beer butt chicken

I know you think i'm crazy, butt I had the best chicken on Christmas day. I went to a friend of the familys for christmas and they were having "beer butt chicken" I thought that they were off there rocker. I now have discovered the BEST tasting chicken. Some of you might have a problem with the beer part but the beer only moistens the chicken and you can't get buzed off of it. I had a great time at dinner. When the chicken is done it is chared black on the outside butt it is so moist and juicy on the inside. Let me know if you have ever had this delightful chicken.

1) the beginning you start with a can of beer

2) put chicken over can

3) get chicken out of grill 50 min. later and dig in. (looks bad but tastes good)

Gift of a Child

Sunday, I had turkey dinner at my sisters house because I will be out of town for Christmas and that I wasn't here for Thanksgiving. It was a great day of family relaxing and LOTS of eats. But the highlight of my day was when my Michael and Brianna ages 7&9 handed me the gifts that they had for me. I wanted to wait till Christmas, but you know kids they wanted me to open them now. I was so glad and blessed that I did. Michael had drew a picture of me and him on a regular size sheet of paper but only used the bottom ince and a half of the page. He then taped it to a peice of cardboard so that I could hang it up (and I am going to) but the best part was the HALF A ROLL of TAPE that he used (sis not happy but oh well) to wrap it with. Brianna colored me a picture that came on a box and the pic was of Mickey Mouse and friends. She to had used a lot of tape. I was so overwhelmed that I had to let you know that I think that the kids understand that it's about "from the heart". I will treasure the gifts for years to come. They mean more to me because they made it themself. They could have asked mom for money to BUY me a gift and that would have been nice but it would not have held the emotion that the hand made gifts do.
Hope that this blessed you as much as it did me. Have a Blessed and MERRY CHRISTMAS

God's healing power
I just want to take this time to give thanks to God for healing my:
Left ankle: it was broken years ago and caused daily pain and had to waer a brace from the time I got up to the time I went to bed. God gave me PS18:36 to stand on in my shoe and to write it on my ankle.
Nogles in my neck: had nogles on both sides of neck and had 2 surgerys prior to Gods haeling.
Right ankle: was severily sprined at the time I broke the left ankle. (leave it to me to mess up both ankles at the same time)
I thank God for all the healings He has done for me

using god in chain letters

It seems that ever day I open my e-mail and someone has sent me a story about things like "trusting God" by the time I get to the end of the story the letter informs me that all I have to do is forward it to at least 6 friends and in 24 hours I will be blessed beyond my understanding, but if I don't forward then I will have bad luck. What happend to the fact of the story about trusting God?? I am so sick and tired of getting chain letters. I have found no way of knowing which ones are chain letters. I have asked the ones that have sent them to me not to send them but they are so consumed by the fact that if they don't send them to all they know then they will have bad luck. the only other step I have is to block there e-mails but I don't want to do that because some of the e-mails are good. I don't know what to do. I pray that this person would just trust in the one true one who can bring peace?

7 Year Miracle

I call this the 7 year miracle because 7 years ago on the 23rd of this month I had stopped using herion and crack cocaine. While I was in fla. for about 7 years I got cought up in drugs. At one point in my addication I was using about $700 a day. Some friends of my here in Cleveland really did not think that I would make it out of Fla. alive. I was deep in my addication and only cared about getting my next hit. I am very thankful for those who were praying for me behind the scenes. While in fla. I kept trying to get clean but to no sucesse. I moved to New York where I had changed from crack cocaine to herion. Praise God that I was only there for 3 months, but in that time I saw more than anyone should see. God used my father being in the hosp. to bring me back to Cleveland (THANK YOU GOD). I believe that had that not happened that I would not be writing this. When I got back to Cleveland I had and stilll have the best support system of friends and I want to thank them. To start off with thank you Danielle for allowing me to move in, for making one of the conditions of moving in was that I was to go to church, you were there thru the good and the bad time (at times there were more bad then good) and you stuck by me when others told you to give up on me, carrie and the kids for loving me just where I was and for allowing me to crash with you when I first got home. All of those at Metro Church who love me wither they knew my past or not. Chelley & Laura for giving me the support that I need, to start chipping away that the walls that I had but up to keep people out and so that I could not got hurt anymore, to help me learn things that I was not taught growing up and giveing me encouragment to gow in God.
As I look back on my life I thank God for saving my life. People have asked if I would change anything in my life with all that happened to me and I now can no. God is using all the things I went threw to help others. I look at this way "How can you help someone if you have not gone the same thing." I am more open to someone who has gone thru the same thing I have gone thru.
I am thankful for everyone who has been there for me, weither it was a word of encouragement, support , a hug or with a smile. You have no idea how many times someone has smiled at me and it change my whole day.

