Blinded by the Light

The other day I was going for my usual evening run after work.  I got started a bit later that day so the sun began setting about my 5th (and final) mile of my run.  I was running without Allie Bama (thankfully) and had just stepped onto the road because the sidewalk was non-existent due to construction.  I was running as close to the edge of the road as I possibly could in an effort to dodge oncoming cars.  Over the course of a few minutes, the sun had managed to set to the perfect location in the sky- a location that blinded me almost entirely to what lay ahead of me.  Dangerous?  Slightly...I mean, I'm already trying to dodge oncoming cars with clear vision let alone being blinded by light of the sun!  My first reaction/thought to this predicament was annoyance and frustration.  I mean really?!  I'm on my last mile of my run and nearing a half mile from my house.  The sun couldn't have waited 5 more minutes to position itself in that exact blinding location? Geez!  I couldn't see a thing!  I tried squinting my eyes- no luck.  I tried running hunched over (as if that would help)- no luck.  I tried running faster- no luck (in more ways than one). I was annoyed.  And, it was dangerous!  I couldn't see cars approaching me.  All I did was pray that the cars would see me and avoid me. 


But then it hit me- and I had a complete paradigm shift. 
Yes, I was blinded by the light.  But why was I so annoyed by that?  Isn't that EXACTLY how we are called to live?  Shouldn't that be my prayer every single day?  Shouldn't I be asking God to blind me with His light and His will?  When I was blinded by the sun I literally couldn't see what was in front of me- nothing.  I had to trust Him with every step I took and all that happened around me.  I didn't have control.  
Instead of being annoyed and frustrated with it- I realized that I should be striving to be "blinded by the light" every single day of my life.  Blinded of my will and the will of others- blinded by His will alone.  I'm so thankful for this reminder!
Jesus, let this become my prayer. Let me be blinded by your light and your will- forced to trust you and rely on you alone. 


"I know, O Lord, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps." 
-Jeremiah 10:23


Verses About 'Light':
"He has redeemed my soul from going down into the pit, and my life shall look upon the light."  - Job 33:28


"For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light."  -Psalm 36:9


"Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling." 
- Psalm 43:3


"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."  - Psalm 119:105

Butterfinger Cake

Every Thursday night we have our high school bible study/small group meet at our house for a few hours.  We love this time of the week!  Unfortunately, this semester I've had online class meetings during this time so I haven't been able to participate much in our Disciple bible study.  I hate that I'm having to miss it!  But, I try to always have some good treats prepared for the high school students to enjoy and snack on during our time together.  I love to cook/bake, so I use this time to try out different recipes.  I tell them that they are my "guinea pigs"!  This past week, I found a recipe that was a success (and super easy).  Thought I would share it.... it's an easy one to make for the holiday season parties coming up!

Butterfinger Cake


1 box yellow cake mix, including ingredients to make the cake
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 (8oz) tub light cool-whip (thawed)
1 jar Smucker's caramel ice cream topping
4 regular sized Butterfinger candy bars

1.  Bake cake according to the directions on the back of the box.
2.  While the cake is baking, mix the milk and caramel topping until very well blended.
3.  When the cake is done and still warm, poke holes in the cake with a straw.
4.  Pour the milk/caramel mixture over the cake and allow it to cool.
5.  Sprinkle two candy bars over the cake.  (I froze the Butterfingers and then crushed them up while they were still in their package.)
6.  Spread Cool Whip over the top and then sprinkle the other two crushed up Butterfingers on top.
7.  Enjoy!

Tip:  I didn't have time to allow the cake to cool completely so I served this warm, but then chilled the remains.

It's Been A While....

Wow, it's been a while since my last post. Six months to be exact- that's half a year! Gosh!  Just wanted to post an update about what's been going on with the Rohans in hopes that I'll start blogging more.

Time has just flown by and life has been turning each and every direction for Ryan and myself.  Trying to stay connected to friends across the miles has simply taken the back burner (I know- I'm ashamed!).  It's not that we have forgotten about anyone- we still think of our friends and family daily and wish miles didn't separate us all.

God has been doing some big things lately (not that I'm surprised- I mean, that's what He does!).   Ryan is on staff at a church here in Bremen, GA as the full-time student pastor and we love it!  We love the congregation and we love our students in our youth ministry. We have seen such growth in so many of our students over the past few months- their hearts are truly on fire for Him, and it's beautiful.  I've started my educational specialist degree (and it's kicking my butt).  I'm taking two classes a semester, teaching full time, coaching, and helping out with our youth ministry.  I'm certainly learning a lot about time management! Preparation for the future? I think so!  Softball season just finished up for me so I have a break in coaching until February when track season picks up.  Basketball season has begun and Ryan is the assistant coach for our middle school boys basketball team and he's loving it.  He sure loves being out on the hardwood and he sure loves the students!  

I've included a few photos of what we've been up to.  I hope this will fill a bit of the gap since our last post 6 months ago!

On our one year anniversary cruise to the Bahamas

Cruisin'

Some of our middle school students we took to Big Stuf Camps

 in Panama City, Fl  this past summer

Opening night of our newly renovated youth room- students rockin' the new 6one3 shades

At a dear friends wedding in Birmingham, AL

 

Rohan's family vacation to Pigeon Forge, TN with Ryan's side of the family this past summer

BMS fastpitch softball team 

Worshiping at 6one3 on a Sunday night

BMS fastpitch softball team "pink out" game

Friday Night Lights!

