Waiting… and waiting… and waiting… What are you waiting for? Maybe you aren’t waiting now, but you know what that feels like. Anxiety, stress, strife, unease, uncertainty, doubt. Whoever came up with the phrase the “waiting game” is crazy, because for me, games are fun and waiting is not. Yes I know, I know, you can learn alot through the process of waiting. It’s just HARD. I know waiting is supposed to be working on patience. I know that waiting creates opportunities to grow. I know waiting reminds us that we can’t have everything exactly how or when we want it. But sometimes it just flat out sucks. And the whole thing of “yes I am learning to be patient” can feel like it is covering up how I really feel. But here’s what I really want to say. “WAITING SUCKS! Haven’t I waited long enough? How long will it be?” Have you ever wanted to scream that too? I know I am not alone.

I have realized my sight is too nearsighted, my vision too narrow. I say I am trusting the Lord’s timing. I say I am okay in the process. But do my prayers really show that? Does my heart really feel that? I think moreso, I am waiting for what I want to happen. I want things how I want them… Is it okay to admit that?  I am not giving the waiting to the Lord to let His will be done. I am not fully surrendering my will. Yes I am waiting, there is no way around that. But my heart is impatient and frustrated that my plan isn’t in place. There is not peace in my soul. There is no quiet in my heart. There is just discontent. Because my perspective is wrong. I …

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This Saturday we are hosting a block party! What a better way to meet the neighbors, invite friends over, and open up our home (or cul-de-sac) to be in the community! On Halloween! This day is all about neighborhoods, having fun, and people. (Well I guess we can’t leave out candy). We have a big trick or treat neighborhood so it will be fun to have lots of families stopping by as we are all hanging out in the front yard and driveway. There has definitely been some work that has gone into it, but we are excited to host, meet people, and hang out with friends!

But planning this party has got me thinking about all the different circles we find ourselves in. And I am not talking about any social media or google circles. Those don’t count. But actual community. Lives we interact with, people we touch, hearts we know, and souls we reach. People and relationships are one of the most important things we have. Do we take care of those? Do we cherish the people around us? Do we cultivate new friendships? Or do we leave work and disengage? Do we drive home and shut the garage door? Do we stay secluded inside our own bubble? But who are those people around you that might need you? Who around you may be a blessing to you if you just leave a little space?

Think about your circles. Are they just social circles? Are they circles of influence? Are you influencing them? Are they influencing you? Are they prayer circles? Are they sports circles? What circles overlap? Which ones never touch? Which ones can we intersect? Are you purposeful in your circles? Or are you just existing?

Think about these things. How can you …

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When we are spending time with people, I think most of us want those relationships to look a certain way.  We want the friendship or relationship to go both ways, be reciprocal, have a give and take, or be somewhere close to “50/50”. It’s pretty normal to have that perspective about most things. With friends, family, coworkers, classmates, whoever it is, there is a certain level of expectation that relationships go two ways. It’s an investment. And with investments there is usually something received in return.

But here’s my dilemma… what if Christ loved us under those conditions? What if Christ only loved us if we loved him first.  What if he loved us the more we did for him? It’s a good thing that this is so far from how to characterize Christ’s love. Christ’s love is unconditional. He doesn’t ask us to come half way. He comes all the way, no matter how far into the depths that all the way is. He doesn’t ask anything of us, except for us to let Him in. There is no formula, no agenda, no guideline. Just LOVE. It reaches beyond anything we can even imagine. We can’t even picture how much He loves us because it is just too big.  Nothing we ever do will earn more love or take away His love. We don’t deserve it. We don’t even know how to fully understand it.  But we can receive it.

So we say we love as Christ loves, but do we really?  Don’t we usually have some sort of agenda lurking in the background? We say we are giving and loving people and don’t expect anything from them but I am not sure if that is always the truth. Maybe you are struggling today with your …

It is a very important person’s birthday today!!! It’s time to celebrate!!! Happy Birthday to the coolest, most courageous, most spirited, most enthusiastic, most loving, and most terrific mom ever!! We love you so much and we are all so very blessed you are in our lives!!!

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

…

Caribbean Creole Sauce for Any Meat

 

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Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

35 mins

Total time

45 mins

 

Ingredients

• 2 TBS coconut oil or olive oil (if you want a touch of coconut flavor, use that)
• ½ onion
• 3 stalks of celery
• ½ pepper
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 3 sprigs of thyme
• 2 scallions
• 2 TBS oregano
• 1 TBS cayenne pepper
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 TBS worchestire sauce
• 1 TBS apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup chicken stock or chicken broth
• 1 can tomato sauce
• 1 can diced tomato
• 2 lbs of chicken
• 1 handful of parsley

Instructions

1. In a deep skillet over medium heat, heat one tablespoon of coconut oil or olive oil and saute the white onion, green pepper, celery, and garlic for about 4 minutes.
2. Add in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, green onion, chicken stock, red wine vinegar, worchestire sauce and seasonings.
3. Add cubed chicken and cover. Cook until tender and cooked through. If you have already cooked chicken, just add to the sauce and warm uncovered. It works great with cooked shredded meat also.
4. Add parsley at the end

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Ingredients

• 1/2 onion
• 3 stalks of celery
• 1/2 pepper
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 3 sprigs of thyme
• 2 scallions
• 2 TBS oregano
• 1 TBS cayenne pepper
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 TBS worschestire sauce
• 1 TBS apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup chicken stock or chicken broth
• 1 can tomato sauce