sobering thoughts

My heart is mourning because of 

the terrible events at Virginia Tech University.

for the family of the officer who was murdered
and the family of the gunman

for the community which had begun to find healing 

and is shaken again

I read the headline while working 

the front counter of the cupcake store

this is such a cheerful place, and yet, 

it took all my self control to choke back my tears

I know terrible things happen everyday, I do. 

But a campus shooting hits so close to home

I wasn't at school the morning that there was 

a shooter at the University of Texas

in September 2010.

I had gone in to staff meeting at the church that morning

When I heard the news reports that

Shots were fired on campus

My little sister was supposed to be at class

For once, I was so glad that she'd slept in instead.

But I had friends in dorms

in classes

stuck in lockdown 

terrified

Sometimes things happen that we don't understand

The only way to overcome obstacles 

is not necessarily with the passing of time

of the will to focus on good things

but only through the strength of Christ
It's only through the hope He gives that we can find
gladness instead of mourning.

print from Naptime Diaries

Will you join me as I pray for the Virginia Tech campus?

I just want to go hug everyone I love right now. 

My Top Ten Christmas Movies

The Christmas season comes with some great traditions, celebrations and activities. Here are a few of my fave ways to celebrate Christmas!

My Top Ten Christmas Movies

1. It's a Wonderful Life 

I absolutely, whole-heartedly LOVE this movie. The black and white, the over emotional acting, the true to life story line. Every time I watch it, my heart breaks for Jimmy Stewart. And my heart swells with joy when the entire town gathers in their home to sing Hark the Herald Angels Sing. It never fails, i'm choked up with happy tears and have a new lease on life at the end of this one. I reserve it specifically for Christmastime so it doesn't lose any magic!


2. The Santa Clause

This was the one my family watched together every year. I'm pretty sure I have it memorized by now. It has some beautiful themes of Child like faith that challenge our walks with Christ if we let them. An elf tells Scott, "Seeing isn't believing; believing is seeing. Kids don't have to see this place to know it's real. They just know." 


3. A Charlie Brown Christmas

Although it's a cartoon, based on a comic strip, there is so much good truth in this film! It points holes in the idea of contentment in material things and points to Christ for true joy. Plus, it's only thirty minutes long, so you don't have to commit to a whole lot of TV time here!


4. Love Actually

Ok, so it's not at all a movie about Christmas. It's about love, marriage, family and loss and is set at Christmas. There are failures and triumphs and an underlying message that Christmas is a time to be honest and express... love! There is some incredible acting from an all star cast. I especially love Colin Firth's story line of love across language and culture!


5. Scrooged

This is my favorite form of A Christmas Story, because it's not too cheesy and it helps place Ebeneezer Scrooge as a modern day miser. Plus, Bill Murray is hilarious, the ghosts take unexpected and ridiculous forms and the travels they take together just hit close to home. Out with consumerism, materialism and media, in with family and generosity and singing!


6. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (animated)

Are you noticing a theme here? Anti-consumerism movies are the best at this time. And this original animated Grinch flick shows that even without the gifts and pretty paper and snazzy toys, the Whos down in Whoville still had joy. Heart warming at any age!


7. Elf

With so many quote-able quotes, Elf is a must. Sometimes the body/food/inappropriate humor gets to me, but mostly this one about family values, second chances and staying true to your beliefs elicits lots of giggles! Plus, how cute is Zooey Deschanel in this one?


8. Home Alone

Classic. Forever the connection to many of the Christmas songs I hear. As a latch key kid, I totally based all of my hypothetical defense mechanisms against bad guys off of Macaulay Culkin's tactics! 


9. I'll Be Home for Christmas

Jonathon Taylor Thomas in a silly, sentimental, sweet movie about being forced to return to his parents' home for the holidays. A good reminder to those of us who sometimes feel too grown-up to need Mom and Dad. This is a good one to have on in the background while crafting or working. 


