Good reads

I've been perusing a few helpful Christian resources lately. Take a look with me:

1. "When Athiests Are Angry at God": Here's an article about a study's findings that those who don't believe in God are angry at God. Which, is an interesting thought since you must know something exists in order to be mad at it. Romans 1 is helpful going along with it
2. Of First Importance: A blog that offers daily whiffs of the gospel, to root and remind me of the good news. I need it to remember who I am in Christ, what he's done, and to incline my heart to God (and away from my selfishness)
3. Paul Tripp's Twitter account: multiple times every day Tripp, a Biblical counselor (Andrew and I heard him speak at our church's marriage retreat last year!), shares helpful reminders to trust God and remember Christ first
4. "Born to Reproduce": Not about making babies, but spiritual discipleship, being invested in, and investing in others. That the gospel will go forth through people via relationships and training. From the a Navigators seminar. So good
5. A non-spiritual, but interesting info graphic on the world's obsession with facebook
6. "Don't Create a New Law for Yourself" Another way of understanding the gospel as believers or unbelievers and that the enemy of the gospel is always legalism (trying to get to God by working/being good enough).
7. "Depression's Odd Filter" and "Heart of Depression": Helpful articles about depression and battling it as a Christian
8. "Praying Scripture": a quick article about how to pray Scripture- a concept I felt insecure with and didn't understand for a while, but it's so sweet and powerful

girl friends

Our days were a little different this week. We had two 9-5ers earlier this week with our staff team to plan for our semesters. Then we were back on campus! It was sweet to catch up with girls, but A headed out of town for a men's retreat for the last half of the week. Which totally made me not look forward to Wed-Fri, BUT two of the amazing women I get to hang out with came and slept over! What a fun part of college ministry! I told them hubs would be gone and they got excited about making cookies, watching Grey's and hanging out Thursday. It was so sweet.

Meanwhile, all week my homeland is getting a taste of my life up here in the tundra. 6 inches of snow in Atlanta!?! That's like the Blizzard of '93. That serious. My sister who lives next to Piedmont park sent me a few along with my in-laws in Snellville. It was shocking!

After being in meetings all day, I got a curious text from a girl that I've been friends with since elementary school: Jac. The Southern snow had caused her to be diverted to the Minneapolis airport for an hour. I wanted to badly to run out of my meeting and say hi! Oh well, another time.

Then I got a text an hour later from another friend Ali. We've bonded since 3rd grade and we loved living through middle and high school together. We parted ways for college and since I am TERRIBLE at keeping in touch and actually picking up the phone, we hadn't talked in several months. Anyway, she's a lawyer now and weirdly has a client in Minnetonka. Woah! Crazy world! She and a colleague made it through the snow and after settling into their place I got to pick up Ali and drive around getting lost grab dinner with her. We haven't seen each other since we graduated college. Now- nearly 3 years ago! It was such a blast to catch up with her and a sweet surprise.

Here's Ali and I from our senior year in college when I took a road trip to visit her in Nashville. Yes, we drank energy drinks in her dorm before going dancing. Ha, that seems so far from my life right now!

It got me thinking about how much my life has changed since graduating college. Here are some things God has done in me and to me post-Athens, GA.

1) Gave up my dreams of overtaking the political PR world to see God work in the hearts of college women. Now I see it as such a blessing and I'm so grateful, but then, it felt like ripping away my dreams for something so humbling in the eyes of the world. But ya know, when you worship something that's not actually God, it's going to hurt, but always be better to have more of God than something flimsy and fake.

2) My heart grew to see God move all over the world! I headed to Johannesburg, South Africa for a few months and it changed me. I love praying for people to know God everywhere.

3) Moved to Atlanta. So fun. It was quintessential 20s living. Townhouse, Atlantic Station, friends everywhere, family near, independence, first job, discovering new favorite places, Piedmont Park. LOVED it!

4) Met a man who's more than I ever thought possible. I mean, dang! He's cute, former football player, dark with blue eyes, fun, funny- hilarious actually, smart, wise, practical, adventurous, strong, natural leader, planned, spontaneous, determined, ambitious, and a very, very godly man. What more could I have ever even dreamed? Then it got better: We got married!

5) Moved to (gasp!) Minneapolis, Minnesota! Wow! ...isn't it cold?...and far?...and don't they have funny accents? Ha, yes, yes, and yes. But it's home for now! Definitely hard at first. Another "trusting God that He's good and in control thing," but I love being married and this is our home!

6) Marriage brought out my domestic side. Now I love to cook, decorate, and I'm even daring into sewing and thrifting. But it's so much more fun when it's not for me, but for us!

