Run Away. . . .

Sitting here staring at a blank screen.  Feeling a bit like I just want to run away.  Run far far away.  Away from the stresses of this life.  Run away from the cold that never seems to end.  Wanting to just close the door to my room and forget that life continues.

And how do you do it?  How do you pick yourself up and decide to get going?  How do you just put those feelings aside and start the day?  How do you just put one foot in front of the other and start?

Well, today, I guess I just do it.  Today I CAN do it.  I might not WANT to do it, but today I can.  Today, I am very aware of the choice I have.  Today, I am very aware of the fact that I can either go back to bed and stay there, or I can get up and get something done - or in the least put clothes on this morning.  That's step one.

Today I am going to choose to remember a time when I couldn't logically make that choice.  Today I choose to remember those times that because of the tears, I couldn't get out of bed.  I choose to remember the times when all I could do was lie in bed and think of how awful my life was.  I choose to remember those dark days when all I could think of was ending my life - parking my car on a train track begging God to send a train.  I choose to remember the days when I was completely unavailable to my children, and my husband had to carry on life for my kids without me.  I choose to remember the days that I sat at the door sobbing because I knew I needed to go out, but sat in terrified panic of walking out the door.  I choose to remember those days. . . 

. . . because today is not one of those days.  Today.  Today I can think about those days.  Today, I can look back and know that my life didn't end that day.  For right now, today I am on the other side of that path.  Today I can look back and thank God that I can see things clearer now.  Today I might feel kind of blah, but I can still see out the window and find the good in the day.  Today, I remember that God has walked me through a path of incredible darkness, and I am thankful.

Today I could read the devotional from Proverbs31.org (Proverbs31 Ministries) and say - yes that was me. . . but I too have been brought through those dark days.  Today because of God's goodness, I can say that I still can see the sun rising each morning. And each day further away from those days, brings me hope that I will be able to stay in this emotional healthy state.  Don't get me wrong, it wasn't an easy road back.  Getting over the stigma of taking medication to keep my chemicals in balance was a tough thing to get accustomed to.  Having to make the choice to go to see a counselor regularly to help me refocus my thought patterns was not an easy choice. Accepting that maybe God was using those things (medication, doctors & counseling) to help me out of my depression rather than performing an all out miracle was tough.  I knew that God COULD do that, but I also came to accept that God brought those people, the words in books, my doctors to help me.  Of course, I spent hours and hours going to Him.  Believe me, I knew I needed Him first and foremost.  In his book Emotionally Free, Grant Mullen talks about how if someone has cancer, we pray that God would heal their bodies.  But never for a moment, would we encourage someone to stay away from the doctors or hospital.  We know God can (and does!) heal them but we also know that God uses the benefits of modern medicine to show His work as well.  And for depression or other mental illnesses, it is no different.  God has provided the medication to balance out the chemicals in our bodies.  By no stretch of the imagination do I believe that I don't need God because of my meds.  I DO however, believe that God used my doctor to find the appropriate medicine that worked for me.  I DO believe that He led me to my counselor Lynn (Crocus Counseling) who has helped me walk through these difficult times, and taught me to change my thought patterns.  I believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that God used Grant Mullen's book to help me gain victory over these issues.  God was in it all.

And so today, when I face a difficult morning.  I go to God.  It is easy to use Satan's lies.  And I will be honest, I do not always gain great victory.  But more and more often, I am able to go to God first and then using what I have been taught gain those little daily victories.  I'm constantly having to defeat Satan and rebuke his lies.  I am constantly having to focus my face on God and the victories He has given me in the past to show that He is still moving - and changing me.  

It's not easy.  Many mornings there is a struggle.  Many times during the day it is a struggle.  Many times, I must consciously beg God to help me focus on His truths, and not on Satan's lies.  Many times, I have a very specific decision to make.  Will I believe the lie that Satan is telling me, or dig deeper and find the truth that God has placed there for me?

I pray that if you struggle with believing Satan's lies - whatever they may be - I encourage you first and foremost to talk to God.  Take that very moment and ask God to take those thoughts away.  And secondly talk to someone!!!  The longer you believe the lies that Satan is feeding you the more difficult it becomes to find the truth that God has for you.

I love Psalm 139.  It's a longer one so I won't post it here, but here's a link to it.Psalm 139  Read it when you can.  It is a great reminder of who we are in God.  And as dark as your days may sometime seem, remember HE is there.  He has been there, and He wants to bring you into His Light.  I pray that if you find yourself struggling today that you will be able to find a way through the fog and focus on God's light.  That you will be able to defeat Satan's badgering and focus on what God is trying to tell you.  And if there is something that I can pray for you, I would love for you to leave a comment below so that I can pray for you.  If you don't want to leave specifics, that's fine. . . just know I'd love to take the time to pray for you!

Praying that you will be able to see God's light and focus on the goodness He has given to you today.

*HUGS*

What to do when life throws you curve balls

I LIFT MY EYES UP - WHERE DOES MY HELP COME FROM?  MY HELP COMES FROM THE LORD THE MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH
The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    he will watch over your life;

the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore.

Today, something happened.  Something big. A grand slam.  Yes. . . I know a grand slam in baseball is a good thing, but today that grand slam is more like a grand slam right into the ground.  A grand slam so scary that it slices right through you. Slices right through to the very core of who you are. Slices right through to the very foundation that is within you.  Slices right through to the place that fear grows.  Slices right through to the places that you never dared breathe on your lips.  

And what do you do when that "never talk about thing" comes along side you and completely blind sides you?  Where do you go?  Where is God in that moment?  How do I deal with this?  What is my response?  

For those of you that know me, I have traveled a lot of roads. Today there was something I had never faced before.  Something I have never dared think about.  Something that brought fear into the very heart of me. HOWEVER, while I cannot share what that "something" is right now, today, but for God's incredible grace, He gave me peace.  He gave me His promise that no matter what, HE IS THERE!  Today, the lessons that God has been trying to teach me, I had to put into practice.

