My quiet time ~

Now and then I get asked about my quiet time. It doesn't always look the same. I started a new study yesterday and here's what its looking like in this season. 

Part of this study is lighting a candle so I have moved back to my kitchen table. 

Here's my daily stack for right now- (not pictured the composition notebook I use for my prayer journal).

My Bible of course- Currently I use the CSB (in)courage Devotional Bible and I also bought this one to use for Sunday School class and sometimes I use it too- Kid's Visual Study Bible NIV it has lots of little notes and pictures in it.

This year I have reading through the Bible chronologically with The Bible Recap. I bought the study guide which I like and recommend. It has questions for digging deeper. There is also a podcast or a youtube video which helps, she gives a little summary and more insight into the chapters. That's usually 5-10 minutes depending on the day. There's also a reading plan on the Bible app which helps keep me on track. You can read right in the app if you so choose, but my phone will never replace my actual bible for me. I love that the devotional has the recap video embedded so it's all right there. Also when we start a new book the provide the book overview video from The Bible Project and those are phenomenal. 

The new study I just added is the annual Make Your Home a Haven study from Women Living Well.  This is the 16th year and I don't think I have been doing it that long but I have been doing it a long time. This years theme is Strength in the Secret Place. The journal is available on Amazon or you can just follow along on the blog or facebook.  It is 4 weeks long and usually in October/November, it feels like a great reset before the busyness of the coming holiday season.

Three books I love and recommend are The Power of a Praying Wife (which I have been using pretty mu my entire marriage, and have done 3 times as part of a small group Bible Study) and because I love that one so much and it made such a difference in my life and marriage I also have The Power of a Praying Parent. And now that my kids are grown (😭) I have switched to The Power of Praying for Your Adult Children. I have read each of these books in their entirety (more than once). But I also love that each chapter ends in a prayer (on a specific topic) and scripture verses. So most mornings I simply flip to the next chapter and pray the prayer at the end for the day. There are around 30 chapters so there is one for everyday of the month, more or less.

If it all feels a little too overwhelming, get yourself a little devotional and dive in. The daily bread is a great place to start, our church has them available right at the welcome center. Or Jesus Calling is a great little devotional I have read more times than I can count and always seems to hit.

The important thing to remember is that your quiet time doesn't have to look like mine. It doesn't have to look the same in every season or even everyday. The important this is carving out some time to sit at Jesus feet- to read the Word, to listen, to pray, to reflect.

I'd love to hear what your quiet time looks like, a plan or devotional you have loved. 💙

Be Still. . .

I am so enjoying the quiet peace and assurance that comes with this study. 

Also from Gratitude Documented. Giving it all to God today.

A few years back my Dad referenced this book in one of his messages.  

21 Seconds to Change Your World: Finding God's Healing and Abundance Through Prayer  

Going through a particularly hard time myself at the time I checked it out on hoopla and devoured it. It has come to mind several times recently and especially this week as I have been studying Psalm 23 again.

"The Lord's Prayer and the Twenty-third Psalm together became the cocktail of life that healed my mind. Mixed and well-shaken, repeated back to back, over and over again, prayed aloud, prayed silently, desperately, joyfully sometimes with such ragged faith it could hardly be called faith, these two ancient devotional instruments became the medicine of my soul's restoration."

Today I am thankful...

• Hannah feeling better
• the privilege and ability to vote
• picking up library books
• reconnecting

Weekending. . .

 This weekend was wonderful. Summery and warm and sunshiney.

Friday night was wonderful- our Church had a Family Night Cookout- it felt great to sit outside and chat with friends! =D Rhett and Ryan were both able to be there too which was just icing on the cake.

Saturday morning Hannah and I hit the Farmer's Market with friends and also went out to lunch. =) Again so nice to be out and about with people.😂  Hannah added two new houseplants and a little cactus to her collection.

