Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

Let's talk CHICKEN, shall we?

I'm constantly looking for good chicken recipes.  It took me probably a solid 7 years of our marriage to learn how to STOP cooking chicken to a rock form.  You know, the type of chicken you have to get a chain saw out to cut it.  I was terrified of UNDER cooking my chicken and making my whole family sick.  As a matter of fact, one Christmas, my mom wrapped a simple meat thermometer, watched me open it, looked me square in the eye and said, "PLEASE use this".  

That same Christmas my mom also gave all of her little chitlens a priceless recipe book.   One that she made with all of our favorite recipes from growing up and into adulthood.  She was a sly one in making this book! We all love it and when I don't know what to cook, I usually go to this book. 

  

So, in honor of our upcoming trip to the good ol' South to spend time with the fam, and for the fact that I no longer cook chicken until it is all but a brick, I want to share this very yummy, kid approved, adult approved, chicken recipe. 

ENTER: Captain Crunch Chicken Fingers.  

This is one of my most favorite recipes my mom made while growing up.  When my mom made it, I had no trouble coming down to the dinner table.  And don't we ALL know, in this day and age, coming together for dinner isn't always easy, but it's needed more than ever! 

To start, you actually need TWO cereals for this recipe; Captain Crunch and Corn Flakes.  

Put 2 cups of Captain Crunch and 1 and a half cup of corn flakes in a gallon size Ziplock bag.  Beat the crazy out of the two cereals.  I used a rolling pin; this is an incredible way to get out some aggression! 

Beat 1 egg and 1 cup of milk in a bowl and set aside.  

Mix together the following: 1 cup of flour, 1 tsp of garlic powder, 1 tsp of onion powder, and 1/2 tsp of black pepper.  

Take raw chicken tenders (I bought a couple of packages) and dredge each chicken tender in the flour shaking off excess, dip in the egg mixture next, and drop in the cereal bag.  

When the bag is full, get a good arm workout in and SHAKE.  

**I put about 3 chicken fingers in the bag each time I shook, I wanted to make sure the tenders get good and covered with the cereal.  Putting too much chicken in the bag won't cover them as well.**

In a large skillet, pour a layer of oil (I used vegetable oil) and bring to a simmer.  Drop coated chicken into the hot oil and fry until done and no longer pink in the middle.  About 3-5 minutes depending on the size of the chicken pieces.  

What's funny here, is that my mom, in the recipe book specifically said, "MAKE SURE THEY'RE DONE."  I wonder where my small fear of undercooked chicken came from? Any guesses?  Love you, mom. 

Serve with Creole Mustard as the dipping sauce.  When using the mustard as a dipping sauce, it is  the perfect combo of a little sweet from the chicken with a little spicy from the creole.  

These can also be baked in the oven at 375 degrees instead of frying.  Place on a greased baking sheet, turning once. Cook until done. 

What I love about this recipe is that you can put various sides with it. Mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, asparagus, and more.  It goes with about everything.  

And there you go.  A dinner fit for all!  Here's a recipe card for you, too.  Pin it to save it! 

Enjoy! 

When You Don't Know How To Swim

Little Spitfire took swimming lessons a couple of weeks ago and my goodness, if you want entertainment, that is IT.  It and a bag of chips, my friends.  To ALL of our surprise, she didn't yell and scream not once about going in the water.

She jumped right on in.  Right to the step.  Splashing, laughing, excited to get started.   She had a great first day.  I mean, awesome.  She listened to everything her teachers said.  They had an incredibly wonderful lead into making her do things (never underestimate the power of a swim teacher!).  We were all pretty excited when we left. As a matter of fact, I left thinking, "my gosh, I have an Olympic swimmer on my hands. I better get prepared for this wonderful swimming future we have!"

The next day went on without a hitch.  The next, even better.  We were SWIMMING, y'all!  I thought  for once, Little Girl didn't do what she usually does. This was actually pretty darn easy.  Where was my easy button?  Apparently, the many times of me pushing it, it finally stuck.

Things were safe.  They were well led. There were plenty of baby steps, yet big steps all wrapped into one.  It was good.  Really good.

