Hey all,
wow I haven't made a post in over 2 months, mainly because we don't have Internet. I do email, facebook, googling, and all that jazz from my phone. anyways my title is long story short, but this post might be a little bit long :)
so Ben and I have big news, we are moving sometime around January 9th! we are packing up and heading north to Michigan. It's still hard to believe I am even saying that. It is so surreal, I have felt like I've been a dream in the past week, everything is happening SO fast.
So you read this and wonder why, we are moving from VA to [cold,snowy] MI?
Well let me try to make this part short, for many many reason's we feel God is leading us to MI to get back on our feet financially and to grow us in many ways, as far as our relationship with Him, our marriage, and our place in ministry. The whole time we moved to Willamsburg, VA area we have struggled financially, but God is faithful and provided in many different ways. Recently we have had some major financial hardships that put is in place where we knew we need to do something fast. However we didn't wanna make any decisions out of our flesh or what would be easy since my family and friends live in MI, you think this move would be easy but it's actually pretty hard on us. So we prayed for God's will, and one circumstance lead to another and God has made it clear to us that Michigan is where we need to be.
We are moving into my parents basement temporarily, which is a huge blessing. It will pretty much be like an apartment, it is fully finished and there is a full bathroom, kitchenette area with fridge, sink, and stove, cable and Internet. Even though it is not ideal for us to live with family, we are grateful that will have an opportunity to save up some money and get back on our feet financially.
So far we don't have any for sure jobs but there are hopefully some doors opening up, so you can please pray for us in that area, as we will need to find jobs right away!
As far as church goes, we are going to get to go visit churches and let God lead us to the right one where we will get fed and can get plugged in and use our gifts.
Ben eventually would like to pursue some schooling once we have some finances for it. The plan for now is for him to find a regular job, I say regular because we aren't searching for youth pastor or worship leader jobs. But that doesn't meant we won't get involved in those areas, since they are our passions.
I can't believe we are going through another transition already, this will be my third move in a little over a year. I am definitely excited for what God has for us but really sad to leave VA. We have awesome family and great friends here which right now it isn't reality for us to say goodbye to them, but as I said when Ben and I were long distance dating, it's not goodbye it's see ya later.
So that is the short version of what is going on with Ben and Amy. We appreciate your prayers. If you want to know how to pray for us specifically see the list below. Hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! Blessings.
Prayer:
-we need to sell Ben's Escape asap.
-there are few other big items we are hoping to sell before the move, mostly furniture.
-pray that God would open up doors for Jobs
-pray for peace for us
-pray that the transition would be smooth
-pray for safe travels as we will be moving all of our stuff in the winter time through the mountains
Thank you!!
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
YUMMY RECIPES
Well tonight I am going to post some recipes I have made this week, that have all turned out yumm-o, and weight watchers friendly (for those who care).
So I have been loving my crock pot. It's a wonderful thing, especially know since I work till 6 everyday, I don't want to come home and make dinner. Also Tues, Wednes, and Thursdays, are always busy all day for us. So the crock pot is my friend.
Last night I made sweet and sour chicken and put it over brown rice. Here is the recipe...
So I have been loving my crock pot. It's a wonderful thing, especially know since I work till 6 everyday, I don't want to come home and make dinner. Also Tues, Wednes, and Thursdays, are always busy all day for us. So the crock pot is my friend.
Last night I made sweet and sour chicken and put it over brown rice. Here is the recipe...
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Thursday, October 6, 2011
God is on the job!
"Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner."
--1 Peter 4:12-13
Wow. The Word is telling me to be Glad when life gets difficult. SO opposite of how I really react when things get difficult. I mean really, be Glad? Why would I be glad? No one likes difficult, no likes to suffer, to no likes go through trials. But right here God gives me a reason to be glad, because I am experiencing what Christ experienced. WOW.
Anyways, this piece of scripture hit me hard.
When things aren't going my way, I jump to the conclusion that God doesn't know what He is doing OR He isn't doing anything. man, am I wrong! God knows exactly what He is doing, shoot he knows how many hairs are on my head!
As hard as it is to always grasp this revelation and live it out, it brings peace to me. :)
I've had a hard time going through the process or fire God is allowing me to go through. I know I'm being tested and I continue to fail. But Praise the Lord that His Grace is sufficient and that He helps me back up to start all over again.
Anyways, So I finally got a little job. I am working part time at a local Christian school in the after school daycare. Also I have had babysitting jobs that have been helping provide for bills and what not. Kids are so cute! So I am happy to be working and feel productive. Since I work 3-6 everyday, I've been trying out different crock pot meals so dinner is all ready when I get home. We had pork chops tonight, they were delicious!!! I usually don't like pork chops either.
