Postpartum Meal Planning

Wednesday, May 1st, marked my last day of work at New Life Family Services. It was a difficult decision to make but in the end, I know I followed the Lord's leading in it. Thursday, May 2nd, marked my first day as a stay at home mom. I enjoyed many texts from dear momma friends congratulating me on my "new job." :-) While I can't say that I'm entirely overjoyed as being a stay at home mom has not been one of my life long dreams, I do have a peace about following the Lord's leading not to continue in my full time role and I'm trusting in his provision going forward. 

The days ahead I both look forward to and dread as I am a very driven person and I struggle with not seeing my accomplishments play out. I've already made quite the to do list for preparing for baby- who is due in 5 days, mind you. I look forward to her being here with such anticipation! There is no point in sitting at home without her to take care of so I'm starting the process now. Meal planning has begun and I've followed the advice of many blogger friends and begun making and freezing meals that will be easy to take out, thaw and reheat! While it's a little more work up front, and a lot more groceries than we've ever had in our house at any given time, I think it will be a huge benefit in the long run and hopefully result in a lot less "take-out" dinners. That's one of the goals! 

Below is one of my favorite meal ideas:

Crock Pot BBQ Chicken

Chop the following ingredients and divide them between 2 freezer bags. 

3 sweet potatoes

3 zucchini

2 onions

2 green bell peppers

1 red bell pepper

4-5 chicken breasts

In each bag also place sauce. You can either use your favorite BBQ sauce or make your own. This is what we did:

8 oz tomato paste

1 T Worcestershire sauce

2 T brown sugar

1 T mustard powder

1 garlic clove minced

1/4 t salt

All items go into freezer bag raw so this was very easy to do last night while watching a movie with the hubby who was working on making and freezing a few meat loafs! 

The Waiting Game

Got up early this morning to enjoy delicious apple cinnamon oatmeal with almond milk (my favorite thing right now) home made by my hubby, ice water, the smell of spring and the look of the beautiful green grass outside of my window. It's a "wouldn't-you-say-life-is-beautiful" kind of morning. A quick check of Facebook to see who else has had their baby was a must as well. We are in the middle of a waiting game mixed with the joy that she hasn't come yet because we're enjoying a lot of mommy/daddy dates that will be a lot harder with baby in tow.  The processing of this life change has been months in action- the fact that our lives are changing is sure, but we won't know how much until she gets here. Our lives have already changed at the fact that she exists- and makes herself known so well- in our every day lives, especially mine! Her little personality is fun to guess at as she rolls around in the womb. Days that she is especially active I often tell her dad that she must be more like him ;-)

Her nursery is set. A crib that we love and a matching changer set from John's parents reminds me of the bed john built me only about 3 years ago as a wedding gift, a basket full of bows on the wall for my beautiful little princess,  many adorable clothes (compliments of some stylish students we know) folded and hung and a bag by the door for when "it's time," a shabby chic style dresser that was my grandparents refurbished into a piece of adorable baby furniture by my mom "Nani," a frame that holds the "Mother's Prayer" -- a piece in my mom's kitchen for years, refurbished also by Nani, and a beautiful  nursery chair purchased by Nani, her sisters and my grandparents. So thankful. Now we just wait to bring her home!

Another appointment today reminds me of the waiting game that we play. Nightly dreams cause me to second guess whether she'll be born early, on her Nani's birthday- as expected- or will wait a few weeks to make her appearance. Her busy sometimes seemingly frustrated movements make me wonder if she's as ready to come out as we are to have her here.

Merry Christmas 2012

Dear Friends and Family,

This year has flown by. We can't begin to count the things that God has done in our lives on one hand. We are overwhelmed by how much He has done in one year  all in His perfect timing.


A year ago we were sitting in our home in Omaha, Nebraska far away from family praying the weather would cooperate so that we'd be able to make a quick trip home for the holidays. We were so homesick but knew that we were right where God had planted us for that time and purpose. (Click here for more details on that adventure)


His timing is perfect.

Last spring God began to stir our hearts and prepare us for change- a change that happened so very quickly. Months before I told John I could never leave the boys we worked with until I felt that our ministry with them was complete. God orchestrated the timing of each of them completing or exiting the program right before we found out we were moving. After much prayer about God's tugging his heart back toward youth ministry, John applied for a job at a church called New Life Church in Woodbury, MN and last April God answered a long time prayer and brought us back to MN. (Click here for more details)


His timing is perfect.

