A Year in Review

The past couple months have flown by and here we are in 2013! Last year, Tyler and I decided to set goals (I guess they could be called resolutions?) for our year. This has been a very unifying process through our first couple years of marriage. We shared intentionality, focus, and accountability as we checked in on where we were at different times during 2012.

On New Years Day of 2013 God gave me this verse. Proverbs 19:21 "Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." This past year we made "plans", many of which came to pass, but God had plans for us too. Many of you know I love surprises... And God blessed us with surprises through this past year. Often these "surprises" at the time did not seem fun but looking back you can see God's hand in it all.

We originally planned on sending out a Christmas letter to testify to what God had done in 2012, but this blog will have to do instead of the letter. Here are a few of the big things we are praising God for this past year:

• We originally planned on living in Sioux Falls for a short time and then heading out to explore other areas of the country/world before babies. God had other plans and this last year ended with a deep peace and clear purpose of our calling in Sioux Falls.
• Since college we have desired deep community and with college relationships in transition we had a refining season but are ending the year with God bringing deep fellowship through Young Life, the Crossing, and our jobs.
• In January/February of 2012 God moved big mountains to unify our marriage, especially in the area of  how we care for our bodies (previously this had been a source of tension and disunity).
• We became debt free! One of Tyler's passions is to find freedom financially (and help others do this as well). God again gave us unity in a budget and we have loved to pray together about who we can give to.
• Personally, God has refined my heart in huge ways in how I view and care for my body. He has redeemed a lot of unhealthy beliefs about what beauty and health really are. I praise Him for Maximized Living that has been the vehicle He used to blessed me with these truths. 

Join Tyler and I in celebrating God's faithfulness. He is soo good!

Everything Chili

I am currently still on my soup creating spree. We are chili lovers and our regular chili is often a go-to recipe. The recipe below was recommended by a friend and is now a new favorite of mine. I adapted it from Better Homes and Garden. Don't let the random assortment of ingredients stop you from trying it. So good on a "chili" fall day!

Everything Chili - Adapted from Better Homes and Garden

1 lb chicken breast, cooked and cut into bite sized pieces

1 1/2 cups of black beans or kidney beans (I used a mixture)

1 (8 oz) can of tomato sauce

1 cup peeled, seeded, and cubed butternut squash

1 onion, diced

1 cup vegetable broth

1/2 cup mushrooms, diced

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped

1 Tbsp chili powder

1 clove of garlic, minced

2-3 handfuls of spinach (I did not chop it up but you can)

Fresh Cilantro to taste

Add chicken, tomatoes, beans, tomato sauce, squash, onion, chicken broth, mushrooms, cranberries, jalapeno pepper, chili powder, and garlic to your crock pot. Cover and cook on low for 10-12 hours or on high for 4-5 hours. Add spinach and cilantro before serving. 

One Thing You Lack

I grew up with a very generous mother. She has always loved to cook and bake for others to enjoy. Often times, I view something as trash while she is ingenious with finding a second use for just about anything and proceeds to find the perfect person in need for what I thought was simple trash.

One of my main love languages has always been gifts. The well-thought gifts by people who know me best always leave me feeling known and loved. However, God knows me best. He gives the best gifts. 

Recently, He challenged my heart through a close friend who has one of the most generous hearts I've seen. Each time I've visited her home she sends me with something, usually a spontaneous gift. However, it always catches me off guard..she always gives more than I expect she will. It's extremely humbling and a clear reminder to me that I need to not hold things/food/money/clothes ("my" things) so tightly.

After one of my recent encounters with my open-handed friend, our sermon at church included the scripture below:

Luke 18:18-23

And a ruler asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: "Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother."" And he said, "All these I have kept from my youth." When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich.

Jesus' wording seems slightly ironic. "One thing you still lack."  This man had everything: wealth, fame, power... everything. Yet Jesus tells him he is lacks one thing. When this particular wording was pointed out, I thought back to my open-handed friend, who does not cling to possessions like the rich young ruler. There's always a freedom and joy when you are giving. At first, it seems so hard but then you let go and feel freedom. You see someone being blessed and immediately lose any desire you had to keep the gift in the first place. I never want to lack an open hand.

All in all, I need to remind myself that God is the giver. Nothing really was or is mine. 

God, I praise you for the many gifts you shower us with each day. I praise you for the greatest of all, your grace. Help me to open my hands to those in need and seek my security in you alone as my provider. 

Amen