Tidbits

There are numerous ways to cut a watermelon. But after buying an enormous amount of watermelon the past few years (it has become a new obsession) I have found a way to slice pieces effectively and efficiently. So I wanted to pass on this new wisdom.

First, a few tips on picking a watermelon. You want to find one that looks fairly symmetrical with one yellow spot. When you pick the watermelon up, it should feel heavy. If you knock on it, it should make a hollow sound. Depending on when you are going to eat the watermelon, look to see if there are some brown markings on the outside. If there are brown scratch like marks, that means the sugar is set and it is ready to eat. If you want to wait for a few days, try to find one without scratches.

Now, to cut the watermelon.

1. Cut the watermelon in half.

2. Depending on how much of the watermelon you want to cut, you can cut one half and saran wrap the other. Stick the saran wrapped half in the refrigerator.

3. Cut the half into thirds. You can see the lines on the watermelon where it is best to cut.
4. If you want to cut slices, take the third and cut it in half, then cut into slices pieces with rind. 
5. If you want to cut it into small pieces without the rind, take each third and cut separately. Cut along the rind as you see in the picture below.

6. Turn it to the side, cut at the bottom of the fruit on each side.

7. Then  cut along the third as show below. 

8. Cut the opposite direction.

9. Then slice through the middle of the cuts to …

Here is a recap of our Passion Perspective week featuring Loren Thornburg.

Monday: Get to know Loren Thornburg in our first post of our Passion Perspective Week

Tuesday: Learn more about Loren through her Passion Perspective Interview

Wednesday: Read “If You Only Knew”, a favorite devotional that Loren wrote

Thursday: Read another devotional by Loren, “The Great Illusion”

And the winners are…

Quin Thornburg and Ashanti Shepherd!!!

Congrats! You will receive an email in the next day or two on how you will be receiving your devotional book!

Thank you for all of your support in another Passion Perspective week!

Reminder…for those of you who would like to subscribe to Loren’s weekly email or purchase her devotional books please email her at lorenquinelle@gmail .com.

If you would like to donate to her upcoming mission trip click here.

…

We asked Loren to take us on the journey of the development of her weekly devotionals….
When we asked her what was her original passion and how it developed she answered, “It didn’t start as a passion but became one. It started in college with sharing a quote as a way to update friends and family on my college journey. It continued to grow into what it is now as a weekly devotional through the support and encouragement of readers. As my passion for encouraging others developed this gave me an outlet.”
Her weekly emails began in college but it was in 2007 that she compiled her first 30-day devotional book to help raise money to finance her overseas CEI mission trip that summer. (You can donate to her current mission trip if you are interested by clicking on the link above.)

Here are some photos from various mission trips that Loren has been on with Competitive Edge International (CEI).

We asked Loren what steps she took to make her passion for writing devotionals into compiling a book become a reality?: “It became a Sunday afternoon routine and to write and email the devotionals, also known as my WE (to subscribe to Loren’s weekly emails please send your request to her email lorenquinelle@gmail.com). The book was more of a process with editing, cover design, and printing. It has become a family affair as my mom edits, my sister designs the cover and my dad and I put the books together with folding and stapling.” And this is what sets Loren’s Devotions apart from other daily devotionals. Her books allow all of her family to be involved and to use their gifts as well.
When asked what makes Loren’s devotionals special, she answered, “It’s fun because it tells my story …

In the summer of 2006, Bethany and Bekah and I met Loren Thornburg for the first time.
She is a fifth generation Texan who grew up in Southern California. My daughters and I were about to embark on an adventure that would forever change our life-perspectives and priorities. We were in Southern California attending a training camp before we embarked on a mission trip to China. My girls were part of a Clinic team that would be training young Chinese girls who were developing softball skills, with hopes of someday playing on the Chinese National Team. My role was photographer, prayer warrior and discipleship leader for the team members. Loren had previously been a collegiate athlete, pitching for UCSB’s women’s softball team. She describes her sports journey, “With the unconditional love and support of my parents I pursued athletics through college at UCSB. I then had the opportunity to get my Masters of Education in Counseling while coaching at Augusta State in Georgia before I joined staff with Competitive Edge International, a sports ministry. I went on my first trip with CEI in 2003 and 6 trips later I began my journey to join staff where I have been serving the last 5 years.

One of the CEI staff members, Wendy Yantis, writes, “Loren is a genuine young woman who loves Jesus and loves people. She is honest about her struggles and she finds God at work in big and small ways. Her devotionals reflect her willingness to be open about what it really looks like to pursue Jesus. She walks in the Life of Jesus and pours out His life and care to her friends, her family, and those who read her weekly messages. She has become a true companion in the faith since we first went on a …

As the days are getting much hotter in my area, I’ve been searching for ways to keep my kids cool in the stroller during my workout classes or while I’m getting exercise.

I’ve come up with a small list, and I would love to hear things that work for you!!

Keeping Cool in the Stroller:

1 – Make Bekah’s DIY Rice Filled Hot/Cold pack. I asked a few essential oil experts and they recommended a cooling oil like peppermint, any mint oils, sweet orange, or lavender as a calming oil for a cool pack.

2 – A clip on stroller fan. I recently purchased one of these, although I might return it. Many parent reviews said the fans do not work well to move the air around the kiddos.

3 – If you don’t want to craft something yourself, I found an Etsy shop with a variety of cooling products for you (and your pets) to wear.

4 – Spray bottles or Misting Fans. When I think of this idea I imaging it going to ways: 1. Great! My kids love water and would have a blast spraying themselves, or 2. My not-always-loving girls spraying each other, taking each other’s bottles, spraying themselves in the eyes…this list could go on and on.

5 – Cool snacks. Frozen grapes, watermelon, orange slices, melon balls, frozen blueberries, and cold cuties.

6 – Cool Clothing. From my research it looks like cotton, linen, and wicking fabrics get the highest approval rating for summer. Cotton is versatile and breathable. Linen is durable and even more breathable than cotton. Wicking fabrics are man-made to “wick” moisture away from the body.

7 – By far the best product I found was the Stroll-n-Cool. It is a pricey, $46.95 + $9.95 shipping, however, seems …