Release

1. allow or enable to escape from confinement; set free.

2. allow (something) to move, act, or flow freely

I wasn’t looking for a word to define my 2023 but I was given a theme. I struggle with anxiety a bit and feeling like a ball full of ideas and energy and unfinished things. I was praying and asking God…why can’t I finish things? He answered.

The problem isn’t that I don’t finish things but rather that I don’t release them. It didn’t matter what IT was. IT was pretty much everything. A blog post. Something I was making. A song I had written. A word of encouragement for someone. A testimony of what God was doing in my life. A ministry God planted in me. The thought to make a phone call to a friend. The vast majority of things just stayed trapped inside of me or in a closet making clutter.

The problem is I don’t like to share things. IT makes me incredibly nervous. I suppose I have always felt that the external response to anything concerning me is my responsibility to control. So, rather than control it, I will just avoid it all together!

….Pretty unhealthy behavior. Emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

So far this year, I’ve released the ministry, the Facebook posts, the business, the phone calls, the encouragements, the testimonies….and I feel better and less anxious than ever! My mind is even clearer, even though I may be busier. More than all of this though, I feel exceedingly thankful to have a God who answers questions and knows me so much better than I know myself

He cares about us. He cares about our daily lives and activities. He leads us beside still waters, restores our souls and leads us in the paths of righteousness….for His name sake

He has a purpose and plans that I don’t have to understand but I do get the privilege of watching unfold. Both in my life and around the world.

He wants to give His children good gifts. He wants to grow us, guide us and heal all crooked ways in us. He wants to spend time with us and for us to obey His voice.

So, this blog post doesn’t have to be perfect today. Last year, I would’ve tucked it away with the hundreds of others that were never shared. There is more I could say, and I could list references and scripture and sharable images. But I don’t have time today for that. I’ve dinner to cook and papers to grade. So, I will release it as is and trust my Good Father. If this was meant to bless someone – it still will with all its imperfections!

Trust and Obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey. ❤

Adulting 101 cooking list

We recently started a class that is teaching basic life skills to anyone in the community wants to come. We’ve only done two classes but it has been so much fun!

The first class was held in January, so we had someone teach plumbing. They taught how to fix a leaky faucet, install a shower head, repair a broken water line, take care of your plumbing, tools and glues needed. It was so informative! We will have other classes coming up – budgeting, auto maintenance, staying healthy, applying for jobs, sewing, tools, cleaning, etc. Just whatever we come up with that helps or are requested to teach.

The class we taught last night was a cooking class. I’m not a pro. I’ve cooked daily for my family for 17+ years, other times for large events feeding up to 200 and usually do it on the cheap, so I shared what I know. That’s all this is about. People sharing what they know with someone who doesn’t! A lot goes into “adulting” and many are surprised to find how many adults – both young and old – didn’t learn or have someone to teach them the things that seemed common place 30 years ago.

Is there something you didn’t learn and wish you would have before striking out on your own? Is there something you learned that has helped you to live less stressed because you know how to handle a situation when it arises? Let me know in the comments!

For this class I bought $67 worth of groceries. We talked about meal prep, cooking ahead and freezing meals to avoid eating out. We cooked all our protein at once and made the following in about 2 hours. (Minus the rise time for the bread, my daughter made that so we could let it rise ahead of time) We also could have cooked the protein with different seasonings and changed a few things on the list to make enchiladas, chicken tortilla soup, Chicken Tacos, BBQ chicken pizza and other things just as easily. I may get around to posting that last and menu plan.

Chicken Salad
Chicken and rice casserole
Chicken noodle soup
Chicken and dumplings
Fresh Bread
Berry topping/Pie filling
Whipped Cream

Other things that could have still been made with the same $67 worth of groceries. We shared recipes and tips for most of those as well:

Pizza dough
Pie crust
Biscuits
White gravy
Chicken spaghetti
Deviled eggs
Egg salad
Grilled chicken with side of rice and broccoli – or Broccoli and rice casserole
Biscuits with egg and cheese
Chicken Pot Pie
Chicken and Broccoli Quiche

What I had on hand to start was only seasonings, chicken bullion and cornstarch. Here is the $67 list of what I bought at HEB. (Prices will be different across the country, I found some items on sale and I bought the cheapest I could. But these sales and cheap buys aren’t uncommon! No coupons were used)

Groceries $67

Chicken things with bone and skin
Chicken breast with bone, skin and rib meat

Celery
Lemons
Berries

Canned 2 each:
Carrots
Green Beans
Corn
Cream of mushroom
Cream of chicken

Frozen Broccoli

Pickles
3 pack dry yeast
Dry Milk
Flour
Sugar
Baking powder
Vegetable Oil
Rice
Spaghetti Noodles
Egg noodles

Dairy:
Eggs
Unsalted Butter
Shredded cheese
Heavy whipping Cream

Next time we will use ground beef and make a different menu.

I’m most excited about this class to have people come together, get to know one another and create an environment where people can ask questions and share what they’ve learned through life with others. Looking forward to next month!

Here’s that easy bread recipe all fancy and handwritten. Lol.