Starving

First of all, I must say that I had some of the best food of my life in Austin Texas!

Little food truck named,

"Shut Up and Eat"

or

"Are You Gonna Eat or What?"

I don't know, but they gave me the sandwich of a lifetime!

Mesquite smoked turkey, shellacked in jalapeno jelly, fried green tomato, chipotle aiole.
 House made chips.

COME ON PEOPLE!

I died.

Second Bar Restaurant, best gnocchi of my life!

I might have licked the bowl when no one was looking.

Coopers BBQ

Brisket, beans, white bread, macaroni and cheese (which the Texas native with me said was one of the best!) pickles and peacan cobbler!

WHAT??

Not pictured was the fried chicken eggs bennedict I had on the way to the airport!
I must go back to Austin just to eat more!

In Austin, I attended the IF Gathering.
A Gathering of 2000 women in Austin, hundreds of thousands of women live streaming all over the world, to come together to be equipped in the name of Jesus and be unleashed out into our communities to make a difference.  We explored the question, "What IF we lived like Jesus?"
In the past few days since being home, I have tried to start unpacking the experience of
the IF Gathering and I've realized a few things.
First of all, I didn't know I was starving going into the Gathering.
Looking at all these pictures of food, I kinda think, "how did I eat all that?"
But an empty belly can hold much.
Just as an empty soul can hold much.
With all of the rich truth that was poured out at the Gathering, I never seemed to be uncomfortably full, like Thanksgiving full.  Instead I just received all that was offered, realizing that my soul has been starving for solid, rich truth for a long time.
My appetite for solid food was awaken as I realized that I've been drinking Spiritual milk for far too long.  I don't know how my faith in Jesus has been subtly watered down over the past few years, still growing and being nourished, but not in a way to produce an abundance!
Just in a way to produce enough to look "productive."
But devouring meal after meal after meal of God's unmistakable truth, spoken from a place of deep conviction and passion did not leave me uncomfortably full, but quite the opposite.
It left me awake, alive and longing for more.

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent.
I often think of Lent as being a season of fasting.
A season of identifying with the suffering of Christ by depriving ourselves of something we enjoy.
I'm not giving up anything today.
Instead, I'm indulging.
For the Lenten season, I'm going to feast on the rich Word of God more than I have before.
I'm going to identify with Him through knowing Him more,
spending time listening, reading and praying.
I'm going to indulge in His rich, delicious truth that not only gives life, but gives life to the full!

Sometimes we don't even know we're starving until we have a meal that awakens all of our appetite.

Unpacking

I just got back from 4 days in Austin Texas at the IF: Gathering.

It was a women's conference and going into it, that was about all I knew.

We had many questions, 

"What are we going to?  What is this thing?  Who will be there?  Who is speaking?  

Is there a theme?"

Ending with our final, joking question, 

"What the if?"

Since we were traveling from California, you'd think we would have sought some of these answers prior to purchasing airline tickets!  But no.  

We just knew we needed to be "there," whatever "there" was.

Holy smokes!

4 days later and I have a lot of unpacking to do!

It was like going to an all you can eat buffet, where after 20 minutes of eating ridiculously rich food, your stomach aches, yet you cannot stop eating because the delicacies around you are far too valuable to leave without sampling.  So you start stuffing food in your pockets, your purse, your pant legs and even your ears so you don't miss a single morsel.

I felt as though I was in the current Hall of Faith with some of today's greats.

There was not one keynote speaker.  There were about 30!!!

Yea, just about 30 different people sharing golden morsels of truth 

in the short span of about 14 hours!

Well now I'm stuffed to the gills and have a lot of unpacking to do.

A lot of processing.

A lot of going through notes, praying, journaling, praying and then some more digesting to really understand what I just encountered.

I'm excited to share with you what God spoke through His servants at the IF:Gathering.

But I'd love for you to hear some of it for yourself!

Today only you can watch the live stream for free!

So, grab a pen and paper, a glass of water and your baggy pants because you will be filled to the gills!

