12.30.2011

Baking tidbits...

This may very well be my last blog of 2011.  Although it's been a fantastic year, I'm excited to see what God brings in 2012.

This year I tried my hand at some Christmas baking, and I learned a few things.

1. Never bake things that are your favourites.  You will end up eating them all by yourself.
2. Make things appropriate to whichever side of the family you are visiting.  i.e. Don't make the Skor bark for the family that doesn't have much of a sweet tooth.  *See #1*
3. Don't post pictures on Facebook of what you're making unless you intend to bring it to a particular family gathering.  You may disappoint people.
4. Make sure your spouse isn't around while you're baking- unless, of course, you want to hear them beg you for 'One more cookie'.
5. Giving out little Christmas plates of homemade baked goods to neighbours and local businesses that you frequent will warm your heart and theirs.
6. People love non-traditional desserts at the family gathering.  That being said, make sure someone had the foresight to make a Yule log.
7. Make sure your spouse is around while you're baking- unless, of course, you want to expand your middle from that extra lick or scrape of the bowl.
8. Baking is extremely rewarding, as well as extremely stressful.  Learning to balance both sides of the coin can be a painful process.
9. Make sure someone is around to calm you down if you accidentally spill water on your freshly baked Oreo crumb crust.  *See #8*
10.  Bake a lot one day, rest the next day, then take it up again the day after that.  You'll find yourself more productive giving yourself a break in between.

Jake and I will be ringing in the New Year with some wonderful friends, and then celebrating with more family on New Year's Day.  Here's to a happy and healthy 2012.  May God bless you and yours.

Love,
Ashleigh

12.29.2011

Christmas Aftermath...

I concede that this month hasn't been that busy.   I have been off work since December 9th, and only baby-sat a handful of times after that.  I have been reading- a lot.  I have been slowly picking away at my TESOL course.  But I have been lacking motivation this Christmas season.  To be more honest, I have been lacking motivation and loving procrastination for most of my life.  They have been my very best friends, it seems.  This morning I was confronted with the Israelite cycle, for the billionth time.  I hate the emotional appeals that bring to my knees before God, but don't actually change anything.  One of the things I was reminded of as I read Psalm 25 was waiting.  


David says-in one of my favourite verses- "Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach my Your paths.  Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation.  On You I wait all the day." (Psalm 25:4,5)  


Jeremiah writes, "The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.  It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." (Lam. 3:25,26)


It's interesting that waiting is tied in with salvation on both occurrences.  God has saved me from my sins, and has rescued me from certain death.  But I need to keep waiting on Him.  Change doesn't happen overnight.  


In both passages you'll notice that the writers talk about seeking the Lord, and asking God to reveal his ways and lead us to his truth.  I have found that this is key, when desiring to change.  As Jake said the other day, we need to sweat.  The Christian walk isn't easy.  God is willing to change our hearts, but we also need to be willing to work and seek.  Desiring God comes at a cost...giving up time spent shopping, going online, reading other books that aren't as uplifting.  


The question I have to ask myself is this: 
How willing am I to desire God at whatever cost?


Love,
Ashleigh


P.S. I love listening to this song when I need to get into a God-space.

12.02.2011

Decembering...

I am feeling a little bit ecstatic this morning, the shock of my returned assignment not having worn off yet.  A couple of days ago I finished one of the assignments that was plaguing my subconscious for a month.  I waited eagerly for over 12 hours to receive my marks and...drum roll please...I got 90%, which is the best mark I've received in the course yet!  God is so good.

Now I must finish this portion by December 23rd, and then I will start the Phonology module.  This is my December, folks :)

Enjoy your morning...I'm just going to sit here for a while and drink some tea before I start my homework.

Blessings,
Ashleigh