The Day
The day was a really great day! Thank you, God for such a great day! It was busy and it was hard! I got about 4 hours of sleep last night (which made it almost 2 hours later than I planned on waking up by) and did not stop once while I was awake. In fact, I just checked my e-mail for the first time all day. I didn't get everything accomplished that I planned on for the day, but I got enough that I feel like there are some boxes checked off. I still have a lot to do tomorrow - enough that I feel like I have to play the role of Super-Lynn again. It's ok, though! Tomorrow night is going to be great! Just like today was great!
I think my high today was while I was driving. I went to a memorial today for a friend that passed away 10 years ago - today is the anniversary. It took me about 2 hours to get out there, about an hour out there, and about 3 1/2 hours to get home (because of traffic). For the first hour as I was on my way back home, I was just moved by the Spirit to be praising God and thanking Him for all of the wonderful things He has done in my life! I sang a little and laughed a lot. Thanksgiving just rattled off of me without any desire to stop! It was SO precious! I thanked God for little things and big things, stuff that happened 20 years ago and stuff that hasn't even happened yet, and for the riches and wealth that He has blessed me with! I spent time praying against lies and curses of Satan and calling in the Spirit of God in place of those things. It was just a wonderful time! I am so grateful for it!
I have much more to say, but I am so exhausted that I am almost about to start crying - just because my emotions are pretty much spent for the day, not because anything is wrong. I am going to go crash and receive the dreams and blessings that God wants to speak over me tonight! I am going to sleep well!
Thank you God for the day today. Thank you for blessing me with such a wonderful time to spend with you and hear from you today! Thank you for getting me to and from safely today. Thank you for all of the precious people that you have put in my life, who have made such an impact! Thank you for this wonderful day. It is such a blessing! I thank you that you are making me sleepy, so that I will be able to rest well tonight. I also thank you for the dreams that you are going to bless me with tonight and ask that I would be able to hear your heart for me clearly! Thank you, God for being so wonderful and so good to me! I love you and thank you for the ways that you have pursued me and loved me! It is in your precious name that I lift this to you! Amen!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Sleepless Night
I have been trying, unsuccessfully, to fall asleep for over three hours! It is now a little after 3:00 am. I really really really want to be asleep! I just can't seem to get there though! It is really frustrating! I keep thinking about a kajillion different things, none of which do I want consuming my mind right now. I finally decided to write it out and see if that will somehow bring on the drowsiness I am longing for!
I am thinking about a lot of different things tonight.
* The boy who I really like, but have no clue if he likes me. I have it so bad that every time I think about him I get this dorky smile and start thinking about what it could be like if something actually worked out between us.
* The birthday cake that I somehow have to fit the making of into my extraordinarily busy day tomorrow (technically today) - all so it can get decorated by my extraordinarily busy day on Friday.
* Thinking through all the things I have to do on Thursday...wake up early, go to HEB - one of the ones that has gluten free cake mixes. Buy said cake mix along with the ingredients to make frosting, french onion soup, and an appetizer of some sort (that I still haven't figured out). Come home and make aforementioned cake. Let it bake for however long 4 cake mixes will take. Get everything ready for a quick trip that I am taking, go exchange cars - I am borrowing a friends car for the trip that was just mentioned, go to a meeting at the church, leave and drive 2 hours away for a 30 minute memorial service and then drive another 2 hours back home, come home and change, get communion, and head out to small group. Only after all of that will I get to eat dinner and have communion with my friends. I then have to go exchange cars back, come home and decorate the cake that was previously spoken about. At some point in time during the day I also need to call my doctor to see if I can move a doctors appointment to an earlier time for Friday. I also need to call my sister and see if I can use her mixer and somehow get to pick it up before small group.
* I am also thinking about how tomorrow is the 10 year anniversary from the day one of my dear friends got killed in a car accident (hence the memorial). Could it possibly be that 10 years has passed since I saw her beautiful smile or heard her joyful laugh? It doesn't seem like it, but it has been!
