Why do bad things happen to good people? This is a question that circulates throughout the minds of everyone- especially with the events that unfolded on Friday. Honestly, I can't answer that. Part of me still struggles with this. Nobody will really know the answer this side of Heaven. We live in a broken, fallen world that is so full of heartbreak. But honestly, it always has been. If you look back in the Bible through both the Old and New Testaments, there are countless stories of men, women and societies that were subject to pain and brokenness. The Christmas story itself is tainted by the tragic killing of young boys in Bethlehem by King Herod (Matthew 2). God came in the midst of this pain to bring hope to hurting people.
Where was God in all of this? This is another question that is being asked by both Christians and non-Christians alike. The problem with this question is that it is mainly referring to the backpack God. The one that we only reach for when we need Him, but that we don't really look to as we go about our everyday lives. The God that people kick to the curb, but turn to Him the minute their lives veer offcourse or blame Him the minute tragedy strikes.This is the God that so many people shrink down to fit their expectations.
This is not the God we serve.
Our God is the God that will always leverage the pain we experience for His glory and redeems us through it. That is the essence of the Gospel. He knew that His own Son would experience the most unimaginable pain, yet it was through His suffering that we were redeemed. He knows our suffering and weeps with us (John 11)-- not because He is powerless like us, but because He is a Father that hurts when His own children hurt.
There are some extemists out there with the twisted view of Friday's tragedy being the direct result of taking God out of schools. Even though we have locked God out of schools, government, television and pretty much society as a whole-- God is not spiteful and it is grossly disrespectful to the families of the victims to think this way.
The question to ask is not "where was God in all of this?" but rather, "where is God in all of this?" The answer is the same as it's always been. He is here. He is present. He has arms to carry those that are unable to walk through this and ears to hear all of your frustration and sorrow. He loves us extravagantly and nothing can ever change that.
"If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him. After God made that decision of what his children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by name. After he called them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself. And then, after getting them established, he stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what he had begun.
So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture...
None of this phases us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us."
Romans 8:27-39 (The Message)
Monday, December 17, 2012
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Our Christmas Letter
So here we are. We're about to close the books on 2012. Weren't we supposed to have flying cars and teleporting by 2013? I'm pretty sure Tommorowland in Disney World was wrong on that one. As I look back over the letter I wrote last year, I think about how much things have changed but also how very much the same they are.
The Lord has blessed us immensely and has also provided many happy memories this past year. I now have a new job at Children's that I absolutely love. Dustin is still the area director of Atlanta K-Life and God is continuing to do amazing things in this ministry and in our city. These two things are able to co-exist even better now that I work part-time and have a flexible schedule. Because of this, Dustin has signed on to continue with K-Life for the 2013-2014 school year. He is starting to be "the old guy on staff" at the annual conference, but it is very clear that God has him right where he needs to be at this point in time.
We have had some fun times with friends and family this past year. For examples of these, you can look back to these posts (here, here, here and here). In April, we headed east on I-20 and went to a Masters practice round. In June, we were able to spend a week in Hilton Head with the Oprea side of the family. In May, we celebrated five years of marriage and took a trip to New England and Canada in October to celebrate it.
As I think back to all of smiles we've had over this past year, I can't help but think of the tears. Our year started off with a second miscarriage on January 4... which was my original due date with our first little one. After undergoing some testing and bloodwork, all of my results have come back mostly normal... meaning there really is no specific reason that my doctor can find. While it can be very easy for us to dwell on the "why" and the hurt and anger that comes with it. It doesn't change the fact that God is still in control. He is very present even when we don't think He is. He loves us more than we could ever imagine. He knows our pain and every tear we've cried along the way. For more of my thoughts on this throughout this past year, you can read here.
So while this blog has yet to be filled with lighthearted stories of parenthood and pictures of "baby's first Christmas", we will look back to our times of joy and smile. We choose hope, because in between the doctors appointments and tears, God's fingerprints have been there all along. We know that while our "sorrow will last for a night"... no matter how long that night is... we can hold tightly to the truth that our "joy comes in the morning". It is with that hope that we can face whatever may lie ahead and know that God will continue to do great things in 2013.
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. I will build you up again" (Jeremiah 31:3)
Merry Christmas, friends.
Love, Dustin and Stephanie
The Lord has blessed us immensely and has also provided many happy memories this past year. I now have a new job at Children's that I absolutely love. Dustin is still the area director of Atlanta K-Life and God is continuing to do amazing things in this ministry and in our city. These two things are able to co-exist even better now that I work part-time and have a flexible schedule. Because of this, Dustin has signed on to continue with K-Life for the 2013-2014 school year. He is starting to be "the old guy on staff" at the annual conference, but it is very clear that God has him right where he needs to be at this point in time.