Weeks later God provided a job for me at New Life Family Services (not related to the church) in Richfield, MN- the adoption agency and pregnancy care center that I completed my senior internship with 2 years prior. I now work in the position I had interned under two years ago.

His timing is perfect.

Months later John and I were surprised to find out that God was giving us exceedingly and abundantly beyond what we had ever asked or imagined and blessing us with a sweet little boy or girl whom we cannot wait to meet on May 8th, 2013. As "unplanned" as this little darling was to us, God's evidence of planning are literally ALL OVER as we've found. Another delightful surprise was finding out that this sweetheart will most likely be born on or around my mother's birthday- and if they're later than expected at least close to Mother's Day! What joy flooded my heart when I realized this. It was also fun to be able to tell my parents the news of their first grand baby on Grandparents Day, and tell John's parents on his father's birthday. (Click here for more details!)

His timing is perfect.

As we reflect on the past year and look ahead to the next, it is a comfort and a joy to recognize his perfect timing. Yes, there were definitely trials this year. Moving several times, finding out that a high school friend of mine and a college friend of mine both passed away suddenly, and dealing with several health problems have  caused us to question God and ask, "Now? Really? Again? This?" In other ways waiting on God has been difficult and hearing "no" or "not now" have been frustrating. Yet, I cannot go on without recognizing how faithful he has been in the past and how faithless I am to not trust Him in the future.

My dad always quotes an old woman who once said,

"There is just one thing that God can't do and that's fail!"

And just because we can't see all the pieces of the puzzle doesn't mean that He lost one.

"He has made everything beautiful in its time and has set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what He has done from beginning to end." Ecclesiastes 3:11

"Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of Lights who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17

He has provided in the past and He will continue to provide in the future. The gifts He has provided for us have been a constant reminder of this- but He gives freely a much greater gift to each of us! The gift of His Son and the gift of eternal life.

Romans 3:23 says that we have all sinned and therefore we all fall short. We deserve death for our sin (Romans 6:23) but the gift of God is eternal life that comes through Jesus!

Romans 5:8 explains that the demonstration of God's life was Jesus dying on the cross in our place even while we were still living in sin. His love is what saves us! Not religion, not attending church..etc.

We can be saved by accepting this gift. Romans 10:13 says that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved! If we confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead, we are saved.

What greater gift or reminder of His never-ending love and faithfulness could we ask for?

Merry Christmas friends and family!

We pray you are blessed and know Christ's presence in your life deeply as you celebrate this holiday season.

Love,

John, Autumn and Baby Anderson

Did I forget to mention?

Our lives are changing forever. The Anderson Adventure just took another crazy turn. Surprised? Probably not by now. If you've been following this blog for the two years that it's been in existence, you have seen a lot happen in a small span of time. We've stopped counting addresses and moves that have happened in one year. Now we are simply soaking up the time of "stillness"living in one place and are beginning to accept the fact that our version of "settling down" and God's are totally different =-) Likewise our definitions of adventure differ. How wonderful. I wouldn't change what I've learned- the surprises, the irony, the stories, the pain and the joy along the journey so far for ANYTHING. John agrees. 

Three months ago we enjoyed some time at Afton State Park together soaking in the last rays of summer, exploring new hiking trails and going for one last swim in the river before the leaves began to change. We spoke of the highs and lows of the past year and we spoke of the future and what could be coming. We agreed that we were experiencing a healthy thankfulness for the fact that things might be what we called "normal."

God has a sense of humor. Duh.

We found out later that day that I was pregnant. (Even as I type this, I laugh out loud!)

Although it wasn't quite "our timing" to be honest, I find much more peace in that. The God of the universe decided- like he always does- against all of what we'll call "the odds" to create this little one. To surprise us with the joy of this little one! To begin a brand new adventure close to where our family and friends can support us and encourage us and pray for us as we seek to raise this child up to love and honor the Lord's statutes. 

We are thankful. 

Ask, Seek, Find

I don't know if there is a good way to put this into words. Sitting in my smoky apartment that so often I have found myself grumbling to the Lord in-- more than once upon arrival, I am now laughing because once again the Lord's generosity is hilarious.
 I have it good.
I always do.
He provides and his steadfast love never fails. And it won't.

