16 Things I Learned in 2016

My sister Leslie mentioned to me recently on our podcast, The In-Between, that she was trying to take the end of this year to really reflect on what she learned in 2016 and to remember the goodness of God throughout that process.  So she got me thinking, and over the last couple of weeks I've been jotting down the lessons that I learned this year.  I came up with 16 because of course I did...it's 2016!

1.  Ask for what is actually in your heart.

I feel like this was the lesson that God kept reminding me of over and over throughout 2016.  I realized that I often preach to people to dream big and to believe big, but when it came to my own prayer life I definitely kept things to a more minimal level.  I tend to pray for others (my girls, Josh, my job, etc.), but one day I was walking and thinking about some ideas I had for myself when I heard the Lord whisper, "What do you want?"  I immediately knew what I wanted, but the prospect of actually asking for those things felt daunting.  I felt selfish, prideful, and began to wonder if what was in my heart might be too much.  That walk was a turning point for something inside of me this past year, because with each step taken I dealt with some wrong beliefs that I didn't even realize I was holding.  It was a walk where God unveiled my fear of asking for big things, and it was a walk where the ask turned to surrender and surrender turned to hope.  It's been a year of realizing that much of what is in my heart comes from Him and therefore it's not prideful or selfish but rather visionary and powerful.

2.  Parenting strong-willed kids only gets easier if I remain consistent.

For some reason I had hopes that when my little one went from three to four, we would magically experience a transformation in our strong-willed child.  And guess what?!  That didn't happen.  So we have been regrouping, trying to become more consistent in our parenting, discipline, and rewards, and slowly we are seeing changes.  Thank you Jesus!

3.  Buckingham Palace is as regal as I imagined.

Buckingham Palace was open to visitors when I was there this summer, and I literally gasped as I walked down the red carpeted stairs into the great ballroom.  It was magnificent and solidified my love for the royals.

4.  I should not be the navigator when my husband is driving on the opposite side of the road.

Speaking of England...we learned that a great way to bring out marital strife is for my husband to drive on the "wrong side" of the road while I tried to navigate our group through skinny, winding roads on the English country-side.  I finally turned my duties over to someone else on the team and peace was restored.

5.  Doing hard things is always worth it!

I've done some hard things this year, and in the process I almost always wanted to give up, but when those things were complete, I was reminded that the best things are always hard but always worth it.

6.  Having a nephew is pretty awesome.

This little guy is my first nephew to live in the same city as me...and I'm smitten.

7.  Starting a podcast is fun, but also some work.

I started a podcast called The In-Between with my sister Leslie, and I am absolutely loving it!  I feel like every story matters, and I love creating a place to share the stories of some of my favorite people!  We are learning much and have plans to continue to improve, but the journey has been a favorite for me in 2016.

8.  Sometimes the best way to meet a need is to help others connect.

For years, when someone came to me with a need I felt a pressure to find a solution or to meet that need myself, which inevitably caused me to feel overwhelmed and want to hide when I saw another person coming my way.  But this last year I've tried to help foster relationships between people.  I've learned to become a connector, so when I hear about a need, especially when I know I don't have the skill set to meet that need, I try to connect people with others.  A few times those connections have flopped, but on other occasions simple introductions have turned into true friendships or working relationships.  And I don't have another to-do on my list!

9.  You don't have to finish bad books.

I've stopped reading a lot of books this year, which is has given me more time to finish books that I've loved (like these two).

10.  Watching those you love hurt is hard, and often the best thing you can do is show up for them.

2016 was hard for a lot of people that I love.  A divorce, an unexpected death, and illness have been present in our family and in the lives of friends that I love this past year.  And probably the only helpful thing I did, that I learned from my parents, was I tried to show up - to sit, to listen, and to be present in the pain.

11.  Never underestimate the power of a Blood Orange San Pellegrino on a hot day or a Vanilla Latte on a cold day.

This was the year of drink flings for me.  And I'm expecting this love affair to continue into 2017.

12.  Making space for people to find rest and fun is ministry.

Probably one of the best decisions I've made in recent years was to quit our annual missions conference and instead make space for the missionaries we partner with to find rest, friendship and laughter.  This was hard because in many ways, Christian church culture told me that a big conference was the definition of success.  But after a few days in the mountains with true heroes of the faith, I realized it was definitely the right choice.  And as a result, I'm rethinking all sorts of methods of ministry and asking myself what do people actually need.

13.  Having my mother-in-law in the same city as our family is better than I could have imagined.

Josh's mom moved to our home town this past spring, and Lubbock loves Marcy!

