Posted by: jakinnan | December 4, 2012

Hemmed In

treerise

Why did God curse Eve with loneliness and heartache, an emptiness that nothing would be able to fill? Wasn’t her life going to be hard enough out there in the world, banished from the Garden that was her true home, her only home, never able to return? It seems unkind. Cruel, even.

He did it to save her. For as we all know personally, something in Eve’s heart shifted at the fall. Something sent its roots down deep into her soul – and ours – that mistrust of God’s heart, that resolution to find life on our own terms. So God has to thwart her. In love, he has to block her attempts until, wounded and aching; she turns to him and him alone for her rescue.

Therefore I will block her path with thorn bushes;
I will wall her in so she cannot find her way.
She will chase after her lovers but not catch them;
she will look for them but not find them.
Hosea 2:6-7

Jesus has to thwart us too – thwart our self-redemptive plans, our controlling and our hiding, thwart the ways we are seeking to fill the ache within us. Otherwise, we would never fully turn to him for our rescue. Oh, we might turn to him for our “salvation,” for a ticket to heaven when we die. We might turn to him even in the form of Christian service, regular church attendance, a moral life. But inside, our heart remains broken and captive and far from the One who can help us.

And so you will see the gentle, firm hand of God in a woman’s life hemming her in. Wherever it is we have sought life apart from him, he disrupts our plans, our “way of life” which is not life at all.

-John & Stasi Eldredge, Captivating, 96-97

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Posted by: jakinnan | December 4, 2012

12/04/2012 Scripture

Northern_Lights_over_Portage_River_Valley,_Alaska_Wallpaper_bimv

Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.

-Proverbs 3:3-4 NIV

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Posted by: jakinnan | December 3, 2012

Pesto Salmon Pasta

 

PestoSalmon

8 oz small pasta shapes (less than 7 min. cooking time)
6 oz salmon packet
1 pkt dry pesto mix (0.5 oz)
1⁄4 t dried diced garlic
1⁄4 c diced toasted pecans
1 T extra virgin olive oil (1 packet)
2 T shelf stable parmesan cheese
4 3⁄4 c water

Notes

Find dry pesto mixes in the pasta sauce aisle or with the dry sauce/flavor mixes, depending on the store. Salmon pouches are found in most big stores, near the tuna. You can sub 2 3 ounce packets if you cannot find the big one. A 7 ounce chicken pouch can be subbed.

Instructions

At home:
Pack the pasta and garlic in a zip top bag. For packing convenience use a packet of oil and 4 packets of Parmesan cheese, otherwise pack the cheese with the pecans in a small snack size bag. Tuck in the pesto packet and salmon pouch.

Bring 4 cups of the water to a boil, add in the pasta and cook for time on package. Drain pasta carefully. Add in the oil, remaining 3/4 cup water and pesto dry mix, stir in. Break up the salmon and stir in. Stir in the pecans and cheese. In cool weather you may wish to slowly heat the meal more over a low flame.

Courtesy of trailcooking.com

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Posted by: jakinnan | December 3, 2012

Tears are Only Water

Face-off-to-rain

“Don’t be ashamed to weep; ’tis right to grieve. Tears are only water, and flowers, trees, and fruit cannot grow without water. But there must be sunlight also. A wounded heart will heal in time, and when it does, the memory and love of our lost ones is sealed inside to comfort us.”

-Brian Jacques, Taggerung

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Posted by: jakinnan | December 3, 2012

Winter Hiking Survival Guide – Part Three – Travel

Winter-Wallpaper

Hiking through the snow is beautiful, but not exactly easy. Use these tips to make your winter traverse all the more pleasant.
Snowshoe Like a Pro
“Wear gaiters and walk with a normal, rolling-toe gait,” advises Adam Chase, captain of Atlas’s snowshoe-racing team. Learn his other tactics for conserving energy and preserving gear.

Avoid the Rest-Stop Cooldown
Heed these tips from alpinist Cory Richards to stay warm.
>> Put on layers. “The first thing I do when I stop moving is throw on a down jacket, even if I’m hot. I’d rather warm my sweat—and dry it out—than let it freeze,” says Richards. Add a hat and extra gloves, too.
>> Get out of the wind. Find shelter, build a wall, or dig a trench in the snow.
>> Sit on a foam pad or your pack. If possible, also get your feet off the ground.
>> Have a hot meal or a thermos of soup. The liquid hydrates, calories keep you warm, and sodium may prevent cramps.

