Old fashioned Beef Stew - Crock-Pot Version

What's for dinner tonight!

Beef Stew - Crock-pot version

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 medium onion, thinly sliced

2-3 cups carrots, peeled and large chopped

2-3 stalk celery, large chop, with tops

1 can plain diced tomatoes with juice

4-5 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped

1 Tablespoon real bacon bits or equivalent

1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

a 6-inch stalk fresh rosemary

2 bay leaves

1 - 1 1/2 pounds beef cut into 2-inch cubes*

about 1/2 cup all purpose flour

Salt and Pepper

1 can beef broth plus 1/2 cup water

4-5 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed

3/4 cup frozen peas

1. Combine the first 9 ingredients in the Crockpot. Turn pot to high and continue.
2. Heat a sauté pan with some coconut oil in it. Drudge beef in flour seasoned with salt and pepper and sear meat in hot pan until brown. Remove beef, add to Crockpot.
3. Deglaze pan with the beef broth and add the liquids to Crockpot. The liquids should come up to within 1 inch of the solids. If too low add a little chicken broth or water.
4. Cover pot and cook for 4-5 hours on HIGH. About 3 hours before dinner, peel and cube potatoes. Add these to Crockpot with peas. Cover and cook an additional 3 hours or until all is tender.
5. Remove bay leaves and rosemary. If a thicker gravy is desired, sprinkle top with 1-2 packages brown gravy mix. Stir into liquid, and return to simmer to thicken. Check seasoning after gravy mix as some can be salty. Alternately, if you don't want to use a mix, turn Crockpot to low, drain liquids from pot with a ladle or turkey baster. Make gravy as usual using these liquids, then return to Crockpot.

* can use any cut of beef, venison, etc. Steak tips work great too.

AMLW Chapter 11: Wonder

As your basic multi-tasking mom it is very hard not to live by a list, but I am trying to live among the wonder. It has definitely been something I've had to work at.


Wonder:  

                 to be filled with admiration,
                                         amazement, or awe




I love the way Emily relates it to a child on page 176:

"A child sees the wonder, takes it in, picks it up, and walks among it."

alternately,

A mom looks for certainty, stares at the mess, picks everything up and puts it away, and walks in the emptiness of a clean abyss....

Children haven't yet formed an opinion as to what has "worth" and what doesn't.

I am still working on that - not judging the worth before I experience the wonder... it takes practice to open my eyes without seeing the mess.

It's not too late to get your copy of Emily P. Freemen's book a million little ways you can still visit the incourage book club site and comment and see the discussion videos too. It's a wonderful book filled with eye-opening changes any mom (or dad) can make to help their Art to blossom.

Thanks for spending time with me:)

What I'm Reading this Christmas Season

Here are my picks for this Christmas Season. I hope you enjoy them!


P31 Reads - Christmas





The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas
 by Ann Voskamp famed writer of 1000 Gifts


The Women of Christmas
by Liz Curtis Higgs




You'll Get Through This: Hope and Help for Your Turbulent Times
 The new sensational read by Max Lucado

and finally,






The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays: 140 Step-by-Step Recipes for Simple, Scrumptious Celebrations
You just can't go wrong with a Lee Drummond recipe.

5:16 Every day

Ephesians 5:16 says, "making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." The literal meaning is "redeem the time." We are seeking to redeem the time and make the most of every opportunity to seek the Lord with all our hearts. Why? Because the days are evil. We must prepare for battle each and every day - sometimes just to get through the day!

“I earnestly recommend that it be in the early morning, unless there are some extenuating circumstances. Entering the day without a serious meeting with God, over his Word and in prayer, is like entering the battle without tending to your weapons. The human heart does not replenish itself with sleep. The body does, but not the heart. We replenish our hearts not with sleep, but with the Word of God and prayer.”
John Piper

Recipe Remake - Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Olive Garden-ish

This is an amazingly creamy soup. We loved it and had to find a way to copy it. In an attempt to google it we were displeased with the results. Below is our version of it. We love it, hope you'll try it!

