What is pleasing to the Lord

"for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord." (Ephesians 5:8-10 ESV)

These Bible verses are from the day 1 topic study on dating and relationships. When I watch tv, I get the impression that sex is something that is a social norm for couples to do outside of marriage.

Couples living together seems like the norm but I know different. It is only to be done in the context of marriage.

I really wish I had been taught these things growing up. My would be a lot different. But my parents, in particular, my mom can't teach me something she hasn't done herself.

I go every year to my mother's church for Mother's Day. Last year, a guest speaker got up and started talking about how things were done when she was a child. (This woman had to be in her 70s.) she mentioned how women didn't have children without husbands. Then she apologized for comment and couldn't understand why as sex outside of marriage is a sin and we were in a church. Not understanding why anyone would see the need to apologize for a comment about sin in a church but it happened.

I guess that is why my mom and I attend different churches.

Purple Sweet Potatoes

I finally got my purple sweet potatoes in the mail. I already tried making mashed potatoes. Mashed potatoes are not my favorite and the beautiful purple color of these potatoes haven't changed my opinion. I still don't like mashed potatoes.

I didn't like the way the potatoes were packed. And some of the potatoes were broken a bit but that's what I get for $22 for 12 pounds. I would have preferred them to be packed in a sturdier box.

The potatoes are a lot smaller than I expected. When I did additional research online, I found that the purple sweet potato ranges in size from fingerling to about 1 pound. Anything larger than 1 pound will be very fibrous. I'm not fond of stringy potatoes.

I'm still absolutely adoring the color and can't wait yo make a cheesecake or sweet potato pie with these little darling purple spuds. I'm really enjoying cooking.

White Castle

Just playing around with some of the iPhone apps I bought today. I'm liking how inexpensive the apps are. I need to get used to some of the features.

I used some pictures I took while I was in Detroit. I did not get a picture of the actual burger but the burger was so small, it wasn't worth it. It only took two bites before I was done with the burger. You can buy these burgers in the frozen food section. I must warn you, they will make you fart.

Dreams

I had a dream about my cousin last night. It was weird. We were in my aunt's (her mother's condo). Now, my aunt doesn't own a condo. My cousin was still sick and laying in a bed. She woke up and she asked "Where am I?" and I responded "We are in your mom's condo". Then I told her had been sick for the last three years and she asked me "Where is Mama?" Mama is what she called our grandmother. I told her grandma had died in 2005 and said "Don't you remember? You helped take care of her." Then my cousin got out of the bed and walked out of the room.

Today was her memorial service. I'm not sure why I had this dream but I did. I don't recall ever dreaming about my cousin.

I also had a dream about a guy I took an interest in a few years ago. It also took place in my aunt's condo. I can't remember if it was before or after the dream with my cousin. Anyways, it was a pleasant encounter with him. We took a tour of the city and had a good time.

I miss his friendship. I haven't spoken to him in over two years.

I just wanted to get this off my mind.

Road

Not blogging today. Enjoy the picture.

Sitting in my car

My car won't start and I'm sitting in the parking lot waiting for time to pass so that I can try to start my truck.

I hate having car trouble. This is probably my sign to get another car. I can't rely on my old buddy to get me where I need to go.

I can't wait to get home. I really need to get out of my car.

I don't have anything to write about today. I did have an interesting discussion with a business partner about Protestant versus Catholic, which never ends well. It's almost becoming a source of contention between us. I think need to agree to disagree before things get sour.

Oh and the picture. It is the swiss chard I blogged about on Tuesday.

Bible reading plans

I just completed my first reading plan from the YouVersion Holy Bible phone app. It was only a 7-day topical plan about dating but I completed it and got a badge.

I don't quite understand what one of the verses mean in regards to dating, but I'm going to pray about it and hopefully God will give me an answer through his word or some other means. Maybe you have some insight on what it means?

"I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?" (Job 31:1 ESV)

Maybe I'm tired or maybe I'm stupid, I don't know what this means in terms of dating. Aren't we suppose to want someone who is pure?

Swiss Chard

I purchased some red and white Swiss chard this past weekend and I needed to cook it up before it went bad. I also had som spicy Italian sausage and pastrami I needed to eat before the meat went bad. So, I decided to combine it all. It was delicious.

