Be Encouraged in Your Season

Dear friends,
God takes us through many seasons in our lives. Some seasons are full of blessings and prosperity. Some seasons are full of pain and sorrow. The Word of God tells us that all these seasons are for our good (Romans 8:28).
I don't know what season you are in, but God wants us to be encouraged in this season.
My friend knew that I needed encouragement and she told me to check out this song by Josh Wilson:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MniOtRnCO9I
I found another song by Josh that should encourage us to move...don't just stay in prosperity and blessings, share it with others :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6B1Lv8k5pEc
Be encouraged today! Today is God's day, no matter what season you are walking through!
Until next time...

Cupcake Of The Month-Strawberry Surprise

Greetings friends,

So, as promised here is the cupcake of the month, Strawberry Surprise. I actually made these for Valentine's Day, but am just now getting the pictures posted. (I know, slacker!) 

 As with any cake recipe, it is always a good idea to get all ingredients out first (that way I don't leave anything important out of the cupcakes). By the way, the imitation rum complemented the strawberry very well...might try that again with a different recipe.

 Butter, eggs and sugar...my favorite part of any recipe :)

 So the surprise in these cupcakes is strawberry jam. The whole pieces of berry were so yummy in this cupcake!

Okay, now it is time for a confession...these cupcakes were anything but a cupcake. They were so much more like muffins...so in the end, I didn't even frost them. I had some strawberry sorbet that I dolloped on the top. I'm kinda glad that I hadn't planned to take these to anyone and I won't be trying that recipe again. Guess this cupcake adventure was just to remind me to stay humble :)
Until the next adventure...

Singing In The Rain

Hey ya'll!
I was listening to some GLEE songs that my brother had on his phone and I loved the totally hip remixed version of "Singing In The Rain". I love the old movie with Gene Kelly and below is his version of the song. Enjoy it!

As much as I love this song and dance, I always struggled with the comparision of singin' and dancin' in the rain. Rain is not in itself a happy and joyful thing. I mean let's be honest, we don't jump up and down and declare to the world that a rainy day is the best thing that could ever happen to us. If you are like me, you kinda get a little down thinking about the rain.
God has been reminding me that through the rain in my life, He wants to bring joy and peace. He does this by creating character during the rainy seasons of my life. John Paul Jackson said it well in this quote from his book The Art of Hearing God, "Whatever God has promised you, He will prepare you to receive by intentionally allowing situations to arise in your life that are designed to develop your character. At times, it will seem you have experienced the death of your promise" (18).
In other words, the longer the rain, the greater the blessing. So, join me in singing and dancing in the rain :)
Until next time...

Attempt at Homemade Bread

Hey friends,

Do you remember the nursey rhyme "Patty cake, patty cake"? This is one of the verses:

Patty cake, patty cake, baker's man.

Bake me a cake as fast as you can;

Roll it up, roll it up;

And throw it in a pan!

Patty cake, patty cake, baker's man.

Simple right...
My friend Mary and I also thought that homemade wheat bread would be simple to make too. Umm...we were wrong.

                            

 Getting all the ingredients together was simple enough. Nothing too scary yet.

 Dough made and ready for the first process of kneading...this is where things became a bit scary :)

 We kneaded that dough...and we kneaded that dough...and we kneaded that dough!!!

 We threw it in a pan and waited...

 YEAH!!! It doubled in size, just like it was suppose to. We were thrilled!

It didn't even cool down before almost all of it was gone. It was delicious! I have to say though, the whole process took about 3 hours and involved a bit of sweat, but thankfully no tears :)
The smell of homemade bread is so comforting and making it was fun. However, Mary and I have decided that a bread machine is something that we both want to invest in for our future kitchens.
Until the next adventure...

Waterfalls and Streams

Dear friends,

I am inspired by nature. I am very much like David from the Bible. If I am having a hard day and want to escape...I want to be outside. If I am having a great day and want to celebrate...I simply want to be in nature. It is a place where my spirit and soul are at rest.

During one of my recent hiking trips, God showed me something valuable about waterfalls and streams.