Go to 

ifgathering.com

register to watch the live stream

at the top menu bar, click on "archives" to start at session 1

My favorites were:

Jo Saxton Session 1, 54 minutes in   time marker - 54:00
Beautiful Indian woman Session 2, 3 hours into the session    time marker - 30:33

Eugene Cho Session 3, 2 hours into the session   time marker - 2:00

David Plat Session 4, almost 2 hours into the session    time marker - 1:54

to name just a few!!!

Excuses Excuses

Excuses

Excuses

Lately I've had some ideas and dreams that I'd like to make happen.

I dream and jot down thoughts and get really excited.

Only to loose steam a few days later when the reality of
"I have no idea how to make that happen" darkens all hope.

I wouldn't know where to start

I wouldn't know who to ask

I'll just go back to doing the dishes and laundry!

There is so much practical knowledge that I'd need to make some of my dreams come true.  Practical knowledge that I don't have and don't know where to get it!
Everyone seems to want to throw out advise and suggestions, at which I politely nod and smile.

All the while I'm thinking,

"It sounds like you're speaking German to me because I haven't a clue what you're saying."

You know, the suggestions that others think are so obvious and simple, 

but to me it's a foreign language.

So I let the ideas fade away with my legitimate excuse of "I just wouldn't even know where to begin."

Well, I read a great word from Rick Warren the other day that totally smacked me in the face!  He was talking about Noah building the ark.

"There were problems that could have caused Noah to doubt.  First, Noah had never seen rain, because prior to the Flood, God irrigated the earth from the ground up. Second, Noah lived hundreds of miles from the nearest ocean.  Even if he could learn to build a ship, how would he get it to water?  Third, there was the problem of rounding up all the animals and then caring for them.

 But Noah didn't complain or make excuses.  

He trusted God completely, and that made God smile."

First of all can I just say that my seminary educated self didn't know that 

prior to the Flood there was no rain!  

What the what?

But seriously, there were so many legitimate excuses Noah could have thrown down because truly he had no idea where to begin with what God told him to do.  It was all like a foreign language.

Rain?  What's that?

Giant ship?  Never seen one.

It's supposed to float?  But where's the water?

Herd and care for all the animals ever created?  Not qualified.

But he didn't make excuses.

He trusted God to provide the plan and He did.

Thanks Noah.

I needed to be challenged to stop making excuses of all that I don't know, 

and just trust God to give directions to make these dreams of mine come true!

I heart Noah.

Simplicity of Childlike Snow

Everyone has been posting these beautiful pictures of snow all over the country 

and it's made me a bit jealous!

I grew up snow skiing in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Northern California and this year especially, I've been a little sad that I'm not giving my children that same experience.

My son is about to turn 7 and he's never seen "real" snow before!

Something had to be done about that!

So with a random day off school this week, we took the kids to the snow!

Because this is supposed to be an El Nino year for us Californians, there actually is a bit of snow on our mountains, even in Southern California.

So we drove through absolute desert, like sand, cactus legit desert, and the mountains that rose behind the desert were covered in snow!  As we headed up the incline, anxious to step out into the frothy fluff, my husband and I looked at each other with a bit of a grimace, thinking, "um, is this it?"

The kids were about to jump out of their seats, "CAN WE GET OUT NOW??"

But no, we kept driving, looking for the "prefect" spot to stop and play.

We assured them that we were not going home until we got to play in the snow, but we were just looking for a good spot to sled.

After pulling over to survey several spots, only to return to the car and move onto somewhere else, we finally found a decent area to play and allowed the kids to get out of the car.

The same grimace came over our faces as we stepped out, almost slipping flat on our backs on the hard, icy, snow.  As the kids ran ahead of us, my husband and I began picking apart this experience, "this snow is terrible, it's so hard and icy, we're all going to break our necks!  it's freezing out here, I have a headache already, this is miserable!" 

 Just then a kiddo ran back to us, "Come on!  This is amazing!  Hurry and grab the sleds!"

They were beaming from ear to ear.

They couldn't be more ecstatic with this "snow."

I looked at my husband and said, "Let's not say anything.  They're totally happy.  They've never been to the snow before, they have no idea that this sucks!  Let's not ruin it for them."

So we kept quiet, walked extremely gingerly so as not to fall and break anything, 

and let them have the time of their life!

