Last Days of June...

It has been a busy week so far...

I am trying to mix up the summer with learning and fun for my kids. Summer is a great time to put a little extra time into teaching our kids. It is so enjoyable to see the end results!

Monday, the girls and I did a few errands for our church. I am getting into the swing of being a church secretary in addition to my other duties! LOL! We then went to the marina and spent a fun afternoon swimming and playing in the water. Some other church friends were there as well...the Traynors, the Blairs and the Cabangons. Did I mention we broke a Reno record that day of 100 degrees! So the water was a welcome part of the day! :)

Tuesday, the girls and I did school work in the morning. We went to the park for lunch. I then attended a Pampered Chef show at my friend, Shannon's home, that evening. My husband has EMT class on Tuesdays. I enjoyed the ladies' fellowship along with a delicious Pampered Chef meal! My girls enjoyed their play time with their friends at Shannon's home.

Today, my husband is doing a 12 hr. shift with the REMSA units (Ambulance). This is part of his training to be certified for his EMT-B class. I am meeting two of our church ladies for lunch at Applebees's and then I am off to a doctor appt. at 2pm.

It has already been a busy week but so enjoyable! I praise the Lord for His goodness today...and every day!!!

My Sunday Update

Today was another blessed day at SVBC! We had 32 in attendance...3 adult visitors...and the offering doubled from last week! My hubby preached a wonderful sermon on "The Christian Life". One of our friends, Mrs. Bevy Moore, visiting her brother from Missouri, played and sang for the special. She is a sweet Christian and her love for Christ shines through her singing! I appreciate her willingness to share her God-given talent while she is here visiting!

Today is a hot day...97 degrees! We enjoyed a roast in the crockpot for dinner with ice cream for dessert. We are now heading to Liberty Baptist for their evening service.

Tomorrow is to be another hot day...so the girls and I are going to the marina for the afternoon.

I pray you had a blessed Sunday! God is so good!

Recipe: Green Chili Burritos

OK...I made this new yet very simple recipe last night for dinner and every single person in the family said they were really good! My 2 yr. old ate an entire burrito...and well, she has her many picky moments! My hubby also loved them and ate two plates. I served them with a simple taco salad and wa..lah!

Green Chili Burritos

Ingredients:

1 can refried beans (16 oz.) I used fat free.

8 flour tortillas (6 in.)

1/2 - 3/4 lb. ground beef, cooked and drained

1 cup (4 oz.) mild or sharp cheddar cheese (Add more if you like them cheesier!)

1 can chopped green chilies (4 oz.) I am going to use 2 cans next time...I like mine with a little more jazz!

Directions:

Spread refried beans over tortillas. Add ground beef and 2 tbsp. cheese. Roll up and place seam down in a greased 9x13 baking dish. Sprinkle with chilies and remaining cheese. Bake for 20 min. at 350 degrees. I cover mine with foil for the first 15 min. and uncover for the last 5. This helps to not dry out the tortillas.

We served them with a dollop of sour cream and a little hot sauce! Mmm!

Enjoy!

"For Meat Destroy Not The Work Of God..."

This morning, I read this passage in Romans 14:15-20. I really soaked it up and wanted to share it with you!

This chapter talks about being a stumbling block to your brother. The passage reads...

"But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitable. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.

Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.

For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

For meat destroy not the work of God..."

I like when the Word of God puts things into perspective in our lives! Realize that the "meat and drink" in this passage does not necessarily mean just what you eat and drink. It represents any thing in our lives that may become a stumbling block to a Christian brother or sister. Most people teach that it is something you do as a Christian...that might cause another brother to fall. When I read this passage, my thought did not go to a certain thing that I may do that could be a stumbling block. However, my mind thought of...our attitudes!

"For meat destroy not the work of God"...in other words..."Because of a bad attitude or spirit destroy not the work of God"! A bad or hurtful spirit will only destroy any work that is trying to be done for the Lord. The "little things" that other people say or do against us...we let them hurt us and then we feel vengeance and anger. By not controlling our spirit, we allow our spirit to destroy the work of God. Those "little" things destroy "big" works!!! The sad thing is...we let them destroy it.

