Scarecrow Cookies to Make with the Kids October 30, 2009

Are these the most adorable fall cookies ever?  I’m looking forward to making them with some of my grandchildren next week!  If you don’t have small children, perhaps you could consider borrowing some one day — or perhaps make a batch to distribute to some special children in your life to celebrate fall.

Ingredients

• Cookies (make or purchase them; about 2 1/2 inches in diameter)
• White frosting
• Assorted sugar wafers (about 2 1/2 inches long)
• Candy corn

• Mini chocolate chips or mini M&M’s
• Bran cereal or Shredded Wheat
• Chocolate sprinkles

Instructions

1. Frost the top of each cookie.
2. Cut a sugar wafer in half. Add a dollop of frosting to the top edge of the cookie and stick a wafer half to it for a hat top, as shown.

3. Place a whole sugar wafer just below the hat top for a brim. Use a little more frosting to decorate it with slices of candy corn or mini    chocolate chips.

4. Press pieces of bran or shredded wheat cereal hair into the frosting around the hat.

5.  For the face, press on a candy corn nose, mini chocolate chip eyes, and a chocolate sprinkle stitched mouth.

Don’t forget to take pictures! Several reviewers of this recipe said the cookies are actually this adorable when they made them.  Hey — if you do so, send us a pic and maybe we can show yours off!

Happy Fall!!

Posted by Sheree

A Florida fall…or is it summer still? October 28, 2009

What is it about that first hint of cool weather that makes me run to Starbucks for a Pumpkin Spice Latte, pull my winter clothes from storage, reminisce about the many wonderful holiday traditions that randomly pop into my mind…and begin panicking about going Christmas shopping? Of course we all know in Florida the weather is going to be sweltering again the next day but we choose to ignore this and pretend as if fall is HERE – and here to STAY! You are more than welcome to join me in pretending – I’m currently wearing a scarf to spite the weatherman…ha! 

While we’re in the pumpkin-recipe-makin’ mood, check out another fun one from my friend Jessica Britt that I can’t wait to make! If you make these, will you send me a picture of your creations?? 

PUMPKIN CUPCAKES

1 butter or yellow cake mix

1 tsp. vanilla

3 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1 pack (four individual cartons) of pre-made vanilla pudding

1 can of caramel apple pie filling (chopped)

1 bag of caramels

Cream cheese frosting, divided 

Follow directions on box cake mix. Add vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, pudding, and caramel apple filling. Grease Cavity Fluted Tube Pan (Wilton’s, can be bought at Wal-Mart). Fill each “hole” 3/4 full. Bake as directed. Once baking is finished, remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 –10 minutes. Remove from pan and place on cooling rack. Once cupcakes are completely cooled, frost.  

For frosting. Mold caramel (can easily be done with knife and fingers) into pumpkin stems and leaves. Ice leaves with frosting (colored green). Ice cupcakes with orange frosting. Once cupcakes are iced, place leaves and stems on each cupcake. 

And besides anything pumpkin, fall conjures up visions of caramel apples, apple pies and hot chocolate (anyone notice a running theme here?!). One of my FAVORITE fall recipes is my mom’s Cheesy Chicken Vegetable Soup. For those of you who own a copy of Metro Life Church’s Cookbook, you can also find the recipe there. 

CHEESY CHICKEN VEGETABLE SOUP

1 3-lb chicken, cooked and boned

5 cups chicken broth

1 medium onion, chopped

2 cups chopped carrots

2 cups chopped celery

2 cups diced potatoes

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1 bay leaf

4 chicken bouillon cubes

1 16 oz pkg processed cheese spread 

Combine chicken, broth, onion, carrots, celery, potatoes, salt, pepper, bay leaf & bouillon cubes in large stock pot. Simmer until vegetables are tender, and while you’re waiting, give your mama a quick call to let her know you love her.  Cut cheese into chunks and add to soup, stirring until melted.  Yields 8 servings of the yummiest chicken soup!           

Jennifer (soon-to-be) Fountain

A Rumbly In My Tumbly October 26, 2009

I love Winnie The Pooh, and so do my grandchildren.  He loves to eat and sweets are his choice for treats!  The song he sings whenever he’s craving something is, “There’s a rumbly in my tumbly.  It’s time for something sweet to eat!”

