.  My dad tried to sell me.  My sister came and got me...or else I would have been sold.

Photographer:  Her grandmother was a prostitute, her mom is a prostitute.  They are Brahmin; they are like royalty.  They eat well and are not poor.  But she's (daughter) headed for prostitution.

Kid: There is nothing called "hope" in my future.

New Pasta Salad recipe

I saw this recipe mentioned on some blog I was reading.  I decided to give a try, but make a few changes.

• 1 medium sized ripe Avocado, pitted
• 1/2 lemon, juiced + lemon zest to garnish (I used a whole lemon)
• 2-3 garlic cloves, to taste (I used 3)
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt, or to taste
• ~1/4 cup Fresh Basil, (probably optional)
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 servings/6 oz of your choice of pasta (I used a box of whole wheat pene)
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• I also blended a jalepeno in the sauce
• I added 2 tbsp chicken stock to the sauce to thin it out a bit, but it was still really creamy
• I also added shredded chicken, tomato, and cucumber to the pasta once cooked and sauce was added

Directions:

1. Bring several cups of water to a boil in a medium sized pot. Add in your pasta, reduce heat to medium, and cook until Al Dente, about 8-10 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, make the sauce by placing the garlic cloves, lemon juice, and olive oil into a food processor. Process until smooth. Now add in the pitted avocado, basil, and salt. Process until smooth and creamy.

3. When pasta is done cooking, drain and rinse in a strainer and place pasta into a large bowl. Pour on sauce and toss until fully combined. Garnish with lemon zest and black pepper. Serve immediately. 

The recipe calls to eat it right away, while its still warm (says it does NOT reheat well).  However, I ate it as a cold pasta salad and really enjoyed it.  Its creamy and versatile based on what you add to the pasta.

So Jazzed

for the 3 day weekend.  I need a break from the daily routine.  Love it when holidays come just when you need them most.