Just the Two of Us
We are on our way back home from a wonderful vacation in Saint Simons Island, GA. We visited here last summer and it became a new favorite for us. The island is so quaint and beautiful. We had amazing food and weather. It never rained a drop on us. I am so glad we planned this trip. It was a much needed break.
Beach Bound
That's right! We're beach bound for a long weekend. It is just G and me. I'm so excited. Here's what's on our agenda: NOTHING! Ah, it feels so good. The last two weeks at work has been nothing short of madness. I've hosted a couple of large fundraising events, a college football team and had just a few days to complete my 2013 business plan. I got it all done by the grace of God. And in the midst of all of that we had the Bobby Nichols Memorial Golf Tournament for Greyson's college golf coach in Cookeville. Now I'm an hour and a half away from sun, sand, seafood and most importantly quality time with my husband. And for those of you wondering we are not in the path of Isaac. We're going to St. Simons, GA.
We also have a lot to celebrate on this trip. G received a promotion at work this week. I am so excited and proud of him.
Well the beach is calling my name. Pictures to come soon!
We also have a lot to celebrate on this trip. G received a promotion at work this week. I am so excited and proud of him.
Well the beach is calling my name. Pictures to come soon!
Ritz Pork Chops
This was a staple in my house growing up. I am sure it is something Mom just threw together one night. It has become a comfort dish for me. And it is easy so I am glad the hubby likes it.
1 stick margarine
4- 6 Pork Chops (bone or boneless)
1 tub of Ritz Crackers
Salt and Pepper to Taste
Preheat Oven to 375
Melt 1 stick margarine in microwave safe dish
Dip pork chops in melted butter
In a Zip Lock Bag Crush tub of Ritz Crackers
Shake Pork Chops individually in bag with crackers
Bake in a glass baking dish lightly greased for 25-30 minutes (I like to place my pork chops on wax paper for easy cleanup.)
Peanut Butter Pie... OH MY!
Ingredients:
1 graham cracker pie crust
8 oz. cream cheese soften
1 cup creamy peanut butter
¾ cup Splenda
1 tub Sugar Free or Fat Free Cool Whip Soften but still frozen
In a large mixing bowl combine cream cheese, peanut butter and Splenda. Once everything is blended well add cool whip to mixture and blend. (Cool Whip is not used as topping.) Spread evenly in pie crust and refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.
I somehow developed a masterpiece last night. It is a variation of a recipe found on www.wellfeedhomestead.com. Basically I decided making my own crust was way too hard. I didn’t have any vanilla and I had already sent my husband back to the store once. Let’s just say it was heavenly. I can’t wait to make it again!
Yes, I’m Going There…
I can't believe I am going here on my blog but I am. I have to share a different perspective... one that has not been shared much. I have stood on my soapbox several times this week about this issue. I have finally decided to articulate all of my feelings and convictions on paper and post them online. And you know what I am speaking of. Unless you have been living under a rock the last week then you have heard about the President of Chick Fil A speaking out against homosexuality and revealing that the company has funded an anti-gay organization. When I first heard of this I was appalled. (And before I start my tangent I realize they are a Christian company. And that God designed us for intimacy between a man and woman. But let me now start on my tangent of why I was so appalled.) I for one am a Christian. I asked Christ in my heart as a 4th grader. I’ve had a strong understanding of God’s will for my life since I was a young girl. I was taught as a child to love one another and to never look down on anyone for not sharing the same beliefs as me. I can’t tell you how many times as a child my mother referenced the woman at the well from John chapter 4. She would tell me you are more likely to bring others to Christ outside of the four walls of the church than inside. I sang, “This Little Light of Mine” and understood what it meant. I was to let the love of Christ shine through me so that others might see. Therefore, after reading my first article about the Chick Fil A "scandal", I imagined myself as a homosexual reading this same article and how would I feel. I asked myself the following questions. Would I feel the love of Christ from this organization? Would I want what they had? Would I see the joy of Christ in these people? Would I feel without hope? Would I feel loved?