14.  When you know who you are and what lane you are called to run in, you can genuinely rejoice with others as they succeed.

Many people in my life saw success and positive steps in the direction of their dreams this year  (Leslie and Alan moving the Nashville, Heath and Kelsey getting ready to launch a new campus of COTR, my husband slaying at his job).  And as I've been reflecting, I had an ah ha! moment where I realized that I've genuinely been able to rejoice in their success because of an internal security that I'm right where I need to be.  In years past, I've known that my rejoicing has only been half-hearted at times because I felt like if I wasn't connect to their success that I was somehow left out.  I'm not feeling that anymore, and it's such a relief!  So go on with your bad selves friends, and know I'll stay over here cheering loudly for you!

15.  Hiring a friend to a be a princess at your child's birthday party may just win you the mom of the year award!

As far as Haven is concerned, the REAL Elsa showed up at her 4th birthday party in our backyard, and it was the BEST DAY EVER!

16.  I will always love some good pop culture, and my favorites this year were Carpool Karaoke, The Bachelorette, and binging the new Gilmore Girls.

Whether big or small, what lessons have you learned in 2016?  I encourage you to consider this question over the next couple weeks and watch how it makes you thankful and more focused on what is possible for 2017!

5 Reasons I Always Fall for the Fall

Can you feel it?  The air is a bit crisper, people are singing the praises of pumpkin spice everything, and my kids are back in school (hallelujah)!  Must mean fall is here or almost here, and just today I was rekindling my love affair with Fall.

If you're unsure about fully embracing this best of seasons, I thought I'd share with you 5 reasons why it wins my heart every year.  I'm trying to make converts here today.

1.  Cozy Everything

Could Fall be any cozier?  With the onset of cooler weather, I feel like Fall beckons us to come inside, pull up a blanket, get a hot drink, and snuggle up for ultimate coziness.  And I'm pretty sure that I'm not alone in this love.  I heard today that Lubbock Starbucks were literally out of Pumpkin Spice Lattes.  People were ranting about it on social media - it was serious!!!  They are bringing in a special shipment so peace should resume shortly.  And at our last community group, we devoted an entire 10 minutes just to discussing the best places to get special fall drinks.

And the smells...ahh!  Breathe it in my friends - fall smells are the best!  I'm burning a Pumpkin Cheesecake candle as I type this.  I wouldn't eat a piece of pumpkin cheesecake, but I will most definitely let it's fragrance into my home.  It's glorious!


2.  Missions Launch

Every October for the last 9 years, I have worked to put on a Missions Conference, Banquet and announce short-term trips for the following year.  I love it!  It's  a season when I get to dream, work on projects that have my heart, and connect with friends from around the globe.  And want to know the absolute best part?  It's when people have light-bulb moments about God's heart for the nations.

When ordinary people begin to see that missions is so much more than trips, sad commercials, or memories of begging God as a kid to please not send them to Africa.  When people begin to see that their prayers make a difference...when they make a connection with missionaries or national leaders in a real way...when they or we...become sacrificial in our giving, our prayer life, and our time - it's what changes things.  And it makes me love the fall.


3.  Fall Fashion

Jeans.  Sweaters.  Booties.  Need I say more?  Here is what I'm loving right now in fall fashion.

I'm loving the booties trend right now, and I just purchased some leopard ones from Nordstrom Rack.  They don't look exactly like these, but they are close.  My mama has always told me that leopard counts as a neutral so they go with anything!

I bought a floral bomber jacket from Zara when we were in London and I just LOVE it!  It might be too much for some people, but I have already worn it once and can't wait for it to get a bit cooler so it can become one of my fall staples!  This one here is from H&M - adorable!

I feel like graphic tees are a little overdone, and yet I want to wear one everyday!  And this one right here from jane.com sums up my life.  I'm going to buy this right now.

4.  Fresh Starts

I still think about time in terms of school semesters, and so in my mind, the fall is the beginning of a new season.  The leaves may be slowing fading and falling, but it still feels like the start of new beginnings and opportunity!  So much so, that I've literally started 2 new groups and a new project all in the month of September.

I attended a conference this summer.  God clearly told me to go, and so I boarded the plane alone headed to North Carolina where I'd be surrounded by 700 women whom I had never met, but who I hoped would be a little like me.  I was super nervous to step out, and yet I went with so much expectancy in my spirit.  I knew God had sometime waiting for me there.  Within a couple of hours, I started having some amazing conversations with inspiring yet humble women.