We have had some fun times with friends and family this past year. For examples of these, you can look back to these posts (here, here, here and here). In April, we headed east on I-20 and went to a Masters practice round. In June, we were able to spend a week in Hilton Head with the Oprea side of the family. In May, we celebrated five years of marriage and took a trip to New England and Canada in October to celebrate it.
As I think back to all of smiles we've had over this past year, I can't help but think of the tears. Our year started off with a second miscarriage on January 4... which was my original due date with our first little one. After undergoing some testing and bloodwork, all of my results have come back mostly normal... meaning there really is no specific reason that my doctor can find. While it can be very easy for us to dwell on the "why" and the hurt and anger that comes with it. It doesn't change the fact that God is still in control. He is very present even when we don't think He is. He loves us more than we could ever imagine. He knows our pain and every tear we've cried along the way. For more of my thoughts on this throughout this past year, you can read here.
So while this blog has yet to be filled with lighthearted stories of parenthood and pictures of "baby's first Christmas", we will look back to our times of joy and smile. We choose hope, because in between the doctors appointments and tears, God's fingerprints have been there all along. We know that while our "sorrow will last for a night"... no matter how long that night is... we can hold tightly to the truth that our "joy comes in the morning". It is with that hope that we can face whatever may lie ahead and know that God will continue to do great things in 2013.
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. I will build you up again" (Jeremiah 31:3)
Merry Christmas, friends.
Love, Dustin and Stephanie
Monday, December 10, 2012
Christmas Candy
For the past four years, this is the time of year that I would be knee deep in toys while escorting Santas and planning holiday parties for our kiddos at Children's. Don't get me wrong. I loved everything about making Christmas "happen" for our patients and the team that I was able to serve alongside, but this change has been really good for us and I am embracing my new free time with open arms. Before, I would just try to "get through" the holidays and make it the best possible for our patients and families, often not allowing myself to slow down and enjoy Christmas. Now, husband and I are able to go on fun Christmas dates, because I don't pass out from exhaustion when I get home. Now, I actually have the time to do other things I enjoy-- like Christmas shopping on a Monday or making delicious treats on a Thursday. Here are some super easy treats I made.
Turtledove Treats
*I take no credit for this recipe as it's written on the back of the Rolo's bag. My sweet mother-in-law has also been making these for years. All I really came up with is the name, because I thought it seemed Christmasy.
- 1 bag of Rolo's chocolate caramels
- 1 bag of pecans (chopped or halved)
- 1 bag of pretzels
Directions
1. Spread out the pretzels on a piece of parchment paper on top of a cookie sheet.
2. Place an unwrapped Rolo on each pretzel and bake in the oven for about 3-5 min. on 300. You'll want to watch them and make sure they don't melt completely-you just want them to soften up.
3. When you remove them from the oven, stick a pecan or pinch of chopped pecans on each Rolo. Transfer to fridge for about 30 min and allow to harden. For this step, I actually placed the parchment paper on a separate cookie sheet so I wasn't sticking a hot cookie sheet in the fridge.
Peppermint Pretzel Bites
- 1 bag of Hershey's candy cane kisses (which are seriously addicting btw)
- 1 bag of dark chocolate M&M's
- 1 bag of pretzels
Directions
1. Spread out the pretzels on a piece of parchment paper on top of a cookie sheet.
2. Place and unwrapped kiss on each pretzel and bake in the oven for about 3-5 min. on 300. You'll want to watch them and make sure they don't melt completely-you just want them to soften up.
3. When you remove them from the oven, stick two M&M's on each Hershey kiss. My type A self put one red and one green on each one. Transfer to fridge for about 30 min and allow to harden. For this step, I actually placed the parchment paper on a separate cookie sheet so I wasn't sticking a hot cookie sheet in the fridge.
Combine these recipes with peppermint bark and you have three easy peasy festive treats for gifts or entertaining. Enjoy! As I mentioned above, thanks to my new part-time schedule I did some serious candy making last week...
Turtledove Treats
*I take no credit for this recipe as it's written on the back of the Rolo's bag. My sweet mother-in-law has also been making these for years. All I really came up with is the name, because I thought it seemed Christmasy.
- 1 bag of Rolo's chocolate caramels
- 1 bag of pecans (chopped or halved)
- 1 bag of pretzels
Directions
1. Spread out the pretzels on a piece of parchment paper on top of a cookie sheet.
2. Place an unwrapped Rolo on each pretzel and bake in the oven for about 3-5 min. on 300. You'll want to watch them and make sure they don't melt completely-you just want them to soften up.
