RefreshHer

Freshen Up Friday

2012-03-02T06:00:00.001-05:00

"Eat the rainbow!" That was the advice from the dietitian at our ladies' fellowship in February. When you look down at your plate, it should be very colorful. Those colors tell you you're eating nutritious foods. Green broccoli, yellow corn, red tomatoes, orange peppers, purple cabbage - each colorful food adds some other good thing into your diet! If you look down and see white chicken, white potatoes and rice, the very lack of pigment will tell you need to add some other foods to your meal!

That simple piece of advice has helped me even with breakfast. Don't just eat one fruit - eat a yogurt and add strawberries and blueberries in it. Drink a glass of orange juice. For lunch, add a tomato, lettuce and avocado to your tortilla wrap. Throw in a handful of grapes for dessert and look at the rainbow you've created!

So, freshen up your plate by making it as colorful as the rainbow!

Hope you'll be in church Sunday! Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:25

Be refreshed,

Step Back

2012-03-01T06:00:00.002-05:00

...continued from Tuesday

Yesterday as my husband and I were returning home from our morning walk, I saw a couple pieces of trash in our front yard. I crossed down into the driveway and over into the lawn to retrieve the fast food cup and what I thought was a piece of paper. I gingerly picked up the trash and was headed to the trash can when my husband said, "Let me see that." Taking a closer look he said, "This is the empty package for synthetic drugs!" I would have never picked it up, had I known what it was! I had just recently learned that synthetic drugs are legal at this time, and they give the "buzz" that the real drugs give. Sadly, it was called Mary's Joy. It's sad that people think a drug can give them joy. I stared at it in disbelief. How ironic that this synthetic drug had such a name!

My mind went to Mary in Luke 10 - the Mary from Bethany who had welcomed Jesus into her living room, but more importantly into her heart. She had joy - real joy at Jesus' feet as she worshipped Him and listened to Him teach on that day. There is nothing synthetic about joy that Jesus Christ gives when we worship Him! It is true, lasting and deep joy that the world cannot manufacture, nor can they take it away!

The next step to being cured from worry and anxiety is making sure that our lives line up each day with what Christ wants us to do. Therefore, we must take a step back. We step back so we can get a better perspective. We step back and ask :

Lord do I have the load in my wagon You want in there? In other words, am I doing only what you want me to do today?
Have I added a load that You didn’t intend for me to carry?
Am I carrying others’ loads? Johanna Weaver says, "Nothing is harder to bear than a burden we’re not called to carry." Sometimes we get tired because we're carrying things the Lord never intended for us to carry.

If we've picked up someone else's load, we need to put it down. Also, if we see that the Lord has given us a load and we've neglected it, it's time to obey and carry it. Nothing is emptier than a life that doesn't serve. Because the Lord has done so much for us, we should want to serve Him! We must be faithful and not set that ministry down for someone else to have to come along and pick up because of our negligence. Johanna Weaver says, "20% of the church does 80% of the work." That wouldn't happen if we each asked the Lord what He wants us to do and then did it!

We also need to ask:

Am I carrying my load in the correct order? Too often we get things misplaced. Instead of putting our worship of Christ first in our day, we run hither and yon, doing this and that, carrying boulders we weren't supposed to carry yet. Then at the end of the day we're too exhausted to sit at Jesus' feet. If we would have put in worship in our day first, all our other steps would be directed by His hand. All along the day we need to ask: Lord, do you want me to do this now? He will show you and He will order your day in such a way that you will not be worried or upset, like Martha was!

After asking all these good questions, we then need to adjust. Reorder your priorities. Remove what shouldn't be in your life and add those things that should be, as the Lord has directed you. You know what the result will be? You'll be cured! Your anxieties will be lifted. If an interruption comes in your day, you'll see that it was ordered by the Lord. There's peace there, my friend! The Lord Himself will help you carry the load He has given you. His yoke is easy and His burden is light!

What truths have pricked your heart? Are you doing a good thing that isn't what God has called you to do? Are you doing things instead of spending time at His feet first? Is your load out of order? Stop and confess this to the Lord now and feel the burden lift!

With love,

A Peek Inside the Parsonage

2012-02-29T06:00:00.002-05:00

It was a normal Sunday for us. It consisted of:

Rising at 6:00 (for me - my husband was up before me; who knows what time? )
Leaving the house at 8:25 to be at the church for 8:30 pre-service prayer meeting
Head to Sunday school
Morning service
Teacher's meeting after service
Lunch at home
Blogging for Monday's post
Nap - Always on Sunday! =)
Head to church at 6:15 to practice special music for evening service
6:30 evening service
8:00 Business meeting
Fellowship with folks after service. Talk, laugh, encourage, be encouraged...
8:45 arrive home

Allison was home for this Sunday. When we entered the door Sunday evening she looked at us and said, "No wonder you're tired!" We looked at each other bewildered. Sure, we're tired at the end of a Sunday, but aren't most people our age after a full day? We were no more tired this Sunday evening than any other time - as a matter of fact, we probably had more energy than previous weeks!

As I've thought about her comment, I've been reminded of the truth that God equips you for whatever He has called you to do. When others shake their heads and wonder "how you do that!" it's because they haven't been called to do that ministry, job or task, and therefore don't have the grace and enablement from the Lord to do it as you do.

Ministry is busy and it can be tiring, but God's grace is abundant, as my husband preached about last week. He energizes us at times when we are weak. He gives wisdom when we cry out for it. He takes our burden when we pray and give it to Him.

Those inside the parsonage are grateful for the prayers of God's people! Praying church members are another means that keep us moving forward in the ministry to which the Lord has called us! Thank you, to all of you that uphold us before the Throne of Grace!

When God calls, He equips and enables. Remind yourself of that for whatever the Lord has called you to do today. Through Him, you can do all things!

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Philippians 4:13

From my parsonage windows,

Take a Look Up!

2012-02-28T06:00:00.003-05:00

Polio is a disease that left many people crippled due to the virus entering their central nervous system and infecting and destroying motor neurons. It led to muscle weakness and paralysis usually in the legs. How wonderful when two vaccines were created that have nearly wiped out polio! This cure has reduced worldwide incidences from an estimated 350,0000 cases in 1988 to 1,652 cases in 2007! In these vaccines, a cure has been found!

Many Christians have a disease too! It is a disease of worry and care - like that of Martha in Luke 10. Jesus diagnosed her problem when she complained that her sister had left her alone to serve. But He didn't leave her in her sickened state- He offered her a cure..."do this one thing." The "one thing" was to worship Christ. He invited her to sit at His feet. When you and I do that, we take time for a cure from our worries, too. To be cured, then, we must stop and

Take a look up.

This will require that we remove our hands from what busies us - our work, our computer, our crafts, our texting, the path on which we were headed. Stop and look up. Stare into Christ's face. This is far more than a quick glance. This is more than reading a little devotional thought we get each day on our iPhone. This is worship. Mary was sitting at Jesus feet, therefore she had to look up as He taught, and as she worshipped Him. This is taking time to adore and reverence Christ.

However, the distractions that hinder us are many:

busyness
our surroundings
lack of heart
stray thoughts
feeling of being out of our comfort zone...Worship? Really?

But there are cures for the distractions:

Find a place that's perfect for you - Martha had to exchange the kitchen for the living room. If you need to have your time of worship in another room so you won't be distracted, do it!
Play some quiet instrumental music (only if this will help you focus!)
Have good lighting for reading
Don't be near a place where your work will call for your attention
Get a basket to hold all the needed items -

Bible
Study book
Journal
Pen
Highlighter
Kleenex
Note cards

Pray and tell the Lord you're struggling - He already knows!

Keep a note pad nearby to write down your stray thoughts - "Pick up cleaning today!"
Set the alarm 15-30 minutes earlier so you can meet with God before the family interrupts you

Begin with prayer, asking God to speak to you
Read God's Word in a systematic way - not randomly
Journal what God says as you read
Sit and listen. Wait!

God doesn't reveal Himself to the casual seeker. Psalm 27:8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.

Your greatest influence is your walk with God. It's not what you do or how much you do! Your work will have no value if it's not Spirit filled or Spirit led. This first part of the cure will help your worries, because the load is now given to the Lord during your time of worship!

to be continued...

With love,

P.S. I had an error on my lasagna recipe yesterday...don't use 2 noodles! Nine are needed. Sorry!

What's Cookin' in the Parsonage?

2012-02-27T06:00:00.004-05:00

We had a super weekend. My husband and I were privileged to be the speakers for a Couples' Retreat for Oakwood Baptist Church in Anderson, Sc. The retreat was held at one of our favorite places on the planet - The Wilds Christian Camp in Brevard, NC. It was a cold weekend, but a sunny one. Part of the sunshine was the blessing of opening God's Word and helping couples live out God's design in marriage. My husband did a fantastic job. I loved sitting on the front row, cheering him on as I listened to him teach from the Word. I love being the preacher's wife!

Another perk of the weekend was the blessing of a dear lady from our church bringing our daughter, Alli home from Greenville for Saturday and Sunday nights. She doesn't get to come home often, so it's always a blessing to see that purple laundry bag making its way down our hallway! That dirty laundry brings home with it a sweet 20 year-old, who is growing into a sweet young woman. I love sitting and listening to her (if you know Allison, you know you won't be doing too much talking!). I love it! She is full of stories, happenings and funny tales of college life!

That laundry bag also brings in a Sunday dinner request, and yesterday's request was for Spinach Lasagna. I'm really glad, because not only is lasagna a great do-ahead dish, this recipe is also so very good! Making this ahead of time on a busy retreat weekend was really a blessing. All I had to do on Sunday morning was make up the salad and set the table!

My menu:

Spinach Lasagna

Strawberry Spinach Salad

Toasted Bread

I made a couple of changes in the recipe this time, using Turkey sausage in place of the ground beef and 2% milk insead of whole milk.

Spinach Lasagna
1 lb. ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 can (28 oz. Italian plum tomatoes, undrained
1/14 tsp. salt, divided
3/4 tsp oregano
3/4 tsp basil
1/4 tsp pepper, divided
9 lasagna noodles
1/4 C butter - I used 2 Tbl.
1/4 C flour - I used 2 Tbl.
1/8 tsp nutmeg
2 C Whole milk
2 C shredded mozzarella
1/2 C Parmesan cheese, divided
1 pkg (10oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained

Meat sauce

1. For meat sauce, brown beef in a large skillet. Spoon off fat.
2. Stir in onion and garlic, cook 5 minutes.
3. Press tomatoes and juice through sieve into meat mixture, discard seeds.
4. Stir in 3/4 tsp salt, oregano, basil, and 1/8 tsp pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer 40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Uncover and simmer 20 minutesmore until sauce thickens. Set aside.
5. Cook lasagna noodles. Drain.

Cheese sauce

6. For cheese sauce, melt 1/4 C butter in a medium saucepan (I used 2 Tbl.) over medium heat. Stir in flour, remaining 1/2 tsp salt, remaining 1/8 tsp pepper and nutmeg. Cook and stir until bubbly. Wisk in milk; cook na dstir until sauce thickens. Cookk and stir one minute more. Remove from heat. Stir in 1 C mozzerella and 1/4 Parmesan. Stir until smooth. Stir in spinach. Set aside.
7. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
8. Layer noodles, 1/2 meat sauce, noodles, 1/2 meat sauce, cheese sauce, noodles and remaining cheese.

9. Bake 40 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes.

I love the change from the typical very tomato sauce. Yum!

When the Vinaigrette hits the strawberries in this salad it breaks them down and makes them sugary and mindful of sweet summertime! This salad tastes as good as it looks!

Strawberry Salad

Spinach Leaves
Fresh Strawberries
Toasted Pecans
Red onion, diced

Vinaigrette:

1/2 cup canned whole-berry cranberry sauce
3/4 cup orange juice (about one orange)
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon minced peeled fresh ginger (I didn't have this and it was still good)
1/4 teaspoon salt

Mix all ingredients in a small jar. Pour over salad just before serving.

What was cooking at your house this weekend?

From my parsonage kitchen,

Freshen Up Friday

2012-02-24T06:00:00.001-05:00

Isn't it amazing how you can overlook something in your house that is looking a little worn, outdated, or even dirty? We go about our daily routine without paying much attention. Recently when I was on my hands and knees washing the kitchen floor (don't be impressed, I use a mop most of the time!), I looked over at the cabinet inches from my face and said, "oh my goodness!" I hadn't noticed how worn the paint was on the edges, or the little splashes on the cabinet front caused by cooking and washing dishes! So now, I have a project I'd love to tackle this spring - refreshing my kitchen cabinets.

My cabinets are painted white, and I changed out the hardware for knobs a few years back, but the cabinets themselves are showing their age. I'd love to spiff them up somehow, without spending much money. How about you? Do your kitchen (or bathroom) cabinets need a touch up?

I went looking on the Internet and found some beautiful Pictures, which are all from Better Homes and Gardens web site. What great ideas are here! I had a friend tell me recently that looking at beautiful magazine pictures discouraged them and made them want what they saw. In my case, it inspires me to make what I have a little better. We can all improve things without coveting or being extreme. Just do what you can afford and what makes your home a place that you love! So, take a look and be inspired!

Crown molding added to these cabinets made them extra special!

Love the frosted glass. Keeping the cabinets "perfect" wouldn't be as crucial as clear glass.
I also love the black paint!

Can I just say I love this?! Chalkboard paint on one cabinet adds a pop of something different and makes you feel at home!
I think a can of this paint is in my future!

Chicken wire fronts show off pretty glassware. I'm sure this is more cost-effective than glass!
My rooster dishes would be adorable behind this!

A glaze over paint gives this a softer appearance.

Distressing the cabinets after painting softens the look of the stainless appliances.

Maybe all you need to do is change the hardware. these pulls add a lovely touch!

What changes will you make to your cabinets? Find any ideas here or know of something else you could share?

Be refreshed,

Headaches, computers, NASCAR & the stuff of life!

2012-02-23T06:00:00.154-05:00

Headaches. Migrane headaches. They can cause a person to literally bang their head against the wall, not see straight nor think straight, feel miserable all over, want no light shining in the room or in their eyes, and/or cry out for some kind of relief. Well, that's the story of my wife Tuesday and last night.

Computers. Broken down computers. They can cause headaches, especially when they refuse to work properly or just flat out crash. Well, that's the story of my wife's computer. It's in the shop due to a nasty trojan that treated the virus protection like a jello wall of enforcement.

RefreshHer. "Coming into the pits for a can of Sunoco fuel and a track bar adjustment" (For those who are lost right now, this is NASCAR lingo). I sent Denise to bed after coming home from prayer meeting (that's the fuel), and I've taken up the duty of posting on her blog in her place (track bar adjustment).

Now, headaches and computers fit into the category of "the stuff of life." You are probably thinking of many other things that relate to that subject right now. Question---How do you stay "refreshed" in the midst of "the stuff of life"? Well, you need "fuel" that comes only from the daily intake of the Word of God. Just as the 88 or 14 or 48 can't stay on the race track without it, you can't stay on track in the stuff of life without the Word. The Word is your necessary companion. The Word is life; the Word is Christ. He wants to continually refresh you.

No need to explain a "track bar adjustment," but suffice it to say that it has to do with the handling of the car by the driver in the corners of the race track. How do you handle the "stuff of life"? Only through the adjustments that comes through the Word of God.

What does the Bible have to say about headaches and computers crashing? 2 Corinthians 5 reminds us that this earthly body is groaning "earnestly to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven" (5:2). There have been many times when Denise has said, "The pain is so bad, I wish I could go to Heaven." It is hard for Denise to think during a severe headache, but she is often reminded that there is coming a day when "absent from the body, present with the Lord" (5:8) will be for her---no headaches forever!!! Groaning now; glory forever (4:16-18)!!! As for computers, they are temporal (4:16-18), and therefore, will crash. Only God is eternal. The Word is the "adjustment" we need in the stuff of life.

Headaches. Computers. The stuff of life. You need refreshment? Don't just read the Bible; meet with the Author. Come into the pits. Not for a quick splash of fuel, but for a "full tank" of His presence. Then you'll be ready for the stuff of life.

Dale
(Taking care of some of the stuff of life for my sweet wife and . . . looking forward to another season of racing.)

