mango salsa

Ingredients
1 ripe mango, peeled, pitted, and diced

1/2 medium red onion, finely chopped

1 Jalapeño chile, minced (include ribs and seeds for a hotter taste if desired)

1 small cucumber, peeled and diced

3 Tbsp fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

Lime juice, 1/2 lime, freshly squeezed

Salt and pepper to taste
1 diced red bell pepper

Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. If the salsa ends up being a little too hot or acidic for your taste, you can temper it by adding some diced avocado.

Great over seafood, or in fish tacos. I made this for our small group study last night, so I doubled the recipe. I served it with grilled chicken, and jasmine rice. I made a small portion without cilantro, for my crazy friends who don't like cilantro!?!?! crazy ;) It was healthy and delicious!

footprint of service

Part of my experience in the Middle East was the constant state of dirty feet. 10 days of dirty skanky feet. I would feel so good walking out that door in the morning...and as soon as I stepped out the door...sand...dirt. (not to mention the 110 to 113 degree heat)

uuuugghhh.....

Even though that was my first thought, my second thought was what it must have been like to walk in the sand....to walk in the desert in Biblical times. Jesus and the disciples must have felt that dirty, sandy feeling daily. I thought about the last supper when Jesus washed the disciples feet. (Foot washing was a hospitality custom of ancient civilizations, especially where sandals were worn. This is mentioned in several places in the Old Testament as well as other historical documents. A typical Eastern host might bow, greet, and kiss his guest, then offer water to allow guest to wash their feet or have servants do it.)

John 13:12-17 "Do you understand what I have done for you? You call me 'Teacher and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you should wash one another's feet. I have set an example that you would do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will blessed if you do them."

Jesus calls all of us to acts of kindness and service. My prayer is that I have the heart of a servant.

challenge: Do a simple act of kindness for a stranger...and a family member...today!

sunday

In God's great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade - kept in heaven for you. 1 Peter 1:3-4

Sunday was such a great reminder of where our hope comes from. We can have faith in His power, His plan, and His unconditional love.

Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God, that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39

Mark worked Saturday night, so this Sunday was a girls day. Jolie and I matched. :) I didn't get a picture...then it was too late. She was all sweaty from running around the courtyard with her friends....in the almost 100 degree heat. We had lunch with some great friends. I love Sundays. I love going to church. hearing the word. worship. seeing our church family. Jolie loves it too. She gets to have fun and learn in the preschool classroom.

This past Sunday was a day I reflected on just how blessed we are. Blessed by His unconditional love and blessed to have a family here in Jax.

This was my 'Sunday hair'...what do you think? ;)

Jolie wore a pink flower. We were matchy-matchy.

lazy afternoon

It was 3 o'clock on Monday...
Mark had finally got Jolie to take a nap...
after she insisted on playing Mr. Potato Head. :)
(Mr. Potato Head was hanging out to the right)
I came home to this beautiful sight,
my babies sleeping :)

I remember when this little kitchen towered over Jolie....

I can't believe just how tall she's getting!

modeling future? I think she's going to be 5'10 ;)

Mom came to town for the weekend...

Sadly, this was the only pic we took of the 3 of us. LOL...Jolie barely made the cut!

She did, however, make it to beach while Grandma was here!

she should be in pictures...

The amazing and talented Cheryl Miner photographed our little family.... I am so excited with how they turned out! I can't stop looking at them. :) The session was so much fun...even if it was 100 degrees outside that day. We just strolled around St. Augustine. Jolie was such a little model. She would pose and smile like it was her calling. There were so many great shots, especially of our lil' ham!

Cheryl Joy Miner Photography

heidi + alan = ♥

One week after I came home from the desert, our friends

Heidi & Alan tied the knot!

Mark and Alan have worked together for just over a year. I guess one night at work, Alan asked if Mark would officiate the ceremony. Such a honor for Mark! I think Mark was really excited to be part of their big day. Mark and I make a great little team! :) He officiated the ceremony, and I did the hair for the beautiful bride and bridesmaids.

me & my honey

The work crew... take 1

take 2Personally, I love take 1! I lovey those in-the-moment, laughing smiles!

Congratulation to Mr. & Mrs. Alan Givens!

my desert mission

It's hard to believe that I've been home for a month already! and boy, has it been a busy month!

Most of my friends knew I was traveling to the desert, but a few didn't. I spent a week, along with 40 other Jacksonvillians, in Dubai. yep, that's in the Middle East. We served overeseas aid workers. I was able to share my skills as a hairstylist to bless these faithful servants. We did about 60 haircuts and 20 hair colors. Below is a picture of the space we used as our hair salon. For the M's, it was like being in a salon back in the states. The ladies were chatting, the blow dryer was going, that hair product smell, and we even had People Magazine. :) The M's loved it. They were so appreciative. They kept expressing their gratefulness....although, I feel like I was the one receiving the blessing. When the M's were in my chair, I was able to hear their hearts. and their stories. Such a blessing! Many of the M's have a two day drive into a city. TWO DAY! For things like groceries, supplies....or a simple haircut. I was even able to teach a few ladies how to cut their husband's or son's hair.

Honestly, I can't imagine what it would be like to have that calling on my life. but I could tell that it was only out of a grateful heart that they answer the call. It's hard, and there are risks, but there is no greater joy than serving our loving Father.

This the conference room where the M's met daily for the week:

(there were about 160 total)

Besides working with the M's, the desert was my favorite part of the trip. I didn't want to go out to the desert, but Jill (above) and Jean covinced me to go. I am so glad! The desert was beautiful! BEAUTIFUL! The sand was such a pretty rusty-orange color. The desert just went on as far as the eye could see. It made me feel so small... and just made God even more amazing.

The World's tallest builing, The Burj Khalifa.