3. When you remove them from the oven, stick a pecan or pinch of chopped pecans on each Rolo. Transfer to fridge for about 30 min and allow to harden. For this step, I actually placed the parchment paper on a separate cookie sheet so I wasn't sticking a hot cookie sheet in the fridge.
Peppermint Pretzel Bites
- 1 bag of Hershey's candy cane kisses (which are seriously addicting btw)
- 1 bag of dark chocolate M&M's
- 1 bag of pretzels
Directions
1. Spread out the pretzels on a piece of parchment paper on top of a cookie sheet.
2. Place and unwrapped kiss on each pretzel and bake in the oven for about 3-5 min. on 300. You'll want to watch them and make sure they don't melt completely-you just want them to soften up.
3. When you remove them from the oven, stick two M&M's on each Hershey kiss. My type A self put one red and one green on each one. Transfer to fridge for about 30 min and allow to harden. For this step, I actually placed the parchment paper on a separate cookie sheet so I wasn't sticking a hot cookie sheet in the fridge.
Combine these recipes with peppermint bark and you have three easy peasy festive treats for gifts or entertaining. Enjoy! As I mentioned above, thanks to my new part-time schedule I did some serious candy making last week...
Friday, December 7, 2012
Bacon Avocado Pizza
Who doesn't love homemade pizza? And really, I will eat bacon and avocado on just about anything so this was the perfect combo.
Bacon Avocado Pizza (adapted from here)
- 1 pkg pre-made pizza dough (I love Publix's pre-made doughs and used the multi grain for this one)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1-1/2 cups your favorite pizza sauce (I added about 2 tbsp brown sugar to sweeten it)
- handful of freshly chopped cilantro
- 1 small sweet onion chopped
- 8 pieces of cooked bacon
- 1 avocado sliced
Directions
1. Roll out pizza dough on a cookie sheet drizzled with EVOO (or you can use a pizza stone) to desired thickness.
2. Spread sauce onto the dough and evenly sprinkle cheese.
3. Sprinkle the chopped onion and bacon evenly across the top. *I did not cook the onion beforehand and there was still a little bit of crisp once it was cooked on the pizza. If you do not like any crunch whatsoever in the onion, you will want to saute it for a few minutes before topping the pizza.
4. Cook according to the directions on your pizza dough. Mine was perfect after about 16 minutes on 400.
5. Immediately after taking the pizza out of the onion, top with the chopped cilantro and avocado
It tastes the best if you serve it alongside the Christmas tree while watching a Christmas movie.... just saying. Enjoy!
Bacon Avocado Pizza (adapted from here)
- 1 pkg pre-made pizza dough (I love Publix's pre-made doughs and used the multi grain for this one)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1-1/2 cups your favorite pizza sauce (I added about 2 tbsp brown sugar to sweeten it)
- handful of freshly chopped cilantro
- 1 small sweet onion chopped
- 8 pieces of cooked bacon
- 1 avocado sliced
Directions
1. Roll out pizza dough on a cookie sheet drizzled with EVOO (or you can use a pizza stone) to desired thickness.
2. Spread sauce onto the dough and evenly sprinkle cheese.
3. Sprinkle the chopped onion and bacon evenly across the top. *I did not cook the onion beforehand and there was still a little bit of crisp once it was cooked on the pizza. If you do not like any crunch whatsoever in the onion, you will want to saute it for a few minutes before topping the pizza.
4. Cook according to the directions on your pizza dough. Mine was perfect after about 16 minutes on 400.
5. Immediately after taking the pizza out of the onion, top with the chopped cilantro and avocado
It tastes the best if you serve it alongside the Christmas tree while watching a Christmas movie.... just saying. Enjoy!
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
It's beginning to look a lot like...
Christmas. Yes, that is right, friends. Our tree is trimmed, our mantle is twinkling and our house smells of cinnamon, cookies and a 10 ft. fraser fir. Here are some snapshots...
This ornament was made by my sweet sister-in-law a couple years ago. I always hang it so that it faces the chair where I have my quiet time in the morning. Last year, I looked at it as I found out I was pregnant for the second time. This year, I look at it and I'm not pregnant and our two little ones are with their Heavenly Father. But it doesn't make it any less true.
Our church gave out these cute Advent trees to married couples. Each day, you uncover a fun Christmas date, activity or conversation starter. Love. this. Yes, that would be my type A self putting a check mark on each day...
