Wow! Has it almost been a month! Oy oy oy, I need to do a better job at keeping this blog up!!! I’m sill in Regina, still trying to get accustomed to it (slowly…maybe…kinda…). Theres been days when I just cant imagine being anywhere else and I really love it here but those are far and few between. Mostly I’m homesick and just want to go home. I’ve never had homesickness before, so I have no idea how long it lasts but I hope it goes away SOON!
I have the opportunity to move to Norway for two years starting in January. This had been a dream of mine for three years and now that I have the chance…I’m sitting here hesitating about it. I’d love love love to go Norway. I think I would be extremely happy there. I can just imagine being there, seeing the fjords and the midnight sun, speaking Norwegian with people and not getting weird looks, being there for syttende mai….I’d love every single minute of it. …
But….that’s MY plan for me….not GOD’S plan for me.
Ya, sure I would love my plan for me and God would use it, but I am sure I will get more out of His plan for me…and God wants me here in Regina…*sighs*…..maybe I need to try and love Regina a little more and stop fighting it.
Maybe part of walking on the water is being where God wants you and enjoying it no matter what and fulfilling the purpose He has for you there and not going and running off and following your own plans (Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.)
I’m where God wants me, being tested, being refined and being prepared for what God has in store for me. I need to stop looking for escape routes and excuses to leave.
Ohh and let me tell you, sometimes that refining hurts...hurts alot. I feel like I am being scraped down but I know in the end I will be more the person God wants me to be so its worth it. I feel blessed to have such sweet friends to be able to encourage me and help me through this time! I love you guys to bits! Hugs!
Shalom!
Friday, 24 August 2012
Tuesday, 31 July 2012
Options
Today I am having a sandwich for lunch. Too many people that seems so boring but for me it is amazingly wonderful! You see, I have not had a sandwich since being diagnosed with celiac disease back in November!
There is this wonderful gluten free bakery in Regina called “Kneaded” that specializes in gluten free baking and there is no chance of cross contamination since it is dedicated to being 100% gluten free!!! For the first time in months I am enjoying bread and waffles…its so wonderful! I didn’t realize how much I was missing! I am so happy that this bakery is here and everything is so fresh and wonderful!
Also today I was talking with a friend and her Mom about Zimrat and I realized that I would have to bring all my own food for camp since I am celiac and everything would either have gluten or be cross contaminated. That’s a week of meals…3 meals a day x 6= 18 meals! Yikes! I talked with them about it and since I would be paying the camp fee( that includes meals) and I would not be eating the meals but rather replacing them a more expensive meal, it would not be right….so since I didn’t really want to go to camp for a week anyways, we worked out a possible alternative! I am possibly just going out to Zimrat for the weekend and paying a smaller fee and also managing meals for myself would be much easier that! As long as everything works out everyone is happy in the end! Baruch HaShem! God is so good! :D
Shalom Everyone!
There is this wonderful gluten free bakery in Regina called “Kneaded” that specializes in gluten free baking and there is no chance of cross contamination since it is dedicated to being 100% gluten free!!! For the first time in months I am enjoying bread and waffles…its so wonderful! I didn’t realize how much I was missing! I am so happy that this bakery is here and everything is so fresh and wonderful!
Also today I was talking with a friend and her Mom about Zimrat and I realized that I would have to bring all my own food for camp since I am celiac and everything would either have gluten or be cross contaminated. That’s a week of meals…3 meals a day x 6= 18 meals! Yikes! I talked with them about it and since I would be paying the camp fee( that includes meals) and I would not be eating the meals but rather replacing them a more expensive meal, it would not be right….so since I didn’t really want to go to camp for a week anyways, we worked out a possible alternative! I am possibly just going out to Zimrat for the weekend and paying a smaller fee and also managing meals for myself would be much easier that! As long as everything works out everyone is happy in the end! Baruch HaShem! God is so good! :D
Shalom Everyone!
Thursday, 26 July 2012
Perspective
Last night I invited a couple people to come over for a prayer night. From my side, it was wonderful. There were just three people including me, it was small but yet so wonderful! I love praying for my friends and I feel so blessed when my friends share their troubles with me and allow me to pray for them. I believe that prayer is powerful and can change and heal things.
Also last night I realized that how you deal with things is all in the perspective of things. You can look at things with a negative attitude and be down and out about it or you can find the positives in it and focus on that. Being positive does not mean that things are going to turn out just they you want them or things are going to go wonderfully and smoothly, it just means that you are going to see the blessings God’s given you even in the hardest of times. God didn’t promise that life would be easy, He promised that we would have trials in our lives and He also promised that He would never leave is nor forsake us. Hold fast to Gods word during the hard times, cling to Him and He will comfort you and help you to see the positives
As my friend was leaving last , she said something to me that is forever going to be in my brain
“Maybe you don’t need Regina, maybe Regina needs you.
All I could say( and yes it was in Norwegian) “Hva?” (What?)
“You’re an instigator”
Ok, so I guess thats also in the perspective of things. This entire time I was thinking that I was going to get something out of Regina, maybe I’m here for another reason. Who knows? Only God does. But I would have never once thought to look at it that way, and I am sure those words that came out of her mouth were straight from our loving Abba!
Shalom!
Also last night I realized that how you deal with things is all in the perspective of things. You can look at things with a negative attitude and be down and out about it or you can find the positives in it and focus on that. Being positive does not mean that things are going to turn out just they you want them or things are going to go wonderfully and smoothly, it just means that you are going to see the blessings God’s given you even in the hardest of times. God didn’t promise that life would be easy, He promised that we would have trials in our lives and He also promised that He would never leave is nor forsake us. Hold fast to Gods word during the hard times, cling to Him and He will comfort you and help you to see the positives
As my friend was leaving last , she said something to me that is forever going to be in my brain
“Maybe you don’t need Regina, maybe Regina needs you.
All I could say( and yes it was in Norwegian) “Hva?” (What?)
“You’re an instigator”
Ok, so I guess thats also in the perspective of things. This entire time I was thinking that I was going to get something out of Regina, maybe I’m here for another reason. Who knows? Only God does. But I would have never once thought to look at it that way, and I am sure those words that came out of her mouth were straight from our loving Abba!
Shalom!
Monday, 23 July 2012
Zimrat Yah!
Last summer I heard about a Messianic Youth camp called Camp Zimrat Yah( Song of God) from my friends Luci and Lucas. Between them and God they convinced me that I should go. So I registered and went. It was fun. I met a lot of cool people at the camp. I’m not super close with anyone from the camp but I do hang out with and talk with people from there still.
So with Zimrat coming up in August and me still not registered to go one can only guess what people have been telling me
“Krystal, you should come to Zimrat”
“Krystal, are you registered for camp yet?”
“Krystal, how come you are not coming to camp”
You get the point. So how come I don’t want to go to Zimrat this year? Mostly because I don’t really feel I fit in with the people from camp, I don’t feel close to anyone there. I don’t hang out with anyone from camp outside of camp except for when I make it happen. This kinda hurts because I wish they would just randomly come over, or invite me to something. I feel like it’s a one sided relationship. That’s kind of a stupid reason for not going to camp I know but I feel rejected, so I just want to hide in the shadows and pretend camp isn’t happening but since moving to Regina that has been impossible as its all everyone I know is talking about.
I think I should get out of my boat though and walk on the water and go to camp and have a good time and focus on my relationship with Yeshua and not worry about fitting in with people and having good friends from camp. This is something that is going to be in my prayers this week as I am going to make a decision about going or not by this Shabbat.
Shalom!
So with Zimrat coming up in August and me still not registered to go one can only guess what people have been telling me
“Krystal, you should come to Zimrat”
“Krystal, are you registered for camp yet?”
“Krystal, how come you are not coming to camp”
You get the point. So how come I don’t want to go to Zimrat this year? Mostly because I don’t really feel I fit in with the people from camp, I don’t feel close to anyone there. I don’t hang out with anyone from camp outside of camp except for when I make it happen. This kinda hurts because I wish they would just randomly come over, or invite me to something. I feel like it’s a one sided relationship. That’s kind of a stupid reason for not going to camp I know but I feel rejected, so I just want to hide in the shadows and pretend camp isn’t happening but since moving to Regina that has been impossible as its all everyone I know is talking about.
I think I should get out of my boat though and walk on the water and go to camp and have a good time and focus on my relationship with Yeshua and not worry about fitting in with people and having good friends from camp. This is something that is going to be in my prayers this week as I am going to make a decision about going or not by this Shabbat.
Shalom!
Sunday, 22 July 2012
Walking on the Water
Sorry, that I have not updated this blog in a while! I have been busy, and then I just kept putting off turning my laptop on. Since getting my iphone I have not turned my laptop on that often!
Back when I was trying to make up my mind about moving to Regina( God had told me He wanted me to move to Regina, I was just hesitating) a friend told me the story of Peter walking on the water and related it to my life. I had to get out of my comfort zone, trust Yeshua and walk on the water. So I am walking on the water! A couple days later my sister without knowing what my other friend had said told me to listen to the song "Walk on the Water" by Britt Nicole, I am going to share a verse from that song with you:
"So what are you waiting for?
What do you have to lose?
Your insecurities try to alter you
You know you're made for more
So don't be afraid to move
Your faith is all
It takes and you can
Walk on the water too"
I have come to love this song very much and it has such meaning to me and I have sang and listened to it so many times since moving to Regina.
So yes, it is official, I am all moved and settled into Regina, getting used to the city and settling into a routine while looking for a job and hanging out with a few people.
Regina has been fun so far, although I must admit that I am homesick for the first time in my life! Crazy, I know! I have lived away from home for three years and I am finally homesick for once! I think its because I have very few friends here and I feel like a fish out of water. At LCBI and CLBI I knew lots of people before going there so it was like moving to another home. Here, I know few people and am not close with any of them. This is probably the biggest reason for being homesick. I know the solution to that is simple MAKE MORE FRIENDS! Sounds easy, right? Nope, not for me! For some of you, that may be a shock! For those of you that know me, I am very outgoing and like to talk a lot. But I am also really shy, and I don’t know how to make friends. At LCBI and CLBI you were expected to bond with people and get to know them and you were given opportunities to bond with people. Also living with people made you even closer.
So now that I am outside of those circumstances I am at a lost and don’t know how to make friends! This is going to be a learning experience for me!
It’s also hard to adjust to living in a city, I lived in Camrose when I went to Bible school and that’s a city but somehow it did not feel like it at all. I am not used to having so many houses close together. I am sure that came out sounding like a true farm kid. Haha. I have had a few good times in Regina so far. The first night someone I knew from Zimrat took me to a Saskatchewan Roughriders game. That was a lot of fun! I was so happy to go to a Riders game! I had also had someone over this past Shabbat for a Erev Shabbat meal. That was lots of fun. The next day, her and I went to Torah study in a smaller town about half an hour away from Regina! That was a lot of fun! It was so nice to spend the day with other Messianic’s reading and discussing Torah. After that we went to someone else’s house and played games. While playing games and hanging out, everyone was making jokes and I have not laughed that much or hard in a good while! It felt so good just to laugh like that. They are some really awesome people and I am so blessed to know them all!
One thing that I really love about Regina is Wascana Park! You can walk around the lake and they have a fountain just like in Camrose. It reminds me of Camrose in a way and it is such a blessing to have something so home like here! It is kind of helping with the homesickness and the adjusting.
I think I am going to end this with a few pictures of my time so far in Regina!
At my first Riders game with Danielle!
My first Erev Shabbat dinner at my house in Regina!
At Wascana Park!
Again at Wascana Park!
Shalom!
