Mele Kalikimaka

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. - Isaiah 9:6

 

Reasons why I love Christmas:

 

-Celebrating Jesus' birth

-Spending time with family

-Time with friends

-Presby Candlelight service...singing carols and lighting our candles

-Another reason to bake cookies

-Nutcracker ballet...getting into the Christmas spirit!

-Japanese food gatherings (homemade sushi and mochi!)

-Downtown shopping and the big tree

-Making new memories and laughing at old ones

-Wearing ugly Christmas sweaters and Christmas music on the radio 24/7

-Snowboarding season

-A break from work and busyness...time to rest in Him

-Reminiscing how the Lord has blessed us in 2012

-Stockings, opening presents (seeing their expression), and a big Christmas brunch

-Buying my first Christmas tree...love the smell!

 

It's so nice to be with family again after living in London last year...being so far away from home! But now I miss my London family too. I will always remember celebrating my first British Christmas with mince pies and mulled wine...then partying it up Brazilian style! Sending my love across the pond :)

 

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." -Luke 2:14

 

Haugh Ohana

Christmas morning

Nutcracker PNB

Oishi

 

 

Spiritual Inventory

I was encouraged by reading this article by my Pastor and mentor, Wayne Ogimachi. It's called "Taking Spiritual Inventory" and helped me to examine my walk with Jesus. Hope it will do the same for you!

Here are the key points:

1) Remove the barriers: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles." -Hebrews 12:1

2) Commit to persevere: "And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us...let us not grow weary and lose heart." -Hebrews 12:1,3

3) Stay focused on our Lord: "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." -Hebrews 12:2

How's my...

-RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD...Does He have my heart and soul?
-FAMILY...Am I fully connected with them?
-FRIENDS....Do I enrich and sharpen others as they sharpen me?
-WORK...Does it get my best without driving or owning me?
-LEISURE...Am I balanced?
-FINANCES...Am I a cheerful giver?
-HABITS...What destructive habits hurt me?
-THOUGHTS...Is my mind clean and healthy?
-SPEECH...Is my tongue in check?
-INTEGRITY...What am I hiding?

Wow...so convicting to examine each of these areas.  As Joyce Meyer (one of my favorite authors) says, "I'm not where I need to be, but thank God I'm not where I used to be."

These are a few of my favorite things...

Eating shave ice with Puppers

Swimming at Turtle beach

Watching surfers and 30 ft waves

Relaxing at Lanikai

Hiking in the rainforest of Hawaii

Reading a book at Ko'Olina

Driving around Kailua

Hanging out with Mom

Recipe of the Week: Easy Quiche

Sorry, I've been slacking on my 'Recipes of the Week'...here's a simple and yummy treat for breakfast brunches! I added spinach instead of broccoli...you could even add ham too.

Ingredients:

 

-2 cups of milk

-4 eggs

-3/4 cup biscuit baking mix

-1 cup parmesan cheese

-1 package frozen spinach

-8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
-1/4 cup butter, softened

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a 10 inch quiche dish.
2. In a large bowl, beat together milk, eggs, baking mix, butter and parmesan cheese. Batter will be lumpy. Stir in broccoli, ham and Cheddar cheese. Pour into prepared quiche dish.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 50 minutes, until eggs are set and top is golden brown.

Happy Thanksgiving!

photo: HE>i

It's not just about the turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, or pumpkin pie...it's about spending quality time with family and friends. :) I am thankful for a relaxing and refreshing time in Hawaii...a chance to catch up on sleep, go to the beach, and appreciate the beauty of the island. Once you leave Hawaii, you realize how good you have it here. North shore, Ko'olina, Lanikai, and Waikiki beach will always have a special place in my heart.

Today, Mom, Puppers and I embarked on a hike in the rainforest of Aiea...I forgot how long the hike was and thought we were lost. It took about 2 1/2 hours. Hiking reminds me of life as a walk of faith. "For we walk by faith, not by sight."  -2 Corinthians 5:7 We just need to take the next step and keep walking, even if we don't know what's next. God says He has plans to prosper us, to give us HOPE and a FUTURE...we just need to keep trusting Him. I kept telling my mom, "just a little further" even though I had no idea where we were going. Thankfully, we made it back and so relieved to see the parking lot.