My husband started an independent, fundamental Baptist church this past Sunday! That is a "big" work of God! I must determine myself not to let "meat" or a "hurt spirit" destroy God's "big" work in Reno! I realize that we will be hurt, be labeled wrongly, be criticized and so on...but how we handle it will make all the difference!

Be the bigger person! Let the insults and criticism roll off your back! Love those that hurt you! Don't let the "meat" destroy your Christ-like spirit or your "work of God"!!!

Sierra View Baptist Church-Grand Opening-June 20,2010

This Sunday, June 20, was our grand opening service of Sierra View Baptist Church! It was a wonderful day full of God's blessings! We had 56 people in attendance with 1 saved!

Bro. Vern McFarlin and Bro. Shaun Traynor both gave a testimony in the service. My husband preached a wonderful sermon on the Samaritan woman at the well. I believe all hearts were blessed that were in attendance!

My husband was thrilled to have 4 co-workers come from his two different jobs! They brought their friends and family as well. We were also pleased to have our neighbors, the Enk family, come to our service. My husband said..."It is great to have people visit that don't know you...but when they know you on a day-to-day basis...the "real" you...and still come...that is a great testimony!"

My father-in-law, brother-in-law and nephew came as well. My father-in-law has been a great support to our family and we are thrilled to share this day with him! (He also enjoyed the dinner at Red Lobster that we treated him to after the service! LOL! :)

The McFarlin family...the Traynor family...the Davis family...the Zimlich family...the Fast family...Miss Elizabeth...I could go on and on. God has truly blessed my husband and I to love these dear people!

God is great and we look forward to sharing many more blessings from SVBC in the future!!

SVBC-Saturday Update!

Today was our first meeting of SVBC!

We met in our meeting room of the Hampton Inn at 11am. We were honored to have 24 in attendance! Liberty Baptist Church brought their church van with eleven church members! Bro. Josh Musser, Rich Havermill, the Nuckolls family, Mark Campbell, Sonny Tastet, and John Keller. Their church has extended a wonderful hand of friendship to ours! We also had our family, Shaun and Shannon Traynor and their boys, Bro. Vern McFarlin and his friend, John Smith, and David and Danyelle Zimlich.

All these people were a great encouragement to my husband and I today! We passed out 1,600 postcards with the help of all these great friends!

God is good! Pray for our church as we have our opening day tomorrow!

Another Update-SVBC!

Just an update for our church...Sierra View Baptist Church!

This Sunday is our grand opening Sunday! We will be meeting in the conference room at the Hampton Inn in South Reno. Please pray for this weekend!

Saturday, we will be meeting at the Hampton Inn at 11am. We will be having a free breakfast and then heading out to put as many postcards out as possible for our church.

If you are member of Facebook, you can find our church on there...just type in Sierra View Baptist Church...Enjoying God, Loving People. Become a fan of SVBC and receive our updates!

We also have our church's website up and running! It was designed by Josh Musser of SPG Graphics here in Reno. Josh is a youth pastor at Liberty Baptist Church here in Reno. Please check out our new website at www.svbcreno.com ! If you would like to see our church's upcoming events...we have a calendar on our website with all our events and information listed for each event. I will put a link to our church website on the side of my blog. (Our website will not come up on Google for some reason. Just type it in on the URL.)

Keep SVBC in your prayers! God's work is great and we are privileged to have a part!

God's Grace Is Amazing!

I am so thankful for God's amazing grace!

Today, I read this quote and wanted to share it with you.

"I am more sinful and flawed than I ever dared believe, yet more loved and accepted than I ever dared hope!"

These are the words to a song that I will be singing this Sunday at our opening service. I hope they will be a blessing to you today as well as me!

"In His Grip"

In His grip of grace I rest, Trusting not my righteousness;

He has heard my heart's request, So in His grip of grace I rest!

