Thanksgiving Weekend 2013

Happy 2 days after Thanksgiving!  Are you still full too?  I am and yet I keep eating...can anyone explain this?

I assume you are all very interested in what our family did for the big day so as you can imagine, I took tons of pictures.  And added some narration.  If you make it all the way to the end it will be like you were with us.  I wish you had been. 

I'll start on Monday when we got a surprise text from Ben.  Because of the impending winter storm warning, he could leave a day early.  Yippeee!  So we changed around some of our plans (like Scott going to get him) and I zoomed up to the beautiful Adirondacks the next morning to pick him up.  In order to beat the storm, I left early and had picked him up by noon and we were home before 4.  He talked to me the whole way.  So I rewarded him with a quick stop at McDonald's for our favorite - egg nog milkshakes.

It was wonderful to come home to a beautiful snowy yard.  Drew had gotten in earlier.  All five of us safe and sound.  Thank the Lord. 

We were invited to a friend's house for soup and pie.  I love the idea of sneaking in some friend time before spending the holiday with family.  We had so much fun.

Wednesday everyone slept in until nearly noon.  Yikes - will I ever make it past 6:30 am?  Still, I had lots to do in the kitchen.

Later we went out shopping.  Often this is so the kids can pick out things their grandparents can buy them.  It seems to be a new tradition.  It was fun.

Thanksgiving morning I woke them with cinnamon rolls and we watched the parade. Then we all piled into the family truckster and headed to be with our family in Syracuse.  It never gets old to go on a road trip with the whole gang in the van.  This year was a little different though.  See if you pick up on it.

Need another clue?

Didn't see that coming. One day you are strapping them in car seats and the next they are driving you to go see Grandma.

As we rode along, I glanced at a magazine.  This was one of the articles.  Funny.

We were invited to Scott's brother Tim's house for dinner.  His wife Chris prepared a delicious meal and set a beautiful table.  She is very creative.  Each of us had a card at our spot that we would read aloud when it was our turn.  On the cards was The Proclamation of Thanksgiving address given by Abraham Lincoln in 1863.  Very cool.  And meaningful.  Not to mention many big words.  I loved it.  I've copied it at the bottom of this post for those of you who are interested in reading it.

Here we are with Scott's mom, the other Burtis boys, and Chris's parents, Lou and Linda, who are also very important to us.

Here is some of the feast.  We did not leave the table hungry or comfortable.

Later we rolled ourselves back into the van and went to my sister Renee's house for dessert.  My brother, mother and some of my nephews were there.  I must have been in a sugar-induced coma because I failed to take any pictures.

On the way home, we continued listening to the Andy Stanley sermons we started on the way up.  (His current series titled 'Right in the Eye") We needed all the kids to get caught up so we can watch #4 together this coming Sunday morning.  If you have teenagers/young adults all of you should watch or listen to it too.  So powerful!  You can watch it here.

Of course, there is no end to our gratitude to God for the many good gifts He gives.  We also give thanks for the gifts we didn't ask for or want this year because through them we have learned much more about God than we previously had experienced. This makes us even more thankful that He chose us to be His.

Then we put on our jammies (I wish I could say they were all matching but alas that ship seems to have sailed) and gathered around for another family tradition.  We watched this.  And highlighted our favorite lines.  And laughed like a bunch of goofy kids. It was a good day.

Hope you enjoyed being with us - we love you all.

Part 2 - "The Transformation from Thanksgiving to Christmas a.k.a. the REST of the weekend" will soon be posted.  Here's a sneak peek.

Goodbye Thanksgiving - Hello Christmas!

_______________________________________________________
By the President of the United States of America.
A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.
By the President: Abraham Lincoln

She's Making A List....

A list?  Oh no, not one list of course.  Many lists!  I love lists.  Lists are my life.  In this new season where I forget pretty much everything the minute I leave the room or turn the page or have a new thought, I NEED lists.

Did I mention it's my favorite week of the year?  Did I mention the boys are coming home for Thanksgiving? So that's what I've been doing this morning, making lists.

Menu for the week.  Check!
Groceries needed to prepare what's on the menu.  Check!
Tasks to complete (like switching the kids' sheets to flannel).  Working on it.

One of the fun things about being a Burtis is that I not only make lists for myself (see above), but I like to include our whole family in the fun.  I guarantee they totally dig it.  Don't believe me?  Well.  I may be exaggerating slightly.  I know you're thinking what lucky kids and husband.  I think so too.

