Can You Help Me?

Well... I haven't been here in a while.  Welcome back! 

Last night, the Lord had me up really late.  This morning, He woke me up really early.  I know this is God, because I'm not tired or cranky.  I'm excited and encouraged!

Let me explain:  I attended a Leadership Conference earlier this week.  It messed me up in the best kind of way.  This entire week, I've been thinking about how I can encourage and value people.  I even asked the Lord to put people in my path that needed encouragement.

We all know that negative, unkind people are the loudest.  Even when encouragement comes our way, all we can think about were the mean words said to us.  

I think we can also agree that when we fire back and say something unkind, we may feel that satisfaction... But it only lasts for a moment.  The guilt and sadness lasts much longer. 

Proverbs 15:4 says - 
"A gentle tongue is a tree of life, a sinful tongue crushes the spirit."  (NLV)

Another version says - 
"Kind words heal and help, cutting words wound and maim."  
(The Message)

I've been in both places.  I've been the receiving end of some very hurtful words.  Even worse, I've been the person using the cutting words.  Neither one feel good.

Let me tell you what does... 

Encouragement.

Giving encouragement... Receiving encouragement.  It's all feels good great!

So can I ask you to help me?  Can you take one day and commit to giving encouragement?  Seek people out... Flood their email, their voice mail, their texts. Ask God to put people in your path.  Ask Him to bring people to your mind.  And just be kind...

I know once you do, you'll want to try it for more than one day!

Still Learning to Crave

So I haven't been the greatest on the "blogging front" here... But I have blogged a few times over at www.bluejeansjesus.com - So you should check that out!

Tonight ends a 12 week series that I've been leading at Four Hills Church - Made to Crave: A Healthy Lifestyle Series.  It's a bible study written by Lysa TerKeurst.  I'm a little sad that's it's over, but I'm motivated to use the things that I've have learned to continue my journey of living a healthier lifestyle... With God's help.

I've learned how to satisfy my deepest desire with God, not food.  I've learned (or was reminded) to go to God whenever I feel stressed or sad, instead of ice cream or that candy bar.  I have found comfort in Him...and that's a feeling you just can't get from a cheeseburger.     

This is from Lysa's website:  "This book is not a how-to manual or the latest, greatest dieting plan. Made to Crave is a helpful companion to use alongside whatever healthy eating approach you choose — a book and Bible study to help you find the “want to” in how to make healthy lifestyle changes."

I'm excited to say that I've found my "want to" and my "how to" during this study.  I've learned more about God's love for me and true peace with myself.  I can't tell you enough how this study has changed my life.  I know...it sounds odd.  But the author really brought God's truths to life.  Scripture that has always been there, was reintroduced to me in a way that I'd never thought about.

I never realized or even thought to go to God with my struggle to become healthy.  I really didn't think it was a big deal or that He even cared whether I was or wasn't at my goal weight.  But now I know - if it's important to me, then it's important to Him.  He wants me to crave Him and not other things that I'd always thought brought me comfort.

I know I have a long way to go.  I don't think you ever stop growing in your faith, but I have found a peace that I've never felt before.  I have loved digging deeper into His word and making Him a priority over my struggle with becoming a healthier person.  It's sorta been a "peace makeover"!

Thought for the Day: God made us capable of craving so we’d have an unquenchable desire for more of Him, and Him alone. Nothing changes until we make the choice to redirect our misguided cravings to the only One capable of satisfying them. 

 -Lysa TerKeurst

It's a Good Day for a Birthday

I'm on my way to a birthday party. I'm literally in the car and Matt's driving. This will actually be my second one today... The first one was for a 3 year old. The next one is for 30 year old. ;-)

I'm thankful for being busy. It means that God has put so many people in my life!! I love people... I love talking with them... I love hearing their stories... I love being part of their lives.

As I think about the many people I saw today, I thought that it would give me a wonderful opportunity to pray for them. So if I saw you today, you're covered... ;-)

My heart is full... And so is my schedule. I'm thankful that God has placed me where He has. He is so good to me...