 

On the ice, amongst the dirt, rocks and branches, they slipped and sledded down some hills and couldn't stop laughing and smiling.  It was a solid 35 degrees and I was grateful for all the snow clothes our neighbors lent us, even the pink boots for my little dude!  

(that's how much he loved the snow - he didn't even care that he was wearing pink girl boots!)

Such a great life lesson was once again learned!

Kids don't have a huge file of previous life experiences.  They aren't constantly comparing.  

They are totally present in the moment, loving every bit of it!

Every moment is a gift, even if it looks different than previous moments!

There is a new gift in every experience.

Look for it!

Find it!

Then ride it like you've never done it before!

Happy Friday

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

My little girl is a ferocious reader!

She devour books in no time and quickly is onto the next.

She recently finished, "Absolutely Truly," by Heather Vogel Frederick.

At the end of the book, which takes place in Pumpkin Falls, 

there is a recipe for Pumpkin Whoopie Pies, 

and she has been begging me to make them since she turned the last page!

and they were delicious!

Aunt True's Mini Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Cookies:

1/2 c. butter, softened

1 1/4 c. sugar

2 large eggs, at room temperature, lightly beaten

1 c. pumpkin

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 T. molasses

2 c. all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

1/2 tsp. ground cloves

1/4 tsp. ground cardamom

1/4 tsp. salt (only if using unsalted butter)

Filling

4 oz. cream cheese softened

6 T. butter, softened

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/2 c. powdered sugar

For cookies:

cream butter and sugar together in a large bowl.  Add eggs and beat well.  Add pumpkin, vanilla, and molasses; beat until smooth.  In a separate bowl. whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and spices.  Add to pumpkin mixture and stir well.  Using a teaspoon-size cookie scoop, drop onto greased cookie sheets.

Bake for about 10-12 minutes, until the cookie springs back to the touch.  Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the filling:

Beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla until fluffy.  Gradually mix in powdered sugar and beat until light and fluffy.  Generously frost the flat side of one cookie and top with another flat side of a cookie to make a sandwich!  Enjoy!

You Are Loved

In this day

whatever you face

whomever you meet

know that 

You Are Loved

Let it sink down deep.

You are the beloved of God.

Beloved

Be loved

Receive it today.

Unconditional

Unstoppable

Unending

LOVE

We Are Not Troubled Guests

Wednesday night I went to a performance of sorts.

An honest, vulnerable, hilarious, storytelling by Scott Erickson.

I met Scott many years ago when I lived in Seattle and Scott is someone who always puts a smile on your face!  Whether he's showing up at your door with a "welcome basket" filled with random items like a can of soup and stuffed animal, 

or going out karaoke in a powder blue, polyester tux fully equipped with ruffles!

Oh, and did I mention he's a painter?

Oh yea, and that he loves Jesus!

And that he's married to a beautiful woman that I'm currently obsessed with 

(that's for another post! but check out The Modern Proper in the mean time!!!).

Anyhooch, Scott is currently doing a one man show called,

It's a mulitmedia presentation of his difficult conversation with God that came out of a dark time in his life, and lest you think it's moody and depressing, think again - there is a moment when he busts out with a little karaoke of Queen! 

 I'll leave it at that!

I had no idea what to expect, although I know Scott is highly talented and a person that I've always loved time with, I figured the show might me a bit too artsy for me and go over my head because I'm not really that "deep."  But oh no!  I was on the edge of my seat the whole show, laughing, borderline crying, but smiling for sure as he time and again revealed simple yet profound truths that stirred up all sorts of questions in me.

One thing he said that stuck with me was that people spend a lot of time in their lives trying to fit in and avoiding situations where we feel like we won't.  We want to belong.  This might cause us to be something other than who God has created us to be, 

someone who will fit in with society's norms and meet the world's demands.  

But if we are not true to ourselves, we are not living into who God has created us to be and fully reflecting His light to all around us, the light He put in us.

However, we are not troubled guests in this world.  

We belong. 

 Just as we are. 

 Just as God created us.

Go be who God made you to be today.

Nothing more.

Nothing less.

And if ever you hear of We Are Not Troubled Guests playing somewhere within a 5 hour drive of you, do yourself a favor, get in the car and drive!

Happy Friday.

