Chicken Enchilada Soup

I am not certain how working women pulled off having dinner ready at any sort of a reasonable time (read before 9:00 pm) before the invention of the crock pot. Seriously, I cook in a crock pot at least three times a week. Why, because I never know what time I will get home and when I do get home the last thing I want to do is cook over the stove, I just want yummy food ready to go when I walk in the door, hence my obsession love of the crock pot.

Now that fall is definitely upon us I have gotten back into soups (LOVE soup during the colder months, which in northern Minnesota is October through April May). My most recent soup is from THIS PIN on pinterest. I also LOVE pinterest and actually cook and make things off of there weekly.

Here is the soup I made this week:

Add everything except the cheese and cilantro and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours.  Add the cheese and sprinkle with cilantro just before serving

Chicken Enchilada Soup

3 cups chicken stock
2 skinless, taw chicken breasts diced into small pieces
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp  chili powder
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes
1 jalapeno peppers, minced
2 green bell pepper, diced
1 small onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups frozen corn
1/2 cup tomato paste
8 oz colbyjack cheese, shredded (because this is what I had in the house)
8 oz pepperjack cheese, divided
1 cup cilantro, chopped
Tortillas

Dump everything, except the cheese and tortillas, into the crock pot, reserve some of the cilantro to be spread over the top. Add most of the cheese with about fifteen minutes left in cooking. I also added strips of tortillas at this point. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the bowls of soup as they are served. I also had some tortilla chips sitting around that I crushed and put a few on the top of the bowls of soup as well.

I am sure there are 12,000 things you could do to this soup to change it up a bit. We loved it and enjoyed eating it for a few days.


Do you have any great crock pot recipes you want to share?
Do you like soup season?
What are your go-to meals?

I remember....

I have been trying to formulate this post for several days now, I think I finally got one I am willing to post.

I remember 3 years ago (January 12, 2010) like it was yesterday
I remember the joy on the children's faces as we played at school that morning
I remember the exhaustion of traveling to arrive in Jacmel only hours before
I remember the excitement of spending a week in a new country
I remember questioning what was going on and why the earth was shaking as it was
I remember trying to run but not being able to find my footing and falling repeatedly
I remember the dust that covered us from head to toe
I remember the terror in the eyes of a parent as they knew their child was inside a collapsed building
I remember the joy of finding some of my friends still alive
I remember the pain of the bumps and bruises
I remember wishing I could do something other than stand by and watch
I remember the long walk to find safety
I remember finding out that our safe places were non existent
I remember watching people take their last breaths
I remember the joy of hearing of a refugee camp that was being set up by the United Nations
I remember the taste of the bananas delivered by a stranger
I remember the pain of hearing of the death of a friend
I remember the uncertainty of what was to come and what we would do
I remember the feeling of laying on the cold ground surrounded by friends who surrounded us as we slept
I remember the constant state of prayer we lived in
I remember the faithfulness of the Haitian people
I remember the love of God that was showered upon us
I remember the many different failed plans of what we were going to do next - how we were getting home
I remember our path home - the pain, the sickness, the uncertainty, the hope, the promises
I remember the guilt of leaving
I remember the ways in which I knew we were showered in prayer and love from home
I remember the "welcome home" from the custom's man as we entered the United States once again
I remember the physical ailments healing and the mental scars forming
I remember the love of a God who is always present and always working
I remember the call to work for justice and peace in the world

I continue to pray fervently for the coming of God's kingdom where all will be well
I continue to hope for justice for everyone
I continue to share the love that was poured out on me from my Haitian brothers and sisters
I continue to trust that God is moving and in control
I continue to remember our 10 days in Haiti
I continue to give thanks for God who brings life out of death
I continue to live in the grace of God
I continue to trust in the promises of God for all people
I continue to remember 3 years ago (January 12, 2010) like it was yesterday

