The Language of Tears

I have a friend that with each passing year becomes dearer and dearer to me. That is not what makes her friendship exceptional. We all have friendships of various sizes and shapes...meaning they are fluid. I learned long ago that different depths, different purposes and different seasons of life will always play a role in who is in our lives and how much their life touches ours.

This morning as I sat beside my friend, listening about her travels to Haiti and the mission God has given her there, we both became teary...again.

A year ago, we were teary as she described the brokenness of soul that comes from seeing abject poverty, desolation and the destruction of a sin-filled world. Today, I was honored to tear up as I listened to her joy over orphan cuddles, the faith of a child and the passion of a Jesus-believing people whose joy is truly found in the Lord...not their circumstances.

Later, as I processed our conversation and reflected on my tears, I recognized that the last few times she and I have chatted we have found ourselves teary. Literally, the last four conversations that I can remember with her, we have both cried. 

Tears of joy. Tears of pain. Tears over the brokenness of sin. Tears of laughter. Tears of God's redemption. And tears over the excitement and promise of what His Spirit is calling us to.

What I realized is this: 

If we continue to gather together through the years and we are not only blessed with longevity, but with the continued grace of sharing God with each other...by the time we are 80, we'll probably just sit beside each other, pat one another's hands and weep. Words will be impossible at this rate.

I chuckled to myself at the thought of two grannies sitting at the local coffee shop saying nothing, just nodding and smiling as the tears flow forth.

And just as quickly as this thought came to mind the Holy Spirit spoke this to my soul:

"That's because you're both learning the language of tears. I can speak that language too...so no words will be necessary."

And that promise gave me a hope and a future, because I know one day we'll both have the immeasurable pleasure of our Brother-King wiping away those tears and delighting in the friendship He cultivated in our hearts at the precise time that we needed it.

I know why God assures us that all of our tears will be wiped away. This life is hard. He wants us to know it will not always be this way. 

But today...and maybe only today...I'm sort of hoping He misses a few of them. Otherwise, some day when I gather around The Table with my friend (over coffee, I'm sure!), we'll have to learn how to speak to each other all over again.

When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts

Ever since I watched the documentary Trouble the Water, I have been intrigued by the accounts of Hurricane Katrina and the aftermath as represented by sources other than our mainstream media. I vividly remember the descriptions of what was taking place and the sensationalistic nature of a city where all hell had broken loose and it seemed that people had reverted to animalistic behavior, as detailed on the incessant news coverage.

Enter director Spike Lee and others like him who have given a more realistic and humane version of the events.

There seems to be a consistent theme to all of these documentaries and first-hand eyewitness accounts: It was not our government that stepped in to aid the people who desperately needed rescuing. No, it was the neighbors, first responders and surrounding community members who had also lost everything that were floating refrigerators filled with children, busting holes in rooftops and wading through chest high, toxic muck to save each other.

And this is what I always come back to when I hear stories like these. Our media feeds us a constant and steady diet of racially degrading and demeaning stories like gang violence and the fear-mongering that accompanies such hype. But in the inner city neighborhoods of some of our most beautiful U.S. locations, when the chips are down and even the government that we have been taught to place all of our hope in doesn't show up, and because they consistently have lived a life knowing they can't depend on anyone but themselves...our inner city communities put we suburbanites  to shame when it comes to taking care of each other.

Even in the midst of the worst natural disaster our country has ever seen...hope, compassion and love swam through the streets of New Orleans. 

And it wasn't trucked in by FEMA.

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When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts can now be seen on Amazon Prime.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier- A Movie Review

Being the Superhero Geek that I am, I can't explain why it took over two months to get me to the theatre to see this one.

Sure, I saved money by seeing it at the second-run theatre, but Captain America is my favorite Avenger. And yes, I knew from the early trailers...and the IMDB.com cast list...what the big "surprise reveal" was going to be. But still, why wait so long to get my Marvel fix?

Oh, that's right...my daughter...who is not a superhero geek, led me to believe this movie was not that good.

What?

Okay. So I realize that all of these extra Marvel movies are only to keep us happy until the Avengers 2 comes out and I seriously have some doubts about "Antman" (heaven, help us in our desperation)...but come on! Captain America is still my favorite Marvel Avenger. He's earned it, I think!

