In order to have a potroast, you need to have faith and the Holy Spirit

I went to the 10/10 connection at Grace North church again last Monday night.  As usual it was wonderful.  I think of 10/10 like getting new sparks plug or tune up.  Going to church and group and reading my bible keeps me moving obviously but going to 10/10 is a punch.

The theme last night was hospitality.  What was interesting was that the main point addressed the reasons why women don't always want to be hospitable.  There is such a laundry list:
1.  It's too much work to clean my house
2.  I don't know how to cook, what if the food is horrible?
3.  What if we have nothing to talk about?
4.  What if they think my home is too small or scoff at it?

Etc
Etc
Etc

There is a heart in hospitality though that comes from the focus being about other people and not about us.  Matt. 20:25-26 We are called to serve one another.  That's the commandment and hospitality is a form of that
Acts 2:46 It's not a hard task and typically so much simpler than we turn it into.
Acts 6:5 If hospitality is something that doesn't come naturally, then you better bring along faith and the Holy Spirit to make that pot roast because God is able to command everything we do and He will empower us.

For me, I don't struggle with not being able or desire to be hospitable.  I love it! I love it so much I get frustrated when people don't want to come over often enough and I get jealous when my friends go to other houses because I really want them to come to mine.  This is another part that popped up in the middle of the sermon and just slithered in and settled on my heart.  Oh goodness...

2 Corinthians 9:7 We are called to open our homes to all who would enter and do it cheerfully and without grumbling even if we're tired, or stressed, or don't have the super tasty food.  For me I'm called to stop grumbling and sinning just because my friends don't choose my house to be at. 

Hospitality Tips:
1.  Be prepared by planning time and food
2.  Clean the day before so everything isn't piled into one day.
3.  Consider you guest's children.  Do you have a basket of toys, coloring books, some extra bibs, peanut butter and jelly in case they don't like the pot roast?
4.  Allow your guests time to come and and breathe without crowding them.
5.  Have a pitcher of ice water with lemon and lime slices in the fridge so you are prepared with refreshments.
6.  Make the meal that works, don't try out that new recipe on your guests.  Too much stress...you want to enjoy your guests.
7.  If you have overnight guests, prepare a little basket with some water and possible forgotten items. 

Bottom line that really hit home for me:  If I see clearly, then my perception will be correct.  To do that I need to make my pot roast with faith and the Holy Spirit.

This is not mine...it's from bbcgoodfood.com

Verisyse Lens Implantation

It looks like Mike and I have decided to go ahead with this eye surgery.  As it turns out I am not a candidate for either popular methods of LASIK so therefore I am considering and planning for Verisyse™ Phakic Intraocular Lens procedure.   
Considering my prescription which is floating somewhere around -14.5 in my right eye, this will hopefully guarantee at least 20/40 vision.  
I made the mistake of watching at least some of this video though and now I'm queasy about the procedure itself.  The good news though is that I won't have to wear contacts or glasses anymore.

What Giada doesn't tell you...

It's not secret that I have been watching Everyday Italian and Giada at Home like clock work since October... in fact I DVR her shows so that I can catch them all.  I can't tell if I love her food or have convinced myself that if I just look at her long enough, I'll magically start looking like her.  If you don't know what I mean by "her" I'm referring to Giada DeLaurentis.

Anyway...she frequently uses pancetta in her cooking.  I tried using pancetta last night in my cooking.  Saffron rice with pancetta.  What she doesn't tell you while she looks perfect sauteing her pancetta is that it's basically bacon and bacon has fat and fat pops when it cooks.  So now I have two red circle sizzled into my arm as evidence of my attempt to duplicate her recipe.  I'm just not as glamorous.

Finally...I've been pondering the idea of a New Year's Resolution.  Every year I make at least 1 and every year I make it to about the end of January.  This year I don't even want to make one because I know I won't complete but there are a couple things I really want to do and it seems like a new year with a new start is such a great time to try it. 

1. My weight- can I just ring this over dinged bell?  I decided I need to have a competition.  I want to compete against someone to see who can lose a higher percentage of their body weight and I want there to be a prize.  I don't know how to make this happen.

2. presentation- when I was in college my friend Alissa once told me that although I didn't necessarily have the most expensive things and I wasn't always fancy, I was always put together.  My nails, face and skin were clean, I smelled good, my hair was styled (not fancily), I had a little makeup on and I always had some accessories to finish off my look (a belt, earrings, hat etc).  I am lazy now.  I was to be more put together again.  I think it comes with taking some pride in how I appear to others.  Plus I always felt better too.