Looking Back

Lately I have been trying to be really intentional about finishing up projects before I begin another one - including my shutterfly books. Suz and I finished our Disney book (that I shared last week) and since then I have caught up on my 366 in 2012 book and have gotten back into getting my summer mission trips & summer stretch book done. Well not done but at least back to working on it (I am not actually sure why I never got around to it). Anyways, in the process of going back to that book (I now have a list of the ways in which I am going to work through my shutterfly projects and the order in which I will be finishing them [Summer 2012 Mission Trips, 2011, 2012] and then I plan on every month keeping up with 2013 so that I don't have to do this massive catch up crap) I have also spent a little bit of time reflecting on the summer. Seriously this last summer was CRAZYTOWN in terms of running around from here to there and the demands of my call (which I am thankful for) but it has been wonderful to be going back through the pictures and being reminded of all the ways in which God worked last summer and how humbling it was to be a part of it. I also have spent a little bit of time looking through old photobooks (I do this quite often actually - I love looking back at photos).

I was taken back to the flood in Duluth and the ways in which it worked out perfectly that we were able to go walk alongside our brothers and sisters at Gloria Dei Lutheran and help to take water out of their basements. I was reminded of the people who we met and shared their stories with us that inspired us and gave witness to the God we love and serve. I was taken back to the Synod Journey and how exhausted we were by the time we got home but how overwhelmingly wonderful God was in the midst of everything. I was reminded about how there were some of my youth that I felt the need to re-introduce them to their parents when we arrived back home due to the transformation that we saw take place within them (and even continue to see in them today). I am thankful for the stories we share and the ways in which the body of Christ works in the world. While often times I think God is off God's rocker and could just do what needs to get done in the world, it is an honor and a privilege to work as God's hands and feet in this world.

While all people are called into full time ministry, and all people get to do God's work day in and day out I know what a joy (most of the time) it is to be in full time paid ministry. Thanks be to God for the call to ministry and today in particular I give thanks for the congregation who enables me to be in full time ministry.



How do you like to organize your photos?
Do you like to go look back at photos?
Do you scrapbook or make photobooks of any kind?

Letter

Dear Cancer-
          You have been particularly nasty this week, while I realize you don't really have a time that you aren't nasty and you are over the top present in this broken world, this week I find myself particularly upset with you. You suck and there is nothing I like about you. In fact I would even be so bold to say I hate you.
          This week (I know you are active in claiming lives daily) you took one of my friend's mothers. A beautifully faithful, God honoring woman who served God with every ounce of her being. You ended her life far too soon. I hate the fact that you are unpredictable and that you don't care about age, race, gender, or any other factor. I hate that once you make your presence known you are always an aspect of life if even just a distant memory. You are a rough one to deal with, you don't play fair, you don't care what past anyone has or what the future may hold for them. You don't even seem to care how many times you have touched someone's family, you just show up what feels like time and time again. I hate you and I don't understand you. You have claimed the lives of many people who I love, I am frustrated with you to say the least.
          Not only have you taken the life of my friend's mother (and thousands of others) you have made your mark on one of my most favorite people in the world. You suck. I wish I could take you out of her and put you in me instead, I hate that you are in her and knowing the road she has ahead. I hate knowing that she is in pain, I hate knowing what you have done to her, I hate the way you make me nervous. Unfortunately for you, she's a fighter and the medical team caught you early. You haven't been there long, and you won't last long. You will be beaten. You will go away (seriously, consider your eviction notice posted).
          The really unfortunate thing for you is you don't have ultimate claim on her life, nor have you had the ultimate claim on the others whose lives you have ended far to short. You don't get the final word, you are not the ultimate reality. You aren't the one who wins in this world. I know you get credit for being all powerful and the one in charge, but here is the true story. I know and trust in a God who is bigger than you, I believe in the triune God who is the ultimate healer. While you may be the cause of some people's death you don't win, death never wins. I believe in God who has promised eternal life and life abundantly for all people. While people leave this earth, they are not gone forever, for this is but a fragment of what is to come. Someday, someday there will be a day when all pain is gone, when every crying tear is wiped away, and you don't exist. The God of creation is bigger and better than you, the God of peace continues to make all things new and comfort those in pain in the midst of your damage.
          I suppose I do owe you a thank you for a couple things, since the news of my friend you have brought me to God in prayer more than I can even imagine. You have reminded me what it means to pray without ceasing, you have helped to remind me what and who is important in my life. You have reminded me to not take any day or even any second for granted for you could be just around the corner. You have reminded me the of awesome God I serve. You have caused me to slow down yet again and give thanks for all that I have. You still suck, these are not redeeming qualities of yours, but I choose to find a golden lining to all things, including you.
          For all I care you can go away and never return, you can fall off the face of the earth and leave humanity (and all animals while you are at it), you aren't welcomed here. You won't have the final say, you won't be the victor in this world, while you will put up some good fights, and some may think that you have won, I know better, I trust in one who is greater than you, I trust in the creator of this world, the one who calls me to being, claims me, and bathes me in grace.

