A Silly Recipe!

Today I bought some fresh blueberries (love them)...
when looking through some recipes, found this rather silly one for muffins:
-1 cup vanilla ice cream (softened)
-1 cup self-rising flour
-1 cup blueberries
Mix ice cream and flour...then fold in berries. Place into greased muffin cups...makes 6*. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 min. Then brush top w/melted butter and sprinkle w/sugar...voila!! We quite enjoyed them!:) But Mom and I agreed that next time we will add toasted almonds and make as scones. These are surprisingly tasty, and (obviously) VERY easy!!

It has been a bit of a "grumpy" week for me...but isn't it good that such little joys can brighten things up? And in case you missed this on a previous comment section , Cara (so glad to have you here!!) shared the following thoughts on routine, freedom, and the angst I've been feeling. I love this story and this concept...

{I once read a story about a saint (I can't remember if it was Teresa of Avila or Mother Teresa)where someone walked into the kitchen and saw her going to town on a piece of chicken. The person expressed surprise at the way she was eating and Teresa replied, "When I pray, I pray. When I eat chicken, I eat chicken." (forgive me if I messed the quote up--it has been awhile since I read it, but that is the idea of it) Anyway, I find freedom in that idea. I suppose you could just say, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (I Cor. 10:31) cg}

(Methinks it's always a good thing to quote another's good thoughts when one's own are somewhat jumbled!:)

Recommending:

I am shamelessly copying this link from William B.'s blog...assuming you might read mine if not his....this paper by our friend Tom McCall is a very worthy read...I learned a lot and was very moved in the process. So proud of Tom and the life he is living. I highly recommend this read!

The Church As Redemptive Agent (Tom McCall)
http://www.wesleyan.org/Media/MarketingManager/The%20Church%20as%20Redemptive%20Agent.pdf

(wish I knew how to do the link differently, but I do not!)

In a rut?

Do you ever feel that you are in a rut? I've been thinking on this a little...having a new awareness of how easy it is to just do things the "same old way" just because that's the easiest thing...or the most predictable...or safest, least likely to stir up trouble. Again, that falling in with someone else's script. And how quickly we can make those "comfortable patterns" seem almost sacred if we're not careful. As an only child I "suffer" from wild swings of very little structured times to borderline-obsessively structured...to lesson the dramatic language, MOST of the time I just plain like organization. But I've been thinking that even in that area, there is a risk of shutting out the things that matter most (people, relationships, the hurting & needy) just to uphold the Almighty Structured Plan. There's much good to be found in consistency, but not just for consistency's sake. I doubt you'll see me shaking things up too much:) , but I hope that I can see even more clearly what matters most....and not stay in any unprofitable ruts!

• to shake up the blog a bit, I am changing my profile picture. not sure if I like it...but it does look more "summery."
• and here are a few more pics from the Va trip (the whole cool family, me & Gurnee, w/Patti...so fun!....and finally Philip, Steve & Karen, and sweet Taylor:
  

When I lived in Roanoke, it was a real growing experience to see Steve and Karen pastor "up close"...they are the real deal...I learned alot from them about making good life choices and what it means to really care about people. I don't want to ever lose those lessons...and so appreciate such friends!

My Dad

(This picture was taken a couple of summers ago, but we still look pretty much the same...and pretty much alike!)

Honoring my Dad for Father's Day is an easy thing. He is one of the few genuinely good to the core persons I've known. He is kind, gentle, really smart, always sees the best in others, and always can find humor to brighten any day. His faith is genuine but not self-impressed or flashy. As a father, he equipped me with a whole bunch of unconditional love and self-confidence, and was really good at knowing when to let me make my "own" choices. As I researched parenting issues in college, it was surprising to see so little work has been done on "fatherless girls." There's some on boys, but relatively little as related to girls. (one professor encouraged me to turn one paper into an actual project, but of course I never have.) This is so frustrating, as I see our culture so hurting and hungry for Godly father figures...and especially young women Need at least a present father as they develop (but I'm reminded that God has promised to be a Father to the fatherless!). I am so blessed to have had a WAY ABOVE AVERAGE one!! Now as an adult, we are somewhat "partners" as we care for Mom. And so many have been touched by his wonderful care and love for her. In the difficult moments, he is far more patient and wise than I usually am. So while words are inadequate, it is a privilege to say "Happy Father's Day" to the best man I know!

Running Thoughts...

It's late..and I really should go to bed...instead using this and a few bites of Starbucks "Java Chip Ice Cream" to wind down...I feel in the mood to write down for you, my forgiving and patient friends, some thoughts running through my mind. I may regret these words, so will blame the late hour if necessary.

