When Seasons Change.

Fall is so soon! And I am so excited for everything that is to come in this next season. I absolutely love everything about fall. The leaves changing colors of orange and red, the pumpkin and cinnamon spices that fill our drinks, food and homes, and the warmth of heavier clothes on a breezy afternoon. It’s all so wonderful! Something about fall signifies change to me. Perhaps it’s the starting of a new school year, or maybe it’s the changes in nature. But either way it’s a new start, a fresh and exciting change- one that most of us anticipate with great joy.

However, there is a different perspective to the change of fall. School, for many, especially you college students, is not always a “joyful” change. And for many, the shortening of days only makes life seem to go by too quickly. There are negative aspects that can seep to turn a fun change rotten…
I’m beginning to see that change and times of transitions will always have their ups and downs. As a recent college grad, I am finding myself feeling purposeless and alone. A friend of mine recently pointed out how much sense that makes because when you put it into perspective, we spent four sometimes five years devoted to our sole purpose of studying and getting good grades, and now what do we do? My life has drastically changed. I moved into a new house with no roommates. I work a 9 to 5 job. I am not active in a sorority, campus ministry, or any extracurricular clubs. My nights end around the same time as my 82 year old grandmother…. Wow my life has done a complete 180. But within this change there has got to be a beautiful changing leaf, or a comforting cozy feel about something.

Change is often a good thing. Change signifies maturity and growth. We must change in order to become the women we are allowing God to make us into. Though it may seem scary it is a part of life that we can be excited. There is a reason why the leaves change in this season, and a reason why you may be experiencing discomfort in the new “season” of your life. Hang in there sister! Something good can come from all of this changing.

Sometimes when writing, I am reminded that often, when you are sharing/ teaching something, God just continues to make you go through it yourself. Well, I started this entry because I felt like God had been helping me to see how much he is changing me, and who I am and where I am in life for a great purpose.. But today He has continued to tell me this lesson is not over…

I came across a few definitions that we as women of God should be aware of. First is Salvation- it is a done thing. You accept that Christ is your savior, and the decision is final.

But the second key definition is Sanctification- which is a life long process of changing from one end of glory to another. We will be molded and changed constantly. If our hearts are ready, God will continue to change them- and it is a GOOD thing!

Sometimes it takes a move, a different job, a week of solitude, or a new obstacle for us to see our lives in a different perspective. How are you seeing the changes in your life as a growth opportunity? They are out there..and sometimes it may not be until after the next season that you realize how much you learned and now appreciate the changes from the one before.

For a Change… Try treating yourself to something sweet and delicious!

My suggestions are:

• A Cinnamon Dolce Latte @ Starbucks (and smell the aroma’s of fall)
• A piece of Dove chocolate (the “promises” are only an extra added bonus)
• The red velvet cheesecake @ The Cheesecake Factory (my favorite)
• A night with good friends and great conversation! (my choice)

Eat, Drink and Be transformed by Change!

Sarah

Not my stregnth.

Ever have to open a jar of something that is ridiculously tight? You try and try, but just can’t seem to snap it open. You run it under water, and grab a piece of cloth or something to try and get a grip on it, convinced you can do it. You even risk having the contents splatter every where just to prove we can get it open. Eventually some one else offers to help, or even worse you have to humble yourself to go out and hand over the jar and say “can you try and open this, I just can’t.” and with one try, pop and that baby is opened. Instead of refusing to admit that person could have been stronger, we claim we loosened it up or some how validate our incompetency. But actually wouldn’t it have been easier if from the beginning we acknowledged we weren’t capable and asked for help.
Sometimes humbling yourself to admit you just can’t do it is harder than continuing to try, or even picking up the mess when we make trying to do it on our own efforts.

Frankly I have begun to realize one of the hardest things in following a life pleasing to the Lord is humility. I mean honestly who wants to admit they can’t do it on their own strength. But the truth is that none of us can. And either we face the fact or continue to fight it and hide our weakness.

We are designed by God to be incomplete, and incapable. We all need him. We need His power and strength to do it all. You can’t stop sinning with out His strength and guidance. You can’t pay your bills, or get out of debt without His provision. You can’t move on from the past with out His grace and love. You can’t change who you are with out His refining process.

Philippians 4:13 is a pretty popular encourager, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” But contextually this verse means so much more. Paul is talking about his struggles, and flat out says he has experienced being in need and having more than enough. But he goes on to say that he has realized how to be content in all circumstances. And that contentment comes from realizing he must rely on Christ, for through him he does have strength.

God has sent His son, and has provided a way for us to have a counselor with at all times, His sprit. Because of this we have the ability to lean on Christ’s strength, and we can do it.

But it is not until we realize, we can’t do it alone that we are able to turn to God’s power.

In the mean time you may choose to continue and try and do it bye yourself, and to be honest I can’t say that it will all end up bad (at least looking from the outside) but I can tell you your heart may be worn, and your muscles may ache.

Luckily God is willing to provide, all you have to do is ask.

Get some one to open those jars, and try this slightly adjusted take on Chicken Bellagio from the Cheesecake Factory. (Adjust amount of pasta, chicken and sauce to your needs)

Chicken Bellagio

• Thin chicken breast cutlets
• Angel hair pasta
• Bread crumbs
• 1 Egg
• Olive oil
• Rago light parmesan alfredo
• Jar of pesto
• Garlic (minced, or chopped)

Pour olive oil into frying pan, enough to coat. Dip chicken breast in egg then bread crumbs and put in the pan on low heat. Cook until no longer pink in the center.

Boil pasta. In small pot heat alfredo, and slowly mix pesto. Add the garlic to the sauce mixture. Combine the sauce with the pasta. Serve with the chicken cutlets.

