friends
Blueberry Fellowship
From Two Ellie via Pinterest
I’ve been meaning to post about this incredible buttermilk-blueberry breakfast cake I recently made because it was just that AMAZING {or at least I thought so} and because I made it for something really special. I have this incredible group of women in my life. They are the kind of friends that you know will do anything for you and you will do anything for them. They love Jesus and want to serve and love Him in radical ways and compel me to grow in Him and to become more like Him. At the end of 2011 we decided we should start to meet monthly in the new year. We all need that break from our lives when we can get around the table and just be.
It’s a safe place.
A loving place.
A caring place.
And a prayerful place.
We talk about what God is teaching us, how He is challenging us, our roles in life, our jobs, our marriages, our ministries, our kids, our dreams and everything in between. It’s not a gossip circle, it’s not a time to complain, it’s not a time to whine. It’s a time where we are real, honest and raw about the joys and struggles in this life. It’s a time of encouragement.
Hebrews 10:24-25 says:
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
This group of ladies and this fellowship we’ve started is something I wanted for years and sought God for for quite some time. Our friendships didn’t all form over night. And we all certainly didn’t come to know each other well in an instant. In fact, one of these ladies I’ve known for 14 years and another I’ve known for three. But in His perfect timing He organically grew all these friendships and intertwined them to bring us to this place. As women it is so often a deep desire in our hearts to connect and feel like we belong. But it isn’t something that happens overnight. Seek Him if this is a desire of your heart. And trust Him. Over time He will bring you into fellowship with other women whom you can pour into and who can pour into you. Don’t force it. Let Him do it. I just know He will :-)
I wanted to make something special for these ladies and had found this recipe on Pinterest {you can follow me there by clicking on the radio button on the right} and thought what a perfect occasion! Make it for yourself and share it with some friends, I’m fairly certain all of you will love it :-)
Processing Through Grief
Today is a hard day. And I feel trite even saying it as I know many were much closer to Christen, including her husband and two beautiful children. I was just beginning to get to know this beautiful woman and her family. We’ve been going to the same church for years and about once a month would say to each other “we really need to get coffee some time.” We never did share in that experience.
A few months ago I reached out to her to see if she might want to go for walks with me once a week. Being pregnant my runs needed to cease and since we live a stone’s throw from one another I thought why not see if she would be interested. Two walking at night in the city was surely safer than one.
I must confess: I had an ulterior motive. I wanted to learn from her. Over the many years of attending the same church I watched this beautiful woman walk with grace and dignity through this tough life. She loved and respected her husband in ways that I imagine God intended us wives to love our husbands. But it was the way she walked with God and mothered her children that pierced my heart and grew a desire in me to get to know her.
I knew, just like any other mother of young ones, that it wasn’t always easy. But I also saw this woman reach into the depths of her Abba Father and allow Him to cover her in His grace. Joy radiated from her face, no matter what she was going through. No matter what her children may have been up to. No matter what obstacles they may have faced. And this I observed from the peripheral.
I wanted to spend time walking with her and getting to know her. I wanted to learn how to be a good wife and mother from her. I wanted. I wanted.
The door opened for me to serve her a few weeks ago. I wanted to serve her. I wanted to support her. I wanted to know her. As the migraines, vertigo and hearing loss seemed to worsen I offered to bring dinner over one evening. I even offered to help with anything she needed, including cleaning {which is incredible because Lord knows I’ll even go to the dentist to avoid cleaning my house—unless people are coming over of course}. When I got there the Ringle home was spotless. I pleaded to Joe, “I told her I would clean and do whatever she needs.” He laughed and said, “And she wanted to take you up on it, but she just couldn’t let someone into a messy house.” I thought: I know exactly how she feels.
That evening I shared a meal with her and her family. I will treasure that time for the rest of my life. We talked about marriage, the baby on the way, raising godly kids and what we hoped for in the future. We talked about the potential small group Bible study we wanted to do together and the benefit of living so close to one another. I said goodnight to them and wished them a Merry Christmas.
