Siesta Scripture Memory...nailed it.

Another one of those inevitable nailed it success stories...A new year's plan that started out skyrocketing, then plummeted to the ground a few weeks in...

Audrey and I still have our very first memory verse up on the bathroom mirror and I think it's safe to say that we now have it memorized...haha! Although we didn't quite stick to this incredible journey throughout the year...I have still seen the blessing that comes along with committing Scripture to memory by memorizing the entire book of 1 Peter.

One aspect of the Forge is memorizing 1 Peter, along with studying the book in depth and choosing a passage to teach a lesson on. I am currently in the middle of the third chapter, and wow has it truly been incredible. I have always kind of liked memorizing...the challenge of saying something, reading something, listening to something enough times that it almost becomes part of who you are. If I am going to memorize anything, why wouldn't it be Scripture -- memorizing God's Word until it becomes a part of who you are, in your bones, so to speak.

We had a goal setting assignment where we chose a goal that we had and made a visible way to see the progress you were making on completing that goal. I chose my goal of memorizing 1 Peter, and my love for teaching and all things fun, and created a gumball machine to help me keep track!

So although we didn't technically 'nail' our Siesta Scripture Memory challenge, we took a different route for the same goal. Audrey is also starting to memorize 1 Peter...she already has the first verse down :) 

So 2016...we are ready for you -- 1 Peter here we come! 

Christmastime at Pine Cove

Camp in the summer is always fun and in full swing...but camp in the winter...who knew that Pine Cove is going all year, and this year I've gotten to be involved and see so many different aspects of the different seasons. 

I had the privilege of working a conference just a few weeks before Christmas, and it was such a fun few days spent with families and their kiddos. We made gingerbread houses, used more paint, glue, and glitter than I thought was possible in arts and crafts, dressed up for Christmas skits, and as always had some great worship and speaker sessions.

This was our small little team of champions during the Gingerbread House Competition...the stakes were high, and as much as I wish I could say our house is the one on the right...I'm proud to claim that candy yard and fallen down house in the middle. :) A fun night! 

Got to be in a Pine Cove skit...which if you know a lot about Pine Cove you know skits are the epitome of camp fun...I was Ellie the Elf with my friend Eddie the Elf and we were working hard to get things ready in Santa's Workshop...but the two "Lumberjerks" came along and wanted to chop down all the trees and destroy the workshop...throughout the weekend we finally brought them back to the true meaning of Christmas and had them turn their chopping skills into making their very own Gingerbread House...a fun few days with these friends!

Arts and crafts...making Christmas ornaments and painting pine cones...if you don't make a mess, did you even really do arts and crafts?! Haha...I did, however, realize that glitter is extremely hard to clean up...but as an elementary teacher, I say more glitter, more fun, right?! :) ....most of the time...

In the midst of loving on campers, making gingerbread houses, being in skits, and painting ornaments, there are always meals to serve and dishes to clean. This is our incredibly fun and hard-working Work Crew that we got to hang out with all weekend. They made the meals run so smoothly and were so eager to serve and help! Love these girls and the friendships made!

These are my fun friends who make working on the weekends a joy and a lot of fun. We serve at the Shores, the high school camp, and the Bluffs, a family camp, helping out with retreats and conferences. These guys keep me laughing, always take pictures when I fall asleep, and know how to play a great game of Mafia at a Christmas party...haha! Love serving for the sake of the Gospel with these guys. 

Pumpkin Crumb Cake

A visit to Colorado and the meeting of one of my new biggest role models. Jen has a love and a joy for Jesus that is contagious. She opened up her home and shared her life and family with us for two days, while piling my new cooking life skill inventory with so many amazing recipes.

By far one of my favorites was her Pumpkin Crumb Cake. Waking up in the morning with this amazingly dreamy pumpkin smell coming from the kitchen made me instantly fall in love with this amazing cake. The steps are easy to follow and the first chance I had, I put all my learning to the test and decided to try this recipe. I was extremely surprised and somewhat impressed when I took it out of the oven and it filled the house with that same familiar smell...and even more so when I cut into it and impressed everyone who tried the first bite.

This cooking life skill has nothing on me...Pumpkin Crumb Cake -- check, and forever in my recipe box. :)

This is sweet Jen...she not only has amazing recipes, but a heart for Jesus that inspires and encourages those around her. 

"Jesus gets sweeter the longer you walk with Him." - Jen

Pumpkin Crumb Cake

Cake Batter

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1 teaspoon basking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

1 1/4 cups sugar 

3 large eggs

1 cup canned pureed pumpkin

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/3 cup milk 

3/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Topping 

2/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons rolled oats 

1/2 cup all-purpose flour 

1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 

6 tablespoons unsalted butter

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Grease 9x13 baking pan (or smaller loaf pans for bread)
• To make the topping, combine 2/3 cup oats, flour, sugar, and cinnamon in processor. Add butter and cut in until crumbly. Transfer mixture to medium bowl. Stir in remaining 2 tablespoons oats. Set to one side. 
• Sift the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a bowl. 
• In a separate bowl, beat the butter with an electric mixer until smooth. Gradually beat the sugar and 1 egg at a time. 
• Add the pumpkin and vanilla extract to the wet batter mix. 
• Gradually beat the dry ingredients into the batter. Slowly add the milk and stir in the walnuts (optional). Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and spread with the topping. 
• Bake the loaf cake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 40-50 minutes. Cool in the pan for 15 minutes (if you can make it that long after you smell the delicious pumpkin aroma).
• Turn the cake out onto a rack and cool completely. (I served it directly in the glass dish, but if you are making smaller loaves or want to serve it sliced or give it as a gift, this would be a great step.)
• ENJOY! :) 

Autumn Tea Parites

There are not many things better than an autumn tea party and brunch with 14 of your best girlfriends. 

