Every year I write down a summary of all the big moments of the year and things I feel I have learned and how I have grown. Last year I spent time journaling about my new husband and son. This year Brian and I have had a whole new journey. On February 8th this year we got a call from the doctor that performed Brian's reversal. The doctor informed us that the surgery was successful but Brian's count was very low so it could take a long time to build it up. Brian quit drinking coffee and started taking a vitamin that was supposed to help with that. Three days later on February 11th we found out I was pregnant! God had way bigger plans than we ever imagined. We were shocked, excited, stunned, and thanking God that He is in control over every surgery and every part of our life.
"Oh come, let us sing to the Lord;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!"
Psalm 95:1-2
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
Romans 8:28
The bible study Brian led grew so big we had to split into two different groups. What a blessing that has been. We are so thankful for how God has grown these studies and I praise God daily for how He is using Brian and his gifts. We then went through a really rough court trial with Collin's mom. That was such a hard few months for us and was very draining. We thought for sure we would win that trial but God had way better plans. What we thought would be best ended up being the complete opposite of what was true. A couple weeks after we lost that trial God showed us that we actually won and we are so thankful! Collin is doing really well in school and is growing daily. We continue to pray God will call Collin to repentance and he will be saved. We know God is in control and His plans are for good. In October our sweet little Abigail was born. What a blessing she has been to our family. Collin has loved her from the first minute he saw her and has continued to be such a great big brother. Abby is so sweet and has taken to change very well while I went through my surgery after she was born and so many other infections. She was a champ! Motherhood has had so many ups and some hard times as well. Every day is a new day and I never know how Abby will be. She changes so much and so does her daily routine. Some days she is really happy and other days we have a good amount of fussing.
My time in the word this year was not as I had wanted. I did get through a lot of the bible this year but I really wanted to grow in my knowledge of the Old Testament. That did not happen so that is a challenge to myself this year. I want to grow in my love towards those that are not easy to love. I know I am not an easy person to love so much of the time so I want to be gracious with others. I want to stop worrying about what others think about me and to be content in the Lord. I want to continue to be bold in love as God made me and not hold back because I am worried about risking people pushing away from me.
This year has been so sweet for my marriage! God is growing Brian and I so much and using us in so many ways. I am so thankful for Brian and what a Godly example he is. There is not one day Brian does not read Gods word (I want to be this way), there is not a Sunday Brian will miss church regardless of what is going on around us, Brian is growing so much in leadership and being challenged and I love seeing his attitude towards things that can be hard for him.
This has been a wonderful year and a very challenging one as well. I am looking forward to all that God has in store for us this year. I pray I will handle the challenges with a Godly attitude and not feel helpless but realize I have hope in Christ.
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:2-4
"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony." Colossians 3:12-14
Kids
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, December 30, 2011
Family time at the Zoo
Brian has been off all week! We have had such a great time together as a family! Abby started off very crabby this week but has gotten better. She has done great both times we went to the zoo. Great Grandma and Grandpa Pelsma and Grandma Lisa bought us passes to the Zoo and Safari Park. I am so thankful for this Christmas gift. Collin has had so much fun! We let him have an old camera and he takes pictures of every single thing he sees. He kept saying thank you for the camera yesterday. It was so sweet to see his thankful heart. Collin also got be a part of a show at the Zoo called Camp Critters. He got kissed by a Sea Lion! It was so so cute and he LOVED it! Praising God for this great weather and a wonderful family!
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Merry Christmas from the Kinleys to you
"Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus." (Matthew 1:18-25 ESV)
Thank you God for such a wonderful Christmas! We are so thankful for salvation through Jesus Christ! Last year Brian, Collin, and I celebrated this wonderful day and this year we are joined with our sweet daughter Abigail! God you are so good to us and we thank you for everything!
To all of you reading this I pray that if you do not know Christ as your savior, God would soften your heart and you would come to faith in Him!
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus." (Matthew 1:18-25 ESV)
Thank you God for such a wonderful Christmas! We are so thankful for salvation through Jesus Christ! Last year Brian, Collin, and I celebrated this wonderful day and this year we are joined with our sweet daughter Abigail! God you are so good to us and we thank you for everything!
