Pick a Card, Any Card...

Are you sick of trying to figure out what to make for dinner?

Do you get tired of thinking of yet another way to make chicken?

Do you want to make dinner a special time where your family leaves the table feeling blessed?

Well, I have an idea that might help you. A few years ago I incorporated an idea that I learned from author/speaker Lauren Littauer Briggs (Making the Blue Plate Special)and here's how it works.

The first thing you do is gather your family to brainstorm and come up with every possible dinner option you can think of. The sky is the limit here. You might end up with your kids favorites like chili dogs and tater tots (my son's favorite), tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches, your husbands' favorite stroganoff, your favorite salad but don't forget that you can also include things like breakfast for dinner (i.e. pancakes, bacon and fresh fruit, omelettes and smoothies...), or new recipes you'd like to try...

Next, write each idea down on an index card or on scratch paper that's been cut into rectangular pieces (your family can help with this too...you could even start the brainstorming session by gathering around the dinner table and handing each member of the family a stack of index cards and a pen-or crayons for the little ones so they can draw pictures of the food they like and you can label the picture at the top).

Once this is done you now have a whole bunch of dinner options close at hand (I keep my stack of cards in the drawer next to my stove). The day you are making your grocery list (for me that's Sundays) pull out the stack of cards, put them on the table and have each member of the family pick one card (one dinner) that they'd like to have that week.

Not only does this system help you with your creativity, it can also help your household run a little more efficiently... you may be able to reduce the number of times you go to the market per week and you may also save some money by sticking to your list (not to mention the gas you'll save by not going back and forth to the market). The other nice thing about this system is that it gives you the opportunity to teach your kids that, while dinner might not necessarily be their favorite one night, it is someone else's favorite and they can be patient knowing their choice is just a few days away.


I hope you find this idea helpful. So far this week our family has enjoyed teriyaki chicken and rice and my mom's famous beef stew recipe (and when I went to get the chicken, it was on sale so I was inspired to make homemade chicken soup early on in the week and have left-overs for lunches).

Next time you're tired of all your dinner ideas tell your kids to "pick a card, any card!"

Bon Apetit!
Tracy Klehn

Revealing God

In one of my first blog entries ("The Deeper Meaning," September 1, 2008) I defined the Magnificent Life as "a life that sees and senses God at work and reflects God to those around us." This week as I've been doing the Beth Moore Bible Study Breaking Free (Lifeway) I was struck by something Beth wrote as we studied the topic of "God's Glory..."

"God desires that He be recognizable in us in all we do! Living a life that glorifies God is synonymous with living a life that reveals God."

Referring to Colossians 1:24-27 (v 27 "To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.") Beth goes on to say "We have no hope whatsoever of God being recognizable in us if the Spirit of Christ does not dwell in us." Beth then says "We fulfill what we were 'meant to be' when God is 'recognizable' in our lifestyle." (page 36, Breaking Free, Lifeway Publishers)

Pretty powerful isn't it? When we have the Spirit of the Living God living in us we have the potential to live a life that "reveals God." Have you ever had someone "reveal God" to you? Who was it?

A Grand-ma that took care of you when nobody else would?
An aunt that prayed for you even when you were running in the opposite direction?
A child that pointed out the beauty of God's creation?
A friend that sat next to you when you were sick?
A husband that provided for you and promises to continue to?

Let's pray that our lives would "reveal God" and in doing so project to the world that He is AWESOME and He offers HOPE!

Lord God, you are indeed amazing. Your ways are above our ways and yet you allow us to catch glimpses of your ways through the pages of your Word and through the Holy Spirit working in our midst. Lord, we want to be women that "reveal" you, women that glorify you. Please show us any obstacle or sin that might be keeping us from being conduits for your grace here on Earth so that we might turn away from them and turn back to you. We don't want anything to get between our relationship with you nor our ability to reveal your love and hope to this broken world. In Jesus' name, AMEN!!!

Blessings,
Tracy Klehn

Do You Want to Know What "Changed My Life?"

I thought I'd mix it up a little with the blog this week and go with a "video blog" (click on those words to view) that answers the question "What has changed your life for the better?" I hope you find it encouraging.

