Living out a dream ~BALANCED~

Yesterday Kristi Z. (my dearest friend) and I spent the day in Livermore, CA. We toured vineyards, enjoyed phenomenal tastings at La Rochelle and Wente wineries.

 

There were green lush rolling hills all around. We saw beautiful horses (and COWS-even) amazing villas and were just reminded again of the glory of Gods handiwork.

 This is the LaRochelle tasting room entrance. It was the first stop of the afternoon. I had had a Pinot Noir from there a few years back and wanted to figure out which one it was. We were blessed with a comp'd tasting of 9 different wines, three cheeses and a fig tapenade. It was a great way to start the tour of Livermore.

 This beautiful Mediterranean building is part of the Wente Winery. This winery had been open for over 100 years. They have over 200 acres of vineyards in three different locations in CA. The grounds were impeccably groomed. There were children running in the lawn and riding bikes with their families. There was a wedding in a cave on the grounds. The floral scent in the air was intoxicating. We walked, relaxed, laughed, took (a gazillian) pictures, admired Gods creation all around us, finished the day eating dinner at the restaurant there on the grounds. Truly the best meal I have ever had.

Appt: Salmon deviled eggs with red onion and capers

Salad: Asparagus and Spinach with prosciutto, egg and vinaigrette

Main dish: Filet Mignon in an amazing mushroom sauce with fingerling potatoes and small veges

Dessert: Brioche Donuts with sugared kumquats and ginger

Bottle of 08 Morning Fog Chardonnay with the meal and Port with dessert, both from Wente Vineyards.

One of the things the Lord has been shining a light on in my life is 'balance'. I am a wife, mother and daughter in my home everyday. Some days I choose to forget ME in the midst of all the duties of home, family and LIFE that happens all around me all the time. That is NOT Gods design.

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Matthew 5:13

“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

Laundry, dishes, prayer, dusting, vacuuming, washing bedding, quiet time with our God, making beds, changing diapers, driving kids to activities, praising God for His goodness, cooking, cleaning bathrooms, scrubbing floors, putting the baby down for a nap, helping kids out with homework...shall I go on??

HELLO PRIORITIES!!!

God created ME for a specific plan and purpose. Yes, I AM meant to be a mom and daughter and wife, but I am also meant to BE...ELAINE! God WANTS to use ME! Go WANTS to use YOU! Give Him.....YOU!!! God's amazing Balance can take place.

I pray Balance for you,

Elaine