Beautiful

What a beautiful week. Hosted my amazing Monrovia girls book club, Daniel and I both went back to work, and I launched this lovely blog. Thank you everyone for all the love, support and encouragement. Have a wonderful weekend. xoxo

Rest

When I got sick this past year one of the hardest things I had to learn to do was rest.  I was used to living like a gypsy - working at least two jobs, staying up late, and saying “Yes” to every invitation.  After my second surgery, I had a month and half waiting period until my radiation treatment.  In that season I was living without a thyroid to help produce and balance out my hormones, metabolism and blood pressure.  There were days I couldn’t even lift my head off the pillow. But just because my body was forced to rest, didn’t mean my mind was. 

For us to be healthy we must rest; in other words, slow down and let God heal us.  He will bring rest to our mind, body and most of all soul. He will lead us to green pastures.  

Psalms 23:1-2 says: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures.

A green pasture does not mean a stocked bank account or organized kitchen cabinets.  I believe a green pasture is a spiritual place God provides for us in our Spirit, Soul, and Mind; a place of surrender and letting our loving Shepherd meet our needs.  I promise you, if you do not make yourself rest our loving Father will. 

I am not a mommy to a child yet, BUT I am to an adorable Lab/Pit mix named Spotter.  I love watching Spotter pass out for her naps.  No one needs to tell her it’s time for a nap … she just does it.  Today, I encourage you to be like Spotter. If your body and/or spirit are telling you to rest - then do it!

Balsamic Reduction

When I look back on our first year of marriage, I am shocked at what we have lived through.

Two things I now know for sure: 1) God is good!  No matter what happens in life, He is good.  2) I married the right one, and it has made ALL the difference. 

Life threw us some curve balls this year, by way of cancer, unemployment, and several other tough situations.  We got on our knees.  It was dark ... but with time in Jesus’ presence, I was able to stand up and say, “Jesus make me more like you."  Looking more like Jesus can vary from day to day: from speaking hope and peace to someone else in the waiting room on my surgery day to standing in grace when the Army EFMP’s (Exceptional Family Member Program) had lost our paper work once again, or even doing the dishes when it wasn’t my turn.  But by being available and letting Him use me for each of these tasks (just to name a few), I found joy and freedom from the fear of the unknown.

Have you ever smelled balsamic vinegar?  It’s bitter.  It burns your eyes, overwhelms your nose, and makes your tongue shrink up from the tartness.  But when it’s reduced (cooked down) by 75% it is the sweetest addition to any home cooked dish.  There were many days I felt like vinegar.  My pain made others shrink back.  My life was overwhelming and it took over the atmosphere in a room.  Father God met me right where I was.  He exposed the stink in my personal life, scraped it off and left both Daniel and I a little sweeter - a stronger more pliable spirit than just over a year ago.  If you ever make a balsamic reduction (which I recommend you do) it takes time.  It will cost you the smell of your home for a bit (nothing a good candle can’t fix), and your eyes and nose might burn.  But just as it is with life, in the end, you will have a beautiful product that was worth all of the effort and tastes great. 

Balsamic Reduction

You need:

A stainless steel sauce pan

12oz of Balsamic Vinegar

A squeeze bottle ( I found mine at Sally Hansen Beauty Supply Store)

Pour vinegar into sauce pan.  Bring to a boil and reduce by 75% on medium heat, or until vinegar turns into a glaze.  This will take about 25-30 minutes.

*Want to be super fancy ... Add a few dried figs to balsamic while reducing and you will have a flavored reduction.  Make sure to toss figs out once vinegar is reduced.

Leave at room temperature for a few minutes to cool slightly before pouring into a plastic squeeze bottle.  Store in refrigerator.  Before use, set balsamic reduction squeeze bottle out until it comes to room temp.

  

I love to drizzle my balsamic over fresh sliced tomatoes and basil, sprinkled with olive oil and a dash of salt. Serve with a hearty slice of mozzarella.....and that's called love.

Blogger for one year....

God speaks to me. Yep, I said it. He does. This may be a foreign concept to some, but for blessed little ‘ol me It’s normal. My dad often spoke to my brothers and I in analogies growing up. When we had been in heated discussions regarding who had to do the dishes, or our curfew’s, he would bust out a simple story that would drive home his point. I like to think I have this ability as well. Jesus taught in parables. They were relatable stories. God often speaks to me in Target’s organizing isle, during a run, and in the kitchen next to my trusty red Kitchen Aid. He speaks, and I listen. Sometimes it’s just for me, other times I find my husband and friends benefit as well. 

So Here is my go at a blog page.  My one year anniversary to my hot hunk of love Husband is July 24th. This date has become like a new birthday. A moment in time that helps measure out a year. So I am going to blog for one year what the Lord is teaching me in my everyday life, starting this week!