A Peek Inside the Parsonage

2012-02-22T06:00:00.001-05:00

"Dear Jesus, Help my mommy as she works around the house, and help my daddy as he sits and reads the newspaper."

That was our daughter's prayer when she was about three years-old. Funny stuff comes from our children's mouths, doesn't it? After that little prayer was uttered, I went to the calendar hanging on Allison's bedroom wall and wrote it down on the date it happened. Though I thought I could never have forgotten her funny words, I'm sure I would have.

A calendar was my simple way of keeping record of the things that happened in our girls' lives when they were young. We love pulling those out now and laughing as we remember their silly antics, the day they were saved, or the funny things they said.

Don't trust your memory; find a way to record special events - big and little - in your family's day to day routine. They will one day be gems in your heart.

What do you do to record memories of things you don't want to forget?

From my parsonage window,

Why Did That Happen?

2012-02-21T06:00:00.006-05:00

Last Friday afternoon I was at home, happy to be back in my nest after being away for several days. I was merrily vacuuming the rug in the living room, and was pondering my blog and the post for "Freshen Up Friday" that would post the next day. Then, a light came streaking into my head (I have to listen carefully when that happens!)! "Wait! Today is Friday!" I had gotten disoriented in days and dates while being out of my normal routine. So on Friday, the post was My Own Denial instead of a "refreshing idea." I shook my head at my own forgetfulness and was tempted to run to the computer and apologize to my readers, but I was stopped in my tracks by a God Who makes no mistakes. The Lord reminded me that He is in control of everything, and that the post that was written was the one that He wanted. Indeed, every day I give Him my blog and ask for His direction and guidance as to what to write and how to encourage those that would read. If I really understand His direction in my life, I have to acknowledge His sovereignty even in this. "Someone must have needed this today, Lord." It was a little thing, but you know, little things really aren't little. The Lord cares about each detail of our lives. Sometimes the little things cause bigger things to transpire.

I'm sure most of you have heard about the accident that the Cretzman family was in yesterday. They are missionaries to Cuba who hit a patch of ice on the interstate, causing an accident that took the life of their 3 year-old and injuring the mother. It could have been "little things" that caused this "big" thing...the choice to get up a little early to get on the road, a change in directions from one road to another, something that was forgotten and needed to be retrieved...who knows? The point is, in all of life, we must direct our thoughts to the God Who is in control; to the God who allowed the "little things" to determine the "big things" - like death. If it seems cruel that "God allowed this little one to die whose parents are going to the mission field," we don't know the heart of our God. We are reminded in Isaiah 55:8, 9:

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

We do not know the mind of God, nor His ways, plans or reasons, but if we know Him, our first thoughts will be ones of prayer for the parents' hurting hearts, for the lost world that might be reached as a result of this little one's death, and of trust in the God Who makes no mistakes.

Whatever interruption has come into your schedule, life, or plans today, be it little or huge, acknowledge that a sovereign God Who loves you has so allowed that thing to happen. Look for Him in that very detail.

With prayers for the Cretzman family and love for you,

What's Cookin' in the Parsonage?

2012-02-20T06:00:00.008-05:00

Thank heaven for the Internet and recipe reviews! They can pretty much ensure that the recipe that "sounds good" or "looks pretty" will actually be worth eating! I shared with you here, the fiasco I had as a new wife when the recipe for Lasagna broccoli Roll-ups was a complete failure! If I had had the luxury back then of a review of my recipe, I might not have had the disaster all those years ago!

When I told my husband Saturday night that we were having Sausage Lasagna Roll-ups, I'm sure his ~~stomach~~ heart grew a bit weak! However, he didn't know that the review on-line was a 5 star one! Yes, technology changes lots of things - even cooking! I was pleasantly surprised at how delicious this recipe really was! It's a nice change from regular lasagna, and when cooking for just a small number, it's nice not having a whole pan of pasta leftover. This recipe can be completely made ahead of time - it would even freeze well before baking. I just put it in the oven before church and used the Time Bake feature. It was perfect when we got home.

My menu for yesterday was:

Pepperoni Lasagna Roll-ups

Citrus Tossed Salad

French Bread

Pumpkin Crunch Cake

~~Pepperoni~~ Italian Sausage Lasagna Roll-ups -

Here's the recipe with my changes marked with *

Ingredients

•3 lasagna noodles - *I used 4

•3/4 cup ricotta cheese - *1 Cup cottage cheese

•1/2 teaspoon minced chives

•1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

•1/2 teaspoon dried basil

•24 slices pepperoni - *1/2 lb. Sweet Italian turkey sausage, cooked and crumbled

•3 slices Swiss cheese, cut into thirds - *Mozzarella Cheese

•1 cup meatless spaghetti sauce

•1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions

•Cook noodles according to package directions; drain. Combine the ricotta cheese, chives, oregano and basil; spread 1/4 cup over each noodle to within 1/2 in. of edges. Top with pepperoni and Swiss cheese; carefully roll up.

• Place seam side down in a greased shallow 1-qt. baking dish; top with spaghetti sauce. Cover and bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly.

• Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Yield: 3 servings.

Citrus Tossed Salad - (Taste of Home) This was really good!

Torn greens
Mandarin Orange
apple, chopped
pecans, toasted

Dressing:
1/2 C unsweetened apple juice
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 T sugar
1 T olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon - The cinnamon won't incorporate very well into the dressing, but don't worry, it will splash onto the apples and make them yummy!

Combine the greens, fruits and pecans on salad plates. Drizzle with dressing just before serving.

I must confess that the dessert was made by a friend at church who is a terrific cook! I looked on-line and found this recipe...it has to be the same thing! Oh, my goodness! Pumpkin pie will take a back seat with this dessert around!

Pumpkin Crunch Cake
14 ounce(s) can evaporated milk

1 cup(s) chopped walnuts

3 eggs

1 cup(s) melted margarine

4 teaspoon(s) pumpkin pie spice

1 1/2 teaspoon(s) salt

15 ounce(s) solid pumpkin

1 1/2 cup(s) sugar

1 box(es) yellow cake mix

Preparation

Mix first 6 ingredients by hand.

Pour into greased 9 x 13 inch pan.

Sprinkle dry cake mix (entire box) over mixture, sprinkle nuts on top. Pour melted butter over dry cake mix.

Bake at 350 for 45-55 minutes (until it looks solid and nuts are browning).

Did you have any successes - or even failures at good attempts in your kitchen this week?

From my parsonage kitchen,

My Own Denial of Christ

2012-02-17T06:00:00.031-05:00

It was early morning, and I had just finished having a sweet time listening to Scripture on my phone as I prepared for the day. What a blessing to hear Christ explain to His disciples in Matthew 26 what was going to happen to Him in the near future. I listened to the Scripture telling about when Peter cut off the servant's ear. Jesus told Peter to put away his sword, that He was laying down His life willingly. I listened as Jesus said that Peter would deny Him. In my heart I wondered how he could do that after being with Christ. I mean, didn't Peter know he was sinning against the One who was getting ready to die for him?

Statue of Peter's denial of Christ

I slipped out of my room, a song of thankfulness in my heart for all Christ did for me in those agonizing hours on the cross. Now down at the lovely breakfast the hotel provided, I was carrying my plate to my seat, when I bumped into someone I hadn't seen in a long time. I held my breath as I approached her, smiling. I said hello, then held my breath as she, consistent to every time we meet, made a stinging remark to me about my stature. I muttered a negative remark about myself (not sure why I feel obligated to add misery to misery), then found my way to my breakfast table. Now I had two meals to eat - my breakfast, and her!

"Why does she always feel she has the right to make disparaging remarks about my size?" Then in my mind I thought of all the smart remarks I could have said, should have said, and might say the next time we meet. I even felt justified in my thinking!

Breakfast being finished, I returned to my room and its quietness, except for the voice that was whispering in my heart. It was the Spirit of God, showing me how that, like Peter, I, too, had just wielded the sword. It was His voice also reminding me of Peter's denial, and of my own. Yes, my sinful thoughts, though unspoken, had dealt a fierce blow. They had also denied Christ. "I don't know Him! I don't know the One who designed me! I don't know the One who is my Justifier, my Defender, my Father, who knows when I've been hurt! I have to take care of this myself." Wham! In simply thinking the thoughts towards the offending lady, I was denying my Savior Who died for her...Who died for me.

Bowing on my knees at the desk chair, I was able to confess my sin. I cried out for God to set a watch before my lips and keep the door of my mouth (Psalm 141:3). I prayed for her, my sister in Christ...something I don't think I'd done in the previous times we'd met and exchanged words. I prayed that the Lord would keep my tongue and my thoughts from sinning against Him and also denying Him. I must learn to put the sword back in its place...and also my wicked thoughts.

Thankful for Calvary's love,

What God Can Do

2012-02-16T06:00:00.002-05:00

She had been single for seventy years when the Lord brought into her life a man she'd known many decades before. He had been widowed and was now alone. She had been serving the Lord on the mission field all her adult life, and that is where he found her again. They dated and then were married within a year. They have now been married and serving the Lord together for the last four years!

This was the sweet testimony that I heard yesterday from the lips of the "newlywed bride." What a sweet story, huh? It was also a sober reminder of how important it is that we keep a right attitude about our current situation in life. What if this dear lady had gotten bitter towards God for allowing her to be single all those years? Her future husband, who needed a woman to stand alongside him in his ministry, would not have chosen her to be his wife! But that, of course, was not the case. She had been faithful and trusting in the perfect will of her Father...for about 50 years!

What longing do you have that seems like it will never be fulfilled?

Marriage?
Children?
Ministry opportunity?
Health?
Salvation of a family member?

Our God is not limited by time. He is eternal. Keep a contented heart. Keep a sweet spirit. Keep serving Him - whether or not He does what you think He should do and in the time you think He should do it. You and I don't know what wonderful things He has planned for us in His time.

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Ephesians 3:20, 21

With love,

A Peek Inside the Parsonage

2012-02-15T06:00:00.010-05:00

I have a new office for a couple of days. I'm in Atlanta kind of "chilling" while my husband attends board meetings for the Fundamental Baptist Fellowship. I attended the first part of their business meeting last night, then was graciously excused by my husband. No offense, but while I'm all for contending for the faith, their gatherings could use some excitement...you know, like fancy edged scissors, glitter and scrap booking paper. How pretty the men's folders containing their minutes and agenda would be if the wives could get their crafty hands on them for an hour or two! I doubt that's going to happen. Anyway, while he was in there having the next session and discussing tons of words that end in "i-s-m," I found my way back to our room to blog, rest, and get refreshed. Ahhh....

I am so grateful to be able to attend these meetings with him, now that we have an empty nest. While I was homeschooling, I stayed home during these times to "hold the fort down" and, of course, keep school going. Even though I have very little to contribute to his time here, it's just a blessing that we can be together on the drive down, during meals and at night. We missed Valentine's Day because of this scheduled event, but that's really okay. As I stated in my Facebook status last night, though this was an unusual Valentine's Day for us, this is the essence of what love is all about - just being together and enjoying the the mere presence of one another. If that sounds corny or boring, you don't know Dale Cunningham! It's true. We love each other and we love being together.

You know what's really funny to me? People often tease us saying, "I wish you guys acted like you love each other!" The thing that prompts those remarks is that we sit close. We hold hands. He puts his arm around me. We talk. We whisper and laugh. We have tons of fun just being us. I don't believe we ever act in a way that's inappropriate, but I guess it's just different from many couples that are married for 30 years. Boy, I feel sorry for others that think we're strange. We just like being together. That's why we got married! =) Yep. We have tons of fun as a couple. And that's what it's like inside our parsonage. Fun.

Do you need to bump up the "fun" level in your marriage? Don't wait until next Valentine's Day! Look for a fun element to add to your lives - even if it's just sitting close. Life is too short not to enjoy the blessings God gives, and that includes marriage.

With a thankful heart,

2012-02-14T06:00:00.003-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day!

On a day when we think about love, my heart wanders to The initiator of love - the Lord Jesus Christ. Proverbs 10:28 says, The hope of the righteous shall be gladness... Why can we have gladness?

Our past sins are gone!

I John 1:7

Our present circumstances are guided!

Psalm 119:105

Our future home is glorious!

John 14:2

Basking in His great love,

What's Cookin' in the Parsonage?

2012-02-13T06:00:00.004-05:00

I got a lovely surprise last week - a beautiful bouquet of daisies from my Sweetheart. He doesn't wait until Valentine's Day to make up for what he should have been doing - he does sweet things like that all year long. =) (Yes, I know how blessed I am!)

I'm so thankful that my mom taught me to improvise and use what I have. When I wanted a centerpiece for my Sunday dinner, I took the daisy arrangement I'd made and added a heart-shaped cookie cutter and then popped in some heart-shaped suckers that I had leftover from my Sunday school class.

It looked like an arrangement that was purchased just for Valentine's Day, but of course it wasn't!

Saturday evening and Sunday were some special service at our church - we had a mission's conference with Bud Steadman preaching. He joined us for Sunday dinner, along with a man in our church who is bachelor for a week while his family is out of town. I'm not sure why I do it, but I tried another new recipe on our guests! Trying new recipes is so me...it's what I do all the time, so I don't realize it's really kind of risky to try these things on guests - until I get ready to serve it! Then I get a little nervous! Oh well, it's too late to change my old tricks now!

Here was my menu. My new recipes are marked with an *.

Hawaiian Chicken*

serve with Rice with Cilantro

Pineapple Salsa*

Southern Green beans

Corn with Parmesan Cheese

Herb Bread*

Chocolate Pie*

Hawaiian Chicken

Ingredients:

1/4 cup pineapple juice

2 tablespoons ketchup

2 tablespoons lower-sodium soy sauce

1 1/2 teaspoons minced peeled ginger

2 garlic cloves, minced

4 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

Cooking spray
3/4 teaspoon salt, divided

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

2 cups hot cooked long-grain white rice

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation

1. Combine first 5 ingredients. Reserve 1/4 cup marinade; place remaining marinade in a zip-top plastic bag. Add chicken to bag; seal. Chill 4 hours.

2. Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Remove chicken from bag; discard marinade in bag. Sprinkle chicken with 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper. Add chicken to pan; baste with 2 tablespoons reserved marinade. Cook 6 minutes. Turn chicken over; baste with 2 tablespoons reserved marinade. Cook 6 minutes.

3. Combine rice, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and cilantro.

*Because I was serving this for Sunday dinner, I opted not to grill the chicken - though I'm sure it would be wonderful! I put the marinated meat in a baking dish, covered, and baked it at 225 degrees while we were at church.

I added this salsa to it, because white meat is so dry to me. This was really good with it. I think next time I would warm the salsa.

Pineapple Salsa

Mix:

1 cup finely chopped fresh pineapple (I used canned)

1/3 cup finely chopped red onion

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro

1/4 cup pineapple preserves

1 tablespoon finely chopped seeded jalapeño pepper

1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Herb Bread

1/2 C butter or margarine, melted

1 T plus 1 tsp dried parsley, divided

1 T dill weed

1/4 tsp dried oregano leaves

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1 Italian bread loaf, sliced

2 T grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In small bowl, combine butter, 1 tbl of the parsley, dill weed, oregano, and garlic powder; spread onto both sides of bread slices. Reassemble loaf on large sheet of foil. Brush top of loaf with any remaining butter; set aside. In separate small bowl, combine remaining 1 tsp parsley and cheese; sprinkle over bread. Wrap bread in foil. Bake 10 minutes or until heated through.

Chocolate Pie - (From Cooking Light)

You can't believe this is light...it's as creamy and delicious as Grandma's!

Filling:

1/2 cup sugar

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa

1/4 teaspoon instant espresso powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 large egg

1 large egg yolk

1 3/4 cups 2% reduced-fat milk

2 ounces dark chocolate, chopped

1 1/2 cups frozen reduced-calorie whipped topping, thawed

Baked pie shell

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 375°.

2. To prepare filling, combine 1/2 cup sugar and the next 6 ingredients (through egg yolk) in a bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Place the milk in a medium, heavy saucepan over medium-high heat; cook until milk reaches 180° or until tiny bubbles form around edge (do not boil). Gradually add hot milk to egg mixture, stirring constantly with a whisk. Return milk mixture to pan; cook over medium heat 10 minutes or until thick and bubbly, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add chocolate; stir until smooth.

