Life is sweet, but heaven will be sweeter

*** Alert ***** I have actually included photos in this post. Could it be that I'm going to figure this thing out after all???

On to my thought for the day ...

There are many benefits to getting older. For example, I've finally discovered that I look better in warm colors: cream, brown, olive green, etc. Seems I was incorrectly "color draped" in the 80s and wondered why I was never completely satisfied with clothing purchases. (I thank my friend Shari Braendel for lovingly showing me my true colors ... not to be confused with the Cyndi Lauper song of the 80s)

Also, the negative opinions of others don't throw me into a tizzy any more. While I wouldn't have ever called myself a people pleaser, I could chew on a negative comment for weeks, allowing it to cause all kinds of internal conversations and turmoil.

I've also accepted some truths about myself, and that's really good. I can stop trying to be what I was never created to be - and that's a relief. I like to say, "The more I'm me, the better I am at it."

There's one other blessing of getting older, and it's that heaven looks more and more appealing than it did when I was younger. Don't read this wrong - I'm not ready to go today. I love my life and love serving God here. It's just that I don't dread the thought of leaving this earth like I once did.

One of the reasons for this shift in my thinking is coming into closer contact with the depravity of this world. Recently, I've walked down some paths with friends who have been horribly mistreated, abused and degraded. And their children have too. It's painful wrong.

As I get older, I also realize our bodies weren't meant to live forever. Disease afflicts us, just as it did my sweet sister Helen Ann. Just last week she had breast cancer surgery, and I got to spend a few days with her this week. (She lives in another state) We rejoiced to hear that the cancer hadn't spread, but she is left with a radical scar as she took an aggressive stance against this intruder. And she'll keep fighting with chemo starting in March.

So as I spend time at home today, I'm reminded of the sweetness of heaven.

And yet, God has not left us on this planet to suffer. He has nestled all kinds of sweetness into the world to show us His love. The most important evidence of His love is that He lavishly offers Himself. He offers us extravagant grace, kindness and comfort. What a gift.

On this Friday afternoon, I'm focusing on some of God's other gifts to me, and have taken some photos of sweet things on this earth that make me smile.

My daughter Cathrine is the only one who let me take a photo of her. She loves to watch tv on Friday afternoon, since we keep it off during the week. We have to pry the remote from her hands. My children make me smile.

I love red transferware. I've only recently started collecting it, and it's so lovely to create a vignette using pretty things.

I adore pink roses ... well actually all colors of roses. This is my favorite of all my roses. Its fragrance is pure and it holds its petals the longest.

This is our dog, Kona. She's a Siberian Husky, and has all the quirks of the breed - she yodels instead of barks, talks back, doesn't come when we call, is the worst watchdog in the world, runs instead of walks, and we are hopelessly in love with her.

There is so much more that makes me smile. My husband is one of them, but he refuses to have his photo taken. He's out running right now. I'm so proud that my 48 year old husband runs marathons and has done a half-triathlon. He'd love to qualify for the Ironman in Hawaii some day.

That's what's making me smile today. If you post some photos on your blog about what makes you smile, please let me know so I can come visit you.

Now I'm off to the post office.

In His Love,

Glynnis

Give Away Carnival

Today, in celebration of Mardi Gras, my Proverbs 31 sisters and I are participating in a carnival of celebration. Most everyone is giving away gifts, and so am I. If you keep reading you see links to my friends' site and a list of their giveaways. Please take the time to stop by, say hello and enter into the fun.

Speaking of fun and Mardi Gras, recently I was speaking in Walker, Louisiana. What fun I had! I fell in love with the ladies of Judson Baptist Church, and all their sisters from surrounding churches who set aside a Friday night and Saturday morning to hear from God.

I truly believe that each woman who attended was called by God to be there. It was no accident. And God had something special planned for each woman. But I've walked with God long enough to know that it's often what you would least expect.

I know that some women will be touched by God during worship, prayer time, the teaching, the door prizes, the fellowship or the meals. Yes - I believe God called some of those women there so they could feel His love through act of someone preparing the meals for them.

And what meals they were. I usually don't eat before I speak, but that Friday night dinner was magnificent thanks to Miss Ruby and her team. I even had seconds. Those ladies must have spent all day cooking - especially the King Cakes in honor of Mardi Gras. (Miss Ruby gave me her recipe and I left feeling like I was smuggling out a family treasure.)

Then when I didn't think anything could top the dinner, those precious sisters in Christ served a full breakfast the next morning. And I ate everything ... before I spoke. Don't even get me started on the gumbo for lunch. Then Miss Edith took me out for an oyster po boy. Lord, have mercy. I gained four pounds in two days. Really. I weighed myself before and after the trip. But it was worth it.

Everyone felt loved, appreciated, honored and delighted.

