Jessica Juliennes

Hooray for the holidays, so many great reasons to try new recipes!  Or, break out some tried and true favorites and traditional treats.  I love to cook and bake, and I have an obsession with food blogs…OBSESSED!  Thank goodness for Google Reader, which helps me keep up with all the latest and greatest posts…Gingerbread Bagels, What’s Megan Making, Kayln’s Kitchen, Becky Bakes, Smitten Kitchen, the list goes on and on.  I don’t think I could have a cooking blog though, as the only thing that rhymes with my name is julienne, and “Jessica Juliennes” has far too many syllables and is quite possibly not even grammatically correct, eek!  Anyway, Thanksgiving is my favorite, and it’s practically the gateway drug to all things holiday.  Here are few things that kept me busy this weekend, kicking off the holiday season:

Pumpkin Dip – Delish and super easy, great for kiddos!  The recipe calls for 6 oz. of cream cheese, which seems silly since cream cheese comes in blocks that are 8 oz. in size.  So, I just opted to increase the ingredients slightly to use the whole block.  This meant that I had to increase the rest of the ingredients by a third, and increasing ½ cup by 1/3 is like 0.16 which is muy complicato to measure, so I just eyeballed it, did some taste testing, and it turned out great. 

Bacon-Wrapped Blue Cheese Dates – Aside from the fact that dates look like gigantic, disgusting bugs, these are amazing.  Thankfully, blue cheese and bacon transform this treat into something sweet, salty, and altogether delicious.  The date has been redeemed and is GOOD.  Notes on this recipe – I used my kitchen shears to cut these lil' suckers open rather than trying to cut them with a knife, a much faster method and overall brilliant time saver.  The recipe instructs you to cut all the bacon slices into half, which is not a good idea.  Instead just wrap until the date is covered and then use your kitchen shears to cut.  I also ran out of bacon before I ran out of dates, I probably had 14 or so leftover.

White Bean Turkey Chili – This soup was introduced to me by one of my very best friends, who is an amazing cook and fellow foodie.  It is so easy, and full of flavor.  I love cumin so I increased that slightly.  Also, you might be inclined to skip the cinnamon, don’t!  It makes the dish.  I also reduced the amount of chicken broth to just 3 cups to keep it thick, and then added more stock the next day to the leftovers to thin it out a bit.  Super easy and smells amazing!  One of my new faves.


 



Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies – Okay, well it was *supposed* to be made with chocolate chips but I had already committed to the idea of making these cookies…committed as in had the sugar and eggs already blended, whoops!  Turns out that the chips in the freezer were cinnamon, so this recipe turned into pumpkin cinnamon chip cookies.  YUM!  Cinnamon chips aren’t easily sourced, so don’t delay, run to your local grocer to find them and toss them into the freezer so you can summon their cinnamon-y goodness at any time.  They would be a great addition to a coffee cake, cinnamon rolls, oatmeal cookies…ooh, that is a really good idea, must go buy oatmeal, ASAP.  

My home is full of all sorts of delicious smells and leftovers and I am excited for all the wonderful moments of celebration that December brings with it. What’s on deck next?  Decorating the house for Christmas, planning the menu for December's book club taking place at my little chateau, and of course my sweet and beautiful grandma’s pumpkin bread.  It wouldn’t be the holidays without it.

Yes, I was a brunette...briefly.  Gram, in her wisdom, was not a fan.

Blustery Inspiration

I LOVE FALL. Even on days like today where my pants get soaked from my knees down thanks to the river of rain that has been dumping since yesterday AM, and I get to rock the disheveled, wet hair look while grocery shopping at Freddies and Costco (I just kept putting on gloss…for whatever reason I am convinced that lip gloss makes up for less than fabulous hair days).  Anyway, I love hot cider (heating some up right now), boots, snuggly sweaters and crisp leaves.  I love college football season and game days, (even though I got rid of cable and have only watched 1 1/2 games this season...minor side note).  I love beautiful fall days when the sun is beaming so brightly, you gotta wear shades, even though you are bundled up from head to toe.  I love blustery fall days like today when the wind never stops and the rain drums a steady beat from dawn till dusk and again the next day.  And I really love scarves.  I have blue, black, purple, gray, orange and also few silk scarves that I aspire to wear, but never do because it just looks so "grown up" and I am not yet actually a grown up, FYI.  My current favorite is soft and beautiful oatmeal colored scarf that kind of looks like this, that I'm dying to wear but sadly, cannot seem to figure out the right outfit.  But I MUST figure something out, because with inspiration like this video and the wind and cold, my oatmeal scarf is begging to weather this stormy week in November.

