A Taste of Worship

Read this on someone's blog and totally agree:

"I believe that worship does not just happen on Sunday morning. I believe that it is in every little thing in our every day life. How we treat our spouse. How we react to our kids, even in the stressful moments. If we make life about "me". How we treat the waitress or the car that cuts us off. How we love. How we forgive. Everything. These are all opportunities to worship God. To show Jesus to others. I also believe that being a Christian isn't about the "dos" and "donts" or if you drink or not or cuss or not BUT I DO believe that if you follow God with full abandon...abandon your old self, your old life and let Him live through you...it is a natural overflow- your life changes, in all areas."

May my life overflow with worship of my God so that people will walk away from encounters with me having encountered God's love for them. God help me to proclaim boldly your love when I have the opportunity and to make the most of opportunities that you give me to spread your love. May it be contagious.

A Taste of Blessings

I can not say enough what a blessing it has been to live here in Houston and to get to see my sister, brother in-law, nephew, & niece on a regular basis. Just today, I kept Noah & Briley for about 3 hours while Matt and Mel worked. Working from home and having a flexible schedule also has been such a blessing so that I am able to do this. I try to pick the kids up from their Mothers Day Out program once a week to give Matt a few hours by himself or to finish some work and SELFISHLY, I love having one on one time with them at my house. Noah just amazes me everytime I see him with the new things he thinks up or the things that he says. Today, he insisted on making Uncle Brad ANOTHER birthday card (we made one last week) and wrote all of his ABCs on it and ran out of room to actually write "Happy Birthday" so he made another card for him with that on it. I let Noah decide what we did today, so we did that and made Santa & Rudolph masks and watched "The Parent Trap". I showed him this movie a while back thinking he'd think all the boobie trapping was funny but has NO IDEA he'd love it and request it on a regular basis. I can see the wheels turning in his head as he thinks, "Hmm, now how could I do that to Mom and Dad. . ." And sweet Briley played for a while and crawled around and was mesmerized by my Christmas tree. . .more the ornaments really. And then she feel asleep in my arms-oh she is so sweet. It was just a normal day, we didn't do anything super creative or "special" but spending the afternoon with them was so special to me and just made me so happy.

I say all of this fully realizing that the rest of our family would love to get to do this, and I truely wish they could too. I know it's just not possible to always live close to family. All I can say, is that we talk about you all a lot and can't wait to spend time with you all! Noah knows that he is loved by his extended family and Briley soon will realize that too-I think she already does for what her young mind can understand. You can be proud of Matt & Melanie-they are amazing parents to these two kids-it is so neat to get to see them and their love for their kids.

I just want to take advantage of this time that God has given me to be close to my family and to make sure that beyond a shadow of a doubt, Noah and Briley know that I love them and know that they are special to me because they are truely gifts from God and loved by God. It is neat because I think Noah really understands a lot about God and how God loves him. And SO far, Noah still gets excited to see me! I'm going to enjoy that for as long as I can!

I would have never guessed a year ago, that I would be here in Houston but what an amazing God we have who orchestrated this move and these precious months here. I'm so glad I trusted Him even though it was sad to leave such dear friends in Nashville. My heart is full of thanks to God for what He has done, and I pray that He will continue to give me opportunities to spend time with and love on my family.

A Taste of God's Prescence

Has it really been since the MIDDLE of OCTOBER since I've written? WOW. I don't know where all that time went! Well today, I am overwhelmed with God's prescence. During the last several weeks, I have been reminded of what it is to cry out desperately for God's prescence, not necessarily in my own life, but in the life of some dear friends: Matt & Alissa Peppley. Now, quite honestly, I don't know Matt & Alissa super well, but Alissa's sister Katie, is one of my best friends, so I consider anyone that she loves, a dear friend. I got to know Alissa a little bit when her and I both lived in Nashville and she has such a sweet spirit and reminds me so much of my friend Katie. While I ate breakfast one time in Nashville with Alissa, I could not put Katie out of my mind because they look, act, and even sound so much alike.

Well Matt & Alissa found out 9 months ago, that Alissa was pregnant again, a miracle in and of itself due to some physical reasons. During the pregnancy, they were told that their sweet baby Anna has two major heart issues and the doctors did not expect her to be able to survive outside of the womb. I was heartbroken when I heard this news. I can not imagine what a mother and father would go through hearing this news. The excitement of an unexpected pregnancy and then the news that your sweet baby may not survive. I can only imagine the questions that were sent up to God on their behalf.

So, people started praying. Praying for healing, for peace, for intervention, for GOD'S prescence in this situation. And while I was joining in the prayer and hope for healing, I have to admit that I didn't know if God was going to heal this sweet baby. I wanted desperately for Him to and I KNEW that He was able to, I just didn't know if He would choose to.

The best I knew to pray was that God would overwhelm this couple and this family with His prescence so that regardless of the outcome, they would know His love and would have a "peace that passes all understanding." Matt & Alissa also listed some specific prayer requests, so I prayed for those as well.

Well God has performed so many miracles on this family's behalf. Sweet baby Anna was born this last Thursday, breathing on her own and even screaming! Matt & Alissa both got to hold her before she went into surgery. The surgery went well and right now this sweet baby is trying to heal. She still has a lot before her, but her parents are already praising God for the days of life that she has had and for the time that they have gotten to spend with her. I am humbled and challenged by this couple's faith and trust in God. If you want to read more on their story, check out: http://babyannajoy.blogspot.com/

And then today, I found out that my dad's sister, Aunt Celia passed away. My heart hurts so much for my parents and Aunt & Uncle to lose a sibling and a sister-in law. I do not want to even begin to think about what that would be like for me. Aunt Celia was a very sweet and loving woman. I know that my Mom especially will miss her as my Mom talked to her regularly and tried to always be a friend and encouragement to her. And now I will pray again for God's prescence in each of their lives so that even in something like this where there is sadness and loss, God can be felt and experienced in a way that draws us closer to Him.

I don't always understand why God allows certain things to happen, but I do know and completely believe that He promises to be with us in the midst of life and that He offers hope, healing, and peace.

A Taste of Why I Love My Momma

You know, I've always loved my Mom. But the older I get the more and more I love my Mom. And the more and more I see her as not only my Mom but as my friend. She is my role model of how I want to be as a woman. If I can be half of the woman that she is, I will be a great woman. Today is my Mom's birthday so this post is for her. Happy Birthday Mom!

Now this is unusual. My Mom doesn't normally get shout outs. She doesn't normally get thanked in public or recognized for the things that she does. This is one of the many reasons why my Mom is awesome.

My Mom truely has a servant's heart and is very humble. She doesn't do the things that she does to get attention. She does the things that she does because they need to be done, she feels like God has asked her to do them, or because it's something that God has given her a talent in.

I sincerely can not think of a single time that I've seen my Mom put herself before someone else. Not a single time. She lives her life in such a way that she is constantly putting other's needs first above her own.

I don't know this for a fact, but I'm pretty positive that growing up, my Mom would sacrifice buying something new for herself, sometimes things that she needed, for things that her children wanted. She didn't buy us extravagant things, but I believe that she sacrificed things that she could have easily bought for herself.

My Mom stayed at home while I was growing up. I can't remember a single assembly, concert, or game that my Mom did not make it to.

I remember my Mom going out of her way to help me study for Bible Quizzing and to help me study when I was struggling in a class.

My Mom is such a hospitable person and we were always having people over for dinner. She is a wonderful cook. My family ate almost every evening meal together at the table-with a full and delicious meal. No frozen dinners for this family! My Mom made us breakfast (no not bowls of cold cereal) every morning that I can remember growing up. Now of course, I didn't recognize how amazing this was when I was 8, but looking back, WOW, WHAT MOM DOES THAT? I'm sure it'd be SO tempting to sleep in a little longer and just have the kids fend for themselves.

