Los Chilitos

A break in routine is a good thing. An open door into a new village is even better.
Last week Mitch and I had our first mission team of the year from Owasso, Oklahoma. We worked in a new village, one Mitch and I had only visited a couple of times called Los Chilitos. After playing with/teaching the kids all week plus working on a new school for them, the people of Los Chilitos were extremely grateful. And the best part is that 3 people got saved! The team has helped open a door for Mitch and I. Now we can enter into Los Chilitos as the the recognizable gringos instead of strangers. Even though Mitch and I both were sick at times, we were refreshed by the company of the group and encouraged by their hard work. I love having teams here...it's fun for Mitch and I, it helps the local people, and it changes lives-both the villagers and the people on the trip! So a big thanks to the students and adults from First Baptist Owasso, Oklahoma for coming and serving. Here are are few photos from the week, but you can view more here. And be sure to check out the video at the end!

 

 

Owasso from Mobilizing Students on Vimeo.

Lent: Journey to the Cross

 Today in our culture and world we're taught that everything is about our goals, our success, and our happiness. But lately I've been pondering on the opposite: self-denial.

The gospel is very clear that life is not about us. We have been crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20) and we are to take up our cross and follow Jesus (Matthew 10:38). This message teaches about the death of self in exchange for life if Christ. This paints a picture of what this lenten season is all about.

I used to think Lent wasn't for me, but I'm learning that it is for everyone.

"Lent is a season of preparation and repentance during which we anticipate the death (Good Friday) and resurrection (Easter Sunday) of Jesus. It is this very preparation and repentance - aimed at grasping the intense significance of the crucifixion - that gives us a deep and powerful longing for the resurrection, the joy of Easter."

I stumbled upon this devotional and decided to go through it for lent. It's a 40 day (free) devo that leads us to Easter Sunday. It is causing me to look at lent as something so beautiful. We are encouraged to abstain from something for 40 days, but the true emphasis is adding something. Replacing what we gave up with things of God. All to know Him more. Denying self and leaning on Christ. It's never too late to join in on lent. Take a look at the devotional and pursue Christ this season as we wait eagerly for the joyous resurrection of our Savior. 

Real Food

The other day I had a breakdown. We had plenty of food in the house, but I didn't know what to eat. I was frustrated that everything in kitchen had some sort of added sugar or unnatural ingredient. If you know me well, you know that I've been kind of a health nut for most of my life. It wasn't until recently though that I felt like I learned what it really meant to be healthy. I've been watching too many food documentaries and reading too much info that I've become obsessed with checking labels. I even went and bought a food processor so I could start making my own things from scratch. 

So naturally, the recipes I'm about to share are wholesome. Real food. Nothing fake, nothing weird. Just food. 

  Before I share, let's get one thing out of the way…I'm a vegetarian. If that's not really your thing, then you may not want to read any further. Or you could give it a try and it just might become your thing. Trust me. I have a non-vegetarian husband and he approves of all these recipes! 

Honey Lemon Ricotta Toast (with blackberries and slivered almonds)

Berries, cheese, almonds, the tasty zing of fresh lemon…Yum! This is a delightful, creamy snack that you're sure to love. 

Mix together ricotta, honey and lemon until your liking.

Toast bread. Spread ricotta and top with almonds and blackberries (or fruit of your choice). 

Enjoy!

The No-name Vegan bowl

Yes, this is vegan. Don't let it scare you! Vegan is not a bad thing, nor does it mean it tastes bad. Don't knock it till you try it!

I don't know what to call this dish, but I do know that my husband loved it. Like lick-the-bowl-clean loved it. I found Inca Red Quinoa at Walmart and had to buy it. The Walmart here is so hit or miss on some of their items so I knew the quinoa was probably not going to be there for long. 

Have you ever had quinoa? It's SO good and so good for you! 

Red Inca Quinoa

BBQ roasted cauliflower

Red pepper roasted chickpeas

Avocado 

It's that simple, people. Try it, love it, lick the bowl clean. 

Stuffed Butternut Squash

I found this recipe on Pinterest but decided to give it my own spin. When we first moved to Guatemala it was fall in the United States. Thanksgiving recipes were everywhere, everyone was drinking their pumpkin spice lattes and I was seriously craving butternut squash! I sent Mitch on a mission one day to find them, but he came back empty handed. Then about a month ago, there they sat in Walmart, my yummy butternut squash. Like I mentioned, the Walmart here is so hit or miss so I jumped on the opportunity to buy these.

I used Red Quinoa again, but cooked it with spinach and white beans. I added a little ricotta just for creamy-ness. I baked the squash on 430 degrees until they were tender, then added my quinoa mixture and popped them back into the oven for 10 min. Topped it with some parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper. This is definitely a meal I'll make again (that is if Walmart still has butternut squash).

I hope to post more recipes soon as I continue to experiment in the kitchen. What are some of your favorite wholesome meals? 

Hope you enjoy these recipes. Happy (and healthy) cooking!