Not quite simple...

Sorry that this simple gal has been a little MIA these past couple of weeks. As a teacher, the first weeks of school are full of meetings, bulletin boards, parents, late nights, and of course kids! The school year has definitely started out with a bang and life has been anything but simple. This year, I started teaching a 3rd/4th grade combo class. The 4th graders I was teaching were students I taught last year. I was excited about this looping opportunity and the chance for them to be leaders for our new 3rd grade friends. But because of enrollment issues, 4 days into school, I found out I was being switched to a 4th/5th grade combo. All this to say, I have now taught 3 grade levels since school started. And although life has not been simple, I have been reminded over and over again of a simple truth that God has for all of us...

"Nothing, you see, is impossible with God."

Luke 1:36 (The Message)

At times these past days, I have been really wondering just what God was up to in all of this, and thinking He was right on the verge of giving me more than I can handle. But everyday, He has been showing me that nothing is impossible when you believe in Him. So I am thankful for this simple truth...

How has God shown up in your life lately? We would love to hear from you!

Even though I have not had much time to craft and create lately, I did want to share a recipe I made for some friends not too long ago. I did not take pictures at the time, but was able to find a picture on the Kraft Food and Family Website! Enjoy!

Peanut Butter Cheesecake Brownie Babies

1 pkg. (19 to 21 oz.) brownie mix (13x9-inch pan size)
1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1-1/2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping
20 maraschino cherries

HEAT oven to 350ºF.
PREPARE brownie batter as directed on package. Spoon into 20 paper-lined muffin cups.
BEAT cream cheese, sugar, egg, peanut butter and vanilla with mixer until blended. Spoon 1 rounded Tbsp. into center of batter in each cup, pressing down slightly into batter. Bake 30 min. or until centers are set. Cool.
SERVE topped with COOL WHIP and cherries.

(very important to make sure they are cooled...when I made them I was so eager to dig in that I put the Cool Whip on a little early and it melted into a big mess! If you want them to look as cute as the picture, make sure they are completely cooled!)

~Brooke

Daily Vacation

That's what my eldest has taken to calling our "daily devotion" time. I almost corrected her.

Almost.

Then I thought, that girl's just about right.

This time shouldn't be about obligation or mundane routine. It's a blessing, an honor, a vacation.

One where we get to pray, sing, and read all while in the light of the Son. One where, beginning this fall, I want consistency to happen.

And so we decided to pack our bag for this daily trip. Actually, we packed an old galvanized planter. Here's what we included:

* This beautiful, be still my heart, Bible-- most fitting for older toddlers/children
*This colorful Bible-- better fitted for those who are younger
*Our favoritest EVER scripture CD's-- Seeds of Faith and Seeds of Encouragement, our favorite of the favoritest
*A prayer journal and pen
*Our thankful can, or as it is most often called, "Our Jeshush Can"

The last two we made using some pretty simple materials we had lying around. In fact, looking at this picture, we didn't even use that ribbon. We opted for tape instead as you'll see below.
I hole punched some cut-to-size handwriting paper between two pieces of scrapbook paper for the journal.
Measure-smeasure. I, as you'll find to be typical, just eyeballed it.

Then I used a ring clip to hold it together. Here's a peek at the inside.
The can is full of things we can thank God for. First, we brainstormed a list.
Then we cut strips from scrapbook paper scraps and taped them to Popsicle sticks. Letter stickers finished them off. You could also hot glue or tacky glue them or forgo the paper and use good 'ole Sharpie markers. Whatever you have and whatever is easiest.

For the outside of the can, I have two words for you. Modge. Podge. Glorious stuff.
Oh and clipped to the front of the planter is our memory verse from the week, which we choose based on which Seeds song we're learning.
I find that it works best if I keep the planter out where we can all see it and remind each other. I also find that breakfast time or just after breakfast gives me a pretty captive (and contained) audience.

In this almost brand new week, full of possibilities, let's encourage one another! Any deals, ideas, or vacation spots that work for you or for your family? :)

~Katrina

But for This

In the past eight years my husband and I have moved four times to three different states. In each new place we have faced the challenge of starting over, establishing community again among cities of almost all strangers.

But.

How, I love myself a good but.

But, these adventures haven't been for nothing. We have learned so much about trust, ourselves, and risk taking. And we have learned, time and again, the value of building relationships wherever we have been called to go. No matter how hard it can sometimes be.

That's why this past summer inspiration struck to call together moms for a playgroup with a twist. Not only was our focus to slurp popsicles, to chitchat about potty training and discipline, to remind little hands about sharing again, and to laugh at the kids romping around. We hoped to get to know one another more deeply, to share and pray and encourage.

With some neighborhood tweens to babysit upstairs before lunch time/nap time meltdowns came calling (at a buck an hour for each walking kiddo)... an inspirational book You are Captivating; Celebrating a Mother's Heart by John and Stasi Eldredge... and the promise of meeting just about every other week... that's what we tried to do.

Last week was our final gathering for now and, in honor of the last chapter's title, we had a "Nurture Your Heart" celebration. My budget was pretty tight this month, but I still wanted it to be special even if I had to use a lot of what I already have. As I so often find, it's in those simple details anyhow!

Like mason jars filled with lemon lime punch, whipped cream, or candlelight...

Flowers from the backyard with a message to every guest...
Sweet things to munch on while we discussed where our hearts were at, how Stacee makes her rice krispy treats so gourmet like, and what so-and-so's munchkin did the other day...
(Don't be afraid to take shortcuts... with time and money running a bit low, these little treats made a big hit for a few dollars. Yes, I dug this box out of the trash for you! :)
Copies of the book to read and reread when we need a lift back in the blessing of what can sometimes creep into overwhelming...
Best of all, the Eldredge's have written two other great books-- Wild at Heart, targeted for the heart of men, and Captivating, for the heart of women in general. I throw this out there to you as a friendly challenge for whatever your season of life; grab a group of people, dig in, and encourage each other to become all that you were created to be!

Then, please, come back here to share your own but story.

We'll be waiting.

And we simply can't wait to hear all about it.
~Katrina


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Don't forget the giveaway below ends tomorrow! I can tell you from experience that Sarai has a real gift for making these special (CUTE!) treasures. Can't wait to see the lucky winner!

(in)couragement for the moment

I will admit, I am not a domestic diva. As a single gal, it becomes easy to put off the cleaning of my house because it is just me here. This weekend I decided that it was time to tackle the dreaded bathroom. I know you are probably thinking, wait a minute, this was supposed to be about what encourages you, and you are right it is. But trust me, it will all make sense.

As I was cleaning the bathroom on Sunday afternoon, it seemed that every time I turned around there was another mess to be cleaned up. I spent a lot of time scrubbing the shower only to turn around and notice all the dust bunnies behind the toilet. I had to pay attention to the details, the nooks and crannies of my space. It required getting down in the muck, into the mess in order for it to get clean. It was hard work. Not fun work. But the end result was a super clean bathroom.

This is what encourages me. The bathroom seemed overwhelming when I was in the middle of it. Life can feel that way too, busy and messy and sometimes a little scary. But God is willing to get dirty with us and do the hard work to help us become what He wants us to be. This brings me great hope and encouragement that the work is worth it. I tend to get so caught up in all the ways that I have messed up or how inadequate I am, but the hope comes in a God that looks past that and sees the final product. And along the way He fills our lives with countless other ways that we are encouraged on the way.

So from now on that task of cleaning the bathroom that seems so daunting will be a gentle reminder of the promise that has been made to me and you too!

Need a little more (in)couragement...check out the new blog (in)courage.

encouraged in this moment...
Brooke