Janine's Autumn Chowder

Our niece *loves* this chowder!

Even on a hot day she has been known to request it!

And, once I tried it, I understood.

Really, I did! :)

I still prefer it in the Fall/Winter.

Something about it says that to me.

Maybe it's in its name? ;-)

It's what I served for supper one night last week.

(Actually two nights, since I made double).

One recipe serves 4 to 5 generously.

Another great thing about this chowder

is that it can be whipped up at nearly a moment's notice.

Thought to pot to table in under an hour.

How's that for a home-cooked meal?

Biscuits on the side would be nice,

but, this chowder delivers nicely

in the fill-you-up department.

Bonus!

Since I gleaned this recipe from my sister,

I've named it after her.

I don't know where it originally came from ~

If you do, please do tell so I can give

credit where credit is due.

And, it is due, believe me!  

~ Janine's Autumn Chowder ~

1 cup onion, diced

Olive oil for frying

3 cups new potatoes with skins on, diced

1 1/2 cup carrots, sliced

2 cups chicken stock ~
homemade, of course!  :)

3 cups frozen corn

1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper

1 1/2 tsp sea salt (omit if using stock from a cube)

3 cups shredded cheddar cheese

3 cups milk

1/4 cup flour

8 slices of bacon, fried crisply for a topping.

Fry onion in oil in soup pot.

Add stock, potatoes and carrots.

Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer

about 20 minutes until vegetables are tender.

Stir in milk, corn, pepper and salt.

Heat to simmer.  Do not boil.

Mix cheese and flour together in a bowl until cheese is coated.

Add to pot, stirring constantly.  

Stir until cheese is melted and soup is thickened.

Serve with crumbled bacon.  Y.U.M!

Enjoy!

With Love,

Camille

Something I've Been Learning

Life is fragile. 

We are not guaranteed tomorrow. 

None of us are. 

Something I've been learning ~

Due to the fact that one of our children

is living with a life-threatening condition.

It has brought to light what really matters.

In a fresh way.

To cherish this day. 

To enjoy each moment. 

To live life to the fullest. 

Walking this path with the LORD.

Moment by moment.  Day by day. 

He gives the strength and grace. 

He gives all we need. 

May we use this life He gives for His glory. 

Every moment.  Every day. 

That's all that matters. 

All that counts.

I have been struck with the fact that Crohn's Disease 

and DCM are not what define Austin. 

Neither are they what define us as a family. 

No.

We are the LORD's. 

We belong to Him. 

That's what ought to define us. 

That's what others ought to see.

The only difference between our family and

yours may be the fact that we have a 
name for one of our beasts. 

But, we all face them. 

Beasts.

They come in various forms with a variety of names. 

Selfishness.  Besetting sin.  Disease.  Poverty.  Even wealth. 

Whatever those beasts are, however,

we do not have to face them alone.

The LORD will bear them with us.
He will set us free from our sin.

If we belong to Him, 

we are promised He will never

leave us nor forsake us.

Whatever the LORD gives is what is best.

For this day.  In this life.  By His grace.

If we are followers of Him, we have nothing to fear.

We have every reason to take courage.  

Every reason to hope. 

We can face whatever comes because of HIM.

And this life is not all there is.  Not at all! 

It's only a shadow.  Only a beginning.  Eternity awaits. 

And the LORD will be with us there.  Forever. 

Rejoice!  He is Good.  
Always. 

Many Blessings, 
Camille

Old Habits Die Hard!

Old habits die hard.

And here we are again! :)
(Click on the link above to see what this is all about).

Have a happy day! 

With Love, 

Camille

Please Pray ~ An Update

Austin has been losing weight and strength 

over the last couple of months. 

It's a balancing act as we seek to manage meds and lifestyle. 

He trusts in the LORD.  We do too. 

What a blessing it is to know that He does all things well. 

Eternal perspective is imperative always, but, 

especially in times like these. 

Our Great God is Faithful. 

He is able to do amazing things.

He already has. 

Throughout this trial we pray that the 

LORD would be exalted. 

That He would be magnified. 

That He would be praised.

It's the reason we exist. 

Whatever He deems best is what we want. 

For Austin.  For our family.  By His grace.

How precious each day is! 

Austin was taken off one of his heart medications

due to the fact that it seemed to be aggravating his Crohn's Disease.

However, it is apparent that this medicine is

necessary for Austin's heart function.

If he cannot tolerate it (or its cousin) 

he will require the placement of a pacemaker. 

We pray that all will go well with this drug. 

But, if the LORD can use Austin more 

effectively with a pacemaker, that is what we want.  

His will, not ours, be done.

Our times are in His hands. 

Our children belong to Him. 

Please pray for Austin's body to accept this medicine. 

Please pray that the Crohn's would not flare 

due to the re-introduction of it. 

And, of course, please pray for complete healing. 

Our God is able.  But, His ways are not ours ~

They are higher. 

HIS will be done. 

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! 

With Love, 

Camille

On Being Real

On being real.

Being real with our children.  Facing up to our sin.

Owning it.  Confessing it.  

Praying with them and asking them to pray for us.  They will.

It's a beautiful thing to walk this path with them.

Share our faith in the trenches with them.

Look to the LORD with them through 
all the joys and sorrows of this life.

God is Faithful.  All the time.

He will never forsake us.

He will give the grace and strength needed.

He will forgive us when we fail.

Day by day.  Moment by moment.

Over and over and over again.

How precious HE is!

If you wonder where to begin.

How to begin?  Begin first with HIM!

Seek the LORD in prayer.

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God,

that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not;
and it shall be given him."

~ James 1:5 ~

Read His Word.

(Proverbs is a great book of wisdom).

Pray His Word.  Memorize His Word.

(I speak to myself here the most).

We must ask Him to forgive and mold and shape us.  
He will.  By His Grace.  For His Glory.

Looking to Him each step of the journey
together with you!
He alone is worthy of all our praise.

With Love, Camille

It's a Battle

It's a battle. 

The battle for contentment.

Just when I think I have this one figured out, 

something comes along to rock my boat.

Paul said ~ "I have learned, 

in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."

~ Philippians 4:11 ~

It is something that has to be worked at.

It has to be learned.

In fact, contentment cannot be 
achieved in our own strength.

It's impossible.

Two verses later Paul states ~

"I can do all things through 

Christ which strengthens me." 

 ~ Philippians 4:13 ~

It doesn't come naturally. 

Discontentment does.

But, the LORD promises to give grace.
HE promises to give strength.
We can do all HE calls us to in HIM!
What a blessing!

 

"Discontentment comes from elevating 

the things of this world above the things of eternity."

~ Pastor Cam ~

If only we could (go, do, get, be)...fill in the blank ~ 

A holiday. A spouse. A new something or other. 

Discontentment will not be remedied 

by stuff or circumstances. 

On vacation or in a new home,

our hearts go with us. 

Nothing will bring lasting contentment. 

Nothing, that is, except the LORD Jesus Christ. 

If we have HIM, we have EVERYTHING.

How liberating and wonderful this truth is! 

By God's Grace, if we are in Christ,

nothing will be able to shake our foundation. 

Absolutely nothing! 

HE is ALL!

With Love,

Camille

**Photo in this post courtesy of our Calvin ~

Thank you my love!  XO