Here's the real crux of my last 3 years: trusting God is always better. Really, like I said in #1, it always seems scary, but God is trustworthy. We won't experience it unless we take a step of faith and see. And He never lets us down. He doesn't withhold anything that's good for us (Ps 84:11). It's just that I forget how BIG and good He is and I begin to think I know more. But really, I don't have to worry because He's got it for me.

not spending a dime + getting my true treasure

A week off. It's been great so far. I'm starting to miss being around people though!

After Christmas we (meaning Andrew mentioned that I should) be a little extra discerning about spending money. So, I've tried to not spend a dime. One of my favorite free activities is going to the library. I spent an hour there getting cookbooks and sewing manuals. So now I'm planning on scouring the cookbooks and copying recipes and hopefully getting a few sewing projects done. I think there's something in me (and all the women in my family) that just gets excited about getting the recipes without buying the book (with a good conscious). It's the whole joy of getting a good deal.

I'm so grateful to be cooking again after being on the road so much. Last night we had salmon with steamed edemame and some roasted tomato and almond rice- a combo of 2 recipes. We had everything already with the fish and edemame from the freezer. So this was even a nearly free meal too. The salmon was SO good. Had great flavor and we couldn't get enough. It's Ina Garten's "Asian Grilled Salmon". The rice was the combination of two recipes Ina's "Brown Rice, Tomatoes and Basil" and from this month's Cooking Light "Nutty Rice". Basically, while the brown rice was cooking, I cut some cherry tomatoes and with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper, I roasted them at 400. Then I threw in some slivered almonds to toast them. I also made the dressing Ina used, but halved it after reading about it's overwhelming flavor in the reviews. Combined it all and threw in some scallions and it was done. Pretty good but doesn't blow away my list of top recipes.

Oh, and Andrew made some pork wellington! We were watching Alton Brown's show "good Eats" and he was getting all into it. Then the next day we were having a few people over for dinner and he asked if he could make the main dish. I was surprised (shocked, really) and excited and a little nervous. He asked if he could make the Pork Wellington and found the recipe online. And, drumroll please...it was so good! He did an awesome job! The first meal I think he's cooked in a few years, ie: since we've been married. Awesome meal, but I must warn you- it's not so great as a leftover. The puff pastry gets a little mushy when warmed up. Anyway, I was so proud of my hubs! I threw together some corn on the cob, a rendition of this potato gratin using a mix of cheeses and no bacon, and some hearty multigrain garlic bread and we had a good dinner. Then we watched Ohio State unfortunately beat the Arkansas razorbacks. The SEC is doing so hot this bowl season. Thankfully though LSU squashed Texas A&M. Whew. But that's all another story.

I've also done a lot of reading and journaling, and using coffee gift cards at new Caribou and Starbucks locations I don't normally go to. Meaning free caramel apple cider, soy steamers, coffee drinks, scones and cookies! Yum! I'm currently reading "One with a Shepherd" about being married and in ministry. I really recommend it. Not a lot is new, but they are good reminders for me. Like doing ministry, getting in the Word, leading others is not all that great in and of itself. But all of these spiritual activities are a means to get more of Christ. I've been praying that He would be my treasure above anything else. Because really, friends, my husband, being "successful" in ministry, how I look, others' perceptions of me, cooking, etc. are all things I put hope in and treasure above Christ so often. So Matthew 13:44 has been in my heart a lot lately:

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."

I mean who really is JOYFUL to give up everything they have. To sell it all?! I know though that Christ, the treasure, it worth so much more and makes everything else pale in comparison when I'm seeing Him for who He really is. It makes even more sense in light of Philippians 3:7-8:

"But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ,"

The worth of Christ surpasses everything else. He eclipses ministry work, being a good wife, trying to be put together, working hard and keeping up a spiritual image. I want everything I do to give me more of Christ- not more of my own glory.

This week is also prayer week at our church. We've had prayer meetings every day and it's been encouraging to go to a few. One was last night- all night. From 10pm- 5am. And out 65 year old pastor spoke during the 4 am hour. There were several gray haired folk and it was so encouraging. Anyway, I just got up, but it's 11:30 in the afternoon. I feel like a total slacker because I haven't gotten up this late in forever!

Resting for a week.

We just got back from a big conference with a ton of amazing students we get to hang out with. Seriously, it was such a blast. I am incredibly grateful I get to do what I do.

