I’m flying home today!  It’s been wonderful to be away, but the truth be known, I’m a homebody at heart!  I can’t wait to get home and see my parson and get settled back into my nest. I’m ready to do some fall nesting because I’d been too busy before my travels to really do much of that.

When I look at what God has allowed me to do, I am in awe.  Why would He use me to speak to ladies?  It’s not something I ever just set out to do; it’s a ministry that He opened up for me, and I enjoy it so much.  Before I ever teach others, the Lord has to teach me first, and I’m sure I benefit from this far more than anyone else. 

God’s timing is perfect.  I could never have done this ministry when my girls were home; they needed me and my family is my first ministry. 

If you’re a young mom and are seeking to serve the Lord outside your home, can I encourage you to realize that your ministry around your feet (your husband and family) is your first ministry, and the one in which you have the greatest impact.  Time to step outside your walls and serve in other ways will come in God’s perfect time and in a way that you won’t have to make happen. It may be serving in ministries in your church that are hard right now. Later God will direct and He will provide all you need.  There are no “unimportant” ways to serve the Lord!  Whatever He has called you to do, is important and significant (even if it’s changing diapers or teaching abc’s)! 

Now, back to Johnson City I go to continue my most important ministry…my marriage!  =)

From the 747 windows, that are headed to the parsonage,

I am still blessed to be away on my trip to Alaska/Seattle as you read this post!  It has been incredible to see how the Lord prepared me, the ladies’ hearts, and even some incredible weather for this retreat.

One of the truths I taught in this retreat is that our God is providential.  This means, not that God simply knows what is going to happen before it does, but it means that He has gone before us to see to all the details to bring about His purposes in my life.  This has been so evident to me once again while I’ve been here.

One sweet lady came to me and said, “I can’t believe that what you taught tonight (at the retreat) is exactly what I’ve been going through! My pastor and his wife have been trying to get me to do what you instructed us.  I’ve told the Lord tonight, ‘Okay. I surrender.'”  How does that happen?  Is it because the pastor’s wife spilled the beans to me about this sweet lady?  Of course not! It is that the Lord has traveled the road ahead of both of us, knowing what she needed to hear.  He put in my heart the subject on which I was to speak, and then prepared her to attend the retreat, and then prepared her heart to hear it! 

So Sunday, when your pastor preached on the very issue that has been going on at your house, you shouldn’t be alarmed, but thankful.  Thank the Lord that He will providentially prompt those that will pour into your life so you can grow and change.  It’s one way that He demonstrates His love for us!  Isn’t the love of Jesus something wonderful?!

How have you seen His love for you recently?

With love from Alaska,
Denise

Short ribs – a couple packages – sorry I don’t have the “pounds”

Place the ribs in the bottom of crock pot. Mix the beans, soups and water in a bowl. then pour over ribs. Cook on low for 5-6 hours. Remove ribs and beans. Thicken the liquid in the crock pot with about 1/3 cup of water and 3 tbl. flour mixed together. Turn crock pot to high and stir in flour/water mixture. Cook until thickened (about 10 minutes).

This is great served with mashed potatoes or even a baked potato.  Serve the gravy from the meat over top.  Add a simple salad and a roll and you have a delicious meal with minimal preparation!

What was cooking at your house this weekend?

With love,

I always have a little dish of candy sitting at my entry table for my guests to nibble on as they head out.  This will be awfully tempting for the residents to snitch from!  Do you fix this every fall like I do?  It tastes like a Snickers candy bar, only it’s in bite-sized portions!  The proportions would be 50/50.  Mix up some “Snickers treats” for a great fall snack!  I took a little bag of this on the plane with me!  This will do nicely until lunchtime at the airport!  A little sugar is always a good refresher!

Hope you’re making plans to be in church Sunday! 

Be refreshed,

• Shopping: Allow yourself 30 minutes to get through the grocery store (or a little longer if you’re shopping with children). This is a much more feasible task if you walk into the store with your list made and coupons clipped.
• Browsing: Set the timer for 15 minutes during times for checking Facebook or Pinterest
• Getting ready: Get up in enough time to be ready (I mean really ready) for church – 15 minutes before your spouse or children. I always need extra time for those things I can’t control (hole in husband’s shirt, an emergency stop for coffee because you’re out of creamer, etc.)
• Organizing: set the timer for 20 minutes and clean out a dresser until the timer goes off, then move on to the next task on your list.
• Communicating: catching up on emails – or even correspondence for your business – can swallow hours of your day before you know it! Set the timer for 30 minutes and stop when the time is up!