I have to trust Him.  I have to have faith that He has gone before me, and knows what tomorrow, the day after, the week after will bring.  The very verses that He put into the rotation of memory in my head, I am having to play it out. (Tuesdays memory verses)  I am having to LIVE those verses.  I am having to CLAIM those verses. . . moment by moment.  I am having to find the thankfulness in my prayers.  I am having to put away those anxious thoughts and trust in the One who created me.  The One who went before me today.  The One who knows those fears that cut through me.  The One who helps me be strong in the face of fear and uncertainty.  I am putting my everything in Him.  Because He knows.  He knows what my future will hold.  And HE HOLDS it.  I have no control over what may happen.  It is completely in His hands.  And so at this moment. . . I rest. . . I wait. . . and I trust. . . My God who knows it all is in control.  And I will thank Him.  I will praise Him.  And I will wait for His guidance. . . 




And as I sat writing this blog, I looked over to my calendar from Sarah Young : JESUS CALLING. . . and this is what I read. . . 

SEEK MY FACE, and you will find not only My Presence but also MY PEACE.  To receive My Peace, you must change your grasping, controlling stance to one of openness and trust.  The only thing you can grasp without damaging your soul is My hand.  Ask My Spirit within you to order your day and control your thoughts, fir the mind controlled by the Spirit is Life and Peace.

You can have as much of Me and My Peace as you want, through thousands of correct choices each day.  The most persistent choice you face is whether to trust me or to worry.  You will never run out of things to worry about, but you can choose to trust Me no matter what.  I am an ever-present help in trouble.  Trust Me, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.
Romans 8:6  Psalm 46:1-2

TODAY LORD, I CHOOSE TO TRUST YOU.

Tuesday's Choice: Memorizing Verses

So today, for my memorizing, I'm sharing another group of verses that I love.

Philippians 4:4-8

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Not a super long passage, and one that might be easy to memorize but so difficult to actually do in our day to day lives.  

Lately I've been mulling over, okay let's face it - worrying - as to what I should do next year.  Right now, I am loving teaching preschool, but I am also loving teaching piano.  I have had several people ask me whether or not I'd be taking new students in fall, and so I have started to think about what route I should go.  I talked about it, thought about it, stewed over it, but mostly just worried over it.  As I was thinking about it again this morning, this passage of verses came into my mind.  And I have to admit, verse six was the one that kept coming into my mind.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation BY PRAYER and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  BY PRAYER - WITH THANKSGIVING!  Not by prayer with lots of worry.  Not by prayer, but still obsessing about it.  But it is by prayer with thanksgiving. And i realized, that it wasn't with a thankful heart it was with a worried, stressed heart that I was coming to God.  I knew He could show me what to do - but as I was praying, I realized I wasn't convinced He would.  I was praying because I was supposed to, not because I was thankful for the answer God would bring me.  It was just a force of habit really.  And then as I printed out these verses today, verse 7 hit me.  AND THE PEACE OF GOD WHICH TRANSCENDS ALL UNDERSTANDING, WILL GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND YOUR MINDS IN CHRIST JESUS.  Well, I certainly wasn't feeling any peace when I was praying.  But I also wasn't praying with thanksgiving.  If I HAD been praying with a heart of thanksgiving (thanking God for the answers He would provide me) I WOULD have that peace verse 7 talks about.  Can you imagine?  A peace that transcends all understanding.  WOW!  I am really thinking I have to change my heart when I pray.  If I pray with a heart of thanksgiving, God will give me peace that I can't even begin to make sense of.  I want that!!! Can you imagine that kind of calm!?!?!?!  WOW!!!!

Lord help my unbelief when I pray.  Help me to come to you with a thankful heart when I make my requests to you.  Help me to truly present my requests to you believing that you will answer!!!  Help me to become more like you!

Finally Friday: BE THANKFUL

This week didn't feel overly long, but as always, I am thankful for Fridays!  A day off with two more to come. IT'S THE WEEKEND!

Today I am thankful for:

- my kids being home (inservice day)
- coffee with a friend this morning to praise God for how He moves and works in our lives
- my daughter who came with me grocery shopping this morning - an activity that brings me much anxiety and dread, but made so much easier because she was there
- Bible Study tonight - a group of people we as a family are all thankful for - kids and adults alike!
- God showing us incredible ways how He is working
- the fact that it's January 31, and that means it's one month closer to summer!
- the opportunity to teach piano - what joy my students bring me!!!
- how God provides for us financially - K & I both have jobs that we so enjoy
- opportunities to minister
- and finally, not lastly because there are so many more things that I am thankful for, but this one made me SMILE big this morning:   THE SEED PACKETS TO START SEEDLINGS ARE OUT - BOTH FLOWERS AND VEGGIES!  yes!!!!!!  I am so ready for spring. . . .


I trust you will be able to find many things to be thankful for on this Friday - at the close of a week.  Praying that God will make Himself real to you and that you will see the blessings in your every day life.

~Sharon

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

 Psalm 107:1

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

 Ephesians 5:20

Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Colossians 3:15-17

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

James 1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Psalm 106:1

Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

Psalm 105:1

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!

Colossians 3:15

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Thirsty Thursday: Berry Breakfast Smoothie

Today I thought I would share my breakfast smoothie with you.  This is something that I have been having about 3 or 4 times a week and it's a little bit of heaven before I start my day.  I usually have them on the mornings when  the kids are off to school, and hubby is off to work, and it's just me and the pets.  I love it. It's such a relaxing way to start the day and a healthy way to start the day.  I will admit, I am not a breakfast person. If I did have breakfast it was usually a piece of toast and coffee.  I've been trying to stay away from that, so this is what I have come up with.  AND it's a great way to get my calcium in.

One unique thing that I put into my smoothie are Chia seeds.  Look at the wonderful benefits you get from just taking in one Tablespoon of seeds each day.