10. Jingle All the Way 

Another quote worthy Christmas film. With Arnold and Sinbad. Need I say more?

Note- I've never seen The Nativity Story or White Christmas. I plan to this year, and hopefully can add them to the list! You can see a complete list of any Christmas movie your heart may want to see (and many that it would gladly pass up) here. 

A Martha Moment and Ugly Cupcakes

This past weekend truly was great. 

Food tour. Sleepover with the girls. Church. Spirit Fest.

But goodness, I had a hard time getting to the great part.

I let myself stress about whether any students would show up for the sleepovers.

If the money would be there for the events.

If I could really show the love of Christ to students 

who are so far removed from accepting it.

And so even as I was enjoying my food tastings,

 my anxiety was building.

Our girls and guys were having overnight events on the same evening. 

Our budget is depleted so I was preparing as much as I could on my own 

for their events. So I made two dozen chocolate cupcakes 

and two dozen vanilla cupcakes and was attempting 

to make swiss meringue buttercream frosting 

(because I think regular vanilla buttercream is gross)

Well, I don't think I let the egg white-sugar mixture get hot enough. 

Or something. Because stiff peaks never formed. 

Even when I beat it for like twelve minutes. 

And then I thought- well I should just add the butter and see what happens. 

So I ended up with sweetened butter, not even close to the 

beautiful frosting I was envisioning.

Oh, and then my mixer stopped working.

Just decided it was done.

But seriously?

I lost it.

I called my mom in tears.

because I'd wasted five eggs and four sticks of butter.

Because now my four dozen cupcakes weren't frosted 

and I was out of money.

Because my mixer was broken. 

I hung up the phone

and the Holy Spirit whispered sweetly,

"My dear Chelsea, why are you worried and upset over all these details?"

because, obviously, Lord I'm a baking snob and can't use a store bought frosting.

And obviously i'm not trusting You in anything. 

And Luke 10 resounded clearly to me.

"There is only one thing worth being concerned about"

And I clearly saw the picture of Mary at the feet of Jesus. 

So I took a few moments to wash my face

pray for grace and fresh beginnings 

and for a holy perspective

and made some quick, unfancy cream cheese frosting for the chocolate cupcakes

and some melted chocolate chips became a ganache for the vanilla cupcakes

And I turned my perspective from the little details 

that my students wouldn't even notice

to the King that encompasses all goodness and alters lives.

Sometimes it's ok to have ugly cupcakes.

if it means we can instead reflect on the beauty of Christ.

the beauty of the gospel

This past week I was incredibly blessed to be able to attend the Right Now conference in Dallas. It was focused at church leaders- pastors, student ministers, small group leaders and volunteers.

The theme was Unleashing the Gospel.

The gospel is

powerful

beautiful

truth.

It's basic and simple

and enough to alter everything about me

And even though I work in a church and have been a believer since I was six years old, I am so glad that we spent three days on the gospel- the foundation of our faith.


There was so much good stuff- I heard impacting messages from Matt Carter of the Austin Stone, Matt Chandler of the Village Church and Francis Chan who wrote Crazy Love.


One of the best things I brought home though, was from JD Grear. He discussed how the gospel changes us in a way that religion can't. Religion can give you an outline on how to be good, but cannot teach you to love goodness.


So I've begun to carry these four truths on a bookmark as part of a gospel prayer to remind myself daily of God's goodness and to help me fall back in love with the gospel.


1. In Christ, there is nothing I could do to make you love me more, nothing I have done that makes you love me less.


And yet so often, whether consciously or not, I try to earn God's favor by doing things and being good. But God says that, "it is by grace that [I] have been saved, not of works so that no one can boast." (ephesians 2:8-9)


And on the flip side, whenever I have stumbled and struggled I find myself drawing away from God. BUT the gospel tells me- he loves me! He wants me to run to Him when I stumble. "He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)


2. You are all I need today for everlasting joy.


And yet constantly I want material things or relationships or a career to provide that joy, when the only true satisfaction will ever come from Christ! "For your grace is sufficient for me.." 2 Corinthians 12:9


3. As you have been to me, so I will be to others.


God has granted me immeasurable grace and forgiveness. It is only fitting that I in turn give grace and forgiveness, as seen in the parable of the unmerciful servant in Matthew 18.


