Progress

March 31, 2016March 31, 2016 RefreshHer4 Comments

Look friends! Look what is happening in the hole in my backyard!!! It might not look a whole lot different than when I posted about it here, but the point is that progress is being made!! I can see it! I can even hear it as the compressor goes over the sand and gravel. Oh, what a wonderful sight to my waiting eyes!

This project has taken far longer than I’d anticipated. It’s caused disappointment, frustration and even despair! At times I even believed it was impossible. I have gazed out my window so often and pictured what that finished patio was going to look like. I could see people sitting around the fire pit, laughing, talking enjoying the warmth of the fire while piling toasted marshmallows onto golden crackers. I could imagine it – but I couldn’t really see it, because it wasn’t a reality.

But now I see progress! Something is moving out there! There is tangible evidence that change is being made, and I can’t contain my excitement!

Can we make the connection with the trial that you’re facing right now or with the prayer request that seems impossible? Or the person that shows no interest whatsoever in coming to faith in Christ? At times all you see is an “ugly hole in your backyard!” Nothing is happening or changing! Let me encourage you to keep peering out the window with eyes of faith! There will be a Day when you will say, “But Now I see progress…”

Faith can wait.

Therefore I will look unto the Lord;

I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. Micah 7:7

Keep waiting!

Marriage

Monday Marriage Matters – Getting Rid of the Old

March 30, 2016March 28, 2016 RefreshHer6 Comments

I went through my refrigerator this weekend and did some tossing of some old things. A couple slices of bread that weren’t exactly fresh, and some leftovers that were now a bit too leftover (eew! It happens). No one wants to eat old food!

But what do we do with the “old things” in marriage? By old things I mean the things we’re used to. We’re used to him leaving for work; we’re used to him coming in each night. We’re used to fixing supper for him, cleaning up after him, kissing him goodnight, seeing his face across from the table, sitting beside him in church…and so on. It can be taken for granted. It can get old if we’re not careful. Hence the encouragement for these Monday Marriage Matters posts. Marriage really does matter; it’s the second most important relationship – the first being our relationship with the Lord. So, why do we overlook it? Why do we just endure?

Here’s a collage of my attempts to demonstrate my desire to keep our marriage fresh. None of these will wow. None will be the most unique demonstration of love in marriage, but you know what? Each one does contribute to my marriage, in their small way, and that’s what this whole series is about. It’s the little things, the little moments, the little thoughtful gestures that keep that something special in a marriage. It keeps it from getting old – moldy, if you will.

The top left is a screen shot of our texts. My husband was meeting a friend for lunch and dropped me off on his way. He stopped and bought me lunch because he didn’t want me to wait to eat until after he was finished. As I sat there eating my grilled Chick-fil-A, I thought about how thoughtful that was of him, so I sent him a text to say “thank you for lunch!” It would be easy to overlook those kinds of gestures, but staying in the habit of saying , “thank you” and “You’re welcome!” keeps things fresh!

The next picture on top is a weekly “chore” I do for my husband. I make him homemade granola. He LOVES it, so I try to always have it on hand for his breakfast. When I slide the pan into the oven I usually always call to him in his office, “I love you!” His response is, “You’re making granola!” Food can talk, can’t it?!

Sometimes a little reminder to leave a note is helpful – like this chalkboard. We use this one frequently to say how much the other is loved! “More than chocolate” says a lot! =)

The second picture collage shows planned date nights. One was a blue grass concert that we attended together. My husband saw that this super-good group was going to be in our area the next week and he made the plans and bought the tickets for us to attend. I love it when he plans ahead and we can look forward to that time together! Afterwards we stopped for a late night snack and had the best time just having a date night! The other date was dinner at home – our favorite place!

Lastly, is my stack of note cards specifically for your husband. They have a phrase on each card with room to add a note. I have put them in his Bible, at his desk or on his pillow when I’m going away. He was gone for a couple nights this month to shepherd a sweet family in our church going through a difficult surgery. I stuck a couple notes in his luggage to remind him I’d miss him while he was away. (I found these at Hobby Lobby)

It’s just the day to day maintenance that my refrigerator needs, but more than that, my marriage needs it so nothing strange ends up on our plates! I’d rather serve fresh love than dry, moldy “I’m used to you” attitudes, how about you?!

What did you do yesterday to demonstrate to your mate that your marriage matters?

Refresh your marriage,

Christian Life · Prayer · Uncategorized · waiting

Awkward Waiting

March 29, 2016March 28, 2016 RefreshHer1 Comment

Yesterday I found myself waiting once again for a situation for which I have prayed much. I sighed. I cried. Then I ran…to the Lord. I poured out my heart to Him, and it felt good to give it all back to Him. I reminded myself to give thanks for this waiting. I remembered, too, that Isaiah 40:31 says that if we wait on the Lord we will have renewed strength. Praise the Lord. The last thing I did was go to my blog for other posts I’ve written and remember what the Lord has taught me while I waited on Him in the past. The following is an old post that was a good reminder for me. Let me share it…

I will never forget the anxious moments of waiting. I was a soon-to-be post college student seeking God’s will for my future. My name had been given to a pastor (Pastor Cunningham) who was looking for a secretary for the Christian school at his church, and I was waiting for my appointment with him where I would be interviewed for the position.