I then brought myself back to the John chapter 4. I read the scriptures to see if I had missed something. Did Jesus tell this lady of her sins? Did He tell her she was bound to hell? Did He give her a sense of no hope? Did He tell her He was against her? No, no, no and no! He did none of those things. She was aware of her own sins. He showed her His love and told her of His mercy. That's all it is about folks.
Do I believe homosexuality is the lifestyle God wants for His children? No, I do not. But do I believe I am going to show a homosexual the love of Christ by speaking out against their lifestyle? NO, I do not. It is like I don’t believe one single anti-abortion bumper sticker has ever stopped someone from having abortion. What makes a difference is showing people hope and love. There is enough of the other stuff out there. If you allow a homosexual to see the joy you have in your life from your own personal relationship with Jesus, you may actually have the chance of them excepting Him into their lives. But telling them they are wrong and that they are condemned to hell will do nothing but keep them there. Somehow as Christians we forget that the GRACE that saved us from our sins is the same GRACE that can save the homosexuals, the murders, the thieves and the rest of mankind.
And for all you who say to me that it is not fair everyone else gets to voice their views without persecution, I say stop complaining. As a Christian, you get to have a personal relationship with your God and eternal life one day. What other religion or lifestyle promises that? So why not show others the love and the promises of Christianity instead of condemning and alienating people!
I read a post on another blog that shared my same views. I was amazed that I wasn’t the only one feeling this way. She articulated herself better than I ever could. Please check it out at http://jenhatmaker.com/blog/2012/07/27/in-the-basement#.UBLy0YGjR88.facebook. But let me share my favorite part:
I’m sick of the Jesus forwards and judgment. Sick of majoring on gay marriage. Enough, everyone. With every hate Tweet and finger jab and Bible bludgeon, you are telling my gay friends they are indeed unwelcome, unloved, unvalued, and uninvited. If your agenda is to battle homosexuality, how’s that going? How many gay folks read your Prop 8 yard sign, knocked on your door, and said, “Thank you for voicing your opinion to the neighbors in this manner. Would you kindly invite me in and teach me how to be straight? And do you have a Bible study I can join?”
Ok now, I’m stepping off the soapbox. Who’s next in line?
Do I believe homosexuality is the lifestyle God wants for His children? No, I do not. But do I believe I am going to show a homosexual the love of Christ by speaking out against their lifestyle? NO, I do not. It is like I don’t believe one single anti-abortion bumper sticker has ever stopped someone from having abortion. What makes a difference is showing people hope and love. There is enough of the other stuff out there. If you allow a homosexual to see the joy you have in your life from your own personal relationship with Jesus, you may actually have the chance of them excepting Him into their lives. But telling them they are wrong and that they are condemned to hell will do nothing but keep them there. Somehow as Christians we forget that the GRACE that saved us from our sins is the same GRACE that can save the homosexuals, the murders, the thieves and the rest of mankind.
And for all you who say to me that it is not fair everyone else gets to voice their views without persecution, I say stop complaining. As a Christian, you get to have a personal relationship with your God and eternal life one day. What other religion or lifestyle promises that? So why not show others the love and the promises of Christianity instead of condemning and alienating people!
I read a post on another blog that shared my same views. I was amazed that I wasn’t the only one feeling this way. She articulated herself better than I ever could. Please check it out at http://jenhatmaker.com/blog/2012/07/27/in-the-basement#.UBLy0YGjR88.facebook. But let me share my favorite part:
I’m sick of the Jesus forwards and judgment. Sick of majoring on gay marriage. Enough, everyone. With every hate Tweet and finger jab and Bible bludgeon, you are telling my gay friends they are indeed unwelcome, unloved, unvalued, and uninvited. If your agenda is to battle homosexuality, how’s that going? How many gay folks read your Prop 8 yard sign, knocked on your door, and said, “Thank you for voicing your opinion to the neighbors in this manner. Would you kindly invite me in and teach me how to be straight? And do you have a Bible study I can join?”
