Positive, Encouraging

I know there are a lot of KLOVE haters out there.  Don't like the DJ's, don't like the music, blah blah blah.  Well, I've been listening to KLOVE pretty much exclusively for almost 2 years now.  Something about it just soothes my soul and when I listen to "regular" music I can almost feel my soul being sucked out of me.  I think it's because, just like my clothes, I tie emotions and memories to songs or artists.  Certain songs remind me of certain people, or times in my life I'd rather not relive.

The girls and I are in the car a TON and I just can't handle them listening to Rhianna and Ke$ha...that's not the influence I want these girls to have.  At first they fought it...complained about listening to KLOVE all the time.  Now, they sing along with a lot of the songs, listen to the stories, ask questions about what is being said and feel like they know the Dj's. (Here in Chicago, KLOVE broadcasts on 94.3FM)

Sure, the DJ's on KLOVE are pretty syrupy.  I sometimes even turn the radio down when they're talking in between songs, but sometimes, I don't.  And usually, they are actually saying something worthwhile.

Right now they are doing the pledge-drive.  Since they are listener funded they have to ask for donations a few times a year to keep the station going.  Just like your PBS station.  The stories that come out of the radio during the pledge-drive are crazy.  Here are a few of my favorites (please excise the lack of accurate names...I'm going form memory here)

A middle school teacher in New Mexico struggled to get pregnant, finally gave birth to twins and immediately was diagnosed with 2 brain tumors, one of which is inoperable sentencing her to chemo for the rest of her, what is probably now very short life.  The students at the PUBLIC school decided that because KLVOE is so important to her and they want to do something to bring her comfort, they set up a collection jar in the cafeteria and committed to putting all their spare change in it each day...donating $20/month to KLOVE to help keep it on the air for their beloved teacher.

A man walked into a UHAUL/Penske/Ryder rental place and rented a truck.  He got in it and drove away.  An hour later he returned the truck.  The owner of the rental place asked what was wrong with the truck.  Nothing, it turns out.  The radio was tuned to KLOVE, the man hear the song "Lead Me" by Sanctus Real and decided NOT to leave his wife and kids...instead of moving out he turned the truck around and went back to his family.

A 12 year old girl wrote in saying that she's struggled with suicidal thoughts daily and suffers from severe depression.  A friend from church told her about KLOVE, she started listening to it and though she still struggles and her depression isn't cured, she has enough hope to want to live.  She wished she could donate but she doesn't have any money.  Immediately, the phone lines were flooded with people calling in donations from around the country letting that girl know they loved her and her life is worth them donating so she can continue to hear God's word through KLOVE.

A man called in saying he was taking his 6 year old daughter Abigail to daycare when she asked what it means to be saved.  She told him she'd heard about people being saved on KLOVE.  He explained that it means giving your heart to the Lord and what it entails.  She said, "Daddy, I want to commit my life to Jesus."  He pulled the car over and they prayed together.  He said even though the day was just starting, it was the best day of his life.

Shortly after that, a woman called in and said her daughter heard the story about Abigail giving her life to Christ when they were in the car to school and now she wanted to do the same.

Are you kidding me?!  Crap, my eyes are welling up just typing this!  God is at work, everywhere.  Whether you like KLOVE of not, you can't deny that it is an amazing way to spread God's word and the message of His love, grace, mercy and forgiveness to people who may never set foot in a church.  People who are hurting in ways others might not even know.

I love it.

If you want to donate to KLOVE click here.  Also, it's important to note that with a $40 monthly donation the organization "Shoes For Orphan Souls" will donate a new pair of shoes to an orphan right here in the US or somewhere else around the world.

Home Is...

This past week a few different people have asked me if I'm getting excited for my trip to Uganda in October.  Or maybe it's still too far away?  They ask.

Nope, I'm excited.  But I'm not frantic like I was last time.  I basically freaked out last time I went.  I mean, I'd never been to Africa, I had no idea what to expect and figured I wouldn't be prepared no matter how much I tried.

When I clicked the "register" button in 2011 I couldn't believe this dream was actually coming true.  That God was finally sending me to a place my heart had been for years.  My head reeled with everything that needed to be done and list upon list was made so I wouldn't forget.

