Hitting the Target

The above target has hung beside my desk in the dining room. It went to local board meetings as a reminder to STAY ON TARGET. ::wink:: It is a daily reminder to me to live a life of simplicity...with the challenges of local and regional ministry to focus on the Bull's Eye of the ministry. This boiled down to being sure I was Loving God and Loving Others and providing an atmosphere where women could experience and do the same.  This past summer I traveled to Korea and Tokyo and shared how PWOC leaders must live a life of simplicity, aim for the bull's eye of our ministry.  When assigned this topic, I KNEW my target would travel with me - and it did.  Our ministry bull's eye: Lead women to Christ, Teach women on a solid foundation of worship and Bible study, Develop in women spiritual disciplines which lead to spiritual development, Involve women in the work of the Chapel in keeping with their abilities and interests.   These goals will continue. 

I packed it away at Christmas time and hung a Christmas countdown in it's place. I felt a twinge of sadness when I unpacked it. I considered not hanging it back by my desk. When I packed it away we had not heard the news yet that PWOC would be making big changes to their structure. The International and Regional leadership roles will go away on  28 Feb. I'm no longer an active local PWOC leader...did I really need to hang it back up? 

In the end I did...because I will be faithful to this leadership position until the position ends...and then, I will continue to  mentor those leaders who may choose to maintain contact with me. The calling will not go away because the structure of PWOC changes.  Nevertheless, things ARE changing.....

And into this void, this void where God led, He is speaking something new....a new focus...and I'm o.k.  The call to mentor, to intentionally make disciples will continue...regardless the framework or our location...because that is a command from God (Matt 28:19,20 among other places).  I find  in the crush of having to define ministry priorities to home, local and beyond (said in a space agey way) much face to face mentoring had to go. There has been mentoring...of leaders and that's been good.  There's been informal mentoring and mentoring in Bible study care groups. But intentional mentoring of the next generation has taken a back seat...because I needed to focus on my family and with the leadership role and my family I was maxed out.  In the past weeks I've had six young women ask me to mentor them. I'm not even in a Bible study. Many don't  know me as they're new here. I spend each week with their kids.  I'm listening and watching to see what God is doing. I know  he isn't done with me just because structure has changed, we are moving, we will retire in 2 years, there may not be a PWOC at my next base.....the command to make disciples remains. 

Yes, I rehung the target....and the center of it may change on 1 March....but it remains as a good reminder to seek His priorities in this last phase of regional service. 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

I John Update

By Friday night the four us taking the challenge to memorize I John had the first four verses memorized in our version of choice.  Our goal this week is I John 1:5-7 (and I find I've already mostly got it! YES).  Apart for the joy of simply being in the Word and having it take root in us...is the fun of the common goal, the camaraderie of working together towards something which is easy for some of us and difficult for others of us...increases our compassion for each other.

Michael is memorizing from NASB 1975. Nolan and I from NASB 1995. Arielle from NIV and NASB 1995.  I refuse to let Michael and Arielle say their verses to me until I have them cemented in my mind or I'll have a terrible mish-mash. ::snort::

The photo above shares a glimpse into my journey through I John. I'll have to highlight other's practices in weeks to come. 

The ipad shows a variety of versions and the highlighted verses are the ones I've memorized. 

The journal has 10 pages of notes, questions, 11 word studies and 10 pages of notes from I John 1:1-4. 

The index cards contain the verses I'm working on written out and can easily go where I go. 

My Bible...yes, I'm marking key words, contrasts, adding word definitions....

And I never guess I could slow down this much and not be bored in a book I've taught numerous times.  

The word of God is alive! Sharp! Profitable! Exciting! 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Sunday Dinner

After a sermon I really enjoyed on Independence vs Dependence on God (by my favorite Chaplain), it was Nolan's turn to choose our Sunday Dinner Location today. He chose Lakeview Grille on base.  We've never eaten up here during the winter.

Wasps are replaced by killer icicles

View from INSIDE - where it was warm

Everyone enjoyed the setting and the meal - except well - I ordered a salad, removed the meat and tasted the dressing. It was fine so I poured it on and then the KICK hit...whew! I was coughing, eyes watering, lips burning....next time I'll order a VEGETABLE calzone with no cheese. If Arielle and Stacia refrain from fried food heaven, we get the vegetarian pizza without cheese.

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Christmas - sigh.

We left most our Christmas decorations in the states. We now celebrate Christmas into January...but really after 6 January there was no REASON not to take down all the decorations. It used to be our habit to take it all down 1 Jan. I enjoyed it all up - but I wanted it down before my birthday (later this week).  WHY was I putting this off?

