Blog – Page 53 – Janis Van Keuren

He is Our Provider

Google Image Ever since I read Ann Voskamp’s heart-wrenching stories of hopeful, wondering, accepting round-eyed children and saw the vivid tear-stained faces of poverty in Guatemala, I have been asking myself, “Do I really NEED another tee-shirt, a fragrant candle, one more pair of shoes, or__________________ (fill in the blank)? Or is this just the disease of materialism fanning the flame of WANT within me and telling me that it is okay to be self-indulgent, satiated, and hungering … Continue reading →

Shrimp Scampi and Cannoli–An Italian Feast

Last weekend, our friends treated us to an Italian Dinner/Evening at their home. We decided it would be another enjoyable way to share our heritage. The husband is part Italian and I am pure Italian. My grandparents came from the area around Naples. When we get together with our friends, we always have amusing stories to recall from our ethnic heritage. As promised, here are the recipes from the dishes my friends prepared. She used a frozen shrimp scampi … Continue reading →

The Rock is Our Refuge

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. Psalm 18:2 NIV Linking up with Word Filled Wednesday at the Internet Cafe

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Finding Joy in the Desert

When we first moved here, it was the middle of a blazing-hot Arizona summer. I laughed as we crossed a bridge with a caution sign that read, “Ice Forms First on Bridge” and the thermometer was sizzling in the triple digits. I thought the road crew was crazy. Ice on the bridge would have been a welcome sight! As we wound our way up to our new home, wavy heat shimmers radiated off the asphalt street. There were … Continue reading →

The Blessings of Family and Friends

Hubby and the two-month old The closeness of family and friends, the fellowship with other Christians–immeasurable blessings that filled my week. When you live a state away from all the family you grew up with, you treasure the moments and new memories being created with the next generation of family. Hubby’s cousins’ children have been living nearby for a while but we’re drawing closer together as they have children and celebrate special occasions. We joke that we have become … Continue reading →

Cooking Southwestern Style

Chicken Fajitas It may look like we do a lot of barbecuing at our home~and you would be right in thinking that. During the summer months when it is 109 degrees outside, who wants to heat up the house with a hot oven? This week at our Arizona diggs, we are featuring our version of Chicken Fajitas~a traditional dish for serving when we have guests. We like to think of our home as the local “Bed and Breakfast” … Continue reading →

Be Still And Know He is Near

On days when the crashing ocean waves are not visible and the shores are miles away, I can look at my basket of shells and remember the refreshment and peace found walking ankle deep in white foam. In the same way, when God seems so invisible to me, I just need to open His Word or slip in a CD filled with praises of Him–and He is there. “Be still and know that I am God;” Psalm 46:10a NIV … Continue reading →