It's refreshing to see a hesitant love interest and faithfulness to the memory of someone he loved long ago. And this is a superhero movie, based off a comic book series...I wasn't exactly expecting Oscar-worthy performances or scripts here.

But what I expected (fast-paced action and witty banter plus a good vs. evil plot) and hoped for in this classic good guy, was well-received by me.

Am I happy to have saved money by waiting this late to see the film? Sure. But next time, I think you can plan on meeting me at the theatre opening weekend.

An afternoon in Bellevue, Kentucky

Cute little alley by one of the antique stores

I should know by now that when Abbey pesters me into doing something, odds are, I will greatly enjoy it.

Such was the case regarding our afternoon in Bellevue, Kentucky. I had no idea all of the shops, restaurants, coffee cafe's and interesting "stuff" to see there. That's how we found The Elusive Cow and next time, we'll try a new place.

Just to name a few of the places we discovered were Schneider's Sweet Shop, Witt's End Candy, Bella on the Avenue consignments, Avenue Brew coffee shop, and Splendid Things.

If you're planning a trip, there's even a website for shopbellevueky.com that lists all of the shops, restaurants and special events available.

Admittedly, I'm probably a little slow in finding this gem that's within walking distance of Newport on the Levee, but next time you're in the area and have a little time, check it out.

The Elusive Cow Cafe- Bellevue, KY

Quite by accident, the girls and I stumbled upon this little place in Bellevue, Kentucky. Having the menu in the window definitely sold us on giving them a chance to win us over...and they did.

According to their menu, "The Elusive Cow only uses the freshest of ingredients and organic whenever possible. Our meats come from local farmers in Brown and Adams County, Ohio and our Bison is from Oldham County, Kentucky"

The prices were a little higher than we usually pay, but supporting a local business that is trying to purchase fresh foods from local farmers is worthy of a few extra dollars to me. It was lunchtime and since we eat lighter for lunch, it was easy enough to by a few items to share.

We had the yummy Flat Bread Pizza appetizer (pictured above) and an order of loaded fries that were delectable. Being the family Vegan and not very hungry, Abbey had a side of kale slaw and thought it was pretty tasty.  

I don't eat beef very often, but given the quality of the food and knowing how the beef has been procured, I would probably get a burger next time we go. Everything we saw being served looked wonderful. We'll definitely be returning soon!

The Elusive Cow Cafe

519 Fairfield Ave

Bellevue, KY 41073

**Note- They ARE closed on Mondays!**

Obadiah: A Small Book, but Mighty in Word

I had never before realized that this one-chapter book of Obadiah's was actually addressed to the people of Edom. The Edomites were the descendents of Esau, the brother of Jacob. If you know your Bible history, you know Esau had some good reasons to be ticked off at Jacob. (To read the back story, start in Genesis 25)

Now, hundreds of years later, God sends Obadiah to the people of Edom and cautions them with words like 

"Do not gloat over your brother's day." (verse 12)

and

"Do not gloat over their calamity" (verse 13)

Do you ever see a tragedy on the news and instantly begin judging? I know I have.

I'm not attempting to exploit any particular incident, but how many times have we seen a school shooting, a worker who went "postal" or a famine in a developing nation and asked questions like...

Where were his parents?

Why didn't anyone see the signs of his mental illness?

Why did his mom have guns in the house if he was so dangerous?

Why don't they just stop having babies and move where there is food?

Be honest. We've all heard comments like these, and more. We may have even verbalized them ourselves. I know we have at least allowed them to flit through our minds.

But here's what Obadiah is teaching me...

isn't that just a form of gloating?

When I hear of a couple getting divorced, don't I instantly jump to the conclusion or whose fault it was? Don't we watch the news and place judgment upon those that have not yet been convicted in a court of law?

I could ask many, many more questions like these and one (or more!) will jump out at you because we have all done this.

God said through Obadiah..."Don't!"

Even if that person is my enemy.

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Thus the title of this post. Obadiah is a very small book...only 21 verses to be exact. But in my lifetime, I will never fully be able to plumb the depths of this message, the same message Jesus vocalized a few hundred years later...also with only a few words:

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven." (see Matthew 5:43-45)

Consistency in the Old Testament with the message of Jesus in the New, that is one thing I'm seeing as I wade through these Minor Prophets. If God took so much effort to express Enemy-Love within his written Word, don't you think that means He is asking the same of us today?

Enemy Love.

Not a new concept, but one I need to engage with everyday.

