A Season of "yes"

The past 7 months have been a time of testing,

a time of growing,

a time of stretching,

a time of waiting on God and wondering how He wanted to use us.

We, as a couple, definitely like to minister as a couple,

but at the beginning of our ministry change,

it seemed that only separate ministries were offered.

Hubby was preaching once a month locally.

Hubby was supporting a men's prayer meeting.

I was singing in the choir and playing the piano again.
I could paint during the week.

We kept waiting on "together" ministry.

God laid one in our lap.

A chance to be hands-on in helping a missionary launch out.

And it involved getting out of our comfort zone.

And it involved just saying "yes."

There are times when God reminds us that though we are not ministering as WE planned
 (how presumptuous that is),

we can help in many ways as a couple because of our situation and stage in life.

And we are excited ... and looking for the next thing to say "yes" to!

Up To The Challenge

Over the past few years, we have pulled back from dairy foods more and more.

We have enjoyed almond/coconut milk and coconut based ice cream,

but the stronghold, the fortress, has been cheese.

Really, cheese is so good ... and is an easy source of calories and protein.

Recently, we have tried to give up the cheese ...

So suddenly the Mexican dishes which are a staple in a gluten-free home

are a little less appetizing (though they still appear frequently.)
Pizza?  Without Cheese?

I really don't enjoy cream-based dishes made with almond milk most of the time.

So, how would I meet the challenge?
Some things just haven't been duplicated.
Sorry, you can't make a grilled cheese with pumpkin filling (I tried).

But I have stumbled on some finds ...
I made parmesan out of nutritional yeast and raw cashews.
It worked on our pizza.

I came across a dairy-free southern favorite the other day ...

Biscuits and gravy!

We love biscuits and gravy,

but hadn't had it in awhile.

This gravy recipe had sausage,

gluten free flour,

and, ...

Wait for it ...

CAULIFLOWER.

I groaned too,

but I was SO curious.
Hubby was not surprised at my wonderment and was even game to try it
(after cauliflower ziti last week)

Sausage is a pretty strong flavor.

Could it overpower the cauliflower?

My curiosity bested me.

Friday night was the night for biscuits and gravy ...

SUCCESS!

Yes, the house had the awful cooked cauliflower smell
(An hour after with a strawberry lemonade candle burning and that was fixed),

but when blended with water and a little nutritional yeast, salt and pepper,

it was really quite good.

And now you have chalked me up as a kook instead of a cook,

but you just have to roll with it.

And a happy hubby, with a happy belly

is worth more than the acceptance of my readers :)

Derailed ... but getting back on track

Please tell me that I am not the only one ...

one who can be easily derailed from my plans and goals.

It can happen with schedules, with diets, with exercise plans.

I think that it started with a strange sore throat/sinus mess

 that has hit me 3 times in 4 months.

It is easy to get discouraged in sickness.

It is hard to just bounce back after 3-4 days of blah.

Then there was an enjoyable trip to NY - 

more change of schedule.

And we got to enjoy our niece for a week -

another change of pace.

In this time, I also agreed to paint at church.

At this point it is almost done ...

only two storage rooms and the sanctuary.

I love the work, but it is another change.

Friday, I took some time to reevaluate ... to get back on track ... to recommit.

I have kept up on reading and really have been challenged by some of the books I have read.

We have kept up with entertaining once a month and have even been invited to others' homes.

The Isaiah book is close to completion (at least the actual writing)

so we start editing soon.

But the Hebrew lessons have suffered.

I am excited to recommit to them.

This past month I have been encouraged to develop a skill that I enjoy,

to not be content to be stagnant.

I guess it comes from being around folks who are more advanced at it than I am.

I have started a church based music theory course to further develop my piano playing (and my piano teaching).

For years, I have avoided theory, probably afraid of failing.

It is the reason I did not pursue a music minor in college!

Some of our college kids have challenged me to go to the school to take it,

but, I always made excuses.

Not this time,

The course will teach theory, modulations, playing softly, arranging, transposing, playing congregation music, analyzing music ...

It will be a commitment,

but oh how useful it will be wherever God has us.