My Mom always made prayer a priority growing up. I remember specifically at Christmas time, Mom would bring in all the Christmas cards and letters that we got from friends and family and we'd pray for each family. What a cool Mom. And you can pretty much every morning find her praying and reading her Bible. What an awesome example she has set for our family.

My Mom has for as long as I can remember been in charge of the kid's Christmas musical at church. WHO wants to take on that responsibility?!?!? A lot of snotty nosed kids who don't bother to memorize their lines till the last minute and having to come up with costumes, and movements, and scenery. . .oh man, what an amazing woman she is for volunteering to do this each and every year. And every year, the program is a blessing for those who get to watch. And I know many a parent who would not normally set foot in the church, come to see their child and hear the message of God's love because of my Mom.

And my Mom is an extremely talented pianist. She learned to play by ear. She definitely reads music but can also hear a song and figure out the chords. I LOVE listening to her play. It's so beautiful and she is so gifted in this. She can even play the accordian! How cool is that!? As a family, we used to go Christmas caroling to older people in our church and she'd play while we sang!

Something I realized in just the past few years, my Mom regularly reaches out to family members-Aunts, Uncles, cousins-whoever needs someone to talk to or a someone to know that someone cares. She regularly calls and sends cards to some of my Aunts who I know for a fact are so greatful for that friendship that she extends.

My Mom has always been such a support to my Dad as well. He's been in the ministry for close to 40 years and she's been right there along with him-visiting people, playing the piano, typing notes, typing bulletins, running children's programs, planning music, leading plays/musicals, pulling weeds, taking kids to camp, planning garage sales-you name it, she's done it.

My Mom has taught me a lot about trusting God and has led an amazing example of this in every area of her life. My Mom and Dad lost their first baby due to SIDS and I can not begin to imagine how they made it through this. I can't wait for my Mom to be reunited with Kimberly in heaven one day.

I sincerely believe that countless people have felt God's love because of my Mom. I'm sure that many have not thought to tell her this, but I know that this is true. There is a really old song that makes me think about what heaven will be like for my Mom. It's an old Ray Boltz song called "Thank You For Giving to the Lord." These lyrics really make me think of her:

One by one they came
Far as the eye could see
Each life somehow touched
By your generosity.
Little things that you had done
Sacrifices made.
Unnoticed on the earth
In heaven now proclaimed.

And I know up in heaven
You're not supposed to cry.
But I am almost sure
There were tears in your eyes.
As Jesus took your hand
And you stood before the Lord.
He said, "My child look around you.
Great is your reward."

"Thank you" seems insufficient for what you have done for me and what you continue to do for me. I love you so much Mom. Hope you have a wonderful day and feel as loved as you are!

A Taste of Solitary

Solitary is a sad word to me-MOST of the time. Solitary is an adjective that means existing, living, or going without others; alone without companions Someone living a solitary life TYPICALLY, from my experience does not CHOOSE to live a solitary life. They are living this life due to circumstances that are often not within their control. Now I do think that a certain amount of solitude is good and even healthy. And a good game of old school Solitaire never hurt anybody! When we are by ourselves, we can learn to truely love ourselves and to enjoy silence and a slower pace. Often times when we are alone, we may be more likely to hear God's voice or prompting or to feel his prescence in our life. Depending on our personality, some people rejuvenate and are refreshed from times of solitude. For this reason, I think solitude can be a good thing.

But overall and in most circumstances, I believe that we were created to live in community. We were created to crave time and attention and love from others and to be refreshed by fellowship. A strong community can get through anything together. When we have been in the company of people who truely love us, we should walk away refreshed and encouraged as should the others who are part of that community.

I have to admit that each time I have moved to a new place I've thought, "I don't really need to make deep friendships here. I already have wonderful friends. I can get by and be happy enough by just keeping and maintaining those friendships and having some acquaintances in my new place." And for a while, that works. But then comes the realization that even though I still have those great friendships from the other places that I have lived-our friendship is now different and not what it used to be. It by no means is less important, but it's different. We can't pop on over to each other's house for a movie night or meet for dinner. To talk and catch up, it may be weeks or even months until we talk next. And that may be after playing phone tag for a while.

Sometimes when I've moved to the new places, I think I've been a bit hesitant to really invest deeply in new friendships because each time I've moved, I've had no sure idea how long I'd be in each new place. I'm tired of leaving people and in a way don't want to set myself up to be sad again if I feel like God has other plans for me. But really, this is no way to live. This sets myself up for a solitary life-one without true community. Now this move is a little different because I moved to be close to family. I absolutely adore and love spending time with them. I think since I've had this, I haven't been as quick to seek out other friendships. But I think that I'm supposed to, so here I go. I'm trying to be open to the friendships that God may have for me here-both friendships that will be mutually benefitting and those that may be a little more one-sided. I want to live and make the most of where I am right now. I don't want to miss out on something God may have for me. So here's to finding true community!

A Taste of Feeling Wanted

I think there is an epidemic going around. It's called "Idon'tfeelwanteditis". It springs up in the likely and unlikely places. I'm not going to lie. I sometimes feel it. It's crazy because I am surrounded by loving family and friends and yet I still feel it sometimes. It's that nagging thought of "do I really matter" and "am I really important to someone?" What is crazy is that I have a very stable family and amazing friends and yet I feel this. Now I'm not saying I have a perfect life, but I have so much to be grateful for. It is no wonder that other people who do not have a supported family or good friends feel unwanted or unloved at times.

Now I know there are MANY MANY MANY people who feel this way, and I'll barely scratch the surface with the groups I mention.

I see this quite a bit in the work that I do. I have so many of my kids who live with relatives other than their biological parents due to drug use, divorce, imprisonment. These kids are left wondering, "Am I really wanted where I am? Does someone really care about me? Am I worth spending time with? Am I valuable? Did I do something wrong?" Even in the best of circumstances (great grandparents, friends, adoptive/foster parents or relatives who stepped up), these kids often still feel unwanted. It breaks my heart. Each time I meet one of these kids, I want to spend the time myself directly investing in their lives so that I can help show them how important and valuable they are.

And then there are people who are homeless or who are living in poverty. Now I fully admit that sometimes I let prejudices get the best of me. I am sometimes tempted to look the other way because I don't want to be asked for something or to feel uncomfortable or guilty for what I have myself. But aren't these people, regardless of their situation or the reason behind where they are now, my brothers and sisters in Christ? They were created and are loved by God just like I am. God does not love me or look more favorably on me because I have a job, wear nice clothes, or have food on my table. Why would I not look on these people with the same love as I do a good friend? Don't they deserve the same respect and love as anyone else? How can I show them that they are valued and wanted?

And finally I'll speak to something I'm very familiar with. So I'm 29, almost 30. I'm not married, not dating, and have no expectations of this happening anytime soon. A good majority of my friends are married and on their first or second child. I know I'm not the only one in this boat. I also recognize that a lot of my friends got married pretty young. But when you are in this situation, surrounded by friends who are married, it's very easy to feel unwanted-unloved at times. Now it's not that I don't feel loved by friends and family, but I feel like I'm missing out because I'm not loved by a husband. I know that I should feel completely loved because God loves me, but sometimes I just don't. Is that bad to say? I'm just being real honest. Now a lot of the time, I'm totally ok with this. I try to be patient. I ask God to guard my heart and to help me to trust Him. But its just so hard sometimes. Just like the kids I mentioned above, it's easy to think that I've done something wrong. And I look around at some of my other single friends and think SURELY I'm not the only one who feels this way, right? I want to trust God's timing and goodness, but it's just hard sometimes.

