This Blog is Moving

Hey all...thank you for being such faithful followers. Since we are starting a new faze of life and I'm no longer a Nuest (by name) I thought it was time for a blog change!! Head over and check out the new blog!! Follow me there!!

{Blog Everyday In May} - Favorite Quote

I don't know that this is my favorite quote...but I saw it on Instagram the other day and I really connected with it. 

Yesterday, I shared that it was a struggle for me to live in poverty. As much struggle as I have had, my heart is full of joy! My hunger is meet here...I'm satisfied.. I know this is where God has called me. 

{Blog Everyday In May} - Things that Make you Uncomfortable

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I saw this on many of the blogs I followed...At first, I thought, how cool, but I could never do it. Now, 3 days later...I want to try.

 

Today I join....Things that make you uncomfortable.

 

Poverty

 

 

While in all of these pictures, I look quite comfortable, it is a mask that is put on by my love of children. Living in Haiti has been one of the most uncomfortable things I have every done...the main reason POVERTY....I never escape it here. It's always around, and the weight of people suffering is always here. I thought, that two years into this, I would be use to it...but I'm not...to by honest, what makes me the most uncomfortable is the amount of wealth I have in the poverty.     Sensitivity   It is so hard for me. I'm so not a sensitive person. It is so hard for me when I am put in situations where people are very sensitive...I'm not good at it. I always end up putting my foot in my mouth... I'm trying to learn..   Telling People No   I know this may sound contradictory to the last statement, but it is so hard for me to tell people no...I want to make them happy...I like to serve people...I like to do things....it is so hard for me to tell them no. This has gotten me into trouble in the past and I have over committed myself and in turn let people down.   What makes you uncomfortable?  

I'm dreaming....

I'm dreaming of this... 

Tomorrow...

I will be "suffering" for Jesus as many of you say!

Hope you have a great Friday!!

{Friday Favorites} - April 26

1//Date Day: These are my favorite, and we hadn't had one for a while. We went to the grocery store and then to Dominoes. :)

2//There have been 7 puppies wandering around our neighborhood. Claudy wants one. He tried to claim this one... they are still little to be away from mom...but he think he is going to keep it. The name he picked "Black and White" I think it needs a new name!

3//Claudy picked me a flower and took me on a walk! Great afternoon.

4// This week we have a team of teachers from Hershey visiting...looking to partner long term! Yesterday they visited New Horizons.

5//I like to cook and don't typically like to bake, but my husband likes some treats :)

This is BANANA POKE CAKE
* White Cake Mix
* 2 Pkgs, Instant Banana Pudding
* Whipped Topping

Prepare the cake mix as directed. Let cake cool for about 15 minutes. Then poke holes in the cake using the end of a wooden spoon. While cake is cooling, prepare pudding...let sit for about 5 minutes (but don't let it get stiff, it needs to be a little creamer to go through the holes in the cake). Pour pudding over cake and spread evening. Then top with whipped topping!

6//Baby Jeff - Seriously...could he get any cuter?? Please pray for Pastor (Jeff's dad) he fell from a tree a couple of weeks ago and still isn't recovered!

7// Grilled Flat Bread Pizza

* Use Wraps or desired crust of your choice
- Put Olive Oil on Both sides of Wrap. Put on Grill, after the first side is to the Crispness that you desire, flip the crust and add toppings.
* Top with Tomatoes (used a can of rotel)
* Add cheese and fresh Basil

Super good and so quick!


I hope you have a great weekend!!

I Love BlogLovin'

Google reader is going away. Many of you will need a way to follow my blog. You can follow on Blog Lovin'.

Today I'm linking up with some others to help transition you to BlogLovin. Follow me there!!

Bring Life to These Dry Bones

About two years ago, I was waiting.

I was filled with hope, excitement, encouragement, strength...I was waiting for something to happen.

About two years ago, I was one month away from moving to Haiti. I just couldn't wait to get here. I couldn't wait to experience Christ, to be his hands and feet, and to serve him differently than I had ever before.

About two years ago...I was dreaming, about how great life would be in Haiti. The lost soles I would save. The relationships I would make. Intimacy with the Lord. I envisioned that my two years in Haiti would be me on cloud 9 the entire time.

Then I arrived in Haiti.

I hit the ground running, literally. I arrived with a team. Learned the ropes quickly. Developed relationships, lead teams, served teams, served Haitians, saw poverty, saw death, experienced poverty, experienced broken relationships, friends left, teams left....

Let's just say, it hasn't been cloud 9. A lot of times, it feels like cloud 2.

Moving has been the most difficult thing I have ever done in my life.

Somedays I feel very isolated, like I don't fit in, like I've done nothing, reached no one...

In my heart I know these words aren't true. I know they are from the devil and I need to fight them. I need to claim the God's truth...

I recently started the study "Duty or Delight" by Tammie Head...

"One thing is certain. You're going to learn how to put your foot down and stop putting up with what you've been putting up with. It's time for the condemnation to stop. It's time for the guilt to stop. It's time for the prayerlessness to stop. It's time for fear to stop. It's time for all of these false expectations to stop. It's time you enjoyed your God."