I'm just living not thriving

I have had a very good weekend even though i had some challenging moments. I have been living with pain for years. I have been praying for God to heal me. I am in faith for it and believe that he has but waiting for the proof to come to earth. I was talking with someone yesterday and i had said that i was scared to talk with her because i thought that see was going to yell at me. see said that there was no need to think that she would yell at me. i also had told her that i felt that all i had been doing is messing up lately. she had told me that when she speaks about me she is amazed that i still have my sanity with all that i am going thru. i get up daily with one thing in mind to make it through another day. i need to see things as God sees them. i love God and want to server him to the best of my ability. sometimes it takes me a little longer to do things, but i push thru the pain and do it. i know there are times when i need to not do things but when i see something that needs to be done i do it no matter the pain level.
i am right now pushing thru the pain. i can't sleep right now because i can't get comfortable. everyday when i go to work i try to set an example to the crew that is under me. i don't ask the kids to do anthing that i wouldn't do. they are very understanding and i love them they are a great group. they can see thru me when i am hurting but i still keep going. i have no choice but to work. it would be great to be able to rest and let God do what he has to do. i am trying to rest but if i stay in bed for more that 4 hours the pain get unbearable.
i would love to get up today and not be in pain. i have done everthing that i belive a God has asked me to do. i have prayed, fasted stood on his word (litterely) wrote scripture on myself (even thought of having it tattooed on me), spent time worshiping and seeking his face, i am desprite and don't know what else to do. i want to have a life that is pain free and that i thrive in. to play with michael and brianna, to be able to play softball again, or to just take a walk on the beach much less down the driveway to take out the trash.
one day, just one day of NO PAIN! that is all i ask for. sorry if it seems as if i have been rambeling on just had to get it out there.

Ohio Learn & Earn (NOT a good idea)

I have been watching the news when a add for an issue that is on the ballott this Nov. It is Called "Ohio Earn & Learn" in the add they say that collage tuation can be earned by the use of slot mach. I don't agree with this at all. I see it as people trying to get gambling in this state. We have enough trouble without gambling. And what kind of message is this sending to the children? Is it saying that its ok to gamble? How many more people/families have to be ruined before we see that this is a Major problem NOT a soulation. We have to find other ways to provide for the eudaction. I pray that this Issue does not pass. It is a very bad idea.

loss of a cleveland officer

Early this morning(Thurs) when i was on my way home from work i was almost ran off the road by a police office speeding down the road. He was driving so fast that i did not hear his siren till he was on top of my car. At that time i was mad that he was going so fast. That was till i got to west blvd and lorain when i saw 2 more officers speeding east on lorain. At that time i knew that something was wrong. When i got up today i turned on the news as i always do, but this time it was different. There was an office killed in the line of duty. This one hit home because he worked in my district and the shooting was just a few streets away from me. I feel a sense of loss for the neighborhood and for his family. He left behind a wife and a 10 month old son. After i heard the news i had to repent for how i acted this morning with the officer speeding. Some things look one way but can mean another. Alot of times i think that officers go thru lights just to go thur them yet there are times when it is a matter of life and death.
In this shooting there is an issue that needs to be addressed and that is the fact that there are some areas that are weak spots in the vests. The bullett went thru the armpit and into the heart. something needs to be created that protects the sides along with the front and back

Careful when online ording

I just had the most unpleasent couple of days I had made an online order about a month ago. While I was checking out some screens popped up that were part of the website and I thought that I had "X'ed" the page close when I had in reallity I had just ordered 3 different things @ $14.95 a pop + what I had oraginally ordered $12.95. This simple order has cost me in the neighborhood of almost $250.00. A very high price to pay for trying to get something for only the cost of the shipping and handling. I am going to the bank on monday to see if they can help me out by dropping the bounced check charges. I have learned 2 things 1) DON'T due any ording when your tired. 2) READ each box carefully.

trying to keep my focus clear

I'm trying to keep my focus clear and on Jesus. I have made alot of progress and I am pleased. Yet it seems that the more that I focus on Jesus the more I get stuff dumped on me. The other night I made a stand against the pain in my back and it seemed that as soon as I got done the dumping began. My car stop working. (silver lining: friends loaned me their van). For the 1st time I didn't panic about the car not startring. It was the battery. That was thurs. than friday I got a letter that I wish that would have never came. It said that I owed a VERY large amount of money. This was was a part of my monthly income. And because they decided that they over paid me now they want this money in 30 days. This letter really has messed me up of the past 5 days.
Sunday Rob had gotten a word about how we are seeds and that as we break thru the ground all of a sudden all this dirt gets dumped on them and that is where I have been lately. I keep looking at the dirt and not to my Jesus. I have to admit since prayer sunday I have been doing better. I am having to trust that I can make it financially. I will have to cut out alot of things, but I think it can be done with God's help.This is a whole new level of trusting God. I have to learn how to live on a budget.
I am thankful that God has blessed me so much. I have a great home that I have been painting, A great job that allows me to have sundays off for God, A car to get around, 5 wonderful cats and 1 very neat ferrett.

