Haiti

"A semi-truck from Samaritan's Purse brought over 25,000 pounds of relief supplies to be flown to Haiti." - Brian and I graduated from high school together.

My car accident was on the same day that the earthquake hit Haiti. Seeing what has happened there brings things into perspective. I may be in pain, but I am alive. I may be really tired and overwhelmed because of the aftermath of an accident, but my family is intact with a roof over their head and (thanks to insurance) a rental car to drive even.

We have friends who live in Florida and serve with Missionary Flights International. MFI has been giving air support to affiliated missionaries in Haiti, the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic since 1964. Right now, they are the only non military air planes being allowed into Port-au -Prince. Brian and Terah's story and blog are here. If you are unsure of where to donate money, Missionary Flights International is doing a good work to get relief to Haiti and to share the gospel.

The Protection of The Lord and The Body of Christ

"19 Oh, how abundant is your goodness,which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind! 20 In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men; you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues.
21 Blessed be the Lord,for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was in a besieged city.22 I had said in my alarm, “I am cut off from your sight.”But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cried to you for help.
23 Love the Lord, all you his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage,all you who wait for the Lord!" Psalm 31:19-23



Earlier this week, I was broadsided on my way to Costco. I had just dropped Amy off at choir, and was headed down a street that had cross traffic. The young lady that hit me thought I had a stop sign, which I did not. God protected us. Emily was strapped in really well to her car seat. Sean always has me kneel on it to tug it really, really tight. She sometimes looks comical strapped in with her 5 point harness. She can hardly move! But yesterday, it was anything but comical. The other car hit right at her door and even though she got some bruises, she didn't receive any severe injury. Praise God!



Evan was on the opposite side and reading a book with his head down. He said he hit his head slightly and had a headache. I got tossed around the most. When I got out of the car, I realized that my neck and upper back were hurting. So we went off to the hospital to get it checked out and documented for insurance.



At this point I was ready to cry at the drop of a hat. I felt so overwhelmed and so pumped up with adrenaline. The ER was crowded and Amy needed to be picked up from choir in an hour. Evan was supposed to have his first leadership meeting of the year at Boy Scouts that night. I didn't know I was going to do. Sean was out of town. (Thankfully he's home today!) I called the one friend I had a number for at choir. Thankfully, she was at choir and of course, was more than willing to bring Amy to me at the ER. I sent a text to Evan's scout master (who happens to also be our pastor, two texts for one!) telling him we weren't going to make it to scouts because the ER was full. He was out of town too, but said he'd let the elders know to pray for us. In what seemed to me just a manner of minutes, in walk Kevin and Felicia (one of our elders and his wife)to the ER! I started to cry again.

Waiting in the hospital is never very fun. Waiting 3 hours without dinner and with 3 tired children is not something I would ever choose to do. Praise God, I did not have to do it alone. Kevin and Felicia stayed with us the whole time, keeping our spirits light, playing with Emily, and visiting with Amy while Evan, Emily and I went back to be seen by the doctors (finally!). I know Sean was relieved too, since he was so far away, to know that we weren't alone.

Honest Scrap Award

Well after two months (has it really been two months!) of not blogging, I almost don't know what to write! Thank you Tricia, for not only awarding me a lovely award, saying nice things about me, but also giving me an easy way back into blogging.

It's not that I don't have things to say. Sean's dad died in October and we had to leave for Idaho. Most of what I would like to write about, I wasn't sure I should. We are going back up in May to finalize some of his estate. Maybe then will be the right time.

Back to the Scrap Award...here are 10 honest things about me. (As if I'd lie to you all!)

1. I am always cold. It might be a thyroid problem, but I'm not sure. The only exception is when it gets over 100 degrees and then I'm too hot to function. I really like it around 75 degrees.

2. I love to read. I read cookbooks cover to cover. I usually read a marriage book or two a year, several christian books dealing with whatever topic I 'd like instruction on, sometimes good fiction, and as much of the Bible as I can. I always read the forward, introduction, notes and footnotes. I just finished up a series of books by N.D. Wilson. They were so fun! I'm also reading Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs, and the Mr. Pipes series with the kids.

3. I pretty much don't eat anything with wheat (or actually gluten) in it. Emily has responded so well to going off gluten. Her rashes all cleared up and she is no longer so so skinny. Even my parents noticed that she just looks and acts healthier. In the whole process, I noticed that I feel much better off gluten. And when I do eat it, it gives me really bad gas, which is probably a sign that I don't digest it that well.