To all of you reading this I pray that if you do not know Christ as your savior, God would soften your heart and you would come to faith in Him!
Friday, December 23, 2011
Dijon Chicken and Mushrooms
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 ounces each)
2 Tablespoons butter
8 white button mushrooms, finely chopped
1 Can (10 ounce) condensed fat-free cream of mushroom soup
1/2 C canned chicken broth
1/4 C Dijon Mustard
2 TBL deli-style brown mustard
1 tomato diced
1/4 C frozen corn thawed
1/4 C chopped fresh chives
salt and pepper
1. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until just brown, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to plate.
2. Add mushrooms to the same skillet and saute until tender, about 3 minutes. Whisk in soup, broth, and mustards. Bring sauce to a simmer.
3. Return chicken to skillet and submerge into sauce completely. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook until soup bubbles and thickens and chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes.
4. Transfer chicken to plates and spoon sauce over the top. Sprinkle with tomato, corn, and chives.
Serve with green beans and rice or any other side dish.
2 Tablespoons butter
8 white button mushrooms, finely chopped
1 Can (10 ounce) condensed fat-free cream of mushroom soup
1/2 C canned chicken broth
1/4 C Dijon Mustard
2 TBL deli-style brown mustard
1 tomato diced
1/4 C frozen corn thawed
1/4 C chopped fresh chives
salt and pepper
1. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until just brown, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to plate.
2. Add mushrooms to the same skillet and saute until tender, about 3 minutes. Whisk in soup, broth, and mustards. Bring sauce to a simmer.
3. Return chicken to skillet and submerge into sauce completely. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook until soup bubbles and thickens and chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes.
4. Transfer chicken to plates and spoon sauce over the top. Sprinkle with tomato, corn, and chives.
Serve with green beans and rice or any other side dish.
Monkey Bread
I made this tonight! We had breakfast for dinner! This is not a low calorie dinner but really yummy!
3 (12 ounce) packages refrigerated biscuit dough
1 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 cup butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1/2 cup raisins (optional)
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease one 9 or 10 inch tube/Bundt® pan. (Do not use a two piece bundt pan for this recipe.)
Mix white sugar and cinnamon in a plastic bag. Cut biscuits into quarters. Shake 6 to 8 biscuit pieces in the sugar cinnamon mix. Arrange pieces in the bottom of the prepared pan. Continue until all biscuits are coated and placed in pan. If using nuts and raisins, arrange them in and among the biscuit pieces as you go along.
In a small saucepan, melt the margarine with the brown sugar over medium heat. Boil for 1 minute. Pour over the biscuits.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 35 minutes. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a plate. You do not have to cut The bread just pulls apart.
Fruit Slush
ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!!! I get a majority of my recipes from Mary! This is another one she shared with me! I could eat this every day!
2 Cups hot water
6 Ounce frozen orange juice
11 ounce apricot nectar (cans of kern)
2O ounce crushed pineapple
4 bananas, mashed
15 ounce frozen strawberries
1 liter 7-Up
Dissolve sugar in water. Add orange juice, apricot nectar, crushed pineapple, bannanas and strawberries and mix together. Add 7-up. Freeze. When your ready to serve it, let it set at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
2 Cups hot water
6 Ounce frozen orange juice
11 ounce apricot nectar (cans of kern)
2O ounce crushed pineapple
4 bananas, mashed
15 ounce frozen strawberries
1 liter 7-Up
Dissolve sugar in water. Add orange juice, apricot nectar, crushed pineapple, bannanas and strawberries and mix together. Add 7-up. Freeze. When your ready to serve it, let it set at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
Cabbage Salad
1 Bag of chopped cabbage (bagged coleslaw)
5 green onions
1 C sunflower seeds
1 C toasted slivered almonds
2 Packages chicken flavored Ramen noodles- crushed
Dressing
2 Seasoning packets from the Ramen noodles
1 C oil
4TB sugar
3 TB white vinegar
Combine cabbage, green onions, sunflower seeds, almonds & Ramen noodles in a bowl. Pour dressing over salad and toss to combine.