I arrived promptly at our set time, climbed the stairs to the Student center, and peeked into doorway of the interview office (from a distance). I saw a man talking with a student. Immediately, I assumed that he was the man I was waiting for. I seated myself on a sofa outside the office, in a place where I would be easily seen when he exited the interview office. Then I waited…and waited.

At another place across from where I sat, a man was seated. It appeared that, he too, was waiting for someone. We both waited. I was thinking about the exam that I was going to be taking in the next class period and wishing I could be studying instead of just sitting. The waiting grew wearisome. The interview inside the office continued, and I grew more and more impatient and frustrated. I kept looking at my watch wondering how long I would have to wait, and wondering if I would miss my appointment because he’d gone too long with this other person. Finally after 15-20 minutes, the gentleman that was seated nearby got up and approached me, and suddenly I had a funny feeling the my waiting had been in vain.

“Are you waiting to be interviewed by him?” the man asked, nodding toward the interview office.

“Yes I am” I replied.

“What is his name?” he asked.

“Mr. Cunningham” was my answer. The man smiled and then said laughing, “Iam Mr. Cunningham! I assumed you were waiting for him since you kept looking toward that office!”

I introduced myself and then our interview got underway. Of course, you must realize that I got the job, and I also got his son for a husband a few years later – now that’s some deal! =)

As I’ve looked back over that interview all those years ago, I remember how awkward I felt waiting. After waiting for a long time a person begins to realize that something isn’t right. Perhaps someone waits for a friend at a restaurant and they never show, then they look at their calendar on their phone and realize their lunch date was for the next day. Sometimes waiting without response can have a tragic end because the person who was supposed to show up was in an accident or got sick. Waiting for people can have awkward moments.

Waiting on the Lord is altogether different, however.

Lamentations 3:25 says,

The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

Even when we wait for a very long time for the Lord to answer our cries, we don’t have to wonder if He’s misunderstood. We don’t have to question if He’s really going to show up. There’s no need to doubt about Him keeping the appointment! He will always hear, He will “show up” at just the right time, and He will keep His appointment with us and our situation!

As you wait on God, don’t get up and leave. Don’t start doubting. Don’t start sighing in desperation. Your waiting will not be in vain. You can trust in Him because He is good and will do good in your life!

Did anyone else need the reminder of the blessing of waiting?

With love,

Side dish

A New Veggie Side!

March 28, 2016March 28, 2016 RefreshHer2 Comments

“Brussels Sprouts? Are you kidding me?!” is what I would have said if you would have told me that I had roasted a new veggie in my kitchen! I had never eaten them before that I can remember, but I’ve seen Ina Garten roast them, and as she is want to do, she made me think I’d like to try them! Then recently while out for lunch with friends, I got to try their side of Brussels. Yum!! They were delicious!

Being the Aldi’s fresh vegetable fan that I am, I went there hunting for the green delicacies. Wow! I found them super affordable for a bag. I came home and searched on Pinterest for a recipe that sounded delicious. Roasting in Olive oil at a high temp until the greens are caramelized, and then adding Balsamic Vinegar and honey pretty much sums it up. I considered this recipe a success, and I’m sticking with it! I found it on Once Upon a Chef‘s site. Thank you, for sharing, Chef!

Be sure not to overcook them, I’ve read that this is key to the difference between delicious and really bad! Take off the outer leaves that are tough. Aside from that – I’d just say Give them a try!

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic and Honey

Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds brussels sprouts, halved, stems and ragged outer leaves removed*
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon honey

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. In a large bowl, toss brussels sprouts with 2 tablespoons olive oil, kosher salt and pepper. Transfer the brussels sprouts to baking sheet and roast, stirring occasionally to ensure even browning, until tender and caramelized, about 20 minutes.
Place brussels sprouts back in bowl. Add remaining tablespoon olive oil, balsamic vinegar and honey and toss to coat evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, then serve.
*If you have some brussels sprouts that are very large, cut them into quarters. They should all be cut about the same size to ensure even cooking.

As I understand it, they’re not usually available in the warmer months, so hop to it and grab some before the Sprout Season is gone!

Anyone else love Brussels Sprouts?

With love from my country kitchen,

Easter · Uncategorized

My Meditation On Good Friday

March 25, 2016March 23, 2016 RefreshHer4 Comments

Today is a special day for anyone who is guilty. Romans 3:23 says that’s all of us. Today, is Good Friday, the day we remember as the day Christ went to the cross for us. While it was a horrible death, it’s a wonderful story for each of us, because our sins are paid for by the spotless Lamb of God! I heard one preacher say this in his message this week:

Your sins have to be paid for. You’ll either accept Christ’s payment on the cross, or you’ll pay for them eternally in hell.

I trust that if you have not received Christ’s payment for your sins, that you will receive Him as your Savior – your Substitute! He died for you, and this day is a precious reminder of His tremendous sacrifice.

If you are a believer,