December 28

There is no way to predict the future, and sometimes when we are faced with it, it is about as approachable as an ice cold pool. We can choose to move forward and take the plunge or become stagnant and full of apprehension and doubt. I have come to know two things: There is nothing more horrifying than the unknown and that one of our greatest challenges is overcoming the possibility of failure.

In a world that is constantly putting emphasis on succeeding and achieving it is incredibly simple for us to attach our worth to our actions and accolades. This helps to explain the fear of failure, because what are we really without achievement? The world would probably say “not much”, but if you look to God’s word you will see that he calls us “Fearfully and wonderfully made”. This is an intrinsic worth, and not based on any action of our own but instead the actions of someone who cannot fail. In this we should find unspeakable joy and unshakable confidence.  We all have aspirations and dreams, but they do not come without hard work and persistence.  When you are feeling weighed down or fearful of the future, unable to make your next move, remember God’s promise to each of us. “I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). Recently I had the opportunity of learning an important lesson from someone who is very special to me. This person demonstrated to me what incredible things God can bring about when you commit and surrender to his plan and give him your full dedication. In moments when you feel like you have nothing left or are unqualified for the task at hand, have the will and the desire to persist. This left a lasting impression with me and I wanted to pass it along to all of my readers.  Take the plunge! Take a risk and go for your dream, and when you are emotionally and physically drained call on God and he will pull you through.

Daily Thanks: Today I am thankful for the incredible people God has placed in my life to teach me the lessons that matter

Farararara 

Well that’s it folks! Christmas Day is over, and I think it is safe to say we are all exhausted. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and enjoyed spending time with family and friends.  This has been an amazing year, and I have truly been blessed with an incredible family, friends that are better than I deserve, and the opportunity to pursue my dream of becoming a Medical Missionary. Above all though, we have all been blessed with a loving savior who has come into the world to die for each and every one of us and redeem us from our sins. Now that is something to smile about! I am so excited to see what the coming year has in store, and I can’t wait to experience it unfold with my readers! I am so thankful for all of your support! You guys seriously amaze and humble me!

Daily Thanks: Today I am SO thankful for my sweet sister! SHE IS ENGAGED YOU GUYS!!!!!! (Photos coming soon!)

December 20

Today I want to give a big shout out and huge thank you hug to my best friend in the entire world, Payton Sims! This girl is literally my soul mate, and I do not know where I would be without her. Payton is one of the most talented, creative, beautiful, and God fearing women I have ever encountered and I am so incredibly proud to be able to call her best friend and self-proclaimed sister. We have been through so much together and I am certain that I am a far better person for having known her. Payton has a thirst for religious knowledge that is forever nudging me to open my own bible, and a true servant’s heart. I hope each and every one of my readers is fortunate enough to have just one friend this true in their lifetime. It is one of the greatest blessings. Also she is pretty B.A on the French horn. (She is going to be a famous musician one day so be on the lookout for her name)

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:  If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!” (Ecclesiastes 4:9)

Daily Thanks: Today I am obviously thankful for my incredible friend Payton

December 18

Happy Hump day friends! I hope everyone is having an awesome Wednesday and an even better week so far. Today has been an errand running, NCIS watching, nap taking, gift making kind of day. As Christmas approaches, my mom and I begin our annual scramble to put together gifts for my dad to take to his office workers who help to make his life so much easier throughout the year (He is a high school principal, so any extra help he can get is much appreciated). We have abandoned the typical holiday gifts of cookies, candies, and sweets for something a little different. Salsa has quickly become our go to gift for co-workers and friends! It is fun and easy to make; and we think it is a good break from the never ending parade of sweets we all receive during the holidays! (Although tomatoes are fruit, so technically this may still be a dessert…you decide). Gift giving during the holidays can be one of the most rewarding or most stressful aspects of the season. We have all heard the saying “Keep Christ at the center of Christmas”, but I think it is also important to keep Christ at the center of gift giving. The bible sheds a little light on the subject of being a Christ-like and cheerful giver, and it is something we should all reflect on during this particular time of year! “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). This bible verse is usually used in church exclusively when talking about tithing to church (your offering) or giving to charity, but I think it can be applied to any instance where we are expected to give. This Christmas I encourage you to give cheerfully no matter how big or small your gift may be!