3.  get a talent- I am a talentless lump.  I can't do anything especially well.  I'm not particularly artistic, musical, athletic, economical etc.  I like to cook but am still being popped by my pancetta and frequently burn dinner (which Mike still graciously eats).  I need to be good at something...anything really

So it will be interesting to see where I am one year from now...

Happy Anniversary my love

Did you know that 5 years ago tonight Mike and I started down the path that has led to our marriage?  On January 1, 2005 Mike and I officially started dating each other.  In the last 5 years I can't even start to imagine the adventures we'd embark on.

Started youth ministry at Good Shepherd Oct. 2004
Drew's first wedding October 2005
Student teaching Fall 2005- exhausting for both of us!
My ASU graduation December 2005
Started working in Madison as a long term 3rd grade sub April 2006
We both resigned from Good Shepherd May 2006
Mike spent the summer at NAU to finish spanish 2006
Moved into the Swando with E and A (if you don't know what that means, then you aren't super cool)
First year teaching at Camelview August 2006
Mike's ASU graduation December 2006
Christie's wedding August 2007
Scottie died November 2007
First white christmas in Colorado 2007
Resigned from teaching January 2008
Recinded my resignation from teaching April 2008
Moved in with the Hunts May 2008
Started teaching 7th grade science at Park August 2008
Mike started with JCFS March 2009
ENGAGED!!!!  April 2009
Married June 2009
Moved into our first home together Oct 2009
5 years with the man that God designed just for me January 2010

Love you babe.

Elf Yourself

So funny!!!  You have to watch this and then make your own :)

Elf Yourself

We moved!

Mike and I are finally in our first place as a married couple.  For me it still feels like I am just staying in a hotel for now and will go back home soon.  I'm guessing the feeling will change.  Our place is still a disaster zone so no pics yet but stay tuned...they are coming.

Called to the be the Gate Keeper of my Home

Background- not too long after marrying Mike this summer, God seriously started digging into my heart about being a Godly wife.  I've felt him grooming me in this way for a couple years but the ring was there, the vows were exchanged and God said "Leah, get busy and be intentional about it." 

Amen!

In my pursuit I prayed for a mentor...a women whose marriage I admired and whose heart had the same desire as mine.  God brought Diane to my mind and I asked her to come along side me in this journey to being the wife God designed me to be.  She invited me to Grace North Church in Anthem for a series that their women's ministry was starting.  The ministry is called the 10/10 Connection and is based on the principle that every woman should be mentored by someone ten years older and be mentoring someone ten years younger.  The series is all about the home and how God describes the woman's role in the home.  (Now let us really set the feminist movement aside and embrace the precious truth here).

The first week was about dignity and peace.  Whether you are married, single, divorced, widowed, a teenager etc, you have a responsibility to be THE GATEKEEPER OF YOUR HOME.  I love that!  I knew that God was telling me I am responsible for making my home a place of rest, relaxation, peace, restoration, forgiveness, order, truth.  Out of these homes come families that seek the Lord first in all things.

Enter second month:  The Also Principle/Priorities.  In our home, the also priniciple doesn't imply to just do more, it implies being intentional to go the extra mile especially when it's not convenient.  My common excuse not to apply the also principle is "I'm so tired, I don't have time."  Really, that's called laziness, also more commonly known as procrastination.  An example of the also prinicple for me that God has specifically put on my heart is

Do the laundry...and ALSO fold and put it away. 
Clean the toothpaste out of the sink...and ALSO remember to put the toothbrush and paste back in the drawer. 

Priority Management:
This is not time management or multitaking.  I am talking about putting the life in order.
1.  Fear of the Lord- 
2.  Husband- (if you're married, if not it's relationship with God)
3.  Home- what came first, the home with your husband or the children?
4.  Children- children come after the home and husband because they need to be taught that they fit into the fmaily; they are a part of it, not the center of it.
5.  Private Life
6.  Public Life

We tend to get these all mixed up.  We aren't making time for the Lord, our home is in shambles, we aren't communicating with our husbands, but we are making sure our children make it to the playground or soccer practice to keep them happy and feeling loved.  That's not right.  God came first in your life (or should since He created you).  You husband was given to you, you care for him above all things and God will honor that.  Typically, a home is started with your husband so your responsibility should be to maintain a sanctuary of love and a haven of peace.  The usually come children, they are special but they are not more important than your husband and your home.  They are a part of that unit, not the focus and center of it.  Then take care of you privately, then worry about what you do outside the home- serving at church etc.

This is such a mouth full and I know so many people will probably disagree but I've seen the fruit of being an intentional wife who strives to fear the Lord in all things, honor and serve her husband before herself, and maintain a home of dignity where children are obedient and others are served.  I'm still working on these things but I know women who have these priorities straight and it's a beautiful thing.