Oh, but wait.  The story doesn't end there.  Envision this:  The last day was the day she was to swim the entire length of the pool…from the diving board.  It sounds daunting, but the thing is, with guidance, she had done it the day before.  This fateful last day, she decided to have a full blown, wide-eyed, conniption FIT.   Full blown!

Y'all.  The last day of the two week lessons and girl child decides to throw a MIGHTY fit.  One that drags on into the next kids' lessons.  **Sidenote: If that mom is reading this, I totally owe you a lesson.**  I was not only livid but absolutely confused.  I will say, however, I wasn't the least bit surprised with her behavior.

You see, she had felt the feeling of panic the day before, but her teacher was there for her and helped her through the path. She knew that feeling of fear, and decided that it wasn't worth it; last day or not.

For at least 15 minutes we coaxed, I left and sat in the teacher's driveway, my husband helped, and she fought and fought BIG.  The teacher was extremely patient giving words of encouragement, but also laced with a firm lead.  Until finally.  FINALLY.  She jumped with just a hint of my husband's hand leading her into the water from the diving board.  She immediately went to safe mode (her back), but her teacher gently rolled her to her belly so she could progress.  Progress to the finish.  Oh, she didn't want to. My girl didn't want to at all.  I saw it in her face.  But she kept going, thanks to the lead she got from her daddy and her teacher.

We got in the car and she was exhausted.  Throwing a fit like that will make a girl pretty tired if I do say so myself.  And since we had caught her in a little nap, I thought.  I had time to actually think.

Swimming lessons.

We are having these every single day.   We are either on the steps or on the diving board.

When things are safe…when we are in that shallow end splashing around and having a blast.  Going just far enough to make us feel like we are risking it, but then back again to Safetown.  In those times, we are good.  We are content,  Content loving our Teacher and serving Him.

It's the moments off the diving board that can really get us.  It can either make or break us.  You might be dealing with something new, or fighting with something that has been a constant battle in your life for years.  And the enemy keeps rearing its ugly head trying to get the best of you.  The moments where we look into the future and question everything we've ever said and ever done to get us where we are.  We are frightened.  The deep end is stinkin' scary.  We have been there before.  We know what if feels like, what it is like to feel like we are on the brink of drowning, complete failure.  Failure again.  Yes.  We know that.

We look into the deep waters and say to ourselves, "I won't do that again. I can't.  I know I've overcome things before, but this is different.  This is scary and uncomfortable.  I know the steps are on the other side, I know that I NEED to get there.  But there's no way I can do this, I can't embark on this journey AGAIN."

Here's the thing that I say with ALL of my heart to all of you, my dear friends.  It isn't only YOU versus the deep end; YOU versus the burdens and the battles you are facing.  It is you with GOD, "your refuge and strength, your ever present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1), that are facing these hurdles head on.  That deep end? The diving board? Success at the end is possible to overcome and get to because your Teacher is in the pool.  The Lord is waiting on you to jump in so He can guide you to a victorious side.  HE will guide you, HE will turn you on your belly when you need to progress even more.  HE will give you that gentle touch to push you along.  It won't always be easy; you might be grasping for air.  But as you come up for a breath, and when you think you are almost defeated, if you TRUST in HIM to get you there, He will wonderfully, with the perfect touch, and with perfect timing, raise you up and give you another leg to stand on.

Oh my goodness friends.  Isn't He good?  His goodness and mercy and FAITHFULNESS is something that we can jump to every single day with the daily battles or the new ones that have hit us like a freight train without warning.

Trust HIM.  He has got you.  And the scary moments?  Keep trusting…He hasn't left you.  Even though it might feel that you are alone kicking and reaching your arms to the shallow end, coming up for air, you are not alone.  He is growing you; it might be uncomfortable growth, but He is watching you, helping you, as you grow and learn.  He has not abandoned you.  Call for Him and He will come to you at the exact right moment.  He's in the pool.  He's with you; with you as you and Him swim to the steps.

As Dory would say, "Keep on swimming."

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Why It's NOT Gloom and Doom

"What is this world coming to??"

"I sure hope Jesus comes back soon." 

"I'm not going to have kids (or any more kids) because I don't want them growing up in this world we live in."
"The world is going to hell in a hand basket."

"Lord, deliver us." 

"This is it...the end is here."

"What is this world coming to??"

"RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!!"

