Nutella

I'm going to get my favorite gals together sometime and we're going to have a Nutella party. Probably on World Nutella Day, February 5th.

Nutella Hot Chocolate
Recipe

Nutella Ice Cream
Recipe

Nutella Peanut Butter Cupcakes
Recipe

Over and Over Again

Maybe one day my fingertips will agree with me and finally decided to grow calluses. Until then, I'm stuck with raw fingers.

I'm saying this because I was practicing guitar like crazy today. I only know four cords so far, but I practiced them repeatedly, my fingers felt like they were going to fall off, but I didn't care. I was a little angry at my family members because they wouldn't leave me alone, so I locked my door and had at it. E minor, G, D, C, over and over and over and over and over again. Playing cleared my head a bit, and I could think about things.

Sometimes I get really quiet. That’s when a million things are running through my mind.

Google, Coke and French's Mustard (Oh, My!)

I've recently found refrigerators to be very interesting. I mean, what would we do without them? I guess we could always go back to iceboxes, but what a pain in the neck.

A couple years ago, a huge snowstorm hit our area. Many houses lot power (our's didn't!), including my friend's. They expected it to be out for a couple of days, so they went to their grandparent's house to wait it out... But not before they took their fridge and put it outside in the snow to keep the contents cold.

Here's a refrigerator for you Star War fans. How cool is this? 

This is a fridge from Japan. It's see-through. I wonder how gross a dirty one looks...

Look me in the eyes and tell me you don't think this is cool. I dare you.

My personal favorite. It's a tiny refrigerator that hooks up to your computer, using a USB cord, and is just big enough to hold a can of coke.

I'm guess this is what a single guy's fridge looks like... It's kind of what my fridge feels like, too.

Simple

I'd rather be happy than sad. I'd rather eat ice cream sandwiches than rocks. Those are my thoughts.

Random Facts Part 2

1) Tigers have striped skin, not just striped fur.

2) In most advertisements, including newspapers, the time displayed on a watch is 10:10.

3) Al Capone's business card said he was a used furniture dealer.

4) The only real person to be a Pez head was Betsy Ross.

5) When the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers play football at home, the stadium becomes the state's third largest city.

6) The characters Bert and Ernie on Sesame Street were named after Bert the cop and Ernie the taxi driver in Frank Capra's "It’s A Wonderful Life".

7) A dragonfly has a lifespan of 24 hours.

8) A goldfish has a memory span of three seconds.

9) A dime has 118 ridges around the edge.

10) On an American one-dollar bill, there is an owl in the upper left-hand corner of the "1" encased in the "shield" and a spider hidden in the front upper right-hand corner.

11) It is impossible to sneeze with your eyes open.

12) The giant squid has the largest eyes in the world.

13) In England, the Speaker of the House is not allowed to speak.

14) Dentists have recommended that toothbrushes be kept at least 8 feet away from toilet to avoid airborne particles resulting from the flush.

15) The microwave was invented after a researcher walked by a radar tube and a chocolate bar melted in his pocket.

16) Mr. Rogers is an ordained minister.

17) The average person falls asleep in seven minutes.

18) There are 336 dimples on a regulation golf ball.

Random Facts Part 1

1) Rubber bands last long when refrigerated.

2) Peanuts are one of the ingredients of dynamite.

3) There are 293 ways to make change for a dollar.

4) The average secretary's left hand does 56% of the typing.

5) A shark is the only fish that can blink with both eyes.

6) There are more chickens than people in the world.

7) Two-thirds of the world's eggplant is grown in New Jersey.

8) The longest one-syllable word in the English language is "screeched."

9) No word in the English language rhymes with month, orange, silver or purple.

10) Mosquito repellents don't repel, they hide you. The spray blocks the mosquito sensors so they don't know you're there.

11) "Dreamt" is the only English word that ends in the letters "mt".

12) All 50 states are listed across the top of the Lincoln Memorial on the back of the $5 bill.

13) Almonds are members of the peach family.

14) Winston Churchill was born in a ladies' room during a dance.

15)Maine is the only state whose name is just one syllable.