This week (and next) we’re going to talk about those rumblies, and what we crave this time of year.  We’ll be sharing with you our favorite Fall Recipes.  So, if you’re in need of a boost to motivate you in the kitchen, heat up some hot apple cider and cozy up to our blog.  You might find a new family favorite!

My daughter started a food recipe blog titled, My Delicious Life, and she just posted a recipe for Iced Pumpkin Cookies she calls, “insanely delicious”.  Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup cooked, pureed pumpkin (fresh or canned)
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups unbleached allpurpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon (heaping)
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• Pinch all spice
• Pinch cloves
• 1 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped (omit)
• 1 cup raisins (omit)

Icing:

• 2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla (omit)
• 1 teaspoon triple sec
• 1/2 teaspoon orange zest
• 4 oz cream cheese
• 3 tablespoons whipping cream, fresh orange juice or rum

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add pumpkin, egg and vanilla and mix well. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir into butter mixture until well blended. Add nuts and raisins. Drop by teaspoonful onto parchment covered baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. Bake about 15 minutes, or until golden. Cool.  **Mine took 17 minutes and turned out perfect!**

Icing: Cream confectioners’ sugar and butter. Add remaining ingredients and beat until smooth. (If icing is too thin, add more confectioners’ sugar; if too thick, add more cream, orange juice or rum.) Drizzle over cookies.

Recipe courtesy of Beth Setrakian (FoodNetwork)

Modifications by Tracy Lytle

Posted by Debi

When Boasting is a Good Thing (Pt 3) October 23, 2009

So let’s think about this again: do you find it hard to receive encouragement in areas of your life that remain in need of more change?  Do you rarely (if ever) sense the Holy Spirit bringing to your attention evidences of growth in your life?    When you read a book or hear a sermon, do you consistently feel convicted about your sin or need to grow without also seeing areas where God is at work?

Perhaps it’s time to stop and preach the gospel to yourself.  Let’s revisit the four  illustrations I used on Wednesday to see what gospel-centered thinking could look like:

• Yes, I’ve neglected some areas of home management recently but I am much more organized and hard working than I used to be.
• Ugh…those old patterns of procrastination are still in need of God’s help and I need to thank my co-worker for bringing those undone tasks to my attention.  But with God’s help I am becoming more dependable and this request from my boss is an evidence of that grace.
• I need to continue to put to death impatience and self-righteousness toward my child, yet it’s been a long time since I erupted in anger.
• Last week exposed vestiges of poor planning with meals for my family but looking over the past year is a reminder of how things have changed since I was newly married.

As I mentioned on Monday, God has gently given me glimpses of how my womanly duties are less of a burden and more of a delight.  I finally stopped arguing and started thanking Him.  What a joy to share with Benny what I was sensing from the Lord and have him agree!  I have to admit, this is something I’m still learning to do.  It feels awkward and self-congratulatory until I start talking.  Then the joy of the Lord takes hold and I find my heart (and speech) applauding God’s gracious and tenacious work in my life.  Despite remaining sin in my life, His grace is triumphing and the gospel is having its unstoppable affect. Why not draw attention to such amazing grace???

So boast away!  That’s giving glory to the One who said He would complete the good work He began in us.  He started the work.  He is finishing it.  He receives all the credit for demonstrating His power to change our sinful hearts.

The truth is He’s at work in you, too.  (I know many of you who read our little blog…and His work in you is so obvious!)  Stop and think about an area in your life that used to be consistently weak or riddled with sin:  where laziness, fear of man, selfishness, pride, anger, or immoral thoughts or deeds once characterized you.  Now consider how different you are today than then.  Not perfect.  Perhaps still in need of more progress…but where change and growth has invaded your heart and actions.

“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord” (2 Cor 10:17).  That kind of boasting isn’t sin — it’s giving glory to God for the effect of the gospel in our lives!  Boasting isn’t sin when God (not you or I) takes center stage as the One responsible for the growth.