CAN YOU BELIEVE NEXT SATURDAY IS ONE YEAR FOR BEN AND I?! holy cow. It has flown by. This has probably been one of the hardest years of my life but Thank you God for letting me go through it with my best friend, my husband! I'm so excited to celebrate with him next weekend!! :)
Well there is a quick update, I haven't had much access to computer so I will update when I can. I am at worship practice with Ben right now. My pastors baby is right next to me sleeping. She is so cute and makes me want one. BUT NOT FOR A WHILE FOLKS. sorry mom :)
have a great weekend! :)
--1 Peter 4:12-13
Wow. The Word is telling me to be Glad when life gets difficult. SO opposite of how I really react when things get difficult. I mean really, be Glad? Why would I be glad? No one likes difficult, no likes to suffer, to no likes go through trials. But right here God gives me a reason to be glad, because I am experiencing what Christ experienced. WOW.
Anyways, this piece of scripture hit me hard.
When things aren't going my way, I jump to the conclusion that God doesn't know what He is doing OR He isn't doing anything. man, am I wrong! God knows exactly what He is doing, shoot he knows how many hairs are on my head!
As hard as it is to always grasp this revelation and live it out, it brings peace to me. :)
I've had a hard time going through the process or fire God is allowing me to go through. I know I'm being tested and I continue to fail. But Praise the Lord that His Grace is sufficient and that He helps me back up to start all over again.
Anyways, So I finally got a little job. I am working part time at a local Christian school in the after school daycare. Also I have had babysitting jobs that have been helping provide for bills and what not. Kids are so cute! So I am happy to be working and feel productive. Since I work 3-6 everyday, I've been trying out different crock pot meals so dinner is all ready when I get home. We had pork chops tonight, they were delicious!!! I usually don't like pork chops either.
CAN YOU BELIEVE NEXT SATURDAY IS ONE YEAR FOR BEN AND I?! holy cow. It has flown by. This has probably been one of the hardest years of my life but Thank you God for letting me go through it with my best friend, my husband! I'm so excited to celebrate with him next weekend!! :)
Well there is a quick update, I haven't had much access to computer so I will update when I can. I am at worship practice with Ben right now. My pastors baby is right next to me sleeping. She is so cute and makes me want one. BUT NOT FOR A WHILE FOLKS. sorry mom :)
have a great weekend! :)
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Rainy Thursday
Good evening,
Just wanted to give a brief update on life, which is like a roller coaster! Still waiting for a job from heaven, got a few leads, so we will see. :) I am sitting here watching this new show X-factor, all I have heard so far is horrible singing. haha.
So tonight we got to skype with my family/extended family. Always a good time. Dang I took some good snap shots of silly faces of them all but can't currently locate them on my computer.
Any who, Tomorrow Ben and I take the youth group from our Church, (GEAR) to our first youth retreat/conference. It is called Fresh Fire, It's in North Carolina. We are pretty pumped! Prayers Welcomed!! :)
Well Sorry this post doesn't have too much purpose but If I don't at least get on here once a week or so, I will never update. Hopefully I'll have some more recipes soon!
Blessings.
PS
I did find this picture while on my search for tonight's picture, I can't believe how Silas is so grown now!!! don't mind my nephew Judah's face, it was a silly app on my webcamera.
Just wanted to give a brief update on life, which is like a roller coaster! Still waiting for a job from heaven, got a few leads, so we will see. :) I am sitting here watching this new show X-factor, all I have heard so far is horrible singing. haha.
So tonight we got to skype with my family/extended family. Always a good time. Dang I took some good snap shots of silly faces of them all but can't currently locate them on my computer.
Any who, Tomorrow Ben and I take the youth group from our Church, (GEAR) to our first youth retreat/conference. It is called Fresh Fire, It's in North Carolina. We are pretty pumped! Prayers Welcomed!! :)
Well Sorry this post doesn't have too much purpose but If I don't at least get on here once a week or so, I will never update. Hopefully I'll have some more recipes soon!
Blessings.
PS
I did find this picture while on my search for tonight's picture, I can't believe how Silas is so grown now!!! don't mind my nephew Judah's face, it was a silly app on my webcamera.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
I'm not no extreme couponer BUT I like good deals.
Well Today I ventured out to a local grocery store called Harris Teeter. I've been in there before but never bought anything because it was pretty expensive compared to other stores I shop at. But today was special, they were trippling coupons up to .99 cents. That's right so when I had a .75 cent off coupon I was actually getting 2.25 off. woohoo. So I got a lot of goodies for a grand total of $19. I was hoping to only spend $10 because I research different extreme coupon websites last night and I thought I was going to get a lot more stuff totally free but the prices were a bit higher. But I saved a total of 42.00 with coupons and the shopping card.
Check it out...
Check it out...
So I am happy to say the least. And I didn't buy anything that we wouldn't eat, some of it we probably shouldn't eat but when you get for practically FREE, i gotta go with it. Especially when your living on a extremely tight budget!
