My PASSION Magazine issue #2

My Passion - Issue 2 - July 2015 | 25
Mary Lou Kehoe
It is commonly said that in the state of Minnesota there are two seasons, winter and road construction. Once the
snow clears and the weather starts to warm, the road crews are hard at work closing roads and ramps to accomplish
the repairs. If drivers are not prepared, the way to their destination can be riddled with confusion and
frustration. They can be stuck on the road for long periods of time and sometimes, they are not even able to find
the way to where they want to go!
Have you ever felt that life has taken you on a detour? You start on the road that you are certain God wants you
to go, sure that you know your destination. You are speeding along, cruising down the road and then all of a sudden
- BAM - you hit a detour. You end up going in a direction that is completely unfamiliar to anything you have
known before, and you are certain that you have completely lost your way. You are out in the wilderness with no
map or GPS and there are no road signs to be seen to guide your way. You come to a complete stop and have no
idea why or where you are supposed to go. Sometimes fear takes over, and you wonder if you will ever be moving
in the right direction again.
That is exactly how I felt when I moved to Minnesota almost three years ago. I was so certain that I was doing
what God wanted me to do, and I even had a job interview for a job with the city that paid $20/hour for parttime
work. I was going to live with my sister for a short period of time, and then all things were going to work out
for me to get a brand new house and get all my “things” from Georgia sent to me. As it turned out, I didn’t get
the job. However, exactly one week after I got here, my sister ended up having emergency abdominal surgery and
was required to have a feeding tube for six weeks. I learned how to be a nurse making sure she received her feedings
every two hours, even through the night – it was like having an infant all over again. She needed help bathing
as well as getting dressed. I drove her to all her doctor’s appointments and made sure that she received all her
meds. It was no sooner that she was cleared from that, than she needed to have both rotor cuffs replaced in her
shoulders. Again, I was called upon to be her nurse and chauffeur.
All during this time, I attempted to find a job without any luck. I spent the next 10 months living with my sister
and brother-in-law and tried to pay for my keep by cleaning the house, making dinner, doing the laundry and even
helping my brother-in-law with his stamp collection (I became quite good at soaking stamps off paper). I began to
question if I had heard God correctly regarding the move and tried to stay focused. However, it became difficult
since I had not connected spiritually with a church yet and I really started to question as to why He had me move
to this heathen, Democratic state!
But God was at work and finally the road jam cleared and traffic starting moving again. I was able to get a job
where my brother-in-law works, and although it doesn’t pay a lot of money, it is a good place to work and the
owners treat all the employees as family. I have found a good church that has small groups and I am even facilitating
a small women’s group. I have been able to move out of my sister’s house (I miss her though) and am currently
living in an apartment with my youngest daughter, Megan, and my two youngest grandchildren. My oldest
daughter, Angela, and her children live exactly two floors below us. All of this is because of God and His direction.
Although I felt that I was stuck in traffic and that I would never be able to maneuver again, the roadblocks have
cleared and I am moving ahead again. I still am not sure of the final destination or how things are going to work
out, but I know now more than ever, that God is always in control.
5. Remove and let stand 5 minutes. Cut
up the steak.
6. Cut corn kernels from cobs, and place
in a large bowl. Discard cobs. Chop
onion, peppers, and tomatoes and
add to the corn. Stir together garlic,
next 2 ingredients, remaining 2 tbsp.
olive oil, and chopped veggies.
7. Serve steak and salsa in tortillas with
desired toppings.
Makes 6 serving
STEAK TACOS
with
CHARRED SALSA
***If you have any leftovers, add them
to scrambled eggs for a “southwesternstyle”
breakfast. Also, add any remaining
salsa leftovers to dress up your favorite
soup or stir-fry. DELICIOUS!
3 “SAVE TIME” TIPS:
1. CHOP AS MANY VEGGIES AS YOU CAN
For example, if you know that you will be making 3 meals with chopped onions and/or garlic, etc. throughout
the week, go ahead and cut them up all at once. Store them in zip lock bags and refrigerate them until you are
ready.
2. PORTION OUT YOUR PROTEINS
For example, if you know that you will need 2 chicken breasts (or any proteins) for a certain meal this week,
portion them out into baggies when you have the time. Put them in the freezer. On the morning that you will
be cooking the chicken (or any other protein), take it out, and put it in the sink. It will be perfectly thawed
when you get home.
3. FREEZE YOUR PASTA
I know this sounds crazy, but it is such a time saver. Cook the whole box or package of pasta whether you need
it or not. Again, store it in freezer bags, pull it out in the morning, and it’s ready when you are.