Not cooked ones, I have grown to like those. But raw carrots taste like dirt to me. I was never one of those girls who snacked on raw carrots and celery (which I also hate) before practice. No matter how mind-over-matter I can get, I just can't eat them.
However, my sweet husband bought me a juicer for Christmas. I have been wanting one for a little over a year, but because of mixed reviews on any under the $200 mark, I refused to buy one. He researched, bought the Jack Lalane Power Juicer Pro, and proudly presented it to me on Christmas morning. Because of our crazy December, this morning was our first attempt at making a little concoction.
We threw some fruits and veggies in and viola! Beautiful, tasty juice! We are hoping that this juicer helps us get up to the 5-9 fruits and veggies a day mark! Call it a New Years resolution, heres to better health!
Our fave (and only) recipe?
2 carrots and one navel orange per person.
Give it to the carrot-hater in your life. Their eyes will thank you!
January 7, 2010
January 1, 2010
If you have never heard of Barbara Barker...
I am happy to introduce you!
Until this past summer, neither had I. On our annual Summer Beach Project this summer, everyone read the biography of Barbara's husband, Frank. Frank is a PCA pastor from Birmingham AL, the PCA pastor that is responsible for starting Campus Outreach. For us, full-time employees and stateside missionaries for this organization, reading about them was very exciting. Clint and I spent time many nights reading aloud the biography of this wild pilot turned pastor. We were enamored with the stories of amazing faith, huge prayers, and abundant grace the Lord seemed to pour out on this man and wife.
A few days ago, Frank and Barbara joined us in DC to speak to our students. They told the story of how Campus Outreach got its start, and pricked the hearts of hundreds of college students who are now asking “Could the Lord use me to do something like that?” We pray that the answer is yes.
It was this place, the New Years Conference (then held in Atlanta), that Clint and I both had intimate interactions with the Lord over what He could do in our lives. It was this conference (and John Piper) that kept Clint from transferring colleges to play football, which eventually led to our meeting (thank you, Mr. Piper!). It was here that I first got a glimpse of what walking with the Lord in community looked like. A glimpse that eventually led me to transfer schools to be discipled. That move changed my life. The Lord really uses this time. He has uniquely blessed it. And we are thankful.
But, back to Barbara. Yesterday, all of the staff wives had a chance to meet with Mrs. Barker to talk about how she has managed life, ministry, children (3 in 2 1/2 years!), and being a man in ministry’s wife. She proceeded to tell us her story. Most of it, I was on the verge of tears. Partly because I felt understood, partly because I found great hope for my life in her words. When Barbara was 25, she had given up a ballet career to marry the man she loved. She was not a Christian at the time. In that season, he became a Christian, and broke up with her. She tried to commit suicide. In her recovery, her sister led her to Christ. She spent 4 years honeymooning with the Lord only to move back to Birmingham and marry that very same man.
But that man, let her down. She put her hope in her marriage, and he loved his church. She became resentful and hopeless. One day while her 3 babies were sleeping she cried out to the Lord. In her distress this verse came to her “for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that could hold no water”. She says that that day, her life changed. She repented of her infidelity to the Lord in her heart, and began a new life of looking to Him to satisfy her needs and loving her husband out of the overflow.
Now, why does this give me great hope? I am 25 years old. Jesus has been my Lord now for 7 years. I am very young in my faith, yet, I am in full-time ministry. I live with a perfectionism that whispers the lie that I must have it all together before I take a step of faith, teach anyone, or give of myself. And this woman, through a book, had become a hero to me. And now, I sit listening to the ways the Lord humbled, loved and poured out His grace to her. At my age she tried to take her life and finally gave it up to the Lord. My flesh and satan keep me from hope. I read stories about people like the Barker’s and I think “I will never be that godly, influential, etc.” Oh, but truth drowns out the lies when I hear a 73 year old (extremely godly) woman say “I have been a Christian for almost 50 years, and the same self I battled then, I battle now. But I am better.”
I have no idea what the Lord has in store for us in the next 5, 10....50 years! But I do know one thing. Barbara Barker is a testimony of the Lord’s grace. He is faithful, and He is committed to us no matter the depths of our sin and struggles. Praise the Lord for you Barbara! Thank you for your perseverance, your hope, your submission to your husband and your Lord. You can not imagine the impact you have had on countless lives. You have indeed been a messenger of the Lord’s grace to this ministry wife!
