Small Beginnings with Sara Sara Thurman

 
Have you wondered what God is doing in the night? Has God seemed distant? Or disinterested? 
'Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. '
Exodus 14:21 ESV 
God is working in the night until the morning dawns. He sees you. He is working on your behalf. Hold on, dear one. Don’t give up. God is able to bring you the dry land. 
This week I celebrate eleven weeks of marriage to My Man, Earl Price. We have been having great communication about how we are doing. The challenges have become easier because we are serving each other with joy. 
This morning God led me to write Earl an email thanking him for the top 10 ways I have felt his love in the last 48 hours. As I reflected on the top ten ways I have felt Earl’s deep love for me, they include all of the five love languages. I find that very interesting that God showed me clearly how Earl is learning to love me so well. Here are few examples of what I wrote to him this morning. Would you consider writing a love note to people in your life thanking them specifically how they are loving you in this current season? Even if it feels like so much darkness, be the bringer of light into the equation and see how the God of the Impossible works on your behalf. 
Acts of service—Earl brings me tea every morning 
Quality time—he is playing golf with me a few evenings a week instead of with his regular group to give me confidence on the course 
Gifts—he has ordered toilet paper on Amazon and it will arrive before we run out! 
Physical touch—This does not need much elaboration (HaHa) but we know this gift of touch is one God has given us. 
Words of Affirmation—I think this is maybe my strongest need and Earl is hitting a home run with this love language. He brags on my golf game and my cooking and my personality and who I am in God. 
My recipe for this week is so easy and so delicious. We are eating cleaner and healthier now for one week. Earl has lost a few pounds and my success is that I have not gained. Waiting for my metabolism to kick in to higher gear without sugar. 
Baked Chicken Pesto with Fresh Mozzarella 
Bake for 20-25 minutes at 400 degrees F.
Lay unthowed chicken breasts (thinner are best, you can also use thighs) in a baking dish oils with olive or avocado oil.
Pour fresh pesto sauce to cover each breast. (I use the fresh pesto from Costco.)
Layer with fresh tomato slices. I used halved cherry tomatoes to cover each chicken breast.
Bake for 20 minutes at 400 degrees F. Then remove from oven and add two slices of fresh mozzarella cheese on each breast and return to the oven for another 5 minutes or until melted.
I doubled the recipe and had left-overs and it was as good the second night reheated. 
I served it with a high protein red lentil pasta and fresh no sugar marinara sauce. The red lentil pasta was not our favorite and not sure it was worth the high protein for the cardboard texture and taste. Haha!
#easychicken #newrecipe #mozzarella #pestochicken #freshmozzarella  #singanewsong #grievewell #golfgame #firsteighteen #Cookforhim #eathealthy #allnightlong #fivelovelanguages 
#newmarriage #enjoylife #hospitality #newrecipes #golfgame #learnsomethingnew #enjoy #prayer #hopelives #elevenweeks #relationshipgoals #marriagegoals #communication #listthegoodthings #godisworking #inthedarkness #allnight

 In this week's episode, we dive into the power of embracing our unique journeys and the songs that only we can sing.
Life is a journey filled with both valleys and mountaintop experiences, and this week has been no exception for me. I've experienced moments of deep grief as I bid farewell to cherished members of God's family, while also rejoicing in the new adventures life has to offer.
One of my recent highlights was hitting the golf course with my new husband. It was my first time playing 18 holes, and despite the challenges, we both had an incredible time. It's moments like these that remind me of the importance of embracing new experiences and finding joy in the journey.
In addition to sharing my own experiences, I also discuss some key takeaways from this week, including resetting my health goals, leaning on God for comfort during times of change, and finding joy in learning new things.
Plus, I'm sharing a delicious recipe for grain-free protein granola that my husband absolutely loves! Trust me, it's a game-changer.
I'd love to hear from you! What songs are you singing in your life right now? Let's inspire each other to embrace the unique melodies that only we can bring to the world.
Stay tuned for more episodes coming your way soon!

How are you Giving Joy in your relationships?
The old French meaning of enjoy is to "give joy to"! "enjoier"

Romans 12:12 (TPT)
"Let this hope burst forth within you, releasing a continual joy. Don’t give up in a time of trouble, but commune with God at all times."
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."(NIV)

Enjoy means to Give JOY. Not be on the receiving end.

How did I give joy in this season of my new beginnings this past week?

Life's journey has been quite a ride lately, hasn't it? Just eight weeks into marriage, Earl and I have experienced moments of calmness, joy, and some unexpected challenges. From a close call with a car accident to navigating grief anniversaries and unexpected hail storms, we've faced the ups and downs together.
But amidst it all, I've found a guiding light. Here are three steps I've been leaning on to find peace on this journey, inspired by Psalm 16:11:
1️⃣ Trusting that God is guiding our way, even in the darkest moments.
2️⃣ Seeking joy in God's presence, letting His light illuminate our path.
3️⃣ Remembering that walking with Jesus means experiencing divine pleasures forevermore.
🙏 Join me as I share my journey and encourage you to navigate life with faith and courage. Don't miss out—listen now! 




 

Hey friend,
I can't wait for you to listen to the latest episode of "Small Beginnings." This one is all about new beginnings and the fresh fragrance they bring. I'm sharing my journey of blending two lives into one, focusing on grace, patience, and embracing the new without comparing it to the old.
In todays episode, I talk about what it's like to start a new marriage and the unexpected wave of grief that hit me after my honeymoon. I'll walk you through how I dealt with it, and how important it is to refuse offense and extend grace. 
I'm diving into II Corinthians 2:14-15, which reminds us that our lives are like a sweet perfume, and how that sweet aroma can guide us through new beginnings.
So grab your headphones, take a walk, or just settle in with a cup of coffee, and let's dive in. Can't wait to hear what you think.
See you on the podcast!