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Let's get serious... how many of you before reading this blog post . . .

1. Were aware that the super bowl is happening this Sunday?

2. Care that the super bowl is happening?

3. Are more excited about the food that will be had than the actual game?

For me, I am actually super pumped about football and watching the game but I am also very excited about the FOOD! I must say, though, that I'm so curious to hear Kelly Clarkson sing the national anthem. I TOTALLY watched American Idol when it first came out and absolutely loved her on that show. So that part should be pretty entertaining. 

Anyway, back to the food . . .you can always count on someone bringing the queso, meatballs, doritos, cookies and cheetos. So, in order to feel somewhat balanced, I'm always that girl that brings this . . .

Fruit salad! Come on . . . isn't everyone always thankful to have a few pieces of fruit alongside their cheese dip? =) But don't worry, I will also be bringing these as well . . . 

We call them the "Mocha Hazelnut Cooks"! Please tell me we have some nutella lovers here like me! I should probably make a few extra for Priscilla's oldest son because I hear he is a new nutella lover! And because I love you guys so much, here is the recipe from a cookbook called "Cake Mixes":

2 teaspoons instant coffee or espresso powder.

2 teaspoons vanilla extract.

1 18.25 oz pkg german choc cake mix

1/3 cup vegetable oil

2 large eggs

nutella

1. preheat oven to 350. spray cookie sheets with nonstick cooking spray.
2. in a large bowl dissolve the espresso powder in the vanilla extract. to the same bowl add half of the cake mix along with the oil and eggs. blend with an electric mixer set on medium-high speed 1-2 minutes, until blended and smooth. stir in remaining cake mix. 
3. drop dough by teaspoonfuls on prepared cookie sheets. 
4. bake 8-10 minutes or until set at edges and just barely set at center when lightly touched and cookies have a cracked appearance (cookies will be flat and round). cool completely. 
5. sandwich with nutella. 

So what about you? What are your plans for Sunday and what are you bringing to eat?? Have an awesome weekend you guys!

Seems like I’ve been receiving and giving quite a bit of encouragement lately. I was talking to one of my good friends the other day and we said these exact words at the same time, “If it’s not one thing, its another”. We both felt like we had been experiencing one trial after another and we were just exhausted.

We talked, complained, laughed and then complained a little more,  but as our conversation was coming to an end we did the only sure thing that we knew would help shift our focus.......we shared Scripture. We didn’t get all deep with it (not this time anyway), but we just exchanged some verses that really spoke to us and provided us with comfort and encouragement and then we hung up. I didn’t immediately look at the ones she shared with me but I did write them down in a small journal and believe me, they came in handy at the PERFECT time!

So, I thought this would be a great thing for us to do with each other today. Everybody needs a little encouragement right? Right!

I’ll start....I’ll share with you 2 Scriptures that have given me soooo much comfort and encouragement these past few days and then I’ll anxiously wait for you to share what Scripture(s) you have been meditating on lately, received a ton of comfort and encouragement from and/or used to encourage someone else.

Here are my 2....
1. Isaiah 43:2 : “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze”

2. Lamentations 3:22-24: “Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."

Now it’s your turn!

Until next time...
Antrenette

We had some meetings today in the office, and since it was so beautiful outside and such a great opportunity to say hello to you, Priscilla wanted to do today's post via video. So . . . without much further ado, click play below!

(http://vimeo.com/35961793)

Goodness! That's a good word! What OLD thing(s) in your life do you think God is wanting to replace with something NEW? 

Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? Isaiah 43:19

Would love to hear from you today!

*Here's more information on the Awaken event that Priscilla mentions in the video*

Since I was a 5 yr old redhead with skinned knees, I’ve wanted to change the world.  Whenever I’ve been involved in something bigger than me, something that taps into the grandness of God, I get this settled feeling of “All is well, I’m fulfilling my purpose for today.”  

With this on the brain, recently, I’ve been sitting in 1 John 2:12-13A...

“I am writing to you, little children,
   because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake.
 I am writing to you, fathers,
   because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
   because you have overcome the evil one.”

Now, if there’s ANYTHING I learned in seminary, it’s to pay attention when the Bible repeats itself...if Scripture is God’s Voice to His people, then when it repeats itself it’s like His Voice through a BULLhorn!!  So when John says “Little children...Fathers...Young men” TWO times, in different ways, I know this is more than John just wanting to use up a little ink on parchment...or dried animal skins, take your preference! 

When I read this lines, I see myself in all of these...

1.  I am a little child, He is my Dad.  He is speaking to me because I am full of His grace...I am grateful.

2.  I am a father to others in the faith.  He is speaking to me because I see He Who Is From The Beginning and has a plan far greater than anything I could dream up.  My soul rests in this space:  My Father has a plan far bigger than me and He is actively working to accomplish it.  He’s got it.  He’s always had it.  He’s got me.  