Have an awesome "life changing" week!
Love,
Tracy Klehn

Finding the "Magnificent Life" Right Where You Serve

My older sister owns a restaurant in Reno, Nevada. It is a place where more than "comfort food" is served, it is a place where God's comfort is poured out as well. Last night she sent me this story of what happened to her that day and it reminded me once again that "The Magnificent Life" is happening in our midst.

So often as moms we can mistakenly think that what we are doing (like making breakfast for the kids or cleaning breakfast up off the floor, like getting the kids off to school so that we can get ourselves to our part time job to help pay the bills, like running errands and taxying tweens from event to event, like getting groceries so that dinner can get on the table...) is mundane and not of much value. Yet when we "do everything as unto the Lord" and trust that He is "guiding us in paths of righteousness for His name's sake" then we can trust that even the littlest thing is of great worth. I hope you are inspired by my sisters' story and if you're ever in Reno go check out her little comfort cafe for some SWEET treats!

Blessings,
Tracy Klehn

Tilly's Tattoo

A little four-year-old PRECIOUS blonde girl came in with her mom today....she had her hair in a bun, and was dressed in all pink and white. Winter coat, skirt, sweater, shoes, etc. She was crying and looked really, really sad. Her mom said she had just gotten all of her four-year-old shots, and said she had been very brave. I looked at the little girl and nodded, then her mom told me her name was Tilly. I told her I had a Tilly too....Matilde, our prep cook, and introduced them to each other. "Tilly this is Tilly," I said. She was not crying anymore but still looked sad. I asked her if she wanted a tattoo. I had a whole stack of Fizzy Lizzy tattoos from the Fancy Food Show, from the fizzy juice we sell.

She nodded, and I asked her where she wanted me to put it. On her arm, she said. She still had her winter coat on, but wanted the tattoo on her left arm. She held it out for me. I unzipped her coat, rolled up the sleeve of her pink sweater, and readied the wet paper and the tattoo. I stuck it to her arm, and looked at her while I rubbed the paper, making sure to get a perfect application. She smiled, and wiped her eyes. I lifted the paper backing carefully, and voila! A perfect tattoo! She grinned, and her mom asked her what she wanted to eat. Tilly said a fluffernutter, a chocolate milk and a chocolate cupcake. Her mom said she was so brave today she could have anything she wanted.

As she ate all of the above with a slice of watermelon, it made me think about how very, very personal God is. I mean, a Fizzy Lizzy tattoo, that fine princess lunch, and someone to tell you how brave you've been. All in one place. I have been asking God to show me what my destiny is this week, as homework for the bible study I am teaching, what my role is. He told me yesterday. "These are my people and I want you to serve them," He said. "Take care of them for me." God gave me the space for DISH CAFE more than six years ago, right next to the main trauma center and oncology offices in Reno. So if that means a tattoo for Tilly, a chocolate milkshake on a Sunday for mom's friend who has been in the hospital for 2 weeks, tapioca for the masses, soup for the sick, and quiche for my friend Natalie's cancer fighting mother (whose head she had to shave today) then I will.

As Tilly was leaving, I told her Tillly was short for Matilde. I asked her if that was her name too." Nope," she said, "Mine is really Danielle."

Thanks Fizzy Lizzy for your wonderful juice, and for those tattoos!

Nancy Horn, Chef Owner

DISH Cafe & Catering
855 Mill Street
Reno, NV 89502
Monday-Friday 7am-2:30pm
775-348-8264

dishcafecatering.com

Hey you! Check out the blog at dishingup.wordpress.com

COMFORT FOOD FROM A MODERN CAFE

Don't Forget to Get Dressed

I'm taking my first photography class at our local community college (along with five other "mom" friends of mine!). On the first day of class our teacher told us to set our cameras to "raw" in order to be able to work more effectively with the pictures when we start using "Photo shop." At the next class one of my girlfriends raised her hand and posed the question "When we are shooting in the raw..." at which point the whole class began to giggle (or should I say "laugh"since there were guys there and guys don't really "giggle" do they?).

