Simply Scrumptious!

It is chilly, brisk, and rainy outside in Nashville today. But, inside the golden walls of my kitchen, it is warm and toasty...literally. To the beat of my Pandora stations, and with the aroma of sugary white chocolate spreading throughout the house, I am baking these balls of Oreo and cream cheese deliciousness!

The recipe is super easy, the taste is ridiculously delicious, and they're quite fun to make. Here's the easy cheesy recipe:

• 1 package regular size Oreo cookies, crushed
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 package white almond bark
• 1 package chocolate almond bar

1. 1Using a blender or hand held mixer, mix Oreos and cream cheese together.
2. 2Roll into walnut size balls.
3. 3Chill for an hour.
4. 4Melt approximately 3/4 package of white almond bark.
5. 5Stick a toothpick in an Oreo ball and dip it in the melted white almond bark.
6. 6Allow to harden on wax paper.
7. 7Takes about 15 min.
8. 8While waiting, melt about 1/4 package of chocolate almond bark.
9. 9When Oreo balls are no longer sticky to the touch, decorate with drizzles of chocolate and white almond bark.

*I just use a sandwich bag with a tiny hole cut in one corner to drizzle the almond bark.
Finally, take a break from Thanksgiving preparations, eat one of these babies, and slowly slip away into a sugary coma...
Tomorrow we are celebrating Thanksgiving at my cousin Kristi's house. I can't wait for my family to try these scrumptious balls!
What simply scrumptious desserts are you baking in your kitchen today??? Please feel free to share your recipes in the comments section!
Happy Baking!

DIY: Mini Message Board

Here's a "Do It Yourself" project I created for this beautiful couples' outdoor wedding reception. It's fun, easy, and adds a sweet touch to any event or home!

Here's what you'll need:

1 wooden craft frame (8x10 displayed)

1 thin canvas (size fit for picture frame)

1 sheet designed scrapbook paper

Chalkboard paint

Acrylic paint (gold)

Wooden monogram letter

Vintage buttons (love to find these at the local flea market)

Hot glue

Scissors

2 wide paintbrushes

Step 1: Using a wide paintbrush, paint a thick layer of Chalkboard Paint over the canvas. (This must set for one hour before applying a second coat, so complete this step immediately.)

Step 2: Using our color of choice (shimmering gold pictured), apply a thick coat of metallic paint over your wooden craft letter. Allow time to dry.

(I used the letter "M" to represent the Happy Couple's last name.)

(Our three leading characters: Mod Podge, Chalkboard Paint, and Shimmering Gold craft paint)

Step 3: Measure and cut the scrapbook paper to fit the four sides of the frame. Using a thick coat of Mod Podge both to adhere the paper to the wooden frame and also to add a glossy finish to the surface of the final product.

(*Don't forget to apply a second coat of chalkboard paint to the canvas after one hour's time.)

Step 4: After the Chalkboard Paint has completely dried, remove the glass from the frame and carefully insert your chalkboard canvas.

Now is also the time to add the cutesy decor- the golden monogram letter and the vintage buttons. To make things simple, these may be adhered with a hot glue gun.

And, vua-lah!

A charming, hand-made, easy-on-your-pocket message board that adds a personal touch to any scene!

At this particular wedding, we placed the mini message board on the couple's wishing tree table.

I also created a mini message board in my home's entryway. Today it reads, "Be Joyful Always" to remind me what's really important these days.

What do you think?

Let me know how yours turn out!

Fall. Break.

Fall. Break. It's finally here.

I could not be more excited about this week-long break. A break from waking up at 5:45am (well, what should be 5:45am), working 12+ hour days, and living a routine work week. Saying that lately life has been hectic would be an understatement. (But, isn't life always?) Let's just say that I am going to catch my breath this week. And I cannot contain my excitement.

Here are my plans to really soak up this time off and enjoy my absolute most favorite season- fall:

Wake up after the sun does for a change.

Slowly sip my coffee while studying The Word. (I am feeling convicted as of late for my lack of knowledge of Old Testament stories. I am reading some for the first time, and re-reading others that it may as well be the first-read.

Clean my house. Thoroughly this time.

Then make a mess in my kitchen- my pretend "craft room". I have already purchased my craft project materials, and I can't wait to get started!

