Lord, what do you will for my life?

Yesterday, I finished the book "48 days to the work you love" by Don Miller...and...surprise, I still am not feeling a direct calling on my life...not that I thought that this book would have all of the answers, but I was hoping that it would give me some direction...or idea of a direction in which to head. No such luck...maybe it just hasn't been a complete 48 days. :)

In the book, he states that everyone has a specific calling for their lives, an individual purpose or way that they are meant to glorify God. He says that there are many jobs/careers that can fulfill our calling or vocation, but that there is only one vocation that will make us happy. And, we are to use our talents, gifts and passions to fulfill this vocation. So, I guess that now I just need to figure out what God's planned vocation is for my life and find out how my talents and passions line up with it...do any of you know?! :) Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. :)

The only thing that I have stumbled upon so far in my job search that is of interest to me is a position in a women's breast center. Because breast cancer has so greatly affected my life over the past year and because I am a woman and thus at risk of breast cancer, I have a special place in my heart for other women (and men) that might develop the disease. My first personal experience with breast cancer came about a year ago when my mother called me one Monday morning to let me know that she had had a biopsy done on her breast and that the Dr. had called her back with the pathology report telling her that it was in fact cancer...although thankfully it was caught in the earliest stages. I cannot express to you all of the emotions that were going through me at the time...I was somewhat in shock, had extreme fear for my mothers health, and some selfish concerns for what this meant for me in the future...all of these thoughts (and many more) were rushing at me all at once...the reason that I remember that it was a Monday is because we were headed to small group when she called. There is nothing like having a bomb like that dropped on you right before you have to go and interact with other people. Thankfully, because it was our small group, while it was a group of people to interact with in the midst of personal struggle and confusion battling, it was the best possible group of people to be headed to. Our small group is such a blessing, and that night they were no different, they offered their sorrow at the news, and their prayers and encouragement...which I have to tell you meant so much! My mother underwent surgery and a round of radiation treatments...all the while trying to put up a tough exterior...to act as though everything was ok, when in fact, it wasn't. It was not until several months later that she allowed herself to consider all of what her diagnosis with breast cancer meant. Shortly after my mom got good reports from her doctors that all of the cancer was gone (I believe that a lot of this had to do with all of the prayers that were being said for my mom), We found out that Dr. Spivey had breast cancer. While more uncommon in men, it is not unheard of. Unfortunately, Dr. Spivey was not as lucky in either the type of cancer or the timeliness of its discovery as my mom had been. He had an aggressive form of cancer (Breast Adenoma TNIII) while my mother's was less aggressive and discovered in much earlier stages (Ductal carcinoma insitu). It was not any easier to hear that my employer was facing a battle with breast cancer than it had been to hear that my mother was...I think that it is always just as shocking to hear the words "I have cancer"...no matter how many times or from whom you hear them. The fear that those 3 little words conjure up is unparalleled. While my mother's battle with her cancer happened primarily miles away, I was forced to watch this man that I respected and admired go through a struggle even harder than the one that my mother had faced only months earlier. Dr. Spivey had a radical mastectomy and node dissection, followed by a mediport placement. He then started his chemo, which I have mentioned before really took him for a loop. I watched a 78 year old man that acted more like a 50-60 year old age in a manner of days right before my eyes. A man that I saw as so full of life became tired. A man that was healthy and strong became weak and had difficultly walking even by himself without the support of the wall or someone else. The main thing that I didn't see change was his fight and drive. Despite how badly he felt, he would drag himself into the office unless he was absolutely unable to make it. Usually this meant that he would come in for a few hours in the evenings. He also was mentally there until the end. There were definitely days that we might question something that he asked, but usually he was still completely cognizant of all that went on. Despite his determination to beat breast cancer and continue his medical practice, it was a battle that he was not meant to win...God had decided that it was his time to go home...he had helped enough people...it was time to go, and on June 9th 2008, he passed away. After experiencing breast cancer first hand in these two instances, it definitely has made me even more aware of the importance of early detection and screening for the disease. I would not desire for anyone to have to go through the trials and struggles that I witnessed first my mother experience and then Dr. Spivey. So, I say all of that to explain...I do have a heart for women's health and that is why the job at the women's breast center initially caught my eye. However, although I have started the application process, I have not finished it....I just desire God's clear direction and a peace with the idea that this is where he has planned for me to go next...it is something that I am praying through...it may be that this is my next step...or perhaps my path lies somewhere else...just wish that I could get the hand writing on the wall! And, while I found my book "48 days to the work you love", insightful and interesting...it gave me no clearer picture of what is ahead for me. So, I would really appreciate any prayers that you would be able to offer on my behalf. That God would give me clear direction and that I would find joy and patience in this time of rest.
There are two verses that I have found in my quiet time that I have been kinda holding to. The first is Psalms 32:8 "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you." The second one is Romans 12:12 "Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful."