Video credit – www.wendyslookbook.com, she is darling, brilliant & talented!

Propaganda

I have been home for two weeks and it has felt a bit like madness.  Time is a finite resource that I treasure and try to manage so carefully, and yet it often slips through my fingers before I can catch it.  One of my big “takeaways” from Thailand has been an overwhelming desire to be intentional with how I use my time.  Yesterday was the first full evening to myself in…9 days?  I’m an extrovert, but that is crazy.  This battle for my time, enough for the Lord, myself, others, how do I conquer this thing?  I kept trying to figure out, is this a lesson that the Lord is trying to teach me? Or is the enemy trying to harass and deceive me?  Of course brilliance eventually set in (let’s be honest, it wasn’t my own) and I realized that the answer is YES.  Yes, the Lord wants to teach me something.  And YES, the enemy is attempting to be all up in my business and steal the awesome things that God is doing in my life. 

And then of course more brilliance arrived from God, delivered by an amazing woman that pours wisdom and truth into my life on a regular basis.  When the enemy is digging away at us, we are actually being tempted!  Tempted to believe the lies that the enemy constantly throws at us…they don’t like you, you’ll never accomplish that, change will never come, you’re not growing, you’re too old/too young, too short/tall, whatever…insert negative lie here: ________________.  However, when you realize what you are struggling with is actually the enemy tempting you to buy into his propaganda, clarity sets in!  I don’t have to give into the temptation.  I can say…NO.

There is this amazing song on the radio right now that shares, “In the war of my mind I will make my stand, in the battle of the heart and the battle of the hand.”  I love this because it reminds me of where the battle really is, it’s in my mind.  The enemy wants me to believe lies…I can’t do it, things will never change, you’ll never accomplish that…the list of things we struggle with goes on and on.  But what’s amazing is that God gives us a way out from temptation.

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 

I Corinthians 10:13

We always seem to think that we are alone in our trials and struggles…we’re a bit internally focused sometimes most of/all the time (that’s politically correct for self-absorbed, the world is all about me…ugh).  Reality check – this is yet another lie from the enemy because he wants to isolate us and shut us up.  One of the best ways to battle against our struggles is to start talking about it!  I love playing this trick on the enemy, even though sometimes it’s TERRIFYING to be transparent, because it’s always the beginning of the end of my battle against him.  Share your heart with your confidants, those who love you and pray for you and encourage you.  Live in community.  Let them hold you accountable.  Check in with you.  Be available to you.  Did I mention, live in community.

“He will not let us be tempted beyond what you can bear.”  If you think that you truly cannot bear what is happening to you and that you cannot do it (a lie), think again.  We can do all things through Christ…if it feels impossible, it very well might be without Jesus at your side.  If you are at the end of yourself, God has not forgotten you (another lie); He is waiting for you to ask for His help.  Because “He will also provide a way out” - I cannot tell you the number of times I have prayed for a way out.  Of a frat party.  A bar.  An uncomfortable conversation…situation...temptation.  A relationship.  He is shows up every time, with His mercy and grace to protect and rescue us.

Since my conversation with previously mentioned wise woman just two days ago, I have encountered three people who were desperate to hear this same word of encouragement…note that I was sharing my struggle and being transparent, aka drinking my own Kool-Aid.  And that is what this word is to me, encouragement and a reminder that the battle is already won!  I just have to take authority.  Partner with the God of the universe who WARS over us and battles for our hearts because He loves us.  Yep, I think I can get on board with that…oh, and He gives us the Holy Spirit to help us?  BAM. I am all over this one, party people.  My God is righteous, merciful and all things justice.  No propaganda, just truth.

I'm Back, Jack

“How was your trip? I can’t wait hear all about it!”

I cannot count how many times I have been asked this since I landed back in the US a week ago.  My response?  “It was amazing.  Life changing.  It sounds cliché, but I feel like a different person.”

How do you sum up life’s experiences into words?  I always say that I wish I could give out a USB or DVD with my experience on it that you could download into your head…then you would not just hear about my experience, you would KNOW it…you would FEEL it. 

