Sunday Love

Do you ever have a moment where you need God to speak straight to your heart? I know I do on a regular basis.

During my Nehemiah Bible Study this morning there was an extra scripture reference at the end that spoke volumes to me - maybe your heart needs to hear it too?

"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do to have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are -yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Hebrews 4:14-16

Between the Rains

Last night I was at the weekly video session for my the Bible study I've been doing. After a rough week, I felt like Beth Moore was speaking right to me. The session centered on James 5:7.

"Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for autumn and spring rains."

Cultural and historical studies tell us that the people in Israel depended on the seasonal rains that came. Without the rain, crops didn't grow and people didn't eat. With that in mind, Beth Moore asks us to think about the times in our lives when we're between the rains.

According to Douglas Moo, a Biblical commentator, "Every reference to early and later rains in the Old Testament occurs in a context affirming the faithfulness of the Lord."

So, James is reminding us that we just have to be patient and wait on the Lord to bring the next rain in our life. James is reminding us that our God is reliable and constant, we just have to be patient.

Portales during a DRY lightning storm

I don't think I'd be going out on a limb to say that I've been in between rains during this season of my life. So, in the middle of crazy days I was so thankful for a reminder that God is faithful and that even though this season of life is stressful and hard that the rains will come again.

"As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; 

he will come to us like the winter rains, 

like the spring rains that water the Earth."

Hosea 6:3

SSMT is back in my life for 2012

Last year, I started out doing the Siesta Scripture Memory Team with Beth Moore and the other siestas on her blog. I had the best of intentions, but stopped memorizing and picking somewhere around month five. I'm not really sure why I did that, but I did. My awesome mom kept going and when she mentioned it this year, I just knew I had to try again and to do better.

The big difference between this year and last year is this year I am back in school and working brain something fierce. So, I decided to set a doable goal (a practice I have perfected with my amazing long distance work out buddy, Allie). So, my goal for the SSMT is this: I will faithfully pick out a verse on the 1st and 15th of the month. I will do my best to memorize these scriptures, but will mainly just be reading them before I go to bed at night. As I told my mom, I will not cry over spilt milk if they do not get memorized. My goal is to be purposeful and faithful by remembering to pick out the verse and reading them faithfully at night. My tactic is working so far and my first two verses of the year are already up in the mental lock box.

If you're interested in the SSMT, go check out Beth Moore's instructions here. If you just want a great blog to read that is encouraging, real, and uplifting you should still check out Beth Moore's blog!

Space for Grace

One of the ladies at the church the hubs and I have been attending invited me to an inter-denominational Bible Study being hosted by another local church. When I heard it was a Beth Moore Bible Study, I jumped at the chance! If you haven't had the opportunity to go through a Beth Moore study, I would definitely recommend it. God has really given her a gift for teaching.

Her newest study that we're doing is:

One of my favorite parts of the first session was Beth Moore talking about how we all need to make space for grace. She uses Paul for an example. ] In 1 Corinthians 15:10, Paul says, "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them-yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me." Paul had regret for his past and his past actions. In the passage in 1 Corinthians, the Greek word that is translated into, "without effect" means something along the lines of empty, useless, or hollow. Instead of letting his regret consume him, he let God into that space that his past wrongs took up so that space would not be hollow, but full of grace.

That's pretty encouraging to me to know that when we have regrets, things we've done wrong, and just those moments we wish hadn't happened that we can not only ask God's forgiveness, but we can give it all to him and let him fill those parts of heart with grace instead of leaving them hollow.

I don't know about you, but I'd much rather have a grace shaped space in my heart than a hollow one.

New Attitude for a New Year

I thought the Sunday Scripture from (in)courage was a great reminder of what my attitude and life should look more like as I head into 2012. It was so encouraging and challenging that I wanted to share it with all of you!

Have a great Friday!!


P.S. They had a fantastic digital desktop calendar on that link for a free download too!

A Couple Dents in My Fender and a Couple Rips in My Jeans

Today is love list Wednesday and what is more appropriate the celebrating the God that loves us endlessly.

This post isn't about recipes or fitness, but having one of those days when God is so apparent in life, that you can't help but overflow with joy!



This song by Francesca Battistelli is a great reminder that God only asks that we be ourselves and that he takes us the way we are, dings and all.

One of my favorite passages of scripture that has bits and pieces quote a lot, but that is even better as a whole:

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 


Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 


Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfections comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflections as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 


And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love."

1 Corinthians 13 NIV

I actually prefer the King James version of verse 12 (For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.)