I've been in groups before with women who love Jesus, but something felt different this time.  These women loved Jesus, but they were also running hard - after Him and after the dreams He placed in their hearts.  As I talked to women with bright eyes and contagious laughter, I found myself sharing my own dreams.  And these women, they listened, spoke life, and cheered me on in such a profound way that I left that place feeling like I could do the hard things that were hidden deep inside.

As I boarded the plane back to Lubbock, I started to ask God about the take aways from this time, and He told me to create a similar tribe of women back home.  So I'm working on that.  I invited 7 women who inspire me to lunch and told them about my experience.  I've often heard it said that if we have a need, we should try meeting that need in someone else.  And what better time to start than the fall!

OH!  And, I'm also working on another project that I'll be launching with this one (my sister, Leslie) in October.  It's still secret, but I think you will like it!

5.  Pumpkins

Finally, I love the fall, because pumpkins are so quirky and beautiful!  The girls and I purchased quite a few yesterday, and had so much fun placing them around the house.  They also painted masterpieces (Selah's words) on pumpkins and will be displaying them in their rooms.

Happy Fall Y'all!  Why do you love this season?

When Your List Looms Long

I stood in my closet for a solid 2 minutes this morning making my list for the day and contemplating just how in the world I would ever accomplish even half of what I just wrote especially since I have a sick kiddo at home.  I literally just stared at this list for a while, and even though I made the list in pink marker in hopes it would make me feel better...I felt more stress than joy about what today would hold.  A sampling of the list included:

Grocery Store (when we are out of goldfish and fruit snacks I know it's time)
Sunday sermon prep
Purchasing furniture for the husband's new office
Work Emails that continue to ding on the phone although it's my "day off"
Prep for our community group tomorrow night
Get Hair Appointment

I'm sure your list looks different than mine, but knowing people (especially women) today, I'm certain that you have your own list...and you're actually probably chuckling to yourself thinking that my list looks like child's play compared to your own.  Right?!  We have LOTS to do!  So many things pulling at our time and some days I'm tempted to crawl back into bed and just ignore the looming words on the list.

So what do we do?  When the list is a mile long and the day seems like mere minutes?  How do we keep our joy...our SANITY?!  I'm not an expert, but here's what's saving my life in this area:

1.  Allow God to Be the Plate - If you are like me, you've likely often said, "I've got so much on my plate!"  God convicted me years ago that when I got too busy that I in essence made Him a side course on my overflowing plate, when in fact He wants to be the plate!  He wants to be in every moment of my days.  Of course He'll be involved as I do some sermon prep today, but He's not relegated to just those things that I deem sacred - He also wants to give me wisdom as I choose furniture or talk to my neighbors.  It's more of a mindset than anything, but so long as I keep Him as the plate, I find much more balance and peace in my days.

2.  Choose the Important Over the Urgent - I'm always tempted to choose the item on my list that is screaming at me the loudest, but I'm learning that usually the items that are the loudest are not necessarily what's the most important.  I also tend to procrastinate on the things I know God is directing me to do but scare me.  I've put off projects and dreams so I could cater to small urgent matters, and I'm more determined than ever to make the most of my days.  So what is it that is that thing that is quiet but that you know needs to be done today?  Go ahead and move it up on the list - you'll thank me later.

3.  Take Care of You - One thing on my list today that I haven't mentioned is that I made an appointment 2 weeks ago for a massage today.  It's a gift to myself after doing quite a bit of manual labor this last week, and as I made my list this morning I picked up the phone to cancel the massage.  I mean really?  I just don't have time for something so frivolous!  But then I stopped and realized that if I'm healthy I will be more equipped to tackle what is in front of me.  Now most days, I don't have anything nearly as luxurious as a massage, but I DO take time for myself everyday.  It usually comes in the form of coffee and a good book or sitting outside for 30 minutes to enjoy the sunshine.  And taking care of myself takes time, but it's always a deposit and gives me the strength to continue pressing forward.

I could list a few more thoughts, but these 3 things are definitely helping me to maintain my sanity when the list looms long.  What about you?  What is saving your life as you stare down your lists?

Why I'll be Observing Lent this Year

Growing up as a Charismatic, evangelical preacher's kid, I always associated Lent with legalism and eating fish.  But a few years ago I was feeling like I didn't really grasp the joy of my salvation - you know...just coasting through life...taking most things for granted.  Most Sundays felt the same, and Easter was basically just a super-fun Sunday when I got to wear a new dress.  I didn't like my relationship with Easter and I was aware that I needed a wake-up call to remind myself of the magnitude of Christ's sacrifice.