Back when I was trying to make up my mind about moving to Regina( God had told me He wanted me to move to Regina, I was just hesitating) a friend told me the story of Peter walking on the water and related it to my life. I had to get out of my comfort zone, trust Yeshua and walk on the water. So I am walking on the water! A couple days later my sister without knowing what my other friend had said told me to listen to the song "Walk on the Water" by Britt Nicole, I am going to share a verse from that song with you:
"So what are you waiting for?
What do you have to lose?
Your insecurities try to alter you
You know you're made for more
So don't be afraid to move
Your faith is all
It takes and you can
Walk on the water too"
I have come to love this song very much and it has such meaning to me and I have sang and listened to it so many times since moving to Regina.
So yes, it is official, I am all moved and settled into Regina, getting used to the city and settling into a routine while looking for a job and hanging out with a few people.
Regina has been fun so far, although I must admit that I am homesick for the first time in my life! Crazy, I know! I have lived away from home for three years and I am finally homesick for once! I think its because I have very few friends here and I feel like a fish out of water. At LCBI and CLBI I knew lots of people before going there so it was like moving to another home. Here, I know few people and am not close with any of them. This is probably the biggest reason for being homesick. I know the solution to that is simple MAKE MORE FRIENDS! Sounds easy, right? Nope, not for me! For some of you, that may be a shock! For those of you that know me, I am very outgoing and like to talk a lot. But I am also really shy, and I don’t know how to make friends. At LCBI and CLBI you were expected to bond with people and get to know them and you were given opportunities to bond with people. Also living with people made you even closer.
So now that I am outside of those circumstances I am at a lost and don’t know how to make friends! This is going to be a learning experience for me!
It’s also hard to adjust to living in a city, I lived in Camrose when I went to Bible school and that’s a city but somehow it did not feel like it at all. I am not used to having so many houses close together. I am sure that came out sounding like a true farm kid. Haha. I have had a few good times in Regina so far. The first night someone I knew from Zimrat took me to a Saskatchewan Roughriders game. That was a lot of fun! I was so happy to go to a Riders game! I had also had someone over this past Shabbat for a Erev Shabbat meal. That was lots of fun. The next day, her and I went to Torah study in a smaller town about half an hour away from Regina! That was a lot of fun! It was so nice to spend the day with other Messianic’s reading and discussing Torah. After that we went to someone else’s house and played games. While playing games and hanging out, everyone was making jokes and I have not laughed that much or hard in a good while! It felt so good just to laugh like that. They are some really awesome people and I am so blessed to know them all!
One thing that I really love about Regina is Wascana Park! You can walk around the lake and they have a fountain just like in Camrose. It reminds me of Camrose in a way and it is such a blessing to have something so home like here! It is kind of helping with the homesickness and the adjusting.
I think I am going to end this with a few pictures of my time so far in Regina!
At my first Riders game with Danielle!My first Erev Shabbat dinner at my house in Regina!
At Wascana Park!
Again at Wascana Park!Shalom!
Thursday, 21 June 2012
Moving!
I am moving in like 20 days!!! That’s right everyone, I have found a place to live in Regina and am moving there the first week in July! I am actually excited about! I am busy packing/sorting and cleaning! It’s crazy!
I know that God is with me on this move and that He will be with me no matter where I go. That is helping me not to be to stressed about it. I am also trying to cut back on my worrying and not worry to much about this move. Every time I start to worry about it I stop and make myself think of three positive things about the move. It’s actually working pretty well! I am looking forward to hopefully getting to know my Regina friends a bit better while I am living there.
I should be used to packing and unpacking things by now. After all I have done it six times but its one of those things that even though its gets easier with practice you still don’t get used to it. I must say though that after six times I have a pretty good system down for packing! Haha
Anyways I should get back to spending time with family/friends and pets as much as I can before I move!!!
Shalom Everyone!
Wednesday, 13 June 2012
WOW!
Wowie! Has it really been over a month since I have sat down and typed out something to put on here! I am going to have to make it a point to write something at least once a week! I do have a few things to share, some good and some bad. First off the bad. As most of you already know sweet precious Kolbjorn passed away on May 21st. That was pretty hard for me to take. I felt pretty down for a week about it, and I kept remembering the sweet things he would say and do. It is comforting though to know that Kol is with Yeshua and that I WILL see him again. It’s funny though that I still keep expecting to see him, I wonder how long it will take before I stop wondering that? I feel so blessed that I got to know sweet little Kol. He was such an inspiration to me. He always had a smile on his face, was ready with a hug and could always make me laugh. You will be missed sweet Kol!
A couple weeks ago I went camping with a couple friends of mine that I met at camp last year. I hadn’t seen either one of them since last August so it was a lot of fun. Both of them are completely hilarious( in a good way!) and they kept me laughing. It was so nice just to be able to hang out with friends and laugh. I am so blessed to have them both as friends. Lots of good memories were made that weekend for all three of us I am sure! They were even sweet enough to be willing to eat gluten free for the weekend. Brave, brave people!
While camping I learned that ticks are very intrusive little things…ohh and icky! My friends were not really impressed by them so I was removing them off their clothes/ getting them out of their tents etc. I was handling it pretty well( I am not really scared of ticks) until on the last night as I was going to sleep I felt one crawling up my back. It was pretty much an immediate strip down in the tent to get rid of it! Ugh! Then when I came home and showered I had three come crawling out of my hair, one attached to my leg and a week after the trip I found one embedded in my head that was already huge and white. Lovely. Thank you for taking up residence in my head but I didn’t have a sign that said “space for rent”. On our next camping trip ,tick repellent is going to be the first thing I pack!
Camping was also a nice way to de-stress after the passing of Kol. Just to be able to hang out, laugh and share stories did wonders for me. I think they should consider camping with friends a form of therapy! It does wonders, it really does! Thank you both for the amazing trip and taking the time to hang out with me. I appreciate it sooo much!
Also I have been making progress on the moving to Regina thing. I am actually looking for places and starting to pack. I am getting really excited and I am looking forward to it. Regina reminds me of Camrose so I hope that I feel at home there right away. Please keep it in your prayers that I find a place to live there soon! I must practice patience though, trust God and remember that things happen in Gods time not in mine! Patience Krystal, Patience! God will provide a place in His time! Easier said than done but hopefully with a little practice it will soon be easy!
My cousins grad is this weekend! Wow! Where has time gone? I still cant believe that she is old enough to be graduating from high school. It’s crazy. I don’t think I will believe it until I see her walking across the stage getting her diploma! Maybe not even then! Some days I still find it hard to believe that I graduated from high school Haha! Gods blessing to you in your future Hallie! Maybe the Lord be with you wherever you go!
Also Gods blessing to you my dear sweet friends and may the Lord bless you and keep you, may the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you, may the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace!
Shalom!
A couple weeks ago I went camping with a couple friends of mine that I met at camp last year. I hadn’t seen either one of them since last August so it was a lot of fun. Both of them are completely hilarious( in a good way!) and they kept me laughing. It was so nice just to be able to hang out with friends and laugh. I am so blessed to have them both as friends. Lots of good memories were made that weekend for all three of us I am sure! They were even sweet enough to be willing to eat gluten free for the weekend. Brave, brave people!
While camping I learned that ticks are very intrusive little things…ohh and icky! My friends were not really impressed by them so I was removing them off their clothes/ getting them out of their tents etc. I was handling it pretty well( I am not really scared of ticks) until on the last night as I was going to sleep I felt one crawling up my back. It was pretty much an immediate strip down in the tent to get rid of it! Ugh! Then when I came home and showered I had three come crawling out of my hair, one attached to my leg and a week after the trip I found one embedded in my head that was already huge and white. Lovely. Thank you for taking up residence in my head but I didn’t have a sign that said “space for rent”. On our next camping trip ,tick repellent is going to be the first thing I pack!
Camping was also a nice way to de-stress after the passing of Kol. Just to be able to hang out, laugh and share stories did wonders for me. I think they should consider camping with friends a form of therapy! It does wonders, it really does! Thank you both for the amazing trip and taking the time to hang out with me. I appreciate it sooo much!
Also I have been making progress on the moving to Regina thing. I am actually looking for places and starting to pack. I am getting really excited and I am looking forward to it. Regina reminds me of Camrose so I hope that I feel at home there right away. Please keep it in your prayers that I find a place to live there soon! I must practice patience though, trust God and remember that things happen in Gods time not in mine! Patience Krystal, Patience! God will provide a place in His time! Easier said than done but hopefully with a little practice it will soon be easy!
My cousins grad is this weekend! Wow! Where has time gone? I still cant believe that she is old enough to be graduating from high school. It’s crazy. I don’t think I will believe it until I see her walking across the stage getting her diploma! Maybe not even then! Some days I still find it hard to believe that I graduated from high school Haha! Gods blessing to you in your future Hallie! Maybe the Lord be with you wherever you go!
Also Gods blessing to you my dear sweet friends and may the Lord bless you and keep you, may the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you, may the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace!
Shalom!
Tuesday, 8 May 2012
Random Babble
Wow!!! It’s been so long since I have gotten around writing something to put on here! I still have not made a decision about publishing my book. I’m still thinking and praying on that one!
Thankfully the pain in my side has gone away and has not come back! Baruch HaShem! Takk to everyone who has prayed about that! I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart! However I have been having a weird looking rash lately( almost similar to the one I had prior to being diagnosed with celiac disease) and the doctors are thinking its an oat allergy…hoo boy… what else?! However they are not sure yet and I’m praying and praying that its not! Oats is one of the few grains I can still eat! However if it is an oat allergy I am sure that I will be able to figure it out! It would just be another adventure in life and I am sure I would have fun with it!
Two weeks ago I did all my first aid/CPR recertification. Yeesh…they are always changing how to do things! I felt like I had to relearn everything from bandaging to CPR. I must admit that I am thankful that I do not have a weak stomach because my instructor went into great detail about people vomiting while you are giving them CPR( not IF they vomit, WHEN they vomit) and showing us some pretty gruesome pictures of wounds, cut off hands and toes, pencils in eyes…ok you get the point…! It was a great class though all in all and I am glad that I have the knowledge and skill to help someone if they need it! Hopefully I dont have to use it! Ever!
The month of May is celiac disease awareness month! In my next post I am going to try to gather up some information about celiac disease so those of you who are not familiar with it can become more familiar. Also I had the great idea to ask my friends to go gluten free for the month of may in support and to raise awareness of celiac disease. Thankfully my friends are just as crazy as I am and most of them embraced the idea and are now gluten free for the month of may! You guys are awesome!!!
So in honour of celiac awareness month and all my friends who are gluten free( may it be a month or for life) here is my recipe for gluten free peanut butter chocolate chip cookies!
GF Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 egg
¾ C. Sugar
1 tsp Baking powder
1 C. Creamy peanut butter
½ tsp Vanilla extract
1/3 C. Chocolate Chips
Preheat oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Beat together egg, sugar, baking powder and vanilla with an electric mixer. When that is well mixed beat in the peanut butter. Stir in chocolate chips.
Drop dough by teaspoonfuls onto prepared baking sheet, pressing lightly with the back of a fork. Bake for ten minutes until lightly set. Let cool ten minutes before removing from pan.
Enjoy!
Shalom Everyone!
Saturday, 21 April 2012
To Publish or not to Publish
I don’t call myself a writer. If I do write something it is usually on a whim and those are few and far between. I have written a few poems ,a song or two and a couple devotionals. Not much.
A year and half ago I had the great idea that I would write a children’s book complete with pictures and everything. I am still amazed and how everything came together once I had the idea. The ideas just flowed and the pictures came together nicely. I used pictures of myself, family and friends and just cartooned the pictures using a photo editing program. The end result was a booked titled “I am there…” explaining how God is always with us no matter what you do. I decided to get about twenty copies printed to hand out as gifts to family and friends as a thank you to letting me use pictures of them in the book. I thought that was the end of it until this morning.
