Healthy Living News: November 2011

Afraid of the Unknown

So many times I think we stand still because we are afraid of the unknown. We're afraid of the outcome or how we'll feel in certain situations, so we just do nothing at all. As if waiting will change our fear. I am learning that the only thing waiting does is intensifies the fears we already have.

Does your life feel safe and planned out? Does your relationship with God feel comfortable?

November Sky 2011

The moments when we're at a loss for words and we run out of safety net - those are the moments that God steps in and proves Himself faithful. Yet we're so scared of these moments, when life is out of our control and we don't know what the ending is - that we run around trying to ensure these moments never happen.

Are you busy trying to escape the emptiness?

It is when we are empty, that we remember God is there to fill. Embrace it.

Community ~ Parking & Security Team Cookout

This past weekend we had a church parking & security volunteer team cookout. Over 70 people showed up, so the turnout was quite impressive and we all had a great time. A brave couple from church opened up their home and allowed us all to traipse through it as we pleased, bless them!

These people are such a huge part of our lives and we are so blessed to fellowship with them.

Noelle and Kayla - who are always smiling!

The gift of a church community is not something I take for granted because I know how precious it is!

I have served on the parking team at PCC for almost two years now and recently I've switched over to the volunteer team. The parking team honored me at the cookout, which was super sweet ~~and embarrassing~~. Just needed to explain the gorgeous bouquet. :)

Eric and Randy

humble servants - leader of the Parking Team at PCC and so many other things!

Caleb and I have been so blessed by their open hearts and generous spirits.

For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

Psalm 84:10

(Thank you Vincent for taking all of the pictures!)

Dragon Fruit (Pitaya)

I just bought 2 huge Dragon Fruits! And thought I would share this article again!

Have you ever wondered what a dragon fruit looked like in the inside? Perhaps you have not wanted to buy one, cause you were unsure if it was worth it?

Dragon Fruit is definitely worth a try! It is so easy to prepare...just cut in half and scoop out the insides with a spoon. Cut into chunks! The little black seeds are similar to the kiwi seeds. The fruit has a pleasant flavor, not to sweet. And it is so healthy for you! Your kids will love it!

A Few Dragon Fruit Facts

Dragon Fruit is a good source of Vitamin C.
Dragon Fruit are rich in fiber and minerals, notably phosphorus and calcium.
The seeds are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Dragon Fruit also contain significant quantities of phytoalbumin antioxidants, which prevent the formation of cancer-causing free radicals.
Dragon Fruit increases excretion of heavy metal toxins and lowers cholesterol and blood pressure. Eaten regularly, it is credited with alleviating chronic respiratory tract ailments.

A Mary Heart in a Martha World

I've been reading a book for ~~the past two years~~ awhile and I finally finished it this morning. It's called Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver. This book had a wonderful message with some excellent thoughts. The last chapter was absolutely timely in my life right now. The chapter's focus was on perseverance, "perseverance is one of our responsibilities in this process of being changed." I am learning what it means to persevere in many things - whether it be education, the workplace, home-life, friendships, etc. But what I'm really learning to persevere about? My journey with God.

Persevere
to persist in anything undertaken;
maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement; continue steadfastly.

No one ever promised it would be easy, but exactly what is easy? If I want world changing and life altering to happen in my story, God has to be a part of it. And if God is going to be a part of it, He has to change me from the inside out. This is the process I must continue steadfastly through. The next piece of this is surrender. I have to surrender everything to Him.

Surrender

to yield (something) to the possession or power of another;

deliver up possession of on demand or under duress

I have to surrender my desire for perfection, my desire to look competent, and my desire to please others - and I have to lay this at the foot of the cross. Daily. Because my experience with God is that He'll let us tackle life on our own for as long as we want, until we realize we can't do it on our own and we're totally and completely spent. I want to gain enough maturity to avoid this type of exhaustion all together.

Mother Teresa said, "He will use you to accomplish great things on the condition that you believe much more in His love than in your own weakness." Let this be true of me ~ that I believe in His power more than my shortcomings.

While I'm on the topic of perseverance and surrendering. . .I want to ask for prayer.

Passion 2012 is coming up super-fast (47 days!) and I could certainly use prayer for strength, wisdom, energy and foresight. This four day gathering is going to change people's lives forever and I am so honored to be a part of it! Not at all a coincidence that this is when God is choosing to teach me about perseverance and surrender!