Fall

A Peek From My Porch

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Oh, Friends, I’m still crazy about this new place in which we live! I hope I never get used to it. This has been such an overwhelmingly wonderful experience of God’s grace, that I pray I never ever take it for granted.

We are to close on our house on Monday, which happens to be the LAST possible day we could close without the fixed rate on our mortgage not going up! God is seldom early but never late! I knew He would get the one detail taken care of in time for it to close on time. Everything is finally in order and we are set to finish the details in less than a week. Hallelujah!

I told the Lord I would tell everyone how He provided this home for us. I hope the folks at the closing are ready for a good story, ’cause they’re going to hear it! =) The short version –

  1. I have prayed for ten years for a house of our own.
  2. After God provided for the girls college tuition expenses, He opened the door for us to look at houses.
  3. We offered bids on two other homes and were turned down. I was disappointed, but God was keeping us back so we’d be ready for the perfect place for us!
  4. We found this brand new house in the country that had EVERYTHING on the list I’d prayed for, plus several other blessings I hadn’t thought of!
  5. Our offer was accepted.
  6. Our loan was approved
  7. We got to move in before closing because of only one piece of paper that was floating somewhere and needed to land in the right place.
  8. Two days before the deadline, God got everything in order for closing!
  9. God continues to provide and bless us in ways we couldn’t imagine!
  10. This is our home!!!!!

Up to this point, I haven’t shared many pictures of my new home. Why?

  1. Pictures on my phone won’t upload to my computer. Grrr.
  2. I’m trying to get things decorated a little before giving a peek!
However, I pulled out my camera rather than my phone and snapped a few pictures literally from my porch into the entryway. We’ll start there and walk our way into the house a little at a time. Maybe by the time we get down the hall I’ll have pictures and curtains up!

Drumroll:

Here’s the front door:

I’m hoping that one of the farmers around me will give me some cornstalks to add to my doorway! My girls brought me the beautiful mum for a housewarming gift! Aren’t they sweet?

My girls and I attended a decorating class at Gracious Designs last Saturday. She said that the entryway should have a “Wow Factor.”  Whatever you see first should be beautiful!!!! I found this green rug at TJ Maxx and it gives a great pop of color at the door…

Liza is getting ready to “walk the carpet”! Ha!
Just inside the door on the wall to the left is this frame:

It was my translation of this Pinterest idea:
Idea for a small wall
I have a nice long hallway. Even though it’s a little narrow, there’s plenty of room for this half table.
I’m trying to make it my “wow” factor.

I don’t have all my fall decorations out yet, but this is a start…

A friend at church made this wreath for me last year; isn’t it gorgeous?!

This year I added one thing – a leaf ornament I was given last year…

I’m still adding, subtracting and “fluffing,” so don’t be surprised if you stop by and it doesn’t look this way anymore! I’m looking for some books to pile on this table. I think that might give it the look I’m going for.

Thanks for stopping by! What are you doing in your entryway for fall?

Pastor Encouragement: Pray that you pastor will be humble and authentic in his faith, not given to pride or hypocrisy. Pray that he will have pure motives and give God glory for every gain and victory.

Husband Encouragement: Spend time in prayer, asking the Spirit to search you and know your heart for any unreasonable or unrealistic expectations you are holding over your husband. Today, try to look at your husband through eyes of grace. Verbally thank your husband for what he is already doing, and release him from any overly demanding expectations the Lord has shown you.

With love from my country home,

evangelism

Seeing with Christ-like love

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It happened years ago, yet still I remember how humbling the experience was…and the lesson I learned from it. I had received a phone call from a stranger. The person on the other end of the line was hard to understand. Their words were choppy and they seemed abrupt and loud as they spoke. I was frustrated after minutes of our discussion. I cannot remember exactly how our discussion ended or even what they wanted, but I do know that I learned afterwards that the caller was handicapped and had difficulty speaking. I felt the size of a worm for getting agitated at them. But you see, I didn’t know, so I’m innocent, right? I couldn’t see them…how was I to know they had a handicap? Seeing or not, Scripture tells us that if I’m showing love, I will be longsuffering (I Corinthians 13). I need to see with Christ-like love.

