The Refining Fire: Part 2

In part one, I discussed going through The Refining Fire.  

Now in Part Two, I wanna discuss how God brought me out of this particular fire... (because of course we are never totally out of the fire, because if we were God wouldn't be sanctifying us) and the blessings I have received because I didn't run out of the fire too soon.

Here is my story:   

My husband recently started working full time. This enabled me to leave my job in retail... 

I wasn't sure exactly what I was going to do once I left. I thought about working at a bank, working part-time in retail somewhere... I really didn't know. Then I got an idea that just wouldn't go away. I thought I would be a nanny. So I took steps in that direction ... I made a Care.com profile and I tried to get connected with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) in hopes of finding a family.  I had a few responses but none that worked out at all. ..... I was about to give up. I thought maybe this wasn't what God had in mind for me, and I needed to just stay where I was for the time being.

Then during my week long vacation from work, I went to a friends bridal shower. There I got to catch up with my friends from college.  Three of them that were there are nannies and I was able to talk with them about their experiences.  One of the girls, also named Emily, told me that she may have a family who was looking for a nanny. 

Emily gave me the mothers information and I contacted her. Her name is also Emily (lol), and we spoke for several days back and forth. We found out that we had several things in common, besides the obvious, lol. One of which was Cerebral Palsy (CP). My younger sister has CP and the doctors told Emily that her infant daughter could possibly have CP.  I was able to answer some questions for her and ease her fears a bit.  

By this time I had come back from vacation.  I thought after being gone for a week I would come back refreshed ... But  I didn't... I was still very ready to leave.

After texting Emily back and forth for about a week, she had me come down to meet her babies. Owen is one and Aleah is 5 months. They also have a 2 year old named Scotty. He goes to preschool, so I only help get him breakfast and ready to go in the mornings. 

The reason they have 3 so close together is because the 2 older boys are adopted and Aleah was a surprise!  Emily and Sam (her husband) were Scotty's foster parents. When they found out his parent's rights had been terminated, they proceeded to go through the adoption process.  In the mean time they were also in the process of adopting a child from Taiwan. Sam and Emily then found out they were matched with Owen and started the process of bringing him home. Emily then found out she was pregnant with Aleah.

In November 2012, Scotty's adoption was finalized, in December Sam went to pick up Owen in Taiwan. And in January, Aleah came a month early.  They went from having Scotty as a foster child, to 3 children in 3 months time!  

Then at the end of April, is when I contacted them.  Little did I know, they had been searching for a nanny for awhile already. Just like I had been searching for a family for awhile.

I then met with Emily, the 2 babies, and Emily's mom.  I thought I was interviewing, but I found out when I got there that they already were giving me the job. They were just letting me meet them before I came for the first time.

All of this was a God thing.  Emily's mom, Cathy, was with me one day while I was watching the babies. And she shared with me their side of the story.  She said that after I left, Emily had such peace about me being their nanny, that she felt like she already trusted me even before meeting me. She felt like I was an answer to their prayer. And I got to share how I felt like they were the family I was going to nanny for even before I knew for sure. And how they were just as much an answer to my prayer as I was to their's. 

It was so cool to see God working. I knew that I was suppose to be their nanny, but I also needed a second nanny job for another 2-3 days a week. So I was still on the lookout. 

The second time I came to nanny for Sam and Emily, Emily asked if I had found a second family yet and I said no... She then asked if I wanted to work another 2 or 3 days at her office. She is the director of a Christian adoption agency in Springfield. 

I was thrilled, but I knew I needed to ask my husband because it is a 45 minute drive to Springfield and I was already driving 30 minutes to nanny for them.  

My husband said he didn't care, and so I messaged Emily that night telling her my husband okayed the drive.  She then texted me the next day saying she had approved my hire with her executive director! 

It all happened so fast! I didn't turn in my application, I didn't interview, I was just handed the job! It was so obviously God's doing that I couldn't ignore it! I have been working for Emily in her home and at her office for a little over a month now, and I am still in awe of God's provision and how He brought it all together! 