Either way, they say if you don't set goals you won't reach them.  Maybe it's true about lists too.  What are the chances of anything getting done if you don't write it down with the expectation it will be read - and acted upon?

Not taking any chances here.  And to be honest, there are certain things that are just done better by those gifted in specialty areas.  For example...

I need Drew to set the timer on my coffeepot.  It's been disabled since the last power outage - or when I moved it to a new spot on the counter.  Why can't we do it?  Well let's just say it's an older model and words like "set", "auto timer", and "up and down" have worn off.  Drew is the only one who remembers how to do it without them.  He is awesome.





Then there's Ben.  He is the expert at putting a new screen saver on my phone - with no bubbles or scratches.  Hurry home...it's a mess!

He's also king of the ice cubes - carefully emptying, refilling and placing back in the freezer.  Ally doesn't do it quite as precisely and without making a mess that mysteriously doesn't get wiped up.

See how he stacks them neatly?

Notice that the top 2 are empty and crooked.  

She only takes out what we need and doesn't refill.

It's been rough since he left in September. We need him.

Speaking of Ally, she will be busy cleaning bathrooms - yes, plural.  It's her favorite.  Or is smiling her favorite?  I can't remember but I think cleaning bathrooms makes her smile.  She leaves them smelling so good.  She's terrific.

Finally, a DRUM ROLL please for my personal favorite task that I need the boys for....changing the shower curtain liners at the same time as putting up the holiday shower curtains.  This ain't no job for wimps.  You've got to keep your arms in the air a long time.  Since they are strapping (albeit skinny) young men - they own this job.

Yes I change the shower curtains for the winter season...doesn't everyone?

Oh I can't wait until the boys get here.  For so many reasons.

Did you think I forgot about Scott?  He wishes I did, I think.  But have no fear - I NEVER DO.  Much to his credit, he is way ahead on his to-do lists.  He's been faithfully tending to every little thing I dream up for him pretty much on a daily basis. 

Like this morning.  He got up to take Ally to school at 7:15.  I casually mentioned that I think the leaf sucking truck is in the neighborhood.  Back story - I get a little nutty about the leaves and about the day they come and get them.  I get happy.  I've been known to run outside with a rake to make sure they take every last one and/or bring the men out a homemade goodie (if I have any). I like a clean yard (slate) for the snow to fall on.  I think that's normal.  Isn't it?

You should know that most of the leaves are already in the street (I even helped rake once) but it's those pesky 1 or 200 that are lurking in the driveway that bother me.

So I innocently asked, "Do we have a push broom?  That might be the quickest way to clear them off."  (I swept them the other day with a normal broom - not fun or efficient.)  I hope you are noticing how much I help.

I think I heard him mutter something under his breath like "Sure, and you can go out there and do it. It's 14 degrees outside." To which I replied, "But I'm in my jammies here with a hot cup in my hands. You are going out there anyway."  Then I may or may not have smiled and batted my eyelashes.

There was eye contact.  Then they walked out.  Upon his return I heard the garage door go up and the leaf blower turn on.  Capital idea!  Even better than sweeping.  Look at that! Nearly perfect.  Those stragglers don't bother me - too much.

Scott Burtis is a saint. He is such a good husband and has proved once again that he deserves a much better wife.  I try to be appreciative.  I did greet him at the door with a hot cup of coffee of his own. He sort of smiled when he took it.

Happy Thanksgiving Week everyone - hope you get everything done on your lists too!

Ministry of Food Monday - Guest Chef for Thanksgiving

Good morning!  What a beautiful day to start planning that Thanksgiving menu.  Back when I started Ministry of Food Mondays I wanted to invite friends who have special recipes to share with us here.  Today is one of the days.

Since it is a special week you deserve a special recipe.

Meet my friend Mary Jo. She makes the most amazing stuffing.  I ate it years ago and haven't forgotten how good it is.  You should try it too. Here it is in her words.

Remember that smell of Thanksgiving morning?   The aroma of apple pie, turkey, sweet potatoes and of course stuffing!  I never liked my mom's stuffing when I was a kid even though I loved the smell,  but as I got older it became my favorite part of the Thanksgiving feast.

This yummy, simple, savory and crispy recipe is the original way my mom made it .  The only thing I added over the years is fresh herbs. Rosemary, sage and thyme.  While I love her stuffing, I only make it on Thanksgiving. It is not for the health conscious folk as it has 1 1/2 lbs of butter in it... yes, I said 1 1/2 lb of butter !

