Coffee and words...

So as I sit here in the coffee shop, sipping on my cup of loveliness, listening to the 90's music that's playing over the speakers...I'm writing. I'm writing a letter to loved ones telling them my future plans, telling them about what my deepest dream is, and also writing one of the hardest things I could think of to write; asking for money. 

I realize that asking for people to support me as a missionary is quite normal, and no one is going to begrudge me for doing so...but it's just so difficult. 

As I'm writing this letter, things are slipping into my head about what else I need to do, like a constant to-do list running through my mind. 

I block it out so that I can focus, and it comes right back running through my head like a roll of film. 

I take a break to let my mind rest thinking maybe I just need to veg for a minute and enjoy my coffee, and then the stress sets in.

 I need shots. I need my passport. What if I can't raise all the money I need and can't go through my training this year and have to wait another year? What if I get through the training and decide missions isn't for me after all? 

And then I pick my computer up and start writing again. This time with my stress at an all time high and I have to stop. 

I pray.

 I have a full on conversation with the Lord. 

I open my eyes.  

I start writing again, this time with a full sense of peace. The writing comes much easier now, because anything and everything I need to get done will get done when I get to it. Everything happens when He wants it to happen, and if He wants it to happen it WILL happen.

So now, I think I will pick my coffee back up, bring up my letter page and continue writing to loved ones...this time with a heart full of praise and thankfulness, and this time it will go better because of that.

True happiness..

I think I would be perfectly content to never leave my house... to simply stay here and clean and make wonderful delicious things all day...listening to whatever music feeds my soul that day. Taking coffee breaks, and maybe the occasional facebook/blog break.

Then I start to think about it, and I wonder if even that loveliness could truly make me as happy I'd like to think. I remember how I've been called to share Christ with others (whether in Africa or with the people I pass in the mall). I remember how all of us that proclaim Christianity are called to go out and share the Good News. After remembering this, I wonder if Satan is simply trying to climb his way even into my utmost quiet place. Trying to make even something I enjoy so much as being at home making wonderful things, something for his glory instead of Christ's. I can just hear him now..."If I make her want to stay home all the time and give her something fun to do (making loveliness) she won't have the time or the want to share Christ with others..."

Well there will be no such thing....I can enjoy staying home...and everything that goes with that, but I can also go out and see the joy on the faces of those discovering Christ....

Pioneer Woman's cinnamon rolls...

Today just seemed like a day for baking..and what yummier thing to make than cinnamon rolls?? I just thought I'd share the recipe..

Mix 1 quart of whole milk, 1 cup of vegetable oil, and 1 cup of sugar in a pan. "Scald" the mixture (heat until just before the boiling point.) Turn off heat and leave to cool 45 minutes to 1 hour.

  When the mixture is lukewarm to warm, but NOT hot, sprinkle in 2 packages Active Dry Yeast 
   Let sit for one minute.
   Then add 8 cups of all-purpose flour.
   Stir mixture together. Cover and let sit for at least an hour.

                              

Now you have an hour to do whatever you'd like! You could go get the mail and discover that a check for $500 just came in the mail from Natasha's Mission of Truth to go towards YWAM and then do a little (Okay, big) happy dance.....that's what I did anyways. 

Now add 1 more cup of flour…1 heaping teaspoon baking powder…

And 1  (less than a full) teaspoon baking soda and 1 heaping tablespoon of salt.

Stir mixture together. At this point, you could cover the dough and put it in the fridge until you                        need it—overnight or even a day or two, if necessary. 

     
 Now, this part isn't part of Pioneer Woman's recipe...this is how I was always taught to do for                      the filling of cinnamon rolls...so this is how I did it.

Mix together 3 sticks of softened butter and sugar and cinnamon...(eyeball it..you know how much you like)

 Mine looked like this when I was done. You can of course always pour melted butter on the spread dough and then sprinkle sugar and cinnamon on it..but that;s not gooey enough for me.

Spread the mixture on your rolled out dough...

Roll it on up and slice into about an inch and a half slices...

Slide those slices of heaven onto a pan...

Bake at 375F for about 15 minutes!

Ice them with whatever your favorite homeade icing is...

Enjoy!...or give away the prettiest pan of them to your Pastor's family...that's what I did! 

Sweet sadness...

I had the pleasure of doing this wonderful couple's "deployment" shoot... 

I kept saying over and over "No one is allowed to actually be this cute!" ;)

We had so much fun...well at least I did, hopefully they did as well! 

It was so sweet to see them interact even as a shoot was happening, you could see the true love there...

This Marine is special to many of us here...and I know I can speak for many people when I say that our prayers are with him as he leaves..and with his sweet girl as well, that she keeps her head up...