Some practical help for these times

How many times have you heard an older person say, "Well, back in my day. . . "? 

Friends, I believe that one day we're all going to be telling our children and grandchildren about what happened back in the year 2020. None of us has ever before lived through a time like this. Sometimes it feels like the learning curve is really steep, doesn't it?

Yet in the midst of this change and uncertainty I am certain of this one thing. Despite our current circumstances, peace is available to us. God’s peace, that he gave us and left with us (John 14:27), hasn’t changed or disappeared

God's peace is still available to us, now, today, and always and it will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). 

This peace isn’t just waiting for us when this is over. It’s available right now and in these difficult times we need to grab hold of it and live in it more than ever.

Do you believe that? It's hard to believe right now, isn't it? But even when our heads are spinning with overwhelm, fear, uncertainty, and worry, I still believe these things are true.

We might just need some help finding that peace then holding on to it and living in it.

The PEACE in the PANDEMIC panel will help you do that.

I’m joining with some friends to share with you what they are doing in their hearts, homes, and families to find this much-needed peace and calm in the midst of this overwhelming and difficult time.

Join me and these amazing women of faith and learn how to replace fear, anxiety, and overwhelm with peace in your homes, your families, and hearts. We’ll also have a LIVE Q & A so our panel members can personally support and encourage you! If you’re able to attend on Friday when it’s live, you’ll be interacting with our panelists and other attendees in real time; our messages are not pre-recorded. 

Our hope for the discussion is to help you learn how to find peace in your heart, mind, home, and family and relationships. 

Want to get to know my the panelists? I’m linking to their amazing books and sharing their Instagram handles; I know you’re going to love them, their work, and their words. Clockwise from top left:

Niki Hardy (leading our panel discussion)
@NikiHardy

Robin Dance

@robindance.me

Me! Richella Parham 

@richellaparham

Rachel Pieh Jones

@rachelpiehjones

Jessica Herberger

@jessherberger

Ronne Rock

@ronnerock

The panel presentation will be live at 12:00 noon EDT on Friday, May 8. Can’t make it then? No worries! As long as you register at this link, you’ll be able to access the replay at your convenience, and you’ll receive a .pdf with key takeaways, scriptures, and prayers from each panelist. 

I sure hope to see you there! 

Meanwhile, I want to tell you about one thing that's blessing me during these days. I don't know about you, but I've been wanting to snack 24/7. Oh dear. So instead of ordering a case of candy bars (which I seriously considered), I've been making homemade granola each week. It's simple to make, delicious, and pretty good for you! 

I snapped a photo after I made a batch the other day. I wish you could smell it!

Here's the recipe (click here for a printable version):

Homemade Granola

3 cups rolled oats

1 cup sliced or slivered almonds (or whatever nut you like best)

1 cup coconut

¼ cup plus 2 Tablespoons brown sugar

¼ cup honey

2 Tablespoons corn syrup (or use more honey if you don’t like corn syrup)

¼ cup vegetable oil (I use canola)

¾ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine the oats, almonds, coconut, and brown sugar. 

In a small bowl, combine oil, honey, syrup, salt, and cinnamon. (Tip: use measuring cup to measure oil first, then honey. Honey should pour right out!)

Stir wet mixture into dry mixture. Be sure all dry ingredients are coated. (I use my hands for this.)

Spread mixture onto two baking sheets sprayed with cooking spray or lined with parchment paper. Cook for 1 hour 15 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. (In other words, bake this just like you bake party mix.)

When evenly brown, remove from oven and transfer granola to a large bowl. If you want to add raisins, dates, or Craisins, mix them in at this point. (I don’t add fruit, but I’m sure it would be tasty.)

When cool, store in an air-tight container.

Enjoy!

Now, go register for the PEACE in the PANDEMIC panel, and I hope to see you there!