Thursday, July 29, 2010

wild grape

I'm a grape fan. Grape water, grape jelly, grape medicine - I like it all, so I was pretty excited to see the new wild grape pop tarts. And they were frosted - even better! Apparently Pop Tarts had grape on shelves for a while and then took approx. a two year hiatus before rolling these bad boys back out. I never tasted the original grape pop tarts, but if they were anything like the "new" version I could understand why they might have disappeared for a while.

Toasted: These tasted extremely artificial. No, I am not ignorant to the fact that Pop Tarts are not made with real fruit, but this was just plain awful.

Frozen: Better then the former and latter - this reminded me of the sweet jelly that I like to sandwich between peanut butter and bread.

As Is: Just mediocre. The frosting helps, but not much. Sorry grape, you won't be making your way into regular rotation anytime soon!

Pop Tart Fact: The process of making Pop-Tarts begins when pastry dough is rolled through a conveyor belt to form two sheets of crust. The flavored filling is squirted onto the bottom sheet, which is covered by the top sheet. The crust is then cut into squares and rolled through a three hundred foot-long oven. Meanwhile, frosting is mixed in tanks and pumped onto the squares when they emerge from the oven. The final step is to weigh and drop sprinkles onto the frosting.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

amen

“Lord, help me to learn how to hang on tight to You when my life is rocked by dramatic change. Empower me to trust You and not to panic or fight for control. Help me to stop confusing a change in my circumstances with a change in my security status. You are my security, O God. You are the one sure thing. When everything around me shakes, You are unshakable. Nothing has the propensity to reveal false gods to me like a sudden change in my circumstances. Help me to see them and surrender them instantaneously. Use change to provoke what needs changing in me, Lord, and to increase my appreciation of the only One who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” - Beth Moore -

Saturday, July 24, 2010

tea & crumpets


The other day I realized we were halfway through 2010 and it reminded me of my commitment to eat "10 foods from 10 countries to try in 2010." The problem is...I've only had one of those things. And its July. So today Kelly came over and we decided to knock off another one from my list. This time? Tea and crumpets of course! We dressed like sophisticated British women (see photo above) and I bought a package of crumpets from Kroger. They were made in the USA but the package had a huge British flag on it...close enough. Take a little look at this video to see what we thought...(sorry the video is sideways)


Not exactly the best thing I've ever had, but not the worst! It was kind of a mix between English muffins, pancakes, and a sponge.

Friday, July 23, 2010

"big girl" Bible

A lot of big transitions are happening in my life right now and with all of the recent decisions and changes I have finally decided to start using my "big girl" Bible. A few months ago when I was having a hard time my sweet sister sent me a new Bible - the NIV Quest Study Bible covered in bright teal Italian Duo-Tone. It's an awesome Bible, but for some reason I just couldn't convince myself to give up my Revolve Teen Devo Bible. For the past few years my Bible has traveled across the world with me, withstood a variety of breakfast beverage stains, and is covered in enough ink to fill a pack of pens. I LOVE my Bible. It is filled with significant dates, keynotes from messages, and it highlights all of my favorite verses. I even like that the silver lining has worn off on the sides where I thumb through the pages. However, as I am slowly embracing adulthood I have found that the devos aren't quite as relevant anymore and/or that I have read them so many times I not only recognize them, but can finish them without looking. So it's time to move on. And Jess gave me a great idea - to save my Bible to give to my future daughter (if the Lord allows) one day. After all, that Bible helped me through a good majority of my teen years. I plan on doing the same thing with my new Bible - recording events, taking notes, highlighting verses, etc. so that I can pass along my next Bible as well. Don't you think that's kind of fun? To pass along my teen Bible when my daughter turns 13, or my post-grad Bible when she graduates, and so on? Let's just hope the Lord blesses me with a daughter (or a niece) at some point in life!

Here are a few "sneak peek" pages of what the inside of my Bible looks like:

Thursday, July 22, 2010

vanilla milkshake

I know this blogpost doesn’t really tie in with my latest postings, but you didn’t think I’d forget about my Pop Tart Project, did you? It has almost been a year and I’m only halfway through (exactly why I didn’t set a timeline), though the thought of being halfway through gives me some extra motivation to see this thing to the end!

