Small Space Living

I know it's Wednesday, but I didn't have a video I particularly wanted to share. 

I have decided to do a new set of posts, they wont come regularly/weekly, 

but there will be many of them. 

The topic is the post title. 

Small Space Living.

This is why I want to post about it. 

When Andrew and I got married we lived in a 2 bedroom, 2 bath, huge apartment in Springfield, MO. We moved to Kansas City where we purchased a 2 bedroom one bath house with LOTS of storage (Which was so cute...see pics here). 

Andrew and I moved to Dallas last April. We landed in a great little one bedroom, one bathroom 4plex on the line between Highland Park and University Park. 

When people from TX learned we were moving here, they swore we would never find a place close to Andrew's work. Well, to every ones surprise we did. We found this unbelievable space! It is 3 blocks from church (Andrew's work), 2 blocks from Andrews school and walking distance to the bank, restaurants, grocery stores and the Katy trail.

The best part. It is CHEAP. Nearly half the price of anything that is comparable. 

Once we found out we were expecting a child, the same question kept coming up, "Are you gonna move?"

In the past, I would have really considered it, but here are a two reasons why didn't have to think about saying, "no". 

1. We are a one car family. If we moved to a different apartment we would not only have to pay more, but we would have to buy another car. 

2. There is actually quite a bit of space in our home. We just have to move some things around and get organized! 

In our home we have a Living room, a dining room, a galley Kitchen, a bedroom a little hallway and a bathroom. We have 4 closets in total. That is all the storage we have. 

One day, I had swept and vacuumed the house and realized that I was able vacuum the whole place without unplugging the vacuum. I was so excited!!!! 

When we moved from our house we had a HUGE garage sale and got rid of a ridiculous amt. of stuff. We had to. We didn't have space for all of it. It felt amazing. We loved the feeling of having necessities and living simply. So, since we moved we have continued to get rid of things. If we buy anything, it has to have a place to "live". 

Here are some amenities we live without. 

 - A microwave - We keep saying that we will get one when we need one, but we haven't needed one yet...but I did buy popcorn one time without thinking about how to pop it. 

 - A dishwasher

 - laundry facilities

 - cable

 - a home phone

We just got a TV for Christmas, but from April to Dec we lived without that. 

I know this post is getting long, but its an intro post, so let me get to something good! 

With a baby on the way, my mom was getting extremely worried about having baby laundry. I cannot even tell you how many times she brought up "mini washer and spinners" over Christmas vacation.   Well, she talked about it so much that I started thinking about it. We have a line to hang clothes on in the back, and so I just figured that I could wash laundry in the tub or sink and hang it out. 

My thought was, "I have no where to put them...they don't have a home!" 

I started doing research on these mini washers and spinners and decided I could find a place...The thing about small space living is that you have to use EVERY NOOK AND CRANNY! 

So, I added them to my baby registry on Amazon. As soon as I did, I told mom and guess what showed up yesterday at my front door. 

They are SMALL! This is a mini "panda" washer and a "mini counter top spinner". 

This is the Washer! Just add soap, water, and clothes and plug in.

The spinner is on the Left and the washer on the right. 

This little nook had nothing in it and I have not been able to figure out what to do to utilize it.

This is them tucked away in their new home. You can't really even see them!

So, I did all my laundry today while I was working and went out to the back to hang the clothes in the sun on the wire.  I had some awesome memories of my grandma hanging clothes when I was a little girl. I smiled the whole time I did laundry today...I cannot remember the last time I have done that. I felt accomplished and "simple". And the clothes smell so good off the line in the sun.

I should say, The weather is nice enough in Texas to do this almost year round, when I can't I will do a drying rack in the bathroom.

Art+Siblings=Income

Well, as most of you know, (and if you don't, just read this) I raise support for my job.
This is such a humbling thing to do. To count on others to support your family is very interesting. Its not like I am selling goods that the world is just dying to purchase...or am I?

I am not. Not with my full time job anyway.

As many of you know my brother, Josh Welker, is a phenomenal artist.  I say that and people are usually like, "cool". Then they see his work and are surprised at how great he is.
I have been talking with him and desiring to do some sort of collaboration for years. I finally found the perfect parings...and this leads me to the title of my post.

I have begun the process of combining my handiwork and Josh's art to create some items of clothing for the wee ones. I am hoping to have some pics of the nephews sporting their gear soon, but in the mean time, I will give you a look at a onesie at I have printed (I have other kids sizes too).

I am going to be either opening up an etsy or I will be doing some other sort of order taking soon. I want to have a little more inventory first.

This is one of those things that I feel like I can do with out it taking away from my full time job, but will help me offset my income. I would love to see Josh's work out there running around and for him to make a cut from the apparel as well. After all, it is his art, and it is all original!

If you have any ideas of things you would like to see or colors you think I should try...Let me know.

This is fun.

Andrew and I have been speculating about the sex of our baby. We both think boy, but you never want your mind to get to that "convinced" place because there is still a 50% chance that it could be a girl...then you are all psyched up for a boy...you get it.

Anyway, its been fun to think about what our baby will look like and which features it will have from us.
 So...Last night night we were laughing about it and ended up on Morphthing.com . This is a website where you can upload a pic of each of you, then see what your baby would look like or what your little boy or little girl would look like...The results of our little boy... we are going to use different photos for the girl and the baby, but I will post those when I have them!

oh...this is fun!

We are going to use different photos for the girl and the baby, but I will post those when I have them!

Happy Friday! 

Best friends. Watch it Wednesday

I am not sure that I can explain the sheer joy that floods my heart when I get video like this. This is Fred. Andrew and I LOVE our nephews so much. How can you not? Have you seen them?

So I got this video from Josh, my brother, last week. I was sitting in Starbucks waiting for one of my students to meet up. I watched it and just started crying. I mean, how sweet is it that he knows how much we love him and he lives 17 hours away.

I asked earlier, "have you seen them?". Just in case you are a new reader...This is what you have been missing.

Charlie got some nutella for Christmas

Fred and Uncle Andrew jammin on Christmas eve.

Sneaky Fred

Charlie - All Smiles!

I love this little face! 

Usually when we say smile, he puffs up his cheeks...this caught him off guard! 

The Ask.

Hey Friends, This year has been a year full of change and blessings for the Beards. Since April, we have moved to Dallas, TX from Liberty, MO, completely downsizing our lives. We started new jobs, I raised support for my salary, Andrew started seminary, we have made lots of new friends...and we even made a baby! haha. 

This last one was the greatest surprise and will be the biggest change of all. We are so excited to welcome baby Beard late June. 

Most of (if not all of) you know that I work with an amazing organization called His Voice Global (HVG). I am the Director of Partnerships. You can find all kinds of information about HVG in the rest of this post. 

Last year, I raised support, hoping to not have to raise again this year. The determining factor of whether or not I would have to raise support again, was if we raised enough money as a non-profit to reach the next tax bracket.  Though we had a great year, unfortunately we did not reach this goal, which means that I will be raising support again for 2012.   This begins in April.

Last year I raised $24,000.00 which has served us very well. This year, we are adding a person to our living, so we have decided to raise my salary to $30,000. I know HVG would pay my salary if they could. 

The thing is...I am a missionary and this how it must be done. 

WHAT IS MY JOB?

My job is to build partnerships and methods to raise the most awareness and financial help for His Voice Global.  This year we have had such huge success and are so excited about what is to come. Since April we have given 4 more Indian boys a home, we have begun a new partnership in North Korea and have just reached our initial goal of raising $100,000.00 to help feed orphans there. We have raised enough money to give two new sets of clothing to all of the orphans in our care in South Sudan, and have forged new, developing partnerships in India. 

We have also just begun working with the people of Jonglei, South Sudan who were devastated by fighting. Our initial goal is to raise $50,000.00 to meet the needs of the people there, we are at $25,000.00 already. I have organized and executed one His Voice Global Weekend in Bolivar, MO. We have gained around 15 new monthly supporters in 2012 alone. I have organized informational packets for church partnerships and have added at least 3 new beautiful pieces of informational material to our "publicity". 

 There are so many new things on the horizon for 2012. We are looking to start internships, take advocacy trips to South Sudan and India, and will be continuing new work in other areas of South Sudan (Jonglei, specifically).

I would love for you to consider partnering with me specifically. You can do this in two ways.

1.I need to be lifted in prayer regularly. 

2.I need financial support. 

Would you consider being a partner with me?

WHAT IS HIS VOICE GLOBAL?

                        

When you hear us speak we say that the goal of His Voice Global is to empower orphans, widows and church leaders to make disciples of all nations. This is accomplished by three words and a lot of action. Engage. Encourage. Equip. We at HVG build strategic partnerships with individuals and churches that allow us to connect the CHURCH; the church over seas and the church local. Once we have an “in” in a specific country we engage with the local people, assess their needs and see how the local people can be a part of the healing process. We encourage that local church by teaching the Gospel and allowing them to see that they have a role in the process. This provides hope and purpose. Finally, we equip them. By training the local people in the Bible, business, farming, etc...they are prepared to be active members of their society. Our goal is for all of our “projects” to be self sustained. 

His Voice in America

In America we are teaming up with churches to complete this work. We desire to strengthen the local church by teaching “Missional living” and Kingdom theology, by holding conferences. 