16) Los Angeles's full name is "El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de los Angeles de Porciuncula". And can be abbreviated to 3.63% of its size, "L.A."

17) A cat has 32 muscles in each ear.

18) An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain.

You'll Always Be My Best Friend

I wish I knew you, way back when before you were a part of my plans,

I think that we would have been friends.

There's only time to live our lives, 

You'll be the one that's by my side.

And I can promise you, then you'll always be my best friend.

Till the end when we part, I will give you my heart,

And will promise to love you with all that it is,

And I will promise to be there whenever you need me, 

Because you'll always be my best friend.

Happy Birthday to Nicole and Jessica, my best friends.

There Was No Thief

For a time I thought there was a thief among us,I thought I'd track him down but prior to my pursuit,The smoke it cleared into my disbelief...There was no thief because it was me that lost you.
I guess it's safe to say you're never coming back.And I understand why you wouldn't want to.I guess it's up to me to find a way to get to you.
And there's just one last thing that I have to say,As we reflect on the mess of all of this I've made,It was cowardice that made me push you away,I was so afraid because you were so much better than me.
I can't see you getting used to,Living in the midst of your perfection.And I'm so lost how can you trust,Somewhere the sun is always shining, oh.
And there's just one last thing that I have to say,As we reflect on the mess of all of this I've made,It was cowardice that made me push you away,I was so afraid because you were so much better than me.
I guess it's safe to say you're never coming back...

Friend Vs. Best Friend

This one is for you, Nicole.

Friend: You have to tell them not to tell anyone.

Best Friend: Already knows not to tell.

Friend: Is only through high school/college.

Best Friend: Is for life.

Friend: Will leave you behind if that is what the crowd is doing.

Best Friend: Will kick the whole crowd’s butt that left you.

Friend: Would knock on your front door.

Best Friend: Walks right in and says "I'M HOME."

Friend: Has never seen you cry.

Best Friend: Won’t tell everyone else you cried... Just laugh about it with you in private when you’re not down anymore.

Friend: Never ask for anything to eat or drink.

Best Friend: Helps them-self and is the reason why you have no food.

Friend: Calls your parents by Mr. and Mrs. and Grandpa, by Grandpa.

Best Friend: Calls your parents DAD and MOM and Grandpa, GRAMPS!

Transpositions

Black walls creates a disconsolate feeling as you make your way past the misfits and dark horses. Crazy happy people are dancing way above you, but you can't reach them because they're too bright. Melancholy calls you by name, so you go to the wardrobe that's painted by a color of grief. Inside is a cookie. You grab it and it transforms into a bird.

She is mad because you tried to eat her.

Looking back in the wardrobe, you see a firefly. You give it to the bird, and the bird eats it. She then flies out the window and the rain pours. You don't bother to shut the window, and you let the fear crawl in. As usual, it sits on your shoulder and whispers in your ear all the reasons that you shouldn't let go of the past.

You're so dumb. Nobody likes you. You walk alone, no matter where you go.

Glass shatters and bombs go off as you begin the climb up the Mountain of Regrets. They're telling you not to press on. You're holding fast, because it's darkest just before the dawn. And, after all, the shadow proves the sunshine. The crazy happy people laugh. You ignore them, you rather just get to the top and forget it all, but instead you jump down into the water and land of the floor of the kingdom. You see Him there... You're Prince is waiting for you. He's untying your weights of shame and guilt. No longer must you carry them, He says. The songs plays. The song of your life. You dance with your Prince and He transposes the song into a different key. You get married right there and then, and you fall into His embrace. To your dismay, you have to leave Him. But you have work to do. Instead of becoming one of those crazy happy people, you're reaching back down to the darkness. It pulls you in, but your Prince implies that he'll always be with you, and so, rather than just being in the darkness, you shine your light down there. Creating a fire that blazes so big that all of the silhouettes come running. Running to find the Prince.

You're Prince is waiting for you.

Dreams

Finding Great Leaders

People are always wondering what the recipe for a good leader is. As usual, the best examples are in the Bible.

Acts 20:28
Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.

1 Timothy 4:12b
...Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

And, my personal favorite...

