L is for...

   is for learning.



I truly admire the men and women in my life who are excellent cooks.  I have such an appreciation for impeccable flavor and presentation when it comes to food.  I've come to realize lately that to become such an individual, it's going to take some more time rolling up my sleeves and getting down and dirty in the kitchen.  Cooking isn't something that one will instantly be skilled at; it is most certainly a learning process.  Therefore, I've been trying one new recipe a week in 2012.  Thanks to Pinterest and my friend H, I found an amazing food blog called Annie's Eats.  In addition to a wide variety of recipes, I love the fact that Annie is a hard-working wife, mom, and resident physician right here in Indianapolis.  I figure if she has time to take care of her family, work/learn in the medical field, and to share her talent with the world, then I sure can give her recipes a try!  (I'm secretly wondering, though, if she is Wonder Woman.  I'm impressed to say the least.)

So far I've tried out four recipes three of which have been amazing.  One was a bit of a disaster, but let's not talk about it.  It happens.  Today I made her recipe for Mom's Goulash.  As I was preparing the dish, it reminded me a little bit of lasagna, but much to my pleasant surprise it is unique in its own right.  It was very easy and really reeeealy good.  Head on over to her blog and check out the food love she's sharing!  Bon appetit!
   



“I think preparing food and feeding people brings nourishment not only to our bodies but to our spirits. Feeding people is a way of loving them, in the same way that feeding ourselves is a way of honoring our own createdness and fragility.” 
-Shauna Niequist, Bittersweet

K is for...

    is for kettle.



Something slightly momentous happened today on just another seemingly ordinary Sunday afternoon.  I finally buckled down and purchased a tea kettle!  Seems like no big deal, right?  One would think...   Nonetheless, I have been incredibly indecisive as I've browsed on and off for about a year now in search of the perfect tea kettle.  I know I was being a bit picky, but it seemed pretty important as far as I was concerned.  Call me crazy, but a tea kettle is one of those extremely classy items that every woman should own along with a perfect strand of pearls.

She's a beauty.  Silver, dainty, classy.  Spot of tea anyone?

J is for...

   is for journey.



One of my favorite country songs blared out of my car speakers just the other day.  Life's a dance you learn as you go.  Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow.  Don't worry 'bout what you don't know.  Life's a dance you learn as you go.  So true.  Life really is a little bit like going on a trip without knowing the exact coordinates of the next stop or destination.  At times I get excited to see a path laid out before me while in other moments I simply must follow along.  I'm learning as I go.

Taking a journey makes me think of adventure, and this is a word I'm beginning to connect with more and more.  Ask my dearest friends and adventurous might not be one of the first words they'd use to describe me.  Nonetheless, I think that adventure boils down to so much more than backpacking around the world or jumping out of an airplane.  Adventurous is taking risks and trying something new when God calls your name.  Our life journey can certainly be mundane, yet we're given the opportunity to go on a thrill of a ride if we simply take God's hand and let Him lead the way.

I visited a new church today with one of my friends.  The minister really challenged me to begin this new year not with a list of resolutions and a list of accomplishments to attain.  Instead, he reminded us to be still and to listen to God's quiet voice whispering into the corners of our lives.  Quite frankly, it excites me and scares me at the same time to think about the adventures that God will bring my way when I quiet the world around me and listen more clearly to His voice.  I believe that anything He brings me to, He will also equip me with the tools and abilities to fulfill His works and purposes.  I don't want to miss out on a moment of the greatest journey and adventure that God has planned for my days.

I leave you with a thought that I heard about a year ago that has continued to impact me even until today.  Are you willing to make this your surrender to God?  Whatever You want even if what You want isn't what I want.  It's really frightening to surrender our desires and wishes, yet I know that His ways and His plans are far greater than my hopes and dreams.  May I be given the privilege to be used as His hands and feet.  What a blessed journey it will be.    

I is for...

    is for imperfection.



As I approached the letter "I", I began to wonder what word I might choose to represent this alphabetic character.  That it so happens to fall as the first post of the new year gives it that extra added importance.  In fact, I'll admit that I even turned to Google and searched for a list of i-beginning adjectives.  I really wanted to find just the right one.  A bit of disappointment washed over me as I glanced through the lists on various sites.  Believe it or not, "i" words in general don't tend to be so fancy and happy. Icy, irritating, impolite.........no thanks.  Then my eyes fell upon yet another that could be added to this list of negative words: imperfection.  Quite frankly, it was just right.

In the middle of a several hour drive home from visiting a friend recently, I found myself browsing unfamiliar radio stations.  I came upon a show that was hosting Christian artist Laura Story and featuring her music.  She shared a really poignant quote that touched me in such an honest, real way.  She quoted Timothy Keller who stated, "We are more flawed and sinful than we ever dared believe, yet we are more loved and accepted than we ever dared hope at the same time."  Can we all just let out a sigh of relief?  I'm not the only imperfect one.  In fact, truth be told, I'm much more sinful than I am aware of or I acknowledge.  That's a humbling thought, but it's true isn't it?  It's so easy to tout our accomplishments and focus on our talents and strengths.  Recognizing our weaknesses and ugliness is difficult and scary.  But the story isn't over; to the degree of my imperfection, I am cherished by my Savior more than I ever could have hoped or imagined.  It's overwhelming and so undeserved, but I'm humbled and forever grateful.

It's January 1st and people all over the world are beginning to work on their New Year's resolutions.  I'm all about self-improvement, but I think we have to accept the fact that we can never completely fix ourselves all on our own.  Only through Jesus can we become more like Him.

So with that, this January 1st, I admit my imperfection and my heart fills with gratitude that in spite of it, I am loved, accepted, and made anew again and again through His grace.

Happy New Year!