They’re a good source of:

• Omega 3 fatty acids - Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids are essential fatty acids, meaning that you need to get from food sources because your body cannot produce them itself. Omega 3′s reduce inflammation and may help lower risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and arthritis. They’re also said to help with weight reduction related to their regulation of blood sugar levels and insulin.
• Plant-based protein - We all know protein is an essential macro-nutrient needed for many functions in the body, including muscle building.
• Antioxidants - Anti-oxidants help rid our body of free radicals, which have been linked to cancer and heart disease.
• Fiber – Helps with weight loss by keeping you feeling full, prevents constipation and enhances regularity.
• Magnesium and Potassium – Two minerals needed for good health.

(taken from the website:  http://www.eatingbirdfood.com/2011/08/why-eat-chia-seeds/)

So here is my recipe for this delicious smoothie:

Berry Breakfast Smoothie

1 Cup of frozen mixed berries (blackberries, blueberries & strawberries)
3/4 cup of skim milk
1/2 cup of yogurt (I used strawberry Danone Activa yogurt)
1 Tablespoon of Chia seeds

Blend together in an electric blender until smooth.  Pour into tall glass and enjoy!

The amazing thing is that there are only 335 calories in this smoothie and with the addition of the chia seeds, I find it keeps me going all the way through lunch.  This would be great on a hot afternoon as well, although, these days here in Manitoba, it's pretty hard to even imagine summer will one day get here!

Enjoy and have a wonderful Thursday!

~Sharon

BE PREPARED!!!! (no flip flops allowed)

The cool water we found just down the road sure felt
 good on our hot, tired, achy feet!

One of the best vacations we have ever taken was 2 years ago when we went to South Dakota.  Other than going to North Dakota to go shopping, or driving through 3 states to get to Ontario, our kids had never been anywhere in the United States.  My husband had loved the Badlands when he had gone as a child, so he planned our vacation to South Dakota.  Since we were staying in Rapid City and were so close to Wyoming, we thought we might as well head there to add another state to the places our children had been.  So, in sweltering temperatures, we decided to take a day trip to Devils Tower. The van was air-conditioned after all. We thought it would be fun to see it, and do some driving around in the area.

And off we went, without really thinking about where we were headed.  After all, we had never been there, and had no idea what was in store for us.  Once we arrived, we decided to walk around and check out the walking trails in the area.  We realized that there was a path that could take us all around Devil's Tower.  The kids were all in, so off we started, cameras in hand - - - and one water bottle - - - and flip flops on our feet. They would have a nice walking path all around, right?  About an hour into our adventure, we realized that we were NOT prepared for such a walk.  The dilemma came as to whether or not we should turn around, or keep on forging ahead.  It was nearly impossible to determine if we were 1/2 way around or what.  So we kept on.  At times the trail was quite steep and flip flops were not quite the right foot gear, and at times the path went down quite steep, where flip flops were also not the right foot gear!!!  Thankfully there were several rest areas and look outs that allowed us to stop and rest at times, but alas, the water was long gone!

Finally, when we thought it would NEVER end, we saw a sign up ahead.  THANKFULLY we were nearing the end.  Our son ran up ahead and came back almost in tears to announce that we were only at the half way point!!!!  As you can imagine it took quite some convincing to get our kids up off the bench to begin the 2nd half of our journey.  Surprisingly the last half didn't seem to take that long.  (Isn't it funny when you are going somewhere unfamiliar, it seems to take twice as long as it does to return home?!?!?)  By the time we reached the parking lot where the van was parked, we were all irritable and ready for some cold water and a nice air-conditioned van!

Needless to say, we definitely learned our lesson.  RESEARCH!!!  BE PREPARED!!! PLAN FOR ANYTHING!!! (and don't wear flip flops on a hike around Devil's Tower!!!)

As I've thought about that trip (with regards to planning THIS year's holiday!!!!), I have thought about what I do in my Christian walk.  At our supper time devotions, we have been talking with the kids about being a witness to those around us.  In our daughter's youth, they've been encouraged to befriend someone who isn't a Christian and encourage them to come out to youth.  As we've talked about sharing with others we've also talked about how to be prepared for sharing our faith.  What kind of answers could they give their friends when questioned about their faith.  Do they believe it just because we have taught them things, or do they believe it and understand it for themselves.  We have been encouraging them to be sure they are prepared for some of those hard questions.

In discussing that, I've also begun thinking about eternity.  Am I prepared for eternity?  Would I be ready to face Jesus Christ if He returned right now?  What would I have to say to Him?  What have I done to please Him?  What have I done that I would be ashamed of?  Am I prepared to meet my Saviour?  Sadly, I look at my life and see so many areas that I am not.  YES, I know that I am a Christian.  There's no doubt about that in my mind.  However, how am I showing my love for Christ? Am I doing the things that He has called me to do?  Is my "house" set in order for when He comes back?  I think of all the missed opportunities of caring for others.  I think of all the missed opportunities to share with others what I believe.  I think of all the times I have walked away from a situation when I should have stayed with it.  I think of all the times I have let my Saviour down.  I think of how focused I am on myself instead of what Christ's wants for me.

I do look forward to the day that Christ returns, but I definitely need to be more "prepared" than I am now. In Colossians 2 it reads, 6 And now just as you trusted Christ to save you, trust him, too, for each day’s problems; live in vital union with him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him. See that you go on growing in the Lord, and become strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with joy and thanksgiving for all he has done. (Hmmmm thinking this might be a good section for next week's memory verses. . . . we'll see. . . )  My life should be overflowing with joy and thanksgiving.  My life should be so full and evident of Christ. My roots should be grown down deep, drawing my nourishment from Him!!!  I should be GROWING in the Lord.  I should show a life that is strong and vigorous in God's truth.  Oh how woefully short of that I am. When I look at myself in the mirror, do I see a reflection of Jesus??? When others look at me, do they see Jesus?

Let's get prepared for Christ's return.  Let's do all He has called us to do.  Let's share His love, His message, His imminent return with others!  Let's live so that when others look at us they see Jesus.  Let's be prepared for Him so when He does return He will say:  "Way to go Sharon.  You made me proud!!!"  Wouldn't that just be incredible to hear that????  WOW!