Hannah and I spent yesterday afternoon watching a couple episodes of The Circle on Netflix- we got drawn in after having it recommended by a couple different people. Yesterday we were yelling at the TV and laughing so hard. Much needed stress relief! 😂

I kept my run streak alive over the weekend. Day 8 this morning!

Yesterday morning I enjoyed a little hammock time with Chance before church to cool off post run- absolute bliss.

This morning I am beginning this Study on Friendship with the Love God Greatly community- there is a print journal you can purchase, a digital one to download or just follow along on the website or app.

As of this morning I am officially signed up for the Earth Day Half in April (along with my sister and sister-in-law).  Not gonna lie- I'm pretty excited about this year's shirt! :P

Week two of half marathon training- this morning I had an appointment so I was able to squeeze in an outdoor run. It made me feel very happy.

I am also thankful for access to my parents treadmill for days when I can not manage an outside run!

I've fallen way behind on my OneNY Challenge.  It ended Christmas Eve, my shirt and medal have arrived.  But I will not allow myself to open them until I put in those miles and earn it!  Looking forward to coloring in lots of circles as my training plan ramps up.

I saw this on instagram and honestly I need to work on all these things.

I have gone back to following the SheReadsTruth plans for my devotional time.  Yesterday's really spoke to my heart. It also seemed right in line with our Pastor's message this week. It is so important to be in the Word- everyday. Not just an hour on Sunday. Read His Word- drink it in like water- let it penetrate your very soul.

Also this from Lysa Terkeurst

And this is the third time I was given this verse in as many days- I've been having a little trouble letting some things stay in the past where they belong. God keeps reminding me, He is doing something NEW.

I'm thankful for a God who meets me where I am.

And just because I LOVE it- my new tshirt I got at the LaForte Christmas this weekend.  I can't wait to wear it!

Leaves of Gold

I've been in s little bit of a funk this week. 😕  Vacillating between discouragement and elation. But then that's pretty much me, I guess.

Here's some good from the week.

Sunday I drove Mikayla back to Houghton, which made me sad but we had some great quality time on the drive and she was excited to show me her townhouse now that they are all settled in.  Thanksgiving is soon and I can't wait to have her home again!

This quote was from Jesus Calling this week-
       "Let My gold-tinged Love was over you and soak into the depths of your being." (Oct. 23, pg 310)

I just love this because it embodies fall so much for me- I love the way sunlight seems to turn everything to gold in the fall.  And now it reminds me of God's love too.  All my devo's this week have been pretty great....if only I cold stay at my table longer.  Morning feels so fleeting and then the day at work sooooooooo long.

I went for a pretty sweet run the other night.  It made me so happy.

I'm aiming for 10 miles tomorrow. The Syracuse Half is just TWO weeks away! I can not believe it!

I did this LIVE video in a party group this week. Pampered Chef makes me soooo happy!

This party needs a little help qualifying ;-) if anyone has an order to add.  I'm hoping to get it in this weekend...and if you are local to me- I'm offering FREE SHIPPING.  Text or Message me if you'd like to order!

There are 6!! Just SIX days left to get in on this awesome anniversary deal and help me start building my Team.  Seriously- I never seen a deal like this in 15 years with Pampered Chef... if you have ever thought about joining NOW is the time!  It doesn't have to be forever...try it for a month- do a couple parties, earn some cash and see what you think... ;-) Learn more here or just shoot me a message.

I mean who wouldn't want this box of awesome delivered right to your doorstep! For only $39...its a steal!

Think about it.....

I'm personally working to move from Hobby Consultant to Full-Time Consultant.

Disclaimer: I am a Pampered Chef Independent Consultant I do earn commission from anything pampered chef purchased through me =)

Ah Monday- we meet again...

Despite waking with a major case of the Mondays- its turning out all right...

A run always helps =)

I love this guy! His face is just so smoochable. It's amazing how no matter where he is in the house- he seems to magically turn up when I get ready to go running.  It makes me sad to not be able to run with him anymore. He was actually limping pretty bad just on our walk today and I felt awful.  He was reluctant to go inside when I brought him home and was not a happy pup when I headed back out the door for my run.