Until this past summer, neither had I. On our annual Summer Beach Project this summer, everyone read the biography of Barbara's husband, Frank. Frank is a PCA pastor from Birmingham AL, the PCA pastor that is responsible for starting Campus Outreach. For us, full-time employees and stateside missionaries for this organization, reading about them was very exciting. Clint and I spent time many nights reading aloud the biography of this wild pilot turned pastor. We were enamored with the stories of amazing faith, huge prayers, and abundant grace the Lord seemed to pour out on this man and wife.
A few days ago, Frank and Barbara joined us in DC to speak to our students. They told the story of how Campus Outreach got its start, and pricked the hearts of hundreds of college students who are now asking “Could the Lord use me to do something like that?” We pray that the answer is yes.
It was this place, the New Years Conference (then held in Atlanta), that Clint and I both had intimate interactions with the Lord over what He could do in our lives. It was this conference (and John Piper) that kept Clint from transferring colleges to play football, which eventually led to our meeting (thank you, Mr. Piper!). It was here that I first got a glimpse of what walking with the Lord in community looked like. A glimpse that eventually led me to transfer schools to be discipled. That move changed my life. The Lord really uses this time. He has uniquely blessed it. And we are thankful.
But, back to Barbara. Yesterday, all of the staff wives had a chance to meet with Mrs. Barker to talk about how she has managed life, ministry, children (3 in 2 1/2 years!), and being a man in ministry’s wife. She proceeded to tell us her story. Most of it, I was on the verge of tears. Partly because I felt understood, partly because I found great hope for my life in her words. When Barbara was 25, she had given up a ballet career to marry the man she loved. She was not a Christian at the time. In that season, he became a Christian, and broke up with her. She tried to commit suicide. In her recovery, her sister led her to Christ. She spent 4 years honeymooning with the Lord only to move back to Birmingham and marry that very same man.
But that man, let her down. She put her hope in her marriage, and he loved his church. She became resentful and hopeless. One day while her 3 babies were sleeping she cried out to the Lord. In her distress this verse came to her “for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that could hold no water”. She says that that day, her life changed. She repented of her infidelity to the Lord in her heart, and began a new life of looking to Him to satisfy her needs and loving her husband out of the overflow.
Now, why does this give me great hope? I am 25 years old. Jesus has been my Lord now for 7 years. I am very young in my faith, yet, I am in full-time ministry. I live with a perfectionism that whispers the lie that I must have it all together before I take a step of faith, teach anyone, or give of myself. And this woman, through a book, had become a hero to me. And now, I sit listening to the ways the Lord humbled, loved and poured out His grace to her. At my age she tried to take her life and finally gave it up to the Lord. My flesh and satan keep me from hope. I read stories about people like the Barker’s and I think “I will never be that godly, influential, etc.” Oh, but truth drowns out the lies when I hear a 73 year old (extremely godly) woman say “I have been a Christian for almost 50 years, and the same self I battled then, I battle now. But I am better.”
I have no idea what the Lord has in store for us in the next 5, 10....50 years! But I do know one thing. Barbara Barker is a testimony of the Lord’s grace. He is faithful, and He is committed to us no matter the depths of our sin and struggles. Praise the Lord for you Barbara! Thank you for your perseverance, your hope, your submission to your husband and your Lord. You can not imagine the impact you have had on countless lives. You have indeed been a messenger of the Lord’s grace to this ministry wife!
December 30, 2009
Happy New Year!
I can hardly believe that 2009 is coming to a close! In many ways it has flown by, in others, it has felt like the longest year of life.
The Lord has taught us a great deal about life, love, sacrifice, marriage and parenting this year. It has been, without a doubt, the most challenging year of our lives. But in the sleepless nights and colic, the Lord's grace has been abundant. He brings challenges to us in order to refine us. Malachi 3:3 talks of the Lord refining His people and them becoming righteous as a result. This is a hard truth of the Christian faith. If I am to become more holy, I will have to walk through the fire of suffering and live in a way that opposes everything the world tells me is right. Things that are natural must become unnatural. He must become greater, I must become less (John 3:30). Sin must be put to death. And death hurts.
Suffering is not fun stuff. Sure, certain ways people suffer may look appealing or "godly". But in the depth of our hearts, we don't want to suffer, ever. A call to Jesus is a call to suffer. 2 Timothy 3:12 tells us that "All who desire to live a godly life will be persecuted." We are called to share in His sufferings (Philippians 3:10) . The Bible is loaded with verses about this issue. But its not one that gets much press in the pulpit. I have to be honest with you, if you have heard that the call to Jesus is a call to be rich, healthy, and happy all your days, you have been very deceived. To submit to Christ is to sign a blank contract. He makes the calls, all the time. And you trust His goodness.