4. As I pray, I'll measure your compassion by the cross and your power by the resurrection.


Even when things are confusing. Even when circumstances are hard or bad or chaotic. I will not put you in the box of my understanding. For "your thoughts are higher than my thoughts and your ways are higher than my ways." Isaiah 55:9


I have lots of yummy recipes to share this week, but I couldn't keep from sharing the beautiful things I learned this past week. Tune in for baked ziti, chipotle ranch dressing, baked potato soup and sopapilla cheesecake!!! Aaah, it's going to be a delicious week :)

thoughts on Halloween

(this is my third use of the flapper costume. getting my full money's worth!)

I've never been a fan of scary movies. Or haunted houses. Or being scared in general. And I've never really thought gory-bloody-zombie type humor was funny. 

But I've always liked Halloween.

It's creativity and community and candy.

It's celebration with carving pumpkins and bobbing for apples and cake walks.

It's assuming another identity for one night, and thinking about other possibilities.

And I always have an excellent costume.

I know that there are differing opinions on whether or not to celebrate Halloween if you follow Christ, and I understand both sides. 

I do know that the origins of the holiday are very pagan and revolve around evil spirits and ghosts and disguising yourself to avoid them. You can check out the history here.

But if we're going to dismiss something because of pagan origins, we also need to totally revamp our wedding ceremonies. And Christmas celebrations. Because those are very pagan in nature.

I attended a costume party with a local student ministry and I loved how they tied the idea of trick or treating into a spiritual light. Through 2 Corinthians 3:18, we looked at how we are designed to reflect God's glory. And when we put on "masks" that cover up who we are- whether we're covering up hurting or struggles or a lifestyle we don't want people to know about or whether we're covering up Christ in us- we keep Christ from reflecting from us.

So instead of tricking others into thinking we're someone we're not, let's treat them to a reflection of God's glory.

"So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord--who is the Spirit--makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image."

2 Corinthians 3:18

And while the students participated in a pumpkin carving contest, their youth leader carved a very special pumpkin which was revealed at the very end of the night

Pretty cool!


I'll be at Oak Meadow Baptist Church's Fall Festival this year- feel free to come join us! We'll have horse races, moon walks, hay rides, face painting, lots of games and lots of free food!
It'll be in the church parking lot from 6pm-8pm (I'm pretty sure...)


This season gives us so much to be grateful for- wonderful weather, extended family time during holidays, delicious food- so don't miss an opportunity to thank God for it! 

Here's some past Halloween memories :

2010

Emma Pilsbury from Glee

2009

Wilma Flintstone

2008

Flapper

2007

Ladybug

Great Things and a giveaway!

Cold fronts are wonderful.

I'm wearing boots and a cardigan.

I believe that this is how every day should be. 

(I may feel differently when I want to wear my polka dot swimsuit)

The lovely weather is a beautiful reminder of so many great things lately.

On MLK Day, I was able to visit with my friend Danae. 

I hadn't seen her since her wedding and it was so good to catch up!

We did a little bargain shopping while we were out

Thank you JCPenney. Yes, saving 114.72 is good.

Also, this week OMBC's Ministry Team had a time of prayer and preparation for 2012. We stayed in a couple of very nice cabins in the middle of nowhere with no cell reception or internet, and that was very refreshing. Sometimes we miss what's going on in other ministries because we're so focused on our own so it was great to hear about everything happening through our Spanish ministries and our life groups and our worship ministries!

I am very excited for everything that God is preparing for 2012. It's going to be a year of growth and change and goodness!

And then, I checked out the new Goodwill on Slaughter Lane to look for costumes. No luck on costumes but I did find a great pair of jeans with the tags still on them! 

