God's Mysterious Connections...

I don't listen to Christian radio, so I always love it when we learn a new song in church.  However:

Me: Have you heard that new Hillsong one?

Friend (usually my sister): Oh ya, it's been around for months.  

*d'oh*

The first time we sang Beneath the Waters (I Will Rise), I fell in love with everything about the song.  I don't know if it's just me, but more often than not the music from Hillsong transports me to that worshipful place before God unlike any other.  We sang it again this past Sunday, so it's been in my head and heart.  Our pastor has been preaching through Romans, and Romans 6 must have been on my mind, too, since all of a sudden I noticed a connection between Romans 6:3-4 and that song:

3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. ~Romans 6:3-4

The song's chorus:

I will rise, I will rise,
As Christ was raised to life,
Now in Him, Now in Him,
I live 

I'm so grateful for those spiritual connections that God creates, when the light bulb finally goes on in my head, and I understand.  I am grateful for the reminder of the life I have in Him today, and how His sacrifice restored hope for all of humanity.

Love,
Ashleigh

Still Waiting...

It's nothing new, or so I've heard, for a first time pregnancy to go past the due date.  We're now +2 into overtime, and that baby hasn't made a peep.  However, thanks to many many prayers, I am feeling quite relaxed and extremely happy to be on a mini-vacation, if you will.  I didn't have to wake up for a 5AM class this morning, and I didn't have to rush my afternoon errands to start one at 5PM, either.

This is what I did instead:

One massive zucchini (yes, that is cut in half!!)
My food processor really helped to speed along
the grating process.

It yielded 25 1/2 cups of grated stuff, perfect for baking!

Here we have a gluten free zucchini brownie, a zucchini loaf,
and 2 dozen zucchini raisin walnut muffins

It's been really hard to resist digging into this smorgasbord, especially when all I want to do is eat, eat, eat!  If baby decides to wait another day, I've still got about 16 cups of grated zucchini to fill up my time, and my belly.

Love,
Ashleigh

My Last Week...

This week is bittersweet for me.  I have been teaching phone English lessons since mid-March, and since I work from home, I've been able to work right up until the baby's due date (which is this Saturday, by the way!)
My plan is to take six weeks off from work, and then to return to my evening shift (since I work split shifts) so that Jake can take care of the baby during those three hours.  However, I'm saddened that I may not have the same students I had before.  My students will be given to other teachers, and the only way they might come back to me is if they request for me.  
So you see, I'm happy to have been approved for this time off to spend with our baby, but I'm frustrated that I will have to build up my student base all over again.  It's been especially difficult to say goodbye to them, since this week is the Korean thanksgiving, and many have been unable to make their lessons due to visiting relatives and traveling.

This morning I groggily rolled my way out of bed (looking, I imagine, almost identical to a beached whale) at 4:40am for my lesson at 5 and thought naively, "Ah, only two more days of getting up at stupid-o-clock."

And yet.

I really have no idea what life with our newborn will be like.  I grew up with younger siblings, but only remember my youngest brother's baby years the best.  Even then, I wasn't his mother (although I still felt and do have a special protective and nurturing bond for him), so I wasn't fully aware of the behind-the-scenes that my parents experienced.  

Despite whatever sleepless nights that may come, I can honestly say I am excited for this next phase in our lives.  Everything is new, scary, and exciting all rolled into one.  For now, all I want to do is to hold our precious baby in my arms and to finally look at his/her face, to touch those arms and legs that have been just out of reach but oh-so-present all these months, and to drink in the sweet smell that is a newborn's skin.  

Love,
Ashleigh

39 weeks and 2 days

What I've Been Up to Lately, When Not Blogging...

In the Kitchen

Oven Fajitas

A must try.  Jake loved these so much the first time I made them that he requested to have them once a week. Surprisingly, I have been doing just that.  If you know me, this is a very rare event.  I must really enjoy them, too (either that or they're a super easy meal option-try it yourself to find out!)