Lord, thank you for the reminder that You have been busy in my life!  You are at work in me, and I’m changing by Your sanctifying grace at work in my heart.  Please soften my heart to hear the whispers of Your voice letting me see evidences of these changes You are bringing about.  Forgive me for robbing You of the glory you deserve for the work you started and are completing.  Open my eyes, even this week, at the progress that’s been made in my heart and give me fresh energy to continue to make progress with Your help.

Posted by Sheree

When Boasting is a Good Thing (Pt 2) October 21, 2009

Think about a time when someone has encouraged you about an area you perceived as a weakness.

• A friend mentions that she respects you for the way you manage your home when you’ve been feeling disorganized and overwhelmed by how much you need to grow as a homemaker.
• Your boss asks you to help with an important task because of your “attention to detail” soon after a co-worker draws your attention to some undone duties that has delayed a team project in the office.
• Your teenager writes a kind message in your birthday card, thanking you for your patience as a mom the week after you were freshly convicted of your self-righteousness and impatience with this child.
• You overhear your husband talking about how much he appreciates your planning and hard work with meals for the family, and you wonder if he remembers that last week your family had only one home-cooked dinner together.

Why do I find the encouragement of others surprising at times?  (“At times” because other times I find myself craving encouragement when I think it’s long overdue!)   In my life it’s usually one of two reasons.  Either because as I grow and begin to change, my conscience becomes increasingly alive to the need to resist the temptation to settle as I see how I must continue to pursue God for change (a good reason).  Or because I’m assuming the encouragement is wrong or misguided because I’m denying that God has been at work in my life (a bad reason).

Paul told young Timothy that his growth in godliness would need to be a preoccupying way of life when he encouraged him to “take pains” and “be absorbed” in the pursuit of change (see 1 Tim 4:12).  As we do this, God’s power comes and we are actually pursuing change with the strength HE provides!

• From your days as a sloppy and disorganized teenager whose room was regularly a mess, you’ve applied yourself (i.e. through repentance, prayer and perhaps seeing others for counsel and accountability) for progress.  Now your home is more frequently tidy than looking like a tornado just passed through.
• Although procrastination used to regularly frustrate your parents, teachers and former employers, you’ve worked hard to put off laziness and put on diligence in an effort to cultivate a God-honoring work ethic.
• While your self-righteousness and impatience as a mom used to result in frequent angry outbursts, with God’s help your sin is most often limited to unloving musings in your thoughts that you child is unaware of.
• The laziness and poor time management that produced an over-reliance on eating out or throw-together meals has been slowly replaced by a more frequent commitment to planned and nutritious family dinners.

God has been at work, changing you over time.  Yet you remain aware of the need to continue to make progress.  Both your progress and your desire to continue to change are gifts from God!  Yet you can also tempted to argue with encouragement — from others and from God.

So how does all this relate to “good” boasting?  We’ll finish up these thoughts on Friday.

Posted by Sheree

When Boasting is a Good Thing (Pt 1) October 18, 2009

We’ve been talking about duties for the past couple of weeks.  Have you observed any change in your attitude toward your duties?  I have.  Keeping this topic before me has revealed my laziness and selfishness in fresh ways.  (Oh, the gift of the conviction of sin and the promise of change the gospel provides!)  But I’ve also noticed something interesting and encouraging.

I don’t resent my duties as a wife, mother and homemaker as often or as pervasively as I used to.  In fact, things I used to do out of duty alone have become quite fulfilling and even enjoyable.

Does that seem like boasting to you?  It did to me when the thought first started coming.  In fact, I argued with and tried to dismiss it as an evidence of my pride.  Why?  Because I hadn’t been effectively reminding myself of the power of the gospel in my life.  And I forgot that there is boasting that is entirely biblical.

In talking with Benny about this, he reminded me that I’m robbing God of rightful glory when I focus on my sin to the neglect of the areas He has changed and is changing me.

Ladies, the truth is that God is busily working in our hearts.  He is changing us — and often we are actually the last to see the changes.  It’s not “humble” to neglect to acknowledge our growth to God; to ourselves; and even to others.

So when is boasting actually a good thing?

Let’s talk more on Wednesday.

