Today's Realization

Today's Realization

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also... Mango Sorbet + Passion Fruit Ice Cream + Haagen-Dazs = amazing bliss.

On bread, baking, and God's Redemption

Ok, so if you read this and you also follow me on fb, you know that last night I attempted to bake a loaf of whole wheat bread. You would also know that when I got the dough out of the bread mixer [just like the instructions stated!!], I thought I had failed miserably.

Even though I knew it didn't look right, I tried following the next part of the recipe: kneading, molding, and shaping.

have you ever tried to knead, mold, or shape gooey dough? FYI for those of you that haven't - it doesn't work. In fact it is SUCH a major fail that it sticks to everything its NOT supposed to stick to: your hands, your clothes, the counter top it falls on, the mixing device. And it does not come off except when you stick it under hot water and add some soap.

Obviously I had failed. Right? Well, I decided to give it one last-ditch effort. It was already 1 am- what else could go wrong? I stuck it into a loaf pan we have, then into the oven for 30 minutes. Those minutes were endless- I wanted to open the oven door and see what was going on, see if I had failed, or if maybe, just some how it was going to be alright. But I was afraid of messing it up even more, the yeast completely caving in the bread, seeing that I had truly failed, etc. Thirty minutes later:

I couldn't believe it! Even though it was obviously wrong when I put it in the oven, @ some point that clumpy, annoying, sticky-to-everything-but-itself dough had turned into a gorgeous [and yummy!] loaf of healthy bread! Sure, some of the issues from earlier were still a problem: there was supposed to be enough dough for 2 large, shaped loafs- I only had one loaf that I had to stick in a container so it wouldn't fall apart. It had obviously not risen to its full potential. I still have no idea what I did wrong. Experts could easily critique its crumbs, its density, its porousness. But I knew that it was exactly what I had wanted it to be.

Do you ever realize that this is so similar to how God molds us? He, obviously being the perfect Creator [this isn't like me, so just pretend for a minute], did everything exactly perfect. He made us perfect: in His image, we are His highest creation! and then Satan [yes, I am comparing the bread machine to Satan. just stay with me.] comes in to the picture; in fact, God has PLANNED for him to come into the picture. [this is where the analogy between me and God TOTALLY disappears. I did NOT plan for my bread to get messed up. I DID borrow the bread machine though....] And Satan opens up an opportunity, given to him by God, to mess up God's creation, and we fall for it! [in the figurative sense for us, in the literal sense for my bread.] So, from what happened in the garden of Eden, from that situation, we are all affected. just like my bread was completely effected. And God hasn't just been sitting on the sidelines. He had told us what to do in the Garden. He had put everything we needed right there. But because we had the choice, we had evil in our hearts.

So now what? Well, obviously God didn't give up. In fact, so unlike my situation with the glumpy dough [yes I made up the word. no, its not in the dictionary.], God knew exactly what to do. He sent His only Son to die on the cross for His people! He didn't lose a single part or person of those that He loved since the beginning of time. Not one. Think John 3:16 with me here.

For God so loved the world

that He gave His only begotten Son,

that whosoever believes in Him

shall not die, but have everlasting life.

How incredible!

And it gets even better. God doesn't just allow His people to be loved by Him. NO! He shows them, by redeeming them from this world and its people, by loving us so that we can love Him. and out of that love flows everything good about us.

wow.

AND, just like my bread, though we aren't the best by the world's standards- we aren't perfect, not gorgeous or in the perfect shape or have the world's highest IQ or be the most talented people- God has given us just the right tools we need to be the best Christian, the best God-lover-and-adorer, the most Christ like. and He hasn't just given us the tools, but He is molding and shaping us every single step of the way. And @ times we are going to have hard trials; we will go through hot times; God disciplines those that He loves! But He never puts us through more than we can bear.

God worked on both the bread and me last night: I was so impatient, wanting to check every 2 minutes. But God's timing was perfect. If I had looked too soon, the bread would have ruined. If I had kept it in too late, it would have burned. But God knew the perfect timing, and when @ last the timer went off and I checked: voila, it was good :)

Politics made simple.