Months ago my husband and I were excited to find a place that would let us move in so quickly. Our jobs were lined up and temporary (relatively cheap) housing was set up. Our landlords were gracious and held it for us so we moved in after one week. For this one, of many reasons, we knew we were meant to be at 1650 Tenth Ave. As boxes flooded the first room of the apartment and we could barely squeeze three people in, I reminded myself of this-as I did each time I entered the bathroom to see the most hideous olive green sink, bath and toilet. Yes, we knew what we were getting into, and John and I continue to believe that the Lord's will was done. We moved in. Others who hesitated knew well not to argue- we explained more than once that this is where we felt the Lord wanted us and this would be our new home-green loo and all.

A few months later I began to struggle with my health. My breathing began to worsen and I woke up with my head pounding each morning, aware that I was not getting enough oxygen. When we left for vacation, we opened our suitcase, to find that our clothes reeked of smoke. The people that had moved in beneath us (two weeks after we did) were heavy smokers and somehow we did not notice this until we were away. Several trips to the emergency room and to the Dr. told us how serious this was becoming and we began to wonder what God's plan was in this. We had signed a year long lease! What would we do? There was no way we could break it. Who else would be crazy enough to live here? And we couldn't pay for two places? The very thoughts only caused my panic to sky rocket and asthma  to worsen. We left for  a weekend to see if a trip to my parents would bring any relief. Upon arriving back we were made aware of the most terrible odor of smoke and mildew. Our landlord came and could not figure out the problem but did notice a leak in the sink which he claimed to fix by covering up the wet wood with another layer of wood. My allergies and breathing continued to worsen.  We began to ask for prayer and look for other options. After much prayer, we found that our landlord would allow us to break lease due to my health conditions. Praise God! Now we would need to find a new place to call home.

House after house that we looked at I just became more overwhelmed. The price wasn't right, the layout was awful, it was in a bad neighborhood, it was too far from work, it was too small, it was too high. I admit, as we looked, it seemed hopeless. I felt ashamed to ask for prayer as if I was complaining, but told one friend that I could not wait to show them how God would provide, because I knew he would! John and I continued express that to each other and the Lord.

At a time when I felt particularly hopeless, I expressed my concern to a dear friend. She prayed with me, assured me that the house was being saved especially for me, and that it would be exactly what we needed. Moments later John sent me a text with a link saying--" I found it!! Showing at 11:30 on Friday!"I looked at the photos, and was shocked and afraid to become too excited. Could this be it? Everything I wanted  down to the silly amenities?

We pulled into the drive way on Friday morning and outstepped a well dressed beautiful ethiopian woman. "We introduced ourselves and she said "Yes, I've been waiting for you! Come in!" As we stepped in and looked around a familiar feeling swept over me. The feeling that I had when the Lord provided a job for me and job for my husband after we spent months praying that we could eventually move back to Minnesota. The feeling that you get as a child when someone hands you a gift and says "This is for you!" Could this be what I think it is?

Into the kitchen to see the exact layout I had drawn in my mind- nice open layout facing a window- and up the stairs to see more space- beautiful space! To anyone else, this was a basic townhouse with no major bells and whistles. To me, this was the promised land.

As we chatted with the owner, she asked what we did and John told her he is a youth pastor. She teared up almost instantly and said "I've been praying for christians to rent my house!" I stood dumbfounded knowing that John had also prayed for a christian landlord. Could this really be?

We filled out the applications, exchanged numbers and she promised to be in touch by the end of the day. We left the house and I instinctively noted her license plate (yes, i know she was a christian, but I'm a freak, we found the house on craigslist and I had just given her a lot of information, so...I looked =-)

It read "Matt 7-7"

John said "Duh, it's a bible verse. She's a christian. Honey, you're so weird."

Never the less, I jotted it down.

Only after she had called, we had received the lease agreement and settled on a move-in date did it hit me.

"Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be open to you."

You have got to be kidding me.

You can laugh. We did. ;-)

Pictures (and more adventures) to come.....

Sweet Summer Time

Since I hardly have time to blog full posts anymore, here is a blink at our summer so far through photos =-)

Dad's Birthday at our place =-)

Memorial Day with the Anderon's at Hayden Lake

Our niece, Collette <3 

Dannica and John

Collette and Sonja

With Janie at the Duerkop Wedding

Father's Day at Sarah and Josiah's

My Birthday Surprise! What could be better than going out for dinner with the Burkhart's, Johnny and Garrett!! 

Kennedy and Garrett =-)

giving hugs

..and kisses!

Two of my favorite people <3 

New New New...

And as if our two years together haven't held ENOUGH adventure, this blog and our life truly lives up to it's title- an adventure. By the way, we've moved. Again.

