Joy in Today

Psalm 16:11 "You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In your right hand there are pleasures forever."

Two weeks ago, I traveled to a church in Georgia to speak about "Cultivating and Preserving a Joyful Heart" at a women's retreat. The topic of joy has been on my heart for some time now...

I try to do my best to choose joy in each day. My life, like yours, is certainly filled with harried moments, stressful situations, unending tasks, and sometimes overwhelming schedule commitments. Since these are mostly unavoidable, I try to accept them for what they are, handle them as they come, and intentionally look for the beautiful, joy-filled moments God sprinkles among the stressful or mundane.

With my personality, some days this comes rather easily...however, other days circumstances make this admittedly a more challenging task! Whatever the day holds, I purposely make an effort to look for some joy, and can usually find it thanks to a gracious and generous God.

And there was certainly joy in today!

I had a strawberry sweetened, powdered sugar-sprinkled morning with my daughter. I decided I would teach her how to make French toast, which turned into a fun ordeal! Still wearing her lavender cowgirl pajamas, she fastened on her cupcake apron sent to her by our friend Laurie in Maryland and got to work. She helped me whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon, stopping to inhale the aromatic scent of the vanilla extract she had poured in the mixing bowl. I got out "real" dishes and she set the table, deciding we were not just going to eat breakfast, but that she was going to serve us breakfast in a "restaurant." My husband had given me roses earlier in the week, so those graced the middle of the table that was soon surrounded by butter yellow and sage green dishes. As I pulled the French toast off the griddle, she had the pleasure of shaking powdered sugar over each piece and putting slices of fresh strawberries on top. I showed her how to drizzle the syrup so it was not just tasty but pretty. Soon, her restaurant was ready to serve our family a delicious breakfast that was prepared out of learning and love.

That breakfast was joy in today.

I then decided to take the kids to the local public library for their kids program. I had heard it was excellent, but hadn't been yet as I was waiting for my son to be a bit older and more, um, manageable in quiet situations! To our surprise, they were having an outdoor Easter egg hunt and snack time today! I was unprepared without baskets, but they had extra plastic bags and my kids had a ball searching hedges for brightly colored eggs containing treasures. The weather was gorgeous as they ran under huge old oak trees covered in Spanish moss that was swaying in the breeze. After the Easter egg hunt, we went inside and they each got their very own library card!! With these new treasures, we were able to bring home several books and two Disney movies in VHS that are unavailable for purchase in stores right now.

That trip to the library was joy in today.

After we came home and ate lunch, they settled in to watch the old movies we had borrowed, and I got a chance to prepare cookie dough from a new Williams Sonoma recipe. It was an involved, messy process but I was uninterrupted as my kids were transfixed by the wonders of Disney, and I enjoyed the chance to watch my own magic as the KitchenAid mixer transformed butter, cream cheese, sugar, and other such rich ingredients into a dough that is now chilling in my refrigerator waiting for my kids and me to turn it into Easter cookies.

That time to bake was joy in today.

The thing is, if we stop to look for it, we can usually find something to bring us joy, something that evokes beauty, something that demonstrates the creativity and love of our God. Even on bad days, there is usually some sliver of good to be found or joy to be discovered because it is a day given to us by a loving God.

Psalm 118:24 "This is the day which the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it."

There was joy in today, and there will be joy in tomorrow...let's look for it together.

With Joy,

Jennifer

"Do I Got Issues?"

My son always has the best lines.

Yesterday he came out with another one that we will be quoting for awhile, I'm sure.

So, as you all know from a recent post, he is not potty-trained even though he turned 3 a few months ago. Evidently I have no clue how to potty-train a boy, or he is just not ready, or something.

At least we're in Pull-Ups. For while he cried at the thought of those!

Back to the story. Because he doesn't go potty yet, I still have to change his Pull-Ups. And that was exactly what I was doing when his latest and greatest quote came out. This particular Pull-Up change was, um, extra not fun. As I was doing the dirty work, I sort of sighed and said, "Oh, Trevor..."

And then that brown-eyed cutie looked up at me and said with all sincerity...

"What? Do I got issues??"

I cracked up, of course. It was so stinkin' funny (pardon the pun)!! Oh, Trev. Yes, honey, you have issues.