So, I started researching Lent - the 40 days leading up to Easter - and decided I would try observing it.  I did my best to really observe it that year.  I went to an Ash Wednesday service (I stood out like a sore thumb unsure of when to stand and when to get my ashes); I learned about days like Maundy Thursday, Good Friday; and I fasted as best I could.  That year, Easter was markedly different in my life.  I wept in our services and my heart was full of such love, joy, and gratitude for what Christ had done for me.

I discovered that I need structure and discipline in my walk with the Lord, and that it is good to set aside times to fast and focus.  I've continued to observe Lent ever-since even though several in my community of faith seem to think it a bit odd.  For me, it connects me to the reality of the cross...to the truth that I NEED Him daily and to the joy of what He has done for me.  It has looked different every year, but I try to set aside 40 days to fast and focus on Him.

Lent begins tomorrow with Ash Wednesday, and this year I've decided to join Margaret Feinberg's 40 Day #LentChallenge of reading through the New Testament.  It's basically reading 7 chapters a day, and Josh and I are going to do it together.  Maybe you should join us!

If you'd like more information about this challenge, you can read all about it at Margaret's blog here.

5 Things Catching My Eyes & Heart Lately

Confession: I love Pinterest & Instagram...like a lot.  I'm tolerant of facebook as I see it's usefulness, but I really love Pinterest and Instagram because...I like pictures.  I like seeing what's capturing the eyes and hearts of my friends and family.

Life around here has been normal but also kind of fabulous!  Some moments of joy I know are meant to be tucked away into my heart to savor alone, but there have been a few moments and pictures and items that I've come to love lately that I thought I'd share with you!

So here are the 5 Things Catching My Eyes and Heart Lately

1.  Selah's 4th Birthday
If you've hung around my family either in person or via social media you likely know that Selah LOVES a good party.  In fact, she has informed me that she may just one day become a party planner.  (Firefighter, doctor, and mommy are also on her list).

For her first two birthdays I did my best to make Pinterest proud.  You can read about my dismal failure for her first birthday here & you can see a few pictures from her Yo Gabba party when she turned two here.  Last year, however we deviated from Pinterest worthy parties by going to the one and only Chuck E. Cheese.  And although this pizza joint usually makes me break into hives and want to hide under a table, I discovered that having a party at a location that entertains kids AND cleans up after them is actually quite brilliant!

So, we decided to carry on in that tradition with birthday number FOUR and we assembled quite a large party to play at a local gymnastics place.  Here are my favorite pictures.  I think the kids had fun.

On a side note, Selah chose Princess hats, Barbie plates, Yo Gabba napkins, and a Frozen themed cake.  I LOVE MY CHILD.  She utterly destroys all of my perfectionistic tendencies!

2.  Book LOVE!
I've read several books over the last couple of months, but I must mention a couple that I devoured while we took a short vacation to Mexico:

Jesus Feminist by Sarah Bessey was challenging, encouraging, and empowering.  Don't let this title keep you away - it's not what you think.  I actually went to college with Sarah, and as I read her words with sand under my feet I kept thinking about how much I wish we would have had deeper conversations when we lived down the hall from each other.  Sarah is wise, warm, and open with her life in this book.  What I loved the most is that it wasn't a rant or a how-to book...but it was a story.  Her story, the story of women who have gone before us, and the story that might be - if women - like she and I and you...will accept who we were created to be and live out the gospel.  The last chapter of the book is a commissioning...and I'm not sure what happened in my heart, but as I read these words - meant for me but also meant for women in India and Uganda...I found myself crying and praying for the women on the other side of the ocean.

Attachments by Rainbow Rowell was a great little beach read!  If you are looking for something fun - good chic lit - this is one you might consider.

Cold Tangerines by Shauna Niequist - I'm a major Shauna Niequist fan and although this was her first book, it is the last one of hers that I've read.  It is a book about celebration...and when I read her books I feel like I know her.  I want to go to one of her dinner parties or have her over to teach me to cook.  I feel like we are soul sisters...but I suspect that everyone who reads her books might feel like that!

What I'm reading right now:
To Live is Christ by Matt Chandler
wild by Cheryl Strayed


3.  Sales at Anthropologie have also caught my eye this past month.  Does anyone else love Anthropologie?  I walk in and the Volcano candles tell me that it's going to be a good day...and somehow I've walked in the last couple of months and found a few great deals!

                                                          Hello pretty shoes! ------------------------>





4.  My favorite pins from Pinterest lately

I love this little kitchen nook!

