Pruning

I originally wrote the following a couple of years ago, but I find it just as applicable in the present as it was the day I wrote it…

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It’s been terribly long since I’ve touched this blog. So much life has happened. I’m not sure that I could begin to catch you up on everything. There is one thing I’d like to share at the moment.

There are times and seasons where one’s heart seems to be going through [what seems like] an over-abundance of pruning–giving one cause to stop, take a few (or a lot of) steps back, regroup, pray and cry (sometimes with a loud voice, and buckets of tears) out to the Lord.

You get to the point where you feel your prayers are just hitting the ceiling. This is when you realize that somewhere along the path you’ve been trying to go on your own strength. With the wind blowing in your face and the noises of life rushing passed you, it has kept your ears from hearing His call from behind you (which has been there the whole time). You feel foolish and ashamed that you didn’t think to stop, listen, and run back to His side sooner. However, you are grateful that He’s there waiting with open arms, and He wipes away your tears. When out of the bleakness you see the faint honey glow of light on the horizon, you begin to feel hope again, and step forward again in faith (even if they are baby steps at first)–this time knowing with certainty that God is there with you. It brings you comfort that God didn’t forsake you, that He was waiting for you to quit running ahead of Him, to retrace your steps back to His side, grab His hand, and follow His’ lead through the rugged, yet beautiful terrain ahead.

To affectively hear His voice, we must stop, wait, and tune out the world’s hubbub which is drowning our mind with noise.

Comparison

Comparison really is a thief. We can’t look at our life through the lens of someone else’s life. Their life will *always* look different than our’s. So how can we glorify the Lord within our own lives? What talents has He given us? What gifts has He given us? Have we thanked the Lord for them?

If Bread Is Your Weakness…

…these must be a cure…? 😀

Cinnamon (Doughnut) Muffins

Mix:

1-1/2 c. flour (I used half all-purpose, and half whole wheat)
3/4 c. sugar (I reduced this to 1/4 c. and it still turned out yummy)
2 t. baking powder
1/4 t. salt
1/2 c. milk
1 egg
1/3 c. butter or oil (I used olive oil)

Spoon into greased muffin cups and cook at 400*F for 15-20 minutes.

1/3 c. butter, melted (I used melted coconut oil)
Mix together: 1/2 c. sugar and 1 tsp. cinnamon

Dip each muffin in butter and then cinnamon sugar.

Makes: 12 muffins

(Thanks for the recipe, Abigail C!)

How To Make An Organic Fruit And Vegetable Wash

This is a great video on how to make an organic spray to wash your produce, and help neutralize chemicals that may have been used on them.

How To Make An Organic Fruit And Vegetable Wash (Life Hacks).

My First Month

Today finds me resting from a head cold, so I thought I’d take advantage of the down time to update you all.

On the 5th, I passed the one-month mark of my being here in Missouri. The time has gone by all too quickly, and has been filled with lots of activity and adjustments here on the farm. I’ve been working long days, and the internet works sporadically in my room, so my internet time is rather limited. By the time I get done with my tasks in the evening, I’m ready to crash and go to bed.

I’ve enjoyed being in a family setting, and getting to have two younger “siblings” once again. A couple of weeks ago, I took Josh and Bethany to a Christmas Ball that I like to attend every year. The weekend was filled with lots of fun and fellowship with some dear friends of mine. We talked almost non-stop on the four-hour trip back, about all that had taken place over the weekend.

The Lord has been teaching me a great deal from my time here. Things I never even imagined I’d learn about myself, family relationships, how to “parent” teenagers (I hear myself often saying the same things to Josh and Bethany that my parents told me when I was younger), and countless other things.

Bethany and I have been spending quite a bit of time in the kitchen together: putting up produce from the garden (yes, the greenhouse is still giving some fresh veggies), making bread, cooking lunches and suppers, making Christmas cookies, among other things. My mom was a “dump-and-pour” kind of woman, and she taught me how to do the same. It has been fun to watch Bethany pick up my enthusiasm for “experimental” cooking. From the Brabo’s recent move, their KitchenAid mixer’s dough hook got misplaced in the shuffle. Last week I focused on teaching Bethany how to make bread by hand. She has caught on quickly.

I was able to go home for 5 days over Christmas. It was wonderful to be with my dad, Bryan and Tina (Shannon and Alice stayed in CO) on Christmas day. We are getting spread out across the country, and I have a feeling it will be more so as time progresses. What a different season in life. It seems like ages since we were all kids at home, playing with blocks, legos, and micro race cars. The hands of time never stand still.

The new year marks the start of a fresh beginning…an opportunity to learn from the good and hard lessons from in the previous year, and, hopefully by God’s mercy, improving and growing more in grace and wisdom in the new year. I wonder what 2010 will hold? It will be an adventure I look forward to exploring. 😀

A New Chapter

I do not, as of yet, have internet access that reaches to my room (so my internet time is extremely limited). I hope that will be remedied before long.

I’m getting settled, and slowly adjusting to life here in Missouri. I’m enjoying getting to know the Brabos better and I look forward to seeing how the Lord plans to use my time here for His glory.

Thank you for your prayers. I’ll update again as soon as I’m able, and I’ll have some pictures to share too.

Advent

Christmas 2009

Wishing you all a very jolly, blessed Christmas season. Though I’m a few days late in recommending, for those interested in a day-to-day Advent reading, I came across this one last year. I enjoyed it so much I’m using it again this year. Grace and peace.