4. Place pan in a large ice-filled bowl for 10 minutes or until mixture cools, stirring occasionally. Spoon filling into crust, and cover surface of filling with plastic wrap. Chill for 3 hours or until set; remove plastic wrap. Spread the whipped topping over filling; add cocoa or chocolate shavings for garnish, if desired.

What was cooking in your kitchen this week? Are you making anything special for Valentine's Day?
Hope it includes chocolate! =)

From my parsonage kitchen,

Freshen Up Friday

2012-02-10T06:00:00.000-05:00

I'd have to say that Valentine's Day has always been a favorite holiday of mine. From the time I was a little girl cutting out those folded pieces of paper that magically turned into symmetrical hearts, I've been head over heels in love with the day itself! What's not to love about chocolate, conversation hearts, flowers, lacey paper doileys, and heart-shaped food from cookies to pancakes?

Okay, I hear a single gal lamenting that this day is a little over the top, and she feels excluded. I hear the wife that's sighing and recounting that her husband hasn't remember this day in forever. I'm truly sorry. Perhaps we need to Refresh our hearts about this Love-filled holiday.

Whether we're married, dating or single, Valentine's Day is about expressing our love for someone else. This will require each of us to lower our expectations of the day and do unto others. If we approach February the 14th about with what we're going to get out of it, we are setting ourselves up for disaster, disappointment and, if you're married, potential divorce! Seriously, if we expect roses, chocolates and sweet sentiment written in red accompanied by boxes of our favorite chocolates in heart-shaped boxes, we are sure to be disappointed. Let's each give our Valentine's expectation a little overhaul and start thinking ahead of the person(s) to whom we could show love, rather than dwelling on the one from whom we better receive it.

Start with your family, then think outside the box.

Love on your husband. List why you love him - on paper, the bathroom mirror, or a special card . Get his favorite candy, or make him his favorite dessert. Buy him a new CD. Print off a picture that encapsulates a special memory for you both. Plan a special date - at home (dinner and/ordessert in your bedroom after the kids are in bed) or away. Hide Valentine notes for him in special places - the car, his computer, his wallet, the shower...
Love on your kids. Heart-shaped foods - pancakes, sandwiches, cookies, browies, etc. are always fun! One year I made paper hearts that made a trail that led from the girls' bedrooms to a special treat.
Remember a senior citizen whose mate has passed away. This can be a lonely time for them. Buy flowers or send a card telling them why you and your family cares for them.

Send a note to a single young adult woman. Young adult women are often hurting because they're waiting for the Lord to bring in "Mr. Right." Waiting for can be very frustrating. Single women who have experienced divorce are also hurting people that need care from others. Send a card, reminding them that they are valuable to you. Don't preach to them about their situation; just express your love. A small gift would also be a thoughtful gesture.

If you pray about showing love to others, and then get caught up in what you could do, it will lessen your own pain, if you should feel neglected. Remember yesterday's quote? It fits. Even on Valentine's Day. Very much.

Be refreshed,

Calvary Love

2012-02-09T06:00:00.000-05:00

"If the praise of others elates me and their blame depresses me;

if I cannot rest under misunderstanding without defending myself;

if I love to be loved more than to love,

to be served more than to serve,

then I know nothing of Calvary love."

~Amy Carmichael

With tear-filled eyes,

A Peek Inside the Parsonage

2012-02-08T06:00:00.001-05:00

When our girls were growing up there were many "lean" years, financially speaking. The Lord always provided for us, but we often did without special food items, or conveniences, and stuck strictly to our grocery list and immediate needs. There was no ability to stock the pantry or buy ahead while things were on sale, but I truly wouldn't trade those years for anything. We learned to trust the Lord and pray about everything - grocery money, doctor bills, gas, school materials - everything. God is so faithful. While our pantry wasn't overflowing, we had what we needed every day.

During those years, I learned to buy wisely. I got into a routine that I still follow today. I still look for marked down meats, milk and other products. I coupon at Ingles, where they double my coupons up to fifty cents. I shop at Big Lots for many grocery items. I buy some things at Sam's Club in large quantities, when it is more cost effective. Doing this now, I'm able to stock my pantry, fridge and freezer when I find things marked down. I love being able to go to my pantry and pull off the items needed for a recipe without having to go and purchase very many other ingredients.

Recently at our ladies' fellowship, the visiting dietitian shared a list of items with us that are good to keep in your pantry. I thought you might be interested. Of course, you'll need to tailor this list to your family's likes and budget:

Eggs
Canned light tuna and canned salmon
Whole-grain breads
Grated hard cheese, such as reduced-fat cheddar
Frozen or canned fruit and vegetables
Whole-grain cereal

Frozen boneless, skinless chicken breast
Canned beans, such as garbanzo and black beans
Balsamic vinegar
Peanut butter or sunflower seed butter
Milk (She recommended 1%)
Bread crumbs or crushed whole-grain cereal for breading
Olive oil
Marinara spaghetti sauce
Low-fat plain yogurt
Pasta, whole grain
93% lean ground beef (freeze)
Ground 100% Turkey breast meat

Perhaps the situation in which you find yourself is like our earlier years. You're not living week by week, but day by day to see the Lord supply. He promises to do that. Don't let yourself doubt. Our God is able. I'm reminded of the words to a song about prayer entitled, "It Pays To Pray."

It Pays To Pray

It Pays to call upon His name
It Pays To Pray
To see a miracle displayed
You’ll forget the word, “impossible”
When you seek the Savior’s face
You’ll know He will make a way
It Pays To Pray

A full pantry or one that has just enough shows that our God is faithful!

From my parsonage pantry,

Compassionate Hands

2012-02-07T06:00:00.002-05:00

As I have been reading through the Gospels I have been struck with how many times Jesus reaches out and touches people. Just yesterday I read in Luke 13:11-13 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

Jesus' ministry was about touching people's lives, and many times He did that by touching them with His hands. He was so personal, compassionate and close. Is He different today? Now that He is in heaven, does He no longer touch us? Well, of course, He doesn't literally put His hands on us, but He uses other means to touch us. Consider:

Sometimes He uses a compassionate person to be His hands. They lay a hand on our shoulder when we're burdened. They lay their hand over our hand as they pray for us.

Another "touch" from the Lord would be a verse that "jumps off the Bible's page" when we're reading. It ministers to our heart's need at that moment. It calms us, gives peace or understanding for what lies ahead. That verse didn't "just happen" to be in our Bible reading schedule - it was planned by a compassionate Savior!

David played music for King Saul and it ministered to his heart. Music is a sweet tool of God's touch. The right kind of music can remind us of the God's promises in God's Word, or soften our heart towards worship when we'd normally lean towards worry.

Answered prayer is a reminder that God is not only hearing us when we pray, but that he loves us, as our Heavenly Father.

The Lord's work in our lives is real indeed; we just need to be looking for it, and recognize that it's not coincidence, but a touch of love from our Father.

Who needs your compassion today? There is probably at least one person whom you will meet today that needs to be reminded of Christ's love, and He could use your hands to reveal that to them.

Have you been the recipient of Christ's touch recently? How was it demonstrated to you?

With love,

What's Cookin' in the Parsonage?

2012-02-06T06:00:00.010-05:00

Cozy lamp lights are brightening the corners of the counters. Canisters of flour, sugar, tea and coffees stand at attention, some of their lidded hats cock-eyed from recent use. The pantry has shelves as heavy as tree branches after a wet winter snow laden with spices, canned goods, pastas and breads. Eggs, cheeses, jams, butter and creamy milks are chilling in the refrigerator. This kitchen is the hub of family life. You see, cooking is more than just getting food ready for a meal. It not only sustains life, it is life. It turns a homecoming, a birthday, a guest's invitation into an event. Cooking is making enticing aromas waft upwards, drawing the occupants of your home to the real living room ~ the kitchen. This is the room where life really happens in a family.

It's my desire to create that kind of atmosphere for those that are in my home, whether they're family or guests passing through. Good food draws people in. The reason I started What's Cooking in the Parsonage was inspire other cooks to prepare good meals for their families ~ and to invite you into my home to see and enjoy with us~not just the meals that we share, but also the events that take place around our little oak table.

One such event was my husband's recent homecoming. He had the privilege of attending a Prayer Advance last Thursday through Saturday. I missed him terribly (It was only 3 days, I know...I'm pathetic), but it sure made me happy to have him return home! He got here in time for supper~perfect timing! I set the table with candlelight, using a beautiful chandelier he bought for me for Valentine's Day a couple years ago. I tried a new recipe from Southern Plate - a great food blog! I made her Mexican Chicken Casserole,

fruit salad, homemade French Bread,

and another new recipe ~ Pineapple Upside-down Cake for two from my Taste of Home Healthy Cooking Magazine. The dessert was a reduced calorie cake that was as delicious as any "regular" recipe. They are made in individual ramekins and turned out so cute! I will definitely be making these again!

This next picture is a little blurry, but I had to take a close-up of the cake. It was crispy on the edges, and had that yummy brown sugar topping...

Pineapple Upside-down Cake for Two

4 tsp, butter, melted, divided
4 tsp. brown sugar
2 canned unsweetened pineapple slices
2 maraschino cherries
1/3 Cup all-purpose flour
3 Tbl sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp salt
Dash ground nutmeg
3 Tbl fat-free milk
1/4 tsp vanilla extract

1. Pour 1/2 tsp butter into each of two 10-oz ramekins coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with brown sugar. Top with a pineapple slice. Place a cherry in the center of each pineapple slice; set aside.
2. In a small bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and nutmeg. Beat in the milk, vanilla and remaining butter just until combined. Spoon over pineapple.
3. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes. Run a knife around edges of ramekins; invert onto dessert plates. Serve warm.

I believe my hubby was pretty happy about the ~~meal~~ event I created for his return. Ooooh, a thought just struck me~would he go away again just so I'll create another special meal? I can fix that ~ tomorrow we'll create a special day! Let's see, it's Tuesday... How about a meal that has food served in pairs...you know ~Two's-Day! =)

What have you been cooking? Any normal events turned into something special at your place? I'd love to hear about how you celebrated!

From my parsonage kitchen,

Freshen Up Friday

2012-02-03T06:00:00.002-05:00

Lift your eyes up from your computer and take a look around you at the place where you are seated. Is this a place where you love to sit? Is it inviting? Neat? Organized? Well-lit? Beautiful? Sometimes we need a little nudge in the right direction to get us motivated so we can de-clutter our space and make it a really special environment. Let's see if I can help...

Take a look at this before and after picture:

Country Living

This room went from blahh to Oooo-la-la!

Country Living

Perhaps you don't have the time or finances to make that drastic a change at your desk. Sometimes all it takes is some straightening, adding a pretty lamp and some special desk accessories...

Look at the clever storage ideas below, the empty frame on the desk, the creamer pencil holder ...

This is a clever use of a closet! I love this idea!

Country Living

Even if you can't remodel, you can straighten up and refresh your computer space by adding some pretty touches from another room. Put a pretty throw over the back of the chair, find a lamp, picture, clock or flower arrangement in another room that would add a pretty touch, Freshen up your work space on this Friday. You'll feel like you have remodeled!

See you in church Sunday!

Be refreshed,

Is Your Burden Heavy?

2012-02-02T06:00:00.002-05:00

Who will help with this work of ministry that is to be accomplished?

The weight of this sin is too much. Who can rid me of the guilt?

I'm so burdened for my child who is not walking with God. Who will help them?

Come unto me

How will I know what decision to make?

How will my future be provided for?

What does the future of our country hold?

I'm just so very tired of it all. How can I go on?

all ye that labour and are heavy laden

Does anyone have the answer?

Should I just take a pill?

Would a psychiatrist help?

and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28-30

Your burdens may be many and great, but they are not too much for the Lord Jesus. Come, be yoked up with Him; sit at His feet and learn of Him. His yoke is not burdensome, it is grace-filled - enough for today. Don't borrow for tomorrow, for His grace will be sufficient for that hour when and if it comes. He loves you. Lay your burden down.

With love,

A Peek Inside the Parsonage

2012-02-01T06:00:00.005-05:00

Ever find yourself staring off into space as you think on the past? That happened to me Monday night at Bible study. As we listened to the dietitian talk about preparing dinner for our families, I heard her say more than once, "Make dinnertime special for your family." I found myself thinking back to dinnertime when our daughters were younger. It's a special memory to me now, not because of any remarkable thing I cooked or did, but just because it was a regular part of family life. To have skipped family dinner would have been as unthinkable as going without a bath! I wondered to myself, "What is it that made our family dinners special?" Here's what I came up with:

We tried to schedule it for a regular time each evening, that way everyone knew when to be home and ready.
We always sat at the kitchen table. That may sound like a given, but I know some families have a "grab and go" mentality. They grab what's on the stove and sit wherever - in the living room, or their bedroom. Not so at our house - we asked that everyone sit together at the table.
We always set the table with all the silverware - fork, knife, and spoon, plate, glass and napkin. No matter what was being served, all the utensils were set out. Making the table attractive with flowers or a candle in the middle at suppertime made everyone know that this was a special time together.
We tried to teach good table manners in a lighthearted kind of way - things like napkin in the lap, chewing with mouth closed, passing food before serving yourself. We also taught the girls to wait until the thanks was given, and then they were to wait until I began to eat before they ate. Then whenever we were at some one's home as their guests, they knew to wait for our hostess to begin eating before they picked up their forks and began to eat. Manners start at home. =)
Except for lunch on Friday's, the television was off at mealtime, that way we could talk as a family. We tried to keep conversation going about the day's events or other things going on in our lives. (Here are some ideas for conversation )
We had fun! Often meals were themed for Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, April Fools Day, etc. We looked for things to celebrate! The food was coordinated for that holiday, as well as the table settings and centerpiece.

See? It's not that things were so spectacular, but it was a regular part of family life that we looked forward to each day. We were together, we shared a meal, and we made many memories at that table. Yes, sir...those ~~were~~ are good times! We still do those things, even though most of the time it's just me and my sweet hubby at the table! I still believe that a way to a man's heart is through his stomach! He is so sweet to appreciate the food and the setting, and we still go on making memories together, meal by meal.

What do you do to make mealtime memorable at your house? Or what memories do you have from your table?

From our parsonage kitchen,

Worry or Worship?

2012-01-31T06:00:00.001-05:00

There they were dangling around the neck of our Bible study teacher like a Christmas tree decorated by a 5 year-old; many strings of plastic beads worn to represent "Worry Beads." What are Worry beads? They are beads worn by islanders of a tiny island in the Aegean Sea. The beads are worn around their necks, and the islanders finger and manipulate them all day long. They say the beads bring comfort, that the process of handling them cuts down on anxiety. So, last night our instructor at Bible study wore many strands of long beads to represent the worry beads, reminding us of our lesson in the book, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World. Our chapter was concerning Jesus' words to Martha, "You are careful and troubled about many things."

Martha, the doer, the proud, sufficient, take charge kind of spirit was troubled, worried, anxious. She knew she could handle this meal - this was very possible, but the thing that troubled her was Mary. We were reminded last night that Martha's removal of her presence from the Lord is probably her first problem. She was in the kitchen where she worked and worried; He was in the living room where Mary worshiped. Isn't that when our trouble comes? It comes when we are removed from where we should be. Oh, that our hearts would cry out, Draw me nearer, draw me nearer, precious Lord. Draw me nearer to your side. The sweet Lord Jesus has prepared a feast for us from His Word, but we must draw near each day to eat from His table. Are we in another room fingering our worry beads instead of worshiping Him and laying our cares at our His feet as Mary did?

Worry beads won't cut it, only worship will. Which will we choose today?

With love,

What's Cookin' in the Parsonage?

2012-01-30T06:00:00.018-05:00

One fun thing about the weekend is having a little more time for breakfast. One of my favorite breakfast foods is French Toast. On Saturday I made a Banana Stuffed French Toast. I love the warm bananas that are tucked inside the egg-dipped bread! This is so simple, yet so yummy! Here's how I make it:

Slice a 2" or 2 1/2 " thick piece of French bread, then slice it in half, but not all the way through. This is the opening for the banana slices. Stuff as many slices of banana in there as will fit.

In a deep dish, mix egg and milk and whisk together. To the milk/egg mixture, add cinnamon and vanilla to taste. Dip bread slices into milk, then place in a hot skillet with a tablespoon or two of Crisco. Brown on each side until toasted.