1 bunch of red Swiss chard
1 bunch of white Swiss chard
1/2 yellow onion
4 slices of bacon
2 spicy Italian sausage links
Sea salt
Black pepper
Red pepper flakes
Any other seasoning you happen to like

1. While the bacon is cooking, clean your Swiss chard and cut as much of the stem off as you can. You can soak them in cold water for however long it takes to remove the dirt.
I cooked the bacon until crispy and set the bacon aside.
2. Put aside some of the bacon grease and sautéed the onions in the same pan you cooked the bacon.
3. In a separate pan, cook the sausage. Cook the Italian sausage and when done cut into half moons and set aside. (I cooked the sausage in a separate pan because I didn't want to cook the chard in the grease from the sausage.
4. And the meat to the sautéed onions. Add the Swiss chard. As you add the chard, tear leaves into small pieces.
5. Add seasonings and mix everything together and cook until the Swiss chard is tender.

My recipe isn't that clear. I'm typing it on my iPhone and my thumb is getting tired. Any questions about this recipe, leave a comment on my other blog shavonnne.org.

This really good stuff.

Now for some really good news.

I finally found a place that sells the Okinawan purple sweet potato. When I was doing my search on the Internet, I was using Okinawan sweet potato as my search words and that's why I was coming up with nothing. When I changed my search terms to Hawaiian purple yam, I was led to Hawaiian Veggie Farm and they sell these purple spuds for $2 a pound and they ship right to your home for free! Can't beat that. I've already lined up several recipes to try with these potatoes. I must patiently wait until they arrive. I will have a lot if cooking to do as I ordered 12 pounds.

Okinawan purple sweet potato

I'm having a hard time locating the Okinawan purple sweet potato. The buggers are so elusive. I don't want to have to drive all over Southern California to get my hands on a few but they look so delicious!

I did do some research on Asian grocers in the L.A. area and found one that might carry the sweet purple spuds, when they are in season.

Since I don't have a picture of an Okinawan purple sweet potato, you can find one by clicking on the link I provided.

I have included a picture of results of one of those things you hook up to your car to get a code that tells you what's wrong with your car. I can't think of the name at the moment but I'm not exactly good at car stuff either. I just think the thingee is darn cool and will hopefully save me some money when I need to have my truck repaired.

Comforts

Enjoying the warmth of the fireplace. Fire was one of the best discoveries of man.

Since my cousin's passing, I can't help but wonder what it is like to die. Is she at peace? Is heaven everything the Bible says it is?

Heaven has got to be a million times better than this place. I have no reason to complain though. The time I spend on earth is but a blip compared to eternity. Keep you eyes on the prize, Shavonne.

One awesome Bible reading app

I rediscovered an app for my phone that helps me keep track of my Bible reading. More information can be found at youversion.com.

I originally discovered this app over a year ago but didn't do anything with it because it was very limited. But the developers have really made this an app worth blogging about and using. Here are just a few of the reasons why I like it do much:

1. There are 27 translations of the Bible to choose from.
2. Many of the common translations have an audio version. So, if you are more of a listener rather than a reader, you can enjoy God's word.
3. There are probably hundreds of reading plans to choose from ranging in length from a few days to 2 years. I'm reading the Blended plan but I've also started Topical reading plans which range from 5 to 7 days each.
4. The app is free.
5. The app can be synced across multiple mobile devices and you can send yourself email notifications for the day's reading if you are like me and can't have a phone at work.

Well, this is all I can think of at the moment. I would go to the website to sign up, then go to the app store to download the app. I have an iPhone but I think this app is available for Android, too.

Gone

My cousin passed away yesterday. So young. She would have been 44 in a few weeks.

The past three years were probably the worst for her. But she died surrounded by her children and grandchildren.

The physical distance between my family and myself keeps me in a constant state of missing them. However, just like when my grandmother passed, I won't fully comprehend never seeing her again (until it's my turn to go to heaven).

Watching the Laker game at Buffalo Wild Wings

Waiting for a friend and watching the Lakers lose to the Heat. What the heck is up with LeBron's beard? It looks disgusting.

Bible Study

I didn't miss the first teaching of Ecclesiastes after all. I always find studying the books of the Holy Bible in a group setting more engaging than studying on my own.

Now, Ecclesiastes hasn't been a difficult read for me but it hasn't been most interesting read either. My first two reads of the book left me feeling a little down as it had a rather depressing tone. I don't like somber reads as I'm usually feeling a little down, especially after a long day at work.

I don't want to miss the lessons from the study of this book. I'm going to have to ask if I can join my business family on another day. How often do people sit and read Ecclesiastes as a group? And I really enjoy reading whole books of the Holy Bible in a group setting.