I stood separated from the King with nothing in my hands,

The bridge that led up to His throne had been broken by my sins;

Before I even asked, His mercy was extended,

Because of Calvary's sacrifice, the broken bridge was mended.

Undeserving of His favor, yet in His favor live,

Shackled by my sin and shame, yet freedom Jesus gives;

Blinded by this world's delights, but now I plainly see,

Lacking strength to hold to Him,

He is holding me!

Criticism May Come...

Recently, my husband and I received some criticism about our starting a church. Criticism is almost always hurtful and this was no exception.

When this information was passed along to me...I had a difficult time taking it in. How can someone call you a friend and then say these things? Why are we being attacked for doing a good thing? None of it made any sense to me.

My first thought was...I do not need to be an emotional basket case this week. My husband has a huge task ahead of him and I need to stay focused on him and his needs. So I turned to my Bible for some help...understanding...and guidance.

As I was skimming through Proverbs, I glanced at some sermon notes that I had written in the margins of those pages. The title of the sermon was "Dealing With Criticsm". Whoa...it caught my eye and I read through the notes I had jotted there.

There were many reasons why criticism may come in your life...this was my favorite!

Criticism may come...To convict us of the injustice of the criticism to God.

Wow!!!!!!! That quote totally changed my perspective that day! No criticism that we endure here can compare to the injustice of the criticism that has and is made to God!

God is perfect. And yet...he is criticized for his actions! How can we blame God for anything when He is PERFECT??? How could we as the human race criticize and then crucify the Lord Jesus Christ??

Yes, criticism still hurts. Especially when it is untrue. Especially when it comes from a friend. Especially when you are trying to do something good and right.

When criticism comes, remind yourself of the injustice of the criticism to God. Then things will fall into perspective.

The First Bite...

This season, I have been enjoying the "first fruits" of the spring and summer season! Strawberries...blackberries...watermelon...cantaloupe...and now peaches! MMMM! Fresh, sweet peaches are one of my favorite fruits. Peach pie is one of my favorite desserts. Yesterday, I bought six peaches and three are already eaten...by me! :) They were absolutely divine! Sweet and delicious!

As I savored each bite...I thought how sweet that first bite of fruit is. I also thought how God must feel when we give our "first fruits" of our ourselves to him.

God must love it when we give the best time of our day to walk with Him...to read His Word and talk to Him.

God must love it when we give our talents that He has given us to use for His work.

God must love it when we give our first love to Him and make Him our best friend.

Give God the first "bite" of your life today!

Our Postcard for Sierra View Baptist Church

Thought I would share our postcard for our church. Our friend, Josh Musser, designed them for our church. We think they are very sharp! Keep praying for June 20th! :)

The Will of God...

On Sunday morning, I had a situation that weighed heavily on my mind as I read my Bible before church. I don't want to say any details of the situation or the people involved out of respect for them...I just couldn't get it off of my mind though.

As our pastor preached that Sunday morning...I glanced at the top of the page in my Bible where his message was taken from that day. I read this quote I had written there...

"The will of God can not be chosen in a vacuum. Your decision ultimately affects others."

That was it. In both of the situations in these people's lives...one person had made a decision. Their decision ultimately affected many, many people though.

What a responsibility we all have! The decisions that you make in your own personal life will not just affect yourself. It will affect your spouse, your children, your grandchildren, your siblings, your parents, your church family, your friends...need I go on? I think you have the idea.

I know we can all think of examples where someone had made the wrong decision and the negative results that it caused. I thought of my own personal life...choosing to go to Bible college...choosing to join a bus route in Chicago...meeting my husband through that ministry...dating and marrying with the consent of our parents...graduating from Bible college...rearing our family in the Lord...starting a church in Reno, Nevada.

That was a very basic run-down in a nutshell of a few major decisions that I made in my early adult life. If I had decided not to go to Bible college when the Lord laid it on my heart as a teenage girl...there would be some people in Reno that would never be saved because of a church that was never started there. Start jotting down decisions that you have made in your life...and you will see amazing things! It will also encourage you to seek the Lord's will in every aspect of your life!