Kimchi Bokkeumbap

If you don't have access to a Korean store (or friend) to obtain the traditional Korean staple known as kimchi, more's the pity.  This fried rice dish took me only 15 minutes to prepare (which is saying a lot for someone who tends to stretch a 20 minute prep time into 40 minutes), and paired with a salad or some sort of meat dish it would make for a completely satisfying meal.  (It's probably a major faux pas in Korean cuisine, but I used brown rice and it still tasted amazing!)

What mine looked like

Enfrijoladas- (Homemade Refried beans recipe)

Since purchasing a pressure cooker in Brazil, I have sworn that it is my best kitchen tool.  I love how much I can save by buying dried beans, which is why I included the refried beans recipe for this tasty Mexican dish.  Not only fun to make, enfrijoladas also make an appeal as international 'comfort food', much like Kraft Dinner is to some people here (*cough cough* Jake *cough cough*)

Cold Soba and Cucumber Salad

The perfect medley of sweet and spicy, this recipe could be your gateway to cold noodle salad if you've never been a fan before.  Delicious freshly made, even better five days later.  Try it, and you won't be disappointed.

Dessert Honourary Mention: Oatmeal Raisin Cashew Cookies

Maybe you saw me go on about this one on Facebook already.  Well I don't care.  I LOVED this recipe.  Super easy to whip up, the only thing that takes a bit of time is assembling them on the cookie sheet (since the batter is quite sticky and hard to work with).  SO. WORTH. IT. Trust me, you need to make these today.  If you are worried about the price of those fatty little cashews, a friend had success substituting them with mixed nuts, so NO EXCUSES.  These will blow your mind.

On my Night table 

Currently Reading:

Indigo: In Search of the Colour That Seduced the World, Catherine E. McKinley

The Chaperone, Laura Moriarty

Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster

I have been having the hardest time getting through these books.  They are all amazing, but I have been too distracted to sit down and just read.

Read:

Night Road, Kristin Hannah

If you want a good cry and a time to rage about the unfairness and tragedy of life, this is the book for you.  I always enjoy Hannah's writing.  She goes into so much detail that you can almost imagine yourself experiencing the joys and sorrows with the characters.  A great read about the coming-of-age and overcoming stigmas about ourselves, this book had much to offer in way of revenge masquerading as justice, redemption, and learning how to forgive.

First Time Mom: Getting Off On the Right Foot From Birth to Grade One, Kevin Leman

I know what you're thinking- isn't that a broad age gap to span? Well, it is and it isn't.  No, the baby hasn't even arrived yet, but it's always good to start thinking about the future.  Often situations creep up on us in ways that leave us flabbergasted and unable to react appropriately.  I feel a little more prepared for what is to come from having read this book.

The Cuckoo's Calling, Robert Galbraith

I'm sure most of you know by now that this is J.K. Rowling's latest, penned under her not-so-secret pseudonym. I enjoyed this mystery novel.  Even though it was slow and somewhat repetitive at times, Galbraith delved into the deep character development that is so true to Rowling's nature and story-telling characteristics.

  **Caveat Emptor: There is A LOT of swearing in this book

Through my headphones

Your Great Name, Natalie Grant

Brave, Sara Bareilles

Tidal Wave, Sub Focus

Jiya Re, from the Bollywood movie Jab Hak Tai Jaan

Favourite Online Articles

Diana Nyad's historic swim- I was so impressed with this woman's tenacity and will to overcome any obstacle.  She is a definite role model for perseverance in my books!

How to Keep Green Onions for Days- Finally!

How to Make Popcorn in the Microwave- I once bought an air popper from Value Village, and it broke on the second use.  Since then I have been lamenting over a severe lack of popcorn, and I don't always have time to make it on the stove.  I stumbled across a couple of articles for making loose popcorn kernels in the microwave. First I tried the brown paper bag method(which worked but ended up burning a little-also, mega waste of brown paper bags!) as well as using a glass casserole dish with a fitted lid (which availed only 15-20 popped kernels.) After about 5 failed attempts, I then discovered this article, and my life has significantly 'popped'.  It turns out that all I needed was a little bit of ventilation for success and delicious, perfectly popped, homemade microwave popcorn.

