“Never mind about your belongings, because the best of all Egypt will be yours.”
Gen. 45:20 NIV

Isn’t funny how when we have God fully present in our lives, nothing else really matters? All the little things, that may have loomed large, don’t seem quite so daunting. In Genesis 45 Joseph is reunited with his family and they join him in Egypt, where he now rules the land.

Pharaoh decrees Joseph’s family not to worry about their belongings, because they will have all the best things in Egypt. This scene is one of restoration, declaring freedom from past sins.  When we deal with our past, our sins, and bring it before God, he reclaims us, restores us, and refines us. Suddenly, the stuff of our life seems pale when we relish in the Glory and Mercy of our Great God.

Never mind about the stuff, it’s time to be redeemed. It’s time for a fresh anointing! As you prepare for our weekend together, “never mind about your belongings,” and know that God frees you from all sin.

Stephanie Morris, Mom Encourager
www.momencourager.org

First in a series for Blacksburg Women's Conference.

The Middle

I'm a big believer in ending well.  As 2011 drew to a close, New Year's Eve day/night was no different.  "How will we spend the day?"  "Who will we ring in the New Year with?"  These were important questions for me.

We spent the day beginning the De-Santification process (please go watch The Santa Clause 2 if you are unfamiliar with this term).  We did not finish.  In fact, it barely looks like we got started.  This is a blessing to us.  Usually, when we undertake a task, we run like the wind. Pacing ourselves hasn't been our strong suit - and so we ended 2011 with a more relaxed air about us.  Success!

True Relaxation at Work!

This relaxed atmosphere is something we've been cultivating in 2011, despite the rapid pace of our schedule.  We are vowed to living in the moment.  Winter Saturdays are filled with back-to-back-to-overlapped basketball games.  When it's Saturday, we all have on our game face to get where we need to be and be fully present in the game.  When it's over, we're committed to rest, relaxation, and resting on our laurels - if only for the day.  

New Years Eve!  We rang in the New Year with friends.  I'm always surprised at how our circles change from season-to-season or year-to-year.  Don't get me wrong, there are always a few families who we continue to journey through life together - but many others ebb in and out of our lives as we do theirs.

This year, we celebrated with families with whom we are building great friendships.  We are learning lots about each other with each new outing or activity.  And, as friendships go, we are beginning to do "nothing" together - which is a true sign of a maturing friendship - not always filled with "something to do," but rather, just enjoying one another's company.

As soon as 2011 ended, 2012 was upon us; I guess, I'm into beginning well, too.  Beginnings are scary - filled with the unknown, great anticipation, and great possibility.  I am filled with immeasurable anticipation for what this year brings.  Some friends will come home from deployments, others will head out.  Some friends are repairing marriages; some are beginning their life with children!  In our home, we are beginning Middle School, moving to double digits, sleep away camps, travel sports, and new ministry.  It's a year full of hope and promise and the ability to fail publicly and go down in flames.

Thinking about what 2012 holds, brings me to the Middle.  That's where all the stuff really happens.  Those are your highs and your lows.  Middle is where you make your memories.  When does the Middle start?  Does it start right after that cherished midnight kiss?  My Middle begins tomorrow - when school, work, and schedules resume. My middle is filled with packing lunches, helping with homework, shuttling the kids to and fro, planning vacations, and plenty of trips to Costco. I'm hoping our Middle is filled with awesome highlights that will bless our family tremendously.  I'm praying God will do immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine.

I hope you all had a promising start to the New Year, left no regrets in 2011, and are ready to embrace your Middle.  Be encouraged - you're not alone, we're all in this Middle together.

I'm Having a Hard Time Getting My Jingle On

Despite being surrounded by Christmas décor since October and the constant holiday songs playing on the radio for the last week – I’m having a hard time getting my Jingle on this year.

We’ve done all the same things as usual.  The house is decorated, the tree is up and trimmed, the stockings are hung by the chimney with care, and the front yard twinkles each night.  I feel like I’m putting on a good show this season.  I’m doing all the right things, but that festive spirit has not filled me like in years past. 

It’s not our schedule; it’s lighter right now than before Thanksgiving.  It’s not spiritual; we attend church, enjoy Advent preparation, and spend time reflecting on why we celebrate Christmas in the first place.

My husband and I both have birthdays in the days leading up to Christmas, as well.  It’s usually so festive and exciting and filled with much anticipation. This year, I honestly feel like we’ve just clicked and shipped the holidays to our home.

While I’m not sure what’s missing or if I just need an attitude adjustment, I do plan to bask in the wonder my children exude.  As they open each window on their Advent calendar and hang each Nativity ornament, I will pause.  I hope in that moment, the expectation of the season will catch fire for me.

In the meantime, there are only 14 days until the big day.  Merry Christmas!

Last of the Leftovers ... finally!

Okay - I admit to making way too much food on Thanksgiving.  Our family enjoys leftover turkey sandwiches with stuffing and gravy.  But, that was two weeks ago - and enough is enough.  Except, I still had a hefty turkey breast mocking me from the fridge.  Today is the day I transform the rest of the Turkey and Stuffing into a meal for the family.

Poppy Seed Casserole (this is a perfect casserole for leftover poultry)

Combine cream of chicken soup with 16 oz sour cream.  Spread half on the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish.  Cube turkey breast (about 3 cups).  Spread remainder of wet mixture over the top of the turkey.  Sprinkle poppy seeds generously over the top.  Crush a sleeve of butter rounds (Ritz Crackers) over the top.  I deviated on this, today, I used leftover corn souffle, and crumbled the dried mixture over the top.
Bake at 350 for 35 minutes.  Serve over rice with a green vegetable.


A shout out to a good friend who turned me onto this basic chicken casserole.  It's so delicious the kids stood over the pan scooping out bites.  Seriously.


Stuffing Casserole

Combine leftover stuffing (about 4 cups) with cream of celery and cream of mushroom soups. Leftover gravy would be a great addition to this.  Spread into the bottom of a 9x13 casserole dish.  Mixture will be heavy.  The juices from the chicken will mix in nicely with the stuffing to rejuvenate it.
Coat 8-10 skinless, boneless chicken thighs with Lawry's Seasoning Salt and nestle them into the stuffing mixture.
Bake at 350 for 35 minutes.  Serve with a green vegetable.

I will post pictures of these once they are baked off this week.  

Fun Finds Online

While this is posted for Thanksgiving Leftovers, 

I can see this as a useful way to package up leftovers on a regular basis.  

Just one of twenty-five gifts that cost less than $5 to make.  

I'm big on Advent in our home.  

Love this cute reusable, customizable craft at serenitynow.