Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies

I got this delicious recipe from my sister. These are the best peanut butter cookies in the world!


Ingredients:
1 1/2 c peanut butter
1 c butter
2 1/2 c brown sugar
6 T milk
2 T vanilla
2 eggs
3 1/2 c flour
1 1/2 t salt
1 1/2 t baking soda 1 c semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 c peanut butter chips


Directions:
Mix peanut butter, butter, brown sugar, milk, and vanilla. Then add the eggs. Then mix in the flour, salt, and baking soda. Then add the chocolate chips and peanut butter chips. Roll into balls and bake at 375 degrees for 6-7 minutes (I recommend 6 - but check it) until lightly browned. Press the leftover chips into the tops of the cookies.


*Note* you can freeze the dough.


Enjoy!

An excellent wife who can find?

You've probably already guessed what this post is going to be about just by reading the title. Well, if you guessed cheez-its and lollipops - you're wrong! haha ok. Yes, it's about the Proverbs 31 woman and becoming a wife (No, I'm not getting married. At least not now, but hopefully in the future).

So anyways, while I'm waiting for God to provide a husband for me, I want to develop and cultivate the character qualities of a woman who fears the Lord (but even if I don't ever get married, I should still aspire to have these traits). Let's take a look at what they are:

1. vs 12 ~ "She does him [her husband] good, and not harm, all the days of her life." ~ it's not what I get out of the marriage, but what I give - how do I (will I) help my husband? How will I promote spiritual growth in His life? I can begin helping him now by praying for him.

2. vs 13-19 ~ "She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar. She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens. She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. . She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle." ~ she willingly works in the home and provides food for her family. She's a homemaker (I would love to be a homemaker, but if times are rough I would be willing to work to help the family).

3. vs 20-24 ~ "She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them.; she delivers sashes to the merchant." ~ She's willing to help and serve others and she's prepared for what may come.

4. vs 25-26 ~ "Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue." ~ She is wise and is clothed with strength and dignity - they are part of her character.

5. vs 27 ~ "She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." ~ She is not lazy, she keeps her house clean, and cares for her family.

6. vs 28-31 ~ "Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.' Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates." ~ This kind of woman is to be praised. I want to fear the Lord and possess these qualities. I want to be an excellent wife and mother.

For all of you who have asked me what I'm going to do in life/what is my major - here is your answer: I'm going for my MRS. degree - that's my dream job. I pray that the Lord will provide me with a husband in His timing. :)

How Deep the Father's Love...

Have you ever really thought about it? I mean really thought about how much the Father loves us? If you haven't, I encourage you to do so. I probably don't do it often enough, but it is such a humbling realization to sit at the foot of the cross, knowing that God loves us enough to send His only Son to die a cruel, humiliating death in my place. Amazing.

Here are the lyrics to such a beautiful song called How Deep the Father's Love for Us :

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Praise God - He only deserves glory, honor, and praise!

March in a Nutshell

Wow! It's been a month since I've posted! Ok, one more day...but practically a month. I guess I will update you on what all has occurred this month...which isn't much.

I've been pretty busy with school and work, but I did have spring break off for school a couple of weeks ago which was a really nice break from all the craziness. During that week I still had to work, but was able to spend some time with friends as well as catch up on all my homework at the time (which is probably what I should be doing right now)! Also we had a surprise birthday party for my brother's 21st birthday that Friday of spring break! He ended up finding out about it, but it was fun anyways and we learned how to Square Dance!

School is going well I guess. I had to 18 hours of observation in public schools (elementary and high) and 18 hours of tutoring in another elementary school for two of my classes. I just finished all of that up yesterday, so things should start slowing down a little bit. However we only have 4-5 weeks left so projects and papers and finals are going to be due soon.

I just started to run a little bit! I've been wanting to for a long time now, but didn't know if I should. It's only been 1/2 a mile at a time, but I've done it 4 times now, so in all it's 2 miles!!! haha, ok...anyways, I'm just starting out slow and easing myself into it.

