Dutch Oven Surprise

We recently went for a hike at a state park here in Texas. Just as we got there, we stumbled upon a group of people. An aroma of home cooked food surrounded their site. The signs hanging around and logos embroidered on their aprons let us know they were the “Dutch Oven Society” of Texas. Apparently, once a month they get together for a potluck dinner and fellowship. Yes…there is actually a society for people with a passion for cooking with Dutch Ovens…amazing....I know.

We walked around the site to just take it all in. Camp site grills and Dutch oven galore…RVs were everywhere. While we were walking, a couple approached us to say hello and to invite us to the meal. We politely declined and explained we had only come to the park to hike. Soon another couple came up and invited us to stay. Again we declined. Soon more people came up as we were walking away and asked us to stay. We had no choice but to give into the friendliness. How could we say no to these sweet people who seemed so happy, kind, and eager for us to eat their food?!

Oh the amount of food! (All cooked in Dutch Ovens on camp fire coals) It was actually pretty good too. However, the conversation and people were even better. We were invited to sit with three other couples that were a part of the Dutch Oven Society. We not only learned about the couples in the group and about the group, but also learned about cooking and eating the perfect mountain oyster. To be really honest, I never wanted to know that information. If you don’t know what a mountain oyster is, don’t ask…you don’t want to know. The stories made us laugh as we enjoyed our meal together. The people were precious.

Afterwards, I got to thinking. If we Christians were half as passionate about our faith as these people were about Dutch Oven cooking, we could really reach more people. If we were as warm, friendly, giving, and eager to feed and befriend, maybe the church would be more packed on Sunday morning. If we didn’t take no for an answer, and insisted we gave to someone without expecting something in return (especially to complete strangers), imagine how our family would grow!

I learned a lot from that Dutch Oven meal. A little surprise for me that day. I went for a hike expecting to see the beauty in nature on that crisp fall day, and I did. However, I saw even more beauty in the kindness and passion of strangers who wanted to share a meal with a couple they didn’t even know. Perfect example of how we should reach out to others and show the love of Christ.

As the deer pants for streams of water...

At times I get so busy with the details of the everyday routine, I forget to look at the beauty around me. Every once in a while I take a break and try to enjoy the beauty God has given us that most days we all take for granted.

On a recent hike at a state park in Illinois, I snapped a few pictures of the scenes around me. Wow. The colors so abundant, the freshly fallen leaves on the path looked like streets of gold in a way. The paths looked paved in color and prepared for just my feet. Only God could create such a picture. Only His hands could arrange the sights, the cool breeze, and the fresh air on a crisp fall day. For a moment, I wasn’t thinking about my to-do list or even where the hour hand on my watch was. In that moment I was thankful for a God that is the master of masterpieces. No other artist can paint a picture that captures all the senses as He does. Taking time to enjoy it is what He wants us to do. It helps us to grow closer to Him and to appreciate His work.

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? (Psalm 42: 1-2)

Big Tex

I’ve done and seen a lot of new things in the past few months. Recently, I made the Mecca like journey for every Texan to the Texas State Fair. The fair was a big event. Then again, everything in Texas is big, right? One thing the fair is known for is the fried food. Every year, a new fried item is introduced and announced the contest winner for the year. This year was fried butter. Sounds terrible. No doubt is terrible for your arteries, but I figured one bite wouldn’t hurt me. After all, the fair is only once a year.

Shockingly enough, the fried butter was really good. Here’s the deal: You take a lump of frozen butter, put some batter on it, deep fry it, and serve. The result is a biscuit like doughnut bite of buttery heaven with a little powdered sugar on top. Nice.

I’ve been making a conscious effort to eat healthier. (Obviously after reading about my food choice above!) In the last three weeks, I have had no pop/soda. I’ve been eating smaller portions and been making healthier choices. Maybe that change in my habits made the menu items stand out to me so much at the fair. Here is a list of a few of the fried items they offer:

Fried Ice Cream
Fried PB, Jelly and Banana Sandwich
Fried Coke
Fried Praline Perfection
Deep Fried Latte
Fried Cookie Dough
Fried Banana Split
Chicken Fried Bacon
Deep Fried Butter
Deep Fried Peaches & Cream
Fried Snickers
Fried Twinkie
Fried Peanut Butter Cup
Fried Cheesecake
Fried Smores

I’m proud to say out of all of these choices, I had only one bite of fried butter. That’s pretty good by most fair patron standards. All in all, it was a fun night. We were greeted with a good ole “Howdy” from Big Tex who stands tall each year and greets each fair visitor. We rode the Ferris Wheel that glides 212 feet high in the air to overlook the skyline of Dallas. My husband tried to win me a stuffed animal at an impossible to win game. We ate a bit of fried food, and of course we had the traditional Corn Dog from the fair vendors.

