Friday Revamp

Now that my "Get fit Friday" challenge is over... What am I gonna write about on Fridays...and why do I feel this overpowering need to have something that begins with the letter "F" in the theme?

Friday seems like a good day to share my thoughts on my Faith. (see what I did there?)

As Christians, we observe Good Friday the Friday before Easter Sunday, the day when Christ Jesus was crucified. I have often wondered what the disciples and the others who loved Jesus the person went through on that Friday and Saturday. I mean really... Can you IMAGINE??? Have you, like me, stopped to ponder how devastating those days must have been?

I know Jesus only as Savior and Lord, but to the disciples and others who loved Him, He was... well, He was Jesus. Some understood and confessed Him to be the Son of God, but he was also the guy they walked from town to town with. He was the guy they ate dinner with and who talked with them after meals. He was present, tangible... he was their friend.

Can you IMAGINE having someone like Jesus as a friend? I mean really... how amazing would it be to ask "Hey Jesus, what do you think about... whatever?" I mean REALLY... who WOULDN'T want JESUS in their inner circle of people? I know that I would LOVE to be able to walk and talk with the physical Jesus person.

How much must Jesus's friends have loved him? I love my people.... and all my people have let me down at some point (just like I have let them down at some point) because we are just people. Still, I LOVE them fiercely. How much more must Jesus's friends have loved him? I mean... He was JESUS.

I know how devastated I have been when I have lost people I love. Whether it is cancer or old age or heart attack or the consequences of addiction or tragic accident, losing someone we love is HARD. It HURTS!

Now, try and imagine someone we love dying the way Jesus did. Start on Thursday with the bogus arrest, continue thru Friday with his time before Pilate and the others, imagine seeing that person you love accused of bogus garbage and seeing him beaten beyond recognition. Then imagine that person you love, your friend and confidant, the person you trust most, being crucified.

I simply cannot.

I imagine that the ones who loved the person Jesus were completely wrecked by His death. The people who witnessed his death did not have the assurance we do. They did not know what Sunday would hold. They only knew that they had lost someone they love to a tragic death.

I imagine the hopelessness they felt is much what I would feel with out Christ....but worse because they felt intense loss.

Anyway, this makes me think that Friday is a good day to share my faith, my walk with Christ, how Christ influences my choices, and the difference He has made in my life. If you have read this blog for any length of time, you are fully aware that I struggle. My life would not be characterized as easy or free of troubles. Still, in order to be completely transparent, I feel it is important to intentionally share my faith, simply because it colors so much of who I am.

I have no degree in Theology, nor do I claim to have any special understanding of Scripture. All I know is what it means to me to follow Jesus... so that's what I'll share.

Now, for a catchy Friday theme to help me stay focused.....

I guess I have a week to decide...

Much love and big hugs....
K

Thursday's Thoughts on... Celebrating God's Goodness

I've spent a lot of time writing about my struggles and how God has walked me thru them. I want to be transparent, to let other people who struggle know that they aren't alone, and to offer hope to those who need it. My kids sometimes comment on my life and I am always amazed at their perspective. They see me as strong, as a fighter...when in reality I have spent most of their lives feeling very much afraid of what my future (and their future by default) holds.

Recently, I shared my thoughts on being okay. Specifically, it's okay to be okay. For some reason, it seems easier to share struggles. For some reason, it feels "wrong" to celebrate. Thing is, God gives us MUCH to celebrate. I don't want to only share my struggles. I want to learn how to share my celebratory moments as well as those that make my heart heavy. God's goodness is not confined to helping us through life's hardships. Sometimes He is just GOOD. I wonder if it's Satan that keeps us quiet about God's Goodness.

Anyway, this past week God has just been GOOD to me and I want to share.

Thanksgiving was Thursday. We spent most of the day with Chad and Diane. Chad and Diane were in our first youth group. My Brian has loved them all his life. When he was very small, he wanted to marry Diane. When Chad proposed to Diane, Brian reluctantly told him "Well, I guess you can marry her." Now Chad and Diane have been married almost 14 years. We celebrated the births of both their children. Now Myles, their son, follows my Brian around much like Brian followed Chad all those years ago. Things have come full circle. It makes my heart happy to have such a rich history with these "kids."

On Thursday, Brian proposed to our sweet Tayler at Chad and Diane's. I could not have picked a better match for my son if I'd been given the chance. Tayler is perfect for him.

Saturday was my birthday. My sweet Izzy spent the entire day with me. Tayler came by to see me. Brian had to go back to New Orleans, but spent the morning with me before he left. Almost all the high school and Jr high girls from church texted me to wish me a happy birthday and to tell me what it means to have me in their lives. There are NO words to express how this filled my heart. I LOVE these girls... and they know I love them. That means so much to me.

