Mexicali Pasta Salad

Here is the salad that I was planning on making for the Salad Night this past Tuesday. I have since made it for my family and everyone loved it. A great summer side dish. I found it on the http://www.kraftcanada.com website. Enjoy:)

4cups wagon wheel pasta, uncooked (I used egg noodles, it's what I had!)
1 can (19FL oz/540ml) rinsed and drained black beans
1 cup thawed corn (I used 1 can nibblets corn)
1/2 cup chopped red pepper
2 green onion thinly sliced
1/2 cup Ranch Dressing
1 Tbsp Taco Seasoning Mix (I used spicy as I like more zip!)
1 Tbsp lime juice
1/2 cup shredded cheese
1/3 cup minced fresh cilantro (I did not have any, and it was fine without)

Cook Pasta until done. Drain, and rinse with cold water. Drain will. Place in large bowl. Add next 4 ingredients. Mix. In seperate bowl mix dressing, seasoning mix, and lime juice. Add to salad and toss to coat. Top with cheese and cilantro.

God said NO

I asked God to take away my habit.

God said, No.

It is not for me to take away, but for you

to give up.

I asked God to make my handicapped

child whole.

God said, No.

His spirit is whole, his body is only

temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience.

God said, No.

Patience is a byproduct of tribulations;

it isn't granted, it is learned.

I asked God to give me happiness.

God said, No.

Happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain.

God said, No.

Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares

and brings you closer to me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow.

God said, No.

You must grow on your own!,

but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.

God said, No.

I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.

I asked God to help me LOVE others, as

much as He loves me.

God said....Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.

Because I love her.

My daughter came home from school with this...I had to share it with you all. Take time to read it and take it all in. I hope it speaks to you like it does to me.

Enjoy!

I made her…she is different.

She’s unique.

With love I formed her, in her

Mother’s womb.

I fashioned her with great joy.

I remember, with great pleasure, the

Day I created her.

(Psalm 139:13-16)

I love her smile.

I love her ways.

I love to hear her laugh.

And the silly things she says and does.

She brings me great pleasure.

This is how I made her.

(Psalm 139:17)

I made her pretty and not beautiful,

Because I knew her heart,

And knew she would be vain…

I wanted her to search out her heart,

And to learn that it would be Me in her

That would make her beautiful…

And it would be Me in her

That would draw friends to her.

(1 Peter 3:3-5)

I made her in such a way,

That she would need me.

I made her a little more lonesome

Than she would like to be…

Only because I need for her to learn

From and depend on me…

I know her heart, I know if I had not

Made her like this

She would go her own chosen way

And forget Me…her Creator.

(Psalm 62:5-8)

I have given her many good and happy things…

Because I love her.

(Psalm 84:11, Romans 8:23)

Because I love her, I have seen her

Broken heart…

And the tears she cried alone.

I have cried with her,

And had a broken heart, too.

(Psalm 56:8)

Many times she has stumbled and fallen alone

Only because she would not hold My hand.

So many lessons she’s learned the hard way

Because she would not listen

To My Voice…

(Isaiah 53:6)

So many times I have set back

and sadly watched her go her

merry way alone.

Only to watch her return to My Arms,

sad and broken.

(Isaiah 62:2)

And now she is mine again…

I made her, and then I bought her…

Because I love her.

(Romans5:8)

I have to reshape and remold her…

To renew her to what I had planned

For her to be.

It has not been easy for her or for me

(Jeremiah 29:11)

I want her to be conformed to My Image…

this high goal I have set for her,

Because I love her.

(2 Corinthians 2:14)

What has been on my mind

Well ladies, I'm not going to lie. The last little while has been a bit tough on me. Seems like everywhere I turn I keep running into tragedy and tough times and I'm beginning to feel a bit deflated and down in the dumps. Then I think to myself, if I can feel this way, I can't imagine how a non-believer can cope. When I get feeling this way, I have my faith to fall back on and bring me peace and hope. What do people do who don't have God? Now I'm not downplaying the importance of banning together and supporting each other and praying for each other during tough times. I believe that we are called to do this, but maybe we don't put enough emphasis on the praiseworthy things that happen in our lives?? If I were to open up my mailbox and be flooded with messages of people praising God for the wonderful things that he is doing in their lives, that would be so amazing! Those are the things that we need to keep hearing to give us hope and encouragement, to keep going and to keep "the faith" for lack of better words. Then I think we would be filled up for those that are going through tough times and I think I would have more to give that person, and more energy to keep reaching for those who are not saved.
This morning Shauna shared a little bit of her journey with us, and seriously, hearing stories like that are what keeps me going and keeps a fire under me to serve on this ministry. So thank you again for reminding me Shauna, that this ministry does make a difference in not only women's lives, but the lives of their families and other people that they are in contact with. That is truly amazing, and definitely worth celebrating! The fact that someone I know has found Jesus, I have no words.
So I challenge you all to look for those things to praise God for. What has He been doing in your life or in the lives of those around you that is worth celebrating. Who do you know that has been saved and now shares that eternal hope. If you feel like you can, leave a comment and let us know and we will celebrate with you. Nothing can make a girl feel better than a party, (well maybe some chocolate cake) so lets celebrate and praise God for all that he is doing that is amazing!
~Teri