Pennies from Heaven...

Today I received an unexpected blessing.

I learned that a friend from BSF has been praying for me- about something that was completely off my radar!

I arrived early to BSF this morning and decided instead of flitting around to sit up front in the sanctuary while I waited to take up my post as a hostess. After all, I was wearing my new boots and I didn't want to overextend my feet before the morning had even begun! When I did stand and take my place my friend and co-hostess offered a warm welcome and apologized for not noticing me earlier. I explained that I was keeping off my feet because of my new boots and after a quick look to the floor she just about jumped up and down right there and then!
I couldn't imagine why she was more excited about my boots then I was!

As it turns out my friend has been praying for my feet.
In the midst of worry over my own prayer requests that I had been lifting to the Lord moments before, and the pinching of my arches this dear woman explained that she has been lifting me before the Lord asking 'that if it it possible for Hannah to walk normally on this earth, without pain and without her brace' that He would do it for me- 'even if I could just wear a nice pair of shoes'!

I could have cried.

Even as the word 'impossible' raced through my mind I found myself being blanketed with an incredible sense of blessing. And I felt shamed for my doubt. Hadn't I just been sitting and praying believing that God would answer my impossible prayer?  Ah me. Well, that's a subject for another post.

But the blessing, the blessing that my friend gave sticks with me still. I explained that I was only 'playing hooky' and in a few hours I'd be geared back up. This fact did not daunt her. The joy that lept from her at my small/huge victory invaded my heart. It was like a special message for me right from God.  "Even when you've forgot- I know your needs, I am taking care of you!"

As I thought about it today it has also been a reminder to me to be God's intercessory tool. To pray when it is unexpected. To pray impossible things. To pray in secret.

And to someday pass along the blessing...

That's What Boots Are For...

Today was a day I've been waiting for- for a really long time! Like four whole months long.

Today the UPS man pulled up outside my house and I just knew that the package he had was for me! I bounced over to the back door shooing mom (who was doing a perfectly legitimate load of laundry) out of the way as I threw open the door and beamed at the delivery guy. He very cooperatively and calmly handed over the long flat box and wished me a great day- "Oh, it is now!" I told him!

In minutes my treasure was opened and proudly and anxiously I wiggled and pulled them on. And guess what?

THEY FIT!!

I actually did a little dance.
Because they were awesome. And they felt great. And they were everything I dreamed them to be!!
I looked down and saw this:

 

 

Yes! Those are MY feet in BOOTS!

Amazing.

So why the boot love you ask? Well if you know anything about me and the condition of my feet then you would know that for me to be able to get them in- much less comfortably in- to anything other than my standard sneakers and brace is a small victory.
Strike that.
This is a huge victory for me!!

Today the poor 15 year old me that literally wept her way through a cowboy boot store is pumping her fist and giggling with glee.

So I just thought I'd share and continue my victory dance online! :)
And of course- show off my totally cool boots!



"Started out just nails and leather
Built to last and made for weather
Can't think of nothin' better,
than what I'm wearin' on my feet
They make me taller than I really am
Ain't nothing they can't withstand
a symbol o the workin' man
and old cowgirls like me..."
-Joey and Rory, "Boots"

How Sweet the Sound...

This week I have wanted to write a post about a topic important to me. All week I have searched in vain for a way to express my thoughts on this subject, to say in a new way- an impacting way- what so many before me have said again and again, but to no avail.

Then today I read an article on one of my great hero's, William Wilberforce, and his tireless pursuit of the abolition of the slave trade in England. And suddenly inspiration struck. That elusive and random bolt of lightening energized it's mark.

I went and popped in one of my favorite period films "Amazing Grace" which tells Wilberforce's story and became more convinced by the minute that this was a mirror image to the issue I wanted to address.
How could that be you say? Slavery is abolished, both in Britain and in America! Well in one form yes, but in another form, no. 

The slavery I talk about is the slavery of abortion.

This week marked the 40th anniversary of the Supreme Court opinion on the Roe v. Wade case. This opinion ushered in a new era of morality. A dark, death focused, and twisted morality. A morality that made permissive the death of unborn children. Since that decision 55 million children have been murdered. The shear number of lives, of souls, is staggering and when I consider it I cannot comprehend them. It is wholly overwhelming.