1 AND 1/2 lb butter

2 loaves white bread

4 stalks celery

3 med onions
2-3 cups turkey stock or chicken stock ( can you use more if it seems dry)

Several stalks each of the following fresh herbs

Rosemary

Sage

Thyme

Bells Poultry Seasoning 3-4 Tablespoons

Salt & Pepper

Toast all the bread and break into medium sized pieces set in the largest bowl you have .

In a large saute pan melt down butter. Dice onion and celery, add to melted butter

add fresh cut herbs (I snip the sage in a bowl with scissors). Add Bells Seasoning , let it simmer on

low for 10 minutes to meld all the flavors together.

Mix well into the dry toast.

Transfer to a 9x13 baking pan, Cover with aluminum foil.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 min. 

Remove foil and bake 10 minutes longer to get a crispy top layer.... yum!

I love making things my mother made, She was quite a cook!  This has been a family favorite for three generations now.  Sometimes I make a second batch with apples or sausage but it never is quite as popular as the original one.  I am Thankful to have a time tested recipe that brings back fond memories of Thanksgiving.   Enjoy !

Which Comes First....Gratitude or Contentment?

So this morning Thanskgiving is on my mind.  Big surprise, huh? This time it's not about the upcoming feast, the boys coming home in just 4 and 5 days (who's counting?) or the day after festivities.

This week has been full of joys.  Not the least of which was a little two-day getaway to Syracuse to revisit my MOPS roots.

MOPS - Mothers of Preschoolers - the ministry that consumed my life for more than ten years.   Now that I'm no longer eligible to be a MOPS mom because my kids went and grew up, I am occasionally invited to come back and speak to these ladies.  I got to do it twice this week at two different MOPS groups and I loved every minute of it.

This is my home group and one of my favorite sights.  Mommies.

They are getting younger and younger (or am I getting older?) and I don't know too many of them very well anymore, but spending time here is always a gift.  A room full of soul and mind sculptors as (Ann Voskamp puts it) smack dab in the center of everyday mothering.  

”Mothering is no second-rate ministry for the spiritually and intellectually mediocre.
Mothering is a Christ-rated ministry for soul and mind sculptors and what could 

ever be substandard about passing on Christ’s standard?"

At this group, the Coordinator asked me to speak on Gratitude.  At first, I thought, 'that's so boring' because giving thanks seems to be sort of fashionable right now.  

Everybody's doing it.

We're teaching our kids to do it. 

Some write something they are thankful for everyday on Facebook.

It's what November is all about.

I’m sure you’ve been presented at some time with the idea of keeping a list of things you’re thankful for.  It's a very good thing to do.  But talk about it for 40 minutes?

So we went a little deeper. We explored both gratitude and contentment.

I looked up gratitude and here's what I found.

Synonyms                                                     Antonyms

Appreciation                                                   ingratitude

Acknowledgement                                          thanklessness

Recognition                                                     selfishness

Thankfulness                                                  discontent

Which list do you like better and which is most characteristic of you?

Isn’t it easy to be grateful when life is going great and happiness abounds?  Your kids are doing one cute thing after another.  Your husband is thoughtful and helpful and romantic. You have steady income.  You have lots of friends who enjoy your company.  Everyday is fun.  At times like this we easily appreciate, acknowledge and recognize all the things that make us joyful and we eagerly give thanks.  This is what Facebook was created for!

We can sing this:

Blesssed be Your Name in the land that is plentiful

where your streams of abundance flow

Blessed be Your Name 

Blessed be Your Name when the sun's shining down on me
when the world's all as it should be
Blessed be Your Name

Aaaahhh.  Contentment.  This is where it's found, right?  Or is it?

BUT, maybe you’re not in a happy season right now.  Maybe your kids are not turning out as you hoped.  Maybe your marriage is in a rocky place.  Maybe you are having financial trouble and your future is unsure. Maybe your mother-in-law is interfering…and winning.  Your friends are getting all their prayers answered and yours are hitting the ceiling.  Everyday is hard.

We’re certainly not putting that on our list or telling the world of Facebook are we?

Are we content here?  That's not so simple. 

I wonder if we can learn how to be grateful even here.  To sing the next verse:

Blessed be Your Name when I'm found in the desert place

though I walk through the wilderness

Blessed be Your Name 

Blessed be Your Name on the road marked with suffering

when there's pain in the offering

Blessed be Your Name 

Paul, the apostle who wrote most of the New Testament of the Bible, made a startling declaration in the book of Philippians.