So I might post some of my awesome shopping trips from time to time, I'm definately not an extreme couponer(yet) but Iike a good deal. So with applying for jobs, church activities, cleaning, cooking, hanging with friends, this is also what I do in my spare time...find me some coupons!
Have a Blessed Day and try to bless someone else today!
Monday, September 12, 2011
Update on Life
I've been hesitant about updating on our lives because it honestly drains me to tell people over and over again that I'm still jobless. I deal with a lot of insecurity in this area since Janurary pretty much. But this morning, God is giving me hope when the world says how could I have hope.
"but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." [Isaiah 40:31]
Well to put it plainly, I've been weary. Ben and I have been through more than I could of ever imagined in our first year of marriage, and it's still not over. Talk about going through the fire! Well about a month ago I finally thought it was the end, I found a nanny job that was going to pay decent and definately help us with our finances and even save a little bit each month. This wasn't the ideal job since I have a degree that I'm still paying off loans for as an X-ray Technologist. But it was the next job I would love to do since I wasn't getting much response on all my job applications for x-ray tech. So I was excited, and even more excited that finances wouldn't be the big burden on Ben and I anymore.
So I was supposed to start my new full time nanny job between this week and next. Well this past Friday I got an unexpected email. They changed their minds, not because of me, but other reasons, which I understood. But at the same time it was hard because this was a promised job to me, that being, Ben and I bought a second car. Well Friday morning wasn't the greatest. I was back at square one- anxiety, fear, doubt, anger, confusion, all the negative emotions you can imagine washed over me. HOW CAN I NOT GET A JOB?! I kept asking myself that, I just didn't get it!! The only thing that has given me a little peace is that this economy isn't good, but at the same time I knew other people were getting jobs that I have applied for and was qualified for, but no open doors for me.
It's definately hard in times like these not to compare yourself to other people and their circumstances or their life that seems so great and blessed.
Well anyways, I have an awesome husband, who only encourages me. He has wrote many scriptures and put them on my mirror so when I look in the mirror that is what I see. Definately a help to me. That's all I have at this point, is the word of God, the promises of God, the love of God.
However, I still have a hard time seeing what God is doing. But I believe if it's soon or later, his faithfulness is going to show in our lives by a big testimony in our finances. Money isn't everything, we don't need a lot, but we do need finances to cover our bills, and I'm not seeing that right now. We will remain faithful to Him in our lives and finances, because that is what we are called to do!
On the other hand, Ben is doing great. He works 2-3 days at a local UPS store doing customer service and the other 4 days a week with our Church. He loves his job at the Church. We lead the youth on Wednesday nights, and he helps lead worship on Sunday mornings. Also now he is going to be helping with some media and creative stuff too. He loves being apart of an awesome team.
Apart from being apart from our family and friends in KS and MI, we love this new area. God has given us some amazing friends our age and we get such joy out of fellowshipping with them. We are excited to see these friendships grow.
I am definately ready for fall, I do miss Michigan for that. They have pumpkin patches here but I don't think Cider mills. BOO. that's my favorite thing about fall, cider and donuts! Maybe my parents will have to bring some when they come in October!! ;)
Well I will keep you updated. I'm sorry this blog is so long, haha People might of not even made it this far, but it definately helps me get my thoughts out and put things into perspective and I love to share when God is doing something in our lives.
We covet your prayers for our family. and Thank you to those have been such an encouragement to Ben and I as this 1st year of marriage has been way different than we imagined.
Today I hold onto this verses..
[Proverbs 3:5-6]
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."
\/awesome song about Hope!
http://youtu.be/x7fwCkAGACE
"but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." [Isaiah 40:31]
Well to put it plainly, I've been weary. Ben and I have been through more than I could of ever imagined in our first year of marriage, and it's still not over. Talk about going through the fire! Well about a month ago I finally thought it was the end, I found a nanny job that was going to pay decent and definately help us with our finances and even save a little bit each month. This wasn't the ideal job since I have a degree that I'm still paying off loans for as an X-ray Technologist. But it was the next job I would love to do since I wasn't getting much response on all my job applications for x-ray tech. So I was excited, and even more excited that finances wouldn't be the big burden on Ben and I anymore.
So I was supposed to start my new full time nanny job between this week and next. Well this past Friday I got an unexpected email. They changed their minds, not because of me, but other reasons, which I understood. But at the same time it was hard because this was a promised job to me, that being, Ben and I bought a second car. Well Friday morning wasn't the greatest. I was back at square one- anxiety, fear, doubt, anger, confusion, all the negative emotions you can imagine washed over me. HOW CAN I NOT GET A JOB?! I kept asking myself that, I just didn't get it!! The only thing that has given me a little peace is that this economy isn't good, but at the same time I knew other people were getting jobs that I have applied for and was qualified for, but no open doors for me.