Over this last year the Lord has been speaking to my heart on the sufferings of His smallest creations and each new instance of this culture of death that I encounter breaks my heart a little bit more. I cannot fathom how one could kill their own child, could choose to make convenient their own lives at the literal expense of their defenceless child. This past year my life has been filled with great joy at again having a child in my life. My niece is the very definition of joy and from her earliest days has herself filled our lives with laughter. The thought that someone mere weeks before birth could end a life like hers brings a sinking illness to the pit of my stomach with such depth that again I cannot begin to comprehend it.

While is seems that it is 'harsh' to call abortion slavery I can think of no other name to mark it by. The devastation that it brings on two lives, that of both child and mother, the extinguishing of life, and the and guilt that a mother experiences over her lifetime is a modern bondage of epic proportions.

I one of his famous addresses Wilberforce says:

   "When we think of eternity, and of the future consequences of all human conduct, what is there in this life that should make any man contradict the dictates of his conscience, the principles of justice, the laws of religion, and of God? Sir, the nature and all the circumstances of this trade are now laid open to us; we can no longer plead ignorance, we can not evade it; it is now an object placed before us, we can not pass it; we may spurn it, we may kick it out of our way, but we can not turn aside so as to avoid seeing it; for it is brought now so directly before our eyes that this House must decide, and must justify to all the world, and to their own consciences, the rectitude of the grounds and principles of their decision." 

This week marked 40 years of a new kind on slavery. The mentality that a child is a burden, a child is not a child, a child is disposable has permeated our culture. That doesn't make it right. Margret Sanger's work truly has left a lasting legacy. But even before technology that allowed us to see a 3D image of the child within it's mother's womb we knew in our own souls and consciences that it was a new human life growing in that mother.
However, with that technology, not one of us have an excuse.

There are some things one wishes to be able to abolish and wipe utterly from the face of the earth.
All to often one's ability to exert such force fails them.

However, there are some that are able to accomplish where others fail- some one who has eternal focus and is able to open the eyes of those around him. I hope that some day, and some day soon, that the cause of life in this modern age finds its William Wilberforce. I hope that there is a man or woman out there has the unrelenting fortitude to do what Wilberforce did.  I would really love to be alive to see the overturning of the courts opinion, to see the overturning of a terrible slavery.

One of Wilberforce's mentors and councilors was John Newton writer of the famed hymn "Amazing Grace" which expresses Newton's feelings on being forgiven and liberated from his past as the captain of a slave ship. 
Perhaps one day, when we see the abolition of abortion the eternal chorus of voices will join together and, across the ages, once again sing out in relief and celebration Newton's words- and how sweet, how sweet that sound will be!

"Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)
That sav'd a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see."

Resolving?

"Every man should be born again on the first day of January. Start with a fresh page. Take up one hole more in the buckle if necessary, or let down one, according to circumstances; but on the first of January let every man gird himself once more, with his face to the front, and take no interest in the things that were and are past."   

~Henry Ward Beecher

The last few days I've been thinking about making resolutions and new beginnings and all the sorts of things that go along with a new year. What I'm wondering is what resolutions should I make? There are several things that I want to do this year- and there are several things that I definitely don't want to repeat from last year! But the question is what profit is it to make those resolutions and even worse to make them public?! What if you don't live up to everything you wanted to do or not do and then at the end of the year are stuck and feeling like you - horror of horrors- failed!

Anyway, I'm going to spend another few days ruminating on this subject and trying to figure out what my goals are and what I want to commit to before I share it here. ;) In the mean time tell me what you are up to this year! What are your goals? And are you a person who resolves in the first place? Let me know!

Can You Hear the People Sing?

I rarely go to see movies in the theater.

However, the much anticipated film adaptation of the musical "Les Miserables" officially arrived in theaters this week- and anyone who knows me knows that I am a sucker for musicals.
Generally, when a film I want to see is out I wait for the DVD and watch it in the comfort of my own home and with my own blanket and snacks and a firm grasp on the remote for 'scenes of a questionable nature' that I want to skip. This time however the pull of seeing a musical on the big screen in all its glory was too big of a draw and from the first of my hearing of it almost two years ago now I knew that I would be going to see it.

Last night I went and saw it. And I loved it.