Anywho, Andrew and I are just settling back into being in our apartment for longer than a night or two and actually unpacking out bags. We're taking the week off after a busy semester, Christmas, and conference over New Year's day. So we slept for like 10 hours and I took several unplanned naps during the day. Aka I fell asleep while reading a few times and even watching the news. Ha! Needless to say I feel more rested today and I've been running some errands.

Yesterday we went to see True Grit at the theaters which is a rare thing for us. We're not big movie people but we wanted to do something fun together and after I nixed going to see Tron, we settled on True Grit. I was surprised at how good it was. It had religious overtones which was interesting in an old western remake about revenge.

Anyway, here's an interesting articleI found about the movie and relating it to how we as believers think about revenge.

Christmas with our families was so fun and memorable and time with students at conference was a blast. So now we're resting up for another semester. Thinking about all the retreats, a trip to NC for a seminary class Andrew's taking, a set-up trip to India, etc. we have makes me grateful for this week. Also, along with pots and pans, helpful cooking things, clothing gift cards, restaurant cards, Twins gift card, coffee gift cards, we got a sewing machine. Woo hoo! I read a lot of the directions last night and made some quick curtain ties I'd been waiting forever to make. I was pretty rusty but thank goodness a few buttonholes and making some quick hems wasn't too bad. But I'm excited to crank out a few other things I've been thinking about.

Here she is. The nicest machine I've ever used. 60 stitches. Embroidery and sewing and quilting- Ya know if I ever want to fit in more up here. Seriously I could go on, but that would give away my inner domesticity that I sometimes try to suppress.

Joyeux Noel et lassiez les bon temps rouler!

No I don't speak French, but we had a Louisiana bayou Christmas this year. And that's Cajun (well, French) for "Merry Christmas and Let the good times roll!" See my Mom was born and raised with deep Louisiana roots down in Baton Rouge.

After fleeing the shin-high snow in MN we flew to the ATL to see his parents and family before joining mine in New Orleans and Baton Rouge for a few days. See my family loves N'awlins- the food, the attitude, the casino, etc, but especially the food and especially the French Quarter. Mom planned out our 2 and a half days around consuming some of the best seafood in the Gulf or really anywhere.

First was dinner at Mr. B's Bistro and then Pat O's in the Quarter. Mr. B's was maybe one of the best meals I'd eaten in all of 2010. Seriously. Mom, Courtney and I all got the Revellion menu- a special New Orleans Christmas tradition. It's a menu that's prixe fixe and supposedly the best they've got. Andrew got the tasty and addicting New Orleans barbecue shrimp. Don't think grill or BBQ sauce. Think deep, buttery, flavorful seafood broth with perfectly cooked and ready to peel shrimp. I had the scallops and red fish with butter sauce and some amazing gumbo (both seafood and ya-ya) complete with my personal favorite pecan pie.

Andrew and I at Pat O'Brien's

Then we woke up to Cafe du Monde with some cafe au lait and bignetes and the unavoidable powdered-sugar-covered fingers. We then headed over the the N.O. School of Cooking that Mom booked for us- we watched them cook (and then we ate) crab and corn bisque, shrimp creole, bread pudding and amazing pralines. Pecan pralines. That's "pa-caan praw-leens" in Louisiana- none of that "pee-can pray-leens" stuff.

The cooking school in the French Quarter

Watching the chef make the bisque...

and cooling some pralines

Anyway we hoped on the trolley after waking around Jackson Square, visiting the old French Market, and stopping by Harrah's Casino. (Please note: I proudly walked out of there with the same $10 I went in with. It was my first encounter with a slot machine and I battled it back to break even!) We headed to Brigtsen's for dinner past Uptown and the Garden district. Another great Revellion menu and delicious dinner.

A quick glimpse of a trolley at Lee's Circle

Before heading to see my family and stay at Grandma's in Baton Rouge, we stopped for brunch with some great friends of ours who've grown up in N'awlins their whole lives. It was great to see such sweet friends.

It was Christmas Eve and Mom had made her gumbo (chicken and sausage) that's always good and Grandma (and Court) whipped up some of her famous chicken and dumplings. Those are my comfort foods. I've never tried to make either on my own for fear that I'd be dissatisfied with every bite compared to theirs!

Andrew and I headed back to N. O. since we were flying out of there and spent the day back at Cafe du Monde, mufaletta lunch at the favorite Cafe Maspero's, and topped it off with dinner at Felix's Oyster House (a family favorite for oysters). In between all that eating we managed to walk a lot, window shop, see the a Katrina exhibit near St. Louis Cathedral, and a 4-D movie at the WW2 History Museum. Hubby loved it!