His Voice in South Sudan

Our work Started in South Sudan. The 3 orphanages in South Sudan are now self sustained by a trucking company. The Lion of Judah Trucking Co. operates in South Sudan. All the orphanages and the trucking company are run completely by South Sudanese people! Each orphanage holds a school, where local kids come to get an education, a medical clinic, a water well and a farm. All the house “moms” are widows and overall there are more than 100 jobs provided for the Sudanese people. 

When we go, we do week long intensive pastor training so the pastors can take their new knowledge back to their local congregations. 

We are in the beginning workings of meeting a new area of need in Jonglei. This includes a lot of clothing and feeding of people who have lost everything. The image on the right is two brothers left to care for one another after their parents were killed. They are currently being cared for by the local church. We are blessed to be able to help these people.

His Voice in India

Currently, in India, we have a partnership with an incredible couple, Nabin and Matilda. They have answered a calling to minister to the boys who run away to the Howra train station in Calcutta. Their lives are destroyed by abuse and gang living. 

Nabin and Matilda have opened a home, Hope of Life, which we help to support, that allows these boys to get an education, be ministered to from the scars of life they have incurred and also to be equipped to go and make disciples of all nations. 

Currently there are 11 boys in the care of Hope of Life. 

We are in the beginnings of a partnership on the other side of India as well. 

This partnership is exciting and we can’t wait to see it play out!

We are looking forward to taking Advocacy trips to India in 2012! There are lots of exciting things happing with this partnership! 

His Voice in North Korea

North Korea is currently my favorite partnership, due to its rarity and to the fact that the need there is so great. We have the opportunity to feed literally thousands of orphans in North Korea. 

If you have any questions, or would like to know more about it. Just give me a call! 

                                               I am asking you to join my team. 

To be a partner. To spread the word about what His Voice is doing and the hope it offers to the future of not only the countries it is affecting, but the HOPE it is offering to countries that need restoration through a Savior.  You can be a partner simply by letting me know that you want to be a part of what we are doing and by keeping our work in your prayers. If you would like to have Vernon come and speak or see how you or your church can get involved, let me know. You can e-mail me at sarah@hisvoiceglobal.com.  You can also keep up with me on my blog, Sarahbeard.blogspot.com

I am writing this blog to ask you to partner with me.

You can make a one time donation in my name toward my salary or you can make a monthly donation in my name toward my salary. 

All donations are tax deductible and making a donation is very easy! 

ONLINE GIVING

To give monthly ONLINE. Click here, Fill out the form. Check the box saying,  "I would like to make this a recurring donation deducted monthly." to Make sure you type “Sarah Beard” in the “Designation” box. You are finished with the donation! 

To give once ONLINE. Click here, fill out the form. Check the box saying, "This is a one time donation." Make sure you type “Sarah Beard” in the “Designation” box. You are finished with the donation! 

MAIL GIVING

Make Checks Payable to His Voice Global. Write “Sarah Beard Salary” in the memo.

Send them to::                

3434 1/2 Shenandoah St. Dallas, TX 75205

I would love to hear if you have decided to support me. Please send me an e-mail and let me know.  

Thank you for even considering this!

If you have any questions about His Voice Global or me...just give me a call and/or an e-mail. I would love to hear from you! 

Other ways to keep up with us.

I blog regularly at sarahbeard.blogspot.com. I am on Facebook and Twitter. The twitter name is @swbeard. 

You can follow His Voice Global on Twitter @hisvoiceglobal 

Find His Voice Global on Facebook as "His Voice Inc."

     Sarah@hisvoiceglobal.com    816-810-5534 

Soups On!!!

A local grocery store has the most delicious creamy tomato basil soup. I love it. I buy it often, but it is from their "signature cafe" so it isn't exactly cheap. 

Andrew asked, "don't you think we could make this?"

We looked up a recipe, found this one and made a few little adjustments...IT WAS AMAZING! And for 2 of us, it made enough for us to have 3 meals.

I should say, the best way to eat this is with a tasty grilled cheese and a Vlasic Kosher Dill pickle spear! 

For the grilled cheese, the best way I have found to make a grilled cheese is simple and delish.

I use:

Wheat Bread

2 Velveeta slices

butter.

heat up a skilliet, rub some butter on the pan, add the first slice of bread, add the 2 slices of cheese and let sit for a few minutes. Once the bread is crispy, slide to one side of the pan, rub a bit of butter on the other side of the pan. Add the other slice of bread to the sandwich and flip onto the butter.  let it sit till it browns up and the cheese is melty...SO GOOD! 

