Monday Musing - Sharing Mom's Banana Bread

A couple of days ago I made a batch of zucchini banana bread in hopes of not letting ripe bananas and zucchini go to waste. This morning I sat down with a cup of coffee to savor every bite. I enjoyed the texture, smell, and taste... with a sip of hot coffee between every mouthful.(Message me for the recipe!)

As I was eating I had a flashback memory to the kitchen counter of my childhood home in Nebraska. My mom was pulling, what I would call, "the world's best banana bread" out of the oven. You see, when my mom made banana bread, the smells traveled to every inch of our house, inviting the whole family to the table. It was always best right out of the oven and made for a great gathering moment for us all to savor. My mom had a way of making bread that was firm and crispy on the outside and soft, butter melting on the inside. I have not come across a piece of banana bread that remotely compares.

Flash forward. I looked up from the table to see my baby Lily, nawing on her grapes and tapping her foot from the bumbo. Warm tears were a welcomed old friend as I have often pondered what it would be like for Lily to have the chance to meet, be held by, and experience my mom's banana bread in her kitchen. Another moment of gratitude and loss was so thick I was breathing in wet tears.

I thanked God for the glimpse of hospitality and adventure my mom showed me. These moments are always best shared with others and especially those of your family. As I learn more about friendship and being a mom/wife, one conclusion that I have come to is that our family is a unite. We will share in life's "messy" together.

I look forward to sharing coffee, toys, and banana bread with the community we find ourselves in now and in Bulgaria. Together we walk in the saving grace of our humble King Jesus.

Together. United. One mind in Christ. Sharing this belief-

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Have this mind among yourselves which is yours in Christ Jesus, who though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.(Philippians 2:1-2;5-8)

- Britney Sue Hagsten

Monday Musing - Mountains Seem So Big

Over Labor Day Weekend, Matt and I were able to unplug and travel up to the family cabin. It was time much needed for me to put my mind at ease with everything that seems to demand my time and energy.

As think about returning back, I am met with what seems like a mountain before us as we continue to raise support. 

It was like this familiar song lyric-

"The mountains seem so big 
and my faith it seems so small.
So hold me Jesus, 
'cause I'm shaking like a leaf.
You have been King of my glory.
Won't you be my Prince of peace."

I was comforted by how Jesus was with me. He has never left me, especially in my weakness. He's held me. I am in awe. 

Today I embrace the completed work of Jesus on the cross as my only hope for the transformation of my heart. He is worthy of my adoration. And He is the hope and adoration of the youth of Bulgaria.

Sometimes I think that God is taking us on this journey of support-raising to help me understand more personally and deeply the message of hope that we are bringing. And that I, each day, would hold fast to Jesus as the answer to every circumstance.

- Britney Sue Hagsten

Lily and the Canada Sunset

Nothing More Truly Artistic

I recently stated dabbling in a little bit of drawing and painting. My inspiration was a trip to Barnes and Noble and an in-store read of Anyone Can Draw. I've never had a great affinity for art but I do desire to take my elementary understanding and develop it. Much of my skills came from my elementary years with Mr. Beranek in the "art house" just out the lunchroom doors.

As a result of this new endeavor, I've started to see the complexity and form of objects around me. My eyes take in figures, textures, and dimensions and it has been a challenge to portray what my eye sees or what has been inspired in my heart.

There is something really special about an artist's creation. I remember in Mr. Beranek's class, everyone looked at the same thing, but how each person portrayed that object was different. It each artist's point of view in how he sees the world; his interpretation of beauty. I marvel knowing that we too are the masterpiece of our heavenly Father. He saw fit to form every detail, nuance, and quirk of each individual. From the seascape to the geckos in our front yard, the world is full of things that leave us in awe.

"I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people" - Vincent Van Gogh

I can see how, from the beginning, God was creating a tapestry of love. From the time of Abraham and his Son of Promise, to the birth of Jesus, our Son of Promise. This new outlook gives me a new appreciation and excitement when I read the bible. God has spoken with great intention and purpose to unfold beautiful picture of God's love for His people. Yet we still can not begin to understand the depth, height and breadth of this love. 

Truly loving another person is a struggle at times-- at times it means to let go, let the artworks shape take form as the person grows and understands love at it's purest form. Love goes beyond what is nessecary and takes it to a whole new level of self-sacrifice, forgiveness, and honor. Just as our example of art is in our creator, our example of love is found in our Savior Jesus. 

Discipleship is walking in His example of love and inviting/teaching others to do the same.