Proverbs 31:25
Spring Break SBXII. Again, I like having a blog that I never write on :)
So I was thinking this morning about this blog here that I have had for a while..
Honestly, I thought I was going to log onto tumblr and just delete it. Sometimes, my OCD tendencies tell me to just throw away that is not perfect or is not necessary or is not organized. It actually overwhelms me sometimes. But, in spite of myself, I looked at my tumblr. Obviously the few posts are random, but reading them, I felt secure in who I was. Seeing my thoughts over the past year or so—in my own words—gave me peace.
Recently, I have been contemplating this new year and what that means for me. I have so many passions, and I only have enough time to fulfill one of them. I love to sing and play music, paint and build, read and explore. However, I live the college life…pursuing my education and running with my team. The one thing that I pray over-encompasses all of these passions is the Lord. I pray for the desire to wake up every day and have quiet time. I want to know who Jesus is, and I want to know what the Bible says…and then pray for the words to proclaim it fearlessly.
I think it is okay to have this blog and not right on it every day—or even every week! But I like to type out how I’m feeling. I am always journalling or working out homework problems—but I want to express my passions on this blog. I want to randomly post music or record a song. I want to randomly post my newest projects and paintings. That way, my passions can be cultivated slowly…but the proof of them will be here.
Today is the last day of Winter break. Ugh. I want to go back to school, but I don’t know if I’m ready for the schooling. I need to make great grades this semester, so I am having faith that the Lord will give me the strength I need. But on top of that, I want a change in the dynamic of my team. I want us to be unified. If we can be encouraging for one another, if we can hope not in our own ability and talent, but in the Lord’s lofty strength, we will be stronger.
Be back soon :)
J
My roommates and I just had some french press coffee on National Coffee Day…I forgot how smooth it is!
Oh and this afternoon my friend Allyson and I got frozen yogurt then went on some trails to have accountability in the most beautiful fall weather.
Through 1 Corinthians 7, the Lord brings peace to the soul as well :)
Just tried to come back strong into the blog scene, and tumblr denied me.
Hopefully, I will be able to retrieve that little nugget…
but until then, enjoy some truth.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
Romans 8:28-30
“when this passing world is over
we will see you face to face.
and forever, we will worship.
Jesus, you are all to us.”
Chris Tomlin
Amen.
So I am prone to stress.
Let’s just put it out there—plain and simple—I get overwhelmed easily. The funny thing is that I get overwhelmed by minuscule and things of no importance. Basically, when I am in a funk, I can’t focus on my schoolwork because I have a bedroom at home that needs to be dusted…yes, I know, it’s embarrassing.
However, last week was our Spring Break, which I spent with eleven wonderful girls from my Cross-Country/Track & Field team in Mexico Beach, Florida. Because my grandparents have a beach condo on Panama City Beach, I have spent nearly every Spring Break there for most of my life. While PCB is the extreme in terms of craziness, Mexico Beach is the stark contrast. Our huge house had a wrap around porch and sat close on the beach, separated from the dark ocean by dunes that were covered in oats.
The weather was beautiful—warm with a nice breeze—and the secluded, yet beautiful getaway was completely overdue. It took me to get away from Athens, away from busy schedules, away from chapter meetings and banner painting, away from college chaos to realize that I have been trying to be in control. I needed to get out of my own bubble and step down from the throne of my life. This life is full of uncertainty, and it is too big for me to try and handle on my own.
I don’t know what I want this blog to be. At first, I was just posting things that I found on-line, but I need a place to express my creative side…it has been neglected for far too long. I want a balance between my classes and my major and then my team and my clubs and bible studies and then my art and my cooking and my passion for the Lord.
Well, I’m off to try and give God the reigns!
Love ya,
J
Let me just tell you that tonight I made my first batch of granola—cinnamon raisin granola :)
I need to invest in some parchment paper, so that the baby oats don’t get too brown, but I have to admit that this test batch of granola turned out a lot better than I had expected!
Oh, and did I mention that last night I oven-dried some cherries? I put those in, so I can’t wait to put this dried fruit and granola goodness in some almond milk in the morning after my run!
Hopefully more batches and granola creations to come…
Black Bean and Avocado Brownies
Now, I think it is time that I reveal one of the strangest things about me…I don’t exactly eat sugar—refined sugar that is.
I gave it up a little over a year or so ago because my body has no restraint when it comes to sugar, and I guess I felt that I really didn’t need to eat it!
From all of this, I look at a lot of gluten-free and sugar-free blogs, looking for recipes. I found this recipe for BLACK BEAN AND AVACADO BROWNIES and obviously thought that this sounded strange, but you should know that I eat some interesting things :)
They are actually quite delicious (especially with some walnuts on top), and they are good for you!!
RECIPE:
1 (15.5 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
3/4 cup egg substitute
1/4 cup agave syrup
1/2 of a ripe avocado (60gm)
6 tbsp cocoa powder (30gm)
pinch of salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 tablespoons white sugar (75gm)
2 teaspoons instant espresso
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8x8” pan with parchment paper.
Combine black beans, egg substitute, agave syrup, and avocado in food processor. Blend for a few minutes, until completely smooth. Add remaining ingredients and continue blending until fully combined, stopping once or twice to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
Spread into parchment-lined baking dish. Bake for 30-33 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the brownies comes out clean.
These are best if you let them sit overnight before slicing and enjoying!