I want to LIVE this!

My Favorite Instagram this week:

5.  Road Signs Love
So I've taught the first two live teaching sessions for my Bible study - Road Signs, and I was beyond blessed when one of the ladies in the class this past Tuesday night emailed me this poem that she wrote as she was doing the daily Bible study.  Her words are rich and beautiful and I just love how God spoke to her through my words & then He spoke to me through her words!  Isn't that just like God to use us all to minister back and forth to one another?

So I'll leave you today with her poem.  Thank you Terese.

Rolling Away The Stone Lord, what are the walls
That I've built against You;

That keep me secluded

And far from Your TRUTH?


Deep in the shadows

Where light cannot shine;

Safe at a distance

And hidden by time.

For the walls that I'VE built

Are MY stone at the tomb;

Keeping death locked away

Protecting every deep wound!

But what IF ~ MY faith,

Could reach PAST the walls;

Building a bridge

From MY heart to YOURS, God?

What IF I trusted;

YOU, Lord, By FAITH;

To breathe LIFE into death

And OPEN the grave?

For it's only THEN, Lord,

I can walk into TRUTH;

Where the Light Of God Shines

And True Life Is In You!

So, TODAY, I ask, Lord,

That You'd HEAR when I pray;

And Command Of The Stone ~

TO BE ROLLED AWAY!

Terese Holloway

What I'm Into This Fall

There is finally a briskness in the air here in West Texas and I am most definitely happy about it.  I've been ready for the fall for the last month because the fall means boots, sweaters, warm drinks, baking, visits from international friends and crafts with my girls.  I LOVE fall - can you feel my joy?

I want you to love the fall too!  And I thought that maybe just maybe you would like to hear about 5 things that I'm really into this fall.  I know that I'd love to hear about what you are loving right now!  So here we go:

1.  My New Lace Up Boots
I have long had a love affair with boots.  It goes back to my bright yellow cowboy boots that I got in the fourth grade - they were awesome!  So every fall I look at what is new and fashionable in the boot world, and then I try to invest in a good pair.

I've been eyeing lace up boots for sometime but just wasn't too sure that I could pull them off.  However, I was in TJ Maxx last week and found these beauties.  The price was right, and I got brave and decided that if I had confidence I could pull them off!

I also feel like I'm a woman from the 1800's

2.  Healthier Yet More Delicious Food
I went on a fast last month, and before you think that means I'm super spiritual or a health fanatic, let me be honest...I'm not.  I'm 34 years old and a pastor, and this is the FIRST time I think I have truly fasted.  And it was HARD!!!  I didn't like it, and yet I'm also so glad I did it.  It was something just between myself and God, and He did some needed things in my heart and life during those 21 days.  It was a time good for the soul, but it also ended up being good for my body as I discovered in those 21 days that I eat a lot of crap.  I did the Daniel fast, which basically eliminated my four favorite food groups: bread (really most carbs),  sugar, caffeine, and pretty much anything processed.

In some ways I had to relearn to eat, and I discovered that REAL food actually tastes better than so much of the processed food out there (now, I still love me some pasta and the occasional Oreos), but I left those 21 days with a desire to try to cook more and eat more real food.  I tried out new recipes, and discovered that although there is work involved in eating healthier, it paid off because I've felt better and like knowing what is going onto our family plates.

These are my 3 favorite discoveries that I keep making (the recipes will be at the end of this blog):

Roasted Broccoli (or any veggie for that matter)- The first time I made this broccoli I proclaimed it a game changer on Facebook & I'm still singing it's praises!  I simply tossed bite size pieces in olive oil and sprinkled some sea salt over it and cooked it at 350 for 10-15 minutes (my oven is hot so I usually cook things shorter).  I seriously felt like I was eating french fries - DELICIOUS!

I don't have a picture of my broccoli, but here are sweet potatoes that I also roasted.

Banana, Oat, & Chocolate Chip Muffins - I found this recipe on Pinterest and decided to give it a try one day when I was REALLY missing anything that resembled bread.  And OH MY GOODNESS - I was shocked!  It was actually one of the best muffins ever - and it was so nice that it wasn't too sweet.  I didn't feel like I was just eating cake (which is honestly what most muffins are - morning cake ;)).  Please get the recipe below & try it out!

Please ignore my muffin pan...

Homemade Granola - I have ALWAYS loved homemade granola.  My mom makes it often but this was my first time to try it out for myself.  I used Barefoot Contessa's recipe off of Food Network with a few tweaks.  You can find the original recipe here & I'll write out my version down below.