* I am thinking about how Friday is going to be just as busy as Thursday - minus the 4 hours of driving. Friday is my birthday party. I still have quite a bit to do to get ready for it, but I can't even begin to think through it all. I need to get through Thursday first - then I can think about Friday!
* I am thinking about how my head is already hurting and if I don't get enough sleep I am pretty much destined to have a migraine...which I have already been dealing with for 2 days. It is hard enough to get through the day with a migraine when I don't have a lot to do -- when there is this much that needs to get done it is impossible!
* I am worrying that I will be sleepy while I am driving...just not safe!
I have prayed through all of this. I have asked Jesus to wash over me with peace and rest. I have rebuked Satan and his demons from causing me worry, pain, sickness, and restlessness. I have welcomed in peace and joy and wellness and sleep. Now that I have chronicled the things that are consuming my mind, rebuked evil, and welcomed the blessing from my Lord and Savior I am going to go back to my bed to sleep!
I have been trying, unsuccessfully, to fall asleep for over three hours! It is now a little after 3:00 am. I really really really want to be asleep! I just can't seem to get there though! It is really frustrating! I keep thinking about a kajillion different things, none of which do I want consuming my mind right now. I finally decided to write it out and see if that will somehow bring on the drowsiness I am longing for!
I am thinking about a lot of different things tonight.
* The boy who I really like, but have no clue if he likes me. I have it so bad that every time I think about him I get this dorky smile and start thinking about what it could be like if something actually worked out between us.
* The birthday cake that I somehow have to fit the making of into my extraordinarily busy day tomorrow (technically today) - all so it can get decorated by my extraordinarily busy day on Friday.
* Thinking through all the things I have to do on Thursday...wake up early, go to HEB - one of the ones that has gluten free cake mixes. Buy said cake mix along with the ingredients to make frosting, french onion soup, and an appetizer of some sort (that I still haven't figured out). Come home and make aforementioned cake. Let it bake for however long 4 cake mixes will take. Get everything ready for a quick trip that I am taking, go exchange cars - I am borrowing a friends car for the trip that was just mentioned, go to a meeting at the church, leave and drive 2 hours away for a 30 minute memorial service and then drive another 2 hours back home, come home and change, get communion, and head out to small group. Only after all of that will I get to eat dinner and have communion with my friends. I then have to go exchange cars back, come home and decorate the cake that was previously spoken about. At some point in time during the day I also need to call my doctor to see if I can move a doctors appointment to an earlier time for Friday. I also need to call my sister and see if I can use her mixer and somehow get to pick it up before small group.
* I am also thinking about how tomorrow is the 10 year anniversary from the day one of my dear friends got killed in a car accident (hence the memorial). Could it possibly be that 10 years has passed since I saw her beautiful smile or heard her joyful laugh? It doesn't seem like it, but it has been!
* I am thinking about how Friday is going to be just as busy as Thursday - minus the 4 hours of driving. Friday is my birthday party. I still have quite a bit to do to get ready for it, but I can't even begin to think through it all. I need to get through Thursday first - then I can think about Friday!
* I am thinking about how my head is already hurting and if I don't get enough sleep I am pretty much destined to have a migraine...which I have already been dealing with for 2 days. It is hard enough to get through the day with a migraine when I don't have a lot to do -- when there is this much that needs to get done it is impossible!
* I am worrying that I will be sleepy while I am driving...just not safe!