2 Chicken breasts, cooked and diced, cut into 1 inch pieces

1 celery stalk, small dice

1 large clove garlic, small chop

1/2 carrot, shredded

1/2 onion, small dice

1 Tbsp. olive oil

2 cans chicken broth plus 1 can water

1 tsp. dried thyme

1 package potato gnocchi

2 Tbsp. cornstarch

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 package frozen chopped spinach, cooked, wrung out, and rechopped

1. Prepare chicken, this can also be made with perdue done it chicken if you're in a hurry

2. In a dutch oven or stock pot saute the onion, garlic, carrot, and celery in the olive oil until they are soft. Add broth and water and bring to a boil.

3. Meanwhile, prepare gnocchi as directed. Cook until they raise to the surface of the water. Strain off and add to soup. Cook uncovered for 2-4 minutes until tender. Add thyme and chicken and reduce heat to simmer.

4. Make a slurry by combining 2 Tbsp. cornstarch with enough cold water to make it thin add this to the pot and stir to incorporate. Soup will not fully thicken until it comes to a boil. Bring to slight boil then turn down until it stops.

5. Slowly stir in heavy cream. Do not boil after this point as it will curdle the cream and become separated. Bring to temp and add chopped spinach. Stirring to dispurse.

Makes about 4 good-sized servings.

AMLW Chap 8 Show UP

Today we are studying Chapter 8 of a million little ways  by Emily P. Freeman.

The chapter outlines how and why we need to show up in order to make our art. There is no formula for living life with Christ only:

Showing up, 

           Trusting, 

                       and Believing (p. 129).

This really resonated with me. How often are we looking for that magic formula or "right way" of living in order to reap the benefits of the Christian life?? When, what we really should be doing is just simply: Showing up....

I can't help but pull apart words and phrases. As I write I see images and words move around in different ways than they were intended.

In this way I see showing up as showing UP. I see it as more than just being dressed and ready to go but being

                              ALL there, 

representing the Father and looking UP ready for whatever He has for me.

Can you see it? Are you representing God with your art? or are you keeping it to yourself.

Emily points to 8 statements we use to hide our art.

1. I'm not cut out for this - this steals our art by thinking this is our own doing and in our own strength. Remedy - it is God's doing so use God's strength.
2. someone else can do it better - yes, someone probably can, this attitude is a courage stealer. Remember God has called you and no one can do it better than you with His guidance
3. people might not like it - this topic is so big that Emily focused on it for a whole chapter (6) and basically there will always be critics. Acknowledge it and move on. Listen to what/who matters and assess it based on the critics intention - to hurt or to help.
4. I have nothing to offer - yes, yes, you do
5. I hate my calling - another great quote came out of this bullet, putting to rest the greener grass theory. "There are no greener grasses, only different lawns" (p.140).
6. It's a waste of time - God doesn't waste time only we do
7. It's too much work - it takes work, a lot of time MORE work, to ignore or try to quite a Spirit-filled work within you.
8. Who do you think you are? - the only remedy to this is to know who you are. Even if it means posting signs to remind yourself that you are chosen, holy, beloved. Made in the image of the one True God. Allow this to sink in when doubt sets in.

But, the most encouraging quote came at the end of Ch 7 on page 144:

"Lack of movement isn't because of fear or sin or lack of belief.
Sometimes it's simply God asking us to wait"

Maybe you've addressed all those statements and still no progress where you feel your art is. Don't give up. Keep making your art and wait with God. Ultimate beauty is well-timed!

Blessings, sweet sisters.

Is there HOPE for America?

 I dare you to watch this and not get chills...

Watch Billy Graham

What ever you do you will not want to miss the latest and possibly the last special by the Rev. Billy Graham.

Billy Graham was my first connection to my Savior. He was a man my grandmother spoke of often. A Yankee, with roots traced to the Mayflower, she was a born and bread Congregationalist. But what few knew was that she never missed a Billy Graham Crusade. In a time, when religion wasn't spoke of publicly except on Sunday she was a voice to her grandchildren, the ones who would listen.

I listened Gram, and I will be thinking of you on Thursday night while I'm watching this!

Thank you Rev. Graham, Thank you.

AMLW ~ Critics & Crazy ideas

Today we are studying Chapters 6 & 7 of a million little ways  by Emily P. Freeman.

In chapter 7, Emily talks about Listening. She begins with a wonderful quote:

Think:

If God is speaking, 
then nothing else matters but listening. 
                                            ~Brennan Manning

It seems everything in this world is begging us to live BIG. But nothing is reminding us to live small.