• Here is the recipe with the adjustments. 
• 
  
• 5 tomatoes - seeded makes it less soupy, but you do not have to seed them. (cut into wedges)
• 4 cups tomato juice
• 14 leaves fresh basil
• 3-4 cloves of garlic
• crushed red pepper flakes to add some spice - as much as a Tablespoon.
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup butter
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Place wedges of tomatoes, garlic, and juice in a stock pot over medium heat. Simmer for 30 minutes-2 hours, whatever you want, but the longer it simmers, the deeper the flavor. 
2. Puree the tomato mixture along with the basil leaves, and return the puree to the stock pot.
3. Place the pot over medium heat, and stir in the heavy cream, red pepper flakes and butter. Season with salt and pepper. Heat, stirring until the butter is melted. Do not boil.

I am making this again this week and am going to try to add some tomato paste to deepen the flavor even more...then i am also going to sprinkle with a tad of parmesan cheese. 

What happens when I don't reply

Andrew and I are silly. We act like little kids a lot, we laugh pretty hard. 

This is what Andrew texted to me while he was walking home from work the other day.

Usually he texts saying he is on his way home...and I quickly respond.

I didn't respond on Thursday and this is what happened.

I feel like I need to say that I think it is hilarious when people say booty.

He is my favorite! Have a happy Saturday!

Valentines date and watch it Wed.

This Valentines day the 3 of us went out!

I guess this is how I really look

But let me be honest, this is totally how I feel!

So for Valentines day, we went on a lovely date on Gift Certificates. We ate dinner at Terilli's and then went to Studio Movie Grill for dessert. I think we spent $10.00 on a delicious dinner, a movie, and coffee and dessert. 

The movie we chose was "The Vow". I know that I cry a bit more than normal cause I am preggers, but this movie was out of control tear jerking. I cried for more than an hour of a two hour movie! 

I am not sure that it is one I will be able to sit through again.

The story is based on a real couple. They were on the Today Show on Feb 13th. Watching them was absolutely beautiful. They are clearly believers and I loved listening to them speak about marriage. 

I am making this my "Watch it Wednesday"- It is the Clip from the today show. Do yourself a favor and listen to them share their story...and if you want to see the Vow, you should, but let me warn you, I enjoyed the real story so much more than the movie one...It was too gut-wrenching! 

The today show wont let you post the video, but here is the link. 

GO and WATCH!

Easy Eats

On Christmas Eve, my mother in law made a white chicken chili in a crock pot. I remember it being really great so I asked her to send the recipe along. I made it this weekend and Andrew and I could really not believe how stinkin good it was. It was so easy to make and the flavor was amazing.
It doesn't seem fair to not share it.

Ingredients::
1 1/4 lb boneless skinless chicken - or however much you want
2 15oz cans o great white northern or navy beans-drained. (I actually did one of each)
1 15oz can of hominy or White corn. (I used both, but I may skip the hominy next time...my mother in         law drains, I drained half the corn)
1 pack of Taco Seasoning
1 41/2oz can of chopped green chilies...I am going to double the chilies next time
1 103/4oz can of Cream of chicken soup
1 14oz can of Chicken broth
1/2 cup sour cream
optional:: Monterrey jack cheese, Salsa, Tortilla chips.

Here is how you whip it up.
Put chicken in the crock pot.
Top with beans and corn.
Combine the Seasoning, chilies, soup and broth in a bowl, stir it up, and pour over the top of the ingredients in the crock pot.

I cooked for 6 hours. I pulled the chicken out before serving and just pulled it right apart and re-added it.
(If chicken doesn't shred, it is not cooked through)
Once the chicken is back in the pot, add the sour cream.

Serve with some cheese and some salsa...and some tortilla chips.

DELISH!
Especially on the "colder" days!

Enjoy!

product placement

It is not often that I talk about a product, but...Superbowl Sunday found me and some friends talking about hair care.
I thought it was really interesting that most of the girls said that they use shampoo for a short amount of time then switch because they haven't really found anything that they like.
One of the girls and I had both switched to an Organics shampoo and neither of us finished the bottle because our hair felt like straw. And I do not want to spend an arm and a leg on shampoo and conditioner.



So, that is the lead into my post today.

Over our Christmas break my mom had put a lotion into the bathroom for us...you know like a "guest" use lotion and soap. It was this.

I have only ever loved one lotion as much as I love this. 

(Which was a discontinued after sun balm made by Hawaiian Tropic which smelled like dreamy coconut and sunshine...just sayin.) 

Because I loved the lotion so much, I was shopping and saw this new line of Aveeno shampoo and conditioner. 

I bought. I used. I love!

One of my friends handed me this product to use and so I thought I would give it a try...

Between the lotion, shampoo, conditioner, and Frizz eaze, I feel like I have the softest skin and hair in all of Texas...

I thought you may one of the "girls" who cant seem to find the right combo without spending bank...you should check these out!