I hope you all had a restful Thanksgiving break and a time to thank God for everything He gives. Love and Aloha!

Desiring God

God tells me I'm not alone. Fear not for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (Isaiah 43:1–3)

God tells me he will always help me.
I lift up my eyes to the hills —
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip —
he who watches over you will not slumber;
Indeed, he who watches over Israel
 will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you —
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm —
he will watch over your life;
The Lord will watch over your coming and going
 both now and forevermore.
(Psalm 121)

God tells me he has called me for his purpose.
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. (Romans 8:28)

God tells me nothing in this world is better than knowing Him.
Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him—that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:8–11,14)
God tells me He is more concerned about my heart than my face.
Man looks on the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7)

God tells me he gave his only Son for my sins.
Surely he has born our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken smitten by God and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions he was crushed for our iniquities. Upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:3–5)

God tells me he has a good plan for my life.
For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

God tells me he is changing me to be more like him.
And we all with unveiled face beholding the glory of the Lord are being transformed in the same image from one degree of glory to another. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

God tells me nothing can separate me from his love.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future nor any powers, neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us for the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38–39)

God tells me his grace is enough.
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9–10)

God tells me I have hope.
We rejoice in our sufferings knowing that suffering produces endurance and endurance produces character and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the holy Spirit who has been given to us. But God shows his love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:3–4, 8)

God tells me he is good.
I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! I sought the Lord and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. Oh taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. (Psalm 34)

God tells me that this life is short, but I'll live forever with him.
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed, perplexed but not driven to despair, persecuted but not forsaken, struck down but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen, but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:7,16–18)

Operation Christmas Child

This past week at SYTE, we packed boxes for Operation Christmas Child. We are excited to give the 139 boxes to children in need around the world. It was a great reminder to be thankful and grateful for all that we have and need to bless others. Pray they would come to know and love Jesus as we give them a small gift of toys, candy, and health supplies.

 

 

 

 

Come Away

Come away with Me, Come away with Me
It's never too late, it's not too late
It's not too late for you

I have a plan for you
I have a plan for you
It's gonna be wild
It's gonna be great
It's gonna be full of Me

Open up your heart and let Me in 

-Jesus Culture

Here's a song by Jesus Culture that really spoke to me in London...hope it encourages you too. 

As I've been driving in the car for several hours a day, I listen mostly to worship music or podcasts from Mars Hill. Gotta love Mark Driscoll's Esther series. One of the messages has challenged my thinking...in every decision, ask "will this bring God the most glory?" or glory to myself?

C. J. Mahaney’s Humility says, “No one can ever say they’re humble. All they could say is that they’re a proud person pursuing humility by the grace of God.” Amen...let's keep praying for the Holy Spirit to clothe us with humility and consider others better than ourselves.

Seattle is feeling more like home each day. Thankful for afternoon tea with friends (English breakfast tea, crumpets, and pumpkin scones!) and dinner with my Aunt and Uncle's family. I'm surviving the freezing weather...35 degrees right now! Hawaii in one week...thank you Lord! You always provide rest in your perfect timing.

Thankful

I am thankful for the little things...

pumpkin spice lattes. colorful leaves. writing my blog in coffee shops. seasons. old friends. costume parties. trick or treating. SYTE. making mochi with Grandma. family time. running into family at grocery stores. phone calls from places far away. reading good books. dancing to music in the car. walking the dog. encouraging letters.

Lord, thank you for watching over me.

A picture of my youth group...

Hawaii

I can't believe I'm going back to Hawaii in 3 weeks...I can't wait! Thank you Lord!

Family, old friends, beach, sand, sun, palm trees, shave ice, surfing, 80 degree weather, ono grindz, relaxing in paradise...

It's been 2 years since I've been back...summer 2010. It's crazy how the years fly by. I am so thankful to spend time with Mom, Dad, and Puppers for Thanksgiving. After living in London for a year and exploring the world, there's really no place like home.

 

Thanksgiving 2008

Family

One thing I love about home is being with family...

My bro Jesse and his lovely wife Andriana...they make a great couple and act a bit goofy!

I love fall leaves. Can't get enough :)

Went to the zoo with my Auntie Margie

UW game with the fam...go huskies!!!

Strolling around Green Lake...my favorite spot in Seattle with Starbucks :)

SYTE

SYTE. Serving Youth on The Eastside.