Waterfalls are mighty and powerful! There is a lot of water that flows through waterfalls every day. The force of the water flowing over a waterfall is nomally very great. I have even known of people drowning because they were forced under a waterfall and the force of the water was too great for them to escape. 

Streams on the other hand are steady, calm and peaceful. There is not as much water flowing through them as with waterfalls. And the force of their waters is gentle. But don't miss a streams importance. If it weren't for streams, I would not have drinking water in my kitchen. If there were no streams, there would be no mighty waterfalls.
You see what I think God wanted me to learn was that every person is like water. Some of us are mighty waterfalls, moving water quickly and powerfully. These are the people who are rocking the world and changing lives with the power of the Holy Spirit. Some of us are like the streams,  moving water with steady, peaceful and calm movements. These are the people who build relationship with purpose and care. These are the people who rock one persons life at a time.
You see, God wants to use both types of people. There is not one type that is right or wrong. God needs both types of people to help build His kingdom.
Be encouraged today, if you are His child, then He wants to use you. It doesn't matter what type of water you are, He can and will use you!
"This man is a chosen instrument of Mine to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the descendants of Israel;" -Acts 9:15
May you and I be instruments of God today!
Until my next adventure...

A Jump On Spring Cleaning or Just Plain Rusty

Hey friends,
So I got this crazy idea to start cleaning out my whole room...this may seem like a simple task, but you obviously haven't seen my room if you think this. Let's just say that I use every inch of my room. It is normally somewhat organized, but there is something in every nook and cranny of my room. I not only decided to clean my room, but I have for quite some time felt that I needed to purge my room. So, that is the task that I have undertaken...I think I have lost my mind :) At the very least, I may lose my mind before this project is over.
Anyway, I opened the pretty pink chest that has always sat at the end of my bed and to my surprise I found some of my precious books that I read when I was just a babe. What nearly knocked me off my feet was the horrible smell of decaying paper. Yuck!!! Not the kind of odor that you want in your bedroom.
So, I quickly moved all the books that I wanted to keep into a plastic container and realized that the smell was coming from the chest itself. Hmmm...I was thinking it was time for the chest to find a new place of residence. Then...I moved the chest.
To my unpleasant surprise I found a dry rust stain that was about 2 feet wide. YIKES!!! Can I just say that rust stains don't normally just come up with a regular carpet cleaner.
Being the resourceful person that I am, I immediately went online to find a solution. There were many solutions, so the hard part was deciding which one to try first.
I decided to try cream of tartar mixed with water that made a paste. This helped, but didn't do away with the stain. It made for a few funny comments from my family, because it really looked like I had smeared toothpaste all over my carpet.
Anyway, on to lemon juice mixed with water. I sprayed this directly on the stain and left it for about 7 minutes (I read that it could take the color out of the carpet if let for more than 10 minutes). This did take some of the stain away. So now I was left with a stain that was about 1 foot wide.
Decided to try plain dish detergent mixed into water. I dabbed this all over the stain. This process was again very comical to my family. My dad thought that it looked like I was pumping someones stomach...I became quite involved in the dabbing process :) This process really didn't make any difference at all. Just good for a few laughs!
So, now it was time to turn to the chemical based cleaners. They didn't work at all! (I declare this as a tear or two escape.)
I suppose my only option for the moment is to cover it with a rug. If you have any thoughts that would help in my quest for a rust-free carpet, let me know.
Until the next adventure...

My Favorite Spot and Deer

Dear friends,                                       

This is a picture of my favorite spot. This is the place that I go to be still and hang out with Jesus. It is so peaceful in my spot!
I was so excited that it was a sunny day and I was able to hike to my favorite spot. I was reflecting and praying as I hiked into the woods, so I suppose for once I was being quiet. If you know me that well, you know that being quiet is not my strongest quality :)
Anyway, as I turned the corner, there were two beautiful white-tailed deer drinking at one of the streams along the way. It was a moment of bliss and then it was over. They realized I was there and ran toward the other side of the mountain.
In this moment God reminded me of why I was headed into the woods...to be with Him. This scripture immediately came to mind:

"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?" Psalm 42: 1-2

I also had another thought as I hiked a little more before getting to my spot. Do I long to meet daily with God? Do I really thirst for His presence? On this day, I know that I did long greatly for His presence. I am so glad that He and I got to enjoy some precious time together.
Do you long for His presence?