What’s next on my lineup? Vanilla Milkshake. I cannot tell you how thrilled I was to see that this particular box also accompanied a 25% less sugar label. Coming in with only 11 grams of sugar is pretty good considering most “healthy” granola bars have that many grams or more – look it up! So here’s what I thought…

Toasted: Yummy! It tasted just like vanilla cake frosting. I especially love that they are covered in rainbow sprinkles, a personal favorite of mine.

Frozen: GREAT! No wonder they call it vanilla MILKSHAKE – this one tastes the best cold.

As Is: Kinda bland…I guess that’s what happens when you reduce the sugar. I will say that toasting and/or freezing this particular pop tart made a huge difference.

Pop Tart Fact: Pop-Tarts are not vegetarian/vegan-friendly because they are made with gelatin, an animal by-product.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

27 dresses

My roommate (and one of my best friends), Jess, got married! It was such a fun weekend. Thursday night we had her bachelorette party and went out dancing, Friday was the rehearsal dinner, and Saturday was the wedding! Weddings are so fun, its like a huge reunion. This wedding was also extra special for me b/c it was my debut appearance as a bridesmaid! I still remember when Jess came home and asked me if I'd be in the wedding - what an honor. When I stood up there with the rest of the girls watching Jonathan Falwell talk about marriage it really hit me just how important marriage is...I mean, thats a covenant before God. It's a promise. Forever. And I've always known that, but recently I feel like marriage has become so temporary in our society that Americans no longer value it. Weddings are no longer a"big deal" to some people because they don't last. Or people have become so numb to the idea of marriage because there is no sanctity in it - people no longer get married before they are living together, having sex together, and having children together.

I'm sure it was no coincidence that last Tuesday's Bible Study was on marriage. In Nancy Lee DeMoss' book "Lies Women Believe" she offers up lies & truths about marriage. Here are some of the points she made:

- Marriage is a lifelong covenant that is intended to reflect the covenant-keeping heart of God. As He is faithful to His covenant, so we must be faithful to keep our marriage covenant.
- There is no marriage God cannot heal. There is no person God cannot change.
- God uses the rough edges of each partner in a marriage to conform the other to the image of Christ.
- God's grace is sufficient to enable you to be faithful to your mate and to love and forgive without limit.

Pretty powerful stuff, huh? It certainly got me thinking!

Anyways, here are some pictures (in order) from this weekend's events...

Saturday, July 17, 2010

hope

I have a hope, I have a future
I have a destiny that is yet awaiting me
My life’s not over, a new beginning’s just begun
I have a hope, I have this hope

God has a plan, it’s not to harm me
But it’s to prosper me and to hear me when I call
He intercedes for me, working all things for my good
Though trials may come I have this hope

I will yet praise Him, my great Redeemer
I will yet stand up and give Him glory with my life
He takes my darkness and He turns it into light
I will yet praise Him, my Lord my God

My God is for me, He’s not against me
So tell me whom then, tell me whom then shall I fear
He has prepared for me
Great works He’ll help me to complete
I have a hope, I have this hope

Goodness and mercy, they’re gonna follow me
And I’ll forever dwell in the house of my great King
No eye has ever seen all He’s preparing there for me
Though trials may come, I have this hope

There’s still hope for me today
‘Cause the God heaven loves me

- Tommy Walker

Friday, July 16, 2010

unwritten

I quit my job today.

I’m sure everyone feels like I owe him or her some sort of explanation – I mean, you don’t just quit your job. But here’s the thing, I could answer every question you could possibly have about why I did what I did, but the main reason (and the only one that really matters) is that God has called me home. Just like He did for the Israelites in the wilderness, He has moved my cloud. And if there is one thing I’ve learned about reading the Old Testament, it is that God does not like disobedience. I will gladly follow where He leads because I know HE knows what’s best.

I can’t say it was the easiest decision I have ever made. It was something I’ve wrestled with for a while now. After all, I finally put down some roots, made great friends, and I had a job in my field – something a lot of my friends wish they had. And I know Satan has been working overtime in trying to tear my heart apart. From the outside it must seem like the dumbest decision – quitting my job in a bad economy, no job to fall back on, a gap in my resume. And I think there is a lesson to be learned in that…it is easy to be selfish and desire the security of a job, but if I place my hope, trust, and value in my success in the workplace I will always be disappointed. My hope and trust are in God and knowing that He is preparing me for something big.