Ok now, I’m stepping off the soapbox. Who’s next in line?
June
Sorry it has been a while. I know I say this every month but I seriously do not know where the month went. I can’t believe tomorrow is July 1. So since I have not posted all month, let me recap the month of June. The first week of June was my last program day and graduation for Leadership Rutherford (a 9 month, extensive leadership program). Sadly, I came down with an awful viral infection. My symptoms were the same as a sinus infection and stomach bug all at once. I was in the bed Tuesday afternoon until Friday morning. That meant I missed my last program day and graduation which was held at the hotel. I had planned an incredible reception and dinner so I was very upset that I had to miss it. Thankfully I still graduated. I can honestly say I am going to miss LR. I made some incredible friendships with some of the funniest people on the planet. I am extremely grateful to my employers for this opportunity.
The day I started recovering from the virus was also the day we left for our annual Painter family vacation. Thankfully by the time we arrived at the beach house on Saturday, I was pretty much back to my normal self. We had an incredible time. We went to Pawleys Island, SC. We stayed in a HUGE house. We all had plenty of space which is always nice. Greyson’s mother, father, sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew were there. G and I fell in love with our king sized bed with a memory foam mattress. G even slept in until 11 one morning with me, which in my 6 ½ years knowing him has never happened. We took some great pictures of the kids on the beach. G’s sister is pregnant with their third child, who we just found out this week is a girl! We are thrilled to welcome a new baby to the family this November. We had great weather. It did rain one day but we all just took it easy and enjoyed our time being together. All the other days were sunny and in the low 80s. It is 107 here today in Tennessee so I would give anything for some low 80s weather again. G and I went shopping one day in Myrtle Beach and I racked up on some deals at Banana Republic. We enjoyed fresh seafood every night (my fav) and made some incredible memories. Here are some pictures of our week at the beach.
The day I started recovering from the virus was also the day we left for our annual Painter family vacation. Thankfully by the time we arrived at the beach house on Saturday, I was pretty much back to my normal self. We had an incredible time. We went to Pawleys Island, SC. We stayed in a HUGE house. We all had plenty of space which is always nice. Greyson’s mother, father, sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew were there. G and I fell in love with our king sized bed with a memory foam mattress. G even slept in until 11 one morning with me, which in my 6 ½ years knowing him has never happened. We took some great pictures of the kids on the beach. G’s sister is pregnant with their third child, who we just found out this week is a girl! We are thrilled to welcome a new baby to the family this November. We had great weather. It did rain one day but we all just took it easy and enjoyed our time being together. All the other days were sunny and in the low 80s. It is 107 here today in Tennessee so I would give anything for some low 80s weather again. G and I went shopping one day in Myrtle Beach and I racked up on some deals at Banana Republic. We enjoyed fresh seafood every night (my fav) and made some incredible memories. Here are some pictures of our week at the beach.
Our Beach House
G & Me
Towns Family Picture
I wish we were there now.
Bill & Nancy
The past two weeks at work have been unbelievably busy for me. I am very grateful for all the new business coming my way. I’ve also been interviewing for a new catering coordinator since my current one is moving out of state. My office is in the process of a major makeover. I have freshly new painted walls (done by yours truly because the maintenance men had way too much going on to take on another project), and new carpet and office furniture coming next week.
I hope to do better blogging in July! I hope everyone has an incredible 4th of July. Although, I am not that thrilled about it being in the middle of the week but oh well. At least G and I both have the day off.
The past two weeks at work have been unbelievably busy for me. I am very grateful for all the new business coming my way. I’ve also been interviewing for a new catering coordinator since my current one is moving out of state. My office is in the process of a major makeover. I have freshly new painted walls (done by yours truly because the maintenance men had way too much going on to take on another project), and new carpet and office furniture coming next week.
I hope to do better blogging in July! I hope everyone has an incredible 4th of July. Although, I am not that thrilled about it being in the middle of the week but oh well. At least G and I both have the day off.
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