Favourite Teaching Aids

Controversial Statements- I always enjoy these kind of agree/disagree lessons with my students, and they seem to be challenged by the discussions

Have you ever...?- Some of these questions are random, but they help us to talk about things we might not have otherwise, such as 'eating frogs' legs'.  Surprisingly, more people have tried them than you think!

The Game of 'What?'- I use the scenarios in this game to generate creativity in thinking 'outside-of-the-box'

Readings in my Bible

Philippians

Judges

Again, the distraction problem is real.  Yesterday I stopped reading so that I could look up something baby-related online.  It would seem that my priorities are out of alignment.

Movies Worth Mentioning

Jab Hak Tai Jaan- a great and fun Bollywood film (find it on Netflix).  Be prepared for 3 hours of cheesy songs and romance, as is the custom with much of Bollywood.  I wouldn't have it any other way!

Wolverine- because Hugh Jackman.  That is all.

Elysium- I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this newest one from Matt Damon.  A new take on the old theme of separation of the classes, it kept me on my toes the entire time.  I also loved the surprise ending in this futuristic action flick.

Enjoyment

Baking/cooking

Walks and movies with Jake- we even went to the drive-in, which was a first for me!

At the drive-in

Firming up baby names

Getting the nursery prepared

Coffee dates with friends

TV Shows: Once Upon a Time, Castle, Pretty Little Liars, North & South (BBC)

It's The Free Things...

This is one roadside-yes, roadside- find that was worth blogging about.  As many of you know, there are many aspects of becoming a first time parent that can be tedious, time-consuming, and even stressful.  For me, one of those things has been finding the little pieces of furniture needed for the nursery.  I am not really one for decorating, but I have been looking for a change-table/dresser that matches the rest of the furniture in the room (namely, the bookshelf, crib, and desk).  Even if I don't do much decorating, at least the colours will look uniform.  I have looked on Kijiji numerous times, but haven't found much. 

Jake and I were out for a walk tonight, and for some reason I chose a different route.  We take this route maybe once every two or three weeks, so I know it was God-ordained from the start.  We had walked barely 5 minutes when I spotted the dresser on the side of the road.  It's garbage day tomorrow, and people put out all sorts of treasures.  I couldn't believe it.  The dresser was the perfect height, the perfect colour, and even has some beautifully designed drawers!

I felt like crying a little bit.  I'm sure these people could have sold it on Kijiji for a good $60.  God knows what our hearts desire, and this was surely above and beyond what my heart had been desiring.  I'm so thankful to him for his blessing in even these free things, the small things.      

 I can't wait to fill it with baby clothes and diapers.

Love,

Ashleigh

Post Wedding Weekend...

 This weekend we had a chance to go to our friend Mike's wedding.  We drove with Jake's brother Josh to the Port Elgin area, which is about a 1 1/2 to 2 hours drive away.  I'm so happy we could be there to celebrate with Mike and Hannah on their special day.  Needless to say, we were exhausted after a delicious turkey meal, an energetic dance, and a squishy car ride home.  Since Jake and I had met up with Josh at their parents' house, we decided to crash there last night.  We enjoyed a luxuriously relaxing Sunday morning with Jake's fam, happy to take it easy after the busy weekend.  Here are some of the pictures taken at the bride's parent's gorgeous country home.  Enjoy!

Jake and Josh

Us with the groom, Mike.  Congrats!

Spiritual Disciplines: Study

I've noticed that my readership has taken a downward spiral since starting these posts about the spiritual disciplines. I can't change that, but I'm grateful for those of you who stick with me even in the tedious moments when I need to flesh out my thoughts and dialogues on the Christian walk.

The chapter on study in Celebration of Discipline was highly practical, especially the list of some classic Christian literature that should accompany our regular reading of Scripture. I confess, some of those books haven't even made it on my to-read list. I'm more of a fiction girl myself, but I pride myself on reading a wide variety of literature. I should probably give them another chance. Here are today's points from the chapter:


Jesus made it unmistakably clear that the knowledge of the truth will set us free ~John 8:32

Freedom is an amazing aspect of our lives in Christ. Let's be encouraged by His words!


WHAT we study determines the kind of habits that are formed.