If desired add spinach or arugula greens and prosciutto on top (to make more like the Cheesecake factory dish)

Eat, drink and be transformed by His strength!

Patience, please.

The other day I had the great opportunity of being around my sweet little friend, who is three years old. In fact it was for a Birthday celebration for some one else, but she still received many presents, (mainly because she is absolutely adorable, and no on can help but give her anything to see her smile).But anyway…Her grandmother sat her down on the couch with a large toy store bag next to her, and gave her each present one by one. The three year old sat next to her grandmother trying so hard to peer over her lap and see in the bag, asking “what is it?” “What is it?” She first folded her hands and smiled a bright smile trying so hard to be patient. As soon as she got her first gift, a doll, she screamed with joy. This is exactly what she wanted! As soon as the doll was in her hands, she looked right over at the bag, and we all laughed. “What else is in there nana?” After a moment she got her next gift, a Barbie car, and practically threw the “old” doll out of her hands to embrace her new shiny pink convertible. After another scream of excitement she was filled with joy and a huge smile, which seemed to have lasted until the next gift, and next gift, all with anticipation of what else was to come. Until the bag was empty, and even the backup bag (that was expected to last through the week). Granted no one expects a three year old to practice good waiting skills, but God used this to remind me of my own life, and how I am asked to wait on Him, and wait on Him well.

This experiance was immediately followed by the past weekend where God continued to make it obvious how much I am in need of patience while waiting on His plan, and His timing. And in the midst of the waiting, He is asking me to not only be patient and content but joyful while embracing exactly where He has me.

As I began my weekend “retreat” with good food, and GREAT friends, I realized how much the Lord is asking for my love and devotion to be committed to Him and trust in His timing. The Bible says to “seek first the Kingdom..” and God is calling us all to first seek His purpose and will for our lives, which is to bring Him glory and further His kingdom. Period. I think we often loose sight of the “eternal perspective” just because we are so caught up in what’s next, what else does God have to offer in His bag of gifts for us. Instead we should realize today is the gift we are given, and we should be joyful about where we are, and when He desires He may pull out the next gift in the bag to bless us, but only in His perfect timing.

The fact of the mater is, we need to wait on everything. The waiting periods in life will never leave or change. But weather you wait in joy and contentment, or in anxiety and unhealthy anticipation is up to you.

After all, a lovely friend of mine pointed out, waiting seems to be an obvious trend in the Bible. Abraham and Sarah had to wait for a baby, the entire Old Testament people were waiting for the Savior to come. Jesus even had to wait until he was in his thirties to start His ministry, and now we all wait for his return.
We will forever be waiting……to fall in love
...to find a church
…to get engaged
…to buy a house
… to get the right job
… to have a baby
…to see our savior face to face

But with healthy anticipation and joy, we can wait for these things to be released and given, in His perfect timing, because in the end living in His will, will be worth it!

Try waiting on this delicious cake, that takes patience but is worth it in the end!

Devils Food Cake

• 2 cups all-purpose unbleached flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 12 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 cups of sugar
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (splash a little extra!)
• 3 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 1/4 cup milk

Directions: Measure out dry ingredients into a bowl, flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

In a mixer beat the butter until smooth and gradually add sugar on a higher setting. Add cocoa powder and vanilla and continue to beat. Gradually add one egg at a time.

Bring the water and milk to a boil.

Combine the dry ingredients to the batter, and slowly pour in the liquid mixture.

Divide the batter between two round 9 inch pans.

Bake at 350 degrees about thirty minuets. Enjoy!

Eat, Drink and Be transformed by patience!

Sarah

Add some spice to your life

I’ve always dreamed of being the kind of person, who gets to travel and see the world. To just pick up and leave- ready for an adventure, hiking up mountains and surfing the coast. Tasting the cultures across the globe and always doing something spontaneous…. That would be the life…

Except there is something about having a nine to five job that makes this dream inconceivable. Instead my life consists of a repeated daily routine. It’s hard to imagine ways you can spice up your life, when it appears to be monotonous and just average…

While sitting at my desk hearing the clicking of what has to be the loudest clock possible, I often think the only way to experience life is by living vicariously through others, but now reality has set in…The “abundant life” that we often think of does not have to be full of outdoor adventures, elaborate events, or expensive outings. I have been struggling with understanding how my life is more than adequate and over sufficient. And God couldn’t help but remind me, it’s not about what I do that classifies my life as worthy or having purpose. However once I come to accept and realize regardless my life does have purpose and I can still find ways to enjoy and savor every moment of it adventurously!

Even though my job does not entail me traveling and changing the world, I still have a purpose. And purpose exists outside of adventure. Mine is to love and serve God in whatever job, house, and relationship he puts me in. And my serving Him in that consists of understanding and trusting that I am here for a reason...and that my joy should not be circumstantial.

Though adventure and excitement is something that can come from any life. We can all experience adventure even in the confines of our budget, location and resources. Perhaps experiencing a life of excitement is more about perspective and mentality. In order to see how I can spice up my life, I must better understand my purpose.

I challenge you all to think about your purpose today-and realize you have one! Once you do, go ahead and find a way to spice up your life. Try something new, talk to a stranger, aquire a hobby. But no matter what enjoy the life you have!

And try this spicy recipe.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

• 1 Package of Cream cheese
• 1 bottle of Ranch or Blue cheese dressing
• 1 small bottle of Frank’s hot sauce
• 4 boneless chicken breasts
• ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese

Boil the chicken until cooked. Shred with two forks by pulling apart. Mix cream cheese, ranch, hot sauce and chicken in a bowl. Pour mixture into a small casserole dish, sprinkle cheese on top. Bake at 350 degrees until cheese is melted. Serve with slices of hard Italian loaf, crackers, or tortilla chips. enjoy!

Eat, drink, and be transformed by His purpose!

Sarah