But don't we all!

Take me for instance. My house somehow always needs to be picked up, even if I have just spent an hour picking it up. I am almost always late to Sunday School, no matter how hard I try to be on time. Sometimes I let people's criticism or negativity rule my thoughts and shift my focus from where it needs to be. My left shoulder has completely sunk in, leaving me me with little strength or dexterity in that arm. And did I mention I still need to potty-train my son? (Oh yeah, I did.)

Yep, "I got issues." And so do you.

But thankfully, I know the one true God who can exchange ashes for beauty, mourning for gladness, and a spirit of despair for a garment of praise (Isaiah 61:3). I can only imagine what beautiful mosaic He can make of my pile of issues! So thankful I know this amazing, compassionate, transforming God!

And so hopeful today that you know Him too.

Well Said, Mr. Lewis!

C.S. Lewis said, "You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me."

Well said, Mr. Lewis!

Two of the joys of my life are drinking tea and reading books.

In fact, having a day to myself with unlimited tea to drink and unlimited time to read sounds like a dream! Can you imagine such a day? I think somewhere in my former life I used to have these occasionally, but not so much anymore since a certain two children came along. Maybe I'll ask for a day like that for my birthday...!

Despite the busyness of motherhood, I still manage to squeeze in regular time to read. It may be done in fragments, but it remains an important part of my life. Actually, I am still often in the middle of several books at a time!

I recently read three books, each completely different from each other, that I really enjoyed and thought I'd recommend to any fellow book lovers out there.

Take Two by Karen Kingsbury

This is the second in the Above the Line series, and it explores issues like trying to live a consistent Christian life and make an impact in Hollywood, facing temptation on a college campus, overeating as a result of stress, the confusion falling in love can bring, and more - but all while telling an engaging, entertaining story. As usual, Karen Kingsbury weaves Biblical principles into her characters and story lines, making it inspirational as well as enjoyable. I have read all the different series that led up to this one, and have grown to love the characters that remain in the background of this particular series and am enjoying getting to know the new ones.

A Year of Blind Dates by Megan Carson

I picked this up at the Christian bookstore because the title intrigued me, and I finished it in a mere few hours. It was engaging from the start as it followed Megan, a nearly 30 year old single who previously only had one relationship, through a year of blind dates thanks to a very expensive and "reputable" dating service in town. I literally laughed out loud several times along the way, but the book was not just funny but often touching, sometimes sad, and in the end, inspiring. It's a quick, fun read that makes you think about what a single girl in today's world is up against trying to hold out for a godly man. While you, like I, may not agree with every move she makes along the way, I think in the end you'll be rooting for Megan, yourself, or your single girlfriends who are still waiting for a wonderful man of faith to come along while experiencing much personal growth and increased trust in God during the dating/waiting process.

12 Steps to Becoming a More Organized Mom by Lane P. Jordan

My mom gave me this awhile ago, and I am constantly picking it up and re-reading bits and pieces of it. While much of the information in this book is familiar, it is nice to be reminded that other women out there are trying to juggle marriage, motherhood, work, chores, relationships, finances, etc. This book gives practical, Biblical advice for all these areas of life and more! It is encouraging and motivational, challenging us women to gain balance in our busy lives, but the challenge is given with a tremendous measure of grace from someone who has been there. Since I am constantly struggling with organization and balance(sigh), I really enjoyed this one am sure I will continue to go back to it again and again when I need a little loving motivation!

So there you go, three good books to check out- one novel, one account, and one resource!

Oh, and just for the record, the Bridal Tea (purchased at the Camellia Rose Team Room) and the Godiva Dark Chocolate Almonds (given to me, but purchased at Steinmart) pictured in the photo were good picks as well!

Happy tea drinking and book reading!

(P.S. And I bet Mr. Lewis would completely approve of enjoying some Godiva for good measure...)

Classic Oatmeal Waffles

My kids and I are big breakfast eaters...staying home with them has reminded me of the benefits of starting off the day with a healthy, nutritious meal.

