Prayer is the portal . . .

I am reading FerVent: A Woman's Battle Plan for Serious, Specific, and Strategic Prayer. 

Here's a link to the book on Amazon.com

I have been using my "method" of reading that I outlined in my previous post and have listened to/read the first three chapters about five times each. There are MANY great quotes, but this is the one that has gripped my soul for the past week. 

"Prayer is the portal that brings the power of Heaven down to earth.” 

Do I truly believe this?

Does my life bear this out? 

Do I PRAY like this is a fact?

Lord, restore my passion for YOU. Renew my love for you. Revive me!

For the Love of Reading . . .

I have always enjoyed reading. As a child and then later as a teenager, I could be found devouring most any work of Christian fiction. I spent hours reading my fair share of the Sugar Creek Gang series, and the Love Comes series by one of my teenage favorite authors Jeanette Oke. There's something to be said for allowing your mind to explore new places and ideas held within the covers of a good book. 

As I grew older, the desire to read didn't fade, but the time I had to read did. I would see a book with a cover that intrigued me, purchase the book, take it home, open the cover and smell the pages (don't tell me that you don't do that . . .), read the first chapter or maybe two, and then fall asleep! The book would sit on my nightstand, be dusted every week, and then eventually be put back on the shelf with the other books that had the same fate. So here I was, a shelf of very attractive covers, collecting dust.

A few months ago, something "clicked" inside my brain. I think it was reading this article from blogger Tim Challies that helped the proverbial lightbulb come on over my head. Why did I have to limit myself to just reading? Spring boarding from the tips in the article, I began to look into using audiobooks. I use the audiobooks in a couple of different ways. 

1. Simply listen. In the car, at the gym, at the park, getting ready for work. . . wherever you have a few minutes, listen.
2. Listen (x10). I like to take a section of the book (a few chapters at a time) and listen to it several times. It seems that when I do this, I hear something new every single time. 
3. Listen (faster). I listen to the audiobook on 1.5 speed. 
4. Listen and read. This is the method I enjoy the most. I try to get a copy of the book, and then follow along with the reader. I read with a highlighter in hand and notebook nearby. I write in the margins, put favorite quotes on sticky notes. 

If you would like to try to Audible, click here. First-time customers will get a free audiobook. If you'd like to try this method, it will give you an opportunity to try it for free (especially if you already own the hard copy of the book).

Since April (when I read the article), I have finished 5 books. Now, to some of you, five books is not much. But for this girl who was falling asleep reading magazine articles, five books is quite the giant leap.

Am I going to win an "I Read the Most Books this Year" contest? No. 

Am I getting back to reading? Yes. 

Am I growing as a Christ-follower? Yes.

This method is a win in my book!

Precious Memories

I remember hearing a recording of my Papaw's voice about a year ago. I was immediately moved to tears. I hadn't heard it since 1985 when he graduated to Heaven. I had honestly forgotten what it sounded like, but as soon as I heard it, I knew it was him.

I want to me more intentional about this for Allison and Reilly, both with our parents, but with us too. There will NEVER be a time when my makeup is "right" or when the camera doesn't add 5 (or 12) extra pounds. The kids won't care about any of that!

So my challenge today is this. Go make some memories and some recordings for your kids (and those who come after). It will not be wasted time.

http://www.sarahjessicafarber.com/dear-parent-friends/

Gods Word

His Word 

#magified #above #praise #lovingkindness #truth

Living Loved

Today, I began a six-week Online Bible Study from Proverbs 31 Ministries. We are studying Lysa Terkeurst's new book entitled Uninvited. The study started Monday, so I had some catching up to do.

The subtitle of the book is really what drew me in  . . . living loved when you feel less than, left out, and lonely. Honestly, who hasn't experienced at least one of those (if not all), at some point in their lives?

In the midst of the busyness of everyday life - family, church, school work - LIFE . . . we are sometimes drawn away from the true source of identity and strength we have as Christ-followers, our relationship with HIM.

It's so easy to do.

Instead of going to HIM first thing in the morning, we reach for our devices.
Instead of talking to HIM when we have worries, we go to our friends, family, or heaven-forbid, Facebook.
Instead of looking to HIM for the energy that we need, we look to ourselves (or chocolate).

