todays food

Galatians 6 The Message (MSG)

Nothing but the Cross

6 ^1-3 Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.

^4-5 Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.
⁶ Be very sure now, you who have been trained to a self-sufficient maturity, that you enter into a generous common life with those who have trained you, sharing all the good things that you have and experience.
^7-8 Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.
^9-10 So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.
^11-13 Now, in these last sentences, I want to emphasize in the bold scrawls of my personal handwriting the immense importance of what I have written to you. These people who are attempting to force the ways of circumcision on you have only one motive: They want an easy way to look good before others, lacking the courage to live by a faith that shares Christ’s suffering and death. All their talk about the law is gas. They themselves don’t keep the law! And they are highly selective in the laws they do observe. They only want you to be circumcised so they can boast of their success in recruiting you to their side. That is contemptible!
^14-16 For my part, I am going to boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ. Because of that Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns that they dictate. Can’t you see the central issue in all this? It is not what you and I do—submit to circumcision, reject circumcision. It is what God is doing, and he is creating something totally new, a free life! All who walk by this standard are the true Israel of God—his chosen people. Peace and mercy on them!
¹⁷ Quite frankly, I don’t want to be bothered anymore by these disputes. I have far more important things to do—the serious living of this faith. I bear in my body scars from my service to Jesus.
¹⁸ May what our Master Jesus Christ gives freely be deeply and personally yours, my friends. Oh, yes!


~Dont you just LOVE it when scripture speaks right into your heart and soul? It is not by Works alone but by the Faith we have in our Lord Jesus Christ. It is time to start living for Christ in the fullest through our actions and our words... starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith. 

This scripture speaks so much to me but I have a baby needing my attention and a toddler about to awake so I am limited for words to write, but my hope is that you will allow this scripture to penetrate into your live the way it has for me today. 

Tis The Season

I have really been thinking about the importance of being a good steward in this world. We as Canadians are among the richest in this world. I dont know what the statistics are but even though most of us might call ourselves "middle" class, we are truly much more than middle class in the grand scheme of things. 

To keep a long story short, I want to go out into the world and serve, learn, love, help. But right now I am in a position that many of you are probably in too... I am a mom with two kids.  My two boys NEED me so much right now and I love them so. Clayton calls me their hero because as soon as I walk into the room my boys are seriously ALL over me. It might look cute but when you are a toddler and a babies hero EVERY time you walk in a room it is a little much. I think you need to be a mom to a 2 1/2 year old and a 8 month old to know that when I say its a little much I am not being mean, I am just being real; we all need to breathe sometimes ok. 

So because I am slightly held down by my boys at home I have been trying to think of ways I can be a good steward, be missional from my own home and this holiday season I think there is no better time than to do it by shopping and giving. Well, I know I am not the only mamma at home that enjoys some good online shopping and it is a time we like to buy gifts SO.... why not think outside the box and start looking for ways we can shop and end slavery. I have found this site called:

http://www.shoptostopslavery.com/

and it comes with this great link http://www.ethicalholidayshoppingguide.com/

There are also a really great site I have found that when you purchase a pair of punjammies you are supporting a woman. PUNJAMMIES™ are a premium brand of pajamas hand made by women who were formerly enslaved in prostitution. Crafted from beautiful Indian fabric, PUNJAMMIES™ are perfect for sleeping or relaxing. 

http://www.punjammies.com/

You can read about the punjammie story on this site. /http://www.intlprincess.org/index.php/ipp/section/C2/

Another really cool site I found is Beza Threads http://www.bezathreads.org/

ABOUT BEZA THREADS 

Beza Threads wants redemption for the 1.8 million children in sex slavery today. We help fund an Ethiopian nonprofit that rescues girls from forced prostitution by selling the scarves they’ve created during recovery. Every scarf sold is a night off the street for a child. Buy a scarf and spread the word.