5 green onions
1 C sunflower seeds
1 C toasted slivered almonds
2 Packages chicken flavored Ramen noodles- crushed
Dressing
2 Seasoning packets from the Ramen noodles
1 C oil
4TB sugar
3 TB white vinegar
Combine cabbage, green onions, sunflower seeds, almonds & Ramen noodles in a bowl. Pour dressing over salad and toss to combine.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip
1 can pumpkin
2 (8 ounce) packages of lite cream cheese
mix the top two together then add
1 Cup of powdered sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp ginger
Mix until there are no clumps
Chill and serve with apples, gingersnaps, or graham crackers
2 (8 ounce) packages of lite cream cheese
mix the top two together then add
1 Cup of powdered sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp ginger
Mix until there are no clumps
Chill and serve with apples, gingersnaps, or graham crackers
Hot Broccoli Cheese Dip
1 (8 ounce) package of cream cheese, softened
1 C sour cream
1 envelope Italian dressing mix
1 (10 ounce) pachage frozen chopped broccoli, thawed, well drained
1 (8ounce) package of shredded chedder cheese
1. Heat Oven to 350
2. Beat cream cheese, sour cream, and dressing mix with mixer until blended. Add broccoli and 1 1/2 C cheese; mix well
3. Spread into 9-inch pie plate
4. Bake 20 minutes, sprinkle with remaining cheese, bake 5 minutes or until cheese is melted
1 C sour cream
1 envelope Italian dressing mix
1 (10 ounce) pachage frozen chopped broccoli, thawed, well drained
1 (8ounce) package of shredded chedder cheese
1. Heat Oven to 350
2. Beat cream cheese, sour cream, and dressing mix with mixer until blended. Add broccoli and 1 1/2 C cheese; mix well
3. Spread into 9-inch pie plate
4. Bake 20 minutes, sprinkle with remaining cheese, bake 5 minutes or until cheese is melted
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Ministry
My husband sent this poem to me this morning. This poem came at a perfect time when I really needed encouragement. Brian and I had a very encouraging conversation last night as I was feeling very down. Here is the poem and then I will explain.
"A timely poem by Professor Jim Hamilton about his wife." And Brian wrote to me, "I know your life has changed but never think that what you do does not have true eternal significance and is not a ministry in and of itself..."
I got to see the battle-front,
She stayed to fight at home.
The enemy I saw at work,
She didn’t get to roam.
I smelt the smoke and saw the flames,
She took care of our kids.
The fray I joined with the s-word of God,
Some more home school she did.
I got to see the fighters,
On the spiritual front lines,
Inspired by their hope and faith,
And how their courage shines.
She got to do the laundry,
And put the kids in bed,
She made their meals and got them dressed,
And held fast in her stead.
Without her, be here I could not,
She fights this fight with me.
I wish that she could see the front,
And feel the urgency,
For though she may not see it,
She wields her weapons too,
And holds the line and joins the charge,
In our cause most good and true.
Sunday, December 9, 2011"
I really miss the ministry I once had with the youth. I really enjoy ministering to them and the young college girls. In general I enjoy ministering to women who have had backgrounds similar to mine and are now growing closer to the Lord. I love being able to share my past with them and walk side by side in a way that will help them to grow. Lately I feel as though I am not being use in any of these ways and there are so many women out there that know the word more than me or are better at discipling. I am so thankful for the ministry I have to Brian and our children at home and I want to be joyful and content in that high calling. Brian constantly reminds me that God is always preparing me and I should continue to grow in my knowledge of Him. I want to be able to come side by side my Godly husband and minister to the wives of the husbands he ministers too. I pray God continues to grow me in wisdom and help me to grow as a wife and mother. I know this is the utmost calling and I praise God I am in this place. I pray that God opens doors for future ministry and provides opportunities for me to mentor others.
"A timely poem by Professor Jim Hamilton about his wife." And Brian wrote to me, "I know your life has changed but never think that what you do does not have true eternal significance and is not a ministry in and of itself..."
I got to see the battle-front,
She stayed to fight at home.
The enemy I saw at work,
She didn’t get to roam.
I smelt the smoke and saw the flames,
She took care of our kids.
The fray I joined with the s-word of God,
Some more home school she did.
I got to see the fighters,
On the spiritual front lines,
Inspired by their hope and faith,
And how their courage shines.
