Peeping cakes, Glowing for Waffles, the 80's, Meet & Greets and Secret Church Revealed

     It has been a while--how is it already halfway through May?! It seems like it was just Easter weekend...speaking of which-Easter weekend was so fun! Secret Church was amazing! (More at the end of this post)

 

 We had a great sunrise service and church service. I made a brownie sunflower peep cake for Easter lunch. Sunflowers are my favorite flower and this just seemed so stinkin cute! What other time is it 100% acceptable to eat Peeps in large quantities?!



 

Mom and I and some friends (Jennifer on the right and Danny on the left) did a Light Up the Night 5K on April 25th in Albertville. It was a cool glow run--my first actual 5K run for this year to participate in! Over 400 people registered and we all enjoyed being in our glow gear--everything from necklaces, nail polish, sunglasses, socks, temporary tattoos, and bracelets. It benefited Blessings in a Backpack, a wonderful charity that provides food for needy children to have on the weekends.

 I should also mention that the post race fuel, which let's be honest, is one of the best parts of a 5K, was a glorious waffle bar from Waffle House! YUM! Peanut butter and chocolate chips. Waffles are good ANYTIME, but let's just state that they are even better after a glow run! Lifepoint Church's praise band also provided some great post race music.

Mom and I met some friends to talk about our upcoming New York trip at this place in Trussville called The Chocolate Biscuit. Needless to say, we had to try this infamous delicacy. It did not disappoint! They make their own special chocolate sauce and generously pour it over a homemade buttered biscuit and top with powdered sugar. So simple. So southern. So scrumptious.

That night, I was so excited to go to Snead State's Alumni Homecoming. Last year the theme was 50's and I wore a poodle skirt. This year the theme was 80's--which I think is one of the best decades. The music, movies, fashion, etc. all make it something to really celebrate! As I walked in the SUB and looked around I suddenly felt a trickle of sweat as I saw no one else was dressed up for the 80's! I had a flashback to that part in "Legally Blonde" where Elle thought it was a costume party and dressed up like a bunny and no one was in costume. I told myself at least I wasn't dressed like a bunny... It was a great time to see faculty, friends, and other alumni in the community! We had a wonderful comedian, too. David Ferrell made us all laugh about things we have come to know and embrace in the south.

 My mom is so lovely. We had a great Mother's Day celebrating with family. I made panna cotta, which means "cooked cream" in Italian. I've had it once and ever since I've been trying to think of an excuse to make it. Mother's Day fit the bill. It's simple--5 ingredients (heavy cream, sugar, gelatin, vanilla, water-all the essentials needed for a good dessert. I cannot even tell you how easy it was to fix. The hardest part was getting it to come out of the pretty flower shaped molds. It tastes like an ice cream custard. So good dressed up with a berry sauce.

This sweet boy, y'all...

 He keeps me smiling. Every. Day. Love our evening walks on the trail. Simba has to be over 12 years old. He's been a part of our family for the past 10 years. He's quirky and aloof but I love him!


This weekend, the Albertville Chamber had a Hot Momma 5K. It rained. The entire 3.1 miles but it didn't matter that my hair, clothes, socks, etc. were soaked.





My sweet mom and I made the best of it with the other runners.

 

Another highlight from Saturday was going to the Gadsden Public Library for their Local Author Day book signing. I got to meet a new sweet friend, Elizabeth Mozley McGrady, who wrote the book "We Share the Same Sky".

It is a memoir all about her NYC adventures and reflection of how upbringing, culture, circumstances, etc. brings a personal understanding of self. I am on the fourth chapter and am already so inspired!

 Her beauty in description and intimate account of delving into the very heart of one's self combined with exploring New York's well known and often a little less known facts and places, makes it incredibly hard to put down!  I'm taking good notes for my upcoming trip. 

And finally, on Sunday my family and I went to the Birmingham Art Museum. It was a great way to spend a rainy and dreary Sunday afternoon and afterwards we went to P.F. Chang's. Here was my fortune, ladies and gentlemen:

We had just been talking about living options I might pursue and then BAM! I think it's a sign! :) 

                                                            Living Out the Plans:

I've been wanting to share what great truths were learned from the David Platt Secret Church study on Good Friday. A lot of scripture and principles were looked at over the course of this 6 hour simulcast. Time passes quickly (and there were plenty of snack breaks in between) as my church's youth and some adults like me, along with 60,000 other people are eagerly staying awake and trying to keep up with Pastor Platt's pace to fill in the blanks.

 Every bit of this study applies to how I need to live each and every minute of every day. We looked at how the Cross should impact the way we do everything from our relationships, what we eat and drink, what we post on social media, what we wear, how we exercise, how we love those that are both closest to us and those that are strangers to us, as well as how we do our daily jobs and even how we rest. We also looked at how we are to love our parents, spouses, children, singleness, etc. Whatever state we are in, wherever we are in life, we are there for a reason. God is both growing us and teaching us things about ourselves and on how to rely on Him.  When you look at the big picture of life, that we are really only here for but a breath, you start to think about how everything we do at each moment of the day is impacting His Kingdom, either for the good or the bad. It encouraged me to think about where I am, how I can be better at living boldly for Christ.

 

The scripture found in Galatians 2:20 is what kept sticking out during this study and now as I look back at it: "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

 

Christ lives in me and I need to have the mindset each day to live in such a way that what I think, say, do, how I work, what I eat and drink, how I take care of myself, and how I treat those around me, are all reflections and testaments to my love for Him. Some would think that is binding, but I think it's freedom and a lifestyle that gives you peace, no matter what this life throws your way. It's sometimes easier said than done, that's why having daily quiet time and prayer, accountability with a church family, small group, etc. is so important. I can always tell when I'm slacking in these areas.

 

In this fast paced month of May, may we remember to be kind, forgiving, and accepting of the "peeps" that mean the most to us, and may we give Jesus all we are and all we have. I write these words to myself because I need to hear them more than anything. Every. Single. Day. Paul spoke such truth when he said you have to die to yourself daily.

 

Thanks for reading, as always! Have a good rest of your May!