This film will be known years from now as the benchmark for many things. The cinematography is remarkable and different than anything that has been done in generations. In fact, I think it will come to be the "Citizen Cain" of our generation. In many places the scope and surreality of the style reminded me of another favorite of mine, "Fiddler on the Roof". The director made bold choices in showing sweeping views with solitary figures and more strikingly in the strategy he took in using extreme closeups of the actors. At first I really didn't like this tactic, it feels too invasive and too personal, and too raw. You cannot help but to feel the same emotions as the characters are dealing with and it sends you on an emotional roller coaster right along with them.
Then I realized that is just the point.
Yes, the point is that you feel ground down, that you feel the dirt and the grime, it is even the point that you feel the disgusting nature of sin. But it is also the point that you feel the repentance, the love, the joy, and the ever stirring surge of hope.
Additionally, the benchmark that is laid down in the acting/singing department is tremendous. The acting is flat out superb! With the exception of Russel Crow whom I have an intense dislike for all the other players are great favorites of mine and played their roles with skill and grace. Anne Hathaway destroyed herself in her portrayal of Fantine and broke my heart too while she was at it! From her gut wrenching "I Dreamed a Dream" to her death I sat and cried my eyes out! Hugh Jackman is utterly convincing and equally moving through out his portrayal of Jean Valjean. He again brought me to tears as he wound down and brought the movie to a close.

But my love of this movie had as much to do with its grand themes as it did with is visual appeal and 'star power'.
This story's greatest asset is its themes of redemption, love, and mercy.
Earlier this week I ran into this article posted on Desiring God. I won't attempt to recreate the adeptly illustrated points the author makes in showing the reader how great a gift mercy is and how undeserving of it each one of us is, but I would encourage you to go read it for yourself. In the past I have seen the Liam Nisson version of the story and was left wondering and wanting with its portrayal of the story. I never got what the point was because I was to caught up in following the intricacies of the plot. The thing I discovered I've always been missing from this tale was the mercy. From the very beginning of the (2012) film and Valjean's conversion to his selfless acts throughout, to his quiet fade into glory this story screams from the rooftops of the power of God's redeeming one man and that man's demonstration of life changing mercy to all he encounters. After all, who  better to show mercy than one who has received it and knows it power?

Some have objected to seeing this movie based on some of the stronger, adult themes portrayed in this movie. I can respect that and I understand that while those people will likely enjoy this movie as a whole that they have every right to sit at home (like I usually do) and wait for the ability to control what they view. Commitment to their principles are commendable.
However, I would like to ask what one expects to see in a movie called "The Miserables" and deals with the horrors of prostitution and the unthinkable repulsiveness of leaving one's child in the clutches of vulgar and crude people? Let's not look at this subject matter with rose colored glasses! If one is familiar with the story and with the musical score nothing portrayed in the film should shock you. It is all right there all along. In fact, while I like seeing those subjects portrayed as much as the next person, which is to say not much, I felt that they dealt with the hardest of them well. The one scene of a raucous and bawdy nature occurs in the "Master of the House" number, if one wishes not to see this type of behavior this number is best avoided.  All in all none of the difficult scenes are done or shown in a gratuitous manner, with perhaps the exception being one brief flash of a couple in the Thenardier's inn that was just unnecessary.

One thing I would like to bring up as a counterpoint to the above is what drives Fantine to prostitution in the first place. When we meet Fantine she holds a respectable job earning her own respectable money and is in fact known by those around her for her virtue. What happens to her next however makes me seethe! After bemoaning the advances and groping that all the women in the factory have to put up with from the overseer in order to keep their jobs those same 'moral' self-righteous hypocrites turn on Fantine and have her thrown out when they discover she has a child and is an abandoned woman. They indeed have no mercy for her or her situation- how difficult it must be for a young woman to support a child on her own! You can view a clip of this here. What benefit does this brand of 'morailty' have to anyone? I sat there and couldn't help but think of some church people I've known- "pick a little, peck a little, talk talk talk, pick a little more"! It isn't any wonder what people sometimes think of Christians...?

Aside from the two previously mentioned scenes I felt that nothing seen or portrayed in the film is anything different than you would expect to see in a PG13 rated film. There is swearing, there is death and blood, there is evil men but such is the nature of both the fallen man and the plainly stated rating.
And I dare say that there are just as many bosoms to be seen in Jane Austen film as this- so don't take me to task over the 'liberal' view I'm taking here.