So what do I do with all of this? Well I probably have more questions than I do answers. I don't really know how to make myself not feel unwanted at times. That's going to have to be God speaking to me or through other people I think. But I do know how I can contribute to helping others feel wanted and feeling God's love. I can work at my job with my full heart and do my very best in everything that I do. When I am doing my part in my job, hopefully more and more children will truely feel loved and cared about and will start to see their self-worth. With a homeless person or really anyone who I'm tempted to judge and treat with less love, I will ask God to give me the grace to look past any prejudices and to love them like they deserve to be loved-even if that means just giving a genuine smile or eye contact. And with other singles, well I'm not really sure. I need God to help me know how I can encourage others and be a good friend to them. I don't want to sugarcoat and just say what they want to hear, "someday your Prince will come when you least expect it," haha how many times have I heard that? But I do want to be a person who encourages and helps them feel valued and loved.

I do believe that it breaks God's heart when we don't feel the value and love that He feels for us. God help me to truely feel loved and valued because of your love and to be an instrument to help others feel the same.

A Taste of a Round Up

So I've always loved cooking/baking, etc. but I've realized lately how much I really love it. So I created a Facebook Community group called "Recipe Round Up"-haha don't ask me how I got the name-I was trying to think of one and that came to mind, and I couldn't really think of another one, so I was like, "Ehh, that'll do." It's just a place for people to share recipes and sounds silly, but I'm excited about it. I know it's nothing revolutionary-there are probably thousands if not more blogs and sites that do the exact same thing.

And I've mentioned this before, but I think cooking/baking/sharing recipes, as simple as those things are, can create community and bonds with people that you may not have had otherwise. It's a fun way to connect with old friends and new friends. And it's just plain fun for me because I think it'll keep me trying out new recipes and it's fun to connect other people to good recipes and to teach younger girls how to cook/bake. I got to do that quite a bit at Trevecca, and I really loved that.

I think when you look at my love for cooking/baking/recipes it all actually comes down to the fact that I LOVE entertaining. I love hosting things. I love creating a space where people can relax, enjoy themselves, and make memories. Way back several years ago, I took a spiritual gifts test and it said one of mine was "hospitality". I think that's pretty right on. SO-I want to use that gift to glorify God. And although it sounds a little funny, I think I can do that through this whole thing-I'm connecting with people already that I don't know well or haven't connected with in years, so who knows what opportunities God will open up through this. Sometimes I think, you just need a common denominator to begin a connection with someone that God can use for his glory-maybe he'll choose to use this. I'm ready God, and in the meantime I'll be on the look out for yummy recipes!

*The apron above is from www. happyhourmoms.com

A Taste of Deliciousness

These are two yummy recipes that I've discovered lately and thought I'd share! I love that you can find recipes online so easily and also love that you can find substitutes for ingredients that you may have run out of or don't have in the house: eggs, brown sugar, etc.

Enchilada Casserole
Compliments of the back of a cheese package (haha seriously) & some changes/additions by me

Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef (could use chicken or ground turkey)
1 package of taco seasoning
2 cans of rotel (go for the mild version if you don't like hot)
1 can drained corn
1/2 container of salsa (approx 13 ounces)
8 oz light sour cream (could use no fat)
3/4 bag of shredded colby jack cheese (could use low fat)
1 package of white corn tortillas cut into pieces

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 9 x 13 casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.
Cook meat till browned-drain.
Mix the next 6 ingredients together in a mixing bowl.
Add meat and mix all together.
Layer corn tortilla pieces and mixture in a 9 x 13 sprayed pan. Top with cheese.
Cook covered on 350 for about 30-45 minutes or until everything is hot!

I also added some Taco Bell hot sauce to it afterward-how ghetto am I, but it was really good!

You could also prob make them vegetarian by taking out the meat, and adding black beans, spinach, and some other veggies!

You can also make in two 9 x 9 pans and freeze one and cook the other. Make sure to dethaw the frozen before you try to cook it-that'll save you a lot of cooking time. You can put it in the fridge the night before you are going to bake it.

Chocolate Bread
a Paula Deen recipe

Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups semisweet chocolate morsels
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans (I didn't use these)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spray (2) 9 by 5-inch loaf pans with non-stick cooking spray.

In a large bowl combine the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Beat in the milk, oil, eggs, and vanilla at medium-low speed with an electric mixer until combined. Beat in the chocolate morsels and pecans. Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared pans. Bake until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, about 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes. Let cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Remove the bread from the pans and cool completely on a wire rack.

*Make sure to only fill pans 1/2 to 3/4 full-if you don't, it will likely overflow AND becomes very hard to cook evenly and all the way through.

A Taste of Haze Tested and Haze Approved

So on the plane ride home from the AMAZING and RELAXING and REFRESHING weekend, I was thinking randomly of how much I love certain things. So this post will be a tribute to some inventions/products that I have tested and approved and would like to kiss the inventor of. These are in no particular order:

1. Bobby pins. Yeah random I know, but if you are a girl, you will understand. Bobby pins are a girls best friend. They are small, fit in your pocket, but have strength to hold up just about any up-do you could think possible AND are gentle on your hair. Oh yes, and they are very cheap. Dear Bobby Pinsworth-much appreciated. Glad your wife needed to hold that stray hair back.

2. Nalgene bottles. Nalgene bottles are the reason I love water today and the reason I drink so much water. Aside from this fact, the indestructibility (I'm sure that's not a word) of them is AMAZING. AMAZING. So the Nalgene company says that if your Nalgene breaks, they will replace it, for free, no questions asked. Well, I took it upon myself to see how strong they are. RIGHT after purchasing one, I jammed the Nalgene right up under my back tire (of a Jeep) and proceeded to back over the Nalgene. AND it didn't break. A few scratches from the gravel, but no breakage. AMAZING. Mr. Nalgene maker-you are a genious. Thank you Nalg Nunc. International. See, the 90s DID contribute some useful things to society!

3. Glitter. Glitter just makes everything better. Ok, maybe not everything, but a lot of things. Kids projects, nail polish, lotion, shoes, ugly Christmas sweaters, make-up, etc. etc. etc. Not feeling so hot about your art project, throw some glitter on it! TOMS the shoemaker has recently made me happy and a bit envious of their sweet new GLITTERY TOMS.

4. Discount clothing/home goods stores such as Ross, Burlington Coat Factory, TJ Maxx, etc. WHO doesn't love a good deal? WHY pay $50 for something, when you can get it for $5? It's the thrill of the good find/deal that keeps me going at these stores. YES, they have lots of random things, YES, it takes some patience, but YES, you are often rewarded with a great AND cheap find!

5. Frozen yogurt places. SO good. SO good. What a brilliant idea to have self-serve frozen yogurt in a variety of delicious flavors PLUS topping bars. This is completely besides the point, but these businesses are making a killing because they charge by the weight & people are ridiculous in how much they load up in their bowls-PLUS the ingredients are so straightforward and simple.
6. Coupon books-especially the Entertainment Books-do people not realize how much they save with these? You buy one for about $25 and if you use 3-4 coupons, you've already made your money back! You seriously pay usually about HALF of what you would've normally paid at most places. . .why would you not use a coupon?

7. E-Readers. I am by no means someone who cares to have the newests and coolest electronic, but E-Readers are so cool. I love mine and have read so much more since I got one that I have for a long time. It's light, easy to bring with you, and books are very affordable.
8. Skype-I got to talk to my best friend who I haven't seen in OVER a year tonight on Skype. It was SO good and so nice to feel like we were in the same room just having a conversation. We even vowed to start Skyping monthly which I'm so excited about because although we love each other dearly, we just haven't made regular time to keep up with each other's lifes and what a cool way to do it. I got to talk with her, see her baby girl, and talk with her husband, one of my best guy friends. WHY have I never thought before to Skype with my sweet college friends that I miss so much? Thank you Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis. You've connected friends and family in a very cool way!