It was a nice end to my first summer in Texas. Now, on to the next adventure and new experience.

Autistic Basketball Player

In the storybooks, there are always happy endings. Do you remember hearing a story as a child and feeling that all was right in the world from getting caught up in the feel good moment of the fairytale? As adults, those moments are few and far between it seems. Even watching the news can be a downer in these times. Economic hardships, war, and violence are being reported at each newscast every night. There actually are stories of good out there. There are stories of answered prayers and miracles happening each day. When I hear them, I slip back into that child like state of, even just for a second, feeling all is right in the world.

Here is a story that did it for me recently. I hope it puts a smile on your face and warmth in your heart. The prayer of a coach, the dream of a special needs child, and the God of the universe reaching down for a moment to remind us He cares, He hears, and He answers.

Purpose For Your Life

“We also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power.” 2 Thessalonians 1:11


I remember as a child hearing people talking about getting a “calling.” Mainly, I remember it in regards to someone talking about how they became a Pastor. “When I got the call…” they would say. As a child, I remember wondering if the phone rang in their moment of getting “the call.” I didn’t really get it. To be honest, it would be much later in my life that I would truly understand what that really meant.

As I got older, I gained a new understanding to what it meant. My take on it was that it meant you figured out what you were to do with your career. At one time I was set on becoming an audiologist. I felt I was getting a calling to test hearing and to work with ears. I was getting closer.

Years later, I now sit and reflect on what a calling really is and feel like I finally have a grip on what it means. Henry Blackaby writes, “God initiates our calling and reveals it to us through His Holy Spirit. His Spirit then guides and empowers as we serve God not only in our vocation but also by participating in His kingdom work. God has a purpose for your life, and it involves far more than earning a living.”

In my mid twenties, my relationship with Christ changed. It blossomed and took on a deep and meaningful level I can’t describe. In the beginning of this season, I started to hear the phone ring. One day I picked it up. The next thing I knew, I was on a plane to minister to orphans in a country I knew nothing about. As I sat on the plane departing the US, I wondered if I should have let my machine pick up the call.

Today, I’m thankful I answered it. My calling is to serve (specifically to “the least of these” talked about in Matthew 25). How do I know? Because it is there that I find Him. It is there that I see Him. It is there that I know I am right where I am supposed to be and in His kingdom work. What about you? Have you answered the phone yet? God DOES have a purpose for your life far greater than earning a living. What is it? Seek and you shall find. Knock and the door will open. Take a deep breath, and answer the phone.

Random Questions From My Quirky Mind

Am I weird because I got excited and already bought a pumpkin bowl and a bunch of candy for the trick or treater’s this year?

Is there a more beautiful place in the fall besides IL?

Why is a campfire so hypnotizing?

Are runners chasing after more than the finish line in life? And are climbers trying to reach something more than the top of the mountain??

Why do cell phone companies have to be so frustrating?

Why does The Cheesecake Factory cheesecake make me smile with just the thought of it?

Is there such a thing as healthy food that tastes terrific?

Does it make me “mature” that my neighbors painted the trim on their house and the entire garage door bright PINK and I: 1. Resisted the urge to run to the other neighbors and gossip about it. 2. Still smile and wave to them even though the pink color strikes a nerve in me each day.

It is bad that one of the reasons I am excited for fall is that I can wear cute heeled boots again?

Will my husband remember that he said he won’t ever say I am not adventurous since I crawled through a bunch of dark caves with him that had big spiders and no room to stand up?!

Will I ever be able to run competitively again?

Will this new season of fall be the best season in life yet?

Is there a comfortable dress shoe with heels that won’t hurt my foot after wearing it for 12 hours?

How will I see God at work this season and how will I allow Him to work through me?


Feel free to provide answers to any of the above.

The Door

As I take a step up, I have to take a deep breath. I gently raise my hand in the shape of a loose fist and thrust it over my head and forward. I realize I have been in this very spot before. The same hand is raised, the same lungs taking in air to calm my pulse rate down, the same fears running through my mind, and the same anxiety of not knowing what will be the result of the knock on the door. As my hand hits the door in my mind, I can almost hear it audibly. *Knock… Knock….Knock*


Will He answer the door? He promises to do so. How long will I have to knock? Will He crack the door open just a bit to tell me to come back later? If so, what should I do in the meantime? Am I at the wrong door? How about a note slipped under the door with directions on where to find the right door with Him behind it? I’m just not sure. And so…I keep knocking. *Knock…Knock*

To the right or to the left? Move quickly ahead or Be Still? Who knows? As I stand before a heavy door that I’m not sure I could even push open if I did hear “Come on in” from the other side, I wait. Knowing in my heart there is a purpose and growth in the wait before the door opens, I still have a feeling of confusion. Hanging on to the promise, I will persist. *Knock*

Matthew 7:7-8 NLT “ Keep on asking and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”