She wasn’t able to attend service on New Year’s Day and her husband was in the worship band so he asked if Mr. Z and I wouldn’t mind picking up their kids and taking them to church. We secured Hudson and Audrey’s care seats in the back of our small SUV and drove these precious little ones to church. When service was over we gathered them up and brought them home to their mama and their grandma. We didn’t dare venture upstairs to see her, we didn’t want to impose on her when she wasn’t feeling well and we had a lunch to attend that afternoon as well. Grandma met us downstairs and walked Audrey upstairs while my husband carried little Hudson. He helped them into the apartment and we were off. I had to briefly run back in and from the top of the stairs she thanked us. On New Year’s Day I heard her voice for the last time.
We never were able to enjoy those walks together. By the time she and I agreed on day, it was too late. Her health had gotten to a point where she was physically able but the migraine pain and the vertigo made it too difficult.
Today I wrestle through why God would take this dear one while so young and with so much more to give. I wrestle with how a man and children make it through a life without one that they thought they would always have. I wrestle with having missed out on knowing her more deeply.
The Bible says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called to His purpose.” {Romans 8:28} I KNOW this is TRUTH. And I KNOW God will receive glory in this. But I would be lying if I said I’m completely reconciled to this right now. As I work through it with friends that are also grieving, but most importantly with my God, I am questioning, but trusting Him in that questioning.
Christen is rejoicing with the Angels and has been spared the hurt, pain and fallings of this earth to enter eternity earlier than what we think is “her time.” But His timing in all things is perfect. Some things of God really are a mystery. But even in that, I truly do not believe there is any other option than trusting the One who knit us all in our mothers’ wombs and who created this earth and sovereignly rules over it all.
We all need you Lord, now and always.
Read MoreWeekend blessings
Over the last few months I have been acutely aware of the many blessings that surround us. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t thank God for the way He has orchestrated our lives. It is a season of joy, and not just because it is Christmas. I know life will not always be like this so I’m doing my best to appreciate every moment. Here are some snapshots of another blessed weekend.
The ingredients for the best brownies ever! I made these for the second time ever to take to our friends’ house Friday evening {and yes ice cream goes in the brownie batter!}. We had such a wonderful time catching-up and enjoying each other’s company.
One of my most favorite friends, pretty much a sister separated at birth, took me out to lunch and for manicures for my birthday. It was such a blessing to get to spend a good chunk of time together and boy did I feel spoiled!
I actually stepped our of my comfort zone for once and painted my nails red in an effort to be somewhat festive :-)
Had to share a picture of some of the Christmas cards we’ve gotten. I just love getting these!
Unfortunately I wasn’t feeling well on Sunday so Mr. Z went to church without me. He proceeded to do all the grocery shopping for the week as well :-) Truly grateful for this man! Later in the afternoon I felt well enough to go for a walk, feeling like I needed to get some fresh air. So Mr. Z and I bundled up and headed out. The Chicago lake front is so beautiful no matter the time of year.
Read MoreFriends
I never read forwards. In fact, when one comes in my inbox more often than not I delete it before even considering if it’s worthy of reading. I didn’t like chain letters when I was a kid and I think that’s translated into a bit of a hatred toward the electronic version. But today I received one from a friend that I actually opened and read. I opened it because the friend who sent it is pretty much like me when it comes to forwards I think ;-) Therefore I felt like I could “trust” it. Well, turns out it was a good one, good enough that I was compelled to share it in this little space. Maybe you should send it to a group of your friends today? Dear friends who visit this space, please know this is my heart towards you as well :-)
Why do I have a variety of friends who are all so different in character?
How can I get along with them all? I think that each one helps to bring out a “different” part of me.
With one of them I am polite.
I joke with another friend.
I sit down and talk about serious matters with one.
With another I laugh a lot. I may have a drink with one.
I listen to one friend’s problems.
Then I listen to another one’s advice for me.
My friends are all like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. When completed, they form a treasure box. A treasure of friends! They are my friends who understand me better than myself, who support me through good days and bad days. We all pray together and for each other.
Real Age doctors tell us that friends are good for our health. Dr. Oz calls them Vitamins F (for Friends) and counts the benefits of friends as essential to our well being. Research shows that people in strong social circles have less risk of depression and terminal strokes.
If you enjoy Vitamins F constantly you can be up to 30 years younger than your real age. The warmth of friendship stops stress and even in your most intense moments it decreases the chance of a cardiac arrest or stroke by 50%.
I’m so happy that I have a stock of Vitamins F!