***

Go to Scott's site for all sorts of rad art and videos of what he does!

Scott Erickson Art . com

Some of Scott's Rad Art!

What Would You Do If You Won?

The question has been swirling around the water cooler this week:

"What would you do if you won $1.5 Billion?"

We pulled into a gas station on Sunday and I couldn't resist, I just had to be part of the hype!

So I ran in and purchased 3 tickets.

You've gotta play to win!!

***

I had coffee with some friends yesterday and we discussed the possibilities of $1.5 billion!

My girlfriend said it feels like a mental vacation just to ponder the possibilities!

Isn't that true?

"Immediate purchase, impulse, you just won, what are you immediately going to buy?"

Whereas we all agreed that we'd settle down and wait awhile before doing anything major,

 we still all had that one thing we'd purchase right away.

Mine was a Hawaiian vacation that we've been dreaming about for a few years, but just can't pull it off.  I wouldn't think twice, I'd pick up the phone and book the trip without hesitation or regret.

"I'd buy my mom a house."

"I'd buy a new wardrobe."

My husband said he'd go buy the new Corvette!

I just can't imagine getting to completely buy whatever I want!

In some ways it would bring great peace to be financially set for life.

My girlfriend said not having to worry about money or anything again, to be secure, 

would be the best part of winning. 

It was ironic because just that morning I had read,

"The most common myth about money is that having more will make me more secure.  It won't.  Wealth can be lost instantly through a variety of uncontrollable factors.  Real security can only be found in that which can never be taken from you - your relationship with God."

-Rick Warren from The Purpose Driven Life

No words could be more true as we did lose our wealth instantly through an uncontrollable factor - 

I lost 2 of the lottery tickets!

Yep.

Somehow one is still in my purse and the others are not!

So tonight as those balls swirl around and land at random (or fate) at the winning numbers,

and you just so happen to be holding a ticket you "found,"

and all of your numbers line up...

after you wake up from passing out, please go book yourself a trip to Hawaii in honor of the one who purchased that ticket for you!  While you're there, I hope you meet Jesus who will give you life long security, come what may!

(and honey, I'm sorry.  I'll buy you a Corvette one day!)

The Recipe For A God's Girl

What are the ingredients that make up a Girl who belongs to God?

I spent the past 4 months discussing this question with my group of 4th grade girls - The God's Girls.

We gather a few times a month to challenge and equip these little girls to be who God has created them to be and to live differently as they step out bearing the title "God's Girl."

This past session was all about recipes - 

we discussed how recipes are guides that give directions to obtain a desired result,

we talked about the ingredients we must acquire to make us into girls more like Jesus,

and we made a few recipes in the kitchen for fun!

We started this series by decorating our own recipe boxes that would hold our prayer requests, notes, memory verses, and actual recipes that we would make during our time together.

The girls were over the moon!

I loved seeing their creativity and the sweet things they wanted written on their boxes.

***

This gathering of little girls has been a huge challenge and blessing in my life.

I know how much I greatly benefited from discipleship groups 

when I was in jr. high and high school.

But why wait until the girls are teenagers?

Why not start them early growing in their faith, relationships and accountability with other girls?

Female relationships are a treasure that the enemy is threatened by because he knows there is power when women, both young and old, come together in Jesus' name!

An area that God is calling me to be Brave in 2016 is with this ministry.

I'm scared.

I'm not sure how exactly to move forward with what God has put on my heart.

But I'm going to be Brave!

I hope to have more posts about God's Girls throughout this year!

Be Brave and Jump!

Happy Friday!

Each day has been a new opportunity for me to be Brave in some small way or another.

Being Brave is so much more than heroic courage that runs into a burning building to save someone!

Being Brave means setting aside the limits of self and taking the next step - maybe a jump.

We stand at the edge of a cliff, a decision, a moral crisis, a small choice.

We have to make the move to stay put, safe, and just look at what lies beneath, 

or to be Brave and jump!

Sometimes the hardest step is the first one, but after we are Brave and jump, we find that there are great rewards waiting on the other side.

This morning I'm faced with a small decision - 

to jump into a new experience where I won't know anyone and will feel uncomfortable - yet reap great rewards when it's finished,

or

stay home and be safe.

