Pleasantly exhausted...

This is kind of an odd concept to me.  Usually I'm either one or the other - pleasant or exhausted.  However, I'm so excited right now because I feel both.  It is no surprise to those who know me to hear that I didn't sleep well last night.  I've suffered bouts of insomnia for as long as I can remember.  To top that off, I had to get up early due to some vehicular problems. 

All in all I was set up to be quite cranky and have a generally bad day (especially when you add in the allergy/sinus problems everyone in New England is suffering from).  However, I'm happy to report that even after some minor bumps, I've had not just a good day, but an AMAZING day!

I spent most of the day with a new and very dear friend.  She taught me so many things!  We worked with several different types of dough and made 2 loaves of bread, 2 loaves of 'cinnamon roll' bread, bagels, and orange rolls - all from scratch!  And to add to the joy, she gave me a knitting refresher while we waited for dough to rise or bake.

Once again, those who know me, know that I'm not a cook, or much of a baker unless it comes from a box.  And I will admit that I didn't do a whole lot myself, but I did learn and I was able to enjoy a great day full of fun and true Christian fellowship!

I really hope that I'm able to work on these skills some more.  It was so much fun and we have such great things to show for it, but even if I don't, it will be okay.  I will still carry with me the joy of today and the memories we've created.

Btw, in can anyone is interested, here are a few photos of what we made:

This is one loaf of the bread.  This stuff is amazing.  I haven't cut into my loaf yet, but I've had it before and I LOVE it!

These are the Cinnamon Roll bread.  I had this tonight for dessert and I am in love.  It is incredibly yummy and really hard to stop after just one piece.

These are the Orange Rolls.  Imagine cinnamon rolls, but with an orange zest filling and orange glaze on top.  I'll admit that I ate one of these as soon as we got home and then proceeded to eat another!

One of the things I find coolest was making these bagels.  They may not look great, or even really like bagels, but they taste great AND once again, they are made from scratch.  I cannot even believe we did that.  I've never heard of that before in my life.  I think I may have scared my friend just a bit when she saw how excited I was that we were attempting these.  :)

Steadfastness...

This word has been on my mind a lot lately, especially in the last few days.

I'm currently in the process of memorizing the book of James, which is an extremely daunting task for someone who has trouble memorizing the smallest of passages.  However, it is going well (8 verses down!) and I think the Lord is blessing me in it.  I'm memorizing this as part of a study of the book and I LOVE it!  However, this word - steadfastness - has stood out to me in the past couple days.  

"Count it joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have it's full effect that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

- James 1:2-4 (ESV)

I've had a lot going on in the past couple weeks.  More than I want to think about or dwell on or prattle on about on the internet.  However, I'd be remiss not to mention how God has used this.  I've been busy and worried and stressed and hurt and sick.  I'm calling that a 'trial of various kinds.'  My faith is tested.  But I have to decide, is this 'stress' going to build me up... or tear me down?  Will I count it joy?  Or throw a fit and be selfish?

With God's help, I'm working to count it joy and let it build me up, that I might truly be steadfast (firm in purpose, resolution, etc.) in my faith.  I'm learning bit by bit (and God is showing me bit by bit) where to put my trust and how to trust Him more.