9. Cookbooks. I absolutely love cooking and baking and love even looking at new recipes. Cookbooks whether hard copy, recipe cards, or online-I just love. I love old family recipes. I love my Mom's recipes. I love trying out new things and finding new favorites. I love the community that comes with sharing recipes. I know that may sound ridiculous to some, but for those who love cooking, it's a huge compliment when someone asks you for your recipe because they loved something you made. If I could make a living out of trying out new recipes and cooking for people, I'd be a pretty happy woman. I love the creativity that comes with cooking/baking and love making something that people will enjoy.

AND for my last tribute, although if I thought longer, I'm sure I could think of many more. . .

10. Cream cheese. Yes, random I know, but if you like to cook/bake, you will understand. Cream cheese makes every recipe better. It makes delicious homemade frosting, dips, oreo truffles, spreads, creamy soups, cucumber sandwiches, etc. If I were to list my top 10 favorite recipes, probably 8 out of 10 would have cream cheese as an ingredient. So, thank you Cream Cheese inventor William Lawrence, your accident has been making tastebuds happy since 1872.

A Taste of Trying

I feel like recently my life has gotten a little crazy all of a sudden! I'm working a lot, trying to make my numbers and yet trying to do a good job with the people I serve. Trying to spend as much time with my fam as possible. Trying to spend time with teenage girls at church. Trying to invest time with a new Christian. Trying to keep my house clean. Trying to read a lot. . . trying trying trying. Haha this all just caught up with me. I'm not really stressed but realizing I'm starting to get TOO BUSY. Maybe I'm just TRYING too hard!

A good friend reminded me recently that I need to make sure I take time for Sabbath, and I AGREE! I think it's time for some SABBATH. Well, praise the Lord, one's coming! I'm going for a LONG weekend to visit friends and to celebrate with a great friend in her wedding! So Lord, BRING on some sabbath rest! Renew me and help me to come back refreshed and refocused so that I can put time, attention, and love on what you want me to put it on! Help me to find balance and realize I can't do everything for everyone. It's hard to not want that because I truely do want to take advantage of opportunities that I believe the Lord has given me. So Lord, please give me discernment for what I should spend my time in. Keep me in your Word, in communication with you, and in your prescence so that I can be in tune with your heart.

A Taste of Availability

"There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than bread." (Mother Theresa) So I am learning more and more how important it is simply to be available for God to use. We don't have to have any special skills or have any special knowledge. We just need to be willing and available to be used, and He will use us to show his love to people. So so so many people just want to be heard. Validated. Loved. Called by name. Remembered. A priority. When we show people this, we show them a glimpse of how God thinks of them. God, please remind me of this especially when I'm with someone who is craving love and attention. Help me to give it even when it's not easy or not comfortable. Please use me to help validate people's worth. Please give me to have the opportunity to tell them that they are worthwhile because they are your creation. Give me the words and the wisdom when I don't know what to say. It really is amazing and sometimes hard to believe that the creator of the entire universe is crazy about us, knows us intimately, and wants us to know Him intimately. No other religion even begins to come close to what God has to offer us. Please give me the opportunity to share this in a way that unbelievers will understand this and take hold of it for themselves.

I'm praising God tonight because as I write this, I'm thinking of two new believers. One with a history of drugs, sex, witchcraft, and many other things and one who grew up in the Muslim faith. It is really such a priveledge and so exciting to see them hunger after God and want to know more and more about Him. May we also hunger after God and passionately approach our relationship with God like they both already are. Praise God that two people who were very lost have found Him! I pray that they each will grow to know God intimately and be able to share how God has changed their lives. I pray for both as they both may have a tough road ahead. One to break past addictions and habits-one to be a Christian in a Muslim family. I know that God will continue to work in amazing ways in their lives-please teach them to rely on the community of believers to help support them and come close to both of them so that they experience God's prescence in a way that they can't deny it's Him.

By no means am I taking away from the power of God bringing these two to the place where they were ready to accept Him in their lives, but I also recognize that they each had friends and people who made themselves available to be used by God and have been sharing their faith with them. Praise God that these friends were faithful and obedient to God. May we all seek out people who need to be loved and make ourselves available to be used by God.

A Taste of Shining Like Stars

So first off, all the praise goes to God for what I'm going to write today. So I've been praying and asking God to give me opportunity to share His love with people and for people to look at my life and see something different and when if I never get a chance to directly tell them about Jesus' love, they'd see it in how I love and treat people.

Well, God blessed me yesterday night when I was talking with a lady from church who is a new Christian. We talked for over two hours-or rather she talked to me :)-for about two hours. She is quite the talker and so hungry to be heard and loved and understood. She called me because she was being tempted by something from her past, and she knew she didn't want to do it and needed encouragement and someone to talk to. What a blessing that God choose me to get to speak with her. I truely feel like God gave me wisdom and words to say. She brought up some things I have very little knowledge/experience in, but I feel like God was able to speak through me. "Pray also for me that whenever I open my mouth, words will be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel." Ephesians 6:19

I also got to share with her some stories about David and how he was a "man after God's own heart." I got to tell her about Psalms and how David was honest with God and went to him when he was angry, happy, sad, etc. I encouraged her to do likewise and that God is a big God who can handle every emotion we share with him.

It was such a blessing because this lady told me that she has been overwhelmed with the love that she has received from myself and some other people in the church. She said that we have such joy and positivity and that she "sees us shine." Now I don't live how I live so that I can hear this from people, but it is encouraging to know that someone noticed and that God is working.

I pray that God will continue to give me opportunities to show his love to people and that I will not miss these opportunities because of fear or feelings of inadequateness. I challenge you all to do the same! You NEVER know how a simple gesture of love will touch a life and will point someone to our loving Heavenly Father.

"In the same way let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16

"Live such good lives among the pagans that though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." 1 Peter 2:12

"If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 2:11

"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Ephesians 5:1-2

A Taste of the Best Thing Next to Jesus

BEING AN AUNT. Best thing next to Jesus. It's hard to imagine how much a father and mother love their own kids because my heart just bursts with love for my nephew Noah who is 4 1/2 and niece Briley who is 3 1/2 months. Noah is the smartest, funniest, sweetest, and most creative kid you ever would meet. It is so precious to me that he is at the age where he really sincerely loves me and wants to spend time with me. Briley is only 3 months but her coos are stealing my heart. She seems to have a more laidback nature than Noah, but only time will tell what her personality will be like! I don't want her to grow up any faster but I am excited for the day when I can play with her like I do Noah. You know, I hate to admit, but I wondered when my sister told me she was having another baby, if I could ever love another child as much as I do Noah. I completely do. There's no way to really explain it, but I do. I hope that I will have the chance to keep showing these two awesome kids God's love and that someday they'll say, "You know our Aunt Carrie? She really loves God a lot!"

A Taste of a Good Slumber Party

Disclaimer. If any guys read my blog, you can probably skip RIGHT past this one cause you probably won't care nor appreciate what I include in this post. That said, here we go! I only thought it was appropriate that I write about slumber parties due to the slumber party I'm hosting tonight at my apartment for some teen girls in my church! Me and slumber parties go WAY back. You see, my birthday is in February. In Colorado, in February, it's COLD and usually SNOWY. So no sweet pool party for me-so I defaulted to the next best choice-slumber parties!

Now for the makings of a good slumber party:

1. Karaoke-yes this always sets the mood and brushes and curling irons make GREAT microphones.

2. GOOD food-you've gotta have pizza, popcorn, ice cream, etc or the party ain't a party.

3. Girly movies. This IS THE NIGHT to celebrate the fact that you are girls and girls like love stories and happy endings.

4. Truth or Dare. This is a staple. No explanation needed.

5. Make-overs. What girl doesn't like a good makeover? Now I will say that these make-overs TEND to be more of a "make your friend look as ugly as possible" kind of make-overs rather than the actual "look like a princess" kind of make-overs. Just remember, whatever you do for your friend, they can do to you. . .plus some when it's their turn. This makes for some GREAT picture opportunities.