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  Phil. 4:11,12

I looked up contentment.

Synonyms                                                   

Comfort

Happiness

Ease

Fulfillment

Gladness

Gratification

Peace

Pleasure

Satisfaction

Serenity

Wow, these are the most glorious words.  Give me all of that!  I want to live there every day, don’t you?

But let's get real.  It's not always this way.  Some of you know what I’m talking about.

We’ll know how we’re doing in the contentment department if we look at the next list.

Antonyms

Discomfort

Displeasure

Dissatisfaction

Misery

Sadness

Unhappiness

Well, that's no feel-good list is it?  I certainly don't want those to be the characteristics describing me.  So how do we give thanks when we are in the desert, walking through the wilderness on the road marked with suffering?

Here's what Nancy Leigh DeMoss suggests.

"Thanksgiving is a debt.  It is something we owe.  When we bring our thanks before God, we are recognizing Him as our source of blessing, every protection, every heartbeat, every rescue from every trial - even when His chosen form of deliverance just means supplying us the perseverance we need to see it through.  We have no life, no hope, no health, no grace, no strength, no peace, no holiness, no anything apart from what He has given and continues to give us."*

That is difficult and wonderful at the same time.  I underlined the part that really stood out to me.  He is still our source of everything even when.

 Above, I left out the last line of Paul's statement, the answer to how we do this contentment thing.

 

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything THROUGH HIM who gives me strength.”  Phil. 4:11,12

We can do this, my friends.  We can be grateful when things are good and when things aren’t because we do it THROUGH HIM who gives us strength.  We don't have to come up with it on our own.  This is good news for me.  However, it does require our focus to be on Jesus and us leaning into Him for what we need.  He will give it.

 There's more.  Look at this.

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! 

How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out!

Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?

Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?

For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.

To Him be the glory forever!  Amen.”  Romans 11:33-36

The bottom line is that it’s all about Him.  Always has been. Our discontentment and subsequent misery and unhappiness comes when we forget that and life becomes about us.  

When we center our hearts and minds around this truth, we become content and gratitude follows.  Or we give thanks and find ourselves content.  Which comes first?  I think it goes both ways.  How cool is that?

I truly believe the daily practice of writing down all the joys, all the ways Jesus loves us, can help us when it gets rough. 

Because even though we aren’t thankful for everything – we’ve trained ourselves to be thankful for something.

Remember what contentment looks like

                                                

Comfort

Happiness

Ease

Fulfillment

Gladness

Gratification

Peace

Pleasure

Satisfaction

Serenity

And what it doesn't

Discomfort

Displeasure

Dissatisfaction

Misery

Sadness

Unhappiness

Which do you choose?  Whether it's easy this year or painful, give thanks to the One who knows everything about you, loves you and has a plan for your life that is for your good and His glory.  

If you do, I guarantee you will have a Happy Thanksgiving!

*The Quiet Place 

Ministry of Food Monday

 Hey there!  It's Monday again.  I have a quick, awesome pasta dish for you today.  My mom used to make this and I have passed it down to my  kids.  Everyone really likes it.  You can play around with it too according to your taste.  Add meat.  Serve meat on the side.  Use different vegetables.  Add more vegetables.  Whatever.  Go crazy!

You start with these which are found in the frozen section.  If you've never had cavatelli - run, don't walk to the store and get some.  It might be my favorite pasta (when I'm cheating and NOT eating whole grain pasta).

You will also need:
1 or 2 boxes of frozen broccoli, thawed and drained
olive oil (a good amount as it needs to coat the pasta)
garlic cloves, minced
can of mushroom pieces
*feel free to use fresh veggies

Cook the pasta according to instructions on bag. 
Sautee the broccoli and mushrooms in garlic.
When the pasta is done, throw it in the olive oil and broccoli mixture.
Mix well.
Smother in parmesan cheese

I warned  you it was easy.

Watch your family eat it until it's all gone.

 Here it is before the parmesan

You get what I mean by smother, right?


I grilled chicken to make the meal complete.

PS - you may have noticed there are no mushrooms in the dish.  That's because a certain child who will remain nameless came in right when I was getting ready to add them and made a big stink.

I gave in.  This time.

But I'll get them in there next time.

Hope you like it!