Someone sent a copy of the book into a publishing company along with my information and this morning I got a phone call from the publishing company telling me that they wanted to publish my book and do the whole author thing.
Wow! That was a shock to my system. I told them that I wanted to pray about it first and weigh my pros and cons before I committed to a yes or no.
I still cannot believe the events. My mind is still boggled. Do I really want it published? If it gets published what does that mean for me? Will they want another book? Ohhh the thoughts that are tumbling through my mind!
For now I am just going to pray about and trust God with everything. The book was written for His glory and not for mine. He have me the idea. I will trust Him to help me make the right decision in His timing and not mine.
Shalom!
A year and half ago I had the great idea that I would write a children’s book complete with pictures and everything. I am still amazed and how everything came together once I had the idea. The ideas just flowed and the pictures came together nicely. I used pictures of myself, family and friends and just cartooned the pictures using a photo editing program. The end result was a booked titled “I am there…” explaining how God is always with us no matter what you do. I decided to get about twenty copies printed to hand out as gifts to family and friends as a thank you to letting me use pictures of them in the book. I thought that was the end of it until this morning.
Someone sent a copy of the book into a publishing company along with my information and this morning I got a phone call from the publishing company telling me that they wanted to publish my book and do the whole author thing.
Wow! That was a shock to my system. I told them that I wanted to pray about it first and weigh my pros and cons before I committed to a yes or no.
I still cannot believe the events. My mind is still boggled. Do I really want it published? If it gets published what does that mean for me? Will they want another book? Ohhh the thoughts that are tumbling through my mind!
For now I am just going to pray about and trust God with everything. The book was written for His glory and not for mine. He have me the idea. I will trust Him to help me make the right decision in His timing and not mine.
Shalom!
Sunday, 8 April 2012
Family and Friends
Is it just me or does anyone else come from a crazy family? Whenever my family gets together we always end of acting like complete goofs and creating the most hilarious memories. Today my Tante, Onkel and cousin came over for dinner. So altogether we had 8 people. Not that many, but enough to create some good memories.
A couple highlights for me was when my Oma said her electric kettle was broken and my Pappa goes “Well turn it on…” and then my Pappa, Opa and Onkel take about twenty minutes to figure out how to work the kettle…it was rather amusing to watch.
I also got picked on because I was short, my 14 year old cousin towers over me and the entire night everyone was cracking jokes about how short I was. I don’t mind the short jokes, I enjoy them and laugh about them and I even got a couple snappy comebacks in tonight ( God only lets things grow until they are perfect , some of us reached perfection sooner than others or Short people have the best perspective on life, we are always looking up)
Notice how she towers over me!
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I prefer this picture because you cant tell the height difference!
Perhaps the most memorable thing that was said tonight was the final words that came out of my mouth “If we were Amish we would be watching TV by candlelight.” That got a few good laughs out of everyone, I honestly have no idea what I was thinking!
I think we should all cherish the time we have with family. It’s important. Some days we are all ready to run away from home and leave our family behind, but think back, even though some of you may not get along with your family you probably have some great memories from times you have spent with them. Even if it was just something little. The little things can sometimes make the best memories.
You were born into the family you were for a reason. God wanted you there and even though you may not know why right now, just know that God wants you there for a reason. He has a purpose for your life and you are where you are for a reason.
Family also does not have to be blood family. I am blessed because I have dear friends that are like family to me. I love them like they were my own family. I can count on them for anything and they have been some of the biggest supports in my life. We have laughed together, cried together and prayed together and we know each other really well. It is so wonderful to have friendships like that. I know that they will always be there for me and the trust we have with each other is amazing. I am blessed everyday by their friendships may it be a prayer , a hug or an encouraging word. If I have ever taken the time to text you and ask you how you are doing or simply that I am praying for you, that’s my special way of telling you that I appreciate you and I`m glad you’re my friend!
I am blessed by the countless relationships I have. To all my friends and family, I love you guys so much! Be Blessed!
Shalom!
A couple highlights for me was when my Oma said her electric kettle was broken and my Pappa goes “Well turn it on…” and then my Pappa, Opa and Onkel take about twenty minutes to figure out how to work the kettle…it was rather amusing to watch.
I also got picked on because I was short, my 14 year old cousin towers over me and the entire night everyone was cracking jokes about how short I was. I don’t mind the short jokes, I enjoy them and laugh about them and I even got a couple snappy comebacks in tonight ( God only lets things grow until they are perfect , some of us reached perfection sooner than others or Short people have the best perspective on life, we are always looking up)
Notice how she towers over me! .JPG)
I prefer this picture because you cant tell the height difference! Perhaps the most memorable thing that was said tonight was the final words that came out of my mouth “If we were Amish we would be watching TV by candlelight.” That got a few good laughs out of everyone, I honestly have no idea what I was thinking!
I think we should all cherish the time we have with family. It’s important. Some days we are all ready to run away from home and leave our family behind, but think back, even though some of you may not get along with your family you probably have some great memories from times you have spent with them. Even if it was just something little. The little things can sometimes make the best memories.
You were born into the family you were for a reason. God wanted you there and even though you may not know why right now, just know that God wants you there for a reason. He has a purpose for your life and you are where you are for a reason.
Family also does not have to be blood family. I am blessed because I have dear friends that are like family to me. I love them like they were my own family. I can count on them for anything and they have been some of the biggest supports in my life. We have laughed together, cried together and prayed together and we know each other really well. It is so wonderful to have friendships like that. I know that they will always be there for me and the trust we have with each other is amazing. I am blessed everyday by their friendships may it be a prayer , a hug or an encouraging word. If I have ever taken the time to text you and ask you how you are doing or simply that I am praying for you, that’s my special way of telling you that I appreciate you and I`m glad you’re my friend!
I am blessed by the countless relationships I have. To all my friends and family, I love you guys so much! Be Blessed!
Shalom!
Saturday, 7 April 2012
He Came to my Rescue!
Yesterday morning I was standing in our kitchen making brownies and I went to the sink to rinse out a container and I could feel myself getting sweaty, light headed, dizzy and my vision was blurring. I knew I was going to pass out so I gripped the counter with all the strength I had in me. All of a sudden I felt two arms around me and a voice saying “I am hear my child”. The next thing I remember is waking up on the floor of our kitchen and wondering how I got there. I then realized I had passed out. I managed to get up and crawl to our couch where I stayed for the next two hours. After I had processed this experience a few things amazed me. A couple of them are that I fell from a standing position onto a hard floor but I do not have bruise or anything on the back of my head from falling. I also avoided hitting anything on my way down, no matter what way I fell I would have hit something( based on where I was standing and where everything is in our kitchen is) but I was in the middle of our kitchen well away from everything.
My Heavenly Father was looking out for me at that moment when I needed Him. He wrapped His arms around me and protected me from anything that could have happened to me. He was there to catch me. How great and peaceful it is to know that our loving Abba is there to look out for us and protect us. It is such a comfort. We have no need to worry or fear. He will take care of us. He is there when we need Him. He is always there, never leaving our side. Learning to have that trust in God is so valuable not only for our Faith, but also our peace of mind. When you live knowing that you are held by the hands of God at all times, you breathe a little easier, sleep a little sounder and worry just a little less. Because you trust in God to always be there for you – and most importantly to never leave.
Call out to God and ask Him to be with you and to take care of you. He will come to your rescue. No matter what it is.
“I called, you answered and you came to my rescue” ( Came to my Rescue by Hillsong United)
Shalom!
My Heavenly Father was looking out for me at that moment when I needed Him. He wrapped His arms around me and protected me from anything that could have happened to me. He was there to catch me. How great and peaceful it is to know that our loving Abba is there to look out for us and protect us. It is such a comfort. We have no need to worry or fear. He will take care of us. He is there when we need Him. He is always there, never leaving our side. Learning to have that trust in God is so valuable not only for our Faith, but also our peace of mind. When you live knowing that you are held by the hands of God at all times, you breathe a little easier, sleep a little sounder and worry just a little less. Because you trust in God to always be there for you – and most importantly to never leave.
Call out to God and ask Him to be with you and to take care of you. He will come to your rescue. No matter what it is.
“I called, you answered and you came to my rescue” ( Came to my Rescue by Hillsong United)
Shalom!
Saturday, 31 March 2012
We are the Bride!
“I am in love with the man who came and gave his life for me. He is in love with me” This quote from the song “In Love”” by Talitha Waller has caused me to do quite alot of thinking these past two days. I have heard of couples who after they are Betrothed, they will separate and not see each other until the wedding day. The bride does not know the day that they are getting married. She anxiously awaits, and prepares for the day when she will the sound of the trumpet and her bridegroom calling out to her telling her that this is the day they are to be married. This represents how it is with us and Yeshua, we do not know when Yeshua is coming back, but we are preparing and awaiting the sound of the trumpet upon his return.
Think about how the bride feels awaiting the return of her bridegroom. Excited? You bet! She goes through everyday thinking “”Will this be the day?” “”When is he coming”” “”Ohhh I can’t wait until he comes!’” “”How come he has not come yet?”” She cannot wait until her bridegroom comes to sweep her off her feet because she is totally and 100% in love with him!!! She is lovesick for him!
Do we feel this way about Yeshua’s return to earth? Do we get as excited as the bride waiting for her bridegroom? Are we so in love with Yeshua that we wake up every day going” Is this the day? Is Yeshua coming today?! I can’t wait until he comes!” Do we anxiously prepare for his return? Are we so in love with him that we are giddy with excitement?
We need to be more like the Bride, we need to be so in love with Yeshua that we wake up every day anxiously awaiting his return, and we need to be so in love with him that we are lovesick while we are waiting for him return.
When the bride hears the sound of the trumpet upon the arrival, think of what she feels, she wants to run into the arms of her bridegroom and never let him go.
Imagine what it will be like to run into the arms of Yeshua and never let him go.
Await for the return of Yeshua with the same emotions as the bride awaiting the return of her bridegroom. Wait for him with such excitement that he cannot return fast enough!
Thursday, 29 March 2012
Focus on Prayer
WOW! It has been one crazy whirlwind week!!! So many things have happened this past week! It has been crazy! You know how people always say that when things are going good, it’s easy to forget to Praise God for the many blessings that He has given us. This past week, I felt that God kept getting put off because I was to busy running around, helping people. I would pray but it was not the deep, intimate prayer that I normally have. I would be in the middle of doing something and I would just mutter a quick prayer under my breath. I am rather ashamed to admit that. How I longed for the deep and intimate prayer with my loving Abba but I could just not find the time.
I then remembered that you can never find time for anything, you have to make time. So I just stopped what I was doing, went in my room, shut the door and had my deep prayer time. It was wonderful! God is so good!
God longs for us to come before Him, to humble ourselves and bow down before Him. To spend time with Him. If we do not pray with God our relationship with Him does not grow and it starts to fade.
Prayer helps us grow closer and more intimately connected with God ( But if you stay joined to me and my words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted! John 15:7) We do not need to use big fancy words when we pray, simple prayers with simple words are often the best ( Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:2). If we do not know what to pray , the Holy Spirit will help us pray ( In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. Romans 8:26-27)
When we pray we must have a Humble Heart ( If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land 2 Chronicles 7:14) Wholeheartedness ( You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13) Faith ( Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24) Righteousness ( Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16) Obedience ( And we will receive whatever we request because we obey him and do the things that please him.1 John 3:22).
