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Friday, March 30, 2012

Pondering Life As I Know It


Life.

You get up, you rush through your morning routine to meet the afternoon, wane through the early evening and look forward to dinner,only stopping a moment to eat the meal you spent all that day looking forward to, salivating at the thought of dessert mid way through your pasta dish, hoping that the sugar will bring enough energy to complete your evening routine with precise order so you can fall into the sheets and have the day stand completed in your book so the same things you did today can be repeated without setbacks tomorrow.

Yes, the fine details always keep it interesting and give each day an element of distinction, but in essence, this is what life looks like. For many of us anyways... Ordinary.

But if you're like me, you dare to think what lies for you beyond the lines of the ordinary. You long for more because you know you were made for more. Because there is more... Far more!

Following my husband into the military, I have realized how different life can be. Yes, it follows the standard order above, but the specific elements in MY day have given my heart a longing to seek more than just a life of fleshly existence. I have a greater purpose than the day-by-day monotony, i know that in my heart and by the words of jesus. Specifically, I don't know what that different might look like for me, and it may be as ordinary as the scenario above (where I worship and glorify God in my routine), but I don't think that's all the Lord destined my life for.

A verse that captures my attention is this: "Not that I have already obtained this or I am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Jesus Christ has made me his own." -- Phil 3:12. When you open yourself up to the scriptures and what God is doing in the latter part of the story, the story being written with your life, you will be amazed at what he communicates through verses, capturing your heart's attention. This, being one example, is why I believe has something greater at stake for my life.

Another great plus in the military are TDYs. And to Andrew and I, they are more like short 'n sweet sabbaticals. A break from cleaning a larger space, cooking time consuming meals, having weekly responsibilities and more time to rehash where you have strayed from the main things in life.

For this TDY, we have landed in Altus AFB, Oklahoma for a good chunk of time (6 weeks to be exact). Already, I have met up with our beloved spiritual grandparents Carl and Jeanine, along with the Baker family, plus a few other familiar faces! I know God has his hand in our being here as we meet an in-depth study of Romans Carl and Jeanine happen to be going through right now. This also happens to be the same book of the bible I was just studying in Alaska before we left to come here. What providence indeed! I look forward to reaping wisdom from our adventures in the lower 48, following the spirit as he peels back the outer layers of life's kernel to reveal the true seed ( 1 Cor. 15:37-49).

For "what is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable... It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body." -- 1 Corinthians 15: 42, 43b-44

With that said, you probably won't hear a whole lot from me, blogging wise, but I will be updating facebook with news here when it comes.

Oh, and I have some more pictures to share as well! The ones I took with my Nikon will have to wait until I make the time to download and edit them on the computer andrew and I are sharing. Until then, enjoy what I have:

(we had Easter baskets early here, and Elyse loves her singing keyboard and her furry rabbit! The last picture of her lying there is one of my favorites: just chilling at Uncle Jeff's house, watching some TV, which has just now been introduced to-- we don't have such thing at our house in Alaska!)

Blessings-- Xoxo

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Some Quick Highlights From Our Vacation

Currently, I am walking the San Diego Airport with a very sleepy (but light sleeping) baby at 2:00am... So, in order to stay awake, I will share some pictures of our trip from my phone: our room on the beach on Bellows AFB, elyse's introduction to ocean water, the Dole Pineapple farm, the beaches on the Ko Olina resort side, our hikes on base and near koko crater, my birthday luau, all you can sushi bar....

Ok, enough talk. On to the pictures. Enjoy!!

(I'm going to try to sit down now and get some shut eye ;) )

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Testing, testing...!

We are blogging by phone and just want to make sure this method works :) thanks!

...and aloha!!

Friday, March 16, 2012

Milkshakes, Cookie Dough Balls and Ice Cream for Breakfast!

The latest BIG NEWS in our house:

Are you ready???

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WE ARE GOING ON VACATION TODAY!!!!!
!!!!!!
YIPEE!!!!!!!



Yup, that's right: Hawaii bound! A WHOLE six days away from the cold and snow...
... Sand, relaxation, aloha.
Ah.
I just cant wait!

Because as you can tell, we have had ANYTHING but warm weather around here.

But it sure is beautiful!


Look at all that snow though:



We have had some good inside time lately:



Eli is so patient with her!






Here are some views that are noteworthy.
This was from a winter hike in the flattop area:
Powerline Pass.



We recently discovered Elyse is a good cross country skiier too!


Go Lysey go!


The Idiarod!!


Elyse needed a nap after all of those adventures.
Who can blame her?



 
So what's an Alaska girl to do when she has to get in beach body shape?

Drink smoothies, of course! ;)

Here is one of my favorites:

Blue Velvet Smoothie

Yum!

Blue Velvet Smoothie Recipe:

* 1 scoop protein powder

* 1/2 Greek Yogurt

*1/2 cup blueberries, or in my case just berries

* 1 teaspoon pure cocoa powder

* 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal
* 5 ice cubes

Blend and enjoy!!


The picture below is not my picture but Chocolate Covered Katie's !

It's her Cake Batter Ice Cream!
Mine looked just as good, but I forgot to take a picture...
So I am borrowing hers

(Thanks Katie!)

cake batter milkshake

Ever have a craving for raw cookie dough?
If you are female, chances are you have.....

So I got that craving recently.
And induldged in it.
BUT in a healthy manner of course!

(Andrew! Get those hands away from my treats!!!)

Yum....


Raw Cookie Dough Ball recipe:

■2/3 cup pitted dates
■handful of chocolate chips or Sugar-Free Chocolate Chips/Carob chips

■1/4 cup cashews
 I did walnuts... they seem to grind better
■1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract

■tiny pinch of salt
Blend the dates, cashews, salt, and vanilla.Costco sells som KILLER GOOD dates! YUM!!! You can either blend the chocolate with the other ingredients or chop it separately, then mix the pieces into the dough.
Make bars, balls, or shapes of whatever size you want. They are extremely pliable.



 

Andrew and I also had a date night recently


...complete with Spaghetti cupcakes and ice cream for two!


Recipe to come for these!!


Last but not least, Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwiches
...for breakfast!

(I know... radical!)


But so delicious-- and healthy!
(even though it kind of melted in these pictures.. oh well! Still really good.

If you are impatient and want the recipe, go to chocolate covered katie's site and search for it-- yum yum!!)


OH!!
And my new obsession:
The Kangakid!


Cant wait to use it in Hawaii!!!




Came with this bear!
How cute is that?


Well, gotta roll!
Little time left before our ride shows up

(Thanks Lindsey girl!!)

Blessings!!
XOXO

(See you in Hawaii)