Ride my bike. For longer than 10 minutes.

Lunch dates that don't involve cramming in food then racing back to a raging school cafeteria.

Reading Radical so I'm finally caught up with my small group.

Invest in my Senior High girls' group.

Perhaps delve into some professional development reading.

Pedicure with Liz before the big day! (My toes' current situation is sad.)

Carve a pumpkin.

Drink warm apple cider.

Grade some of my students' writing papers. (Ugh, I know. But because of wedding planning responsibilities, I'm currently behind, People.)

Craft some more.

Blog. Blog. Blog.

Memorize scripture. I've been slacking!

Take a long walk. A few long walks.

Cook dinner for friends and invite them over because it's just been way too long. Send them home full and happy!

Create a real craft station so I'll prevent future Mod-Podge spills on my kitchen island.

Prepare and deliver a meal for friends having their first baby this week. Hold and kiss their baby so they can enjoy a meal together!

Spend time with my mentor- in prayer and encouragement.

Eye doctor appointment. Contacts much needed.

Diabetes doctor appointment at Vandy. (Hmm...lunch out?)

Watching movies; some old classics and some newbies I haven't yet viewed.

Spend an afternoon running errands with my Grandmother. You know, the usual: Sally Beauty Supply, Kroger, gas station, Dollar Store, and Taco Bell. These are her hot spots!

Bake for my neighbors.

Laugh with my cousin coming in from Georgia. I need some real cousin time, and laughing until it hurts is always a given!

Craft some more.

Stay up late with friends like I'm not an adult working a full-time career.

Possibly camping???

Sounds like I'll be resting a lot, huh?

Truth is- I'm not much of a napper. I'll definitely catch up on some much needed sleep, but more importantly, these hobbies are what keep me "alive". At the end of my "stay-cation", I'll be refreshed, rejuvenated, and... less scattered. :)

If you had this week off of work, how would you spend your days?

Learning

As I am writing this, I am sitting down (for the first time today) in my favorite chair, sipping a cup of steaming hot chai tea, watching the setting sun slowly disappear, and taking in the last bits of today. This is my favorite part of the day, and yet, it seems to melt away entirely too quickly. Sure there is a million items on my "to-do" list. But for right now, for this moment, I am choosing to stop and breathe it all in...

I feel as if during this season of my life, I am in school with God. In some areas, I am blossoming through my junior year. In other areas, I am maturing through about 7th grade (you know, the awkward years of zits and braces). Yet still in others, I am only merely in 3rd grade, taking tiny steps and totally relying on my Father for my needs. The most vital part is that I am growing, and I am learning.

Throughout the craziness that this season brings- every bite-size morsel- I believe God is teaching me. The irony is that I am an educator, and it is my career to teach children. But my Spiritual Life longs for more- more learning, maturing, and growth. My relationship with my Creator beckons for my heart and mind to be stretched. This requires me to submit as a student of the Word.

I do not feel as if my current life circumstances are permanent, rather they will last for only a season. He is preparing me...for something. For what, I have no idea. And I may have no conception of when this change will commence. Of one thing I am certain, however- I want to be right where He wants me to be. No, I need to be right where He wants me to be. I want to be so in tune with His will that I cannot discern His desires from my own. I desire to be so deeply rooted in His Word that I can clearly hear His voice. I am determined to live a life that is pleasing in His sight. This begins now- with the position and opportunities He has provided me with today.

The reason I am writing this is simply because this concept of being "in school" with God has been on my heart. I am so thankful for the patience, and love, and grace, and mercy that my Teacher offers freely every single day. I am so thankful He does not throw chaos or confusion at me and passively stand-by to assess my response. My heart is full of thanks for His ever faithful leading and guiding...no matter how many assignments or quizzes I may fail without truly recognizing His instructing.

May we look upon each other with loving and graceful eyes. May we continually lift one another up; encourage one another with righteous acts. May we realize that we are all merely students, each at various levels, but all seeking and learning together.

Where did the time go?

Blogging has been pushed to the back-burner lately. I blame several inconveniences for ignoring this new hobby: having sketchy internet signal at home (probably because I still "borrow" signal from my neighbor's wi-fi), surviving my first year of teaching and completing it with my head above water (after swimming through piles of end-of-the-year assessments and paperwork), entertaining my ever-so-lively mom in my house for nine jam-packed days, and then welcoming summertime by vacationing at the lake. Now, none of these reasons have been negative reasons, but the desire is mine to update my blog. And let me assure you, there is A LOT of updating to do.