Our pantry door ready for Christmas cards! Right now, the Nelsens are holding it down for us.
Monday, December 3, 2012
The thrill of hope
I love Christmas music. Really I do. I'm one of those annoying people who will start listening to it in the beginning of November. My all time favorite Christmas carol is "O Holy Night". The beauty of the words and the truth behind them are so powerful.
"O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth
The thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees
O hear the angel voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night divine
O night, O night divine
And in His Name, all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us praise his holy name
Christ is the Lord
Their name forever praise we
Noel, Noel
O night, O night Divine
Noel, Noel
O night, O night Divine
Noel, Noel
O night, O holy Divine"
Our Heavenly Father could have left us right where we were in our world of "sin and error" pining for something more. But He didn't. He came down and met us right where we were. He appeared and our souls finally felt their worth. We knew that we were created for a purpose and that purpose became clear when He loved us enough not to leave us on our own. Our church did a series entitled The Thrill of Hope several Christmases ago and I have been re-listening to them all over again. It is such a great series for Christmas and I would encourage you to check them out here.
The thrill of hope. I. love. these. words. It is because of Him that we can have hope. The past two years of our lives have been nothing like we would have ever planned. And if I am being 100% honest, hope isn't really the first word that comes to mind when I try to sum it all up. We first thought we'd be celebrating Christmas this year with with an active almost-one-year-old. Then plans changed and we thought we'd be celebrating with a four month old. Then plans changed again. The funny thing is that while both of these thoughts bring a lot of hurt; they don't take away the fact that we will still celebrate. While I could have every excuse in the world to throw myself a holiday pity party, I choose hope. We will celebrate the very fact that our Heavenly Father who knows the end of our story and every tear we cry along the way came down from above to meet us right where we are. In the middle of our sorrow and pain. It is because of this very fact that we can experience the thrill of hope. Hope in what is to come because of what has already been done for us. So this year, while we will not be celebrating baby's first Christmas, we will choose to celebrate hope knowing that our babies are having a far bigger Christmas celebration that we could ever plan.
And now I will leave you with a version of this song that will leave you smiling... if you're a child of the 90's...
"O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth
The thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees
O hear the angel voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night divine
O night, O night divine
And in His Name, all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us praise his holy name
Christ is the Lord
Their name forever praise we
Noel, Noel
O night, O night Divine
Noel, Noel
O night, O night Divine
Noel, Noel
O night, O holy Divine"
Our Heavenly Father could have left us right where we were in our world of "sin and error" pining for something more. But He didn't. He came down and met us right where we were. He appeared and our souls finally felt their worth. We knew that we were created for a purpose and that purpose became clear when He loved us enough not to leave us on our own. Our church did a series entitled The Thrill of Hope several Christmases ago and I have been re-listening to them all over again. It is such a great series for Christmas and I would encourage you to check them out here.
The thrill of hope. I. love. these. words. It is because of Him that we can have hope. The past two years of our lives have been nothing like we would have ever planned. And if I am being 100% honest, hope isn't really the first word that comes to mind when I try to sum it all up. We first thought we'd be celebrating Christmas this year with with an active almost-one-year-old. Then plans changed and we thought we'd be celebrating with a four month old. Then plans changed again. The funny thing is that while both of these thoughts bring a lot of hurt; they don't take away the fact that we will still celebrate. While I could have every excuse in the world to throw myself a holiday pity party, I choose hope. We will celebrate the very fact that our Heavenly Father who knows the end of our story and every tear we cry along the way came down from above to meet us right where we are. In the middle of our sorrow and pain. It is because of this very fact that we can experience the thrill of hope. Hope in what is to come because of what has already been done for us. So this year, while we will not be celebrating baby's first Christmas, we will choose to celebrate hope knowing that our babies are having a far bigger Christmas celebration that we could ever plan.
And now I will leave you with a version of this song that will leave you smiling... if you're a child of the 90's...
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Holiday Deals
Here are some great deals that were sent to me through the Escalate Network that I thought were worth passing along...
Take a look for some great gift ideas for yourself or someone you love.. or maybe just like a little. It's up to you!
Who wouldn't love a FREE KitchenAid mixer? Click here for your chance to win one!
Ends Dec. 28
While you're out shopping, stop by Sbarro for a free slice of cheese pizza- YUM.
Great deals from Amazon where you live!
60% off canvases from the Canvas People! This would make a great gift for anyone or make one for yourself : )
Six free products from Vistaprint! These make great stocking stuffers!
Ends Dec. 26
Ends Dec. 17
Ends Dec. 17
Ends Dec. 17
Ends Dec. 17
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