Speaking of Thanksgiving.....I'm Making A Change

So here we are less than two weeks until Thanksgiving.  Lots of my facebook friends are posting something they are thankful for each day.  Gratitude is on everyone's mind...as it should be.

If you've been reading me for awhile you know I keep a daily list of things, people and experiences that bring me joy - that I'm thankful for.  I love doing it.

Lately though, a few things have happened that I want to write IN ALL CAPS, if you know what I mean.  Delightful gifts that take me by surprise and make me feel...well, happy.

For example:

Last weekend.  We went to Syracuse for the day and I was so thankful to have breakfast with one special friend and coffee later with another then dinner with some family.  These were planned events - ones I knew would "make the list".  But when I ran into another fun friend quite unexpectedly and we gushed love all over each other, I walked away thinking, "Jesus loves me".  Soon after, she sent me this message: "What a treat to see you and handsome Scott today!!  A surprise and a joy!"  She 'gets' these moments too.

Yesterday.  I had a 90 minute skype date with one of my favorite missionaries and former MOPS ministry partner from here in NY all the way to Senegal, West Africa.  It was a thrill to see her face and hear what God is doing in her life.  She encouraged me and spoke as only someone who has walked through deep waters with God can. "Yup, Jesus loves me".

Today.  I enjoyed breakfast with a friend who is kind, interesting, sweet and very funny.  We had a nice time together and our omelettes were delicious. Journal?  Definitely.

Then this...

I went to Panera to prepare for two upcoming speaking engagements.  I filled my cup and sat down by the fireplace.  I just happened to look out the window and there was our pastor from NSBC, right here in Binghamton.  I hurried to the door and he greeted me with a hug, like he always does.  I thought, "Jesus MUST love me."

He proceeded to fill his cup and join me for awhile. I loved it and wished Scott had been there to enjoy his company too. We caught up on things that matter. We talked about our families, ministry and missions.  

I miss him as boss and pastor.  I'm grateful he is a friend and mentor to both Scott and me. I would have inserted a picture here, but couldn't bring myself to say, "Can I take your picture for my blog?". 

There's something wonderful about having a rapport that lasts even when life takes you to separate places.  I'm thankful that he will still assume the role of our pastor though he isn't any longer.  How I hope you have a pastor who cares about you, is kind, trustworthy and makes you feel important.  It is a gift from God that He intends all His children to have.

After he left and my heart was full, I decided I'm going to rename my Gifts Journal.  It shall now be called "Jesus Loves Me Moments".

I wonder if somehow the daily discipline of recording gifts causes one to be more aware of extra special moments and more quickly respond in praise to the Giver Of All Gifts.

Are you making a list?  Why not give it a try?  It could lighten your heavy load and even change you...for the better.
You might find the deep joy you've always been looking for.
I dare you.  :)

___ Many Days Til _______ .....I'm Counting Down

I'm feeling a little silly tonight and I have no idea why. Maybe it's because I have spent the last four days engaged in physical activity for at least six hours per day and I'm exhausted. 

Or maybe it's because it's holiday time and that makes me just plain giddy.

So how about blogging what's on my mind?  The thing about blogging is that sometimes it can be to the reader so meaningful and sometimes downright not-so-much.  This may fall into the 2nd category.  I hope you laugh at least once.  I hope maybe you get a good idea.  I hope it makes you look forward to something important to you.  If none of it inspires you, you can just pray for my family - those who have to live with me.  You'll understand why as you read on.

Awhile ago, I wrote a post about counting.  Countdowns to be exact.  I think I must have written that during a silly mood as well.  Anyway, if you are totally bored, have nothing better to do with your time and want to read it for some background on where I'm headed - click here. If not, proceed with caution.

Today is Thursday, November 14.  Precisely two weeks until Thanksgiving.  Which brings me to lots of other countdowns like....

• 12 days until this kid comes home for Thanksgiving

and

• 13 days until this one arrives.

Our family will sit around a large table full of food and give thanks for how good God is.  Mmmmm.

• and...2 weeks from tomorrow.....I will break out this all-time favorite Christmas CD (and the rest of my collection).  I.LOVE.THIS.CD.  I blare it all through the house first thing to wake up the rest of the family so we can get on with our Christmasing (yes, it is a word...haven't you heard Merry Christmas, Darling by Karen Carpenter?).  Then we listen to it about 8 times before I put a different one on.  They love it.  Just ask them.  Better yet, maybe you shouldn't.