Sunday, My step dad was baptized. If you have followed my blog or if you know me, you know my parents divorced when I was a baby. I have no memory of my parents not being married to my step parents. I feel as though I have 4 parents, not parents and step parents, but to keep the confusion to a minimum, I do refer to my step parents as such. To know that my step dad loves Jesus and will be in heaven with us for eternity is the answer to a lifetime of prayer. This news was almost more than my heart could stand.

This past week, God was just GOOD to me. He was kind. He gave me the most perfect gifts. He overwhelmed me. I am beyond thankful.

So much of the time, I have wondered if it even matters that I am here taking up space on this planet. I wonder if the people I love know I love them. I wonder if anyone notices the difference Jesus has made in my life. This past week, God showed me what HE has been doing in and through me all this time and oh my GOODNESS! I can barely stand it!

So, yes, I am CELEBRATING! I am EXCITED! I am HAPPY!!! Deep down in my soul... I am absolutely FILLED with JOY!

It does not escape me that I almost didn't make it to see today. I am grateful beyond anything I can express that God did not allow me to starve myself when I was a young woman, that He did not allow my cancer to be terminal, that He did not allow my botched gall bladder surgery to end with Sepsis or worse, and that He did not allow me to take my life 18 months ago....because today I am filled to overflowing with sheer Joy.

This reminds me that so often we give up too soon. We put our own limits on God's timing and in doing so, we miss the blessing of seeing His plan come together.

Just my thoughts
K

Wednesday's Weekly Recipe - Apricot Balls

Gosh y'all! I've been having a difficult time finding time to write! I plan to get recipes set to post from now to the New Year, so those will be available! Time just gets away from me!!!!!!

As Always, if you have a recipe you want to share, PLEASE do! You can drop me an email or leave it in the comments. Also, if you try any of the recipes here, I'd love to know how they turn out!

This one brings with it memories of my Grandma Jackie. Goodness I loved going to her house! She ALWAYS over-prepared for company when it came to cooking. She wanted to make sure she had everyone's favorite foods! For my sister, it was "Creamy corn" but for me... it was Apricot Balls!
Here's the recipe she used. You can find it on the Eagle Brand website.

Ingredients
1 (6 oz.) package dried apricots (1 1/2 cups)
2 cup flaked coconut
2/3 cup Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk
powdered sugar

Instructions

• CHOP apricots by pulsing in food processor until finely chopped or mincing on cutting board with sharp knife.
• MIX apricots and coconut in large bowl until well blended. Stir in sweetened condensed milk until evenly blended.
• SHAPE into 1-inch balls.
• Roll in powdered sugar.
• Let stand at room temperature until firm. Store in refrigerator.

Enjoy!
K

Tuesday's Tips and Tricks - Gift Buying Cheat

I am a TERRIBLE gift- giver.

I over think it. I stress about it. I try too hard to give the "perfect" gift and usually come up short.

So, when I saw this little life hack back in January, I made a note to myself to be sure and include it in Tuesday Tips and Tricks. If you still have people to buy for, this may be a good idea for you!



If you can't figure out what to buy someone, ask them to guess what you bought for them. 

You don't have to lie. 

You can ask "Ill give you three chances to guess what your Birthday/Anniversary/Christmas gift is."  

You haven't told them that you already bought it.

They will instantly give you 3 ideas of what to get for them!


Of course you could do like I am doing this year and give your main people access to your Amazon account and let them fill your cart with what they want and them pick what to buy from that. (change your password before you actually start buying the stuff)



You're welcome!


Much love and big hugs!
K

Monday Motivation - Be Grateful

Most of us spent this past week and weekend being purposefully thankful. After all, that's what Thanksgiving is all about, right? 

Well, Thanksgiving is over. Now what? 

Christmas has become the season of gift giving and, with that, the season of "I want."  With "I want" comes "I don't have" and THAT is not cool. Whether you are reminded of the age of your comforter, or the lack of extra dollars in your bank account, the thought "I don't have" can lead us down a dangerous path. This path can take us to VERY dangerous places, like comparing our family to someone else's, or our neighbor's marriage to our own. Any of these comparisons can leave us feeling less than jolly. 

How do we fight the tendency to focus on what we don't have?

BE GRATEFUL!

Might I suggest a gratitude notebook? This may seem childish, but the exercise of listing the things I am thankful for on a regular basis seriously keeps the feelings of "lack" away. When I am focusing on what I HAVE, there is little time left to focus on what I don't.

Going into the Christmas season with all the sales and commercials screaming at you, keep that Thanksgiving attitude and practice GRATITUDE.

I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. Psalm 9:1

You'll be glad you did!

Have a great week!!!!

K