Cinnamon Granola w/Coconut

This is a great granola recipe. If you have never made your own granola I strongly suggest you give it a try- I promise you won't regret it!

It's great on yogurt, as a cereal, on top of ice cream or with fruit. It is so much less expensive to make yourself.

8 cups rolled oats
2 T Cinnamon
2 Cups flaked unsweetened Coconut
½ Cup Raw Sesame Seeds
½ Cup Golden Flax Seed
¼ Cup Cornmeal
½ Cup Raw Wheat Germ
1 ½ Cups Light Brown Sugar
½ Cup Water
1 Cup Oil
2 teaspoons Vanilla

Nuts are a great option
If you want to add raisins do so after it has cooled.

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine first seven ingredients.

2. Combine brown sugar and water in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to medium and bring to a boil; reduce heat to low and cook stir for 1 minute. Remove from heat and add oil to the vanilla.

3. Pour syrup mixture over dry ingredients, stirring to coat. Grease two 10x15-inch jelly roll pans and pour half of the granola in each pan, spreading evenly (do not press down though!)

4. Bake at 275 for 60-70 minutes until lightly browned and toasted (not burnt!)

5. Cool in pans on wire racks. Using a spatula flip granola in large chunks after 10 mins of cooling. When completely cooled store in airtight container or Ziplock bag.

I add nuts before baking and sometimes raisins afterwards.

Words...

I am very aware of how my words can and do affect those around me. What takes days, weeks, or years to build up, takes only moments for me to tear down. I love those God moments, when good seeds are planted without anyone ever knowing. This week God revealed a couple of those moments and how words impact our lives.

Thursday, as we were driving back from Precious Granny's, I realized my BFF was not going to be available to (do her usual bailout) frenchbraid Madison's hair for dance rehearsal the following day. I called another dear friend, who thankfully, has all those girly skills, and can frenchbraid. As this friend was braiding her hair I tried to explain how it looked previously. In the middle of our conversation Madison ran to her room and brought out a special scrapbook Laura had given her last year. Inside was the picture I posted above of the the two of them together. In the little scrapbook were some very sincere words of encouragement.

As Madison rehearsed on stage, I video taped. During rehearsal I try to get her by herself. It gives Madison a chance to see how she dances and how much she has changed over the year. At some point during the dance she walked towards the left side of the stage with her hand held out. The words to the song were "I will follow you" (those are words every mom wants and hopes for her children). A tear rolled down my cheek and I prayed very hard that would truly be her life long desire- "To follow Him".

With rehearsal over, we went to have our traditional dinner together (thanks for those words Michelle- you constantly challenge me in area of "making" special moments!). As we sat down, I asked if she wanted to pray, she did. She prayed (wonderful words) and asked God to remind her of what Laura told her last year (the words that are also in her scrapbook) "She was dancing for God". She asked for God to be glorified in her dance and that she would forget anyone else was there. Words she has heard from precious Laura. God has used Laura's words to plant seeds in Madison's tender heart. They are words that come from a sincere place that Madison has grown to love. This year Laura sacrificed her Friday nights to help with Madison's dance class. She is 15, and already knows what it means to sacrifice for others. I see it in how she serves her mother, her family,and others. She has been purposeful (with her words, and her actions)to pray for Madison, to seek her, or see and ask how she is doing. She has been purposeful in using words to help mold my daughter into who she is becoming. I don't think she quite understands the power of her words. As a Mom watching I know the effect she has on my daughter, I am ever so thankful for sweet words spoken by her and others to my children.

As I watched Laura on stage, I was aware (more than ever) of her love for the Lord. God has a special purpose for Laura's life! God has made me more aware of words the last couple of weeks, how they can be used for good and how harmful they can be. I think about my children and the words I use when speaking to them. Words that can lift up and words that tear down. How I desire control, more than I desire to bring glory to God. How I can place my desires ahead of what would bring glory to God!

I am encouraged and challenged by what God has shown me and the work he graciously so desires to do in me. I am thankful for "little friends" (who really aren't so little) who are living for God and the great testomony they are to me! I'm thankful for all the words God has shown me recently, and the ultimate word...His! I am amazed at how God can and does use them and how they can change lives. I pray God will continue to pierce my heart with His words and continue to show me examples of where my words may hurt and where they help.