Take a look at the message that we received from Tom, a member of our JOY99 listening family, and his ‘God sighting’ at an Onion Stand in Hudsonville.
“Good morning friends.. yesterday I stopped in Hudsonville on Chicago Drive to buy one of those bags of onions on the roadside. Another lady was there and purchased one and I asked her if she had change for a 20. Seeing they were only five bucks, she looked in her purse and said no I don’t but I would like to buy these onions for you as my good deed today. My first time of being on the receiving end of something like this as normally I am on the giving end helping those who are struggling. Then, she said, “…with one condition. I would like to give you a 3 day challenge to listen to Joy99. I looked at her and immediately said BEST DAY EVER I love Tommy and Brook in the morning and have spoken on their show a few times. Obviously, this caught her by surprise. She then asked me if I would like to pray for JOY99, and you guys. So there we were, standing on the side of the road in Hudsonville, buying onions praying and lifting you up as always. GOD BLESS YOUR MISSION.
Keep an eye open for how, when and where God will show up. Even, at an onion stand.
Thought it was time once again to give you an update on how our dancing is coming. The Captain and I have been taking lessons at Arthur Murray. We’ve been learning things like the Merengue, the Hustle, Swing, the Waltz, the Salsa and some fancy turns within those dances! At first I was completely nervous, but after these few weeks, I feel like we’re ready to maybe possibly dance out in public!
So you’ve heard people say you shouldn’t eat raw cookie dough. But many of us have done it…and survived. BUT, many of us would rather our kids not eat it, am I right? Well since today is National Chocolate Chip Day, we thought we’d celebrate by passing along this SAFE to eat cookie dough recipe. And yes, it tastes like the real deal! So celebrate this important National holiday! (safely)
Ingredients
1 stick softened unsalted butter
6 Tablespoons light brown sugar
6 Tablespoons white sugar
1 cup plus 2 Tbsp flour*
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp salt
2 tsp pure vanilla
2 Tbsp whole milk
2/3 cup chocolate chips (I used mini ones)
Instructions
Cream butter, sugars and vanilla until smooth
Add flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon and mix
Add milk and mix until dough is firm and smooth
Fold in chocolate chips with a wooden spoon (or any other chip or nut, cranberry, raisin, etc.)
Cover and refrigerate
*If you’re worried about raw flour, do this: Spread two cups of flour on a baking sheet and bake for about 5 minutes at 350° F. Let cool completely. Then use the flour. You are killing off any bacteria.
This morning, Alan Seaborn from Winning At Home was talking about making yourself available to whatever God is calling you too, even when it is not on your schedule. Jesus himself was interrupted in his daily ministry of going from one place to another. That message resonated with me. I want to be available.
Today, I was in Meijer, and I began chatting with Doug. Doug is a greeter that I have come to know, and become friends with. Doug shared with me 3 things that he was grateful for today. He said, “Tommy, my Dad came through open heart surgery. I just celebrated my 10 month anniversary with my girlfriend, and I just completed my first year of seminary.”
Wow! Those are 3 incredible feats all on their own. But, the lesson that I learned, was that had I not made myself available for this conversation, I would’ve missed in this blessing of hearing Doug’s heart, and the JOY he was ready to celebrate.
Doug, thanks for sharing your heart in the produce aisle today. It again reminded me, do NOT rush through life without simply being aware that God could show up at any moment.
Several people have asked about the message Dan Seaborn, from Winning at Home, gave at Ridge Point Community Church over the weekend. He was encouraging mothers to not be so hard on themselves. Check it out below!