Sincerely,
    Sarah

Letter

Dear Swimming Lessons Parent,
   Thank you for trusting me to teach your child to swim, he is a great kid for sure and I am enjoying my time with him. I know he is your oldest child and you haven't had kids in swimming lessons before, you are a great mom for putting him in swimming lessons. I truly believe all kids should learn to swim as it is a life saving skill. I know he one of your most priceless treasures and you are allowing me to take him into what has the potential of being a dangerous situation, but trust me, I've done this before, with the same honor you give me hundreds (after 13 years of teaching swimming lessons I may even be to the thousands by now) of other parents have trusted me with their most precious gift. I know you are nervous and so is your son, he feeds off of your nerves. I know he is very important to you, I recognize that, I also know that he is a beginning swimmer so I keep my eyes on him all of the time.
    Please remember that you did enroll him in swimming lessons, so his swimming skills can advance, please don't hold him back, it isn't help for you to need to wipe his eyes every time I challenge him to blow bubbles in the water, or check if he needs to use the bathroom every other minute, he's old enough to tell you when he needs to go (and let's be honest, he wouldn't be the first or the last kid to pee in the pool). Yes, I know he won't be Michael Phelps when we are done with this eight week session however after three weeks I am already seeing his skills advance, trust me, pushing him a little to do things like: get his face wet, put his head underwater, blow bubbles, and float (with my assistance) won't ruin him for the rest of his life. Watch the way he smiles when he accomplishes a task, when he successfully puts his head all the way underwater he comes up in excitement with a smile going from ear to ear and says "did it, I did it, watch me again!" He is having fun, I am not pushing him too hard, he isn't crying, he'll be just fine if he gets water in his eyes and mouth, and while I think it's gross when kids pee in the pool, if he does it'll be just fine.
   Please sit back and move away from the edge of the pool during swimming lessons, enjoy the benches that are there for you to sit on. Remember the conversations that we have had, remember we have talked about this several times already. Please snuggle your baby for a few moments knowing that your oldest won't be interrupting you. Or if you don't want to take the baby out of the car seat, enjoy a good book, relax, play in your iPhone, space out, dream, pray, hope, and while you enjoy a half hour without a four year old needing your undivided attention, trust me. If I need anything or he needs anything you are there, and I am thankful that you care enough to cheer on your kid, to enroll him in swimming lessons, to come and watch him, but please let me do my job.
Peace-
  your son's swimming lessons instructor

Home again Home again Jiggity Jig

It is true that all good things must come to an end. We are coming off the boat (really I suppose I should call it a ship, it is enormous) today and heading back home. It is bittersweet to be leaving but I miss being at home too. I miss Marc, Dakota, my friends, and family. While on the one hand I loved being out of the country and not having and cell service because no one could call me or interrupt me or anything along that line, but at the same time, I missed being able to text people to call people and to have the connection with folks. I missed the kids I work with (yes even them I missed) on a weekly basis. I missed my sweet puppy who loves to snuggle (I hope she is exhausted and wants to snuggle lots when I get home.).

I am thankful that when we planned this vacation we planned it so we didn't instantly have to go into work tomorrow. I am thankful to have a day to do my laundry, clean my house, walk Dakota a ton, go for a run, rest, breathe, and then jump back into it. I am thankful for a couple days to sleep in, chill around my house, and then head back into work. I am thankful for my friend Vicki who has taken care of my sweet puppy while I was on vacation. I am thankful for Marc who is checking my house while I am gone and picking up my mail. I am thankful for a congregation who believes in vacation time for their staff.