I thank God for you whenever I think of you.  -Philippians 1:3

I Work Better Under Pressure

One of my goals at the beginning of the new year, was to start blogging more.  I told myself that I would start sometime in January... And like most areas in my life, I'm here by the skin of my teeth.

I find it funny that as you age, you start sounding like the people you used to roll your eyes at...  ;-)

"Where did the time go?"
 
"You better enjoy today!" 

"When I was your age..." 

"The cold weather is killing my knees!!"

I have said those exact statements to my boys... a lot.  I added that last one because I'm saying that just about everyday.

It's true.  It seems the older you get, the quicker the time passes.  Remember when you were 10 and you had to wait a whole week for something?  It took forever!!  Now you blink, and January is over. 

You have to make time for what is important to you. 

God is important.
My family is important.
My ministry is important.

And I want to say that getting a chance to sit down and type out my thoughts is important too...

I hope I will make time for this part... I'm still learning.

Fall, Lovely Fall

Our vacation is over and fall is officially upon us.  School is full swing - voice lessons, piano lessons, art lessons, and youth choir rehearsals...and I can't forget church!!  Whew!  Fall means busy around here.

Fall also means that Honeycrisp Apples are in season... I came across this recipe for an apple dip.  (I wouldn't call it much of a "recipe"... It only has 2 ingredients.)  But it's oh, so yummy!  And you'll see by my picture below that it's great with a banana too!!

Peanut Butter Dip

6 oz of your favorite Greek Yogurt (Vanilla Flavor)
1/3 cup of peanut butter 
(I love the new peanut butter Whips!.. For the same amount you'll have fewer calories... They added air for me!)

Mix together and chill.  You can certainly eat it immediately, (and I did) but the longer it sits, the better it tastes!

This is good stuff!!

 

 

This next recipe was probably the best thing I've made it a while...  I love recipes where you just put everything in the crockpot and forget about it.  The only problem with using a crockpot and being home all day is, you smell the yummy goodness.  It makes you hungry all day!!  ;-)

 

 

Balsamic Beef

 

4-5lb beef roast

1 cup beef broth

1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

3 cloves garlic, minced finely

 

Combine the ingredients and pour over beef.  Then add it to your slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.  Enjoy!

 

So, I had 2 pounds of beef - prepared for stew.  I just used that and cut the other ingredients in half since I didn't have as much beef as it called for in the recipe.  I served it over Baked Cheesy Grits.  (I posted the recipe for the grits back in August.)  I think I'll make this again next week... It's that good!!

 

 

 

 

 



 

 



Vacation Memories - Thursday and Friday

We headed home on Saturday and driving ALL day was not my idea of a vacation... So I didn't really take pictures on that day.  But if my little family is all together, then I'm happy.  Even if we're stuck in a car!  ;-)

Some of my favorites before we left:

I loved that Matt could golf right where we were staying. 

That's him waving to me.  I'm on our patio...

 

The boys climbing the ropes course...

That's the boys in the left-hand corner.

 

 

I love crab legs... A whole lot!!

 

This is the condo we stayed at for the week...

Our home away from home!

 

 

I was greeted by these purple flowers every morning!

 

My three guys in the ocean...

It was a beautiful week!!

 

An almost perfect view...

I'm so thankful that I was able to make these wonderful memories with my family... I thanked God each morning that He gave me this opportunity to spend a little time away to relax with my guys.  I'm blessed. 

There's not a whole lot more that I can say!

Vacationing Fun Times - Wednesday

 My guys shooting some basketball... Matt was trying to get the high score. 

 I'm not sure he ever did.

 

 

Matt, making a super cool bubble!!

 

 

Cameron laying on a bed of nails!!  I did too...

I couldn't keep Cameron off of them!

 

Caleb as an astronaut!!

 

I had fun on this day, but I'd have to say that my date with Matt was the icing on the cake!  These mussels were so good! 

I'm still thinking about these little treasures... :)