I'm going to have to give a more in depth blog on this subject. But for now, I'm going to get some shuteye.

Enjoy the picture. It's the Grand Canyon. I used an app for my phone called ArcFrame to frame it.

Panera

I'm sitting in Panera Bread starving but I don't want to order any of the food because everything has gluten. Now that I'm back home I want to stick with my diet.

I'm also sitting here listening to twenty-somethings complain about relationships. Awesome. Just had to sit next to me. There's someone who has peaked my interest on Match. He actually wants more than three children. I've got to give him a wink when I get home. I just hope he doesn't expect me to run marathons with him. I'm much more into my Trikke. I'll save the running like a gazelle for when I need flight response away from a serial killer (I do date white guys).

I really should blog about Dream Night but I don't want to get into the topic of one of the guest speakers. Let's just say it was awesome but eye opening.

Now, I need to get to working on my Bible study so I can get home and cook me some dinner.

Day 16

Not blogging today. Enjoy my picture.

Kansas

I got off the plane in Chicago when I was supposed to stay on. Luckily I realized my mistake and went back to the gate a reboarded my plane. Times like those are the reason why I don't like to sleep in the plane.

When I arrived in Kansas City, I ate at a Mexican restaurant. The food was amazing. I need to recreate the recipe at home because the Rosted Poblano Peppers were very Primal/Paleo/Type O diet approved.

Hyperactive

I don't like hyperactive anything. My mom had a hyperactive dog and the dog drove me crazy.

My cousin's grandchildren drove me nuts. Two of the four kids have ADHD. Three of them likes to sit really close to me. Two of them are really large for their ages and like to hang all over me. I don't understand their need to be really close to my face but it drives me mad and because they are children, I have to resist the urge to push them away or scream at them.

Does anyone else have this issue?

I'm also worried my flight will get canceled because of the snow. I want to go home so so bad! I hate visiting Detroit. It's depressing. The city is in ruins, everybody is poor...I can't wait to get home.

Waiting

I was so wrong about the weather. It started snowing last night and hasn't stopped since. I don't like snow. It's cold, slippery, and wet (I think). The only thing I like doing with snow is looking at it on the mountain tops from where I live on the dry desert landscape of the Antelope Valley.

My back is hurting, which is just a sign I'm stressed out. Waiting for a loved one to die is awful. I can only imagine how much worse it is for my cousin who's been bedridden for the last 3 years.

I need to get a living will so I will have it written down how I want my last days to play out. I don't want people kissing me in my face.

Travel

I was surprised by the weather in Detroit. The weather was similar in temperature to California. I still miss home.

I just hope it doesn't snow while I'm here. I like to look at snow but I certainly don't like being in it.

Trapped

I'm trapped in my cousins house with no place to go or a way to get there. I hate visiting family because I always end up stuck sitting in their house bored out of my mind.

I'm watching tv. TV! Not that I don't watch tv at home but at home I have other options. I'm discovering Divine Design with Candace Olson. Oh how I'd love her to design my home (when I finally buy one).

I'm loving Instagram. Gives my pictures a different look. If only I had a better face. I hate pictures of myself.

Prove them wrong

I don't feel like blogging today. I'm going to share a picture of a great quote written on scratch paper. Take it to heart. Don't listen to the naysayers, dream stealers, and the losers. Do what you need to do and prove them wrong!

Day 9

Going to bed early because I have to get up early. I thought I'd share a photo since I'm not going to write much. See you tomorrow.

I really need to upgrade Camwow so I don't have the watermark in my photos.

What is my 'why'?

I went to a boardplan last night and I can't stop thinking about what MS talked about, the question he said we must all know to keep going.

What is my why?

Why do I do what I do? What is my 'WHY'?I haven't been able to answer that for myself. I don't have a family, at least not I enjoy being around. I think the biggest reason for my lack of follow through is I don't have the family I want for myself. A husband and children. It almost feels as if I'll never have a family. If I want to be successful, I'll have to give up that possibility. I mean how many successful black women have a husband and children?

I need to get past the belief that I will never marry. If that is my future then I have to decide on two outcomes for my life: single and financially free or single and living from paycheck to paycheck.

I think I will chose single and financially free.

I need to get over myself. Get over my fears. Get over the things that demotivate me.

What are my goals? Are they realistic? Are they obtainable? What am I doing on a daily basis to achieve them?