In summary, we should value our friends and keep in touch with them. We should try to see the funny side of things and laugh together, and pray for each other in the tough moments.
Thank you for being one of my Vitamins!
Proverbs 27:17 – As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
Read MoreWeekend fun
It was a BUSY weekend hence the late post. I thought I would recap in pictures because well, I got the new iPhone 4s and I’m obsessed. And I wish I was kidding. It might not be healthy to love a piece of technology like I love this phone. My favorite thing about is the camera as well as that little app called Instagram. LOVE IT. You’ll most likely see tons of Instagram photos in this space now as I just can’t help myself with all the different filters and borders and such. I said I was obsessed… But I’m not writing an entire post about the phone and Instagram. So without further random ramblings, here’s the weekend in photos :-)
I think I secretly buy bananas knowing I will not eat them but I sure as heck will bake them. Saturday morning started off in the kitchen making three loaves—one for us and two for friends. Mr. Z is home studying most of this week which means Mrs. Z probably enjoyed her last bite of this heavenly baked good last night… sigh.
We had dinner with some wonderful friends Saturday night and I was tasked with bringing the dessert. I toyed with the idea of writing a blog post called imposter because frankly, that’s what I am in the kitchen. I’m not a fancy baker or cook, but I am a master at finding recipes that make people think I am. Seriously, doesn’t that Blueberry-Peach Galettes look tasty? {Don’t ask me what Galette means, I have no idea.} Read the recipe online and you’ll see just how easy it is. I told you, I’m an imposter.
On Sunday my old roommate and bff and I watched my other old roommate and bff’s baby twin boys {yep, 31 and still using the term bff, you might want to pray for our unborn child and the embarrassment he/she will ensue from me being his/her mother}. I knew I loved Baby Wise. After spending a couple years in the nursery at church you can tell a Baby Wise baby from a non-Baby Wise baby in a split second {that’s not to say it works for all kids nor that all kids need, I’ve just seen drastic differences in a lot of them}. Well these twins are Baby Wise and are they wonderful!
And finally we received our very first baby item :-) My bff with the twins has loaned us this lovely bassinet which I hear has seen many babies before—I think two families had it before she did! It is such a blessing to not have to buy things that I know we’ll only need for a couple months. Mr. Z stared at it for a short time before we moved it into the future nursery. I think we were both trying to visualize having a baby in there, not sure if we were successful.
It was a busy, busy weekend but definitely the good busy—filled with good food and great friends. What did you do over the weekend?
Read MoreGood times
via things about love on pinterest
Not often, but sometimes there are weekends that are so fulfilling they simply make going back to work on Monday a little easier.
Friday was spent at my favorite little neighborhood eatery where we talked about our future and some immediate decisions. We may have also bought some of these vintage types. What we will do with them I have no idea, but for the steal we got them for Mr. Z was a happy camper. One day I dream he’ll have his very own “man room” {a.k.a. his own office with a flat screen and comfy couches and a pool table} like my dad has, perhaps we can save them until then? I suggested I make a garland out of them. He didn’t like that idea.
Saturday morning was a tasty breakfast at another favorite spot in this windy city we call home. We met a friend who was in town from Dubai, a friend I gained through marriage. Every time we hang out with him and say goodbye I tell Mr. Z how much I wish he still lived here. Such a blessing to know such wonderful people.
The afternoon was spent doing three loads of laundry, making banana bread for fun and spinach artichoke dip for the evening’s activities. We left the house a little before 5 p.m. and headed to the suburbs. We were both looking forward to the evening but had no idea just how much fun we would have. There is something so sweet about an evening with new and old friends, full of laughter and good food.
For church the next day we decided to surprise some friends who recently, in the last five months, have come on board at a church as the pastors. It was such a blast to surprise them. The looks on their faces when they saw us were priceless and the happiness in our hearts was too.
We ended the afternoon with our small group, sans one member and ended the afternoon with much to think about and consider in light of whom our God is and how to live this life honoring Him.
And after baking a dozen or so chocolate chip cookies Mr. Z and I began planning our little staycation to celebrate our one-year anniversary in a little less than a month! Looks like there might be a spa involved :-)
I lay my head down tonight grateful for the relationships God has blessed us with, the roof over our heads, His presence in our lives and the means to celebrate milestones in fun ways. Going to bed tonight with a heart full of thanksgiving.
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