Let’s think about some others we don’t “see” with whom we need to show the I Corinthians kind of love.

What about the person who is poking along in front of us on our way home from work. We shake our finger towards his car and mutter, “The speed limit is 55, mister! Why are you doing 35? Can’t you see I want to get home?” But what we don’t see is that he’s been diagnosed with macular degeneration, and he feels safe enough to drive in the area right around his house, albeit a little slower than he used to go. If we’d have known that, would we have been a little more understanding? We need to “see” with Christ-like love.

The woman that checked you out when you went shopping at Target didn’t even say hello! As a matter of a fact, she didn’t even smile when she took care of you! You leave the store mumbling about how rude people are nowadays. But you didn’t see that her husband lost his job and she’s burdened down with the weight of now being the sole provider for their family. We need to see with Christ-like love.

Your boss hibernates in his office today and seems exceptionally demanding. He seldom comes out, but only sends messages to give directions. Does he not believe in being personal with his employees? You and other coworkers give him the “what-for” in the break room. What you don’t see is that his wife filed for divorce last night and his heart is broken. It reminds him of the day his dad left when he was and child and he’s wondering if anyone could ever really love him. We need to see with Christ-like love.

Last weekend when you attended your favorite college football game, the guys in front of you were foul-mouthed. They yelled profanities, drank beer, and smoked in the stands, regardless that those around them asked them to stop. They all had jobs. They were all healthy, but not one of them had ever trusted Christ as their Savior because they’d never seen up close what it looks like when Christ’s love really changes a person. Would that change today because you saw them with Christ-like love?

If we’re honest, we’d admit that we all feel like we’re entitled to “nice” people around us. Good treatment is what we expect, but when it doesn’t happen, let’s stop and listen and truly see what Christ would see. It could be something far deeper, something that is there that is crying out for Christ-like love. May we each see that need and may we love with that kind of love.

How have you seen Christ’s love in others today?

Here’s how you can show love to your pastor and husband today:

Pastor Encouragement:  Pray that God will bring godly friends and encouragers to your pastor and family to strengthen them for the ministry and provide meaningful fellowship and times of rest.

Husband Encouragement:  Men respond to women who respect them. What do you respect about your husband? Is it his ability to plan, lead, show mercy, mediate peace, or delegate? Does he keep things organized or invest in others? If you feel there is nothing to respect, search harder … nearly every man has some core characteristic that can be nurtured and respected. In any case, you must still cultivate a submissive spirit to his position of leadership “as to the Lord.” Part of showing respect includes submission to his authority: “For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior” (Eph. 5:23).

Action Step: Demonstrate respect. Show your respect in public by listening to him and smiling at him when he speaks. Place your hand in his as you walk together. Seek his opinion on decisions you need to make or conversations you need to have with others. Tell him that you need his support, insight, care, and love.

With love (prayerfully the Christ-like kind),

dessert · Pasta

What’s Cookin’ in the Country?

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I love it when I can find a dish that would normally be a pretty high fat/calorie dish and it’s reduced on Cooking Light’s site!  I stumbled across a Tomato Cheese Ravioli dish last week that was so fresh tasting and yet still had all the “yummyness” of cheese and pasta that we all love.  

breadsticks 1

The recipe was super easy to put together.  


Cheese Ravioli with Tomatoes

Ingredients:

1 pound cherry tomatoes
2 shallots, cut into wedges
Cooking spray
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
12 ounces cheese ravioli

2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 425°.
2. Halve half of tomatoes. Arrange cut tomatoes, whole tomatoes, and shallots on a jelly-roll pan coated with cooking spray.  Drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil; toss.
Bake at 425° for 35 minutes.
3. Add 2 tablespoons oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper to pan. Bake 10 minutes.
4. Cook ravioli according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain ravioli, reserving 1/4 cup cooking liquid. Add ravioli to tomatoes; toss. Add cooking liquid, if needed. Garnish with chopped basil.Drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil; toss.

breadsticks 3

I did my own little bread with olive oil and spices like they serve a Carrabbas. I used a spice mix my daughter brought me for a hostess gift a while back. Wow.  I served fresh broccoli alongside, and it made for a colorful addition to the pasta main dish.  

