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