Veggie-tear-ian

I have really been feeling God pull me to a Vegetarian lately.  CRAZY I know.  I’m not sure if it would be forever, but I’m SO intersted in everything veggie!  When I look for recipes I automatically search for things without meat; things with veggies that I would like.  Now, considering I do not like most veggies, this idea of going Vegetarian kinda concerns me.  God has already changed my palet to things I never would have thought to like (protein shakes, avocados, etc.) and He’s wanting to change it more.  I think it’s amazing how God has changed my mindset more and more in the last 2 years about health and food and what’s good for you - the idea of choices and responsibility for what you are.  SO, my question is this…HOW IN THE HECK DO YOU BECOME A VEGETARIAN??  Obviously, choosing different foods in your local markets is something that happens, but emotionally, I almost already miss some of the things I still eat.  My guilty pleasure – Chick Fil A, Mexican food (which technically depends on what you get as to whether there is meat), Chinese food (MY ABSOLUTE FAV!)… I’m really liking this idea of recreating these favorites myself in my home to fit “veggie standards”, but that’s hard work.  Hm.  Maybe I don’t wanna do this…?  HA!  When have I ever walked away because it was too hard?!?  Nope, just not me.   And of course, if  I eat over at someone’s house I’ll eat what they prepare, that’s just polite and something I would NEVER ask someone to compromise for little ol’ me.  When I have a choice as to what I eat (which is 95% of the time) then I’ll choose what I like.

SO, I think, since God is causing this change in my heart, palet and even initial searching, I want to take that next step!  It might be work, and it may not be completely easy, but it’s do-able!!  I might even try to blog about the foods, my process, post some pics on here so you can see how yum it looks! 

Rosborough’s on the Rocks

The picture in my background is a picture taken from the banks of the Blanco river at one of my places in the world.  It’s called “Rosborough on the Rocks” – otherwise known as the family river house.  My husband grew up here, they have every Thanksgiving here, and it’s filled with memories and knicks knacks that tell their story.  Jim and Elsa Rosborough began this entire mess of people, love, and peace that would eventually be passed down to the Rosborough generations.  If I could live there I would.  Right now it’s used as a vacation/get away spot for all of the kids and grandkids to retreat to when the weekend comes and the water gets warm.  There’s nothing like it, nothing.  You can feel the excitement people left behind after their weekend was up, and see all the Dr. Peppers and Root Beers left behind in the outside fridge as evidence that “someone was here, and had a great time!”.  Even with the Christmas decorations that are always up, “snow cone” lights that hide themselves on the walls among all the other pictures and shelves, and secrets and history around every corner, it’s the most amazing piece of love I’ve every known.  Not to mention the whopping catfish named Gus (caught three times) that lives in the roots of a giant tree right outside the back door.  Who wouldn’t need this place around?! 

Cowboys and Indians

Yes…yes I am at work and posting on WordPress.  I know it’s horrible – but I’m SO bored and this is on my mind so leave me alone 

A co-worker and I were talking today about a person we both know who just can’t seem to follow through on things they say and do.  I mentioned to her that he doesn’t have good roots and doesn’t produce good fruit. (something I’ve said and heard so many times) But something amazing came about through this…God chose to teach me in a HUGE way through this phrase I’ve known for so long.  Ok, here goes…since I’ve lived in Georgia I’ve come up with this saying “cowboy mindset”.  A “cowboy mindset” is something I really recognize as a Texas thing (although I’m very sure it could be anywhere else) – it’s straight forward, no bull, ”if you don’t produce fruit then why do I need you” as an employer might say.  Cowboys are in my family, always have been, and they are honest, true, forward and believe in what they believe in.  If you know cowboys, most are farmers.  They completely rely on God to bring them what they need for their crop and understand that God has already provided all we need, and bad crop or bad fruit is a product of bad roots.  That was my explanation for this person; they did not have good roots or produce good fruit.

I then started explaining that if you can compare something to nature or something God has created you can see if it’s good and bad. For example…seasons (warm or cold), light, darkness, trees (growth or death).  HE has created all of these things (like fruit as before) - He’s already given it to us, and now, we choose.  What do we want?  Along with cowboys, she mentioned to me that she feels a sense of Native American in me.  I think I’ve always had this picture in my head about Native American’s and that they are very connected with nature and spiritual things, but this was all of a sudden a true connection in my spirit.  I am part Native American, and I’ve always been so passionate about my Mexican and Native American culture and keeping it alive in my heart and in my family…SO interesting that now it was so clear as to why that is!  When things like that flow out of you, you get this sense that it has always been there and now it’s just coming out.  All of this talk on good fruit/bad fruit, nature and God showed me a new and amazing part of who I am!

After explaining the “cowboy mindset” and the fact that where I come from (not just location, but growing up) fruit is so very important.  What I realize now is that my parents weren’t saying “if you don’t have a good job you won’t succeed”, they were giving me a bigger goal.  Something more so I will always be reaching and moving forward – developing good fruit and not staying stagnant.  How amazing is that?!  I come from a house of work and sacrifice and it has instilled an incredible sense of life baring attitudes and ways of thinking.  Of course, I’ve made mistakes and I don’t always choose the right direction, but this is part of my being.  Part of something I don’t have to TRY and be a part of…it’s in me.  I was so encouraged to know that even though I’ve always thought my growing up years were somewhat difficult that that’s not at ALL what it was about!  The much MUCH bigger picture was revealed to me today! 

This is what I was expressing to my co-worker, and even as I say these things I realize more and more about myself.  Isn’t it amazing how we spend so much time trying to understand or create what we believe and (in my case) all we have to do is speak to someone about the right thing and you find out more about yourself, your passions and your soul?!  That’s what happened here…God, through this incredible conversation, revealed to me a GIANT part of my heart.  

Brings a whole new meaning to the “fights” of “Cowboys and Indians”  HA!  They’re both in ME!  :)

I miss my people. :-)

Once again, it’s been a while.  Ha!  I wish I knew how to stay more consistent with blogging, but truly who has the time right now?!  I really enjoy it though – getting your thoughts out in one big mass of words instead of trying to fit something into a simple and sweet “status update”.  :-)  There’s ALOT going on right now…

The Cherry Blossom Festival is coming up and we’re doing an opera that I am so proud to be in.  Such amazing people in the program and such incredible talent!  Even though I am in the opera, I am not in school anymore.  I’m still very torn about what exactly is happening and what God is doing, but I trust Him.  I think the worst part is friends.  I miss people SO much.  I went from Granbury – where Chris and I became each other’s absolute best friends (so amazing!) – to grad school with all the friends in the world!  And now, for me, it’s “cold turkey effect” with friends.  I never really thought I needed to socialize, but I’ve realized, after going to the extreme opposites, how utterly important it is to simply have people in your life.  People who are different that you, the same as you, who like you, maybe don’t, or just someone you can sit near at lunch.  People are important.

I’m not sure if I’ll get the opportunity to go back to the friends I had, but I know this season hasn’t been for nothing.  School was truly the best time in my life (both undergrad and grad), and I don’t regret a minute.  I just hope I can keep some of the moments  :-)