She got to do the laundry,
And put the kids in bed,
She made their meals and got them dressed,
And held fast in her stead.
Without her, be here I could not,
She fights this fight with me.
I wish that she could see the front,
And feel the urgency,
For though she may not see it,
She wields her weapons too,
And holds the line and joins the charge,
In our cause most good and true.
Sunday, December 9, 2011"
I really miss the ministry I once had with the youth. I really enjoy ministering to them and the young college girls. In general I enjoy ministering to women who have had backgrounds similar to mine and are now growing closer to the Lord. I love being able to share my past with them and walk side by side in a way that will help them to grow. Lately I feel as though I am not being use in any of these ways and there are so many women out there that know the word more than me or are better at discipling. I am so thankful for the ministry I have to Brian and our children at home and I want to be joyful and content in that high calling. Brian constantly reminds me that God is always preparing me and I should continue to grow in my knowledge of Him. I want to be able to come side by side my Godly husband and minister to the wives of the husbands he ministers too. I pray God continues to grow me in wisdom and help me to grow as a wife and mother. I know this is the utmost calling and I praise God I am in this place. I pray that God opens doors for future ministry and provides opportunities for me to mentor others.
Ground Turkey Stroganoff
This was super easy to make and really tasty. Brian and Sean enjoyed it. I poured it on top of steamed white rice.
1.5 pound ground turkey
1/2 small onion chopped up
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup half and half
1/2 cup water
1 package of frozen veggies (peas, corn, carrots)
2 garlic cloves minced
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
salt to taste
Directions
Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place the turkey in a skillet and cook until turkey is evenly brown, then set aside. Then cook the onion and garlic in the skillet with some oil.
Stir in the remaining ingredients. Cook and stir until heated through.
1.5 pound ground turkey
1/2 small onion chopped up
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup half and half
1/2 cup water
1 package of frozen veggies (peas, corn, carrots)
2 garlic cloves minced
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
salt to taste
Directions
Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place the turkey in a skillet and cook until turkey is evenly brown, then set aside. Then cook the onion and garlic in the skillet with some oil.
Stir in the remaining ingredients. Cook and stir until heated through.
Crescent Cheesecake
This is incredibly delicious and super easy to make! Everyone will love it!!!!
2 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 lg. pkg. crescent rolls
1 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 stick butter
1/2 c. sugar
Press 1 package rolls in greased 9 x 13 inch pan. Mix cream cheese, vanilla and 1 cup sugar until creamy. Pour over crust. Place 2nd package crescent rolls over top. Melt butter and pour over crescent roll. Mix 1/2 cup sugar with cinnamon and sprinkle over top. Bake at 300-350 degrees for 30 minutes on bottom rack of oven until golden brown. (May take longer to bake - depending on oven). Let cool completely before cutting into squares.
Serve with fresh fruit
2 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 lg. pkg. crescent rolls
1 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 stick butter
1/2 c. sugar
Press 1 package rolls in greased 9 x 13 inch pan. Mix cream cheese, vanilla and 1 cup sugar until creamy. Pour over crust. Place 2nd package crescent rolls over top. Melt butter and pour over crescent roll. Mix 1/2 cup sugar with cinnamon and sprinkle over top. Bake at 300-350 degrees for 30 minutes on bottom rack of oven until golden brown. (May take longer to bake - depending on oven). Let cool completely before cutting into squares.
Serve with fresh fruit
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
2 months shots
My little girl had her two month shots today! Such a sad day for me and Abby! I have never heard her cry that little cry before and she has been miserable most of the day today:( Good news is she is super healthy and weighed in at 11 lbs 6 ounces and is 22in long. She is in the 60th percentile for everything which is perfect! She has doubled in weight but mostly because she was so small at birth.
Thanking God for a healthy babe!!!!
Thanking God for a healthy babe!!!!
Monday, December 19, 2011
Nativity
Over the weekend we went to a live nativity. It was a very interesting experience as we have never done that before.
Family Dinner
Yesterday Brian's step-mom and dad had my parents and our family over for brunch. It was such a wonderful time. I especially loved seeing both of our families together laughing and enjoying the day together! My mother in law did an amazing job with all of the delicious food and the beautiful decorations!
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