Guest Post: When God Writes Your Story.

Just yesterday, Carol Kent swept into town and left her impression on almost 300 women. The life this woman leads exudes the faith we should all strive for. What a weekend the ladies of our area have been blessed with. As i sat down to write this, I am almost speechless as I look back at only a few short hours ago to a conference that has changed the lives of many women, myself included. 

Carol Kent is an amazing woman of God that stands on His unfailing promises at every unexpected twist and turn of her life. Her story is one that few, if any of us could ever or will ever understand. She is a wife and mother like many of us, but that is where her story takes a dramatic turn from resembling anything we can fathom. Carol's son is currently living out a life sentence in a Florida penitentiary for committing the crime of murder. Her son was trying to protect his stepdaughters from the alleged abuse that their father had haunted these two young girls with. Her son was tried and convicted and now serving what Carol refers to as a "toe tag" sentence. ( I am sure you get the idea of what that means). Her son will never step on the soil of this Earth as a free man again.

I am amazed by the way this woman has given this situation over to the Lord. I am sure she would have never dreamed of not having him and his family spend time in her home, her granddaughters giggling and unwrapping presents around a popcorn strewn Christmas tree, not sharing in his life as he grew older and asking questions about this and that. As a mother, my heart breaks at the thought of it, yet God has given her strength. He has wrapped his arms around her, and instilled in her a peace that only He can give. She is stands firm in her faith and is unwavering in her belief that God is in complete control at all times. She has an unbreakable joy in her heart and smile on her face that could only have been put there by the Father. She is living out the Proverbs verse of trusting in the Lord and leaning not on her own understanding. She is a walking, breathing testimony to the power of completely giving our situations, our hurts, our tears, our fears our entire being over to God's sovereign plan for our lives.

He can do in us what he has done for her.

No matter what this world brings to our front door, we can know that God is in control and He works all things together for good for those that trust in Him.  He is writing our story.  He is the author that knows the ending to all the chaos that we endure on this temporary place we call home and guess what ladies... we live happily ever after!

Guest post by Kristy Cole.

The Invisible Woman

This was shared at Chocolate & Chuckles a couple of years ago.

Lord of all pots and pans.

Lord of all pots and pans and things,
Since I've no time to be
A saint by doing lovely things or
Watching late with thee,
Or dreaming in the twilight or
Storming heaven's gates.
Make me a saint by getting meals or
Washing up the plates.

Although I must have Martha's hands,
I have Mary's mind, and,
When I black the boots and shoes
Thy sandals, Lord, I find.
I think of how they trod the earth
What time I scrub the floor,
Accept this meditation, Lord,
I haven't time for more.

Warm all the kitchen with thy love,
And light it with thy peace,
Forgive me all my worrying
And make all grumbling cease.
Thou who didst love to give men food
In room or by the sea
Accept this service that I do
I do it unto thee.

From "Great Women of the Bible - Martha". 

"Your Heart" (DAVID)

Woven Favorites: Jalapeno Lime Chicken

Jessica Lueken submitted this recipe to the cookbook and just let me say, Yum-O!
I wasn't sure how this would go over for dinner because of the jalapenos and little guys, but it turned out really good.  Not too spicy, just a great flavor.  I also substutited honey for the sugar.  I mean, we do keep bees.  It seemed like a natural substute.


Here's what you need:

2 tsp. grated lime peel
1/2 cup lime juice
1/4 cup olive oil or vegetable oil
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh Cilantro
1/2 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 small jalapeno chili seeded and chopped or 2 tsp. diced jalapenos.
1 clove garlic, finely chopped.
4 boneless skinless chicken breast

In a shallow glass or baking dish, make the marinade by adding all ingredients except for the chicken.  Between sheets of plastic wrap, flatten each breast to 1/4 inch thickness.  Add chicken to marinade, turning to coat.  Cover dish and refrigerate at least 30 minutes but no longer than 24 hours.  Grill on coals, gas or electric grill.  It will usually take 15-20 minutes on coal or gas, or 7-10 minutes on electric.  Grill until no longer pink in thickest cut.

I doubled this for our dinner and then kept the leftovers for lunch.  I used it in quesadillas and to top our salads. 

No doubt I'll be making this again.

I was tempted to make Jessica take a picture of her dish - if you don't know her, she's a fantastic photographer.  Check out her pics here.  Amazing!

Thanks Jessica!

Thoughts about Sunday....

I'm sure most of us are aware of the Ten Commandments. 

You know, Moses....Exodus....Israelites....the Big Ten. 

I think about these commands, or rules and it's just like with my own children. The rules are for my own good. My life will be easier, more peaceful, happier - if I would follow them. Now, obviously, I do pretty well with most of them. I haven't killed anyone recently, I'm faithful to my husband, I don't use the five finger discount when I'm out and about.

There are a few that I do struggle with more than others. And if your honest, there's at least one that you'll admit is probably a struggle for you also.

Remember the Sabbath, to keep it holy. Exodus 20:8.

Sunday is considered our Sabbath. The Sabbath should be for our worship and our rest.
Why? Because, God knew that we need to recharge. We need rest. It's not good to be constantly working, whether at our jobs or projects at home.

Yet, how many times do we use the weekend, including Sunday to catch up on our week? It seems like such a relaxing day. An obvious choice to get some work done after church.

Sometimes I think we view this commandment as a "lesser" commandment. We think "I'm not going to kill, steal, or be unfaithful".  But mowing the grass on Sunday or going out to eat, or hitting the grocery store...really, what's the harm?

The point is, it's still a commandment from God.

Believe me, I am not on a soapbox here. I really struggle with Sunday commitments. I love to go out to eat after church. I've been known to hit WalMart after service to pick up a few things and maybe even lunch at Subway. But when I check out, I think to myself...if I wasn't here supporting this business right now, would the clerk or waitress have had a chance to go to church today? Maybe they really needed to hear God's word and be around someone who could show them God's love. What kind of witness am I leaving with them by shopping here today?

In reality, it's not that much work to throw something in the crock pot before church or even cook ahead and warm up leftovers. Why not use the day to reconnect with family? Have a friend over. Take it easy.

It is for your own good you know.

My new Spring wardrobe....

Alive

Woven Favorites: Milkshakes in a bag.

What a fun idea!

Donna Bush submitted this recipe and I for one am glad she did.

The boys & I have made ice cream in a baggie (which by the way, takes a lot longer).  They loved doing this.  I loved that it was a super easy clean up.

Win-Win.

Here's what you need:

3 scoops of vanilla ice cream
1/4 cup of milk
Chocolate or Strawberry syrup (We used Chocolate)

Combine all the ingredient in a Ziploc bag.  Seal.  Knead with your hands.

Cut open the corner of the bag and squeeze into cups. 
You'll notice we skipped this step and just sent the boys outside to drink out of the baggie on the porch. 

Everyone involved gave this recipe two big thumbs up. 

Thanks Donna for the great recipe (and thanks to Tracey Moore for letting me try this out at your house).

I need to remember this....