Treat.

{But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’"} - Matthew 4:4

{Shirt: MSRP via Goodwill // Capris: New York & Co. via Goodwill // Necklace: Flea Market // Shoes: Unionbay // Ring: Gifted}

Boy, do I have a treat for you ladies! This past week, I tried a new pinterest recipe that is to DIE for!

I was able to get 3 batches out of this one recipe, allowing me to take them to a party, give them to a friend for her birthday, comfort a friend whose grandmother passed away, and even leave samples for my family to try! I hope you sweet gals enjoy this delicious recipe just as much as we did!

{Oatmeal Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies}

For the cookies:
• 1 cup butter softened
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 ½ cup brown sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 ½ cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup oats
For the filling:
• ¼ cup butter softened
• ¾ cup peanut butter
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup flour
• 5 tablespoons milk
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup mini chocolate chips

{Instructions}

1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. In a large bowl, cream together butter, peanut butter and both sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Slowly add in dry ingredients ending with oats. Stir until combined. Shape dough into 1 in balls and place on an ungreased cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Bake for 7-8 minutes or until golden. Remove to cooking wracks.
3. To prepare filling, cream together butter, peanut butter and both sugar until blended. Stir in flour until combined. Carefully mix in milk a little at a time until you reach a good spreading consistency. Stir in chips. Filling will be thick.
4. Carefully spread about a tablespoon of dough onto flat side of one cookie, top with another cookie. Store in an airtight container.
5. Makes 24 sandwich cookies

Comparison.

{But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.} 

- Galatians 6:4

 

Ok, admit it. How many times have you checked your Facebook page today or scrolled through your Instagram feed? Two, three, or maybe even four times. 

Honestly, are we really that interested in what others are doing or do we simply reach for the phone when we're bored? Or digging deeper, is this a sign that we beg for fulfillment through social media and a half-hearted "like?" 

Who or what are you comparing yourself to today?

{Shirt: Gap // Skirt: Banana Republic // Shoes: Ross // Necklace: Fossil // Earrings: Vera Wang via Khols}

Home makeover.

{Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself} - 1 Corinthians 16:9

Many times throughout the New Testament, the Bible refers to light versus dark and asleep versus awake. For example, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 & 5:1-11 talks about the difference between these two referencing the end of time and a believer versus a non believer. 

The sermon on Old fashioned Sunday begged for a revival in our hearts based off of this topic, questioning whether you might be "asleep" even though you claimed to be a christian.

Personally this struck me.

Since I began college, I feel like my relationship with Christ has been dormant. I'm definitely not at the same spiritual level that I was when I stepped onto campus for the first time in August and quite honestly, I haven't wanted to put the time or effort into a relationship with God until now. All this time, I've been asleep and waiting for someone else to "turn on the lights and wake me up!"

But then this message hit me.......Here's your sign Catherine!

My all-time favorite verse is James 4:8 {Come near to God and he will come near to you}. What more of a perfect reminder that I have to dedicate my life to my Savior and constantly pursue him?  None I tell ya!

-----------------------------------

So this temporary body, that I call home, is in desperate need of a makeover. A few worn places, scratches and dents happened all in God's timing, but I now realize that they all played a significant part in the building process. The time, energy, and effort that goes into the upkeep and repair of a home is symbolic of what God and I need to accomplish together over the next few weeks, months, or even years. 

Out with the old and in with the new.

{Tank: Khols // Skirt: from when Mom was young // Boots: Rack Room // Hat: Forever 21 // Jewels: Betsey Johnson}