It hit me as we took it down. The end of the Holidays signals the last Christmas in Japan. The homestretch before we move...but it had to come down...so while Michael prepared at the chapel...we took it down and put the house back to normal.

This corner used to be crowded with a "welcome Bear" and Yuuki's chair.....

This corner used to house the elliptical. I realized, while crowded, I much prefer the elliptical to be in the dining room. I can watch over school work while I work out. I have a nice view of the neighbor's yard.  We moved Yuuki's chair.

Yuuki howled. Yuukie laid down and whined. Yuuki went OUTSIDE and STAYED outside. Finally, she came in and laid at the foot of the chair. I told her change is a mark of this family. She finally did climb up into her chair - but gave us accusing glares all evening.  Michael has plans to retire her chair when we move...and get her a normal dog bed....we're not so sure about this plan. LOL

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Rescued, Redeemed, Restored - All Before Breakfast

Look what we have! Activated sourdough starter! Zander waited patiently while I fed it enough to get the amount needed for him to make sourdough pancakes. Some will remember the sourdough catastrophe from September. I tried to make my own starter, but they kept molding. Christina was in the states but when she returned home she came to our rescue.  BTW Christina (I'd guess in her 20's/30's) is an example of a younger woman mentoring and older woman in her area of expertise - and I think of her every time I feed the starter, make English Muffins or pizza dough or pancakes.

Zander was up bright and early to make pancakes - 06:15.

He insisted he needed to make big pancakes as "Nolan and Dad would like them best if they are big." I guess they don't like my "girl size" pancakes. 

We went on to get a full day of school done, read 45 minutes of The Hobbit, and the kids continued work on the igloo at the end of our driveway. All is well in Zander's world.

And though I'd told Zander no one was upset with him for that mishap in September....I could see the joy of redemption/restoration as he served these pancakes this a.m. - and made sure I had enough starter left to make pizza dough for tonight.

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Larabars

This yummy recipe is from Angela at Oh She Glows. Check her out. 

Ingredients (12 bars)
1 1/2 C cashews
1/4 - 1/2 tsp fine grain sea salt
1 C tightly packed pitted dates
1 tsp vanilla
3 T mini dark chocolate chips (or chop larger ones)

Directions

Pulse cashews and salt in a food processor until the crumbs are just smaller than peas - 3 - 4 seconds.

Add the dates and process until the mixture comes together - about 15 seconds. The mixture should stick together easily when you squeeze it between your fingers. If it doesn't, add a very small amount of water (I ended up adding a T though it said to start with a tsp) and process again.

Add vanilla and process until combined.

Add in chocolate.

Line an 8 inch square pan with parchment paper, (this makes it easier to lift out). Scoop mixture into pan and smooth beginning at the center - push down firmly all over the mixture. The more you pack it down the better the bars will hold together.

Freeze at least 15 min and cut.

For on the go snacks, wrap in plastic. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Exciting, Great News from Stacia

 The kids sang the praises of Justin and Christina S for supplying us with NEW sourdough starter.  I made English Muffins today and promised Zander I'd have enough starter for him to make pancakes tomorrow morning.

I finished the Monk series yesterday while I worked out. It's hard to workout when you're in tears....and it made me sad to come to the end. I began the third season of Downton Abbey while I worked out today....and I start each workout by listening/reading the passage for the day from the Chronological Bible. It's working.

Our big news for the day is  STACIA IS NOW A SECOND GRADER!!! She finished her Math and Phonics....she was determined to finish today....I'm proud of her.

I tried a new recipe - Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Lara Bars. They stayed together much better than the ones I've made from Chocolate Covered Katie. I think they're a hit - the one I set aside for my snack was gone by the time I went to grab it. ::snort::

I enjoyed nearly three hours on Skype with BreAnne. Always fun. Always late for her - but she doesn't mind.

I had the "brilliant" idea while making BBQ meatballs for the family to save out some sauce and add Chick Peas to it for me.  I ate it - but I'm not so sure it was brilliant after all. ::wink:: The kale salad was yummy...prompting Stacia and Zander to chant...."Kale yesterday. Kale today. Blimey if it don't look like Kale tomorrow!" ::snort::

Arielle approved of the snack Akikosan brought over tonight. A whole bar of chocolate inside of soft, squishy, white bread....

Michael is still at work. It's 9 p.m. I should go to bed - but I'm dying to continue mapping out some Next Generation Mentoring for women.

I think I'll post the Lara bar recipe and then grab a journal. Yes, obsession works well for me.

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...