I was pretty excited. I had been wondering how I could get a couple new pairs of jeans without breaking the bank. Apparently, I'll be shopping at Goodwill from now on. 

So in celebration of all these great things-

I'm giving away your choice of:

an autumn wreath

This can be customized to include whatever colors you'd like!

 or a an autumn leaf garland

Each leaf is hand cut from felt, has hand stitched veins and is stitched on a ribbon- 

perfect for hanging on a staircase, above the fireplace or on a mantle!

To enter, you must officially follow this blog.

Extra entries:

repost this contest to Facebook or Twitter

Favorite Live Laugh Lynae on Etsy

Post a comment for each entry! 


For example, post:


I follow the blog!
then
I added your shop on Etsy! 
or 
I promoted this giveaway on Facebook!

The winner will be selected randomly.

The contest will be closed Monday October 25th at 12pm.

To add insight to injury...

This past Thursday evening, I fell and sprained my ankle (and scraped and bruised my legs of course).

I debated whether or not to mention that I was pretending the curb was balance beam. Surprisingly enough, I didn't hurt myself doing that! I had just decided it was time to go in and stepped off on the innocent looking sidewalk.

This was the culprit. It looked solid. I'm pretty sure I've stepped across it before with no problem. However, this time I stepped on it and the plate fell into the hole beneath it. And so did I.

And this resulted

Thankfully, I have some really wonderful people in my life. To bring me crutches. Or pick up my backpack for me when it falls all the way down the staircase I've just crab-walked up. Or to completely excuse me from office duties because I can't even hop on one foot to the bathroom without wanting to cry. Or to come check on me at the cupcake trailer. 

So, here are a few things I learned about having a sprained ankle this weekend. 

1. Don't trust drains, vents or anything with a hole underneath it in the sidewalk!

2. Seriously- Ice, elevate, Tylenol and rest. 

3. Make sure your crutches are the right height. If they're not and you're normally a clumsy person, this will not help you out. And you might almost fall down and make things worse. Or so I would assume, not from experience or anything...

4. I use my left ankle for support in far more situations than I realized. For example- when bracing myself to close a window. 

5. Not having a vital part of you functioning forces you to be creative about getting things done. I couldn't put enough pressure on my foot to climb the staircase to my bedroom, and I surely did not trust myself to use the crutches on our small stairs, AND I couldn't just crawl because my knees are all banged up from the fall.  So, I crab walked backwards up the staircase- thankfully I only had to do this one day before the pain was dramatically reduced.

6 . I have a lot to be grateful for! I'm grateful for the awesome people who supported me while I was less than able, that I hurt my left foot so I could drive with my right foot, and for my normal abilities. It is easy to take something like healthy ankles for granted, but I am learning to be grateful in all things. And when you're grateful, it is difficult to be bitter.

I'm almost all better now! Just slow with a little limp. Next thing you know I'll be back on the treadmill (ha!).

1 Thessalonians 5:18 

"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is 

God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 

Psalms 46

Upon graduating, I sighed a deep sigh of relief. No more classes where professors mock my beliefs, no more dragging hours of study which does not interest me...

And then I looked around and thought... this is it?

I've been preparing all my life to be able to be on my own... and this is it?

I heard about a study recently where younger generations don't make it to a mid life crisis. They're caught in a panic at 25. A quarter life crisis.

Perhaps you've been through the same thing?

What if nothing I do has any kind of impact?

What was the use of getting that degree?

Why do I feel like I have no purpose?

What if college WAS the best years of my life?

Clearly, I have purpose. I'm a youth minister. I have a responsibility to every one of my students to teach and pray and intercede on their behalf.

Despite this knowledge, the months following graduation were difficult for me. I was transitioning into a new house in a new area of the city, a lot of my friends moved away from Austin, and I began a second job. I don't know if I expected instant success or gratification or for my savings to immediately begin growing. I don't know if I expected it to be easy to cultivate deep new friendships. But whatever it was that I was expecting, that's not how it went.

