Zizzie Happenings

After days of praying I've decided to continue blogging into 2014.  I hope to focus more time on my blog and less time in Facebook.  Time management is going to be key for me! Tomorrow, as we begin the year, I'll post my 2014 goals.  In the meantime, I thought I would share this list of resolutions that I found on the internet. New Years Resolutions We All Should Make 1.  Smile More 2.  Spend Less 3.  Stay Active 4.  Don't Worry 5.  Eat Smarter 6.  Pray Harder 7.  Hug Your Loved Ones 8.  Count Your Blessings 9.  Listen Before Speaking 10. Admit When You're Wrong

With the new year right around the corner I am taking some time to pray about what my focus should be for 2014.  I haven't been blogging much lately and I'm wondering if I just need to give it up all together. Originally when I started blogging I was a stay at home wife and wanted to share a glimpse of my life to family and friends as well as have a place to store favorite recipes, projects and memories. Now my life is very different and I find myself often feeling overwhelmed.  What I've been learning and realizing is that part of God's unique plan in a husband and wife relationship is balance.  Mike balanced me out, his strong points were my weaknesses, so we completed each other very well.  Each day that goes by without Mike in my life, I realize all the more how blessed I was to have him as my husband. Now that I am working full time and trying to learn something totally new at work I haven't really had the time or energy...

This just in - Due to extremely high traffic, some customers were unable to place an order on Black Friday so this special has been extended thru December 1st.  Don't miss out on this great deal!

Psalm 28:7 ~ The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.

We will have 28 people in our house tomorrow and Mom is getting everything looking perfect.  What a blessing it is to have a big house that we can open up to all who don't have family in town to celebrate Thanksgiving.  It's also a blessing to have a Mom who loves to cook and bake.  She has been coordinating every last little detail to make sure we have all the food ready on time and make sure there is more than enough for everyone to eat and enjoy. Thank you Lord for blessing me with family who is willing to do anything.  I am truly blessed! Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving day! Psalm 86:12 ~ I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.

I know I haven't blogged much lately and I thought what better way to get back into it than to post a new recipe we tried the other day and everyone enjoyed! Curried Pumpkin Lentil Soup 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil 1 small onion, chopped 1 small apple, chopped 48 ounces vegetable broth 2 (15 ounce) cans pure pumpkin 2 teaspoons mild curry powder (can add more to taste) 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1 1/2 cups dried red lentils (green lentils are okay too if that's what you have on hand!) 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk 1 tablespoon honey (or agave or maple syrup)  fresh cilantro or sliced green onions for garnish 1 tablespoon pepitas (pumpkin seeds) for garnish plain Greek yogurt such as Chobani, for garnish (optional and will not be vegan) Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and saute until beginning to soften, about 7 minutes. Add the apple, and continue to saute until both the...

Saturday we had our yearly church picnic and as usual it was a great time of fellowship, food, fun, family and friends! Here are a few of my favorite pictures I took:

O lead me, Lord, that I may lead The wandering and the wavering feet; O feed me, Lord, that I may feed Thy hungering ones with manna sweet. O use me, Lord, use even me, Just as Thou wilt, and when, and where, Until Thy blessed face I see, Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share.                                                 ~ Frances R. Havergal

Noah was a truly patient man So God called him to build an ark And in the middle of the driest land Where faith just like dust blew apart Throughout so many years And through some dark despair Noah's faith was building strong The hope and promise That the Lord had shared It gave him the strength to carry on So no matter how dark this life may seem We can stand on His word with believing That He will never forsake us When there's one thing we're willing to do Chorus You gotta be willing to wait on Him Just wait upon the Lord Put every bit of your faith in Him 'Cause He'll open heaven's door You gotta be willing to wait on Him For His blessing He'll reward If we don't accelerate We can then celebrate If we can just wait Wait on the Lord Even though the winds of life Blow swiftly by The pace of His grace we will feel And in our times of needed let's realize That the hope in His word is so real So no matter what lif...

Everyone longs to give themselves completely to someone, to have a deep soul relationship with another, to be loved thoroughly ad exclusively. But, God says to a Christian, "No, not until you are satisfied, fulfilled, and content with being loved by Me alone; not until you resolve to giving yourself totally and unreservedly to Me. Only then will you be able to have the intensely personal and unique relationship that I have planed for you.  You will never be united to another until you are united with Me, exclusive of anyone or anything else, exclusive of any desires or longings. I want you to stop planning, stop wishing, and allow Me to give you the most thrilling plan existing -- One that you cannot imagine. I want you to have the best.  Please allow Me to bring it to you.  You keep watching Me, expecting the greatest things.  Keep listening and learning the things I tell you.  You just wait...that's all. Don't be anxious. Don't worry. Don't look at...

