Just a Thought...

So I went to Starbucks and got my tasty “grande iced green tea with two classic sweet pumps” and watched them put all the ingredients into an interesting tool, put a lid on it and shake it all up. Then they poured it into my cup and called out “Green Tea for Lela” and set it down with a big smile. As I drove away from a Starbucks date with an amazing young lady I started thinking (and we gotta watch out when I start thinking). “I just feel shaken up, Lela, all this change” she had said. And I thought, “But you don’t want all the syrup sitting in the bottom of the cup … Yuck!” See, sometimes life gives us crossroads – a place this young lady found herself. Every ounce of expectation was being shaken up. Change! Change of mind! But somehow that is how God refines us, by shaking us up to the point of utter dependence. Dependence on Him.

It’s like this whole Thanksgiving thing … the preparation for a HUGE task of cooking a vast meal (and to make everything hot at the same time!?). You have to have a strategic plan. Hour by hour, side dish by side dish, baste by baste. So what makes us think we will simply stumble upon our life’s calling and not have to struggle the thing through? To be a life of purpose there’s a plan involved … there’s cost. A treasure!

Who ever thought this walk with Christ would be so incredibly adventurous?

Turkey 101

I come from a long line of good ol' southern cooks. It's quite an exquisite trait to receive. I LOVE cooking. It's relaxing and fun for me. I love trying new recipes. I'm always making something new each week. (Not to mention, I have a sweet tooth the size of Texas! - So I'm always baking something ... like the other night, I was craving butterscotch so I made a huge tray of blondies, Mmmmm!) Artie laughs at my whims to get up during a TV show and start cooking something - but that's what I do for recreation - and he enjoys the outcome.

Well, to top off my hobbie - Artie's mom called us after the summer and said that they would come to us this year!!! (We typically go up to Virginia) So, Thanksgiving is going to be at Artie and I's new house! I am so excited!!! Since I love cooking and everything else around cooking: shopping, picking a menu, setting the table, etc. - this is no chore for me ... I'm thrilled to death! I am so old fashioned it's silly! My family tells me that I was named right - I was named after my Great-Grandmother Lela Lancaster who had a farm and a large family (and not only that, she's the one woman of my family heritage - that I know of - that is remembered also for her faith in God). What a blessing! I believe it's one of my gifts from the Lord.

So - in preperation, I went to a cooking class. I have never roasted a turkey before and am so excited about my first attempt. We didn't have a roasting pan - but a friend had an extra and gave us one (thank you!). I got an email about a free cooking class (which they NEVER have free cooking classes) from Williams-Sonoma. I made a reservation and invited my mom along, so she could whisper tips in my ear (she's one of those cooks I'm referring to). We had a blast! We watched, took notes, asked questions and (best of all) got a tasting! We ate turkey, dressing, cranberry sause, and pumpkin butter. What a delighful, different way to go have some free fun! We didn't spend a dime and had a great time!

Thank you Lord, for all the small blessings you give.

It’s a Boy…Brennan Anthony

For those that haven’t heard, our friends from church, John & Brandi, had their first child, a little boy … Brennan Anthony is his name. He is so sweet! He had the perfect little face! He was born a couple of weeks ago, on October 19th. A few of us friends went over to meet the new arrival. Poor Brandi, towards the end of her pregnancy, she just looked like she was going to pop. Whether this little guy knows it or not, he has lots of friends at church. In a hospital room full of people, he was just as relaxed as his mommy. Brandi looked incredible! Welcome sweet little one!


And now, for the rest of the 8 couples from church that got married within a year of each other – we know… the pressures on. Starting families is becoming quite contagious.

Bucs vs. Bengals ; Babylon vs. ‘Us’

Continuing in the McCall Family catch-up (I don’t know why I have gotten so bad at posting updates other than our busy schedule).

A couple of weeks ago, Artie and I had a surprise invite to attend a Bucs game with some friends: James and Tracy. One of James’ friends had won a raffle for tickets and won 10, first row, in the end zone tickets. Some one baled on them and we got invited (one of the perks of not having children …we can go anywhere on a whim). So – off we dashed after church to change and meet up with them. We had so much fun, and the other couples were also a lot of fun. Any time we get to spend with James and Tracy is so enjoyed … just a really awesome couple of friends!

Here are some photos…


On a more serious note, I did some pretty serious thinking while at the game. See, I’m doing Beth Moore’s latest Bible study, “Daniel: Lives of Integrity, Words of Prophecy.” Where she compares Daniel’s pagan Babylon to our culture today (not necessarily our nation, but our culture). This Bible study has brought a heightened awareness in me to the culture around me, and also kept the eternal perspective most important. As I sat there observing, I was just reminded at how much we need a Savior from the things our culture worships. Don’t get me wrong, I had a lot of fun and laughed and cheered. But, I’m thankful that everywhere I go … I am reminded of the meaning of life, Jesus Christ.