faithful now.

About 10 years ago I came through a very dark, lonely, depressed season. I had been in a relationship that was life sucking and honestly, sinful.

I chose to turn to God and live His way!

Coming up from the darkness I experienced such drastic life, hope and grace. It was an emotional time for  me and rightly so, I was truly living again. I was not bound to lies, manipulation and depression.

Lately I have been struggling because  life has been mundane. I am wanting an emotional experience to make me feel close to God (can you say 'lie from satan'?). So, last night I picked up the book I had read 10 years ago that was helpful in renewing my spirit & walk with God. Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby. As I picked up this book yesterday I was hoping that as I started I would feel some sense of renewing & excitement. I didnt feel anything and clear as day felt God say to me "why do you think that you will ever have that experience ( from 10 years ago) again? Why do you want to 'relive' those moments? You are not there, or even close to that place, you cant go back.....you are light years ahead!".

I was convicted about the fact that I wanted to replay, redo or reenact that amazing experience but that I never could. God has done so many (too many to count) things in my life, heart and relationship with him that going back would take me from real solid food to baby purees. YUCK!

I know God is moving. In my life. In my family. I am on board. I am here, joining him, daily. I love him. I want to serve him. I want to do his work! I just have to realize and change my mindset that God is doing a new thing, the old has gone! I need to stop looking at what used to work, or what once filled my spirit. God is working and filling me in new ways, in ways that fill me and grow me as Karin today, not Karin 10 years ago.

My prayer is that I spend time with God in the ways he wants me to. Ways that, in this moment of my life, he sees best. Reading scripture, listening to worship music, doing a bible study, sharing the gospel, being in a moms group, are all things I believe in and care about. But God in this season with my tiny one is not calling me to do it all. And our relationship, certainly, is not based on emotional feelings.

Its when life seems mundane that I start to feel insecure. Is what I am doing matter? Is my relationships with God really growing if I am not seeing fruit 'like I used to'? Going back to the former things (that worked and grew me) wont spark anything in my spirit if God is not willing it. I want to see fruit so badly. As a believer seeing growth and being part of God's work is life giving, it brings joy and excitement.

As I laid in bed and shared with my mentor God gently said.....
'Ah, Karin! Welcome to the season of sowing!'....be faithful in this. This is what I have for you, now.

Quinoa Burgers

I made these for Chris and I but Elaina had one bite and was in heaven. She has been teething and wont eat anything except yogurt dots and Plum Organics veggie puffs. I ended up making another batch today after seeing how much she loved them last night. I added a few things for her (sweet potato and black beans to get her more veggies) and left out the egg whites, adding coconut milk to make it more moist.

 

                                               

·2 cups cooked quinoa.I used my rice cooker and it was amazingly fluffy. 2 parts water to 1 part quinoa.

·1 medium carrot, shredded (optional (highly recommended): black beans, sweet potato pureed in food processor)

 

 

·1/4 teaspoon black pepper

 

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

·3 large eggs, beaten (for E I only used Yolk and added Coconut Milk)

 

 3 green onions, white and light green parts, finely diced

 3/4 cup whole wheat bread crumbs

 

 

 

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

 

·3 ounces soft goat cheese, crumbled

 

·1-2 tablespoons olive oil for pan-frying

 

 

I left all the burgers uncooked and froze till I was ready to cook them.

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked quinoa ( used red quinoa but any kind will do)

· 1 medium carrot, shredded

· 3 green onions, white and light green parts, finely diced

· 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

· 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

· 3 large eggs, beaten

· 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

· 3/4 cup whole wheat bread crumbs

· 3 ounces soft goat cheese, crumbled

· 1-2 tablespoons olive oil for pan-frying

 

1. In a medium bowl, combine the first 5 ingredients and mix well.

2. Stir in the eggs, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and goat cheese until well blended. You may want to get in there with your hands to mix it all up.

3. Form the mixture into balls and then flatten them down into patties that are about an inch thick.

(Note: I made these some time ago and my memory is not that great. You should probably get about a dozen 2-inch round appetizer sized patties or 4 if they are veggie burger size.

4. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat and add patties so they are not touching. It may take a couple of batches.

5. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the bottoms are browned. Flip the patties and cook the other sides until equally browned.

6. Remove from the skillet onto a paper towel, if needed, to absorb any excess oil.

7. Enjoy immediately while they are still delicious. I saved a few to reheat later but they had become terribly dry!

promise

I promise ill post something meaningful and substantial this week. For now here is the link to our 15 minutes of fame.

This is crazy....

Man behind the Miracle on the Hudson: Airing next week!

Elaina & I will be there! What an exciting opportunity and platform to share even a little bit our miraculous story.

Katie Couric

In 2 weeks we celebrate 4 years since the plane crash. Wow, life has changed.

Since the crash we have been asked by a few big news stations to be on morning programs.  Oprah even called! We have never felt peace about most of these and one we agreed to do was canceled because of Haiti new coverage.

I have been working with a author in Denver on my book and shortly we will start looking for a literary agent who can then help us find a publisher.

Lots has happened since the plane crash and we have been blessed to share our story with friends, family, churches & really, the world!

I'm waiting to see if the show can get us a direct flight....if not we will have to graciously say no.  The only flight they offered was 8am out of DIA into Salt Lake City. Then  SL at 11:30am- JFK arriving at 6:00pm..SUPER LONG DAY.

Please say a prayer that we can get a direct flight or have total peace about doing an all day slight day.

it had to come to this....

I would say I was 'born to be a mama!'...I have always loved babies and caring for others.
Having E grew those passions & desires in new inspeakable ways. I have learned so much, been challenged beyond anything I could think of and today, I am wondering if i'm finally seeing/feeling the effects of giving myself to someone in such a deep way.

Im exhausted. I honestly want to hole up. Turn of my phone, not talk to anyone for a week (except Chris) and sleep every time E sleeps. My baby is a delight. Me being tired doesnt take away from me loving her, loving our moments together and being so thankful for her. Somtimes I think I allow myself to feel like if I loved her more I wouldnt be so tired.

Is this normal?

Sometimes even thinking about calling a friend seems like so much work. When did life seem like it was 'one foot in front of the other'?

Maybe I am just having a hard week. Maybe it is all catching up with me.

Any tips from moms out there? What can I do to get out of this funk? My friend Carolyn told me the other day that going to work is much easier than staying home with her son; she has a classroom of 30 elementary kiddos.

Needing strength, needing perspective and needing to be honest that sometimes I do try to have it all together; my house, attitude, energy for hubby, listening ear for a hurting friend & 5 time slots a week for coffee/lunch. Instragram can snap a moment and make you think its how it always is. BAHAHAHAH!

Im off to bed (8:02) and working to remember tomorrow HIS mercies are new.