Dust with powdered sugar. Serve with warm syrup.

For our Sunday dinner I made Imperial Chicken. I got the ingredients prepped the night before, then assembled it and placed in the oven on the timer. This is super fast and soooo good.

Imperial Chicken

4 boneless chicken breasts
2 cups Pepperidge farm Italian bread crumbs
1 cup Parmesan cheese
1 tsp each of salt,pepper and garlic powder
1 stick butter, melted
2 T lemon juice

Place chicken breasts in salt water and refrigerate overnight. In one bowl, mix lemon juice and melted butter that has cooled. In another bowl mix bread crumbs, cheese, salt, pepper and garlic. Drain chicken. Dip chicken in butter mixture and in bread crumb mixture, and roll - jelly roll style and bake in 350 degree oven for 1 hour. (You could bake these without rolling them up; they will take less time that way!)

Chicken breasts should be split before dipping and rolling.

Ready for the oven

I served the chicken with twice baked mashed potatoes, frozen veggies, popovers, and fresh fruit.

Love these popovers! I made them before church and warmed them in the oven when we got home so they'd be crispy.

We had guests over after church last night and I served Taco soup, tortilla chips and crackers, and my favorite brownie - Hershey's Deep dish Brownie. These are moist and chocolaty. When I get hungry for something chocolate, these always come to mind.

Hershey's Deep Dish Brownie

3/4 C butter or margarine, melted
1 1/2 C sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
3 eggs
3/4 C flour
1/2 C Hershey's cocoa
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

Blend melted butter or margarine, sugar and vanilla in a mixing bowl. Add eggs; beat well with spoon. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt; gradually add to egg mixture until well blended. Spread in greased 8" square pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until brownie begins to pull away from edges of pan. Cool ; cut into squares.

What kind of things were cooking in your kitchen this past week or weekend?

P.S. Tonight's Ladies' Bible study at BCBC will be a blessing; I hope you're planning on attending! The lesson covers worry. Wow! It's so helpful and practical (and convicting!). The second half of our meeting is "Dinner? Is it possible?" We will hear from the dietitian from Franklin Woods Hospital how very possible dinner can be! I'll be looking for you there!

Freshen Up Friday

2012-01-27T06:00:00.029-05:00

The winter sky was cold and solemn and the day's events had pressed hard on me. But now I was home and could hardly wait for the relief its comfort would bring. Entering from the front door, the fireplace pops and crackles, its bounty giving off not only heat, but also a soft glow to the living room. Little lamps are tucked into nooks and crannies of bookshelves and mantle, drawing me to come inside and read, and sit a spell. The flickering of candlelight winks as I pass. After dropping my coat on the footstool, I nestle down in the armchair and smile. This is what I had longed for. This is home.

Could you picture the room described above? What is it that really makes a home inviting? Is it the color of paint on the wall? No. Is it the beautiful pictures carefully hung? No. Is it the furniture? No. What makes a home draw us in is the lighting. In the descriptive paragraph above, it's the small lights, the twinkles, the lamps that give the effect of a warm welcome. If only an overhead light is on, a room would have the appeal of a doctor's examining room! If the lighting isn't right, none of those other factors would be as beautiful.

To refresh your Friday, I thought I'd share some of the designers great tips about lighting that I learned just yesterday at Gracious Designs. Are you ready? These are so practical and do-able!

There are three types of light:

1. General lighting - Overhead lights. This should be the least used, except in the kitchen and bathroom.

2. Task lighting - Reading lamps, sconces, floor lamps, under cabinet lights
3. Ambiance lighting - Candles, lanterns, light sticks, tea lights, little lamps

You should have at least five sources of light in each room (with exception of the entryway and bathroom). These need to be layered at different heights and levels. Create layers of light at different times of the day. Rainy winter days can be gray and dark. Lighten your home by layering lights from soft lights under a buffet table, to small lamps on a bookshelf or mantle, and increasing to table or floor lamps for tasks. Place candles in an unused fireplace to darken up that space.

The last thing the designer shared was Five Rules to Break:

Lamps have to match - They don't! Break up a matched set and put them in two different rooms and watch how it will change the whole room! The styles and heights on either side of the bed, for instance, should be similar, but don't need to match.

2. Chandeliers are only for the entryway or dining room. No! They are lovely in a master bedroom. Placing one over a chair where you read would be beautiful! By the way, our instructor said that the base of a chandelier over a table should be 34"-36" from the surface of the table. Most people hang them too high. Drop it down and let it create something really special!

I've shared this before, but I think this is so elegant!

3. One set of light sticks is all I need. Some of these light sticks are battery operated and are so useful in high places where there are no outlets, so they are really useful!

4. It doesn't matter what type of bulb I use. The newer bulbs are hard to figure out, but can really give off bad color if you don't know what to look for. Here was her suggestion:

5,000 Gives a clean daylight look, blue light
4,0000-3,500 Cool, general lighting
3,000 or below are warmer lights

5. Five is the limit on lights. Wrong! Add as many lights (of course layered) as needed to add warmth to your room.

We need to help these gray winter days not be so gloomy by making sure we're adding the right kind of lighting to our homes. We also need to be looking for those in darkness that need the Light of the Gospel! Add some light to your home and be a light in the world!

Be refreshed,

Full Nets

2012-01-26T06:00:00.004-05:00

Sunrise on the Sea of Galilee...

One recent morning as I read Luke 5, I read about Jesus at the lake of Gennesaret, and I remembered what it was like to be on the Sea of Galilee in the morning. The winds were calm. The sun sparkled on the glassy waters. It was quiet and serene.

However, in chapter 5 of Luke, it's not really a quiet setting because a crowd has pressed in closely that they might be near Jesus, hear Him teach and watch Him perform a miracle - perhaps on their behalf. They pushed and shoved to be near Him - so much that Jesus stepped onto Simon Peter's boat, and asked Simon Peter to push out a little from shore. Then He sat down and taught from a floating pulpit! The Scripture says that when He'd finished teaching, He told Peter to launch out into the deep waters and let down his nets for a "draught."

Though Peter had been out fishing all night and caught nothing, he obeys the Lord. Not long thereafter, he pulled the net from the waters, and there were so many fish that the net broke and he required the assistance of James and John to bring the great catch to shore! It was an amazing miracle that made Peter drop to his knees in humble adoration and admission of his own sinfulness.

The thought that has been a blessing to my heart in reading Matthew Henry's notes about this, is this: When we serve Christ, there is great recompense! That's not the reason we serve Him, but it's still the truth. The reward of a "full net" doesn't always come when we think it should. Sometimes we are toiling in the night season. Darkness is around us. Cold seeps into our bones. We are weary. It seems that nothing is coming from our service - whether it's in our personal witness to a lost person, our ministry at church, our pouring into our children's lives. The net is very empty. We come in from the deep waters of serving and just decide to wash out the nets and go home. Have you ever wanted to quit? We all have! That's when the Lord decides to step into the ship and give us an abundant blessing. He fills our net to overflowing.

My husband's net "got filled up" recently when he received a Facebook message from a person from the past saying that because of his witness years ago, their family member got saved, and thought he'd want to know! You better believe he wanted to know! What a blessing.

When one of my Sunday school students gets saved, fish are jumping everywhere in my net!

Our recent trip to Israel was another "Full net" experience! We didn't deserve to go, but out of the love of our church people's hearts, they desired to send us that we might be their eyes and ears and be better able to fulfill the ministry to which the Lord has called my husband.

If your net is empty at the time, keep faithfully serving. In His time, the Lord will allow you to go back into the deep and reap a harvest of fish. Yes, indeed, the recompense for serving Christ is abundant!

With love,

A Peek Inside the Parsonage

2012-01-25T06:00:00.020-05:00

I could hear the frustration in her comments as we chatted. I recently talked with a young wife and homemaker and listened while she shared her desire to create a warm space in her home, but needed to be considerate of their budget, of course. She's also trying to find her own style, while mixing it with her husband's, and was also trying to come up with a color/decorating scheme that would fit both of their tastes. Talking with her made me think back to when I was her age and in that stage of life.

When I look back on pictures of our home from years past I have to ask myself, "What was I thinking?!" At the time, I was sure it was all done in good taste! Our first home was a combination of both our personalities and interests in the living room. His Clemson clock hung in the living room not far from where my silk bridal bouquet and our crystal glasses were displayed. His speakers that stood on either side of the television stand were large enough that we could've used them for coffee tables (well, nearly!). The couch was an ugly tweed, and was so itchy to sit on! We should've just handed each guest one of those back scratching tools when they walked in the front the door, knowing they would soon need it! The kitchen was so tiny that if I needed to get into the fridge when we had guests, someone would have to get up out of their chair and step aside so there was room for the opened door.

The next house we lived in was bigger and was full of promise! We even had the privilege of getting new living room furniture! A blessing for all - except those that had to sleep on the sofa bed that was ~~secretly~~ safely tucked inside its cushions.

As the years progressed and the country style was in full swing, nearly every piece of furniture and wall was stenciled. My husband even declared that he was afraid to stand still too long for fear I'd stencil him! The colors in the living room were mauve and blue with pink hearts stenciled at the chair rail level. ~Sigh~ Such tackyness!

Some day I'll probably look on my current Shabby Chic style and wonder what got into me and made me paint most everything white. But the truth goes back to the way it all started - we love our home just because it's the place that we share together.

If you find yourself frustrated with your decor, just smile at those that gather near you - whether they're roommates in a dorm room, a girlfriend who shares your apartment or your husband sitting with you on that ugly couch, and remind yourself of that old, but very true statement -

“A house is made of walls and beams; a home is built with love and dreams.”

Keep loving. Keep dreaming!

From my very lovely parsonage, =)

Travel With Me

2012-01-24T06:00:00.003-05:00

It would be impossible to show you and tell you everything that I saw in the twelve days we were in Israel, but I'm asking the Lord for wisdom to share some of the nuggets that He gave me while we were there. In truth, I'm still sifting through all the information that we received from our guide, Aire. Here is his picture, taken on our first day when we were in Jaffa (Joppa).

Aire is more than a guide in the land of Israel; he is a faithful ambassador for the Lord Jesus Christ. As a Jewish believer, he has studied the Word of God all his life. He knows the Truths of Christ being the Messiah and has a living relationship with Him.

One thing that I loved about his teaching was his way of bringing simple truths into what he was showing us. Later on the first day of touring, we visited Mt. Carmel where Elijah offered his sacrifice to God. It was also here on this mountain that Elijah watched for the cloud that would bring the rain that God had been withholding from King Ahab and his people. Due to the lack of rain, there was a famine in the land. Imagine the dryness, the dust, the sparse crops, the parched lips. Then God told Elijah he would send rain. Elijah goes to the top of the Mountain looking for the first cloud to appear. We read in I Kings 18:42-45

So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees, And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times. And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain.

I doubt that anyone who got caught out in that particular rainstorm minded it a bit. It had to be refreshing to them to finally have water pouring down from heaven. It brought relief from the famine and dryness.

Mt. Carmel

Aire reminded us that Jesus Christ is the Living Water and He always brings relief. John 4:10 What is the famine you're experiencing right now? Is it a health issue? Is it an unfulfilled longing of your heart? Is it loneliness? Climb to the mount and look for Christ to bring relief your way. Jeremiah 29;13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. The Living Water takes the Living Word to comfort, refresh and nourish us in our dryness. Look upwards for the little cloud followed by a "great rain."

Looking up at Christ, rather than down at your circumstances will always point you in the right direction!

With love,

What's Cookin' in the Parsonage?

2012-01-23T06:00:00.002-05:00

Leaving JFK Airport at 8 am Friday morning after our all night flight from Tel Aviv

Hello, Friends! You have no idea how wonderful it is to be back in East Tennessee, back at my computer, and back at RefreshHer!!

When our plane landed at the Tri-Cities Airport Friday afternoon, we looked up in the terminal and saw this sweet group of people from our church awaiting our arrival...

This children were holding a "Welcome Home" sign. They held onto it long enough to allow me to snap this picture, then we were flooded by their hugs and squeezes. ~Precious!~

There are many wonderful places to visit, and Israel was a place I'm so thankful I got to see, but I agree with Dorothy - there's no place like home! I missed "chatting" with you all, but was so thrilled with the super job Whitney did while I was away. Thanks, Whitney, for your hard work posting in my absence. You make me proud! I'm still getting over seeing those old photos that were posted, though! Ahhh! We'll talk later! =).

Well, it's Monday and time to talk about food, right? Let me tell you, we enjoyed some interesting and delicious dishes in Israel. It wasn't fried chicken, southern green beans and sweet tea, however, I enjoyed trying the new tastes of another culture. As you see in the picture above, there were lots of good salad choices at every meal (yes, even breakfast!). I enjoyed roasted sweet potato slices served cold, fennel with dill, wonderful black olives, hummus and pita (served at every meal), and tons of great cheeses. Take a look at the variety of cheeses at the first place we stayed...

Here was lunch one day - Peter's Fish. It was a little odd being stared at by my meal, but it I disregarded his evil eye and enjoyed him!

The food we saw most every day at lunchtime was Falafel. This is a fast food dish made of ground chickpeas. It is deep fried and served in a pita bread, usually with hummus or some other "sauce" as well as fresh vegetables. It was good.

Falafel

Toward the end of our trip in Israel we found ourselves thinking about American foods and were getting pretty excited about enjoying some "comfort foods" when we returned. Yesterday was my husband's birthday, so I made him one of his favorites - Katie Brown Chicken, mashed potatoes and biscuits. I also served cauliflower with cheese sauce. Plain chicken with just lemon and fresh herbs tasted wonderful to us both. Venturing into another food culture is great and I really enjoyed it, but there's nothing like the foods you were raised on when you return home!

I'm thinking there will be some other comfort foods on my menu this coming week! What foods do you crave when you've been out of your kitchen and/or your culture?

Happy to be back in my parsonage kitchen,

Farewell Friday

2012-01-20T06:00:00.001-05:00

It's Friday! Thank you all for hanging out with me these past two weeks. It's time for me to hand the blog back to the lady of Refreshher! I can't wait to see her pictures and hear her stories...I know you are excited for that, too.

Keeping with the "Freshen Up Friday" theme here on Refreshher, I thought I'd share a very simple Valentines Day decor idea.

My Nana used to send us vintage Valentines Day Cards..like this one...

From alphamom.com

I kept all of them! So one year I cut them out and pasted them to heart shaped card stock. I've done several decorating things with them over the last few Februaries...here's this year's Vintage Valentine Project!

Yes, this picture is from my phone. Sorry for the horrible lighting....

I used double sided tape to attach the Valentines to the backing on the frame, and added a little ribbon and a silver pipe cleaner heart for some different textures. This was the inspiration for the love-day refresh that my living room bookshelf received. It's not quite done (I need one trip to Hobby Lobby for something floral to go on the bottom shelf) so just imagine the topiary on each side of the black frame, ok? Thanks. =)

I put black construction paper in the white picture frame and wrote our initials with chalk...I love free re-do's!

That's all I've got for you! Have a great weekend!

Whitney for...

My Word for 2012

2012-01-19T06:00:00.001-05:00

I've seen several posts like this around the blogosphere. Instead of setting a list of goals for the new year, why not just choose one word as your goal for 2012?

Here's my word for 2012: forbearing

The context for this word comes from Ephesians 4: 1-3:

"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

The Message paraphrases the passage like this: "And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences."

The dictionary defines forbearing as being patient or self-controlled when subject to annoyance or provocation.

I can think of all kinds of ways I need to apply forbearance to my life!

What is your word for 2012? While mine is a little more motivational, you may need inspiration or even consolation. Get in THE Word and find YOUR Word!

Whitney for...

A Peek Inside the Parsonage

2012-01-18T06:00:00.000-05:00

Anyone that knows my parents has probably been at least a little envious of their sweet, romantic marriage. I lived with them for 17 years before I left for college, and I know they ain't perfect! So how do they do it? I have been married for only 13 months, so I'm not in a place to offer any marriage advice. I'm taking all I can get! So, let's all peek inside the parsonage and learn from my parents.

Here are just three of the principles I learned from watching my parents' marriage in action.

This is what happens when the parents are on another continent...old pictures emerge! Haha!

