"Anything for chickens!"

Six days ago, a lady from the post office dropped off a box. The box was peeping.

Guess what was inside?

Yup! We've got ourselves eleven chicks! They are funny, curious, and (of course) adorably fuzzy. The picture below was taken today.

 

And here's the coop...well, sort of. Construction just started on Saturday.

 

A little back story on the peeps. Last May I suddenly had the idea of getting a few chickens. I don't remember exactly how it came about, but later that evening I started researching. I researched and earned money all summer, fall, and most of the winter. Here I am, almost a year later!

That's it for now, at least until the next update. Also, any name suggestions for the coop? I was imagining something like Hartfield, Longbourne, or Uppercross Hall. :) 

(title is a quote from Dad while he was building the coop.)

Free to eat.

A couple evenings ago I enjoyed a gooey chocolate magnum bar for dessert. I was a little unsure if I would have one, but in the end I just went for it. Why did I hesitate? Well, I'm interested in health and nutrition, and these...aren't. (high fructose corn syrup? What!?!)

I've struggled with finding a balance between eating healthy and enjoying my food. Now, I'm not saying healthy food is icky (it can be quite delicious), but I still want to be "free" enough to eat magnum bars with my family. After all, it's not something we have in the house very often and meals are a time to share things with my family, be they magnum bars or some chia-kale-coconut-liver mush. (just kidding)

We shouldn't become slaves to our food: it's something that nourishes and delights us. I can get very conscious and even a little paranoid about my food: Oh, does it have too much sugar? Ack, it has modified corn starch! We're all gonna DIE!!!

I don't want this interest in health to get in the way of savoring my food. If I'm constantly thinking of food in regard to their micro and macronutrients, I might as well open a can of calcium and order protein in bulk. See what I mean? It takes the joy out of eating if I'm simply thinking what vitamins I'm getting out of this and how I'm going to be affected by that.

All this isn't to say we should eat cupcakes for breakfast and ignore the veggies. We should be good stewards in taking care of the body God gave us. We just shouldn't become slaves to this task or become so preoccupied that we don't enjoy our meals anymore. It isn't a "sin" to eat a french fry. Jesus Himself declared all food clean (Mark 7:18-20). This doesn't necessarily mean that we should go and binge on sugar, but that we shouldn't feel like we're "defiling" ourselves if we have some birthday cake. 

I went grain-free for a couple months, but I just stopped two weeks ago. I've never been unhealthy and I don't think I was better off not eating grains. In fact, I think I was worse off emotionally! I would keep questioning my decision, which led to many tears and anger at God. I was mad that He'd given me this interest that was causing me pain. I also felt left out if my family was eating something I "couldn't". And remember that paranoia? I got so bad that I would even pick out the individual grains of rice that somehow got into the leftovers. So I went back. 

I'm still finding a balance between caring for my body and enjoying my food. I'm sure I'll never find the perfect balance, but I hope I will not be so preoccupied that I cannot enjoy a magnum bar with my family.

Psalm 56

Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me;
    all day long an attacker oppresses me;   
my enemies trample on me all day long,
    for many attack me proudly.  
When I am afraid,
    I put my trust in you. 
 In God, whose word I praise,
    in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
    What can flesh do to me?

 All day long they injure my cause;
    all their thoughts are against me for evil. 
They stir up strife, they lurk;
    they watch my steps,
    as they have waited for my life. 
 For their crime will they escape?
    In wrath cast down the peoples, O God!

 You have kept count of my tossings;
    put my tears in your bottle.
    Are they not in your book?  
Then my enemies will turn back
    in the day when I call.
    This I know, that God is for me. 
In God, whose word I praise,
    in the Lord, whose word I praise,
 in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
    What can man do to me?

 I must perform my vows to you, O God;
    I will render thank offerings to you.  
For you have delivered my soul from death,
    yes, my feet from falling,
that I may walk before God
    in the light of life.

Wonderfully Forgotten.

Isn't it lovely how we forget the joy spring brings? I remember that spring brings flowers, birds, budding trees, and beautiful weather. But I don't exactly remember the feelings it brings. The excitement of seeing the first sprouts poking through the vegetable beds. The wonder of seeing our magnolia, full of pink and white blossoms, tossing its branches in the breeze. The happiness that the sound of birds can bring. 

I'm glad I don't remember.

These pictures are from a recent excursion to the pasture behind our house. I've always wanted a stream in our backyard and I just now realized that I sort of do, even if I share it with cows. :)

Filling up my space.