More Valentine Goodness!!!

Dear friends,

What would Valentine's Day be without chocolate chip cookies? Umm...It would be a very sad day, that's all I have to say about that :) 

My friend Carla and I made mini-cookie cakes in the shape of hearts in honor of the Day of Love. Oh, and they wouldn't be perfect without the heart sprinkles on top!

They were super yummy, because the outside was crispy and the inside was o' so gooey (just the way I like them).

So, Valentine's Day is tomorrow...don't forget that even something as simple as a chocolate chip cookie can speak love to those you are around.
Until next time...

Best Peanut Butter Cookies!!!

Dear friends,

Valentine's day is sneaking up on me this year. Valentine's day of course reminds me of love. And one thing that I LOVE is chocolate! Who doesn't love chocolate? The only thing that is better than chocolate is peanut butter and chocolate together. As you could probably guess any candy that belongs to the Reese's family is my candy of choice. Is anyone with me?

So, in honor of Valentine's day I am sharing the recipe for my favorite peanut butter cookies. Simply add the chocolate kisses right when the cookies come out of the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes. Then you have Valentine goodness wrapped up in the best peanut butter cookies with chocolate :)

Joy's Peanut Butter Cookies

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

2 cups peanut butter (smooth works better)

Preheat oven to 350. Put the sugar and eggs in a medium bowl. Mix with an electric mixer until the sugar and eggs are combined well. Then add the peanut butter. The mixture will be hard to stir, so use a wooden spoon or clean hands. Mix until well combined. Using your hands, roll dough into 1-inch balls. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. (If adding chocolate later, leave in a ball.) Flatten using a fork and make criss-cross marks with the fork. Bake for about 7 minutes or until lightly brown. Enjoy!!!
Until next time...

Friend of God

Dear friends,
I wasn't going to post anything today, but these devotions have really been speaking to my heart and I thought I would share with you: http://www.freechapel.org/category/daily_devotion/

These devotions are about being a friend of God. He is the greatest friend that there ever was and is. If you don't have a personal relationship with Him, I would love to share with you about my relationship. He is my beloved and I am so filled with joy because of my relationship with Him. If you have a relationship with Him, then please enjoy the devotions entitled "Become Gods Friend". They will knock your socks off :)
Happy Today! More Valentine goodies to come tomorrow :)
Until then...

Valentine Cuteness!!!

Hey friends,

Valentine's Day is right around the corner and I recently had a valentine making party which was the perfect opportunity to make these cute Valentine sweets.

Hang with me, the cuteness is coming... These are a few of the ingredients that I used. Not pictured is the dark chocolate wafers and almond bark (white chocolate), these types of chocolate melt and coat the marshmallows much better than regular chocolate chips.

Put the mallows on the sticks and pull the mini muffin cup up to "dress" the marshmallow :)

Key to cuteness...sugar!!! Who would have guessed?!? The more colors the better!

Finished and dressed for cuteness!

Don't they just yell...eat me 'cause I am soooo cute?!?

These yummy pillows of cuteness were served up in a leftover Christmas box that I put some florist foam in and stuffed with tissue paper. The most beautiful treat at the party, don't you think?

I got the idea from this blog:

http://yardtofork.wordpress.com/2010/02/09/valentines-fun/
More Valentine yumminess to come soon.

Poem

Happy Today!

I have something to share that has really spoken to my heart. As you may gather from my posts, I am wholeheartedly in love with Jesus and have been learning many things about Him.

I was recently given Deep Unto Deep by Dana Candler. She is a wonderful author and speaker. Check out her website for more info: http://www.danacandler.com/

Anyway, this is a poem that she shares in Deep Unto Deep that is taken from her journals:

"My heart aches. I love Him, yes, but faintly.

I desire Him, yes, but weakly.

I want Him, true, but weaveringly.

Even in the pain that lies within

I recognize to be such faint pain,

A mere discomfort next to the heart-wrenching anguish

That grips true lovers

My knowledge is nothing. My wisdom, infancy.

