How to Throw a Perfect Party

Step 1:  Marry a culinary genius... which is Springer, not me, in case you were wondering.

Step 2:  Invite a group of good friends... some new, some old, some quiet, some loud, some funny, some that like to laugh, some good cooks, some that really know how to pick out something yummy from the Publix deli or a blueberry farm.

Step 3:  Start cooking at midnight the night before.  (I am convinced that smoking BBQ is Springer's spiritual gift.)

Step 4:  Clean up the house, but don't stress out about it.

Step 5:  Set up yard games, such as bocce ball, monkey golf, and croquet.  Eventually turn the front yard into a wiffleball field.

Step 6:  DON'T WORRY about the fact that you just ripped up the linoleum in the kitchen, exposing hardwood floors, yet to be refinished.  Remember what the Nester says, "It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful."

Step 7:  Have fun!  Take lots of pictures!  (Unfortunately, I had so much fun that I didn't take many pictures.  I think Becca did though, so I'm hoping she'll share.)

Thanks to our Fourth of July crowd!  It was fun!

New World Record (for me, anyway)

In case you've been waiting for a running update, hope you enjoy...

Back in December I started running with the Couch to 5K plan.  You could run by distance or by time.  I started with time and over several months was able to work up to running for 30 minutes straight (a major feat for a non-runner like myself)!

Then work got crazy and I stopped running for about a month.

Fast forward... work is still busy, but I've decided this is a priority!  So I started running again, and today was the most successful to date.

Mile 1:  10.5 minutes (new world record)
Mile 2:  14.5 minutes
Mile 3:  13.5 minutes
Overall 3.18 miles in 40 minutes... that's 12.6 minutes/mile on average... booyah!

It was also the first time I had run a full 3.1 miles (aka 5K).  I'm really excited about this.  Springer and I had planned to run in a 5K in the spring, then we were out of town for 2 different opportunities.  And nowadays it's just too darn hot.  So we are gearing up for the Country's Midnight Express in Columbus in August.  Springer ran in it last year... and got a BBQ sandwich and sweet tea at the end of the race!  I love some BBQ, but I'm not sure I can eat it (1) at 1 am and (2) after running a 5K.

But before I get too self-absorbed, I want to give credit where credit is due... Praise Jesus for His endurance that He puts in me [For this I toil, struggling with all His energy, which He powerfully works within me.  End of Colossians 1] and for breath to make it through the run today!  Soli Deo Gloria!

Beach Pictures as Promised

We were so busy having a blast at the beach that we hardly took any pictures. 

But thanks to Elizabeth, Springer's sister, here are a few. 

[Note: My new motto is "White is the new tan". I don't have time for skin cancer, so during the summer SPF is my best friend. Please keep the "Snow White" comments to yourself.]

 

Springer had a great time playing with W on the beach.  How adorable is this?!

yummy dinner

My favorite show debuted its "hottest season yet" a couple of weeks ago.  [Actually I started this post then and am just finishing it now!]  We've been watching The Next Food Network Star since 2007... loooved Amy (so sad that she quit her show after one season)... got really mad that Big Daddy Aaron McCargo beat my favorite - Lisa "Beautiful Basics" - that would have been such a good show... liked Melissa last year, have enjoyed her show this year.  So in honor of the premier, we decided to cook a yummy dinner, based on a recipe I found in Southern Living - April 2010.

We started on the grill - Springer (the grill master) cooked some chicken breasts - bone in - I think we saved money that way, but not sure.  We cooked 2 and used 1 for the pizza.  Ate the 2nd one for dinner tonight on a salad.  (I can hear Robin Miller now - well done!)

Meanwhile I placed a pizza crust (thank you, Boboli) on our pizza stone and started on a sauce that began with Bertolli alfredo.  I sauteed some garlic in olive oil...

Next I added the alfredo sauce, then some fresh basil and pepper.  Cream... mmmmm.

Spread the sauce on the crust... scatter chicken all over (check out Jasper staring down the chicken)... top with mozzarella and parmesean cheese... pop into oven using directions on pizza crust.

The final product... quite tasty if I don't say so myself. Served with a salad and homemade dressing. I think even Giada would have been proud.

