~ JOY in the Kitchen ~ 
Isa 51:1-2 / Isa 54:2-3 / Heb 10:24 ,25

"Letting Go and Letting God?"
By: TentDwellr@aol.com

I made the resolution this year. I was going to let go and let God be in control. No matter the situation or the circumstances. It did not surprised me that this would be put to a test. Isn't that how it always is. We make promises/resolutions/vows to God, and He wants to see if we are really going to do what we said. Therefore, He places before us a test. 

Near the beginning of the year I wrote an article about the fact that this year I was going to "Let go and let God." I really meant it. I want God to be in control of my life and my actions. I knew that this did not mean life would be easier. I wanted to focus on His will, no matter where that would lead me.

Well, like I said it seems that there is always a test, my came a week later. It was then that I found out that we would be expecting another baby. This came as a complete surprise. I am 37 years old, have two boys 6 and 8, and had pretty much concluded that 2 was enough. Last summer I had finally given away all of the baby things, many say that was a sure sign I would have another Ü. On top of that, I had gone back into the teaching world and was ready to take it on in a more full time aspect. This announcement of another one coming would change everything for the entire family. "Letting go and letting God" was definitely being put to the test.

I do have a peace about the future and what it will entail with this addition in our life. God has a glorious plan for this baby and for the changes that will be made to our family. In a few years I know we will look back and wonder how it could have ever been without the precious gift that God had given us. I know that God is in charge and that He will be with me through all the stages. That doesn't mean it is easy. Being older I have found that all the things that go with being pregnant have hit me really hard. I appreciate Shannon taking up the slack and doing the newsletter while I slept my life away and dealt with the morning sickness. 

For those of you who know me better you know that I am a type A personality. I am constantly on the go, always having my mind racing and doing things. This pregnancy has changed that. I have found myself sitting more and doing absolutely nothing. This is a foreign thing for me. However, through all this quiet time, I have drawn closer to the Lord. The Lord has used this in my life to say WHOA... SLOW DOWN...experience My peace for a change.

I am grateful for the lessons He brings. They are not always easy, and they often have life time effects. However, I feel His love for me. I feel that nothing is too big for God, and nothing is to small. No matter what the need, no matter what the wants or desires. God hears our prayers. He works in our lives to make us more like Him. Sometimes that may have to be accomplished through unexpected surprises, but Oh the Love He has for us.

I pray that as the God leads you through the various trials of your lives, you will be able to see and feel the love He has for you. May you experience the peace that I am coming to learn and appreciate more. God bless you as you strive to be more like Him.
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Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him,
For God is our Refuge
Psalm 62:8

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Like A River Glorious
Words by Frances R. Havergal, 1874

Like a river glorious is God's perfect peace
Over all victorious in its bright increase;
Perfect, yet it floweth fuller every day;
Perfect, yet it groweth deeper all the way.

Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand,
Never foe can follow, Never traitor stand;
Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care,
Not a blast of hurry, touch the spirit there.

Every joy or trial falleth from above,
Trac'd upon our dial by the Son of Love;
We may trust Him fully all for us to do;
They who trust Him wholly Find Him wholly true

Stayed upon Jehovah, Hearts are fully blest;
Finding as He promised, Perfect peace and rest.

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The mind of a sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace
Romans 8:6

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Peace means the absence of fear and turmoil, 
not the absence of pain and grief.
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DOT'S DELIGHTS
(DOTMI@aol.com)
It's been delightful to get your good responses re: the recipes!! Keep them coming--good or bad. I appreciate knowing what is working for you.

The first recipe is a common one that you may have, but it is especially good to do ahead, and it is DELICIOUS!
PARTY POTATOES
8 large or 10 medium potatoes, peeled, cooked, drained
1 c. sour cream
8 oz cream cheese
1 t. onion salt
1 t. garlic salt
Butter, if desired
Whip potatoes and add other ingredients. Spoon into greased casserole. Dot with butter. Bake at 350 degrees til well-heated through (30-45 minutes). Even more delicious if refrigerated 24 hours before serving and re-heated. Serves 8-10
(This is one of those recipes that does not need to be exact. Season to taste)

Another recipe that I would like to share is for blueberry muffins that I made last Sunday morning as we met at our house with the Awana missionary and our Directors. It was a big hit. I have taken it from the April issue of Midwest living magazine.
Best Brunch Muffins
"These muffins have been regulars on the lunch menu at Chesaning Heritage House since it opened in Chesaning, Michigan, in 1980. A brush of melted butter and a sprinkling of sugar finish off the tender treats."
2 c. flour
2/3 c. sugar
1 T. b.p.
1 t. nutmeg
1/2 t. salt

2 eggs
1 c. milk
1/3 c. butter or margarine, melted
1 t. vanilla
1 1/2 c. fresh or frozen blueberries, rinsed, drained and patted dry
Melted butter or margarine
Sugar or coarse sugar

1. Grease 12 - 18 2 1/2 inch muffin cups.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, stir together flour 2/3 c. sugar, bp, nutmeg and salt. Make a well in the center of dry ingredients; set aside.
3. In another mixing bowl, beat eggs. Stir in milk, the 1/3 c. melted butter and vanilla. Add all at once to dry ingredients. Stir just til moistened (batter should be lumpy). Fold in blueberries.
4. Spoon batter into muffin cups, filling 3/4 full. Bake in a 350 oven for 20-25 minutes or til tops of muffins are golden.
5. Place pan of muffins on wire rack. Brush with additional melted butter. Sprinkle with sugar. Remove from muffin cups. Serve warm.

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You must have peace with God before you can experience the peace of God

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CHUCKLES
One Sunday in a Midwest city, a young child was "acting
up "during the morning worship hour. The parents did
their best to maintain some sense of order in the pew
but were losing the battle. Finally, the father picked
the little fellow up and walked sternly up the aisle on
his way out. Just before reaching the safety of the
foyer, the little one called loudly to the
congregation, "Pray for me! Pray for me!"
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Lambiee's Links
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Pastor's Wives and Women In Ministry 
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/rrmcintyre
Here is the homepage of Anne, who is a pastor's wife, and has a lot of great links to share for resources and information. There is a link to the "Joy in the Kitchen" website on her pages, so Anne, if you're reading this, thanks for this great site!

Digital Womens Free Daily Planner Sheets 
http://www.digital-women.com/daily-planner.htm
"We have designed the following pages just for you! We hope it will help keep you organized and productive during your busy business schedule. To get a template page for printing,just click on the subjects below. Be sure to collect all you want! They're free just for you! Just choose a subject and then print out your copy!" Organize your life with list pages such as groceries, bills, week's menu, to-do list, appointments, calls to make, and more.

If you have any web sites you would like to recommend, 
please send them to Lambiee@aol.com (Tina)
"As with all web pages, Sarahs Tent cannot be responsible for web page content, especially when referring to non - Christian links that we feel may be of interest to you. Please surf the Internet carefully! Use common sense when exploring deeper and deeper links, or inventing Keywords to try to find something. "
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Joy in The Kitchen Volume 4 Issue 1