As much as I'd rather stay home,

I'm going to be Brave and jump!

What areas of life do you need to be Brave and just jump into?

Happy Weekend!

Noodles & Beef

When I was a child, I remember my grandparents from Illinois coming to visit us each year
and that meant 4 things -
cinnamon rolls, Reeses Pieces, giving up my bedroom, and Noodles & Beef!
My Grandmother would make her famous cinnamon rolls in Illinois and bring them out to us, individually wrapped in a foil package, waiting to be reheated and devoured!
But the Noodles & Beef, she'd make in our kitchen for dinner.

We celebrated my Father's birthday over the holidays with a special birthday dinner.  I wanted to make something special for him and having just received all of my Grandmother's old recipes when my Aunt came to visit in the Fall, I knew Noodles & Beef would be special for the occasion!

The recipe card was worn and stained, marking it as a recipe made often!
The recipe itself was vague, and left much to the imagination of a novice noodle maker!
But I was so excited to give it try and impress my Daddy,
so I approached the challenge with confidence and prayer!

I was shocked!
It was rather easy and the end result was divine.
A bowl of memories, comfort and a confidence booster!
Do you have a favorite recipe from your Grandma?

Grandma Jones' Noodles & Beef:

3 egg yolks

1 whole egg

3 T water

3/4 tsp. salt

Flour

Beef Roast

1 carton Beef Stock

1/2 large Onion

4-5 Garlic Cloves

Chopped Parsley for garnish

For the Beef:

Start by generously seasoning your beef roast with Kosher salt and freshly cracked pepper.  In a pot on medium / high heat, add 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil and sear the roast for about 4-5 minutes on each side.

Place the seared roast in a slowcooker.  Slice onion and place on the roast, crush the garlic cloves and place in the slowcooker, and add about 2 inches of beef stock.  Cook on low all day.

For the Noodles:

Whisk first 4 ingredients together.  Then "add flour."  How much you ask?  I have no idea!  I started with about 1 1/2 cups and then added small amounts until the consistency felt right!

Then divide the dough into 2 or 3 pieces and roll out on a floured surface.  Roll out about 1/8 of an inch thick, adding flour as needed to keep from sticking.  Allow the dough to dry out for about 20 minutes.  Then cut into strips in desired width, I used a pizza cutter and did about 1/2 inch strips.  Let the noodles dry out for another half hour or so.

When the roast is "falling apart" tender and the noodles are ready to cook, remove onion and garlic from the slowcooker (it's ok of there are a few remaining pieces), take all the liquid out of the slowcooker and place in a pot on the stove.  Add remaining beef stock to pot and bring to a light boil. 

Add the cut noodles.  Keep them at a soft boil for about 10-15 minutes or desired doneness.  The dusted flour on the noodles will help thicken the stock.  While the noodles are cooking, shred the beef and set aside.  When the noodles are finished cooking, add all the beef, cover and cook for another 5 minutes.  Serve immediately with fresh, chopped parsley for garnish.

Brave

Happy New Year!

2016

As is my tradition, I spent the morning of January 1, 2016 on the beach alone.

I've done this for as many years as I can remember - my time to reflect on the year that just ended and look ahead to the one just beginning.

With my journal, Bible and thermos of hot tea, I sat and stared at the placid ocean before me.

I got out and began to walk on the shore and happily enjoyed what Winter does to the beach -
the sand changes, little cliffs form, and bigger rocks and shells scallop the water's edge.

I looked down to see some larger than normal pieces of sea glass.

Pure treasure.

There was the normal green and brown glass, but I also spotted some unusual clear glass that had become frosted with the days of being worn down by the sand and sea.

"What must have broken to cause such large pieces of sea glass?"
I wondered.

The brown and green glass - beer bottles we all assume!

But the large pieces of clear glass?

What has to break to make such beautiful things?

That very question stuck with me as I walked.

Of course God makes beauty out of ashes, He redeems and makes all things new.

He takes our broken pieces and makes something beautiful out of them.

But what if breaking is intentional from the start, in order to create something beautiful?

Not just redeeming the brokenness, but purposing the breaking?

I sought the clear glass as I continued to walk, thrilled at each discovery!

