Young Women

October 23, 2009January 9, 2015 RefreshHer1 Comment

I had the pleasure of playing yesterday! Dolls, dollhouse, cookies and icing all filled a good couple hours of my afternoon. I had one of the sweet little girls from our church over just so I could spend some one-on-one time with her. The Lord brought this to my mind a couple of months ago when I was asking the Lord how I should fill my time in this new phase of my life. Who says our company should always be our peers? She was a sweet guest – she even helped me clean house – the dollhouse that is.

This dollhouse belongs to my 25 year-old who has no place for it right now. It had been neglected and needed some TLC, which my young friend was happy to give! We dusted and swept it out, then did a little decorating in each room, setting the tables in the kitchen and dining rooms, displaying the toys in the playroom, and even putting up the Christmas tree and gifts in the living room. Once the dollhouse was in place we went upstairs to decorate sugar cookies. She was a pro, and so careful to put just the right colors together. Of course some of the icing hit our fingers, but we made short order of that! Lick!!! and it’s gone! =)

We were a team. She said, “You put on the icing and I’ll add the decorations. We got that batch done in no time (I wonder what she’s doing mid-December when I’ll need to decorate my Christmas cookies?)!

Of course we had to eat cookies too! She picked out one for each of us after she got them decorated. See? She’s even a generous guest!

Hospitality goes beyond a full meal or overnight guests. Sometimes it takes the form of bringing in someone younger and just having fun! I’d encourage you to try it! I’m reminded of the Scripture that encourages the same thing:

The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Titus 2:3-5

We don’t have to wait until these little girls are grown and married to be an example to them. Little girls are just so precious! Why not ask the Lord who you could host? I guarantee you’ll receive as much a blessing as she does!

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Why Do We Wait?

October 22, 2009January 9, 2015 RefreshHerLeave a comment

Last night we had the special privilege of having some dear missionary friends in town. Our church took a mission trip to Spain a couple years ago and we went to the Basque region and helped at a Farmhouse that is being renovated to use for ministry purposes. The couple heading up this ministry, Andy and Mimi, were the ones that were here visiting. Most of our mission team members were able to share a meal with them before prayer meeting. What a blessing to hear about the work that is continuing there and how God is at work. Their work there in Spain has progressed very slowly. After ten years, they only had a handful of people attending their church services. God used those years to teach Andy some special things that he preached to us in prayer meeting.

I’ve always loved Joseph and his story in Genesis. I’ve thought of him as a man of integrity and godly character, but I’ve never really considered all the waiting Joseph had to endure. Think about it – after God gave him the promises in the dreams, many years passed before they actually came to pass. The verse in Genesis 40:8 speaks of the baker and the butler: And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you. Joseph’s dreams hadn’t come to pass yet, but Joseph displays great faith in God! He encouraged these men by his faith in his God while he waited!

I wonder how much of an encouragement I would be to others while I was in a prison due to no fault of my own! But Andy pointed out that the reason God had Joseph wait is because he wanted to strengthen his heart and prepare him for the ministry he had for him. What a good lesson for all of us to remember during our waiting!

If you’re in a holding pattern right now, don’t doubt if God will answer your prayer, but allow Him to strengthen and prepare you for what He has planned for your life.

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See All the People

October 21, 2009January 9, 2015 RefreshHer2 Comments

Here is the church,

Here is the steeple,

Open the doors,

and see all the people.

I’m sure you remember that finger play for children. As I reflect back to last Sunday and Pastor Appreciation, that’s what comes to my mind – open the doors and see all the people.

As my husband and I stood before all of our dear congregation at the dinner Sunday afternoon to receive the basket of cards that had been left for us, I looked out at all the people. As I looked out I thought, “These are the faces of the people that God has given us to serve.” I remembered how we have rejoiced with some, cried with others, prayed with most. We have shared worship together, opened our Bibles to study the Word, and lifted our hearts as one voice to praise our great God. Our hearts have been knit to theirs over these years of serving alongside them. They have become so dear to us.

Boones Creek Bible Church is a body of believers – people that God has placed together. Without each one it would only be a building. The people are the church. As I think about each one I also remember the many times they have been a blessing to me personally. How many times others have asked to pray for my needs. So many told me they were praying for my dad when he was going through his heart problems. They would ask about him each time we met in God’s house. That touched my heart so deeply. When Whitney and Allison left for college, there were many that came alongside to ask how we were doing, how she is adjusting, and have sent her notes of encouragement. That touches a mother’s heart! There have been so many that have helped in the ladies’ ministry and helped accomplish things I could not have done alone.