I'm excited to take on this new role of Youth Ministry Director Intern! A new adventure. :) I used to be in the youth group when I was 12 years old...Pastor Wayne baptized me and now he's my mentor! During youth, I was apart of the first SYTE band and played drums and guitar...now there's SYTE Band 3G (3rd generation). I look forward to giving back to the youth group that helped my faith grow and mature over the years. I'm still best friends with some of the friends I knew 10 years ago. I pray I will develop close relationships with the other SYTE advisors, get to know each of the youth, and God will use me in ways I never could have imagined.

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." -1 Timothy 4:12

This is my prayer-that I will set an example in speech, love, faith, and purity.

Some Favorite Quotes...

"And my God will meet ALL your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ" - Phillipians 4:19

 "Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed" -Proverbs 16:3

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you." -Deuteronomy 31:6

"He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." -Mark 16:15

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall i fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid" -Psalm 27:1

"Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord..." - Jeremiah 29:12-14

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." - 1 Thess 5:18

"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." -Zephaniah 3:17

 "To Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or imagine." - Ephesians 3:20

 "God's eyes are still looking for someone - anyone - who will totally and passionately seek Him, who is determined that every thought and action will be pleasing in His sight. For such a person or group, God will prove himself mighty. His power will explode on their behalf." - Jim Cymbala

 "The wise man comes to God without saying a word and stands in awe of Him." - Francis Chan

"So I'll stand with arms high and heart abandoned in awe of the One who gave it all. I'll stand, my soul Lord to you surrendered, ALL I AM is yours." -Hillsong

"You have made us for yourself and our hearts will be restless until they rest in thee." -Augustine

Transition

My other family across the pond...Charika, my support, Sri Lankan mum, and prayer warrior! :)

Sian and I had a going away party...our dear friends Nat and Tain

I'll miss ASWW youth.

As I'm in the midst of transition, I've been thinking of Ecclesiastes 3 and a season of change...

There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot, 

   a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build

     a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance, 

 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 

 a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak, 

 a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.

I miss London. But I know God has a new season for me in Seattle...a time to be with old friends and family, watch 3 kids, and intern at my old church (Lighthouse Christian) as a Youth Director. I've been so busy working 2 part time jobs to pay off college loans, so it has been hard to process being back in the US. Please pray for my transition and God would give me rest.

My good friend encouraged me that apart from God nothing is possible, but WITH God's help, ANYTHING is possible! :) I may not feel capable to be a youth director, but God is at work within me and I can do all things through Christ. I just want to be a good role model for the youth. We are called SYTE...Serving Youth on The Eastside. I am here to serve. I pray the Lord would use me to speak into their lives wisdom, knowledge from experience and His word, and love. I love hanging out with youth...they make me feel like a kid again! 

If you would like to hear stories about London, I'd love to share them with you. :) There's just too much to say in a blog.

Recipe of the Week: Thai Salmon

As I am leaving for the USA in 2 days, I decided to cook dinner for my home-stay (Ian and Eunice) one last time! I made them Thai salmon with sauce...healthy and easy recipe. Plus chocolate pudding cake with ice cream to top it off! They loved it...oh the joy of cooking. :) In return, they made me "Josie's English Cook Book" full of gourmet recipes from the year. Salads, fish pie, shepherds' pie, and summer puddings. I'm really going to miss them.

Here's the recipe...thanks BBC:

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets
• 1 thumb sized red chilli , deseeded and finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves , finely chopped
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1/4 cucumber , diced
• red onion , diced
• 4 tbsp sweet chilli sauce , mixed with a squeeze of lime juice
• coriander , handful, roughly chopped

1. Put the salmon in a bowl with the chilli, garlic, coriander, fish sauce, sesame oil and honey. Season with pepper and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes or overnight.
2. Grill or barbecue the salmon until it is crisp at the edges. If you like it cooked all the way through rather than rare in the middle then keep cooking until the fish feels very firm to the touch. Serve with the cucumber and onion sprinkled over and the sweet chilli dipping sauce.

Finishing the Race

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." -2 Timothy 4:7-8

Paralympics 2012

Cat and I cheering for GB!