And the BEST thing is that all three of these recipes were easy.  I was under the impression that to eat healthier I would need more prowess in the kitchen, but these three recipes have given me confidence...and if I can do this anyone can.

3.  Shauna Niequist's Writing - I just discovered Shauna Niequist, but once I did I've made her my crush and promply went out and purchased all of her books.  Maybe because she's a pastor's daughter or maybe because she is brutally honest or maybe because she sometimes lives on the water (and I'm insanely jealous of that scenario) or maybe because I get glimpses of myself when I read her words - for all these reasons and more - I want to be like her when I grow up!

If you haven't read any of her writing, you can start here: http://www.shaunaniequist.com/

And then you should run out and buy her books.  Her latest, Bread & Wine is my favorite.

4.  My Dining Room
I wrote a couple months ago about transforming my living room and dining room with a coat of white paint, and I showed off a few changes in my living room.  My dining room, however, has had a difficult time emerging.  I had different ideas, but I was hesitant to pull the trigger on any purchases.  I finally remembered some great advice about decorating - find one thing you LOVE and use that as the starting place.  So I started looking at art and I finally found a picture of the world that is in bold colors and I just knew that it was for me.

We are passionate about exposing our family to the nations - we travel when we can and tell stories about friends and strangers all over the world.  I love how colorful the world is and how it expands my heart every time I meet people from other nations - so this piece of art is fitting.

The room continues to emerge, but I'm excited that as fall has come and we gather around our table to eat; we will literally have the nations near to remind us of friends and those for whom we pray!

5.  My Favorite Apps
I'm not very app savvy, but when I find an app that I like I tend to use it A LOT!  Here are my current favorites:

Feedly - This is a well known app if you read many blogs, but if you don't know about it and wish you had access on the go to your favorite reads, this is a great option!

IHOPKC- I'm a fan of the prayer room at IHOP in Kansas City & I often turn it on when I'm home alone with the girls.  I am so excited that you can now listen on your phone and you can even listen to archives based on type of set or worship leader.

VSCOcam - This is my new favorite photo app and after a couple weeks of use I LOVE it!  It allows you to control the filters and make slight changes to your phone pics.  In fact, every picture on this blog was edited with VSCOcam.  Below you can see another example of this fun app - before & after:

Before VSCOcam

After VSCOcam

 So that's what I'm into this fall!  What about you?  Anything that is making you feel fallish?  Any new things that you'd like to share with me or those who visit the blog?  Would love to hear from you!


Banana, Oat, & Chocolate Chip Muffins

• 3 mashed bananas (the more ripe the better!)
• 1 cup vanilla Almond milk (any milk should work)
• 2 eggs
• 1 tbsp Baking powder
• 3 cups Old Fashion or Rolled Oats
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 tbsp chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Mix all ingredients except the chocolate chips together, and let sit while you prepare the muffin pans.

Spray a muffin pan and/or liners with with non-stick spray.

Stir the chocolate chips into the oatmeal batter.

Bake 20-30 minutes, you’ll see the edges just starting to brown and they will be firm to the touch.

Homemade Granola

4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
2 cups sweetened, shredded coconut
2 cups sliced almonds
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup good honey
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Toss the oats, coconut, almonds, and cherries together in a large bowl. Pour the vegetable oil and honey over the oat mixture. Add the cinnamon, and stir with a wooden spoon until all the oats and nuts are coated with the liquids. Pour onto a sheet pan. Bake, stirring occasionally with a spatula, until the mixture turns a nice, even golden brown, about 25 to 30 minutes.

Will You Be Reading Over the Holidays? 3 Books I've Read & 3 Books I'm Reading

Since I was a teenager, one thing I've always looked forward to about the Christmas holidays is getting wondrously lost in a good book.  I remember discovering my love for Jane Austen as a senior in high school wrapped up in a blanket sipping hot chocolate during those cold long days. And just a few years ago I was so enraptured with Francine Rivers' Mark of the Lion series that I was forever won over by Kelsey's new beau who nonchalantly "ran an errand" the day after Christmas only to return to our house with the final book of the series for yours truly.  I cast my vote that day that she should marry Heath - so glad she listened to me!

So I thought I'd write a quick blog to make a few book recommendations for those looking for a good read over the holidays as well as to share what I'll be reading over the next couple of weeks.  And if you are a book lover please let me & others know what we shouldn't miss.

                       

In the last few months I've read 3 books that have "stuck" with me.  I mentioned Love Does by Bob Goff in a blog about Selah's impromptu parties and small nuggets of truth from that book have transformed my heart.  I see love a bit differently and try to share it more freely.