I tell you all this to highlight food as a cornerstone of celebration. There is so much love that goes into making food for someone else. Today I'd like to leave you with that thought, and this one: Consider how you can bless someone by making food. Here are some suggestions:

Make homemade jam.

Bake banana bread, with nuts or chocolate chips.

Make a pot of homemade spagetti sauce and deliver with pasta and a salad.

Homemade granola

Chocolate dipped pretzels or strawberries

Host a potluck and game night (then everyone gets to make something)

In celebration of food and gatherings, I'm giving away a beautiful French Country Wire Silverware basket you can set out on the counter for a buffet, plus a copy of my book "work @ home." My husband and I run a home-based business (http://www.roselanecottage.com/) and the silverware basket is one of the items we sell. We also have beautiful new office products if you have the time to look around. Go to "Cottage Office."

To win, simply post a comment on my blog, making sure I have a way to contact you. I'll select a winner at random by the end of the week. I'd love to hear if you make something special for your friends or family. I always am looking for new ideas.

Now on to the carnival. Please make sure you stop by my friends' blogs. Here are some of them and what you can win on their sites.

Wendy Blight http://www.wendyblight.com/ Wendy is giving away a copy of the “One Year Chronological Bible” and her book “Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God's Story.”

Shari Braendel http://www.sharibraendel.blogspot.com/ Shari is giving away three beautiful jewelry pieces to begin a spring wardrobe with! One for a Glamour Girl, one for a Movie Star and one for a Rock Star!

Micca Campbell http://www.miccacampbell.com/ Micca is giving away her book, “An Untroubled Heart,” and a cute clutch purse for those fun summer evenings!

Whitney Capps http://www.whitneycapps.blogspot.com/ Whitney is giving away a $30 Francesca's Gift card, redeemable at http://www.francescascollections.com/

Melanie Chitwood www.melaniechitwood.com/ Melanie is giving away one marriage conference call and her new book “What a Wife Needs from Her Husband.”

Lynn Cowell http://www.lynncowell.com/ Lynn is giving away a prize for mom and a prize for a teen girl in her life – the 3 book series B.A.B.E. series by Andrea Stephens (Beautiful, Accepted, Blessed, Eternally Significant) for the teen and for Mom a $10 gift card to Starbucks along with Lynn’s CD “Building a Bridge to Your Child’s Heart”.

Karen Ehman http://www.karenehman.com/ Karen is giving away a Winter White Basket centered on Psalm 51:7 "Wash me and I will be whiter than snow" that includes Skin Milk body wash, a white loofah, Winter White Citrus Bath & Body Works products, white lily linen and room sprays, white hot cocoa, a white mug and white-chocolate macadamia nut cookies. Along with it, a copy of her book on celebrations entitled “Homespun Memories for the Heart: More Than 200 Ideas to Make Unforgettable Moments.”

Suzie Eller http://www.tsuzanneeller.com/ Suzie is giving away a Logitech Pro 9000 2-megapixel Quick Cam webcam!

Zoe Elmore http://www.zoeelmore.blogspot.com/ Zoe is giving away a journal, a copy of “My Heart's Cry” by Anne Graham Lotz and a piece of jewelry Zoe style!

Charlene Kidd http://www.charlenekidd.blogspot.com/ Charlene is giving away a $20.00 Starbucks Gift Card and a copy of Karen Ehman’s book: “A Life That Says Welcome, Simple Ways to Open Your Heart and Home to Others.”

Tracie Miles http://www.traciemiles.blogspot.com/ Tracie is giving away her CD "Overcoming Stress with Extraordinary Faith" and a Soulmates Slipper with Christian Notepad and Pen.

Rachel Olsen http://www.rachelolsen.com/ Rachel is giving away "Bread for Life," a hardback copy of "The Daily Message: Through the Bible in One Year" by Eugene Peterson (which you can read this along with her this year) and the Williams-Sonoma Muffins cookbook.

Wendy Pope http://www.wendypope.org/ Wendy is giving away a copy of her book “Out of the Mouths of Babes” and her CD “Yes, No, and Maybe of a Balanced Life.”

Luann Prater http://www.luannprater.com/ http://www.encouragementcafe.com/ Luann is giving away an Encouragement Cafe mug and t-shirt for both sites!

LeAnn Rice http://www.leannrice.com/ LeAnn is giving away a copy of her cookbook “Sharing Grace: Recipes - Family Traditions- Gift Ideas” and a Starbucks gift card.

Susanne Scheppmann http://www.susannescheppmann.blogspot.com/ Susanne is giving away her "Birds in My Mustard Tree Bible Study" with an I-tunes gift card.

Renee Swope http://www.reneeswope.com/ Renee is giving away Lysa TerKeurst’s Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl DVD Set and her CD message, “Living Beyond the Shadow of Doubt” on DVD.

