A Gift Baked, Stirred, and Eaten

A rainy Monday. Enough said.

While the monochrome clouds began to break towards the end of today, I realized that I had yet to reflect on and list the gifts for my October challenge. Today's gifts include one gift baked, stirred, and eaten. Of course, my mind instantly goes to things that fill my home with harvest time smells. This time of year fills our home with scents of enticing spices and sweet vanillas as apple pies are baked and soups brew on the stove top. Here are the gifts that made it on my list today.


-Baked: I am fortunate to have a husband that is open to a new recipe every night should I so choose. While I have some tried and true go to recipes that make it onto my monthly menu, I am constantly experimenting. This month's menu has quite a few recipes from The Pioneer Woman's blog page. Tonight's tasty recipe fit right into the baked category. I love to serve my husband a piping hot meal that feeds the heart and tummy. Each bite that he enjoys is a special gift in and of itself as it brings joy to my soul. I love to see him happy and content...and you know the old saying? The way to a man's heart is through his stomach. I've got that covered. Tonight's meal was Sour Cream Noodle Bake...delish!

-Stirred: You may be surprised to find that this gift is not one that comes out of the oven or off of the stove top. I was reminded of this gift tonight as I was reading One Thousand Gifts. The author discusses a passage that I have heard and read multiple times throughout my life. The scripture comes from Luke 17:17-19. It tells of the time when 10 lepers were healed and only one, a Samaritan man, returns to give thanks to Jesus for his healing. Jesus inquires as to why he is the only one to return to give thanks. Without what seems time to respond, Jesus than tells the man to "Rise and go; your faith has made you well." (v. 19) The author makes a point that I had skimmed over for all these years...if the man was healed prior to coming back to Jesus, why then did He tell the man that he is fully healed and made well? Here it comes...the point that I've missed over and over again. Jesus looked past the physical healing and focused His eyes on the man's heart. The man was made whole. He was transformed by his faith. It's moments like this...these moments of recognition...these "ah ha" moments...that stir my heart and soul. They get my mind churning and my heart yearning to submerse myself in God's truth. Only when we come to God with a sincere heart of gratitude are we experiencing the joy of our God given life and salvation.

-Eaten: Considering food has been my enemy these last few weeks, I had to think long and hard about how I wanted to approach this gift. I decided to take an easy route on this one and list a special little goody given to me by one of my fellow teachers...it would have to be a Cran-Orange cookie. While some of you may wrinkle your nose, I know that it is simply because your taste buds have not experienced cookie perfection such as this. It was such a special treat on this dreary Monday.

Just for Fun

I have become a little obsessed with this whole making bows business. They look so adorable on G's little strawberry blonde fuzz (I say on because she is yet to have enough hair to put them "in"). Here is another one that I did tonight. I can't wait for her to wear it! I have realized that I need to start branching out. There are so many cute styles...I just tend to find something I like and run with it for awhile...I'm also hoping to get some leg warmers made for her this week. Yay for fall temperatures!

3 Gifts Redeemed

Redeem: to buy or pay off; clear by payment

Today's challenge is to list 3 gifts redeemed. I took some time to reflect on this today. "Redeem" has it's place in several facets of life...from the redemption of a coupon at your local grocery store to the redemption found at Calvary's cross. Redeem...a core concept at the heart of my salvation.

3 Gifts Redeemed

-My salvation: My Jesus died a tragic, unimaginable death, only after living a perfect, sinless life. He bought me with a very high price...His very life. This occurred solely that I, and every other sinner such as myself, could have a perfect eternity with my Savior. The gift of my salvation is of course the number one gift ever accounted for in my existence.

-The Jeep: If I look at gifts from a materialistic stand point, my vehicle comes to mind. Thankfully, due to the Lord's provision and my discipline, I was able to pay off my Jeep early. This would have been the year that my debt would have finally been paid in its entirety, but Praise God! I was able to pay it off in 3 years as opposed to 5. That has been a major blessing.

-Student Loans: I have mixed feelings about listing these as a "gift". Student loan debt will haunt me for years to come...it was a necessary evil. However, in an attempt to change my perspective, I have come to a point where I can consider even this hefty payment a joy. While they are far from being paid off, I rejoice in the Lord's provision to be able to pay them every month. I rejoice in the degree that allows me to have a job that I love. Yes, even student loans can be a gift.

While thinking upon today's gifts and the beauty of this day, I ran across a couple truths in my devotion that really struck a chord with my heart.

G is already for church

"Joy is [God's] presence-driven not circumstantially bought or delivered."


