I Drive By Faith

I Drive By Faith

So I had an interview scheduled for Intermountain Health Care for a Desktop Support position. The location of the interview was Salt Lake City up by the University of Utah. I figured I would have to leave my house by 9:15am to make the 10am appointment.

I entered the address into my GPS and hit the road. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to leave the house until about 9:30am. In my lateness, I said a quick prayer that I would arrive on time. I then started on my journey.

I knew the path that I was going to take, which would lead me through downtown Salt Lake. The GPS voice navigation started providing the directions; and they complied with what I knew should be the way. I looked at the clock and determined that it would be a close call to make it on time.  I continued driving.

A few moments later, I realized that I might not make it to this interview on time. I said another quick prayer. The GPS still showing the path I should take.  I thought to myself that I could call the recruiter and say I was going to be late, or I could withdraw my application, or call to re-schedule for another day. All of which would probably cost me the job. I was tempted to turn around, and give up.

A thought came to my mind that said “Just keep going, who knows you just might make it.” So I continued. The GPS map showed that I should merge onto the I-15. The voice navigation said to keep going straight. Not sure, I went with the voice and found myself on the I-80, the map still telling me that I should have gotten on the I-15. I started to despair. I knew for sure I would be late. Obviously the GPS device was messed up. Again, I decided to give up.

The same voice came to mind, “Just keep going. Follow the voice navigation”. I thought to myself, what have I got to lose at this point, maybe the GPS was going to direct me to an employment agency.  I kept going.

As I continued, I looked down and saw the map part of my GPS was no longer available. Panic hit me. However, the voice navigation kept cheerfully providing directions. Repeating in my mind was “Just keep going.”

 I was blind in directions, except the voice navigation and the promptings to “Just keep going”.  I found myself on Foothill Blvd and in the direction of where the hospital should be.  I continued forward. Then after a few minutes I saw the most amazing thing I could have hoped for, a sign for my destination. Despair and panic turned into hope and thanks.

I quickly found a parking spot and entered the building. I was able to check in with security around 10am. It may have been a couple of minutes before 10am or a couple after. I did not see what my check-in time was.

I am certain however, that if I had taken the path that the map had shown I would have been seriously late and for sure out of the running for this position.

When we seem to lose control of certain aspects of our lives, perhaps all we need to do is say a quick prayer and “Just keep going”. Listen to the promptings that are provided to us and trust that they will give us hope and feelings of thanks.

I know that I was given divine direction with “wonky” technology and promptings from the Spirit, and made it on time. The Lord is in the details of our lives.

Recipe of Hope

I was inspired to create this today after my scripture reading. 

Crock Pottery Challenge!!

Slow-Cooked Potato Soup

Inspired by my newly joined Facebook community "Crock Pottery", I decided to give it a whirl. I figured a step by step picture journal would be fitting. I hope you like this as much as I do.

Step 1: Get a cookbook, because I don't even trust me.

So thumbing through this book I found at least one recipe that I figured I couldn't mess up... too badly.


Step 2: Drive to grocery store, enter store, walk down candy aisle, walk down soda aisle, visit produce aisle, walk down candy aisle, walk down dairy aisle, walk down candy aisle, go back to produce (because the candy aisle reminded me to get onions), stop in front of a wall of chips, and then check out. With no chips, no soda, and no candy. (I can still go back later for that.)

Step 3: Prep the crock pot.

Got to rinse off the dust and debris. And make sure that nothing will stick to it while cooking. Thank you WD-40!

Step 4: Take a picture of when you started prepping. This step is really the "new number two" step, you can ask me who is number one, but I won't tell you.

Step 5: Chop up 1/2 cup of onions and if I remember right 2 1/2 cups of ham. Throw those in your recently lubed crock pot. Thanks WD-40!

Step 6: Chop up 9 cups of Organic Red Potatoes (not organic, wife wont suspect a thing). Boil those little taters like none other, Samwise Gamgee would be proud.

Step 6: After 15ish minutes or so, don't drain the water out.

Step 6: Also don't cut your self while chopping veggies.

It was just Cholula sauce. But really, be careful.

Step 6: Add other stuff to enhance the soup:

3/4 teaspoon.... going to put full teaspoon since I only found that tool.

 No, I did not put a full pound of butter in the soup, although that is probably the best idea ever.

8 ounces of sour cream, I did my best to only take half of this 16 oz tub.

3 dashes of pepper. Whatever that means.

........aaaaand 4 cups of water, that I probably would not have had to add because I drained the potatoes.

Step 6: Celery

Remove celery hearts from bag.

Detach celery rib.

and promptly throw it away.

Seriously this stuff is disgusting.

Hearts and ribs, I am not a cannibal.

Step 6:  Pasteurized Cheese spread, or American cheese. Look at the sell by date. Really?!?!?

Folks, this is not really cheese. But since the recipe calls for it, here is goes.

"Do you have yellow cheese?"

"Nope, Go fish!"

Step 40,349: Mash them taters!!!

Which of these tools should I go with since I don't have a potato masher?

1. Wooden Spoon

2. Plastic Spoon

3. Icecream Scoop

Best not leave it to chance, so all three.

Honestly the wooden spoon did the best job. You will be missed wooden spoon.

Step off: Where in the world is Waldo?

Yes, I think I found him, in the shape of a metal spoon. Better fish him out.

Step Up:  I seriously hope this tastes better than it looks.

Picture of  soup before adding taters

Just add potatoes

and stir....

Cover and set to boiling lava hot.

Step 7: Prep time complete

Step 9:   Slow-Cook Potato Soup Half-Time Show!! 

Well Chuck, we had an amazing first half. The home team may not recover from losing their best player.

But an unbelievable amount of work was accomplished in such a short period of time!

It is also likely that the MVP may be awarded to veteran team player WD-40. 

Nobody anticipated the Cholula Sneak.

And check out these blooper and blunders!

Step 10: And we're back!

Looks amazing! 

Taste of Home - Slow Cooker Cookbook

Slow-Cooked Potato Soup

Prep: 30 Min

Cook: 5 Hours

Makes: 2 Servings

2 3/4 cups cubed peeled potatoes

1 1/3 cups water

2 tablespoons butter

2/3 cup cubed fully cooked ham

1 celery rib, chopped

1/3 cup chopped onion

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon paprika

dash of pepper

1/4 pound process cheese (Velveeta)

1/3 cup sour cream

milk, optional

1. Place 2 cups of potatoes in a saucepan; add water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 10-15 minutes or until tender. Remove from the heat (do not drain). Mash potatoes; stir in butter.

2. In a 1 1/2 quart slow cooker, combine the ham, celery, onion, and garlic powder, paprika, pepper and remaining cubed potatoes. Stir in mashed potatoes; top with cheese. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or until vegetables are tender. Stir in the sour cream until blended. Thin soup with milk if desired.

What did Matthew get from Santa?

Puzzled?

SOJO 5K - I finished.

Buffet of Manliness

Yes, this would make me feel better too if I was Neil.

"But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep..."

Missing someone gets easier every day because even though it's one day further from the last time you saw each other, it's one day closer to the next time you will.

The road of life twists and turns

and no two directions are ever the same.

Yet our lessons come from the journey,

not the destination.

To unpathed waters, undreamed shores.

What we are is God's gift to us. What we become is our gift to God.