Now, how about a great dessert?!  
Chocolate-Mint Cake Recipe
Southern Living’s photo

Have you ever cut out a recipe from a magazine and dreamed about making it?  Such was the case with a Chocolate mint Cake recipe I got from a Southern Living Magazine a couple years ago.  I LOVE chocolate and mint anything, so when I saw this cake idea, I could only imagine it like a giant Peppermint Patty.  I was not disappointed!  Since I celebrated a birthday last week and Whitney will be celebrating one in a couple weeks, I decided to make the cake to celebrate both our days while she was home this weekend.  We were both happy!

I made a few alterations to the recipe; you’ll see them in italics.

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate morsels
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 (16-ounce) package light brown sugar
3 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (8-ounce) container sour cream
1 cup hot water
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preparation:  I would recommend baking the cake layers early in the week and freezing them.

Melt semisweet chocolate morsels in a microwave-safe bowl at HIGH for 30-second intervals until melted (about 1 1/2 minutes total time). Stir until smooth.

Beat butter and brown sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer, beating about 5 minutes or until well blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition. Add melted chocolate, beating just until blended.

Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to chocolate mixture alternately with sour cream, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed just until blended after each addition. Gradually add 1 cup hot water in a slow, steady stream, beating at low speed just until blended. Stir in vanilla. Use immediately, following directions for desired cake.

Pour batter into 2 9-inch cake pans (or 3 8-inch pans).   Caution:  grease and paper the pans with waxed or parchment paper!  How do I know?  One of my layers is in the freezer to be used for a trifle!  Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.  Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans, and let cool completely on wire racks.  Spread Peppermint filling between cake layers.  Spread Chocolate Ganache evenly on top and sides of cake.

Note:
The addition of hot water at the end of this recipe makes for an exceptionally moist cake.

Peppermint Filling
Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 (16-oz.) package powdered sugar
1/3 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon peppermint oil

Preparation

1. Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy; gradually add powdered sugar alternately with milk, beginning and ending with powdered sugar. Beat at low speed just until blended after each addition. Stir in peppermint oil. Refrigerate this filling to it will get to a spreading consistency.  Otherwise, it will just run down the sides of the cake layers.
Ingredients

Chocolate Ganache
1 (12-oz.) package semisweet chocolate morsels
1/2 cup whipping cream
3 tablespoons butter
Preparation

1. Microwave semisweet chocolate morsels and whipping cream in a 2-qt. microwave-safe bowl at MEDIUM (50% power) 2 1/2 to 3 minutes or until chocolate begins to melt. Whisk until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth. Whisk in butter, and let stand 20 minutes.
2. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer 3 to 4 minutes or until soft peaks form. I had to refrigerate for a short amount of time.

Assemble the whole cake a day before and refrigerate it and it will slice perfectly and beautifully!

One more thing before we go…how about serving up some encouragement?  

Pastor Encouragement: Ask God to protect your pastor from the evil plots of Satan.  Pray that he will not be corrupted as he rubs shoulders with the world in the course of ministry.

Husband Encouragement:  Does your husband know that you think he is attractive? What was one of the characteristics in your husband that first drew you to him? Was it a physical characteristic or something else? Was it his gentle, compassionate eyes? Kindness or concern for others? An easygoing confidence? A steadiness that comes from trusting in the Lord? Strength of character in a culture that lacks integrity? Do you see at least a glimpse of that characteristic in him today? Whatever it is, tell him! If you still have any of your old love letters, re-read them for clues to deepen your current level of appreciation for your spouse.

How are you doing with your encouragement challenge?  Are you making it a part of each day? Are you seeing the power your words are in prayer for your pastor?  In building your husband?

With love from my country kitchen,

organization

Freshen Up Friday

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My whole world is refreshed because of  my new kitchen, but there’s one spot that I especially LOVE!
Look…

It’s my pantry!

I love it!!!!

It’s so wonderful having all my canned goods and extra products right here at my fingertips! I don’t have it completely filled and ready, but I thought I’d give you a little look inside, and also a little encouragement as how to refresh your own pantry, closet or cupboards.