Matthew 20:25-28

Jesus called the disciples together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave– just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

From what the Bible says, a Godly leader...

Finds strength by realizing his weakness.
Finds authority by being under authority.
Finds direction by laying down his plans.
Finds vision by seeing the needs of others.
Finds credibility by being an example.
Finds loyalty by expressing compassion.
Finds honor by being faithful.
Finds greatness by being a servant.

**Bible verses from the New International Version 84

Quiet Notes

Singing Pigs

Never try to teach a pig to sing.

It wastes your time.

And annoys the pig.

Stories

They told me the big black Lab's name was Reggie, as I looked at him lying in his pen. The shelter was clean, no-kill, and the people really friendly. I'd only been in the area for six months, but everywhere I went in the small college town, people were welcoming and open. Everyone waves when you pass them on the street.

But something was still missing as I
attempted to settle in to my new life here, and I thought a dog couldn't hurt. Give me someone to talk to. And I had just seen Reggie's advertisement on the local news. The shelter said they had received numerous calls right after, but they said the people who had come down to see him just didn't look like "Lab people," whatever that meant. They must've thought I did.

But at first, I thought the shelter had misjudged me in giving me Reggie and his things, which consisted of a dog pad, bag of toys almost all of which were brand new tennis balls, his dishes and a sealed letter from his previous owner.

See, Reggie and I didn't really hit it off when we got home. We struggled for two weeks (which is how long the shelter told me to give him to adjust to his new home). Maybe it was the fact that I was trying to adjust, too.

Maybe we were too much alike.

I saw the sealed envelope. I had completely forgotten about that. "Okay, Reggie," I said out loud, "let's see if your previous owner has any advice."
____________ _________ _________ _________

To Whomever Gets My Dog:

Well, I can't say that I'm happy you're reading this, a letter I told the shelter could only be opened by Reggie's new owner. I'm not even happy writing it. He knew something was different.

So let me tell you about my Lab in the hopes that it will help you bond with him and he with you.

First, he loves tennis balls. The more the merrier. Sometimes I think he's part squirrel, the way he hoards them. He usually always has two in his mouth, and he tries to get a third in there. Hasn't done it yet. Doesn't matter where you throw them, he'll bound after them, so be careful. Don't do it by any roads.

Next, commands. Reggie knows the obvious ones ---"sit," "stay," "come," "heel."

He knows hand signals, too: He knows "ball" and "food" and "bone" and "treat" like nobody's business.

Feeding schedule: twice a day, regular store-bought stuff; the shelter has the brand.

He's up on his shots. Be forewarned: Reggie hates the vet. Good luck getting him in the car. I don't know how he knows when it's time to go to the vet, but he knows.

Finally, give him some time. It's only been Reggie and me for his whole life. He's gone everywhere with me, so please include him on your daily car rides if you can. He sits well in the backseat, and he doesn't bark or complain. He just loves to be around people, and me most especially.

And that's why I need to share one more bit of info with you...His name's not Reggie. He's a smart dog, he'll get used to it and will respond to it, of that I have no doubt. But I just couldn't bear to give them his real name. But if someone is reading this ... well it means that his new owner should know his real name. His real name is "Tank." Because, that is what I drive.

I told the shelter that they couldn't make "Reggie" available for adoption until they received word from my company commander. You see, my parents are gone, I have no siblings, no one I could've left Tank with .. and it was my only real request of the Army upon my deployment to Iraq, that they make one phone call to the shelter ... in the "event" ... to tell them that Tank could be put up for adoption. Luckily, my CO is a dog-guy, too, and he knew where my platoon was headed. He said he'd do it personally. And if you're reading this, then he made good on his word.

Tank has been my family for the last six years, almost as long as the Army has been my family. And now I hope and pray that you make him part of your family, too, and that he will adjust and come to love you the same way he loved me.

If I have to give up Tank to keep those terrible people from coming to the US I am glad to have done so. He is my example of service and of love. I hope I honored him by my service to my country and comrades.

All right, that's enough. I deploy this evening and have to drop this letter off at the shelter. Maybe I'll peek in on him and see if he finally got that third tennis ball in his mouth.