God answers our prayers. (He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. Psalm 91:15)
Sometimes our prayers are refused. They must line up with God’s will.
We should always pray with other believers ( Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. Matthew 18:19)
Go make time to spend with God, humble yourself and bow before Him. Be in His presence. It’s amazing and wonderful. He is waiting for you to come to Him! He longs for you!
Shalom!
Wednesday, 21 March 2012
Hard to Breathe
As I’m sitting here choking on my own breath…I am a bundle of mixed emotions.
Two weeks ago we had a long time family friend die suddenly from cancer, it was shocking to say the least. None of us are still really recovered from it.
On Saturday I got a text from a friend telling me that Kolbjorn’s brain tumour was growing once again, the DMSO treatments did help in the way that we had all hoped and prayed for.
What did this mean for little Kolbjorn? I honestly have no idea, all I know is that the life of that precious boy is in the hands of our wonderful Abba.
I am so overcome with emotion right now that its hard to breath, I want to scream and cry at the same time. I keep thinking of his smile and the way his face lights up when he sees me and how he runs over and gives me the biggest hug ever.
If I am feeling this way, I have no idea what his family is feeling and my heart goes out to them.
The one comfort I have is that if the worst happens Kolbjorn will be with his loving Abba and there will be no more pain for him. He will be where he wants most to be.
When Kolbjorn was first diagnosed 2 years ago-ish, I saw him at Church and I went over and was hugging him and trying to keep from crying. He pushed me away and put his hands on my face and said
“It’s ok to cry, I know I might die but if I die I will be with Jesus and that’s where I want to be”
Well that sure got my tears flowing.
My heart and prayers go out to Kolbjorn and his family. Please keep him and his family in your prayers.
On a more happy note, I have a cool story to share with everyone. As everyone knows I am thinking of moving to Regina because I feel that that is where God wants me.
Well, about a week ago I was talking with a friend who is moving to Regina for the summer, I was trying to convince her to move closer to me instead but it didn’t work. She kept telling me to move to Regina( Grrrrrrrrrrr :p ). So finally I said”, “it’s going to take a big flashing neon sign from God to get me to move there!”
Then I prayed “God if you want me to move to Regina give me a sign, the sign has to be someone I hardly know asking me if I live in Regina…”
Problem solved! Everyone knows where I live , no one will ask me if I live there…
The next day I get a random text from someone that I had just met and this is what it said
“”Do you live in Regina btw?””
Well…I guess I should go start packing now, hey? Hahaha I just hope that it ends up being a fun time there!!!!
Shalom!
Two weeks ago we had a long time family friend die suddenly from cancer, it was shocking to say the least. None of us are still really recovered from it.
On Saturday I got a text from a friend telling me that Kolbjorn’s brain tumour was growing once again, the DMSO treatments did help in the way that we had all hoped and prayed for.
What did this mean for little Kolbjorn? I honestly have no idea, all I know is that the life of that precious boy is in the hands of our wonderful Abba.
I am so overcome with emotion right now that its hard to breath, I want to scream and cry at the same time. I keep thinking of his smile and the way his face lights up when he sees me and how he runs over and gives me the biggest hug ever.
If I am feeling this way, I have no idea what his family is feeling and my heart goes out to them.
The one comfort I have is that if the worst happens Kolbjorn will be with his loving Abba and there will be no more pain for him. He will be where he wants most to be.
When Kolbjorn was first diagnosed 2 years ago-ish, I saw him at Church and I went over and was hugging him and trying to keep from crying. He pushed me away and put his hands on my face and said
“It’s ok to cry, I know I might die but if I die I will be with Jesus and that’s where I want to be”
Well that sure got my tears flowing.
My heart and prayers go out to Kolbjorn and his family. Please keep him and his family in your prayers.
On a more happy note, I have a cool story to share with everyone. As everyone knows I am thinking of moving to Regina because I feel that that is where God wants me.
Well, about a week ago I was talking with a friend who is moving to Regina for the summer, I was trying to convince her to move closer to me instead but it didn’t work. She kept telling me to move to Regina( Grrrrrrrrrrr :p ). So finally I said”, “it’s going to take a big flashing neon sign from God to get me to move there!”
Then I prayed “God if you want me to move to Regina give me a sign, the sign has to be someone I hardly know asking me if I live in Regina…”
Problem solved! Everyone knows where I live , no one will ask me if I live there…
The next day I get a random text from someone that I had just met and this is what it said
“”Do you live in Regina btw?””
Well…I guess I should go start packing now, hey? Hahaha I just hope that it ends up being a fun time there!!!!
Shalom!
Tuesday, 20 March 2012
Picture
So tonight I relaxing in my room, and I started taking pictures. I decided to play around a bit with one picture. It's not that great but I decided I would share it with you guys! Here it is!
Shalom!
Saturday, 17 March 2012
Kirsebærkremkake and Riskrem
Yesterday I said I would post some yummy Norwegian recipes on here. I tried to choose a couple with ingredients most people would have, and that would be easy ( Lefse and Krumkake are great, but Lefse is complicated and you need a Krumkake grill for Krumkake) to make. So I chose Kirsebærkremkake and Riskrem. They are both tasty! So here they are!
Kirsebærkremkake ( Cherry Cream Cake)
The Cake:
2 cups (almonds or other nuts
2 cups ( confectioners' sugar
8 egg whites
Cherry Cream:
1/4 cup whipping cream
2 egg yolks
2 T confectioners' sugar
3 1/2 T chocolate sauce or syrup
3 1/2 T cherry juice
The Cake:
Grind almonds twice, the second time with the confectioners' sugar. The almonds should have the consistency of flour. Whip the egg whites until stiff but not dry, and blend with the nuts. Divide and spread batter in two greased 9-inch (23 cm) springform pans, and bake at 320 degrees F (160 degrees C) 25 to 30 minutes. Cool slightly in pan before removing to rack to cool completely. Makes two 9-inch layers.
Cherry Cream:
Beat the cream until firm and glossy. Add eggs and confectioners' sugar which have been whipped together until light and fluffy. Stir in the chocolate sauce or syrup, and add cherry juice to taste. Place one cake layer on platter, baked side down, and cover with half of the cream mixture. Add second layer, baked side up, and top with remaining cream. Keep refrigerated until serving time.
Riskrem
Ingredients
1 Quart milk
3/4 Cup long-grain white rice
1/2 Cup plus 1 to 2 Tbsp superfine sugar
1 Tsp salt
1/2 Tsp almond extract
1/2 Cup almonds
1/2 Cup frozen raspberries, thawed
2 Cups whipping cream
3 Tbsp cloudberry or lingonberry preserves
Preheat your ove to 350º.
In a 3-4 quart non-stick sauce pan simmer the milk, rice, 1/2 cup sugar and salt. Make sure to stir the mixture often until the rice is tender. Simmer until the mixture will thicken to the consistency of porridge about 30 minutes. Add the almond extract. Pour the mixture into a large bowl and let cool, stiring occasionally for approximately 15-20 minutes.
Bake the almonds in a 9-inch pie pan until golden, approximately 10 minutes. Save one almond and chop the rest. The reserved almond should be hidden in the rice pudding and the person who finds it gets a gift.
To make the raspberry topping place the raspberries in a blender and blend until smooth. Strain the puree through a fine wire strainer to remove the seeds. Discard the seeds and sweeten the puree with the remaining sugar to taste.
With your mixer on high speed, in a large bowl whip the cream until soft peaks form. Fold the whipped cream into the cooled rice along with the reserved almond, chopped almonds. Mix until just blended.
To serve, heat the raspberry mixture in the microwave until just hot. If the preserve mixture is too thick add in a little hot water and whisk until smooth.
Serve and drizzle with the preserves or raspberry sauce.
Enjoy! :)
Shabbat Shalom!
Kirsebærkremkake ( Cherry Cream Cake)
The Cake:
2 cups (almonds or other nuts
2 cups ( confectioners' sugar
8 egg whites
Cherry Cream:
1/4 cup whipping cream
2 egg yolks
2 T confectioners' sugar
3 1/2 T chocolate sauce or syrup
3 1/2 T cherry juice
The Cake:
Grind almonds twice, the second time with the confectioners' sugar. The almonds should have the consistency of flour. Whip the egg whites until stiff but not dry, and blend with the nuts. Divide and spread batter in two greased 9-inch (23 cm) springform pans, and bake at 320 degrees F (160 degrees C) 25 to 30 minutes. Cool slightly in pan before removing to rack to cool completely. Makes two 9-inch layers.
Cherry Cream:
Beat the cream until firm and glossy. Add eggs and confectioners' sugar which have been whipped together until light and fluffy. Stir in the chocolate sauce or syrup, and add cherry juice to taste. Place one cake layer on platter, baked side down, and cover with half of the cream mixture. Add second layer, baked side up, and top with remaining cream. Keep refrigerated until serving time.
Riskrem
Ingredients
1 Quart milk
3/4 Cup long-grain white rice
1/2 Cup plus 1 to 2 Tbsp superfine sugar
1 Tsp salt
1/2 Tsp almond extract
1/2 Cup almonds
1/2 Cup frozen raspberries, thawed
2 Cups whipping cream
3 Tbsp cloudberry or lingonberry preserves
Preheat your ove to 350º.
In a 3-4 quart non-stick sauce pan simmer the milk, rice, 1/2 cup sugar and salt. Make sure to stir the mixture often until the rice is tender. Simmer until the mixture will thicken to the consistency of porridge about 30 minutes. Add the almond extract. Pour the mixture into a large bowl and let cool, stiring occasionally for approximately 15-20 minutes.
Bake the almonds in a 9-inch pie pan until golden, approximately 10 minutes. Save one almond and chop the rest. The reserved almond should be hidden in the rice pudding and the person who finds it gets a gift.
To make the raspberry topping place the raspberries in a blender and blend until smooth. Strain the puree through a fine wire strainer to remove the seeds. Discard the seeds and sweeten the puree with the remaining sugar to taste.
With your mixer on high speed, in a large bowl whip the cream until soft peaks form. Fold the whipped cream into the cooled rice along with the reserved almond, chopped almonds. Mix until just blended.
To serve, heat the raspberry mixture in the microwave until just hot. If the preserve mixture is too thick add in a little hot water and whisk until smooth.
Serve and drizzle with the preserves or raspberry sauce.
Enjoy! :)
Shabbat Shalom!
Friday, 16 March 2012
What did you say?
Hvordan har du det? Jeg håpe din all skjønn! Back in high school I had the chance to take Norwegian as a second language. It was just a basic introduction to the language but it was ohh so wonderful! I enjoyed that class very much! I continued studying it on my own after graduation because I loved it so much! It was a great way to connect my heritage. I am not fluent in it, I can get by with a little bit of cheating from my Norwegian dictionary, but I hope to grasp it more fully one day! I don’t speak Nynorsk or Bokmål. It’s a weird combination of the two and English…! Some of my friends have learned what Tusen Takk, Jeg vet ikke, Hvorfor, Hvordan har du det( that’s my favourite thing to ask people..haha), Ha det bra, Vær så snill , Jeg elsker deg and a few other things mean because they sometimes just creep into speech everyday!
I have been in the mall or store with people and have said a phrase in Norwegian and have been asked by countless people if I am from Norway, Sweden , Denmark or Iceland ( basically all your Nordic countries…I’m probably missing one) because I look like and speak like a Nordic person apparently. I get a good laugh over it and usually whoever is with me does to! Then there was the time I was in the airport and I was saying goodbye to my family and I said “Ha det bra!”( Have it good) and this lady at the airport said to me “I hope you enjoyed your stay in Canada” I thought I was going to die from trying to keep a straight face and telling her that I really am a Canadian….and as soon as I got far enough away from her I doubled over laughing! It was priceless! I guess my Canadian accent didn’t give my Canadian-ess away!
