Yummy Yogurts

I love yogurt!  I eat it multiple times a day, especially during the school week.  Yogurt is a great snack, dessert, or addition to breakfast, lunch, or dinner!  It comes in almost any flavor you could ever imagine.  These are some new flavors that I have found lately and am enjoying so much:  pumpkin pie, orange cream, banana cream, key lime, pineapple, superfruits (Raspberries, acai and pomegranate), and caramel macchiato.  I keep the fridge downstairs fully stocked!

Holiday Giving Opportunites

Don't forget that this is National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child by Samaratain's Purse!  Even if you did not get to take a box to a church's "shoebox parade" this Sunday, you can still drop them off throughout the week to be delivered.  Remember, you can always give up a few coffees, a few minutes shorter shower a night, a little less tv electricity, or less driving around using gas (and many, many ways to save yourself money) to spend on a child who has never gotten a Christmas present, and may never experience this kind of joy otherwise.  We get so tickeled when we receive gifts that we expect year after year.  Imagine how these kids will feel receiving their first (or best) gift yet, along with the message of Christ's love for them.

"...remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said:  'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"  Acts 20:35

"...for God loves a cheerful giver."  2 Corinthians 9:7

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."  2 Corinthians 9:8

This is another thing that I am super pumped about.  Last December, our youth group started a new way to encourage raising money for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.  We called it the "Latte Moon Coffee Station.  The youth volunteered to sell and serve coffee, hot chocolate, and apple cider along with all the condiments during the Sunday School time, with the money going to the offering.  We had a blast and raised so much money! This year we are also selling these tumblers pictured above.  I am definately getting one for me, too!

Homemade Meatloaf

Tuesday I came home after school instead of running, becuase I had been fighting some sickness, and my body needed a break!  Since I had extra time at home, I headed to the kitchen to work on a new recipe I had made.  I love meatloaf, so I made one all for myself stuffed with other foods I love, too.  When I say all to myself, I mean Mom and Dad are not allowed in the dish.  Mine.

Of course meatloaf has meat in it.  But here are the added ingreedients:

pumpkin

black pepper, paprika, all spice, chili powder

salsa

oatmeal

Linwoods Ground Flax, Sunflower, Pumpkin & Sesame Seeds & Goji Berries

spinach

onions

egg whites

This was from last night's dinner, where you can see it cut up.

This may sound strange, but it actually works out really well.  Dad made spaghetti Sunday night, but I had noodles leftover but no more sauce!  No one wants plain noodles, right?  To solve this problem, I took some Classico Fire Roasted Tomato and Garlic pasta sauce and warmed it up with the noodles and meatloaf to make more spaghetti!

There is a plethora of things you can do with leftovers.

Photoshop Creation

 

 

My second block class is Web Design, and we have been working in Photoshop this past week.  After I finished my bellringer, I created a little logo for the cross country team.  I don't know what I may use it for, but I will put it to good use on display somewhere!

 

We all know that without God, we wouldn't have been able to win.  He has given us so many opportunites so that we can be used to make His name known in this world that needs Him so much!

Chuao Chocolate

I love going shopping at places I don't normally get to go to because I can always find new things!  (Especially when it's a store with food!)  Mom and I went to Target last Sunday, and they already have the Christmas decor and more on display and ready to go!  I'm ready to go, too, as Christmas is my absolute favorite season/holiday.

However, we cannot get so caught up in Christmas that we forget to stop and be thankful and spend extra time thanking and spending time with those we love and appreciate.

I spent a lot of money at Target and the other two stores we went to (Bath & Body Works and Yankee Candle) on Christmas gifts!  I found some things for myself, as well.  Below is one of those items.  Simply dark chocolate and honeycomb, this is a super-satisfying treat!


 Trying new things is almost always a good idea!

Heath Pieces Pancakes

Recees Pieces now have friends in York, Almond Joy, Hershey's, Heath, and so many more!  At target last weekend the Heath Pieces were really calling my name, so I grabbed a pack.  I had a feeling that they would make some super pancakes, and here they are!  Whole grain batter with cocoa powder, vanilla extract, vanilla protein powder, and Heath Pieces!  Topped with honey and syrup, they were so satisfying!

Jeremy Camp Concert

Part of my birthday gift from my parents was tickets to a Jeremy Camp concert last Saturday night at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center in Greeneville, Tennessee, just about 30 minutes down the road.  Little did I know at the time I received these tickets that it would be just what I needed to rekindle my spirit this night.  I had been feeling unfocused and unmotivated, like I had lost the joy that I had been so filled with all year.  I began to think about my heart not being right during Rob's message Wednesday night at church, but I still didn't feel right inside. 

 

Jeremy is such a great speaker along with his amazing live performance in singing.  Listening to the words of his songs like Reckless, Jesus Saves, Overcome, and many more just made me think of how beautiful life is, and how we all have reasons to celebrate in who God is, no matter what the circumstances are.

He also talked about distractions.  I have a lot of those.  That is what I believe had made me unhappy, becuase the things of this world don't make me happy.  My joy comes from finding satidfaction in my salvation.  We both feel that He is coming soon!  Jeremy mentioned living in the anticipation of His coming.  There is no reason to waste the time we've been given on things that don't amount to anything.  We should "raise a shout!  and let all the world know that Jesus Saves!"  We also share a favorite verse:  Acts 20:24  "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." 

I am motivated to do whatever God wants me to.  It is really hard to put myself behind, and I stuggle daily with prioritizing.  I want people to hold me accountable for my actions and words, becuase I am not here to please people or myself, but to bring glory to God.

This is my friend Brooke who came with me.  She loves Christian music and concerts, too.  I love having friends that I can praise the Lord with!

 

There was a "meet-and-greet" and autograph signing after the concert, too.  Stands were set up selling CDs, small posters, necklaces, a variety of Tshirts, and his book, I Still Believe.  He talked a little about what it is written about during the concert, and it really interested me.  My favortie books are true and inspriational words by people like this.  They hold my attention and challenge me to live a better life for Christ.  Jeremy's expericed a tragic time in his life (I won't give it away if you choose to read and don't already know), and he writes about how his faith was challenged and how He abides in God to overcome life's terrible circumstances and comes to rest in the joy, peace, and love of Christ.  Several of his songs are also written during this time.  I can't wait to get started reading!

I wanted to add this little off-topic bit from the evening, because it was a new place I got to try!  These frozen yogurt shops are popping up everywhere!  For me, this is very exciting. 

Before leaving home, I looked up restaurants near this part of Greeneville.  The place we ended up for dinner was also new for us, and quite tasty!  I am a big fan of Mexican food.  The restaurant is called Monterrey's.

In the same shopping center is a self-serve froyo shop called Sweet CeCe's.  Every froyo shop has its own unique things, in my opinion, and this one is fantastic, too!  I really like how their cheesecake bites were quite large and very "cheesecakey."  All the toppings are set up in a neat arrangement; they are in tall tubes with turn knobs that drop it out the bottom!  This cup is cake batter, graham cracker, and pumpkin, with a little Heath inside and of course, cheesecake!