Betrayal.

I was good.
I was good at being good.
Good became my god.

At some point, early on in my childhood, I became addicted.
I liked the attention I received when I was good. I craved it. I strove to be better so I could get more accolades. I was the epitomy of the "Good Christian Girl".

Sure, I wasn't all good all the time. I still fought with my sisters, to the chagrin of my parents! I cheated on homework once or twice. I lied. I tried a smoke. I kissed a boy. But all in all, I wasn't that bad.
I thought I just had a really strong guilty conscience that kept me out of trouble. I think now, looking back, I just had to be good. Being good kept me in my parents' smiles. Being good kept me as teacher's pet. Being good kept me out of hell.

But being good betrayed me.

stay tuned...
~christa jean

True Love

The moment I heard this song, I was riveted.
The words washed over me and moved my soul.
I couldn't find a good version of it on Playlist, but here is a live performance of it. This dude can sing!
I've printed the lyrics below, because the words are so full of power and truth.

"Come close, listen to the story

About a love more faithful than the morning

The Father gave His only Son just to save us

The earth was shaking in the dark

All creation felt the Father's Broken Heart

Tears were filling Heaven's Eyes

The day that True Love died, the day that True Love died

When blood and water hit the ground

Walls we couldn't move came crashing down

We were free and made alive

The day that True Love died, The day that True Love died

Search your heart you know you can't deny it

Come on, lose your life just so you can find it

The Father gave His only Son just to save us

The Earth was shaking in the dark

All creation felt The Father's broken heart

Tears were filling Heaven's Eyes

The day that True Love died, the day that True Love died

When blood and water hit the ground

Walls we couldn't move came crashing down

We were free and made alive

The day that True Love died, The day that True Love died

Now, Jesus is alive

Jesus is alive

Jesus is alive

Jesus is alive

Jesus is alive

Oh, He is alive

He rose again

When blood and water hit the ground

Walls we couldn't move came crashing down

We were free and made alive

The day that True Love died, The day that True Love died

Come close listen to the story."

It truly is THE best story.

My favourite line is, "Walls we couldn't move came crashing down".

I tried for so long to move those walls on my own, to work out my own salvation... but instead of finding what I was looking for, I became my own Saviour. And then the walls of pride and self-righteousness were built up around me. They sheltered me for a while until I realized that they had become my prison.

Thank God, "Pride goes before a fall" because I fell and those walls crumbled. I would not have chosen the way that my pride was broken, but I am so glad today for it. I am not that person anymore.

It was His pleasure to set me free!

More to come on this subject...

~christa jean

Poo Poo Chronicles UPDATE!

If you remember me blubbering back in January about this, then you'll be happy to hear of our progress... and I'm sure you've just been dying to know, haven't you?!

We have now been accident free (during the day) for almost a week!!! Joy now tells us when she has to go potty. She got to pick out her very own pack of panties from the store and she was very thrilled.

What really worked? Probably a combination of things. Hubby and I totally tag-teamed to get her to the toilet all.day.long. Then we did dorky things like sing and dance crazily after she would go in the toilet. Can you picture us singing "Happy Poo Poo to you... " blowing out candles, and clapping our hands loudly in the bathroom daily? Yeah, that's what we did. And it worked.

So, now you know.

~christa jean

Eye Poppin' Goodness!

Come along with me on a journey to Germany for some delectable breakfast fare...
Okay, we won't really be leaving my kitchen for this one. But I just had to share with you a favourite recipe of ours ~ Pop Eye Pancakes!

Here are the ingredients:

1 stick of butter (I prefer unsalted)

2 eggs

1/2 cup flour

1/4 cup milk

pinch of salt

lemon wedges

dusting sugar

(Do you see that I'm using organic flour, but nothing else organic? Go figure.)

Pre-heat your oven.

Divide butter into pans.

I used a 9x13 and two pie pans, which always give the best results.

Place pans in oven to melt the butter.

Mmm, tastes like buttah!

Whip the 2 eggs in the blender to fluff 'em, then add the milk and salt and flour.
Whip it, Whip it good!
Or, be lazy like me and make your toddler do it by hand in her princess p.j.s.
See? She even has flour on her cheek!
Note: I whip up a seperate batch for each pan and I double the recipe for the 9x13 pan.

Pour batter into hot, buttery pan!
Place in oven for about 20 minutes. Often mine are done early.

Oooh! See them pop!

Note to self: the metal pie tin does not work well.

Squeeze lemon all around, dust with sugar and voila!

These are hard to describe... so buttery... crispy edges... melt in your mouth goodness.
Scrumptiousness perfected!

Serve with bacon and fruit and you'll have happy faces smiling back at you.
~ christa jean ~
p.s. do tell me if you try these!