A little rabbit trail....if you'd like to take a look at my list of Top Ten Christmas CDs. (do it) You can click here.  I think I might change #10 from 4 Him to Rod Stewart's Merry Christmas Baby, which I received as a gift last year.  I know it's an odd choice for me, but I dig his voice, ok?  No judging, it's Christmas.

Back to the countdown.

What else happens 2 weeks from tomorrow?

We put this tree up.  Plus a few more.  Who knows how many, but more than one that's for sure.

We also bring out my favorite collection....nativities

Because this is the reason for which we celebrate.  It's more than a big deal to me.

There's more....

• December 1 - I get to crack open THIS book.  Advent devotionals - one of my most favorite things.  I can't wait to have this in my hot little hands on the first and every day of December. 

• December 8 - Ben comes home for Christmas until January 2.  Bonus - I have him to myself for two weeks (at least during school hours).

Maybe it will be like this when he always wanted to sit really close to me.  I could read him Christmas stories like in the old days. Everyday.

• December 20 - The beginning of Ally's two weeks off school. We will make cookies!

ALSO on

• December 20

Drew's home until January 12.  AND he's bringing this cutie, his fiancee, home for a few days.  We will jam pack those days with fun, baking, watching Christmas movies and giving Brittany some time to get to know the rest of our family (while she still has an out - just kidding, sort of.).

The countdown stops there, because from this point forward, I will want time to slow way, way, way down and go as slow as possible so I can soak up all the time I can get with 5 (+1) HOME.  Yesssss!

What are you counting down to or for?

Ministry of Food Monday

Hi friends.  Did you have a nice weekend?  I hope so.  I have another versatile comfort food and a fun sweet treat for you today.

Last weekend one of my college boys was home which meant we needed at least one solid homecooked meal.  Scalloped potatoes and ham got the top votes.  I used the same basic white sauce as from last week's macaroni and cheese.  If you missed it, click here.

And because I rarely follow a recipe to the letter and sometimes grow bored with same old/same old casseroles - I added a special guest to this dish - one stray sweet potato I found in the pantry. It added a flavor kick and a pop of color (not to mention the health benefits). I loved it.  I know my family loved it too, but they wouldn't give me the satisfaction of admitting it.  Aren't they cute?

Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
2 cups milk (may need to add more)
salt and pepper to taste
5-6 large potatoes, peeled and sliced
1 onion, thinly sliced
2 or 3 cups cubed ham
shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
french fried onions (optional)

In saucepan, melt butter.  Add flour and cook for about a minute.  Slowly add milk, whisking constantly. Salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat when slightly thickened.

Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray.  Layer similarly sized sliced potatoes and onions.  (I use a v-slicer for this - this ensure all the slices are the same size which will help with cooking time.)  Add ham.  Pour white sauce over the top.  Because my kids like cheese and french fried onions on everything - I go ahead and sprinkle them on.

Cover with foil and bake at 400 for 35-45 minutes.  Poke potatoes with fork to test doneness.  Uncover and add cheese and fronions for the last few minutes.

Good luck saving some for your next meal.  No leftovers here that night.

Now for the sweet treat.  One of my favorite holiday homemade foodie gifts to give is biscotti.  I was invited to a friend's house for lunch last week and brought these to her for having me over.  I know she's a coffee drinker and these are so fun to dunk.

I have made cranberry-almond, gingerbread and chocolate-vanilla biscotti, but because of this beautiful Fall weather I decided on pumpkin . The house smells amazing when they are cooking. They store a long time too so you can whip them out when a friend drops by for coffee.  Don't be intimidated - they are not hard to make. Try it - you'll see. You'll be so proud of yourself!  As always, read the recipe all the way before you start.

Pumpkin Biscotti

3-1/2 cups flour

1-1/2 cups brown sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1/2 cup solid-pack canned pumpkin

2 eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla

Glaze

1/2 c. white baking chips

1 tsp. shortening

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350-degrees F.  Grease 2 large baking sheets or try parchment paper.  I am a fan. Means the biscottis won't stick and clean up is so easy - wad it up, throw it away and put your cookie sheets back in the cupboard.

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and spice. (**if you don't have pumpkin pie spice, just mix up cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves to equal the 2 tsp. - or a little over)

In a small bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, eggs, and vanilla.

Add the pumpkin mixture to the flour mixture, stirring until well combined.

Place dough on a lightly floured surface and divide into 3 equal portions.