Family Traditions and Weekend Fun

It is a tradition in Zack's family that one weekend in August all of MaMa's family gets together for a family reunion, and this past weekend was the weekend of 2008's family reunion. Over the years, this tradition has spun off other traditions. These include a friendly game/games of Rook, a large family meal, and a water balloon/water gun war. The family all arrives to the designated place on Sunday for the meal and activities. It is a fun and somewhat tiring weekend for all involved.

A game of Rook

Matt about to throw a water Balloon at Zack.

Zack Retaliating.

Typically, Zack's family will make a weekend of it and we will all go up on Friday and spend the weekend together, and that is what we did this past weekend. We got up to the Mountains on Friday night late and then Saturday morning, the guys decided to go have a friendly game of golf...(the Huston men tend to be somewhat competitive especially when playing certain games against their dad) Zack was excited, because he won their game of golf, beating his father and younger brothers.

Brothers...

Being brothers!

Matt swinging away.

While the guys were busy playing golf, the girls did what girls do best, we went shopping! :) We went to a little town near where we were staying and looked around in all of the little shops, sampled some fudge and had smoothies. It was great to get to spend some time with Rachel, my sister in law, and Mama Sandy, my mother in law. We had a good time talking and shopping, and we, of course, could have spent the day there...

The city Square

The girls!

Pickin' in the square

Another family tradition while up in the mountains is bowling. So, of course, while up there this time, we made time to go bowl....and of course, like usual, I forgot to bring my bowling ball. So, I ended up using some crazy heavy ball that about launches me down the lane as well as itself.

Cosmic Bowling.

Zack's Dad about to get a strike!

Ben and Rachel at the bowling alley.

There were also lot of apples on the apple trees near the cabin that we stayed in. So we each picked a bag or two of them. I am looking forward to trying to find recipes to make with them! :)

Ben up in the apple tree picking apples

A Question for you.

Ok, I am thinking about starting a blog on which to sell some of my sewing projects, but I am not sure what to call it...any suggestions?

Good Friends and Blueberry Pie

I found an excuse to make a Blueberry pie with our newly picked blueberries. Zack and I had some friends over for dinner last night, and as is customary for me, I stressed out about there being enough food and ended up making WAY too much! There were eight of us in all, and I think that there was enough food for a small army! I just kept adding things to my menu. We had CC runners coming, and it is hard to know how hungry they will be...Long run days they can be bottomless pits...if you think that football players eat alot, you haven't experienced the amazing amounts of food that these skinny runners can fit into their bodies...it is really something quite amazing to see.

Menu:
Spinach and Artichoke dip
Peppery Chicken Fried Chicken
Broccoli Salad
Tossed salad (one of Jody's A-MAZING Salads)
Mac n cheese
Mashed potatoes
Green Beans
Blueberry pie (with Vanilla ice cream compliments of Kawa)

It was so nice to get to visit with friends over the meal. We had Zack's college CC coach, who is also one of my former bosses, and his family over. They have become dear friends over the years. We also had one of my old roomies and one of Zack's running buddies over. We had a great time just getting to sit, talk, eat, and laugh together. Needless to say we had LOTS of leftovers...well, of everything except the blueberry pie.

Shopping Cart Cover

This is Mason's shopping cart cover. It matches his bedding, which is super cute!

A few months ago, I made a shopping cart cover for one of my best friends, April, for a baby shower gift. She has the cutest little boy named Mason! Love him, even though I haven't gotten to meet him in person yet!! Well, she asked me if I would make another one for her to give as a gift to a friend for her shower. So, we worked together, picking out fabric and fonts and came up with a really cute shopping cart cover for her to give her friend. This was my first real sewing order! :) By the time we figured out the material she wanted and got it ordered, I was down to the wire to get it finished and to her by the shower. So, I have been one busy girl for the last couple days, and I got it in the mail yesterday. So, she should have it by Thursday!! I think that it turned out really cute!