Use similar materials to hold things. I decided that I didn’t want everything to just be stacked in the pantry and make it look cluttered. So I am using two finishes: glass jars and light wicker baskets. You could go with black trays, or red, wire or white baskets. It will create uniformity. Hobby Lobby has great containers like this, and when they’re on half price sale, it’s a great deal!

Also, using baskets can help you organize items. I have a basket for baked goods, like store bought cookies or crackers. I have one for baking items; chocolate chips, my extra oatmeal (I buy it in bulk), brown sugar, and nuts. One basket holds my paper plates and colored napkins. My jars hold oatmeal, popcorn, nuts, and pasta. I love the jars with the chalkboard labels!

Even if you don’t have a pantry, you can still use small baskets or containers to corral your cupboard items. Your spices could go in one. Baking soda, powder, salt and corn starch could go in another.

You should love opening up the pantry or cupboard door because not only is everything within your reach, but it’s also easy to find and looks attractive.

Do yourself a favor and refresh your cupboard or pantry this weekend. It will make things easier to use, and create a place you love!

Now refresh someone else:

Pastor Encouragement: Pray for your pastor’s children, and especially that the pressures of the ministry will not discourage or embitter them. Pray that your pastor will provide godly leadership in the home, not based on fear of what others will think, but according to Scriptural truth. If your pastor does not have children, pray that God will give him many spiritual children as he shares the Gospel.

Husband Encouragement: As you continue in your 30-day challenge, not speaking negatively and focusing on positive encouragement, hear the Lord’s admonition today: “Be quick to hear.”

If listening is a real problem for you, play a game with yourself. See if you can listen to your husband for one whole day, only speaking when asked a question. If your husband notices the difference, explain that you are learning to listen more — not only to God, but also to him.

Do you have a pantry? Is it easy to use? How do you organize yours?

Be refreshed,

Husband · Pastor

I’m Back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Hello, Dear Readers! I have truly missed being able to connect with you here! It took a little longer to get Internet connections to our newly constructed house, but it was probably a good break. It has given me more time to get settled into our new home as well as participate in a couples retreat, direct a wedding, make a trip to Kentucky and host a couple gatherings – all in the last two weeks! Things have been busy, but very wonderful!

The view from my devotional chair

While we were moving and getting settled, so many people were a blessing to us; they refreshed us.

  • Some brought food and beverages on the day we moved.
  • Some helped me pack before the move.
  • Some helped me unpack after we moved.
  • Many sent cards of congratulations on our new home.
  • Some have come to visit and welcome us!
  • Some have given gracious gifts for our new home.
  • Many have prayed for all the details and let us know how they were praying.
  • Many have rejoiced with us in God’s provision. It’s harder to rejoice than to weep with those that weep. Seeing others’ joy in our blessing is really special.
If someone you know is moving, consider how you could refresh them at this time by looking at the list above and asking the Lord what He would have you do. Moving is a daunting task, so whatever you do for them will be really appreciated! If you can only pack up one cabinet of dishes, it will be one less cabinet they have to pack. If you could only have time to bake them some cookies for the day of their move, it will help fortify them on that exhausting day. The point is, do something. You will be refreshed as you encourage them!

Back to our desire to encourage our pastor and our husband:

Pastor’s Encouragement: Pray that God will protect your pastor’s wife from bitterness when her husband is criticized. Pray that her prayer and devotional life will be consistent, and that she will guard her mind and heart. (As a pastor’s wife, I know how much I need this prayer! Thanks in advance for those that will pray this for me!)

Your Husband: Plant seeds of faithfulness into your husband’s heart by praising his integrity and loyal actions. Write him a note expressing how much it means to you that he has honored his marriage vow.
*Note: If there has been unfaithfulness in your relationship, thank the Lord that your husband is still with you, and thank your husband for it too. Keep building. God can make beauty from ashes!

I can’t wait for the days ahead! I have pictures of our house to show its progress. Though things aren’t decorated yet, I’m pretty well unpacked. I have some devotional thoughts I’ve been thinking about and some great new recipes to share too, so keep tuned! I’m back online! 

What have you been up to since we last met here? I missed you!!!!

Love and hugs,