Going to the big leagues...

I'm super proud of my cousin Logan Darnell, drafted in the 6th round, going to the Minnesota Twins.  Click here and here for more details!

music update

In my efforts to dwell in the truth of this song Jesus I Am Resting, Resting, I searched iTunes this afternoon.  I learned this song in college from my friend Julia Scott (now Yawn).  But I didn't have a copy on CD or anything.

So in my search, I found the Shelly Moore Band and downloaded her whole CD "A Hymn Project", which contains my heart song at the moment.  The song shows off her beautiful low vocals... I guess you'd call that alto.  [Click here to see a live version.]  My dad would like her to because she "hits the notes".  I remember singing around the piano as a little girl, and I would want to slide all around the notes (like I heard country singers do), and Dad would say "Just hit the note!"  He also said that angels just hit the notes, so if I wanted to sing like an angel, I shouldn't slide all around.  Ha!

Meanwhile I was reading Shelly's blog and heard her talk about another song, one called There is a Fountain Filled with Blood.  Here are her thoughts...

It’s one of the most moving hymns I know – the lyrics, so centered on the Gospel that we cherish. Singing that this morning brought me to tears as the voices in the room rang out louder than our voices and instruments coming through the speakers, singing…

The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in His day

And there have I though vile as he washed all my sins away

Singing alongside these strangers, most of whom I haven’t met personally throughout this weekend, I suddenly was pressed into a moment where I knew I was singing with brothers and sisters… People I would be worshipping with forever.

So I searched high and low for this song and found it on another hymn CD "Together for the Gospel - Live" from Sovereign Grace Music - aka Bob Kauflin.  I really enjoyed a book by Bob last year called Worship Matters.  Looking forward to dwelling in this song as well.

Good songs... powerful words... pointing to the beautiful Savior.

A Chance to Die

If you think the title is morbid, keep reading...

This week at the beach I got to know Amy Carmichael, an Irish missionary to India.  She lived (on the earth) from 1867-1951.  I read a book called A Chance to Die:  The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael by Elisabeth Elliot, another missionary who I very much admire and who is also encouraged and challenged by Amy's life.

A blessing came early on... chapter 3 contains a photocopy of the inside of Amy's Bible.  In 1889 she wrote the words to a song that I have been singing lately and actually shared with some friends last week.  The first part of the first verse is there, written in her handwriting.

Jesus, I am resting, resting

In the joy of what Thou art

I am finding out the greatness

Of Thy loving heart

She goes on to mention the song a couple of other times through the book.  How kind that God would confirm these promises to me!

By Jean S. Pig­ott and James Mountain, 1876
(Must have been a "contemporary" worship song back in her day!  Look past the Thee's and Thou's... treasures inside!)

Jesus, I am resting, resting,

In the joy of what Thou art;

I am finding out the greatness

Of Thy loving heart.

Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee,

And Thy beauty fills my soul,

For by Thy transforming power,

Thou hast made me whole.

O, how great Thy loving kindness,

Vaster, broader than the sea!

O, how marvelous Thy goodness,

Lavished all on me!

Yes, I rest in Thee, Beloved,

Know what wealth of grace is Thine,

Know Thy certainty of promise,

And have made it mine.

Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,

I behold Thee as Thou art,

And Thy love, so pure, so changeless,

Satisfies my heart;

Satisfies its deepest longings,

Meets, supplies its every need,

Compasseth me round with blessings:

Thine is love indeed!

Ever lift Thy face upon me

As I work and wait for Thee;

Resting ’neath Thy smile, Lord Jesus,

Earth’s dark shadows flee.

Brightness of my Father’s glory,

Sunshine of my Father’s face,

Keep me ever trusting, resting,

Fill me with Thy grace.

Springer got to know Hudson Taylor (Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret by his son and daughter-in-law Dr. and Mrs. Howard Taylor)... hopefully he'll write about his thoughts about the book soon!

If you're looking for a summer read, we highly recommend these two.

Pictures coming... I don't think I took a single picture on my camera!  So I'm depending on the kindness of others to share...

Oh yeah, and the title's referring to a chance to live out Galatians 2:20...

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.

And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.