I love my Norwegian heritage, its so wonderful and interesting to learn about! I could spend hours learning about it, or studying the language! Ohh and we have awesome food to….hehe!!! I will try to find a couple yummy ones to post on here!
So Takk så mye for reading my blog!
Shalom!
Saturday, 10 March 2012
Rice Flour Bread and Coconut Challah
Since I became Celiac I have not found a good bread recipe until now! I love this bread and while it may not be everyone’s favourite, I enjoy it!
Rice Flour Bread
1 cup rice flour
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1/2 cup almond milk
1/8 cup vegetable oil
Combine the dry ingredients and give them a good dry mix to ensure even distribution.
Beat the egg lightly and add it and the other liquids to the dry ingredients.
Mix thoroughly, the batter should be similar to the consistency of a muffin mix.
Pour the batter into a greased small loaf tin.
Place on the centre rack of the oven and bake for 20 minutes on 350F
Check with a skewer to ensure the loaf is baked right through.
Allow to cool in the tin for 30 minutes.
Once completely cool, slice your loaf and enjoy.
I have also tried this batter for pancakes and it works WONDERFULLY!!! They are light, fluffy and ohhh so yummy! I sometimes put blueberries in mine and that makes them even more delightful!
I also make my own almond milk with organic almonds vs. buying almond milk. Here’s an easy way to make your own almond milk!
½ C. Almonds
2 C. Water
Place ½ cup of almonds and 2/3 cup of water into blender and blend until smooth. Add 1/3 cup of water and blend for awhile. You can either strain it or leave it as it is!
Also if anyone has ever tried to make gluten free bread you know what the batter looks like! It’s very runny and would be impossible to make Challah out of!( since you have to braid Challah). But I found something wonderful! Challah Molds!!! You can just pour the batter in the mold and it comes out looking like braided Challah! Baruch HaShem! I posted a link on the right-hand side of this page for the website. It’s the Kosher Cook link.
I also like to use coconut flour for my Challah. I have kind of adapted coconut as my “special Challah” and only eat it on Shabbat. So here is my Coconut Challah recipe or you can use it as a regular bread if you wish!
Krystal’s Coconut Challah
6 eggs
½ C. margarine( melted)
2 Tablespoons honey
½ tsp salt
¾ C. Coconut flour
1 tsp baking powder
Blend together eggs, honey and salt. Combine coconut flour with baking powder and whisk thoroughly into batter until there are no lumps. Pour into greased Challah mold( or a regular bread pan) and bake at 350F for 40 minutes or until done.
Shabbat Shalom Everyone!
Thursday, 8 March 2012
Keep 'Em Alive!
I took my Level C CPR/AED training about two years ago. One thing we were told in that class was to hum the song "Staying Alive" by the Bee Gees when giving CPR. How come? The song has 103 beats per minute the perfect number to maintain — and retain — the best rhythm for performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR.
The one thing that everyone has trouble with from people who have their CPR training to trained medical professionals is that we dont push on the chest fast enough or hard enough. Thus, the blood does not get to where it needs to go. If you are pushing properly where you should( on the sternum) and the proper depth( 1/3-1/2 for Pediatric CPR and 1 1/2 - 2 for Adult CPR) you should break the persons ribs.
Humming this song helps keep the pace! So everyone go put this song on your ipod in case you ever need to do CPR! It may save a life!!!
The song I posted is a funny little parody.
Another song that has the proper rhythm to it... "Another one bites the dust".......I think I'm going to stick to "Staying Alive".....
That being said, I think it is important for everyone to know how to give CPR properly. If performed quickly and accurately, CPR has been demonstrated to save lives when implemented in the first minutes after someone's heart has stopped.
If you have no formal CPR training you can still help by calling 911 and then begin hands only compressions.
I encourage everyone to go take a CPR training course, its a good thing to have, and having the ability and knowledge to save a life is worth it.
Have a great day!
Shalom!
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
Lord of the Dance
Ever since I was really little, a dream of mine has beenn to see Michael Flatleys Lord of the Dance live. About a week ago I got to fulfill that childhood dream and let me tell it was AMAZING!!!! It was everything I ever hoped for and I would go see it again in a heartbeat! The dancing was amazing...wonderful Irish dance and Irish music( It brought out 1/4 Irish in me :p )
One of the best parts was seeing these two amazing violinists. I have always loved violin music. This has got to be one of my favorite violin pieces. My sister can play the violin and yes I am going to brag just a little bit, SHE IS AMAZING AT IT!
I hope everyone enjoys this amazing violin duel as much as I did!!!!
If you ever get the chance to see Lord of the Dance live...take the chance! You wont regret it!!!
Shalom!
Monday, 5 March 2012
Running!
I lived in Alberta while I went to Bible school. I love love love Alberta. I think my favourite part was the fact that I was only three hours from the Rocky Mountains!!! Ever since I came back home from Alberta, I have had a longing to go back there, and have been looking for a reason to go back.
In the past 2 months, I had been considering moving to Sylvan Lake, Alberta. My reason for going: I was running. Running from where God really wanted me. I wanted to get as far away as I could from where He wants me! I don’t want to admit this, but I have been running from where God has wanted me for the past two and a half years. For two and a half years God has placed on my heart to move to Regina. Three hours away from my family and friends. This August ,God again, made it known to me and it has come up many many times since then. My excuse for not going was always “I don’t know anybody there, I would be lonely”. Well, I really cant use that excuse anymore!!!! :)
So how come I don’t want to go there? Whats my reason? I’m scared to go there, scared because of two family members that live there. I know my chances of seeing them there are slim, but it still scares me big time. If they saw me, I really don’t know what they would do to me but it would not be pleasant. Thinking about what they would do to me just makes me go weak in the knees.
So how come God wants me there? I really don’t know. The only way to find out is to stop running, trust God and go where He wants me to go!
So I am praying, praying that God gives me courage, wisdom and strength to make this move and face whatever challenges lay ahead of me.
Shalom!
In the past 2 months, I had been considering moving to Sylvan Lake, Alberta. My reason for going: I was running. Running from where God really wanted me. I wanted to get as far away as I could from where He wants me! I don’t want to admit this, but I have been running from where God has wanted me for the past two and a half years. For two and a half years God has placed on my heart to move to Regina. Three hours away from my family and friends. This August ,God again, made it known to me and it has come up many many times since then. My excuse for not going was always “I don’t know anybody there, I would be lonely”. Well, I really cant use that excuse anymore!!!! :)
So how come I don’t want to go there? Whats my reason? I’m scared to go there, scared because of two family members that live there. I know my chances of seeing them there are slim, but it still scares me big time. If they saw me, I really don’t know what they would do to me but it would not be pleasant. Thinking about what they would do to me just makes me go weak in the knees.
So how come God wants me there? I really don’t know. The only way to find out is to stop running, trust God and go where He wants me to go!
So I am praying, praying that God gives me courage, wisdom and strength to make this move and face whatever challenges lay ahead of me.
Shalom!
Thursday, 23 February 2012
Hope Now
I love this song. I cannot listen to it without crying. If I am ever feeling down, I just need to listen to this song. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do! :)
Have a great day!
Shalom!
Wednesday, 22 February 2012
Devo
After I was done high school, I took a one year program, and am now a certified child and youth care worker. Every time someone asked me “why that course?” I would always respond cheerfully and with a smile on my face “I want to help people!” I always get upset whenever I see people living difficult lives. It tugs at my heartstrings, makes me cry and I just want to reach out to them. This is worsened when it is children. So I figured that this would be the perfect job for me because I am helping people and the focus is on children and youth.
Part of my course was to do a 4 week practical at the end. This practical involved going to a youth center, group home etc, and gaining practical experience that we would use in the field of child and youth care work. I was placed at a drop in center for inner city youth. Even though the center was for youth we did have some adults drop in as well. One Thursday when I arrived at work a middle aged woman, down on her luck had stopped in to have something to eat, and to pick up some hygiene products. I sat down and talked with her and discovered that she had been through some hard times in her life and was finally getting her life back on track. She was really excited to be having a second chance in life, after going through a lot of hard times in her past. I wished her luck in her future, said good-bye and told her I would see her the next time she dropped in. She came in a few times after that and it was always so good to chat with her, she was a bubbly person, always focusing on the positive. I always looked forward to seeing her. One Tuesday I got to work and my boss told me that on Saturday night, she had been raped, stabbed, thrown in a dumpster and left to die.
I was speechless when he told me that. It shocked me. How could someone who had been so alive and full of life one day, be dead the next? I was in such shock that I could not focus on my daily tasks. I kept thinking back to how happy she had been, how excited she was that her life was finally getting better---it took me a while to come to terms with what had happened. I remember thinking “I wanted to enter this profession so that I could prevent this from happening”, I want to help people”
I spent a lot of time thinking and praying about this experience. I did learn a big life lesson from it. It made me realize that death is inevitable to us all. We will die, it is a given. Up until that point I had just been going about life thinking I always had tomorrow to do something. I may have tomorrow and I may not. We never know when our life could end. It could be today, tomorrow or thirty years from now. From life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands our destiny. It’s His choice not ours.
So what can we do about it? The answer is nothing. What we can do though, is make sure that we are prepared to leave this life behind us at any given moment and live forever in His amazing grace. I made the commitment to try and enjoy every single day of my life, to not be negative( and I still struggle with this, as sometimes we just want to complain and not focus on the positive), to live to help others up, and be a bright spot in people’s lives, just as my friend was in mine. I also learned that we must be prepared to say good-bye to a family member or friend at any given time.
Throughout my time and reflection, there were a few things that stuck out to me; I would like to share them with you. I hope they mean as much to you as they do to me.
1. Read the word of God daily and spend time with Him. He is our strength and our comfort.
2. Never leave home without telling your parents and siblings that you love them. Even if you are mad at them, still say it.
3. Never say good-bye to a friend without telling them how much you appreciate them, and that you care for them.
4. Say thank you, to your parents, grandparents, sister, brother, your friends, or whoever deserves it. Thank them for what they have done for you. Say it when it’s least expected, and when it will make the biggest impact.
5. Remember these three things, I can change the world, I will change the world, I have changed the world.
6. Live so that you have no regrets, everything happens for a reason (Romans 8:28) and God never gives a person more than they can handle. So why would you have regrets?
7. Remember that you can’t find time. You have to make time. There may never be a ``next time`
8. Live your life that so that when you are standing before God you can say `I have used everything you gave me`.
9. Do not worry- who by worrying can add a single year to their life, also worry is a sin!
10. If you love someone...TELL THEM!! You may never get the chance to if you keep putting it off.
I know that I cannot speak for everyone in this room, but I have been guilty of not following these golden rules( as I like to call them) I have been known to forget to thank people, I forget to tell my friends and family that I care about them and that I appreciate them, I’m forever saying `` Oh I’ll do that or say that the next time I see so and so`` and just ask anyone who knows me and they can tell you just how much I worry! (This by the way is most of the time!)
I also know that death is something that not many people like to talk about, it makes some people squirm in their seats, and you want to look anywhere but at the person who is talking about it. I know that I would rather have my legs waxed....one hair at a time, then talk about death. But let’s face it it’s a part of everyday life and we have to deal with it. Our relationship with God, how we live our life and how we treat people will affect how we deal with it.
So I guess the question that I’m going to leave you with today is this, `Are you ready to say good-bye to a family member or a friend at any given time or leave this life at any given moment and live forever in His amazing grace``
I encourage you to make the commitment to see each day as a blessing and to remember “This is the day that the Lord hath made, I will rejoice and be glad in it”. Enjoy every single day you have, and focus on the positive not the negative. Be a shining light to someone!