 When your daughter sends you her morning snap- 😆

This- (from Prayer Warrior by Stormie Omartian).  I am reading through it (again) in my devo time.

 I have been having some rough battles lately- the devil has been whispering some fierce lies in my ear.  Its so hard to not believe the lies.  I literally have to write out the truth so I can read it.  My thankful 💖 list helps with this too.

From my Jesus Calling this morning- I wrote it at the top of my daily page.

"Come close to me and let My Light envelope you, driving out darkness and permeating you with Peace." (from John 8:12)

Challenge for today- From Only Love Today (p. 238)

"It doesn't take much to make someone's day.  It doesn't take much to create a sense of hope in the world.  It doesn't take much to turn an average day into a memorable one." 

Sometimes life feels hard.

 It’s hard not to be overwhelmed and discouraged. I find myself waking up thinking what is even the point?

Thankfully God doesn’t leave me there- he gently urges me towards the kitchen. A cup of coffee and his word.

This morning I read in Jesus Calling-

“I will instruct you in the way you should go” psalm 32:8
And "Relax and enjoy the journey."

Then in my (in)courage devotional bible I read

I've been tired. Overwhelmed. Frustrated.  Downright angry sometimes. I have to remind myself to just do what I can.  Little things add up.  If the big picture is too much- what's the next thing I can do?

This morning I made Mikayla's bed. Ready for her on Friday!

Dinner.  Cooking. It makes me happy.  Food is my love language and the kitchen is my happy place.  Saturday night after spending almost the whole day rigorously cleaning I was exhausted- the idea that I didn't even feel like cooking and why should I flitted through my head.  But then as I started going through the motions the joy flooded my heart.  Cooking is my happy.

Saturday night I made this Teriyaki Chicken in the Quick Cooker.  Its a keeper!  I served it with Broccoli, and white rice and also frozen egg rolls from Aldi.

Friday I made an old favorite I had sort of forgotten about. And this is why I love my Tried & True recipe board on pinterest.  It reminds me of recipes I loved.  I love trying new recipes so sometimes I forget about ones that I would like to make again! Friday I hadn't planned on making dinner- we were supposed to have a mom's night out.  Things happen. So I was feeling down and went back to my board to find a quick, easy comfort food type recipe. This fit the bill.  Originally it was from Kraft.  I think back when I used to get their food and fun magazine or something like that.

I posted the recipe in an old blog you can see it -->HERE<--

And be thankful...

I awoke too early and not happily. The kids are on break this week so I don't need to be up and at 'em quite as early. But of course I never changed my alarm to it went off per usual. I thought I'd just go back to sleep for a bit but my mind had other ideas. Finally I gave up and headed to the kitchen to have a little coffee with Jesus. I penned a prayer of desperation and discouragement. Why oh why did I feel this way. Like everything was pointless and I was failing. Big time.

I opened Jesus Calling. I read it and the noted verses. I read the devotional in my (in)courage Bible.  I didn't feel any better. Go read that verse in Colossians again. I felt rather than heard. So I did.

"And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. 

And be thankful."  Colossians 3:15 CSB

And be thankful. And be thankful. THANKFUL. Be. Thankful.

I picked up my pen again and just started writing...

Thank you for new days and fresh starts. Thank you for friendship. Thank you for my family. Thank you for my husband and children. Thank you for our home and warmth. Thank you for sparkly snow. Thank you for sunshine and blue skies. Thank you for clouds.Thank you for coffee. Thank you for HOPE. Thank you for your Word. Thank you for legs that can run. Thank you for our dog. Thank you for my kitchen table....

My heart began to overflow with Joy instead of frustration.

God is good. He is the God of peace. Of Comfort. Of Joy. Just waiting to wrap you up. Heal all your hurting places.  Make you new. 

remember the good...