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

My heart is very burdened for missions and when I heard that my friend's daughter and son where going on a missions trip to Uganda, I knew I wanted to help spread the word so others could also help, both by praying as well as giving.  Check out their blog for more details!

I'm attempting to get back into the swing of things with blogging but since I have been feeling overwhelmed lately with lots going on in life, I have not taken the time to stop and think.  When I sit down to blog I have so much going on I don't know where to start so I thought I would start by sharing some miscellaneous pictures I've taken recently.   We finally have our craft room basically in order, now we just need to find the time and energy to get in there and make some cards.  One of the first things we decorated when we moved in was the top of the kitchen cabinets.  Most of the walls in the rest of the house are empty and with life being so crazy I'm not sure when we will get to decorating.   This is my bedroom.  I wanted something totally different for my room.  I have always decorated country style or patriotic.  Now I have this beautiful but unique bedspread and color mix and I have no clue how to decorate the...

These pictures are long overdue but atleast I'm finally getting them posted. Maureen and I went on a cruise to celebrate her 40th Birthday... what a blast it was!  I am so thankful for the relationship I have with her! Megan is a little fish... she and Roger both love being in their pool! Megan and I have fun in the kitchen together... here Megan was making cake pops with her Easy Bake Oven.  I think she had the most fun sampling the sprinkles! See you guys next year!

Monday was a day full of mixed emotions for me.  We had the privilege of having Tom and Melissa over for dinner one last time before they started their travels back east.  We had a wonderful time of fellowship and my heart was full of joy but the time came to say goodbye and it was bitter-sweet. I am so excited for them and the start of their journey to Africa as missionaries.  I'm so thankful God allowed our paths to cross because I've learned so much from Tom and Melissa's Godly example.  Pray with me as this precious family starts this new season in their life.  To God Be The Glory! “People who do not know the Lord ask why in the world we waste our lives as missionaries. They forget that they too are expending their lives… and when the bubble has burst they will have nothing of eternal significance to show for the years they have wasted.” Nate Saint, missionary to Ecuador

I wanted to share a few pictures from our trip to San Francisco.   Paul and Kathy went to Alcatraz. Dad, Mom and I went on a Bridge to Bridge cruise. It was beautiful there and the weather was perfect for us. Thanks again Kathy for including us on this weekend getaway!

I know I've been M.I.A. and I am sorry about that but life has been a little crazy and I'm trying to learn how to juggle everything.  In memory of Mike I am continuing my chicken tradition of buying chickens through Gospel for Asia . It's hard to believe another year has passed without Mike in my life.  I know that God is all I need but I would be lying if I said that Mike's passing didn't leave a huge whole in my heart and life.  I am not very good at sharing my feelings and I think people must think I am so cold hearted but the truth is I do have feelings and sometimes I have to remind myself daily that God has a plan.  Mike dying was not an accident or out of God's control.  God was and is in full control and who am I to question why He took Mike. One of many things that I have learned over these past three years without Mike is that He balanced me out.  I've had to learn to stay grounded and keep my f...

Working on the bunkhouse to be used for future missions teams.   Enjoying the famous Navajo taco! Catching up with old friends and making new friends! The Good Goers team... VBS with the Navajo children.    A day of learning more about the Navajo history  

God is our  refuge and strength,      a very  present [ b ]  help in  trouble. 2  Therefore we will not fear  though the earth gives way,      though the mountains be moved into  the heart of the sea, 3  though  its waters roar and foam,      though the mountains tremble at its swelling.  Selah 4  There is  a river whose streams make glad  the city of God,      the holy  habitation of the Most High. 5  God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;      God will help her when morning dawns. 6  The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;      he  utters his voice, the earth  melts. 7  The  Lord  of hosts is with us;      the God of Jacob is our fortress.  Selah 8  Come, behold the works of the  Lord ,    ...

I wanted to share some of what has been going on here since I haven't done a very good job of posting lately. Our new house is almost done.  The details are being finalized and Lord willing we will be doing a walk through and moving in real soon. I received my booklet for my next missions trip.  In less than a month I will be heading to New Mexico to work with widows and orphans. Spent a weekend watching Max and hanging out with Trinity while her parents were out of town. I got Mom set up with her own email address...something that should have happened a long time ago.  Now it will be much easier for everyone to keep in contact with her. I've been busy cat sitting these two brothers.  It's becoming a routine for me since I care for them twice a month. We got a chance to meet up for dinner with some friends who were in town celebrating their 25th anniversary.  We hadn't seen the Downs' in years.  The fellowship that ev...