In God's heart we are:

I am always awed by God's love and plan for me, but sometimes it just seems even more clear. Life can be confusing, troubling, tough, and downright unfair. Lately, those darker parts of life seem to be making more frequent appearances. Thankfully, God is just and and constant and always keeps his promises, so I know that despite the hardship in life, that God always has a plan and he always loves us.

Here's to living our days knowing that we are enough and that God's love NEVER fails!

Running Update and Who Doesn't Love a Good Cupcake (or 3 Dozen)?

Yesterday's run was tough, but I made it through. I guess that's what happens when you fall off the bandwagon. My playlist, though, was right on the money. There's nothing like a little DJ $crilla to get your blood pumping and get you ready to finish the run. I'm hoping to fit a run in at some point today, but so far my motivation has not gotten me that far.

Today's playlist has a few new additions. If you're curious, here is my list:

Playlist #2
Firefly - Breaking Benjamin
Unbelievable - EMF
Girl Next Door - Saving Jane
You Lifted Me Out - Chris Tomlin
Cowgirl Don't Cry - Brooks and Dunn Ft. Reba McEntire
Pi Beta Phi (Pepperdine) - DJ $crilla
Famous In a Small Town - Miranda Lambert
Superstar - BarlowGirl
Everyone - Desperation Band
Stranded - Plumb
Taking Over Now - Desperation Band
5 Minutes of Fame - BarlowGirl
Miracle - John David Webster

This week, my Bible Study started an awesome new book. I am SUPER excited to really dig into it and learn more about listening to God. It's called, "He Speak To Me" By Priscila Shirer. The first video talked about having to position ourselves to listen to God. The idea that he is always talking to us and when we're not hearing him it's probably got something to do with us. It was really interesting and I can't wait to hear more.

Great so far!

This week for Bible Study, we also celebrated one of the ladies who has been coordinating the Ladies Bible Study for almost three years. I was asked to make cupcakes, so I made two varieties. I made a dozen Lemon Butterfly Cupcakes and two dozen Banana Pecan Cupcakes. They were both delicious! Just in case anyone else on here loves cupcakes as much as I do, I thought I'd share the recipes. Enjoy!

Banana Pecan

Lemon Butterfly Cupcakes

Banana Pecan Cupcakes

Ingredients:
1 5/8 c. all purpose flour
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
2 ripe bananas
8 tbsp butter, softened
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs lightly beaten
4 tbsp sour cream
1/2 c. pecans, coarsely chopped
Topping:
8 tbsp butter, softened
1 c. confectioners' sugar
1/4 c. pecans, minced

Method:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Put 24 paper baking cases in a muffin pan.

Sift together the flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Peel the bananas, put them in a separate bowl and mash with a fork.

Put the butter, sugar, and vanilla in a bowl and beat together until light and fluffy. Gradually add the eggs, beating well after each addition. Stir in the mashed bananas and sour cream. Using a metal spoon, fold in the sifted flour mixture and chopped nuts. Then spoon the batter into the paper cases.

Bake the cupcakes for 20 minutes, or until well risen and golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool.

To make the topping, put the butter in a bowl and beat until fluffy. Sift in the confectioners' sugar and mix well together. Spread the frosting on the top of each cupcake and sprinkled with minced pecans before serving.

Lemon Butterfly Cupcakes

Ingredients:
3/4 c. self rising white flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
8 tbsp soft margarine
1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs, lightly beaten
finely grated rind of 1/2 lemon
2 tbsp milk
Topping:
6 tbsp butter, softened
1 1/2 c. confectioners' sugar
1 tbsp lemon juice

Method:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Put 12 paper baking cases in a muffin pan.

Sift the flour and baking powder into a large bowl. Add the margarine, sugar, egg, lemon rind, and milk. Using an electric hand whisk, beat together until smooth. Spoon the batter into the paper cases.

Bake the cupcakes for 15-20 minutes or until well risen and golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack and let  cool.

To make topping, put the butter in a bowl and beat until fluffy. Sift in the confectioners' sugar, add the lemon juice, and beat together until smooth and creamy.

When cupcakes are cold, use a serrated knife to cut a circle from the cop of each cupcake and then cut each circle in half. Spread or pipe a little of the buttercream topping into the center of each cupcake, then press the 2 semicircular halves into it at an angle to resemble butterfly wings. (If your frosting isn't thick enough to hold up the wings or it gets warm while you're working on this step, prop wings up with toothpicks and refrigerate till frosting hardens a little and toothpicks can be removed and the wings will stand alone)

How to deal with anxiety relating to Pilot Training - The Spouse's Guide

Any current or past UPT spouse will tell you that though this year is exciting and wonderful it can also be ridiculously stressful. Since my hubby started, we have had our shares of ups and downs. Lately, I've actually been feeling pretty confident about UPT. That apparently should have been a red flag that something had to change...