Posted by Sheree

What Do My Children Think About Duties? October 16, 2009

My oldest daughter, Kayla, is 8 years old.  I enrolled her in a public speaking class this semester in hopes that she would learn to communicate better, and grow in her confidence in speaking in front of others.  It has been a wonderful experience for her!  Last week they had an impromptu speech.  She was not told what she was going to talk about until that day and she had to stand in front of the class and speak without putting thought into what she would say.  What was the topic chosen for her?   It was, “Do you think a boys or girls life is harder?  Why?”

Here was her response:

“I think a girls life is way harder than a boys.  Daddies get to go to work and sit around on a computer all day.  The mommy has to stay home and do the cooking, cleaning, taking care of children, and all the REALLY hard work.”

I was not there.  She told me all about it (and so did others who were there!).  She continued to tell me other reasons why a girls life is so hard. I tried not to laugh (in total agreement!) with what she said.  I rejoiced about her grade and sent her on her way, knowing that I would eventually have to come back and discuss some things with her.

I have realized that my daughters pick up on things from me and I am, apparently, not communicating very well the joy in my duties. I am not communicating with them (and especially Kayla) the importance of Daddy’s hard work so that she can have food, and toys, and a house to live in.

The problem is not that Kayla thinks that a mommy’s life is hard, or even that she thinks it is harder than a daddy’s job.  The problem is, you should have heard the way she said it! There was no “a girls life is a lot of work, but so worth it!”.  Or, “A boy may have an easier life, but I cannot wait to be a mommy!”.  There was a tone there that made me realize I am not being a very good example to my daughter of having joy in my duties, tasks, and life.

I want my daughters to realize that being a girl, or mom, is hard, but I also want them to very quickly go to the fact that it can be, and is, the joy of my life!  I love what I do!  No really, I do.  Apparently, my daughters might not know that.  So I started wondering………

Do I make sure I take opportunities to share my love for what I am doing?

Do I tell Kayla how much I love homeschooling her?

Do they see me overwhelmed and irritated more than they see me smiling and laughing?

Do I think and pray about what I communicate to my children daily?  The reality is, what Kayla, Anniston, and Danae see or hear from me will have a great impact on what THEY think of a woman’s duties.

Do I daily encourage Kayla about how helpful she is to me and how important her job as a big sister is?

We should always first and foremost do our work “as for the Lord and not for men” (Colossians 3:23).  If I am doing my work for the Lord, I would think that I would also be communicating to my daughters something different than I am now.

This is not about hiding your sin from your kids and putting on a fake happy face even during a hard day.  I ask my children’s forgiveness at least once a day about something.  My hope is that I would eventually come to a place where my focus is on glorifying God, sacrificing my life for Him and my family, and NOT making sure everyone knows how hard it is for me to sacrifice for them!  What I want my girls to see, is the JOY I have in my really hard work.  I would love for Kayla to have said:

“I think a girls life is harder than a boys.  I think it is harder to take care of children, clean, and cook than it is to do computer stuff all day.  But!  My mommy is way fun, and loves what she does, and loves God a lot, so that is what I want to do when I grow up!”

Hmmmm….wishful thinking???  I hope, and pray, it is not.

Posted by Jaime

Confessing “I Don’t Want To Confess!” October 14, 2009

What is it about confessing my weaknesses and inabilities to do something I can normally do feels like I’m crying “Uncle!” – like I’m quitting? throwing in the towel?

I’m normally very happy to be really busy, even exhausted at times, as long as what I’m doing is worth while.    I even enjoy having many things on my plate at once – call me crazy, I know – but it’s true; that is until now!  You see for the past…I don’t even know how many…weeks/months I’ve had my first ever bout with tendinitis in my right arm.  It has made the simplest tasks extremely painful, if not completely impossible to do.   Did I mention I’m right-handed?  Thus my dilemma. Even typing has become a major challenge, and most likely a huge source of the problem to begin with, another issue I’m going to have to think about!

In contemplating what to confess considering my exhaustion…it’s quite clear!  I’m a self-sufficient and independent Wife/Mom/Nana who likes to do things the way she likes to do them WHEN she wants to do them.