"The joy of His presence envelopes you and protects you."

The joy of the Lord is eternal. What a heartwarming reality.

I also read a verse that I will most certainly carry with me this week. I was doing very well with my weight loss and have since failed miserably over the last couple of weeks. I'm dreading the scale tomorrow. Knowing that we all have our battles, I thought I'd share:

Jesus looked at them intently and said, "Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible." Matthew 19:26

Just for Fun

As mentioned in one of my previous posts, I listed 4 upcoming Pinterest projects that I wanted to accomplish. I designated one for each month. Last month I completed G's peasant dress. This month I wanted to make a watercolor onesie for my daughter. I gathered my materials and prepared to begin. Unfortunately, this project was not successful. I did everything as I was told, but after reading similar posts on the same concept, it appears that rubbing alcohol should have been used as opposed to hydrogen peroxide. At some point I may attempt this again using the alcohol. I did manage to salvage one of the onesies and I look forward to putting G in it.

I'm looking forward to trying several new recipes this month and making some DIY leg warmers for G.

Out and About

I'm looking forward to the fall weather returning. Today was a last ditch effort by summer to leave its impression. I'm not going to miss it.

My hubby, G and I went out soon after he got home from work this morning. We hit a few yard sales on the way into town to run errands. One of my favorite finds was a little table and chairs for G. While she has a ways to grow before she can fully enjoy it, we'll surely have a blast with some of our friends' children. My hubby found an old school Tonka truck like the one we both grew up with. I also found a couple of cookbooks and books for G. There were so many yard sales today that there was no way we could hit them all and still get our errands done before heading home in time for C to get into the woods. Yes ladies, the time of year has arrived when many of us will once again become Hunting Season widows.

I've had a few VT onesies for G and she is finally able to fit into them. However, I didn't want to put yet another daisy on her headband...so, a mom does what she must. I purchased some ribbon and put together my first hair bow (without instructions)! Take that Pinterest! I'm looking forward to making more as I look through some more styles and possibly some diy instructions.

Tomorrow should be an equally enjoyable day. We have church and then we're meeting friends for lunch (and I'll be picking up my bridesmaid dress for my cousin's November wedding). We'll end our time in town by stopping by the house of one of our favorite couples to see their newest addition. We can't wait to snuggle their new little boy and get in some play time with his 17 month old sister.

Before tomorrow gets here, I need to get down my "gifts" for the day. Today's challenge is to list 3 Gifts Returned...this was difficult. I'm not certain what this is supposed to mean but here is what came to mind...

-Hunting Season: Hunting season is such a blessed time for our family. While I miss my husband in the evenings that he makes his way into the woods, I can always count on him to do what he can to provide our family with bountiful blessings. We save a large amount of money by processing and then freezing his kill. Many people are repulsed by the fact that we do such things, but my grocery bill speaks for itself. I cringe when I have to buy beef. Last year was a less than desirable year for filling our freezer. Normally we have enough meat by the end of hunting season to last until the next one. This year we ran out in early summer, and we don't even eat a ton of red meat. I see this time of year, every year as it returns, as yet another blessing for our family.

-Answered Prayers: All around us, prayers are being answered. I was reminded of that truth as I read an email from some of our close friends. They have been praying for God to open the doors for them to adopt overseas. Their request was answered very quickly as far as the world of adoption is concerned, and they will be leaving in just a couple of days to head to China. They will return towards the end of the month with their new son. This is just one returned answer filled with blessing.

-Former Students: Every afternoon when buses are called, I have a few former students that faithfully stop by my room. They always have funny stories to share, hugs, and lots of love. They are such little blessings.

Five on Friday

There are so many wonderful things about Friday...one of which is linking up with The Good Life for Five on Friday!

 

 

[one]

piE

 

On Tuesdays, my first grade team gets together to discuss various academic topics, co-plan, and share resources. Not only do we contribute ideas, but we contribute food! A couple weeks ago TG brought in some orange cranberry cookies. They were to die for! Ever since I'd been trying to pacify my sweet tooth. With G being more active and more aware of where Mommy is at all times, it's a little tricky accomplishing things in the kitchen. She'll only tolerate her bouncer for so long. So...this Tuesday I brought in one of my long forgotten favorites: Chocolate Peanut butter Pie. Yum!

 

[two]

mOrnIng GlORy

 

I just had to stop yesterday morning. This is a feeble attempt to capture the beauty of yesterday's sunrise. If this is what our side of Heaven looks like...I can only imagine what it must be on the other.