1. Godly marriages take work

Every time mom and dad left the house to go on a date, they would say "we're going on a date to make a better home for you!" Even when times were very tough financially, they would run errands together or have supper at a little table in their bedroom with doors closed and candles lit.

My parents read books on marriage and attended couples retreats (gasp! they left their children overnight! see point #2). Mom has always been a student of the Bible, and I remember seeing "reminder" verses from Proverbs written on her daily planner to help her with areas she was working on.

What can you do this week to work on your marriage?

2. Kids are important, but they don't take precedence over your marriage

We never slept in the bed with mom and dad. If a storm or bad dream woke us up, we were comforted and reassured...and dumped back in our cold sheets! =) Now that I'm married, I realize the wisdom of that move.

If I asked my dad permission for something like having a friend spend the night, his first words were always, "did you ask your mom?" and vice versa. I knew there was no way I could manipulate them by getting one person "on my side."

Have you let your kids "crawl in bed" between you and your spouse (so to speak)? Dump them back on their cold sheets. They'll thank you for it some day.

Lest you think we were neglected, here's proof that mom and dad spent time with us.
Great NASCAR memories with my dad! I love this picture so much!

3. Godly marriages require respect

Never one time have I heard my parents make a disparaging comment to someone else about the other. My mom never complained to me about my dad - I knew my parents thought the world of each other. I will add that my in-laws are exactly like this as well. I cringe every time I hear a pastor say something ugly or joke about his wife from the pulpit, I never heard that from my dad growing up.

Do you need to ask the Lord to keep a watch over your mouth? If you really struggle with the respect issue, I highly recommend the book Love and Respect.

I am so thankful for the people that taught me a great, godly, fun marriage was possible! I have to also thank my Nana and Papa who are madly in love with each other. They are the kind of sweet companions I pray we will be! Additionally, I am grateful for my in-laws who modeled this kind of marriage to my husband. He is definitely a product of a godly marriage, and I am so thankful!

Whitney for...

Meditation for Tuesday

2012-01-17T06:00:00.001-05:00

Amen!

Whitney for...

What's Cookin' in the Parsonage?

2012-01-16T06:00:00.001-05:00

Here's what was cooking in the Pendell kitchen this week! This was a big hit with the husband, which always makes my day. I served it with a tossed salad and Parmesan toast (buttered bread with Parmesan cheese, toasted under the broiler). Big thanks to my friend Catherine for sharing this recipe with me!

Five-Cheese Baked Ziti

(This can be doubled to make a 9x13 pan - I used a casserole dish slightly larger than an 8x8 square)

FOR THE ZITI SAUCE

2 cups tomato sauce

1 cups alfredo sauce

1/4 cup ricotta cheese

1/8 cup mozzarella cheese , shredded

1 ½ tablespoons Fontina cheese , shredded*

½ teaspoon garlic pepper seasoning

¼ teaspoon garlic powder

FOR THE ZITI TOPPING

1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese , shredded

¼ cup Italian breadcrumbs

1 ½ tablespoons romano cheese , grated

½ tablespoon fresh garlic , chopped

1 ½ tablespoons vegetable oil

1 ½ tablespoons fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley, chopped

*I used Sargento Italian blend cheese where it called for Fontina and Romano cheese

REMAINING INGREDIENTS

½ lb dry ziti pasta

½ cup mozzarella cheese , shredded

Directions:

PREPARE THE ZITI SAUCE:

1. Combining all ingredients for the Ziti Sauce in a large bowl; cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

PREPARE THE ZITI TOPPING:

2. In a medium-size bowl, whisk together the first four ingredients for the Ziti Topping.

3. Add the garlic, oil, and parsley and mix until thoroughly blended. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

WHEN READY TO PREPARE THE WHOLE DISH:

4. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray an 8x8 baking dish or large casserole with non-stick spray.

5. Prepare the pasta according to package directions.

6. Pour 1/4 cup of prepared ziti sauce into the prepared dish, and spread it evenly over the bottom using a spoon.

7. When pasta has finished cooking, drain the water and pour the hot pasta into the bowl of remaining sauce. Mix thoroughly; pour into the baking dish.

8. Spread 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella over the pasta and sauce mixture.

9. Top the mozzarella with the prepared Ziti Topping, spreading evenly.

10. Place pan on center oven rack and bake until top is golden brown and cheese is bubbling, about 20 to 30 minutes. Remove and serve immediately.

Enjoy!

Whitney for...

5 ways to cut cost and stress from your wedding!

2012-01-13T06:00:00.001-05:00

I planned my wedding in two months and it cost $1000. I could have easily planned a $30,000 wedding, but I had $800 saved and loving parents and friends who helped with the rest. As the bride, I was calm and confident of everything going smoothly the day of the wedding (and I think my dear friend/wedding coordinator felt the same way!).

Please understand.This is what worked for me. $1000 weddings aren't for everyone. I chose to spend only the money I had! Whether you're a low budget person like me or you're just looking for ways to reduce costs and stress in your wedding (or your daughter/sister/friend's wedding), I think I have some helpful tips for you!

Before we begin - I have to offer my disclaimer.

1. My wedding dress was a junior bridesmaid dress from David’s Bridal. Junior Bridesmaid dresses are exactly like the wedding gowns, only MUCH cheaper. I spent less than $100 total on my dress and shoes.

2. My mom baked all 300 of the beautiful and delicious cupcakes we served at the reception. She and my aunt iced and decorated them the day before the wedding. The total cost of her materials was $80. If you have an amazing mom and aunt who will do that for you and deliver the same results mine did, go for it!!!

Are these gorgeous or what?!

If you’re over 4’10” and can’t wear a junior bridesmaid dress...or your mom isn’t Martha Stewart, don’t worry! I have some other ideas for you. Two other friends of mine each spent less than $4,000 on their weddings. I was in both of their weddings and they were lovely and stress free events! One friend in particular confirmed that even with purchasing her gown from a boutique and spending $500 on her cake, the total for her wedding was $3,000. I will mix her secrets in with mine. Here we go!

1. Keep the bridal party small

My sister and best friend were my attendants, and they purchased long black formals for less than $100 each. They both ended up with lovely dresses that they really could wear over and over! Imagine that!
The groomsmen wore their Sunday suits with matching silver ties that I bought at JCPenny on sale, with a coupon.
Large bridal parties mean more attendant gifts, more people at your rehearsal dinner (consider the cost to your future in-laws!), and more hassle at the rehearsal itself. Nothing makes a rehearsal more stressful than 7 groomsmen trying to be the funniest while the wedding director is trying to do her job!
Instead of asking ALL your friends to be in the wedding, ask them to help during the wedding! You will find that your friends are eager and willing to help, especially in their area of expertise. Ask friends to sing, play instruments, serve at the reception, arrange your flowers, or hand out programs.

2. Save Money on DIY Printed Materials

You can easily download invitation and program templates online. I created my own invitations and programs in Publisher and printed them locally. Not including postage, I spent less than $30 total on the invitations and programs. I set up a free wedding website and created a form for RSVP’s, instead of including a separate RSVP card and stamped envelope. I would argue that online RSVP increases your chances of getting folks to RSVP anyway. (Have I used "RSVP" enough in this paragraph? Ahem)

3. Avoid the “wedding” aisle at the craft store!

I love Hobby Lobby, but their wedding aisle suffers some serious markup. You don't have to pay their "wedding" merchandise prices...besides, half of that stuff is unnecessary.

Favors: Please. Just don’t do it. We didn’t have favors at our wedding, and nobody threw a fit or left in a rage.
Printed napkins: Everyone knows who you are and what the date is. Plain napkins that match your colors work really well, and you can get them in the PARTY aisle at hobby lobby much cheaper.
Guest Book: My wedding guest book came from TJ Maxx and maybe cost $5. Hobby Lobby’s wedding aisle? $25!
Bride and Groom cake server: Trust me. You don't need that.

Borrow as much as you can.

I borrowed my veil and crinlin slip from friends, and it was special to use their stuff!
Some churches have a stash of things you can use at the reception (chocolate fountains, serving trays, punch bowls, linens, tables, etc.). A deposit may be required but that's probably all it would cost.
My wedding was one week before Christmas, so the church was beautifully decorated without any cost to me. I "borrowed" other decorations from my house or purchased things I knew I would use after the wedding in my own decor.

4. Make it your own!

My husband loves crossword puzzles, so we created one with questions about us and put it on the back of our programs. Everyone received a program and a golf pencil before they were seated, and it was such a hit! It was a big topic of conversation at the reception, with people stumped on different questions.
When I say "Make it your own," I am including the bride AND the groom in the "your." A huge stress reliever is this: make choices concerning what the two of you would like at your wedding. You cannot please your mom, your mamaw, your new mother in law, your dad, your aunt louise, and the sunday school superintendent all in one wedding. My wedding coordinator/dear friend was a huge help with this one. She constantly asked me "what does Paul Curtis think?" to remind me that his opinion is important! We both are pleased and proud of the way our wedding turned out, down to the 17 minute ceremony. =)

See how relaxed he was??!!

5. Plan Plan Plan

A good wedding coordinator will save your life. I choose someone who I was very close friends with, someone whose taste and judgement I trusted. I knew I could send any questions right to her and she would answer them the way I would. Another of my low budget wedding friends chose her aunt who had experience directing weddings and knew the bride well. It is a huge stress relief to have a coordinator that you feel comfortable with (and is also a great way to let your friends help!).
I had a spiral notebook and a thumb drive that I carried everywhere before the wedding. The thumb drive had my guest list, addresses, names of everyone helping along with their assignments, program, invitation, etc.
Sit down and think through every aspect of the day. Here's an example:

Peppermint punch at the reception:

ingredients for punch
decide when to purchase them
decide when to take ingredients to reception site
assign someone to make the punch
write out the directions for making/serving the punch and give to coordinator or person in charge of reception
figure out how many/what kind of cups will you need
decide where you will serve the punch on the food tables

Use processes like that to make a detailed schedule of the rehearsal and wedding day. It might seem overwhelming at first, but it will pay. off. big. time.

I couldn't be happier with the outcome of our wedding. I KNOW some of you have tips for cutting cost and stress from your wedding. Let me hear your ideas!

Whitney for...

Abundant Life!

2012-01-12T06:00:00.001-05:00

After I graduated from college, I spent several years completely single. There was the occasional coffee date with a single guy in one of my friends college & career groups, but those never turned into anything permanent. I wanted to be married eventually, but this is the truth: I wouldn’t trade those “dateless” years for anything.

How can I say that?

Jesus offers a love relationship that is more than enough.

I know that sounds like such a typical “single girl” answer, but it is the truth. Marriage is wonderful – but not easy, and I’m so thankful for those years where I developed a relationship with the One who never fails! I had lots of time for group Bible studies, personal study, and “just me and the Lord” worship time, wherever and whenever! Jesus offers an abundant life regardless of your circumstances. John 10:10 says, "I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full!"

There are two foundational truths that encouraged me:

1. God is in control and has a personal plan for my life.

2. I'd rather be happy and alone than married and lonely.

I also spent lots of time with my girlfriends, shopping, eating out and doing fun stuff (like attending NASCAR races, below). We had such good times together!

Two years ago, I ran into an old friend at a basketball game. He asked me out for coffee, and his sparkling blue eyes immediately melted my heart. That coffee date was unlike the others! God IS in control and DOES have a personal plan for my life. I am so thankful for my husband - he is a constant reminder of that perfect, personal plan.

If you are in those dateless years, take heart! Jesus has come to bring abundant life (and a personal, perfect plan) for YOU.

If I can encourage you in any way, I'd love to hear from you (my email is whitneypendell at gmail dot com if you don't want to leave a comment).

Whitney for...

A Peek Inside the Parsonage

2012-01-11T06:00:00.002-05:00

The Cleaver Family.

Aren't they just the picture of perfect family harmony? In case you were either born in the last 30 years or didn't grow up on TV Land, this is the family from "Leave it to Beaver." Mr. Ward Cleaver never appeared without a shirt and tie, doted on his wife and spent lots of time with his children. Mrs. June cleaver famously cooked dinner in pearls and heels, was always polite and kind, and made sure her family was well taken care of. Wally and Theodore (or, the Beaver) were polite and obedient. Wally let his little brother tag along with him on Saturdays.

The Cleavers remind me of another family...my pastor's family! Don't they remind you of your pastor's family? Always perfect, polite and happy. Right? Wrong!

I hate to break it to you, but the idea of a perfect pastor's family is as fictional as the Cleavers themselves! While it is important that your pastor and his family adhere to the Scripture's guidelines, it is also important to remember that they are human. They have bad days, heartache, financial needs and family struggles just like you.

When I was in the 4th grade, I spent Sunday afternoon with my friend whose family had just joined our church. We went outside to play where her dad was washing the family van in their driveway. When he saw me, his face fell and he quickly said, "Oh! I don't usually work on Sunday! I just had to do this real quick!" I was bewildered for a minute and then it hit me. "He thinks I'm going to run home and tell on him to the preacher!" If he only knew how uptight the Cunningham house WASN'T. Hehe.

Your pastor, his wife, and their children need friendship, love and encouragement just like you do! So the next time someone from your pastor's family catches you washing your car on Sunday, put down the squeegee and ask how you can pray for them. As the Beaver used to say, "that would be swell!"

Whitney for...

Take Comfort!

2012-01-10T06:00:00.010-05:00

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of the flesh, but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles!" 2 Chronicles 32:6-8

Wow! How encouraging is that? You have to read the whole story to get the full impact from this passage, but basically, 180 thousand really mean guys were attacking Israel. History was not in their favor - the last time these guys attacked, Israel lost. But king Hezekiah stood in front of his people and declared the words you just read.

What army of really mean guys is attacking your city today?

Your enemy may come in the form of finances, stress at work, conflict in your marriage, defiant children, or a temptation to give in to your sin nature in one way or another. Whatever that enemy may be, let the Truth of Scripture speak encouragingly to you - just like the Truth encouraged the people of Israel that day.

The end of verse 8 says, "And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah." Take confidence in the Word today!

(If you want to read the whole story, start in 2 Chronicles 31:20 and read to 32:23. Buckle up, it's exciting!)

Whitney for....

What's Cookin' in the Parsonage?

2012-01-09T06:00:00.013-05:00

Hey everyone! In case you missed Friday's post, Mom asked me to hang out with y'all while she's in Israel. So here we go with Monday!

I don't live in a parsonage....but I used to. Does that count? =)
At the end of a long work day, I am ready for a quick meal that tastes like it took all day. Anyone else feel like that?

Here is the best thing I’ve found to be really helpful towards that end…MENU PLANNING!

Trust me on this one. Sit down before you go to the grocery store and decide 5 or 6 meals you want to make. I keep a list of things my husband likes and use that as a starting spot. I also have a folder of bookmarks for recipes I see online that I want to try. I don’t assign meals to a day, I make whatever works best for our very unusual schedule. As I make out the menu, I make my grocery list.

For example, here is my menu from last week:

Spaghetti with ground turkey (because I had ground turkey in the freezer and ground beef was $3/lb! Yikes!)

Salad

Breadsticks

Hot Chicken Salad

Green Beans

Chili

Corn Muffins (the other half of the batch I made last week and stuck in the freezer)

Cheese & Crackers

Raw veggies and ranch

Baked Chicken

Steamfresh red potatoes and vegetables

Frozen Pizza

Salad

I admit I don’t have children, so my life is pretty uncomplicated. But I do work full time as well as accommodate a husband who tirelessly works like ALL the time. If I can menu plan, you can too. Try it! Who’s with me??

If you are already a menu planner, what works best for you? Talk to me!

Whitney for...

Freshen Up Friday

2012-01-06T06:00:00.013-05:00

On this Friday, how about if we look at an accessory that can totally change an outfit? One way to freshen up an outfit and give it new pizazz, is by adding a scarf. They are so popular now with many different styles.
These lovely pics are from Tip Junkie - a favorite site of mine.

Once you get past all the cute styles, there are tons of fun ways to tie the scarf! Look here...

One simple tie is to fold a long scarf in half lengthwise and place it around your neck. Loop the loose end through the loop. You can bring the loop up high around your neck or open it up to be more scooped.

Here's a little series of pictures with a variation of the previous tie:

Fold scarf in half with loop on one end and loose end on the other.

Insert loose end through loop

Twist the looped end, keeping your finger inside the loop

Insert loose end through loop

Fluff and adjust the knot to the position you want it

Now, go get a scarf and try one of these ties!

