Hats and Mitts

One of my winter projects has been crocheting. One of my favorite things to do is make things for people so I learned how to make baby hats for my friends as they are having little ones of their own.

This one I am selling at my churches annual Missions Feast and Silent Auction.

Here is a more detailed view of the crochet pattern and buttons.

My other project for little ones are these finger-less mitts.

The Missions Feast and Silent Auction is coming up on February 19th, 2012 after our church service is over (probably around 12:30). We will also be adding a bible quiz bowl this year! All the proceeds will be going to a family from my church spending their summer in Mozambique learning and ministering to the poor. Come hear more!

Reading::Compelled by LOVE

I just finished reading this book...

Heidi Baker and her husband have a ministry in Mozambique to the poor and orphaned. This book is about their life's message: the beatitudes and Jesus' sermon on the mount lived out .practically. and .radically. They are bringing love and hope to some of the darkest places on earth.

When I first heard about the Baker's ministry 3 years ago, Heidi was sharing that she was simply called to LOVE. My heart leaped inside me and said "that is it! that is what God has called me to do too!" Ever since my first trip to Mexico, my heart has been to simply and practically be LOVE in the hard places. This book was both challenging and encouraging; it is a testimony of what God's LOVE can do through lives completely dependent on Him. The Lord was challenging me to live this not only overseas but here in my life now. In chapter 4 Heidi writes:

"The poor taught me how to hunger for God and to take spiritual communion. He invites us to eat and to drink of Jesus so that we become full. Just as we depend on food for our physical nourishment, we also need to depend on Jesus for the spiritual nourishment for our lives. We must feed on Him daily. Only then will we have the fresh bread from heaven that we need to give both the spiritually and naturally hungry."

I am challenged to look for the hungry in my world and be filled up so I can feed them. While I know the Lord is preparing me to serve the physically hungry and poor in far away places, right now I live in a place with a lot more people that are spiritually hungry and poor. Right now I want to be .humble. gentle. empathetic.dependent on Jesus. merciful. peaceful. forgiving. and .pure in heart. to bring the Kingdom of LOVE to this place. I know this season won't last forever but I love that God is teaching me to walk in my calling regardless of geographical location. The Kingdom of God and His love isn't contained by borders...and I don't want to be either.

The Baked Oatmeal Experiment

I had baked oatmeal for the first time last fall while I was in Chicago with a friend for a conference. We were blessed by a homemade breakfast from some sweet girls and baked oatmeal was one item on the menu. Ever since then I've been on a quest to make my own! I found several recipes online but I combined and tweaked them to come up with a fairly healthy version. So here is the result...

Beat together:

1 Egg

2 Tb Canola Oil

1/4 Cup Honey

1/2 Cup Rice Milk (you could use regular milk also, it will just be less sweet)

After those are well mixed add:

1 1/2 Cups Rolled Oats

Once that is mixed well add:

1/2 ts Cinnamon

1/4 ts Nutmeg

1/2 ts Baking Powder

1/2 ts Vanilla

After all the ingredients are blended at 1/2 of a small Apple, cut into small pieces.

Bake at 350 for 25-30 Minutes

You could also leave out the Nutmeg and Apple to add blueberries or other fruits or nuts. My family also liked it with homemade applesauce on top. Oatmeal leaves a lot of room for experimenting.

A warm and yummy way to start a January morning!