This time, a calm washed over me when I clicked that same button.  The peaceful feeling of knowing you'll soon be headed home.  Yeah, that's right, I said it...home.

Yes, Sumner, WA is my home.  My family is there, I grew up there and my dad is buried there.  It's where I go for Christmas and where the majority of my thoughts and prayers get sent, where I wish I could be on holidays, weekends and when I'm lonely.  I also call Chicago my home, as this is where I've lived for the past almost 6 years.  I've only lived in my mom's house longer, never worked a job as long as the ones I've had here and this is where I do life.  But a large portion of my heart is in Uganda with my two beauties Florence and Specioza.  My family worries that I either won't come back or I'll decide to move to Africa for good.  And honestly, I'm not completely opposed to that.  I'd give anything to see my family on a daily basis, and watch my nephew grow up, but if God is calling me to a different life, I'll hop on the first plane headed to Africa.

It's almost harder being somewhere in the middle here in Chicago.  I have to remember that the work God has for me here is just as important as the work I'd be doing in Africa.  Souls are souls and the 5 I encounter on a daily basis here are wanted by Him just as much as the ones I'd be meeting in Africa.

I guess, yes, I am excited about Africa, and seeing my girls.  But not in a ants-in-my-pants kind of way. More of a content, I-know-that's-where-I'm-supposed-to-be-isn't-it-great-when-our-heart-aligns-with-God's kind of way.

If you are interested in donating for travel costs or towards the purchase of school/art supplies, hygiene items or clothing for the Compassion Sites I'll be visiting, please let me know.  Prayers are also appreciated.

Menu 4/8-4/12

Monday: Dijon Chicken, Rosemary Red Potatoes and Dill Carrots

This was on the menu last week but it got pushed to this week as the girls had a band concert one night so we ate out.  I've never made the dill carrots but since we hardly ever eat carrots at dinner I thought I'd give them a try. 

Tuesday: Crock Pot Lasagna, Bread, Broccoli 

The old stand by.  I'll pull some meaty sauce out of the freezer the night before so I can assemble the lasagna in the morning and get it cookin'.  I take the girls swimming at their health club on Tuesdays and we are all starving by the time we get home.  The lasagna will be ready, the girls will set the table while the bread warms in the oven and I steam the broccoli.

Wednesday: Chicken Soup, Bread 

I have one container of chicken soup base in the freezer still so I'll pull it out the day before, toss it in the crockpot that afternoon with a little more chicken broth and throw some of the bread reserved from Tuesday's meal into the oven to warm when we get home.  I usually don't serve a veggie on the side since the soup is so full of them.

Thursday: Sausages, Mashers, Green Beans 

 The meat market in the neighborhood has Thuringer sausages the girls love, this is a fast and easy dinner for me so it works for Thursday since everyone is tired and cranky...including me.  Paired with some homemade mashers and steamed green beans.  Done and done!

Menu

Don't fear, I haven't completely forgotten to post my menus.  I've been focused this week on keeping my Whole30 blog up to date.  Check it out here for some meal ideas.

I will be getting my act together and posting my regular meal plan later today or tomorrow.  Check back!

Sorry, and Thanks!

Lins

Advice, Freely Given

Several girls/women have asked me lately about guy stuff.  Ya know, the usual, "this is what happened...does he like me?"  Uh....yeah...I dunno!

Actually, that's not what I tell them.  What I say is exactly what I tell myself when I start to play the "overanalyze-and-read-into-everything-he-says-and-does-and-every-little-look-he-might-have-thrown-my-way" game.

I say this:  If a man is truly interested in pursuing you, he'll be intentional.  Nothing you say or don't say will dissuade him.  He'll let you know that he is interested and he'll be intentional about it.  Until that time...business as usual.

There were too many years of my life spent chasing men.  Trying to figure out how to make them notice me, ask me out, etc.  Eventually I realized that it was never enough and way too much all at the same time.  Too much of me and not enough of HIM.

When I looked back after dating several men who I thought I would marry, I noticed that I had pursued them all.  Well, to be more accurate, I had persuaded them to pursue me.  Then I questioned...did they really like me or was it just easier to be with me than to tell me no?  Would they have intentionally pursued me if I hadn't forced encouraged them into it?  Lets not mince words here people, I think I could have saved myself a TON of heartache if I'd waited...let them decide if they wanted to be with me, instead of convincing them they did.

