Find refreshment for your heart, home and life
Merry Christmas to you, my friends. I pray you will have a wonderful time celebrating Christ’s birth. If the holidays are difficult for you for some reason or another, remember that the greatest need of our life was met when Jesus came to be born as our Savior. Every other need we may have He is able to handle as well. Look to the manger, the cross, and the empty tomb and rejoice in the hope that Christmas brings.
With love,
Yesterday I told you about getting to go to Asheville, NC to hear a concert by a converted Jew, Marty Goetz. Below are pictures of that magical night at The Cove. The decorations were so beautiful, and they were everywhere!
The snow we experienced was our first of the season – right on top of the mountain we were crossing. It was festive and beautiful…and a little scary! The Lord protected us, however, and we enjoyed its addition to this Christmas-y night!
We have been blessed to attend several activities this month that have really allowed us time to worship and praise our Savior that was born that we might live.
How have you worshiped this Christmas?
With love,
If you’re still struggling with gift ideas for some of the people on your Christmas list, I have a suggestion for you! It’s something I received in October from the ladies of my church –
What is it? Maybe you’ve figured it out?
Prayer.
One lady from my church is praying for me every day. They were given specific requests to pray on “their” day. Let me share an example of how I’ve recently seen God answer their prayers.
Last Friday the prayer request was, “Pray that God will bring godly friends and encouragers to her, to strengthen her for the ministry and to provide meaningful fellowship, accountability and times of rest.” On that day:
My husband and I had been invited to go to a Christmas concert in Asheville, sung by a Messianic Jew. The music was uplifting and worshipful.
We rode in our church van with eight other friends from church, enjoying fellowship and encouragement all the way there and back.
Do you see how those prayers were answered on that very day?! Not every prayer is answered in that way, but it was so wonderful when a friend (who happens to be praying for me every single day) reminded me of what the prayer request was for that day, and that God had answered!
I am covered by these dear ladies every single day at the Throne of God. I cannot tell you what that means to me. I need it. I am desperate for it. I am thankful to have it. What better gift could they give?
You might consider compiling a list for someone and telling them how you will pray for them each day for 31 days (or the whole year). Revive our Hearts has several lists you could choose – one for your husband, children, pastor, or pastor’s wife.
Daily,
Detailed,
Definitive prayer.
It’s a gift that could really touch someone’s heart and change their life.
James 5:16 The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Whom could you bless this Christmas with the gift of your prayers?
With love,
For years I have made these Make-Ahead Butterhorns, and I still love them. They’re super delicious and you do most of the work ahead of time. You just have to let them rise for about five hours when they’re in their frozen state. They are perfect for when I can plan ahead, but at other times when I need a bread for dinner on a moment’s notice, they are so convenient.
At Thanksgiving I tried Ree Drummonds Parkerhouse Rolls. These are also make-ahead rolls, but they are completely ready to pop into the oven for a quick ten – twelve minute browning and they’re ready for the table! They’re like the old Brown and Serve kind of rolls, only ten times tastier! They are so delicious, and the fact that they require no major time when you need them make them a great staple to keep in the freezer!
Here’s the recipe from Food Network: This recipe yields 72 rolls. I halved the recipe, but if you need rolls for a huge crowd, make the whole batch!
Parkerhouse Rolls
Stage 1: Combine the milk, sugar and 2 sticks butter in a large pot. Bring to a simmer and when the mixture is hot (but not boiling), turn off the heat and allow to cool to warmer than lukewarm, 30 to 45 minutes.
Stage 2: Sprinkle in the yeast and add 8 cups of flour. Stir to combine, then cover and allow to rise for 1 hour.
Stage 3: After 1 hour, add the salt, baking powder, baking soda and remaining 1 cup flour and stir to combine. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead the dough for 8 to 10 minutes, then form into a ball, cover with a towel and allow to rise in a warm place for 30 to 45 minutes.
Stage 4: Melt 2 sticks butter in a saucepan.
Roll out the dough to 1/2 inch thick. Cut circles with a 2 1/2-inch cutter. Dunk each circle in the melted butter, then immediately fold in half and place on a baking sheet. Press lightly to encourage sealing. Cover with a towel and allow the rolls to rise 30 to 45 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Stage 5: To par bake the rolls before freezing, bake until the rolls are risen and set but not brown, 7 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Freeze the rolls separately, then store them in batches in freezer bags. (If you’re not freezing the rolls and want to serve them right away, bake at 400 degrees F until risen, set and golden brown, about 15 minutes total.)
When ready to cook and serve the frozen rolls, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Melt the remaining stick of butter in a saucepan.
Place the frozen rolls on baking sheets and brush them with the melted butter. Bake until golden brown, 14 to 16 minutes. Brush them with additional melted butter if you like and let them sit for 1 minute. Serve while still warm.
Pictured below are the four “stages.” It may seem like a lot of work, but it’s mostly just letting the dough rest or rise. These are easy and worth the effort!
Just bake them the first time until they’re lightly browned, as pictured.
I have these rolls ready in my freezer for Christmas dinner at my parent’s house. All the work is done – the easy part is all that’s left! Last Monday’s recipe was also a make-ahead one – can you tell I like to be ahead of the game when I cook?!
What do you do to work ahead in meal prep?
With love from my country kitchen,
If you haven’t baked sugar cookies with your little children yet because you kind of dread the huge mess it’s going to make, let me give you a couple tips that will ease the whole process.
There’s just nothing any more fun to do with children at Christmas than to bake with them. As they age, gradually give them more and more responsibility with the process. One day they’ll bring you hot cookies that you never had to help with!
Yesterday I had my two Bible Club children over and they each decorated a dozen star-shaped sugar cookies. I had also made some tiny gingerbread men before they came. After telling them the story about the three wise men following the star to the Christ child, they enjoyed a snack of three tiny gingerbread men and a star. Cameron cracked us up when he dropped a gingerbread man into his glass of milk and said, “My wise man jumped in the swimming pool!” I love that little guy!
Happy baking, friends!
Stay refreshed!
RefreshHer 