I am thankful that God calls us to rest. I am thankful that I had the chance to run, play, read, crochet, eat, sleep, and have a marvelous time on vacation. I'm sure in the next few days you will be seeing tons of vacation photos uploaded on here. I took hundreds of pictures. I am excited to look at them and share them with you.

What is your favorite part of vacation?
Where did you go on your favorite vacation?
What from home do you always miss while on vacation?

Rest.

Matthew 11:28-30 "‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

 

Seriously these few verses seem to be carrying me as of lately. I feel like I am overdue for a vacation, a time of rest, some time for me, myself, and I and many a long chat with God. I am due for the chance to sleep in and read a book for fun. I am due for a chance to unplug and my cell phone. I am due for the chance to sit in conversation with God and not do all the talking. I am due for the chance to relax and let someone else cook. Today a friend and I leave for a cruise for several days. It couldn't come at a more opportune time! Seriously, I was feeling the end of my rope before I left, I could see the end hovering below me and I was just holding on. I am thankful for all those people who have supported me and uphold me day in and day out. I am thankful for a gracefilled God who knows we are not called to do life alone. I am thankful that God has called us to rest - to recharge to serve the world, Jesus even retreated to rest.

 

Why do I from time to time act as if I am better than Jesus himself and try to keep going all of the time, to meet the demands from all around me, to pretend to be someone who I am not? Why do I wait till I hit near the end of my rope? I am given vacation days for a reason. Here is to vowing to use them, here is vowing to not having extra days. Here is to taking a vacation day to stay home some days.

 

I love where I serve and the people I serve alongside. I too just need a break from time to time. I need to claim my own needs from time to time as well. Here is to coming back from vacation rejuvinated and ready to love and serve the world again. Here is to not trying to be more than Jesus, I can't be, I am not. Here is to reading some books, doing some crocheting, going for long runs, eating yummy food, enjoying good company, disconnecting from the world, and enjoying several days at sea.

 

Where do you like to go for vacation?

Where do you like to find rest?

How do you rejuvinate?

Thankful

Today I give thanks for the physician's assistant who perscribed me meds. Seriously, after fighting whatever I am fighting (she thinks my body is now battling several things due to how long it has stretched out). I am thankful that she slowed down enough to listen to what I had to say and trusted me that I wasn't just seeking meds but really wasn't feeling well and that it was time to give me something to help aleviate whatever my body is fighting. Thanks be to God for caring doctors, nurses, and physician's assistants. I have never been so very excited to pick up a perscription. Although I would guess most times I am picking one up I am generally fairly jazzed as I don't go in unless I am fairly sick. Now to hope that the meds to their job and kick in rapidly.

Foodie Pen Pal Surprise

I got a great package a couple days ago in the mail from the person that I mailed my Foodie Pen Pal package to, what a wonderful surprise. I figure snce this isn't technically my box from the person mailing me yummy goodness I can reveal this earlier than the end of the month. I will have a full reveal of the box I recieve at the end of the month. Brande at the Adventures of the Nubby Tongue mailed me a little something. She mailed me PB2 the chocolate flavor. At first I was a little confused and (in all honesty) very skeptical of this stuff. I LOVE peanut butter and wasn't certain what I would think about this powdery peanut butter type stuff. Brande attached a note and said to sprinkle it over my cereal, add it to pancake mix, and that the sky is the limit. For my first taste I decided to be very nonadventurous and to just try it like the directions say, use 2 tablespoons of the powder and add water. I had it on my toast this morning and it was WONDERFUL! Not to mention is has about a fourth of the calories of regular peanut butter. I am excited to try it in many other ways! THANKS BRANDE!!!!