Breathe Easy
“In cold, dry winter air, you can lose body heat and moisture while breathing. Cover your nose and mouth with a balaclava or bandana to conserve warmth and water.”
–Kristy Holland, BACKPACKER Survival Editor
Keep Crampons Clear
“Snow can ball up between the spikes and cause you to slip. Prevent buildup by getting anti-balling plates, plastic pieces that block and shed snow so it doesn’t build up underfoot and compromise traction. You can buy them for $25 to $50, or make your own with plastic and duct tape.”
—Brendan Oldham, Colorado Mountain Club instructor

Preempt Frostnip
“Examine the skin on your face, ears, fingers, and toes for white-looking, waxy, or numb spots. Rewarm with skin-to-skin contact or warm water (no rubbing).”
–Tod Schimelpfenig, NOLS/WMI curriculum director

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Posted by: jakinnan | December 3, 2012

The Essence of a Woman

H44-10800303

When we speak about the essence of a woman – her beauty – we don’t mean “the perfect figure.” The beauty of a woman is first a soulish beauty. We know – it’s a harder jump to make. We’ve lived so long under the pressure to be beautiful. But stay with the thought for a moment, because it will really help. The beauty of a woman is first a soulful beauty. And yes, as we live it out, own it, inhabit our beauty, we do become more lovely. More alluring. As the poet Gerard Manley Hopkins wrote, “Self flashes off frame and face.” Our true self becomes reflected in our appearance. But it flows from the inside out.

The essence of a woman is Beauty. She is meant to be the incarnation – our experience in human form – of a Captivating God. A God who invites us.

“You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride;
you have stolen my heart
with one glance of your eyes,
with one jewel of your necklace.
You are a garden fountain,
a well of flowing water
streaming down from Lebanon.” (Songs 4:9, 15)

Beauty is what the world longs to experience from a woman. We know that – somewhere down deep, we know it to be true. Most of our shame comes from this knowing and feeling that we have failed here. So hear this: Beauty is an essence that dwells in everywoman. It was given to her by God. It was given to you.

Surely you would agree that God is nothing if not beautiful.

All around us God’s creation shouts of his beauty and his goodness. The way snow creates a silhouette of lace on a barren tree, the rays of sun streaming forth from a billowing cloud, the sound of a brook trickling over smooth stones, the form of a woman’s body and the face of a child anticipating the arrival of the ice cream truck all speak of God’s good heart if we will have but the eyes to see. The coming of spring after a hard winter is almost too glorious for a soul to bear. God’s beauty is lavished on the world.

Beauty may be the most powerful thing on earth. Beauty speaks. Beauty invites. Beautynourishes. Beauty comforts. Beauty inspires. Beauty is transcendent. Beauty draws us to God.

A woman in her glory, a woman of beauty, is a woman who is not striving to become beautiful or worthy or enough. She knows in her quiet centre where God dwells that He finds her beautiful, has deemed her worthy and in him, she is enough. In fact, the only thing getting in the way of our being fully captivating and enjoyed is our hiding and striving.

So Jesus says, “I will quiet you with My love” (Zephaniah 3:17). A woman of true beauty is a woman who in the depths of her soul is at rest; trusting God because she has come to know Him to be worthy of her trust. She exudes a sense of calm; a sense of rest; and invites those around her to rest as well. She speaks comfort; that all is well; that all will be well. A woman of true beauty offers others the grace to be and the room to become. In her presence, one can release the tight sigh that so often grips our hearts, and breathe in the truth that God loves us and he is good.

This is why we must keep asking. Ask Jesus to show you your beauty. Ask him what he thinks of you as a woman. His words to us let us rest. And unveil our beauty.

-John and Stasi Eldredge, Captivating, 130-32

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Posted by: jakinnan | December 3, 2012

12/03/2012 Scripture

Laitaure Lake Sarek National Park Sweden

My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
 for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity.