I am Amazed

I am amazed at what God is doing in my life right now. Last night when I got home from work I needed to have some time with God before I went to bed. I got home @ 1:00 am and thought that I was going to get a quick 15 min. but you know how God is and when He wants you He gets you. When I pulled myself off the floor it was 3:00am. Boy does time fly when your having fun.
I have 2 chairs in my living room bay window one for me and one for God. Right now 2 of my 5 cats are having their time with God by sitting on Gods lap. They need there time also. (sounds crazy but did God not create them???)
I had a great time in warfare prayer over my back last night. I got a good night sleep. Well when I got up I had taken my friend to Case to get some work done on her teeth. Well when got to her house to pick her up I turned off the car. When I went to start it back up it wouldn't start. I see it as an attack on my peace because of the battle that I had won just hours before. Thankfully some friends had loned me there van so that I could get to work. I see how I handled the whole car thing as a major victory in my life. I used to get all upset and start to cry and panic not this time by Gods grace I prayed and when it still wouldn't start we took my friends car. Thank you Lord that it wouldn't start at my friends house and at Case.

Seeking what God wants for my life

Finding time to sit down and spend time with God seems like a simple thing but for me it's not. I have to force myself to do it. I know that it shouldn't be this way. I love God and I love to worship. It's easy as long as I am not at my house. With everything that has to be done in my new home I can get easily distracted by all that needs to get done. Just typing this post I can see SO much that has be done. I know that I just need to stop, slow down, and rest in Him. I have been having a lot of trouble with my back and a lot of times I won't let anyone really know how much pain that I am in because I feel that it would be giving the enemy glory. I am believing that God has healed my back and I am waiting for it to come.
Last week I had gotting let go from the one store that I was working at (this was the second store in a month), but got transferd to another store. I have been at my job for over 2 1/2 years and I love what I do. Being an asst. manager for a restrant is alot of fun for me. I love dealing with people. Most people would look at my being fired from 2 stores in a month as a bad thing but I see it as God closing the door for my being at this job. somethings God has to thump me on the head to get my attition. I am exicited and scared about looking for a new job. I am asking God what He wants me to do but it seems that I can't seem to slow down enough to hear Him.
My prayer is that God would help me to just sit and rest in Him so that I can hear what He wants for me.
I am working at the Strongsville store for now (it's easier to get a job if you have a job) while I seek God and find what He wants me to do.

Well it has been along time since I last wrote. I have finally moved in on July 4 My freedom day from my old house. I have finnished my bedroom and I am half way finnished with the kitchen

Here are some photos that show what the house looks like. Top Maxx Resting in my chair that I spend time with God. Next the finnished color of my bedroom walls (Bridal Rose)
The next two are from the kitchen before and After Next my neice Brianna helping me paint in my bedroom. Then Andie is checking out my progress. Next the kitchen counter And last but not least Mr Maxx making sure the floor is ready to have the tile put down.
I still have alot of rooms to finnish but I am getting there slowly.

Well I have 80 o/o of my stuff in the house. The living room is painted and all I have to do is get the power on and I can move the rest of my stuff in. Wends after I got done painting the livingroom I had my 1st. guests over to bless my home. We had a great time and I had the first worship in my home. As we were praying Chelley said she had just seen angles dancing from the living room and they danced to the back of the house where I will be sitting up my worship room. On Thurs. I was blessed by 5 young men from my church youth group. I also had help from 2 other friends. They ALL went above and beyond the call of duty that day and I am very greatful for everyone that helped.
Having trouble uploading photos but will try later.
Kim

God's Blessing Come In The Strangest Ways.
Friday while I was at work my friend Kathy called me and asked if I wanted some livingroom furniture and of course I said yes. See I have no furniture right now (you can't get anything up here). I went to Big Lots today and got the paint and rollers so that I can get to paining this week. I have tues weds thurs off. I plan on having alot of my stuff in on thurs. I am so looking forward to moving. I am so tired of the 3 floor climbe. God has blessing me with stuff and people to help me in this move. I have some of the guys from the youth group to help with the move. One of my friends is taking the day off to help.
I have been keeping my focus on Jesus and things have been working out great.