 

 

 

 

[three]

meNu

 

Each month I put together a menu, along with a corresponding grocery list. This menu/grocery list will feed my family 3 meals a day for the entire month of October. I incorporate a lot of recipes from The Pioneer Woman in this one...so excited!

 

[four]

diY

 

I'm super excited! I have all necessary items to complete this month's DIY project! I'll post on this later.

[five]
fRee FrIDaY download

I am a huge fan of Kroger*. I love their selection and I can always find what I am looking for. I also love that I don't have to clip coupons to save money (although I know I might save more if I took the time to do so.) Another perk of being a Kroger card holder is that I get free downloads on Friday! In the past I've gotten free boxes of popcorn, breakfast items, etc. While this week's free download isn't one that has me jumping up and down, at least not until G gets a bit bigger, I still thought I share...

This Friday's offer:

• 

  exp 10/19/2013
  Free Tum-E Yummies Fruit Flavored Drink Get One (1) Free Tum-E Yummies, 10.1 oz. Limit one per house... more

  Sign in to Load

*I was not compensated to "advertise" for this store.

While this takes care of my Five for Friday, I did want to quickly mention my 3 Gifts Reaped.

-Student Achievement: As a teacher there are times you wonder if what you are doing is making a difference. We differentiate until we're blue in the face and then wonder if it is doing any good. Today I reaped a great reward! My students made HUGE strides on a particularly difficult math concept!

-Joy: As I diligently work to change my perspective, I find myself truly experiencing joy. I feel at peace. I no longer feel rushed. I'm finding time for the little things. I feel like I'm turning a corner :)

-True Friendship: A long lasting, unconditional, forgiving friendship is rare. In order to succeed, one must constantly work at communicating, compromising, and loving. I am so blessed to reap the rewards of this gift.





Caught, Let Go, Mid-way

I decided to take advantage of these few quiet, pre-dawn moments to focus on my gifts challenge. Sitting here, it's amazing how different the world seems before the television comes on, emails are read and the vehicle starts up. I sit here, smiling at the sleepy, rhythmic sounds of my daughter's slumber. It breaks my heart to know that in just a few short moments I'll have to wake her from her sleep to start the day. However, what joy it is to see her squinty little eyes as they adjust to the lamp light. What a delight to see her recognize "Mommy" and smile that silly, toothless grin. A treasure.

Today's gifts center around a gift caught, a gift let go and a gift mid-way. Again, I had to think upon these things. Nothing came instantly but as I honed in on each word, I slowly began to add to my list.

-Caught: By the grace of God I have managed to "catch" His blessings over, what will be this month, 5 years of marriage. He has graced our family and shown mercy, especially during our earlier years when joining lives through old habits and mixed opinions was not always easy. He has given provision in abundance and has shown that with Him as our center, our marriage will be not only blessed, but enjoyed, even in the most difficult of times.

-Let Go: This month, the day before our anniversary in fact, will mark the one year anniversary of the passing of my grandpa. He died just a few short months after my father last year. It was a bittersweet end. He was tired and ready to be with Jesus, but we as earth-dwellers had such a hard time wanting to let him go. In the end, he was at peace and the joy of the Lord was in him. He longed for all of us to make peace with his passing and to know that he'd be waiting for us in Heaven. While tears still come with the occasional trip down memory lane and sadness fills my heart when I think of the fact that G will never get to meet her great-grandpa on this side of Heaven, I rejoice in knowing just how happy the thought of her arrival made him.

-Mid-way: This was the gift that came easiest to mind. Our friends have been praying and raising funds for an adoption. It was made clear that this was the route in which He had chosen to fill their home with children. After all of the blood work, negative pregnancy tests, and tear ridden prayers, they came to the understanding that God's will was different than what they had organically planned. In March, this couple raised the $25000 some odd dollars for their adoption. What seemed like moments after this victory, she found out she was pregnant!!! This child has been prayed for. This child is already so loved! While this couple will continue with their hope of adopting, it will now have to wait until their soon-to-be-here daughter is a year old. This little girl will be here in December...so while she is a little over "mid-way" here, I find this (as I do all babies from the moment of conception) to be an amazing gift.

What are your gifts for today?

"His secret purpose framed from the very beginning [is] to bring us to our full glory (1 Cor. 2:7). He means to rename us---to bring us to our true names, our truest selves. He means to heal our soul holes. He means to fill us with glory again. With glory and grace."

excerpt from One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voscamp (p. 17)

3 Gifts Falling

Today's challenge was to list "3 Gifts Falling". I had to think about this for a while. What did that mean to me? I finally settled on 3 "falling" gifts.

