But trusting Him...

This beautiful sunrise from last week represents what happens in your heart and mind when you learn to trust God regardless what is going on in your life.  It's a lot easier to see the color in your life when the Son begins to shine...


And this I pray that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ...
Philippians 1:9-10

For whatever reason, God has let this broken world endure in its fallen state for a very long time.  God seems to value character more than our comfort, often using the very elements that cause us the most discomfort as His tools in fashioning that character.  This was true in the life of the apostle Paul, who prayed fruitlessly that his mysterious "thorn in the flesh" be removed (2 Corinthians 12:8).
In my own life, I am trying to remain open to new realities, not blaming God when my expectations go unmet but trusting Him to lead me through failures toward renewal and growth.  I am seeking a trust that "the Father knows best" in how this world is run.  I see that the way in which I may want God to act does not achieve the results I  might expect.
When God sent His own Son - sinless, full of grace and healing - we killed Him.  God Himself allows what He does not prefer, to achieve some greater goal.
Philip Yancey

Having an understanding that God can use illness and pain to bring about good in our lives, because He loves us and wants the best for us, is radical thinking that brings an unshakable peace to our lives.  In reality, our illness and pain is an awesome blessing because they bring us into a closer relationship with God.  And we can trust Him because He is trustworthy.

Crafts

I was wondering how I could creatively display my daughters' senior pictures when I got a great idea while watching Carol Duval one morning.  One of her guests made an interesting craft using an artist's canvas and some scrapbook materials and that got my creative juices flowing.  I chose a senior picture for each of the girls along with a picture from their preschool years, then picked out items, stickers and stamps that reminded me of each of them to embellish the canvases. 

The first step was to dry brush paint onto the canvases, then glue two layers of torn and inked scrapbook papers onto the painted canvases.  I applied the pictures, then embellished each canvas with the items that represented each girl, including inked chipboard initials for their first names.  To attach the skeleton key, I punched two small holes in the canvas and used thin floral wire, hidden by the ribbon, to secure the key to the canvas.  It's so fun to be creative!

Today's Recipe -  Minestrone
125 Best Vegan Recipes

 2 Tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 stalks celery, finely chopped
2 medium carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
6 cups vegetable stock
1 large potato, peeled and cut into 3/4 inch cubes
3/4 cup small tube-shaped pasta
1 (14-19 oz) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 (14 0z) can whole tomatoes, with juices
2 Tbsp tomato paste
2 tsp red wine vinegar
2 Tbsp coarsely chopped fresh basil leaves or 2 tsp dried
2 Tbsp natural cane sugar
1 Tbsp coarsely chopped fresh oregano leaves or 1 tsp dried
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat for 30 seconds.  Add onion and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes or until softened.  Add garlic, celery and carrots and cook, stirring, for 3-4 minutes.  Increase heat to medium-high.  Add vegetable stock, potato, pasta and kidney beans and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and cook,uncovered, for 10 minutes or until potato is tender.
In a blender or food processor, puree tomatoes with juices until smooth.  Add tomato paste and red wine vinegar and pulse to blend.  Stir tomato mixture into soup.
Reduce heat to low and stir in basil, sugar, oregano and salt and pepper to taste.  Cook, uncovered, for 10 minutes or until pasta is tender.