Such an amazing opportunity to see the Paralympics last week! The Olympic atmosphere was inspiring, exciting, and filled with people from all over the world. If they can run with one leg, I can definitely run with two legs! They have inspired me to run a half marathon...I better start training. 

Thank you Lord for helping me finish this race in London. As my time is coming to an end, I will remember your faithfulness and how you have helped me along this journey. Time is flying now. I still can't believe I'm going back to the USA next week. Feels unreal. I'm praying for the Lord's guidance to give me peace in my transition...hopefully won't hit "reverse culture shock" too much. I'm rubbish at saying goodbyes...I get super emotional and cry...now I'm remembering to "Keep Calm and Carry On!"

I'll leave you with this quote..."We only trust people we know. If you're struggling to trust God, it may be because you don't really know God." -Martha Tennison

Beautiful

I heard this song "Beautiful" by Mercy Me at a Face to Face event...the lyrics spoke to me and I hope it does the same for you.

The days will come when you don't have the strength
When all you hear is you're not worth anything
Wondering if you ever could be loved
And if they truly saw your heart they'd see too much

You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You are made so much more than all of this
You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You are treasured, you are sacred, you are His
You're beautiful

And praying that you have the heart to find
Cause you are more than what is hurting you tonight
For all the lies you've held inside so long
And they are nothing in the shadow of the cross

You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You are made so much more than all of this
You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You are treasured, you are sacred, you are His
You're beautiful

Before you ever took a breath
Long before the world began
Of all the wonders He possessed
There was one more precious
Of all the earth and skies above
You're the one He madly loves
Enough to death

You're beautiful
You're beautiful
In His eyes

You're beautiful
You were meant for so much more than all of this
You're beautiful
You are treasured, you are sacred, you are His
You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You're meant for so much more than all of this
You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You are treasured, you are sacred, you are His

Recipe of the Week: Oven-Roasted Chicken

I decided to cook a meal for my home-stay and found this lovely recipe from my Aunt...feels so good to make a home cooked meal...quite healthy and easy to make for you "aspire to be chefs!" We enjoyed the meal with apple crisp and ice cream after. :) Enjoy!

Oven-Roasted Chicken Thighs with Carrots and Yukon Gold Potatoes

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 6 large chicken thighs with skin and bones (preferably organic; about 2 1/4 pounds total)
• 1/2 tablespoon coarse kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated or ground nutmeg
• 2 pounds unpeeled medium Yukon Gold potatoes, scrubbed, cut into 2-inch-long, 1/2-inch-thick spears
• 2 pounds medium carrots, peeled, cut into 2-inch-long, 1/2-inch-thick spears
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

Preparation

Preheat oven to 450°F. Coat large rimmed baking sheet with 1 tablespoon oil. Place chicken on baking sheet. Turn to coat with oil and set skin side up. Mix salt, thyme, 1½ teaspoons pepper, and nutmeg in small bowl. Sprinkle half of mixture over chicken. Roast until chicken starts to brown and some fat has rendered, about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, combine potatoes, carrots, 2 tablespoons oil, and remaining saltthyme mixture in large bowl. Transfer thighs to medium bowl; set aside. Transfer potato-carrot mixture to same baking sheet; turn to coat with drippings. Roast until vegetables soften, 30 minutes. Place thighs on vegetables; pour accumulated juices from chicken over. Return sheet to oven. Roast until chicken is cooked and vegetables brown, 15 minutes longer.

Place chicken on platter; top with chives.

Moving On

Can't believe a year is almost up. 2 more weeks in the UK. Where has time gone? It's amazing to look back in my journal/blog posts and see all the prayer requests God has answered in the past couple months. I am so thankful I took that step of faith coming to England...a journey of ups and downs, stretching my faith, and growing closer to Him along the way.

What will I miss?
-Friendships...wish I could take everyone back with me to the US.
-Walking on the South Bank near Big Ben...never gets old.
-Markets...Portobello, Borough, Brick Lane, and Greenwich...I'll miss you on a Saturday morning.
-ASWW...can't believe I cried saying goodbye to you all yesterday. So emotional. Thanks for being my British family and sharing life together.
-Reality...going deep with my American/Brit friends. Thank you for supporting me on this journey and showing me what community looks like.
-Meals with my homestay...Eunice (one of the most caring people I know) and Ian (his home-made ice cream is the best ever...ask him to make you some). Thank you for showing me what a Godly marriage looks like, welcoming me into your family, and sharing your wisdom over the dinner table.

