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Supersize and Energize your Faith!

Do you need an energizing boost of encouragement for your life? How about some uninterrupted fellowship with ladies in our community? If so, get your tickets for “Supersize and Energize Your Faith” – A women’s brunch hosted by FBC Cleveland, MS. Speaker Jennifer Walker will share faith-building and joy-producing Truths from God’s Word and her personal testimony. Your own faith in God will be Supersized and Energized!

Supersize and Energize Your Faith
Women’s Brunch

Saturday, Feb. 5
10:00 am – 12:00 pm

First Baptist Church
Cleveland,  MS
Tickets: $10 ~ Can be purchased on Sundays or through the week in the church office.
Childcare provided upon reservaton made through the church office: 662.843.2701



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We were SNOW excited! (Recipe for Snow Cream at bottom of post)

Hi friends~  The Lord brought the most beautiful gift to us on Sunday… something we actually never thought we would see again…

(Well… that’s dramatic-much, but you get my meaning, right?) 
It was a gorgeous, full snowfall.  The kind that covers the ground AND the streets.  Our Nashville friends have been posting all kinds of pictures from their snow days.  And although we were happy for them, deep down inside, we were a little sad for us – we just didn’t think this area would get the kind of full coverage, snow-ball-throwing, snow-man-making, feet-sinking-down-into snow.  But we did!  It was SO pretty! 

And on top of that, we had a Snow Day from school on Monday.  We did the usual snow-day routine –  spent the morning in our PJs, drank hot chocolate, read books, watched tv… then we dressed and walked to the coffee shop where the whole fam spent a good part of the afternoon.  Thanks to ipod touches and the shop’s wi-fi, our children were content to let us visit and enjoy several cups of coffee. 🙂 
We took all kinds of pictures, but here is a favorite taken Sunday night.  The flakes were so big – it was like looking outside through a snow globe. 

The one thing we didn’t do this year was make snow cream.  Every other snow season I’ve attempted it, but unfortunately, it never turns out well.  I make up a new recipe every year, and we eat it because its tradition.  I decided to be merciful and not put my family through that ordeal again this year…Then someone posted Paula Deen’s Snow Cream recipe on FB.  Who knew?  By the time I saw her recipe – which I’m sure is delish, our snow had accumulated quite a few “yellow” spots (know what I mean?) and I lost my appetite.  If we ever get another snow like this one, the first thing I’m going to do is to grab some fresh WHITE snow and make her recipe for snow cream. 

So… In the spirit of sharing a great recipe, I’m passing on this P.D.snow cream recipe to my friends who might have snow again this year… and to those who live with it throughout the winter (most, of whom I’m  the sure, already have a great snow cream recipe they could pass to the rest of us.)  Enjoy… and remember… stay away from the yellow snow. 😉

Paula Deen’s Snow Cream Recipe

8 cups snow, or shaved ice
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Place snow or shaved ice into a large bowl. Pour condensed milk over and add vanilla. Mix to combine. Serve immediately in bowls.

PS: Thanks SO much for your kind and encouraging comments about our home.  We are so grateful.

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A little chit chat, this and that

How’s the first week of the year going for you?  Can you believe we’re already 5+ days into the new year???  Our children start back to school today (Wednesday), and I’m looking forward to seeing what God brings our way as we settle into a “normal” routine here in our new home in Cleveland, MS. 

Did any of you catch the live feeds of this year’s Passion Conference?  I’m still pondering many things I heard the speakers deliver… Especially Andy Stanley’s message.  I’m sure that one day soon, you’ll be able to google “Andy Stanley Passion 2011 Atlanta” and hear his message.  It goes right along with what God is speaking into my heart for my life and the lives of our family for this new year.  When I can process it better, I’m sure I’ll tell you all about it. 🙂  We gathered our children (12 1/2, and 14 around the computer Monday night and Tuesday morning to listen to the conference as a family.  How I pray that the truths our children heard at their ages will burn into their lives and make a true difference in the way they think and the choices they make from now on and forever!

Speaking of making wise choices… I’m joining Beth Moore’s LPM Scripture Memory team again this year, and am looking forward to bonding with over 7000 women committed to hide God’s Word in their hearts this year.  It’s not too late to join.  Just go to this post for instructions.  I’d love to go to the end of the year celebration… but at this point in my life, I can say that only The Lord knows the plans He has for me at that time… I’m having a hard time filling in my next week’s calendar pages.  Because…

Personally, I feel like I’m on the edge of something different coming into my life… but I’m not quite sure what it is.  I just feel like it’s {something}.  Ever felt that way?  I had that same feeling a few years ago, and boy, did God bring something different!  I feel like I’m still settling down from that huge life-change… but haven’t quite landed where I’m personally to be planted for a while.  Until God reveals it to us and opens those doors, I’m seeking to be content to wait and trust and appreciate what “today” holds, making the most of my time as it is.  (Of corse, physically, we have landed, PTL! …In fact… I’m working on a post right now with pictures of our new house and town.  Hopefully it will be ready on Friday!)

So, while I’ve got the time, I’m doing a little blog updating and cleaning up.  One day, I’d love a blog makeover… but for now, here’s the “Meet SmellingCoffee” page I recently remade.

