I miss my beautiful Hawai'i...

Sabbath Reflection

"Creating a spiritual environment in the home". That was our Young Women lesson today.

We talked about our attitudes, our homes, bedrooms and behaviors. We learned that we can change. By wanting to change. Asking Heavenly Father for help. And by working hard to change. Lasting change takes time and effort but it's possible. And if our changes help make our home more spiritual, there is even more reason to change. How and what do you do to make your home a spiritual and lovely place?

Moving up!

We got a kitchenaid mixer last weekend!
Thanks Mom!
And the ice cream attachment came in Friday...
Thanks me!
Can't wait for the vegan homemade ice cream.

PS: I had pictures up but then the internet decided to take them out so I fixed this post...sorry.
It's gorgeous!

Journal

I (Jen) need to find a way to write in my journal. It was my resolution last year and I gave up after two weeks. I love writing, but I write so much that it takes up much of my time. I haven't found the motivation, or the reason, to make me stick to it. I tried to do it on the computer, on paper but nothing seems to work.

I'm looking for suggestions and ideas on how I could make writing in my journal a consistent habit. Even tough, I think my life is pretty boring, I do have some cool thoughts and cool things do happen so I need some record because I forget. Everything. Really. Everything. And I need my posterity to have some record of how cool we were.

Thoughts? I know there are some awesome journal keepers out there...

2011

2011 goals are in:

On the no-side, we have the following:

• No movies at the theater
• No netflix
• Eating out only once a month!

We have noticed that we spend way too much time and money watching movies and series. Instead, we believe we should be using our time by spending it doing meaningful things together, with others or on our own. We hope to see and realize how much we can accomplish by not distracting ourselves with too much "unreal" drama. I (Jen) often myself feeling guilty of not accomplishing projects or goals I have set and often, it's because I let myself sit in front of a screen and dive into a movie. Going to eat out is fun but we want to make it meaningful and fun. That way we can really treat ourselves and not just go eat burritos at Chipotle all the time! (we love those, but gotta hate the sodium content though!)

On the yes-side, we have the following:

• Read the Book of Mormon and the New Testament together
• Attend the temple once a month
• Work on saving 6 months of living expenses
• Prepare all our emergency kits (work on one per month- that includes will and such in case something ever happens.)
• Visit 3 major cities on the East Coast

We have more in store but those are the ones we want to focus on. Those are all all realizable (except for the 6 months living expenses, but that's ok, as long as we build it up little by little) and that's why we chose those. We think we can do it and we will. It's on paper and on the web, so, we are somewhat accountable, right?

As for me alone, I have tons of resolutions that I should make. Just like each year. Bah.

I've just learned that's why I don't keep them... too many..can't keep track...and surely can't handle them all at once.

So let's focus and pick 3:

• Write in my journal (that means, find a way to find the will to write...)
• Never buy lunch at work (unless meeting)
• Sew (that means, learn. Cuz I have a brand new machine and I need to use it)
• I can't do 3...I need more so there goes...
• 4: Enhance and perfect our plant-based diet
• 5: work out, meditate, stretch regularly (meaning at least 3 times/week to start)

2011, it's February and we finally figured out some of what we'll tackle this year. It was about time. 

Cheers to 2011!

• oh..and 6: make all Christmas 2011 presents homemade!

Sabbath Thought

My back is killing me right now. My herniated disc is hurting real bad. I don't like pain. I've got low pain tolerance. But then, I think of Christ and how much he suffered so I would have a chance to live with Heavenly Father again. And that's when my back pain, well, it's just back pain. I love my Savior so much and as we prepare to celebrate his birth, I want to reaffirm that I know He lives. He is the Savior of the world and I love Him.

Are you tough enough?

I know one who is. My awesome husband participated in this two weeks ago. We drove to New Jersey for the event and had a blast. I stayed on the sidelines this time but I sure will be in next time.

12 miles. Rough challenges. 40 degree water. Shall I say more? Just take a look.

Chris had so much fun. I did too, although I was mostly running after him trying to get some good shots.

Now, to sum it up, here is my favorite shot. Can you see Chris?

If you think you're tough enough, join us in April for another one.

My man is always tough enough.

Thanksgiving

This year's Thankgiving was spent "giving". Giving of our time and love to others. I had the privilege to work that day and we made dinner for the homeless individuals Miriam's Kitchen (my work) serve. It was the first real Thanksgiving Dinner Miriam's Kitchen ever had so it was fun. The menu was fabulous (not vegan though but for meat eaters it was perfect). There was mustard marinated turkey, cornbread, mashed sweet potatoes, salad, and pumpkin pie. The guests loved it and it was wonderful to talk with some of the ones I know best and get their feedback on the meal but also hear how they are doing.
Chris and I had our Thanksgiving Dinner on the Saturday with the French missionaries and the senior couple we adore. We made a complete Thanksgiving vegan meal, everything made from scratch except for the roast,pie crust and ice cream, and it was fabulous.

Our menu was:
. Veggie Roast
. Mashed Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes
. Homemade Stuffing with Nuts
. Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Pistachios
. Homemade Mushroom Gravy
. Green Salad
. Homemade Pumpkin Pie with Coconut Milk Vanilla Ice Cream

We had fun making this dinner and certainly enjoyed every bite of it. I might start putting some recipes up so everyone can enjoy them.

It was so wonderful to have the missionaries over. They just bring an amazing spirit into our home. The Woffindens (senior couple) is leaving in three weeks as they will be done withtheir mission. I don't know what we'll do without them. They have been such a rock for us since we got to Maryland. Patient, loving, ever giving, and full of a love we don't get too often because we are so far away from family. Many times, they've been a saving grace and I'm thankful to our Heavenly Father for sending them here on their mission. We love them so much. We just can't wait to go on a mission together. They sure gave us even more reasons to want to go.

Our yummy Thanksgiving meal

Love those people so much!

That pie was so delicious and with the ice cream even better!

Thanksgiving is not about the food we eat but the thanks we give and the giving we do. Thankful for a life full of blessings and trials to grow, and thankful for everything we've been given by those who touch our life each day.