-September 2023-

Comfort Food for the Soul

Monthly Encouragement to Bless Your Heart

"The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands."

Psalm 19:1

2013-2023. 50 states. Thousands of miles and memories.

Matt and I set a goal 10 years ago to see "50 States Before They Graduate".

We meant before Sam & Darby graduated from high school, but, since Sam graduated from Gardner Webb in May 2023 and Darby graduates from East Tennessee in May 2024,

we've decided college counts.

[Full Disclosure: My dad was in the Navy for 20 years before I was born.

He traveled the world. When I came along, he and my mom were ready to settle. I barely left our county until I was an adult! I wanted to see what was beyond the town limits, too!]

With limited vacation time (and money), the planning for these "Roller Road Trips" has been like a puzzle. Spreadsheets were my go-to for collecting the best routes and rates as we fit in as much as we could within our limits. From the first Google search to the last, these trips have been an amazing blessing to me.

Although all of the United States impresses with its diversity and beauty, we definitely saved the best for last. 

The grandeur of God's creation, from the majestic mountains to the pristine beaches, reminded us that God is the ultimate Artist. If this is the canvas He creates for Earth, can you imagine what Heaven is like?

Even though our days were filled with new areas to explore, we built in time for guilt-free rest. Relaxing on the beach and listening to the calming waves, reminded us of the importance of pausing in our busy lives.

Experiencing stunning sunrises over the ocean daily reminded us of God's perfect timing. As Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, He makes everything beautiful in its time. It reinforced our faith in His timing in our own lives, trusting that He has a purpose for every season.

Creation serves as a living testament to the glory and wisdom of our Creator. As we return from our trip, may we carry these lessons with us and continue to grow in our faith, trusting in His guidance and provision.

Laughter is Good Medicine

Proverbs 17:22

Why did the ocean

break up with the pond?

Because it thought the pond

was too shallow!

Teacher: Johnny, please use the words “letter carrier” in a sentence.

Johnny: Yes, ma’am. “My dad said that after seeing how many things my mom was bringing on vacation, he would rather letter carrier own luggage.”

Jacob: Why can’t basketball players go on summer vacation?

Riley: Why not?

Jacob: They’d get called for traveling!

More Jokes

Taste of the South

Healthy Southern-Style

Pineapple-Glazed Ham

with Grilled Pineapple Salsa

For the Pineapple-Glazed Ham:

1 bone-in, fully cooked ham (6-8 pounds),

preferably lean and low-sodium

1 cup unsweetened pineapple juice (no added sugar)

1/4 cup pure maple syrup or honey

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (low-sodium)

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Pineapple rings (for garnish, optional)

For the Grilled Pineapple Salsa:

2 cups fresh pineapple, diced

1 red bell pepper, diced

1/2 red onion, finely chopped

1 jalapeño pepper, minced

(Adjust to your preferred level of spiciness)

1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Juice of 1 lime

Salt and pepper to taste

For the Pineapple-Glazed Ham:

Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).

Place the ham in a roasting pan, fat side up.

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the unsweetened pineapple juice, pure maple syrup or honey, Dijon mustard, and ground cloves. Stir until the mixture is well combined.

Bring the glaze to a simmer and cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until it thickens slightly.

Remove from heat.

Pour about 1/2 cup of the pineapple glaze over the ham.

Reserve the rest for basting and serving.

Cover the ham with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours,

or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F (60°C).

Baste the ham with the pineapple glaze every 20-30 minutes.

During the last 10 minutes of cooking, remove the foil. If desired, grill pineapple rings lightly and place them on top of the ham for a healthier garnish.

Once the ham reaches the desired temperature and has a nice glaze, remove it from the oven and let it rest for about 15 minutes before slicing.

For the Grilled Pineapple Salsa:

In a mixing bowl, combine the diced pineapple, diced red bell pepper,

finely chopped red onion, minced jalapeño, and chopped cilantro.

Squeeze the juice of one lime over the mixture, and gently toss everything together.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

To Serve:

Slice the healthy pineapple-glazed ham and serve it with the fresh grilled pineapple salsa as a delightful and nutritious Southern-style meal. Enjoy the sweet and savory flavors without compromising your health goals!