Dear Friends and Family,

How is it going?

Truth be told, this Stay Home, Stay Safe thing is wearing on me. The funny thing is, I probably wouldn’t be doing anything different with my day. It’s just the fact that I can’t, or at least shouldn’t, go anywhere that is causing me struggling a bit. I keep finding myself trying to slip into waiting mode, wishing things were back to normal so that I can get on with life. And then in the middle of the wanting something other than what I have, I hear my dear Aunt Bessie’s words, “Quit wishing your life away.” Her meaning: Make the most of today while you have it.

I love Aunt Bessie.

Her words always bring things back into perspective. If I’m truthful, I have been getting on with my life by chasing Baby J around the house, putting encouraging words in writing, and creating some yummy dinners. It’s my stinky attitude that is making me miserable. And as much as I rile against it, changing my mood is up to me.

You have heard it is said, “Consider it pure joy, brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4

The word consider used here is sometimes translated count, but its Greek meaning is to lead. So, in a sense, the verse could be paraphrased, “Let joy lead the way whenever you face trials of many kinds.” Why? I think it is because joy opens our eyes to things beyond our circumstances. It lifts us and lets us be hopeful. The trick is to allow joy to lead. Otherwise, we find ourselves with stinky attitudes with no vision. It’s not easy especially when things are not going the way we would like, but the choice is still ultimately up to us. What do we want to lead us through life?

So, in an effort to practice letting joy lead here’s a glimpse of the good things that happened at our house this past week.

• We have enjoyed joining in the online community with Life Church in Oklahoma and High Desert Church in California. I love how the teachings have complemented each other over the past few weeks. They have been very encouraging, and it’s great to see familiar faces.
• I have also been able to Zoom into the groups I socialize with even though I’m hundreds of miles away and in a different time zone. I was also able to teach a short devotion on the spiritual side of sourdough during one meeting. It will show up here on the blog at some point soon.
• Oh, and about the sourdough. I have started it twice this week and have failed as many times. I am going to need to do a bit more research so I can get it right. I will take any help someone wants to offer. Upside here? I love a challenge and when it does happen, I will have some very delicious bread. Lol.
• My girls and I also got together last week via Zoom. I got to most of the grandkids, and we had a great visit. We even snapped a group picture.
• Paul put up a tree swing at the farmhouse. It is already proving to be great fun for everybody, especially Hero and Baby J. Glad to have something to pull them outside for a dose of vitamin D.
• Homeschooling is going well. We are in a good groove. Even Baby J wants in on it. She is slowing moving from just chewing on books to sitting on our laps to read one or two pages.
• And then, there was DATE NIGHT. Hallelujah! We figured out how to go out and relax while staying within social distancing guidelines. We ordered curbside at one of our favorite eateries in town, then drove out to a little country road cemetery and had a picnic. It was a win, win, win situation. We supported a local business, and we had a wonderful time chatting while enjoying some great food, just us and the dearly departed.

There. That’s just a few of the blessings that occurred this week despite the trying times and stinky attitude. It’s good to see them in print. In the coming days, I hope to be more up than down so I can see more clearly where God is working out the good in all this.

Speaking of good, for your sweet treat, I am linking you to a past post for the very yummy Berry-lious Chocolate Chip Cobbler. We made it for our weekend dessert, and it was as tasty as ever. I hope you give it a try.

Thanks for stopping by. Leave me a note. I would love to hear from you.

Press on. Choose joy. Watch for God and make the most of today while you have it.

Love, Patty

Berry-lious Chocolate Chip Cobbler

8-12 servings

Ingredients

Filling

• 10 cups fresh berries, any kind you prefer. A bag from the freezer works well, too.
• 1 cup sugar
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Biscuits

• 2/3 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ salt
• ¼ cup sugar + 1 additional tablespoon for sprinkling
• ½ cup cold butter, cut into slices
• 1 cup chocolate chips

For instructions go here.

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What’s Coming Up This Week?

I’m not sure what I am going to post later this week. Just keep your eyes open. There will be something to ponder as well as yumminess.