Toast with the chocolate pb2 on it. YUMMY

I definitely recommend you at least give it a try

Evening Run

    Most eveings my fiance and I take Dakota (my sweet one year old golden retriever) for a walk. Last night as we were getting ready to head out on our walk we both happen to put on our running shoes to walk in (this is probably more rare than you anticipate, generally I am in flip flops, Marc is always in shoes). As we were starting out leaving my house, Marc began to jog, I think as a joke at first and I joined in. It was marvelous - the evening was cool - we both love a crisp night for a run and so we began to run together. It was fun to go out for an unexpected evening run. It wasn't record setting paces and we talked the whole time. Dakota thought she had died and gone to heaven, a second run in a day.
    Last night's run was liberating to a certain degree, I get caught up in what time I need/want to hit, and how many miles I need/want to run. I get caught up in the details of the run. I forget what first made me fall in love with running, the simple joy of being outside running, not the time or the distance, rather the love for running.
   We ran a good forty minutes or so (without the watch we sort of had to guess what time we left and we think we ran about forty minutes). I had a drawstring bag on my back (I was carrying my keys, cellphone, and bags to pick up after Dakota) - it was a little awkward and I would never choose to run with it - however last night in the midst of the improptu run it hardly phased me. I ran without an ipod (also a bit of a rare occurrance).
    I am thankful for last nights run for several reasons:

• it reminded me that a run doesn't always have to be about time or distance
• I love running short distances with Marc (he doesn't quite have the endurance or desire to go much further)
• the cool crisp air was a welcome guest after a hot and muggy summer
• I had an exhausted dog on my hands when we got home
• I enjoy running just to run

Change

Change doesn't happen overnight. It doesn't, ever - well usually - every once in  a blue moon it happens but generally it takes a long period of time with lots of work and often times change comes with some pain. Change is hard. Change takes work. Change can be frustrating even if the end result is worth it. Change sometimes just straight up sucks.

As the fall begins I feel like I am a fish swimming upstream in a lot of different areas. I think on some levels - personally and professionally - I am in a season of change - it seems to be happening all around me and in many areas I long for the change.

Personally - I am training again for a few half marathons (and couldn't be more excited) - I have goals, I have desired times I would love to hit, summer was rough in terms of training with being gone so often and traveling for church doesn't always make a run possible. I am back in the saddle and I want to do well and I want to be back to my good long runs - I enjoy them, but building up to them takes time - change is happening - my endurance is growing - it takes patience. I will get there but I want the change to happen over night.

Professionally - we have several changes going on at church - we have the Family Faith Journey coming and a new class of catechism kids (yes this happens every year but it does involve training in a new group of adults) - we have lots going on all over the place (it is exciting and terrifying).

Personally - I am getting married (it hasn't fully sunk in yet) - which is a whole new set of changes around the corner. I get to get use to having someone else in my house come June - which means I need to rearrange the closet - make room for another apartment worth of stuff - I need to be willing to compromise - change is hard and exciting.

Professionally - I am no longer in my first year (Thanks be to God) and certain things make senese and others still confuse the heck out of me. Some things are dying and out of death always comes new life but the dying process can be long and painful and new birth can also be long and painful even when it results in something beautiful.

Personally - I have ten thousand things to be thankful for - and I am.

Professionally - I have ten thousand things to be thankful for - and I am.

In the midst of it all I seem to find myself coming back to one of my favorite prayers found in the Evangelical Lutheran Book of Worship (ELW) Evening Prayer Service [I have had this prayer memorized for years and pray it daily].

"O God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Giv eus faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us adn your love supportin gus; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

Kitchen Remodel - It is finished

It is finished (or nearly - I still want to replace the light fixture, but other than that I may be at the point that the kitchen is finished).

Last week while I was up in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) my brother and fiance (still fun to say), finished my kitchen. They worked and worked and worked I imagine while I sat and swam and paddled and relaxed (I sort of feel guilty now but am MASSIVELY appreciative of them) - Cubby and Marc put up the tile in my kitchen! I came home and my kitchen looks like a million bucks! Literally I was floored! It looks awesome and I now have the desire to have lots and lots of people over.

Changes made to the kitchen since buying the house June 21, 2011:

• take down ugly lace-ish curtains
• replace window screens so I can open windows without bugs attacking
• paint all of the walls
• paint the ceiling
• change the light cover thingys (technical term for sure) on the light fixture
• remove gross old tile and put up new tile
• paint baseboards
• paint cupboards
• paint hardware for cupboards
• replace dishwasher
• replace counter tops
• put up new window trim

This is not the most amazing picture becuase it came off my phone while making
breakfast this morning but does give you a glimpse at a lot of what has been done
since moving into the house! YAY for a 99% completed project!

