Easy Homemade Salsa

One of my favorite things about summer is the fresh produce.  This year I'm growing lettuce, cabbage, strawberries, and tomatoes.  I'm like a proud mama when tiny green tomatoes start budding and when I'm picking lettuce for a salad!

Whether you grow your own produce or get it at the farmer's market or just pick it up at the grocery store, there's something satisfying about eating something fresh and simple and not over processed.

Here's a simple salsa that you can make in a snap.

-1 large tomato

-1 jalepeno pepper (I left the seeds in, but remove them or only use part of the pepper if you don't like it too spicy)

-1 tbsp minced garlic (I used jarred)

-1/2 red onion

-juice from a lime

-cilantro (I didn't put it in, because I put it in the tacos I was making)

Roughly slice or chop the ingredients (well just squeeze the lime!) and throw everything in a food processor and pulse to the consistency you want.

Mmm fresh!

It's good as a condiment or just as a dip with chips.  It's even good leftover if you seal it well in the fridge.

New Things

Last week I started my new job and started working on my new adventure.  I've been busy adjusting to the newness, so that's why I haven't been posting or reading other blogs.  I have been cooking and working on projects, though, so I'll be sharing all that soon!

Do you ever just have to take a break?

photo

Leaving Lifeword

This is a big week.

It's my last week working full-time at Lifeword.

I started an internship at Lifeword when I was 20.  Just a month and a half later, I turned 21 and was hired part-time in addition to my internship.  A year later I graduated from college and began working full-time at Lifeword.

Thanks to Lifeword, I've met a lot of people, traveled the world, and developed lifelong friendships that have become like families.

I've been able to put into practice what I studied in school, as well as learn new things and continually grow in my craft and as a person.

I don't remember a time when I didn't know about Lifeword.  I have a Lifeword shirt I wore as a toddler.  To eventually work for the organization was a blessing and dream come true.

Since my visit to Romania in fall 2010, I knew that I wouldn't be at Lifeword much longer.  God spoke to me on that trip and began working in my heart.  He also began working on my husband's heart to get us to the same place and to bring new things into our lives.  God also orchestrated each detail at Lifeword to make it easier for me to leave.  I'm not sad a bit, which most people just can't understand.  It's just that I'm so sure that this is what God has planned for me that there's no place for sadness or regret or second guessing.  If anything, I'm excited about what's in store!

Life has gotten so busy and my health hasn't been good, so Colin and I knew it was time to change some things and felt like each step along the way has been a confirmation from God.  I'll be going to work part-time for some friends, and I'll be embarking on another new adventure that I'll be able to share with you soon.

I was so blessed to be able to be a part of Lifeword, and that's why I'm so excited to see what God has in store for my future.  All good things come from Him, so I'm not relying on Lifeword or some other adventure to fulfill me.  I'm relying on God and His timing to use me where He puts me and to find contentment in that.

one of my first video shoots in 2006

my first international trip in 2007- the Philippines

I was blessed to see much of the world.

my coworkers

Lifeword will always have a special place in my heart.  To those of you who have been a part of the experience with me over the past 6 years, you have all had an impact on my life, and though some of you live on the other side of the world, I'm sure we'll see each other again!

Love,

Marla

God's Goodness

I've been dealing with some health issues for a little while now, and it's been extremely frustrating.  It's frustrating to go to the doctor for them to only continue to guess at what might be the problem.  I'm not blaming doctors.  Some conditions can't be diagnosed through blood tests, and it's usually a game of elimination.  It becomes frustrating when the answers and solutions don't come, and when others don't understand.  To someone on the outside, it looks like I've just simply put on weight, because I'm lazy or eat too much.  But the truth is, that's not the case.  Weight gain in and of itself is hard to deal with.  It's even more difficult when it's literally painful.  I've cried many a night and prayed for God to fix it.  I've prayed to be back to where I was just a few years ago.  I've prayed for others not to judge me and make comments about my weight.  I've prayed for the painful swelling in my body to go away.  While I'll continue to pray for health and healing, I know that it may not come.  I may never be the size 2 I was just three years ago.  God has blessed me immensely and continues to do so daily.  And while I pray that He'll bless my health again, it may not be so.  I just have to realize that His goodness is so much more than the physical.  Sara Groves helped me learn that a little better in her song "Open My Hands".  Maybe there's someone else that needed to hear her song today, and I hope it gives you comfort.

Mississippi Visit

I've been a bit silent from the blog world this week, because I was in Mississippi for work.  I got to Jackson early (early as in 1:00 a.m.) Monday morning.  I had never been to Jackson before.  I've read and seen The Help, so I was constantly thinking of that storyline as I stayed in downtown Jackson.

I stayed at the Hilton downtown which used to be called Hotel King Edward (there's no filter on the photo below).

We started driving home on Thursday and stopped in downtown Vicksburg, MS. for shopping and lunch.

My grandmother was born in Mississippi, and her family is from Mississippi, but I've never spent much time in the state.  There's a ton of history there and lots of landmarks to see.  If you live a day's drive from either of these towns, I encourage you to take a day trip to see these historical places.