are you in a rut?

I have quoted my former pastor, Elmer Murdoch many times.  "Chose your ruts carefully, you will be in them a long time."  I have never forgotten that.  It is so true. We are creatures of habit and I think the older we get the more set in our ways we become.  My friend Linda, who is over 60 now, is someone who really works at not getting stuck in a rut.  For her 50th birthday she began the tradition of hosting an annual bike ride for her friends, followed by a brunch.  Each year we were all invited to celebrate the number of years old she was by riding that many miles.  How many (now) 60+ year olds do you know riding over 60 miles on their bike in a day.  That is what I love about Linda.  She lives outside the box.  She too said something once I will never forget.  She said something to the effect of, as we get older we will have to be so intensional to stretch ourselves to try new things.... not be stuck in our ways... not do the same thing the same way over and over again.  I think about this all the time.  I don't know about you, but I find myself doing the same thing the same way over and over again.  Most of the time it is what makes the most sense to me.  For example, my workout routine.  I do my cardio first because I hate it the most and want to get it over with.  I even tend to use the same machines at the gym each time I am there, the same locker for my gear and even park in the same section each time I go.  I am in a rut my friends.  Not all ruts are necessarily bad in and of themselves, but changing things up keeps them fresh, unpredictable and can often s t r e t c h us!!!!
So.... tomorrow morning I am heading to the gym to participate in a mini indoor triathalon.  Now don't be too impressed.  This is totally geared to beginners and I will swim for 10 whole minutes, bike for 30 minutes and then run for 20 minutes.  Not exactly an iron woman but for little old me, it is a stretch. That reminds me, I will need to stretch before I begin!!
Well my friend, how will you get out of your rut this week?  It does not have to be a monutmental change, a huge feat or an overwhelming accomplishment.  It just need to take you out of the familiar to keep you out of a rut you may have been in a long time.  So... accept the challenge???  If so, I would love to hear from you...after you have completed whatever you decide you are going to do.  Make it bite size.  Then reward yourself with a HUGE piece of cake!!!! (just kidding)
By the way, I am still planning to make it to church in the morning.  I hate that there are so many things on Sunday that we have lost the concept of Sabbath.  That is a subject for another blog at another time!!!!

what terri's cooking tonight

Italian Sausage Minestrone



browned sausage

sauteed veggies

beans - recipe calls for white, i added some black too

tomatoes

cheese - make sure you use some good stuff...like this!

...and now for the recipe:

1 lb. bulk Italian sausage

2 large carrots chopped

2 celery ribs chopped

1 medium onion chopped

6 garlic cloves minced

3 Tbsp. Olive oil

7 cups reduced sodium chicken broth

2 cans (15oz. each) cannellini or white kidney beans, rinsed and drained

2 cans (14.5 oz. each)fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained

2 bay leaves

1 Tbsp. Italian seasoning

1 Tbsp. tomato paste

Later:

1 cup small pasta

Shredded Parmesan Cheese

In Dutch oven, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink.  Drain and set aside.

In the same pan, sauté carrots, celery, onion and garlic in oil until tender.  Stir in the broth, beans, tomatoes, bay leaves, Italian seasoning, tomato paste and sausage.  Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30.  Bring back to a boil and add 1 cup pasta till cooked.  

Serve with parmesan cheese.


Enjoy!

Recommended Sexual Intimacy Books

I promised the 2 group of ladies I spoke to this week that I would post my recommended books on (PURE) sexual intimacy.  Intimacy implies pure, but I do not want to assume anything.

Intimate Issues by Linda Dillow and Lorraine Pintus
(21 questions christian women ask about sex)

A Celebraion of Sex by Dr. Douglas Rosenau
(A guide to enjoying God's gift of married sexual pleasure) includes illustrations

Sheet Music by Dr. Kevin Leman
(Uncovering the Secrets of Sexual Intimacy in Marriage)

Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas (Chapter 11)
(What if God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy?)

sexual intimacy in marriage

OK, so why wouldn't I talk about it?  All the wrong people are.  Everyday I sort through my junk email and find such vile emails, (that I do not open by the way!).  Sleep with two women, my husband is gone so come on over... and it just sickens me.  So tonight I am speaking to about 30 women on the topic of sexual imtimacy in marriage.  It is such and important and beautiful part of a marriage relationship but needs to be cultivated and nurtured.  Many couples struggle in this area of their marriage and have no where to go that is safe to learn and ask questions they may have.  So... we are creating a safe place for women to come and grow in this area.  We will talk about the "baggage" most women carry into their marriage, the differences in men and women, and how to "love your man" ... so you too can be the wife of a happy husband.  I am on a mission to see marriages flourish and become all they were meant to be.  Did I mention how much I love being married?

Up and Running...

I can hardly believe it, but I'm officially a "blogger."  Don't get too excited and don't expect too much, too soon.  I'm new at this.  My goal is to post 2-3 times per week as the inspiration comes over me.  My hope is that you will feel validated, encouraged, and inspired as you hear thoughts from my mother's heart.  Stay tuned...