There is a page that my Bible tends to fall open to. I have an index card wedged somewhere around Psalm 119 and it reads "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:9). This is a verse I have to read over and over. The circumstances of life aren't always fun. I easily become discontent, overwhelmed and resentful (among other things). The truth is this. Jesus left the perfection of Heaven to live in this broken world and die a death I deserved so that I could live in glory with Him one day. That truth, is worth my life.
So as 2010 rolls in my prayer is this: that you and I would love the Lord God with all our hearts, souls, and with all our minds. Where suffering is found, holiness is close at hand. The fire is hot....but the beauty on the other side is more than you could ever imagine.
The Lord has taught us a great deal about life, love, sacrifice, marriage and parenting this year. It has been, without a doubt, the most challenging year of our lives. But in the sleepless nights and colic, the Lord's grace has been abundant. He brings challenges to us in order to refine us. Malachi 3:3 talks of the Lord refining His people and them becoming righteous as a result. This is a hard truth of the Christian faith. If I am to become more holy, I will have to walk through the fire of suffering and live in a way that opposes everything the world tells me is right. Things that are natural must become unnatural. He must become greater, I must become less (John 3:30). Sin must be put to death. And death hurts.
Suffering is not fun stuff. Sure, certain ways people suffer may look appealing or "godly". But in the depth of our hearts, we don't want to suffer, ever. A call to Jesus is a call to suffer. 2 Timothy 3:12 tells us that "All who desire to live a godly life will be persecuted." We are called to share in His sufferings (Philippians 3:10) . The Bible is loaded with verses about this issue. But its not one that gets much press in the pulpit. I have to be honest with you, if you have heard that the call to Jesus is a call to be rich, healthy, and happy all your days, you have been very deceived. To submit to Christ is to sign a blank contract. He makes the calls, all the time. And you trust His goodness.
There is a page that my Bible tends to fall open to. I have an index card wedged somewhere around Psalm 119 and it reads "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:9). This is a verse I have to read over and over. The circumstances of life aren't always fun. I easily become discontent, overwhelmed and resentful (among other things). The truth is this. Jesus left the perfection of Heaven to live in this broken world and die a death I deserved so that I could live in glory with Him one day. That truth, is worth my life.
So as 2010 rolls in my prayer is this: that you and I would love the Lord God with all our hearts, souls, and with all our minds. Where suffering is found, holiness is close at hand. The fire is hot....but the beauty on the other side is more than you could ever imagine.
What is a Paradox?
Is it a pair of ducks?
This week we are on the road again! This time to the nation's capital! Last night kicked off our annual New Years Conference in DC! This year our theme is Paradox. We would love for you to get a sneak peek at what we do here, so our wonderful Tech guys have set up a live feed on the web! Go to UStream and search "Paradox event"
Hope you enjoy it and are deeply impacted by the life-changing Word of God!
This week we are on the road again! This time to the nation's capital! Last night kicked off our annual New Years Conference in DC! This year our theme is Paradox. We would love for you to get a sneak peek at what we do here, so our wonderful Tech guys have set up a live feed on the web! Go to UStream and search "Paradox event"
Hope you enjoy it and are deeply impacted by the life-changing Word of God!
December 22, 2009
Merry Christmas!
It seems that Christmas has snuck up on us this year! 3 days separate us from the most anticipated day of the year...and I am just now making a Christmas music list, and cookies are nowhere in sight! We just got home Sunday night from a week of staff training, and a very fun Darst Christmas in Shelby. On top of much traveling, I have a toddler (yep..you read that right!) who is teething (that's our guess anyway) and is very very fussy. She is presently in her bed because that is the only place she seems to be able to calm down. Tylenol is our only hope.
In the midst of the elevated stress levels at our house, there is joy. Clint and I are super excited about spending our very first Christmas at home. My parents and sister are coming to join us in creating memories, enjoying our new home, and starting some new traditions. Something that the Lord has convicted me of in the past few years, is making an effort to make Christmas about Christ. It seems pretty obvious that it should be, but the Americanization of Christmas has sadly often left Jesus out of it.
So here are a few things we plan to do to ensure our hearts and minds will be turned to the Prince of Peace this Christmas.
1) Nativity Scenes- Since Thanksgiving, we have had our nativity scenes out. This seems normal, but this year we have two that are solely for Eden. One in her room, one under the tree. It's amazing how sponge-like little ones really are. Within 2 weeks, Eden learned that the pink-cheeked baby in the hay's name was "Jee-us". Mission accomplished.