So, to each of you Boones Creek Bible Church ladies, please know how special you are to me. I love you and am thankful that I have the privilege to be called your pastor’s wife. I am here to serve you for God’s honor and glory. Thank you for allowing me that privilege. I appreciate you!

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He’s Still God in the Valley

October 20, 2009January 9, 2015 RefreshHer1 Comment

Sorry for the late posting this morning. It was a migraine night and a dental cleaning this morning, then computer complications! Every day isn’t sunshine and roses, is it? What do we do with migraine nights or dentist mornings (not my favorite place in the world!)? We must go on believing the truth we know in the good times! What truth is that? This:

For the God on the mountain is still God in the valley.

When things go wrong, He’ll make it right.

And the God of the good times

is still God in the bad times.

The God of the day

is still God in the night.

Yesterday I was literally up on the mountain. My husband and I travelled to Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi. It was so beautiful with the clear blue sky, fall colors, and snow! They had about 3-4 inches a few days before and it was all over the tree tops – as you see in my picture here. But today, it’s back to dealing with life, laundry and labor. I don’t have to be down and discouraged though, because as the song above reminds us, God is still God, in good times and bad.

Whatever life has dished out to you this morning, remind yourself that God is in the heavens, on His throne, sovereignly ruling and caring for you as much today as when you were up on the mountain!

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What’s Cookin’ in the Parsonage?

October 19, 2009January 9, 2015 RefreshHer3 Comments

Yesterday our church celebrated its 53rd anniversary. God has been so abundantly good to Boones Creek Bible Church!

As part of the celebration we had a dinner following the morning service. We have a church full of good cooks and when there’s a dinner there is always plenty of good food!

I decided to make a potato dish, rolls, and a Chocolate Torte.

The potato dish is a great one to make for Sunday dinner because it has to be made the night before. I actually made it on Friday so it wouldn’t be a hectic Saturday.

Here’s the recipe:

Gourmet Potatoes
6 medium potatoes
2 C shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 C butter
1 1/2 C sour cream (I used light)
1/3 C chopped onion
1 t. salt
paprika

Peel the potatoes. Leave them whole. Cook in boiling water ’til tender. Cool.

Shred potatoes coarsely.

In medium-sized saucepan, melt butter and cheese. Stir ’til melted. Remove from heat; blend in sour cream, onions and salt. Fold in potatoes and pour into a 2 qt. casserole dish.

Sprinkle with paprika on top. Refrigerate overnight. Bake @ 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

I tried a new roll recipe that only requires one rising. They’re not your typical fluffy rolls, but they are good and my family enjoyed them. They make lots (36 rolls), so we had some with supper Saturday night and I had plenty to take to church.

Simply-a-must Dinner Rolls from Taste of Home Magazine (you’ll find the recipe on the link)

You mix the dough and knead it …

then immediately after kneading you roll out the dough into three 12-inch circles and brush with melted butter. I use a pizza cutter to cut the dough in 12 pieces.

Roll from the long end and place on a baking sheet where they rise until ready to bake (30-45 minutes).

Bake for 10-12 minutes. I brushed the tops with butter when they were hot.

Dessert was a snap with this new recipe I found in my Pampered Chef Cookbook.

Chocolate Caramel Pecan Torte

1 package 9 oz devil’s food cake mix ( I used a regular sized cake mix and it made two layers. I froze one for a later use.)

25 caramel candies, unwrapped

2 Tablespoons milk

1/2 cup pecans

1 1/2 cups thawed frozen whipped topping

1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 tsp. vegetable oil

Prepare the cake mix according to package directions; pour into a greased and floured springform pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Loosen cake from rim of pan; cool completely.

In medium microwave-safe bowl, combine candies and milk. Microwave on high 1 1/2 – 2 minutes or until smooth, stirring every 30 seconds. Stir in pecans. Spread mixture evenly onto cake. Refrigerate 20 minutes or until caramel mixture is cooled.

Pipe whipped topping around edge of cake. In small microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and oil. Microwave on high 1 1/2 – 2 minutes or until smooth, stirring every 30 seconds.