Do you have scarves? How do you wear them?

I have some exciting news for you today...

If you read my post on Wednesday you know that I'm leaving on Sunday to go to Israel. However, that does not mean that my blog will be sitting here idle while I'm away. My daughter, Whitney will be posting in my absence! Okay, she's my daughter, true, but the other truth is - she's a great writer (and she wears a scarf oh, so well!)! I think you'll find her posts enlightening, funny, and helpful. So keep checking in each day to see what creative things she's come up with, and I will be back on here the last week of January!

I love and appreciate each of you!

Be refreshed,

Fruitcake Christians

2012-01-05T06:00:00.002-05:00

Many people feel about fruitcake like the person who compiled the previous list Let's face it - this sticky confection has gotten a bad rap. I saw a funny video at Christmas where a woman teasingly said her husband was a lot like a fruitcake noting, "He's heavy, fruity and very nutty!" We'd all admit that being called a fruitcake has a bad connotation. But I believe there is one way in which it would be a blessing to be a "fruit - cake."

When you and I as believers are walking in the Spirit, that is we have no unconfessed sin in our lives, we will be full of fruit! Not the sticky dried kind we find in holiday cakes and cookies, but the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22, 23 says, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. We won't just have one or two, we will have them all. Let's take a look at each of them and how they will be manifested in our lives as described by Matthew Henry:

Love to God especially, and to one another for his sake
Joy, by which may be understood cheerfulness in conversation with our friends, or rather a constant delight in God
Peace, with God and conscience, or a peaceableness of temper and behaviour towards others
Long-suffering, patience to defer anger, and a contentedness to bear injuries
Gentleness, such a sweetness of temper, and especially towards our inferiors, as disposes us to be affable and courteous, and easy to be entreated when any have wronged us
Goodness (kindness, beneficence), which shows itself in a readiness to do good to all as we have opportunity
Faith, fidelity, justice, and honesty, in what we profess and promise to others
Meekness, wherewith to govern our passions and resentments, so as not to be easily provoked, and, when we are so, to be soon pacified
Temperance, in meat and drink, and other enjoyments of life, so as not to be excessive and immoderate in the use of them.

It would do us well to read over the list and then review the last 24 hours. Was that fruit a part of our lives yesterday? Was it demonstrated to the world? To our family? Last night at prayer meeting? To other drivers on the road? We mustn't look at the list and say, "I need to work on being more longsuffering." Or "I need to ask for more faith." What we need is to walk in the Spirit. Verse 25 reminds us of that saying, " If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." We do that by simply doing what I John 1:9 says and confessing our sin. Keeping short accounts with the Lord will enable us to be full of fruit.

Ask the Lord to reveal unconfessed sin in your life. Confess it and then walk in the Spirit. You may look like a fruit cake, but it will be the best kind!

With love,
Denise

A Peek Inside the Parsonage

2012-01-04T06:00:00.001-05:00

If you peeked inside the parsonage today this is what you'd find in my room...

Documents in order...

Suitcases being packed (and curious cat snooping around)

airline tickets and trip itinerary ready to go.

Why all this? Some time ago I told you that our church is sending my husband and me on a trip to Israel. We are going on a pastors/wives teaching tour. I am so excited about it! We leave this coming Sunday morning and will be gone until January 20th.

To be able to see the places I've read about in Scripture all my life, will be thrilling, to say the least. I've heard that the Scriptures come alive once you visit the Holy Land, and that's exactly what I'm asking the Lord for. I want it to have an impact on my personal devotions, as well as my future opportunities to teach.

We covet your prayers as we go. Please pray for:

Safe travels.
Ability to sleep on the plane
Luggage to stay safe and arrive when we do =)
No migraines
Sweet fellowship with the other pastors and wives
Special times of worship while there

Well, I better get back to packing...or removing a certain kitty from my bags!

Thanks for taking time to peek in!

From my parsonage window,

New Year Plans for Marriage

2012-01-03T06:00:00.018-05:00

A new year is like a new journal; it's all clean and fresh with no ragged edges on the cover. Its binding is all in tact and there are no ugly ink smudges on the pages. A new year brings with it lots of promise. As you consider the year ahead of you, why not stop and also consider the life of your husband as well? I don't mean we should track out his life for 2012, but that as we make plans for ourselves, we need to also consider our marriage. Sit down together and discuss:

What areas need to be strengthened?
How did you fail to respect him last year? How can you change that?
What kinds of dates could you plan now that will ensure that you have quality time together? Mark down dates you want to celebrate, then also find time each month to mark out for one another. If you don't guard those times, they will get covered over with the "stuff of life." Here's a suggestion to take your dates one step deeper - Get a journal and make it your Date Journal. Use it to record the things dates you and your husband have this year. Keep it a secret and give it to him as a Christmas present next December. It will bring back special memories of your times together.
Talk about financial plans for the year - things you need to save for, giving towards Faith Promise Missions, and things you're dreaming about - like a vacation, or the purchase of a home,
How could your marriage reach out to the lost? Discuss way that you could to minister to others as a couple in this next year.
Is there a book you could begin reading together that would be a challenge to you both as you walk with the Lord?

Each day we are filling in the pages of our life's journal. Rather than letting it get marred up with blunders and regrets, make plans to fill it up with marital blessings. As they say, - "Time's a wastin'!" Make your plans now for a year that will find you and your husband walking closer to one another and the Lord.

With love,

What's Cookin' in the Parsonage?

2012-01-02T06:00:00.014-05:00

This weekend I tried a new recipe for breakfast. Since I was having company (yay!), I wanted to have a breakfast that was ready quickly, but was also warm and hardy. I had heard about Baked Oatmeal, and was intrigued with the thought of a dish of oatmeal filled with fruit and nuts that was not only healthy and quick, but also delicious!

This dish whipped together in no time flat the night before. Then in the morning, I simply popped it into the oven to bake while I got dressed. Ta-da! Hot breakfast on the table for my guests, along with fresh Cinnamon-raisin toast made with my sour dough starter.

We were blessed to have my sister and her husband with us this weekend. I loved having them here so much. We celebrated New Years together on Saturday as folks in their 50's would do (which means we did not stay up 'til midnight!). We enjoyed a lovely dinner in Asheville, and then went to Grove Park Inn to enjoy the gingerbread houses, as well as the beauty of the inn.

Sunday dinner was also intended to be simple - and it was.
I repeated a recipe I've shared before (gasp!) .

Honey-spice Glazed Pork Chops

Baked Potatoes

Steamed Broccoli with lemon and butter

Pear/Blue Cheese Salad w/Cranberry Vinaigrette

Parmesan Knots

Assorted Cookies and Ice Cream

The Pork chops are a great Sunday dinner because they're cooked in under 15 minutes. To speed the Sunday dinner preparation, on Saturday I:

Made the honey-mustard glaze for the pork chops
Prepped all the salad ingredients
Made the salad dressing
Set the table

Company meals and/or Sunday dinner can be a blessing, rather than a stressful event with simple recipes like these and a little preparation ahead of time.

Sunday night after church we had Cincinnati Chili. This is my favorite recipe because of the addition of some different kinds of flavors added, including cinnamon and a little cocoa! With the temperatures falling, it was a great meal to have cooking in the crock pot while we were at the evening service. Here's my recipe:

Cincinnati Chili

2 pounds ground beef (I use ground turkey)
1 medium onion
1 Tbl vinegar
2 Tbl chili powder
2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp garlic
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
1 15-oz. can tomato sauce (I add another small can as well)
1 cup water
2 cans of mild chili beans

Sweet Spices
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp unsweetened cocoa

Brown meat and onions in a pan. Drain fat. Add the vinegar, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder and pepper. Stir and cook 5 minutes. Add the tomato sauce, chili beans and water. If you want, add the sweet spices. Cover and bring to boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer 1 hour. Stir occasionally. Serve with cheddar cheese and/or sour cream.

I loved having guests this weekend! What a great way to bring in the New Year!

What was cooking in your kitchen this weekend?

From my parsonage kitchen,

Freshen Up Friday

2011-12-30T06:00:00.002-05:00

We love our sweet iced tea here in the south. I always say I hate drinking my calories. In keeping with that, I have sweetened my tea with Sweet and Low for years. Last year I switched to Stevia, a natural non-calorie sweetener, but have found that it left my tea with a funny taste. I thought maybe we'd get used to it, but nope - we didn't.

So, in an attempt to improve my iced tea, I recently tried a product I hadn't seen before - Domino Light. It's half real sugar and half Stevia. It has half the calories of real sugar and it doesn't take as much to sweeten as real sugar would. I used about half a cup in a half gallon of tea. It tastes like "the real thing" ladies and gentlemen! Yum! It is expensive, but I had a coupon, and like I said, it doesn't take as much as regular sugar. I'm going to save it just for iced tea.

If you're looking for a way to sweeten your tea and save on calories, you need to try this! This will freshen your tea and your diet plan (we all have one at the end of the year, don't we?).

Have a glass of sweet tea and
Be refreshed,
Denise

A Memorial Of Her

2011-12-29T06:00:00.006-05:00

Here we stand on the brink of a new year. Turn around and look behind you. How will the life you lived last year be remembered by others? I didn't ask how your circumstances pleased you, nor how good your year was, but I asked about your life. How will you be remembered for the way you lived your life last year?

As I was recently reading through Mark 14, I read about Mary pouring the costly ointment on Jesus' head. Judas reprimands her, saying that the ointment could've been sold for much and then the money given to the poor. However, Jesus answers him in verse 9, Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her. Mary will always be remembered for this act that she did for Jesus. It showed her great love for Him. That is how we remember Mary of Bethany...she loved Jesus!

This passage made me stop and ask myself, "For what do I want to be remembered?" Knowing that God's Word reveals His Son, and that it is the Mind of Christ, my answer is that I want to be remembered as a woman who loved, knew and obeyed the Word of God. After answering that, I realized that there has to be a plan of action in order to accomplish that goal. How will I gain a greater love, knowledge and desire to obey the Word? I am asking God to reveal the process so I can follow through in the year to come.

We can't do anything about the time that has already passed. If we have regrets about last year, we must let go of it and look forward to 2012. We must each ask what we want to be memorialized for in this next year, then set about a plan to accomplish that, with God's help. What will be spoken of as a memorial of you next year? Today is the time to plan for that!

I've shared my desire for my memorial, now, tell me - for what do you want your life to memorialized?

With love,

A Peek Inside the Parsonage

2011-12-28T06:00:00.003-05:00

Christmas celebration at The Cunningham's started the week before Christmas. We celebrated early with Alli before she left for Antigua. Here she is getting dishes for the table from the china cabinet...

While we open gifts, Liza Jane always tries to find a box to nest in. She tried this oblong one, but her size wouldn't let her inside. Hmmm, maybe Weight Watchers is in her new year's resolution....

Even 20 year-olds like getting stockings...

Sisters, but also best friends!

Then, on the 23rd, since it was just my hubby and me, he stole me away for the night. We enjoyed Dollywood and all their lights!

The 7:00 parade was fun to watch! Here came a speed boat all decked out...

The next morning we enjoyed a light breakfast at Applewood Farm House. It was decorated beautifully inside and out!

On Christmas Eve, Liza was excited to have another chance to find a box that was more her size!

It was great having our daughter and son-in-law here for Christmas services at Boones Creek!

We came home from church and finished getting dinner ready. I don't know what I would have done without my two assistants - Whitney and her dad! I'm really good at ~~giving orders~~ asking for help.

At the end of Christmas Day, Whitney and Paul had to head for home, but first, they had to sign the guest book - it's a tradition for all of our guests!

We'd love to have your name in our book! We so enjoy having our family and friends here. Please stop in any time you're able!

From inside our parsonage windows,

A Wandering Child and a Broken-Hearted Parent

2011-12-27T06:00:00.011-05:00

"Mom, Dad. We need to talk. I'm ...

pregnant."
not sure the God you've taught me about all my life is real."
quitting college and moving in with my boyfriend."
leaving home. I'm tired of all your rules."

Many, many Christian parents who thought they were doing the right thing with their child for all their growing up years have had to hear hard words like these. The parents' hearts are torn apart. I'm not sure if there is any pain as difficult for a mother or father to endure than when their heart is breaking over their child who has gone astray.

What is a parent to do? Do you become more lenient in hopes that the child will change their mind? Do you beg and plead or try to convince them how wrong their thinking is? I certainly don't have the answers, but I know God's Word does.

In Luke 15 as we read about the prodigal son asking his father for his portion of his inheritance. The father gives it to him. He let him go. He knew that no talking would change his son; he needed to learn the hard way. We know that in the end of this story, the son does return home after enduring some difficult circumstances. "When he came to himself" (Luke 15:17, 18) he realized that he needed to return home. There was much time, I'm sure before the father saw his son return. While the son was gone, the father was, no doubt, praying for his prodigal. What did he pray?

A dear friend of mine recently shared how she has been praying for her wandering son. She asked that the Lord would do whatever was necessary for God to get his attention - even to the point of physical injury. Then as she pondered her prayer she was afraid the Lord would harm her younger child in order to get to the prodigal, and she became terrified at what could happen.

When we get so desperate for God to work, it's easy to forget that we don't have to figure things out. God isn't waiting for us to tell Him what to do. What He's really wanting is to allow this trial in our child's life to draw us closer to Him. We must realize that we need this trial! It makes us depend on God in a way we've never had to before. While we're pouring out our heart for our prodigal, it's drawing us nearer to the heart of our God. We must pray, remembering that God will act out of His goodness, His mercy, and His love. Pray and trust - don't worry.

Let me end by reminding you of some truths that you may have forgotten right now:

You are not alone in this difficulty.
God hears you when you pray, even though you don't see the fruit of your prayers right now. Keep praying.
God loves your child more than you do. Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
God will do what is best for your child and you can trust Him.
Hold the line biblically. Don't back down in order to win your child. Let God do His work in their heart.
Let your husband lead you. Women are often too emotionally attached and need their husband's wise leadership. Don't try to take over.
Don't be so ashamed that you can't ask other believers to pray for your child. Prayer is what they need most.
Saturate your heart in the Word daily - it's what you need most! Read and memorize Scripture!

Because I care,

What's Cookin' in the Parsonage?

2011-12-26T06:00:00.004-05:00

What a terrific Christmas we had! We had the blessing of having our older daughter, Whitney and her husband Paul with us, as well as my mother-in-law. How thankful we are to celebrate with family and share the joy of our Savior's birth!

What's been cooking in the parsonage? Well, on Christmas Eve I made:

Sausage Balls

Country Ham Biscuits

Avocado Dip

Corn Chips

Fresh Veggie Tray

Assorted Cookies

Christmas Day's menu:

Country ham

Herbed Turkey breast

Mashed Potatoes

Sweet Potato Casserole

Green Bean Casserole

Corn Saute'

Pear/Blue Cheese Salad

Angel Biscuits

Peppermint Punch/Iced Tea

Kentucky Derby Pie

Custard Pie

I'm sure it's the same at your house - everybody requests their favorite dishes or desserts. My mother-in-law made the comment after we ate - "All that cooking and baking for days, and it's over in an hour." But if you really love to cook, and you enjoy pleasing your family, it's truly a blessing. I enjoyed the preparation as much as sitting down with my family to share it together. The other truth is that we've been enjoying the fruits of the work for many days now and we'll enjoy the leftovers for many days to come!

I ordered the ham from a special place in my hometown - Winchester, Kentucky. It was sliced up in nice thin pieces, perfect for the ham biscuits on Christmas Eve, and also for serving as the second meat at Christmas dinner. It's not overly salty at all, but tender and delicious!

We had the added blessing, just as dinner started, of getting a quick phone call from Alli in Antigua! How sweet to hear that she's having a blessed Christmas day. They were headed to the beach for a picnic! Serving the Lord has many grace blessings along the way! Whitney, who is missing her little sister very much, was the one that got to speak with her during dinner (we'd had our chance on Christmas Eve). The phone call did not stop the rest of us from digging in! =) Her call reminded me of this verse: As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. Proverbs 25:25 How true.