6. Scary stories. . .you gotta tell a few

7. Games, games, games.

8. Pranking whoever falls asleep first. Come on now. It's a SLUMBER party, you didn't think you were going to get to sleep, did you?

9. A good TPing or "rolling a house" as those Southerners call it. Just make sure you've got a good getaway car, lots of TP, and dark clothes so you can be sneaky.

10. Girl Talk. Guys, you will never know what this includes but do know that you would NEVER expect girls to talk about the things they talk about when it's only girls. This is usually the time that someone nearly pees their pants from laughing so hard. True story.

Well, it's time to get ready for my party. . .I've got girly movies, make-up, silly dress up clothes, camera, pizza, coke, candy, cookie dough, games, a karaoke mic, a party mix, and plenty of rolls of TP!

A Taste of Societal Suggestions

I’m no expert on societal issues. But I have a few ideas I think MAY just work :

·Siestas. Everyday. 2-4pm. All stores and businesses close. Everyone takes a big fat nap or like they say in preschool, if you can’t sleep read a book or color quietly on your mat and rest.

·All stores that are not necessary for living close on Sundays. Everyone needs a day of rest. For those who have to work on Sundays, they always get Saturdays off.

·Four day work weeks. And those work days being 10am-5pm. I think if we all had more time to relax and spend time with family and friends, we’d be much happier and more energized when we do work and we’d be more productive! Overtime is never allowed.

·Have guys clean guys bathrooms-ALWAYS. This MAY just encourage some to be a little. . .neater.

·When it’s your birthday, you automatically get a holiday from work.

·Everyone can watch a max 2 hours a day of TV/internet. The rest of the day, you’ve got to work, spend time with family and friends, exercise, etc.

·Fast food restaurants ALL close at 9pm. Who REALLY needs a Double Quarter Pounder at midnight?

·YMCAs are free. For everyone.

·Families begin eating at the dinner table again.

·Everyone who WANTS to work has a job.

·Everyone has a place to call home.

·Those who have an abundance, share with those who are without or in need.

·NOBODY goes hungry or thirsty. Our worlds got MORE than enough to go around.

·EVERYBODY volunteer for one year. For your city. For your country. For another country.

·Recycling was a way of life.

·You could get on a jet, that was free, to pop on over to see friends/family that live far away.

·Every state in the U.S. had all four seasons: winter, spring, summer, fall AND had mountains.

·During each sunset and sunrise, we take moments of silence and enjoy God’s beauty.

·Every holiday should be celebrated with fireworks and cookouts.

·When we can’t figure out what to do, we let love guide our actions.

·We treat each person that we meet with the value that they deserve.

A Taste of Middle School

Middle school. HOW in the world did I make it through those years without being bullied? I have no idea. I fit so many of the nerdy stereotypes and yet somehow I survived and even survived with confidence in myself. I thought I was cool at the time. Let me give you a little picture of myself in middle school:

-Braces & a headgear I had to wear at home. Now this was no normal nerdy headgear. This one had a chin cup that was attached with rubber bands to this thing that went around my head. . .I WISH so much I had a picture to share! (haha the picture on the side is PRETTY much what mine looked like)

-I had a growth spurt. Bought jeans at the beginning of the year. Didn't buy new jeans in the middle of the year. Found out I officially had highwaters when some girls made fun of my one time.

-Favorite outfit? Colored stretch stirrup pants and a flannel.

-Clubs I was involved in: Shakespeare Club, Math Club, Band (played the violin), Bible Quizzing, and various sports

-Straight As (with maybe a random B here or there) and all of my best friends were the smart kids.

-Permed hair and permed bangs

-I had a polished rock collection.

-I collected POGs (remember those) and loved Troll dolls and thought they were cute. . .

-My journal had a little kitty on it, in a basket. I MAY have to bust out some entries from that journal for a post sometime because I DO still have it and it's pretty hilarious. Oh, wait, I'm actually going to go look for it real quick. . .haha got it. Haha yes this is the actual picture on the front of it. . .

First I'd like to share with you what I wrote on the inside of the journal on the first page:

"To whom this may concern: If your name is not Carrie Lynn Hays, please do not read this book w/out special permission from Ms. Hays. This very secret (hint, hint) diary/book is ment to keep secret. It has some VERY personal events & subjects that are none of your business. So please, don't read this unless instructed otherwise. If you ever do get ahold of this, please keep the stories in your head, not the tabloids. Thanks."

Oh WOWWWWW! Ok, now for a few entries during middle school. Ha there are so many good ones, I don't know what to choose, so I'll do some short excerpts:

"I'm in middle school now! It's 'ok'. Well, I love volleyball and am very boy crazy. Although some people may not think so. My dad is a pastor so it seems kind of like I have to be perfect, angelic around people. But I am a regular, almost teenage girl!"

"The boy wants to know if I like him! What should I say!?"

"I hope he was flirting & he does like me. He is so nice, cute, practically perfect in my eyes!"

"Hola chica! Sorry just practicing my Spanish."

"Caleb looks like J.T.T. but much cuter." (haha remember Jonathan Taylor Thomas from "Home Improvement?)

AND for my favorite entry:

"Then we went and played B.B. (basketball) with CALEB, Daniel, Isaiah, Me, Courtney & Julie. It was REALLY fun! I got to guard Caleb and let me tell you, I guarded him really closely, it was mucho divertido! (much fun) I hope he's not intimidated by my height or athletic ability."

Haha WOW. This journal is RIDICULOUS. God bless all the current middle schoolers. Yes, most of them are nerdy and annoying. But, hey, we were all there at one point and LOOK HOW COOL we turned out!

A Taste of My Bucket List

1. Sky Dive
2. Play in a tennis league
3. Volunteer in an orphanage
4. Plant a vegetable garden
5. Travel to Israel
6. Write a book
7. Start a non-profit
8. Hike the Grand Canyon
9. Learn how to play the guitar
10. Speak Spanish fluently
11. Learn how to quilt
12. Travel, travel, travel, travel

A Taste of Favorites

A wise elf once said, "I just like to smile, smiling's my favorite!" Right now I feel like a highschooler who is posting one of those silly notes on Facebook but who cares! It's my blog and if I want to act like a 15 year old Facebooker, I'm gonna do it :) This post was actually inspired by my nephew Noah. He LOVES games. And he loves when I come up with new ones. Well, just the other day, he and I started playing the "Favorites Game" where we take turns asking each other about our favorites. A few of my favorite things from Noah were. . ."My favorite candy is cotton candy." And then later when he asked me, "What's your favorite house?" and then "What's your favorite room in your apartment?" Haha I look forward to many more times of the "Favorites Game" with Noah!

Now for a few of my favorite things:
Fav State: Colorado
Fav City: Seattle or Nashville
Fav Color: Purple
Fav Food: Pizza & Fruit Salad (great combination, huh?)
Fav Flower: Tulips
Fav Place I've Lived: Nashville
Fav Sport to Play: Tennis
Fav Sport to Watch: Basketball
Fav Sports Team: Denver Nuggets
Fav Bands/Music Groups: Dave Barnes, Need to Breath, Hillsong United, Lady Antebellum
Fav Worship Song: "None but Jesus" by Hillsong United
Fav Book of the Bible: Any of Paul's letters
Fav Dessert: Chocolate Lava Cake w/ Vanilla Ice Cream and Chocolate Syrup
Fav Drink: Water or Diet Coke
Fav Vacation: Anywhere in the Mountains
Fav Job I've Ever Had: Resident Director
Fav Movies: Remember the Titans, The Other Sister, Fried Green Tomatoes
Fav Country I've Visited: Taiwan
Fav Holiday: Christmas & Fourth of July
Fav Fruit: Strawberries & Nectarines
Fav Veggie: Broccoli & Corn
Fav Snack: Cheese & Crackers
Fav Ice Cream: Cookies 'n Cream & Mint Chocolate Chip
Fav Fast Food: Taco Bell
Fav Restaurant: Red Robin
Fav Book: The Mark of the Lion Triology
Fav TV Show: The Office
Fav gum: Anything Pepperminty
Fav chocolate candy: Reese's Eggs
Fav other candy: Twizzlers
Fav love language: Quality Time
Fav card game: Rook
Fav other game: Catch Phrase
Fav friend: ALL OF YOU who read this silly blog!