Fudgy Chocolate Zucchini Cookies- Veganized!

During my recent search for recipes utilizing the rather large pile of shredded zucchini I have on hand, I came across this recipe from An Oregon Cottage for Fudgy Dark Chocolate Zucchini Cookies. As yummy as they looked, you know I couldn't pass up an opportunity to veganize them!

Ingredients:

• 5 Tablespoons coconut oil
• 1/4 cup carob or cocoa powder
• 1/3 c. granulated sugar (I used vegan evaporated cane juice crystals)
• 1/3 c. coconut palm sugar (or Sucanat)
• 1 flax seed "egg"
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 1/4 c. spelt or whole spelt (or combination of both for low gluten option)
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon pink Himalayan salt
• 1/2 cup shredded zucchini (drained of moisture)
• 1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips, (We like Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, Gluten, Dairy, nut & Soy Free, Mini Chips, 10-Ounce Bags (Pack of 6))

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. If coconut oil is not already softened, then heat briefly. If you needed to heat it , let it cool off a bit. Place oil in mixing bowl. Stir in sugars and carob or cocoa powder until combined. Add flax seed "egg" and vanilla.
3. Mix in flour, baking soda and salt until smooth and then add the zucchini and chocolate chips. Stir until well combined.
4. Drop by tablespoon sized scoops onto cookie sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes. Let cool about 5 minutes before sliding parchment over to cooling rack.

Notes of things I learned about this recipe:

*You can use up to 1/2 cup or carob or cocoa if you want a stronger chocolate flavor. 1/4 cup carob was enough for me as it has a distinct taste to it.

*We were out of vanilla, and didn't miss it.

*Like the original, you can use wheat flour instead of spelt if gluten isn't a concern.

*My batter was very thick. If you opt for whole wheat or whole spelt flour only, I would suggest making at least part of your sweeteners either honey, maple syrup or agave. You can google conversion ratios to granulated sugar.

*If your zucchini still has a lot of moisture in it, disregard the previous note.

These cookies are delicious. They even received my picky son's seal of approval!

Enjoy!

The Promise of Pain

This morning the agitation I felt was like an electric current through my body. Hurrying my oldest out the door 15 minutes before we needed to leave, just so I could get out of our home, left her a little confused. What she didn't know...what no one could know by looking at me...was the torment I was in over choosing to have all four of her wisdom teeth pulled today.

I have agonized whether it was right or not and what I just kept telling myself was "I don't want her to have any complications when she's in Houston next year." But the nagging feeling that having them pulled didn't fit in with our natural, organic, healthy way of living just wouldn't go away.

The whole process was intensified because this dentist doesn't put you to sleep. He can only pull teeth, not perform oral surgery. The oral surgeon had a three month waiting list that was too long for Abbey's start date with Mission Year. So heap on a little more guilt for the mom that waits until the last minute to get the teeth removed!

We've also been trying to be more careful in our spending, but before I even headed out to her appointment, I knew I would have to leave the dentist and get a coffee at Velocity Bike and Bean. I literally could not stand the thought of knowing what they would be doing to pull out those teeth and just sitting in the waiting room and nonchalantly reading my book. 

They asked me to stay until they had numbed her and as soon as they gave me the thumb's up, I was out the door. Then it hit me...

If I, in my flawed humanity cannot tolerate the thought of my adult child in pain, how must my Abba feel when we, His children, endure the wrath of our Enemy? How must He long to take away the pain and make it all better?

I know many would stop right here and ask...then why doesn't He?

I won't begin to pretend that I know the mind of God, so let me tell you what He spoke to my heart in the midst of my experience today.

Yes, the pain is inconvenient, uncomfortable and sometimes even horrifying...but when it's over, there is no going back. When it's over, there is only relief and peace.

That's the "Promise of Pain".

And He's absolutely right. When the dentist and his assistant came out to tell me how it went, they said the first three teeth were out in 5 minutes...but the fourth...OH, the fourth!

Apparently, it was coming in at an angle that was hitting the tooth in front of it. Not only that, but part of the root broke off when he pulled it. With an x-ray to see where the root was, it looked as if it was laying right on top of the nerve. Upon closer inspection though, if he shaved off just a tiny piece of bone, he could get in and get the claw-shaped root that was trying to wrap itself around the nerve.

Can we say, "sweet relief"?! 