But God has orchestrated this very busy time in my life to be lived with what could be a stumbling block.  I’m assured it won’t be if I will simply humble myself, confess my sin, acknowledge my limitations and ask for help! It isn’t easy to type left-handed, but I must if I want to get better.  It isn’t easy resisting the urge pick up my two-year old granddaughters when they say, “Hold you, Nana!” , but I must.

It’s really a challenge to ask for help with things I know I can do – but that is simply another manifestation of the ever growing vine of pride in my life!  Seeing it as sin, and confessing it to you and my Savior brings me great comfort for therein lies my hope!  The gospel of grace frees me from the obligation to keep sinning.  Instead I can actually thank God for my weakness because He will supply the strength I lack…hey, that sounds very familiar…Paul declared in 2 Corinthians exactly what my heart needs to hear:

“So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Certainly I am in no way comparing my tiny pain to what Paul faced, but God has used this in my life to reveal yet another layer of pride and self-sufficiency.  For this I am grateful!  I will have to work on the “boasting gladly in my weakness” part, as well as the “content with my weakness” part. The most amusing thing about this post?  I wasn’t sure what I needed to confess when I started typing…But God knew all along and led me to the Truth I needed to hear.  

Father, thank you for using a very familiar passage of scripture to open my eyes to see my need to confess fresh sin.  It is no surprise to You that this what I needed, and You didn’t have to reveal it to me.  But You did!  Thank You.  Please forgive me for my pride and self-sufficiency.  I have nothing to be proud of, and I’m certainly not self-sufficient.  I need You, and in this season of life I need others to help me as well.  Thank You for forgiveness of sin – my sin!  By it I am truly free!  In Jesus’ precious name, Amen!

Posted by Debi

What’s Fickle About Fatigue? October 12, 2009

What is it about fatigue that is so fickle?

As I write this post, I’m tired.  I’ve been busy for several days planning and preparing.  Meal planning and grocery shopping.  Running errands and getting prescription refills.  Writing up the kid’s weekly schedule and going over their plans for the week.  Scrubbing the bathroom and washing my sheets.  But the fatigue is welcome and hasn’t been a burden at all.  Why?  Because the work that’s made me tired has been preparing for a week at the beach alone with my Benny.

In a few hours we’ll be leaving.  I’ll have 6 whole days with him to myself.  While my body is weak, my heart is full of joy and anticipation.  I even had a hard time sleeping last night (common for women my age) but still woke up with renewed energy to finish the preparations…and I even have a spring in my step this morning.

I remember this happening when I was in high school.  I was up till the middle of the night studying for an exam.  Yet after only a few hours sleep I woke up eager to dress and leave.  Why?  My normal battles with not wanting to get out of bed so early were offset by having a cute new outfit to wear that day.  And, honestly, there was a guy I hoped would notice it.

In my life, fatigue is fickle when I don’t consider the heart issues that sometimes affect my exhaustion.  I simply allow what my heart is saying to affect how my body is feeling.

• I feel more tired when I’m cleaning if I’m feeling sorry for myself because my efforts are seemingly unappreciated…and the kitchen will just need cleaning again in a few hours.
• I battle fatigue more after a “short” night when what’s on my task list for the day is normal life stuff rather than a “fun” day including lunch with a friend or something special I’ve been anticipating.
• Exhaustion feels weightier to me when my heart is troubled by anxieties about the kids or lingering sinful attitudes following a conflict with Benny.

So this is my confession:  I allow my heart to make me feel more tired.

Fatigue is real.  Our bodies are weak.  We need adequate rest and sleep to function properly.  Our physical limitations are a reminder that we are dependent.  Unlike the One who “never slumbers nor sleeps” we are frail.  We need rest.  This humbles us, doesn’t it?  We can’t just keep working and cleaning and serving and doing without stopping to rest. So while there are times we just need to stop what we’re doing and take a nap, there are other times when we need to evaluate if our hearts are influencing our weariness.

Today I’m not “feeling” my weariness because my heart is light and cheery.  Isn’t it amazing that our hearts can affect the way our minds influence our bodies?  I’m sure once I get to the beach this afternoon the tiredness might set it.  But then I’ll have a week to “recover” from my hard work.