A Taste of a Broken Heart

"Show me how to love like you have loved me. Break my heart for what breaks Yours." These are lyrics from Hillsong United's song, "Hosanna". So this is my desire. I want to show people love like the love that has been so freely and undeservedly given to me. I want to be so in step with God's heart that my heart truely does break for the same things that break His. Not only do I want my heart to be broken, but I want that broken heart to lead me to help with the healing. It's easy to be disturbed or saddened by situations-it's much harder to figure out how to help and how to bring the restoration that I believe God desires. So what things break my heart? Where do I begin? It's not that I don't see so much hope, but I see so many things that aren't as they should be. There are far too many broken families, hungry people, orphaned children, countries torn apart by war and political figures, people bound by slavery, children taken advantage of, people struggling with addictions, and people who don't see their own personal value. So what can I, as one person do to reach these people with God's love? It's overwhelming sometimes. A good friend shared this verse with me. "Once our eyes have been opened, we cannot pretend we do not know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows we know, and holds us responsible to act." Proverbs 24:12 So how do we act out that love? I think it starts with loving each person God puts into my life. That person is in my life for a reason. I have the opportunity to either show that person God's love or to not. I have the opportunity to show God's love in a tangible way by how I treat each person. I have the opportunity to show that person that I believe they have value. God works in amazing ways. Who is to say that the person I show love to won't turn around and do the same for someone else? Maybe I'm an idealist, maybe I'm a dreamer, but I think it could catch on.

A Taste of Abundance

So I'm realizing more and more that the concept of "what goes in must come out" is so true. For so long, I've thought that I was one of those lucky ones who wasn't overly influenced by the media that I listen to and watch. I have felt like extremes are definitely not ok for me, but that media with a little "bad" aren't really that bad. I am who I am and those things don't have a negative influence on me.

Well, I'm not so sure that may still be a LITTLE bit true but I know what is MORE TRUE. When I fill my mind with GOOD things, things that are "pure, love, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy", those DEFINITELY affect me in a POSITIVE way. I've been listening to a lot of worship music lately, memorizing scripture, reading my Bible, reading books, and watching less and less TV and listening to less and less negative music-and I find myself happier. More satisfied with my own life. I think media often times causes us to be unhappy with what we have because media puts great value on the things of the world. Things that temporarily make us happy. I've noticed that even things like Facebook can cause discontentment because it's easy to look at someone's pictures or statuses and to assume that they have it made or to be envious of what they have. And honestly, I'm just tired of those things that make me temporarily happy. I want a peace and joy and happiness that LASTS and that isn't dependent on my mood, my hair day, or how those jeans don't fit quite like they used to. I know that can be found in Jesus, and I'm going to start, with God's help, to try to grab hold of that because I think that's how God intended us to live. A life of abundance.

A Taste of The Word

So back at the beginning of the year, my sis challenged me to join a group of women along with Beth Moore to memorize two scripture verses per month. It's called the "Siesta Scripture Memory Team." I accepted that challenge and have been amazed how God's word has spoken to me during these last seven months. We are supposed to post our verses at the beginning and middle of each month on Beth's blog I think partially to help keep us accountable and also to be able to see what other sisters in Christ are learning. Sometimes I find myself drawn to a specific verse that I've read in my time in the Word. Other times I literally flip through my Bible to find a verse that I sometime in the last 10 years underlined in my Bible that stands out to me. And yet other times, on my REAL lazy days, I scroll through other verses that ladies have posted and pick one of those! Haha I'm being real with ya guys right now and admitting that I haven't "prayed over" which verses God would have me to learn each time. It is incredible though how, even though I probably don't have the greatest of methods in choosing my verses, God still has blessed me through this memorization (and sometimes summarization) of God's word. Almost every single verse has been exactly what I needed to focus on for those 15 days. And as I read back through the verses, they sometimes are impactful in a new way when I read through them and recall them again. God is so good to work through our imperfect humanity to meet us exactly where we are, isn't He? So I thought I'd share the verses that I've memorized/summarized thus far! ONE is missing because I forgot to write it down, whoops!

January 1, 2011
"And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you." 1 Thessalonians 3:12 The Message

January 15, 2011
"And don't be wishing you were someplace else or with someone else. Where you are right now is God's place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there." 1 Corinthians 7:17 The Message

February 1, 2011
"Then we'll be a choir-not our voices only, but our very lives singing in harmony in a stunning anthem to the God and Father of our Master Jesus!" Romans 15:6 The Message

February 15, 2011
"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift my soul." Psalm 143:8 NIV

March 2, 2011
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV

March 15, 2011
Forgot to write this one down!

April 1, 2011
"God hasn't invited us into a disorderly unkempt life, but into something holy and beautiful-as beautiful on the inside as the outside." 1 Thessalonians 4:7 The Message

April 15, 2011
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Proverbs 15:1 NIV

May 1, 2011
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3 NIV

May 15, 2011
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my ways your ways, declares the Lord." Isaiah 55:8 NIV

June 1, 2011
"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart." Jeremiah 29:13 NIV

June 15, 2011
"I will thank you Lord, with all of my heart, I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done." Psalm 9:1 NLT

July 5, 2011
"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." Ephesians 4:2 NIV

July 15, 2011
"But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Daniel 3:18 NIV

I would really really really recommend a similar challenge to you. It is well worth the time and investment and I believe God will bless you for it! I thank my sister for challenging me to do this. I don't want this to be just a one year thing-I want to be memorizing and hiding God's word in my heart for the rest of my life. I very much believe that how we treat people is the overflow of our heart. I want my heart to overflow with God's love and His word is one place where He shares that directly with us.

A Taste of Noah

So Noah's hilarious and here's a taste of why. . .

"Ok Aunt Carrie. I can do a hand stand underwater for one minute. Ok, now count to 12." -Noah

"Hey! Aunt Carrie! Where are your tic tacs?" "My tic tacs?" "Yeah, those things that help you see better." -Noah

"Aunt Carrie, when are you going to get a husband?"-N "I don't know Noah. When do you think I should?"-C "On the same day that Daddy and Mommy got married." -N
"Noah, who do you think I should marry?"-C "I don't know his name, but someone who doesn't have kids yet."'-N

I hear Noah yelling from the bathroom. . ."Ummm, Aunt Carrie? I'm trying to get one of my poops out, and it's gonna take a long time." -Noah

"Aunt Carrie, Ive got a joke for you! How do escalators fly?" -N "How?"-C "With pixie dust!! Get it? Pixie dust!" –Noah

"Hey Aunt Carrie! We should go hang out somewhere. . .and talk!" -Noah

After reading the story of Adam and Eve to Noah. . ."Ok Aunt Carrie, Daddy can be Adam, you can be Eve, I'll be God, and Momma can be the snake!" -Noah

"I dont want to wash my hair, but Im going to cause God said to!" –Noah

"I need to exercise real quick. . .ok I'm done!" -Noah (after 15 sec workout this morning)

"Aunt Carrie, Im so glad you live with us now!" –Noah

"Noah, I know you're strong, but you're not going to be able to help us." -C "What are you lifting?" -N "Couches."-C "Oh! I don't do couches." –Noah

"He cares for you." 1 Peter Pan 5:7 –Noah

"I love you all the way up to the moon, all the way up to Jesus, past God, past Mars, past Rupiter, and inside the ground!" -Noah

"That's a really cool house!"-Me "You said it Aunt Carrie!"-Noah

"Hey Noah, you ok if we watch the movie at my apartment?" "I would be happy to!" -Noah
(these last two may not seem as cute but he just sounded like such a grown up on both of them)

A Taste of Ideas

IDEAS. CREATIVITY. PLANNING. ORGANIZING. HOSTING. THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX. All things I love. All things that I've found some way to do in each of my jobs. I wake up in the middle of the night with new ideas for things. I am inspired daily by random things and get new ideas for things. I have a funny magnet on my fridge that reads, "I'm not bossy, I just have better ideas." It's funny because although I do feel like God has given me talent in this area, it's also an area that I have to check myself on and not let me become prideful or to take away opportunity for others to develop this talent.