I needed to hear these words. I need some reassembling.

I need some refreshing...

Lord Reassemble Me.

Lord Refresh Me.

Bring life to these Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37:1-14)

** There have been many good things in Haiti. I have learned more than any other time of my life and learned how to trust God and lean on him....but I'm tired and weary **

For all the runners...

I borrowed this picture from my friend Emily..  If you aren't a runner, I know that you are grieving for those that lost their lives...for this horrible event that has taken place. In your mind, as well as mine, you are wondering why?

If you are a runner, your mind may go to a different place...The self-less act of many that didn't finish, instead to help those in need, to donate blood..knowing what they were sacrificing...months of training, hours of running, a dream, a bucket list item, etc. I couldn't imagine...

My last marathon in 2009. 

At the finish of TC Marathon 2009. 

I'm a runner...I've ran two marathons... Two weeks ago I registered for my next marathon in October. Maybe you are like my husband and don't understand why anyone would even want to do such a thing....and really it is hard to explain.

It's an accomplishment that many won't achieve, its a bond with other runners, there is morale, there's pride, there is the "out of body" experience, there is the pushing your body to an extreme, etc...

Today...my heart goes out for those in Boston...for those runners, spectators, for the city, all of whom had something taken from them yesterday!

#prayforboston

{Friday Favorites} - April 5

1// Chalkboard Printables - I'm addicted. I love these things. So cute and for a home, so easy and inexpensive to change up. Plus they are really encouraging. This printable came from Sweet Blessings. Check their webpage out for more great stuff.

2// I love this Sandra Roberts Bag...I've been in search for a new "laptop bag" that doesn't look like a laptop bag, but can hold one and other stuff. I found this one, but it was white...which scared me. I'm still looking for the perfect bag!! (Yes, I'm a bag lady as my dad would say!!)

3// Dry Shampoo...why did no one tell me about this stuff before. Because I am a runner I was washing my hair about 2 times a day. I love that I can spray this stuff in and save my self from a wash!!

4// New iPad holder. I've searched and searched...found this at Marshall's for $5...I love it!

5// Roman's 12: 9 - 13 what a piece of scripture...Challenging...what does it mean to Hate what is Evil..then you get to verse 12....it's short, but watch out...A lot of commands that are difficult in one little verse!! I've been so challenged, especially to be faithful in prayer. It's an area that I have struggled with a lot in my life. How to faithfully pray for others and intercede. God has been stretching me. I've joined this blog in doing the #PrayerDare.

6//Coloring Easter Eggs...we didn't have dye...so we used MIO drink concentrate...They were odd colored Eggs, but we had fun!!

7// I've been trying to run more. Push to a newer level. I want to do another marathon this year. Yesterday I was feeling sluggish, then looked at my watch and realized it was the fastest run I've had here!!

I hope you have a good weekend!!

A Night of Soccer

My hubby loves to play soccer...and most nights I go to watch for a little bit, but normally it is on my way home from my run, so I don't get any good shots. Last night, I went up with my good camera (I'm trying to get better at photography) and took some fun action shots of my hubby and the guys!!

I was super proud of him and glad I could cheer him on!!

{Friday Favorites} - March 22

WOW!! I don't even know who I am. I've blogged 4 times this week...that never happens!! It's been a great couple of weeks!! Take a look!!

1: My best friend Betha took me to the Burning Lights concert...it was a great night of worship and praise...and a great time with my Best!!

2. Had great breakfast with Alicia.

3. Yesterday, I had a personal retreat day!! It was great spending time with the Lord, uninterrupted!

4. I've been trying to increase my mileage...this is not a long run, but the longest I've done in a long time!

5. Of course...shopping with my Mom and Grandma is always a highlight (my husband might not think so).

6. Green Beans...we have tons...they taste SOOOO Good!!

7. I'm super proud of my husband...He lead 4 people to Christ last week! So proud of him for being bold.


Hope you have a great weekend!!

{Garden Update}

I put a post on Facebook about our garden and had so many comments wanting pictures...I thought it would be easier to blog about it.

In October we started a Garden... only to have a hurricane come the next week and give us 20 inches of rain. Needless to say...not much survived.

In January when my Uncle Jim and Aunt Jill and my parents were visiting...Jim and my Dad replanted, with the help of Jude and Marco.

Since then Marco has been helping me take care of it....

Well...it is flourishing...

Overview of the garden

tiny cucumbers//tomatoes

green peppers//squash//green beans//broccoli

Beats//Cabbage//Cut Green Beans//Pasta dish

I'm definitely not an expert, but it's fun eating from the garden and seeing things grow. 

{Crown Him [Majesty]} - Chris Tomlin

Last week, my best friend bought me a ticket to the Chris Tomlin Burning Lights Tour w/ Louie Giglio and Kari Jobe...what a worship service...how awesome to have a glimpse of what worship in Heaven could be like!

Thanks Betha for taking me :) 

They redid, this old hymn....it's been stuck in my head since and I wanted to share it with you!!