This week (or for me, today) we are working through the first three chapters of the book. I have a feeling I am in for an old-fashioned personal revival of sorts,  examining the very deepest crevices of my soul (where He already sees anyway) and being honest with Him (and in turn, myself) about what I see.

I took a few moments and made pretty cards for the verses this week. You can access them by clicking here. 

You can find information on the Bible Study Guide/DVD here or here.

You can find the OBS Blog here.

I have heard this verse TWICE today, from two different speakers. I think the Lord is trying to get me to pay attention to it! 

When we are discouraged, when we are lonely, when we are down, when we desperately need *something* . . . the Bible tells us to encourage others! Refresh someone today! It will encourage them and be a blessing to YOU!

YumVs Probiotic (with probiotic fiber) Review

Received my first @Influenster box in the mail yesterday. Lots of goodies inside including YumVs Probiotic (with probiotic fiber). The flavor is good. Very similar to a white chocolate, but a little chalkier than I like. Still, if my kids were small, and they needed additional fiber, this would be a definite contender.  #YumVs #contest

I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Not your Momma's Turkey and Dressing

Trader Joe's, you have put your culinary hooks in me again...Turkey and Stuffing Seasoned Kettle chips, my new favorite reason to drive across town! The cashier told me I'd be back. I should have bought two bags!  #traderjoes #turkeyandstuffingchips #justintimeforthanksgiving

Super Simple Pound Cake

One of the things I love so much about pound cake is that crispy, crunchy "crust" that forms. One of our favorite ways to eat Pound Cake is with freshly sliced strawberries and whipped cream. . . .a favorite summer treat!

Super Simple Pound Cake

Ingredients

• 6 eggs, at room temperature
• 1 cup butter, at room temperature
• 3 cups sugar
• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

1. Grease and bundt pan.
2. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until smooth. 
3. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating for one minute after each addition.
4. Sift the flour. Add it to the creamed mixture with the whipping cream. 
5. Mix until fully incorporated.
6. Stir in vanilla.
7. Pour into prepared pan and place in a cold oven. 
8. Turn the oven to 300 and bake for 80-90 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely before removing from the pan.

Beef & Broccoli

Our daughter Allison loves to cook and this is one of her "new" favorite recipes. Simple to prepare, great with a little marinating. Spectacular with overnight marinating. We serve with steamed white or brown rice, or with riced cauliflower.

If you enjoy dinner with an Asian flair, this is a good one. 

Another note, don't look at the list of ingredients and pass on this one. 

I promise you will be glad you did it! :)

This is actually what Allison cooked, not a stock photo. Looks good right? 

Beef & Broccoli

INGREDIENTS

• 2/3 cup reduced sodium soy sauce 
• 1/2 cup chicken stock 
• 1/4 cup honey 
• 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed 
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil (we use vegetable oil)
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch 
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce, to taste (optional, but good when included)
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger 
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, we have never included these)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil 
• 1 pound flank steak, thinly sliced across the grain 
• 1 head broccoli, cut into florets (Allison uses steamed broccoli, rather than fresh.)

INSTRUCTIONS
In a medium bowl, combine soy sauce, stock, honey, vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, oil, cornstarch, hot sauce, ginger, red pepper flakes and 1/4 cup water; set aside. (If you are marinating the steak before serving, add steak and this marinade in a zip top bag or sealable container and store in the fridge.) 

If you can't wait for the steak to marinate, proceed.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add steak and cook, flipping once, until browned, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in broccoli and soy sauce mixture until tender and slightly thickened, about 3-4 minutes.

Serve immediately.

What Five Minutes Can Do. . .

If you are interested in signing up to test drive a brand new Ford vehicle in our Drive 4 UR School Promotion, that is scheduled for Saturday, October 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. click on the link below.

We will have a drawing for lots of great prizes for everyone who takes a test drive, including two tickets to the ECU/NC State game in November, a car detailing from Deacon Jones Ford, and many more.

Every person who drives will earn our school $20, up to a grand total of $6,000! Please take just a few minutes to come out and support Faith Christian Academy by signing up below.

Please click here: http://vols.pt/HVnaax to sign up for FCA's Drive 4 UR School on @VolunteerSpot today!

Many thanks to Scott and the wonderful crew over at Deacon Jones Auto Group for making this possible!