It's definately hard in times like these not to compare yourself to other people and their circumstances or their life that seems so great and blessed.
Well anyways, I have an awesome husband, who only encourages me. He has wrote many scriptures and put them on my mirror so when I look in the mirror that is what I see. Definately a help to me. That's all I have at this point, is the word of God, the promises of God, the love of God.
However, I still have a hard time seeing what God is doing. But I believe if it's soon or later, his faithfulness is going to show in our lives by a big testimony in our finances. Money isn't everything, we don't need a lot, but we do need finances to cover our bills, and I'm not seeing that right now. We will remain faithful to Him in our lives and finances, because that is what we are called to do!
On the other hand, Ben is doing great. He works 2-3 days at a local UPS store doing customer service and the other 4 days a week with our Church. He loves his job at the Church. We lead the youth on Wednesday nights, and he helps lead worship on Sunday mornings. Also now he is going to be helping with some media and creative stuff too. He loves being apart of an awesome team.
Apart from being apart from our family and friends in KS and MI, we love this new area. God has given us some amazing friends our age and we get such joy out of fellowshipping with them. We are excited to see these friendships grow.
I am definately ready for fall, I do miss Michigan for that. They have pumpkin patches here but I don't think Cider mills. BOO. that's my favorite thing about fall, cider and donuts! Maybe my parents will have to bring some when they come in October!! ;)
Well I will keep you updated. I'm sorry this blog is so long, haha People might of not even made it this far, but it definately helps me get my thoughts out and put things into perspective and I love to share when God is doing something in our lives.
We covet your prayers for our family. and Thank you to those have been such an encouragement to Ben and I as this 1st year of marriage has been way different than we imagined.
Today I hold onto this verses..
[Proverbs 3:5-6]
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."
\/awesome song about Hope!
http://youtu.be/x7fwCkAGACE
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Gloomy Thursday
Well this is my first post! I've been wanting to make one of these for a while because I always have a thought to share or food recipes :) I am still working on making this blog beautiful ;o). Well this week has been a pretty low key week. Staying home a lot while Ben is at work. Today I finally decided to pull out the crock pot and try a new recipe for dinner, and it turned out very YUM. The bonus was it was so easy to make!!!
Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings for 2
Ingredients:
-2 Bonless/Skinless Chicken Breasts
-1 Can of cream of chicken
-1 Can of chicken broth
-1 tablespoon of butter
-Water
-Chopped onion
-Frozen Peas
-Pkg of uncooked biscuits
-Salt and Pepper
I put the 2 frozen breasts in the bottom of the crock pot, then added chopped onion (do however much you desire!), butter, cream of chk, chk broth, and just enough water to cover it all. Set crock pot on high, cover, and leave it be for 3-4 hours.
After 3-4 hours, if chicken is cooked through putt it out and shred it with a fork. Then put it back in the crock pot, now add the frozen peas. Also pull out your biscuits and cut each biscuit into four 1inch squares. Add this to the chicken and broth. These are your dumplings. Make sure you push them down under the broth and stir. Recover and let cook for another hour. The check to make sure dumplings fluffed up and are not doughy. If not, it is ready to eat!!! Season with salt and pepper. I made some eggs noddles and put the chicken and dumplings on top.
Definately a new go to recipe especially for these upcoming months.
You can definately double this recipe if you are cooking for 4 or more. I singled it because it was just me and the hubby, plus I only had the small crock pot out. We still had left overs.
I hope I did a okay job explaining, please comment if you have any questions.
Enjoy!!!
Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings for 2
Ingredients:
-2 Bonless/Skinless Chicken Breasts
-1 Can of cream of chicken
-1 Can of chicken broth
-1 tablespoon of butter
-Water
-Chopped onion
-Frozen Peas
-Pkg of uncooked biscuits
-Salt and Pepper
I put the 2 frozen breasts in the bottom of the crock pot, then added chopped onion (do however much you desire!), butter, cream of chk, chk broth, and just enough water to cover it all. Set crock pot on high, cover, and leave it be for 3-4 hours.
After 3-4 hours, if chicken is cooked through putt it out and shred it with a fork. Then put it back in the crock pot, now add the frozen peas. Also pull out your biscuits and cut each biscuit into four 1inch squares. Add this to the chicken and broth. These are your dumplings. Make sure you push them down under the broth and stir. Recover and let cook for another hour. The check to make sure dumplings fluffed up and are not doughy. If not, it is ready to eat!!! Season with salt and pepper. I made some eggs noddles and put the chicken and dumplings on top.
Definately a new go to recipe especially for these upcoming months.
You can definately double this recipe if you are cooking for 4 or more. I singled it because it was just me and the hubby, plus I only had the small crock pot out. We still had left overs.
I hope I did a okay job explaining, please comment if you have any questions.
Enjoy!!!
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