A Thanksgiving Like No Other

by | Faith | 5 comments

Piper was just informed that turkey is not an option this year…

although you wouldn’t know it by the way she sleeps!

Fresh gratitude rises
recalling Thanksgivings past,
memories of what once was
and those that have yet to pass.

Happy Thanksgiving!

It’s More Than a Christmas Card

by | Faith | 2 comments


I know, I know—we’ve not yet celebrated Thanksgiving and I’m already sharing Christmas ideas, but I prefer to think of CC Owen’s recent post, The Christmas Card Party, as a year-round opportunity to build relationships.

Here’s how it works: Before the holiday rush begins, ladies gather to address their Christmas cards and share a potluck meal. (Think Amish work frolic. We get a task accomplished and enjoy fellowship with friends at the same time.) Each person brings her holiday cards, pens, address list… (Read full post here).

Is it jingling bells, online sales, or Bing belting it out in the background that seems to soften hearts at Christmastime? I can’t say for sure, but statistics prove that people are more open to the Gospel of Jesus Christ now than at any other time of the year. What better reason to set aside one night to build relationships that may one day become a bridge to eternity?

Is there a particular way you build relationships/community during the Christmas season? I’d love to hear them! I plan to share a few of my own in the coming weeks.

My Friday Fave

by | Faith | 3 comments


Searching for scrumptious recipes with a healthy twist? Search no further! I happened upon this site and I’m oh-so-glad I did.

While I’m not looking for skinny, I am looking for healthy recipes that don’t…well, taste healthy. The bonus? Skinnytaste.com also lists Weight Watchers points if you’re interested.

One of my many favorites:

Pumpkin Cupcakes (no frosting) Skinnytaste.com Servings: 24 • Serving Size: 1 cupcake • Old Points: 2 pts • Points+: 2 pts Calories: 84.2 • Fat: 0.8 g • Protein: 0.6 g • Carb: 18.5 g • Fiber: 0.3 g • Sugar: 9.9 g Sodium: 140.9 mg

 Pumpkin Cupcakes with Frosting Servings: 24 • Serving Size: 1 cupcake • Old Points: 3 pts • Points+: 3 pts Calories: 121.1 • Fat: 2.8 g • Protein: 1.4 g • Carb: 23.2 g • Fiber: 0.5 g • Sugar: 13.9 g Sodium: 142.3 mg Ingredients:

  • 18.25 oz Betty Crocker Golden Vanilla Super Moist Cake Mix*
  • 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 cup canned 100% pure pumpkin
  • 1 cup water

For the Pumpkin Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 8 oz Philadelphia 1/3 fat cream cheese (do not use fat free)
  • 1/2 cup pureed pumpkin (canned is fine)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 5 tbsp packed brown sugar

Directions: Preheat oven to 350°. Line a cupcake tin with cupcake wrappers. Combine cake mix and pumpkin spice in a large bowl. Add pumpkin puree and water, mix about 2 minutes.


Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full and bake about 20 – 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

For the frosting, combine the cream cheese, pumpkin, vanilla, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice and brown sugar until smooth. You can use a spatula to ice the cupcakes or pipe them which may require making more frosting.

Makes 24. *Betty Crocker has reduced their cake mixes, so read the labels on your box. Duncan Hines still carries 18.25 oz boxes.

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Community Matters

by | Faith | 2 comments

com·mu·ni·ty: a group of people having common interests.

God designed us for community. Introverts, such as myself, sometimes struggle to spill over into other people’s lives, but my appreciation for community has been on the rise in recent weeks. What better time to show a little thankfulness?

Let’s get started…

  • Family – the first community, designed by God. As you can see from the picture above, baby Piper had many family members awaiting her arrival Monday night. Every “first” in the Word is significant. Family matters to God and should never be taken for granted.
  • Church – friendships birthed within God’s family are not perfect but the One in whom we share is, resulting in friendships that propel past church walls, denominations, or anything this world has to throw at them.
  • Community Bible Study group – last week, I received an email from a woman who attended the 2011 Winter Session. She shared how she and a few of her closest friends (two of which also attended the bible study) took a trip to the beach in March. It was a sweet time of fellowship as they shared with one another how the Lord had used the study to touch their lives. The woman said it was a weekend she would never forget. You see, one of the friends in attendance for both the study and the sistership weekend passed away unexpectantly in the Fall. She is now experiencing firsthand all God taught us during our time together. Truth anchors true community. (I hope to lead another community study in Jan/Feb 2012 – stay tuned!)
  • 4 Corners – my writer’s small group consisting of four women who care more about the “being” than the “doing”.
  • Upstate Fellowship of Writers (soon to be Word Weavers) – my large community of writers where victories, set backs, and honest critiques (ouch!) are all shared under the umbrella of trust.
  • Light Brigade – my online writing community—encouragement stretching across the States into 26 different homes. For some, this is the only writing camaraderie they share. Talk to them about the importance of community.

What groups of people are you especially thankful for today?

“Be united with other Christians. A wall with loose bricks is not good. The bricks must be cemented together.” – Corrie ten Boom

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