The trip to Asia was long.  Four flights and one night in a random hotel that reminded me of The Shining along the way before we finally arrived.  We left PDX on Saturday morning and it was Monday late morning by the time we reached our destination.  And then we dove right in.  We met the most beautiful, welcoming, smiley children I’ve ever seen, so eager to love on you and be loved.  We toured temples, visited night markets for shopping, worked on the new property where the girls will be moving eventually.  We mowed a field, weed wacked, did cement work, moved heavy cement bricks around, helped build a hydroponic garden and pond for growing fish, raked a dirt field for rocks, and planted a garden.  We sweated.  A lot.  It was at least 90 degrees every day and probably just as humid.  Thank you Jesus, for the invention of dry fit clothing, oscillating fans, AC and baby wipes.  We at so much rice that we thought we would burst.  No traveler’s diarrhea for our team!  Now if only we had been prepared for the opposite problem…bloating now has new meaning.  Learn from - I will now be traveling with Starbucks VIA on all international trips in the future. 

People say that travel changes you.  Opens your eyes to how big the world is, and how small our day-to-day life is by comparison.  I was expecting that.  I didn’t have many expectations for this trip really, but I did know it would stretch me and I would be in an environment where I had no control and little influence.  A good exercise in personal growth for someone like myself who plans experiences for other people every day!  Talk about giving up the reigns.  And it was absolutely liberating.  To be a part of something that I was supposed to EXPERIENCE, rather orchestrate for others.  And so that is what I did. 

Two weeks is a long time.  Two weeks from today, Thanksgiving will be over and many of us will be shopping till we drop on Black Friday.  Doesn’t that feel like ages from now?  But two weeks was just enough time for this trip.  Just enough to marinate in the experience…to live and breathe the country’s culture, our team dynamic.  This experience and desire to go on this specific trip was put in my heart by the Lord over a year ago…before the trip was even scheduled.   My heart leading up to the trip was, “okay Lord, I know that this opportunity and experience is from you.  What do you want me to learn?  What do you want me to take away?  How do you want to change me?”  And I’m so grateful, because I did learn, He gave me so many “take aways” and He did change me. 

“Look at the nations and watch and be utterly amazed. 

For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe,

even if you were told.”

Habakkuk 1:5

I underlined and dated this verse in my beloved Bible on May 25, 2003.  It’s one of my “life verses.”  It’s not just about the nations; it’s about me, about us.  It’s about God’s heart for His people.  You and me.  And He is right.  I am amazed. If someone would have told me eight years ago what God would do in my life and that He would bless me with this experience to go to Asia, and that I would want to go, I would not have believed them.

Reason #5,278 why my God is AWESOME…He knows me better than I know myself.

This sweet girl has my heart.  She is 11, has been at the home for 5 months and wants to be a doctor.  On this night we gave all the kids brand new Dakine backpacks (some kids carried their books in a grocery sack), and all the girls got hair clips from Forever 21. 

I have an Appointment

In July 2010, the founder of International Justice Mission came to speak at my church.  They are a human rights agency that brings rescue to victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression.  The work this organization does is amazing, literally life changing for its staff, the people that they liberate, and those that they bring to justice.  The speaker was so well spoken and heartfelt; I was in awe of his passion and strength of conviction.  I came away telling people, “I want to be passionate like that about something.”  But not a cause that I choose from a laundry list of charities, but something that truly speaks to me…something specifically for me.  And so, I began to pray and then went on about my life, not realizing what my prayer would lead to.  Sometimes we forget that prayer works! 

In October I went to the Remember Nhu fundraiser here in Portland.  I met Nhu, and learned more about her story.  And then on December 23, 2010 I had dinner with some of my dear girlfriends from church, and one of the girls asked what was something each of us wanted to do in 2011 that was significant to us, outside the box or a challenge.  And when my turn came, I blurted out, “I want to go Cambodia.  I want to go to Remember Nhu.”  And it wasn’t as if I had even been really mulling this over or thinking about it.  This just came tumbling out of my mouth.  Out of my heart.  And as soon as I said, I knew that this wasn’t something I came up with, it was the Lord’s thing, for me.