I could just keep going and going about great sites that do good deeds. I really like this one by Raven and Lily. 

http://www.ravenandlily.com/

There stuff is super nice, a little bit more pricy but gorgeous!

I got thinking last night that I should be researching how much of what you purchase goes to the artisian and how much the company keeps. I had all these thoughts about whether or not the fair trade website is doing what it says its doing and than it HIT ME. Its funny how when organizations or people want to do a good deed we question it. But when we go shopping for apples at Sobeys, clothing at Joe (superstore) or where-ever we dont think, "Hey I wonder if this mega-company is following good ethical practices? I wonder if the people who grew and roasted this no-name coffee was paid fairly? I wonder if the person who sewed this sweater or knit this cute hat was working in good conditions and paid well?" No, I think for the most part we look at the price and the convenience of what we are buying and buy it without thinking. But is that right? I have to agree that there are somethings we do not have a choice in. It is pretty hard to shop ethically, fair trade, organic, earth friendly all the time. 

Thats why this Christmas when we are buying gifts we can great creative! We can shop at places and buy unique gifts that make a difference. We can be women uplifting and supporting women. If we don't online shop we can go to places such as Ten Thousand Villages and shop there for some unique fair trade gifts. 

My point is modern day slavery and human trafficking is all around us and we can make a difference even by the way we shop. So get researching and buy some gifts that make a difference this Christmas!

A passion for justice

This is another great link with valuable information from IJM. Being informed is so important.
Bethany Hoang is from the International Justice Mission (IJM). IJM is a human rights agency that brings rescue to victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. IJM's justice professionals work in their communities in 15 field offices in Asia, Africa and Latin America to secure tangible and sustainable protection of national laws through local court systems.

A passion for justice | Library | Centre for Public Christianity
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This interview with Bethany Hoang completely sums up my thoughts and how I have been feeling. The issue is so HUGE and it seems impossible to stop the evil that is going on with modern day slavery. But the biggest thing I learnt when watching the Half The Sky documentary the other night was that it is a HUGE issue but if you can change even ONE life than it is worth it. When we listen to the stories and watch the documentaries and the news it is easy to become overwhelmed and feel defeated before even beginning. But we need to put ourselves into the mindset that if WE were the ones being sold into human trafficking than we would HOPE that someone would come and help us, rescue us from the pits of hell (because that is what these children, women and men are living in when they are being tortured and raped and held against their own will; sold by their own family).

So what is out call? Our duty? Our obligation as people who have the money, resources and knowledge? I am still working out these questions in my own mind but like Bethany Hoang said, we need to become informed.

"We cannot blame the dark for being dark, but we can blame the light for not shinning on the darkness."  

We cant do everything, but we CAN do something

The thought keeps running through my mind over and over again, "But what can I do?" I want to do so much but what? I can send money and pray. To things that seem so boring lol....right? (Or am I the only one that feels that way sometimes? Don't judge me I am just being honest).  But HONESTLY money and prayer are two very important and powerful tools.  Organizations need money to fund their projects, children need sponsorship and countries overwhelmed with evil are in serious need or intercessory prayer. But what else can we do? GET EDUCATED. GET CONNECTED. BECOME AWARE. If I do not fully understand the need that I will not be moved within my heart to seek change.  Who changes their lives for something or someone they know nothing about? 

So here are a few of my favorite websites and links that I have been on constantly. Reading, watching, learning.  I feel like my mission right now is just that. So I hope you will be inspired to watch these videos and read the links. 

Also, I just recently contacted Agape International Mission and they sent me a pamphlet and dvd in the mail for free and it was very educational. Another great one everyone is talking about is the Half the Sky documentary (go to www.pbs.org/halfthesky)

Daughters Of Cambodia 

http://www.daughtersofcambodia.org/sponsor_girl.php

The Pink Room Trailer

http://vimeo.com/thepinkroom/trailer
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Agape International Missions

www.agapewebsite.org

The mission of AIM is to prevent child sex trafficking in Cambodia and restore hope to its victims by providing holistic aftercare to rescued victims, be equipping and mobilizing the church to take action and by building church sponsored community centers in sex trafficking hot spots.