Not only am I working in my field of study, but it is a Christian environment and I am getting to do so many different things.  I care for babies 2 days a week, I get to work with families who are wanting to adopt, I get to do office work, and recently I have been painting so I'm also doing manual labor.  I love it because I'm not doing the same thing over and over again. I love the diversity. And on top of that I get to work from home on Friday's and only if I want to! So on the Fridays David works, I work. And if He is off on Fridays I get to spend them with him! I am so spoiled! I could not have dreamed for a better work situation and environment.  God is so faithful!  My heart is so full and overjoyed! 

One of the biggest perks to my job is that I work Monday-Thursday/Friday.  So I can now go to church every week instead of once every other month. I am now involved in Sunday School and a small group, and I am making friends!  It may seem silly, but it has done my heart and walk with the Lord so much good! 

I just wanted to share with you about God's provision in my life, after I shared with you how difficult The Refining Fire was.  I wanted to share so that God would get the glory because it was all His doing! The fire was His doing, the lessons I received while in the fire were His doing, and now the blessings He is giving because of my obedience of staying in the fire when I wanted to run are His doing!  

I am so blessed! I am so thankful!

You see, if I would have left my job in retail when I wanted to and not when God wanted me to, not only would I have missed out on God's lessons, but I more than likely would not have the jobs I do now, because it would have been to early, the timing wouldn't have been right. God knew that I need to stay in The Refining Fire not only to learn the lessons, but also so His plan could come through! Of course, He would have used whatever I chose, because our God rocks like that. But better it be His plan to begin with, than Him having to work with ours.

So if you are in a tough place, know that God has you there for a reason... Learn the lessons, obey even when it's painful, and then watch and wait for God to bring you to the other side of His Refining Fire. 

In Part Three, I will talk about what God revealed to me after He brought me out of the fire... so stay tuned! 
For His Glory,
Emily 

Apple Cinnamon Cheesecake

Hello! 

Today, I want to share with you a dessert recipe. I rarely ever make dessert. This is a problem and I think I should probably change that... because dessert is amazing.  And this one is no exception...

Apple Cinnamon Cheese Cake.... need I say more?  

I didn't think so... So here we go.

What You Will Need:
For the Crust:

• 1/2 Cup butter, softened 
• 1/4 Cup packed brown sugar
• 1 Cup Flour
• 1/4 Cup oats
• 1/2 Tsp. ground cinnamon

For the Filling:

• 2 Packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 Can, 14 ounces, Sweetened Condensed milk
• 1/2 Cup apple juice concentrate 
• 3 eggs

For the Topping:

• 2 Medium Granny Smith Apples, peeled and sliced
• 1 Tbsp. Butter
• Splash of lemon juice
• 1 Tsp. Cornstarch
• 1/4 Tsp. Ground Cinnamon
• 1/4 Cup Apple juice concentrate

To Make:

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees

-In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar and butter. Add flour, oats, and cinnamon.

-Press mixture onto the bottom and 1 1/2 inches up the side of a 9 inch spring-form pan. This is a spring-form pan in case you didn't know. :)

-Bake for 10 minutes. Once done set aside to cool. Turn oven down to 325 degrees.

-In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese with a mixer until fluffy.

-Beat in milk, apple juice, and eggs until smooth.

-Pour into crust and bake at 325 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until center is almost set.

-Let cool for 10 minutes, then run knife around the edges to loosen crust. 

-Refrigerate over night (DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!)

-Go to sleep.... Come back tomorrow and finish.

-In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat, add the apples and a splash of lemon juice. 

-Cook until crisp-tender (about 5 minutes)

-Let cool to room temp... I get impatient at this point so I just put them in the freezer for a few minutes.

-Arrange apples over cheesecake. Then eat the leftover apples if you have any.

-In a small sauce pan, whisk corn starch, cinnamon, and apple juice over medium heat until smooth.

-Bring to a boil while stirring constantly

-Boil 1 more minute or until thickened.