We know that the things we read about and study circulate in our minds. If I consistently read about the unrest in Egypt, that's going to be heavy on my heart. In the same vein, we need to focus our study about God so that we can form habits that are life-changing.


We [often] give a critical analysis of a book before we understand what it says.

In this statement, Richard Foster is just encouraging us to read a book with the simultaneous actions of a.) understanding what the author is saying b.)interpreting what the author means and c.) evaluating if the author is right or wrong. I have often been found guilty of judging a book 'by it's cover', if you will. The discipline of study requires us to go a little bit deeper into the text to glean extra meaning.


To read successfully, we need the extrinsic aids of experience, other books, and live discussions.

Just as we cannot do life solo, Foster intimates that we cannot read a book without supplementing to enrich the experience.


God desires various "tarrying" places for all of us where he can teach us in special ways.

Using the example of Paul's vision of clean and unclean things in the book of Acts, Foster suggests that God may not have been able to speak to him had he not been delayed there. It's important that we deliberately tarry, or open up space in our busy lives so that the Lord can grow us.


The key to the Discipline of study is not reading many books, but experiencing what we do read.

When my sister and I were growing up, we always kept a list of the books we read. Melissa was very detailed in her notes, even going so far as to write down the pages for each book. We became very competitive, but it was never a surprise that she read way more than me. Her secret? Drown out the distractions and lose yourself in the story. I was so focused on the goal to read more and more that I forgot to experience the story in all its fullness. Perhaps if I focused less on the task and more on the meaning I would gain more from my study.


One of the principal objects of our study should be ourselves.

We don't just study to gain insight into spiritual matters, but also to gain insight into personal matters. When we study ourselves, what makes us tick, why we see things the way we do, we should be changed people.

Love,
Ashleigh

Spiritual Disciplines: Fasting

Since it is recommended that expectant mothers abstain from fasting, I haven't fasted in a while. My past experiences with fasting have always been met with mixed feelings. I understand the spiritual act very well, but it doesn't always feel spiritual in the moment. The other difficult thing is trying to avoid constant thoughts about food.

Fasting has many purposes, such as effectiveness in intercessory prayer, guidance in decisions, increased concentration, deliverance for those in bondage, physical well-being, revelations, and more. Here are a couple that I want to dig into a little deeper:


Fasting must forever center on God.

Becoming closer to God must be the reason we fast in the first place. If God is not the central focus of our fasting period, then it is all for naught.



Fasting reveals the things that control us.

This one was particularly telling for me. I often let things control me- my emotions, other people's expectations, and even my pride. It would be interesting to see my response to fasting were I to do it again some time soon. Some people see their anger rise quickly when they fast, which allows them to ask God to deal with it in that moment.

Fasting helps us keep our balance in life.

Creating the space for balance is so important. I get so distracted with the trivialities of life, and fasting is a good way for me to focus on those things that matter.

In his book, Foster talked about various types of fasts. Firstly, there is a partial fast. He recommends going from lunch to lunch, so you only skip two meals and drink only water and juice. Secondly, there is a 24-hour fast, which involves fasting for a full 24 hours (skipping three meals) and drinking only water. He suggests that the fasting muscle, like so many of the disciplines, needs to be built up and trained. Once you have become used to the 24-hour fast, he advises to move up to a 36-hour fast, and then gives practical advice for how to do a 3-7 day fast, and then up to 21 and even 40 days.


Let's look at some of the statements that stood out to me in this chapter:

Biblical fasting always centers on spiritual purposes.

This is crucial to remember, since health and fitness media most often focus on fasting for weight loss purposes. Fasting as a spiritual discipline is not the time to try to lose those final 5 pounds you can't seem to shake.


It is clear...that Christ both upheld the Discipline of fasting and anticipated that his followers would do it.

Whatever your thoughts are about fasting, Foster points out that Christ never actually commands His followers to fast. However, He does say, " 'When you fast...do this' ". He expected that his disciples would do and do it regularly. We can also see, from various examples in the Bible, that there are definite spiritual benefits to fasting.


Perhaps in our affluent society fasting involves a far larger sacrifice than the giving of money.

