Day 8: Someone who made your life ---, or treated you like crap.

     This is tough. I really don't think I have had anyone be that horrible to me.
     Honestly, when I think about this the only thing that really comes to mind is 8th grade (I know so juvenile).
I went to three different schools that year. The second school I attended that year had a group of "preps" who for some reason didn't like me from the beginning. I really don't know why they seemed to hate me so much because there was never any big "thing" that caused conflict between us. They just singled me out from day one. The only thing I can think of was that they didn't like the fact that I was new and made a lot of friends so quickly.
     Whatever their reason, I soon became "big nose" and "grasshopper" to them?! Like I said, juvenile. I got used to the giggles as I walked by, or being called the names, or mean looks and snide comments. But the type of person I am never let it get to me. It's funny how even though it never really bothered me, I still remember it.
I guess that's my story for today.
Sorry nothing really deep and reflective today. :)

Crock Pot - Zesty Italian Sirloin Pork Roast

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup Italian Dressing OR
• 1/4 cup vinegar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup oil
• 1 packet Good Season Italian Dressing Mix
• 1.5-2lbs Boneless Sirloin Pork Roast
• 2 cups spaghetti sauce
• shredded cheese and/or grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Place pork in crock pot.
2. Pour Italian dressing over pork
3. Cook on LOW for 4 hours.
4. Break pork into smaller chunks.
5. Cover pork with spaghetti sauce.
6. Top with cheese.
7. Cook on LOW for 2 hours.
8. Serve over pasta.

Personal Flair and Reflection
     I chose to use the Good Season Italian dressing mix, but using already prepared Italian dressing would work the same. The spaghetti sauce can be whichever kind is your favorite. I use Ragu Traditional Sauce.

     I was looking through recipes and found one for pork chops that included using spaghetti sauce. I had already been thinking about doing my pork roast in the crock pot with Italian dressing, so I thought about putting the two together somehow. So this recipe was really a creation I played around with. I wasn't sure what to expect having the spaghetti sauce flavor with the pork roast, but surprisingly it took on a whole new taste. The meat was delicious and tender, with just enough flavor to make your taste buds dance.
     You can scoop the sauce and meat over pasta if you wish. I actually added the cooked bow tie pasta to the crock pot and mixed well. I served with corn and buttered bread. Over all it was a success! Enjoy!

*Day 7: Someone who has made your life worth living for.*

     I have a side note written in the margins of my Bible that I immediately thought of when I read today's topic. It says, "He is worth living for, because I am worth dying for." My answer for today is that Jesus Christ is someone who has brought meaning and purpose to my life. He is the reason I live. He is the one who brings worth to my life. Without Him, I am nothing.
      I don't always know what direction my life is heading. I don't always know why certain things have happened. And I certainly don't have all the answers. But the one thing I do know is that no matter what happens in my life, I have someone who loves me and wants the best for me. In fact, He loves me more than I can fathom. Who else would give up their spot in Heaven, take on the chains of human flesh, be tempted with a sinful nature, spend day after day with sick, poor sinners, and eventually be murdered a criminal's death all so I can be with them in heaven one day. It is so humbling to realize that someone literally sacrificed His physical life so He could be with me forever.
     It is also mind-blowing to think that when it came time to create me, God spent intimate time designing every characteristic of who I am. I wasn't made from random particles bumping into each other and by chance I am human. He thought about who I would be. He thought about the name my parents would give me. He thought about what I would look like. He thought about what kind of child I would be growing up. He thought about the kind of student I would be. He thought about the kind of friend I would be. And he decided how little ol' me would fit into His masterpiece He is creating - His Kingdom. I like to think that He is painting a wonderful portrait of His Kingdom, and we are the tools he uses. And when he made me, he thought about what kind of tool I would be, and what part of His portrait He would use me to paint. He knew my thought processes. He knew the different things that would happen in my life to shape me into the person I would become. All of these things He spent time thinking about as he carefully shaped me with His own hands and as He breathed life into me, leaving His fingerprints and DNA on me.
     I may not know what else is to come in my life. But I know that there are so many big things in store, and that I have a wonderful life because my God, my Father, my Creator has laid out some wonderful blueprints for me life. And I have an amazing future in heaven one day because my Jesus, my Savior, my Lord sacrificed His all so I could have it all.
     I couldn't ask for things to be any different. I am truly blessed.

*Day 6: Something You Hope You Never Have To Do*

     There are many things that I could list, but I think number one on my list would be that I hope to never have to experience a violent crime against my family. I watch too many crime shows and I cringe just to think about if something like that were to ever happen to us. I like to think "that will never happen to us." But then I think about all the people who really do have vicious crimes performed against them, and I wonder if they thought the same thing. I honestly don't want to ever be faced with a situation like those I see on Criminal Minds, the CSI shows, etc etc. It's horrible. And the sad thing is that prisons are full because those crimes are a reality. There are a lot of sick people in this world, and I would hate to be the victim of chance. I couldn't imagine if something horrible were to ever happen to my family.
     A close second in my list of things to never do would be to experience the death of one of my children or my husband. And I also hope I am able to live a full life with them so David doesn't have to raise our children without me.
     I know this is kind of dark. But it's a real fear I have when I think about my daughters and husband.

*Day 5: Something You Hope to Do in Your Life*

I really hope to take a trip that includes leaving North America. My number one place I have always dreamed of going is Italy! Florence, Italy would be my first choice. I would love to see the art and architecture. Just to experience the grandeur would be amazing. My second choice would be Paris, France. But when I get to take a trip like this, I want it to be a family trip. I would love to take my children places that I never got to see when I was young. I want them to have lots of cultured experiences growing up to give them a well-rounded foundation. I want my children to grow up with an appreciation of the different cultures. Then maybe they will continue the tradition with their children. I love getting to see my little ones experience something new, and I think it would be fantastic to share the experience of seeing a different country. (Especially since David rubs it in that he has been to those places :-P)

Fluffy French Toast

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 eggs
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1/3 cup flour
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
• 6 slices of thick bread
• 3 tablespoons butter
• powdered sugar
• butter
• syrup

Directions

1. Mix together eggs, milk, flour, sugar, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon
2. Heat skillet or griddle
3. Butter skillet/griddle
4. Dipe each side of bread in mix for 30 seconds
5. Cook each side until golden brown (1 1/2-2 minutes)
6. Add more butter if necessary

To Serve

• Dust with powdered sugar
• Top with butter and syrup

Source
http://www.food.com/90674

Chuck Steak Teryaki

Prep Time: 4-24 hours
Cook Time: 15-20 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup sesame seeds
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• boneless beef chuck steaks

Directions

1. In a small bowl, mix all ingredients except meat.
2. Pour into a large zip lock bag or shallow baking dish.
3. Place meat in marinade and coat.
4. Close bag or cover dish.
5. Refrigerate for 4-24 hours, turning over occasionally.
6. Remove meat from marinade and place on broiler pan.
7. Broil 10 minutes, basting often.
8. Turn meat over and broil 8 minutes for rare to medium, 10-12 minutes for well done.

Personal Flair and Reflection
     I had to keep on eye on this while they were broiling. Mine were done before the given time. But they were super yummy - and juicy. I know, I love juicy meats!

Source
http://www.food.com/67662