I've been having fun driving in my new car I bought at the end of February!! It's a silver 2003 Honda Civic. I'm so blessed to be able to have it. And really I'm so blessed with the life I have been given - godly parents, fun siblings, great friends, a home, a school paid for (for at least this year!), a job, food, clothing, etc... I could probably come up with so much more! - and how often do I take all of these things for granted? Or how often do I complain about things? It's something to think about. But I hope and pray that I will never put any of these things above Christ. 1 John 2:15-17 says "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world - the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions - is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever." I find myself hungering for the Word all the more and desiring to learn and grow. I have so much to learn.

Nehemiah 9

So, in my quiet times I've been reading through Nehemiah and I just wanted to share with you something that stood out to me. First of all, go read Nehemiah 9, then come back and read what I got out of this chapter. Or go read the whole book... ;)

When I read this chapter it really stood out to me how merciful and faithful our God is. I mean think about it. The Israelites would turn away from God; then God would give them into the hands of their enemies and allow them to suffer. In the midst of their suffering the Israelites would cry out to the Lord. Then God would hear them from heaven and delivered them according to Your great mercies. The phrase "according to Your great mercies" is used three times in this chapter referring to God delivering the Israelites. I'd say its something pretty significant if it's mentioned three times! One of the times it is mentioned in verse 31 which says "Nevertheless, in Your great mercies You did not make an end of them or forsake them, for You are a gracious and merciful God." Back up to verse 17b "But You are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them." He is a gracious and merciful God, ready to forgive!

How many times a day do we turn away from the Lord and fall into sin? I am so thankful that God is a gracious and merciful God, ready to forgive! Do I deserve His grace, mercy, and forgiveness? No, I deserve eternal life apart from God. But God so graciously and mercifully forgave me of my sins and redeemed me by the blood of His Son! No matter how many times I sin and come running to God for forgiveness, He will always forgive me, just like He forgave the Israelites. How encouraging is that? We truly serve a great God!

Bound for the Promised Land!

Today I listened to Jars of Clay sing a song called "On Jordan's Stormy Banks I Stand." This song is such a great reminder that we are bound; we are bound for the Promised Land! How encouraging these lyrics are to me - reminding me to live in such a way that pleases Christ, because we are indeed bound for eternity with Him if we are His true children! Here are the lyrics to this great song:

On Jordan's stormy banks I stand
And cast a wishful eye
To Canaan's fair and happy land
Where my possessions lie

All o'er those wide extended plains
Shines one eternal day
There God, the Son forever reigns
And scatters night away.

I am bound, I am bound, I am bound for the Promised Land
I am bound, I am bound, I am bound for the Promised Land

No chilling wind nor poisonous breath
Can reach that healthful shore
Where sickness, sorrow, pain and death
Are felt and feared no more

I am bound, I am bound, I am bound for the Promised Land
I am bound, I am bound, I am bound for the Promised Land

When shall I see that happy place
And be forever blessed
When shall I see my Father's face
And in His bosom rest

I am bound, I am bound, I am bound for the Promised Land
I am bound, I am bound, I am bound for the Promised Land

Here's the link to listen to it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtHfLcp1F3U

Lukewarm Christianity

Have you ever considered your life in light of eternity? What is the point of life - why are we here? Are you just living for the here and now? Are you a lukewarm Christian?

My prayer for myself and others is that we are not lukewarm Christians; that we live life to the fullest and understand why we were created. Man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

Revelation 3:15-16 says "I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth."

We cannot be lukewarm about Christianity...it's all or nothing. You are either a follower of God, or you're not. You can't be both. Matthew 6:24 says, "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." You either love God or you don't.

I want to live for God to the fullest. I want to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. I want to study His Scriptures and grow closer to Him. I want to love Him.

Psalm 63:1-5 "O God, you are my God: earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in you name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips". - I pray that this will be true and evident in my life. God alone is worthy to be praised!