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So just a little while ago I was sitting at my computer listening to my Sacred Music playlist on YouTube while editing tons of delicious pictures of the Cheesecake Raspberry Ganache Ripple Ice Cream I made yesterday (it has a story, because every good ice cream has a story), and I was struck by the thought that
my God is so good. He is so much better than I deserve.
The past year has been very stretching for me. That’s a sugar-coated way for me to say that it’s been vewy, vewy difficult. Should it have been this difficult? No. But I’m bad at flexibility. Guess what? I’m better at it now than I was a year ago. 😉 Funny how God works things out like that. Basically, the past year of my life has been overshadowed by “COOKBOOK”. That’s been my existence. I have been living on edge for the past year trying to get this thing done (and sometimes my anxiety spilled out into my blog posts, like in this post on being overwhelmed). But now the project is coming to an end. I have less than 20 recipes to test, folks. Considering that I started out with close to 400 to weed through, create, test, and rephotograph, “less than twenty” is jaw-dropping and leaves me astonied as the patriarchs of Bible days. While I’m still doing a large amount of cooking each week, seeing the end of the project skipping nearer and nearer along with getting some of the publication details nailed down just makes me feel so free!
So today I was sitting very relaxed at my computer editing pictures of ice cream and licking my screen periodically…and I’m like, “This is my job. How cool is that? And I’m almost done with this cookbook! Thanks, God!” I was just blown away all over again by how God’s hand has guided me through the past year, even when I was totally not trusting Him to come through for me and take care of the cookbook, and help me meet my self-imposed deadlines, and stay sane. I am so incredibly blessed, and I serve a wonderful God. If you’re overwhelmed right now – hang on. I’ve been there and done that, and if God can take my life and turn it right-side up after I repeatedly dumped it upside-down, He can fix you too.
I just want you to know that we serve an amazing God who works in ways that are far beyond our finite human understanding. He sees the big picture. As I wrote in my updated “About Me” page the other day, “If you would’ve told me at 17 that by the age of 21 I would be blogging for a living, publishing a book, receiving fanmail (if you are a fan of Briana Thomas, you are cuh-razy!!), and singing in groups like Laudate Mennonite Ensemble, I would’ve either laughed or screamed in terror at the sudden adventure about to befall me.”
“But God is faithful.” (I Cor. 10:13a)
PS – this ice cream will be posted next week. It’s National Ice Cream Month after all, and I have several ice creamy things coming up for you!
PPS – if you’re wondering about the status of the cookbook, I’m hoping to send the recipes to the printer by the end of this month. They’ll design everything and hopefully we can be ready for preorder some time in September? And print and release in October? We’ll see…that’s just a rough estimate. Be sure to sign up for blog updates via email if you want to be notified when the time comes! You can do this in the sidebar to your right if you’re on desktop, or farther down towards the bottom of the page if you’re on mobile.
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Mary Esther says
I am looking forward to your cookbook!
Just wondering…Do you know if your ice cream recipes will work in a Vitamix?
This powerful machine will make sorbet-like recipes. I have not tried ice creams with it.
Briana Thomas says
There are directions for making my ice cream recipes in a blender in the Notes section of every recipe. 🙂 I haven’t tried it in a Vitamix so I don’t know if it has an ice cream setting that would work or not.
Mary Esther Deitrick says
Thank you for your reply. I will check out your Notes and will just have to “give it a try” in my Vitamix. It might not be the consistency of ice cream but I am sure it would taste just as good!
LOVE YOUR BLOG!
Briana Thomas says
I hope you find something that works!
Cheryl says
I can hardly wait for your cookbook. I know it will be wonderful, and yes, our God is bigger than our biggest and wildest imaginations. I totally love your correct usage for ‘your’ and ‘you’re’. ?
Briana Thomas says
Thank you, Cheryl! And I totally love that you noticed. 😉
Tamara Sanders says
You have been such a blessing to me in so many ways! First, you are honestly my FAVORITE THM blogger 🙂 I have yet to try a recipe that my family did not enjoy and/or request again. For instance I tried your creamy cucumber salad for the first time on the 4th and it was a hit! Second, I have also greatly enjoyed your other posts. You hold to your convictions and blog about them when others would shy away worried they might offend someone. You always share your thoughts in a way that shows that it is your thoughts, and your opinions, and your not condemning anyone who doesn’t hold to your line of thinking. That now a days is a rare talent! And I agree with you God is so amazing! While I have not always enjoyed the trials I have gone through I have enjoyed the closer relationship that has been developed with God because of it <3 My family is super excited about your cookbook, and we are patiently awaiting it 😉
Briana Thomas says
Thank you so much for your encouragement, Tamara! Blessings!
Ronda Bowman says
Kudos, girl! You are doing amazing things! 🙂 I can’t imagine the discipline it takes to do this cookbook along with all the other things you are involved in, so I am impressed. Keep it up–you’re an inspiration! (plus I really like your recipes and I am seriously coveting your ice cream maker… 😉 )
Briana Thomas says
Aw, thank you, Ronda! Blessings!
Louise says
I enjoy reading your posts! Yes God is good and he does know what is best for us. Thanks for all the great recipes that you share. I’m looking forward to your cookbook and all the best getting it finished!
Briana Thomas says
Thank you, Louise!