I am sad to leave the people I have invested in the past 12 months, but I am excited for what the future holds and ready for a new season. A season being reunited with old friends, family, and new job in Seattle. I know these friendships will last a lifetime and we'll be reunited again...

Isaiah 41...Thank you for your truth Lord!

So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

“All who rage against you
    will surely be ashamed and disgraced;
those who oppose you
    will be as nothing and perish. 

Though you search for your enemies,
    you will not find them.
Those who wage war against you
    will be as nothing at all. 

For I am the Lord your God
    who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
    I will help you.

Jesus is Reality

Lord, thank you for your church and a group of believers I can call 'family.' Reality London has been such an answer to prayer...a lifeline when I miss home. A place where my batteries are charged. A place where I feel loved and accepted. Intimate worship with the King. I pray you would continue to bless this church plant and build your Kingdom in London. 

What I've been learning...
 
"I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior.” 

“I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I want to be, I am not what I hope to be in another world; but still I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I am” -John Newton

 1) We need to sing JOYFULLY to the Lord. 
We wait in hope for the Lord;
    he is our help and our shield. 
In him our hearts rejoice,
    for we trust in his holy name.  
May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
    even as we put our hope in you. -Psalm 33

2) Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling

3) Wisdom
"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.  But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.  Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness." -James 3
Such a convicting passage...how often do I examine my thoughts and words? I want to be a peacemaker. 

Swedish Summer

So thankful I was able to visit my friend Hannah in Sweden last week. I never thought I would visit Sweden...or 4 other countries in Europe. Thank you Lord for blessing me with this amazing opportunity! Sweden is beautiful...I'd highly recommend going if you're around Europe. The forests and trees reminded me of Seattle...they even have mooses and trolls! Watch out!

We ate cinnamon rolls (kanelbullar), meatballs (köttbullar), biked around Örebro, ice cream in the park, had a BBQ at the lake, went swimming (it was FREEZING!), walked in sunny Stockholm, enjoyed the beautiful streets, ate lunch on the pier, road a boat to an island, and enjoyed the warm weather. I love traveling and experiencing a new culture...even learning a few words in Swedish! :) Hej då! (Good bye) 

Destined to Soar

My mom recommended this book by K.P. Yohannan and the chapter is titled "What Keeps Us Going?"

"In our Christian life, persevering until the end is what it's all about, not just starting well. What do I mean? Don't give up your walk with Jesus; endure in the call He gave you to win this lost world and build His kingdom. Like marathon runners, we will encounter adversities along the way that could cause us to quit the race. What are some of these adversities?

• Relationship problems with other Christians
• Physical and financial setbacks that cause us to lose hope
• Lack of apparent fruit and fulfillment in our service to the Lord
• Frustration when serving the Lord becomes hard work and the feelings are gone
• Feeling inadequate and overwhelmed by the expectations of others
• Spiritual dryness that comes when God tests us to see if we will still walk with Him by faith, even when there is nothing within or without to support us.

"Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" -Hebrews 12:2

The secret of our survival is fixing our eyes on Jesus and making Him alone our focus. Then our walk with God and commitment to serve Him will no longer depend on whether or not people treat us right or circumstances are in our favor. We will no longer rely on our emotions to support us or on our successes to keep us going. Jesus alone will become our goal and we will live for Him, run our race for Him, and cross the finish line for Him.

Unless you learn to fix your eyes on Jesus alone, you will have no stability in your walk with God.

Recipe of the Week: Kladdkaka

Kladdkaka...also known as, Swedish Sticky Chocolate Cake...so amazing! My friend showed me this cake when visiting Sweden and loved it so I made one for my Swedish friend's birthday! Those Swedes know how to bake. :)

Here's the recipe...enjoy!

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 pinch salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/3 cups white sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup butter, melted

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Lightly grease an 8-inch pie plate.
2. Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt; set aside. Stir the eggs into the sugar until smooth. Add the flour mixture, and stir just until combined. Pour in the vanilla extract and butter; stir until well combined. Pour into prepared pie plate.
3. Bake on the lower rack of the preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until the center has slightly set. Allow cake to cool for 1 hour in the pie plate. Serve warm, or refrigerate overnight and serve cold.