a fun contest

January 25, 2010 | T. Suzanne Eller

reconnected

January 6, 2010 | T. Suzanne Eller

Somewhere in the past year I got disconnected from my church. I still went on Sundays, when I was in town. I still claimed them as my church (and thankfully, they claimed me as well), but I had lost something really valuable.

Community.

Some say you can have God without church. I believe that. God is vast and sovereign, but I also believe that being with others who love Him draw us closer to Him.

I made a Christmas resolution. New Year’s was too far away. I was going to intentionally move toward community again.

I’ve been dropping in on the teens on Sunday mornings–mainly just because I love them–but this Sunday I chose an adult discipleship group. When I walked in the teachers, Dennis and Sherri, announced to the group that I was going to be a grandma. Then they got to the business of Scripture.

Oh, friends, I needed that. I didn’t even know how much I needed it. Instead of giving out, I was taking in, and it was good. I was hearing Scripture from another person’s perspective, listening as we weighed it, discussed how to apply it.

Later that night we went to Sunday evening service. Now that we live in another city, traveling to church twice in one day means 3 hours and 180-miles round trip so we don’t do it as often. But that doesn’t mean we can’t do it.

So we did.

It was a prayer service and most of the evening was spent praying together.

Again, I needed it and didn’t even realize how much. Praying with two friends, watching God at work, sensing His overwhelming presence and power and grace…

Maybe we don’t need “church” to find God, but it was reminder to me that living my faith alone sometimes makes me feel disconnected, distant–not so much from my amazing Savior, but from the practice of living faith and discussing faith with others who have experienced that salvation.

My heart will always be outside of the pew — with people who are asking or seeking answers, but inside the pew is a place of refreshment and strength as I run after the heart of God in ministry.

sweet Christmas deal!

December 15, 2009 | T. Suzanne Eller

I love it when I stumble into a great deal. I went into a local overstock store to find inexpensive, but pretty baskets to fill with homemade candy for Christmas.

I was checking out some of the items when I found some great China pieces. They were selling separately, were beautiful, marked 1979 but in perfect condition, brand new in the package.

One item was gravy boat and saucer, others were teacups and saucers, and a few other items like a coffee server.

I bought the coffee server for $3.99 minus 25%. The china teacups and saucers were $1.99 minus 25%. Way cheaper than the baskets, and much more beautiful.

When I arrived home I plugged in the name of the China, just to learn a little bit more about it. I found the Coffee server first. I was shocked to realize that it’s listed on http://replacement.com for $195.00!

I plan to give some of the China pieces filled with oreo truffles to a few family members and special friends, and I’m pumped about it! We are on a tight budget, and this fit in our budget, but it turned out to be more valuable than I could have ever afforded. This makes me happy!

Last year I shared the Oreo Truffles with friends and they were such a huge hit (and easy to do) that it just makes sense to do it again.

Here’s the recipe!

Oreo Truff Balls

Mix cream cheese with electric mixer until fluffy. Add the crushed Oreos and beat on high until well mixed. Chill for at least 2 hours in the freezer. Then roll Oreo cookie mix into one inch Oreo Balls.

Next, melt the chocolate chips and shortening with a double boiler or in the microwave.

Dip the Oreo balls completely into the melted chocolate using tongs or a toothpick.

Put on wax paper. After the Oreo balls harden, keep them in the refrigerator.

Makes about 3 or 4 dozen Oreo Balls. (You can melt some white or dark chocolate and lace the balls with delicate chocolate stripes, which makes them look beautiful. I usually do this and get tons of compliments!)

The art of pause

December 14, 2009 | T. Suzanne Eller

Don’t you love our reflexes?  They help us react in a second. Maybe it sends a signal to hit the brakes when a deer leaps into view on a dark road. Or it makes you witty and sharp in conversation with friends.

But it can also leave us with regrets when we whip out that retort, or we act in haste.

Paul makes a confession in Romans 7:14. “So the trouble is not with the law,” he says, “for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin.”

Oh, Paul, how I relate!

Something inside of me wants to strike out when I’m hurt, or offended, or just plain all-out ticked.  (more…)

stay tuned

October 29, 2009 | T. Suzanne Eller

I can’t wait to share pics and stories, and there are many. As I stood in the back of a pickup today driving down curving cobbled mountainous roads, I thought of the last Office episode I watched where Pam told Jim that you needed to take mental snapshots of those special moments. She held up an imaginary camera and clicked it.

I have experienced many of those moments. I am leaving for the airport and will blog as soon as I can after arriving back in the US.

But for now, I sense your prayers and I’m grateful.

Suz

What does it really mean to sacrifice?

October 22, 2009 | T. Suzanne Eller

Many of you mailed blankets — some bought, some homemade — all beautiful. I’m packing them to take with me on Monday to Ecuador for the babies in the Infant Survival program. Some also sent clothing and baby food.

Thank you!

I know it was a sacrifice, and I’m grateful.

I’ve been thinking about sacrifices lately. I never stop to pray about buying a pizza, or a mango raspberry smoothie. I didn’t pray last month when I bought a pair of shoes. I weighed the decision, but it didn’t seem like a sacrifice, so God wasn’t invited into the process.

How many times have I seen a need and I prayed before responding. Lord, do you want me to sacrifice? Why is it that only the God things are considered a sacrifice? Why don’t I respond as naturally as I do to the fruit smoothie or shoes?

I’ll be visiting an Infant Survival program with Compassion International in Ecuador. 

I’ve traveled on many mission trips, leaving overwhelmed by the need and what is yet to be done. But it’s powerful when you visit a country and you see what can be done, and what is being done, and will go on long after you have left.

The Infant Survival program gives children a chance to survive against AIDS, malaria, and malnutrition. It allows caring individuals like you to make a one-time $20 donation to help a baby stay healthy and whole.  Isn’t that an awesome investment?

I am praying that many of you who are reading this today will respond and help a child. I’ll be sharing pictures from Ecuador all next week. I’ll show you the fruits of this dedicated organization that literally ministers to thousands of children all over the world.

I appreciate you–more than you know.