And then I read this passage. I already knew the first verse, had it memorized from Bible drill or something. But the rest of the passage is so beautiful that I was just struck by the words.

Psalms 46

¹ God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

² Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change

And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;

³ Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.

(get ready for this.)

⁴ There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

The holy dwelling places of the Most High.

⁵ God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.

⁶ The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raised His voice, the earth melted.

⁷ The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold.

⁸ Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has wrought desolations in the earth.

⁹ He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire.

¹⁰ “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

¹¹ The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold.

And oh, through these words my God calmed me and held me and said- stop. Cease striving and know that I am God.

I am in the midst of you. You shall not be moved.

Psh, post graduation quarter life crisis- my God will be exalted among the nations.

Autumn is upon us!

I guess technically autumn doesn't start until September 23rd.

But for the past three days, the weather has been positively fantastic! It's been not too hot, not too cold, and taking a deep sigh of relief from the 70+ days of triple digit heat.

And the relief ensuing from wonderful weather has reminded me of everything I love about fall. Forgive me for mentioning like twelve foods that I'm excited about. I love food, especially fall food. It's my favorite of all. Just wait, in five years I'll definitely have gained a significant amount of weight because of my love of food. Anyway, here are some of the best parts of autumn!

Hot coffee.

Starbucks has solicited so much of my money lately. And the introduction of seasonal flavors is seriously a mark of the changing seasons. The great thing about hot coffee is that I find it a lot easier to replicate at home for cheaper than $5 a cup than iced or blended coffee is (although my sister got me a super legit Cafe Frappe machine for my birthday so that's changing too!)

Scarves and other fun winter accessories

Okay, so I don't really have many hats... but I believe that's something that can change. And scarves are such a perfect pop of color on top of a jacket or solid tee. I know that Black Friday sales always have great prices on both of these!

Soup.

I love soup- Broccoli Cheese, French Onion, Chicken Stew, Tortilla, Beef Stew, Caldo de Res, Tomato... and I've been waiting for cool weather to test run some fabulous new recipes!

This is one I'm excited to try, from Annie's Eats! Click to check it out yourself.

This is a time tested recipe. During the fall and winter months, this one is on the regular rotation for a simple meal. You seriously just throw everything in the crock pot, leave the chicken frozen even if you want and by the end of the day you have a seriously flavorful stew to serve up with cornbread or fresh sliced bread.

Chicken Stew

Ingredients

• 5 red potatoes, peeled and cubed

• 1 1/2 cups chopped fresh tomato

• 1 cup sliced carrot

• 1 onion, chopped

• 3 large skinless boneless chicken breast halves

• 2 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce

• 1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth

• 1 1/2 teaspoons fajita seasoning

• water, as needed

DIRECTIONS

Combine the vegetables in a slow cooker. Place the chicken breasts atop the vegetables. Stir the tomato sauce, chicken broth, and fajita seasoning in a bowl; pour over the chicken breasts. Add water as needed to assure the chicken is completely covered. Cook on Low for 6 hours. As the stew cooks, shred the chicken to ensure flavor throughout the meat. Continue cooking until the vegetables are tender, another 1 to 2 hours.

College Football

Before coming to UT, I had no interest in football and couldn't tell you anything about the games except that touchdowns are good. But UT transformed me to LOVE college football and I will continue to root for my team, especially since this year our team will undoubtedly be better than last year!

Comfort Foods.

Chicken Pot Pie. Pot Roast. Gravy to go with everything. Hearty, warm, filling dishes that just don't make it during the summer months. Time to bust out the crock pot!

Family gatherings.

Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas are just around the corner, plus lots of birthdays to celebrate including mine!

With two jobs, and one which requires me to work every weekend, seeing family is a struggle. I love that autumn and winter give me lots of holidays and excuses to do so.

