Last night, Randy and I turned to YouTube and began to watch Mark Lowry! He is well known for his being a part of the Gaither Vocal Band, his humor and His testimony! As we watched episode after episode, we came to one that Mark was talking about the interruptions we have in our lives! And it is in these interruptions, that we see Christ more in our circumstances! As we listened, I sat there with tears in my eyes, thinking back over the last 28 years of marriage. Today is our 28th anniversary and oh the stories I could share! But as I think back about the interruptions that God allowed and how each time, He has proved His faithfulness and love for us, it is just amazing!

When Randy and I first married, we knew we weren’t (and had not been) living a life that gave God glory for the last few years. We had become pretty self absorbed and thought that traveling and entertaining and just going and doing whatever we wanted was the perfect life! But God….He began to work on our hearts and draw us back to Him and gave us a desire to live for more than just ourselves. Most of you know our story of how one Sunday in church Randy looked down at me during the invitation and said quietly, “if we are going to make a go of our marriage, it’s going to take more than just love with our history! We need to dedicate it to the Lord!”

For the last 28 years we have had several interruptions, moves to two different states, loss of employment, a diagnosis of Parkinson’s, a prodigal child and losing all 4 parents within a 5 yr span! Each interruption taught us that God is always there with us! That the battles we fight are not ours, but His! He desires us to lean on Him and depend on Him for our spiritual growth. Two days ago I read in Jesus Calling (which my DIL Shannon gave me for Christmas) this sentence:

“When you criticize or complain, you are acting as if you think you could run the world better than I do.” …God

It convicted my heart immensely. Had I complained about these “interruptions”? You bet I had! Had I not been thankful for how He carried us through each one? No I had not!

It is after 28 years of marriage to my sweet husband that I am so thankful that he has always showed me that God should be my rock, my joy and my strength. Randy is very quiet, in fact because of the PK he has so much trouble Even speaking these last two years. But when he does, he does not complain or criticize! EVER. He has taught me so much spiritually! His life points me to God by his faithfulness to me, to our blended family, our precious Church family but most of all, Jesus! We are learning together to accept the interruptions God allows in our lives and to look for the glimpses of Gods goodness as we walk in the path that He has just for us! We are deeply grateful for all The Lord has done for us. He has always gone above and beyond anything we had ever hoped for! He has provided, protected and guided us in the hardest of days!

It is with a grateful heart that I want to thank God for His goodness and love for us, and also to say thanks to The best husband I could ever imagine! Happy Anniversary to Mr Peter Pumpkin, Aka Frosty and Mr Randy (he got that name when he use to style and color my hair)!

May any future Interruptions be accepted with grateful hearts and dependency on our Father God!

Hebrews 4:16 “ Let us then approach the throne of Grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Knowing that everyone who reads Chocolatecastles doesn’t live near a H‑E‑B, I still wanted to pass on some great finds.

Growing up in Corpus Christi, H‑E‑B wasn’t a big deal to us. They were everywhere and we just knew that we had a choice to shop there or go to Albertsons or KMart. (Yes I’m that old)

So when they began to pop up here in North Texas I really didn’t think too much about that. After all, what was the hype about? But then it opened…..what a difference! Each time we go we find more reasons to love it! Don’t get me started on the Mexican wedding cookies covered with cinnamon sugar! We almost eat the entire container on the way home!

But these newest finds are really something I just had to share. First of all store bought cookies are usually not my cup of tea, but on my,

And the Cowboy cookies…Randy fell in love with these so he eats those waiting on me to make his fav oatmeal cookies! Don’t tell our Dr!

So today when we were wondering what to have for lunch, I went to the pantry to look at what we had. There in the soup shelf was the new can of beef Taco soup from….you guessed it, H‑E‑B. What I want to tell you is this. Most tomato soups taste exactly the same. This taco soup was different and had such a great Mexican flavor I have not found in a canned soup. The other soup I have fallen in love with is HEB’s Cream of Poblano. I have used it In my enchilada sauce, in green chicken green chile soup and even just as a soup for lunch. Randy had the H‑E‑B brand of chile today. I crumbled up some tortilla chips in the bottom of the bowl, sprinkled sharp cheddar then poured the Chile over that. He said it was really good.

Have I realized what all the hype is about with H‑E‑B? You bet I have and always love our trips there to shop. Don’t forget to try their 1/2 corn 1/2 flour tortillas which you find on the International aisle! Makes great enchiladas!

Strawberry, Blackberry & Blueberry Pie

Because strawberries aren’t very sweet right now and H‑E‑B has Sweet Karoline blackberries that are AMAZING right now and I had frozen blueberries on hand, I decided to make a triple berry pie! Also FYI H‑E‑B has 1 lb containers of strawberries for $.97! So am I running back to the store for more strawberries at that price?? Yes indeed I am. Decided to make two strawberry pies for a dinner party Friday night. Topped with homemade whipped cream, it will be a wonderful way to end a meal with friends!
But tonight to have dessert while Mr Randy and I watch The Wheel & Will Trent, we will reward ourselves with this triple berry pie! Since we worked out in garage trying to reduce our 24 plastic tubs of seasonal decor down to 10 tubs, we feel that we should reward ourselves with a delicious and beautiful pie!
Bake a one crust pie crust according to directions (or make your own crust which always taste better)
Slice 1 lb of cleaned fresh strawberries and add 1/2 cup of blueberries (either fresh or frozen)
1 cup (the 8 oz container) of sweet Karoline Blackberries. (If you have not had these, run don’t walk to your nearest H‑E‑B and they are worth the $2.97).
Combine all berries in a bowl and while crust is cooling after baking it, make the syrup!
1 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
3 tables corn starch
1 small package of strawberry jello

Combine the sugar and cornstarch to the water over medium heat. Stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened!
Remove from heat and stir in the package of jello and mix until smooth.
Set mixture aside for 20-30 min (I put mine in fridge for 15 min)
After mixture has cooled a little. Pour over the combined bowl of berries. Then pour directly into cooled pie shell. Set in fridge and allow the syrup to thicken and keep in fridge until ready to serve. Make whipped cream and cover the top of berries.