Do They See Jesus In Me? (by Joy Williams)

Is the face that I see in the mirror 

the one I want others to see 

Do I show in the way that I walk in my life 

The love that You've given to me 

My heart's desire is to be like You 

In all that I do, all I am 

Do they see Jesus In Me 

Do they recognize Your face 

Do I communicate Your love, and Your grace 

Do I reflect who You are 

In the way I choose to be 

Do they see Jesus In Me 

It's amazing that you'd ever use me 

But use me the way You will 

Help me to hold out a heart of 

compassionate grace 

A heart that You're spirit fills 

May I show forgiveness and mercy 

The same way You've shown it to me 

Now I want to show all the world who You are 

The reason I live and breathe 

So You'll be the One that they see 

When they see me

Miss Grouchy Pants / Tuesday's Choice

Do you ever wake up in the morning and just find you've woken up grouchy?  NO!  I'm not talking about my husband  who I might call "Grouchy" ('cause REALLY he's not!!!) -  ME!!! GROUCHY!!  I'm the grouchy bear.  I lay in bed this morning thinking about the day and just wanted to stay in bed.  I just wanted to be mad.  I'd had some sort of a dream and I was frustrated and angry in it, and that's how I woke up.  I was ready to tear off anyone's head who DARED come near me.  (I know, not quite Christ-like was it :-(  )

As I lay there, I thought how am I supposed to show love to my family?  How am I supposed to share a spiritual tidbit on my blog, when I feel FAR from spiritual this morning. I lay in bed struggling with how to get over my growlies and I started to pray.  I asked God to change my heart.  To change my attitude.  Still, every part of me just wanted to roll over and forget about getting breakfast for me kids.  Forget about wishing hubby good morning.  Forget about teaching piano.  Just forget about doing anything but being grouchy!

As the moments ticked by, I started to think about what God wanted of me, and I started to have this mental argument with God. "But I don't feel like it.  Why can't I have ONE day - just ONE day where I can wake up like a bear and growl at the rest, just the way my kids do at me?  Why can't I just stay in bed and be mad?"  Well, you can pretty much figure out what happened.  I started to feel guilty and started thinking about the amazing things I have in my life. I started to think about all the things God has given to me over the months.  All the miracles, big and small that He has blessed me with.  "SHOOT!!!  God, I wanted to be mad, not thankful!"

So I dragged myself out of bed, and decided I was going to be cheerful.  Okay, that's not entirely true.  I decided I wasn't going to snap anyone's head off. I figured that would be a start.  I made it out of the bedroom, past my husband, past my kids and into our prayer room. (Prayer Room)  I sat down in front of the computer, and wouldn't you know it, the song that was playing in our prayer room was "I Love You Lord" and the very lyrics that came on as I sat down were this:

I love you Lord, and I lift my voice

to worship you, O my soul, REJOICE

Take joy my King, in what you hear

May it be a sweet sweet sound in your ear.

YIKES!!!! If that wasn't enough to snap me out of my grouchies.  I did have to chuckle how God works out those things in our lives.  There was such a battle this morning between Satan and God's angels. But thankfully today, I reached out to God and asked for His help, and sure enough, He spoke to me and stopped Satan's grasp on my attitude and turned what could have been a really grouchy morning, into a morning of praise.

So if you are feeling grouchy this morning, join me in focusing on what God has given to us.  I know here in Manitoba with all this cold weather and snow, it's easy to get focused on the negative.  It's easy to feel spring is never going to come, but join me in watching this video, won't you?  The images of God's wonderful creation, and the words of praise, may just get you out of your grouchies this morning.  Praise God - it did for me!!

(PS, after the video, I have included our memorizing passage for today.  Thought I might need to mull this one over and over this week!!!  Blessings on you and may God's joy and praise be felt in your heart today!)

Tuesday's Choice:  (figured this was appropriate for me this a.m.)

Psalm 150

1  Praise the Lord.  Praise God in his sanctuary;
2  Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.
3  Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,
4  praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute,
5  praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with the resounding cymbals.
6  Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.   PRAISE THE LORD.

Monday's Musings

Friendships.  That's what I've been thinking about these last couple of days.  It's an area that for me has often been up and down. Early on in our marriage, my husband and I had some fairly close friends, but never did we have lots of close friends.  But for us it was the quality of friends that we had in our lives that was more important.  Having moved into this community, we did not have friends that were from our "growing up years" and so coming into a close knit community, we found it difficult to connect with those around us because they all had family/life long friends that they would get together with.  It is unreal though, how so many of those incredibly close friendships that we did end up making, ended with those friends moving away. Time after time, we would finally connect with another couple, and after a few years, God called them somewhere else. It was difficult.  We would finally find a couple we could really connect with and who made us a priority and they would end up moving away.  So many times this would happen, and each time it did, it made us pull back from people just a little more. And over the years, I know that we had built a wall around us.  As the years have passed, we've realized how much we have pulled away from those around us and how lonely life was becoming at times.  I've also realized that there were many people out there who were just as lonely as I was.

Over the past couple of years, thankfully God has brought several people into our lives who we now consider our dear friends.  I know in the past, I was waiting for others to connect with me.  I wanted THEM to make the first move.  I kind of felt like this was THEIR town so why should I have to make the first move. But that mentality left me empty and alone.  Over the years, God has prompted me and reminded me that to have a friend you have to be a friend.  That regardless of whether or not other people have closer friends, God has just called me to show His love.  He calls me to love others, and that includes those around me. God calls me to look at the interest of others rather than that of my own.  (HEY!  I think those were the verses I memorized a couple of weeks ago.  Tuesdays memorizing passage )

I am so thankful for the friends that God has brought into my life.  I am thankful for the friendships that our children have forged with other solid Christian children.  I am thankful for the friendship that even though they have moved away, that despite time and distance, our friendships still stand.  I am thankful for the friends that have stood beside us through difficult times and prayed for us through those times.  I am thankful for the guidance our friends have given us.  I'm thankful for the times when our friends have said the difficult things that we needed to hear despite what we might feel.  I am thankful for renewed friendships that God has allowed us to reconnect with.  I am thankful for new friends.