3.  I am a young woman.  He is speaking to because I am warring every day (with the full armor of God) to bring about His will here on this earth.  I am graced to be a small cog in His huge story.

Recognizing my identity as John spoke of it here, I can truly tap into that “bigger than me” story that He is weaving all about me.  Full of gratitude, resting in His wiser-than-me plan, I am actively seeking to play my part.  

Gosh!  This just FIRES ME UP!  He called out the different parts that I play so I’d realize I have to do it all together to bring Him the most glory...If I war against darkness without rest in Him, I am worn out.  If I rest in Him without warring, I get lazy.  If I arrive at ANYTHING without a grateful attitude, I am full of pride.  

So today, I’m playing my little part...abiding in Him with a grateful heart and seeking opportunities to serve His bigger-than-me story.  And in my own little way, He IS changing the world through me.  Now THAT’s a big deal.

Our website is under construction for a few hours and will return shortly! 

I've been thinking about the beauty of "alone-ness" today. (Is that a word?) For the past 48 hours I've done little else than sit amongst a smattering of books and commentaries with my computer, cell phone and. . . my own thoughts. Other than dinner with a couple girlfriends last night, I've left the room only on occasion to grab a cup of tea from a tiny lounge that makes such things available just down the hall. 
I've been alone . . .and I've loved it.

I don't know if I would have been this attracted to silence, stillness and solitude 15 years ago. A natural extrovert, I'm usually recharged by people and busyness and activity. I still enjoy all of the above but somehow I've grown more appreciative of the simple treasure of just being alone with no one and nothing to fuss over. Quiet has become my friend.
. . .a long lost friend, since I lost track with it once my very first child was born. Now, there is rarely a dull moment and even fewer that allow me to be by myself.
Now, don't get me wrong. I still love the happiness and energy of my house teeming over with busy bodies and non-stop movement but now, I'm appreciating alone-ness like I never would have before.
It's become a bit of a gift.
One that I never thought I'd enjoy unwrapping and utilizing this much. I think an appreciation for this often disregarded joy in life is one of the gifts that family life often can give to a woman. . .or maybe it's just a gift of age and maturity. 
I'm not sure.

What about you? Does alone-ness tap into a loneliness that you try to avoid or does it rejuvenate you?
Priscilla

I'll be honest, it's just not often enough that I get to sit in a Bible study with an empty notebook and pen in hand. Of course, I'm a student of the Bible and love my regular church setting on Sundays and my personal devotional life that I try to be consistent with, but I rarely get the chance to gather with other women in a Bible study setting just to lean in and listen to another share God's Word. It's a unique treat for me and one that I enjoy just as much as about anything else in my life. It's so refreshing and sweet; a respite of sorts for my soul. Tuesday night was one of those rare opportunities for me.

I'm in Houston this week for a yearly trip I try to take to catch up with a few college buddies, capitalize on some prime writing/studying hours and pull in a few extra hours of sleep. It's just a few days that I relish in and always look forward to. But this year, it just so happened that my trip fell on the same week as Beth Moore's new Bible study class on the book of Deuteronomy.

You heard me right. . . . Deuteronomy.

Leave it to Miss Beth to open up a book of the Bible known for it's hard to manage terminology and theology and make it applicable to regular girls like us. . . but this is Miss Beth we're talking about. Who better to make that happen.

I drove up to Houston's First Baptist church and sat in a line of traffic that spiraled up the feeder road of Hwy I10 for miles. A sea of brake lights flashed before me. I swear I thought I was at the Super Bowl not a Bible study. Surely, this was the wrong line.

Not a chance. It was the right one.

My breath was taken away when I finally got inside the massive auditorium and saw 4,000 women gathered for a Bible study class. I don't know what I expected but. . . not this. Is this how Houston women have Bible study? AMAZING! Pens and papers were in hand and everyone leaned forward and listened intently for a Word from God. And boy did we get one. . . from God through our teacher. Deuteronomy never seemed so. . . user-friendly before.

Beautiful!

What a great start to my few days away from life as I usually know it. Now, I'll huddle up in my hotel room for some time of writing and studying and top it all off with some great Mexican food while I'm at it.

MMMMM. . .it's going to be a good week.

Priscilla 

It seems like I’ve been asleep for most of the day.  I’ve been in the “zone” as we like to say here...headphones on and my fav music tinkling my earlobes, I’ve smashed out a bunch of projects that have been looming for days.  And there has been one thought on my mind:  “Awaken:  An Evening with Priscilla Shirer”.  It’s the free live event with Priscilla coming up in a few weeks.  We’re dragging out our finest and polishing the best to set the table for ladies to hear God speak through Priscilla.  I.  Can’t.  Wait.  