Let me start with this thought- I am stunned, and still in somewhat disbelief, that it is currently the middle of June, 2010. Where on earth did the time go?!?! I feel like I just began my first year of teaching. I can still feel the nerves and excitement as I prepared to meet my students for the first time. And now, two weeks have already passed since I watched them drive off in school busses, wiping tears fromboth my eyes and theirs, saying goodbye to many of them for the last time. Where did the time go?

I have already returned from vacation at the lake...actually, I returned almost a week ago now. We planned the trip for weeks, psyched ourselves up for it, and now it has come and left us (with many fun memories, no doubt). Where did the time go? Parker and Jordan completed their first year of college. Say what?! That one still gets me. They are traveling for TNU this summer, leading worship in camps across the Southeast Region. They are challenged with decisions to be made over questions resulting in huge impacts on their futures. Really? Where did the time go?

Recently it seems that as I see friends, more often than not we are saying, "Where have you been? It's been too long! We need to get together!" By the time we do get together, we realize just how much "life" has occured since our last meeting. Where did the time go?

Life is crazy. Life is busy. Life is short.

I am an active person. I experience difficulty in saying, "No." I am overcommitted, but truth be told, I enjoy living life that way. I love to stay busy and live life hands-on. However, I am coming to believe that this is not actually what God intended when he gave me breath to life and to live it abundantly.

Last week, as three good friends of mine and I spent a week relaxing, being lazy, and having fun on the lake, I had an epiphone- this is what life should be like. Not just on vacation, but there should be glimpses of this rest, relaxation, and enjoyment in our everyday living. Wow! Rocket science, I know. Therefore, this summer, I am going to fully enjoy the two months summer break that accompany my teaching career.

I realize that life is not always as perfect-perfect as it is during vacation, but after such a whirlwind of a year, experiencing many changes, challenges, and blessings, I am intentionally going to take the time to just...be. To breathe. To read. To listen. To laugh. To rest. To create. To grow. To love. To experience life the way God intended for me to live.

At the end of the summer break, I do not want to be haunted by the question, "Where did the time go?" I desire the feeling that I embraced the summer months; that God stretched me, taught me, and prepared me for this next chapter.

Life is crazy. Life is busy. Life is short. But, even as cliche as it sounds, God is good. He is sooo good. I'm anticipating this time to enjoy Him.

(And as long as my...ahem, my neighbor's...internet remains faithful, I'll be able to blog about it.)

What are your summer plans?

It's the Simple Things.

In my life, the simple things seem to bring such an abundance of happiness. Everyday, ordinary things bring such unexpected joy into my journey. Repeatedly, I am realizing the importance of taking the time to meditate on and be thankful for things such as these:

Sunshine warming my skin.
Wind blowing through my hair without a cloud in the sky.
A few extra seconds in the morning to sip on my coffee a little longer.
The aroma of something baking in the oven filling my house.
Creating something beautiful for my house.
Cooking delicacies (or easy dinners) for my friends.
My students greeting me with big smiles and tight hugs.
My students experiencing a break-through moment.
My favorite song (or one of them) playing on the radio.
Hand-written cards.
Unexpected evenings spent in the company of good friends.
Planned evenings spent in the company of good friends.
Talking to my mom on the phone multiple times throughout the day, and laughing harder with each conversation.
Receiving encouragement and advice from my Granny and Grandmother.
A text saying someone's thinking about me on that day.
Listening to one of my dad's three minute long voicemails and hearing love in his carefully planned words.
Good hair days.
Realizing my brothers and I live in the same city again, and stopping by just to see them.
Singing with my extremely talented brothers.
Reading a book that moves me through its words.
Feeling my Maker's presence surround me, from the first steps of the day until the last.
Meeting genuinely sweet people.
Cooking in my kitchen while blaring jazz music.
Reliving traveling adventures by flipping through pictures.
The setting sun peering in the windows.
The Living Word reviving me with my Father's words.

What simple things bring happiness to your life? Take the time to be thankful for these things.