More than ever, I am realizing that when I open up my heart to share God's love to others, and when I open up my heart to be loved by others, that's when friendships are grown.  That's when God's love can flow.  That is when I am blessed by others, and I can begin to see all the blessings that God has placed right in front of me.

Truly, friendships are a gift from God - one I am incredibly thankful for!!!

So to those who I am proud to call my friends, just know I am blessed by you and honored to call you my friend!!!

Praise you in this Storm

This afternoon, I was sitting in my kitchen watching the snow fly all around and listening to the winds howl. The forecast had been for a balmy -1C, which it had been earlier on in the afternoon, but now the temperatures were falling and with the wind, I was pretty sure the it was feeling much colder than that.  As I sat and looked out the window, I watched as a squirrel sat carefully perched on a branch eating the seeds that my husband so faithfully puts out.  I watched as a bird feeder blew around in the wind, and watched as to my surprise, several birds flew up to it and perched themselves at it.  They proceeded to eat from the feeder as if the fact that the feeder was at quite an angle due to the wind it didn't even make them take notice.  They sat and fed there for quite some time, moving around so others could join them.  It was as if they weren't even aware of the storm raging all around them.  Amazingly, at that same moment Casting Crowns song "I Will Praise you in this Storm" came onto my iPod.  (see the link below).

I sat and listened to the words that I have in the past heard over and over and watched with fascination as the birds and squirrel continued on doing what they were doing despite the storm raging all around them.  I was reminded of a song that as I child I loved to listen to.  In our church, we always had a variety of speakers coming for Sunday mornings.  I don't recall this gentleman's name, but what I do remember is him singing the song "His Eye is On the Sparrow".  He had a had a distinct accent that whenever I hear this song, I am reminded of him singing it.  The chorus goes as follows "I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free.  For His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me."

As I sat and watched the sparrows and chickadees at the feeder it brought me back to the wonder of how God cares for us, and watches over us. In every situation, God is there. In every moment of fear, in every moment of betrayal, in every moment of grief, God is there.  Over the years, K & I have gone through many valleys, yet each time God has proved Himself faithful.  He has given us the strength, the patience, the confidence that He is still in control.  The storms may have raged around us, yet He was there.  I will be honest, as we journeyed through them, at times I did wonder where He was.  I wondered WHY ME? WHY US?  But once I've come through the storm, and even so many times as I gone through those storms, God has shown Himself to me.  

When K had his accident and lay in a hospital bed unable to move (I'll share his story another day) I made the comment that being a Christian was the best and worst thing.  It was difficult because I couldn't understand why God had allowed him to break his neck & his back when we were doing His ministry.  And yet, I was so thankful that I had a God that was in control.  A God that I could go to with my fears, worries and agony.  I couldn't have begun to imagine walking through those months without the knowledge and confidence that God was still in control of things.  Last year, when I was wading through the dark days of depression and anxiety, I didn't understand God, but I KNEW beyond a shadow of a doubt that He was there, guiding me through that journey.  What a confidence we have knowing God is there.  Knowing that He has gone before us.  That He knows the very feelings we are dealing with.  

Having weathered several storms, I can honestly say that I am thankful that God has taken me through each and every one.  I have been drawn closer to God.  I have seen His amazing miracles.  I have seen the power that He has displayed when all hope was lost.  Had I not gone through those waters? I would never have been able to experience all of God's goodness and miracles.  I can truly say I will praise Him in this storm. . . and after the storm. . . I will thank Him as I sit and bask in the the calm after the storm.  What a confidence we have knowing we are God's children and He is taking care of us.  

Matthew 6:25-34

25 “So my counsel is: Don’t worry about things—food, drink, and clothes. For you already have life and a body—and they are far more important than what to eat and wear. 26 Look at the birds! They don’t worry about what to eat—they don’t need to sow or reap or store up food—for your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are. 27 Will all your worries add a single moment to your life?

28 “And why worry about your clothes? Look at the field lilies! They don’t worry about theirs. 29 Yet King Solomon in all his glory was not clothed as beautifully as they. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won’t he more surely care for you, O men of little faith?

31-32 “So don’t worry at all about having enough food and clothing. Why be like the heathen? For they take pride in all these things and are deeply concerned about them. But your heavenly Father already knows perfectly well that you need them, 33 and he will give them to you if you give him first place in your life and live as he wants you to.

34 “So don’t be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. 

Live one day at a time"

Just tryin': Chicken & Potato Casserole

Well, this afternoon was yet another piano lesson day.  So what to have ready for the troops for supper was the question on my mind.  As I've mentioned in the past, I've been trying to go gluten free, so pasta has been a bit of a distant memory in our house.  So far it has been pretty easy to take out any of the things that contain grains.  So with that in mind, I came up with this recipe today.  I'm sure you could make it with any meat you have on hand, including ground beef!  Hope you enjoy it.  Our family said it was 10/10 and both kids want the left overs for school tomorrow!  I just kind of came up with this recipe off the top of my head, so hopefully I haven't omitted and of the ingredients I used today!  ENJOY!!!

Chicken & Potato Casserole

Ingredients:

3 chicken breasts

6 medium sized red potatoes

4 cups of frozen oriental mix veggies (could also use just frozen broccoli florets) 

1 1/2 C grated cheddar cheese

3 +/- Tbsp corn starch mixed with a little water  (or 3 Tbsp butter and 3 Tbsp flour if not going gluten free)

2 1/2 Cups milk

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

4 packets chicken bouillon

salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

*  Preheat oven to 400F

*  Cut chicken breasts into one inch cubes and fry until cooked through.  Remove from heat and set aside.

*  Wash and cut potatoes into one inch cubes.  Combine with cooked chicken.

*  Pour milk into saucepan and add corn starch mixture, garlic and onion powder, chicken bouillon and salt and pepper.  Cook until milk thickens into a sauce.  (If using butter and flour, melt butter and add flour until mixed.  Add milk, powders, bouillon and salt and pepper.)

*  In a greased 9 x 13 pan, pour in 1/2 of the chicken and potatoes. Layer 2 cups of veggies on top.  Pour half of the milk mixture over top.  Layer the rest of the chicken and Potatoes, and then the veggies.  Pour remaining sauce over top.  

