growing green

We are for real going green. Last year Aaron planted our first garden, but this year he really worked his fingers to the bone. The garden is in this separate fenced in area next to our house; I think the people that lived there before us parked their ATV’s there. You can’t really see in these pictures, but he leveled it all out, put weed paper down, laid flagstone all around the garden, made the garden box, planted the veggies & herbs, & built a sprinkler system (that uses rainwater). What in the world! That is a lot of work. We picked our first squash this past weekend, and I can’t wait to enjoy the rest of veggies. We are growing: cilantro, basil, rosemary, cherry tomatoes, 2 other breeds of tomatoes, bell peppers, squash, zucchini, jalapenos, and cucumbers. I’ll keep you guys in the loop about all the yummy stuff we are cooking up with our home grown goods!

 Week 1

Week 3

Here is a snap shot of our fun Work Week at SharpTop Cove with our college friends and leaders!

farewell favorite things

This past month was extremely busy! I’m really thankful for that, but really looking forward to staying in Shreveport this week. Last weekend I got to see one of my best friends get married in Athens, GA. Since I flew into Atlanta I was maxed out on carry-ons, so I didn’t bring my camera (ugh). Hopefully I’ll get some pictures from people, and share those with you so you can see Katie Blair become Katie Smith!

I have a slight new adventure. I’m hoping this is temporary, but so far it is working so it might end up being permanent. I’m finally going gluten-free (sigh). After years of stomach issues and lots of encouragement from my sister, I’m bucking up and saying farewell to all the things I love to eat! For example: Kashi, Honey Wheat Pretzels, Pasta, Tacos, Cupcakes, Pita, Granola bars ... I'm going to stop now. A friend pointed out to me, my Blog title might have to be changed to “alottacereal the gluten-free version”! Praise the Lord that they make gluten-free cereal! (I’m so not kidding that would have been a huge issue.) I did make this Chickpea Salad for myself yesterday, and it really was tasty. I’m trying to get really creative, so I don’t burn out on certain foods. I wish I had added avocado, so try adding that. Here is my little invention.
Chickpea Salad
-1 Can of Chickpeas (Rinsed & Drained)
-1/4c Diced Red Onion
-2tsp. Minced Garlic
-Dash of S&P
-Dash of EVOO
-1/2c Sliced Cherry Tomatoes
-2TBS Chopped Cilantro (grown from our garden…I know, you’re welcome)
-1TBS Lemon Juice
-2tsp. EVOO
-1TBS Grated Parmesan
-Pepper to Taste
Sauté Onion, Garlic, S&P, & EVOO. Set aside & cool. In a small bowl mix all ingredients along with Chickpeas. Chill for at least an hour, and then you’re ready to serve.

i could do it again

You are for real going to need to check out this blog. It makes me want to get married all over again! I'm not just saying this, because I just won an awesome pair of earrings (ekk!!). It really is a-maz-ing. Not to mention I kind of like them, Britney is pretty fantastic. Make sure you check out their website too, you'll want to book the Magnolia Pair... trust me!

My favorite wedding on their blog right now is this one!

what are you longing for?

This weekend I read a short great read that I think you guys would love, Brennan Manning's The Furious Longing of God. Pretty easy to understand, it's about God's intense, consuming love for us. It has no limits and no boundaries. My favorite chapter was on healing, which also led me to my favorite question/thought from the book.
"The question is not can we heal? The only question, is will we let the healing power of the risen Jesus flow through us to reach and touch others, so that they may dream and fight and bear and run where the brave dare not go?"
I know, awesome. Right? Literally finished in a few hours. Please remember I'm not a big reader. Pick it up!

yum hummus

A couple of weeks ago I had a serious craving for hummus. (Clearly I’m trying to cut back on my peanut butter intake!) I came across this great recipe for Roasted Red Pepper Hummus and it was delicious! It lasted maybe 3 days at our house. Give it try. Seriously, hummus is easy to make, promise you can do it!

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

Ingredients:
16 ounces chickpeas
6 ounces roasted red bell peppers
1 jalapeno, seeded, diced
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
3 tablespoons chopped cilantro leaves
1 teaspoon paprika
3 tablespoons chopped onion
1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
1 tablespoon chipotle pepper in adobo
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Toasted pita bread, for serving
Directions:
Mix all ingredients, except olive oil and pita bread, in food processor until pureed, then slowly add in olive oil.

Let set up for 1 hour prior to serving. Serve with toasted pita bread.

a look in a book

Well, it's official I'm a terrible blogger. I have recipes to share, great trips to Marietta to celebrate/shower my friend Katie getting married, a retreat to NOLA, and finally finishing a good book. The pollen has painted it's yellow self all over Shreveport... including my sinuses, and I can't get enough of all of the azaleas in bloom!

My dear friend and mentor suggested to me to read this book, "Same Kind of Different as Me". In the beginning of my vision/desire for Urban YL in Shreveport, she told me, 'remember that anyone, no matter how they look or where they are from, you (I) can make a difference in peoples lives. All we have to do is look around, and the Holy Spirit will point us to them. Don't ignore who He puts in front of you', and then she handed me this book. She thought I would enjoy it, and of course I did! What makes it even more appealing, it is a true story based on a town less than an hour from Shreveport and in Houston, TX. If you're looking for a good read that you'll probably fly through, a story of God's grace, a testimony of spiritual awakening, and a reading of lives transformed... you'll enjoy this book. Maybe this is just time for those of you that still have a Spring Break! Happy reading!

the last will be first

Sometimes I think the Lord calls us to places that are a bit uncomfortable, but if we would just go where He has called us, He will provide the comfort. I have been on staff with Young Life for only a year, but I have already felt an overwhelming sense of those feelings.
Recently, the Lord has made a particular community heavy upon my heart. Within this community there are a few homes with no running water or electricity, a playground, a “convenient store”, a few churches, high crime, and of course… a high school and a middle school. It took me a whole day to really process the faces, the homes, and the schools I saw. I wept the next day as the Lord told me, “You can’t change their circumstances. You can’t go in and think you can fix and clean up everything. It’s generational. BUT, you can bring them to ME.”
Our area has felt called to start Urban YL, and even though nothing has been set in stone, I feel like He is calling us there. Ironically, this community is referred to as the “Bottoms”. A couple of days ago I was sharing this with a new friend of mine and she brought to my attention, Matthew 20:16, “So, the last will be first, and the first will be last.” I truly believe that He has called us to the Bottoms (or the last) so we can bring Him to them (so they will know Him first).
I share this with you, so you can join me in prayer. Please pray for the development of Urban YL in Shreveport, so more kids will come to know Jesus. To some this may not make sense or may sound unsafe, but I pray that your heart would break for these kids and this community as it has mine.



“Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart”- 1Samuel 16:7