So what's the bottom line here? Should you go and 'hear the people sing'?
First, this movie is not for children. At least not in the theater. If you're going to go see it leave the kiddies at home and go for yourself. At home, where you can control what is seen, for even younger teens this movie should be fine.
Second, if you are a fan of period dramas, musicals, the Les Mis story, or the actors involved go see this movie! Go enjoy it and ride the emotional roller coaster and feel the despair and the soring joy of hope!

...And if you're lucky, the folks in your theater will sing along as the credits roll too!   

Year in Review 2012

Tonight is the eve of Christmas Eve and as I sit here tonight in front of the glowing giant of a Christmas tree in my living room and sit and watch the old classic film The Bishop's Wife, and read the holiday greetings of friends I am very much thinking about what has happened this year in my life and began to wonder if I too shouldn't sit a while and write a few words about the comings and goings of my year.

I think I shall. But I want to be quite transparent in my confessions and not just relate the high points of my year but some of the lowest points too. I think it's only right that in sharing our good blessings we share God's blessings in trials too.

The year began for me quite difficultly with a severe flair up of my Arthritis that lasted for weeks on end. My regular check up in March confirmed that my disease continues to progress slowly and has reached the point of osteoarthritis in my bad ankle. This means that in that ankle joint it is no longer an inflammation problem but a mechanical, degeneration problem that nothing can be done about. After experiencing 8 weeks solid of pain that word from the doctor was actually quite a relief as my imagination can, and had, run quite wild!
But the story really doesn't end there. I seems that in shutting me down God had something to teach me too.
   

"And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

It's a difficult lesson to keep re-learning but I'm trying to keep up! 

February brought a cool event in business and a new member to the family!
First, mom and I baked ourselves into a frenzy getting ready for a Chocolate Festival event sponsored by the local Red Cross.  We took all our dummie wedding cakes and plenty of samples of real cake and cookies too!

Also in February, David got a birthday buddy when his daughter, Isabella Rose, was born! Isabella quickly became our greatest joy and caring for her this year has been incredibly fulfilling!

As I have spent this (almost) first year with Isabella I have been reminded of the joy that comes by living life thorough the eyes of a child. They see everything differently and everything is new. To Isabella family means joy, music means kicking and bouncing and occasionally putting her ear against your mouth so she can hear the vibrations of singing, blankets and naps mean snuggling and looking trustingly into your eyes as she drifts off, and just about everything- from the first time I held her, right up to today- means laughter! She is without a doubt a bundle of joy in it's purest form!


Spring held new challenges for me as I was contacted by a woman in another state informing me that she owned the national trademark for (a variant) of my bakery name and as I was infringing on her rights she demanded I stop using the name! I was shocked to say the least and when legal paperwork began arriving at my door I must admit I was rather terrified.
Over the weeks that followed I again had quite a lot of thinking, and growing to do. You see the struggle over what to do wasn't just a legal one or a personal one but a spiritual one. As a professing child of God everything I am, and everything I have, is His.
Everything including my business.
And what God was clearly telling me through a series of circumstances and His distinctive, clear, small voice was to give it up. Next year, hopefully will bring a time of new beginnings and new frontiers in cake baking!

I took the summer off and focused on other, happier things! Some of my favorites were:

The Highland Games

 

 

 

Turning out to support Chick Fil A

Attending the grand opening of The Creation Museum's Stellar Observatory that now houses the Johnsonian telescope!

 

 

 

 I also continued my love of photography with the purchase of a new camera (a Canon PowerShot SX40) that I absolutely adore!! With it I have gotten some of the best shots of my life!

One of the best things about my year has been continuing to work with Bright Lights! Though the group started just last October our one year anniversary saw us with 26 girls in our group! Working with this ministry has challenged me in many ways and forced me to creatively look at challenges to find the good, the character opportunities, and the lessons out of them. Ministering in this group I have also gotten the very awesome opportunity to teach when my friend and leader Dani is out of town! I love teaching and it has made me dig deep into the Word to be able to communicate to the girls biblical principles!

Teaching on the Seder and it's relation to Christ

As we came into the fall I spent time volunteering with American's for Prosperity doing phone banking calls- yes, I was one of those annoying political callers! But it was fun and I felt I needed to get out there and work for a positive outcome in the upcoming election.

 

Despite disappointment in that department we found much to be thankful for and had a wonderful, delicious Thanksgiving dinner!