Last week while I was doing my devo, I got a little confirmation of my decision when I read this:

“Following your life purpose will disappoint someone in your life, perhaps even many someones. Not following it will disappoint you and dishonor why you are here.” – Ellen Miller

So what’s next? That’s the exciting/scary part. I plan on really investing time in my magazine (Lily Girl’s Magazine), a calling that has been so close to my heart for so long now…and the rest is up to God!

To anyone that’s been hurt by my decision to leave…I am so sorry.

And a big THANK YOU to all who sent encouraging texts, e-mails, and Facebook messages after I asked for an extra dose of prayer this morning. The power of prayer is amazing – I have had an unexplainable peace and joy all day and your messages have been full of encouragement and love. Just take a look at this…


Miranda Canady could use an extra dose of prayer this morning...

Susan Pringels Horton and Stephen AkaFix Jordan like this.

Sheila Savage Branson U got it sister

Pamela Foster Young Were two or more are gathered...............

Camille Deel Coming ur way!

Aleta Canady You got it, call me later

Brieanna Canady always. i love you

Jennifer Keaton Miranda! Your one of the most amazing woman i know!! Your thoughtful and kind, gentle yet strong, a great listener as well as you provide wise counsel! Your adventurest yet you take joy in the everyday, small things of life!! If only I had met you sooner in life ;) but God's timing is PERFECT!! TRUST HIM and i'm praying for you!! Love ya, Jen

Beth Jackson been praying...can't wait to chat. u!


God is good. All the time.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

july 11, 2010

I meant to post on July 11th. It's now July 13th and I am making myself write now while the day is still fresh on my mind. July 11th was amazing. Definitely one of the best days I have had in Lynchburg as a post-grad. It wasn't that anything particular happened - no long awaited event, or a special surprise, nothing that involved gifts...it was just a good day. Have you ever had one of those days where the overflow of little things just makes you smile? It was one of those.

I woke up on Sunday refreshed. After a long and stressful week and a little bit of a lonely weekend I woke up and just finally surrendered everything to the Lord. I reached a breaking point, but this time instead of sending me into a puddle of tears meltdown, I felt peace. I went to church and was greeted by a huge group of friends, we took up nearly an entire row at TRBC.
The service was great and randomly, my tour guide from Israel, Ido, was in town visiting! After church we all went out to LaCa to celebrate Ryan's birthday - another fun time of fellowship.

That evening our Sunday night Bible study group got together and hiked up to the LU monogram to finish our last lesson in Joyce Meyer's "Never Give Up Series" Everything about the night was incredible - the people, the views, the conversation, the prayers, the hugs...everything. I hope I never forget that day. God is doing something big in my life and I can't wait to see how everything unfolds.

Here are some pics from the evening...

Friday, July 9, 2010

lost & found

Remember a few posts back when I lost my retainer? Yeah, well I never found it. Of all the things to lose, I'm pretty sure that was one of the more expensive items. I searched EVERYWHERE for that thing. And as much as I am going to miss that bright yellow glow in the dark gem with sparkles I was super excited to receive my new and improved retainer in the mail today - purple and white zebra print with silver sparkles...a bit more mature, don't ya think? I'm just thankful they didn't make me go with regular mouth-colored. The point of this post? Don't lose your retainer. Vanity has a high price tag. $350 big ones. Yipes!



Thursday, July 1, 2010

cinnamon roll


I can't remember the last time I had a cinnamon roll for breakfast...maybe its because Americans have taken everything sweet and delicious and made it practically taboo to indulge in. Cinnamon rolls (along with doughnuts, scones, coffee cake, and other danishes) automatically got lumped in the "don't eat ever" category. And if I'm being honest, a sugar rush is probably not the best way to start my morning. When I got my hands on these cinnamon roll pop tarts I was thrilled. I feel like its pretty hard to go wrong with sugar and cinnamon, thus my obsessive love for Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal. Here's how the cinnamon roll pop tarts fared:

Toasted: SOOOOO tasty! Warm and yummy, similar to a freshly baked cinnamon roll. I think they would have been awesome with warm apples over a bowl of vanilla bean ice cream!
Frozen: Wayyy too much crust goin on.
As Is: The taste was there, but the frosting to crust ratio was way off. Entirely too much pastry in my opinion ;)

Pop Tart Fact: Kellogg test-marketed Pop Tarts in Cleveland, where they sold out the initial test run of forty-five thousand cases. Kellogg quickly released Pop Tarts nationwide, along with a stern warning to store managers to put them in the cake and cookie aisle, not the cereal aisle.