Rebecca's Joy

September is my favorite month, partly because fall is my favorite season and it’s my birthday month! For my 39th birthday on September 10th, Frank completed his check-ride for his pilot’s license, and I kept relatively busy. I spent time over at a friend’s reading and sipping tea, while waiting for a contractor to show up. I had lunch with a dear friend and mentor at Red Robin (free birthday burger!). Frank and I had a splendid coffee date before I headed over to another mentor’s house for a birthday sundae and a special gift of sapphire earrings. The previous Saturday, I celebrated my birthday with Frank’s family, which included a delicious meal and cake. The rest of the month included time with friends old and new, working on part of our side yard, enjoying the weather turn from warm to a slight chill, and embracing the glory of fall sweeping into the mountains. 

As a side note, I will be traveling for a good bit of the next few months. I am keeping this under wraps on the blog, but intend to fully divulge the experience once I am settled back at home. I am in awe of this opportunity, and to be honest, quelling my nerves with the planning and preparing, but also anticipating and curious about how it will change me and my outlook on life. I struggle often with being settled in this life sphere in and out of my control. Frank and I have worked hard for everything we have, and I sometimes feel like we are missing out because we have had to labor, say no, and save for what we have, yet it still feels like “not enough.” 

The future of this nation, contentment in the strained economy, and lack of discretion by others in terms of flaunting their lifestyle and opulent living create internal chaos if left unchecked and unfiltered. I have noticed declines in graciousness, patience, disagreement, intellectual stimulation, and contentment in my life and the lives of others. We do not want to have intellectual disagreements because if someone is happy, why bother them? We do not want to do the right thing, because it’s too hard or we are content with the status quo. We tear others down with unspoken unrealistic expectations (whether in our thoughts, spoken to others, or in our actions), yet offer no actionable achievable resolution. We fail to speak the truth because we fear hurting someone else or messing up relationships. We listen to ourselves far more than we fear God or want to do what pleases Him. We lose grip on the value of a life-giving community and close our doors because we are too busy, afraid, or have unbalanced priorities. Somehow, I (or perhaps we) have felt the pull of these thoughts weigh me down, and thus, the emotions roll in like thunder and I get swept up in the storms of life, without objectively looking at and considering the source of truth. I often fear what others think or want me to say or do, rather than what Scripture commands (which oftentimes can appear unloving or judgemental to those who are not saved). Christ does not say we will be loved or adored, but rather we will face trials, rejection, and feel abandoned. Even if achieved, the shining shimmering lifestyle I dream about will not throw out the nature of living life in a fallen world or the sin still sloshing around inside of me. The trends, money, and comparison of what others have achieved pales in light of priorities that would be more valuable: an intentional lifestyle of pouring out God’s love, and being willing to be misunderstood, maligned, and separated because of my firm stand on gospel truth. 

I admire Frank for his ability to speak what he thinks to rightfully consider justice and love and to boldly stand for truth. He has been a sounding board for my deep hard questions, a truth bearer to combat lies, and a giver of his many talents and resources to others so that they can be uplifted and encouraged. I am grateful for salvation, and for God’s Word, which never strays from what is right, and equips me with the opportunity to be both salt and light, to stand for truth, and to continually shed the sin and repent to an already forgiving Father. There is so much to be thankful for, much to learn in the hard times, and hope yet to come (heaven) for those who believe in and trust God as their sole Savior and king. In this winded divulsion of my heart, I hope that this next phase will shed light on the hidden corners of discontentment, open my heart to loving others in new ways, and to enlighten me on how to be more purposeful in day-to-day living and interactions. 

Recipes Tried: 