Insecurity sets in.  Has anyone ever really loved me?  Ok, that's a little dramatic...I know that at least the majority of the guys who said they loved me actually did.  But that doesn't change the fact that I, in most cases, was the instigator of the relationships.

I'm not telling young women to play hard to get.  I'm telling young women, women of all ages for that matter, to go about their lives.  Do life as God is calling you.  Interact with the single men that come along as you would anyone else.  Don't fall all over yourself to get noticed, don't go out of your way to "bump" into him.  Stop spending hours upon hours of your day trying to figure out exactly what he meant when he said "see ya later" or asked how you're doing or wondering what you did wrong because you haven't heard from him in a few days.  Just quit it!  If he is into you, he'll step up and make a move.  He either likes you, or he doesn't..no amount of trying to decipher "man speak" or choreographing every possible encounter/ conversation/ response/ outcome will help.  He'll let you know that he wants to pursue you INTENTIONALLY.  Not casually.  Not sporadically.  Not in a way that's confusing or mystifying.  And if he doesn't...it's a good thing I just told you not to wait around because I've just saved you a bunch of wasted time!

It's so freeing to give it over to God.  To stop manipulating situations in hopes that you'll get the desired outcome and getting so frustrated when you don't.  I've never felt more free, just going about my life, living as God has called me and knowing that if HE has someone for me, I won't can't possibly miss it.

Whether he's a shy guy or Mr. Outgoing, he'll let you know, one way or another that he's into you.  Promise.

I'll be the first one to tell you it's easier said than done.  I continually have to remind myself not to try and figure out the best way to subtly flirt or wonder if he's really as cute/smart/funny/adorable as I think he is.  My besties will tell you that I reach out to them for prayer--for continued strength to keep my hands out of it and to allow God to be in control of the situation, to sit back and wait.  Prayers for wisdom in handling my interactions with him and not reading things into the situation that aren't really there.  Prayers that God will smack us both upside the head if we are meant to be together.  To not let the idea of something consume me when there is nothing there...yet.

At the end of the day, I'm happy being right where I'm at.  I've been in a lot, and I mean A LOT, of unhealthy relationships.  Ones that I didn't bother to consult with God on before jumping in feet first.  Relationships that I might have just manufactured into life when it would have been better to just stay friends/coworkers/strangers.  I'm not 100% certain God has a husband out there for me, but if HE does, I know HE won't let me walk right by him because my eyes are looking up and not around.

*Note, I'm saying "man" because there is a difference between men and boys...boys...we don't got time for that.

Pinterest Thursday

No surprise that my Pinterest is bursting at the seams with Whole30 pins...check out a few that really caught my eye...

Kale Cubes for Green Smoothies

Mini Meatloaves Loaded w/Veggies

Italian Baked Eggs

Slow Cooker Greek Chicken...
use coconut milk instead of yogurt and ditch the pita.

Pancetta Wrapped Balsamic Green Beans

Click here to follow me on Pinterest and here to see what I've been eating on my W30 adventure.

Challenge Take 2 Winners!

As some of you know, I've been hosting a Challenge (read more about it here) that just wrapped up on Sunday.  The point of the whole thing was to get into a healthy routine both with diet and exercise.

Each day you were awarded one point for working out.  We only counted 5 workouts per week and it could be any form of exercise as long as it was a minimum of 30 minutes, you broke a sweat and you elevated your heart rate.  And another point if you stayed in your calorie range.  This second point was a little more flexible-some people weren't basing it on calories, but a specific eating plan they were following, but as long as it was consistent I wasn't too concerned with what it was.  I wanted this to be something that wasn't simply a 2 month competition, but friendly accountability and incentive to get into a healthy routine that could be maintained once the challenge was over.

Well, over it is!  And we have some winners!  Everyone who joined threw $20 into the prize pot.  With 10 people, we have $200 that needs to be awarded.  First place gets 50% of the prize money, 2nd place gets 30% and third will receive 20% of the pot.

First Place $100: Laura

Second Place $60: Micki

Third Place $40: Amanda



Congrats to everyone who completed the Challenge!



If you're interested in doing something like this please contact me!