A Bit of Encouragement: March 2011

Happy Monday, Ladies! Scratch that. Tuesday evening! Had a few technical glitches yesterday, which is the reason I did not get the blog out. Namely the glitches are that I still don't know certain things like taking pictures from your camera and putting them onto the computer. Yes, I know it's easy once you learn....but I have procrastinated on learning. So - I have to rely on others (namely, my dear husband). But this gives me the opportunity to mention to you that I saw the Easter Pageant last night. LOVED it! My son and his girlfriend also loved it. She (the girlfriend) has lived in Louisville her whole life and had not seen the Pageant, so I was happy she was able to go along and finally see it during its final run. I've now seen it twice, the newer version and now this older version and both were wonderful but I sure did love seeing the angels descending. I don't know, the real live baby, the angels, the Kings in all their fancy dress....I have to say that was my favorite part. If a person can have a favorite part, that is. How do you choose a favorite part because it was all so wonderful? Sigh.....I hated it when it ended, actually. But that's the way it is with meaningful entertainment.

Melodies of Spring (written by your encourager)

Flowers dancing in the breeze

sunshine peeking through the trees

The birds come back and sing for me

anticipating spring, I see

We now can walk without our coats

until a cloud comes, makes us cold

We put back on and walk some more

until the sunshine makes us warm

Spring approaches slow and steady

we watch and wait...so very ready

Open windows, the current flows

and nostrils breathe as fresh air blows

Be still my heart as Spring comes near

and let my Father's voice to hear

It happens every spring you see

This delicate visual melody

The Thirty Second Quiz

Author Unknown

Don't bother getting a pen and paper... just read... if you can't
answer them, just keep going.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prize.
5. Name the last five Academy Award winners for Best Actor and Actress.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remembers the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They're the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Now here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. Name three teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worth while.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?

The lesson?

The people who make a difference in your life aren't the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They're the ones who care.

(Wishing you a BEAUTIFUL day!)

Blogview - Becky Ott

I got to have a chat with another discussion leader, Becky Ott, last week. I always feel very privileged when you all take the time to sit with me and tell me about your lives. Let’s get to know Becky a little better today!

Becky is married to Stephen Ott. They have been married for 28 years and have three children, Jonathan, 26, Brian 23, and Whitney, 20. Becky tells me that all of her children are creative in music and/or art.

Becky has two sisters. Neither of her sisters live in Louisville, but her parents do. Becky says, “I have the privilege and responsibility of trying to help them out.” She is fortunate to have Godly parents. “I spend Wednesdays with my parents. We usually go to Cracker Barrel for breakfast, then Sams, and then I go to their house and try to teach them to use the computer, or we read, or teach my mother to text…things like that.”

Becky’s faith story – I grew up in Church of Christ, and I am very grateful for very solid biblical teaching that I received for the first 18-20 years of my life. I gave my life to the Lord when I was ten, and was baptized at camp. I had a shallow understanding at first, but have been consistently growing since then.

Q: How long have you been coming to SE?

A: Started here around December, 2004.

Q: How long been a discussion leader?

A: I guess for six years.

Q: Is there anything in the book of Acts that stands out to you?

A: It is re-defining my perspective on what the Church looks like and what God is asking of me.

Q: What do you watch on TV?

A: My guilty pleasure, The Mentalist, and little HGTV.

Q: What hobbies do you enjoy?

A: I was an Interior Design major, so I do art, decorating and design, and I do it on the side, so I’ve been doing a lot of family weddings. I also enjoy designing outside, with gardening. My dad was an artist so he really taught me everything I know.

Q: What are you reading right now?

A: Radical, by David Platt, and I highly recommend it. (ok Lord, I will read it, next on the list!) J

Q: Favorite restaurant?

A: I really don’t have a favorite. <I like my own food> (tee hee! The great part is that Stephen cleans up!)

Q: Is there a Bible verse you consider a favorite?

A: One that has been a favorite for years is Ephesians 3:20 - Now to him who is able to do more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us… It’s been a favorite verse because it reminds me that God has so much going on behind the scenes that I know nothing about and it’s comforting to know that I am not privy to everything. When we were studying in Acts and Mr. Stedman had us looking in 2 Cor 1:8 where Paul describes how he was feeling, he felt so overwhelmed, but then he says in verse 9, Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. So as things come up in my life, it reminds me not rely on myself, but on God.