I have really enjoyed trying new breakfast recipes the past few years. To provide better nutrition and save money, I try to make pancakes and waffles that are packed with good things (pumpkin, blueberries, bananas, whole grains, etc..) and then freeze them in freezer bags to reheat for quick, healthy, inexpensive breakfasts.

My mom gave me a new Gooseberry Patch cookbook for Christmas and I found a new waffle recipe that my kids (particularly Trevor, my more picky eater) and I have really enjoyed! These oatmeal waffles are really good if you top them with peaches and maple syrup that have simmered together for a few moments.

Recipe:

2 eggs beaten

2 cups buttermilk (as usual, I did the 1 cup milk/1 TBS vinegar substitution)

1 cup quick cooking oats, uncooked

1 TBSP molasses

1 TBSP oil (I omitted this)

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

Whisk together eggs and buttermilk in large bowl. Add oats; mix well. Stir in molasses and oil. Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Stir into egg mixture. Thin with a little milk, if necessary. Pour about 3/4 cup batter onto lightly greased waffle iron. Bake as directed.

Here's to hearty, healthy starts to the morning!

Popover Pizza!

When I was a kid, I remember loving when my mom made popover pizza for dinner. I also have recollections of making a few pans at a time for the guys at Jimmy's apartment during college, and them scarfing it down and loving it (of course any homemade meal was a hit for them back then!)

I googled some popover pizza recipes and adapted one yesterday for lunch. At first my little skeptics glanced at it apprehensively, but then they gobbled it up - Trevor even deemed it "de-wicious!!" I served it with green beans and garlic breadsticks.

It fit the criteria I have to judge most meals by these days...inexpensive for a tight budget, nutritious for growing kids, quick to put together for a busy schedule, and filling and yummy for hungry, sometimes picky eaters.

Hope popover pizza is a hit in your home too!

Here we go...preheat oven to 400.

Brown 1 lb - 1 1/2 lbs of ground beef. I seasoned mine with garlic salt, oregano, and Italian seasoning as it cooked. Add a jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce (or if you are like me, whatever brand was buy one, get one free at Publix). Spread meat and sauce at the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan.

Sprinkle meat mixture evenly with an 8 oz package of mozzarella cheese.

Beat together 2 eggs, 1 cup milk, 1 TBSP oil (I used olive oil), 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 cup flour. Pour batter evenly over meat and cheese in casserole.

Sprinkle with parmesan cheese if you have it (sadly I was out).

Bake at 400 for 30-35 minutes until batter puffs up and is nice and golden brown on top.

Cut into squares and serve, crossing your fingers that it will get a "de-wicious" around your table too!

We Are Pathetic

So, in order to paint a realistic picture of how some days go around here, I have got to fill you in on a conversation my husband and I had last Monday. It went something like this.

Me: Jimmy, we have like no diapers left.

Him: Oh, sure we do.

Me: No really, I promise I just used the last one and forgot to get more at the store.

Him: I think there's some in his backpack.

Me: But there were only two in his backpack when I took him to church yesterday, meaning at most there may be one left. I'm serious.

Him: Yeah, but don't we have an emergency one stored under the seat in the car?

Me: Oh yeah, I think so...(this said while heading out to the van to check his backpack and go searching under the seats)

Somewhere during this conversation it hit me that sometimes we are just plain pathetic! Forgetting to buy diapers for our kid and then acting like it's all cool because there's a crumbled, wrinkled diaper that's been sitting under the seat in our van along with McDonald's crumbs and who knows what else?! What is wrong with us??!!

Needless to say, I ran to the store that day and bought a pack of diapers and a pack of pull-ups because after all, if Trevor would just get potty-trained, this wouldn't have even been an issue!

So if your life is not perfectly together, don't fret, you are not alone. We are more pathetic than you.

:)

And Giving Over This, My Journey Lord...

Life is a journey, and that's one of the things I just love about it. But sometimes the journey takes us on twists and turns we don't see coming.

Anybody out there know what I'm talking about?

Even though most of you are sleeping as I write this I can hear your agreement. It doesn't take a whole lot of living to learn to expect the unexpected and know that a moment can change everything.

I have been riding a large curve on my journey the past three months, one that came out of nowhere as many curves do.