I awoke to the cat knocking over a glass of water on my nightstand. My helpful hubby grabbed me a towel from our bathroom to mop up the mess. He went back to sleep and I trudged downstairs with the pup. I considered going back to sleep. I curled up on the couch briefly but by then my mind was racing and overwhelmed.

I gave up on extra sleep, made coffee and settled at the table. Opened my Bible. Prayed. Slowly His joy began to seep into my soul.

 

Last night at Moms Connect and also earlier in the week with another friend I was reminded of the importance of looking for the good and remembering to good God has done for me.

I found a scarf I have been missing for like two years this weekend! I was somewhat perplexed in the packing I never came across it- where could it possibly be??  Well this week we were over cleaning at the old house, I moved my old dresser and there it was caught behind it on the bottom drawer. =) Guess what I wore to church yesterday!


I tested a new Pampered Chef recipe yesterday- Strawberry Blondies- super yummy! The recipe is in the NEW Season's Best recipe collection.  Available March 1.  They maybe making an appearance at my upcoming pampered chef party too. =)

Chance and Storm love the window seat in the living room. Interestingly enough- they seem to becoming more tolerant of each other in the new house.

The mister and I had a pretty sweet date Saturday night. We bought new living room furniture (to be delivered tomorrow!!) and then had dinner at The Distillery.  Maybe its that we were both starving but we had Loaded Tater Tots for an appetizer and they.were.amazing. We also had burgers and fries. I think his was better than mine. But mine was pretty tasty too.

When we got home- I helped him put together Mikayla's new bed. Basically by handing him screws. But hey- he said it was a help to him and I was more than happy to do it. Our girl will be home in 11 days! Not that I'm counting. 

My dad preached at our church yesterday.  I got to sit next to my best friend in service.

Light always overcomes

Today I am fighting sadness. Tiredness. A dash of discouragement.

But do I need to sit here and wallow or can I acknowledge yet still choose to dwell on JOY. Thinking about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, excellent or praiseworthy. (Philippians 4:8)

Things that make me feel peaceful and happy. Like sitting in the peaceful glow of the Christmas tree with my pup.

And immersing myself in God's Word and prayer.

Fear is a LIAR

This morning I woke up tired. My legs were sore. I wanted to stay in bed. I reached for my phone to check the weather and realized it was supposed to be raining all morning. Chance hates the rain. Maybe it was a good day for a "rest day".  I got up to go the bathroom and realized it was indeed raining. I let Chance out, he happily went back to snoozing on the couch given the dreary weather. I headed back to bed hoping to sleep for another half hour or so.

That's when the anxiety and fear began to settle in my heart. Get up, make your coffee, spend the extra time with God. Is what I heard, so I did.

It wasn't long before God's peace began to seep back into my soul. He is with me. I am loved. He is at work in my life and in my marriage.  Nothing is impossible with God.  Prayer is indeed powerful and effective. My heart is full, thankful, hopeful.

Later when I checked my email I saw more confirmation of God's Truth. 💗  He is listening and He cares.

Monday night Hannah and I went to a vegetarian cooking demo at the library. It was billed as a "class" and we both expected it to be more hands on. But we still enjoyed it and hope to do it again. We were introduced to Jackfruit. We have seen the whole fruit at the store- it is huge and scary looking. Very intimidating. But they used canned, which is far more do-able. They made pulled "pork" (jackfruit) sliders and they were delish!



It is basically the jackfruit shredded up, seasoned with 21 seasoning salute (from trader joe's) and then mixed with bbq sauce and heated through.  I haven't been a huge fan of a lot of vegetarian dishes but this was great!

The salad was Healthy 8 Chopped Veggie Mix and Trader Joe's Green Goddess dressing.  Also yummy. =)

Hannah and I were perusing Pinterest looking up more recipes for Jackfruit before we even left the library.

And just because... Dog. :-)