Top Five Simple Joys this Week:

1. Dog Days Are Over by Florence + The Machine

Weird video, but it elicits joyous dancing everytime it comes on.

2. The Pioneer Woman Cooks

This is her Pork Chops with Apples and Creamy Bacon Cheese Grits. YUM.

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/

I've been following cooking blogs a bit obsessively this year, but overall I'm okay with this obsession. The Pioneer Woman has some absolutely delicious recipes, several of which I've already attempted. Plus, her writing style is hilarious and informative at the same time. WIN.

3. The Hunger Games

I read all three books in a matter of one weekend. And oh my goodness, they were so good that I'm reading them all again. The writing is not perfect and sometimes I guess loopholes in the logic of the book, but the plot and premise are so intriguing and engaging that I can't put this book down. I'm excited to see how it translates into film next year!

4. Iced Caramel Macchiatos

This has become my summer drink of choice. It has just enough flavoring to make the coffee delicious, but not so much to overpower the actual coffee flavor. I find myself getting frustrated with so-called coffee drinks which are drowned in chocolate or ice cream or whatever that menu has decided is more appealing. I'm slowly developing an adult taste palate and with that comes an adoration of this drink.

At $5 a pop though, I'll need a homemade version and stat. My first attempt of a home brewed caramel macchiato was less than satisfactory so I'll let you know if I come up with something worth posting!

5. My Anthropologie apron

As a cupcake retailer, I encounter a lot of frosting. So I sport my super cute apron every shift. It's a talking piece and I get lots of compliments. Plus it's so just fun to wear, whether at work or cooking in my kitchen.

Contentment

As a back to school retreat, my students at OMBC opted to do a 30 Hour Famine. As a leader, I am so proud of my students for choosing to tackle a project in which they would go without food, fun activities, sleep and comfort and instead have worked hard to raise a huge amount of money for the benefit of others.

When everything was said and done, the OMBC youth group sent over $1800 to World Vision, collected over 200 items for the Capital Area Food Bank, and organized 50 care packages to pass out to the homeless in our community.

They also went 30 hours without food and slept outside on the concrete with just a blanket or so each and cardboard boxes.

While what we did for one weekend was uncomfortable, in no way do I think we experienced what life is like for those in poverty. But, it was a substantial difference from what we're used to. See, my students aren't even upper middle class. The majority are on the lower rung of the totem pole of wealth. Some get free lunches at school. Some don't have rides to church because their family doesn't have a car. Some don't have AC in all parts of their home. Some have broken families or have gone through traumatic health issues. But, even though things haven't been perfect, we've all had access to clean water, food, shelter and medical care. And these very basic necessities of life have been taken for granted.

The weekend made us more aware of those around us in our own community and across the world in places we had never heard of in which striving to survive each day exceeds all other concerns. You can check out our recap video to see how the students responded- here:

But through all of this and the time following our Famine, I've really reflected on contentment. Because I have been given SO much. I have two jobs while I know plenty of people struggling to find one. I have a supportive family, a wonderful church and enough money to get by. I have roommates who desire to seek after Christ in all aspects of living.

But even intellectually acknowledging all that I've been blessed with hasn't quelled this sense that it's not enough.

It's not enough.

I want more.

I'm done thinking that seeking after

more education

more money

more things

a better car, a bigger house, the right clothes, the "right" friends

will ever satisfy this burning in my heart.

I am so sure that all I need more of, what I've always needed more of, is Jesus.

And so I'm working to distinguish this longing in my soul and to avoid filling that void with anything but Jesus, and finding contentment in everything else.

If Money Were No Object...

... these are the things I would purchase.

Pretty fresh peonies.

Like every day. They just make the room happier.

Wilton Decorating Tips

A Cake Leveler... so you don't have that hump on your cakes

A food processor- so many recipes where my blender just doesn't cut it

A Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer-

it makes baking and cooking simpler and look how pretty!!

Toms wedges. Cute no?

Lace Toms-

I love how pretty and delicate they are!