"I am content to fill a little space if God be glorified." -Susannah Wesley

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." -1 Corinthians 10:31

"Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness." -Romans 12:6-8

I want to fill up my life's little space with things that will glorify God, bless others, and make beauty and happiness. Right now, my space consists (mainly) of family, school, and friends. How can I fill this space with something that will glorify God? I could be discouraged, because, since I'm just fourteen, I can't do anything "big" (become a missionary, open an orphanage). But is doing "big" things the only way to glorify God? Of course not! This seems like an obvious answer, and it is, but that doesn't keep me from forgetting it. Even the small, every day things can be a way to bring glory to God.

I have my own gifts, gifts that God Himself gave me, and I can use them. My gift may be in baking or being a help around the house. These little things can be a blessing, no matter how mundane they may seem. By baking muffins, I'm making my brothers happy. By cleaning up the kitchen, I'm making Mom happy and perhaps letting her have a little rest. This in turn can give me joy in knowing that I am serving others and making them happy. Being fourteen doesn't mean I cannot do things that will please my Creator. In offering to play a game with my younger brother, I am pleasing Him. In volunteering to do the hand dishes, I am glorifying Him. Every little deed or word can be something that will please Him.

It isn't just the big things like going overseas or working with charity (though these are good things) that are pleasing to the Lord. Completing the work set before us--whether it is school, preparing a meal, or doing yard work--with responsibility or cheerfulness is a simple way that we can bring glory to God through our day to day lives. Looking for ways to serve others with acts of love and service is something that's important and pleasing, too. So let's strive to fill our space with God-glorifying things, using the different gifts he has given us to the best of our ability.

Simple and Delicious

This recipe is absolutely scrumptious and something easy to make when you're in charge of Sunday lunch (guess what I did today...). Serves about five.

Roasted Roots

Four potatoes (I'm sure yams or sweet potatoes would work just as well)
One and a half carrots
1/2 c. oil (I used avocado)
Salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 425. Wash carrots and potatoes. There's no need to peel them unless you prefer them that way. Chop them up and place in bowl. Toss in oil, transfer to pan, add a few turns of salt and pepper on top, and roast for 40 minutes or so. My carrots were still firm after 40 minutes, so you may want to roast 'em longer. Enjoy!

Yumliciousness.

Besides "Deep Thoughts From Rachel" (wink, wink), I'll be sharing some recipes. This one is based off of a Colorful Eats recipe, here. It's completely fruit sweetened and makes a little less than six cups.

Fig Crunch*
4 c. of nuts (I used 3 1/2 cups almonds and pecans and 1/2 a cup walnuts)
1/2 c. shredded coconut (unsweetened)
4 T. applesauce**
1/2 c. coconut oil (melted)
1 t. cinnamon
1 T. vanilla extract
1 c. chopped dried figs (chop them fairly small)

Preheat oven to 300. Place all ingredients except figs in food processor. Give it a whiz until everything's combined and the nuts are the size you want (mine were pretty small). Stir in figs and spread onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake for 25 minutes. It wasn't quite crunchy enough for me, so I just let sit in the oven for a while. Take it out, let it cool, and then transfer to container. Store if refrigerator. 

*I call it crunch because it wasn't clumpy enough for what you call granola.
**if you're like me and don't check if you have everything before baking, here is a quick applesauce recipe, courtesy of my mom:

Take a few apples, peel and chop them into small pieces, and place in small pot. Put pot on medium heat and wait around for the apples to soften, stirring occaionally. If they are dry like mine were, add a little bit of water. When they are soft enough, mash with fork, and--ta da! You have your own homemade applesauce. 

Also, follow up on my last post. I said that I found peace in God because He knows my troubles. I realize it may have sounded odd after I wrote that I couldn't "just say, "Everything's all right, so stop moping and straighten up!" It may have sounded like that is what I meant by talking about this peace, but it's not. The truth of God's love gives comfort, peace, and hope as I--with God's help--resolve any troubles I may have. I can stop moping because I know that God hasn't abandoned me and it gives me strength and courage to go on, instead of feel sorry for myself, so my problem can be solved. End of explanation. :)

He knows.

 source

I get flustered and stressed over so many things. School, friends, health, my faith. I get a feeling of emptiness at times or think that my day was just worthless. It is then that I need peace and strength to go on without being weighed down by these things. Where do I find it though? The obvious and correct answer is God, but how do I find my peace in Him? I can't just say, "Everything's all right, so stop moping and straighten up!"

Why is everything all right? Because the Lord knows my struggles and questions, how I'm feeling that day, what stupid thing I need forgiveness for. He knows me and He is with me through every one of those struggles. Even as I stumble and make mistakes, God is right there to forgive me and help me up. It gives me peace and courage to go on because of His forgiveness and love. He is always giving me second chances to do better, always bringing me through the stressful days. He is there to counsel, strengthen, love, and guide. He gives us His holy Word to comfort and encourage. We are His adopted children and He will not abandon us.

What a wonderful God we serve!