International Justice Missions

www.ijm.org

IJM is a human rights agency that brings rescue to victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. IJM lawyers, investigators and aftercare professionals work with local officials to secure immediate victim rescue and aftercare, to prosecute perpetrators and to ensure that public justice systems-police, courts and laws-effectively protect the poor.

Chab Dai

www.chabdai.org

The vision behind Chab Dai (literally "joining hands" in Khmer) was founded in Cambodia in 2005. Chab Dai aims to bring an end to trafficking and sexual exploitation through coalition building, community prevention, advocacy and research. In addition to the office in Cambodia, the vision of Chab Dai has been expanded into the USA and Canada

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Buttercream

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Buttercream

Pumpkin Cupcakes

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.Line cupcake pans with paper liners; set aside.  In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice; set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the  brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, and eggs. Beat on medium speed until well combined.  Add dry ingredients, and mix on low until smooth. Fold in pumpkin puree. 

Divide batter evenly among liners, filling each about halfway. Bake until tops spring back when touched, and a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes, rotating pans once if needed. Transfer to a wire rack; let cool completely.

Makes ~ 18 cupcakes.

Source: Adapted from MarthaStewart.com.

Salted Caramel Buttercream

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 stick salted butter
• 1 stick unsalted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 2 cups powdered sugar

In a saucepan, stir together granulated sugar and water.  Bring to a boil over medium high heat.  Cook without stirring until mixture turns a deep amber color, about 10 minutes.  Remove from heat and slowly add in cream and vanilla, stirring until very smooth.  Let caramel cool for about 20 minutes, until it is just barely warm and still pourable. Alternatively, you could use just under 1/2 cup of your favorite caramel sauce.

In a mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat butter and salt together until lightened and fluffy.  Reduce speed to low and add powdered sugar.  Mix until thoroughly combined.

 

Scrape down the side of the bowl and add the caramel.  Beat on medium high speed until light and airy, and completely mixed (about 2 minutes).  Mixture should be ready to use without refrigeration.  If your caramel was too hot when added, it will cause your icing to be runny.  If this happens refrigerate for 15-20 minutes. 

http://www.madeinmelskitchen.com/2010/10/pumpkin-cupcakes-with-salted-caramel-buttercrea/

The art of the Lord

Its that time of year again! Fall, beautiful in colors, scents and flavours. I cant help but be addicted to the taste of fall. Pumpkin chai tea (David's Tea), Pumpkin Lattes, Pumpkin soup with a maple cream, roasted root vegetables, apple turkey feta Sandwiches. I AM SO BLESSED to experience the greatness of fall. I think tonight I might even try pumpkin pancakes with maple syrup.

http://food.chatelaine.com/Recipes/View/Oven_roasted_pumpkin_soup_with_maple_thyme_cream

(This soup is SOOO good)

And OF COARSE I love fall at MLGC

Anyways, with thanksgiving coming up I want to give thanks where the thanks is due. I am reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan right now, he says it perfectly as he speaks about the greatness of God saying,
"Whatever God's reasons for such diversity, creativity, and sophistication in the universe, on earth and in our own bodies, the point of it all is His glory. God's art speaks of Himself, reflecting who He is and what He has done."
And for who He is and what He is done I am so grateful because I am able to enjoy the art He has created through the blessings of my garden as I cook and eat and the handiwork of His beauty as I take in the colors of the fall.
This thanksgiving let us find thankfulness in the small things, the big things, the simple and the complex.