It started with the flu. The worst flu of my life. 10 days into the flu when my fever was finally starting to break, a pain ripped through my shoulder and down my arm. It didn't even start to subside for 11 days. I do not cry often, except for tearing up at songs or movies, and I sobbed every night. It was impossible to recline because the pain took my breath away, therefore sleep was just a mere hope. When I did manage to fall asleep sitting up on the couch, the pain inevitably woke me up within 45 minutes. I have never experienced anything like it.

I was prescribed heavy painkillers that didn't even take the edge off. I had a cortisone shot that didn't do a thing. Finally in an act of desperation, the massage therapist at my chiropractors office wrapped me in kinesiology tape which gave me the first bit of relief and gave some rest to my sleep-deprived self. 

I started physical therapy, and eventually the acute pain subsided and was replaced with a dull ache. And numbness. And weakness. I could no longer lift a gallon of milk with my arm or pick up my kids unless absolutely necessary. Playing the piano made my arm go completely numb, which made my heart ache.

But one night while editing pictures I noticed that my shoulder looked strange in the photos - it seemed as if my bones were protruding. I looked in the mirror and indeed they were, and I also had a sizable discoloration on my shoulder.

I'm not a worrier by nature, but I sort of freaked out.

The next day after an MRI of my neck, I went to my physical therapist who studied my shoulder, used a lot of big words with another therapist, and told me my muscle was deteriorating. The level of the deterioration concerned him, and he got me an appointment with a neurologist. 

Which brings us to today. Now as I said, I am really not a worrier but I was not looking forward to this test. I had heard it involved being pricked with needles (which it did) and I could write several blogs about my (humorous) encounters with needles being a not-good-at-medical-stuff kind of girl. I'll save those for next time (I'm sure you'll be waiting on pins and needles, haha) and spare you the details on the test, but let's just say it wasn't fun.

However, after listening to my story the doctor said he thought he knew what I had, and after seeing my shoulder (and studying it with the same concern and puzzlement that the therapist did) he was sure of it.

So now here I sit, one of the less than 200,000 people a year who get Parsonage Turner Syndrome, the statistics making it a rare disorder. You can google it to get the details but basically when I had the flu my immune system (which is a piece of junk no matter how many vitamins I take or the amount broccoli, almonds, and blueberries I eat) attacked a nerve instead of the virus, destroying the nerve in the process. After the nerve died, my muscle wasted...if you look it up I am a textbook case. Excruciating pain, dull pain, numbness, weakness, muscle wasting, all caused by a confused immune system that killed a nerve.

It hasn't been the most pleasant process.

But as I type my heart is so very grateful for a diagnosis...so thankful for specialists who are well-trained and knowledgeable in their field of study...so thankful that I still have (limited) use of my arm...so grateful for friends and family who pray...and so thankful for a God who can heal. Jimmy was joking in the office today that I should have married a doctor, but the cool thing is I'm the daughter of the Great Physician! Boy, am I thankful for that.

And tonight I am also thankful for things I am learning through this curve in the road. I heard a long time ago that God does not waste our pain, and I believe that with all my heart.

Even though I am not a crier, I could burst into tears right now thinking of a song I listened to on the way to my doctor's appointment earlier today. We practiced it tonight at praise band practice, as our friend Marlene will be singing it Sunday. Every time I have heard it today, the lyrics have ripped through my soul, making my heart feel like it could burst. The words literally take my breath away.

So I will leave you with the lyrics to Christy Nockel's song "Choose" as the stunning lyrics reflect the desires of my heart to choose Christ on this curve in the road, and on every other road I will go down on my journey.

Be blessed and much love to you on your journey.

Jennifer

"Choose"

Let me be in love with what You love
Let me be most satisfied in You
Forsaking what this world has offered me
I choose to be in love with You
I will choose to be in love with You

Let me know the peace that's mine in You
Let me know the joy my heart can sing
For I have nothing Lord apart from You
I choose to call on Christ in me
I will choose to call on Christ in me

For in the fullness of who You are
I can rest in this place
And giving over this, my journey Lord
I see nothing but Your face

Let me know that You have loved me first
Let me know the weight of my response
For You have long pursued my wandering heart
I choose to glory in Your cross
I will choose to glory in Your cross