How do we listen to what God has to say?

Emily points to 5 ways, some will hit all readers, other will not. Let's hear what means the most to you, dear readers.

Listen to your:

1. tears - what brings you to tears. is it a song, a movie, a word, a picture
2. questions - "Be with what is" - Ruth Barton. Let the day be the day without trying to run away from it.
3. heartbreak - grief does deep, important sacred work.
4. Tuesdays - paying attention to the now, the routine, the rhythm. the ordinary days, the days that keep it real. You cannot look forward until you live in the Tuesday.
5. crazy ideas - Doubt and fear keep the ideas hidden. the crazy idea is not crazy to the adventurous it's just an idea. 

Ponder:

The listening section that made me think the most was the crazy ideas. I was raised by a very stable family. We didn't take risks because if we failed 'what would people say...' I married a very spontaneous man, of coarse, and have been trying to find middle ground ever since...we do manage to balance each other out quite well.

But, the point that resonated most with me was that to those who are adventurous, a crazy idea is just

                                      an idea.... wow! that hit home with me.


Finally, on that same topic, I have been carrying a few ideas 'in my pocket' for years. And, as Emily pointed out, if they were trash I would have thrown them away by now. The fact that they are still in my pocket proves they have life.


                                         It's up to me to give them wings.

Dwell:
 What can you give wings to today??

What's for Dinner? - Pot Roast!

Crock Pot Pot Roast

1. Sear a 3-4 pound pot or oven roast using a hot pan with salt and pepper and no added fat.
2. Trim large fat and cut into 4 pieces.. Sear well don't move too much, sear all sides and ends
3. In crock pot slice onions, celery, carrots, S&P, 1 T . Worcestershire, 1 Tbsp. bacon is good too.
4. Lay seared beef on top of these.
5. Add: a can of beef stock or broth, it should reach 1/2 way up sides of meat.
6. Add some rosemary springs, oregano, no need to mix.
7. Cook on HIGH 5 hours or so.
8. Move meat to platter, strain out veg and pour liquid into de-fatting cup. Let sit at least 20 minutes.
9. Make roux with Pot Roast in crock pot oil & flour. Add broth all at once whisk and all 1 cheat gravy package and a little cream for color and texture.

Serve with mashed potatoes and carrots.

Hope you enjoy this recipe. It is an original so if you choose to link or copy please give me a follow up link. Thanks and have a blessed day!

AMLW Desire Chapter 3

Back to our amazing book study on a million little ways...

During this chapter we were asked to look within. The sometimes scarey area that holds the buried, the forgotten, the lost....we are to look within, uncover all that slush, move it out of the way and search for that which God set in the fragile orb -- our soul.

These are the things C. S. Lewis called the "first things." (p.41) The first things we see and feel before the rational/logical self edits them out to make room for it's own 

                                         SAFE, EASY second things....

But, what does it actually look like to think of God's glory as a 'first thing.' Today I take a step back and, rather than try to figure out what my "thing" is I want to just bask in His Presence.   

To think about His glory and the fact that I, a mere sinful human is even a speck of dust amid the luminous blaze that is the I AM.

I resist the urge to put in an image of hands raised as this would include me in the blaze. I want to just sit back and bask in the light, the warmth, the connection...

Desire has been redeemed in Christ. My soul desire has purpose and a need to connect to its Creator...

In the video Emily uses the signing symbol for connected often. It is the thumb and finger touching on each hand and together. 

When you try to draw it out (like I did in my notes) it takes on a look of infinity.

That's when my heart leap and I felt the kiss of God.

I am connected with God, souls intertwined, infinite....

true desire is born out of death, of knowing I no longer live, but Christ lives in me..

The Trinity is 

                          the beginning of always

To die with Christ is the beginning of my always....eternal life. 

Living that desire is true life, connected, intertwined, infinite....

AMLW Chapter 2 Reflect

Now we are knee deep in a million little ways  and I am in awe of how God is working on my heart through this book.
Let's take art for example:  visual art is so obvious: singer, sculptor, painter...easy to identify.
But what we're looking for is the 'soul-art' (p.19) the art that is practically invisible because it is so NOT obvious.
We make art with our lives (p.21) says Emily Freeman. 