Lysa TerKeurst http://www.lysaterkeurst.com/ Lysa’s give away is a Mom's Book Club gift pack including 4 copies of Lysa's book, "Am I Messing Up My Kids?" and a 30-minute Q & A conference call with Lysa.

Van Walton http://www.vanwalton.blogspot.com/ Van is giving away her DVD for children – “From the Pound to the Palace.”

She Read http://www.shereads.org/ She Reads is giving away two novels, “Watch Over Me” by Christa Parrish and “Screen Play” by Chris Coppernoll, and chocolate, courtesy of the authors. They will tell the story of how their writing brought them together - a love story, quite literally, fit for a novel!

RadRevolution http://www.radrevolution.org/ Our ministry to teen girls is giving away a copy of “Do the Hard Thing” along with a RadRev t-shirt!

Have fun as we prepare to enter the Lenten season on our way to Easter. The greatest celebration of our faith.

In His Love,

Glynnis

Congratulations to Kelly at www.myfaithfulliving.com. She was randomly selected the winner of a copy of "work @ home" and the silverware basket. Thank you to all who posted a comment. This was so much fun, we are already planning the next carnival giveaway.

Happy Valentine's Day

Welcome! If you are visiting after reading my devotion, "Every Yes Involved a No," I'm glad you stopped by. I'm posting two thoughts today. The first are some goal setting tips, and the second is a devotional about love.

The best acronym I've ever heard for goal setting is to make them SMART.

S - Specific. Make sure your goal is very clear and focused. For example, "lose 5 pounds by Easter" is very specific. But "lose weight" is not.

M - Measureable. I can measure the goal to lose 5 pounds by Easter. Come April 4th, I can I'l know how I did.

A - Attainable. Is the goal realistic, safe, healthy, etc? For the weight loss, I think it is. If I had said "lose 20 pounds by Easter," that would have be unrealistic given my history, commitments and the reality of my life.

R - Realistic. This is connected with the attainable thought.

T - Timely. Setting goals with a deadline helps keep you motivated. You can always set a new one once you've achieved the first.

I hope this helps you with your own goals, now on to the love devotional, and some thoughts on Valentine's Day.

Valentine's Day isn't really big around our house. I won't get any flowers, cards or candy. And that's okay. You see, my "love language" isn't gifts. In fact, it isn't touch, words of affirmation, or quality time either. My love language sits squarely in the middle of acts of service.

When my husband picks me up a Starbucks on his way home from his morning small group, I'm filled for the day. I couldn't feel more loved than when someone picks up their clothes from the ground, joins me in the kitchen or washes my car.

Today, my friend Rachel Olsen is doing a blog carnival about love. I thought it would be fun to participate, so I'm sharing a devotion I wrote a few years ago, that really demonstrates love to me. The son in this devotion is now 14 and a freshman in high school. Since he's my height, he doesn't quite snuggle on my lap anymore. But he's still a hugger. With pleasure I share:

Love Initiates

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38

My 9-year-old son Robbie was ready for bed. Complete with Sponge Bob sleep pants and slippers he climbed onto my lap with a blanket, ready for a snuggle.

In the January evening, my hands were quite cold; too cold to touch his warm skin, or so I thought. As he nestled against me, I tucked my hands under my legs to keep from touching him with my icicle-like fingers.

“Robbie,” I said, “watch out for my hands, they’re cold.” He ignored my warning and burrowed his hands down between the chair and my leg searching for my hands. “Really Robbie,” I continued, “I’m very cold.”

“I know Mommy,” he countered as he pulled my hands up and placed them on his bare chest. “I’ll warm you up.” He covered my cold hands with his warm ones and snuggled closer. Within minutes I could feel his warmth seep into my hands.

He got up once and when he returned he repositioned my hands back to his chest. I felt the coolness of his skin where my hands had been, and was grateful for his sacrifice. Within minutes we were both warmer than before.

I believe God used my sweet boy to paint a picture of the love His children should show one another. Do you have cold hands? Mine are warm; grab hold. Are you hungry? My pantry’s full, here’s a bag of groceries. Are you getting tired of packing? I’ve had a good night’s sleep, I’ll be right there.

A person who loves, sees a need, and initiates action, even when there’s a sacrifice involved. It could be time, money or our own comfort, like Robbie’s chest getting cold. The paradox of God’s kingdom is that when we give something up, God replaces it. Luke 6:38 assures that when we give, we will receive … “a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over.”

As we live out the love of God, we should watch for opportunities to give to others with out being asked. It’s the mark of love to initiate selflessly. Thanks for the lesson Robbie.

My prayer for today: Heavenly Father, I praise you for loving us with such selfless love. You are wonderful in all your ways. I confess that I have not always loved others as I should. Please open my eyes to the needs of those around me so that I can show your love. In Jesus name, Amen.