Looking Forward To Moving In

I am so excited about moving that I wish that there were more hours in the day so that I can get all that I need to do done before the end of the month. Today my landlord and I are working on cleaning the carpets and getting some of the faucets fixed.
The house needs alot of work but the rent is great. The guy that lived there before was to say the least was not the best of cleaners (that is putting it in the nicest way that I can). My sis and her 2 kids helped me get some cleaning last week and we went to take the drapes down and found 3 count them 3 more sets of drapes or blinds. Now that drapes are down we can see alot better. I could see that there was more work here than I thought I could handle. I called a friend who told me that I need to keep my focus on Jesus. I have a habit of trying to handle thing on my own and I lose myself and I do stuff that I am not to do. I know that God has blessed me with this house and I know that He will give me the grace to fix up my new home.
Jesus showed me that when I came back home to Cleveland I was a spiritual mess inside. I had so many cobwebs and junk and dirt, it took some time to clean me up and Jesus didn't give up on me and I am not to give up on my new home. I want to bless my landlords who are up in years and have been taken advantage of because they are older. I believe that God has given me this home to bless this couple and to show them that there are still people who care about others out there.
So far I have been blessed with a stove. Now I am still praying for a fridge. and a living room set. In the place I am at right now I have no room for a living room set so now I am going to need one. I know that God is going to have the right set for me. Today I am taking the before photos so that you can see how it looked before I started.

I got the news on wends. that I have all of the month of June to clean and paint my new home. And I can move in July 1. I am so happy to be getting off the 3rd. floor and on the 1st. floor. I have been spending so..... much time looking at paint colors. My new landlord said that I could use color other than the oh so boring white as long as it was not real dark of the neon color and all the colors that I have been looking at are soft. go figure me looking at soft colors and to top it off colors than are not the team colors of the browns of the indians. God has been changing me so much that at times I have to look twice at myself to make sure that it's me. I thank Him for everything that He has been doing for me.
On Monday I came home and packed up 13 big boxes (I ran out) till about 5am tues. Right now I am taking a break from packing so that I can give an update. Later today I am going to get in my apt. and get some cleaning done. I am going to do a photo log so that you can see the progress. There are alot of cobwebs because the place has been alowed to get run down and it really needs a woman touch. Be back later.
KIM

A NEW HOME DROPPED IN MY LAP
Yesterday when I came home from a friends wedding. I was getting some things out of my car when my next door neighbor asked me if I was looking for a first floor apt. I had been praying for a first floor apt for some time. I told him yes. I ask how much the rent was and it is 10.00 cheaper than what I am praying for now for a 3rd. floor apt.
God has blessed me with a 3 count them 3 bedrooms. 1 for sleep 1 for office and the other that is just off the bedroom for my worship room. A large dinning room and a livingroom with a bay style window. From the outside it looks like a rundown house and it can use some work and on the inside it needs alot of work. Most wouldn't even give this home a second look because of the condition, but I see a vision of how it can look with some cleaning and some fresh paint can do. I thank God for blessing me with a new home. Now all I need to do is get a painting and cleaning party together. Then alot of strong guys to move my stuff down 3 flights to the house next door.
KIM

Spring IS HERE! Thank You Lord

Spring is here and the weather is going up little by little. New life is budding on the trees, bushes and shrubs. The flowers that were planted in the fall are now pushing there way up thru the dirt that keept them warm and safe all winter. Birds are sin.ging and you can feel your spirits lifting as the cold leaves us for the warmth of spring. Kids that were going nuts in the house all winter and now getting that energy out on the outside of the house.
Low Winter has passed and spring has arrived. I look out and see new life on a new day and it brings joy to my heart.


KIM

These are my kids. From top Andie (she is a gift from my friend Suzanne) next is Tasha (she was a gift from Ken and Patt, they had moved and couldn't take her with them and she was about to have kittens when I got her) next is Cordelia (I got her from my friend Danielle when she moved to Cinci.) next is Einar (he is one of Tashas kittens) and last but not least is Mr. Maxx (I got him when I was in Fla. and my roommate left him behind. Mr. Maxx is real cool. he has to be the center of attention. he also greats me at the door when I come home.
I thank God for all my kids. They are very special to me and have helped me to learn more about unconditonal LOVE. No matter how my day went or what kind of attitude I have they still love me and help to bring me out of that bad attitude. They show me more and more how much God loves me no matter what kind of day I have had. He is still there to love me and accepts me for who I am and loves me when I don't think that I am loveable. God can use anthing He wants to get thru to us and remind us that He always loves us. I can talk to God about anything and He shows me how to walk thru even the toughest situations. No matter what I have done He only wants the best for me.
I have been studying the song of soloman for about 1 year now and God has been showing me how that even though I don't think that I am loveable He sees me as Loveable. He has been drawing me closer to Him thru this study. I know that I still have a long way to go in getting a deep relationship but it grows deeper and deeper every day as long as I keep seeking Him. I am learning more about His reavished heart for His bride. These are just some thoughts I thought you might like to know.