*  Cover and bake for 1/2 an hour.  Remove cover and bake for another hour.  Remove from oven. Sprinkle grated cheese over top and bake for an additional 15 minutes.  

(Consider baking this on a cookie sheet to avoid bubbling into the oven.)

Cheesy Deliciousness! 

Delicious chunks of chicken, potatoes and veggies in every scoop!

Part Time Server: Days and Evenings

A few weeks ago, I was noticing the recent ads that had been placed on our city's local online advertising site.  One of the most recent was a posting for a part time server.  Now I have never worked in the restaurant business, nor have I had any desire to do so.  It terrifies me even thinking about it. I could just imagine messing up orders, dropping food off of serving platters, or worse yet, pouring hot coffee on someone.  So an ad like "Part time Server" sends fear through my bones!

As I trembled at the thought of being a part time server, it caused me to think of what kind of server am I. In John 12:26 Jesus says this:  Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.  

I started to think about what kind of a servant I am for God.  Am I a part time servant, or a full time one?  I will admit, there are many days I don't even feel like being a servant at all!  Other days, I start out planning on being a full time servant, and something or other causes me to fall flat on my face.  But it's Satan's trap that I so easily fall into - focusing on me rather than others.  

God didn't call me to be a part time server.  God called me to be a fully committed, every day, every moment, no matter how I feel FULL TIME SERVER! And when I think, really stop and think about all that Christ did for me, I can only shake my head at myself and think REALLY????  Jesus Christ WILLINGLY came down to earth as a BABY, a helpless tiny baby, all the while knowing that His sole purpose was to grow up and die on the cross, betrayed by the very ones who called Him Jesus!  I shake my head at Judas and think "what a betrayal!"  And yet, is that not what I am doing when I choose to focus on me and only be a part time server?  Jesus said "My Father will honor the one who serves me."  He didn't say His Father will honor the one who sometimes serves me.  It is a full time position.  Not a "whenever I want to" thing.  It's going all in and being 100% committed.  Jesus came to earth and was 100% committed.  He knew that the end He was wholly committed to our salvation by giving up His life.  THAT was 100% commitment!  There's no part way about that.  That's going all in.

So what am I going to do?  Am I going to serve and be "all in" or am I going to sit on the fence and do what I want?  Am I going to serve my Lord part time, or am I going to commit FULL TIME!

God, help me to focus my eyes on you and to give my service to you full time.  Help me to put my selfish desires away and give of myself to you 100%. Help me to be a Full time server, and not just a part time server.

Tuesday's Choice

WOW!  Last week's memorizing was a difficult one.  I'm definitely going to have to keep going over that one to keep it drilled into my brain.  Actually something I've decided to do is try to keep going over all the verses from that month and then add each new week to it.  Hopefully that will cement them in there a little more.

So here are this week's new verses.  Took a few shorter than last week, so hopefully it works for you. These were the verses that I did one of my very first sermons on in Bible College.  I had titled it Living in the Lord.

Psalm 37:3-7

³ Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

⁴ Take delight in the Lord,    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

⁵ Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:
⁶ He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.

⁷ Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Blue Monday?????

As I struggle with anxiety and fear and depression, one of the things that has fallen to the wayside over the months/years is my contact with others.  The easiest thing for me is to "hide".  Hide from what scares me.  Hide from what intimidates me.  Hide from the unknown.  Hide from showing myself to others.  It's a crazy cycle.  Feeling like I can't go out, yet feeling like I'm lonely and never get out.  From one day to the next it can be different, and when I make plans to have someone over, or go somewhere, when that day arrives, I may not feel up to it, panic and back out.

Today is known as Blue Monday. Blue Monday The one day out of the year that is categorized as the most difficult day for those of us struggling with depression/anxiety/stress.  I can't say today was my worst day, but I can say that today reminded me of those awful days.  And as I thought about those awful days, it also brought to mind some of the amazing times I have had recently.  As God has brought us through some dark times these past few months, He has also brought some precious people into our lives and home.

On New Years day we celebrated the beginning of the new year with a couple that is near and dear to our heart.  They have walked similar paths to us - infertility, adoption, tweens, past work issues, etc.  We were able to bring in the new year with a family that we loved.  Then, last night, we were able to reconnect with a family that has walked similar paths as we - being uprooted from what you thought your path was, questioning God's processing, trying to be thankful for where God has put us at right now, as well as the infertility, adoption etc.

I am so blessed.  God has brought amazing people into my life.  And so today as I looked back, it also forced me to look forward.  It reminded me of the wonderful group of women I work with at the Preschool. On days when I don't feel like heading into work, they give me joy and happiness I can't explain.  Working for my boss/friend is a blessing I cannot even begin to explain.  Working in a Christian environment is such an incredible blessing. Our Bible Study group has been an incredible source of strength and encouragement. They have lifted us up in prayer and carried us through some difficult times.  Friends who have been like family (who we've watched their children grow up and they watch our children grow up!) since the days we first moved to Steinbach have been a constant source of support and encouragement.  Having friends who have walked the same or similar paths as we have is extraordinary.  I just really am so blessed.  My kids have amazing friends.  Friends who are raised in Godly homes.  Friends who challenge each of them to grow in their relationship with God.

Philippians 1:3   I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

Truly we are so blessed.  Truly I AM BLESSED!!!  God has blessed me with so many friends that love us and care for us and pray for us. 

Blue Monday???? I'd say 

BLESSED MONDAY!!!!!

The Journey

Here in Manitoba, it's the middle of winter.  DEEP winter.  And last night we got even more snow.  I have to say I feel like saying "ENOUGH ALREADY!!!" but at least it's not cold.  And at least it's nice enough that I can send the kids outside and they can work off their energy outside sledding or playing with the dog!

Dog pile anyone????

Can't swing any more - the snow's too deep, so might as well climb up the slide.

Buddy time - a great day to climb the snow drifts!

