A few days ago, I wrote about Kelli here. For those of you who are so inspired, I wanted to say that today is the day BooMama posted a link for people to donate money to help Kelli pay for her liver transplant. Please see more information on BooMama's blog here.

God, I thank you for the generosity of these men and women throughout the blogosphere. I pray right now that you hold Kelli and her family tight in your arms, refusing to let go. Please provide for her in ways she can't even imagine - both financially and health-wise. Thank You for letting us come to You with these petitions. You are an amazing God! Your daughter, Ashley

I was wondering what my first main "project" could be while celebrating my Year of Abundance, when it was wonderfully thrown in my face. I was invited to a baby shower this past week, and I thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to try to make something for the mother-to-be, instead of buying something at the store. I thought I'd try my hand at knitting something (like a hat or booties), but I didn't think I had the needles or skill in order to make something. So far I can knit, but not purl. I've only just learned this over Thanksgiving.

Then I thought about all of that fabric in my closet. I love blue and yellow together, and I found that I had previously purchased tons of fabric in those colors that I had never used. (And since the happy couple don't yet know the gender of their baby, I thought this combination would be perfect.) I found a simple pattern online and began quickly, since I only had 5 days.

Once I cut up all the fabric and began sewing, I realized that I didn't have enough of light blue and yellow floral fabric. Instead of panicking and buying a suitable replacement, as I didn't have another similar fabric, I decided to make the corner blocks with a solid yellow square instead. (It's hard to make out, but you can tell the top right and bottom left squares are different.) So here is the finished result!

The whole thing was done by machine, a first for me. I've only hand quilted before, but because of time constraints and my newfound knowledge of sewing from making skirts, I found machine quilting wasn't that hard after all. Also, the quilt is only 3 feet squared, so that made it easy as well.

I was quite happy with how this came out. And it was all free! In the end, I'm so glad I tried to make something by hand, and I hope it will be more meaningful for my friend than if I had quickly picked something up at the store.

On a different note, I've begun walking to work. I used to take the light rail in to work, since I only had to travel 2 stops north to my job. However, the light rail recently discontinued a five dollar monthly pass, which I used to purchase for my rides. Now, the monthly rate is $31.50, which is very difficult to cram into Hubby's and my monthly budget.

Now, I walk to work, which in itself has become a great blessing. I now have more time to reflect on the Word, and on top of that I get great exercise. The walk is 25 minutes one way, and half of the journey is indoors, so I should be fine when rain comes. (It doesn't really get cold here in Texas.)

Next up, I plan on cleaning out the kitchen: reorganizing, finding cans of food I never knew I had, getting rid of old appliances I never use, etc. Anyone want a almost-never-been-used waffle maker or George Foreman grill?

When I read about this on Becky's blog, I nearly cried. You can read about Kelli's story on her blog, part one and two, and especially her letter to God.

Also, please check out BooMama's site for a way we can all help Kelli.

The 24-year-old in me can't imagine being in this situation. I don't know what it's like to face death in a very real way. I can't imagine what this woman is going through, but I know that we serve a very awesome God who can perform miracles. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, and His plan for Kelli was written before she was even born.

If you could take a moment right now and prayer for Kelli and her family, and perhaps leave her a note of encouragement on her blog, I know she would appreciate it. Let's surround her with love just like her Heavenly Father holds her in His hands right now.

"He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many." 2 Corinthians 1:10-11

Whenever I have down time, during my commute or when walking around the hospital, I try to reflect on verses that I love or ones that apply to struggles I'm currently facing. I've come to appreciate this "quiet" time to think. So far this practice hasn't come easy, since so many of the verses I learned as a child have left my brain, and of course, my thoughts tend to wander. I hope to spend more time in the Word this coming year, and I plan to memorize some of my favorites Psalms for these times of reflection.

Psalm 8 is one of my favorite Psalms--I remember my chemistry professor reading it to our class the first day of college. I have once heard from someone that this Psalm is Genesis 1 set to verse. As a scientist, it so wonderful to ponder on God's handiwork and creation as I'm studying His world.

