little things
nesting
John is moving into an apartment this weekend. I so want to be with him. I want to help him move in, hang the drapes, wash the windows, put the dishes in the cupboard and find just the right place for the lamp.
But I can’t.
So, in the mean time, I am working on the wedding.
Trying to find a balance between it all (meaning family-life, friends, church, wedding ….). And trying to remember that God has put me in this place, with all my longings, desires and frustrations, that I might learn of Him.
new shoes!
Sunday – morning and evening in pictures
they’re here!!!!!!!!!
dessert
Anna made dinner tonight, and I made dessert. Mmmmm!
Molten Cakes (serves 4)
Ingredients
- 6 ounces bittersweet baking chocolate, coarsely chopped
- 8 tablespoons (4ounces) unsalted butter, cut into small chunks
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- pinch of salt (omit if using salted butter)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons flour
preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Generously butter or spray four 5- to 6-ounce ramekins or six 4-ounce ramekins.
Melt the chocolate and butter over medium-low heat. Stir constantly until melted and smooth. Remove from heat.
Combine the eggs, sugar, and salt in a mixing bowl and beat on high speed for 4 to 5 minutes, or until the mixture is thick and pale. When the whisk is lifted and the batter is run back and forth over itself, it will hold a slowly dissolving ribbon.
With the mixer on low speed, sprinkle the flour over the batter and mix until combined.
Fold the egg mixture one-third at a time into the chocolate mixture.
Fill the ramekins with batter to within 1/4 inch of the top. (At this point the cakes can be covered and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Bring to room temp. before baking.)
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the sides of the cakes are firm. The centers will be soft to the touch but set.
Let stand for 1 minute, then unmold each cake onto a serving plate. Serve immediately.
constrained by freedom
thoughts from a long drive home
Freedom does not mean that I can do whatever I desire, whenever I desire to do it. Why? Because true freedom does not come cheaply, it is not “free”. It brings with it responsibility as well as debts of gratitude that can never be repaid.
True freedom actually constrains.
Constrained by freedom and the love that bought it at so dear a price.
“For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” ” – Galatians 5:13-14
Who are we that You would be mindful of us
what do You see that’s worth looking our way
we are free in ways that we never should be
sweet release from the grip of these chains
like hinges straining from the weight
my heart no longer can keep from singing.
all that is within me cries for You alone
be glorified Emmanuel God with us
my heart sings a brand new song
the debt is paid these chains are gone
Emmanuel, God with us.
Lord You know our hearts don’t deserve Your glory
still You show a love we cannot afford
like hinges straining from the weight
my heart no longer can keep from singing.
Such a tiny offering compared to Calvary
nevertheless we lay it at your feet.
-mercy me “God with us”
Jacobsen tradition
We go to the desert. Every January. Just after New Year. To ride, ride, ride. We drive 11 hours to the Algadones Dunes just north of the Cal-Mex border (quite the car ride). Then we stay and ride for a week or two.
This year, I drove down with Mom and Anna on Saturday, drove back up with Daniel and Anna on Sunday.
I might go back down with them on Friday. We’ll see.
It is a looong ride down. But it just might be worth it.
new every morning
they are new every morning/ … great is Thy faithfulness O LORD
great is Thy faithfulness
The view this morning was no exception.
Of course, there are days where the mountains seem to be non existent because of the smog, but the sunrise is always stunning.
This morning’s sunrise reminded me that God is good to me, very good. His mercies are always new. He sees my need and begins to meet it before I am even aware that it exists.
He is good.