2) Reading the Story- We have read to Eden Luke's account of Christ's birth a few times. She isn't overly interested. :) Last night we starting reading the delightfully illustrated and captivatingly worded The Jesus Storybook Bible. This is an amazing little book. It not only helps children understand the stories of the Bible, but every single story points back to Jesus and to God's plan to redeem His people. Not only that, it has breathed new life into the way I now read God's word! Somehow, the reminder of the big wonderful story, even as an adult, will bring out the 5 year old in you.
3) Emphasis on Giving- last year Clint and I decided that we wanted one of our family traditions at Christmas to be an emphasis on giving. We are so wired to want to receive, but God tells us that "it is more blessed to give than to receive"(Acts 20:35). I wholeheartedly believe this. Gifts are not bad things, in fact, the Bible talks about gifts a lot! Gifts are good things, and God is the best gift giver there is! It is just that we want our children to grow up knowing first hand that loving and being generous is much more blessed than even getting a much anticipated gift. In light of this, we will be orienting the gifts around who's turn it is to give, not whose turn it is to get.
Hopefully, there will be many more traditions to add to our list! Thankfully, I feel like I have some time to think about more specifics before Miss Eden has a memory (or so I think)! I hope these get your creative juices flowing about how to make Christ the gift this year! Merry Christmas!
In the midst of the elevated stress levels at our house, there is joy. Clint and I are super excited about spending our very first Christmas at home. My parents and sister are coming to join us in creating memories, enjoying our new home, and starting some new traditions. Something that the Lord has convicted me of in the past few years, is making an effort to make Christmas about Christ. It seems pretty obvious that it should be, but the Americanization of Christmas has sadly often left Jesus out of it.
So here are a few things we plan to do to ensure our hearts and minds will be turned to the Prince of Peace this Christmas.
1) Nativity Scenes- Since Thanksgiving, we have had our nativity scenes out. This seems normal, but this year we have two that are solely for Eden. One in her room, one under the tree. It's amazing how sponge-like little ones really are. Within 2 weeks, Eden learned that the pink-cheeked baby in the hay's name was "Jee-us". Mission accomplished.
3) Emphasis on Giving- last year Clint and I decided that we wanted one of our family traditions at Christmas to be an emphasis on giving. We are so wired to want to receive, but God tells us that "it is more blessed to give than to receive"(Acts 20:35). I wholeheartedly believe this. Gifts are not bad things, in fact, the Bible talks about gifts a lot! Gifts are good things, and God is the best gift giver there is! It is just that we want our children to grow up knowing first hand that loving and being generous is much more blessed than even getting a much anticipated gift. In light of this, we will be orienting the gifts around who's turn it is to give, not whose turn it is to get.
Hopefully, there will be many more traditions to add to our list! Thankfully, I feel like I have some time to think about more specifics before Miss Eden has a memory (or so I think)! I hope these get your creative juices flowing about how to make Christ the gift this year! Merry Christmas!
December 8, 2009
Cookie Exchange!
My friend Carrie is doing a little virtual cookie exchange. Since I cant share with you my famous (with Wingate students, anyway) chocolate chip cookie recipe (top secret), heres the next best thing! These are super rich so pace yourself. But man...are they good!!
1 cup butter
2 c sugar
2 eggs
2 Tbsp vanilla
2 1/2 c flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
3 c oatmeal
12 ox chocolate chips
15 oz. Sweetened condensed milk
2 T butter
2 tsp vanilla
1. Cream together: butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla.
2. Mix in a separate bowl: flour, soda, salt, and oatmeal
3. Melt together: choc. chips condensed milk, 2 T butter and vanilla
4. Mix first two mixtures and spread 2/3 batter into a 9x13 in. pan. Cover with chocolate mixture. Dot with rest of batter. Bake at 350 for 35-45 minutes. ENJOY!
So much to update!
Since we have last updated you we have.....
1. Celebrated a first birthday!
2. Went on a marriage retreat
3. Celebrated Thanksgiving
4. Packed up everything we own
5. Moved to a new city
6. Decorated for Christmas
AND
7. Went to our first ever Festival of Lights
(it was cold and bedtime.... note the look on her face)
Boy have we been busy! Thank you for your prayers as we made the big move. The Lord provided us with an amazing house in a great location and we moved within 2 weeks of finding it! We had a ton of help even though it was the day after Thanksgiving, and we are now officially settled in the 'boro! We are LOVING living in a small city and are looking forward to learning more about it as we settle down here!
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