I hope everyone had a great, relaxing Thanksgiving break with friends and family. Today’s post is completely random. It’s been forever since I’ve posted, but I have several bits and pieces that I wanted to share with you.
#1: SCARVES
I’m not a big accessory girl but I do love wearing scarves. I picked this new one up at Target this weekend because it was 40% off and how could I not?!?
It’s bigger than most of my other scarves but I love it. Plaid. Blue. Comfy. Yes.
Every year a group of friends and I do a fun, little gift exchange for Christmas. For the last couple of years, we have done a “Favorite Things” party. Everyone brings a small ($5) favorite for everyone in the group. After all the gifts are passed out, everyone leaves with a stash of everyone else’s favorite things.
But … this year, we’re breaking the mold and doing a scarf exchange. And since scarves are my current obsession, I can’t wait.
So, where is your favorite place for scarf shopping. I need some ideas!!
#2: SAUSAGE DIP
I bet you weren’t expecting that one from me, where you?!? The other night we were asked to bring an appetizer to a party. My favorite go-to app is this sausage dip – which is why I have sausage dip on the brain.
Here’s the recipe:
2 oz. pkgs. cream cheese, softened
1 can Rotel
1 pkg. sausage, cooked and drained
Directions:
Cook sausage, drain off grease. Melt cream cheese in microwave until creamy. Mix in cooked sausage and Rotel. Serve with Fritos or chips of choice. (Can be served hot or cold.)
If you’ve never tried it, you really should. It’s so very yummy and addictive. You’re welcome.
#3: BOOKS
I haven’t shared my book pile with you in awhile. The top three are read. The bottom three are next. Hopefully this will last me until Christmas.
Simply Tuesday: Small-Moment Living in a Fast-Moving World by Emily P. Freeman – I love Emily’s writing, so this book is like talking with a friend. In a world that thrives on living large and doing more, this book is all about embracing our small – one little day at a time.
Teach Us To Want: Longing, Ambition and the Life of Faith by Jen Pollock Michel – This book was a perfect companion as I struggled through my own journey of desire.
Fervent: A Woman’s Battle Plan for Serious, Specific, and Strategic Prayer by Priscilla Shirer – This book is the practical “How To” on the heels of the movie, War Room.
Found in Him by Elyse M. Fitzpatrick – I just started this one. But this book. It’s all about Jesus. So far it’s profound and beautiful and I’m so glad I’m reading it during this Advent season.
Out of Sorts: Making Peace with an Evolving Faith by Sarah Bessey
Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity by Nabeel Qureshi
#4: LOOKING BACK & PRAYING FORWARD
For the last couple of years, I’ve tried to be intentional about looking back at the year gone by before springing into the new year. Usually before the calendar turns, I’ll sit with a cup of coffee and trace God’s hand through my year. (If you’re interested, here are some reflection questions to get your mind rolling.)
I also like to end the year by praying forward. One little way I do that is by “choosing” a word for the upcoming year. The purpose is to find one word that you want to focus on and live out in the coming year.
I heard about this idea a couple of years ago, and I loved it. But instead of choosing my word, I wanted God to give me one. One simple thing that could ground and guide my year.
So I asked Him, and wait expectantly for Him to deposit it.
In 2014, (my first year to attempt the One Word Challenge) He gave me three – “Faith, focus and follow through”. They were the perfect trio of words to drive that year of studying and writing. (Apparently one word wouldn’t cut it for me that year.)
My word for 2015 has been “Make Room”. (Again, not one word, but we’re getting closer.) It’s been fun to see how God has made room in my heart and my life for things I wouldn’t have known to ask for this year. He’s still asking me to make more room – for Him and for others. I’m sure that I don’t know all the ways this word has/is playing out but I’m thankful that He knows me and knows my need.
Just in case you are wondering, when I say God “gave” me this word, I don’t hear a big, booming voice from heaven, declaring my word. It usually comes to me quietly. A little thought or word that pops in my head and won’t go away. If something starts to stick, I usually pray specifically about the word, asking for confirmation.
Remember – because we are sheep of the Good Shepherd, we can know His voice. Ask with confidence, trusting that God hears you and delights in answering.
#5: NEW THINGS
I have some fun, new things coming down the shoot in the next month or so.
One of those new things is something I’ve been chewing on and praying towards for over a year.
When I finally emerged from the hibernation of my writing season, I began to hear some common threads running through all the conversations around me. Women were hungry (and lacking) in authentic community, and they were hungry (and lacking) for ways to get into the Word in search for practical truth. When I brought this up over coffee with some friends, they were hearing (and experiencing) much of the same. So the three of us began praying about a way we could make room for these needs.
And so was the birth of The Breathing Room.
I’m not quite sure how December is already upon us but alas …
Here’s a challenge for us all:
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