Quick Fix Friday: Taco-tot Casserole

I realize it's been awhile since I put up a new post, but between moving, my hubby's new job and work schedule, keeping up with our son, and navigating my first two trimesters of pregnancy life has been a little hectic.  Life is starting to settle in a little and so I'm jumping back in this week with a new Quick Fix Friday post for you.

The recipe I'm sharing today is a variation on good old tater-tot casserole.  I copied this out of one of my Mom's cookbook not long after my husband and I got married and it has become a good recipe to shake things up a little when we're in a rut.  Our whole family enjoys both the original and this version. Enjoy:

Taco-tot Casserole

1 lb. hamburger
1 pkg. taco seasoning
1 can corn
1 can nacho cheese soup
1/2 soup can of milk
1 bag tater-tots

To start out, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  In a skillet brown the hamburger over medium-high heat.  Once the hamburger is browned remove from heat and add the taco seasoning, corn, soup, and milk.  Combine and then transfer from the skillet into a 9x13 baking dish.  Cover the top with the tater-tots.  Bake for 1 hour or until bubbling and tater-tots have reached desired doneness.

For His Glory,

Courtney

Called to Have it all Together?

This past week, I had the privilege of going to a concert with a couple of other ladies from our church.  The Lord used each artist to refresh my soul in a way that only music does.  It was a joy to listen to Jenny & Tyler, Bebo Norman, and Sara Groves.

Now, nearly a week later, what is bouncing around my head is not the lyrics to an amazing song.  It is something Sara Groves said when introducing her song "Obsolete".  She was sharing about a couple of her twenty-something friends (exactly my age group) came to her feeling very discouraged.  They'd been reading blogs of other woman and comparing themselves to the standard set forth by the image projected there.  Now I don't know about you, but often when I read a blog I do the exact same thing.  I see another mom or wife talking sharing something(s) they're doing well and immediately feel guilty for not being as awesome at _________. (You fill in the blank.)  I suddenly feel like I'm less for not having "it" all together.  As Sara Groves continued she said she had to remind them (and by sharing reminded me) that what others put forth online is not necessarily the whole story.  When someone chooses what they're going to share online, they often share what will portray them in the best possible light.  You don't see all the underpinnings of there life, and they most certainly don't see those places in you that suddenly feel all too exposed.

Now, as this all flowed in and out of my mind these past few days, I also returned to the following question.  Are we called to have it all together?  As I pondered this the first verse to come to mind was:

"But he said to me,"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."-2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV  

So often, I get so hung up on my weaknesses that I forget that God's grace is sufficient.  That, while I should seek to grow in those areas, God will receive the glory for any success, because those successes are by his grace alone.  And for me it's more and more like the line from the hymn: 

 "In my life Lord, be glorified, be glorified today."

I am reminded more and more that God is glorified in the every day things, the unglamorous things, the mundane things, and sometimes the things the world values least.  My life is to be about living according to his word, by his grace, and for his glory.

So this week, when you're cruising your favorite blog, remember:  you're not called to have it all together, you're called to follow hard after the Lord.

For His Glory,

Courtney

Quick Fix Friday: Slow cooker pulled pork

As I was deciding what recipe to share with you this week, I realized that I keep giving you slow cooker recipes!  After this week, I'll try to shake things up a little and give you some fast, family friendly meals that don't involve a slow cooker.

This week, I'm sharing with you a very simple slow cooker recipe for pulled pork that my dear friend Christie shared with me.  As I write this, this recipe is simmering away in my kitchen, filling the house with the scent of cooking pork.  This recipe is so easy and sooooooooooooo tasty :-)  Enjoy!

Slow cooker pulled pork

Ingredients:

2 lbs pork loin/roast(thawed)
1 12 oz can of root beer
1 16 oz bottle of your favorite barbecue sauce
1 package of 8 hamburger buns

First, take your thawed pork and place it in the slow cooker.  Then pour the root beer over the pork and place the lid on your slow cooker.  Allow this to cook on low for 6-7 hours.  Once the meat is cooked through, drain off any remaining root beer.  Shred the pork using two forks.  Then add the bottle of barbecue sauce and mix thoroughly.  Serve on hamburger buns :-)



For His Glory,

Courtney

What you're doing is ministry...

This past week, my husband and I had the privilege to attend a pastors and leaders conference.  It was a powerful time spent in the Bible and in prayer, a time to fellowship with those who are like-minded and our family in Christ.  I have come away feeling so refreshed and encouraged.  Several ladies took time to talk with, encourage, and pray with me specifically.  The Lord used them to speak His truth into my life and my heart.  It has so encouraged me, I wanted to share with you in case you are in need of encouragement as well.

1.  If your husband is called, then so are you.

I have no doubt whatsoever that my husband needs to be doing ministry.  Sometimes I doubt absolutely that I'm qualified to hold the title "pastor's wife".  That title carries different expectations for different people and I've always struggled with wanting to please people.  I am learning more and more (and was encouraged to) remember that ministry in the church comes after my ministry in my home.  I need to be faithful to live the word out as well as teach it.  Yes, I do need to be faithful to give God's word out, but that starts at home with my husband and my children.