I have prayed through all of this. I have asked Jesus to wash over me with peace and rest. I have rebuked Satan and his demons from causing me worry, pain, sickness, and restlessness. I have welcomed in peace and joy and wellness and sleep. Now that I have chronicled the things that are consuming my mind, rebuked evil, and welcomed the blessing from my Lord and Savior I am going to go back to my bed to sleep!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Gluten Free Bread
I have been completely gluten-free for a couple of months now. Prior to that, I was eating mostly gluten-free items, but making periodic exceptions. I did this as an experiment to see if I would start feeling better. So far, I am feeling much better and I hope to see more positive results as I continue. When I first started, I bought the pre-made loafs of bread at a whopping 5.00 per loaf (they are in the freezer section for those who are interested.) The bread was pretty good, but lacked the softness of regular (wheat-based) bread. Then I got a little more adventuresome and bought the bread mixes that come with their own yeast packet and pretty simple directions. Those are about 4.00 per mix. With either of these options, you have to keep the bread in the refrigerator or freezer in order to keep it from completely drying out or just crumbling away. Today I got brave enough to try making a loaf from scratch. I figure it cost me about 1.50 to make plus a little extra time. The recipe I used is below, for anyone who is interested. It is vegetarian (no milk) and I have included a tip for vegans to substitute for the egg. I will let you know how it turns out.
I first started by making an all-purpose flour mix. This batch made a little more than 3 cups, so I just measured out what was needed for the bread.
Gluten-Free All Purpose Mix:
1 Cup Brown Rice Flour
1 Cup Cornstarch
1 Cup Tapioca Starch Flour
1 Tbsp Potato Flour
1 Tbsp Xanthan Gum
Bread:
1 Tbsp Active Dry Yeast (approx 1.5 packs)
1 Tbsp Sugar
1 1/2 Cups warm water (about 105 degrees)
2 1/2 Cups Gluten-Free All Purpose Flour Mix (see above)
2 tsp. Xanthan Gum
1 tsp. Sea Salt
2 Eggs
1 1/2 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 tsp. Distilled White Vinegar
1) Combine Yeast, Sugar, and Water (it works well to mix it all in a 2 cup pour-measuring cup). Mix lightly and then leave it alone! It should get bubbly and "grow" a little. Let it set while getting everything else mixed.
2) In a large bowl, combine Flour Mix, Xanthan Gum, and Sea Salt. Mix well, making sure that all ingredients are evenly dispersed.
3) In a separate bowl mix Eggs, Oil, and Vinegar. Mix until everything is well mixed and egg looks a little foamy.
4) The yeast mixture should be foamy (it needs to have set between 5 and 10 minutes - no longer). Pour the Egg mixture and Yeast mixture into the Flour mixture; mix well.
5) Spray or lightly oil a bread tin and lightly coat with Amaranth Flour (you could also use a gluten-free corn meal flour). Scrape dough into the tin and lightly cover with a towel. Set in a warm spot to proof for about 1 hour (until the dough has grown to the top of the pan).
6) Bake for about 45 minutes in a 350 degree oven. You may need to cover the top with foil for the last 5-10 minutes of baking to keep it from getting too brown.
7) Let it set for about 5 minutes in the tin after removing from the oven. Dump out onto a cooling rack and let it cool. Slice bread and store well-wrapped in the freezer or refrigerator.
Note: If you are vegan you can substitute the following for the egg:
6 Tbsp Water
2 Tbsp Ground Flax Seed (Flax Seed Oil does not work as well for egg substitute in baked goods)
As I said, this is the first loaf of gluten-free sandwich bread I have made from scratch. I will let you know how it turns out. I have also almost perfected my pancake recipe. Maybe I will post it soon.
I have been completely gluten-free for a couple of months now. Prior to that, I was eating mostly gluten-free items, but making periodic exceptions. I did this as an experiment to see if I would start feeling better. So far, I am feeling much better and I hope to see more positive results as I continue. When I first started, I bought the pre-made loafs of bread at a whopping 5.00 per loaf (they are in the freezer section for those who are interested.) The bread was pretty good, but lacked the softness of regular (wheat-based) bread. Then I got a little more adventuresome and bought the bread mixes that come with their own yeast packet and pretty simple directions. Those are about 4.00 per mix. With either of these options, you have to keep the bread in the refrigerator or freezer in order to keep it from completely drying out or just crumbling away. Today I got brave enough to try making a loaf from scratch. I figure it cost me about 1.50 to make plus a little extra time. The recipe I used is below, for anyone who is interested. It is vegetarian (no milk) and I have included a tip for vegans to substitute for the egg. I will let you know how it turns out.