Ryan was one of the BHS football team chaplins this football season

Ryan, his sister, and his niece at a BHS football game

Running the Atlanta Relay Marathon in October

Hanging out in Dahlonega, Ga a few weekends ago- we took a weekend mountain trip

Allie Bama came with us to the mountains for the weekend!

We hope each of you are doing well!  Stop in and say hello if you are ever in the West GA area!  Blessings to you!

National Day of Prayer

Today is National Day of Prayer…. I have included a link below to their website.  It provides some great information and history.  I’m so thankful to live in a country where I am free to confess my faith and pray publicly.  Check it out….

http://nationaldayofprayer.org/

I woke up today knowing that it was National Day of Prayer.  I committed to myself to be in constant prayer throughout the day (especially for those impacted by the recent tornadoes in the southeast).   I really did pray more than usual throughout the day; however, I failed at my commitment to be in constant prayer.   I hate to admit that out loud, but it’s true.  The morning began with a good start.  But, by the time my 2^nd class entered my classroom doors, I had forgotten about my commitment.  The day went by with a whirlwind of events, students asking questions, e-mails to answer, meetings to attend, lesson planning to accomplish, etc.   I started to blame my lack of commitment on all those things I just mentioned.  I even text Ryan asking him to pray patience over me.    I felt his prayers and it helped me to refocus on what matters most during the day- prayer.  Life happens, things come up, your attitude changes with circumstances that arise, fatigue sets in… it’s inevitable.  But, don’t you think Jesus felt all those things too?  He felt them all as he walked the path to give up his life for us.  The least I can do is pray to him.  Not only did he die for our sins but he died so we wouldn’t have to live apart from him any longer.  I GET to talk to the creator of the universe, I GET to pray to him.   Instead of beating myself up for slacking, I need to be thanking him for the chance to get to talk to him.  That change of thought will spur me on in my commitment to pray.  National Day of Prayer will come and go….. But really it’s not about one day on the calendar.  It’s about every day. 

Wedding Bliss

My family, Ryan, and I hosted a wedding shower for our very dear friends Andrew and Amy.  They are getting married this June and we wanted to celebrate their upcoming special day by fellowshipping with friends and showering them with gifts that will help get them off to a comfortable start.   Here are a few photos from the shower...

Words can’t express how excited I am for their wedding.  However, their wedding is enormously secondary to the excitement I have for the start of their marriage journey!  Here's why I'm excited...

Marriage is quite the “teacher”.  It teaches you a lot about life and even more about each other. I always heard that marriage was a reflection of Gods relationship with us but I never understood that concept until I said “I Do”.   It’s about choosing everyday to love someone despite what they did yesterday, today, or what they might do tomorrow. 

Ryan has taught me how to put my desires aside and do what is best for our marriage.  He has taught me how to enjoy every moment even if it wasn't exactly as I expected or planned for it to be, and he has taught me that devotion can break even the most stubborn (although I am still learning this).  Marriage forces you to be humbled and sacrificial.  And, it paints a more clear picture of Christ's love and grace for us with every passing day. 

I'm eager for Andrew and Amy's marriage journey to start because I'm confident that the Lord is going to grow them closer to one another and closer to Him through their union.  As they pack up and move states away, I can't wait to see how they rely on one another and start their own family under His provision and leading.  More than that, I can't wait to see how they bring people to Jesus through their marriage and ministry together.  There's nothing more beautiful than multiplying His kindgom for His glory through the act of love. 

Aren't they precious?

We love you Andrew and Amy and we can't wait to rejoice with y'all on your big day!

Key Lime Cake

"Sheesha" is the mother of two of my very dear friends.  She is a marvelous cook.  I wanted to share one of her absolutely delicious recipes..... it will rock your world!


Ingredients:

1 box white cake mix (Duncan Hines)
1 small box lime Jello


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Prepare cake mix according to directions on box. Mix in Jello. Bake as directed.


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Cream cheese icing


8 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup butter or marg.
2 teaspoons lime juice
2 cups powdered sugar (or more as needed)


Cream butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add lime juice and sugar. Add juice and sugar until you have the consistency you want.

Reliable Curiosity

If there's one thing I love about our Allie Bama, it's that she's reliable.  Allie lives to love and to please us.  She loves making us happy, she's always curious about what we are doing, and she longs to be near us wherever we go.  As I was cooking dinner for Ryan and myself this evening, Allie was under my feet the entire time.  If I took a step, she took a step behind me.  If I walked across the kitchen to get a spice out of the pantry, Allie followed. It's not even about the food- this continues all day long.  Ryan and I watched a movie together after dinner.  Allie layed beside us.  If I got up to get a drink from the kitchen, Allie followed.   When I'm folding laundry, Allie wants to see what I'm doing. You get the picture. While I was cooking dinner this evening, I got a little frustrated with her constantly being under my feet.  Yet, in my frustration it dawned on me... Allie is reliably curious.  She wants to be included.  She wants to be near us.  She wants to show us love.   A puppy dog can show this type of dedication to their guardian, yet I fail to show it to my Savior.  I began thinking about how Christ would view me.  Would he view me as dedicated as I view Allie?  Am I reliably curious about what God is doing in my life, around me, or in the world?  Do I follow behind him at all times?  Do I long to make him happy?  Isn't it awesome how God can use the simplest things, a puppy, to show us truths about ourselves?  It's my prayer and my goal that God would be able to say that I am reliably curious too.