Awaken has been on my mind.  But The Lord has been telling me the opposite is needed in my heart:  sleep.  He wants me to sleep on some of the things that are nearest and dearest to my heart.  Have you heard that verse seen a few times in the Song of Solomon?  “Promise me, of women of Jerusalem, not to awaken love until the time is right”?  A young single girl in Dallas, the obvious response to “not awaken love” is to sleep from “relationships”...to not arouse those desires for romance until He brings my husband (and He WILL bring my husband!).  And so I set my heart to desire His closeness instead of a man’s.  But I think there is more to this spiritual principle than romantic love that I need here today.  Love is needed...it’s a need.  When I press into a need before God is ready to meet it, I throw off my contentment.  We are not called to ignore needs.  Rather, we’re called to have them met by Him.  IN HIS timing.  

When I was sitting with my headphones on today, I accomplished a ton of stuff. My focus kept me on tasks that, in the big picture of things, are more immediate.  Had I taken my headphones off and engaged in all the things happening in my environment, I might have missed accomplishing what He had for me TODAY.  When needed, headphones were slipped off, and focus was shifted to the more immediate need.  When that need was done, headphones went back up and I dove again into the project He had for me.  

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not one that enjoys zoning people out and being anti-social.  But I highly value doing what He has for me to do today.  And sometimes that requires me slipping on headphones...sometimes that requires me to fall asleep to other things around me.  So, here’s to sleeping in His will, til His timing wakes us.  At night I fall asleep by playing a few games of sudoku on my phone...I wonder how He wants us to fall asleep in His will today? 

This past weekend I wanted to get out of town for a change of scenery and the first place that always comes to my mind is Waco, TX. My brother and sister-in-law live there with their two little girls and it is always a little oasis for me to come to. It is such a blessing to have them living so close and I love the fact that whenever I need a retreat that my family is the place to go!

And indeed it was a wonderful retreat! By Saturday night I was in total relaxation mode. We put the girls down by about 8:00, we had the fire burning, I had the new Real Simple Magazine in hand... and I just SAT.... and READ! This to me at this season in life, is total relaxation. 

It's funny how it changes over time. I used to want to be out and about with all my friends doing all kinds of things all around the city to clear my head and recharge, but not anymore. Now it's all about being at home, with a book of some sort in hand, and just sitting in the quiet. I'm already wondering when I can make this happen again this week =) 

Are you the same way? What does it look like for you to be recharged and how often do you get to do it? Looking forward to hearing from you guys this week, and I hope we all get a chance one day this week to give ourselves a little break. 

Linnae

P.S. Check yesterday's post to see who our VIP winners are for Awaken 2012!!

And the 5 randomly drawn winners are . . . .

Naomi Jackson

RachBryant

Gayla Mazzuca

Ravenw79

Juliana Beckloff

Please email us your name, email address, and contact number at info@goingbeyond.com so we can tell you all the details for the event! We can't wait to see you soon!

Recently, a friend of mine asked me what my favorite word was. Of all of the words in my entire vocabulary, she asked me to select one as my absolute fav.
It took me a while to figure it out but after a little while there was one small, simple word that quickly rose to the top of my mind and heart.

HOME

Yes, I love "home". Everything that it stands for and the memories that it conjures up are sweet and rich. And the more I've been thinking about it, the more I've realized that I like "home" so much not just because of my house and the people that live in it but also my community, my church, my neighborhood Walmart and the familiar streets that line my community. The nostalgia that I sense when I leave the structure that I live in and venture out into the community that I've been a part of for the past 37 years. . . . this is home. . in every sense of the word.
Yes, I feel sentimental about the Dallas Ft. Worth area just the same as I'm sure you feel about your neck of the woods.

This is why I am so excited about AWAKEN 2012! It's the very first event that our ministry has sponsored specifically for the women of my home - my community right here in the DFW area. Of course, all women from everywhere are welcome on February 24th, from 6:30p  . . . .until we're done :) (probably about 9:30p) We'll spend our time worshiping together and then digging into the Word. I'll be speaking on a theme that has been on my heart for nearly two years: 
Contentment 
We'll look at how our disappointment with life or just plain ol' fatigue can cause us to miss out on God's activity right where we are. I'm going to challenge you to awaken out of any spiritual slumber you may be in right now so that you can experience God right here and right now. I'll teach twice and the event will be recorded for what we hope will become a resource that can be a blessing to God's women everywhere. 
I can't imagine anyone I'd rather be doing a live recording with . .. then you - my family from home!
 
The event is absolutely free. Just grab your Bible, jump in the car, alone or with friends, and head on over to Red Oak, Texas - just 20 minutes south of downtown Dallas for a night that I hope will be used mightily by God in your life.

Today, I'd love to choose 5 of you to dote on during the event! Since it's free, we can't give away registration (that wouldn't be much of a gift now would it) but we can make a few of you VIP's!! So, take a moment to write a short comment letting us know if you are coming. We will choose 5 winners, from those who write a post, who we'll host with special reserved seating, Going Beyond gifts, refreshments backstage in the green room and more!

We can't wait to hear from you. I'm so looking forward to being home with you at AWAKEN 2012!
Priscilla 

*Click here for more Awaken information*