Prayers for My Son

"You are good; so very good!"

God created you and knows every detail about you. We celebrate your uniqueness. We love you and pray over you-

Today, I pray that as Adam walked with God, so do you. I pray that by walking closely with the God that created you, you will remain strong in the Him and uphold your convictions.

Genesis 1:31a (MSG) God looked over everything he had made; it was good, so very good!

Honey Walnut Shrimp

Honey Walnut Shrimp (Just like at PF Chang's- minus the tepid melon balls)

http://closetcooking.blogspot.com

(makes 4 servings)

Ingredients:
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup walnut halves
oil for frying 
1 pound shrimp (peeled and deviened)
1 egg white
1/2 cup corn starch
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions:
1. Bring the water to a boil and stir in the sugar.
2. When the sugar water turns golden add the walnuts and boil for 2 minutes.
3. Strain the walnuts and set them on parchment paper to cool.
4. Heat the oil in a pan.
5. Dip the shrimp into the egg and then into the corn starch.
6. Fry the shrimp in the oil until golden brown
7. Mix the mayonnaise, honey, sweetened condensed milk and lemon juice in a bowl.
8. Add the shrimp and toss to coat.
9. Serve the shrimp garnished with the walnuts.

Mock Pavlova

New favorite recipe:

Pavlova with a few "diet" adjustments (i.e. nonfat yogurt replaces the heavy whipping cream)

6 medium egg whites

1 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp white vinegar (helps take away the "eggy" taste

1 tsp pure vanilla extract, white (I've also used 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract which was extra yummy)

Preheat oven to 250 degrees Farenheit.

Beat egg whites to form soft peaks. Add powdered sugar one tablespoon at a time and beat until still peaks form-- fold in vinegar and extract.

You can either spray with non-stick cooking spray or use parchement paper to line a large cookie sheet. Plop egg white batter by spoonful onto the cookie sheet to create one, 7" circle. Create a small "well" in the middle of the batter to spread the yogurt in later.

Bake 1 hour or until the outside turns a pale, creamy color. Crack the oven door and let cool completely.

Top with any flavor of non-fat yogurt and fresh cut up fruit.

I've tried strawberries and blackberries with vanilla yogurt, and mango/apricot yogurt with blueberries and mandarin (actually my favorite combo thus far).

This dessert is super easy, just takes a little long to bake. Low fat, low cholesterol and perfect for a summery day :)

Moving into 2008

Isaiah 52:6,10-12
6) My people, you will learn Who I am and Who is speaking because I am here...10) The Lord has shown all nations his mighty strength, now everyone will see the saving power of our God. 11) Leave the city of Babylon! Don't touch anything filthy. Wash yourselves. Be ready to carry back everything sacred that belongs to the Lord. 12) You won't need to run. No one is chasing you. The Lord God of Israel will lead and protect you from enemy attacks.

Babylon, at the time this was written, was probably the most progressive, beautiful city in the known world. It was the pinnacle of modernization--can you imagine what the Israelites must have thought when they saw the city for the first time! I like to imagine that, even though they were slaves, the city was beyond comparison and a wonderful place to live. But this passage commands the Israelites to leaves Babylon (would it really have to be a command if it were an awful place to live). I wonder where this year will take me?

You won't need to run. No one is chasing you. The first part of 2007 felt like an uphill battle and there were a lot of things that I had to fight both outward and inward. I understand that we are all human and are constantly warring within ourselves,but I love the fact that this verse reassures that no one is chasing, no need to run.

The Lord God of Israel will lead and protect you from enemy attacks. My only job is to trust and to follow.

Merry Christmas!

Not a long post. It is Christmas and there are people to see and places to be--presents waiting for me (sorry, just had to add the last line--it rhymes!) But in all seriousness just a reminder why we celebrate Christmas:

A Child Has Been Born!

Isaiah 9

6)A child has been born for us. We have been given a son who will be our ruler. His names will be Wonderful Advisor and Mighty God, Eternal Father and Prince of Peace. 7)His power will never end; peace will last forever. He will rule David's kingdom and make it grow strong. He will always rule with honesty and justice. The LORD All-Powerful will make certain that all of this is done.

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Luke 2

10) But the angel said, "Don't be afraid! I have good news for you, which will make everyone happy. 11) This very day in King David's hometown a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord.

Merry Christmas!

Truth Seeker

"Make us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong, and never to be content with a half truth when the whole truth can be won."

Quote from West Point Cadet Prayer

Remembering

"I remember to think about the many things you did in years gone by. Each morning let me learn more about your love because I trust you. I come to you in prayer, asking for your guidance. You are my God. Show me what you want me to do, and let your gentle Spirit lead me in the right path." Ps 143:5,8,10

I think milestones are important, necessary for our Christian journey. Throughout the Old Testament whenever anything significant happened the Israelites built an altar and worshipped there-- how many times after this does the scripture make a point of saying, "and the altar can still be seen to this day."

We are so forgetful, so out of focus sometimes that we only see the most immediate problem or circumstance and totally forget to remember all the things that God has already done for us. The Psalmist makes a point of saying "I remember to think", I choose to remember what You've done for me.

People remember differently. I personally have verses taped around my house that remind of a promise or of a time when I needed encouragement. I have a few physical mementos around the house that mean something only to me--you might even think that they are misplaced accessories, but they aren't-- it is my way of constantly remembering what God has done for me.