The gorgeous sky on our walk back from the movie to our hotel- Lee's Circle again

Anyway, we're back on a plane heading home with snow covered everything out the windows.

Celebrations

Time with our Minnesota family, a birthday, and our early Christmas means lots of fun and celebrating.

We had our staff training this week on Strengths Finder tests. Very interesting. Staff training means lots of hanging out with our second family up here in ole MN: our staff team. We had a Christmas party, then girls' night out, a night in with hubs (when I attempted and failed at making mushroom risotto), then dinner with Laura and dessert with Samm.

And now let me tell you about my sweet, thoughtful husband. My birthday was Friday. I got home Thursday night and outside our door was a rose and a note to get some bags packed for the next night. And he had a petit four waiting for me! Wow. A man after my heart!

After work he whisked me away to the Depot hotel on the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. It's a hotorical hotel that used to be in this old train depot. There's also an attached indoor ice rink.

Due to my love of Mexican food, Andrew found this amazing Latin restaurant on Nicollet:

We did a little shopping, saw the Holidazzle parade and had an awesome birthday dinner at Masa complete with tres leches cake. so. good. Here we are enjoying that cake!

Yum! Then my great friend Hannah came in town and after a little more shopping (thank you birthday gift cards!) and we got to hang out. I tried to show her the ropes of driving and surviving in 10 degree weather. Ha. THEN my hubby took me out to see A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie (check out that pic courtesy of a google search). He's so thoughtful (and a trooper- he's taken me so so many plays!) That was Saturday.

And here was my personal favorite character...the Ghost of Christmas Present. I laughed a lot because he was funny but mainly how awkward it was that he didn't have a shirt on under his big ole robe. Ha. Quite humorous (and weird).

Sunday we flew down to Atlanta and were met at the airport by my father in law. We had a blast at a sort of family Christmas party/hang out. Complete with parker house sandwiches, chicken salad, broccoli salad, fudge, pecan bars, apple cider, and a rowdy game of Guesstures. Which I must add the women won. Thank you very much.

snowed in

With a blizzard hitting us overnight and through most of today, we're hanging out at our place. Serious winds, heavy snow and slightly warmer temps (in the 20s instead of teens) means wetter snow all which add up to me NOT willing to brave the storm and drive. I woke up this morning to the apartment people snow-blowing the sidewalk- the winter equivalent of the landscaping guy coming in the summer. A big plow came and plowed our parking lot, which along with the snow-blower guy were totally futile since a foot of snow fell over the next few hours anyway. Even up here they're calling it a blizzard so I'm going to trust them not to go anywhere!

The snow heaped on our patio. On the far right is a gate that you obviously can't open anymore. Out our bedroom window, the snow it up to our window! It's snowed more than a 15 inches just today- so there's probably nearly 2 feet of snow on the ground!

Another view of our patio. The bow has been blowing like crazy from the snowy wind.
The view from our dining room:

All this means I've been cooped up and have another blog post this week! I thought I'd share some of our Christmas decorations I've put up over the past few weeks:

Our tree! We won't be in town as long this year and it was 10 degrees and snowing when we went looking for a tree- which means I was no longer as interested in finding "the prefect one" for our place, but rather escaping to a heater. Anyway, hubs spotted this one and we love it!

We used ornaments from last year and obviously far less with our mini tree. Matte champagne, chocolate glittery balls and antiqued glass orbs and leaves along with a few rustic snowflakes and some silvery ones too:

Here's the floating shelf behind the tree with some added greenery and pine cones:

Pre-snow I went around our apartment and "borrowed" some tree clippings :) Evergreens are everywhere so there were several types of pine and those red branches are from a northern dogwood bush. I had a couple of glass vases and tied some left over ribbon and set them flanking our fireplace.
A little centerpiece I threw together with a candle and a couple sets of potpourri/vase fillers:
Our Christmas Card display I bought a few years ago:

Moving on from the living room...I kept seeing little banners on different blogs so I de-cluttered our fridge and added this makeshift Christmas reminder:

I also added a few big bows on a metal sunburst hanging in our kitchen, a bow in on our patio, pulled out some green pillows for our couches and packed up some of the fall-colored burnt orange ones, added vintage glass votives with Christmas tree smelling candles. Unfortunately we can't remember what our stockings looked like last year or where we put them! We're also questioning if we ever even bought some last year. Ha. Either way, we'll get some soon.

On another note, here's our first houseplant! Ha, I missed the green thumb gene so I opted for this "drought resistant" blue atoll. So far...so good!

It's definitely growing, but here is a picture of what it originally looked like: