Honestly...

I am seriously frustrated right now. I don't do controversial well and it doesn't sit well with my heart when I am. I've been feeling so much like God is challenging my preconceived notions of my faith and 1) it's scary and 2) it's uncomfortable.

Matt and I have been beyond frustrated with the state of the Church. I don't hate church, just think that we, as the bride of Christ, are not living up to the example that we are meant to. First of all, there are so many individuals who are so focused on their comfortable, middle-class lifestyle. They think that by passively giving money to this cause or bringing in food for that drive, they are showing charity to the poor and orphans. No. No. NO. Yes, those are all great things, but I'm feeling more like TIME is a greater investment that canned goods. Getting out there are realizing that there are things besides Ikea shopping and middle school youth group movie nights.

The other thing that drives me mad is the idea that in the United States, being a "successful church" means building on and expanding. In my town, I can't even tell you how many churches I drive past on a typical Sunday. Maybe if a church is failing it's because God wants the congregation to join up with another, thus uniting the bride. There are so many things out there that are causing divisions in the church that I feel like the enemy may be getting a hold of us and misdirecting us to focusing on the divisions rather than being united.

Why are we as believers wanting to drive a wedge between us and the world? Are we not meant to go into the world to make disciples of all the nations? How can we be exemplifying Jesus Christ by condemning sinners when we ourselves were once lost but now have been found? How is that ok? How am I alone in seeing the gravity of this?

I'm angry, frustrated, and broken. God is literally breaking my heart with this right now. So, what do we do? I want to challenge you to pray on this. To really think about this and to examine your heart and see what God is saying about all of this. I know that because I feel so alone that I've been distancing myself from the Bible and prayer but that isn't the answer, either. I want to encourage you that if you feel like I do, you aren't alone.

I sense change coming to the church. Let's get out of ourselves for a second and fix it. Let's be the bride that we were always meant to be. In Jesus' name, amen.

-camella

Photo contest entry

Now, I don't pride myself on my photography skills BUT I thought this was too cute not to share!

Just look at those vicious vampire fangs! 

This is Mogi and he's a stinker.

Julie's Delicious Mac and Cheese

Hello all!

It has been a sinfully long while since I posted last but I wanted to share this delightful recipe with you! During our study sesh for the NCTRC exam, my friend Julie made this tasty dinner. Here is how you make it:

Ingredients:

1 box of noodles 

(I like whole wheat rotnini but you can use whatever you prefer)

1 can cream of potato soup

Grated cheese 

(I loooove Pepper Jack for this recipe but you can mix and match to suit your tastes)

A smidge of milk to moisten everything up

What you do:

1. Cook the noodles according to the package directions. Drain. Preheat your oven to 350*

2. Transfer noodles back into pot and add the can of cream of potato and milk. You don't want to add a lot of milk, just enough to make sure the noodles are all covered. 

3. Spray your pan with non-stick spray and transfer half of the noodles into a baking pan. 

4. Cover the noodles with the grated cheese. You can use as much as you like, depending upon how cheese-y you want it to be. Transfer the remaining half of the noodles to the baking dish and cover that with cheese. 

5. Bake mac and cheese for about 20 - 25 minutes until the cheese is melty and wonderful. You can also add french fried onions before baking if you like. I spritz them with the baking spray to make sure they're crispy after they come out of the oven.

Viola! Mac n Cheese ala Julie. Enjoy!

DIY Decorative Photo Board

I know, I know. It's been too long since my last post! I do apologize but I have an excuse (the same excuse every college student uses this time of year)... I was busy with school. 

I've un-officially graduated now AND passed my certification exam. All that stands between me and my diploma is my 15 week internship. Bring it. 

I wanted to share a really fun project that Matt and I just finished this week. I call it a photo board.

Behold!

This is a really simple, yet really pretty project to tackle... if you plan it out first!

Supplies

• Molding - you can use as fancy or as plain as you please
• Decorative corner pieces
• Paint in your choice of color 
• We used the no-drip kind of paint and got the teeniest can ever
• Cork board 
• For the cork board, we used a roll of it from Lowes' made our measurements according to that pre-measured size (I think ours was like 2ft by 1 ft - not sure though)
• Large sheets of scrap-booking paper
• Glue/nails/caulk/adhesive of some kind
• Double stick tape (probably two rolls)
• Photo!
• Tacks

What you do

1. Measure and cut your wood pieces, sand, then paint them. We made the mistake of not painting them until they were on the wall. It worked BUT you'll need to use painter's tape to tape it off much better than we did! Our finished product looks fine but is not quite perfect enough for my OCD sensibilities.

2. Attach the cork to the wall using nails, glue, or any other kind of adhesive. Make sure it's level... if your particular like me, it will bother you if it's not.

3. Attach your wood pieces to the wall, framing the cork in the center. 

4. Get your decorative paper and cover the cork. I used double stick tape to secure it but you could glue it if you want it really stuck. I like the option of the double stick tape because you could change it out when you get sick of it and it will provide a whole new look.