Time is Ticking

The days are speeding by faster and faster. Moving day is this Saturday. My mind is having a hard time grasping the fact that it is less than 5 days away now. I ran my “final” errands today, and every day this week is filled with some sort of activity with friends who would like to spend some time with me before I leave for a time. Any spare moments will be spent on packing and tying up loose ends around the house.

I am grateful for the sweet encouragement and support I’ve received from my family and friends as I face this new opportunity. I’d appreciate your prayers for the Brabos and myself as we adjust to a new routine, and as we figure out how best to work and live with each other; that it will be a smooth, joyous transition for all of us.

Moving: A New Season

Wow. I hardly know where to begin. So much in life is changing right now, and I only have a few minutes at present to tell you a bit about it.

For those that don’t already know, and for those that have been asking, I’m making a move to Missouri for a time.

Back in May (?), a friend on the west coast randomly mentioned a family there that could use a live-in big sister, and wondered if I’d be interested. While I felt it was a bit far away, the idea of living in a family setting again really intrigued me. My brother, Bryan, is frequently on the road hauling cattle all across the country. My sister, Tina, lives in IA. My younger brother, Shannon, moved to CO in Feb. (and later married Alice in Aug.). My dad made a job change (in Mar.) that takes him away during the week. I’ve really felt the void of having family about me all the time to minister to (though I enjoy the nights when Bryan can join me for supper). Over this past year, while I’ve really enjoyed my travels (taking me all over the country) and being available to minister to friends on a short-term basis, my body is craving staying in one place for longer periods of time.

After hearing about the live-in big sister situation, I began to pray for several things. 1) The Lord would open up the door for an opportunity to live with a family for a time, to continue to pour my life into others and pass on the gifts which the Lord has given me through my precious mother. 2) It would be within a 6 hour radius (or so) of home. 3) I knew I didn’t want to move somewhere just for the sake of moving. I desired that there would be a strong, supportive Christian church nearby as well (and there is one there. I’m already friends with the Brabo’s pastor’s family).

It was only a few weeks later that I first heard through friends (we share quite a few mutual friends) about the Brabo family looking for a young lady to help out around their farm. Due to busyness on my end, it wasn’t until recently that I began to explore the possibility of helping them. They were still interested, and my interest was growing as well. My dad had casually met Mr. Brabo in the past. I’d seen the family in passing numerous times, but I never actually met them myself. A couple of weeks ago, my dad and I went to have dinner at their home so I could met them, and hear more about what they were looking for. I enjoyed their company from the start, and I could see we had the potential to work very well together. I began to get excited at the prospect of living with/helping them for a time.

The Brabos own and operate an organic farm. My responsibilities will be focused mostly on household matters. I’ll be tutoring their almost 15-year-old daughter in homemaking things; helping with cooking, cleaning, organizing, etc.; helping them get settled (they moved to their farm only recently), to name a few. I’ll also be learning a lot myself: business ventures I could do as a wife and mother (someday), learning more about health and nutrition (which has always intrigued me, but I haven’t had much time to devote to it of late), among other things. Mrs. Brabo is deaf, so I’ll have an opportunity to learn sign language. I’ll also reap the blessings that come from living in a family setting. Plus, my dad works only 30 minutes away from where I’ll be. I’ll actually get to see him more this way! 😀 It is a amazing to see God’s hand at work, and how He answers prayers.

My estimated moving date is December 5th. I’m not sure how long I’ll be there, but I’m greatly anticipating having the opportunity to help for however long I’m needed/wanted.

Have a very blessed Thanksgiving in celebrating and remembering the blessings the Lord has bestowed upon us all.

Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes

We had a cool, wet summer here in the midwest, and, to my delight, my zucchini is still producing. Normally, the summer heat kills the plant by the time August rolls around. I’m loving being able to take advantage of the longer growing season this year.

This summer I discovered a new recipe that quickly went to my favorites list. Don’t let the fact that it contains zucchini scare you away. What a number of people don’t realize is that zucchini takes on the flavor of whatever is put with it. Often, when it is added to a baked good, you wouldn’t even know it was there unless someone told you. That’s the case with these cupcakes. I’ve successfully fed them to my dad and Bry without them figuring it out. I had to tell them after the fact. 😀

Zucchini adds wonderful moisture to these delectable cupcakes. They taste like a very moist brownie (who doesn’t like brownies?!), and the peanut butter frosting makes them all the more irresistible. I’m not normally a huge chocolate person, but I had a very hard time eating just one at a sitting with a cold glass of milk. If you try the recipe, I’d love to hear what you and your family think of them.

Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes

2 c. zucchini, peeled and shredded
3 eggs, beaten
2 c. sugar
3/4 c. oil
2 t. vanilla extract
2 c. all-purpose flour
2/3 c. baking cocoa
1/2 t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
3/4 c. milk chocolate chips

Stir together zucchini, eggs, sugar, oil and vanilla in a large bowl. Add flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt; stir in chocolate chips. Spoon batter into 24 paper-lined muffin cups. Bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire racks for 5 minutes. Remove from pan; cool completely. Frost with Peanut Butter Frosting. Makes 2 dozen.

Peanut Butter Frosting:

1/2 c. creamy peanut butter
1/3 c. butter, softened
1 T. milk
1/2 t. vanilla extract
1-1/2 c. powdered sugar

With an electric mixer on medium speed, beat peanut butter, butter, milk and vanilla until smooth. Gradually beat in powdered sugar. If necessary, stir in a little more milk until desired consistency.

Source: http://www.facebook.com/gooseberrypatch