But along with winter, comes my ever increasing desire to head somewhere warm.  To escape the frigid temperatures.  Get away from it all.  I've been hoping to get to the Dominican Republic this spring (don't think it's going to work since I want all four of us to go and $$ is always an issue). So resigning myself to not being able to do that, I've been thinking about where we might go for a family vacation.  Having family to the far east of us, and family to the far west of us, while our children children were young, we opted to visit family for our vacations.  But now that at least one is heading into her teen years, the request has been to "see more".  Two years ago we headed to South Dakota for a very memorable vacation, so this year, I was trying to think of where we could go.  I love the mountains, but have been to the Canadian Rockies, so the thought about going to Colorado has been on my mind.  (If any of you have been there, I'd love to hear some thoughts as to where we should go!)

For us we have always traveled.  Our kids were young travelers jetting across Canada as early as four months.  They soon learned to be content in their car seats as we journeyed 20+ hours to my home in southern Ontario or the 9+ hours to my husband's home in Saskatchewan.  Both our kids soon learned that the trips could be as interesting or boring as they made it.  If they brought things to entertain them, the journey went much better.  If they drank too much juice at one time, the journey was not a pleasant one when the service stations were far and few between.

Each journey we took was never the same.  We saw different things, encountered different road blocks, admired different scenes, stopped at different waysides, went up incredibly steep hills, and made the descents trusting our brakes to hold, etc.  In the end, our destination was always worth the journey. We would arrive at Opa and Oma's or Grandma and Grandpa's homes where we were greeted with outstretched arms and hugs and kisses.

As I focused on finding out information for a potential journey to Colorado, I was reminded how our lives here on earth are a journey.  No one's journey is the same.  Some might be on a road that seems to be pretty smooth, with very few hills or valleys.  Some of us might be on a journey with many twists and turns and lots of road blocks.  Some of us might be on a journey that gets us lost at times.  But each of us has our own journey that we are on - with eternity as the final destination.

I'm thankful I know that my final destination will be with my Lord Jesus.  I'm also thankful that He knows every path and curve on my journey.  He knows when I have a "breakdown".  He knows when I've missed a major turn and gotten lost in the woods somewhere.  He knows when I am just coasting downhill not watching for what might be at the end of the hill.  He knows when I am diligently searching the map to make sure I stay on course. He knows when I have been in constant conversation with Him, to ensure that I am still staying the course.  He knows when the journey gets too much and He just needs to pick me up and carry me for awhile.  My Navigator knows all things about my journey.  He knows what my path will be and is just waiting for me to contact Him with questions or requests for help.  AND, He is waiting for me at my final destination, waiting with open arms to welcome me.

But it makes me wonder. . .  what am I doing with my journey?  Am I continually seeking guidance from my Navigator or am I trying to figure it out on my own?  When I take my eyes off the road or the map, do I try to find my way back on my own, or am I crying out to God for forgiveness and direction?  When I decide to take a detour, do I beat myself up and stay put in the pit that I've ended up in, or trust that He will guide me back to the road I should be on to continue with my journey?

Yesterday, I took a detour.  In fact, I flew completely off the tracks.  Didn't listen to my Navigator and went off on my own detour again.  Why is that so easy?  Why is it so easy to blow my stack instead of being calm?  Why is it so easy to point the finger instead of being humble and gentle?  Why is it so easy to spew angry and hurtful words?  I know. . . it's because I wasn't listening to my Guide.  I wasn't focusing on my destination but was rather looking in the rear view mirror at my own life.  At myself.  When I should have been looking forward toward my Guide.  To the one who is showing me where I should be going.

But I remind myself that today is a new day.  And I'm trying to take One Day at a Time.  My journey isn't over, it just had a minor set back.  So today, I resolve to get back on the tracks and keep my focus on God. To keep my thoughts, my words, my everything - tuned into my Navigator.  And any road blocks that come up today, I will connect with Him to get the energy and strength from Him to do the right thing.  To head in the right direction.  He's there, just waiting for me to follow.

God, help me to listen with COMPASSION and speak with GRACE!!!!  Help me to focus on YOU instead of ME!  Help me to complete a journey that brings honor and glory to YOU!!!!

Adoption: Blessings in the form of my daughter

One of my favorite pictures of my daughter and I when she was only 5 years old.  PRECIOUS MEMORIES!

Over thirteen years ago, my husband and I decided to start on the journey of adoption.  We had been married for about 12 years at that point, and over the years had been told that we would not be able to conceive a child through natural means.  This did not come as a shock to us as we had never used birth control.  So after receiving that information from our fertility doctor, we decided that we would go ahead and look into adoption.  Neither of us new much about this journey, although I grew up with a younger friend who was adopted and through my Bible School years my best friend was also adopted, so heard a lot from her.

We decided to explore the avenue of Adoption Options here in Manitoba.  (Adoption Options Manitoba).  What a wonderful organization.  They are an open adoption agency which means that the birth mother/father and the adoptive family maintain contact through out the child's growing up years.  The way it works is this. Once a birthmother decides to place her child for adoption, a file is started sharing all her information as well as stating what sort of family she would like her child placed with.  Information such as the amount of contact, spiritual preferences, home situation, family size etc. is all included.  Then, when a prospective adoptive family comes in, we also start a file sharing all our information.  We shared what our thoughts of adoption were, what type of child we were interested in (race, scenario of conception, drug abuse, etc.), our desires for the amount of contact, our history both medically (infertility) as well as a family (children vs no children) etc.  Once the birthmom finishes her file, she is matched up with several perspective adoptive families and she is able to choose, and ultimately meet with a couple.  If she doesn't feel comfortable with that family, she is able to choose a different family with whom in the end she would be comfortable to place her child.

Wait times for adoptive parents can vary from a few months to several years, to never at all.  In our case, we truly believe God had His hand in this entire process.  From the time our file became active, to the time we got a call that we had been matched with a birth mother, it was only 8 months!!!  We were shocked!  The day that we met our birth couple was an emotional day.  We knew it was only a meeting.  A meet and greet if you will.  In the end, that day turned out to be the very day our birth parents choose us to parent their baby!!!  To make a long story short, three short weeks later, they were placing our beautiful baby girl in our arms.  I can truly say that that day was one of the most agonizing moments in my life.  I could hardly feel joy for the sadness and ache I felt for our birth mother.  The incredible gift she was giving to her daughter must have been the most agonizing decision for her.  How could I ever repay her???