And the peace of knowing that some inconvenient, uncomfortable pain now will keep her from being in a strange city, with a few 20-something roommates, no dentist she knows and in a lot of very complicated pain.

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We often want God to take away all of the pain, but Dr. Paul Brand learned years ago in his work with lepers that without the signal of pain, we can lose the very lifeblood we need to keep the tissue safe and healthy. Without pain, there is no warning of danger, hypothermia, stepping on glass or even catching your finger on fire. This says to me, that to experience pain is to simply be human.

Why would God ever take away our humanity?

He won't. But in our humanity, just as I help Abbey change her gauze, make sure she has fluids and soft food, remind her to take her pain medication and help her clean up any accidental messes from trying to function in a foggy, numbed-mouth state of being...He is right there beside us...

Changing our bloody gauze for His blood sacrifice

Giving us the correct amounts of living water and living Bread that we can stomach for the moment

Medicating our wounds with his life-giving Word and

Helping us clean up the messes we've made when we can only see through the lens of a dim mirror (I Corinthians 13:12)

Amen!

Lemon Zucchini Cookies (Vegan)

I love lemon. Since I also happen to have a large zucchini on hand, I decided to look at Pinterest for some tasty desserts. Not only is there a plethora of zucchini available this time of year, the zucchini recipes also abound.

Enter my vegan version of lemon zucchini cookies. You can find the original recipe here. I made very few changes. The most complicated part of the recipe is to get the ratio of flours correct, if you are not concerned about gluten, this recipe will be very easy.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup coconut oil
1 cup sugar (any combination of natural sweeteners)
1 flaxseed egg
1 cup finely shredded zucchini
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
2 cups flour (I used spelt, whole spelt and gluten-free mix, combined)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

*And because I love lemon, I added a splash of lemon juice.

Step one: in a large bowl, cream coconut oil and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in flaxseed egg, zucchini and lemon peel. Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in raisins and walnuts if desired.

Step two: drop by tablespoonfuls 3 inches apart onto parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 375° for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool. I simply slide off the parchment paper onto the cooling.

Step three: you can easily make a glaze for these as well. I chose instead to sprinkle them with rapadura sugar in order to reduce the amount of sugar from the original recipe.

Enjoy!

The End of Amos

I continue to confess to my Bible study companions that I "am not getting much" out of these books from the Minor Prophets of the Bible. As one lady said, it seems so repetitive...Israel sins and walks away from God, God gets angry, God sends a prophet, the prophet speaks God's words to His people and then some form of punishment ensues. She's right about the gist of these books and after all of the pronounced judgements against Israel, Judah and the surrounding nations, I was inclined to agree with her.

So I've been asking God's Spirit, repeatedly, to speak His discernment and wisdom into these words so that I can make them applicable to my life. Be careful what you ask for. Right?

It began in Hosea where one by one the Spirit began showing me the subtle idols that I have defiantly clenched in my fists. Learning to let go of some of these, like pride, acceptance and personal comfort will take a lifetime to overcome, I am certain.

Then hot on the heels of Hosea, Joel reminded me that radical devotion to Jesus will not look like most lives we see in our culture. Jesus is just as controversial today as He was 2000 years ago. And even if the revelation of God's Spirit is radical, uncomfortable, unusual and even seemingly foolish, it is never meant to be selfishly hoarded...but to be shared in communion with other believers.

Now Amos has challenged me to remember that God often uses the common person...even a sheepherder...right where they are...in a mighty way. This is not because of the attributes, the energy or the sacrifice of the person but rather, because the true character (aka glory) of a holy and righteous God can best be displayed when our lives speak of amazing things that are absolutely beyond anything we could conjure up in our own finite strength.

So yes. I have actually been learning a lot from these ancient men and the God who interrupted their ordinary lives with revelations and judgements for His wandering people. 

In the last half of Amos, I have seen that God's call to justice for the oppressed, poor and marginalized of our society is nothing new. (See Amos 6:12 and 8:4-6) Isn't it comforting to know that consistently throughout time, our God has been an advocate for the week, needy and desperate? 

But perhaps the most disconcerting verses in the book of Amos are found in chapter 8, verses 11 and 12. 

"Behold, days are coming," declares the Lord GOD,

"When I will send a famine on the land,

Not a famine for bread or a thirst for water,

But rather for hearing the words of the LORD.

"People will stagger from sea to sea

And from the north even to the east;

They will go to and fro to seek the word of the LORD,

but they will not find it."