If now is the time... than send me!

photo by Stacey Bacque (Cambodia)

If you know me well enough you know that my heart lies deeply in hoping that one day I will get an opportunity to make the difference in the lives of women and children who are being treated with injustice: largely in the area of sex trafficking. Many times I have prayed the same prayer that God would open my eyes and break my heart for the things that break His; that I would stand up for injustice and be a voice to those who do don't have a voice to stand up for themselves. I would begin to read books like "Half The Sky", or watch a document on TV about sex trafficking and red light districts in places like Asia and instantly have a heart wrenching feeling, tears in my eyes and have to put down the book or turn off the TV in fear of not feeling ready to embark on my prayer.

Recently my sister, who is Cambodia working at Place of Rescue, posted a like for an NGO called Daughters of Cambodia. She had gone to their boutique/cafe/spa and really liked what she saw. It is a place for girls to escape from the brothels and find a place to be trained in sewing, spa treatments, cafe work, jewelery making so that they have the ability to work and make an income. The Daughters of Cambodia organization teaches these girls about Christianity and the love of Jesus and how to provide a living that is honorable to themselves.  Anyways, as I browsed through their website I instantly began to have a stirring in my heart. I began to think that now is the time! I WANT to get involved and make a difference.

But than of coarse feelings of doubt started to overwhelm me. I began to doubt my feelings of needing to get into the world and learn more about trafficking and how I can make a difference. I began to doubt that God would call me NOW, at this time in my life when I have two small children. But I could not dismiss the feelings and thoughts I had the day before that felt like the Holy Spirit urging me to take ahold of the calling and passion I have to minister in this area. So to make sure I am not quenching the passion inside my heart, I am deciding to embrace this feeling of need to go overseas and get connected with an organization that helps women and children escape from pimps, abuse, disease and horrible brothels and learn the Love that Jesus has for them. To learn they are beautiful and valued. I want to have my eyes open, my worldview expanded and gain knowledge of how we can help and make a difference and I know God is calling me to do more that pray and donate money. He is calling me to step out and expeince what is going on first hand. To step out of my comfort zone and finally truly allow my heart to be broken and reshaped.

SO, I know if this is meant to be that God will open the doors and allow me to take the steps in the right direction. God asked Isaiah who should He send? Who will go for us? And Isaiah responded, "I will Lord, Send me!"  At the end of Isaiah chapter 1 God says, "Work for injustice, Help the down and out. Stand up for the homeless. Go and bat for the defenceless." (The Message).
I stumbled upon this verse this morning. No matter where we are in life, with a job and a family, we will always be busy. We will always not have enough money. We will always find an excuse to not do things.  I don't want to make an excuse why I should not go. I want to make every effort to make sure I am listening to the holy spirit and allowing God to use me in any way, shape or form and follow my passions.

Who will go with me? When will we go? Where will we go? Why will we go there? What will we do with the things we learn and experience? There are alot of questions running through my mind. I don't know the answers quite yet but I know God does and He will bring this to pass if it is His will, because God knows I am super willing to be His servant. I have a few girls on my heart that I feel like are supposed to go with me on this mission. Jenelle Matson being one of them :) I know her heart is in this area as well. She also has some girls on her heart and we both feel like God might be putting together a team of strong Moose Lake women. Is  God strring something up in your heart as you read this? If so maybe you are called to! Pray. (Than talk to me or Jenelle!!)
www.daughtersofcambodia.org

praying for patience

Parenthood. Nothing can prepare you for the life of being a parent. People always tell you that you need to be ready because it changes your whole life and even though we hear the words they tell us, it cannot be fully understood until you experience it.

I love my boys so much. They are cute, funny and always learning. It is amazing to watch a human grow and experience the world around them. But it is also very frustrating, stretching and sacrificing as well. I have grown to think that some people were cut out to be parents and some people, like me, have to work harder at it.  I think it all comes down to patiences and because I am a 'right now' type of person, I have to really work on not losing my cool ALOT.  I also have a bit of a control issue. I like things to go a certain organized way and kids are the complete opposite. Liam's favorite gaming is throwing things. He dumps out his toys, throws them down the hall, than moves on to dumping out clothes from drawers, food, utensils, and ultimately anything that looks 'dumpable' is to him. And with every dumping of things is a huge grin on his face and laughter. This messy play is needless to say hard on my nerves. Like why cant the bath water stay in the tub? Why does my bathroom ALWAYS turn into a swimming pool? Right, because Liam is 2.

