Monday, February 28, 2011
Gorgeous sunset in Alabama
About 2 weeks ago, I went to Alabama for a week-long training session. This was what greeted us as we arrived at our destination - crossing the Tennessee River...it would be so nice to end each day with a view like this ♥
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Overwhelmed by His goodness
Anyone who knows me knows that I strive to keep God as the center of my world everyday. I am continuously amazed by His goodness, His love, His leading & His timing - not to sound cliche, but they truly are perfect.
A couple of nights ago, I had a dream that I went to visit a childhood friend that I have not seen or spoken to in over 20 years. Now, to some people, a dream of this kind may seem somewhat odd...but for me, it was a direct step that God was prompting me to take. Although we were not Facebook friends, I knew she had an account since we have several mutual friends...I sent her a message & waited for a response.
While waiting, I was bombarded with thoughts of: Why on earth would she want to see me after 20 years of no communication? If we aren't even Facebook friends, what on earth would we have to talk about? What if she is holding a grudge against me for something I may or may not have done to her as a child? What if she thinks I am just the most uncool person on the face of the planet?
Now, it must be noted that Pastor Keith started a series a couple of weeks ago about THOUGHTS - which includes a great teaching on determining the source of a thought. It's safe to say that none of these thoughts were from God so I quickly put them away with the hope that I was following in the direction I felt Him leading me in.
After a few hours, she wrote me back shocked that we lived in the same state...albeit, 2.5 - 3 hours away, but definitely within driving distance for an afternoon visit. She mentioned that Saturday was out due her work schedule, but that Sunday would be good & maybe I could visit her church, where she sings on the music team. Now, I must say, my first reaction was to wait & maybe go another time, but at the thought of postponing the trip, I felt very uneasy...and the more I focused on going ahead with the trip this weekend, I had total peace. You don't have to guess what decision I made :0)
Fast forward to this morning: I arrived late after having moments of "misdirection" in the eastern country of Georgia...but they were just getting ready to receive the offering & I actually got to hear her sing the last song before the service began - so thankful for that. The service today was a special service due to the fact that a church from right outside Atlanta had been invited to visit & give a viewing of a film they had made. This film was, in essence, a fairy tale about the epidemic of child trafficing - apparently, Atlanta has one of the highest occurrences of child trafficing in the nation & I had no idea. While only 30min. long, the film was quite moving...almost Willy Wonka-like (in the fairy tale aspect).
As I sat there, I couldn't help but be amazed that God gave me a dream to visit this friend, who I'd had no communication with in over 20 years & lives almost 3 hours away to have me see a film made by a church that's literally 30min. from my house...it's uncanny & amazing all a the same time! I am still pondering what exactly I'm to do with this piece of the visit...but it definitely made an impact on my heart.
After the service, I found her brother - who just happened to be visiting today - so it was wonderful to see him as well. As she found us in the audience, she smiled, I smiled, we hugged...and thus began a most wonderful day. As we talked & talked & talked some more, I found it comforting to discover that we have quite a lot in common. I am a definite believer of divine appointments & destiny - both of which were made quite evident to me today as I sat for hours reminiscing with an old friend from my past. I pray that this rekindled friendship will last for years to come & grow stronger & stronger.
No matter what small step you feel directed to take, just step out in faith & take it...you never know what or who could be waiting on the other side :0)
A couple of nights ago, I had a dream that I went to visit a childhood friend that I have not seen or spoken to in over 20 years. Now, to some people, a dream of this kind may seem somewhat odd...but for me, it was a direct step that God was prompting me to take. Although we were not Facebook friends, I knew she had an account since we have several mutual friends...I sent her a message & waited for a response.
While waiting, I was bombarded with thoughts of: Why on earth would she want to see me after 20 years of no communication? If we aren't even Facebook friends, what on earth would we have to talk about? What if she is holding a grudge against me for something I may or may not have done to her as a child? What if she thinks I am just the most uncool person on the face of the planet?
Now, it must be noted that Pastor Keith started a series a couple of weeks ago about THOUGHTS - which includes a great teaching on determining the source of a thought. It's safe to say that none of these thoughts were from God so I quickly put them away with the hope that I was following in the direction I felt Him leading me in.
After a few hours, she wrote me back shocked that we lived in the same state...albeit, 2.5 - 3 hours away, but definitely within driving distance for an afternoon visit. She mentioned that Saturday was out due her work schedule, but that Sunday would be good & maybe I could visit her church, where she sings on the music team. Now, I must say, my first reaction was to wait & maybe go another time, but at the thought of postponing the trip, I felt very uneasy...and the more I focused on going ahead with the trip this weekend, I had total peace. You don't have to guess what decision I made :0)
Fast forward to this morning: I arrived late after having moments of "misdirection" in the eastern country of Georgia...but they were just getting ready to receive the offering & I actually got to hear her sing the last song before the service began - so thankful for that. The service today was a special service due to the fact that a church from right outside Atlanta had been invited to visit & give a viewing of a film they had made. This film was, in essence, a fairy tale about the epidemic of child trafficing - apparently, Atlanta has one of the highest occurrences of child trafficing in the nation & I had no idea. While only 30min. long, the film was quite moving...almost Willy Wonka-like (in the fairy tale aspect).
