God's {faithfulness}

But if we hope for what we do not have, we wait for it patiently -Romans 8:25

Was looking through my list of drafts, things I've never posted. Sometimes I use blogger as a way to put things I am thinking down with no intention of actually posting them. As I was looking through I saw that I saved the verse in bold above. And it is VERY fitting for my life right now. I am again in a season of waiting.

This season of waiting has to do with nursing school at Wake Tech. I am an alternate for the spring class. I received the letter in the mail two weeks ago. I cried when I showed it to Jerod because I feel one step closer to what I want to do but not quite there! Orientation was this past Friday from 1pm-5pm. I am number 30 on the alternate list and last semester they accepted 35 alternates.

Jerod and I were talking about when we have children, we'd like to give them all their options. I had no idea NC had great RN programs at their community colleges. I had no idea what it looked like to transfer to another school, I had no idea there was anything outside of a 4 year university and I had no idea how to support myself enough to purse the degree I wanted.

But now as I wait I'm reminded of this verse in James. You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. James 4:2. For the longest time I just went around desiring to pursue nursing. But even after I set my mind to start pursuing it, I never sat down and asked God. I just assumed He knew. Which is true. God does know the desires of our heart. But like little children (Matthew 18:13), we are to be totally dependent on God. Children depend on their parents, their parents love them and provide for them.

I am encouraged by the following verses in Romans.

Romans 8: 26-28

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will or God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.

I have to submit this desire to God. No matter what, He'll do what is ultimately best for me and what will bring Him the most glory. I know God always shows up and whether God grants me favor in this area by me getting into nursing this semester, or something else, I know and trust God is faithful-- Psalm 33:4-- The word of the LORD is upright, all His work is done in faithfulness.

Hope this brings encouragement. Our God is faithful! He promises that all things will work out for God for those who are called according to His purpose. Do you believe that? I do. I see His faithfulness in my life. Romans 5:8 reminds us-- but God who shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

dmj.

Merlin

See Merlin run. See Jerod run, but not as fast as Merlin!



Pictures for no reason other than we think he's a super cute dog.

And maybe I watched Marley and Me last night and I got a little sad that one day Merlin would not be with us. And maybe I cried when Marley died. Don't judge. I love my dog.

Our dog has a backpack, yes, we're those people.


I love these:

I talk to him when I'm lonesome like; and I'm sure he understands. When he looks at me so attentively, and gently licks my hands; then he rubs his nose on my tailored clothes, but I never say naught thereat. For the good Lord knows I can buy more clothes, but never a friend like that.
{W. Dayton Wedgefarth}

Dogs feel very strongly that they should always go with you in the car, in case the need should arise for them to bark violently at nothing right in your ear.
{Dave Barry}



Merlin all ready for a r-u-n.


dmj.

Stuffed 8-Ball Zucchini

Remember those cute zucchini from the last post? Well, I made em' last night for supper! Turned out great! And you can do it too! So easy. Really the idea is basic, almost like making a meatloaf or a meatball and packaging it a little different. Cooking is a mixture of problem solving, creativity and for me, is very therapeutic. I feel relaxed in the kitchen and I love eating with people! Spending time eating a meal together with Jerod, or a friend or C-group-- there is nothing better. Everyone slows down for a bit and its a time to talk and catch up.

I hope you enjoy these zucchini. I do not know how much longer they will be at the NC Farmer's Market. I got giddy when I saw them! You can easily use this stuffing for peppers too! We tried another wine from Trader Joe's and toasted slice of bread! Delicious :-)


Stuffed 8-Ball Zucchini
I adapted the recipe from Tartelette. I did it with what I had in the house.

4 8-ball zucchini (if you get 6 you can use 1lb. of meat)
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 onion, minced
1/2 C celery plus leafy bits from the center of the stalk, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2/3 lb. ground beef
1 C button mushrooms, chopped
2 yellow tomatoes, chopped
1 C cooked white rice
2 tbsp basil, chopped
1 tbsp dried oregano

Get your baking dish, butter the bottom. Set aside.

In a cast iron skillet heat oil on medium heat. Saute garlic, onion and celery for a couple of minutes, till they're a little soft. Add your beef and brown.



Add mushrooms and tomatoes.





After they've cooked for a bit add your rice. Th mushrooms and tomatoes let off a good amount of water so the rice helps to soak it all up!

While this is cooking you can start to prep your zucchini! Cut the tops off (not too far down, for maximum stuffing space). I used a melon baller, all Jerod's idea, and it worked out great!



Do this too all of them. And in the middle of hollowing out your zucchini, give your mixture a good stir. Depending on the amount of liquid, determine whether or not to take it off the heat and let it cool. Then finish hollowing our zucchini.

Preheat your over to 350 degrees. Then stuff em'!



Take your baking sheet and I pour a little bit of tomato sauce with zucchini (noticing a theme? I really like zucchini.) on the bottom.
You do not have to do this, you could have the pan buttered and only add the remaining meat mixture if you have any.



Then I topped that with my leftover meat mixture.


I put my zucchini on top and popped it in the oven!


Bake for 15 with the tops on. Take the tops off, grate some Parmesan cheese on top and then bake for another 15 minutes.

Enjoy! We did:



dmj.

October, welcome!

I'm sitting in my kitchen, the blinds up, all the windows in the house open, watching the leaves blow across our parking lot, I'm filled with a sense of joy. Fall has finally arrived and to say I'm thankful is an understatement. I've been waiting, not very patiently for the cool breeze, to cook soup, bake apple pie and wear tights. I had a hard time letting go of the colder months last year; when spring came I was sad and complained. I was so not ready to let go that I made another pot of potato soup; it didn't get eaten. Once spring comes it North Carolina, it just gets HOT. No middle ground, not in this state.



The fall always means time with family is close by. My brother's birthday is today, Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner. I'm looking forward to time with family and friends. I'm also looking forward to time spent in the kitchen, cooking soup and doing things with apples.

The NC Farmer's Market was beautiful today. Not as many people as a Saturday morning. I'm starting to see less and less of the fruit and vegetables I've been enjoying all summer as we're moving into colder weather. I was thankful though because there were still small eggplants, zucchini, basil and yellow tomatoes. While I have a love of all tomatoes, the yellow ones have been my favorite this year, but they were only around for 3 weeks. I nabbed 5 today, its the first time in a month I've seen them. These are beautiful medium sized, round, still have dirt on em' and believe it or not, taste a little peppery. I'm thinking maybe sliced thin on a pizza tonight or a tomato sandwich with mayonnaise?

I can always count on having "company" while I'm in the kitchen, Merlin is never far away - ever hopeful - wedged between my legs and the cabinet doors. He waits patiently for me drop something on the floor or to put something in his food bowl. And sometimes if he is looking really cute, I'll slip him something, a piece of peach perhaps?

*Merlin - "Do you need help? Or do you want to give me a piece of the meat your making meatballs with?"


In the fall I tend to miss living in Europe the most. Less tourists are visiting my favorite places, you get to wear your winter clothes, (they have after all been lonely in the Tupperware container in the attic all these months) and Christmas markets start.

*Look what I found! 8-ball zucchini- going to stuff them
with ground beef mixture. Small, round, green, and hopefully
they'll be delicious.


*Look at the gorgeous color of these!
I made them into a sauce with tomatoes- to eat with rice.


But, soon the Farmer's Market will be devoid of my summer favorites- eggplants, varieties of tomatoes, fresh herbs and fruit like peaches and plums. They are making way for apples, pears and beets. I'm going to have to get a little more creative, pretty soon it will be greens and sweet potatoes!

Apple pie anyone?

dmj.