Justin and "Jesus Loves Me"

On Sunday morning, our pastor was preparing for baptism. Bro. Josh led the congregation in a hymn. Then Justin got up.

Justin is 12 or 13 years old. He rides on our church bus to church. He and his brother actually live about four houses down from our family on our street.

Justin is one of the sweetest kids that you will ever meet. This Sunday, he boarded the church bus with his normal happy disposition and smile. In his hand, he held something wrapped in a blue bandanna. My husband, always teasing the kids on the bus, asked why he was holding his bandanna. Justin replied that there was a surprise inside. He then showed us a recorder...the ones you learn to play around the fifth grade of public school. He said that he could play Jesus Loves Me.

My husband and I looked at each other and smiled. You see, Justin rides the special education bus to school. He is a slow learner...his eyes can't focus straight when he looks at you. We thought..."Sure, Justin. You can play Jesus Loves Me. That's good."

So on Sunday morning, Pastor Snow allowed Justin to come up behind the pulpit on the platform to play Jesus Loves Me for the congregation. I think we were all holding our breath...not sure what to expect and hoping for a small miracle for Justin's sake.

He started...then stopped...started...then stopped. Then out came the sweetest notes to Jesus Loves Me from Justin's recorder. I had tears in my ears as I listened to Justin's song. He did it! Amens rang out and applause at the end...Yea Justin!

After finishing his song, Justin raised both of his fists in the air in triumph. He was so proud. As he walked to his seat, he raised his fists again with a huge grin on his face.

What a blessing Justin was to our church that day!
I imagine God smiling down from Heaven...listening to the sweet tones from a simple plastic recorder from a mentally slow child named Justin.

"Separate Me...For the Work Whereunto I Have Called Them"

This past Sunday evening, our pastor, Bro. Steve Snow, asked for our family, Shaun Traynor's family and Bro. Vern McFarlin, to come up to the front. Our family along with Bro. Vern and the Traynor family will be leaving our current church to go start a new church in South Reno. Next Sunday will be our last Sunday with our current church family at Liberty Baptist.

Bro. Snow, along with all the men of the church, laid hands on our families and prayed for us as we start this journey for God. It was a sweet and touching time for all there. I praise the Lord for the friendship of Bro. Snow and the people of Liberty Baptist.

We realize that this is not an end...just a beginning of a stronger bond. Two churches in Reno, Nevada working for one goal...to see souls saved and lives changed. We look forward to continuing to fellowship together as Christians and fellow churches.

I read these verses last night and I would like to apply them to this situation...

Acts 13:2-4
"As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

And when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus."

Happy 35th Anniversary!

I would like to wish my parents a very happy 35th wedding anniversary today! Thirty-five years of marriage is a wonderful accomplishment. My sisters, myself and our families are very blessed to have parents/grandparents that have stayed married for that many years.

It has not always been easy...I would be lying if I said it was. Most things worthwhile have gone "through the fire". I know that sometime in 35 years...there was some "fires" along the way.

People are human...we do and say things we end up regretting. We do things we never thought we might do. We create circumstances that we never imagined we would be in.

Then we grow. We mature. We change.

Someone once told my mom when she was young and still in the first years of marriage..."Stick with him. You leave him but the next one will be the same."

That advice stuck in my head since I heard it.
Things that are worthwhile in this life are worth fighting for.

I have never been more happy in my life than I am now. I pray that in 26 more years...that my husband and I will be celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary just as my parents. :) Happy anniversary Mom and Dad!

Recipe: Roadside Diner Cheeseburger Quiche

Here is a yummy recipe that is different from any quiche recipes that you normally see. The name is even different and fun! I made this for dinner this week and my husband ate three helpings. He then asked if he could take the leftovers for lunch the next day! (That rarely happens! LOL!) So it was a yummy success. :) Try it and see!

