Banana Pancakes.

Confession time. I love Pinterest. ::GASP:: Yes. I love it.

I've always been obsessed with color and interior decorating. But now my horizons have been furthered with recipes, more decorating ideas, organization tips, natural beauty secrets, wedding things (another dream of mine is to be a wedding designer-aka I design the look of the wedding-expecially the tablescapes and alter area) and many many more.

Notice I mentioned recipies. Below is my attempt at making a recipe that Taralynn posted and I eventually pinned.

I'm going to go into this with a few disclaimers:
1. I've been eating gluten free since August (with a few minor exceptions that involve family traditions.)
2. I'm not the best cook. So anything that went wrong I'm making assumptions about.
3. I haven't photographed anything in awhile so the pictures are...not my best. :)
4. I adapted the recipe. Which might be my first mistake.

So. I saw this and became really excited. A flourless pancake?! Yes please! A use for the old brown bananas?! Yes please! So here we go.

First. Put on a cute apron. (My mom got this one for me for Christmas!)

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Side note. Favorite flower of the moment. Thanks mom :)

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Ingredients! I used two farm-fresh eggs, two ripe bananas, some defrosted berries, a few chocolate chips, and a Tablespoon of flax seed.

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I find that coffee goes well with anything! First mash the banana, and then add the egg/flax seed mixture. Mash it all together until it is smooth-ish.

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Grease your pan! I quickly learned that I do not like using olive oil spray. But then you should be able to cook it like a pancake.

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Flip...like I said this wasn't the most pretty of food executions. Above is why I didn't like the olive oil.

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Then I switched to butter!!!!! I love butter. It flipped easier. Still fell apart. I honestly should have made smaller pancakes. Seriously. Impossible to flip. Maybe upon further experiments it'll get better. Just be okay with having ugly pancakes and you'll be fine. :)

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The finished product! I drizzled honey on top. Delicious. 

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Okay so here are things that might have factored into my not cute pancakes. I added flax seed. The bananas were super ripe. I wonder if using less ripe ones would be better? The pan was also not super hot when I started. I kind of want to try this but in a baked form. Cook it for a few minutes on the stove and then throw it in the hot oven for a few minutes. Might be great! I also might try two eggs and only one banana. And some toasted sliced almonds. And sprinkled cinnamon on top.

I have to say, this was a great way to get protein and fruit. I thought it was quite tasty and I would love to try it with other fruits!

In trial, in life.

I love my church. I love how the scriptures are taught clearly every week. I love the community and fellowship that takes place. I've been going to Harvest over the past year–and I have to say–it has been quite the blessing in my life.

This past Sunday was a message I needed to hear–mainly the part about what God is asking of us. The whole message was called, "God With Us: In Trials." Click to listen for yourself! Listen Here!!

I wanted to unpack one section of the message.

3 Things I Know God is Asking of Us in Trial:
1. Turn to the Lord (Psalm 56:1-2)
2. Feed on His Word (Psalm 56:3-4)
3. Walk in Fellowship with Other Believers (Galations 6:2)

What I got out of it: First of all–I want this to be my life daily. I daily want to be seeking the Lord through prayer, scripture, and fellowship. Not every single day of my life will include that. I know this by looking at my track record. But, I do think it is something worthwhile to pray for.

[I have heard the more you do something, the quicker it becomes a habit.]

"Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me; all day long an attacker oppresses me; my enemies trample on me all day long, for many attack me proudly. When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?  "  Psalm 56:1-4

READ that scripture. Read it. I keep reading it. It applies to so many areas of life. Are you stressed about work? Give it to the Lord!! Is school getting you down? Give it to the Lord! Is a friendship/relationship letting you down? Give it to the Lord!!! We shall not fear the things of this world. God is for us! Also: read your Bible! [I know everyone says this, but seriously, it's important. I keep realizing this more and more in my life how important it is. I wish I was more serious about it, and I wish I had been more serious about it sooner. But hey, you learn from your past.]

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Galations 6:2

I used my handy iPhone ESV app to look up references for this verse. Look them up if you want! Just click on the links. :D

Romans 15:1, 1 Thess 5:14, Galations 5:14, 1 John 4:21, and John 13:34. 

Basically this: LOVE each other, lean on each other, let people lean on you! But always–put Christ at the center and ask for His strength and wisdom.

Wow. Hodge podge blog post. It's been awhile.
I want to blog more about what I learned during the study Nancy Leigh Demoss wrote called, "Seeking Him: Experiencing the Joy of Personal Revival."

:)

empty.

I have this struggle right now.

The semester just ended. I suddenly have loads of free time–minus the having a job thing–and I just feel empty.

This past semester has literally been one of the most difficult I've had school wise. My classes were challenging, being a "young designer" was challenging, and the never ending load of homework was challenging.

Towards the end of the semester I just started being consumed by the homework. Consumed. I was skipping Bible study and neglecting things just to finish my homework.  Now I'm at the end of the semester, with only one more ahead of me. And I just feel empty.

In this moment it's as if all this work I'm doing is just for a grade, for a piece of paper, for the credibility.

Colossians 3:23 says, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for man."

Am I doing that?

It doesn't feel like it.

I need a perspective change and a heart change. I need rest in the Lord. I need to seek the Joy that only comes from knowing Him.

I'm tired. I'm weary. I'm exhausted. I'm vulnerable. Yet Jesus says this in Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

The Lord will not forsake me. Moses speaks these words to Israel in Deuteronomy 31:6, "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you."

So many beautiful and amazing promises in Scripture.

Time to stop, and rest.