Beautiful Things

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end."

Ecclesiastes 3:11

Texas on my Mind

"I woke up this morning with Texas on my mind..."

-Pat Green, Texas on My Mind

A and I just spent a wonderful long weekend deep in the heart of Texas! We were so blessed by my sweet in-laws who gave us their lake house for the whole weekend! Here are some of the highlights!

Lake Life

Boat Life

Texas Flowers

Perissos Vineyard

"So we were southbound 35, we were headed down the road, hit the border by the morning, let Texas fill my soul, yeah let Texas fill my soul."

-Pat Green, Southbound 35

Breathe

Photo by Savannah Martiniere

This weekend I was blessed to celebrate the most important part of me, and the very core of my faith, the resurrection of my savior Jesus Christ. It is through His death and resurrection that I am free. 

On Easter day I was reminded to...

slow down...and remember the one who gave his life so that I may live.

take a deep breath...and rest in the promise that "the Holy Spirit will guide us unto all truth." John 16:12

re-focus...and realize that "for to this I have been called, because Christ suffered for me, he left me an example, so that I might follow in his steps."1 Peter 2:21 

We ended worship yesterday with this song that I love by Hillsong:

"I'll stand, with arms high and heart abandoned, in awe of the one who gave it all. I'll stand, my soul Lord to you surrendered, all I am is Yours." 

  

I Heart Bears

I want to take a moment to give a shout out to my Baylor Bears! They have really rocked it out this year! Winning the Alamo Bowl, RGIII winning the Heisman, men's basketball making it to the Big 12 championship game and the Elite Eight and then the lady bears take it all by winning the national championship and the first team in NCAA basketball history to be 40 and 0! Baylor has such a special place in my heart for so many reasons. Growing up my family never missed a homecoming game! Throughout my time at Baylor I met some of my closest and life long friends and of course I met my very best friend, my hubby, there! Too many wonderful memories to blog about but I will say that I have been proud to be a Baylor Bear...

 As far back as I can remember...literally.   

While I was there for 4 years of undergrad and 1 year of grad school...

And still today...

Sic'em!

Forever New

Spring has officially arrived in Kansas City! I survived yet another KC winter and now here comes the sun! So far, spring has brought beautiful weather, pink trees, more daylight and newness. This year, the coming of spring has reminded me that "...as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life." Romans 6:4

There seems to be a difference between something that is new and the ongoing quality of newness. Things that are new will at some point become old...but to actually walk in newness of life comes as a challenge to me to daily seek to turn away from my selfishness and inclination to try to find fulfillment in worldly things and instead daily seek renewal and satisfaction in Christ alone. 

Lord, help me to daily walk in the newness of life because I can't do it on my own.

"...Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"

2 Corinthians 5:17

Signs of Spring in KC...

cherry blossom tree at loose park

beautiful tulip display in front of my office building

getting flowers from Sun Fresh Grocery on a sunny Saturday

Through Him, we are forever new.

In Spirit and in Truth

"...and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth."

John 4:24

Energy Bites

If you know me, you know that my cooking/baking skills are about at the level of a 5 year old so it's kind of funny that I am posting a recipe but this one is legitimately easy! There is actually no baking or cooking involved! I have been fooled by many recipes that say "This is easy! Anyone can do it!" And then somehow I can't do it so clearly I am not in the "anyone" category. BUT these energy bites are actually really easy to make, semi healthy, and yummy! Well...at least A told me he thought they were yummy but he could have just said that to make me feel good. He also calls me "Chef-Boy-R-Jenny" from time to time to make me feel good too so you can just make them and judge their yumminess for your self!Here it is!

Energy Bites

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup (dry) old fashioned oatmeal
• 1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup almond butter
• 1/2 cup ground flaxseed
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Method: Stir all ingredients together in a medium bowl until thoroughly mixed. Let chill in the freezer for about 20 minutes. Once chilled, roll into balls of whatever size you would like. Store in a container and keep refrigerated! Makes about 20 bites!

Enjoy the energy!