When I got back to my car, I pulled out my journal and began reflecting on 2015.  But I also pondered 2016 in light of that question, "What has to break to make something beautiful in my life?"

I've had some ideas, dare I say "dreams," about some things but I'm a little insecure about them.

I don't know how to accomplish these dreams.

I'm afraid. 

What needs to break to make something beautiful in my life?

The strongholds of fear and insecurity that paralyze me - that's what needs to break!

As I journaled and reflected, my "one word" for 2016 came to me.

My one word for the year was hanging around my neck:

Brave

I saw this necklace, created by two beautiful women, that simply says "Brave"

When I read the inspired verse on Rebekah Gough's website, I knew I had to have it

"But you, GOD, shield me on all sides; You ground my feet, you lift my head high; With all my might I shout up to GOD, His answers thunder from the holy mountain."
Psalm 3:3-4

 the Shield Collection was done in collaboration with Goldpress Paper and lettered by the amazing Alisha Sanvicens (who was a student in my college ministry).

I asked for it for Christmas and when I opened it,
I just knew it was more than a piece of jewelry for me.

This is my badge to wear this year.

I will not be bound by fear or insecurities.

By the power of God within me, I will break these strongholds and be Brave and watch beautiful things come from my life this year.

Christmas 2015

‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, 

everyone was resting, even that old trusty mouse!  

It's been quite a year with adventures and firsts, some were quite grand and others the worst!  

Georgia was first up on water skies, where she laughed and she smiled and enjoyed the lake breeze!  She's quick on the soccer field and always has fun, 

she ran for Student Council Treasurer and guess what?  She won!  

Mack can't get enough of any sport with a ball, from baseball to soccer, the boy plays it all! 

 He's had many firsts with school and water skies; 

while he slept his first tooth came out with great ease!  

Emma had a first that wasn't so fun, a trip to the ER with pneumonia in the midst of the summer sun.  She continues to dance and can't stop spinning, she leaps and she jumps and never stops singing!  

All of the children are now back in school, it's a first for this mom and it's really quite cool!  

Daddy’s knee was reconstructed which wasn't his first!  

But he had his first appendectomy and that was the worst!  

A year filled with firsts, some rough and some better, 

we've made it through stronger and so happy together.  

With God our great guide, forgiver and mender, He sent His son Jesus as a baby so tender.  

He's always been working since time first began, to love us and draw us right into His hand.  

His hand that can take all of our broken pieces, and make something new, His work never ceases.  First joys and first pain, He is always there; He loves you and knows you, each detail His care.  

So make this a Christmas with Jesus the center, 

He's the giver of firsts and His second chances are even better!

Now I'll be the first to end this note right, Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Love the Newquist Family

The True Meaning of Christmas - a guest post

As I cleaned up our play room to prepare it into a guest room for the holidays, I came across a small manuscript.  With hand drawn pictures and cursive writing to make a Moma proud, I sat down and read the 5 pages.  As tears filled my eyes, I went to the children and asked, "who wrote this?"

My sweet Georgia claimed the authorship.

"I want to have it published Mommy," she said.

Not having the first clue how to make that happen, I realized that I can be her publisher and let her publish her story on my blog!

So, it's my pleasure to welcome Georgia Mae to "Not My Own" today!

**************************************

It's that time of year again..... Christmas!

Everyone is rushing around to buy presents or get their tree. 

But that's not the reason for Christmas.

It all started with a girl name Mary.

Mary lived in a town in Galilee called Nazareth.  One day an angel named Gabriel appeared to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored!  The Lord is with you.  Do not be afraid Mary; you have found favor with God.  You will give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus."

 

Mary and Joseph went to a town called Bethlehem.  There they looked for a place to stay but there was no room, so they stayed in a barn.  Mary had her baby, wrapped him in cloth and laid him in the manger.  Then she did what the Lord told her, she named him Jesus.

Jesus came down to earth to save us from our sins.  

He was born and grew up and died on the cross for us.  

Christmas is the celebration of Jesus' birth.  Jesus is our Christmas gift, he is our gift of love.