5. Now tack up your pictures. Most of the pictures you see on our board were taken by my beautiful friend, Kim. She's selling some gorgeous prints from her trip to Africa. To buy your own, click here! They arrive in perfect condition and the selection is just... breathtaking!

I hope you enjoy this little DIY post! If you have any questions on construction, comment and I'll have my contractor (err... husband, Matt) get back to you!

Have a blessed weekend!

xoxo Camella

Spring Break '12 - Pita Pizza Recipe

Greetings blogeristas!

I am finishing my Thursday of the last spring break of my life (ah!) ... and it's getting away from me right quick. Thankfully, I've been quite productive and finished three papers, so all in all, I'm satisfied. Allow me to share with you my delicious dinner from this evening: 

a veggie pita pizza

Ingredients:

Whole wheat pita pocket

Pasta sauce

Mozzarella cheese

cheddar cheese

chopped tomato

squash

Italian seasoning

Oregano 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350*

Cover pita pocket in sauce (use as much or as little as you like)

Add mozzarella cheese

Pile on chopped tomato and squash

Add a little more sauce and a sprinkle of cheddar

You can also add a dash of Italian seasoning or oregano.

Heat for 10 - 15 minutes until sauce bubbles and cheese is melted.

Enjoy!

About last night...

 Hurley in Tom's

 Mogi in Toms.

 Mushroom butt

Us.

Ok, so the last picture isn't from last night, but I thought it was a cute one of us so I wanted to add it. Last night, our kittehs decided to try on Matt's Toms. I swear to you that Hurley put his feet inside himself! Maybe I'll submit it to Stuff on My Cat?

Then things got really crazy when I was finishing up dinner. We were supposed to have mushroom soup next week but Matt got into the mushrooms (as I knew he would) and ate all but two of them. One was because it looked like a butt (see above) and the other because it needed a companion, I guess. So much for dinner plans! I ended up using them in our pasta sauce that was heating in the Crock Pot - love mushrooms!

I hope that you enjoyed this mini-post! Have a wonderful Friday!

Skinny Chicken Parm

Hey everyone! I wanted to share a tasty recipe that I got from here.

I made this dish tonight for Matt and myself and it turned out great! I would say to cook the chicken a bit longer than it suggests. I also served it with whole wheat penne pasta.

Skinny Chicken Parmesan


serves 4 (one chicken breast each, 225 calories) 


2 (8 oz) chicken breasts, sliced in half (horizontally, or butterflied but cut all the way through. You will end up with 4 pieces of chicken)
3/4 cup seasoned breadcrumbs 
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasonings
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 1/2-2 tbsp butter, melted

 (I used regular butter but you could use a light buttery spread)
3/4 cup reduced fat mozzarella cheese
1 cup marinara or your favorite spaghetti sauce
cooking spray

*I also added zucchini, squash, and mushrooms after the first round of baking, sprinkled some of the left over breadcrumb mixture on top.

Preheat oven to 450°. Line large baking sheet with foil (easy clean up) and spray lightly with cooking spray.

Combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and Italian seasonings in a bowl. Melt the butter in the microwave in another bowl. Lightly brush the butter onto the chicken, then dip into breadcrumb/cheese mixture. Place on baking sheet and repeat with the remaining 3 pieces of chicken.

Lightly spray a little more cooking spray on top and bake in the oven for 20 minutes. Remove chicken from oven and turn over. Spoon sauce over each piece and top with mozzarella cheese and bake another 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. 

* I ended up cooking it for much longer, closer to 40 minutes. 

Sunday, Sunday

Picture Update: February 17, 2012

So, I've been playing around with Instagram and I love it! It makes pictures look so neat!

 Top: Mogi sitting in his kitty condo made by the hubs.

Middle: Hurley/Bubz hanging out on the couch while I do homework.

Bottom: I've been working out hardcore lately, it totally helps with my stress levels, I highly recommend.

Things I love about marriage.

I saw this on Perpetually Engaged. Here is my own version of her post:

1. Matt and I do everything together. I love spending time with him.

2. He knows exactly what to say when I’m upset and he’s always honest with me… and he’ll tell me if I’m being irrational or silly and when I’m not.

3. He’s really great at doing little things that let me know he’s listening or he cares. He went through the drive thru the other day while I was in class and bought a Diet Coke because he knows I like them and thought I might want to share. Small thing but wow, so sweet!

4. He keeps the bed nice and toasty in the winter time.

5. He’ll sit next to me and let me hide behind him if I’m watching a scary movie.

6. He protects me from all the intruders that I imagine want to break into our apartment. He keeps a cricket bat under his side of the bed.

7. He does laundry like a boss.

8. He’s really good at back rubs.

9. It’s nice to have someone to share dreams with.

10. He cleans out the cat litterboxes. ‘Nuff said.

What do you love about marriage?

Seven for Sunday!

Seven for Sunday 

 

1. I’M WATCHING:
emilynoel83 aka The Beauty Broadcast's Huge Haul. I love her. She's adorable.

2. I’M READING:
Recently, it's been lots of articles for my capstone project. I really want to start reading The Hunger Games, though... and I swore I wouldn't!

