Faith

Today I thanked God for all of the very small things that bring light to my life. An encouraging co-worker. A comment from a distant friend. A pen that writes well. A new friendship. A country music awards show. A new book. A new CD. A fall red tree. There are many things on this list.

I have allowed this light to swell from the inside of my heart to the outside. In the last two days I have smiled for no reason. I have laughed until I cried. I can't explain this joy or appreciation that has overflowed in my life in the last 48 hours, but it sure allows you to experience life in a whole different manner. God please let this joy stick around for awhile.

Maybe it's the season, maybe it's the closeness I feel with my sweet friend up above, maybe it's the peace that I feel inside knowing I don't have to worry. I don't care what it is, just let it stay.

You see it would be easy for me to be down right now. My job at United Way is over in 7 days. I have had zero call backs on job applications. I am facing the fact that I might not have enough to get through. We don't know if Zeb will get a full time job. Scary stuff. Stuff I have never had to face before.

Fortunately, I gave that heavy burden away. Someone stronger is carrying it for me and now I am just overflowing with joy. My burdens are not my own and I know I am not alone. Maybe it is just so good to know that someone else is in control. Maybe that love from up above is swelling my heart since I let Him be in control.

And just maybe I finally believe, "if you have faith nothing shall be impossible for you"-Matthew 17:20

Live by Faith, not by fear.

October is Full of Fun!

This last Saturday was another adventuresome one. We were blessed with absolutely gorgeous weather and decided to spend the early hours exploring a local farmers market and pumpkin patch.

This is where we picked up some apple pie filling, apple butter, and fresh salsa! Yum

Next we made a visit to the Carmichael's pumpkin patch. Check out all the pumpkins and cool fall vegetables they had on hand!

 As soon as I got home I got right on making an Apple Pie. The goal was to make the crust from scratch. Well keep reading to see how that worked.

 First, let me just say if you don't have one of these you are missing out on a very essential appliance in the kitchen. This food processor has allowed me to explore many creations in the kitchen.

 This is 3 cups of flour and 1 1/2 cups of shortening. I quickly pulsed that together until it was "corn meal" like for about 30 pulses. Following that I added 1 egg, ice cold water, and vegetable oil. You can find the exact recipe on The Pioneer Woman.

 Once the dough was made I got this 3 times. Basically I separated it in thirds and placed in the freezer. I only had it in the freezer for 30 minutes, but I recommend longer if you can allow it. Mine was not very easy to work with after 30 minutes.

 Then I poured a glass of wine. Essential step in pie crust making. Especially when rolling dough is the next task.

 30 minutes has just passed. I made Zeb some buffalo chicken dip to enjoy while watching the Pokes kick some Texas butt and now I am floured and ready to roll. No pun intended.

This was my first attempt at rolling out the dough. Not quite big enough

 Making progress...now lets transfer to the pie pan.

 Perfect! or not...After the previous picture I failed miserably three times. I pouted and threw a fit and then this happened. Perfect pie crust by my perfect husband. Ok maybe he is not perfect, but he wouldn't let me take a picture of him to prove that so you will just have to take my word for it.

 I finished it off with some pretty pinches to create a store bought look. It doesn't look store bought? Flatter me folks!

 And this is the delicious filling that will now go inside!

 Wa la! Apple pie ready for the oven. Almost. The topping was not very successful so until my next attempt I will just have to leave you with this!

Next weekend's itinerary includes hiking Turkey mountain in the morning and checking out the Oktoberfest.

Live life on purpose. You only get one chance. Make it yours!

Tulsa State Fair

Last Saturday Zeb and I went to the fair. The fair itself was not that amusing. Actually at one point when we were walking around I found myself completely disgusted. I was disgusted by the filth surrounding me and the amount of money being wasted on GIANT stuffed animals. We didn't ride any rides and actually just did a lot of sitting and watching people.

The reason we had decided to go was really to attend the rodeo and then watch Chris Young after. Prior to making it over to the rodeo though we caught a little fair food and a wild west show.