Part of my course was to do a 4 week practical at the end. This practical involved going to a youth center, group home etc, and gaining practical experience that we would use in the field of child and youth care work. I was placed at a drop in center for inner city youth. Even though the center was for youth we did have some adults drop in as well. One Thursday when I arrived at work a middle aged woman, down on her luck had stopped in to have something to eat, and to pick up some hygiene products. I sat down and talked with her and discovered that she had been through some hard times in her life and was finally getting her life back on track. She was really excited to be having a second chance in life, after going through a lot of hard times in her past. I wished her luck in her future, said good-bye and told her I would see her the next time she dropped in. She came in a few times after that and it was always so good to chat with her, she was a bubbly person, always focusing on the positive. I always looked forward to seeing her. One Tuesday I got to work and my boss told me that on Saturday night, she had been raped, stabbed, thrown in a dumpster and left to die.
I was speechless when he told me that. It shocked me. How could someone who had been so alive and full of life one day, be dead the next? I was in such shock that I could not focus on my daily tasks. I kept thinking back to how happy she had been, how excited she was that her life was finally getting better---it took me a while to come to terms with what had happened. I remember thinking “I wanted to enter this profession so that I could prevent this from happening”, I want to help people”
I spent a lot of time thinking and praying about this experience. I did learn a big life lesson from it. It made me realize that death is inevitable to us all. We will die, it is a given. Up until that point I had just been going about life thinking I always had tomorrow to do something. I may have tomorrow and I may not. We never know when our life could end. It could be today, tomorrow or thirty years from now. From life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands our destiny. It’s His choice not ours.
So what can we do about it? The answer is nothing. What we can do though, is make sure that we are prepared to leave this life behind us at any given moment and live forever in His amazing grace. I made the commitment to try and enjoy every single day of my life, to not be negative( and I still struggle with this, as sometimes we just want to complain and not focus on the positive), to live to help others up, and be a bright spot in people’s lives, just as my friend was in mine. I also learned that we must be prepared to say good-bye to a family member or friend at any given time.
Throughout my time and reflection, there were a few things that stuck out to me; I would like to share them with you. I hope they mean as much to you as they do to me.
1. Read the word of God daily and spend time with Him. He is our strength and our comfort.
2. Never leave home without telling your parents and siblings that you love them. Even if you are mad at them, still say it.
3. Never say good-bye to a friend without telling them how much you appreciate them, and that you care for them.
4. Say thank you, to your parents, grandparents, sister, brother, your friends, or whoever deserves it. Thank them for what they have done for you. Say it when it’s least expected, and when it will make the biggest impact.
5. Remember these three things, I can change the world, I will change the world, I have changed the world.
6. Live so that you have no regrets, everything happens for a reason (Romans 8:28) and God never gives a person more than they can handle. So why would you have regrets?
7. Remember that you can’t find time. You have to make time. There may never be a ``next time`
8. Live your life that so that when you are standing before God you can say `I have used everything you gave me`.
9. Do not worry- who by worrying can add a single year to their life, also worry is a sin!
10. If you love someone...TELL THEM!! You may never get the chance to if you keep putting it off.
I know that I cannot speak for everyone in this room, but I have been guilty of not following these golden rules( as I like to call them) I have been known to forget to thank people, I forget to tell my friends and family that I care about them and that I appreciate them, I’m forever saying `` Oh I’ll do that or say that the next time I see so and so`` and just ask anyone who knows me and they can tell you just how much I worry! (This by the way is most of the time!)
I also know that death is something that not many people like to talk about, it makes some people squirm in their seats, and you want to look anywhere but at the person who is talking about it. I know that I would rather have my legs waxed....one hair at a time, then talk about death. But let’s face it it’s a part of everyday life and we have to deal with it. Our relationship with God, how we live our life and how we treat people will affect how we deal with it.
So I guess the question that I’m going to leave you with today is this, `Are you ready to say good-bye to a family member or a friend at any given time or leave this life at any given moment and live forever in His amazing grace``
I encourage you to make the commitment to see each day as a blessing and to remember “This is the day that the Lord hath made, I will rejoice and be glad in it”. Enjoy every single day you have, and focus on the positive not the negative. Be a shining light to someone!
Thursday, 16 February 2012
Dog Show!
Today my friend is putting down her dog. Adrian has been part of her family for 13 years. I can only imagine the pain of putting down a beloved pet. It must take great strength and courage to put down a pet, I have not yet had to do it but I have had a couple similar experiences and today I have been thinking of them.
When I was 7 my dad got me my first pet dog. She was a black lab and she was my baby. Let me tell you that dog put up with a lot! From me dressing her up in baby bonnets, to making her wear socks! We would go for walks and she would always look back at me and give me this look as if she was saying “hurry up and catch up with me”. One day on one of these walks ( I can feel the tears starting to flow right about now) my dear girl ran onto the road and was hit by a truck, I remember watching in horror as she rolled down onto the side of the road. I don’t think I have ever moved so fast in my life as to get to where she was, she was alive still…but barely. I remember hugging her and crying and having her die in my arms. That was one of the hardest things I have had to experience in my life. I had only had her for two years.
My second dog came along two years after that. A purebred border collie. Ohh she was such a cutie when she was a puppy! Watching her run on her little chubby legs and then topple over. It was so cute! She was in my family for 5 years. We all loved that dog and we spent countless hours spoiling her to death! She was loved to bits. One day when I went outside to find her, I found her laying down with blood streaming out of her nose and she was coughing up blood. We had no idea what was wrong with her. Two hours later she was dead. She died from poisoning the vet said, but how she got it we had no clue. We had “doggy-proofed” our farm to make sure nothing would hurt her.
My neighbour then comes over and tells us her poisoned her because he “didn’t really care for her””. Golly gee thanks guy, your lucky I was to upset to say what I wanted to.
A few years later my third dog came along. He is half border collie/ half German Sheppard . He has been around for about 5 years now. He is my most spunkiest dog yet. He loves to hug ( he will jump up and wrap his paws around you, we tried to train this out of him…but we failed…we jokingly say he‘s a lover not a fighter!), he cannot sit still, and he loves to chew holes in my socks( imagine my shock when I go to put on a sock and there’s a big hole in it…). I love that little guy to bits and don’t know what I would do without him!
As you can tell I am slightly dog crazy! Never mind the crazy cat lady, I’m going to be the crazy dog lady! Pets are an important part of the family. They always listen to you when you are upset and can make you feel better by just letting you talk to them and pet them. Its very therapeutic. So if you have a pet: hug, cuddle and love them to bits while they are still around!
Shalom!
When I was 7 my dad got me my first pet dog. She was a black lab and she was my baby. Let me tell you that dog put up with a lot! From me dressing her up in baby bonnets, to making her wear socks! We would go for walks and she would always look back at me and give me this look as if she was saying “hurry up and catch up with me”. One day on one of these walks ( I can feel the tears starting to flow right about now) my dear girl ran onto the road and was hit by a truck, I remember watching in horror as she rolled down onto the side of the road. I don’t think I have ever moved so fast in my life as to get to where she was, she was alive still…but barely. I remember hugging her and crying and having her die in my arms. That was one of the hardest things I have had to experience in my life. I had only had her for two years.
My second dog came along two years after that. A purebred border collie. Ohh she was such a cutie when she was a puppy! Watching her run on her little chubby legs and then topple over. It was so cute! She was in my family for 5 years. We all loved that dog and we spent countless hours spoiling her to death! She was loved to bits. One day when I went outside to find her, I found her laying down with blood streaming out of her nose and she was coughing up blood. We had no idea what was wrong with her. Two hours later she was dead. She died from poisoning the vet said, but how she got it we had no clue. We had “doggy-proofed” our farm to make sure nothing would hurt her.
My neighbour then comes over and tells us her poisoned her because he “didn’t really care for her””. Golly gee thanks guy, your lucky I was to upset to say what I wanted to.
A few years later my third dog came along. He is half border collie/ half German Sheppard . He has been around for about 5 years now. He is my most spunkiest dog yet. He loves to hug ( he will jump up and wrap his paws around you, we tried to train this out of him…but we failed…we jokingly say he‘s a lover not a fighter!), he cannot sit still, and he loves to chew holes in my socks( imagine my shock when I go to put on a sock and there’s a big hole in it…). I love that little guy to bits and don’t know what I would do without him!
As you can tell I am slightly dog crazy! Never mind the crazy cat lady, I’m going to be the crazy dog lady! Pets are an important part of the family. They always listen to you when you are upset and can make you feel better by just letting you talk to them and pet them. Its very therapeutic. So if you have a pet: hug, cuddle and love them to bits while they are still around!
Shalom!
Wednesday, 15 February 2012
GF,DF and Kosher for Passover Brownies
I made these today and they are so yummy! They are GF,DF and Kosher for Passover! :D
Brownies!
½ C. Margarine
½ C. Cocoa powder
2 eggs
1 C. Sugar
¼ C. Potato flour
½ tsp Salt
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
Preheat the oven to 325F. Grease a small 8x8 baking pan( or line the bottom with parchment paper). In small saucepan, melt together the butter and cocoa powder. Stir until smooth. Remove from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes. Stir the eggs in quickly, one at a time so they don’t scramble. Stir in the sugar, then potato flour, salt and vanilla. Pour into baking pan and bake for 25-30 minutes. ( Better to underbake then overbake!)
Enjoy!
Shalom!
Brownies!
½ C. Margarine
½ C. Cocoa powder
2 eggs
1 C. Sugar
¼ C. Potato flour
½ tsp Salt
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
Preheat the oven to 325F. Grease a small 8x8 baking pan( or line the bottom with parchment paper). In small saucepan, melt together the butter and cocoa powder. Stir until smooth. Remove from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes. Stir the eggs in quickly, one at a time so they don’t scramble. Stir in the sugar, then potato flour, salt and vanilla. Pour into baking pan and bake for 25-30 minutes. ( Better to underbake then overbake!)
Enjoy!
Shalom!
Sunday, 12 February 2012
Blue fingers and Ninja moves
So last night I went to wash my face before bed and I noticed that my hands and fingers were blue.
What the???
I tested the circulation on my fingers thinking that I must have a lack of circulation in my fingers. Why else would they be blue?
Nope, circulation was fine.
I looked at my feet and toes to see if they were blue.
Nope, they were fine. By this time I am really confused.
I eventually gave up puzzling over this mystery and washed my face, only to have my cleanser turn blue.
Now I am really really REALLY confused!
A minute later I had my “Aha” moment. I was wearing new jeans that day and they had not yet been through the wash, and of course they were dark rinse jeans. They dye from my jeans had gotten on my hands. Good one Krystal!
On another quick note, this morning while laying in bed I was texting a friend and I dropped my phone on my face…the iPhone is great but not when it hits you in the face, it really hurts! It’s like a brick hitting you in the face. Let me tell you, that phone has some sweet ninja moves! :p
Have a great day everyone!
Shalom!
What the???
I tested the circulation on my fingers thinking that I must have a lack of circulation in my fingers. Why else would they be blue?
Nope, circulation was fine.
I looked at my feet and toes to see if they were blue.
Nope, they were fine. By this time I am really confused.
I eventually gave up puzzling over this mystery and washed my face, only to have my cleanser turn blue.
Now I am really really REALLY confused!
A minute later I had my “Aha” moment. I was wearing new jeans that day and they had not yet been through the wash, and of course they were dark rinse jeans. They dye from my jeans had gotten on my hands. Good one Krystal!