3. I’M LUSTING AFTER:
The Naked Palettes. I want, I want!

4. I’M WISHING:
That brownies contained zero calories. Or that I could stick with a healthy diet for longer than a day!

5. I’M DROOLING OVER:
Said brownies. They look great!

6. I'M THINKING ABOUT:
My mom. I wish we could go visit my parents... I miss her :(

7. I CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF:
Pilates. I think I have a problem.

Quick post before Church

Hi everyone!

I just wanted to drop by and say hello! The weeks are passing me by and I don't know where my semester is going, quite honestly. I feel like I have a million things to accomplish and no time! But I wanted to say that I will try to update as much as I can. Because I do love this blog. Even though not many read it, I really like what I've done with it (with my preschool-level computer skillz).

However, with that said, I would like to know what I can do to improve my blog to make it neater, more cohesive, and more exciting! Are there any posts that you would like to see more or less of? Let me know!
Have a blessed week and I will be back soon!

Dreamin' Big!

Hey guys!
So I guess it’s the season to realize your dreams and I’ve been thinking a lot about starting an Etsy shop! I’ve got all my supplies and will be selling wrap bracelets like the ones pictured below… still not sure for how much but I’m thinking it’ll be around $10 - $15 depending on how long it takes me to make them and who’s interested I’ll let you know when it’s open so stay tuned!
I’m also naming the bracelets after some special people and if you can guess who they are, then I’ll give you a discount!

 The Brittany Bracelet (Pegasus/Unicorn charm, white cord w/pink beads)

 The Emma Bracelet (bird charm, black cord w/silver beads)

Hello, hello

I posted this to my Tumblr on Sunday... super belated post!

Hello again! I wanted to do another Sunday Summary since I have time before we head out to Youth Group.

1. I woke up kinda late. We don’t have to leave for church until 10 but I wanted to sleep in so badly! The cats were monsters last night/early this morning and kept waking me up. So irritating!

2. I tried grapefruit. I’m wanting to be healthy and I heard some awesome things about said fruit… if you want to read my thoughts on that, click here.

3. I got to see some people I haven’t see in a long time at church… and I finally feel like Matt and I are working our way into it. We are making friends and building relationships and I truly hope that after I graduate, God will find a way for us to say here because we love this church so much.

4. I ate Burger King for lunch. We ate out so much this week: Little Cesars, Chinese, and BK today. Oh and we’re getting pizza tonight. Help! I’m trying to be sensible and put away half of what I order. I only ate 1/2 my french fries and I tried to get as much mayo off the chicken sandwich as I could. Alas… Sundays are not meant to be deficit days.

5. I worked out. Did I mention that I hate plank-jacks and squat thrusts?
6. I made Earthquake cake. I found the recipe on Pinterest. Love it. It looks delicious. I hope the kiddos enjoy it.

That’s really all I have to report. I hope that you have a wonderful week. Feel free to share your Sunday Summary with me!

Sunday Summary

Hi everyone! I know I've been such a delinquent lately as far as blogging is concerned. My break got away from me and I spent it relaxing and healing from my wisdom teeth surgery. I saw that moremilk had done a Sunday Summary and you can read her's here. Needless to say, I was inspired... and I feel like I can be slightly more honest with this blog because none of my friends actually follow it... so I'll tell you what I'm up to.

1. Matt and I went to church for the first time in two weeks. Yes... we were naughty but the first weekend we missed was due to spending time with my Dad's side of the family Christmas Day and the second time we were traveling home post New Year's Eve. And didn't get up until 11:00. Anyway, it was nice to be back to our new home church and to see all of my friends from His House. Love it. Also, we have youth group tonight which is the first time Matt and I get to lead our kids. I'm nervous and excited.... so excited that I baked about 2-3 dozen chocolate chip cookies to bring. Yeah. That excited.

2. I have been working through the Ripped in 30 exercise program. When I say working through I mean that I'm still on week one and going strong. My eating habits are still messed up from Christmas holidays though, which is not satisfactory but I don't feel too guilty and I know that I'll get back on track soon.

3. Today I had a delicious Stake and Shake lunch of double patty melt and french fries. I also treated myself to a Coke Zero and I feel no shame. Very full, but no shame.

4. I've been feeling much more at peace with my body lately, as well. I'm forgiving myself for living it up with some not-so-healthy choices but I am trying to eat clean and exercise often. I do see now that the weight I'm at is healthy for my height so I'm really just trying to get stronger and more fit rather than shed pounds. So glamorous.

5. I finished reading Shutter Island. I thought that it was a great book. The movie was surprisingly true to the text which I was pleased about, however, the ending was different. Or my perception of the movie's ending was different to how the book ended. Either way, some questions were answered and I enjoyed the read. It took me about 2 and 1/2 days to finish. Not bad.

6. I saved myself $50 today! I a clicker that I needed for class from one of my former classmates and it saved me big time. Thank you.


I hope that you are all doing well and that your first week of 2012 was super! If you post a Sunday Summary, link it in the comments and I shall read it!

Blessings,
Camella