• I believe I have been very lucky today to have received three very inspiring, very long, phone calls from close friends. What fun!! And these were definitely above average...people checking in on my trip...covered a very wide range of subjects and views...included some theology and some silliness..challenged me to introspection, honesty, and accountability...to better thinking and compassion. I am so blessed!
• I believe I deserve to be called fickle (which I have been called various times in my life.) Not to shock you, but I really didn't miss blogging too much while I was away...actually debated jumping back into it...but then I did with full gusto...pictures and all...2 days in a row...so fickle and silly of me.
• I believe Coffee that is not brewed strong enough is not worth drinking!!! Flavored mixes do not help! I am passionate about this! While on this subject, I believe life is not worth living w/o coffee!!
• I believe that being single puts you in the awkward situation of being wildly set up when around old friends...enough said!
• I believe that it is MANDATORY to have a fan blowing, providing white noise whilst sleeping at night...this is now an addiction for me...I am ashamed but honest about this problem...it can be a problem when in other people's homes...(thankfully this was quickly solved for me in Va)
• I like pianos...not keyboards...whenever possible....that's just my opinion.
• I think it is a hoot that I had a little massage in the Charlotte airport...now that is what I call progress...and it was totally effective in stopping my terrible headache!
• I am not a fan of Mitt Romney...would just as soon vote for an atheist...(there Tara, I was brave enough to say it!:) I realize this is unreasonable, annoying to my Dad, and quite foolish...but it's how I feel. (With my fickle record, I could very soon be working for his campaign, but I doubt it!:) In general, I am DREADING the upcoming election. Now there's some real game playing!
• I have been reading a memoir by Franz Wisner, Honeymoon with My Brother...such a good read (but I will not vouch for the language.) The guy was dumped right before his wedding and decided to take the honeymoon w/his brother...it turned into a couple of years of traveling together. What a concept! Makes me want to sign up. (of course a real honeymoon would be fine too!:)
• finally, to end on a somewhat sane note, here is the best quote I read over last weekend in The Ragamuffin Gospel (Manning). "The Kingdom belongs to people who aren't trying to look good or impress anybody, even themselves. Jesus speaks pointedly to to the preening ascetic trapped in the fatal narcissism of spiritual perfectionism, to those of us caught up in boasting about our victories in the vineyard, to those of us fretting and flapping about our human weaknesses and character defects. The child doesn't have to struggle to get himself in a good position for having a relationship with God....all he has to do is happily accept the gift of the Kingdom." Wow! Before you start arguing, I know there must be a balance here....but as one wise friend said today, that's the point....that "balance between holiness and grace." (thanks, Jen) I am amazed that with all my silliness and flaws...He is able to make me worthy. Now that's all I have to say tonight.

Aren't you glad I cleared up these issues?

Back Home Again...

"Hey It's Good to Be Back Home Again"...(I had to take this chance to quote John Denver, since a blogger buddy has recently been knocking him:) Seriously, it IS good to be back home from my long weekend trip to VA, but at the same time there's always a bit of a let down when something looked forward to is all over....or there is for me, anyway. And it's been busy...June 3rd was Mom's 60th Bday as well as the 70th Bday of her close cousin Cleo and sisterinlaw Trilby, so we had a little party after church...it was nice and Mom gave the sweetest little speech about being thankful to be here...we agree!

Then...after that party, I had a few days to prepare for going out of town. (and there is ALOT to do to prepare!) Unfortunately, there was much sickness and stress in those few days...but thankfully everything calmed down and I was able to get away fine and felt "OK" on the trip. It was so great to be in Roanoke again...such a beautiful part of the world and some of the best people, too! There are just some people who have the gift of "comfortableness" and no matter how long it's been, you are able to just settle back into friendship's embrace. What a treasure! I have to think that this quality of warmth and connecting has alot to do with the incredible church growth happening there and we all have much to learn from that example. I so enjoyed being with the extended Feazell/Parker families and was glad to be there for Brittney's graduation. It was a bittersweet time for all of us without her grandmother Sue, but it was good to honor and remember her. Here's a few pics from the weekend: (most are still on my old-fashioned camera so more to come later:)

Looking a bit bedraggled, but having a grand time reconnecting with Kim and Janet at beloved Panerra's...where I insisted on going:)

These are 2 of my favorite young women...and it's been a privilege to know them since little girls. They are unpretentious, kind, very fun, and love the Lord. I really appreciate these close ties and being with Brittany (the graduate) and Kelly was good for the heart! Actually, the whole trip was good for my heart...but now it's back to normal and so glad to be back blogging!!!:)

Trinity Sunday Hymn

Holy God We Praise Thy Name
Holy God We Praise Thy Name
Lord of all, We bow before Thee
All on earth thy scepter claim
All in heav'n above adore thee
Infinite, thy vast domain
Everlasting is Thy reign
Infinite, thy vast domain
Everlasting is Thy reign!

Holy Father, Holy Son,
Holy Spirit, Three we name Thee
While in essence only One
Undivided God we claim Thee
And adoring, bend the knee
While we own the mystery
And adoring, bend the knee
While we own the mystery!
(originated 1774)

It's a privilege to learn more about the "church calendar" in my little musician job, and to enjoy the "new/old" hymns...good for my liturgical bent! This is an awesome one. And I also loved this line from one of the prayers this weekend: "Be close to those formed in your image." That would be us! It's a very unfathomable and beautiful thought that the image of the Trinity is printed on our beings. More than we can understand and certainly undeserved. But thinking on that truth has been a pleasure.