As I sat there, I couldn't help but be amazed that God gave me a dream to visit this friend, who I'd had no communication with in over 20 years & lives almost 3 hours away to have me see a film made by a church that's literally 30min. from my house...it's uncanny & amazing all a the same time! I am still pondering what exactly I'm to do with this piece of the visit...but it definitely made an impact on my heart.
After the service, I found her brother - who just happened to be visiting today - so it was wonderful to see him as well. As she found us in the audience, she smiled, I smiled, we hugged...and thus began a most wonderful day. As we talked & talked & talked some more, I found it comforting to discover that we have quite a lot in common. I am a definite believer of divine appointments & destiny - both of which were made quite evident to me today as I sat for hours reminiscing with an old friend from my past. I pray that this rekindled friendship will last for years to come & grow stronger & stronger.
No matter what small step you feel directed to take, just step out in faith & take it...you never know what or who could be waiting on the other side :0)
Saturday, February 05, 2011
Fun with tissue paper
A few weeks ago, while perusing YouTube, I found several how-to videos on making tissue paper flowers. Not only are they quite easy, but they are beautiful & amazingly infinite in how you create them :) So tonight, I simply could not take it any longer & decided it was finally time to adorn one of my arched doorways with a gorgeous hanging paper flower...so here you go!
If you search YouTube, there are dozens of videos on how to make these lovely flowers, so this is just one of your many choices...plus instructions always sound better in a foreign accent...right?! So get out there...be creative & try it!
Sunday update...because I just can't seem to stop making these flowers, here are a couple more :)
If you search YouTube, there are dozens of videos on how to make these lovely flowers, so this is just one of your many choices...plus instructions always sound better in a foreign accent...right?! So get out there...be creative & try it!
Sunday update...because I just can't seem to stop making these flowers, here are a couple more :)
A Chowder by any other name is still a Soup
A few months ago, while visiting my bestie in Raleigh, NC, I sampled a quite wonderful roasted sweet corn chowder & dare I say, I was in love :) Fast forward to last week, a few co-workers & I decided to hit up Chili's for a quick lunch & what a tasty surprised awaited me that fateful day...Chili's now serves roasted sweet corn soup! All of this yummy soup...chowder...puree...or whatever you call it...got me thinking about creating my own pot of velvety smooth veggie goodness, and magically enough, it worked!
Here's the skinny:
olive oil
1 onion - diced
1 lb. carrots - chopped
1 clove garlic - minced
1/2 to 1 c. roasted or frozen corn
2-3 c. chicken broth
salt to taste
black pepper to taste
In soup pot sweat onion in olive oil for about 5-8min on medium heat; add carrots, stir to coat everything in olive oil goodness; cover & cook for about 10min; add the garlic & corn and cook for another 5min or so; add chicken broth and salt & pepper to taste; simmer until all veggies are quite tender - maybe another 10min or so. Once everything is sufficiently soft & tender, check your seasonings & adjust if needed; then puree in blender - mine took 2 batches; then put puree through a fine mesh seive to remove any chunkiness...unless you like that kind of thing :)
I added a dollop of sour cream to my bowl just for the tang factor, but you could use plain yogurt, heavy cream, Mexican crema, or just leave it plain...anyway you serve it, this soup is absolutely amazing!
Thank goodness for kitchen creativity that works out even better than you planned :)
PS ~ As a follow-up, this amazing soup/chowder/puree doubles as a fantstic pasta sauce!
Here's the skinny:
olive oil
1 onion - diced
1 lb. carrots - chopped
1 clove garlic - minced
1/2 to 1 c. roasted or frozen corn
2-3 c. chicken broth
salt to taste
black pepper to taste
In soup pot sweat onion in olive oil for about 5-8min on medium heat; add carrots, stir to coat everything in olive oil goodness; cover & cook for about 10min; add the garlic & corn and cook for another 5min or so; add chicken broth and salt & pepper to taste; simmer until all veggies are quite tender - maybe another 10min or so. Once everything is sufficiently soft & tender, check your seasonings & adjust if needed; then puree in blender - mine took 2 batches; then put puree through a fine mesh seive to remove any chunkiness...unless you like that kind of thing :)
I added a dollop of sour cream to my bowl just for the tang factor, but you could use plain yogurt, heavy cream, Mexican crema, or just leave it plain...anyway you serve it, this soup is absolutely amazing!
Thank goodness for kitchen creativity that works out even better than you planned :)
PS ~ As a follow-up, this amazing soup/chowder/puree doubles as a fantstic pasta sauce!
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