Celebrating 2011

The beginning of a new year always brings so many possibilities. With twelve months before us, we have an opportunity to get in line with God's will for us, and we can watch Him unfold our lives like a beautiful flower, one petal at a time. We can do this by surrendering ourselves--spirit, soul, and body--to Him. We do this by seeking Him and His will for our lives every day through prayer, devotion, and the study of His Word. This doesn't mean that we'll never have difficulties, pain, or problems, but if we've given Him our all, we can know that He will be our Guide, our Protector, and Helper through any struggles we may face. We can walk in the awesome plans and purposes that God has mapped out for us in 2011, and we can have all the JOY, peace, and fulfillment that are ours in Christ. We may experience times when He says, "Wait. It's not the right time yet." Or, "I have something better for you." In either case, we can't lose, because we've put our trust in a God who loves us with a perfect love, and who has our best interests at heart! In any case, each day we have a reason to CELEBRATE!

As we cook, we can share our spirit of CELEBRATION and LOVE. God always opens doors for us to share our passion. It's up to us whether we share it. As we cook, we can pray for God's love and blessing to be on what we prepare. No one has to know that your "secret ingredient" is God's love, but they will know that something is "different" when they sit at your table; they will feel it, taste it, experience all the love you have put into the dishes you serve. If they ask you, then you can tell them! ("But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." 1 Peter 3:15)

Today, I am CELEBRATING the arrival of my second printing of cookbooks! YAAA! My first shipment arrived just after Labor Day, 2010, and with your help and God's blessing they sold quickly. I pray that many people were blessed by the recipes or something that was written within their pages. It is my hope and prayer that this second shipment will be a blessing to those who receive them and give them as gifts. Thank you to all of you who purchased from the first shipment! You had a huge part in making a longtime dream of mine come true.

The new cookbook is now complete with corrections (page 100 does not have my written-in edits!) and I would love to see someone WIN the first copy here on the blog. How about a January CELEBRATION Contest? You leave a comment on the blog; I'll collect your names (from the JANUARY COMMENTS) and put them in a drawing, and we'll see who WINS! Simple as that.

Next post will be coming soon with something YUMMMMY! Keep checking back and leaving your new comments. All January comments will be included in the drawing.

Love and blessings
Patricia