-Brush over apples immediately.

-Refrigerate one more hour. 

ENJOY! :-)

I rarely ever make this... because you have to let it chill overnight... then chill again.... I just don't have the patience for that! lol. But when I do decide to make it, it really is worth it! So go ahead and practice your self control muscles and give this one a try! 

For His Glory!

Emily

Pizza Balls! :-)

Hello!

Hope you are enjoying the Holiday! :) I am going to share a recipe that I make at least once a month.

Pizza balls!  

I don't have a set recipe, so just bare with me as I make this up as I go.... lol.

You will need:
-Rhodes frozen dinner rolls dough

 - Block of Cheese (I have used mozzarella or colby jack, both are good! Also you want block cheese, I have used shredded, but block is easier to work with!)
-Flour
-Parmesan cheese (optional)
-Pizza toppings! This can be whatever you like on your pizza! I usually use pepperonis, onion, mushroom, and black olive.  You could also try hamburger (cooked), green pepper, bacon.... literally what ever makes your belly happy!
-2 tablespoon butter
-Italian seasoning
-Garlic Powder 
-Pizza sauce for dipping

To Make:
-Set out the amount of dinner rolls you would like to eat on a baking sheet and let them thaw out for 30-45 minutes.... For the two of us, I usually make 12ish, because they fit easiest on a baking sheet and that will leave enough for one of us to have lunch the next day.
-Cut your cheese. I do about a quarter of an inch think slices and then cut the slices in half.... I hope that makes since. But do however much you like!  
-Chop your veggies! I don't chop the mushrooms because I buy them in slices and it is just easier to keep them that way. I use a ninja chopper for the rest! I cannot tell you how much I love this thing!! I use it all the time! It is like a slap chop only electric! Love it!! They are about $20 at Target if you're interested.

-Once the rolls are thawed out, dip one in flour, otherwise they are sticky, and flatten it into a circle about the size of a baseball. 
-Put the toppings in the middle. I have found it easiest to start with 2 pepperonis on bottom, next a cube of cheese, then a mushroom slice, about a 1 1/2 teaspoon of black olive, 1 1/2 teaspoon of onion, sprinkle a little Parmesan cheese if your using it, then top it off with 2 more pepperonis. 
-Then your going pull the edges of the dough to the center on top of the last 2 pepperonis and pinch them together. Place the rolls pinched side down on the baking sheet.  About half way through you will want to preheat your oven at 350 degrees.
-Repeat these steps for the rest.
-Brush the tops of the pizza balls with melted butter.
-Sprinkle with garlic powder and Italian seasoning.
-Bake them for 20 minutes. They don't really turn golden brown except where the garlic is so don't wait for them to brown, they should be done after the 20 minutes.
-Serve with a heated jar of pizza sauce!

Finished product:

These are really easy to make, but a little time consuming to put each one together... they are worth it though!

Enjoy!

For His Glory!
Emily

The Refining Fire

 I struggle with fear.... Fear of what other people think of me. I let what others think of me determine my actions instead of what God thinks of me. I've been trying to apply Luke 12:4-7 to my life:

"I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows." (ESV)

"Why fear a kitten, when we should fear a lion" is one of my favorite quotes to paraphrase the first few verses. :-) 

But I still struggle with letting people tell me who I am and giving me my value instead of letting God. I was shown this through a very difficult boss that I had earlier this year, January-April.  Not only was I learning where I mistakenly place my value but also how to love my enimies, forgive, and go through struggles in a way that glorifies The Lord.

 It was not easy, and I was so tempted to run!  My husband gave me permission to leave before he found a job if I wanted to, and at first I was thrilled about the possibility of moving on from a job I couldn't stand and a boss who treated me poorly. But as I prayed about it and talked it through with my father-in-law, I knew the Lord was telling me I was running from conflict and from the lessons He wanted to teach me.

This was not easy to accept, and I cried a lot. I was so angry at the time knowing that it was God's will for me to stay when I so badly wanted to run....