Fast forward to October 22, 2011. While the destination has slightly changed, this is the fulfillment of that word from December and prayers that began over a year ago.  I have a divine appointment!  God has a specific mission for me, and 17 other people, as we head to Thailand.  And as I look back on my life and the last several years, I know that this divine appointment came about because of what God had for me at Solid Rock, and the people I met there.  This means that the catalysts that brought me to Solid Rock and these relationships were also things that God used to guide me to this next season in life.  To know that you are right where you are supposed to be brings peace and joy that only God can give.  And I am right where I am supposed to be…which is on a jet plane in less than 12 hours!  I can't wait to see what is in store.

Nefarious

Nefarious: Flagrantly wicked or impious...evil.

I had never even heard this word before until last month.  Because I have no previous knowledge of this word, my mind was impressionable, ready for a definition.  And now, I have one.  Last month I saw an incredibly impactful movie on human trafficking called Nefarious Documentary.  It stunned me, fascinated me, and made me rage inside, all at the same time.  The Bible talks about righteous anger and while I certainly do not claim to be righteous, the boldness and indignation that rose up in me was alarming...it could be powerful if I channeled it and actually took action.  Instead of just feeling compassion, I moved forward and showed mercy.  Stood for justice. 

Nefarious Documentary, The Trailer - http://vimeo.com/26792244

The Facts of Modern Slavery
> A child is trafficked every 30 seconds.  UNICEF
> The average age of entry into commercial sex slavery in the United States is 13 years old.  US Department of Justice
> Human trafficking occurs in 161 out of 192 countries.  The United Nations
> Pornography is a 96 billion dollar per year industry.   The Internet Filter Review
> Up to 96% of women in prostitution want to escape but they feel they can't.  United Labor Organization
> Human trafficking is a 32 billion dollar per year industry.  The United Nations
> In some countries, it is estimated that 70% of men purchase sex.  Victor Malarek, The Johns
> Over 27 million people are enslaved around the world.  This is more than double the number of Africans enslaved during the Trans-Atlantic slave trade.  Keven Bales, Free the Slaves

My airline ticket for Thailand was already booked months before I saw this documentary.  This cause was already ion my heart.  But I don't want to just go to Thailand for two weeks.  I want to do something. 

Two Weeks & One Carry-On Suitcase

I  cannot begin to tell you what I have been busy doing getting ready for this trip.  Either I am a control freak, overly organized, or think way too much.  Thankfully I have shared my crazy to-do list with several girlfriends, my mom and my aunt and they all laughed and breathed huge sighs of relief that they are not alone.  So, to all you planners out there, this shout-out is for you, baby:

Go to REI 5 x - 1 for shorts, 2 to return shorts, 3 to buy crazy bug spray with Deet, 4 to buy awesome Eagle Creek compression packing bags, and a random nylon purse since I only have nice purses and I don't want to ruin any of them, and I need something to put my bug spray, sunscreen, shades and Kleenex into each day.  Tomorrow will be trip #5 to return the random nylon purse because I changed my mind.

Go to Target 3 x - 1 for misc toiletries and meds like Pepto, Immodum, Aleve, travel Kleenex, shower cap, sunscreen; 2 to get waterproof mascara and underwear, as I have decided that I don't want to take my normal undies because I only have cute undies, naturally, and I don't want to take the good stuff to Thailand.  3 to return the Hanes undies as upon trying them out I have confirmed that no one should wear Hanes undies...saggy, saggy gigantic butt syndrome ensues.  The view in the mirror was a little horrifying and I am really not exaggerating.  And no, the view had nothing to do with my cute tush, just bad design & excessive amounts of fabric and elastic.

Go to Nordstrom 4 x - 1 for Keen sandals during the Anniversary sale, 2 for fancy tinted sunscreen, 3 to hit the MAC counter for waterproof eyeliner 4 to return fancy tinted sunscreen as on trip #3 my MAC girl confirmed that the tint is far too...tinted for my fair skin.  FAB.

Go to Croc Store 1 x - To try on Crocs since I only have nice shoes and I need a second pair of shoes since wearing the same pair of shoes for 14 days straight might not be the best idea for my feet.  Determine that they do not have what I want nor my size. So then add a to-do list to order correct shoes online.