Merry Christmas

Georgia Newquist

Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room with Banana Bread

Last week I invited a group of women into my home for a 3 week study of Advent, the coming of Christ.  We all know it's easy to get overwhelmed, over-run and over committed this time of year!  So I wanted to intentionally carve out 2 hours each week until Christmas to just be still, and focus on Jesus.  Having women join me helps hold me accountable to doing this!

I dropped the children off at school and raced home to do the dishes in the sink, so it would be tidy when my guests arrived.  As I drove home the little fairy chime on my phone kept dinging, "I'm excited to see you this morning," one text read.  And then another, and then another.  I thought only one friend was going to be able to make it this first week, but the fairy chimes were telling me otherwise.  I started to panic.

"I don't have fresh flowers."

"I didn't make any food."

"The elves left powdered doughnuts for the kids this morning, I think there is some left over.  I also made cookies last night and I think there are some left over."

"I wish I would have made banana bread."

And the failing thoughts kept coming.

As I pulled into the garage, the clock was ticking and I ran into the house and started frantically throwing the kid's mess into closets.  I threw the dirty dishes into the dishwasher, and arranged a plate of left over treats on a plate.

"I need to sit down and just pray over the morning," I kept thinking, but the swirling mess around me and lack of preparation took over.

My blessing and my curse is that I often have a clear vision of what an experience is to look like in order to achieve the maximum results!

I know that walking into a home with a fire burning, candles, clean sink and de-cluttered counters as well as the smell of warm banana bread coming out of the oven will make women smile, exhale and feel at home.  I swear the Holy Spirit will move if there is banana bread in the house!

The pit in my stomach was growing,

"Why didn't I make banana bread?"

AGH!

The nag to just pray over the time before everyone arrived kept pressing into my gut, 

almost making me sick.  

"I just need to prepare the room, then I'll pray."

Then it hit me, the old Christmas carol, "Joy to the World," which sings:

"Let every heart prepare Him room."

Yes Lord!  That's what I'm doing, I'm preparing you room!  I know you'll show up if the mood is right, the house is clean and there are treats on the table.

WHAT?

I cannot prepare Him room,

He must prepare ME, so there is room!

I cannot create a perfect environment to usher in the Holy Spirit, it's ridiculous!

And I can't really prepare my heart so there is room for Him, because the very things that clutter my heart and mind are the very things that Jesus came to get rid of because I couldn't do it on my own!

I cannot prepare my heart, but instead, I must be still so that HE can prepare my heart by de-cluttering, cleaning, forgiving, lighting His light within me and allowing a lovely aroma surround me.

The irony of the morning!

I invite women over so that we can be still together and focus on Jesus, all the while, I'm focusing on preparing the room, missing the fact that only Jesus can prepare our hearts to receive Him.

Ah!

Joy to the World!

**

We met again this week and you can bet your buns that I had fresh banana bread!

Just as a delicious reminder that it isn't the banana bread and preparations that will make room for Jesus this season, it's being still and allowing Him to prepare us!

xoxox

Merry Merry

Thankful for Teachers

I'm the "party mom" for my son's first grade class and on Friday we had our Thanksgiving feast!

 

 

I had one game planned before the feast.

One game.

A little balance the pumpkin on your head relay race.

There are 15 kids.



I couldn't get those kids to listen to me to save my life!!!

I was so exhausted by the end of the feast, I came home and laid on the couch
 until it was time to go back and pick up my kiddos!

I then proceeded to go to bed at 8:30pm!



 

Teachers are magical and amazing!

I marvel at their patience and creativity.

I am in awe at their grace and organization.

I'm so thankful for brilliant teachers that love my children and

teach them with energy and enthusiasm.

*****



I'm always a little against doing anything "Christmas" before Thanksgiving,

 but this time I can't resist!

Another great teacher and lover of children is my dear friend Kristie Christie

(yes, how cool is that, she married a man with the last name "Christie!!!)

She has worked in children's ministry for over 15 years and is one of those magical people like Mr. Rogers who simply captivates children with her sweet spirit and authentic love for Jesus.

She has developed an incredible children's ministry curriculum, but has also created a wonderful family advent for this Christmas season.

Click the beautiful graphic below to go to her site and make your holiday meaningful by gathering as a family and preparing your heart for the coming of the King of King.

A 25 day family advent devotional!