Crown Him with many crowns
The Lamb upon His throne
Hark! How the heavenly anthem drowns
All music but its own;
Awake my soul and sing
Of Him who died for me
And hail Him as thy matchless King
Through all eternity.

[Chorus:]
Majesty, Lord of all
Let every throne before Him fall
The King of kings, O come adore
Our God who reigns forever - more.

[Verse 2:]
Crown Him Lord of life
Who triumphed o'er the grave
And rose victorious in the strife
For those He came to save;
His glories now we sing
Who died and rose on high
Who died eternal life to bring
And lives that death may die.

[Bridge:]
All hail, Redeemer, hail
For He has died for me
His praise and glory shall not fail
Throughout eternity.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!!

{Breakfast Bar}

After traveling to Haiti many times in 2 years and then living in Haiti 2 years....I can't eat Granola bars. Seriously, if one had to make there assumptions of what Americans eat, based on seeing them in Haiti for a week, you would be convinced that Americans only eat granola or protein bars....I can't stand them!! (Anymore)

All that to say, I was a little hesitant to try this "awesome" breakfast bar that a visiting team brought with to Haiti. They told me, it was the best bar "granola" bar they had ever tasted it. Hesitantly, I agreed to try them....They were awesome. My husband and I can't stop eating them. I thought I would share the goodness with you! (Remember...this is not my recipe)...

Breakfast bars

1 – 14oz box Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds

1 – 10oz bag large marshmallows

½ stick butter

2 cups honey roasted peanuts

½ cup sunflower kernels

¼ cup canola oil

1 tbsp vanilla extract

1 bag cranraisins (original or cherry)

In separate bowl, mix cereal, peanuts, kernels, craisins.

Melt marshmallows and butter in large pot over low heat.  Stir regularly.

Add vanilla and canola oil.  Stir well.

Remove from heat and add the dry ingredients.  Stir well working quickly to combine dry ingredients with marshmallow mixture till consistency of rice krispie treats.

Press into 9x13 pan (well coated with canola oil).  Allow to cool.  When completely cool, cut into bars, wrap in saran wrap or baggie to keep fresh.

Hope you enjoy!!

{Friday Favorites} - March 8

1. Today...I had a salad...the lettuce was from my garden... YUM!!!

2. On Saturday we had a date night. I wore my favorite pair of heels. My Hot Pink Pumps!! Haven't worn them since moving to Haiti. How I've missed them!

3. Watched Claudy play soccer. So fun...until they feud :)

4. On my run this week, I found another new road...it had corn fields on both sides..felt like MN summer running.

5. Loving some new blogs...this print came from French Press Mornings.

6. Helping the kids at Respire Haiti paint a sign. Had a blast helping out this morning :)

7. Happy Birthday Chad!! We love you!!

{Ella Grace} - One Year Ago

One year ago, my life was changed. It was One year ago, today, that Ella Grace walked into my life. Through my short 6 weeks of knowing, I experienced the Gospel, saw God's grace and experienced God's love, like I had never before.

I'm thankful that today she is PERFECT. She is dancing with her FATHER...

You can read more from the day I met Ella here.  How she changed my life...Here

The other girl pictured above is Lauren. She was Ella's care taker at the orphanage. You can read her blog.

Thanking Him

I ran by this devotional from Jesus Today. It was exactly what I needed to hear today!

First attempt at Chalkboard art...lots of room for improvement :)

Friday Favorites

1. My husband is awesome! He has been a huge blessing to me this week. I've had a rough week to say the least. He has been supportive, encouraging, and doing everything!! So thankful to do life with him!

2. One Thousand Gifts - I just got to 100. What a great reminder to look at our day and focus on the gifts God gives us!

3. Me, Myself and Lies - The ladies and I have been doing this study. We just finished. What an eye-opener to hearing the things that I have been telling myself. It's amazing...

4. I Desire Jesus - In love with this song! 

5. Sun Tea - I've been making sun tea everyday! Here is my favorite :) 

6. Motto rides - After my run, Claudy asked if I wanted to go on a motto ride. Love those and him :) The motto died a little ways down the road, we had to push it home :) Good memories :) 

Have a great weekend!

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{Friday Favorites} - February 22

Wow! I can't believe it has been a month since I have posted in Friday Favorites. Craziness... I have to apologize. From the day we arrived after Christmas Break until February 17, we haven't had a day without extra people at our house!

We have had a great few weeks...

1. Parents & Aunt & Uncle Visit - We had a great time while they were with us. Lots of laughs, lots of great food, did I mention they brought a grill??? Planted a garden??  We are blessed!

2. Garden - My Dad and Uncle helped replant the garden...Here are pictures from this week. It is growing :)

3. For Valentines Day Claudy and I took a very needed day away! We had fresh juices, sat by the pool, dinner out and time together!

4. Dark Hair - You may have noticed from the picture above...my hair is darker...the hubby likes it :)


5. Girls Bible Study - A couple of months ago I took the girls pictures. I finally got a small photo printer here...It just prints 4x6's, but I printed them off and gave them to the girls! To say they were excited is an understatement...Here are some pics from the day!!

Have a great Friday!!!