#upinout

[gocommunities]

UP - IN- OUT Reflection:

UP:   Are people in your GoCommunity growing closer to Jesus in both knowledge and experience?

IN:  Do you see natural friendships forming both in formal gatherings and organic hang-outs? 

OUT:   Has anyone new showed up lately to your gathering?  Is there anyone in your GoCo that isn’t following Jesus but has questions and is open to spiritual things?

[placesharing-blog]

You need a night in: Pear Bacon Brie Pastries

  I dislike day planners so much, sometimes I intentionally abandon mine on the floor and choose not to rescue it from the baby's clutches.  I watch while she drags my plans by their pages around the room; a younger, less mature reflection of myself wreaking out my angst against appointments and timeliness. 

  For most of our marriage, Justin and I have swung between the extremes of choking our weeks full of endless activities and then quitting everything to hide out in marital hermitage (read: Netflix.) This month we are trying something new.  We're trying to plan our weeks based on balancing our evening activities between three different areas: our shared relationship with God, others and the community. We call it up, in and out. 

  On this in night in particular, Justin and I needed 'in' time.  Not just mindless internet surfing or watching Downton Abbey.  We needed to look each other in the eye and sync up again.  We needed pear, bacon and brie pastries.

Pear Bacon Brie Pastries

Pastry Dough: 1 1/4 c flour 1/2 c butter 1/4 tsp salt 4+ tbs ice water (as needed)

Filling: 1/2 lb brie wheel  3 slices of thick cut bacon 1 pear 1/4 c sugar 2/3 c water

Preheat oven 350 degrees F.  In a food processor, cut butter into the flour and salt.  Add ice water tbs by tbs until the dough forms a ball.  Roll out the dough 1/2 in thick and cut into 4" by 4" squares.

Slice up the pear into nibble-sized pieces and cook over medium heat with the sugar and water.  Allow the pear syrup to reduce down until the pears are soft. Cook the bacon until crisp and then crumble. slice the brie into 1 in thick squares.  

Place brie in the center of your dough squares, top with pears, bacon, and a few tbs of pear syrup. Then using a dab of water, pinch the dough corners together to form little purses.

Bake for 15 minutes, then remove and paint egg whites over the surface of your pastries.  Then place them back into the oven and cook until the pastry is slightly brown and the egg white coat is visible (about 7-10 more minutes.)   

You may resent planning and appointments as much as I do.  OK.  Just don't let that keep you from creating rhythms of intentionality with the people in your world.  Add a bit of bacon to your relationships and, with time, you can draw out all kinds of amazing flavors.