Good luck with Tank. Give him a good home, and give him an extra kiss goodnight - every night - from me.

Thank you,

Paul Mallory
____________ _________ _________ _______

I folded the letter and slipped it back in the envelope. Sure, I had heard of Paul Mallory, everyone in town knew him, even new people like me. Local kid, killed in Iraq a few months ago and posthumously earning the Silver Star when he gave his life to save three buddies. Flags had been at half-mast all summer.

I leaned forward in my chair and rested my elbows on my knees, staring at the dog.

"Hey, Tank," I said quietly.

The dog's head whipped up, his ears cocked and his eyes bright.

"C'mere boy."

He was instantly on his feet, his nails clicking on the hardwood floor. He sat in front of me, his head tilted, searching for the name he hadn't heard in months. "Tank," I whispered.

His tail swished.

I kept whispering his name, over and over, and each time, his ears lowered, his eyes softened, and his posture relaxed as a wave of contentment just seemed to flood him. I stroked his ears, rubbed his shoulders, buried my face into his scruff and hugged him.

"It's me now, Tank, just you and me. Your old pal gave you to me." Tank reached up and licked my cheek.

"So whatdaya say we play some ball?" His ears perked again.

"Yeah? Ball? You like that? Ball?"

Tank tore from my hands and disappeared into the next room. And when he came back, he had three tennis balls in his mouth.

Jesus, Friend of Sinners

Jesus, friend of sinners, we have strayed so far away.
We cut down people in your name, but the sword was never ours to swing.
Jesus, friend of sinners, the truth's become so hard to see.
The world is on their way to you but they're tripping over me.
Always looking around but never looking up, I'm so double minded.
A plank-eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided.

Jesus, friend of sinners, the one who's writing in the sand,
Make the righteous turn away and the stones fall from their hands.
Help us to remember we are all the least of these.
Let the memory of your mercy being your people to their knees.

You love every lost cause; you reach for the outcast,
For the leper and the lame, they're the reason that you came.
Lord, I was that lost cause and I was the outcast.
But you died for sinner just like me, a grateful leper at your feet.

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners,
Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers.
Let our hearts be led by mercy.
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors.
Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours.


Nobody knows what we're for, only what we're against when we judge the wounded...


What if we put down our signs, crossed over the lines, and loved that you did?

Spoken Word

I hear voices in the distance, but my heart is in resistance.

Trying to discern and learn the heart of the One for whom my heart burns.

Raging against the lies of the enemy.

Claiming darkness, the greater reality...

But there's something bigger than you and me,

Bigger than what I can see.

A city on a hill, calling life to those who follow.
Healing and wholeness for those in sorrow.

Who holds the stars in His hands?
Built His temple in mortal man?
Calls dry bones to rise and stand?

In the beginning was the Word.
The Word became flesh.
Darkness was history... That's the rest.

Who is like the Lord?
Who shows unfailing love to the undeserving?
Holy God in humbleness serving.
Those who marked and crucified him.
Dead, buried, rising again.
And us with him.
Seated with him in heavenly places.
Higher than these earthly spaces.

It is finished, your ransom paid, foundation laid.
New hope, new life, it's a brand new day.

Of Men And Angels

I need a break... But I'd rather have a breakthrough.

I Will Praise You In This World So Cold

I've been fooling around with graphic design lately:

Inspired by World So Cold by 12 Stones

Inspired by Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns

9/11

Today marks the day of tragedy, but it also marks the day of strong American people making it through.

Today, I read John 16:33, one of my favorite verses:

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

This is a really important thing to remember, especially on a day such as this. So many families are looking back and thinking about the tragedy that happened 11 years ago, thinking about their loved ones that they lost on that day.
After the attack in 2001, churches were filled with people looking for answers. They wanted comfort. They wanted peace.

With these words (John 16:33), Christ told his disciples to have courage. In spite of the inevitable struggles they would face, they would not be alone. Jesus does not abandon us to our struggles either. If we remember that the ultimate victory has been won, we can claim the peace of Christ in the most troublesome times.