 



Rounding out the year has been participation in church choir, Bible Study Fellowship, gardening in the summer trying to nurture my tomatoes and herbs, scrapbooking, visiting Gran, volunteering at the local chapter of the National Bible Bee, teaching AIG's Demolishing Strongholds series to a group of my Bright Lights girls, Dog sitting, and making new friends like the ladies at Daughters of Decision!

All in all it has been a very full year!
A very hard year.
A very blessed year.

A dear friend has challenged me this year. Every day she has posted to her Facebook three things from her day that she was grateful to God for. Easy right? I tried it myself for a month- and failed miserably! It is so difficult to take my focus off of me and my problems and to find gifts from God in my day.
But this year I am going to change that.
I am going to journal one thing every day that God has blessed me with and given me and that I can be thankful for.
I hear it's revolutionary.

The journal I created to keep my thankful things in!

So here I sit, and it's rather late now. The family has all gone to bed and Christmas Eve has 'officially' arrived! Tomorrow (today), we will be off to celebrate with my Gran, and will be attending the candlelight service at church. It's something I love, and look forward to every year. But tonight, tonight I sit and bask in the glow of the first real live tree that we've ever had and I look at the glittering ornaments and my eye falls to the base of the tree where our newest nativity set stands regally and I smile.

Christmas is coming.
Christ mass is here.

Christ is here in my home, in my life, in my heart.
That is a daily challenge to live up to, a daily blessing to embrace.

And this year, with His presence, has been amazing!

Foodie Friday: Iced Caramel Coffee

And we're back!

Long time no recipe huh? Well, this week I have a cool (haha) recipe that hopefully will hit the spot! I've never been one who liked- much less loved- coffee but when I was in Culinary I started drinking Strabucks Frapps as it was my sole means of caffination! ;) Since my Culinary days I've been an occasional coffee sipper and have grown to the point of enjoying a cup- hot or cold- under the right coffee-to-additions circumstances! I have also become totally converted to Dunkin Donuts coffee- a phenomena that does (believe it or not) predate my sister working there... 

Speaking of, now would be the time to let a bit of a cat out of the bag *ahem* - Unless you buy Dunkin coffee at Dunkin it's not real Dunkin. That's right that stuff in the orange bags on the grocery store shelves is not real Dunkin coffee- it's Folger's.

So- buy the good stuff and make your taste buds happy!

Without further ado...

Iced Caramel Coffee 

8 cups cold water

1/2 cup ground Dunkin Donuts original coffee

1 cup + 3 T. sugar

Ice

2 tsp. caramel sauce (I'm using Smuckers Plate Scrapers dessert sauce but you can use any ice cream topping sauce, etc.)

Cream, to taste (I've used about 1 T. per glass) 

Begin by setting up the coffee maker with the ground coffee in the brew basket and the water in the reservoir. Brew the coffee to your taste and your coffee makers instructions.

(For me I brew on the strong setting and then fill the reservoir with the brewed coffee and run it through again. This is just because the coffee maker in question is not mine and simply does not heat the water hot enough to produce a decent cup. By the time its gone through twice I'm in business! This step is of course not needed if you have a good coffee maker ;) )

While the coffee is brewing add the sugar to a sealable pitcher. I use Lock & Lock because it's awesome and airtight!  Once the coffee is brewed add it to the pitcher and stir to dissolve the sugar- this will only take a minute because the coffee should be piping hot! 

From here you have two choices- the wise thing to do would be to stash the hot coffee in the fridge and chill it down- but you may be impatient like me and be dying for your cafination- so let's charge ahead!!

Get yourself a nice glass (because a nice glass always makes a happier drink!) and fill it up all the way with ice cubes. I'm a firm believer the secret to a good iced coffee is getting it as cold as possible- and that means as much ice as possible! Add the caramel sauce on top. Now if you are not a caramel person and you want you can certainly change it up here and add your favorite flavored coffee syrup or a shot of chocolate syrup- go for it and make it your own! 

Add the coffee and then top it off with a bit of cream. (Right here it looks like a ton of cream but it just spread out a lot in the coffee!) Give it a stir and pop in a jaunty straw and you're ready to go!  Stash the rest of the cold coffee back in the fridge and use it for drinks throughout the week- it should keep about that long and make about another 6 drinks depending on how big a glass you use and how much ice you use!  

Eat Well!