• Shepherds Pie: I cheated and used the Costco mashed potatoes from the refrigerated section. I skipped the peas (just didn’t have them) and used dried rosemary (1 tsp. in lieu of 2 tsp. fresh). I also used 1 lb. of ground lamb instead of 1 1/2 lbs, and it turned out fine. I would make this again with my favorite instant pot mashed potatoes (yukon gold is my favorite potato for this application). 
• Pumpkin Cream Cheese Cupcakes: As a newlywed, one of the popular desserts was “dalmation cupcakes” which was a boxed chocolate cake mix with a cream cheese topping that had chocolate chips mixed in. Here’s a fall-forward edition that is delicious and easy to make. This was a delicious dessert that I made based on ingredients I kept on hand. A boxed yellow cake mix, pumpkin puree, and cream cheese create a delectable dessert. The crumb was moist and had notes of pumpkin and cream cheese without screaming pumpkin spice. In the future, I will make a better “well” for the cream cheese filling instead of plopping it on top. 
• Autumn Chicken Dish: If you want a never-ending dish that gives leftovers for days, here it is. I love the paprika-rich chicken, brussel sprouts, butternut squash, and cheese tortellini, which make this dish a delightful, hearty, one-dish wonder. We ate this over 5+ days, so by the end I think the original wow factor was flickering, but we ate all of it. I would make this for a crowd or halve the recipe if you have a smaller group. 
• Molasses Cookies: I have this recipe in my mother’s handwriting, and thought about making and freezing a batch of these rich and spice-infused cookies. On the back of the recipe card, my mom notes this is my dad’s favorite, and recommended I make a double batch. I now regret my “one and done” idea, because I don’t know if these cookies will make it to their intended destination. 

Ingredients: 

3/4 C. Shortening (I substitute coconut oil) 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1 C. sugar 1 tsp. ginger

1/4 C. molasses 1 tsp. cloves

1 egg 2. C flour

1/4 tsp. salt 2 tsp. baking soda

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together flour, salt, and baking soda in a separate bowl. Cream shortening (or coconut oil). Add sugar. Beat until well blended. Add molasses, egg, and spices. Slowly add in flour mixture. Scoop about 1 tsp. of dough. Roll into a ball. Roll ball in sugar until covered. Bake on a greased cookie sheet for 8-10 minutes. 

*Don’t press cookies down on sheet. Leave in ball to bake. 

Books Read: 

• Tea Time Discipleship by Sally Clarkson- Having a table set for someone to come and be welcome and loved is the goal of this book. This book explores the beauty of opening opportunities for hospitality and for being able to encourage another sister in Christ. 
• The Life-Giving Table by Sally Clarkson: The table is a place where love, conversation and explorations of deep subjects, develop lifelong curiosity, and provide the backdrop for spiritual and theological discussions. 
• King Charles III: New King, New Court. The Inside Story by Robert Hardman: From Elizabeth II’s death, through the taking on of a long-awaited appointment as Sovereign of Brittain, the coronation, and the shedding of certain traditions in respect of the modern age, King Charles takes charge of his newfound position in this book, which explores the modern monarch, in exquisite detail behind the scnes. 
• London: The Book That Transforms into a Cityscape: This interactive paperscapes book has a page dedicated to a memorable building, memorial, or historically significant statue. I have enjoyed “creating” the landscape with perforated pages. 

Activities Accomplished: 

• Started James Bible study utilizing the book, “Radically Whole: Gospel Healing for the Divided Heart” by David Gibson
• Started a study on “The Devoted Mind” 
• Clearing out items we no longer need, while making space for intentional beauty and meaningful items. 
• I thrifted a few things I needed this month. 
• Got my sub-application in for when I am back from my adventures. 
• Autumn decorating began as soon as the calendar said September. I keep it fairly simple by changing out the front door wreath, adding pumpkins and floral decor on the fireplace mantle and by the front door on a dresser. My favorite addition is a set of fairy lights that I bought at a thrift store. They add a nice glow and ambiance in the evening. I also store autumn candles bought on sale and am currently burning a cranberry and orange candle. They add a warm glow and pleasant scent. I am also loving the Pride & Prejudice soundtrack or my custom playlist of worship songs on Apple music. 
• We decided to stop buying so much food and to be more intentional about eating what is in our fridge. It has drastically simplified our kitchen time, and helped us to waste less food. It has also saved us money, so that I am using what we have and we are being more purposeful with the food we currently have. 
• Our friend, Hector, visited from Africa and we had a marvelous time of fellowship together. 
• We took a family road trip to Aspen, CO, stopping along the way to have breakfast at a small coffee shop in Buena Vista, see the fall landscape at Twin Lakes, Independence Pass, and watch the golden Aspen leaves along the road. After eating lunch at The White House, and having gelato from Paradise Bakery, we headed home via Glenwood Springs, Vail, and dinner in Castle Rock at Shake Shack. 

Adoption Corner: Nothing stood out to me this month. I’m just grateful to be waiting for what the Lord has for us next. 

Love, 

Rebecca and Frank