Morning

I love morning. There is just something about waking up to a brand new day. I especially love being the first one awake. In the stillness of the house, while the rest of the world is sleeping, I am ushered into God's chamber. I thank Him for a restful night of sweet dreams and for His continued protection. I thank Him for blessings so abundantly flowing into my life that I am entirely undeserving of receiving. I breathe my friends' and family's names in prayer, and pray a special blessing over them. I thank my Heavenly Father for His amazing love and grace that He offers anew every single day. I must remember to merely ask. Therefore, I humbly ask that He continue to walk this journey with me. "Please give me Your grace today," {some days I must request a little extra (grin)} "and fill me with Your love so that in my presence Your love abounds, everywhere I may go, whomever I may encounter."

I was not always enamored by morning. Don't get me wrong- I love my sleep! And honestly, in the midst of a busy week and waking up extremely early for work, this peaceful rising does not usually occur. However, a noticeable difference extends throughout my day when I begin the day with my Maker. Rising early each day to spend time with the One who makes each day is something I am striving for.

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." Psalm 143:8

Attached are snapshots of my favorite morning visions: My kitchen ablaze with the morning light. Coffee (a "must-have") alongside toast and jelly. And my Word- my true bread for the day.

Voice

All my life, I have said, "I cannot discern the Voice of God. God, please speak to me and help me to know it's you." Lately I've realized that I do know God's voice. I recognize what It sounds like, and I know what He's saying. It's just that most of the time, I am too afraid of what He is asking me to do.

I am letting go of my fear; fear that cripples and makes me lame. I am laying the confusion down. If there is one element I'm experiencing, it is that our God is not a God of chaos. (A point spoken by my mother time and time again.) He gives wisdom and discernment to those who seek these things. Today, this is impressed on my spirit:

Seek.
And keep seeking until you find.
Listen.
With an abandoned heart.
Follow.
No matter how scary or how high the resistance may seem against you.
Trust.
Always.
Trust.

Deuteronomy 30:20
"and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob."

Battle

Have you ever been awakened in the middle of the night with a loved one's name on your heart, with visions of this person's face appearing over and over in your mind? For me, this is not a common occurance. I am an extremely hard sleeper, and I do treasure moments spent in my big cozy bed. However, tonight is an exception to the norm. I woke up about two hours ago with a dear friend's name on my heart. In my spirit, I could tell something just wasn't right. This person's face kept appearing to me, and falling back to sleep was just not an option. I stumbled downstairs, got some water, headed back upstairs, laid back down, and finally realized I needed to go to battle for this person. I grabbed my sword, the Word of God, and headed back downstairs. After breathing this person's name in prayer, soaking this person in the Name of Jesus, I began writing what was on my heart.

Over and over right now, the words from Israel Houghton's song "Prayers of the Righteous" replay themselves, providing strength, encourgement, and a nice soundtrack to write along with. The lyrics are this:

"When we pray we believe we receive
What we ask in His name All things are possible
When we pray we tap into miraculous things
And victoriously we declare

That we know the prayers
Of the righteous availeth much
The prayers of the righteous prevail
Yes we know the prayers
Of the righteous prevail His love never fails
The prayers of the righteous
Availeth much
We are victorious
We are we are
You are miraculous
You are You are"

This song I sing over this dear friend tonight.

Recently I have been disturbed by my ignorance to my friend's needs. Sure, I try to chat with many of them on a daily basis. I check up on their days, ask how they're doing, even cook for them on occassion. But what my friends really need is for me to go to battle for them; to intercede on their behalf. I am reminded of this passage in scripture, Ephesians 6:10-13:

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything to stand."

The needs of my friends may be great. And everyone one of their lives encompass different circumstances and needs. However, one constant remains- God's POWER is GREATER than all we may face. No matter the circumstances, His power overrides. Stop fighting this battle by yourself. Pick up your sword daily and allow Him to fight for you. We are victorious because He is miraculous! I am absorbing these words as I type them.

Okay, I am finished preaching at you. For whatever reason, these are words placed on my heart tonight; I am only trying to convey their message. I pray this blog fills you with encouragement. If life is difficult at this point, know that this season of life is not the end for you. It is just the beginning. This will be your testimony. But pick up the Word, our sword, and rely on His power to fight for you. And know that I am going to battle right alongside you.