A famine for "hearing the words of the LORD"? I cannot imagine. 

His Word is life-giving, life-affirming, and the rhythm of my life longs to beat to the cadence of His Word. When I am out of sync with His Word...every part of my life knows it. Just like a heart-pounding bass drum keeping time to the music, my soul reverberates to and resonates with the sound of His Word. To neglect His Word is stupidity on my part.

To have no access to His Word? Unimaginable.

Even with the plethora of Bibles at my disposal, I am thirsty and long to be thirstier still. Intentionally committing Scriptures to memory brings with it the blessing of God's Word leaping to the forefront of my mind at times when it is most needed.

This isn't a post about Bible memorization or how our churches aren't preaching the true word of God. I do believe we are living through an outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Joel 2:28). I am thankful that His Word will go out into the darkest of places and shine forth with prevailing power. But maybe this is more likely a post of cautionary joy.

While I don't think there will be an end to access to God's written Word in the developed Western Judeo-Christian world anytime soon, maybe the appropriate question to ask ourselves is this...

Are we thirsty for it? 

Making Mediocre Art

I was chatting with a friend yesterday about this list I recently came across in Emily P. Freeman's A Million Little Ways. Freeman's entire book is about living out the art that God created you to make. It may be literal art, or it may be serving the poor, compassion for the mentally ill, interior design, teaching, nursing or "just" being a momma. Whatever the "art", God created you specifically to live it out in this time and in the place where you are.

I have now posted about or referred to this book several times because I've been reading and digesting it since December.  [See Pride,  and Living the Vision part 5] I was still mulling over this recently discovered list when I met with my friend yesterday. We were discussing a life lived without fear, or more importantly overcoming the fear that our Enemy is hell-bent (literally) on throwing into our paths.

Worry, doubt and fear are paralyzing...not can be...are! I know. They've been my modus operandi for far too long. When I wrote about my personal Independence Day, I meant it. Do I naively think that I will never struggle with these three nemeses again? Hardly. In fact, I think they will attempt to be my daily companions for the rest of my life. That's why it's extremely important to stay connected and surrendered to the Holy Spirit. His power, wisdom, encouragement and discernment are vital to living a life free of condemnation, judgment, ridicule, doubt, worry and fear. [Okay, the list just expanded to six companions!]

This is perhaps why Freeman's list struck a chord with me. Number one...I love lists. If it's a checklist...all the better. Number two...I really think the Holy Spirit could use this is a guideline for me to gauge my motives and actions. (i.e. Am I operating out of fear when I do ______________?)

So here's the list. I share it because my friend wanted it, I need it and I can just bet there is someone else out there that needs it to.

"Fear drives out the love. When you work from fear, there is no love in your work. And we don't want your loveless art.

So give the world and yourself a gift, and stop.

You are the beloved. So take some time to be the loved.

The fact that you need time to be the loved means you are human. And we want art that comes from human hands inspired by a capable God. Otherwise you will make mediocre art at best.

If mediocre art is your goal, here are fourteen ways to achieve it:

• Make love to fear
• Apologize a lot
• Try to measure your impact
• Wait to feel qualified
• Compare yourself
• Fear the success of others
• Stay comfortable
• Have imaginary conversations with your critics
• Hold on to regret
• Keep impossible standards for perfection
• Demand appreciation
• Be easily offended
• Think there is only one right way to do it
• And by all means, don't take a risk

Wow. More than a few of these hit way too close to home.

And I don't want to be a "mediocre" artist...do you? I want to fly the way I was created to, with the Creator who made me to. I am exhaustingly tired of wanting a passionate life, sold out and surrendered to whatever exciting adventure God has planned for me. It's time to live it out and more importantly, show my kids it is possible to go for the ride of a lifetime with Jesus.

So it's time to take myself of the throne of my tiny kingdom...which is really what each of these 14 friends of mediocrity point to...and surrender my pride, my longing for appreciation and my desire to always be right and understood...and just let the King open up His HUGE Kingdom before my very eyes.

The Kingdom is already here...and I don't want to miss it!

The LEGO Movie- A Review

I know I'm a little late to the party, but this movie is adorable!

In our home, we love all things LEGO. Noah played with them for years and still likes to collect any Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings or Hobbit kits he gets for gifts. The kids and I have all enjoyed playing the Lego Wii versions of the Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones and Star Wars games that have come out. Sometimes the best part of the game is the movie vignettes. We have laughed at them and sometimes been amazed at the creativity.