Before I go on, let me just say that we couldn't be happier. Never wanting to publicly complain, John and I have had a longing in our hearts to return to the the state, the city and the people that we love, here in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. About a month ago God granted that desire.

It all started when we left Kiel, not knowing where, when why or how God was going to move, but knowing that we needed to trust, wait and pray. Spending last summer in Black River is something we will ALWAYS fondly look back on. What a wonderful opportunity we had to be near to family and have temporary full time work. God provided and continues to provide.

Then God called us to Omaha, yet even as we drove away that rainy morning, we both felt heavy hearted, knowing with all our hearts that God had called us there, but wondering why it was Nebraska, and not Minnesota. God had a plan and we spent a wonderful 6 months learning and growing as a couple and as individuals as God taught us more than we ever thought we could pack into 6 months. We thank God continuously for those jobs and those boys from whom we continue to unwrap treasures of wisdom. The Lord surrounded us in a place far from all we knew and loved with friends and people who supported us. People that we had known from past seasons of our lives were now living in Omaha and we were able to reconnect old friendships.

The church the Lord led us to was exactly what we needed for where we were coming from and the Lord spoke through out Pastor as we read through the Bible with our church and he preached through the Old Testament each Sunday following the new year. I think our whole family felt the burden of the faith step, but looking back now, I feel God blessed all of us for our faith. When we arrived on the steps of our new place in Omaha, I held back tears. I didn't have the feeling I'd hoped to have- excitement. Instead I felt dread knowing what lay ahead might be harder than anything we'd ever faced..and it was! I slipped on my "Gripes Be Gone" bracelet- from a bible study I had been going through with my mom- trying to remember not to complain but to trust the Lord and my husband in all things. Still, I couldn't help but wonder when God would lead us back to the church, and when God would, most importantly, stir my husbands' heart back to ministry.

I can't explain the way I heard His voice, but I know I did.

In quietness and confidence shall be your strength...


Quietness...Not one of my strong suits. Confidence...also an area I struggle with. So many times in the next few months I would need to bite my tongue- not to tell my husband he was wrong- God had called him to be a Pastor, not a nurse, and that he didn't need to go back to school or into the military but that he needed time to heal, time to process, time to pray and seek God's voice, but I felt consistently the quiet voice telling me to be quiet.

For some reason, Easter, two years in a row, has been very significant for us, representing new things as always and representing more new things for us this year. It was last year on Easter that we knew we were moving to Black River. This year, a few weeks before Easter, we sat in church listening to a sermon on Moses. Our pastor spoke about the excuses Moses made, the way he tried to explain to God that he was not the right man for the task. Who was he to question God? God chose him because he knew what Moses was capable of.

Later that night as we sat on the couch, I listened as the miracle I had been praying for happened and my husband explained to me that God had most certainly called him and he had most certainly felt incapable, but he was ready to trust God to use him in whatever way He saw fit. Again he asked the monumental question that has been asked 5 times now since we've been together- "Will you go with me?"

As John opened the computer and we began to casually look at youth pastor positions online, my heart jumped when we saw a position at New Life Church of Woodbury. John had casually mentioned, days before, that he felt God lay the town of Woodbury on his heart. Completely unlike John to say something like that, I took note. I'm going to speed ahead, now, because the main thing is that each week God opened a new door down to the week that we moved, when I found out that a position opened up at New Life Family Services, the exact office that I had interned at 2 years before. I literally filled out the application between packing boxes and finished it the first night in our new home in Newport, MN. A week after John began his job as a youth pastor at New Life Church, I began working at New Life Family Services in Richfield, MN.

And that's where we are today. Still shocked and amazed that a month ago our life consisted of parenting/coaching/mentoring/teaching 8 teenage boys 6 days on, 24/7,  and now it consists of going to work and coming home and having weekends off in which we can travel to places like the cabin like normal people to see family and eat around a camp fire. We continually say things like "A year ago at this time, did you ever think..." as we remember visiting similar parks to the ones we visited with our youth group on a missions trip to this area, feeling God's calling us here even then and wondering when and how it would come to be.

His way is perfect. His timing is perfect. His lessons are perfect.

Life? Not perfect, but as a wise junior high student carefully spoke to her sunday school class last week,

"You might think that God is doing some stuff in your life because he doesn't care, but that's not true. He knows what he's doing and he knows that what he's doing is right and will just make you stronger. Sooner or later if you keep looking, you're bound to see His love in it."


John, who had been teaching the lesson in the book of 1 Peter, smiled and said,

"I couldn't have said it better."