4. I have to wear socks to bed. See number 1.

5. I've always wanted to be a singer. I tried out for a choir group in college and didn't make it. Now I get to live vicariously through my daughter, who has a beautiful voice, (and coincidentally, sings with the same director that I tried out for).

6. I like really dark chocolate. Anything under 60% cacao is too sweet for me.

7. I have horrible handwriting. Teaching my kids has helped. If I really concentrate and practice it's better. But generally when I take notes (like during a sermon), I have my own shorthand. Most of the time I can read it. Usually people tell me I should have been a doctor.

8. I am so incredibly thankful for our church family. If you've read this blog for a while, then you know my "church history". Having experienced loss, makes this present blessing all the more sweet.

9. I really enjoy quiet mornings. With three kids, I need to get up pretty early in order to get them! Lately the sunrises have been so pretty. Reading my Bible, drinking Teeccino/Coffee blend and looking up to a glorious sunrise while the whole house is quiet is such a fabulous way to start the day! In another season of my life, I'd like to add walking in the morning too. Right now, I can't really just leave the house and Sean's schedule is too sporadic to allow me the flexibility to just take off. But one of these days it would be really nice.

10. I really enjoy blogging (even though I go months at times neglecting to write). It has served different purposes at different times in my life. I started blogging 3 1/2 years ago to connect with a friend who lived far away. I made a few new friends during a really difficult time in my life, friends who I still learn from and love to see all the cute pictures of their kids! At other times blogging helped me to connect with some of the women in our church. This past season has been learning about making food gluten free for Emily (and myself) and finally cutting the cord to all processed food. Learning to eat real food, all the time has been really fun and rewarding, but there is a learning curve to be sure and bloggers helped me through it. Who knows what the next season will bring with this blog?

And now, seven other blogs that have inspired me. I'm going to choose ones that have helped me in this transition to eating gluten free. If you or someone you love might have this issue too, or if you would just like some great healthy recipes, I highly recommend their sites.

1. The Nourishing Gourmet- Not necessarily a gluten free blog, but I've gotten so many great recipes that are gluten free. Our recent favorite is the Orange Dream Smoothie. (That's what we call it.)

2. Elana's Pantry - I was fortunate to win a copy of her cookbook, The Gluten Free Almond Flour Cookbook. It has some wonderful recipes! Our favorite is the pancake recipe. It's so good, you'll want to make it even if you can eat wheat flour. She's having another giveaway of her cookbook and a 5 lb bag of almond flour. If I happen to win again, I'll put the extra copy up for a giveaway on this blog. She has giveaways every Friday and always links to others that are giving away her cookbook. I highly recommend her site! Click here to learn more about her cookbook.

3. Gluten Free Easily - Shirley has some great recipes on her site. We made Pomegranate ice cream for Christmas. Yum!

4. Gluten Free Girl and The Chef - I read the book, then found the blog. Funny, with lots of great recipes. Not necessarily always healthy, but if you want gluten free to taste wonderful, Shauna has probably already tested the recipes for you a dozen times. The ginger molasses cupcakes are so good, you'd never know they're gluten free.

5. Gluten Free Goddess - Karina has a lot of great looking recipes that I'm itching to try, but her most helpful page to me so far has been her Gluten Free baking tips and substitutions guideline. If you don't have a particular flour and want to try a recipe anyway, she explains just how to do it. Very helpful.

6. Kitchen Stewardship - Katie is not a gluten free blogger. But she is interested in "real" healthy food. And she does her homework. If you're interested in reading up on how canola oil stacks up, check her blog out. She also gives away really fun prizes.

7. The Whole Life Nutrition Kitchen - I've saved my favorite for last. I won their cookbook too! (Can you tell God has been very good to me lately?!) And not only are the recipes really good, healthy and easy, but they are explained in a way that helps you to understand why that particular food is good for you and in what ways it will help you. Plus all the recipes are dairy free (which we need) and egg and soy free (for those with multiple allergies). Ali and Tom will introduce you to new foods like Teff, a grain that is high in iron, and fiber. Spiced Teff cookie bars. Yum!

If you've been nominated and you would like to participate, the Rules are:

1. Leave a word of thanks for the person of nominated you, and link to their blog.

2. List 10 honest things about yourself.

3. Nominate 7 other blogs who have inspired you for one reason or another.