2.  Loving your husband and child(ren) is ministry.

In a society that diminishes that which is done at home, it is so easy to become discouraged.  I have found my self in that unlovely place of feeling like I am "just" a stay at home wife and mom, like what I'm doing is not enough.  My own mother has in encouraged me in the past and several ladies at the conference encouraged me as well in true Titus 2 fashion!  In a world full of hurting people and largely void of true love, allowing people to see my love for my husband and son is a silent witness for the gospel.  A huge part of my ministry is to love my husband and my son!

^"3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, ⁴ so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, ⁵  to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored."-Titus 2:3-5 NASB

3. Do not grow weary in well doing!

Any one in ministry will tell you there was some point where they felt discouraged.  They felt that maybe they should look for a new opportunity or that faithfully sharing the truth was just too hard or the hearts of the people too resistant or the finances too challenging, etc.  If we give up, the devil wins.  If we decide to stop ministering the gospel, it's one more victory for the evil one.  Several ladies shared with me the exhortation of Galatians 6:9

^"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."-Galatians 6:9 NKJV

Don't grow weary, don't lose heart!  Giving out the gospel is important and that starts with you ministry to your husband and children!  Be encouraged dear reader! I'm praying this would minister to your heart today!



For His Glory,



Courtney

 

Quick Fix Friday: Slow cooker chicken

This edition of Quick Fix Friday is going to be in a word, quick.  I love, love, love this recipe.  This is my very favorite recipe for chicken so far.  In fact, I may never cook a chicken on the oven ever again!  This chicken was moist, juicy, and literally falling off the bone.  I had zero trouble taking this chicken off of the bone, which is a pretty big deal considering it usually looks like I was trying to beat the chicken into submission while hacking it to bits (really, ask my husband) while failing miserably to separate meat from bone.  This recipe is like my chicken cooking BFF.  So, here it is:

Slow cooker chicken

1 whole 2-3lb chicken, thawed
Salt
Pepper
1Tbsp Garlic powder
2 Tbsp dried Parsley
Aluminum foil

First take aluminum foil and roll into 3 3-4 inch balls and place them in the bottom of your slow cooker.  Then take the thawed chicken and rinse it with cold water and pat dry with paper towels.  Place the now dry chicken inside the slow cooker on top of the aluminum foil balls.  Now season the chicken(to taste) inside and out with salt and pepper.  Finally sprinkle the garlic powder and dried parsley over the chicken and place the lid on your slow cooker.  Put the slow cooker on high for about one hour, then turn it down to low and let the chicken cook for 7-9 more hours until juices run clear.  Let cool a few minutes and enjoy :-)

For His Glory,

Courtney

So Blessed...

My heart is so full right now.  The Lord has so richly blessed me.  I have so much more than I ever could have asked for, so much more than I deserve.  I have a wonderful husband who loves me, who loves our son and is an amazing father, who cares enough to put God first, who has a deep passion for God's word and a great love for people.  I have a beautiful healthy son despite all that could have gone wrong during my pregnancy or just after his birth.  Every time I look into that precious face or hold him in my arms, I know I am holding a miracle. Most of all, though, I have a savior!  A savior named Jesus, who left heaven and came to earth as a man, who chose to suffer and die for all sin, who rose again on the third day, and who has forgiven my sins and allowed me to have a personal relationship with Him!

There are so many more things I could list.  I could give so many specific instances of God's goodness, mercy, grace, and love in my life.  Right now, my heart is so full I feel it could burst!  I just had to share with you how a small piece of how great my God is and how good He's been to me.  Yes, there are parts of my life that are hard, but I have so much more than I deserve.  I am a sinner and deserve no more than punishment and death, yet here I am.  I am alive, I have a wonderful husband, a beautiful son, a wonderful family, dear friends, a chance to minister to others, and most of all, I have a Savior!

I have to marvel at how great my God is, how much He's given me, how much He is teaching me through His word and in prayer!  I would encourage you, take a few minutes just to think about all He's done for you.  Remind yourself of His faithfulness.

And if you don't know Him, seek Him out.  Get a Bible and start reading the New Testament, find a Bible-believing church and get in touch with the pastor with your questions, or even leave me a comment.

For His Glory,

Courtney

Quick Fix Fridays: Mom's 4 Ingredient Chili

There are so many different schools of thought on what good chili is and isn't.  It varies from region to region and (as my husband and I have realized) from family to family.  While I enjoy my husband's favorite recipe, when I start to get hungry for chili this is what I'm hungry for.  I grew up with this recipe and I haven't tasted chili yet that can beat it.

You'll need:

1 Large can tomato puree
2 cans light red kidney beans
1 packet of your favorite chili seasoning
1 lb ground beef
1-5 quart soup pot

For this recipe I start by browning the ground beef (seasoning to taste)in the bottom of the pan.  If it is especially greasy or watery, drain the meat.  Next  I add the kidney beans, tomato puree, and chili seasoning and stir together.  I allow this to simmer on medium heat until it is heated through and the beans are tender.  I usually serve this with saltines and cheddar cheese, but it's also great with tortilla chips or for making chili dogs.

I love making this recipe! It's so fast and easy, plus it makes me feel a little less homesick when we haven't seen family in awhile.  If you want something a little more sophisticated this is also a great place to start.  You can add some onions while browning the hamburger, you can substitute ground turkey for ground beef, you can add about 1/2 a cup of your favorite salsa, etc.  The possibilities are endless.

For His Glory,

Courtney