I plan to share the 24-day devotional on this account, so that as I post on Instagram and other platforms, people will have a place to follow along if they miss a day. You can always follow the hashtag #restinhimadvent to go at your own pace, as Advent 2021 began on November 28th, but some follow, beginning on December 1st. Whatever your preference, I pray you enjoy and truly Rest in Him.
When it’s so contagious, you want to spread it...
I’m talking about joy! How one local company has paved the way and caught the attention of the world.Â
Last month I came across Knack’s joy campaign on my Instagram feed, where they were declaring October 11th a national holiday to spread joy. Anyone could sign up to receive an email on the morning of the 11th from Knack and send one of the 800 gift boxes they provided to be shipped to anyone of their choice in the country. I was told this was created to overshadow the negativity everywhere, including social media and bring some joy to the world.Â
While I tried to be part of those 800 people, my young son had plans of us attending the actual event on Chophouse Row in Seattle instead. I gave him every excuse in the book on why we shouldn’t go, from traffic, no parking, not being the first 100 people in line to receive a box to gift, and much more. The favor of The Lord was on him, as we not only got a great parking space and arrived earlier than expected due to no traffic, but he also was first in line. I should have known the awesome God we serve is always in the details for the greater good.Â
I am glad my son encouraged me to attend Spread Joy Day, where I met some wonderful business owners, including the owner of Knack. It’s from there where I wanted the ladies of Breakfast in the City to go beyond the John 21:12 Project to impact hunger, but to spread some joy and love of our own. Especially as we enter the holiday season, which can be tough for various groups of people.Â
At our recent breakfast event, I included prayer cards and gifts from Bloom Daily Planner, where the ladies wrote notes to someone God placed on their heart and gifted them the planner. Sometimes it’s the smallest gesture, that can make a big impact. With that said, I am happy to announce that John 21:12 Project will be partnering with a great organization this holiday season to help those in need. I can’t wait to share the details publicly, and how you might want to get involved.Â
When God calls us to care for others, there are no ends to the efforts when you do it with God. Breakfast in the City isn’t just about women who fellowship and brunch once a month to discuss our faith. It’s just like Jesus said in John 21:12, “Come and have breakfast”, it was Him pouring out to His disciples and equipping them to serve others and spread the gospel. It’s the bible verse, in which God led me to that sparked the creation of Breakfast in the City and us women being His hands and feet, in which ever way we are called to serve others like Jesus did with His disciples.
Consider how your family can spread joy this holiday season, which can start by just checking in on someone and saying hello. You can send a greeting card, drop off a holiday treat just to let someone know you are thinking of them. Of course there are bigger ways to give your time, just do it with Christ in mind.
...we all scream for ice cream! Exploring Seattle for the sweet creamery treat.
After reading an article about a parent who takes her kids on walks through her town exploring ice cream shops, I knew I wanted to adventure around greater Seattle. Thinking our list would be about 5-10 shops, we ended up with over 25 ice cream shops on our list and still growing. Ice cream is my favorite dessert and I can eat it year-round, even in a cold climate. When I realized we hadn’t even put a dent in our list as Summer ended, I had no complaints about extending the ice cream journey, that could go well into the holidays. Mainly because Seattle has a lot to offer in the world of ice cream with new businesses venturing to town like Salt & Straw and Cloud Nine Creamery, plus new local spots like Seattle Freeze. Also shops change out their menu’s every month, so it truly keeps you returning for the latest flavor.Â
An ice cream shop I had wrote off previously, now has become my newest favorite ice cream shop. Just goes to show, that one month may not have flavors to your liking, but just wait a month, because they will introduce something new. The downside to that is that your new favorite flavor is limited, and will be exiting soon. Which is why I enjoy shops that offer pints.Â
Cupcake Royal offers pints where I tend to buy my groceries, but one item I will not find at my local Metropolitan Market is their Choco-Taco. It was limited edition this Summer for a week, taking scoops of their triple vanilla ice cream inside of a taco shaped waffle cone, dipped in chocolate and covered in sprinkles. It was amazing, but also something I won’t experience anytime soon until they open the vault.Â
My son experimented with vegan ice cream for the first time at Sweet Bumpas and instantly fell in love. Though we don’t mind chasing down their cart around local farmers markets, it’s a convenience to buy scoops at their facility through the ice cream window on select days. Our family partook in the Daniel Fast this Summer, which is strictly plant based, so discovering plant-based ice cream shops, such as our visit to Sugar Plum was a special treat. Still on our list is Frankie & Jo’s, per so many recommendations.
Featured below is the bubble waffle cone from Blank Space. They make their waffles on a griddle instantly, so your cone is served warm. You choose your flavors of ice cream and toppings of your choice, which include sauces, chopped candies, and so much more. We have similar bubble waffle cone ice cream shops on our list that we are still seeking to experience, such as The Moo Bar.Â
We still have close to 10 more ice cream shops to explore, granted if nobody recommends anymore to add to our list. If you find yourself on an ice cream tour with your family, it’s such a fun way to spend quality time and explore new places in your city. I can’t wait to update you with my favorite ice cream above all after we complete the Seattle Playdate ice cream tour.Â
...in the mind, the heart, and in what you eat. At least that’s how it seemed for Daniel and his friends in The Bible.Â
A few months ago, God called my family to fast and draw unto Him spiritually through His word. I had been preparing for such a time since the top of the year but was waiting for His direction. I debated on partaking in the annual fast a close friend and her church does every January, or waiting to fast during Lent season. I just kept praying for God to reveal His plan, and then one day in June He showed me I was to begin in July.Â
Once I knew when I was to begin, I sought The Lord on what my fast was to focus on, and begin preparation for myself and my family. I came across a book on The Bible App titled, “The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast” by Kristen Feola. It’s a combination between a 21 day devotional (hence why it was on the app) and a cookbook full of recipes with a meal plan for each day to help you conquer the 21 day Daniel Fast.Â
Between praying for direction, meal preparation, and gathering various reading resources for the 21 days ahead, I also mapped out local restaurants that fit the Daniel Fast diet, just in case I was ever in a pinch from cooking. Wow, I did a lot of cooking and surprisingly all of the meals turned out great to be plant-based. It actually opened up my families eyes to pay attention to the ingredients in our foods and learned about the plant-based diet. When you think of Daniel’s obedience to deny himself food from the kings table, to continue on his Hebrew diet, and we see what The Lord did through Him as He grew wise and looked better than any of the other men. Then we know, denying ourselves the things we may enjoy and spending time with Him through prayer, will begin the shaping and transformation that needs to take place in us for us prosper in the direction He wants to take us.
My easy go-to meal since it was also very hot during this time were jazzed up salads with oils for dressing. I visited Farmers Markers for their produce for salad toppings, and also burgers made from sweet potatoes, black beans, and quinoa with a side of french fries, which were potatoes cut up and baked in the oven, topped with herbs.Â
I’m considering another fast soon, which I why I posted about my experience for those seeking a deeper connection with Jesus Christ, who may be calling you to intercede in prayer for your circumstances, your family and loved ones, or believing for career moves or healing in your body. There are various reasons why people fast, and I actually kept a daily journal of my prayer journey and how God was right there with me. I pray you all the best if you decide to partake in a Daniel Fast of your own, and just remember, the more you draw unto God, the more you will forget about your food cravings.Â
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