BROKEN HEART
(Recipe: Parmesan Shrimp Bake)

I must confess that I have been quite neglectful in keeping my Blog up-to-date. It’s not that I didn’t want to, I truly did. I just didn’t have the energy to be able to do this. Whenever I would try to sit and write something my mind felt like “mush”. I couldn’t put two sentences together that even made sense!

Five weeks ago I had open-heart surgery to repair my mitral valve. I had absolutely NO idea what to expect regarding surgery and even less of an idea what my recovery time would be. Boy, have I been surprised. Although I am healing nicely, the process is slow. Slower than I imagined!!

As I mentioned, my mind felt like mush. I think my biggest challenge in this five week process has been the fact that I couldn’t concentrate enough to enjoy a quite time with my Lord. Before surgery it was common for us to enjoy an hour or more together each day. Now I was lucky to be able to enjoy 5 minutes with God. But, one thing I learned through this experience. Even though I was unable to communicate with God, others were standing in the gap for me with their prayers. I also came to realize that it was OK with God if I couldn’t meet with him as I had before. He understood. He knew my heart. He knew my desire. He knew I was healing. Satan would try to have me think otherwise – feeling guilty – but God assured me we still had precious time together. It was great to realize that in my weakness, God was my strength.

Today for the first time in 6 weeks I was able to attend my church. Now please understand. During these 6 weeks I did not forget God on Sunday. I enjoyed my own church (with Dr. David Jeremiah and Andy Stanley). It was wonderful. I didn’t have to deal with the anxiety that came from being around people, AND I was ministered to by these two great preachers. But there is something about being around other believers that cannot be equaled. Today I experienced this reunion.

It was wonderful to be able to sing with other believers, pray as a body of Christ, listen to my pastor preach a wonderful message; hearing the words of encouragement from my church family. I will say my time in church exhausted me and I came home and took an hour nap! But my time in church also refreshed me. My church and church family are precious to me and I realize anew how much I miss their encouragement.

I still have a long way to go in the healing process. But I am confident that God is with me. God continues to give me strength. I am enjoying more energy and my mind has finally cleared. A Scripture verse that has always been a favorite of mine has now become even more precious to me. Isaiah 40:31 – “But those who trust on the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”

Thanks to all of you for your prayers. I am running with Jesus, learning to trust him daily as we walk this journey together!


Parmesan Shrimp Bake

1 16-oz. package farfalle pasta
6 Tbsp. butter or margarine
3 finely chopped cloves garlic
6 Tbsp. flour
1/3 cup chicken broth
2-3/4 cup half-and-half
½ cup clam juice
1 Tbsp. tomato paste or ketchup
¾ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. pepper
1 pound uncooked peeled deveined medium shrimp, thawed
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh or 2 tsp. dried dill weed
¾ c. grated Parmesan cheese

Heat oven to 350. Grease 2 qt. casserole. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package. Melt butter over medium heat. Cook garlic in butter 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in flour. Cook, stirring constantly with wire whisk until smooth and bubbly.

Stir in chicken broth, then half-and-half, clam juice, tomato paste, salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened. Stir in shrimp, dill weed and ¼ cup of the cheese.

Stir pasta into shrimp mixture. Pour into casserole. Sprinkle with remaining ½ cup cheese. Bake uncovered 35-40 minutes or until light brown and hot.