Every smile, every hug, every load of laundry - soul-art.

I REFLECT about what I know:

I was created by a Creative God

          in His image

               He spoke creation into existence

                       He breathed life, literally, into man

                                            His Spirit lives inside the believer, 

connecting

created to Creator.

So I DWELL on this:

what is the difference between this creative art and this soul art....

and I am given the conclusion of YHWH - yes, just that, His breath.

The difference between the two are His breath. 

Can creative art be Soul art? Absolutely.

But it is not turned into SOUL ART until it touches HIS BREATH and

 LIFE. is. BREATHED. into. it.

Paintings are painted, books are written, dances are danced, 

            dinner is made, laundry is folded, a smile is given,

      

                                   a child is born.

All is art when connected to the Breath of GOD.

Created by the Creator, 

reflected by His image (me & you) through the Holy Spirit,               making VISIBLE the invisible 

               by connecting Spirit to SPIRIT 

                      all to the Glory of 

 ONE. Awesome. God.

So now I LIVE it:

I dig deep to find the art, the God-breath I've been given, by the Creator. 

That is my plan: to find His plan, wait for Him to breathe on it, and 

Spirits-united make His ART.

Reflect.  Dwell.   Live.

Feel free to share your comments with me and while you're at it go out and make some art!

Thank you for stopping by. If you would like to join in the study pick up a copy of a million little ways and join us over at (in)courage the link is on the side bar. 

Have a blessed day and

Pumpkin Munchkins

These were a wonderful hit with my daycare and my family. Give them a try for a seasonal treat - so much better than the drive-thru!
This is an original recipe, please be kind and link back to me if you share it - thanks:)

Pumpkin Munchkins

Yield: 50-60 munchkins, can be cut in half

Wet ingredients:

2/3 cup oil

1 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 Tbsp. pure vanilla extract

1 can pumpkin (1 ½ - 1 ¾ cup can, NOT pie filling)

1 cup milk

Dry ingredients:

3 ½ cups flour

1 Tbsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1 Tbsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. nutmeg

Coating:

¾ cup butter, melted

¾ cup sugar

1-2 Tbsp. cinnamon

1/8 tsp. salt

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray-coat 2 or 3 (24-cup) mini muffin pans.
2. In large bowl or bowl of electric stand mixer  fit with paddle attachment combine wet ingredients. Beat on medium until smooth. Add dry ingredients and mix until combined but not over beaten.

3. Using a medium cookie scoop, fill each cup about ¾-full of dough. Bake for about 14-15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pan then cool on wire rack.
   
4. While munchkins are cooling melt butter in a medium dish and combine sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a second dish. While munchkins are warm but not hot dip each one in butter and then roll in cinnamon-sugar mixture. Set on plate and serve while still warm or cover and store for 5 days.

  I hope you enjoy these healthy munchkins. Have a blessed day:)

AMLW Picture this...

Adding my picture to the a million little ways book club. It seems like I'm the only one using the kindle version. I love to sit down with my coffee and note book. I guess I've been making a little art as well with my notes....I tend to use different colored pens and clouds...makes it fun to look back at.

Looking forward to sitting down with Emily, Jessica, and Angie today for chapter 2. It's not too late to start - what an amazing book! and join (in)courage.

Though it's been a bit disturbing as I delve into the topic of "what is it that I really LOVE to do, what brings me the greatest Joy- the greatest connection with our Creator?" I'm almost embarrassed to say I really don't know. I am so guilty of takin' care of business all the time that I may need to dig a little deeper to find what matter to me. I am looking forward to learning more about me and my Creator.

I am also looking into my kids 19 and 14 to encourage them to find what makes them joyful. Homeschooling is a blessing but sometimes we get so focused on the task we forget to breath.

Breath deep - YHWH

Have a blessed day:)

Prepare Your Heart

Prepare your heart....sometimes this seems like just another overused Christian saying. 

But today it took more meaning for me. Today I saw words become reality.

While reading Emily P. Freemen's new book A Million Little Ways I was presented with the reality "Live as though you have something to offer" (p.17). I realized that I have my heart to offer. When I open my heart, consciously open it - to the who's and what's around me, I am aware of the needs and responses of others. But, it is a conscious effort. A training of the mind, heart and soul. I have to be...all...there.