On another quick note, this morning while laying in bed I was texting a friend and I dropped my phone on my face…the iPhone is great but not when it hits you in the face, it really hurts! It’s like a brick hitting you in the face. Let me tell you, that phone has some sweet ninja moves! :p
Have a great day everyone!
Shalom!
Saturday, 11 February 2012
GF&DF Banana Bread
A friend of mine gave me this banana bread recipe, its GF( Gluten Free) and DF( Dairy Free)! It tastes so good! I cannot get my fill of it, so for all you other GF&DF people, here it is!
Rice Flour Banana Bread:
1 C. Mashed Bananas
¾ C. Sugar
1 Tsp. Vanilla
2 eggs
1 ¼ C. Rice Flour
¼ Chopped Nuts or Chocolate Chips
¾ Tsp Baking Powder
½ Tsp Baking Soda
¼ Tsp Salt
¼ C. Oil
Add bananas, sugar and vanilla and beat at medium speed for 1 minute. Add eggs and mix well. Add everything else and mix well.
Bake at 350F for 3--35 minutes or until done. I covered mine with tin foil to keep it from getting to brown. Cool on counter before removing from pan. Makes one medium sized loaf.
ENJOY!
Shalom!
Rice Flour Banana Bread:
1 C. Mashed Bananas
¾ C. Sugar
1 Tsp. Vanilla
2 eggs
1 ¼ C. Rice Flour
¼ Chopped Nuts or Chocolate Chips
¾ Tsp Baking Powder
½ Tsp Baking Soda
¼ Tsp Salt
¼ C. Oil
Add bananas, sugar and vanilla and beat at medium speed for 1 minute. Add eggs and mix well. Add everything else and mix well.
Bake at 350F for 3--35 minutes or until done. I covered mine with tin foil to keep it from getting to brown. Cool on counter before removing from pan. Makes one medium sized loaf.
ENJOY!
Shalom!
Thursday, 9 February 2012
Tests just dont happen in highschool.
Every once in awhile I will stumble upon something from my Bible school days and I will go “Ohhh, wow!!!! This is EXACTLY what I needed to hear RIGHT NOW!” Today was one of those days! I was cleaning out some boxes of stuff from when I was in Bible school and I came across a handout about tests. It really just spoke to me, and I feel that I need to share it on here, So here it goes!
PASSING THE TEST!
Yeshua with disciples( John 6:6)
Children of Israel in wilderness( Deaut. 8:2) “They are a people whose hearts go astray, and they have not known my ways( Ps. 95:10). The ways of God with testing:
God is teaching us to live above our circumstances, not by them.
God not only frustrates us---He causes or allows our pain.
He is more concerned about what happens IN us than what happens TO us.
God doesn’t usually tell us when we are being tested. What is a Test? A test is a physical, psychological or spiritual trial that God uses to develop our character. It threatens our peace and joy. We will either pass or fail, responding to God or reacting to the test.
What are tests like?
Tests touch us all. They are common and universal in scope. James wrote “Consider it pure joy whenever face trials…” not “if you face trials”. Peter told suffering saints “ You know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering ( 1 Peter 5:9). We also said not to be surprised when they come ( 1 Peter 4:12). Paul wrote “No temptation (one kind of test) has seized you except what is common to man” ( 1 Cor. 10:13)
Tests check our attitude. “Consider it pure joy…” Joy is not a normal response to trials. Your attitude will determine what you receive from the test. “Your attitude determines your altitude.”. The earlier you embrace the test as something God can use, the sooner you can pass it and receive the rewards that it brings. James says “Consider it pure joy when you face trials…”, not when you finish them. God makes it worth it to pass the tests. You don’t truly know me in pleasure, you know me in pain. When God “squeezes” us, what is on the inside comes out. When he squeezed Israel, complaining came out. When God squeezed Joseph, forgiveness came out.
Tests are varied “ Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds…” “…though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials” ( 1 Peter 1:6). Different physical exercises develop different muscles. Consider the variety of tests that “exercise” different areas of our life: finances, family, health, relationships, inner wholeness, habits, temptation, work, ministry. What kind of tests are YOU facing?
Tests can be friends “You know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance”. Paul said “we rejoice in our sufferings, because we KNOW that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character…”( Romans 5:3). It is what we KNOW that enables us to rejoice at the outset of hardships. Tests give us what we need and want the most---the fruit of the spirit, the character of Christ. What could be more important?
Tests bring tension Four truths about tension:
God often causes it
God always uses it
Tension precedes breath through
We must learn to steward tension Rather then trying to avoid or dismiss tension, we use it to confront and overcome
“Tension doesn’t mean something is wrong; it means something is happening”
Tests come from different sources Some are hand-crafted by God. Some are sourced in the devil. Some trials come our way by wrong decisions or actions, either ours or others. Some come from both God and the devil. Whatever the source, we are to “resist the devil and submit to God”. Other tools God uses in testing: difficult marriage, personal failure, overbearing boss, imperfect parents, hard co-workers, friends who misunderstand.
Tests are made to pass “ These have come so that your faith may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed” ( 1 Peter 1:7)
God doesn’t give us tests to flunk us. He gives us grace to pass. Satan tempts us to fail. He comes “”to lie, kill and destroy” ( John 10:10)
Tests get stronger as we grow Tests are harder in graduate school then in grade school. Mature believers more difficult tests. The greater the anointing, the greater the testing. Don’t envy those with strong anointing; just pass your tests.
Tests can confuse. Ask for wisdom Trials can raise questions about me: “Is this happening because I disobeyed in tenth grade?” or about God: “Is He really that good?” We must keep a true and Biblical picture of who God is and who we are in Him. Or tests will “unsettle” us ( 1 Thess. 3:3). Don’t let tests make you a victim, which brings passivity, or give you the feeling of entitlement: “I don’t deserve this”
Tests pass bring a reward “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him ( James 1:12). A crown ( “stephanos”) speaks of victory and authority. Tests bring us a new revelation of God, a new authority and confidence, a new joy.
Tests bring a testimony
Abraham: “So Abraham called that place ‘ The Lord will provide’ “ ( Gen. 22:14)
Joseph: “You intended to harm me, but God it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” ( Gen. 50:20)
David: “ They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me” ( Ps. 18: 18, 19) If you have ever thought, “I don’t have much of a testimony”, pass a test and get one!
Tests last “a little while” Peter writes, “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials…” ( 1 Peter 1:6,7 See also 1 Peter 5:10). What could James have said instead? “Consider it joy when you get through trials.” But he said to do it at the onset. Okay, try this in the Spirit: Consider it pure joy when people criticize you, when you are ignored, insulted, misunderstood or manipulated, and get read for a significant upgrade in your relationship with God and people. The things that often discourage us are meant to give us a deeper joy in the Lord!
I hope that everyone gets as much out of that as I did!
Shalom!
PASSING THE TEST!
Yeshua with disciples( John 6:6)
Children of Israel in wilderness( Deaut. 8:2) “They are a people whose hearts go astray, and they have not known my ways( Ps. 95:10). The ways of God with testing:
God not only frustrates us---He causes or allows our pain.
He is more concerned about what happens IN us than what happens TO us.
God doesn’t usually tell us when we are being tested.
What are tests like?
Tests touch us all. They are common and universal in scope. James wrote “Consider it pure joy whenever face trials…” not “if you face trials”. Peter told suffering saints “ You know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering ( 1 Peter 5:9). We also said not to be surprised when they come ( 1 Peter 4:12). Paul wrote “No temptation (one kind of test) has seized you except what is common to man” ( 1 Cor. 10:13)
Tests check our attitude. “Consider it pure joy…” Joy is not a normal response to trials. Your attitude will determine what you receive from the test. “Your attitude determines your altitude.”. The earlier you embrace the test as something God can use, the sooner you can pass it and receive the rewards that it brings. James says “Consider it pure joy when you face trials…”, not when you finish them. God makes it worth it to pass the tests. You don’t truly know me in pleasure, you know me in pain. When God “squeezes” us, what is on the inside comes out. When he squeezed Israel, complaining came out. When God squeezed Joseph, forgiveness came out.
Tests are varied “ Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds…” “…though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials” ( 1 Peter 1:6). Different physical exercises develop different muscles. Consider the variety of tests that “exercise” different areas of our life: finances, family, health, relationships, inner wholeness, habits, temptation, work, ministry. What kind of tests are YOU facing?
Tests can be friends “You know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance”. Paul said “we rejoice in our sufferings, because we KNOW that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character…”( Romans 5:3). It is what we KNOW that enables us to rejoice at the outset of hardships. Tests give us what we need and want the most---the fruit of the spirit, the character of Christ. What could be more important?
Tests bring tension Four truths about tension:
God always uses it
Tension precedes breath through
We must learn to steward tension
“Tension doesn’t mean something is wrong; it means something is happening”
Tests come from different sources Some are hand-crafted by God. Some are sourced in the devil. Some trials come our way by wrong decisions or actions, either ours or others. Some come from both God and the devil. Whatever the source, we are to “resist the devil and submit to God”. Other tools God uses in testing: difficult marriage, personal failure, overbearing boss, imperfect parents, hard co-workers, friends who misunderstand.
Tests are made to pass “ These have come so that your faith may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed” ( 1 Peter 1:7)
God doesn’t give us tests to flunk us. He gives us grace to pass. Satan tempts us to fail. He comes “”to lie, kill and destroy” ( John 10:10)
Tests get stronger as we grow Tests are harder in graduate school then in grade school. Mature believers more difficult tests. The greater the anointing, the greater the testing. Don’t envy those with strong anointing; just pass your tests.
Tests can confuse. Ask for wisdom Trials can raise questions about me: “Is this happening because I disobeyed in tenth grade?” or about God: “Is He really that good?” We must keep a true and Biblical picture of who God is and who we are in Him. Or tests will “unsettle” us ( 1 Thess. 3:3). Don’t let tests make you a victim, which brings passivity, or give you the feeling of entitlement: “I don’t deserve this”
Tests pass bring a reward “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him ( James 1:12). A crown ( “stephanos”) speaks of victory and authority. Tests bring us a new revelation of God, a new authority and confidence, a new joy.
Tests bring a testimony
Joseph: “You intended to harm me, but God it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” ( Gen. 50:20)
David: “ They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me” ( Ps. 18: 18, 19)
Tests last “a little while” Peter writes, “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials…” ( 1 Peter 1:6,7 See also 1 Peter 5:10). What could James have said instead? “Consider it joy when you get through trials.” But he said to do it at the onset. Okay, try this in the Spirit: Consider it pure joy when people criticize you, when you are ignored, insulted, misunderstood or manipulated, and get read for a significant upgrade in your relationship with God and people. The things that often discourage us are meant to give us a deeper joy in the Lord!
I hope that everyone gets as much out of that as I did!
Shalom!
Tuesday, 7 February 2012
Krazy Klutzy Krystal
Good gracious, when is my streak of self-injures going to end?! It all started last April when I was hiking in the Rocky Mountains and I fractured my foot fifteen minutes into the hike, I still managed to make it to the top of the mountain though ( Stupid? Yes Crazy? Yes Would I do it again? You bet your bottom!). Then four months later I hurt my foot not once but twice while at camp…resulting in me arguing with everyone at camp that I CAN STILL DO THINGS BY MY SELF! ( Sorry guys…).
I month after that I go for a walk and get a sliver in my foot and have to perform minor surgery on myself to remove it. Did I mention that it then got infected? A month and a half after that I re-sprain my foot. Two Shabbats ago I ripped a hole in my foot. I am now spending twenty minutes every night cleaning and re-bandaging my poor foot.
Ohh did I mention that these injuries are all on the same foot? Sigh….