Need to work on my goals tonight. I wish I knew if the Lancaster library was open today.

What is my why?

I want to help people who want to help themselves. That means asking and moving on when they say NO. I can't help people who don't want to help themselves.

What is my why?

One thing I can do to stay motivated is to listen to my CDs instead of talking to my dream stealing co-workers. I keep wondering if I should take the Jesus approach to unbelievers.

"Get behind me, Satan! You are a hinderance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man." Matthew 16:23 (ESV)

Funny Picture

I don't have enough time to post a real post so I'm giving you a funny picture for you to enjoy. Enjoy.

Day 6

The hardest thing about commitments is honoring them. I know I'm like most people who have a hard time sticking with my commitments. Thinking of doing something is always going to be easier than following through with it to the end.

I'm so tired I don't even know what I'm saying. I want to go to sleep but the 366 project has to get done tonight. One post a day isn't hard. I would be done by now if I had just finished earlier.

I'm done. Good night. Don't like the bed bugs bite. I like typing in Panera Bread better than at home. Bye.

Obtaining Instruction

I was able to talk to my mom about some of the things going on with my cousin and her kids. I'm not sure if my mom is thinking clearly but she's thinking better than she was yesterday.

How much should someone do to help another person? Do you hold the person's hand through the entire journey or do you let that person stumble along the way? What if the person has no desire for your help or want your help but don't want to change?

My mom wants to help two of my cousin's children so bad, I don't think she even considered they may not want the help. Or they may want the help but don't want to change, not understanding the assistance will do nothing for them if they don't change.

To add to the complication is not being there to mentor them and monitor their progress. There won't be anyone to hold them accountable. Everyone needs a mentor in some area of their lives.

These are things I will need to pray about. I know what needs to be done, not sure if it can be accomplished.

Death Grip

It seems everyone has gotten desperate and is doing anything they can to get from under their upside down mortgages. I'm doing everything I can to keep from buying a house.

I don't believe in borrowing money, not even for the purchase of a first home despite the conventional wisdom that borrowing money to purchase a home is perfectly acceptable. Conventional wisdom is a lie. If borrowing money is perfectly acceptable, then why are so many people in financial trouble? Why is this country in financial trouble?

There is a reason the banks are coming out on top is because loaning money to people who can't afford to pay the money back has become profitable, especially since the banks were bailed out by our government. The government for the people by the people. Us! We bailed them out. We also borrowed the money.

There is a price to pay for our debts. The stress, the uncertainty, the weight of our debts pressing down on our chests, it's all death's grip slowing suffocating us, and people still believe borrowing money to buy the things we want is perfectly acceptable. A lie. And we believe the lie.

Not Sure about 2012

I'm not sure about 2012. It was supposed to be a new year with plenty to look forward to but it's already taken a turn in the opposite direction.

My mom got the news that my cousin was moved to a hospice. My cousin had a stroke three years ago and has been bed ridden ever since. Last week, her organs started to fail and the doctors can't do anything for her.

I can't imagine living like my cousin has lived for the past three years. I'm so independent and having to rely on others for my basic needs because I can't do anything for myself would drive me mad.

Now, all I can do is sit and wait. My mom is beside herself. She is much closer to our family in Detroit than I am.

On a brighter note, I am looking forward to this year despite the dismal start. I've considered dating again. I signed up for match.com but I haven't paid for a subscription. I'm not sure I'm that committed to dating. I hate paying for things I don't want or like.

I haven't nailed down my resolutions for this year. I need to commit them to paper and share them so I'll have someone to hold me accountable.

So I've nailed down the things I need to work on for at least the next two days. I need to go through my Bible to get the verses explaining the qualities I want in a husband and I need to work on my goals for my business. I've really let myself down with my business and need to start generating some serious cash. I'm tired of the commute and surrounding myself with people who have no desire for a better life.

My New Year's Day Hike

I finished editing the video I shot while on my hike but I haven't been able to upload it to Facebook.

I'm liking my iPhone 4s more and more and using my iPad less and less. If only I could find a way to upload to my self-hosted blog from my phone and my mobile blogging experience will be complete. So far, I've successfully posted to my blogger blog using an app called Blogger Plus and it seems to work just fine but I'll still have to login to fix the little things I'm not able to or can't figure out how to do.

Happy New Year

I went hiking today at Saddle Back Butte. I shot some video and took pictures. I'll post those tomorrow as I have a nasty headache. I probably should not have hiked because I'm highly allergic to desert plants.