Joy

It's New Years Eve and I am laying on the couch at 8:00pm. I am sure I can make it to midnight, right?!  Well, yes of course.
I have a lot to reflect on this past year, and to be honest, I am thrilled that 2013 is OVER. I have gone through some rough patches this year and am so ready for a new beginning. New Years reminds me of a scripture in the Bible, "The steadfast love of the lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning, great is Your faithfulness" Lamentations 3:22-23
This verse gives me such peace. His mercies ARE new every morning, even if things seem to be too big to conquer.
I have conquered a lot this year, and can say I am proud of myself. I got through the first full year of losing close friends, which at times I think about. I just sometimes wonder if I am ever on their mind too. I believe that God brings people in and out of your life for certain reasons.
I continue to be on an awesome track to great health. I know 2014 will bring a new me. That meaning my old lifestyle is over, and I cannot wait to see what God does this year in my life.
Late this afternoon, I took a long 2 mile walk around my neighborhood. It felt great to be outside, and I thought why have I been missing out on this all along? Forget the YMCA treadmill- I am walking outside!
Each New Year, I choose a Word of the Year. My prior church started this a long time ago. I have stuck with this tradition awhile now. This year, my Word is JOY. I have this canvas that my friend made for me, hanging in my kitchen above my stove. It will be a constant reminder this year to find Joy in life, and in all I strive to do. During the ups and the downs, I will find Joy and peace. This is something I have struggled with this past year, and I am making a point to change how I look at the small stuff, and even the big stuff.

In Romans 15:13 it says, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" 
This is such a great reminder as we head into this new year.
Happy New Year 2014! May you be a blessing to others, and find the Joy in your journey.

Mallory

Thumbprint Cookies

I have been tortured with sweets all month and I finally decided that on Christmas day, I wouldn't be left out while everyone was devouring desserts!

I went on a search and found a recipe for Thumbprint Cookies, using whole wheat pastry flour, and no refined sugars. I will be bringing these with me tomorrow so I can have a treat too!
I wasn't sure how they were going to turn out, because they are not your average cookie, and don't have all "the bad stuff" that makes cookies taste good. To my suprise, they are soooo good!! Here is the recipe if you are looking for a "healthy cookie" :)

Ingredients: (All Organic)

• 1 cup almonds or pecans
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1/2 cup expeller-pressed canola oil
• 1/2 cup maple syrup or brown rice syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 5 tablespoons fruit juice sweetened jam. I use Crofter's, because it's so good!

Preheat oven to 350°F. Put almonds and oats into a food processor and pulse until coarsely ground. Transfer to a large bowl and add flour, oil, syrup and salt. Stir to combine well. Roll walnut-sized balls of the dough in the palm of your hand to form each cookie, then arrange on 2 large baking sheets, spacing cookies 2 inches apart. Press your thumb gently down into the center of each cookie to make an indentation. Spoon a teaspoon of jam into each indentation.

Bake cookies until golden brown and just firm around the edges, 15 minutes. Transfer to a rack to let cool completely, then serve immediately or store between layers of waxed paper in an airtight container.