Lightly flour your hands.  Shape each portion into a slightly flattened log about

3-inches by 12-inches. Yes, I use a ruler :)  I made 2 this time, making the logs a little longer but same width.  

Place logs on prepared baking sheets.

Bake for 25 minutes.  Do Not Shut Off Oven!

Remove from oven and place baking sheet in a wire rack to cool 15 minutes.

Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees.  Transfer each log to a cutting  

board.  Using a serrated knife, cut diagonally into 1/2-inch slices.  Place the

slices cut side down on the baking sheets and bake 12-15 minutes or until dry turning over at the half-way point.

Cool on wire rack.

In microwave, melt chips and shortening together, stirring after every 30 seconds. Shouldn't take more than 90 seconds. Lay biscotti out on waxed paper and drizzle glaze over top.  Let dry.

Eat one (dipping in hot chocolate, hot cider or coffee for best results!), give some away and store the rest.  Ta da!  You're a bakery chef.

Perfectionism Ain't All It's Cracked Up To Be - 3 Statements That Set Me Free

Have you ever experienced an intense season of battling negative thoughts and emotions?  Self-criticism?  Self-loathing?  Unrest in your soul?  Doubt?  Had trouble seeing the sunshine through the clouds?  Times when you weren't sure which voice you hear is speaking the truth? Or simply just felt low in spirit for much too long?

Me too lately.  Sometimes all this inward fighting, which is exhausting, can tempt me to despair as if it will never end and I can't win because I'm too weak.  It's probably why I haven't written much.  Sometimes it's best to say nothing than speak that which would be of little value to others.  But, today is a new day and I hope I have something of value for you here.

Because I've been repeatedly taught, I know what to do when at war with myself and the truth according to God.  Spend as much time as possible in God's Word, the Book of Wisdom.  James tells us that "if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask God who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him." *  Needing wisdom - yup, that's me.  

You see, last month marked one year since we've belonged to a church.  We love church.  I can't overstate that.  We loooooooove church.  For all of our married life and years before, our church has always been our second home.

Let me interject at this point that we have not stopped attending church - or shall I say churches.  I mean that's what Sundays are for.  And our lives are full of friendships with God's other children but we don't have that second home right now.

As God continues to lovingly hold us in a time of waiting for our next ministry, we long for the community we've always been involved with at church.  To be really honest, this deficit, this giant hole in our world, has taken its toll on my spirit.

For too long now I have been fighting for peace.  I've been reading a lot and praying as if my life depended on it (which it does).  God has answered.  My friends, He always answers when we desperately seek Him.

In my reading, I was confronted with words like control and contentment. 

"Control is the seven-letter word that demolishes everything.  It is the inner disease of those who need stability in order to function.  If we desire to live sustainable, growing lives (and I do more than anything) we must get to the place where we understand that our effort, even what we perceive to be holy effort, cannot accomplish God's purposes.  'The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.' Proverbs 16:9.  He asks us to abandon our control so that He can reign in our lives and grow us." **

Control freak?  A perfectionist?  Me?  Yeah, you know it's true too, don't you?

Then there's contentment.

Can I say like Paul,

 "I have learned in whatever situation I am in to be content.  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.  In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."? ***

Those are such easy verses to read and say 'Amen!' to when we are abounding in plenty and the abundance of God's blessings.  Not so much when low and facing hunger and need.  I read those verses and I take myself to task.  I weep for who I want to be but quickly discover I am not.  I tell God I'm sorry and beg Him to help me be content.  But before He can do that work, I've already written myself off as a failure.  After all, I should know better, right?  I should have matured to here by now.  I cut myself no slack.  I don't even need Satan, the enemy of my soul to taunt and accuse me - I'll do it myself.

Are any of you like this, your own worst enemy?  Not a good place to be.  I don't recommend it, yet I'm there more than I care to admit.

Tuesday night we had the great privilege of seeing Steven Curtis Chapman, Jason Gray and Laura Story in concert.  We might be groupies.  We've seen Laura once before, Jason twice and Steven - oh my - many times in many cities.  We even got to meet him twice.  He's one of those artists who is all you hope him to be in person and so much more.

If you know me at all, you know I went expecting God to speak.  I knew this would be a great night and God would minister to the empty and needy spaces of my heart. 

Here's a little glimpse of what we saw and heard.

This is Jason Gray.  I like him.  He speaks deeply from the heart.  I hoped he would sing "Nothing is Wasted" which has been a bit of an anthem for Scott and me.  He sang it.  You may remember I wrote about how this song has ministered to me.  If not, you can read it if you click here.  He also wrote a little piece about parenting on a blog I love. It's another reason I like him so much.  If you have time, check it out here. 