The tablecloth on my table was given to me recently from my mom. It's been in our family since the early 80's when they lived in Georgetown, Kentucky. Each Christmas, whoever was there for the meal would sign their name and draw a little something - kind of like a guest book. Then my mom embroidered over it, and it now serves as a keepsake from year to year. This was my first Christmas to possess it and we had a good time reading the guest's names on the cloth. Then we each took our turns writing and drawing for this year's remembrance. It's up to me now to embroider over the pencil markings. I love this and am thankful to keep the tradition going. Thanks, Mom!

If you're going to have a New Year's Eve party and want an easy and yummy dip, try the Avocado Dip here. It's by Kraft and is so easy and so good! Also, the sausage balls are an old recipe that I hadn't made in years, but they are always a hit. They're great for breakfast, as well as an appetizer.

Avocado Dip

2 medium sized Avocados, peeled and mashed
1 8 oz pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 Tbl lemon juice
1 Tbl finely chopped onion
Dash Worcestershire sauce
pinch Salt

Mix cream cheese and avocado until creamy and smooth. Add remaining ingredients. Serve with tortilla chips. Keep refrigerated.

Sausage Balls

1 lb sausage, room temperature
10 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded
3 Cups baking mix

Mix sausage and cheese. Add baking mix, one cup at a time. Make into golf ball-sized balls. Bake at 325 degrees for 12 minutes or until browned. Serve warm.

It was a blessed Christmas, indeed. I'll share some other photos with you on Wednesday. Tell me about your Christmas. What made it special this year?

From my parsonage Kitchen,

Freshen Up Friday

2011-12-23T06:00:00.002-05:00

One evening this week I was in a store and I overheard two couples who were friends and had bumped into one another in the aisle chatting.

"How are you doing?" one woman asked.

"I'm worn out, just like everyone else at this time of year!" came the answer in a disgusted tone of voice.

This woman looked and sounded like Scrooge. "Ba-humbug!" She had let everything crowd in on her instead of focusing on what was most important.

Today is Christmas Eve's eve. How are you feeling, friend? Tired? Stressed out? Overwhelmed? Has there been so much busyness going on that you're just ready for Christmas to be over with? If so, can I encourage you to take time today to just stop and be still? Refresh your heart for Christmas by getting your Bible and finding a spot to be alone with the Lord, perhaps in front of the Christmas tree. Open to Luke 2 and slowly read the Christmas story. Ponder what sights and sounds you would hear as you join the shepherds on the starry hillside. Would a cold wind be blowing through the stable where Mary and Joseph were caring for baby Jesus? What baby-like sounds would come from his mouth? Can you hear Him? Think about the awe of stooping over the manger to peek inside, and rejoice as Simeon and Anna did at His coming.

The devil would love for us to be so sidetracked with our preparations for Christmas that we never stop to behold the Babe. Be refreshed in your heart and your Christmas spirit by spending time adore Him. You'll leave that place ready to finish things up with a right heart and a sweet attitude. A crabby woman at Christmas isn't such a pretty package!

Merry Christmas!

With love,

Finding What's Lost

2011-12-22T06:00:00.023-05:00

This past Tuesday morning I was in a mad search through my house looking for some money that I had lost. It's not like me to lose things, but the truth is, I could not think of where it would be! I had opened a stack of mail and piled the envelopes on the coffee table. Then I remembered taking the empty envelopes to...THE TRASH! It seemed very logical that I had also dumped the cash that was in my hand into the trash with the envelopes. And so my sweet husband went out (on his own kind initiative) and got the trash bag from the day before, and proceeded to sift through the coffee grounds and banana peels until he found the stack of envelopes. However, the search came up empty. No cash. ~sigh~

I tore the house apart, straightening drawers in the process of looking for the currency. As I searched, the Lord brought to my mind the parable I had recently read in my reading through the Gospels; it is the parable of The Lost Coin in Luke 15:8, 9 What woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? While I was looking high and low, the Lord was speaking to my heart about my lack of diligence to look that fervently for sinners that need the Savior. It was very convicting. I fail at this over and over again.

Meanwhile, the search continued and I decided that I would go to the trash and have another look - just in case my husband had missed it. Ooooo, nastiness and filth! The trashcan? You've got to be kidding me? I am not a dumpster diver and have no desire to begin now, but this was a valuable loss and I needed to find it, so I, too, fingered through the bag of trash we had recently disposed of...piece by piece. Nothing but trash was found.

I heard the Lord's voice in my heart as I came inside...Would you be willing to get dirty to give the Gospel to someone? Would you do what you normally would not do so that someone else might hear the Truth? Wow.

I continued to pray that the Lord would reveal the place where the lost money was. In a last ditch effort, I had retraced my steps from the day before, then decided to head across the hall to Allison's bedroom, which is of course vacated in her absence. As I neared her dressing table, I looked with disbelief. There it was, tucked underneath some Christmas cards that had come for her. I began calling to my husband, "I found it!" You can't imagine the relief and the happiness at the discovery!

Then, once again, a verse from the parable came to mind - And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. What joy there is in seeing a soul saved! There is rejoicing in heaven as well as on earth!

It really doesn't matter how that money got to that dressing table; I know the Lord allowed it to teach me a very real lesson. I need to give a more desperate search for sinners that need my Savior.

I don't know if you've ever lost something of value and scoured through the house looking for it, but it is exhausting (and dirty) work! May you and I go after lost souls with at least as much earnestness, and then come rejoicing when the lost has been found! Christmas lends itself to many opportunities to share the Gospel with others. Ask the Lord to make you aware of those opportunities and to see the "lost coins" that are all around you.

With love,

A Peek Inside the Parsonage

2011-12-21T06:00:00.012-05:00

This is what Christmas inside the parsonage looks like this year. Come on in for a look around...

Let's step into every one's favorite place to gather - the kitchen!

Here's my little skinny kitchen tree decorated with cookie cutters

My plate rack holds my Christmas dishes. Here is also a beautiful Christmas potholder
made by one of the dear ladies in our church

Part of my snowmen collection is here on my kitchen shelf.

I love this sign about hearts going home for Christmas...it's so true!

A friend gave me this sign not knowing I have an affinity for snowmen!

Now, down the hall to the guest room... it's really the only bedroom decorated for Christmas,

but its colors are perfect for it!

Love my little vintage-looking tree in the guest room.

Here are the Christmas touches in the living room.

I tried adding lots of white things in here this year.

The porcelain booties is the ornament we got to remember our Ashley who has enjoyed Christmas in heaven
with Christ for 24 years!

Love the battery operated lights I got at Michael's!
They've been in several different arrangements since summer!

The piano acts as my mantle in the living room. Love this snow girl! Isn't she cute?!

The Christmas tree reflects into the mirror on the piano!

My talented mom painted this. I hang it above the piano during the winter months. ~Love~

This is the foyer table in my entryway. The guest book is awaiting your signature!

Know what we'd say if you came to visit?

Thanks for stopping by!

From inside my "Christmasy" Parsonage,

The Reason for Every Season

2011-12-20T06:00:00.010-05:00

I'm sure it's always been an issue that people tend to get so busy at Christmas, that they don't focus on what Christmas is really all about. I remember when the saying

Jesus is the reason for the season

became really popular. It was on lapel pins, church signs, platters, cards and plaques. The rhyming sentence made us refocus, if but for a moment, so we could reconsider and, if necessary, restructure our activities and make much of Christ. He is indeed the reason for the season of Christmas.

As we celebrate this week, we need to keep that focus on Christ uppermost in our hearts, not only now, but also as the holiday passes and we move on to a new year. We can't forget that because Christ came as a baby, He is the reason for EVERY season.

He is to be our focus in the season when we are young women. It is Christ Who gives strength to youth. Our energies are to be poured out for His glory.

He is to be the center of my marriage. His love for me is my example in loving my husband.

He is to be our focus in the season of motherhood. He is the reason we train our children.

In middle age, the Lord makes the changes that come changes that can be accepted and even embraced, knowing He has a plan for my life - and for my grown children.

As we age, we find ourselves thinking more about eternity and heaven, and a relationship with Christ makes the golden years reminders of what is awaiting us when we will see our Savior.

He is the reason for the season of grief or rejoicing, trouble or joy, prosperity or financial struggle.

Whatever season of life you find yourself in today, remember that Jesus is the reason for your season of life! He will supply for you. He will guide you. He will sustain you. He will empower you. He will work in you...because He's the reason for even this season. Rejoice in that truth today!

With love,

What's Cookin' in the Parsonage?

2011-12-19T06:00:00.000-05:00

We celebrated our first of two Christmases that we will have this year. Because Allison was heading out on a mission's trip to Antigua (they left this morning), we had an early celebration with her this weekend. Only the Lord could work out all the details of:

allowing her to have the opportunity to go on a mission's trip, which all happened last minute
provide so that she could still accompany our choir's cantata on Sunday
Allow us time together as a family

We had a sweet time together enjoying all our family traditions, while rejoicing in our hearts that Christ's birth has such an impact in our everyday lives. It is because of Him that we do what we do. He is the center of our home and hearts, and nothing is more fulfilling!

Saturday night I tried a new dessert - Toffee Cheesecake Bars from my Dec/Jan issue of Healthy Cooking, put out by Taste of Home. Who doesn't love cheesecake? But seriously, if you want to try to eat healthy, one piece can have more calories than you should take in in a day! These bars have 169 calories and 9 g fat! They are super simple to put together, and they are DELICIOUS!

Toffee Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1/3 cup baking cocoa
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup cold butter
1 package (8 ounces) reduced-fat cream cheese
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/4 cups milk chocolate English toffee bits, divided

Directions

In a small bowl, combine the flour, confectioners' sugar, cocoa and baking soda. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press onto the bottom of an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes or until set.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Add the milk, eggs and vanilla; beat until smooth. Stir in 3/4 cup toffee bits. Pour over crust. Bake 18-22 minutes longer or until center is almost set.

Cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining toffee bits; cool completely. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. Yield: 2-1/2 dozen.

Sunday dinner had to be on the table quickly because Allison and her sister (who sweetly brought Allison home), had to get on the road to get Allison back to Greenville for a commissioning service early Sunday evening. I found another new recipe in the Healthy Cooking Magazine to try for our dinner that could be made ahead of time. I made Provolone Ziti Bake. I assembled it all on Saturday, then popped it into my oven on Time Bake so it would be ready when we got home from church. We all really like it. I'm always happy to find another recipe to add to my Sunday menus!

My Menu:

Provolone Ziti Bake

Mandarin Orange Salad

Parmesan Toasted French Bread

Toffee Cheesecake Bars

Provolone Ziti Bake - The changes I made to the recipe was to use half the noodles, but still two cans of tomatoes. I also used the Fire-roasted variety for a little more flavor. It made a full 8x10 dish!

Provolone Ziti Bake

Ingredients:

1 medium onion, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 cans (28 ounces each) Italian crushed tomatoes
1-1/2 cups water
1/2 cup dry red wine or reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 package (16 ounces) ziti or small tube pasta
8 slices provolone cheese

Directions

In a Dutch oven, saute onion in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the tomatoes, water, wine, sugar and basil. Bring to a boil; remove from the heat. Stir in ziti.

Transfer to a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Cover and bake at 350° for 1 hour. Top with cheese. Bake, uncovered, 4-6 minutes longer or until ziti is tender and cheese is melted. Yield: 8 servings.

I love this Mandarin Orange Salad! It's a nice change from a standard tossed salad.
I've shared this with you before, but thought I'd add the recipe again.

Mandarin Orange Salad

Dressing:
1/4 cup wine vinegar
1/2 cup oil
1 tbl sugar
salt and pepper to taste

3 3/4 oz. slivered almonds
2 tbl sugar

1 head lettuce, chopped
1/2 cup chopped green onions w/tops
1/4 cup chopped celery
1 11 oz. can mandarin oranges, drained

Combine vinegar, oil, 1 tbl. sugar, salt and pepper in bowl; mix well. Combine almonds with 2 tbl sugar in skillet. Cook over low heat until sugar melts and almonds are coated and light brown, stirring constantly. Cool to room temperature. Combine lettuce, green onions, celery, mandarin oranges, and caramelized almonds in salad bowl. Add dressing at serving time, tossing gently to mix well.

I'm sure your kitchen has been as busy as mine with Christmas just around the corner. What kind of yummy things are you baking and cooking? I'd love to hear about it!

From my parsonage kitchen,

Freshen Up Friday

2011-12-16T06:00:00.000-05:00

One of the best things about holidays are the traditions that go with them. They create special family ties and memories that can't be replaced by anything electronic! They will long be remembered by your family with, "Remember how we always..."

One special tradition that has special memories for me was at Christmastime when my mom would purchase a taper candle and make 25 notches in it to mark each day in December, counting down to Christmas. Each night at supper, we would burn the candle to the next notch. It was such fun to have the flickering candle on the table and watch to see that it didn't burn past its allotted mark. My sisters and I would take turns blowing it out each night. We knew how close Christmas was, simply by seeing how small the candle was getting with each passing day! I carried this tradition to my family as well, maybe more for myself and the sentiment it brought. I trust my girls remember it with fondness as I do.

If you're looking for a fun tradition, why not find a short taper candle (since it's more than half way through the month) and mark it for the remaining days 'til Christmas? Not only does it create a memory for your family, it also provides family time at the dinner table. You could also use the flame to create conversation about Jesus, the Light of the world. Perhaps each evening you could also read some Scripture about Christ's light and explain what it means.

Family times need refreshment, and a great way to experience that is with traditions - maybe even a new one! By the way, this isn't just for children, a couple, young or old, could hold this same tradition and make special memories together.

What traditions do you hold or remember having?

Be refreshed,

Terrific!

2011-12-15T06:00:00.015-05:00

Last weekend I had the joy of taking my four and five year-old Sunday school class to the nursing home where we sang, recited a poem, and then my husband gave a short Bible challenge to a group of the residents. Here the children are getting ready to sing. Are they precious, or what?

While they were singing, one of the sweet female residents came in, and with each step she took closer to the children she said, "This is terrific! Terrific! Terrific! You're terrific! He's terrific!" Then she walked up to each child as she made her way down the line, cupped their face in her hands and said to each one, "Pretty, pretty, pretty!" The children were so kind to her and weren't afraid. I think it was due to her sweet nature. It was apparent that she was in this particular locked down area of the nursing home for a reason, but I have to tell you, I have thought about that dear lady all week. You know, some people grow old and crabby, but this sweet lady had obviously spent her life looking for things to praise, and now that she didn't quite have all her mind, she was still in that same attitude!

While reading through Luke 15 this week I found over and over the words joy and rejoicing. Verses 4/5 say, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

Verse 7a -I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth.

Verses 8, 9 say Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.

Verses 23, 24 add - Bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

Heaven is a place of joy and rejoicing. Jesus has joy and He came to give us joy. He said in John 15: 11- These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. We may think we have reason to be downhearted today, but that's not what Jesus wants for us! Joy and rejoicing should be a part of every day for the believer. If there's nothing in your life to be joyful about, look to heaven and rejoice over sinners coming to Christ. Rejoice in the birth of Christ. Rejoice in the coming of our Savior - it will be soon! Rejoice in the things around you that are "pretty, pretty, pretty!" Encourage others by telling them how "terrific" they are!

The truth is, we will be what we have been becoming. Will you and I be "little old ladies" of praise? If so, we better be praising now. Take a look around - things really are "terrific!"

With love,

A Peek Inside the Parsonage

2011-12-14T06:00:00.010-05:00

Every year when we put our Christmas tree up in the parsonage, my husband and I, together, hang the ornament that says, Our First Christmas, then we exchange a kiss. It's a tradition that we've held all these 30 Christmases.

This side of the ornament reads - "Christmas is the season for sharing the spirit of Love"

However, last year Our ornament had a little fall onto the hardwood floor and broke. ~Sadness~ We were able to glue it at the bottom (notice the crack in the bottom of the ornament in the picture above). From that side it doesn't look too bad - just a little flaw. But...

the other side had major damage that wouldn't hold together with glue. Its ugly fix is a piece of scotch tape that's bridging the huge gap with the jagged edges. There was NO WAY I was going to throw that piece of sentimentality in the trash! We'd shared too many memories with that piece of glass! The simple answer is to turn the taped side to the back of the tree! Who will know? (Only my sweet blog readers!)