Here is what we came up with!! She hasn't seen it yet, but I hope that she loves it! :)

I had a little extra fabric left so I made a bag to put the shopping cart cover in!

Recipe: Pizza Roll

Andrea, one of my dearest and best friends, suggested that I share some recipes on my blog. So, I thought that maybe I would periodically, once a month or so, put a recipe on here. I thought that I would start with the Pizza Roll Recipe. You can change the toppings that go in it to accommodate your tastes. Surprisingly, I did not get a picture of it, Zack didn't get home until Midnight the night that I made it, because they were having server problems at work. He loved this pizza roll. I am sure that I will make it again sometime...and then I will add a picture.

Pizza Roll

Ingredients:

1 loaf (1 lbs) frozen bread dough, thawed
2 eggs, separated
1 Tbs grated Parmesan cheese
1 Tbs olive oil
1 tsp minced fresh parsley
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp pepper
8 ounces sliced pepperoni
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 can (4 oz) mushroom stems and pieces, drained
1/4 -1/2 cup pickled pepper rings
1 medium green pepper, diced
1 can (2 1/4 oz) sliced ripe olives, drained
1 can (15 oz) pizza sauce

On a greased baking sheet, roll out dough into a 15 x 10 inch
rectangle. In a bowl, combine egg yolks, Parmesan cheese, oil,
oregano, parsley, garlic powder and pepper. Brush over dough. (I then
spread a thin layer of pizza sauce up 1 inch from edges of dough...I
just thought that it would be better with sauce inside). Sprinkle with
pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, mushrooms, pepper rings, green peppers
and olives (or toppings of your choice). Roll up jelly roll style,
starting with a long side; pinch seams to seal and tuck ends under.
Place seam side down; brush with egg whites. Do not let rise. Bake at
350 degrees for 35 -40 minutes or until golden brown. Warm pizza
sauce; serve with pizza roll.

Yield: 10-12 slices

Hope that you enjoy it!

A weekend in the Mountains: Family, Friends, and New Discoveries

This past weekend, Zack and I spent in the mountains of North Georgia with Zack's family and close family friends (about 23 people in all). Basically, they are a group of friends from church, much like our small group at church, who built relationships, initially through the commonality of their faith and then though common interests. Even though they no longer live in the same cities or go to the same church, they have become VERY close over the years. They have become Zack's extended family, to the point where he calls them Aunts and Uncles. They are all VERY dear people and we had a blast getting to spend time with them, playing games and just sitting and talking. What a blessing to have such supportive and loving friends!! I hope that our small group grows in its relationships until we become like this group of individuals.

Needless to say, we played a LOT of cards, board games, and yard games...The Huston's LOVE to play games. We were also introduced to a new yard game. It was a lot of fun. Ben (Zack's middle brother)and his wife Rachel brought a game called Lasso Golf. It is this three rung ladder of sorts, and you throw balls connected with string at the ladder trying to hook them around a rung of the ladder. Each rung is worth a different number of points...it was a lot of fun, and a game that I could see Zack adding to his collection sometime.

A friendly game of spoons...which became quite competitive.

Lasso Golf

We also were introduced to a new swimming hole that Zack's parents found the last time that they were in the mountains. We used to follow the creek down a little ways from the cabin where we stay to a deep area with a small waterfall. However, the property was recently bought by a new owner and so the previous swimming hole is off limits...at least until we meet the new owners. Anyway, we went to the newly found swimming hole this trip, which is about 10 minutes away from where we stay. It is a large pool of water at the base of a fairly large water fall. It was a beautiful, although VERY cold place, to go swimming. There were also several places that people would jump off of small cliffs into the water below. Hopefully, we will be able to plan a trip for our small group up to the mountains sometime soon to let them try it out!!

Zack Jumping from one of the Cliffs at the swimming hole.

Matt Following suit.

Zack standing near the falls

There were some blueberry bushes next to the cabin that we stayed in that were over running with blueberries. Everyone ended up picking and taking some home with them...Zack and I stayed a little after everyone picking blueberries, because Zack likes to freeze them and have them in his cereal...and I wanted to have enough to make a blueberry pie. So, we picked....and picked...and picked...and you could not even tell that we had made a dent in the number of blueberries hanging from the bushes!

I think that we should have plenty of blueberries... at least until our next trip to the mountains.