I’ll always consider it a privilege and an honor to share life with each of you.

Hope you have a great rest of the week, sweet friends…
Jennifer

Meet SmellingCoffee Page 

Hi friends.  I’m so glad you stopped by SmellingCoffee.  I’m Jennifer ~ A daughter of The King, the wife of a wise and wonderful husband {who serves The Lord as a Minister of Education in the local church}, and the mother of two awesome early-teen-age blessings from the Lord. 

We have just recently relocated from Nashville, TN to Cleveland, Mississippi, and are adjusting to the joys and the changes of living in a small town.  We feel like we are fitting in well, and I personally absolutely L.O.V.E. it that we can get from one place to another in under 5 minutes!!! 😉  God has given us sweet new friends and new opportunities and new energy for this new life.  We are humbly grateful for where God has placed us and for His plans for our family as our children complete their “growing up” years here. 

2010 was a year of trial, testing, and tons of growth for our family, and God has graciously been Who He says He is to us – our Savior, our Leader, our Provider, our Protector, our Strength, and our Joy.  As we seek Him individually and as a family, He is pouring Himself and His Word into our lives.  Oh how I pray that we are receiving and learning and applying all He offers to us!

As we look ahead into 2011, only The Lord knows what lies ahead… but one thing we can know for sure is that whatever it is, God will use it in a way that will be good… Because that’s WHO He is… God is Good.  As I share from our daily lives about Faith, Family, Food, Fun, Life, Love, and Living it All through Jesus Christ, my prayer is that the fragrance of Christ Jesus will permeate all that is posted here, that God will be glorified through this blog, and that you’ll be blessed as you read it.

Thank you for being a part of my life.  I thank God for, and pray for each reader.  May this be all of our testimonies in 2011…

“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.”  (Philippians 2:13, NLT)

“And we know that that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Yea!… and Yes…Yes He does!!!!!

In Jesus’ joy… Jennifer

The Walker family ~ Christmas 2010 ~ Nathan (14), Abigail (12 1/2), Jennifer, and James

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The best New Year’s resolution that gives the greatest return every time…

And it can be summed up in 6 words:

Trust The Lord.
Obey The Lord.

Every thing else that we could think of to do or not to do this year could actually fall into this category.

Whatever it is that The Lord reveals to us to do or not to do – to start or to give up – to say or not to say – to think or not to think – If we would make it our goal to simply trust and obey Him, that one goal would cover everything.  Then no matter what it is, day by day, situation by situation, we would have success… because we would be smack dab in the middle of His will for our lives. 

We can never go wrong if our goal is to simply trust and obey the Lord.  That’s my goal for this year… And I’ve asked God to help me do it without any whining and complaining or comparing what is His best for us with what is His best for others. 

Trust The Lord.
Obey The Lord.

What about you?  What has The Lord revealed to you about your goal(s) for this new year? 

“This is God‘s Word on the subject: “… I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.”  Jeremiah 29:10-11 (The Message)

Happy New Year, and much love to you, my friends.  May the Lord be greatly glorified in all of our lives in 2011!

Jennifer

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1 CORINTHIANS 13 ~ A CHRISTMAS VERSION

Happy Christmas week, my friends! My friend, Sharon, e-mailed this and it was too good not to share. It’s a wonderful reminder for all of us as we strive to make this week special for our families and homes.

1 CORINTHIANS 13 ~ A CHRISTMAS VERSION ~
author unknown

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling
lights and shiny balls, but do not show love,
I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies,
preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned mealtime,
but do not show love,
I’m just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home
and give all that I have to charity,
but do not show love,
it profits me nothing.

f I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes,
attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata…
but do not focus on Christ,
I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.

Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.

Love bears all things,

believes all things,

hopes all things,

and endures all things.

Love never fails.

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust,

but giving the gift of love will endure.

Isn’t that wonderful?

Merry, merry Christmas to each of you!  I’m so thankful that you stuck around during the “lean months” and continue to visit SmellingCoffee.  I’m thrilled to report that as of this past Saturday, we now have 100% internet access in our home!  No more quick “borrowing” from a neighbor (grin) – and no more Blackberry thumb!  I’m very much looking forward to visiting around and catching up with my favorite blogs and cyber-friends.

As for what’s been going on in the Walker household, its been a fun filled weekend/early week with family visiting, Christmas baking, present wrapping (and unwrapping), and visiting with friends. But from today on, The Lord willing, the rest of the week will be calm and slow (which is an extra blessing, because the majority of our household is fighting a cold ~Yuck!).  We have big plans for family time, PJ time, game time, movie time, and quiet time spent with the Lord.

What are you doing for the rest of the week?  Whatever it is, I pray that The Lord will make Himself known to each of you and your households, and that you will have a very blessed Christmas weekend.

Much love to each of you~
Jennifer


 

The “Crawford” cousins on my side of the family –
Back row: Ella (2), Nathan (14), Hannah Grace (7), Abigail (12)
Front row: Zach (8), Will (6), Crawford (1), and Anna Beth (4)
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