I think our ornament is a pretty good representation of all marriages. At times it looks great to all that behold it. Oh, there may be a little crack somewhere, but that's to be expected. After all - each spouse comes into that relationship with all kinds of extra baggage and it takes time and true love to work through those things. But if you flipped that marriage over and gave it a closer inspection, you may see a huge hole due to some very hard crisis that has hit their home. They could throw the whole thing in the trash and get a divorce, but they know that the Lord has put them together. So now, with the "tape" of God's Word, His love forgiveness, and maybe also His servant that gave some godly counseling, they've stuck together. There are scars, but those will be overlooked in time, both by one another and those that watched while they suffered through the hardship.

Every marriage has cracks, and though yours may seem to be bigger than another couples', stay in it for the long haul. With the Lord's help get the "tape" necessary to keep your relationship secure. Our marriage is no different than yours, it has cracks from falls over the years, but what a blessing that we can still "hang" together!

From inside the parsonage windows,

Lights That Shine

2011-12-13T06:00:00.015-05:00

One day last week my husband and I were driving through a neighborhood. As we passed by one home I could see many, many lights in the yard. There were white cords hanging over bushes and fences, as well as brown plugs and extensions dangling from the rooftop like loose teeth in a first grader's mouth. There was nothing attractive about it. As we drove past, I considered what I had just seen, and knew that in a few hours when darkness fell, that little shabby house with the tangle of cords would be transformed into a twinkling fairyland.

What a vivid reminder that illustration is in our spiritual lives. What looks to us like a tangled, ugly mess and arrives in the form of trials, troubles, disasters, difficulties, hardships or confusion can be turned into a thing of beauty when the darkness falls. It's not until things get truly dark that our light can shine. When we show our trust in the Lord and His Word in the midst of hard times, no longer is the mess seen because our light is shining instead. Ye are the light of the world. Matthew 5:14

What are others seeing in our lives...the mess of the dangling cords? Or are they seeing our light that points them to the One Who is able to make beauty from ashes? That will only happen if we are reacting to the trials with trust in our sovereign God. That doesn't mean we don't have questions, but even in the midst of asking the Lord what He wants to teach us, we must be nodding with the understanding that whatever He is up to, He will make it beautiful in His time. While we wait, though, we can let our lights shine!

With love,

What's Cookin' in the Parsonage?

2011-12-12T06:00:00.002-05:00

We weren't in the parsonage this weekend, but I had the blessing of having Sunday dinner in my sister, Sharee's home yesterday! My husband and I got to go to Kentucky where we attended church with my parents, then had dinner with Sharee afterwards (while her poor hubby was at work missing out!). The meal was so good, and served in a lovely way, but the best thing was sitting around the table in the comfy chairs talking and laughing for a nice long while. Family times - they're rare...and precious!

Sharee found a new lasagna recipe a couple of years ago that is now her favorite. It came from Southern Living (their recipes are always keepers!). It was delicious.

One thing I like about being in someone else's kitchen is learning about new/different products. She served a tossed salad and offered a Balsamic Vinaigrette by Ken's that I am going to have to look for; it was a nice change from the creamy dressings I usually have on hand.

Her menu:

Classic Lasagna

Tossed Salad

Rolls

Peppermint Ice Cream with Chocolate Sauce

Lovely and so good!!!

Sharee told me that one time-saving method in this lasagna recipe is the way they tell you to cook the noodles; you pour boiling water over the noodles that are in a 9x13 pan and let them set for 15 minutes. How easy is that?! She also likes the recipe better using small curd cottage cheese instead of the ricotta cheese that it calls for. This was really good lasagna. If you need a little boost to your old standard recipe, this would be a great replacement!

Thanks, Sharee, for a great recipe and a wonderful, relaxing afternoon!

What was cooking in your kitchen this week?

With love,

Freshen Up Friday

2011-12-09T06:00:00.001-05:00

Think for a moment about what the entryway to your house looks like right now. I don't mean "the company door" that's seldom used, but the door you and your family frequent when you return home. Is it the door off the garage? A side or back door that no one but your family uses? At our house, we have a door that opens up from our bedroom onto the driveway. We use that door most because of its easy access and good lighting. I realized the other day that it could use some sprucing up.

It's easy to pop a pretty wreath onto the front door, but neglect the door that's probably used more than any other - the one that welcomes your family home every single day. On this Friday, why not step out there and take a look around and then take a few minutes to freshen it up.

Have the fall leaves been swept away?
Do you need a new welcome mat? After all the most important people in the world come through that door!
Have you placed a Christmas wreath on that door?
Does that glass need a good cleaning?
Can you add a decorative touch that will show your family you care - or just make you smile when you arrive home?
If the door is in the garage, is there clutter around the door that needs to be ~~pitched~~ addressed?

Here are a few pics of what I did to our side entryway yesterday...

It's a little hard to see because the sun was shining so beautifully, but I hung a Christmas decoration on the door with a little sign included that says, "Home sweet home".

I added my old milk delivery box with some greenery, pine cones, bow, and a yard lantern
that will glow and give us a little light for entry at nighttime.

Here's a closer look at the milk box.

So, what will you do to freshen up your entryway?

See you in church!

Be refreshed,

An Appointed Time

2011-12-08T06:00:00.002-05:00

Yesterday morning I woke up with an old memory very fresh in my mind. I was reminded of a day when I was a 13 year-old girl living in Winchester, Kentucky. I had gone to my bedroom to hang my jacket on the hook on the back of my door. I tilted my head back and lifted my arms to raise my coat up, and when I did, the sour ball candy that was in my mouth slid down my throat like a speeding bowling ball on a well-greased lane. I couldn't cough, gasp or breathe. It was STUCK in my windpipe.

I ran into the kitchen where my mother was getting ready to cook supper. I pointed to my throat, unable to make a sound. I was frantic, of course, and she couldn't understand exactly what was going on. I bent over and pointed at my back while motioning for her to hit me to try to dislodge the candy. Beating did no good, of course, but now understanding that I was choking, she told me to put my hand down my throat and try to dislodge what was there. At this time I was picturing the ambulance that would inevitably have to come and take me to the hospital because of my inability to breathe. Desperate, I did what my mother said, and stuck my hand down my throat to try to move the obstruction. Miraculously, my finger touched it, got behind it, and then sent it sailing across the room. Air! It seemed like an eternity since I'd had any.

What relief my mother and I both felt, realizing that things could have gotten very serious in just a matter of minutes. That experience did two things for me -

It made me turn down any round candy ever offered to me after that!
It made me realize the truth that until God is ready for my life to end, He will leave me here.

The flip-side of that is also true - when God is ready to call me home, nothing will keep me here. Our days are written in God's book. " It is appointed unto man once to die" Hebrews 9 says. That's why we must each be sure that we know Christ as our own Savior; it could happen in a moment.

I'm sure the reason the memory of my choking was on my mind is due to the many in our church family that have recently suffered some sort of physical trauma. It's frightening to see a loved one go through something like this, to see them on the brink of death, wondering if each breath will be their last. We need to be reminded of the Truth that God is in the heavens and will do what pleases Him. Whatever that is, it will be good. It will be just. It will be right, because He is good, just and right.

You and I can trust Him today for our life, and the lives of those we love. None of us will leave this world until God so ordains, and on the day that that happens, it will be His perfect plan, complete with His sufficient grace.

With love,

A Peek Inside the Parsonage

2011-12-07T06:00:00.009-05:00

When I was growing up I had a Santa mug similar to the mug pictured on the right. It was so special when it was brought out, because it meant it was Christmastime! I enjoyed my milk or hot chocolate every day in my special mug.

I carried that tradition to my own family. We have special Christmas mugs that belonged to each of us. You didn't dare drink your coffee out of the "wrong" mug in the morning! =) We also had Christmas plates and bowls that we used throughout December.

The tradition of dishes at holidays wasn't restricted only to Christmas. The girls also had Brambley Hedge dishes that their Nana got them that they always used on their birthdays.

Summer for Allison's August birthday

and my favorite - Autumn for Whitney's September birthday.
(I keep forgetting to give this to her, but I will some day! It just looks so cute in my fall display!)

I even have plates with a heart in the middle that my husband and I use in February for Valentine's Day!

Dishes are a great way to make family traditions and create special memories. Use the same bowl for Family popcorn night, a special turkey platter at Thanksgiving and Christmas, or a snowman tray for Christmas cookies Those dishes will build treasured memories that will stay in the hearts of your family longer than the Christmas gifts lasted. Those pieces of ceramic or china will be something they can pass down to their children - if not in a tangible way, at least in their hearts.

Do you have dishes that carry a special memory for you?

From inside my parsonage windows,

Christmas Hospitality

2011-12-06T06:00:00.007-05:00

Last years' tree

Is it "beginning to look a lot like Christmas" at your house? I don't have my tree up yet, but I did get out all my other decorations. Taking a look around my home I see greenery, white lights, pine cones, bows, wreaths, nativity sets, snow globes, snowmen, candles, berries, stockings, and small trees. Our houses get "decked" out at this time of year, don't they? What better time than Christmas to invite folks over? Need a couple reasons why? Read on...
1. When you've gone to so much trouble to get everything sparkling and gleaming with decorations, you've already taken care of getting the house ready for guests!

2. There are usually enough snacks and treats in our kitchens to fill the neighborhood - so go ahead - fill the neighborhood! Invite your neighbors over!

The Lord brought this idea to my mind yesterday. We're going to pass out invitations to our neighbors for a drop-in party. I'll serve cookies and punch and we'll have the opportunity to have them in our home and share the love of Christ.

3. Christmas is the perfect time to share the Gospel. When you have guests in your home and you're in your own surroundings, it will be easier for opportunities to share the Gospel to open up!

4. We are commanded in Scripture to be hospitable. Hebrews 13:2

I've been studying the second chapter of James, and the last half of the chapter goes into deep discussion about how faith without works is DEAD. Yep. It's as lifeless as my stuffed snowmen. "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." James 2:26 One of the best ways to show our faith is to be hospitable to others. Verse 15-17 says, If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Since we are alive in Christ, we need to show it through our works, and hospitality is a wonderful way in which we can do that. Here are some great links for clever get-togethers at Christmas. These are fun and creative! This link has ideas like "Ugly Christmas Sweater party" or a Gift-Wrapping party. How fun that would be! Don't keep it easy and invite only your close friends and family - invite new people at church, your neighbors, or lost co-workers.

Want to be like Abraham, who was called The Friend of God? Demonstrate your faith to others. Be hospitable today. Watch the blessings that come from it tomorrow.

With love,

What's Cookin' in the Parsonage?

2011-12-05T06:00:00.020-05:00

The best thing cooking at the parsonage yesterday was sweet fellowship and warm memories! We had the blessing of having dear friends visit us; The Blevins, from our ministry in Indiana! Being with them and reminiscing made me even more excited about heaven! Think of all the, "Remember when God did...?" that we will share with one another! There will be no time constraint, either! Wow! We had a great time with our friends talking about blessings of salvations, growth and what God is doing now. it made me realize once again the fruit that comes from sharing the Gospel. It was wonderful! How blessed we are that they made coming to see us a part of their vacation! Please come back, Blevins'!

We got to have them in our home for dinner - another blessing! Here was my menu:

Baked Almond Chicken

Mashed Potatoes

Green Beans

Corn Pudding

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Quick Yeast Rolls

Chocolate Sheet Cake with Mint Ice Cream

This normally succulent chicken dish was a bit overcooked because I didn't take into consideration that we were having communion at church, so the service lasted longer. It was a great service; the only thing that wasn't blessed by it was my chicken! I don't think I'll make this on Sunday again, but normally this is a really elegant chicken dish!

Baked Almond Chicken

1/2 C all purpose flour

1/3 C plus 1 T butter or margarine, melted, divided

1 tsp celery salt

1 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1/4 tsp pepper

6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves

1-1/2 cups whipping cream

1/3 C dry bread crumbs

3/4 C sliced almonds, toasted

Place flour in a shallow bowl. Combine 1/3 C butter and seasonings in another bowl. Coat chicken with flour, then dip in butter mixture. Arrange in a greased shallow 3 qt baking dish. Pour cream around chicken. Bake, uncovered at 350 for 45 minutes.

Combine bread crumbs and remaining butter; sprinkle over chicken. Top with almonds. Bake, uncovered, for 5-9 minutes. The recipe recommends serving this over pasta, which would be really good!

This is a bit blurry, but I had to zoom in so you could see one hot out of the oven. This is when these yeast rolls are best...oh, and with butter!

Quick Yeast Rolls
1 Cup boiling water
1 tsp salt
6 T shortening
1/4 cup sugar
1 pkg yeast dissolved in 2 T lukewarm water
3 1/2 C flour
1 egg

Combine boiling water, shortening, salt and sugar in a bowl. Cool to lukewarm. Add egg, yeast mixture and half of the flour. Beat well and then add rest of the flour. Roll out and shape in rolls. Place in greased pan or muffins tins. Let rise 1 hour and bake at 400 degrees 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.

After the dough has risen, I cut each roll out with a cookie cutter so they are the same size, then...

I cut each circle into thirds and roll each piece into a ball, and place them into the muffin tin to make clover leaf rolls.

Have you made a Texas Sheet Cake? It's one of my favorite chocolate cakes! However, I found a recipe for it in my Cooking Light Cookbook that tastes exactly like the standard recipe, with less fat and calories! Please try this if you love chocolate cake!

I've found this cake keeps best in the fridge. As soon as you pour the icing on the warm cake, pop it into the fridge uncovered until the icing hardens, then cover it with Syran Wrap.

I also like this cake because it feeds a crowd. I made dinner for friends on Saturday, so this cake made plenty for us and plenty to share!

What have you been cooking in your kitchen? Did you have guests for dinner recently? If it's been a while, start praying about whom the Lord would have you invite over. You'll be reminded that it is truly a blessing to serve others.

From my parsonage kitchen,

Freshen Up Friday

2011-12-02T06:00:00.006-05:00

What a beautiful embellishment a bow is on a package or wreath. I attended a Christmas Memories class at a lovely shop here in Johnson City yesterday and watched as the instructor immensely changed the look of a wreath simply by changing out the bow. It adds "that final touch," doesn't it?

As we plunge into the Christmas season, maybe we need to be reminded what a lovely embellishment a Christlike spirit is to the world. Oh, that people would see the Lord in our actions and responses, hear Him in our speech, and learn of Him by our conversation. Without Christ we're just like a plain brown box with no bow. But when we reflect Him, our life shines like the lights on the brightest Christmas tree in town!

I've had so many tell me they struggle with bow-making, so I thought I'd refresh your Friday (and your packages and wreaths!) with a lesson. I hope you can see the steps clearly. I made video tape, but with the way the video responded on yesterday's blog, I ditched that idea! So, here are step by step pictures for you. Grab a piece of wired ribbon and try to make one as you follow the steps.

Begin by leaving a "tail" hanging down

Scrunch up the ribbon and pinch it between your thumb and index finger.

Take the non-tail end and make a small loop around your thumb. This is the little loop in the middle of the bow. Add it to the ribbon between your thumb and index finger.

Just a shot of scrunching and pinching the ribbon between your fingers.

Take the long end and make your first loop by moving the ribbon away from you to the back of the bow. The bigger the loop, the bigger your bow will be. Scrunch and pinch between fingers.

Now make a loop on the other side the same size as the first loop.

Keep making loops - first on one side then the other side. Hold that ribbon between your thumb and index finger!!! =)
Make an odd number of loops. I made 7 on this bow.

Using wire, a pipe cleaner (for wreaths) or ribbon for packages, insert down in the middle of the first little middle loop, then bring it around to the back.

Twist or tie tightly.

Cut the ribbon so that the tails are even.

Fold the tail in half and cut up at an angle to get the "V" shape.

Here's my ugly bow before FLUFFING! See how all the loops are on the sides? Move them around so that some are on top, sides and bottom. Like this...

Pop the wire in the ribbon open so the bow fluffs out. Look at that beautiful bow! Yay for you!!!

I asked my husband to sit down with a piece of ribbon and read my instructions and try to make a bow (he's such a good sport!). He told me he'd make a bow because he's my "beau." =)

Here's his first attempt to ever make a bow (ok and probably his last)...

What do you think? I give him an "A"! I know he's still going to use gift bags and tissue paper this Christmas, but hey, he proved my point - anyone can make a bow! (Thanks, Honey!)

So how did you do? If you have questions, leave them for me on the comments and I'll try to help!

See you in church!

Be refreshed,