Life Feels So Full!

Do you ever wonder how everything will get done? And your mind feels about like this picture!

  1. The laundry needs folded
  2. Bread needs made
  3. Computer work to finish
  4. Sewing that needs completed
  5. A card to mail
  6. Flowerbeds need weeded
  7. You want to spend time with a friend!
  8. AND YOU REALLY NEED TO SPEND TIME WITH GOD!!!! but you have so much to do…

Your tired already……..

I really struggle to take enough time with Jesus, especially when life doesn’t feel slow. Actually does it ever?!

I encourage you, and tell myself, time with Jesus is most important. Let’s together Seek Jesus first in how to live life well and to be intentional about our time with Him! You are going to be able to spend your time wisely and give better when you are first filled with Him!

And most times, you do get done what really has to get done.

”God, please guide my day. You know what I actually need to get done. I surrender my day, time and thoughts to you. Help me to live and speak in ways that bring you honor and glory!”

And you know, we must remember sometimes in life, depending on which season you are in, having time with Jesus doesn’t hardly happen. Even in those times, if you are surrendered to Jesus, you are still worshiping Him by meeting the needs and caring for the people or children around you.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths. -Proverbs 3 : 5-6

Youth Girls Night

Kinza and I know without a doubt that we have the best youth group. We’re definitely not biased. LOL. Part of what helps us have as great of relationships as we do, is the Bible study we girls have together. We started this last fall when our church and youth were facing some hard things, and it is obvious this was God’s timing. We generally have an evening together every other week where we discuss the lesson for the night and share our hearts and encourage each other. Then we end the night in prayer groups; praying for each other and various requests. We are going through a book called “Salvaging My Identity” by Rachel Lovingwood and Jennifer Mills. It’s very practical for youth girls!

Recently it was Kinza and my turn to host the Bible study, so we decided to have supper along with it. We served Low Country Boil and fruit cups. It was such a fun evening of fellowship and encouragement. I encourage you to get a group of girls together to study God’s Word and share with each other.

The topic for the evening was on Conflict. We are all plagued in some way with conflict with ourselves and other people. We discussed that most often the things that cause conflict in relationships are the very things that could make a relationship beautiful. Things like cultural differences, different ways of thinking, and such. We also discussed ways to overcome conflict- pray, be humble and admit failure, be willing to change, etc. Remember, where there are people there will be conflict, so let’s do what we can to handle it correctly when we are faced with it.

Low Country Boil:

1.5 gallons of water
1/4 c. Old Bay seasoning
1 T. salt
4 lbs. small potatoes
2 lbs. kielbasa, cut in 3″ pieces
12 ears corn, halved
4 large onions, cut in chunks
5 lbs. shrimp

Boil water, Old Bay seasoning and salt. Add potatoes and cook for 10 minutes. Add keilbasa and cook 10 minutes more. And corn and cook 3 minutes. Add onions and cook 2 minutes. Add shrimp and cook one minute. Strain the water off and then dump all the food on a table.
Serve with cocktail sauce, barbecue sauce, sour cream, butter, and salt.
We included fruit cups and sweet tea in the menu as well.

Compiled by Ginger

Just the Little Things

So I have been thinking a lot about gifts, and the small things that are so special!

About a year ago grandma was sick with cancer and mom was taking care of her. That was such an incredibly hard time. We girls needed to take care of our siblings and keep the house running! It was such a draining time – But we were blessed within it. God’s people stepped in and showed love and care. And it meant SO much. Lots of meals, flowers, notes, coffee and encouragement. Times when I wasn’t sure I could go on, He sent someone! Sometimes it was just the little things; Maybe just a hug, and someone saying they care.

Remember, it doesn’t need to be big to show someone you care!!! I know for myself, that I tend to think it needs to be big and elaborate; But it really doesn’t. It may just be the acknowledgement of care to a friend that counts or a hand picked bouquet of flowers.

Let’s not miss opportunities to bless people because we think we don’t have enough to give. Give what you have in love and that is truly enough!

Most of these pictures where from when mom was gone last year.

Written by Damarus

Philippians

PHILIPPIANS 2:1-18

  1. If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2. Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

3. Let nothing be done through strife or vain-glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves. 4. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.

6. Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7. But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

12. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 14. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15. That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.

16. Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. 17. Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. 18. For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.

As I read through the book of Philippians recently I was very blessed by what I read. I highly encourage you to read the rest of the book and allow God to speak to you through it. -Ginger

Baking: Tips & Tricks

Hello you all! Today we decided to share a few baking tips and tricks since we all seem to come in close contact with food at some time or another! Baking is fun but it is oh so disappointing when we don’t have the ingredients, or it flops. Mistakes are part of life but we can learn from them and turn them into growing experiences. Here are some random things we have learned.

TIPS & TRICKS

  • This is a simple one but handy to know. 3 tsp. = 1 TB. 4 TB. = 1/4 c.
  • Something that I do all the time in bread making is called the ‘windowpane test’. It tells you if the dough has been kneaded enough. Take a small piece of dough and stretch it between your fingers. If it can stretch enough to see light through it, it has been kneaded enough, but if it can’t stretch that much without breaking, knead a little longer and then try again.
  • Recipe calls for sour milk or butter milk = 1 c. milk + 1 TB. vinegar. Let sit 5 minutes and there you go!
  • Does your pie crust shrink substantially when you prebake it? Press a piece of tin foil against the crust in the pan and bake for about three quarters of the time then carefully pull out and finish baking. This has really helped me!
  • Before beating egg whites or something delicate, wipe out bowl with a little vinegar. It makes sure that there is no grease that would hinder the egg whites from beating.
  • When making chocolate chip cookies, refrigerate the dough for half an hour before baking. This prevents them from spreading too much in the oven. Also if you add 1/4 c. maple syrup to the dough it adds great flavor!
  • Baked goods lose their fresh favor so quickly but freezing soon after baking ,unless you plan to eat it the next day, preserves that much longer. Like for cinnamon rolls, I just barely bake until done and then freeze them un-iced. Then whenever you want fresh tasting cinnamon rolls real quick, pull out a pan and pop in the oven at about 300 degrees Fahrenheit until soft and warm. Ice with favorite frosting and enjoy! One of my favorite make ahead pastries.
  • There is 1/3 c. of jello in a 3 oz. box.
  • When a recipe calls for a packet of yeast = 2 1/4 tsp. of yeast
  • If you are going to whip cream put your bowl and whipping attachments into the freezer. When they are good and cold whip up the cream and because of the cold it will whip up faster and better.
  • This is something that I am still trying to do better at. Measure dry ingredients , but especially flour, by spooning in cup and then leveling of with butter knife or something. If you scoop the cup in, it packs a lot more then is called for which can throw off your recipe.
  • And whatever you make, be sure to add the flavor a heart of love adds!

Compiled by Daisy