My new October flag!

-Falling asleep: What a blessed gift that I can lay my head down at night, at peace. Despite the troubles of the day, the Lord willingly takes my fears and anxieties and allows me close my eyes to the dirt of the day and sleep soundly. I am equally blessed to watch my little girl sleep so peacefully. Every night when I go in to check on her I can't help but be grateful for her sweet dreams and restful sleep.

-Falling in love: Love is a grand thing and I am so grateful to have a husband that loves me as unconditionally as one person can. I fall in love with him more every day. He is my best friend. He is the love of my life.

-Falling temperatures: The beginning of fall was crisp and cool and while we are experiencing a few unseasonably warm days, I know the chill is right around the corner. As the air turns colder I find myself looking forward to so many things. Fall is by far my favorite season. It consists of so many family activities, football games, holidays and seasonal baking. Plus, it means Christmas is right around the corner!

I hope you'll take a few minutes to consider 3 Gifts Falling of your own. I'd love to hear what you come up with!

In the Sweet By and By

I. Love. Jesus.

My heart has been shedding its winter coat and warming up to the true and perfect love of Jesus. As a little girl I took Him at His word. I never questioned life and its trials. I simply lived knowing that God was BIG and had everything under control. As I grew older, my childlike faith began to wane and my "adult brain" began to question the things around me. How could a BIG, LOVING God allow so much heartache? How could He be working all things for good when my heart breaks? How is it possible that He could love someone so completely imperfect as me?

The Truth lies in His complete and perfect love.

We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. 1 John 3:16

As an imperfect people, wading through this world of sin, it's understandable how we can't fully grasp the extent to which God loves us. We've never known perfection. We've never known unconditional love...and yet, this is where God is the very definition. He is perfect. His love is unconditional. He is a God who has all things and yet still He wants us. He sent His one and only Son...His perfect son...to die for us with the desire to bridge the gap between our hearts and His. He loves us so much that He went beyond the conceivable to provide a way for us to share an eternity with Him.

That is REAL love.

Where once there were no worries, now lie constant anxieties. Where once there were no regrets, are bottled up apologies. And yet...my God refuses to give up on me. He has brought me to this place, at this point in time, with the right people, the right scripture, and the right heart to begin to chip away at the "once was" and rebuild a solid, joy-filled foundation.

This reflection stems from a variety of emotions that have welled up today. God continues to stoke the fire that once burned so brightly for Him in my heart. He knows I've been in a dark place for far too long and, as I imagine and believe Him to be, He is jumping up and down, yelling my name, waving a flag of victory...I am slowly realizing what it means to let go of the past and embrace the goodness of God.

I've found several motivators over the last few months. The first is that of the Dennis Family. Their story of love and loss continues to move my soul. I have cried with them, laughed with them, and prayed for them...and yet the likelihood of us ever meeting face to face is slim. I was introduced to their story and need for prayer through a mutual friend. They recently lost their newborn to a rare disease. To see their passion throughout their pregnancy, their brave stance in continuing on with their pregnancy even after the diagnosis, and their continuous praise through the loss of their daughter has touched my heart in a way I can't explain. While we are strangers, I consider it a blessing to be aware of their situation and to pray for them as my brother and sister in Christ. I encourage you to read their amazing story.

The other is that of my new Bible study. The book that goes along with the study came in today. I've only had time to read through part of the first chapter but I am already enthralled. She battled some of the same thoughts and questions that I have found myself pondering in the past. She too struggled to embrace the goodness of God. She, while fighting her own demons, also held her hands closed to the mercy, grace and healing that can only be given by our Savior. She reminds me that all that I have dealt with...all that my heart has grieved and rejoiced in...all of my doubts and fears...all of these things are what makes me human.

As I work through my humanity and earthly meanderings, I continue to reflect on and list the gifts that God has given me. One challenge posed to me by another friend was the author's most recent gift list challenge.

I hope you'll join me in this month's gift list. It's amazing how many things we have been taking for granted without giving a second thought as to where our blessing has come from.

I'd like to leave you with my "3 Gifts Orange":   
-The Sunrise-it reminds me that His mercies are new every morning
-Pumpkin Bread-my mom has made pumpkin bread this time of year for as long as I can remember. The smell and taste always takes me back to the days of catching fireflies.
-Sweet Potatoes-While I enjoy them as chips or fries, I count them today because of the joy they bring my little girl. They have become one of her favorite foods and to see her light up with each little bite makes this Mommy's heart sing.