Roadside Diner Cheeseburger Quiche

Ingredients:

• 1 sheet refrigerated pie pastry
• 3/4 pound ground beef
• 2 plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup dill pickle relish
• 1/2 cup crumbled cooked bacon
• 5 eggs
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup 2% milk
• 2 teaspoons prepared mustard
• 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1-1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions:

• Unroll pastry into a 9-in. deep-dish pie plate; flute edges and set aside. In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in the tomatoes, onion, relish and bacon. Transfer to prepared pastry.
• In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, cream, milk, mustard, pepper sauce, salt and pepper. Pour over beef mixture. Sprinkle with cheeses.
• Bake at 375° for 50-60 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Cover edges with foil during the last 15 minutes to prevent overbrowning if necessary. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting. Garnish with optional ingredients if desired. Yield: 8 servings.

Pregnancy Update

Today, I thought I would give you a quick update on my pregnancy. :)

Tomorrow will be my 24th week. I had a doctor's appointment today and did the fun glucose test where you drink the orange drink which isn't half bad. :) I gained 3 lbs. this last month. So...I have gained a total of 11 lbs. so far this pregnancy which is more than I average in my pregnancies. I suppose this explains the uncomfortableness (is that a word? :) and the back aches. She also said that I measured at the 26th week (instead of the 24th) so the baby was either stretching out or is longer than average at this point.

I have told my husband that I would be surprised if this baby wasn't a boy...so many things are different than my 3 girls. However, we will have to wait until next Wednesday for my ultrasound to find out. I do know this little baby is trying little karate chops in my belly! :)

Praise the Lord for His amazing miracles!

Recipe: Fish Tacos with Avocado Sauce

The first time I attempted making fish tacos...it wasn't a good result. So this time, I changed up some things and I enjoyed the result. :) My hubby came home and I asked him if he would like to try one...he hesitated and said the last time wasn't very good. LOL! However, this time, he had two and said this time was 100% better. :)

If you have never tried fish tacos, try them. They are a nice change in your summer menu. I tweaked this recipe from its original...I tend to throw things in without measuring (that's the fun of cooking :)...so feel free to add or take away according to your taste.

I used corn tortillas instead of flour...remember to heat well before assembling tacos...corn tortillas break and fall apart very easily unless heated.

Fish Tacos with Avocado Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound halibut or tilapia fillets
  SAUCE:
• 2 medium ripe avocados
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tsp. cajun seasoning
  SALSA:
• 3-4 roma tomatoes, chopped
• 1/2 red onion, chopped
• 1 chopped seeded jalapeno pepper
• Minced fresh cilantro
• Lime juice
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• Salt or cajun seasoning
  TACOS:
• 8 flour tortillas (6 inches)
• 2 cups shredded cabbage

Directions

• In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the lemon juice, oil and garlic. Add the halibut; seal bag and turn to coat. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Peel and cube avocados. In a small bowl, mash avocado. Stir in the remaining sauce ingredients. Combine ingredients for salsa. Refrigerate sauce and salsa until serving.
• Drain fish and discard marinade. Broil halibut 4-6 in. from the heat for 8-10 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Place fish on the center of each tortilla. Top each with cabbage, sauce and salsa.
  

My Memorial Day...

Yesterday, for Memorial Day, the girls and I spent an outing at the park. (My hubby had to work.) The weather was fairly warm; however, it was pretty windy and cloudy. I decided not to let them go swimming at the Marina like we had planned. We did get a lunch and ate and played at the park. Afterwards, we went to Home Depot and Wal-Mart and got more potting soil as well as tomato, pepper and squash plants. We came home and the girls helped me make fish tacoes...mmm! I will share the recipe soon. :)

Today, I will be planting some vegetable and flower plants and tidying up the yard. As well as laundry and piano lessons. We also think our neighbor's pet rabbit is in our garage. Our garage door opener suddenly stopped working...so when we went in through the back door, something had chewed up the styrofoam on the bottom of the garage door...as well as the electrical cord to operate the door. We are hoping to catch it...we don't prefer to have small rodent animals living in our garage! Sigh...we seem to have a magnet for our neighbors' pets!

Have a wonderful Tuesday!