God & Transportation

Have you ever had moments where you were overwhelmed with need and had no idea how you were going to stay afloat?

2013 started out this way for us. We received word that our oldest daughter was going to need some extensive dental work and both of our cars needed expensive repairs. On top of that we had some home repairs that needed attention.

We had no money to pay for any of these things (seriously, we had zip) and so we did the only thing we knew to do - pray and trust that God would take care of the details.

Long-story short, God answered those prayers in ways we never expected: we received an unexpected gift in the mail providing a portion of the cost for our oldest's dental work. Friends gave of their time, knowledge, or lent us supplies to tackle the house projects. But the most touching gift came in how God provided a newer, more reliable mode of transportation for us.

OUR NEW FAMILY VEHICLE - COST 100% PROVIDED FOR US

To be honest, my husband and I doubted that God could provide such an immense need as a vehicle (in our case, minivan). Friends organized a month-long fundraiser and asked those who knew us to give as God prompted them. We did not know the names of every person who gave (or even what they gave) but by the end of the month we had enough to purchase a pre-owned minivan in excellent condition (see photo). Every single penny that it cost to buy the van, pay the taxes and register it was provided!  We are speechless at how God meets our needs (and then some), even when we doubt what He can do.

I don't share this to brag, but to encourage those who read this to trust God with the small and the big concerns in your life. God is far bigger than your greatest need.

Chocolate Avocado Truffles | Nut-Free, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free

Don't just a recipe by it's name. Trust me, one bite of these truffles and you won't believe that avocado is in them. The avocado adds a creamy flavor without having to add milk. This recipe also contains no eggs, nuts, flour or gluten, and it is made with whole/real-food ingredients!

What You Need

1 stick (1/2 cup) of real butter (not margarine)

1 large, very ripe avocado

1.5 tsp pure vanilla extract

1+1/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder

3 cups powdered sugar (here is a great recipe for unrefined powdered sugar)

What You Do

Step 1

Peel avocado and remove pit. Place in blender or food processor.

Step 2

Melt butter. Add to avocado. Puree until no chunks remain.

Step 3

Add pureed avocado/butter mixture to a mixing bowl. Stir in vanilla, cocoa and powdered sugar until thoroughly combined. Let chill in refrigerator until hardens, about 15-20 minutes.

Step 4

Once chocolate has hardened remove from refrigerator. Roll portions of chocolate mixture into 1/2"-to-3/4" balls (a mellon baller works nicely). If chocolate mixture softens place back in refrigerator until hardens again. Place on wax paper or parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. 

Step 5

Place truffle balls into refrigerator until firm. Remove and roll truffles in powdered sugar to lightly coat the outside (optional). Store, refrigerated, in airtight container until ready to serve. Can serve chilled or at room temperature.

No-Sew Painted Curtain Tutorial

I needed some curtains for under our bathroom vanity, but I dreaded having to shop for them. I found an old pair of stained white curtains in our house and breathed new life into them (and I didn't sew a thing!). 

Read on to see how I did it.

Step 1: Gather your materials.

Step 2: Measure the length of curtain you will need. Cut curtain from bottom hem, 4-6" longer than the length you need.

Step 3: Cut curtain. Then go back and mark half of the extra length you cut, measuring from the cut end of the curtain. For me, I cut 4" extra so I marked 2" in from the cut end of the curtain.

Step 4: Fold curtain end over at marked line and glue. Make sure you add a thin line of hot glue just under the portion of the curtain that is cut so that enough space is made to slide the curtain through.

Step 5: Use painter's tape to mark areas of curtain you want to remain the original curtain color. Some people stencil in designs or create a chevron pattern. For these curtains I used a basic stripe pattern. A helpful tip: extend the tape beyond the curtain and onto the work surface to help stabilize the curtain and prevent shifting.

Step 6: Paint the curtain. I used gray acrylic paint, applied with a paint sponge. Make sure you give a healthy coat to avoid streaking. Also make sure you have something placed under the curtain to protect your work surface from paint that make soak through the curtain. For my project I strategically painted over the stained parts of the curtain.

This is what it should look like. Not very pretty yet.

Step 7: Allow curtain to dry. Once the curtain is dry slowly peel tape off the curtain.

Here is the finished product! Because I already had the curtains on-hand, my total cost for this project was a whopping $2 (the cost of a bottle of gray paint).