Most Magical Place

I have always held a strong love for Disney World. There is just something truly magical about this place! From the moment you arrive-from riding the monorail, arriving at Main Street, smelling the popcorn, and then turning the corner to see Cinderella's castle- one can't help but feeling the magic. I have always dreamed of celebrating my birthday at Disney Wold. However, due to the incredibly priced tickets, this has never come a reality...until now.

Thanks to Disney for offering a free ticket to anyone on their birthday, and thanks to Manatee High School's chorus department for providing free tickets for the rest of my family, we spent the day living up the magic and enjoying being together. Not only did I get to enter Disney for FREE, but they also pinned a birthday pin on me. Anytime I past a cast member, he or she greeted me with a smile and a "Happy Birthday, Mallory!" This may be a selfish confession, but I never tired of hearing this. Ha! Birthday advantage also took us to the FastPass line at Space Mountain even though they were out of these shortcut passes. We only waited in line for 15 mins. rather than 2 hours. On top of all this, one of my best friends, Nicole, drove down fron Nashville to be with us on this specia day. It meant so much to have her there. She's been the sister I never had since I was 4 years old.

The day was truly great- riding, laughing, and enjoying being with one another. And then, the best part of the whole day...the parade and fireworks. What a perfect culmination of the day! Despite the most frigid temperatures I've ever felt in Florida, we were captivated by the lights, music, characters, and tricks in the sky. Magic.

It may seem silly or elementary to be so enthralled by an amusement park, but that was just a mere part of the joy for me. I got to spend the day with my family- the ones that I truly love and the ones that truly love me. I enjoyed seeing them smile, hearing them scream on the rides, and watching them enjoy the day just as much as I had fun riding rides.

It was a great day, and an even greater reminder for me to count my blessings. I think it's funny that my dream of being a Disney Birthday Princess didn't come true until I turned 23 (that's right... I'm old!), but I was nevertheless captivated by the day's magic.

Family on the Road

My four years of college at Trevecca Nazarene University were filled with numerous memories that will last a lifetime. It would not be possible to compile all of these memories into a scrapbook or something of the like. However, I hold these memories captive in my mind so that normal, everyday occurances may trigger a memory and cause a smile, or in some cases, an audible laugh to be released. This past summer created countless memories of this kind.

Last summer was my final summer traveling in EverPraise- one of Trevecca's public relations groups. Being a member of such a group involved singing in Nazarene church services and teen camps; traveling with 12 other people crammed into a 15-passenger van for long durations at a time; playing some intense games of poker and phase 10 in hotel lobbies til all hours of the night; tubing down a river weighing-in at a mere 60 degrees for 3 hours, and somehow surviving hypothermia; spending days on the lake in South Carolina water-skiing, tubing, getting tossed around on the water, and then contemplating the seriousness of a concussion; twisting braids in one's hair and never realizing it; almost getting eaten by a huge water snake; being spoiled with some of the most delicious home-cooked food one's ever tasted; playing with African children and then crying when they wanted to go home with you; "owning" a Best`Western hotel in Gainesville; getting stuck in traffic on the interstate for hours, running out of gas so being forced to ride with the windows down, and then pouring rain causing you to roll them back up...again stuck in traffic for hours; singing karaoke in a podunk town Applebee's and being rewarded with free dessert for your whole entourage; jamming to some last minute coffee bar music by your sultry sounding band; rocking teens from around the state of North Carolina during a night of pure, heavenly, music bliss; the Jonas Brothers; mooning each other outside of Chilis; mooning truckers on the interstate; fighting tears while trying not to laugh everytime a pastor prayed "help us to everpraise you"; creating goosebump-growing music with some of the most talented musicians you have ever, and may ever, work with; watching God change lives all across a region; experiencing God's presence in a very real and intimate way; living with, singing with, and growing with 13 of the strangest, funniest, and most talented friends; becoming a family on the road with them; crying when forced to depart; never wanting it to end.

Last summer was the best summer for all of these memories' sake and many, many more. Every time this crazy group of people reunites, the conversation is overtaken by recalling good old times and laughing hysterically at secrets of life on the road. I would not exchange my days as a member of EverPraise for anything in this world. Many of the relationship formed with people across the Southeast Region are still maintained today. But the relationships among EP and the Grace Notes will last a lifetime.

I love you all!