My friends' "Shooting in the raw" question reminded me of the importance of "getting dressed" on a daily basis before going out to face the world. In the book of Ephesians (6:10-17), the apostle Paul writes "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms..."

As a result of this exhortation I have been praying the following prayer on a regular basis for some time now and recently my friend Patti asked me if I would write it down for her so...here I go not only for Patti but for all of us out there that need to fight our spiritual battles properly because fighting the forces of darkness "In the raw" will get us nowhere!!!

Today I choose to get dressed in the armor that you've given me Lord.

I put on the "Helmet of Salvation" and trust that it will guard my mind.

I put on the "Breastplate of Righteousness" and believe that it will guard my heart. I thank you that you've exchanged my sin for the gift of your Righteousness and that as a result "I am the "Righteousness of Christ."

I place the "Belt of Truth" securely around my waist and believe that that Belt will help me keep out the lies and take in only that which measures up against the Truth found in the Word of God.

I put on my feet "The Shoes of the Readiness of the Gospel of Peace" and I thank you that I can take your peace into every relationship and situation that I walk into on this day.

I take up the "Shield of Faith" and believe that EVERY fiery dart the enemy throws my way will be extinguished on that shield. I thank you that I can choose to "walk by faith and not by sight."

Lastly, I take up the "Sword of the Spirit" which is the Word of God and I trust that you will give me the Word I need to speak today to fight and win the offensive battle I face today.

Thank you Jesus that you tell me that "I am more than a conqueror" and that "No weapon formed against me shall prosper."

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Blessings,
Tracy Klehn

How Do I "Consider it pure JOY?"

As many of you know I am in the process of recovering from surgery and it is slow going. My energy is pretty much non-existent, my emotions are fluctuating wildly and rapidly and my daily routine has been in a state of upheaval. I'd say this pretty much goes into the category of what James (1:2 in the Bible) calls a "trial." Yet James also says that when we face a trial we are to "consider it pure joy..."

WHAT?!
HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO DO THAT?!

Well, since you (or I) asked...

Just the other night as we sat down to yet another meal that a friend from church provided for our family, I was struck by what my daughter said to God during her prayer...

"Jesus please bless this food to our bodies and I just want to thank you for the way you are loving us by having so many friends bring us dinner."

My daughter is getting it. My little girl (and I'm hoping my son as well) is learning that God answers prayers through people. That the Lord provides comfort and love through the Body of Christ (the community of Believers that make up the church). My daughter's eyes have not missed the fact that when our family is in crisis that we are not alone, that we are not without help and that we are loved.

So now I see one of the reasons that I am to "consider it pure joy." It may not be very fun to have a twinge of pain here and there in my body and in my emotions, but I will endure it knowing that this is just one of the reasons God has allowed for this to happen...to remind me and to teach my children that we all need each other.

Hopefully as my kids grow up and they see a friend in crisis they will reach out to help. Hopefully when they are in crisis themselves they will welcome the love coming their way. Most of all I hope that when they find themselves in a "trial" they will "consider it pure joy" knowing that there are lessons to be learned and love to be experienced.

Blessings to you my friends,
Tracy Klehn

P.S. Kristine Weatherly please email me via my website...your email address for the book give away isn't working and I still need to get your book to you :)

"And the Oscar Goes to..."

Since this is "Oscar season" I thought it only fitting that I take the time to hand out a few awards for the most recent drama in my own life entitled "The Emergency Appendectomy." Yes, you read correctly I did have surgery last week and no I did not see it coming. I went out on Saturday evening with my husband and several friends to hear our friends band play, after which we hit the hay pretty early only to wake up a few hours later in excruciating pain. By that afternoon I was at the hospital and by that evening was in surgery.

Have you ever been surprised by a sudden drama in your own life? Have you ever lived in fear of a sudden drama occurring?

Throughout this particular drama I was overwhelmed by the cast of characters the Lord used to support our family. Overwhelmed in a good way as in flowers and cards galore, food arriving in giant batches, person after person posting lovely thoughts and prayers on my Facebook page and several folks stepping in to cart my children to and fro to their various activities. I was also blessed to see that the "Director" in my drama had not abandoned me but given me a wonderful script (The Bible) to return to again and again that I might rehearse and be reminded that my Director is "GOOD and His mercies endure forever," that "His grace is sufficient for me" and that "He will never leave me nor forsake me."

