How Marvelous! How Wonderful!

When I woke up this morning, I heard birds singing outside my window.  With a sense of excitement and expectancy I jumped out of bed and ran to see if it was true.  Peeking through the blinds I saw sunshine flooding over the yard, birds hopping after each other in the trees, and little bits of green beginning to push themselves up out of the ground as the last traces of the snow melted away.  Spring!  God's creatures are celebrating the blessing of sunshine, new life makes its grand entrance into the world.  Out with the old, dark, dreary, cold days of winter.  In with the new, bright, sparkling days of spring!  Despite the chill, the sunshine seemed to be calling me out to the yard, and I started making a mental list of things I'd like to do once it warms up and the ground thaws out a little:  rake the yard, prune the trees and bushes, plant new flowers, clean it all up so it looks beautiful!  What is it about spring that just makes you want to clean?  Maybe not everyone has the urge, but something about the thought of spring give me new energy to start the day.  The winter chill, which is always unpleasant and makes me want to hide at home in bed, suddenly becomes the invigorating chill of spring, giving me a zest for life that makes me want to get up and get going!  As I turned away from the window to tackle my "to-do's" for the day, a song came to mind, and I started singing, "How marvelous!  How wonderful!  And my song shall ever be:  How marvelous!  How wonderful is my Savior's love for me!" (I Stand Amazed in the Presence, Charles H. Gabriel, 1905).

I had been marveling at God's new creation and His faithfulness in bringing the spring after the months of cold and darkness.  Then, it struck me that today is Ash Wednesday - the beginning of the season of Lent.  Today is the beginning of a forty day journey towards the cross; remembering the message Jesus brought to the world and His sacrifice for us.  Most importantly, it is celebrating that He rose from the dead, conquered the grave and established victory over sin and death in the magnificence of Easter.  Because of His sacrifice, we can become a new creation.  Because Jesus took on my darkness, I can look forward to spring.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 
2 Corinthians 5:17  

How marvelous!  How wonderful is my Savior's love for me!

Recipe of the Week...A Little Asian-ish Crunchiness!

I am pretty sure this salad can't count as being truly oriental, but it was a quick fix to use up my extra cabbage.  I have borrowed and adapted it from my friends at kraftfoods.com.  The version below reflects my modifications.  It is my kind of recipe...simple yet delicious!

Crunchy Asian Salad

1/2 c. Italian dressing  
1/2 c. sugar
2 T. soy sauce
1 pkg.  ramen noodle soup (any flavor)
1/2 head of cabbage, shredded
1 med. carrot, shredded
2 green onions, sliced
1/4 c. dry roasted sunflower seeds (I used wheat nuts instead)
1/4 c. sliced almonds, lightly toasted

Directions:  First, in a small bowl combine the Italian dressing, sugar, and soy sauce.  Stir until most of the sugar is dissolved.  This makes a sweet and tangy dressing that is very good!  Next, carefully crush the ramen noodles (in the package works well) so that they are broken into smaller pieces.  Discard the ramen seasoning mix (or save for another dish)...we won't be needing it!  In a large bowl, combine the cabbage, carrot, onion, sunflower seeds, almonds, and noodles.  Mix lightly.  Drizzle the dressing over the top, then toss to coat the whole salad.  Serve immediately!

Notes:  You can mix the cabbage, carrots, onion and dressing together ahead of time, then cover and refrigerate.  Then, just before serving add in the noodles, almonds, and sunflower seeds.  This keeps them from getting soggy so you salad has a yummy crunch!

Bon Appetit!