Meeting The Divine in the Dirt and Grime

This week as I was perusing Pinterst for just the right muffin  to match my salami omelet dish, I uncovered this sweet treasure:  Nutella Stuffed Cinnamon and Sugar Muffins.

{Source: Sally’s Baking Addiction}

  Yes please!   The recipe is SO easy, except I would recommend doubling it if you have a large crew to feed.  These babies were a crowd pleaser and super easy to whip-up.  Best of all, there’s more where that came from!  Sometimes Pinterest is too much of a good thing, I had muffin overload and choices galore, but it also led me to this website with “30 Sweet Muffin Recipes.” Hot Chocolate,  Apple Fritter, Graham Cracker Chocolate Chip muffins.  Muffin Mama’s rejoice!  Delicious decisions make life sweet.  I’m still working on finding easy weekday dinner meal recipes (that the kids will actually eat), but this was a start, and I wanted to share it with you.   Happy baking!

Oh my, has it really been a whole month since I last posted?   Well, in that case..Merry, blessed Christmas, and a graced and glorious 2013 to you, oh beautiful reader!   I pray your new year has been a time of fresh beginnings and renewal.  As I look out the window today and appreciate the blanket of white (and the thermostat), I am reminded  of the scripture in Isaiah 1:18-  

“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”  

Oh, what a thought!  

This year is already off and running with much to keep up with and a full plate ahead!   Most notable, I’m excited (and pretty nervous too) to join Food for the Poor for a mission trip in February.  I will be going with a group of radio peeps from across the U.S. for a short trip to Guatemala.  

This was a HUGE decision that took me months to discern.  The opportunity to witness the work of Food for the Poor, help, pray , be a part of the ministry and bring back the stories of those I meet to our listeners is an honor.  Yet, as a mom of five, the guilt-factor has been pretty enormous and I’ve really waffled about the wisdom of taking such a trip.  Thankfully, it’s only a few days but if it hadn’t been for Jim pushing me out the door with love and support (ha ha) I wouldn’t be going.  That, and one of my dearest friends was approved to go and we will be traveling together.  It’s truly a unique chance to share a special adventure, and now that it’s really happening I have to admit, I’m really looking forward to it. 

February will also bring a new experience with Karolina’s therapy.  I will be attending a comprehensive workshop dealing with a new platform of working with children with Autism at the Cleveland Clinic.   I intend to bring back what I’ve learned and share it with the boys, Jim, my mom and Karolina’s babysitters.  It’s exciting to “dig in” and be able to tap in to new tools and utilize different techniques.  I can’t wait to give it a try.   My my goal is, to somehow retain 2-days worth of invaluable information and put it to use!   

The boys just walked in the door from school so my time is up.  

I know this is a little late, but since I wasn’t able to post around the New Year, I hope you’ll accept this belated prayer.  God bless you, and thanks for reading!

May you be aware of all the places your feet carry you in the New Year and conscious that “The feet of those who bring glad tidings are blessed indeed.”

May you have compassion so deep that you can taste the tears of all your brothers and sisters who know pain and hurt in the far corners of the world.

May you be the one with welcome written on your smile and hello etched upon your outstretched hand…the hand you extent to everyone who blesses you with their presence.

May you awake each morning with “thank you” on your lips and in your heart, recognizing that all is gift…all is blessing.

May the grace of these sacred holidays spill over into your New Year and increase your joy and peace.

May God bless you, throughout the New Year.

Amen.
 
(Prayer by Sr. Mary Elizabeth Tebo, FSP)

This may be one of the most powerful videos on adoption that I have ever seen.  Especially when the young man starts singing “How He Loves” by David Crowder. It’s an instant lump in the throat and water in the eyes… there’s just no way around it.  Tissue alert for you!   I needed this today.  I hope you are blessed by it too.

Speaking of the miracle of adoption, and the gift of love (and yes, more tears):  look at what my little beauty made at preschool!  She has amazing therapists, and together, they made this ornament.  Hand-made (literally) by Karolinky!    Already my favorite gift of the year.   

I wish you a most blessed week before Christmas!

Oh How He Loves

-David Crowder (Lyrics)

And He is jealous from me, loves like a hurricane, I am a tree, bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy

When all of a sudden I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory

and I realize just how beautiful You are and how great Your affections are for me

And oh, how He loves us, oh Oh, how He loves us, how He loves us all

And we are His portion and He is our prize, drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes

If His grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking
 And heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss

And my heart turns violently inside of my chest, I don’t have time to maintain these regrets

When I think about the way

Oh, how He loves us, oh  

Oh, how He loves us, how He loves all