In His Love,
Glynnis

Do you feel like you don't fit in?

Today my friend Joanne Kraft is featuring an interview with me about writing. If you visit her site at http://www.onesoblessed.com/ you will get a chance to read about my writing journey and some of my thoughts on writing.

I will warn you, I'm not a typical writer. In fact, I've always thought I was a freak of nature, or uniquely and humorously made by a loving God who designed me for a purpose. I'm choosing the second option.

You see, I don't fit any molds ... in any part of my life.

I LOVE to cook and watch Food Network (Paula and I are on a first name basis ... well, at least I am with her - she, on the other hand, doesn't know I exist.)

BUT, I have never created my own recipe.

I LOVE to write.

BUT, I have never journaled, kept a diary, and if you follow my blog, you will know I am inconsistent at best.

I LOVE to read home decorating magazines, such as Romantic Homes and Victoria. I'm an old-fashioned, romantic girl at heart. Should have been born in an English manor. With servants of course. Who I would have treated very well, like a part of the family.

BUT, I can't accessorize or decorate my home for the life of me.

So, what does a girl like me do?

Trust that God knew what He was doing, stop worrying about what I can't do, and focus with purpose on what I can do. I have realized that the more I'm me, the better I am at it.

I wonder if there are women out there who have decided they are disqualified from something because they don't fit into a mold. I kind of envision Satan as walking around with a big rubber stamp and stamping "disqualified" on the hearts of my sweet sisters around the world.

But today I want to tell you that God has already stamped you "qualified" with the blood of Jesus. Not because of your qualifications, but because of His.

So shake off what the world says, and the lies of the enemy, and embrace your calling, in all your unique and beautiful self. If you don't fit the "mold," that must be because God is creating a new one ... and it's called YOU.

With all my love and His,

Glynnis

Ideas for Dinner

Today I have started a new column called "Creating Home" on a website called "At the Well." This column will run once a month and is aimed at helping a woman set up her own home - whether it be a rented room, small apartment or first house.

My post today was about using seasonings to dress up simple cuts of meat. By buying one new condiment a month, you will soon find your creative cooking library expanding. I promised to provide some simple recipes using seasonings you can easily find your grocery store, so here are a few of my favorites.

Pesto & Sun Dried Tomato Alfredo over Chicken

This recipe can be made for one or more.

Use one small chicken breast per person.
Sprinkle with Cavender's Greek Seasoning.
Pan fry in a small amount of oil until cooked through.
Meanwhile, heat a jar of Sun Dried Tomato Alfredo (Classico's is great)
Add a tablespoon of pesto and chopped sun dried tomatoes if you like.
Cook appropriate portions of spaghetti.

To serve, simply put spaghetti down first, topped by grilled chicken breast and sauce.
Serve with a green vegetable.

Thanks to my friend Cheri Jimenez for this idea.


Baked Salmon

Paul Prudhomme makes a really great "Magic Salmon Seasoning." Simply sprinkle seasoning mix on salmon and bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes, or until salmon flakes easily. Buy more salmon than you need, and refrigerate leftovers.

To make a great sandwich filling the next day, add mayonnaise and extra magic salmon seasoning to the salmon.

Chicken Fajitas

Sprinkle Mrs. Dash's Southwest Chipotle seasoning on boneless skinless chicken breasts. Grill until cooked through. Slice thinly. Saute sliced red and green peppers and onions.

Warm a flour tortilla and fill with chicken, peppers and onion.
Everyone likes their fajitas their own way. I like salsa, sour cream, cheese, and guacamole on mine. Lettuce and tomatoes are yummy additions too.

Old Bay Shrimp Scampi (from www.mccormick.com)

1/3 cup olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 1/2 teaspoons OLD BAY® Seasoning
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon parsley flakes

Heat oil in large skillet on medium heat. Add garlic; cook and stir 30 seconds or until fragrant. (Do not brown.)

Add shrimp and Old Bay; cook and stir 3 to 4 minutes or until shrimp turn pink. Stir in lemon juice and parsley. Serve over cooked pasta or rice, if desired.


If you are feeling stuck in a cooking rut, I suggest you invest in a new seasoning that sounds good, and then do an online search for recipe ideas. Most seasoning companies offer recipes on their websites.

I also love buying unique condiments to dress up simply-cooked meats like pork chops, fish or broiled chicken. Consider interesting chutneys or seasoned oils.

My final tip for creating delicious meals is to plan them ahead of time, when you are hungry. I know you aren't supposed to go to the store hungry, but creating a meal plan is easier when you are hungry. Things sound better.

It's so easy to get worn out with cooking. Spices, seasoning and condiments can brighten things and make cooking more interesting.

In His Love,
Glynnis