I love the simple decorations and details that made this afternoon such a treat and one of my favorites...happened to fall on my half birthday, which was the best way to celebrate November 12th and 22 1/2 years of life. #takealittletimefortea

Community

“Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” 

- Psalm 133:1

Life with 14 girls...so much fun, laughter, tears, honesty, truth, and hot tea. I am learning what it looks like to live with in Christian community and to spur each other on, coming to one another as bringers of salvation.

An Anvil

An anvil...

It has never been an image that I have thought much about until being in the Forge. For almost three months now, I have been learning what it looks like to have a Blacksmith mold and refine you until you are the piece that He intended you to be. Through the joys and trials, I am seeing how faithful the Lord has been in me taking eight months to slow down, learn more about who He is and in that process learn more about who He has created me to be and how I can walk in that to glorify and serve him the rest of my life.

Texas State Fair

After getting off work from a weekend retreat, we decided to roadtrip to Dallas on the last day of the fair...

We kidnapped our friend Tyler to come along with us...and of course stopped by Steel City Pops on the way...

 After hours of traffic and finding a place to park...we made it with a few hours to spare...

Big Tex...a Texas State Fair icon!

And of course we had to get the classic corn dog...

First time to the Texas State Fair in the books. 

Thanks for the adventures, Dallas.

New friends

Two weeks in and so many friendships made. Common experiences truly bonds people and in a matter of weeks it's hard to imagine the end of eight months.

These are the girls in the Forge...so many different, unique, and fun personalities.

These are the girls that are in my hub and that got me through Rope's Training...

This is my dear friend Mackenzie who makes me laugh and who I am forever bonded with after we both shared tears on the Ropes Course...

Ropes Training

Three days of intense ropes training...tying knots, harnessing harnesses, setting up courses, sending people off the zip line, coaching them through walking across wires and climbing ropes and passing a written and skills test.

It was a more intense training than I ever thought...but we are now certified to run the ropes course for retreat groups and conferences on the weekends.

Climbed these 50ft telephone poles twice in order to set-up and take-down the high-ropes course...

Bowline on a Bight knot...took me a few times to master. 

This is my hub for Shores and Bluffs. We will be working together on most weekends, and I couldn't have made it through Ropes Training without these guys.

Sweet little ones

I had the privilege of nannying for the Jervis family this past summer at Pine Cove. I spent six weeks living life with Lacey and helping her take care of her sweet little 16-month old, Elah. After eight weeks of being a part, seeing her again and having her giggle and say "Ta" in her attempts to say Tabs was the best reunion.


Less than a week after I moved to Texas, Elah became a big sister and the Jervis' had their second little girl, Meritt Avery. I got to hold her just a few hours she was born and it was one of the sweetest moments. She was so little and it was truly like my baby doll came to life in my arms...


This is sweet Meritt Avery barely four days old...


I am so thankful for the Jervis family and the blessing they have been to me the past few months, and I love that I get to watch these two little girls grow up over the next eight months. <3

Weekend at The Shores

My first weekend at the Forge, my roommate, Anne, and I were able to serve a retreat group coming to the Shores. I was the Work Crew Director and had the the privilege of leading our Work Crew that came in to serve for the weekend. We helped get out all the meals and helped behind the scenes, so that the retreat group could spend the weekend learning and growing more in their faith. It was such a fun weekend leading and serving.

One of the chefs at the Shores gave us a knife skills lesson and taught us how to cut and chop...felt like I was on the Food Channel!

This is the Work Crew that I got to work with for the weekend...they were so eager and willing to serve. It was a joy to spend the weekend with this youth group.

"I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls."
2 Corinthians 2:15

A New Adventure

Moving into the Forge...

What a whirlwind it has been moving 13 hours away from home and trusting that this is where I am supposed to be. Calling this place home for the next 8 months and living and learning in the little town of Tyler, Texas.

As 28 of us sat and watched the sun set over the lake our second day at the Forge, I gave these next eight months to Lord, as I am trusting that this is where I am supposed to be right now and walking in that faith. Watching the Lord's glory proclaimed in the sky and praising Him that His will is not fragile and He is ever-sovereign.

Snapshots from Summer

Breakfast for Dinner

And sometimes your dad makes French Toast, turkey sausage, eggs, and grits...

While your mom fills the house with piano music...

And you eat an amazing breakfast...for dinner.

Mornings at Home

Eating breakfast and drinking hot tea at home will be something I think I will always treasure. There's something about fresh cut fruit, eggs made with coconut oil in an iron skillet, and mom's famous tea made with real tea leaves and lavender.

It's hard to compare to anywhere especially when you add the amazing front porch and summertime air.

The feat that is running...

First run in ages...although it felt horrible at the beginning, middle, and end, finishing the 3.1 made it worth it.

Took it slow and took some pictures along the way. I always run through a cemetery near our house and sometimes it's neat just to sit on a bench in the shade...watching loved ones and family members, thinking about all the lives lived and how it puts our days in perspective.