Joy Dare 6.24.12 (a full moon late)

Giving thanks to God in community for His gifts ...



3 gifts I became today in serving
a light-hearted launderer
a merry mopper
a happy helper

a gift bent
bedtime prayers
a gift beautiful
Ardyn's thick brown hair
a gift loved
my spiritually sensitive husband

3 gifts found in light
hairs to be plucked
counters to be wiped
unwanted sin protrusions and hardened filth in the corners of my heart

3 gifts that are difficult
teenagers who drive my cars
adolescent girls who push my buttons
toddlers who ignore my instructions


3 gifts found around a table
sisters crafting
silverware busily clanking happy plates
friends with tiles ready to spell a high-scoring word

a gift in water
rich sweet tea
a gift in words
a thank you note from the mailbox at the end of my drive
a gift in white
a month's supply of paper products in the kitchen and bathrooms

Comfort & Joy

It's like God found my list of "All things comfortable" and began checking items off -shortly after He blew them up.

Last week I directed caMP3, a worship arts afternoon program for kids which concluded with the presentation of a musical for the community Friday night. I approached the week prayerfully as I prepared for 60 K-6th graders and a [fabulous] staff of 25 talented folks, but soon realized my heart had farther to go to reach full surrender.

Background: last year was our first year for caMP3. Who knew if we could even pull it off? Responding full force toward my fear of the unknown, I spent 6 months planning and prepping - crossing hundreds of t's and dotting countless i's before camp ever began. After spending the caMP3 week with 30+ students last year, our small, but greatly talented and spirited staff remarked at how smoothly things had gone. Cue the gleam of pride.

Just What I Need

Last night I was in my bed waiting [im]patiently to drift off to sleep. Restlessness was to be expected on the night before caMP3. My stomach was uneasy, and my brain churned with random ideas, urgent reminders, and bad case scenarios. As I felt my spirit become restless, I realized I hadn't read my devotional for the day. (Sundays can be ironically frazzled and harried in comparison to other days.)

In the quiet darkness, I reached above my head to find my kindle and opened "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young. Here is what was written for July 15.

Gone For a Dip

Tonight I experienced one of those Mom moments that for me are too few and far between.

I belly laughed with my daughters.

I'm a fun girl, but shamefully, my kids see the least amount of my happiness. I'm working on surrendering my agenda and preferences so that I can cheerfully invest in their lives ... not just manage them. But I have much to surrender, so it's a slow process.

Anyway, we were swimming this evening. Just the girls and me. In the rain. "Please go under! You don't have eye make-up on, so PLEASE go under!" They begged. I smiled at the beautiful, cheering crowd that surrounded me in the shallow end.

I buckled my knees and plunged beneath the surface. I bounced back to my feet to greet fresh air, rain drops, and applause. "Do it again!" They cheered.

"Wanna see my handstand?" I teased.

Blueberry Chutney Chicken

Wednesday was filled with family, fun & fireworks.

We also ate really well:)

 Fresh berries, baked sweet potatoes, steamed veggies and chicken.

I began making this dish when I subscribed to e-mealz...an online weekly menu complete with shopping lists. Very nice. This recipe: even nicer.


Blueberry Chutney Chicken

1-2 lb chicken breast

1 fresh lemon

1 t garlic salt

     2 T Olive oil

     1 c fresh blueberries

     1/3 c water

     1 T Dijon mustard

     1 T Jalapeño Pepper Jelly

Jasmine Rice
1-2 cans peas

Cut thawed chicken into strips. In a bowl, drizzle
oil, lemon juice and 1 t garlic salt over tenderloins.
Toss and coat well. Grill or broil 5-6 min on each
side. In saucepan on med-hi, place remaining
ingredients. Cook 8-10 minutes, whisking often, until
blueberries break up. Serve sauce over chicken.

Serve with Jasmine rice and sweet peas.
This is NOT a serving suggestion, you simply must.

Enjoy!

A Moooving Tale

There have been a few times that I've felt like a cow.

Seriously.

Once, I tried a piece of turkey jerky ... say that four times really fast. It's so fun! Anyway, I was chewing and chewing and starting to gross out at the texture of gum coupled with the flavor of teriyaki. I felt like I was chewing my cud.

Also, there are the memories of surgeries. The part where I'm still awake, but numb from the chest down. Nurses are transitioning me to the O.R. gurney. I'd love to help the group effort by lifting my legs or scooching my hips. But alas, I am forced to lie there in a sheet sling as they hoist me onto the second surface. Not a very light and airy feeling. I felt like a beefed out cow slung in the straps of the slaughter house.