Go to Nike Employee Store 2 x - 1 to buy another pair of dry-fit capris as I have decided that these would be a good idea, but I only have 1 pair and a 2nd pair would be smart.  But store is too busy to try anything on, so I buy 2 pair different styles.  Tomorrow will be trip #2 to return the pair that I don't want.

Shop Online...

• Crocs.com for sandals - check
• One-piece swimsuit since you can't wear two pieces on church trips - check
• Atlhleta.com for shorts since on a church mission trip you can't wear shorts above your knees, and of course my closest is not brimming with knee-length shorts and I can't find anything appropriate in late August.  Thankfully they were having a big sale & I found some perfect shorts - check
• Return all of the shorts that I did not like from Athleta.com either because of size, style and or length (I basically ordered 2 sizes in everything that I thought might be an option as I had no idea on my size in their clothes) - check
• Timbuk2.com for sporty purse because I did not like the random nylon purse I found at REI
• Return 2 out of the 3 purses to Timbuk2.com because I only need 1 - check
• Then return purse #3 to Timbuk2.com as an entirely separate shipment because on trip # 3 to Target I found a perfect, canvas, CHEAP purse that I won't care about..finally, because they didn't have any good options when I was there on trips 1 - 2.
• Drugstore.com - Order travel-size dry shampoo...only $3.50/can for my favorite brand, score!

This weekend's To-Do's

1. Returns to REI (trip #5) and Nike Employee Store (trip #2).
2. Drop off Mom's swimsuit to her house since I had the crazy idea that borrowing a suit from my beautiful and fashionable but obviously older than me, mom might be a good solution...it wasn't.
3. Get a 2nd passport picture because I am supposed to have one.
4. Do laundry...5 loads, why not?!
5. Do an entire packing trial run as we have to pack for 2 WEEKS IN A CARRY-ON BAG and this is of course a challenge for the girl whose motto when packing has always been, "it's better to have and not need, than to need and not have."
6. Clean my house as naturally I want it to be sparkling clean when I leave, rather than doing it while I am around to actually enjoy it.  Bizzare-o, I know.

This has been a bit exhausting....  But I know it will be worth it!  And I feel so blessed for the opportunity and the ability to go.  Two weeks unplugged, no cell phone, laptop, blow dryer or curling iron, or conference calls, agendas for meetings, notes to send out from meetings, etc.  Eighteen people, 1 house, 2 bathrooms = opportunity for personal growth and a lesson in creative hygiene.  Which makes me think, I should probably pack some baby wipes.  Awesome, that's trip #4 to Target.

Remember Nhu

This beautiful young girl pictured here is Nhu.  Before I leave on my trip I hope to share with you the video of Nhu telling her story.  In the meantime, here is mine.

When I first arrived at my home church of Solid Rock, I learned about an organization called Remember Nhu, http://www.remembernhu.org/.  Remember Nhu is a non-profit that is working in Thailand, Cambodia and India to prevent child sex trafficking.  They have homes in these three countries, where at-risk children who are in danger of being trafficked, are referred.  These children are given a safe place to live, food and clothing, loving house parents, and they receive an education and learn about Jesus and His love and faithfulness. 

As I learned more about Remember Nhu’s cause, I was horrified by the reality that exists beyond my everyday life.  Human trafficking is the largest criminal enterprise in the world, with a market value of $32 billion per year.  An estimated 1.2 million children are trafficked every year.  That’s 3,287 children…a day (United Nations).  In October 2010, I personally met Nhu, the organization’s namesake.  I listened to Nhu tell her story of being sold by her grandmother when she was just 12 years old, to a man for her virginity and being held against her will for 3 days in a hotel room while she was forced to service him.  She told this story all by herself, standing on a stage in front of more than 200 hundred people…in her own words, in broken English.  And then I was broken.  I am going to Thailand because after listening to Nhu courageously share her experience, I am compelled beyond reason, to do something…anything.

Why

So many friends, family, co-workers, acquaintances...complete strangers have expressed interest in my upcoming trip to Thailand...why, where, what is Remember Nhu, tell me about human trafficking.  The support and curiosity has been surprising and at times overwhelming.  A blessing.  Encouraging.  Daunting.  This blog is my attempt to share...which I must be honest is a bit terrifying.  If you blog, you really should be honest and transparent.  There is no point in blogging if your message and posts are superficial and lack vulnerability.  So, I am sharing with you...a window into my adventure.