Who is God using to support you? Who is a part of your "cast of characters"?

I love what C.S. Lewis writes about friends in his work The Four Loves...

In reality, a few years' difference in the dates of our births, a few more miles between certain houses, the choice of one university instead of another, posting to different regiments, the accident of a topic being raised or not raised at a first meeting--any of these chances might have kept us apart. But, for a Christian, there are, strictly speaking, no chances. A secret Master of the Ceremonies has been at work...The Friendship is not a reward for our discrimination and good taste in finding one another out. It is the instrument by which God reveals to each the beauties of all the others.

Sometimes I can forget that throughout the joys, comedies and dramas of life that a "Master of Ceremonies" presides; one that is available to be called upon at all times. I hope that wherever you find yourself this Oscar season that you sense the presence of the Director waiting to assure you and guide you in the next scene...the next act.

Blessings to you,
Tracy Klehn

For a List of My Award Recipients Continue Reading...

BEST ALL AROUND PERFORMANCE BY A SPOUSE
Russell Klehn

MOST ABLE NOT TO PANIC DURING DRUG INDUCED ANXIETY ATTACKS
Russell Klehn

MOST CAPABLE OF SAVING DOMESTICATED ANIMALS FROM SUICIDE BY HEATING BLANKET
Russell Klehn

BEST AND MOST AGILE PERFORMANCE BY A DUO
Sharon and Andrea (who were able to enter Tracy's bomb of a house to find school uniforms, backpacks, lunch boxes for the kids as well as find the food and medicine the dog needed)

BEST E.R. PERFORMANCE IN A COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Dave White, Matt Warner and Eric Johns (in Tracy's drug induced state she found Dave quite amusing as he opened all the drawers in the ER to pull out band aids and other assorted medical products to let everyone know what it would cost their insurance if they were used)

BEST IN HOUSE ENTERTAINMENT
Ruiz/Demarois
Jayne Fall
Tobon's (especially 6ix year old Caleb who would hand me my drink and ask hilarious questions like "what's the matter with you anyway?")
Liz Caddow
Dina Murillo
Sharon Koppenhaver
Patti Miller
Shirley Almeida
Jennifer Schafer
Dana Hobelman


BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Max and Tracy Cameron AND Shirley Almeida (who all wore their pajamas over when they came to visit)


BEST HAND HOLDER
Mother In Law Brenda Klehn

FUNNIEST CARD
Brady, Brevyn and Julia White "Sorry the appendix had to go"

SET DESIGN AWARDS (flowers)
Black's
Eisenman's
Mom and Sisters
White's
Fall's
Deberry's
Maimone (we got the first official "N" logo balloon!")

CUTEST COMPANY
Baby Isabella Klein (who rolled around on my bed the day I got home from the hospital)

TRANSPORTATION
Jennifer Shaffer (who took over the carpool)

BEST SOLO PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL
Julia White (who per my request used her lovely singing voice to bless me--and our dog Eve who she sang to)

CRAFT SERVICE (YUM)
Caddow's
Howell's
Stroh's
Tobon's
White's
White's
Deberry's
Gonzales'
Klehn's
Eisenman's
Murillo's
Cameron's
Michele Brackett
Gabbi Klein
Shirley Almeida
Sharon Koppenhaver
Maimone's

BEST ASSISTANT
Margeret Mike (who brought fig newtons, plum juice and water...hmmm I wonder why???)

BEST WISHES
Impossible to award a single person...thank you to all of you in my family, my church, my kids school and of course my Facebook community and beyond :)!

BEST PRAYER WARRIORS, CUDDLERS AND LEAST LIKELY TO FREAK OUT FROM MOM'S MOOD SWINGS
Spencer and Grace Klehn (who I gave permission to ask their school friends to pray that I'd fart a lot so my stomach would stop hurting...they refused to pray that specifically but their prayers got the job done anyway!)