Our amazing and beautiful birth mom with her/our daughter!  Like mother like daughter - just look at those smiles!!!

That was 12 and a half years ago, and there is no way that I ever could have imagined how beautiful our story would turn out.  As it turns out we have an amazing relationship with our birthmom.  We get to see her 2 or 3 times a year, and more if we decide to.  She comes over for our daughters birthday and for Christmas and we love her like she is part of our family because to us she is.  She is so much more than our daughter's birth mom.  She is our gift giver.  And the question of how to ever repay her?  All I can do is bless her back by encouraging the relationship between her and my daughter.  We are all a team.  We love our daughter, and simply want the best for her.  God has blessed us not only with a daughter, but with a birth mom and an added blessing is that when we get to see her, we also get to see her son as well - a half brother for our daughter.

In the middle of this story is the fact that once our daughter was 2 years old, we found out that not only did we have an adopted miracle daughter, but I found out I was pregnant, something the doctors had said would never happen.  We were always thankful for our relationship with our birth mother, but now, having a biological son, we were able to share biological information with our daughter as well about her families.  We have been so blessed to be a part of our birth mother's life and family. We have enjoyed the opportunities to meet her extended family and feel like God has brought our two families together.  What amazing blessings to know that our daughter's birth grandparents have been praying for her and us as we grow together. What blessings to be able to have our daughter meet them and get to know them a little bit.  WHAT BLESSINGS!!!

Before we knew how any of this was going to turn out, God had laid a plan.  God had provided a birth mother for us and a family for her to parent her child.  God designed it that way and I truly believe He has big plans for her.  She was given to God the day she was laid in my husband's arms, and I know He will use her mightily.

And now as I watch my 12 year old daughter turn into a woman, I am blessed!  Her love for Jesus, her desire to grow and be like Him is so evident.  She came home from a retreat at a camp this past weekend and rewrote her message notes so that she would be able to read them clearer in the future and be reminded of what lessons God had taught her.  I am blessed by a Bible study that she and I are doing together every Thursday - something she initiated.  (We are both reading a version of the book made to crave and trying to strive to put our desires solely in Christ, rather than on things).  And so it was with my precious daughter in mind that I read Lysa TerKeurst's blog this morning, and wanted to share a part of it with you.  She lists 10 prayers we can pray for our daughters.  To read the whole blog, feel free to click here 10 Prayers for your daughter

I am so grateful for God blessing me with my daughter.  I am amazed and humbled that He chose me to be her momma and that He has also allowed me to have that relationship with her birth mother as well.   OH HOW I AM BLESSED!!!!

I trust you will find your blessings today as well!

~Sharon

10 Powerful Prayers to Help You Fight for the Heart of Your Daughter:

1. Give my daughter a deep desire to listen to You, Lord, and pray often, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” (Joshua 5:14b).

2. Let her learn early in life that to obey You, God, is the best way to the life her heart truly desires, (1 Samuel 15:22).

3. May she find comfort in Your ability, God, to reach her, hold her, and rescue her, (2 Samuel 22:17-18).

4. May she please You, Lord, by desiring, asking for, and utilizing a discerning heart full of wisdom, (1 Kings 3:9-12).

5. Let her find confidence in You, God, even when hard times come and she doesn’t know what to do, by keeping her eyes fixed on You, (2 Chronicles 20:12).

6. Give her a great desire to accept Your word, God, and store up Your commands within her so her ears will turn to Your wisdom, (Proverbs 2:1-2).

7. May she keep herself under control and not give full vent to people and situations that anger her, (Proverbs 29:11).

8. Give her the ability to rise above the traps of people pleasing so she can be kept safe by trusting You, Lord, (Proverbs 29:25).

9. Let her walk in the security of Your assigned worth to her. Give her a strong work ethic and health to accomplish all her tasks. Give her a heart that desires to extend her hand to those in need. Protect her for the right husband, a man of respect and godly honor. And let her be a woman of joy and laughter whose Christ-centered character is what makes her most beautiful, (Proverbs chapter 31).

10. And every time you, Jesus, whisper, “Follow me” she does so with great grace, (Matthew 4:19).

Going Gluten Free

Recently, I decided to try going gluten free.This was not for health reasons in that I can't tolerate gluten, but rather for health reasons (removing gluten and sugars) to see how it would affect my depression/anxiety since I was going to try to get off my medication.  For a girl who loves toast, cereals, sandwiches, buns, pasta and anything sweet, this was a major undertaking.  My brother in law had introduced me to almond and rice flour and other gluten free products so I knew it was doable.  So my first chore was to cut out my pastas and any breads or cereals I ate.  Lunches and suppers weren't that difficult since for suppers I was still able to eat potatoes and rice.

BUT, the killer for me was breakfast and snacking.  So I decided to search out some recipes that I could make for breakfast.  And I found one that is just amazing that I would like to share with you. I would eat this even if I wasn't going gluten free.  It is the most moist muffin I've ever eaten and probably the most delicious I've ever made.  They were so easy to make and ready to eat in about 1/2 an hour!!!  I store them in the fridge since I won't be eating them all within the next few days.  I'm trying desperately not to eat them all within a few days because my hope is that I will have some for the rest of the week!!!  

Let me know what you think if you do make them!  THEY ARE YUMMY!!!!

Don't these look yummy??????

Apple Cinnamon Almond Flour Muffins

Ingredients:

2 cups almond flour

2 eggs

1/4 cup margarine

1/4 cup honey

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

2 small apples, peeled and chopped into small pieces (I used gala)

12 muffin liners

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350F and line a muffin tin with 12 paper liners.

Mix all ingredients together except Almond Flour and Apples. Then add almond flour and mix well. Then gently fold Apples into the batter.

Using a 1/4 cup measuring cup, spoon out batter into 12 cups

Bake for 15-20-25 min (depends on oven)