This one hits pretty close to home, doesn't it? For some of us, giving money can be pretty easy. In my case, $39 automatically comes out of our account every month for our sponsor child, but I don't consciously think about it. Some months that money could come in handy somewhere else, yet the sacrifice is a drop in the bucket. Fasting, however, is something we can barely stand to imagine, and thoughts like, oh-my-gosh-how-can-I-go-without-food-for-a-day?!! circle 'round and 'round in our heads. We are constantly bombarded with health magazines, fast food ads, and surrounded by so much food and drink that it almost becomes physically impossible to fast in our society. We have so much, and yet we are often unwilling to give it up for even a day to become closer to God.


Love,
Ashleigh

Spiritual Disciplines: Prayer

I am always wanting to improve my prayer life, but have found this aspect of Christian spirituality to be incredibly elusive.  I so admire those prayer warriors I know who, when they say they'll be praying for me, actually do bring my requests before the Lord.  Recently I have made a task list on my phone so when someone asks for prayer I immediately enter it there before I forget.  Then I pray for them right on the spot.  Whenever I add a new prayer, I see the old ones there and remember to pray for them too.  So far, it's a great system.  

Reading the chapter on prayer in Celebration of Discipline, Foster leads me to a greater depth of understanding in intercessory prayer.

Prayer is the central avenue God uses to transform us.


Crucial to the life of a growing Christian, daily transformation into the likeness of Christ must take precedence. Knowing this, prayer must be an essential aspect of my daily life.


The Bible pray-ers prayed as if their prayers could and would make an objective difference.


Do I believe this? Are my seemingly lackluster prayers as effective as those Bible pray-ers? Foster says that prayer is an exercise in which we will grow stronger the more we do it. Even if I feel weak in this discipline now doesn't mean my prayers don't reach the ears of the Father.


To understand that the work of prayer involves a learning process saves us from arrogantly dismissing it as false or unreal.

Learning can be painful. I just look at my ESL students and feel their humility and self-doubt as acutely as if I myself were in their place. How can we be arrogant in prayer when the learning process so blatantly brings us to our knees before the throne? We can know the work and power of prayer is real, since we feel the work of the Holy Spirit wash over us in those communion moments.


Our prayer is to be like a reflex action to God's prior initiative on the heart.

I really liked this statement. Like, a lot. Just think about that reflex action. Imagine you are at your yearly physical check-up and the doctor taps your knee. You barely miss him with your kick, your reflexive action. Now, imagine God is that doctor, and he's been tapping on your heart, prodding you to pray for so-and-so. All of a sudden your spirit kicks into action and, before you know it, you start interceding for that person. That's some neat imagery to consider, isn't it?



We must never wait until we feel like praying before we pray for others

This is what trips me up. Every time. Just like exercise, I often need to give myself a little nudge to get out there and just do it.

Let's encourage one another to 

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 

~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Love, 
Ashleigh 

Spiritual Disciplines: Meditation...

I finished the chapter on meditation in the book. Isn't it so difficult to just be still and open ourselves up to the voice of God? It is for me, at least. Foster encouraged his inexperienced readers to make meditation a regular part of the day. He said having that scheduled time helps us to practice and grow that meditative muscle. Because there may be some confusion between yogic meditation and Christian meditation, here are some [hopefully] clarifying statements from the book:

Continual focus upon obedience and faithfulness most clearly distinguishes Christian meditation from Eastern and secular

Eastern meditation is an attempt to empty the mind; Christian meditation is an attempt to fill the mind.

Foster reminds us that meditation is not only for those ascetic or very experienced Christians. Every Christian should meditate on God's Word. Here's why:

[Meditation] boldly calls us to enter into the living presence of God ourselves.

During meditation, we create the emotional/spiritual space which allows Christ to construct an inner sanctuary in the heart .

Meditation can be a comfort to the Christian for many reasons. Foster suggests taking one piece of Scripture and focusing on only that for one entire week. We can then become closer to the text, feeling, tasting, touching, seeing, hearing God's word in HD, if you will.

I will leave you with a final quote from Foster to hopefully encourage you towards godly meditation:

The detachment from the confusion all around us is in order to have a richer attachment to God.

Love,
Ashleigh