Once we made it into the rodeo grounds my entire mood changed. My heart swells for the rodeo! I love country folk and how appreciative they are of God and this country. I love the animals, the smells, the rodeo queens, and even the clowns.

Isn't the dirt so pretty??

 This was their last rodeo. Such a sweet moment!

 The clown acts are probably my second favorite behind the barrel racing. I told Zeb that I wanted our kids to be in rodeos. Truthfully, I want to be in the rodeo. I guess I feel like I have a better chance if I get my kids in first.

 After the rodeo Chris Young came on. I love Chris Young. Let me tell you why I love Chris Young. Besides the fact that he sounds great and has great songs, Chris Young is that good ole' boy that you just can't help but like. He is so big and goofy and genuine. It is so obvious in his every move and I love that about him.

 Whoops! I forgot it was on zoom! ;)

Zeb thought he needed to do something extra to to make the picture better....I told him it wasn't necessary.

Thank God for much needed days out, big dreams, and handsome husbands!

A Different View

The Fall weather has stolen my heart. I took a walk around a popular outdoor shopping area called Utica Square at lunch. This was the PERFECT way to spend my lunch. The weather was beautiful and I was able to get in some much needed exercise. I walked it twice. The first time I walked it in one direction and the second time I went the opposite direction. At the time I thought it just made sense to go backwards and end up where I started, but as I was walking the second time I began to recognize things I hadn't seen the first time around. I saw the Baristas at Starbucks the second time, rather than the waiting customers. I noticed a store tucked in a corner I hadn't looked at the first time. I saw the other guest of tables in a restaurant. I noticed a different set of beauties the second time around just by switching my direction.

Imagine the beauties you might see in your daily routine if you did one thing different. If you switched up your drive or the order in which you do things. Switch the time you go to work or the station you listen to. There is always good in doing something differently from time to time. Try a new hobby, make a new friend, join a new organization. Do something different in your life. There is beauty to be noticed.

Change your direction today.

People Magnet

"When you spend time with the Lord, you're like a people magnet. They won't know why they like you-they just will"

I was sent that this morning from my sweet friend, Shelby. I worked with her at OSU and she had this daily calendar that has short quotes like that one to remind you Jesus' love. She would send me the daily quotes and I loved them. Well since I have left, she still sends them and I still love them. Thank you Shelby. You are a beautiful picture of a great friend and sister in Christ!

I am one of those people that is easily influenced by the people surrounding me. Have you ever been around someone that just finds the dark cloud in every situation? Have you ever been around someone that emanates light into every situation? Well I think in this life it is easy to fall into either circumstance depending on who you are surrounding yourself with and the activities you are participating in. I remember a few weeks ago when Pastor Craig talked about your "crowd" and asked all of us to list the 5 people that speak the most into our life. Based off those 5 people he could tell you the direction you were headed in life.

Imagine how different situations or circumstances might look if we were constantly surrounded by Jesus. Imagine what it would look like if I dove daily into God's word and constantly lived in a state of prayer. I might not be so easily influenced by the people surrounding me. I might not care so much what they thought of me. I might smile more and spread love. I might live without judgement of others and their life.

I remember what this looked like to a very small degree when I was being intentional with my time over the summer. It was short lived, but I was inspired to try to live my life in constant awareness of the grace and mercy God has shown me. Because of that awareness I was more easily able to show it to others. I failed to live it out longer than a few days, but I am glad to have gotten a glimpse. That small glimpse allowed me to desire it more everyday. Desire less of the lower things of this world and more of the higher things of God.

As humans it is so easy for us to lose sight of the forever land promised and focus on the immediate world in front of us. God knows this. He knows we will trip up and He knew that long ago when He gave his son for us. It was a gift to us that we can delight in and celebrate. We don't have to live in shame because of our daily mistakes or forgetfulness. We get to live in constant happiness knowing that He still loves us just the same. And when we surround ourselves with Jesus, more and more, when we read His word, more and more, we will attract others by His love that emanates off of us. They won't know why they are attracted to us, but they will just know that there is something different and special and they like it.

Spend time with Jesus today and let it shine!