A Break

This week, I am thankful for 3 breaks.

I am thankful for a break in the humidity earlier this week.
It was nice to be able to tidy the yard and gardens with cooler temps.

Even so, I am thankful for the humidity as well
which has provided us with green grass throughout the summer.

I am also thankful for the break I get this weekend.

We are excited to get to have some time with family this weekend.

While we know this is where God has us,

it is easy to feel alone so far from family
in an area where seemingly everyone grows up and stays around family

and this is a welcome visit.

And I am thankful for the end of Summer Break
which brings back the college kids.
They are a real "pick-me-up" and encouragement to our household.

Clearer Vision

Part of the "reboot" mentioned last week

is looking for new ways to minister.

When my vision started to fail at the beginning of the year,

I did live with the frustration of not being able to see my books or my piano music,

I went and got new glasses.

It only makes sense to want to see.

One of my struggles in life is the superficiality of women in the church.

Now I know that was an unfair blanket statement,

but it seems like usually the women are talking about shopping and children

while the men talk about Spiritual things.

I asked myself why?  Why was I so slow to bring up spiritual things.

While I had a heart for the people that I was ministering to,

I had not truly developed a vision - a goal and a plan to meet that goal.

I have plans next week with two young ladies.

Plans to grow together, to provide accountability, and to share in ministry.
Plans to be specific in talking about spiritual things with a desire to make it "normal."

I am excited to see what happens with it.

Month of Growing and Stretching

We exercise regularly and realize that with exercise and improvement there is discomfort.

There are days when the muscles complain.

There are days of discouragement.

There are tweaks to the plan.
There are hurdles to climb.

But when the results start to manifest themselves ... it is worth it.

As I mentioned last Tuesday.

This has been one of those months of searching, of growing.

Not one without lots of tears,

growing pains,

and questions.

While the questions are not all answered,

there is hope in looking in new directions

and in searching for different results.

Chocolate Truffles

On Sunday, we had a fellowship dinner.

While I love the fellowship,

the prep. part ... not so much.

I did come up with a fairly easy list of things to take.

Hubby was most excited about the dessert ...

no not my oatmeal energy bites,

he was excited about the chocolate truffles.

I didn't try them,

but they looked fudgy...

and I trust my hubby on this one.

INGREDIENTS

12 ounces dairy-free chocolate chips

½ cup full fat canned coconut milk

⅓ cup natural nut butter

⅛ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

For Coating

Cocoa

Powdered Sugar

Chocolate Sprinkles

INSTRUCTIONS

In a sauce pan, heat the coconut milk, nut butter, chocolate chips and salt, 

whisking together until hot and smooth. Remove from heat.

Whisk in vanilla until thoroughly combined and smooth.

Chill for several hours (3 was just about perfect).

Assemble coating ingredients in small bowls. 

If very cold, let the chocolate mixture sit out for about 20 minutes to soften a little.
Use a spoon to scoop up about one tablespoon of truffle mixture.

Soften and shape into a ball using the palms of your hands.

Roll the ball in coating of choice.

Place on a plate or in mini paper baking cups.

Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

A Little Backwards

I do feel a little backwards today ...

today I am thankful that summer in NC does not last forever.

The heat and humidity we have experienced the last 4 weeks has been crippling.

It is very hard to get motivated to do anything.

So today I am thankful for the promise of fall and winter - 

cooler temperatures,

pleasant evenings on the porch,

warm drinks in the morning and evening,

...

I Still Do!

There is nothing like an anniversary to remind me of God's goodness and favor to me.

Today we celebrate 14 years of marriage.

From a little church in upstate NY ...

to rural NC.

I am so grateful for the man God chose for me.

It is hard to have a big celebration on a Wednesday with church,

but last week, we took a little trip to celebrate the wedding of some of our college kids.

We enjoyed the festivities and the time away from the regular schedule.

Yesterday, hubby's work took him to training nearer to the city,

so I joined him and we had a nice Asian dinner and a little shopping trip on the way home.

Tonight,

grilled turkey burgers, side salads, and steak fries.

Meal topped with Plum Cobblers.

Reboot

I have been a little scarce here recently.

Hubby and I have had a month or two of tough paths.

It has been one of those paths where you question where you are.

Are you where you need to be?

Are you doing what you need to do?

Are you distracted from what really needs to be done?

Are you helping or hindering?

While the path has been hard,

it has taken us to some good answers,

some changes,

some refocusing ...

a reboot.

More later ...

Quick, Easy, and YUMMY!

Since our meal plan does not change a whole lot,

I guess I am sharing a lot of desserts.

This one can be a protein snack, breakfast, or a dessert.

When I first tried them, I though - "Wow - a no bake cookie without chocolate."

Then I let hubby try - "It tastes like a no bake without chocolate."

So if you are looking for a no bake, no cook, not affected by the humidity recipe ...

Try this one.

No Bake Energy Bakes

• 1 cup (dry) oatmeal (I used gluten free rolled oats)
• 2/3 cup toasted coconut flakes (unsweetened)
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup ground flax seeds
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips (or vegan chocolate chips) - I used raisins for chocolate free option
• 1/3 cup honey 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

DIRECTIONS:

Stir all ingredients together in a medium bowl until thoroughly mixed. 

Cover and let chill in the refrigerator for half an hour.*

Once chilled, roll into balls of whatever size you would like.

Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.

Makes about 20-25 balls.

Update

Some of you have contacted me and let me know that you were praying for Nathan - 

our Pastor's son who had brain surgery on Thursday.

We are praising the Lord that the surgery went well.

He had nominal nausea and vomiting which was one of his major concerns.

He was able to leave the hospital yesterday and will be recovering at the Ronald McDonald House
 until his flight home on Saturday.

Thank you for your prayers.

Prayer works!