These are just a few of the fleeting statements I have either thought myself or have heard very often in the last few years.  As a matter of fact, if we are being REALLY honest..which, we are, I thought one of these thoughts this morning after reading a news post on social media.

Is it really that bad 'out there'?? Well, I guess it depends on what you hear and what media source you're plugged into.  I will say, it often feels like it's getting far worse than it is getting better.  Though, sometimes I shock myself with my "I can't believe this is happening!!" attitude after whatever news story hits my feed.  After all, C.S. Lewis who I admire and respect, said, "Jesus Christ did NOT say,  Go into all the world and tell the world that it is quite right."

We LIVE in a fallen world.  We are fallen people living in a fallen world.  So, what are we to do?

 In 1 Peter 1:13, it says, "Therefore with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at His coming."

One of the things we are to do is to be alert, watchful, fully sober, and ready for Jesus Christ to come.

However, we are not to be alert, be watchful, fully sober on our pretty little front porch while claiming all things gloom and doom as we watch the world and the people in it wither.

Nope.  Not today. Not any day.

Again, let's go with honesty (the truth will set you free, yes?).  I am not great at this.  I mean good grief, I already deal with the looming possibility of the anxiety breaker about to trip in my head on a daily basis.  I get worried sick, scared, fearful of what my kids will see and go through. I mentally write off all plane rides, trips, the ability for my kids to EVER have a phone in their hands, much less the internet, anyone who isn't in our inner circle and those I couldn't Facebook stalk comb through their social media sites before dealing with them.   I try to shelter them, myself, my family, and pretend that what is going on around me and in our communities, actually isn't.

I'm not sure you guys; that right there might be a scarier place to reside and place our heart if we really think about it.  Obviously, I agree that precautions need to be taken, but one (like myself) could go a little overboard when we have the instant ability to pick up our phones and read/watch the news in real time.

So, I have a question.  Jesus did not call us to a spirit of timidity, did He? Scared to death of what is to come?  So many verses from God's word tumble in when I think about how we, as Christians, are to be and to act in what seems like a chaotic and confusing time all around the nation and the world.  One in particular: "For the Spirit God did not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7

I recently watched pastor Todd White's testimony online.  If you haven't seen it, look it up on good ol' YouTube.  It is fascinating and incredibly encouraging.  During one part leading into his story, he quoted John 16:33; "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have OVERCOME the world."  After that verse was read, he asked the following question that made me step back a whole minute and grab my convicted heart off the ground.

He asked, "So, if He overcame it......why are we so threatened by it?"

Why are we threatened when we KNOW the end result? The end result is victory!  "The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave or forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8  

He has not only seen it and knows it, He is IN it, friends!

We could all stay right here, call it a day, and know that when the next disturbing, upsetting, and destructive thing happens, we can say, "My Lord, He has victory; this world has already been overcome by Him!" Which is great within itself, right?

Even though this is where it seems this blog post should end, it doesn't.  I don't think we are to only know and believe that we have victory in every circumstance and just sit with that in relief.  SITTING with that fact in mind, is not the answer.

This is where it gets exciting.  These are the times that we, as Christians, should stand UP together and lock arms and show the world that we are ready to MOVE.  But not in flippant FB political rants, or verbal disgust and condemnation, but in LOVE.  TRUTH in LOVE.  I'm not here, put on this Earth, to condemn anyone.  That's not my job, nor do I want it to be my job.  There's one judge, and I'm not Him.  What I am here to do...what WE are here to do, is to be the hands and feet of Jesus.  I don't only want to believe the Gospel, I want to WALK the Gospel out.   I want the entire world to see us, Christians, and say, "If this is Jesus, I want it.  And I want to run as fast as I can to it." 

I challenge myself and you friends, don't let anyone leave your presence not knowing your love for The Lord and for His people.

"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."  John 13:35

Friends, instead of sitting and receiving the bad news, let us ACT and be the good news. 

I'll leave you with this last quote from St. Teresa of Avila that I think pretty much sums this whole thing up as we see our nation and the world as a Christian:

"Christ has no body now, but yours. 

No hands, no feet on Earth, but yours.  

Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world. 

Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. 

Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world. 

Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are His body. 

Christ has no body now on Earth but yours."

There is still a lot of good things happening on this beautiful planet that God created; go and find it.  And better yet, BE it.