My hubby has informed me a month out from our Track Select date that he has completely changed his mind on what kind of plane he would like to fly. The current track choices are between T-44's, the C-130 trainer and UH-1's (I think), the helo trainer. This is a far cry from his original thoughts. Since these thoughts my were revealed to me, I had a little bit of a freak out/melt down moment, but have since moved on. This is not the only stressful moment UPT has thrown at us and I'm sure it won't be the last, so I thought I would offer up my thoughts on how I deal with the anxiety that comes with UPT.

#1 I rationally discuss the stress with my husband at a good time!
It's never good to let yourself stew just because you don't want to stress your husband during UPT. You're a couple and couples have to communicate, so as my mom always tells me when I call her freaking out, talk to your husband about it first!

#2 Have someone who doesn't live here that you can call and talk to.
For me, this is my Mom. She always understands, always listens, and when she offers advice, it is great advice. Plus, it's nice to know that what I tell her will never get back to anyone on base (First because she's totally trustworthy and second because she lives 14 hours away and doesn't know anyone else on our base).

#3 Have someone TRUSTWORTHY on base you can talk to.
I have a couple go to ladies on base who I can always confide in. They are wonderful and are going through the same stuff as me.

#4 I am continually reminded of this and have been trying to think of it first more often - PRAY about it!
I'm a Christian and I really believe in the power of prayer and God's ability to guide us. So, right now as I go through a stressful situation, I keep trying to remember Ephesians 3:20-21, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Paul wrote this verse to remind us that even in our really tough moments that God can do more than we ask or imagine. We just need to believe and ask and know that sometimes what we think we need and what we actually need are two different things. Plus, God works in his time, not ours. In my Bible Study,  one of the speakers we watched, Priscilla Shirer talked about this verse and about how God can go beyond our beyond. I just keep trying to remember that.

My last advice is a little superficial, but still beneficial:

#5 Drink a glass or two of this after a long day

Don't be afraid to ask a friend over to have a glass with you!

#6 Bake the awesome cookie/crisp recipe I'm going to put up in my next blog!

Just remember to enjoy all the great things this year has to offer!

Up to What???

So lately, I've had a lot of new tasks and activities on my plate. I think one of the the things I'm most excited about has been joining a local Bible Study. I jumped in a couple weeks late on the book, "Faithful, Abundant, True: Three Lives going Deeper Still" by Kay Arthur, Priscilla Shirer, and Beth Moore. It has been absolutely amazing. All three ladies spoke great words of wisdom and had great insight on scripture. Today's session with Beth Moore talked about gaining spiritual discernment. It was a really eye opening day. I'm feeling hugely challenged by their words and the act of getting into my Bible every day has really made dealing with every day a lot better. If you're looking for a Bible Study, this one is awesome!

Also, I've been working on a running plan. I talked about it a few blogs ago. It's a Couch to 5k running plan. I finished Week 6 last week. Due to a cold this week and trying to really be ready to move on to straight runs, I've decided to do Week 6 again before progressing to Week 7. My running plan is really helping me feel better as I get more healthy. Also as a wonderful bonus to add on to feeling better, I was at the doctor the other week and they weighed me. I lost 12 lbs!!!!!! So, here's to running and keeping it off. I'm hoping to debut my 5k talent at the Uvalde Turkey Trot in November.

This past weekend, WM and headed to Fredericksburg, TX for some wine tasting and fun with friends. We had a great overnight trip. It wasn't very long, but getting out of our border town was wonderful. Here is one of our favorites from the trip: It's a Becker Vineyards Cabernet-Syrah mix. 

Yum in a bottle!

We also bought a new plant for our front area. It's a beautiful bunch of scarlet colored mums. I'm very excited for them to bloom. They came from a beautiful nursery in Leakey, TX. 

Now that we're back in town, I worked a little on yard stuff today. I was delighted to find that the new landscaping company our base hired actually knows about landscaping. If you lived here and had dealt with the old company, you too would feel this way! So, now that they're doing better, I'm ready to finish stepping up the beautification of my front yard. When I am all finished, I'll give you a peek!

Well, I think that's all I have to say, so I'll leave you with yet another picture of Mack!

Who doesn't like cottage cheese???