I have to EXPECT to witness God. 

I have to PURPOSELY see through the eyes of my heart to witness something awesome in the most  mundane of circumstances.

What if you are speaking with a sister, a subject you have visited a number of timescomes up - your normal instinct would be to yes her, nod, agree, etc. but what if...

What if: GOD

God enters, you command your heart to open and for the first time you see what happens when your Spirit is allowed to interact with another Spirit. You feel their happiness, their sadness, their joys and their hopes. You see more than words, you feel more than emotions, you see the mundane unfold into...

His Art (capital A here).

I purposely opened my heart eyes expecting to see something beautiful. And God does not disappoint....I saw His Art in my dad who refinished my kitchen table just "because it makes me happy to see you happy," my daughter making me an elastic bracelet in my favorite colors, my husband asking me to make spaghetti instead of Sunday dinner because he knew I had a headache.

I saw more than a table, a bracelet, an easy meal - I saw love, a symphony of Words and Actions brought on by His Spirit in me interacting with His Spirit in them.

Breath - YHWH- pray His name.


I would like to 'encourage' you to join the book study over at: Bloom incourage We are on chap 1 and I am already amazed at the places she is taking us. Make no mistake, this book is not about art (small a), it's about Art (capital A)!

Bloom book club - a million little ways

Obstacles

I can't help but think of the gates in my life that I have closed. Only when I see them here they don't look so dirty...angry....permanent.

What would I say if God were on the other side?  Would I be so willing to turn and walk away?

Who is on the other side of your gates?

What would it take for you to open those gates....would it take a Savior?



What are you afraid of? There is nothing He hasn't been through for you already. Why wouldn't He help you through this?

It is done.....

It. Is. Done.

You won''t be the same after watching this.

Think. Ponder. Dwell. Live.

 Plenty

She caught my eye across the room. She was clean, her boy was clean, she didn't look needy.

She looked like me. Not too long ago, little boy in tow. Only I, WE... never stood in a soup line.

I stand in a grocery line and complain about the wait.

She stands in a soup line smiles at me and says "just half for him, we don't want waste it."

I dump half the bowl in the trash because my boy doesn't like onions and celery. 

Fussy eaters, spoiled in their plenty. 



The smell makes it hard for me to sleep. I remember the smell of that meat pie. Serving, upon serving. "Can we have seconds today?" "Yes, please do, we have plenty today."

Their plenty and my plenty - so different. 

Their plenty means seconds, enough to hold them until the next meal...the next day...the next seconds.

My plenty means dumping what's not eaten because we're --

Too full. Too much enough. Too many seconds. Too full of plenty. 

Too full of ...His Grace. 

The only thing that separates me from her. His Grace. I bake a cake, stir the beans, spoon out the meat pie...

Then I go home to my plenty and feel ...empty. 

 John 3:30

He must increase, but I must decrease.

I am decreasing day by day. Decreasing the plenty. The needs, wants, have to's which fill the me places ....daily decreasing and being filled... with Him. 

Thank you Spirit for those words. Filling my empty to plenty again with His words of assurance. His Love. His Presence. His Grace.

So excited for the new community book study A Million Little Ways! If you've never participated in an on-line book club you may want to give this one a try. It is so flexible and fun.

I am looking forward to this book as it appears to combine the Creator with His created - me!

Can't wait to see how she brings about changes how I look at His work in this world. I have been feeling a little down with the world lately and am hoping this new insight in to Him and into myself will bring a new light into my thoughts!

Hope to see you there. Jump on the link below and see what you think:)
Praising Him, T

Time Passes

Time passes and my nerves thin. I hold his hand, bringing him to get changed and it happens...that annoying habit of the small and dearly loved.

 He goes limp.

The hand holding turns into pulling and coaxing - why can't he just walk in the direction I have chosen for him. Doesn't he know I know the best way?

I can't help but think of the times I've gone limp holding my Savior's hand. Here we are walking, hand-in-hand, a beautiful path together. His thoughts, my thoughts; His path, mine. We walk in peace and security. No distractions, just the quiet, still voice, the leading of Him who loves me most.