Q: Do you have a special place you study?

A: My husband was so sweet as to create an office for me a couple years ago, and I have my chair in the corner away from my desk where I spend time in the mornings in the Word, praying and journaling.

Q: Favorite household chore?

A: I don’t have a favorite, but I’m just thankful to have a home that needs cleaning. (Trying desperately to have Becky’s attitude as I clean and scrub)

Q: Best advice ever given?

A: Don’t overreact, especially with children.

Q: Are you a big basketball fan?

A: I suppose.

Q: Early bird or night owl?

A: Neither.

Q: Pet Peeves?

A: The worst for me is the misuse of English grammar.

And now here is our game: Two of the following statements are not true about Becky, and one IS true. Try to guess!

I’ve flown in the cockpit of a C-130.

I enjoy skydiving.

I golf on the weekends.

From two weeks ago - Sarah's true thing: She was in an opening act for Pavaratti. Wow!

"May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us." ..."
— Mother Teresa

You may or may not have seen this skit when it came out a few years ago....but I really am NOT a cryer (unlike Sarah who says she is not but she is...lol) - but yes, I really do well up with tears everytime I watch this. Give yourself a few minutes before you click on it so you can watch the whole thing through.

And that's all for now, Ladies.

Hello Ladies! Did you have an enjoyable Community Service Day? Our team went to the childrens section and washed toys. It is WAY more fun to clean when you are with others. At home? Not so much. We also went out for a yummy lunch after we were done. It's fun chatting and laughing and serving with your gal pals.

If you got to Church on time then you probably remembered to set your clocks ahead. Yeah this is not my favorite either, but I enjoy the extra daylight at the end of the day. Spring is coming, thank goodness! However, as I write this on a dreary Monday, it seems like it's taking its sweet time. There were even some snowflakes today. I guess it's a perfect day to stay in and blog. I hope you are enjoying your rainy day - no matter what you are doing.

The marvelous richness of human experience would lose something of rewarding joy if there were no limitations to overcome. (Helen Keller)

Often your tasks will be many,
And more than you think you can do.
Often the road will be rugged
And the hills insurmountable, too.
But always remember,
The hills ahead
Are never as steep as they seem,
And with Faith in your heart
Start upward
And climb 'til you reach your dream.
For nothing in life that is worthy
Is ever too hard to achieve
If you have the courage to try it,
And you have the faith to believe.
For faith is a force that is greater
Than knowledge or power or skill,
And many defeats turn to triumph
If you trust in God's wisdom and will.
For faith is a mover of mountains,
There's nothing that God cannot do,
So, start out today with faith in your heart,
And climb 'til your dream comes true! ~ Helen Steiner Rice

Yummy Recipe of the week with a bit of history thrown in:

Irish Soda Bread

Ingredients

4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1 pint sour cream
1 cup raisins

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease two 8x4 inch loaf pans.
Mix the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add the eggs, sour cream and raisins and mix until just combined. Distribute batter evenly between the two pans.
Bake loaves at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for 1 hour.

In the early and mid 1800’s, rural Ireland did not have a strong tradition of yeast bread making. Baking was done in the home and, in addition to having limited supplies, time was often at a premium. The use of baking soda as a leavening agent was quick, effective and it produced a much more consistent result than yeast did. It caught on quickly and made soda breads a staple of the Irish diet until commercial bread production began in earnest, though it is still popular in Ireland and many other parts of the world.

The original soda breads contained nothing more than flour, buttermilk, baking soda and salt. The buttermilk was leftover from the butter making process and the bread was almost always served with freshly churned butter. Today, the breads often contain additional ingredients, like sugar, butter, currants or caraway seeds to enhance the flavor of the bread. Soda bread is heartier than most yeast breads and pairs very well with soups, stews and meat dishes. It also makes outstanding toast.

This particular recipe is a more modern one. It doesn't use buttermilk but it was given very good reviews. If you'd like to try the more traditional variety just search for Irish Soda Bread recipes and you will get a lot to choose from. This one comes from Allrecipes.com (one of my favorite sites).

The Shipwreck (from Inspireme.net)

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.

Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements and to store his few possessions. But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky.

The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger. "God, how could you do this to me!" he cried. Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.

It is easy to get discouraged when things are going badly. But we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering. Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground--it just may be a smoke signal that summons The Grace of God.