Bread Frenzy

In my attempt to create foods that my son could eat I have turned in to a bread freak! In December of 07  Z was diagnosed with EE, eosinophilic esophagitis (mouthful!). It is a condition where eosinophils, inflammatory cells, rapidly grow in your esophagus. Because your throat is swollen and tight,  you develop persistent reflux symptoms, sometimes unable to keep a meal down. Although there is not much known about the disease, they have correlated food allergies to the growth of the cells. The foods that you show a sensitivity to are then eliminated from your diet and you are given steroids to take daily for a yr and then gradually weaned off as long as symptoms stay at bay. Z has a very stubborn case of EE and we have yet to be able to wean him of the steroids so the doctors are wanting to be more aggressive about eliminating foods. Dairy and Soy are the next on the list on top of peas, corn, and mustard we have already eliminated.

Switching milks was the easiest task, Almond milk. What's not so easy is eliminating all the derivatives of corn, soy, and milk. Somewhere along the way I turned in to Betty Crocker. Yesterday I made 2 loaves of bread in my new bread machine and then today I made another. I am planning on buying the supplies to make my own almond milk. I have finally reached the verdict that Whole Foods recipe sight is going to be my new best friend. Tomorrow I am going to attempt to make my own granola bars. Wish me luck :) During this frenzy, I cannot keep my hands off the bread! I must have eaten a whole loaf so far! If anyone has any yummy recipes that would be much appreciated!

Haiti

Well I just got home from a Haiti Team Meeting. It was awesome! It is so nice to be transparent and honest yet not feel judged in any way at all. We shared our life stories today as a way of getting to know each other and bond before our trip. It is really neat to hear the diversity in our group and listen to how God is working in everyone’s lives. I only wish that the church as a whole was more willing to do the same- to meet people where they are, get to know them without judgement, and see them the way Jesus sees them.

I am so excited about my upcoming Haiti trip. I know that God has big plans for our group! Although it was my desire to go on the this trip, I am definitely leaving my comfort zone. I am not an outside camper type girl. I like showers everyday, wearing make-up, and NOT sweating lol. I know that God plans to stretch me through this experience but most of all I hope I come closer to seeing God’s plan for my life. I believe I am right where God wants me to be, married to Andy and parenting our 4 boys, but what does God desire for my life past motherhood?

The Lord is my Strength and my Shield

As I sit here and  think of my husband leaving again tomorrow for another week it is easy to throw myself a pity party. If I sit and think long enough I can throw myself into a full-blown tizzy! What will the evenings hold? Will my oldest son lose control of his emotions and actions? Will I be the victim of those outbursts? How will I keep the other boys safe? Will I know what to do in each situation to make the best of it? As you see, it is very easy to feel defeated and overwhelmed. That is exactly what Satan wants to do. His goal is to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10) my joy and keep me from fulfilling God’s purpose.

Earlier this afternoon I was fulfilling extremely anxious about my husbands upcoming travels but after a few tears I decided to get away with my Bible. I went to my favorite place, the local coffee shop. I am definitely a lover of coffee and the atmosphere that surrounds cafes. I decided that instead of falling in to Satan’s trap, I was going to replace his lies with God’s truth. First I went through my concordance reading different verses on ‘hope’. The ones I really saw as useful this week I wrote down. Next I did the same for “strength’. Amazingly, well not really I should have know, I felt 100 times better! I decided that I would make a pretty page on my laptop to print off and hang up in various places through out the house. (Ha Ha Satan, the jokes on you, I will not allow you to take away the joy in my life)! I thought you all might enjoy the verses as well. Your welcome  it is my pleasure to help you defeat Satan in your lives as well.

It is really sad in my situation when I allow Satan to take away my joy. Motherhood is one of God’s most precious gifts, of course besides the cross, and when I allow him to take control in my life and fear to grow I am no longer enjoying the gift God has given me. Please Lord, allow me to take every day at a time, to treat every day as a precious gift from you, to keep my patience in stressful situations, and to remember that this is not my home. Heaven is where I belong, Heaven is my home and there is no place like home… .

Here are the verses I found to be the most helpful. I hope that they are beneficial to you as well.

• The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. Ex 15:2
• The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. Psalm 28:7
• Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:5
• My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is my strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26
• So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
• The SOvereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights. Hab 3:19
• I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. Phil 4:13

I lift my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaver and Earth. He will not let your foot slip-He who watches over Israel with neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you- the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm- He will watch over your life; your coming and going both now and forevermore.       Psalm 121

Hello!

I originally wanted to start this blog to keep family and friends updated while in Haiti but I have decided that maybe it would be helpful if I started it now. I have always enjoyed writing and through high school it helped me survive the emotional rollercoasters. I’d like to say that now my life is wonderful and free of stress and the feelings of frustration, defeat, and sadness, but that would be a lie. My emotions no longer revolve around break-ups, heartache, and girl drama, but have been replaced with the stress of parenting special needs children, the sadness that comes with being married in a fallen world, and the frustration of not being able to control everything around me. Luckily I have a wonderful Savior that loves me and my family more than I can ever imagine. It is his grace that gets me through each day and tapping in to the power that is available to all believers. “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength”. Phil 4:13

I would like to use this blog in the same way that I used my journal in high school, to work through my emotions, gain relief, and maybe help others in similar situations. I’d love for you to join me on my journey.