 It's hard accepting God's timing... It's hard laying down your rights of making your own choices and letting God decide what you're supposed to do.... Because sometimes Gods way is painful, it is not usually the path of least resistance... He wants to put us through His refining fire, so that we come out on the other side looking more like His Son.

 Learning the lessons of placing my value only in Christ, forgiveness, loving my enemies, and having the proper attitude amidst trials is very important. Because these are life lessons..... 

Where to place my value is important bc I also don't want to place it in my husband, how well I manage my home, or my future children because they are not ultimate... Christ is ultimate. 

I need to learn how to bless and forgive when it's hard and learn to go through trials in way that honors the Lord because marriage and motherhood are not easy, I will need to forgive and bless my husband even when I don't feel like it, and who knows what trials life may bring... Bringing glory to God in all I do is my sole purpose. 

This situation also taught me to have an eternal perspective instead of the here and now..... Looking at what God is accomplishing in my life through trails and pain, what His purpose is.... and not at the trial and pain itself.   

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." (2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV)

I wish I could say after having this revelation all was wonderful and I was able to persevere without fault, but then that wouldn't be the truth....

It was still hard to go to work everyday, I confess I complained in my head and out loud often. :-/ And I am not all that sure I learned these lessons well... It seems I am still in kindergarten with most of these lessons....

But progress is progress. And the progress made was the realization that these sins are living within me.... 

But the wonderful news is that so is the Holy Spirit who is waging war against my flesh! He is drawing these things out so they can be dealt with... So they can be put through the refining fire... So I will become more like Christ. The process is not easy, and it is painful.... But in the end it's "achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." 

For His Glory,

Emily

So It's Been A While

Hello,

It's been a while since I've written anything. 

The shopping fast has been over for for almost a month now.  I have bought a few new Spring tops, 2 clutches, sunglasses, and brown flats (closet staple I didn't have!) and mint flats. 

I have seen changes in my thought process.... I question myself more before buying something. Asking if I really love it, does it fit properly, is there anything I would change about it. Because I ask myself these questions I have put a lot of things back that I would have bought before the shopping fast. 

I am still not perfect at this, I still could spend less. But it has gotten better. Progress is progress. 

I may do it again in a few months. 

For His Glory.

Emily

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So Life is Crazy ....

Hello!

So it's been awhile since I have written anything....

Life is Crazy! ... And because it is I am just going to write when I can.  Originally I thought I'd write every day and have a theme each day... I am now finding with how my current work schedule is, that is just not possible. 

My husband and I have been making life decisions these last few weeks and then I worked almost 50 hours last week. Ugh. Gross! 

Now that my husband is graduated we are working on switching roles. Where my husband works full time and I find a different job and work part time.  That way I can focus more on homemaking. Currently my husband does most of it since I work different hours every week. I am grateful he is so helpful, I'm just ready to take on my role. 

"That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." -Titus 2:4-5 (emphasis mine)

Just the thought that this may be in the works almost brings me to tears. :-)

Anyway, the clothing fast is going well. It is actually much easier than I thought it would be. When you only have the choice to say no, you just do it. I am curious to see what it's like when the fast is over. 

Already I see a change though. I used to spend about an hour a day on Pinterest looking up outfit ideas (time wasting anyone?). And now it is a very rare occurrence. Small progress.... but progress is progress. 

For His Glory,
Emily 

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What She Wore Wednesday!

Hello!

Here is what I wore my last few days off of work! 

P.S. I love days off!! I live for them! 

White Oxford (Maurices), Sweater (Maurices), Necklace (Maurices), Jeans (Maurices),
 Brown Riding Boots (www.windsorstore.com)

Black Button Down (Maurices), Red Sweater Cardigan (Maurices), Jeans (Maurices),
Brown Riding Boots (www.windsorstore.com)

Mint Sweater (Maurices), Jean Button Down (Maurices), Cream Sweater Cardigan (Maurices), Jeans (Maurices), Jeans (Maurices), Brown Riding Boots (www.windsorstore.com)

For His Glory,

Emily

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