Belinda Alba's Special Snowman

Mid.Point

We enjoyed an awesome service tonight. My week has been fast, furious, crazy, wild and I'm not sure what other adjective(s) I should use to best describe it!

I rarely miss prayer service before any service. You guessed it, I did tonight. Both church secretaries needed me in their offices prior to service. One of our outreach children wanted to show me school work which was most important since Sunday was Report Card Sunday and I've been encouraging her to do better. The Children's Ministry Director had a crisis...oops I didn't even make it upstairs to help her even after being reminded to do so. My husband waited in line patiently to ask me an important question but by the time I finally got to him he couldn't remember what it was! Our Attendance Clerk had an important question. A single Mom needed to talk. While we were talking a toddler escaped the nursery. I rescued the toddler escapee. These were only a few demands....

While in the office trying to go to the sanctuary to pray, I heard a strange voice in the speaker. The voice was strange yet familiar. As I listened more closely I thought I heard the voice of my Dad. Suddenly I realized it was Trent leading worship. Normally I teach the youth on Wednesday's but tonight was Youth Choir Practice. I haven't had the opportunity to hear Trent. Wow...Trent never had the priviledge of meeting my Dad yet he sounded just like him.

Trent's passion for worship caused me to rush with my responsibilities and scurry to the sanctuary. I was priviledge to enjoy the fresh sweet anointing as worship filled the church! I knew with the powerful worship service we were sure to enjoy a wonderful Bible Study. Kent is such an awesome teacher during our Mid.Point Service. Tonight, however, the teaching turned to preaching and for those few minutes all the pressures I have dealt with this week left. Once again I realized how dependent I am on the presence of God.

A favorite recipe

One of my most favorite meals is Pasta Milano from Romano's Macaroni Grill. I have worked with the recipe until I think I have created something that is amazingly similar! Try it and see if you like it, too. (yummmmm)

Pasta Milano
1/2 stick butter (optional)
4 bonless skinless chicken breasts, grilled and sliced
1/2 pound mushrooms, sliced (optional)
3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, finely grated
16 oz. roasted garlic cream sauce (recipe follows)
1 pound bowtie pasta

Cook the pasta as directed on package. Meanwhile, if you desire mushrooms, melt butter over medium-high heat; add mushrooms and saute for about 30 seconds. Add the roasted garlic cream sauce and Parmesan; heat thoroughly. Remove pasta from water and drain. Add pasta to the saute pan and mix well. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese.

Roasted Garlic Cream Sauce:
1 pint heavy cream
Dash garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

In a large saucepan, combine cream, garlic powder, & black pepper.Bring to a boil and then simmer for 15 minutes. Add salt and Parmesan to mixture, stir until sauce has thickened.

Hint: grill chicken stovetop seasoned with olive oil, salt, pepper, and fresh lemon juice

Passionate Purposeful Prudent

Of late the words passionate, purposeful and prudent have consumed my thoughts. These words best identify the way I am endeavoring to live my life. I desire a more passionate relationship with God. I sincerely believe that by living a passionate life I can better serve Him. Too ofen my life in ministry has been spent in a responding mode. While I realize as a pastor's wife much of my life is spent in service to others I must serve Him more than I serve others. I am endeavoring to prioritize my days. I want to give careful attention to the things that are of real purpose. Many times the demands that I put on myself or even some that others put on me aren't really what God sees as the purpose for a particular day or period of time. I don't want to let things overshadow my true purpose. I desire to be mindful in regards to the details of His will for my life as well as personal goals. A prudent lifestyle is of utmost importance to me. I find myself praying more and more for wisdom. I want to be careful to think through decisions especially those that are life changing decisions. Most times a single decision may not cause a great change immediately but over time the value of the decision seems greater and often times greatly affects others. It is truly my desire to have good judgment and wisdom in all I do. I truly feel this year I must and will accomplish living a more passionate purposeful prudent life for Christ!

Smoky Mountain Christmas

Our family enjoyed Christmas in the Smokies in a beautiful chalet on ski mountain in Gatlinburg. The boys enjoyed playing pool in the chalet. Redonia played lots of guitar hero. I enjoyed cooking meals. Honestly cooking is a hobby that I don't get to do very often. The kids skiied most every day. Kent and I enjoyed daytrips 'round the countryside. As a family we enjoyed several music shows at night. Redonia took the picture(s) above of her and Trent. The background is of the Little Pigeon River. She took their picture on the slopes then blended the two together. She is quite a photographer and designer! Trent looks like he was very tired. He stayed up late every night talking with Calah on the phone then Redonia would have him up early to spend time with her skiing. For years Redonia has been able to ski better than Trent. This year the kids felt Trent was the better skiier. Dad says it's because his little princess has grown up and isn't quite the dare devil she use to be. I love my "babies" and I'm glad we had such a wonderful time together.