9th grade retreat.

This past Saturday I got to spend with our 9th graders, they are fabulously strange, awkward, and wonderful. They are all on track to be confirmed this October and I have to admit that there is a piece of me that is sad that they are being confirmed because I have loved meeting with them on Wednesday nights, don't get me wrong I am excited for them that they get to move on to high school youth group, but I'll miss them. Yes, this is selfish, I know and I am admitting it.

While there are some who want absolutely nothing to do with junior high and high school kids I have grown to love those middle school aged kids as well as my high schoolers. In the town I serve the 9th graders are in a campus of their own, not quite high schoolers and no longer middle schoolers. Generally by the time they hit high school they are fairly rational and less awkward, strange, and wonderful and have matured a bit. But there really is something to that middle school/early high school age when the youth are trying to truly discover the world around them. It is that stage in which they are not certain which way is up or down most days and are experiencing all sorts of changes physically and emotionally. While yes, sometimes their emotions are over the top and irrational, it is reality for them. It is what they know and how they understand the world. 

I find it a honor to get to journey alongside these kids for a time, it is a honor to hear their story, remind them that they are loved just as they and that God loves them and created them exactly how they are. It is a honor to hear that things that drive them nuts and make them excited. It is a honor to walk alongside their families as they learn what to do with middle schoolers, who are striving for independence and yet at the same time clinging to responsible adults to lead and guide their paths.

Thanks be to God for middle schoolers/early high schoolers and their willingness to let me journey alongside them.

Thanks be to God for giving me the patience and the sense of humor to enjoy middle schoolers & their sometimes stinkiness.
Thanks be to God for the adults who loved me when I was in the strange middle school/high school stage.

Thanks be to God to a congregation who rallies to remind these youth that they are in fact amazing and loved.

Thanks be to God who loves all of us despite our awkward, strange, and wonderfulness.

Crochet

I LOVE to crochet. I love the way the yarn feels in my hand, I love the repetition of the stitches as the pattern emerges, I love the way whatever I happen to be making at the time slowly evolves. I love making big projects (blankets) and little projects (hats) and nearly everything in between. Growing up I always thought crocheting and knitting (which I have no clue how to do) were something for old ladies. I love the familiarity of a pattern I know by heart and I love the confusion of a new pattern or one that has a particularly challenging stitch to it. I dream of having a massive yarn stash to pick from when I am creating things, I would love to have a shelf dedicated just to yarn and have it all nicely organized by color and weight. (Also I guess I would need the money to buy a ton of yarn.)
I love giving away things that I have crocheted to family, friends, hospitals, and other organizations. I also get to sell some of what I make at a local shop and it is fun to see someone wearing a hat or scarf or something I made while walking through the grocery store. I love to make kids and adults hats all the same. It is a spiritual practice for me for sure. I pray as I crochet, I pray for the person who will be receiving whatever I happen to be making, even if I don't know them, I pray for the world, I pray for family and friends, crocheting (much like running) allows me the time pray in ways that I can't if I am just sitting still. I am the person who carries yarn and a needle with me wherever I go, given ten minutes waiting at the doctor's office I am bound to pull it out, or if my stress levels get too high at work, I pull out my ball of yarn and my needle and crochet and pray for ten minutes. I give thanks for the woman who taught me to crochet when I was in fourth grade, I think I am going to write her a thank you note to let her know I appreciate her and what she taught me.
I LOVE to crochet.

Lately I have been creating these monster hats
they are selling like crazy and lots of friends have
requested them for their kids. It is great fun.

Dakota's best friends

 These are Dakota's best friends, Luther and Gus, their human is a youth director here in town. Dakota love love loves Luther and Gus and will do anything to get the chance to play with them. Yesterday while their human was busy with stuff we went over to let the boys and Dakota play for a bit. Below is Dakota and Luther, while Luther looks vicious here he really is super gentle, they just have a weird quirk that they like to show each other their teeth and mouth on each other. Their tails both wag three thousand times a minute when they are together. I give thanks for dog loving friends!