While on maternity leave I read 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker and again I've been altered by it's contents.  I've noticed the change in the way I've shopped this Christmas and in how I reconsider priorities.  And yet, I didn't feel like I was beaten over the head with guilt trips about my consumption of media and frivilous spending.  Jen was honest and far from holier-than-thou...and if we are honest we probably all need to reexamine the many areas where excess reign supreme in our lives...so I'm sure I'll be revisiting 7...oh, and I'm planning to have a huge clothes swap party in the new year (I was inspired by the book to do so - would love for any of you Lubbock readers to join me)!

Lastly, I read Praying Circles Around Your Kids by Mark Batterson.  It was such an easy read and gave me the direction I needed in praying for my two little girls.  He gives practical ideas as well as Biblical foundation for why praying matters and how praying matters.  This is definitely an easy read that can be done over the holidays!

This Christmas break I'm planning on finishing two books & beginning another.  I'm half-way through Looking for God: An Unexpected Journey through Tattoos, Tofu, and Pronouns by Nancy Ortberg and I'm enjoying these short essays on faith.  I also just started Gilead by Marilynne Robinson and OH MY GOODNESS - it's beautiful writing - the kind of writing where one minute I want to speed through because it is so good and the next I find myself reading very slowly because I don't want to miss anything.  It is a work of fiction and yet I find myself searching for a pen to underline not just sentences but entire pages.  I'm not even sure where this book is headed...but I feel like I may learn more from this work of fiction than I have in a very long time from many theological books.

           

And lastly, I've just decided to read something a bit unorthodox.  I'm trying to live a bit whimsical...and so I've decided that I'll start 2013 off by reading The Jesus Storybook Bible.  I bought in a couple of months ago for Selah.  I'd heard from several parents that I respect that it was the best Bible they had found for their kids & I immediately fell in love when I read the subtitle: "Every story whispers his name."  So we've tried reading it with Selah but I'm reminded she is two and her attention span is always up before I'm ready to put this beautiful Bible down.  And so today, I felt like the Lord asked me, "Why do you need to wait for her to read it?"  So I'm going to start off 2013 by reading His story from cover to cover through the eyes of a child.  I'm so looking forward to it (and to the pictures)!

Oh, and I must admit I won't ONLY be reading in my quiet moments during Christmas vacation.  I also have every intention of rewatching Season 2 of Downton Abbey to get me ready for Season 3 that starts in January (I just finished rewatching Season 1) - I do love me some Lady Mary & Matthew Crawley...

What will you be doing in your down time?  Any books or movies you think others should be aware of?

An Ode to the Pumpkin

I must confess that I am discovering a new found love for all things pumpkin this fall.  It is surprising because up until this point I merely saw the pumpkin as an adversary. 

As a child I turned my nose up at any offer of pumpkin goods - no pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving or any other pumpkin treat for this girl...I just couldn’t seem to stomach that spicey sweetness even though my sister claimed it was the greatest thing ever to touch her taste buds.  And I was terrified of jack o’ lanterns as a child too - they seemed spooky and ominous, and the one time that I actually tried to carve one the knife slipped and the lantern’s eyes merged with the nose making for an unsightly mess that I was embarrassed to say was mine.

So for years I have kept my distance from the orange produce refusing to cook or decorate with fall’s bounty.  But something happened this year.  Selah and I were at the grocery store and we found ourselves walking through the pumpkins and it was as if I saw them through her eyes.  Some were large while others were dainty and my little girl begged and begged for a pumpkin of her very own.

We left the store that day with 5 small pumpkins, one large and an assortment of gords to boot.  I was unsure what was happening but it felt right and I started to remember the many cute pumpkin crafts I had seen on pinterest.

And so, may I present the many ways we are embracing all things pumpkin this fall - perhaps you should join in the fun!

Painting Pumpkins
The first craft we embraced with our little pumpkins was to simply paint them!  I had visions of making chevron patterns or polka dots on my pumpkin to be cute and crafty, but Selah took charge and I actually fell in love with her creative mess.  The colors melded together in the most lovely way...and we have since painted 5 pumpkins that lie around our house!

Pumpkin Trail
Our local garden and arts center had one weekend where the Pumpkin Trail was opened.  Over 2,000 carved pumpkins had been donated and they lined the pathways to our delight.

I loved seeing people’s creativity and was almost tempted to go home and carve my own pumpkin...almost is the key word.  Perhaps we will embrace that next year!