Until... I go limp. Hand still held high -- reaching up. Reaching, but not wanting. Not wanting the path that has been chosen for me. My thoughts cloud over. I forget, it's a path chosen JUST for me. I hang there lost in my own indecision. Hand still held high but the weight of my own stubbornness pulling me hard to the earth. Weighed down like rocks making a protective wall around my heavy heart. I've changed direction, the path is not so straight, and the heaviness is all-consuming. It's a power issue. A fight for control. My head is dazed, I thought I knew the way. But it's all so clear that I do not. Who is to lead, who is to follow. I have to decide here and now who is in control. Where the wall is built.

The limp, the heavy, the stubborn, controlling body of a child of God. 

Time passes, I stop, thank God for this small, strong body and receive the calming hand of my Lord. I receive it much like the small, dangling child writhing on the floor. In my own time, but it's just a short time.... the loving arms of mom (my Savior) are too warm and too inviting to stray away from for too long. He is my only way. The only path worth walking, my only security.

For I, the Lord your God, 
will hold your right hand,
Saying to you, 
Fear not, I will help you.
--Isaiah 41:13

Adventures in Frugality

One of my goals for 2013 is to find new and exciting frugal replacements for everyday costly items. I am trying to adapt to 2 of these each month. But trial and error so far had me at 50% success...

This week's tip: Homemade Frugal Granola Bars 

They were and still are a huge hit!!

That has saved me considerably on my grocery bill which I am trying to keep around $100 a week. At $3++ a box for the cheap ones and $4++ a box for the quality ones - that is a HUGE savings for us each week. 

I make a double batch of bars and it lasts about 2 weeks. Frugal and tasty! I never liked granola bars before I tried these. I found these to be a treat to eat and so versatile. They can be different every week - you choose the mix-ins, be creative and use what's in your stockpile or on sale:)

Be sure to send in your mix-in ideas and experiences with them.


Next weeks frugal adventure - fabric softener alternatives...

What is frugality to the Proverbs 31 woman?? 

It is the safe keeping of the Lord's blessings.

fka (formerly known as): Waste not, Want not:)

She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness. ----Prov 31:27


Frugality as per wiki:  the quality of being frugal, sparing, thrifty, prudent or economical in the use of consumable resources such as food, time or money and avoiding waste, lavishness or extravagance

The making of all things small

As I ponder the day, I look out the window at the new fallen snow- in awe of the artistry of our LORD. I wake up early, it's still dark, there is not a sound in the house, I begin to pray and I note how small I am in a world created by my God. 

We are merely moving shadows 

and all our busy rushing ends in 

nothing.--Psalm 39:6

I take time away from the busy rushing to dive head long into His world. 

Breathing Yah-Weh, Yah-Weh. 

My mind clears and the focus can be on the only thing that matters. How infinitely small I am and how infinitely HUGE my God is.

Every day presents a new challenge. As Proverbs 31 wife, mother, daughter.... I am continuously challenged with a changing of hats. 

My daily challenge---- 

'the making of all things small.'

It's a concept I developed to help my family deal with things they think are big. They come to me with their Goliath and I encourage them with the 'stones of Truth' (God's Word) until their giant is microscopic.

God does that...

                                He takes big things and makes them SMALL. 

We learn repeatedly that His thoughts are not our thoughts. It is ever so clear when we face our Goliaths. What we think are so BIG...He makes very small.

I took this thinking for myself and thought I could turn it around again. 

If God helps me by making my Big things small... what will happen if I make a conscious effort to make all HIS small things BIG?

What if I notice the snowflake rather the snow, the leaf rather than the tree, the ant rather than the hill, the mustard seed rather than the shrub (the smallest seed which grows to be the biggest in the garden, by the way)

What if I focus my attention on the small and make it big....

the griever rather than the grief, the child rather than the adult, the sinner rather than the sin (yes, that sinner is much smaller), the nail rather than the cross.....

To do this takes practice but it is worth every minute. 

Extraordinary things happen when we 'make BIG' what the world 'makes small' and 'make small' what the world 'makes big'...our thinking aligns with God's and Goliath shrinks. 

My encouragement today is: 

       slow down,  

                  take time to notice things differently, 

                                        give thanks, 

                                                    see what God sees and you will be blessed.