Fall is in the air, winters almost here...

I thought I'd throw together this post because I've been super busy the last couple days and haven't posted anything. Last Wednesday I was asked to lead this weeks bible study for my small group. I was completely honored by the request especially since everyone in my small group is at least 25 years older than me (with the exception of my friend Emily). I love being in a group with an older generation of brothers and sisters in Christ. I think that we can all learn different things from each other and I feel blessed whenever I go. With that said I am a little nervous about leading, especially since its been a while since I have lead a bible study. When thinking about what to do for the lesson I felt like God kept bringing to mind the scripture I blogged about in my last post. So tomorrow I will be leading a study on The Joy of The Lord. I'll post more on how it goes after and some new insights and thing I've learned through my preparation.

I did want to post this recipe for Fall/Christmas smelling goodness before I say goodnight. My mom used to do this when I was growing up and it is one of my favorite smells of all time. As soon as the weather starts changing I usually pull out my cinnamon and cloves and fill the house with this comforting smell.

Fall/Christmas Smelling Goodness

3 cups water

1-2 tbsp cinnamon

1-2 tsp cloves

Orange rind

Apple peel

Mix all in small sauce pan and simmer on low. The house will fill with the best smell ever, although I do know people who might disagree, it's one of my favorites. Warning: be careful to watch it because if you leave it on the stove to long without adding more water all the water will evaporate and you will burn your pot or worse cause a fire. Keep an eye on it!

Happy fall smelling!

The joy of the Lord is my strength...

“The joy of the Lord is my strength” Nehemiah 8:10

I heard a sermon once about this verse that continually encourages me whenever I hear this verse. Most people interpret this verse, as the joy we have or receive from being in relationship with Jesus is our strength. This is a great interpretation. There is joy, overflowing joy, found in relationship with Christ. But what about the times you feel joy is far away, is strength from the Lord far away too?

The sermon I heard put it this way. What is the Joy of the Lord? Not our joy in knowing God but what is the Lord's Joy. What brings God joy? If you think of it in context of God as our Heavenly father, we can compare it to the joy a father feels when taking care of his children. The strength I find, especially when going through hard times, is from God delighting in taking care of me. Its not “my joy” in the Lord, but “His joy” in his role as my heavenly father, that gives me the strength to carry on

The Joy of the Lord is my strength, not my Joy by God’s in being who He is! His joy in being my heavenly father.

Here’s the example that the Pastor used that helped me understand what he meant by God’s joy in being God, giving us strength. This video is about Dick and Rick Hoyt, a father and son who have run over 1000 road races together, multiple marathons, and triathlons including the Iron Man. Watch the video, its amazing.

This is how I see it. Rick (the son, who is severely disabled) gets strength to compete in these races from his Dad. Dick’s joy is found in being Rick’s dad, carrying him, pushing him, the joy is him being able to do these things for his son. And then the joy comes for Rick too, in being able to do things no one ever thought he’d be able to do.

God’s takes Joy in taking care of us, in carrying us, in pushing us, and from that we find strength, strength do things no one ever thought we could do, or get through times that we think we don’t have the strength to get through. Then we find joy in this strength and the realization that God is taking such joy in loving us.

So when it’s hard to find joy, remember that our strength is not based on how much joy we have but it comes from the Joy of the Lord, it comes from our Heavenly Father’s delight in taking care of us.  Our strength does not come from anything we do, but from all that He has done, and does to take care of us.  

His Joy is my Strength!

back to blogging?

I created this blog about a year ago and have only done one post since then. I moved to Idaho last year to be closer to family, leaving Boston and friends behind. This blog was an idea from a friend, who had limited knowledge of Idaho and challenged me to blog about my new adventures. Maybe I was subconsciously reluctant to do this blog because of my lack of enthusiasm for living in Idaho. Recently I have challenged myself to write, read and create more, so part of my writing challenge will be to blog more frequently. We'll see how long it last. :)

My life has changed a little since my last post. I am still nanny for the sweet little girl that I was in my first post last year, however, she has grown so much and is talking like crazy. She is so much fun to be around and such a big helper. Especially now because I have another little one I'm taking care of. My hands are full but so is my heart! 

I'm not sure if it's the change in the weather and all the yummy comfort food recipes that come along with it, but recently I have started cooking and baking more frequently. Yesterday I made dinner and combined a couple different recipes to create my version of Turkey Shepherd's Pie. So I thought for my first post I'd share it with everyone.

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Turkey Shepherd’s Pie

by Girl Meets Idaho

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

3 stalks celery, thinly sliced

1 pound ground turkey

2 tbsp flour

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon pepper

¼ teaspoon thyme

1 ½ cups low sodium chicken broth

5-7 carrots
4-5 large potatoes, cubed

1/4 cup milk

4 tablespoons butter

¼ cup cheddar cheese, shredded.

salt & pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain and mash. Mix in butter, milk and shredded cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste; set aside.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add carrots and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain, mash and set aside. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F

Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and celery and cook until beginning to soften, about 5 minutes.

Add turkey and break apart with a spatula. Cook turkey until no longer pink.

Sprinkle flour, salt, pepper and thyme over the turkey and stir to combine.

Stir in chicken broth, raise heat to high and bring to a boil. Let sauce thicken slightly.

Pour turkey mixture into a deep-dish pie plate or 2 quart casserole dish.

Next, spread a layer of mashed carrots.** Top with mashed potatoes and sprinkle with extra shredded cheese.

Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbling.

** A layer of cooked peas could be added as well.

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Hope you enjoy it as much as my roommate and I did. Stay tuned for more recipes, craft projects, travel information, organizational finds, kid activities and more.