Hmm….then, like Jaime, I’ll probably wake up my first morning back home tired after all my relaxing, lounging and having fun.  But won’t that be mostly because I just don’t want to be back into normal life as a mother and homemaker?

Fatigue can be fickle, weighing on me one day but not the next, depending on what’s facing me on a particular day or week.

Speaking of that…I have more work to do before I leave this afternoon!  But before I go, would it serve you to consider what’s facing you this week?  Maybe it’s not a week at the beach with your husband.  It’s probably more of what you did last week:  cleaning, training, getting up every morning to leave for work, cooking, serving, wiping, hugging…. But if your heart is light and cheery as you do what God has called you to this week, perhaps you won’t “feel” your fatigue as much.

Whether we’re walking on the beach or taking another load of laundry to the washer, we can have a spring in our step because we’re doing God’s will.  His plan for me this week probably looks different than yours.  But both of us are pleasing Him.

Someone please remind me of this next Monday when I’m back at home doing laundry like you.

Posted by Sheree

P.S.  A note to the wonderful singles who frequent our blog.  Just know that when we post about things related to marriage and motherhood, we’re thinking about you.  Thank you for continuing to visit even though much of what we say doesn’t apply specifically to your life right now…and can surface sadness over what isn’t happening.  Your commitment to learn and apply the truths you read here humbles and inspires us.  We married ladies want to be like you.

Confessions of an Exhausted…Bride-to-be October 9, 2009

::yawn:: These days it seems I am just so…::yawn::…tired. It’s about all I can do to pull myself out of bed each morning. And then (after realizing what time it is) rush to make myself presentable (again!), frantically grab a cup of coffee to gulp down on the way to work, try to listen to and actually concentrate on worship music or a message instead of running through my task list or looking at a bridal magazine at stop lights, arrive at work, forward all those super exciting emails from friends who are so enthusiastically rejoicing with me to my home address so I’m not distracted at work, make a bunch of phone calls over lunch (did the shop order the CORRECT bridal gown or not?!?!), rush to a cake design appointment, check out a department store’s registry, race to a meeting with the jeweler for wedding bands, grab a quick bite with my future hubby (best part of the day), show up late at Home Group, arrive home and open my email – only to find it FLOODED and screaming for my attention (scheduling myriads of appointments, decision-making, bridesmaid dress options, etc, etc), finally fall asleep at 1:30 a.m. …Did I mention this was yesterday? 

It’s really amazing – as incredibly fun as it is to be planning MY wedding, I am regularly exhausted and overwhelmed as I try to balance work, a wedding task list, a relationship…not to mention the desire to keep up with my friends and serving in the church! I want to do it all! I want to do my job really well, plan a gorgeous wedding, spend time with my amazing fiancé WITHOUT talking about wedding details, be there for my friends to watch their precious children (or take them a meal, or catch up with them)! But I can’t.

This new season has required me to evaluate my priorities and lay some things down. Saying “no” has always been challenging for me, but with each new season the Lord leads me into I am learning the importance of guarding my priorities. Being engaged will only last for a time – but then it will be on to lots and lots of other exhausting (but incredible!) seasons like balancing work, a home AND a husband; having small children; having large children (oh the drama I was!); having no children at home but lots and lots of grandbabies! I can’t wait and am very much looking forward to all of those seasons and the pure joy that each one provides (as God intended!)…but how am I learning NOW to be careful THEN? How am I battling pride and self-sufficiency during this season? 

One way I am working to do this is by asking what the Lord’s “task list” might be for me in this current season. Am I willing to evaluate MY task list and pare away the things that are not so important so I can fulfill the duties the Lord has truly called me to at this time? Am I willing to lay down things that I want to do or things that seem so incredibly urgent to me in order to make time to have a lengthy discussion (rather than a rushed and hurried one) with David about the pre-marital assignments? 

Honestly? Many times I am not – thus the exhaustion. However, when I DO choose to lay those things down, I find there is SO much grace for the things He has called me to do! When I am walking humbly in my weakness and not in self-sufficiency, His strength is magnified and there is freedom in knowing He is sovereignly at work!!

Well, I’m off to work – a task the Lord HAS called me to and one that I am looking forward to fulfilling with the strength He has provided for this day!

Posted by Jennifer