I decided not to bother trying to hold back the tears when he sang this:

"It's from the deepest wounds
That beauty finds a place to bloom
And you will see before the end
That every broken piece is
Gathered in the heart of Jesus
And what's lost will be found again

Nothing is wasted
Nothing is wasted
In the hands of our Redeemer
Nothing is wasted."

Jason said, "Your brokenness makes you a safe place for others."  My heart heard, "Your brokenness isn't failure.  It's ok for others to see you like this."

Next was Laura Story.  I'm sure you're familiar with her song "Blessings".  I had just heard it on the radio the night before and was in a puddle before it was over, so I was expecting the ugly cry.  What made it all the more powerful was that Steven Curtis sang it with her.

Looking at and hearing them sing this song knowing what difficulties and heartaches they have and continue to walk through ripped up my heart.  Yet at the same time, built up my faith.  She talked of how none of their lives have turned out as they'd planned.  At one point, in reference to how each of the three of them need God desperately to make it through every day, she said laughing, "We are all just a mess up here."

Later, Steven said, "We haven't got it all figured out and we never will."  If I can say this, God was speaking so loudly to me I could barely hear the singers.

 Three statements from three artists that are setting me free.

Lessons I continue to need to re-learn:  It's ok to be a mess.  I'm not going to figure this thing out.  Walking through this thing perfectly can only be done if I'm Jesus, who I obviously am not.  So take a load off (again).  He doesn't expect perfection.  Embrace my weakness (don't beat myself up for it) because it's at this point that God can sweep into that very weakness and show off His strength. (2 Cor. 12:9)  Oh yeah. I knew that.

But I'm so human and forgetful.  Are you too?  This is why we need to continually read His Word.  Over and over again.  Every day.  So that we can be reminded.  So our faith can be rebuilt.  So we can fight the enemy.  So we can stop beating ourselves up.
Exhale.

I was so thankful Steven gave us a few quiet moments to pray.  Once again, I had some things to lay down.  Perfectionism.  More pride.  Unrealistic expectations (of self). Worry.  Negative thoughts.  Then I got to embrace rest, God's great love for me and my own weaknesses.  I told Him I wanted to work on contentment, receiving all things (even the bad) from His hands with the strong confidence He is carrying me and He will bring good from all of it (Rom 8:28).

After that Steven sang his new song "Glorious Unfolding".

"Lay your head down tonight
Take a rest from the fight
Don’t try to figure it out
Just listen to what I’m whispering to your heart
‘Cause I know this is not
Anything like you thought
The story of your life was gonna be
And it feels like the end has started closing in on you
But it’s just not true
There’s so much of the story that’s still yet to unfold

And this is going to be a glorious unfolding
Just you wait and see and you will be amazed
You’ve just got to believe the story is so far from over
So hold on to every promise God has made to us
And watch this glorious unfolding"

I mean, for real?  Do you think God had a message for me (and everyone else there)?  I do!

Another exhale.  It was a good night.  And unless you think it was all just a lot of listening, crying and praying, we rocked out too, to many of our favorite songs. We may have even danced in our seats.

It was a Spirit-filled night of worship (with special friends all around us) to the Only One who is worthy of glory.  We had fun!!

And one combat-weary, Spirit-hungry woman was set free from self-imposed punishment, soul-fed and heart-revived.

Today I read this...

"Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.  

For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." ****

"If left to roam wild, those feelings and emotions will likely lead you to think and do things that are inconsistent with God's plan for your life.  They will persuade you to believe things about Him, about yourself, about your circumstances that run counter to the truth.  If you let them, those emotions will seek to distort your view of God and keep you from seeing Him as the faithful, loving, actively engaged God He reveals Himself to be.  That's why feelings, as fickle and unreliable as they are, cannot be allowed just to come in and take over.  They must be disciplined, managed and controlled." *****

Yes.  Yes. Yes.  Again reinforcing our need for megadoses of the Bible.  We must set our minds on things above. And I love that little phrase "your life is hidden with Christ in God."  Seems like there's no safer place.

This life really is all about Him.  I'm grateful for the reminder and redirection of focus.


*James 1:5
**Everything by Mary DeMuth
***Philippians 4:11-13
****Colossians 3:2-3
*****The Quiet Place by Nancy Leigh DeMoss