I'm home ... & Tasty Tuesday!

It's good to be home after our family vacation out West. I have much to in coming days. Being in a totally different environment is a great way to "see" new scenery, as well as new things about the Lord, yourself, your family, and your "normal life." Most of our time away, we were far from any "technical contact," and radio reception was sketchy and infrequent, not to mention limited. On a day trip from our cabin, we were excited to find one christian radio station received for a short time. This morning, on my way home from the airport (see next paragraph), I scanned the radio for fun and found EIGHT such stations!!! That's something to be thankful for & mindful of, remembering that "To whom much is given, much is required," (Luke 12:48).

We arrived home last night, and Jeff had to "re-leave" from the airport this morning, on his way to PA to be with his parents for his dad's open heart surgery Wednesday morning. Please keep him in your prayers. He is having an Aortic Valve Replacement. He had polio as a child and suffers from the impact, so there are added concerns in this surgery. We appreciate your prayers as the Lord brings Jim to your mind Wednesday morning.

Our days away were full in every way. As always, vacationing with us is a little like "the Amazing Race." Somewhere in there I usually eek out a "please just let me just veg' " request, and so we slow down and just "be quiet." There was time for all of that and more during this gift of time away, and I even want to share about the "gift" nature of this vacation. God was so good to us.

Inspired by our vacation, I want to share a "Western themed recipe" in honor of Tasty Tuesday & Tempt My Tummy Tuesday. We have used this often with venison, but it goes great with a beef steak, too. Make a big batch; you don't have to be a cowboy to ask for seconds when you use this!

Steak Marinade (Great for venison!)
1 c. soy sauce
1/4 c. water
3 tsp. sesame oil (I've used other oils when I don't have sesame)
1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp. pepper
1 T. oil
2 t. minced garlic

Mix and pour over meat, and marinade all day, turning at least once. Drain the marinade before grilling. (Camping idea: We have used this to take fresh meat in the marinade, freeze in a ziploc bag, and then take it backpacking. Double bag it, so that you don't find marinated socks in your pack. Meat thaws and soaks during the day and is ready to pan fry or grill in the evening! Cowboys would be proud.)

Looking forward to sharing with you about our sabbath time away in the days to come ...