I feel like God put a desire in my heart for these things and has given me opportunities in each season of life to develop each of these. Student Government in high school and college. Summer camps in Colorado. Serving the community and church in Seattle. Working in a suspension program in Seattle. Behavior therapy in Nampa. RD @ Trevecca. BBBS in Nashville. Small Group in Nashville.

I feel like each experience has been enriched because of the opportunities that I had previously. I believe God prepared me for what He had next.

So, now I'm in Houston. So happy to be with family. Looking for a way to use these talents/passions/whatever you want to call them here and looking toward how God may want me to use these in the future. For most of my life, I think these talents have been used a little selfishly. I want them to be used to bring God praise.

It's funny because sometimes when I think of people who are serving God, I think that they have very concrete skills that God can use. Someone who can teach, preach, build, heal. My talents are a little more obscure. Someone who's creative. Someone who likes coming up with ideas. Someone who likes to host. Now I know God can use that just as much as someone who can preach, teach, etc. it's just a little trickier sometimes to know how or to know where to go with that. I have some ideas of some ways that I think God is laying on my heart, so I will keep praying and asking about those. I pray that each of you will be able to recognize what God given gifts and passions you have and will seek opportunities to develop them and to praise God with them!

A Taste of Singleness

Ok, let me preface this entry with what most little girls grow up doing and thinking. From a very young age, we start playing with Barbies and dolls and start pretending that we're dating Ken and going to a pool party or making dinner at our little play kitchen for our family and feeding our sweet non-crying baby. We make up names for our baby dolls and play house. We play MASH on the backrow of church and figure out who we are going to marry, what car we'll have, how many kids we'll have, and what kinds of pets we'll have. As we get a little older, we start watching movies and listening to music and all the messages we see and hear are that people aren't really happy until they have met Mr./Mrs. Right. Everywhere you look, there are messages that you aren't complete unless you are dating or married. For many of us, our parents got married at a fairly young age (mine at I think 22 or 23) and had kids before their mid-30s. Little girls who become teenage ladies who become young woman learn what's "normal" by both said and unsaid messages. "Oh, you aren't dating? Why not? Well why don't you try one of those online thingies, or wait, better yet, I've got the PERFECT guy for you!" It becomes people's mission to set you up with someone because they are convinced that you are missing out and can't be happy without that. Add to this that so many many many women struggle with self-esteem and we've got a pretty big mess on our hands people.

Here's my perspective on it all. God created us to be in relationship. Now I don't necessarily mean ROMANTIC relationship-for most people, I do think that God intends them to eventually be married and have that romantic relationship, but not all people. So, God created us to be in relationship and fellowship with others. He also, I believe, created us with a longing for completeness. I believe that He intended for us to find that completeness by having Him in our lives. Many of us though try to replace that longing with a romantic relationship which may well work for a while. But here's the thing; people make mistakes; people fail; people's love is not perfect. When we fill this void with human love, we end up falling short-maybe not right away, but eventually. I believe that only when we fill this void and am complete because of the Lord in our life, will we ever be able to fully appreciate and experience that love that He intended between a husband and wife. We won't be looking for that person to complete us. We will just share our life together and complement rather than complete each other.

Now, so I've come to believe this, and most of the time, I really am content and happy to be where I am in life, but then sometimes I look around and think "SURELY, those people aren't "complete in Christ" yet they found each other and are getting better and beginning life together. What's going on here God?" And this is when God reminds me that He never has let me down. He always has my best interest at heart. There have been many many many times when I thought that I had a great plan worked out for myself and God had other much better things in mind for me.

God knows the desires of my heart, and I believe has placed them there. If I am to be married someday, God's going to take care of that and all the details that will need to work together for that to happen. I don't need to put my life on hold while I wait for this. God has put me exactly where I am, with the passions and desires that I have right now, and has given me opportunities RIGHT now to use those and fulfill those-maybe in different ways than I had originally thought but in ways that will bring glory to his Name. So that's where I am. I believe that God uses each experience and time in our lives to prepare us for what He has for us next. I want to be completely where I am and taking advantage of the opportunities that God has for me here and the ways He wants me to minister to and love people.

Getting married someday? Being a Mom? Being a wife? Sure those are desires of mine. But being in the center of God's will and loving people and showing them His love. . .even more of a desire and something that I don't have to wait for opportunities to do because opportunities present themselves everyday-I just have to be sensitive to what God's telling me and follow his prompting.

A Taste of Reading

So growing up, in the summer my Mom would take us to the library, and I'd get AS MANY books as my Mom would allow me to get and the SECOND I got into the car, would start reading. I'd even read under my blankets with a flashlight after it was time to go to bed. I was such a book worm and couldn't get enough of reading. So along came high school and college with all of it's busyness and my passion for reading got forgotten. Well folks, I've rediscovered it! I think it started back sometime when I was in Nashville and had finished my Masters. I actually, now that I think of it, think that my passion was sparked by becoming a part of a book club which went by the name of SKOOBS (books spelled backwards!) A mutual friend, Leslie Jones, asked me if I wanted to be a part of a book club with her and a few of her friends. I decided that would be something fun and different to do, so I invited my roommate and we joined a group of four other girls. The group evolved and changed, but we kept meeting for about 2 years. The friendships, times, and discussions with those ladies was precious and such a great experience. In the midst of our book club, we also shared life together-joys, sorrows, challenges, and so much more. To this day I really value each of those lady's friendships-they are each such beautiful and unique women of God-they each have so much to offer the world. AND I realized just how many INCREDIBLE stories there are out there-fiction and non-fiction. Now I can't get enough of reading!

I even actually, don't have a TV in my house right now because I feel like I have the potential of wasting a lot of time watching stuff that really doesn't add value to my life. I'd rather be reading, spending time with people, working out, etc. I'm loving it so far! I got a Nook for this last birthday and although I definitely read paper books still, love the ease and convenience of the Nook.

Some books and authors I've read lately that I'd highly recommend:
Anything by Francine Rivers-especially the Mark of the Lion Trilogy & Redeeming Love. The Mark of the Lion series made me look at the New Testament in a completely different light as the stories are written during the time right after Jesus' death and talk about life in Corinth, Galatia, and many other cities. Redeeming Love is a book that once someone starts reading, they literally can not put it down-this is a great book even for those who typically aren't readers.

The Circle Trilogy by Ted Dekker-he's a new author I just discovered and this trilogy is one of the BEST I've ever read. So creative and well written and so many underlying connections with Christianity-similar to C.S. Lewis books. I want to read more of his stuff. I think he has another five or so books that are connected to this trilogy. (The Lost Books & The Paradise Novels)

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. This is also a trilogy-I see a pattern here for me. I'm actually on the third book right now. So many twists and turns to these stories. Thus far, I've read for mostly pleasure but know that the stories bring up a lot of social issues and injustices that would be interesting to talk about with people. Very well written and can't put it down.

And then I've also been interested in books that talk about what's going on around the world and some of the injustices that people are facing as well as what people are doing about them. "Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin was pretty incredible as was "Sold" by Patricia McCormick and "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini. Each of these stories are pretty heart wrenching at times but also very inspiring. It's hard to know where to start in how I can be involved because I do believe that the Lord calls us to "preach good news to the poor, bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim freedom for the captives, and release prisoners from darkness." (Isaiah 61:1) I'm praying about that and trying to see what the Lord has for me. In the meantime, I'm going to keep praying and keep reading about what others are doing because I know that sometimes the Lord can speak through others and can ignite a passion in our hearts for the broken through this.