This evening a shameful bill was passed, in which those who govern in our nation said "yes" to a bill which they had not had the time to fully read and study. The people of this nation are to blame, because though we started out as a republic, by the end of the War Between the States, we became a democracy. A Majority easily swayed by smooth words and promises. Tonight The United States of America has shamed itself in front of all the nations of the world. Tonight a climax came- the Heath care Bill was passed. We truly are a democratic nation now, and as such are on our way to socialism and tyranny, the likes of which are easily recognizable throughout history.
I am not afraid. God has promised to protect His people, and unlike kings and presidents and men and women, His Word will never, and has never, been broken. His promises have stood the test of time. Therefore I trust and hope in Him.

I am praying for revival. Remember II Chronicles 15:1-7. The nation of Israel was in a spiritual decline, but God gave them reform and revival! This nation will not fully change,nor will it have any slight permanent change until Gods people fall down and repent, recognizing their true sin, turning from it and living lives fully devoted to God and His Word and His Kingdom. Only then will God ever begin to bless this nation again.

Psalm 4 "Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? [selah] But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for Himself; the Lord hears when I call to Him. Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. [selah] Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord. There are many who say, "Who will show us some good?" Lift up the light of Your face upon us, O Lord! You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."

In North Carolina

Friends are a blessing from Above.

"A judicious friend, into whose heart we may pour out our souls, and tell our corruptions as well as our comforts, is a very great privilege." - George Whitefield

Today I have felt

loved. even though I'm not perfect.

Day 7

It seems rather surreal that today was the last day of the challenge! It was also rather funny, a friend sent me an email yesterday, saying, " oh, have you heard about this challenge? I think you and I should do it together..." haha and yes, it was the 7-day skirt/dress challenge :) I sent them a link to my blog...

Alright, so I meant to have really amazing astounding pictures taken, with just the right lighting, and I was actually going to clean them up a bit..and then the day got away from me. so , sorry! you shall just have to believe me when I say I really am an alright photographer! ;) actually, all these pictures this week [excluding day 3] were taken by my wonderful mother, who has been so patient with me this week!

Ok, enough chatter. here are the specs:

White tank...$3, tj maxx probably

teal shirt...eddie bauer I believe, $15.

grey skirt...april cornell, a gift from my father :)

I borrowed the cap and scarf, from the same amazing friend :)

I wore the same brown boots Ive worn for the past few days, since it has been so chilly.

red jacket...a gift from my aunt in VA :)

I have really learned a lot this week, and been very blessed by this opportunity. I learned it is possible to sled in a skirt, and do other physical activities. I learned to take time for every outfit, and make sure it goes at least fairly well together ;) God gave me a lot of grace this week, and I loved how feminine I felt, all the time :) yes, I do wear pants, and yes, often this week it would have been much easier to wear them. but God helped me persevere, and there are lessons I learned this week that I don't really know the words for. SO, thank you Esther, and thanks to all of you who did this challenge and posted blogs on it! I am so grateful to have had even this bit of a connection with you, and look forward to the next challenge posted :)

because He lives and reigns,

me.

Day 6

Today was FREEZING! And, as mentioned beforehand, I didn't get out of my PJs until about 11 am....lol so, then I decided I wanted to go on a walk and take pictures and visit my good friend Greta [who lives about 2 or 2.5 mi away]. So this is what I came up with:

Outfit specs:

cute hat...same as yesterday's [i love this hat!!!]

white tissue shirt...j.crew, about 3 or 4 years ago

dress...[Ann Taylor] Loft, gift from a friend :)

boots...same as yesterday's!!!

cream vest...goodwill?

blue jacket...same from Day 3 :)

I definitely have a few staple items in my closet :)

hair was tied back in a loose "knot", comfy and funky :P

what do you think?

b.c He lives and reigns,

me.