I am not regretting taking all my first aid courses, although I never thought I would be using them more on myself then other people….
My sister though had the best reaction to my latest injury. I told her I ripped a hole in my foot, her reaction “ SWEET! Take a picture for me will you?!” Thank you sis for making me laugh at my silly self!
So please pray that this last injury will indeed be my last injury….by now I am seriously considering amputating my left foot.... :p
Shalom!
I month after that I go for a walk and get a sliver in my foot and have to perform minor surgery on myself to remove it. Did I mention that it then got infected? A month and a half after that I re-sprain my foot. Two Shabbats ago I ripped a hole in my foot. I am now spending twenty minutes every night cleaning and re-bandaging my poor foot.
Ohh did I mention that these injuries are all on the same foot? Sigh….
I am not regretting taking all my first aid courses, although I never thought I would be using them more on myself then other people….
My sister though had the best reaction to my latest injury. I told her I ripped a hole in my foot, her reaction “ SWEET! Take a picture for me will you?!” Thank you sis for making me laugh at my silly self!
So please pray that this last injury will indeed be my last injury….by now I am seriously considering amputating my left foot.... :p
Shalom!
Thursday, 2 February 2012
M is for Mom and Missions
Ever since I was a little girl, whenever someone would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up my first thought was to say “I want to be a Mom!”, but instead I would say what they expected me to say, teacher, nurse, etc. How come I want to be a Mom? I want to give somebody life. I want to raise Godly children. It would keep me more humble. Morning cuddles, bedtime kisses and prayer, tiny ponytails, baby feet, baby giggles, you get the idea!
I do realize that being a Mom is not all about the good, its also about the bad. But I am willing to accept that. One of my hearts deepest desires is to be a Mom. I hope that someday I am blessed enough to have a little sweet baby voice call me “Mom”
Last February I realized that I also have a passion for mission work. I want to be a missionary as well as a mom.
I used to think that being a missionary meant going to a 3rd world country and serving there. Helping build wells, houses, spreading the love of Yeshua etc.
One of my friends told me this though and it has stuck with me ever since
“As soon as you step out your front door, you enter your mission field”
How true is that?! We can make a difference in the world right here, in our own country in our own province, in our own city. There are so many things we can do. We can volunteer in homeless shelters, do prayer/rose walks through the worst area of our cities, sit down and really just talk and listen to someone on the street. There are so many people out there that need to hear about Yeshua’s love and forgiveness.
We can also write letters to our government letting them know that we do not approve of things they are doing. Slowly one by one the government is stripping away our rights and freedoms. If you do not agree with what they are doing it is time to start speaking up!
Write letters, make phone calls, have a rally, start a petition, hand out brochures. There are so many things you can do.
If you think that you do not have the power to change the world, you are wrong. Remember Rosa Parks? She refused to give up her seat on a bus and that started the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Little things done with great love can change the world.
If you believe in something, firmly stand up for what you believe in. Do not let others stand in your way or try to bring you down. If you get a few enemies along the way, good it means you stood up for something you believe in!
My big sister once told me( ok, not just once, being the super awesome big sister she is, she has kept reminding me! If your reading this, I love you sissy!) that I am never ever to say that I cant do something. Because I CAN do anything ( I CAN do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13) . The more you say that you cannot do something the more you believe it. Instead start saying “I can do this”. After awhile you will start to believe it and you will have a more positive outlook on life and what you want to do. Remember that you are capable of doing way more then you know you can!
Those are my two passions in life. They may not be the social norms but that is OK. I am all about breaking the social norms and thinking and living outside the box, and being my own person. God made me an original, why be a copy?!
Be the change you wish to see in the world!
Shalom!
I do realize that being a Mom is not all about the good, its also about the bad. But I am willing to accept that. One of my hearts deepest desires is to be a Mom. I hope that someday I am blessed enough to have a little sweet baby voice call me “Mom”
Last February I realized that I also have a passion for mission work. I want to be a missionary as well as a mom.
I used to think that being a missionary meant going to a 3rd world country and serving there. Helping build wells, houses, spreading the love of Yeshua etc.
One of my friends told me this though and it has stuck with me ever since
“As soon as you step out your front door, you enter your mission field”
How true is that?! We can make a difference in the world right here, in our own country in our own province, in our own city. There are so many things we can do. We can volunteer in homeless shelters, do prayer/rose walks through the worst area of our cities, sit down and really just talk and listen to someone on the street. There are so many people out there that need to hear about Yeshua’s love and forgiveness.
We can also write letters to our government letting them know that we do not approve of things they are doing. Slowly one by one the government is stripping away our rights and freedoms. If you do not agree with what they are doing it is time to start speaking up!
Write letters, make phone calls, have a rally, start a petition, hand out brochures. There are so many things you can do.
If you think that you do not have the power to change the world, you are wrong. Remember Rosa Parks? She refused to give up her seat on a bus and that started the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Little things done with great love can change the world.
If you believe in something, firmly stand up for what you believe in. Do not let others stand in your way or try to bring you down. If you get a few enemies along the way, good it means you stood up for something you believe in!
My big sister once told me( ok, not just once, being the super awesome big sister she is, she has kept reminding me! If your reading this, I love you sissy!) that I am never ever to say that I cant do something. Because I CAN do anything ( I CAN do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13) . The more you say that you cannot do something the more you believe it. Instead start saying “I can do this”. After awhile you will start to believe it and you will have a more positive outlook on life and what you want to do. Remember that you are capable of doing way more then you know you can!
Those are my two passions in life. They may not be the social norms but that is OK. I am all about breaking the social norms and thinking and living outside the box, and being my own person. God made me an original, why be a copy?!
Be the change you wish to see in the world!
Shalom!
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
A New Perspective on Fire Drills
I lived in dorms when I went to both high school and Bible College. They were different in so many ways. But yet similar. In both it was like a family, your home away from home. There was always someone to talk with or pray with. Everyone loved you for you. Another thing that was the same...Fire Drills. Ohh those dreaded fire drills; they go off at the most inconvenient times!
In high school us girls had two separate incidents with the fire drills. On the third day of school, one of the girls from Mexico pulled the fire alarm because she didn’t know what it was...this resulted in panic and us girls fleeing from the dorm( but remember to put a pillow outside your door! :p ) and the fire department being called.
The second incident was during finals in January when a girl on second floor left a container in the microwave for thirty minutes...resulting in smoke billowing out of the microwave and the fire alarms going off( Now to put a funny twist in this...The girl from Mexico and the girl that left her container in the microwave were roommates...ok I’m probably the only who is getting a giggle out of that!) Again us girls flee the dorm ( some in pjs, some with facial masks on, me in bare feet, Very inconvenient timing! )
When I was in Bible school us girls also had a problem with the fire alarms. One morning between 5:30 and 6:30AM the fire alarm went off in the girls dorm. Nobody panicked, routine fire drill, or so we thought. We get out to the parking lot and we are all standing there in our pjs...wondering where all the boys were. Our fire drills were usually co-ed, but not a light was on in their dorm. We then get ushered into the main building, and our dorm dad tells us that it was not a planned fire drill and they could not get the alarm shut off. Bleh! Funny thing is it was only going off in the girls dorm( and usually they go off in all three buildings if one goes off)
As a joke my ohhh sooo lovely sister turns to our instructor ( whose suite was in the girls dorm) and says “This is how we wake up every morning!”
The next day at four in the morning, the same thing happens....Sigh, Thanks Sis! :p
Needless to say us girls were grumpy and tired for a couple days!
The reason I told you all that is because we never knew when our fire alarms were going to go off. We always had to be prepared. ( Shoes by the bed, blanket or coat ready to grab and throw on as you ran out...).
Thats how it is with Yeshua’s return. We don’t know when Yeshua is coming back but we must be prepared for when we hear the sound of the trumpet upon his return. It’s not going to be the most convenient timing. It could happen at any time. ( 'But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.' ... Matthew 24:36) If you have anything holding you back from giving your all for Yeshua, then let it go TODAY!. Today is the day to fully give your heart to Yeshua HaMashiach. Don’t let the cares of this world spoil your relationship with Him. Let go of this world and give your all to Yeshua and focus on His heavenly kingdom. We need to be a holy people for God, able to stand before Yeshua when He returns.
How can we really know if we are living durning the end times before the second coming of Yeshua HaMashiach? We need to prayerfully study the Bible and God’s word will reveal the truth of the second coming. We need to study the Bible everyday searching for the truth ( 'These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Acts 17:11) To many Christians( I am so glad I broke away from the Christian way of thinking) are not studying the Word of God for themselves and are just accepting the Pastor’s word as truth. I encourage you to go out and compare the Pastors word with Scripture and then God will reveal the Bible truth to you not only about the second coming of Yeshua but also about other things. It will amaze you, astound you and I pray that you will be shown the truth.
Shalom!
In high school us girls had two separate incidents with the fire drills. On the third day of school, one of the girls from Mexico pulled the fire alarm because she didn’t know what it was...this resulted in panic and us girls fleeing from the dorm( but remember to put a pillow outside your door! :p ) and the fire department being called.
The second incident was during finals in January when a girl on second floor left a container in the microwave for thirty minutes...resulting in smoke billowing out of the microwave and the fire alarms going off( Now to put a funny twist in this...The girl from Mexico and the girl that left her container in the microwave were roommates...ok I’m probably the only who is getting a giggle out of that!) Again us girls flee the dorm ( some in pjs, some with facial masks on, me in bare feet, Very inconvenient timing! )
When I was in Bible school us girls also had a problem with the fire alarms. One morning between 5:30 and 6:30AM the fire alarm went off in the girls dorm. Nobody panicked, routine fire drill, or so we thought. We get out to the parking lot and we are all standing there in our pjs...wondering where all the boys were. Our fire drills were usually co-ed, but not a light was on in their dorm. We then get ushered into the main building, and our dorm dad tells us that it was not a planned fire drill and they could not get the alarm shut off. Bleh! Funny thing is it was only going off in the girls dorm( and usually they go off in all three buildings if one goes off)
As a joke my ohhh sooo lovely sister turns to our instructor ( whose suite was in the girls dorm) and says “This is how we wake up every morning!”
The next day at four in the morning, the same thing happens....Sigh, Thanks Sis! :p
Needless to say us girls were grumpy and tired for a couple days!
The reason I told you all that is because we never knew when our fire alarms were going to go off. We always had to be prepared. ( Shoes by the bed, blanket or coat ready to grab and throw on as you ran out...).
Thats how it is with Yeshua’s return. We don’t know when Yeshua is coming back but we must be prepared for when we hear the sound of the trumpet upon his return. It’s not going to be the most convenient timing. It could happen at any time. ( 'But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.' ... Matthew 24:36) If you have anything holding you back from giving your all for Yeshua, then let it go TODAY!. Today is the day to fully give your heart to Yeshua HaMashiach. Don’t let the cares of this world spoil your relationship with Him. Let go of this world and give your all to Yeshua and focus on His heavenly kingdom. We need to be a holy people for God, able to stand before Yeshua when He returns.
How can we really know if we are living durning the end times before the second coming of Yeshua HaMashiach? We need to prayerfully study the Bible and God’s word will reveal the truth of the second coming. We need to study the Bible everyday searching for the truth ( 'These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Acts 17:11) To many Christians( I am so glad I broke away from the Christian way of thinking) are not studying the Word of God for themselves and are just accepting the Pastor’s word as truth. I encourage you to go out and compare the Pastors word with Scripture and then God will reveal the Bible truth to you not only about the second coming of Yeshua but also about other things. It will amaze you, astound you and I pray that you will be shown the truth.
Shalom!
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