If you've got any book suggestions for me-bring it on! I've got QUITE the list already but always happy to add on a few more!

A Taste of Houston

So I've been in Houston for about 4 months now! It's hard to believe it's been that long! It's crazy what chain of events brought me to where I am now, hot and sweaty in my apartment in muggy Houston! I have ALWAYS dreamed of living close to my sister, especially when she had her first child, Noah, but honestly didn't ever really see it happening. But I do believe that God gave me this opportunity to live close to them and truely has blessed my decision to come to Houston. It's definitely not been an easy adjustment, but it truely has been a blessing, and I'm SO thankful for this time that I get to spend with my family. To say it's been fun to be around Noah and Briley in her first few months is an understatement. I don't know HOW I'll ever live far away from them again. It is so amazing to just be able to pop on by their house to hang out or say hi or get a good night hug and kiss from Noah. He is hilarious and so smart and cracks me up every time we are together. Briley is 2 months now and is so sweet. Being so close to my sister and bro-in law also is so wonderful. I guess I almost forgot what I was missing-living close to family-because I have for so long kind of been on my own. Having them so close brings a certain sense of home and security even in a new place where I haven't really gotten to know too many people yet. I pray that God will help me to truely cherish every moment I get to spend with them and to not take this time for granted. God has me here for a purpose, and I want to be a blessing to my family during this time and want to be able to show Noah and Briley how much I truely love them. I also have gotten the great opportunity to be one of the leaders for the 9th/10th graders at church and that has been such a blessing as well. Some of the conversations that I've had with some of the girls have reminded me the importance of being a good listener and being able to show someone that you genuinely care about them. They are amazing young ladies, and I hope that God uses me to be an example to them of a confident woman who loves God with all of her heart and uses me to encourage and challenge them in their relationship with God. God is definitely stretching me and teaching me a lot in this time. I'm trying to be sensitive to what He'd have me to learn. I believe that God uses each moment to prepare us for what He has for us next, but I also don't want to miss what He has for me right now as well!

A Taste of Raspberry Upside-Down Cupcakes

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 c. fresh raspberries


• cooking spray


• 1 (9-ounce) package of lemon cake mix (such as Jiffy) *a regular cake mix is about 18 ounces, so I used one of those and doubled everything else for 24 cupcakes


• 1 large egg


• 1/2 c. reduced-fat sour cream


• 1 1/2 tsp. grated lemon rind


• 1/2 c. powdered sugar


• 1 tbl fresh lemon juice (I squeezed it from the lemon to keep it fresh)

1. Preheat oven to 400.


2. Arrange raspberries evenly on bottom of muffin cups coated with cooking spray.


3. Combine cake mix, egg, sour cream, and 1 tsp of lemon rind in bowl. Beat with a mixer at medium for 2 minutes. Pour batter (or spoon batter) evenly over raspberries. Bake at 400 for 8 to 10 minutes. Cool cupcakes in pan for 2 minutes. Remove from cups, and place upside down on wire racks; cool for 5 minutes. Place cupcakes upside down, on parchment paper, cool completely. ( I didn't have them cool upside down-not sure what the point of that is.)


4. While cupcakes cool, combine 1/2 tsp lemon rind, powdered sugar, and lemon juice in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk (I used a fork). Drizzle glaze over cooled cupcakes. ( I just spread it on them while they were a little warm).


5. AND then for my magical additions: As soon as you put the glaze on the cupcake, add a fresh raspberry to each cupcake on top!


6. I would also recommend keeping the cupcakes in the refridgerator and serving them chilled!

Baker's notes: So these are great because they are only 138 calories and 4 g of fat! Enjoy, they are yummy! These cupcakes are from a recent Weight Watchers Cookbook that I got! These cupcakes are definitely very lemony (is that a word?) so next time I may try adding in more raspberry flavor! I think I may try after the step of pouring/spooning in the batter to put a dollop of raspberry preserves on top of the cupcake. This should bake into the center of the cupcake and would add more raspberry flavor and balance out the lemon flavor! It may also be good to make raspberry glaze instead of lemon. . .I guess you'd omit the lemon juice and use raspberry juice instead! (probably could crush up some berries and get natural juice from them). I also may try a variety of other berries on the bottom. . .strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries would probably all be delish! You could also probably just get a plain vanilla cake mix and add dry jello flavoring (like maybe lime flavor) and then use lime juice and lime zest in the ingredients. . .oh, the possibilities are endless! I LOVE baking!

A Taste of a Good Road Trip

So-I'm in Houston now! Just got finished driving the 15 or so hours here and it reminded me of how much I love road trips! Here are my top 5 musts for a good road trip:

1. GOOD music. This is an absolute must. New music mixes with good sing-a-long songs that everyone along knows the words to are very necessary. Road trips aren't great times to introduce new music. Road trips are times to belt out all the words to "Colors of the Wind", "Scrubs", "Any Man of Mine", "A Whole New World", and "Love Shack." 2. Good road trip car games. Now, I have no idea what all of these games are actually called, so I'll just call them my own made up names: 20 Questions, the Name Game, "I'm Going on a Trip", Famous Name Game, and Would You Rather. Car games can ALWAYS be made up. 3. Good snacks. Now the great thing about road trips, is that calories don't count. At all. Here are some of my personal road trip favs: Twizzlers, beef jerky, cashews, peanut butter M & Ms and Diet Coke. Whatever your vices are, grab a few snacks to enjoy for a good road trip! 4. Adventure and Spontaniety. Planned road trips are never a bad thing, but always be willing to take a little detour or change your schedule around a bit when you find something that looks fun or interesting! p.s. to go along with this-leave your watch and cell phone in your suitcase. You're on vacation! 5. Good friends. When you're with good friends, it doesn't really matter where you go. Anywhere you go with good friends will be a good time!

These will mean nothing to most of you but just a little reminiscing for me. A few good road trips I've been on: All my family vacations growing up hitting up about 10 states in 3 weeks seeing lots of National Parks, KOAs, & amusement parks. Easter Road Trip Freshman year of college to Oregon w/ Sarah, Melody, David H., Chad F., and Zach! Delirious concert & Oregon Coast trip. Jr. year road trip to CO with Kara W. singing Ace of Base all the way there! Jr. yr. of college road trip to CA for Spring Break w/ Zach, Sarah, & Mike D: Six Flags, Price is Right, Hollywood, & Disneyland. Sr. yr. of college road trip to Seattle & the mtns. for Spring Break w/ Zach, Sarah M., Sarah W. Katie, Tyler & Me. Road trip to CA Memorial Day weekend with Katie, Tyler & Tim (?) before I moved to Nashville. Road trip with Liz to KC for Thanksgiving-singing all the way there! Road trip with Jon & Jess for Noah's birth. Road trip with Dev, Jess, & Meg to Charleston, SC. SUCH a great road trip & Jess peed her pants. . .Road trip to Destin, FL with Dev & Jess. Road trip with Dev to Wisconsin for Dan's show. Road trip with mom to Branson, MO. Road trip to Chattanooga with Jess, Seth, & Kim. Road trip with Leah for Noah's birthday. Road trip to Gatlinburg with Jenn & Jess. Road trip for Estrogen Weekend in Asheville, NC in 2010. Here's to many many more great road trips! Hope you've gotten to experience one yourself-if you haven't, grab some good music, some car games, good snacks, an adventurous spirit and spontaniety, and good friends and you are on your way to some good times!

Sweet Side panel Station Wagon: http://rwethereyetrwethereyet.typepad.com/arewethereyet/car_travel/