-Proverbs 3:1-2 NIV

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Posted by: jakinnan | December 2, 2012

Jambalaya Quinoa

jq

 Jambalaya

dehydration time: 8 to 10 hours
makes 3 to 4 servings

1 1/2 cups quinoa (rinsed and drained)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion (minced)
1 bell pepper (minced)
10 fresh mushrooms (minced)
28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
15 ounces canned white beans (drained)
8 ounces fish – more on this later
2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Place the quinoa in a saucepan with 2 3/4 cups water, bring to a boil; then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes or until tender and translucent. Set this aside.

Heat a fry pan over medium-low heat, add the olive oil. When the oil is hot add the onions, bell peppers and mushrooms and stir for 10 minutes.

Stir in the tomatoes, beans, fish and herbs and bring to a boil, let in simmer for 5 minutes.

At this point your kitchen should be filled with a heavenly smell.

Add the quinoa to the mixture and blend.

For my first attempt I used tuna for the fish. This didn’t work very well as the tuna didn’t seem to rehydrate well and although the taste was very nice it was extremely chewy. The original recipe called for deveined shrimp.

Spread this mixture out onto dehydrator trays and dehydrate. I did it overnight on the plastic trays that hold moisture, and I had to flip the food over in the morning to fully dry it all.

This then goes into ziplock bags. On the trail I simply put the Jambalaya into my cook pot, added water to cover the food and brought it to a boil and simmered a couple of minutes, and then let it sit a few minutes to fully hydrate. The amount of water you add is something you need to experiment with, if you add too much you just end up with a bit of soup to finish off your meal with. I do stir the mix while heating to be sure that it doesn’t burn on the bottom.

Some recipes suggest adding boiling water to the ziplock bag. I don’t favor this approach as there is a significant amount of research out there about the potential for unwanted chemicals to leach out of the plastic into your food. For me clean up is a breeze, just a little water in the pot, a quick scrub with my no-see-um net scrubber and the pot is clean.

Recipe courtesy of http://www.squidoo.com/the-best-hiking-and-backcountry-recipes

Picture Credit: edenfoods.com

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Posted by: jakinnan | December 2, 2012

The Clearest Way

forest entrance

“The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.”

-John Muir

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Posted by: jakinnan | December 2, 2012

Winter Hiking Survival Guide – Part Two – Navigate

Winter Sun

Especially in winter, getting there is half the battle. Find your way through the white with these tips.

Plan Your Path
Learn to find the safest terrain and most efficient travel line with these pointers from SP Parker, professional mountain guide and owner of the Sierra Mountain Center’s mountaineering school.

1. Avoid traveling on or below 30- to 45-degree slopes—prime avalanche terrain. Bring a slope index to convert map contour lines to a precise angle.
2. Dense slabs and loose pillows of wind-deposited snow can build up on lee slopes. Slabs increase avalanche risk and pillows can make travel difficult.
3. Cornices often break at a 45-degree angle, so you don’t need to be standing directly on one to be swept away by it. Also, avoid traveling beneath them.
4. Windward ridges often have less snow, making them easier travel paths.
5. Tree-covered areas on gentle angles are safer; the trees help anchor snowpack.
6. Avoid traveling over ice near inlets and outlets where moving water prevents thick frozen layers from forming.
7. Rocks absorb solar radiation, which makes nearby snow shallower than the surrounding snowpack—prone to postholing and an avalanche trigger.
8. Solidly frozen lakes can be safe. Probe ice with a pole to ensure it’s at least two inches thick. Keep 100 feet between people.

Rise Before Shine
“If temperatures are hovering near or above freezing and you’re planning approaches on south- or east-facing slopes, consider starting predawn. There will be less potential for rockfall from thawing slopes above, and the snow surface will be more solid while it’s still frozen.”
–Andrew Matranga, BACKPACKER Map Editor

Listen Up
“Turn off your iPod and smartphone, since they interfere dangerously with avalanche beacon signals. Music or calls may also keep you from hearing the biggest sign of avy danger—a whumph sound made by a snowpack layer collapsing.”
–Jonathan Shefftz, National Ski Patrol avalanche instructor 

Sidestep Snow Traps
“Especially on faster-paced descents, watch for signs of
obstacles under the snow, such as a protruding branch or
surface undulations from boulders. Your snowshoe could punch through a hollow spot, and you could twist a knee.”
–SP Parker 

Courtesy of Backpacker magazine.

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