Life without Facebook

Another Snow Day!?!?! ugh. This is my "stock" photo from our last snow storm, but you get the picture! They're calling this a "snow hurricane." Oh joy. I thought I would go to bed last night and wake up to plowed roads, melted icicles etc, but I woke up to a blizzard! oh well. 

So life without facebook. It's been a little over a week since I gave it up, and I think it's going well. I've been jotting down what I've been learning through no FB, and one thing that is apparent is: I'm still on the internet way too much! Email, Twitter, Ebay, Coupons, shopping, it doesn't stop! I've also discovered tea, it's been keeping me warm and I love this cranberry zinger tea that I have. I drink it straight up, no sugar needed. But the most apparent thing to me is what God is impressing my heart over this Lenton period of searching and repentance is, I need to be a better wife. It's true. I know you're saying, "but Stacey, how could you get any better?" ok, I can hear your laughter, and you're not laughing with me ;-) But seriously. The adjustment from career Mom to stay at home Mom hasn't been easy. I wouldn't say that I've been the model wife and mother these past few months. I recently was in a discussion with friends about the purpose of marriage, roles of wives and husbands, and It made me search deeper into subjects that I've never really thought about. I don't tend to be a deep thinker, it's true. My marriage is a union that God has ordained before the earth was formed. It's a union that will ultimately work for my sanctification and holiness. It gives a great picture of how God works through the people He has put into our lives to make us more like Him. The process of becoming more Christ like is never easy. We must suffer for the cause of Christ. 

1 Peter 2:18-21:

¹⁸Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. ¹⁹For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. ²⁰But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. ²¹To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 

Now, I'm not saying that suffering and marriage go hand in hand. I hate the negative connotation that the word "suffering" has because I'm not by any means saying that I am "suffering" in my marriage. What I'm saying is this, what am I willing to do to keep peace in my marriage? What am I willing to do to be selfless? These are the things that God is asking me. God has called me to follow in Christ's steps, what are his steps? He committed no sin, he was not deceitful, he did not revile in return, he didn't threaten, he intrusted Himself to Him who judges righteously. I heard a great quote that I will share with you, "if you refuse to suffer, your children will." I think about families that have fallen apart with divorce, infidelity etc. These are the direct result of one of the partners not willing to suffer or they are just being completely selfish.

In my day to day routine of feeling like I'm doing "everything" I need to keep the focus off of me, and on God, my husband and my kids. In that order. It's not about ME. It's not about what I "want." It's not about my selfish desires. It's about me becoming what God has called me to, a life of dying to myself and becoming what He wants me to be.

Another fantastic Weight Watchers Recipe!

Ok, so I don't mean to turn this into my weight loss blog, but it's definitely a part of my life, so you'll just have to bear with me....I found another great recipe, this time, cookies!!! These are small cookies but it has very sustaining powers because it has whole wheat flour, oatmeal (supposed to have raisins) etc. Things that hold your hunger longer than white flour and loads of sugar! I hand wrote some notes at the top...instead of raisins (yuck) I put 4 tablespoons of chocolate chips and since I turned them into oatmeal choc. chip cookies, I left the cinnamon out. These cookies didn't taste "diety" or like they were missing anything. They are smaller than the "normal" size cookies, but it's just what your sweet tastebuds need. Have you noticed the "normal" size cookies anyway? They're made for the jolly green giant. You don't need those! Enjoy.

Why lent?

A lot of my non-Presby friends might be asking the question, why is Stacey taking part in lent? She's not Catholic! And I know, "Catholic" to you Baptists is like a swear word (totally generalizing I know none of my friends would be that narrow minded) ;-) But none the less, I'm sure you're wondering why....
The lenton season is a time to reflect on your sin, repentance, our attitudes and so on. It's a time where we can focus on our heart and spiritual health. You might say, well Stacey, you should always be doing that. Correct! But am I? So I will take this season as a serious time of reflection and repentance, giving something up that has a hold on me. Last year, soda, year before that, bread, this year, FACEBOOK! Have I failed? Yes, but God will not fail me. He offers grace abundantly! The year I gave up bread, I sometimes forgot and found myself swiping the rolls at my restaurant and eating them as I normally would. Then halfway through, I'd remember that I gave that up! oops... Gods grace abounds & He has mercy on me.
So during this season of leading up to Christs death and resurrection, I challenge you to take a look at yourself, attitudes towards Christ, sins that have holds on us and take this time seriously, not as some empty ritual that "Catholics do."

Great Weight Watchers Recipe!

Ok, I don't normally get excited about too many weight watchers recipes. I've been a "Weight Watcher" for about 9 years now. I initially lost 40lbs and now I'm back after eating my way through pregnancy #3. It's -good to be back, re-focus, exercise & LOSE WEIGHT :-) Tonight I made this most fantastic dinner! I can't believe it was only 4 points, I had two servings! Sausage, peppers, onions, polenta = YUM. Please give it a whirl even if you're not counting your points. You will be pleasantly surprised!!!!

I did make a few adjustments: I left out the olives and basil, yuck. I also used Veggie Sausage instead of Chicken sausage, same points value. Good EATS!!!

So much to say....

I always have so much to "blog about" as I go through my day, and then never do it. So I totally forget all that I wanted to say. humph.
I could blog about total depravity, Gods kingdom, my kids, but when I get here to type, nothing comes to mind. I did get into an interesting conversation about the "original intent" of marriage. Is it for just enjoyment & companionship or for our refinement, multiplying and dominion? I would say the latter. And I do hate when people use the term "original intent" as if sin thwarted Gods plans. Do you really think something would throw God for a loop? Oh no! Sin came into the world! Now I have to change my plans.... yeah, I didn't think so.
On a lighter note, I love the show Millionaire Matchmaker on Bravo. Patty (the matchmaker) is great, love her.
that's all