We tried a new recipe this week that we really liked. It was very easy, and the result was tasty. It will definitely be on our menu again in the future! (It said it serves 4 but we didn't have any leftovers between the two of us. I think it could serve 3 comfortably. Also, I skipped on the kalamata olives because I DETEST olives with a passion.)

Kalamata Lemon Chicken
Prep: 10 minutes
Bake: 35 minutes
Oven: 400°F
Makes: 4 servings

Ingredients:
1 lb skinless, boneless chicken thighs
1 tablespoon olive oil
2/3 cup dried orzo
1/2 cup drained, pitted kalamata olives
1 14-ounce can chicken broth
1/2 of a lemon, cut into wedges or chunks
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon dried Greek seasoning
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Hot chicken broth (optional)
Fresh oregano leaves (optional)

Directions:
1. In a 4-quart Dutch oven brown chicken in hot oil about 5 minutes, turning once. Stir in orzo, olives, broth, lemon wedges, lemon juice, Greek seasoning, salt, and pepper. Transfer mixture to a 2-quart rectangular baking dish.
2. Bake, covered, in a 400°F oven about 35 minutes or until chicken is tender and no longer pink (180°F). If desired, serve in shallow bowls with additional hot broth and topped with fresh oregano.

Per 3 ounces chicken + 1/2 cup orzo: 309 cal., 11 g total fat (2 g sat. fat), 91 mg chol., 837 mg sodium, 24 g carbo., 2 g fiber, 27 g pro.
Daily Values: 1% vit. A, 14% vit. C, 2% calcium, 12% iron
Exchanges: 1 1/2 Starch, 3 Lean Meat, 1/2 Fat

Actually now that I type that up I realize I forgot to put in the lemon juice. Oops. :-) I served it with warm pita bread wedges and a salad, and we both thought it was delicious. It's an easy meal to have on a weekday if you don't mind waiting 35 minutes for it to bake (which we don't)!

When Beth and I started this blog, we wanted it to be a place to minister to Christian women, especially working wives without children. We have both enjoyed writing in it these past few months, and hope you have enjoyed reading it! It's hard to keep up with a daily post, since we both also have personal blogs and are busy with full-time jobs and taking care of our households. However we hope you find it worth your while to come visit us!

Beth and I keep a running list of topics we like to write about on this blog. However we'd also like your input on what topics you'd like to hear about. Would you like to know more about our personal lives? Would you like more posts on devotionals or inspirational verses/stories/etc.? Would you like us to address some hot topics like abortion, feminism, etc.?

I have a few posts in the works, including a book review (my first blog book review ever!), so be sure to look for those!

I usually seem to make half-hearted attempts at resolutions, wearing out before January has gone. With my resolutions this year, I have the same gusto, but as I plan on posting about my progress, I hope I will keep on track! Along with spending more time growing as a child of the Lord and appreciating my family more, I am going to Celebrate a Year of Abundance. As I mentioned before, this idea has struck such a chord with me that I had to jump on the bandwagon.

Like Sallie, I don't want to do this to limit and deprive myself. That is not the point, although on the surface it may look that way. I want to cut back so I can appreciate what I do have, and I have so much!

I plan on adopting this Depression-era motto for this coming year:

Use it up
Wear it out
Make it do
Do without

Since lists tend to help organize my thoughts and keep me on track, I thought I'd post some of the ways that I plan on celebrating this year of abundance:

1. Cut back on clothing purchases, and sew my own clothes instead. This would cut back significantly in clothing costs, and it's always great to learn a new skill!

2. I love doing crafty stuff, especially knitting, quilting, and cross-stitching. I have so many projects started (and not finished!) or the supplies in storage that I could easily keep myself occupied for a year without buying any more.

3. Drink tea instead of coffee. I have quite a collection of black and green tea in my pantry, but instead I buy coffee every morning. I plan on drinking all this tea instead. And it might take me a year to do it.

4. Bring lunch to work instead of buying it.

5. Go through all my old stuff that I never use and give it away.

This list isn't meant to be exhaustive, and it's only a starting point. To me, this will be more about a change in mindset than a set of rules. I don't want to be legalistic about this. Instead, I want to celebrate the Lord and all His blessings in my life. I think it's so wonderful to use the resources God has given us wisely, and I can't wait to get started!