Subtle Provision and S'mores bars

I wanna talk about God's subtle provision. First, lemme give you some insight - I grew up in Fairless Hills, PA (about 10mins outside the city limits of Philadelphia and about 25 mins outside of Center City) and it had always been my home. When we got married and I had to move to South Jersey, I was DEVASTATED that I was gonna be a whole hour away! However, a year into our marriage, we were packing up to move to Rochester, NY - which was beyond a doubt God's will because it was something I swore I would NEVER EVER do!! I had gone to college up there and hated every minute of the cold and snow.

Then, on one super hot June day, Tim drove the moving van, and I drove our little car, with a then 7 month old Addisyn in the back and PJ still in my belly. I cried...no, balled my eyes out... every single mile of the way, begging the Lord to change his mind and let me turn around and go "home". He didn't and I was obedient.

We've now been in Rochester for a year and a half, and let me tell you - it's really not so bad. I still hate the snow and ice and I still get homesick pangs every now and then, but we're surrounded by subtle provisions. I was Facebook messaging back and forth with a friend of mine the other day and she brought that to my attention.

So what are these subtle provisions? We are surrounded by young couples (24-28 yrs old), just like us, who have children. I can't tell you how difficult it is sometimes to be 24 years old, married with two kids...i still feel like a kid myself sometimes!! Obviously my husband and I didn't plan on having a family this young - but we've embraced it and now the Lord has brought us to a place where we see we're not alone! And not even that we're not alone, but these couples are making a life for themselves and their families - such a wonderful example for us! This might seem silly to some - but we NEEDED that.

It's brought us closer as a couple. It's knitted our little family of four together so tight. And it's taught me how to stand on my own two feet and not rely on my "comfortable surroundings." Tim and I have grown up and grown closer over the last 1 1/2 years - and that would not have happened in Philly.

(*sidenote: the Lord has heard my prayers to move back to PA and dig our roots deep down there, and it seems he's opened a door. Tim has applied for a transfer within his company down to Bensalem, PA which is about 10 mins from where I grew up. We will know it's His will if some things fall into place, so please join us as we pray and wait on God.)

What are the subtle provisions in your life? Where has God met you in your place of desperation?

In closing - here's a recipe for yummy, easy, s'mores bars!! We had a quick date night at the Spot a few weeks ago and they were selling these for $2.50/bar!! I thought to myself "ripoff...I could MAKE these!!" And so I did...

you'll need:

3 tbsp butter

1 bag of mini marshmallows

6 cups Golden Grahams cereal

1 cup milk chocolate chips

- melt butter in a medium saucepan on med/high heat. Meanwhile, grease a 13x9 brownie pan.

- once butter is completely melted, add 3 cups of the marshmallow's and stir continually until completely melted. Remove from heat and immediately add cereal and 1/2 cup of the chocolate chips. Then add the remaining marshmallows (so there are a few whole ones in there too.)

- Spread warm mixture into the brownie pan. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips on top and press them into the mixture so they stick. Let 'em cool and serve!! So yummy!!