Pumpkin Treats
Two weeks ago I was still on the fence about using pumpkin in any type of sweet treat, but then I took a bite of Carol Gary’s dessert (I don’t know what it was called but I think it should be named "super delicious pumpkin goodness") and all of my preconceived ideas about pumpkin staying away from desserts left.  Her dessert was divine & I realized that my taste buds should be reintroduced to the option of pumpkin.

As a result I have tried Starbuck’s Pumpkin Spice Latte (I give it a thumbs up)...

And I’ve been eying a few pinterest recipes.  Here is one that I’m planning to make this fall.  It is called Pumpkin Lust Cake from SweetTreats

Source: sweettreatsmore.com via Paige on Pinterest

What about you?  How are you enjoying the illustrious pumpkin?  Any crafts or desserts that I should be aware of?

I just turned 33 – Here’s a little about me!

Thought I'd let you know what I'm into...what I'm thinking & what is catching my eye as I grow another year older...yep, I'm now 33!

How I Celebrated – My actual birthday was a busy day at work and church, but my handsome hubby made me feel special from the moment I awoke until the day was done.  He woke me up with a fresh cinnamon roll from Apple Tree (yep, he got out that morning and bought it while I was still asleep).  He and Selah gave me sweet cards & gifts that morning and we were off to conquer our days!

Throughout the day I received special words from friends, flowers from Josh, a fabulous photography gift from my parents, and more facebook postings than I could respond to…and the day ended by spending a bit of quiet with the Lord…oh, and a cupcake!

I used to believe that birthdays were meant to be grand but I’m learning each and every year that sometimes the most special moments are when grandeur falls to the wayside and in it’s place are little moments of love and joy!

Here’s a Bit More about 33-year old Paige

What I’m…

Looking Like These Days

I'm look pregnant...and here is the typical bathroom picture shot that I usually make fun of...

Listening to 

All Sons & Daughters – I heard about this worship band from a Relevant Tweet & I keep coming back to this music.  It feels like a nice balance between worship and folk music.  I’ve also been listening to Katie Herzig’s new album The Waking Sleep – it’s quirky and lovely at the same time.

Watching – I’m trying to cut back my television consumption, but my current staples include Downton Abbey (LOVE it), Project Runway All-Stars (Love it less than normal – I think I want the old judges back…and the Miss Piggy episode almost made me leave the show all together), Selling New York & Selling LA (Josh and I love watching this together and sit with our mouths agape at how much property is on the coast – makes us thankful for cheap prices in Lubbock!)

Reading – Well, I’ve had a bit of a dry spell in the reading category lately – nothing seems to really capture my attention…but I have a feeling that this is now over.

You see, this morning I had the most delightful birthday tea with some of my favorite ladies, and Terri Reed asked each of them to bring either their favorite book or a book that they thought I would enjoy.  So, now sitting on my dining room table are 14 different books!  And, what I love most is that they are so different in type & topic (just like the friends who brought them to me).

I've got novels, a cook book, devotions, a fashion picture book, and spiritual classics in this pile!

I must say I thought this was such a great idea!  Not only do I get to read some new great books, but I know that as I open the spine they will have a more personal feel – I will think about the lady who gifted this book to me and look throughout the words wondering what it was that captured her heart.  So, thank you each for bringing me something that you love!  I can’t wait to start reading.

Pinning – I’m not sure if it is a nesting tendency or if it’s just the genes I inherited from my mother but I have been itching to redecorate little parts of my house.  So, I’ve been pinning various pictures for inspiration – here are just a few that I’m thinking about bringing to my home!

I'm loving these colors and a vintage feel for a nursery!

                                                                                   Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Paige on Pinterest

I'm planning on also keeping a large guest bed in the nursery so I love the idea of an antique quilt!

                                                                                  Source: lifemadelovely-blog.com via Paige on Pinterest

 

























 


Thinking About – Oh my…my thoughts seem to travel great lengths lately.  In one moment I’m wondering if Selah needs to go potty and the next I’m deep in thought about what it really means to abide (I really will blog about this soon – I’m learning so much!).  I’ve spoken in several different venues lately so I’m also jotting down continual notes about love, parenting, and how to study the Bible.  And honestly, I’ve been thinking about my husband A LOT – schedules have been crazy and he graciously helps me with Selah in ways that would make most wives drool…and yet, in the midst of my craziness he has his own opportunities bursting forth like never before with big decisions on the horizon…so my thoughts are often with him – whispering prayers that God would grant him wisdom, joy, peace, and protection.

Well, that was quite a bit to share!  What are you into lately?