Discipline is necessary. Rules need to be set up so kids have boundaries and dont run wild like animals. But here is the thing I am learning. A child needs to be set in their place when they are not respecting you and their enviroment. But as parents we also need to chill out and let our kids be kids. A kids world is not perfect and organized. It is a learning world and learning can be messy.  As adults we do not always learn things quick, easy and structured; at least I never have. So today I am going to pray hard for God to give me the patients I need to let my floor get sticky, to let my bookshelf get unorganized and to let my kids get dirty... well not Carson cause it is kinda my job to keep him clean.  Not very long ago I read a post on pinterest that said something like, Good parents have sticky floors, piles of laundry and dirty dishes. And I said to my mother-in-law that I must be a bad parent cause I cant do that! But the point is not to let your house get out of control, but to lay down your control-freak nature and enjoy your kids. To worry more about if you have spent time playing and getting messy with your 2 year old and cuddling your newborn instead of doing the dishes.

So here is to today: A messy, unorganized day. A day of fun, cuddles and play.

                                              

                                                 

                                                  

February 4

Year 3.
                                        Meditate. A latte, my favorite mug and some wisdom.

I am so thankful for music from Sigur Ros. It never fails to bring me relaxation.

Memories. The best way to reflect.

Romans 8:15

The Message (MSG)

 ^15-17This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?" God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what's coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we're certainly going to go through the good times with him!

I love you Dad. 

27

Today is my birthday. I know we all look forward to our birthdays, it is totally normal. But this year I have been looking forward to my birthday with no expectations really.  I don't have any plans for the day, I wasn't hoping for any big gifts (even though I love the new TOMS Clayton got me and the other gifts I got), and I was totally happy spending a relaxing day at home.  I sound kind of melancholy I guess, but I'm not.  I have been looking forward to my birthday to just take in whatever the day might bring. It might be because I live in Glendon, I have a toddler and I am pregnant so its kinda hard to have big birthday expectations lol! Or maybe 27 brings a new sense of maturity... but I doubt that.

The best thing about my birthday this year though is four different birthday greetings I have received from my friends and my sister. They didn't just say the standard Happy Birthday, I love you, have a great day... they were personal and uplifting birthday greetings that meant so much to me.  I have no idea why but for some reason I am just taken back by the thoughtfulness of these birthday encouragements. So thank you so so much.

I am so lucky because I get to share this birthday with my best friend and twin sister Stacey... although she is millions of miles away in a different time zone eating Kangaroo and sight seeing Sydney Australia while I am back in Alberta eating 'normal' food and trying not to slip on the skating rink in my back yard.  But I am so extremely blessed to have a twin sister, and even though I do not wish to ever have twins I am sure glad my mom did! There is no one closer to me than Stacey for so many obvious reasons, and I am glad that she is my twin so that she can also be my best friend. I dont know what I do without her. She is so giving, loving and compassionate and has always done so much for me. I know this is going to be a tough year for her as she travels because she will have an ongoing pull inside of her  from loving and wanting to travelling and equally wanting to be near family.  And that is one of the best qualities about Stacey, she has a soft heart and a deep love for the special people in her life.
I am so happy her and Jeremy get to spend their birthday's travelling, so fun! And I am equally as happy that I get to spend this day with my amazing husband and my funny little boy Liam and the active baby inside me that constantly kicks my ribs.

27. I look forward to this year. I have a beautiful baby on the way, a toddler who is turning 2 and teaching me ongoing patients and amazing friends and family that bless me beyond what I deserve.

So Stacey, here is to us! Happy Birthday Sister!