Thanks

In every thing give thanks...I Thessalonians 5:18

Redonia has been very ill the past two days. A couple of doctor's trips, iv's from The Infusion Center, and several trips to the pharmacy later I realize that though we've spent a small fortune I do have some things to be thankful for.

First, I'm thankful that I have been able to spend quality time with Redonia. I've been reminded over and over again the past two days the strength that she has. Secondly, I have been reminded what a privilege it is to be a Mom. Nurturing a dehydrated child, attempting to cool the fevered brow, massaging the headache, and covering the chilled body are all privileges that are apart of Motherhood.

Certainly I would much prefer that Redonia would not have strep, ear infections, Influenza A and the other aches and pains that go along with these illnesses. However it has been during this time of sickness that I have had the privilege to sit and watch her try to sleep through 104 plus degree fever, sneezing, and etc that I have realized how no matter the age of the child it is such a privilege to be a mother.

I know that motherhood isn't the ultimate goal for most ladies as in years past. However, for me I must say motherhood is still one of the most important roles in my life. Redonia and Trent I truly love you both. I'm glad you call me Mom.

Diversity

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully [and] wonderfully made: marvellous [are] thy works; and [that] my soul knoweth right well. Psalm 139:14

For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: Romans 12:4

Giraffes are made by God to naturally look up. They eat from trees that are high. On the contrary, Bison are made by God and naturally look down. They eat from the grasses low. Each of these animal's necks allow them to naturally look in the direction they naturally do. Two animals each created by the same God. Neither animal is expected to become the other nor is less or better than the other.

Contrasting and comparing these two animals we can easily see how God created each of the animals just as he did people to be distinctly different. Some people naturally "look up" and see big pictures. Other persons tend to naturally "look down" and are consumed more with details. God made us with these individual talents so we can work together rather than one trying to become the other.

As humans we are at our best when other's talents and abilities assist us with our talents rather than when we endeavor to change those serving around us to become us. When we help others by offering our talents, abilities, and styles to compliment those we serve or work alongside we realize that each of us are fearfully and wonderfully made. By understanding Romans 12:6, " Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us..." we realize differing gifts can work accomplishing more than focusing on becoming someone else are forcing them to change to be us.

Happenings

2008 is off to a most incredible start! Each year I enjoy recounting the blessings of the Lord from the previous year. Additionally, I enjoy assessing areas of personal development and successes. This of course helps me in establishing goals and objectives for the new year. Retrospectively, I realize I need to spend more time at home. I believe that by spending more time at home I can be a healthier person. Life gets busy and many times even too busy for quiet times with God. I endeavor to maintain a home that is peaceful, quiet, and orderly. However, if I don't spend enough time at home I can often miss out on those quiet times of meditation. Another personal goal is to help our family to become healthier. This goal is off to a very slow start but little by little we are going to reach it! Another goal that we have as a family each year is to experience growth in our church. If the growth we are experiencing in many areas of our church continues we will be in great trouble by year end. This is the kind of church trouble that I can tolerate! I enjoy making a difference in the lives of children. I currently have a few of these projects that I'm working on....so far these little projects are doing pretty awesome, too.

Our family is growing! Trent proposed to his beautiful girlfriend, Calah, just before Christmas. The wedding will be June 7th. We are excited about their upcoming wedding. Not only will we enjoy Calah in our family but she will be a great asset to CUPC. Trent loves music and Calah! Seriously Trent has many great qualities. He is a thinker, a most talented musician, and most importantly a leader.

Redonia is our beautiful daughter. She adds much creativity to our every day life. She took a short break from college but started back this semester. She has so many talents and interests that she is having a hard time deciding on a major. She loves teaching, music, graphics, helping people, and being Daddy's little girl! At the young age of 19 she began a graphics design business. She is my favorite designer.

Kent is always busy this time of year casting his vision for our church leadership team as well as our entire church family. He is very compassionate and the most selfless person I know. He is a mentor to many young ministers. Sometimes I have to take a number to talk with him. He receives phones calls and emails every day from these young ministers. He has exuberant faith! He loves Conroe and desires nothing more than to see our church continue to grow. He dreams daily of building a new church plant. Both Kent and Trent have some pretty awesome plans for Conroe.