Lessons learned the first 50 years

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I hit a milestone. I turned 50 years old. I am thankful that I don't feel 50.   I am thankful for things God has taught me throughout those 50 years. .  I have learned that God loves mercy and when I feel a sense that justice needs to happen over mercy, all I need to do is remember that I am thankful for when God gives me mercy instead of a just punishment.   (Micah 6:8 8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.) ( Luke 6: 36  Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. ) I have learned that hurt people end up hurting people.   When I am able to see that I didn't hurt them but I am bearing the results of that persons hurt inflicted by other people, it helps me forgive whatever hurt they pushed onto me and move on.  (Romans 12 : 18  If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. )  I have learned that anyone who thinks they have God
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Throw Christmas Traditions Out the Window....

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If you know me, you would know that I don't feel necessarily pulled to do the popular thing or the traditional thing.  I want to do what is right and good for my family.   I try to focus on making memories and doing the things that matter.  We do go drive around and look at Christmas lights.  We do laugh while watching the movie, Elf.   We do have buckeyes (choc/ peanut butter candy) and sausage balls ...only at Christmas.  It is a struggle for families to not let Christmas be about the gifts...but about love. ..not love of things, but love of people.   My family doesn' t like the traditional Christmas meal of ham, turkey, dressing, etc...so I am not making that.  We are having Black Bean soup ....   As far as the gifts, my husband and I have  chosen not exchange gifts with each other but to pass on what we would have spent on each other and give it to others.  This has to be the best Christmas we have had so far.  We celebrated Christmas with his extended family and my extended family..yesterday.    Driving down... seeing faces we don't get to see often enough.... just spending time laughing with them and catching up...that is what matters.   My children will have their gifts to play with tomorrow...but I mostly hope to appreciate the love we give to them and the love they have for each other.   This video is of a little girl who has seen her daddy only for 2 weeks in the last 2 years.  She asks Santa for one thing..... for her daddy.   She has it right!  Sweet, sweet video...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMroVpNoCw0


enjoy... and oh, the recipe for the soup is below. :)
Black Bean Soup

5 slices of bacon, 1 onion (finely chopped), 6 garlic cloves (pressed), 14.5  oz of chicken broth, 14.5 oz of diced tomatoes, 2 tsp of Worcestershire sauce, 2 tablespoons of ketchup, 1 tablespoon of chili powder, 6 cups of cooked black beans (may substitute 4 cans of black beans),  salt, pepper.  (Sour cream and cheddar cheese for toppings)…

To make this soup, I cooked 5 pieces of bacon in a large skillet.  I added the diced onions as soon as the bacon’s fat is released.  Cook the onions for about 4-5 minutes.  Next, stir in the garlic and cook for another minute.  Pour into the cooked black beans soup pot.  Add the broth, ketchup, tomatoes, chili powder, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire.  Cook an additional 10 minutes or until tomatoes are tender.  Dish into bowls and top with a small spoonful of sour cream and a few shreds of cheddar cheese.

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