I see nothing as it truely is.

Eternity what is light. This life of earth what is dark.

Stories remain stories. Not sinking deep within my soul,

And scarring me with Divine invasion

Your cross is a picture, Your Heaven a fantasy.

Tears are sweet emotions, moved by Your sufferings.

I say Your name so sweetly but do not know its Face.

All I am is far. So distant, so removed.

But You beckon me come.

Yet, my Lord, I am nothing. I have nothing. I know nothing.

When I thought I had something,

It dissolved before Your beauty,

And I was left naked. Possessing nothing.

Poor for words. Empty of all. Needy and alone.

Even so, my Love, call me.

Yes, do not leave me here but beckon me come.

Though I have nothing, though I am only poor,

I cast myself on your unfailing love

Where else would I go?

Whom have I but You?" (Candler 2)

Maybe this will speak to your heart like it spoke to mine. I am simply on a journey and am joyful that I may share it with you :)

Until next time...

Valentines with a Purpose

Hey dear friends,

Beware...this may rock your world!

For quite some time I have been aware of a gross and horrible trade going on all over the world. It is the human trafficking trade.

Today, an estimated 27 million people are held in slavery, with statistics estimating that 99% of these victims are never rescued. Trafficking in women is the second largest global organized crime, and in some cases girls are forced to service as many as 40 men a day.

Does this blow your mind like it does mine? Not just that, but it breaks my heart! I am overwhelmed by those numbers, as I am sure you are. How can one person make a difference against something so big?

One person can make a difference and I saw that today. A group of precious friends took a few hours to make valentines for girls who have never been told that they are loved by a human much less our heavenly Father.

The beautiful girls who will receive these cards live in Greece in a safe house. These girls have come out of the sex trade organization and are on the road to restoration.

As I looked at these cards and thought about the care that was put into them, I started to cry. ONE person can make a difference!!! Six girls (and a few that made cards later) took the time to share their love and the love of their Father with over 30 girls on the other side of the world. I am proud to say that these girls are my friends. They are putting their words into actions.
Take just a moment and think of what you can do. One person can make a difference. You can make a difference. Together we can't do everything, but we can certainly do something!

Until next time...

Old Movies and Orphans

Hello!
I love, I mean I love old movies!!! I have always enjoyed old movies. I think it's because they are about real things that real people go through. Also, there is an innocence about the characters that is seriously lacking in movies that are made now. Ok, I won't go down a rabbit trail about movies today and the lack of morals. What I really wanted to share was this:
My friend and I had an old movie night. (Side note: It's so fun to be a girl and enjoy girly things with friends.) Anyway, back to the story. We didn't really know what we wanted to watch, but finally decided to watch Jane Eyre.
I enjoyed the movie very much, but what really spoke to my heart was what happened at the beginning of the film. At the beginning, Jane Eyre is taken to Lowood Institution, which is very much like an orphanage. The girls there are treated with contempt. Jane Eyre describes the living conditions as having no heat in the cold of the winter, no warm water to bathe in, being served food that is not eatable, and generally being ignored if possible. Jane is even there with her friend as her little friend dies in Lowood. These descriptions broke my heart. Not because these horrors were in a movie, but because of the realization that there are boys and girls all over the world that still live in the same conditions.
Hello world, wake up! There is suffering and pain in childrens lives all over the world, EVERY day! Suffering and pain is not just in Africa, Europe, or China, but right here in the USA.
You may think, great I see the pain and suffering, but what can only one person do? I have been learning this past year that one person can't do everything, but one person can do something.
The first step to doing something is knowledge. Do a google search on human trafficking or at-risk kids and you will find so much information.
The next step is to become involved in an organization that is already making a difference. (We are to seek where the Lord is at work and join Him there, right?) Here are a few organizations that I know are making a serious difference:
http://www.dreamcenter.org/
http://www.philip-cameron.org/
http://www.hopechest.org/
http://www.compassion.com/
Who would have known that a simple old movie night would turn into the Lord touching my heart?!? I guess God can use anything if our hearts are prepared to hear His voice.
Blessings until next time...