Needless to say, almost a year ago when we saw the first trailer for The LEGO Movie, we got excited. Well I did, and my kids indulged me. But we don't get to the theatre very often anymore. It hasn't been a conscious choice to avoid the cinema, but it seems like the magic combination of funds and time happens most infrequently. 

Over the weekend though, Leah and I were looking for a movie on Amazon Prime and this was the choice. Again...we laughed and sometimes were amazed at the creativity.  

It's refreshing to know that Pixar/Disney and Dreamworks aren't the only creative voices out there. [PLEASE no one ruin my momentary illusion by revealing to me that this movie was somehow connected to one or both!] As I stated...I know I'm late to the "Everything is Awesome" party, but just in case you've been wondering if it's worth your Redbox, Netflix or Amazon Prime rental bucks...why Yes...yes it is!

THIS is it.

Have you ever heard something before...possibly several times before...and all of the sudden you have that "lightbulb" moment and it just makes sense?

Such was the case yesterday when one of the teaching pastors at church read Romans 12:1-2 from The Message. 

"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you:  Take your everyday, ordinary life--your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life--and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. you'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you."

As I already stated, I know I've read this before and I know I liked it when I read it. But yesterday, everything He's been calling me to...every reminder to trust the process...ever instance when the Spirit has reminded me or I have reminded my children that if we call ourselves by the name of Christian that our lives will look very different from the culture around us...every time I have told them that the only difference between us and other mammals is that we have the gift of being able to "stop and think"...every one of these and so much more can be summed up in these two verses.

You see, He wants all of me...my "sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life". And He wants me to ask the questions of why our culture is the way it is and acts the way it acts and accepts the things it accepts without ever questioning. He gives us the Holy Spirit so that we can beg for discernment and then we can readily "recognize what He wants from (us), and quickly respond to it."

What happens when I live by these principles that have been making more and more sense to me individually and blew me away yesterday when I heard them all together in the context of letting the Spirit transform me? "God brings the best out of (me), develops well-formed maturity in (me)."

This is what He's been moving me toward all along. Funny how just this weekend I've had conversations with friends about praying for discernment and the Spirit's been asking me to ask Him for more of it. Then this beautiful passage drops in my lap and I just get it. I get what He's asking. He wants me to be ready at a moment's notice to recognize what He wants and to obey instantly. In order to do that, every day I need to give my ordinary life to Him as an offering.

Not having to figure out all of the details of how I should be living this life, yet trusting that He will tell me each step of the way, and knowing that it will look so different from the culture around me that people will see the reflection of God's Spirit in me and be drawn to Him???

Yep.

Sign. Me. Up!

Mojito Ice Cream (DF, GF, VG, non-alcoholic)

Why, yes. It IS just as wonderful as it looks!

In honor of yesterday's National Mojito Day and the fact that my garden and my friend's both have a plethora of mint right now...I decided to experiment a little. Here is the result.

Ingredients:

2 cans full fat coconut milk or cream 

[I prefer Trader Joe's coconut cream, but these are what I had on hand]

4-6 Tablespoons, raw honey

2-3 Tablespoons, lime juice

Dash of Pink Himalayan salt

1 heaping Tablespoon fresh mint, chopped or torn very small

• Pour the coconut milk into a bowl and add honey, juice, and salt
• Mix with a whisk until well-blended
• Sprinkle in the mint and stir until combined
• You can do a little taste test at this point to see if any additional honey, juice or mint may be needed
• Pour into ice cream maker and follow manufacturers directions
• For my ice cream maker, I froze the contents in the ice cream maker tin for one hour and then processed in the electric maker as directed.

Good thing National Mojito day coincides with mint season...and salsa season...and Mexican food season...and just about any season I think I could eat this delicious ice cream!

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Note:  Upon further reflection, if having pieces of mint leaf in your ice cream is unpleasant to you, you could gently heat the lime juice in a small pan on very low heat with the mint pieces. I think if you stirred it for 4-5 minutes and then strained the liquid, it would take on enough mint flavor to do the trick. The step of placing the ice cream maker tin in the freezer for one hour would be all the more important if you use this tip. The pieces of mint are negligible and could be cut so small as to be unnoticeable if this additional step isn't appealing.