I first started by making an all-purpose flour mix. This batch made a little more than 3 cups, so I just measured out what was needed for the bread.
Gluten-Free All Purpose Mix:
1 Cup Brown Rice Flour
1 Cup Cornstarch
1 Cup Tapioca Starch Flour
1 Tbsp Potato Flour
1 Tbsp Xanthan Gum
Bread:
1 Tbsp Active Dry Yeast (approx 1.5 packs)
1 Tbsp Sugar
1 1/2 Cups warm water (about 105 degrees)
2 1/2 Cups Gluten-Free All Purpose Flour Mix (see above)
2 tsp. Xanthan Gum
1 tsp. Sea Salt
2 Eggs
1 1/2 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 tsp. Distilled White Vinegar
1) Combine Yeast, Sugar, and Water (it works well to mix it all in a 2 cup pour-measuring cup). Mix lightly and then leave it alone! It should get bubbly and "grow" a little. Let it set while getting everything else mixed.
2) In a large bowl, combine Flour Mix, Xanthan Gum, and Sea Salt. Mix well, making sure that all ingredients are evenly dispersed.
3) In a separate bowl mix Eggs, Oil, and Vinegar. Mix until everything is well mixed and egg looks a little foamy.
4) The yeast mixture should be foamy (it needs to have set between 5 and 10 minutes - no longer). Pour the Egg mixture and Yeast mixture into the Flour mixture; mix well.
5) Spray or lightly oil a bread tin and lightly coat with Amaranth Flour (you could also use a gluten-free corn meal flour). Scrape dough into the tin and lightly cover with a towel. Set in a warm spot to proof for about 1 hour (until the dough has grown to the top of the pan).
6) Bake for about 45 minutes in a 350 degree oven. You may need to cover the top with foil for the last 5-10 minutes of baking to keep it from getting too brown.
7) Let it set for about 5 minutes in the tin after removing from the oven. Dump out onto a cooling rack and let it cool. Slice bread and store well-wrapped in the freezer or refrigerator.
Note: If you are vegan you can substitute the following for the egg:
6 Tbsp Water
2 Tbsp Ground Flax Seed (Flax Seed Oil does not work as well for egg substitute in baked goods)
As I said, this is the first loaf of gluten-free sandwich bread I have made from scratch. I will let you know how it turns out. I have also almost perfected my pancake recipe. Maybe I will post it soon.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Blessings
This morning, I was reminded about the conviction of blessing people instead of cursing them. I started my morning by reading something that a friend wrote about her children. She was telling many of the great things about her children. It blessed me so much to see how much she loves, admires, and receives blessing from her own children! So often I hear parents talking about all of the negative things their children do, instead of calling out the positives. I'm sure that as a parent, it is very easy to just know the good things about your children and talk about the things that overwhelm you. I often wonder what impact that may have on the way that people actually view their children, though. I have seen this to be true in my friendships. It is easy to notice the bad and comment on it. It is, for some reason, less easy to notice the good and comment on it. When I spend time thinking about all of the things that drive me crazy about my friends, I walk away feeling very torn down and not confident in that relationship. When I take time to think about all of the ways that my friendships bless me, I walk away feeling loved and special and very blessed to have them in my life!
This morning, I was reminded about the conviction of blessing people instead of cursing them. I started my morning by reading something that a friend wrote about her children. She was telling many of the great things about her children. It blessed me so much to see how much she loves, admires, and receives blessing from her own children! So often I hear parents talking about all of the negative things their children do, instead of calling out the positives. I'm sure that as a parent, it is very easy to just know the good things about your children and talk about the things that overwhelm you. I often wonder what impact that may have on the way that people actually view their children, though. I have seen this to be true in my friendships. It is easy to notice the bad and comment on it. It is, for some reason, less easy to notice the good and comment on it. When I spend time thinking about all of the things that drive me crazy about my friends, I walk away feeling very torn down and not confident in that relationship. When I take time to think about all of the ways that my friendships bless me, I walk away feeling loved and special and very blessed to have them in my life!
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