What is the most thoughtful present you have ever given?

Daily Thanks: Today I am thankful for time spent with my mom, who is all too patient with me; and for my new trainer/friend Will (I can barely walk down the stairs thanks to Monday’s lunge filled workout)

SALSA RECIPE: 

10 lbs tomatoes, chopped

6 medium onions, chopped

3 cups bell peppers (any kind), chopped

12 jalapeno peppers, chopped and seeded

5 chili peppers, chopped and seeded (this will make it spicy or milder, depending on the peppers you choose)

10 cloves garlic, minced

1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

1 1/3 cups white vinegar

1/4 cup salt

2 tsp pepper

2 tsp cayenne pepper

2 tsp cumin

2 tbsp lime juice

3 cans tomato paste (the bigger cans, not the tiny ones)

Combine all ingredients except tomato paste in a large stock pot. Simmer approximately 40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add tomato paste and mix well. Simmer another 20 minutes or so. At this point, I take out about half of the salsa, blend it smooth in the blender and then return it to the pot, but you can leave it chunky if you prefer. Ladle into hot jars leaving 1/4" headspace. Cap and process 15 minutes in a water bath canner. Remove jars and let cool.

This recipe makes approximately 15 pints.

  

Happy Canning!

December 16

Happy Monday friends! I hope everyone is doing wonderful and enjoying these past days leading up to Christmas. This weekend my family took our annual trip to pick out and cut down our Christmas tree. It is always an eventful experience with my mother, sister and I cracking up and telling jokes about the year before, my father trying to keep track of my two special needs brothers who are always wandering every which way, and of course the infamous train ride Marty always looks forward to. The McRae Christmas tree is always an interesting sight, as it is usually covered with our elementary school art and projects rather than your typical holiday ornaments. It looks a little odd, but honestly it fits our family perfectly.  Picking out our tree and then coming home to cover it in hand made “decorations” got me thinking about why this tradition came about. I thought I would do a little research and fill you guys in! This is what I found…

“By the early Middle Ages, the legend had grown that when Christ was born in the dead of winter, every tree throughout the world miraculously shook off its ice and snow and produced new shoots of green. The evergreen tree was an ancient symbol of life in the midst of winter. Romans decorated their houses with evergreen branches during the New Year, and ancient inhabitants of northern Europe cut evergreen trees and planted them in boxes inside their houses in wintertime.”

It is easy to get wrapped up in our own family’s holiday traditions, but let us not forget the real “reason for the season”. We have the opportunity to celebrate and gather in thanks during this season for the birth of our lord and savior Jesus Christ! Without him we would all be lost; and while Christmas gifts are wonderful and exciting, the greatest gift of all is a God who loves us and offers us eternal life through his only son. I hope everyone has a blest Monday! Hugs, Hugs, Hugs!

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.  Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.  But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."  All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:  "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us." (Matthew 1:18-24)

Daily Thanks: Today I am thankful for my wonderful sister Meagan! We celebrated her 23^rd birthday tonight, and I am so blessed to have her in my life!

December 14

The semester is finally over! I am sad to say I got a little behind with my blog when finals started popping up(I made an A in organic chemistry and got a job as a lab assistant working with the genetics professor! Needless to say I was doing a happy dance all the way home), but I am so excited to take advantage of this break and catch up with all of my readers! The holiday season is one of my favorite times of the year. I can’t wait to spend some time with my best friend Payton, read some books that have been sitting on my shelf for way too long, and enjoy being around my crazy loud loving family. I am so excited to start posting and corresponding with all of you guys again! I hope everyone’s December is off to a fantastic start! Look out for my next post that will be coming out this Monday!

Daily Thanks: Today I am thankful for finally getting to sleep in!

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