Always There For Me

The question of the week for the Women of Faith BlogHop is:

"During difficult times in life, who has supported you, or who have you supported?"

Pretty easy... I think I can answer either way with one answer. My mom. She is the one who has supported me. And now, later in life, I can support her.

I think it's a pretty great thing. God has blessed me with a mother that would never leave me. Even during the times when she had every right to. She has been there through all of the good and even more of the bad. The disappointments and let downs. Of course, I did get the lectures and the long versions of her opinions... but they were well deserved. It's a wonder she survived. Thankfully... she knew the Lord and it was her constant prayers that kept me safe and led me to Him.

Now that I'm older I see myself supporting her more than ever. When I was younger I would be quick to criticize and place blame. Then... I became a mom. What a difference motherhood has made. Now I know! Now I understand! More than ever I can appreciate the sacrifices she made for me over the years. And believe me, there were many! My mother went way beyond what is expected to hang on to her child who was going astray. And I'm so thankful that she did.

She has prayed for me all of my life... and now I will do the same for her.

God is so good!

Thanks for reading,
Mary Ann :)

A Favorite Summer Meal... Chicken Caesar Wraps

The BlogHop question this week is "What is one of your favorite homemade dishes? Share your recipe!" This is my entry...

Summer in Las Vegas means cooking with as little heat as possible... and whenever we can, grill it outside. But we do a have a few family favorites that are quick and delicious. Well... at least we think so. Here's one that I make quite often this time of year. It's quick, easy, and pretty healthy.



Chicken Caesar Wraps

Diced cooked chicken
Romaine lettuce chopped for salad
Caesar salad dressing
Fresh, grated parmesan cheese
Croutons, smashed in a zip-lock bag
Black pepper
Flour tortillas

Basically, you assemble the chicken and salad ingredients and mix well. Toss in a burrito shell and wrap. Simple as that! You can make it even easier if you buy the ready-to-use bag salad from the store. Just add chicken.

I try to make just what my family will eat as these don't make for good leftovers. The salad dressing always leaves the salad wilted by the next morning.

My kids really like these... I hope you enjoy them too!

God bless!
Mary Ann :)

Summer's coming!

School is almost out! How will you celebrate the end of the school year? Good question!

Let me just start by saying I LOVE summer! Not because of the weather, but because I love having my kids around. They are so much fun. I love family time.

In years past, I would take my kids to the local pizza/arcade place on the last day of school. We would rush over as soon as I picked them up. The kids would come out of class giggling and racing each other to the car just knowing where we were going.  It was fun and exciting because if we didn't 'beat the crowd', we couldn't get a seat and the games would be over-crowded as well. It was a great way to celebrate the beginning of summer. Sadly... they have closed down due to the economy and we will opt for a quiet family afternoon with pizza and a movie.

This year, I'm going back to an older tradition. Summer Camp!... at home. We pick a week during the summer, mark the calendar, and schedule activities.

The kids choose a name for the camp, I buy blank t-shirts and fabric paint, and making our camp shirts with our own logo marks the first day. Other activities include; poster painting, making flagstones for the yard, cooking, baking, movie day, swimming in our blow-up pool, crafts, and anything else we can come up with. It's a lot of fun for the kids since they help with all of the planning. And it's great for me because all the activities are budget-friendly. The kids love having a schedule, they aren't bored, and we enjoy our time together. Most of all... it makes a lot of good memories.


Happy Summer! :)

What I Would Tell My Teenage Self

On this weeks BlogHop, the question is: If you could go back in time and tell your teenage self one thing, what would you say? What a tough question! I have been thinking about it all day and I have a whole list! I have 40 something years worth of experience to share. How can I decide what would make a difference? How would I know that I would take my own advice? It's hard for me to do that now! And even though I'm kinda 'messed up' from all that I've been through... my experiences are what God used to make me the person I am today. If I could tell myself anything at all I might be to easy and end up being a big 'ol ball of fluff in my old age. I wouldn't want that. I like who I am. I like being strong... and that only comes from adversity.

While I wouldn't want to shy away from the hard times in life, I guess my advice to myself would be more about how to 'navigate' through them. Here are 5 things that I decided I would tell myself.

1. PUT GOD FIRST!
Above and before anyone else, there is God. He should always hold the #1 spot in your heart and in your life. Guard that place with all your might and never let anyone or anything be in competition for it. If there is competition... that's a sure sign that the person or thing does not belong in your life. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.

2. BELIEVE GOD!
Read God's Word, learn it, know it, trust it.... BELIEVE it! And then DO WHAT IT SAYS! We serve an Almighty, Powerful God. If He can create this world from nothing, then He can certainly preserve His Word for His children. Believe God... and obey what He says!

3. IT IS NOT YOUR JOB TO MAKE OTHER PEOPLE HAPPY!
Don't be a people pleaser. Keep your eyes on God and remember that He is the ONLY one you need to make happy. You do that by following Him and obeying His word. Live your life for God and set out to please Him and Him alone.

4. DON'T JUST LET YOUR LIFE HAPPEN - MAKE IT HAPPEN!
Just like driving a car.... you need to be at the steering wheel of your life. Decide where you are going and make every effort to get there. Don't just jump in the backseat and then wonder how you got to where you are. Keep your eyes on the road (God)! The slightest distraction can send you way off course, or even in a ditch. Watch where you are going so you don't have to climb out of any messes you're sure to get yourself into. With God in the #1 place in your life, He will direct your path.

5.  DO IT AFRAID!
If God gives you gift, a talent, or an opportunity.... use it! It can be a scary world when you're first starting out. But God is with you. He will never leave you or forsake you! If He equipped you, if He called you, if He's leading you... He will make a way! It's OK to be scared. He never said we only have to do the easy things. It's alright if you're afraid... DO IT AFRAID! But please.... DO IT!

These are the 5 things I wish I really could have gotten a hold of many years ago. These are the things I would tell my teenage self.

Thanks for reading!
Mary Ann :)


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Today Is The Day

The Women of Faith worship team was so great. Four beautiful women with beautiful voices. They really led a great time of worship. One of my favorite songs is "Today Is The Day". I think it ministered to me the most because no matter how many times I sing it... it's like a new and gentle reminder. Today is the day of our salvation. Today is the day we rejoice because today is the day the Lord has made! It's so easy to get caught up in the daily routine of life and think we will be happy when things get back on track or slow down or even change. But God reminds us... Today Is The Day! Thanks girls!


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