We here at Women in the Word want to wish you and yours all of God's best for the upcoming new year. We may not know what the future holds, but we know and trust the One who holds it! God bless...

Woo hoo! The new year is right around the corner! How will you be saying goodbye to 2021? A good dinner out? At a party with friends? Or maybe like me, snuggled up with family watching the ball drop from the comfort of your couch? However you choose to celebrate, have fun and stay safe. And don’t forget about our monthly Bible challenge starting January 3rd. Sandra, one of our writers here at WitW, will be posting the reading schedule on Saturday’s for the week ahead. So grab your Bible and your friends, and join us here and over at our WitW Facebook page to be a part of the discussion! Just click the link below. Happy New Year and God bless! 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenintheword2

https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenintheword2 

WitW Monthly Challenge

With less than 10 days left in 2021, are you ready for something new? Join us in 2022, starting January 3rd for monthly challenges designed to make you, healthier, happier, and stronger in your relationship with God. January will be a month dedicated to finding peace in a world that is anything but. Are you ready for a new year and a new you? And don't forget to check us out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenintheword2

 Mexican Shredded Beef Wrap

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 boneless beef chuck roast (2 to 3 pounds)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce

1/4 cup lime juice

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

6 flour or whole wheat tortillas (8 inches)

Optional toppings: Torn romaine, chopped tomatoes, sliced avocado and sour cream

Place onion, jalapeno and garlic in a 4-qt. slow cooker. Sprinkle roast with salt and pepper; place over vegetables. In a small bowl, mix tomato sauce, lime juice, chili powder, cumin and cayenne; pour over roast. Cook, covered, on low 6-8 hours or until meat is tender. Remove roast; cool slightly. Shred meat with 2 forks; return to slow cooker. Serve beef on tortillas with toppings of your choice.

Can you believe it’s only 10 days until Christmas!? After the holidays and taking care of everyone else, why not start the new year taking care of yourself? Get ready starting January 3rd for WitW’s monthly challenges aimed at becoming a stronger, happier, Christian. And don’t forget to check us out over at https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenintheword2 

Mexican Wedding Cookies 

2 sticks (1 cup) salted butter, at room temperature

1/2 cup granulated sugar 

1 tablespoon vanilla extract 

Zest of 1 orange 

2 cups all-purpose flour 

Pinch of kosher salt 

2/3 cup finely chopped pecans 

1/2 cup powdered sugar 

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat together the butter and granulated sugar until fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Beat in the vanilla and orange zest until fully combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Add the flour mixture gradually to the mixer until just incorporated. Fold in the chopped pecans by hand. Using a tablespoon-sized cookie scoop, portion the dough onto a baking sheet. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes. Divide the chilled dough between 2 baking sheets, leaving about 1/2 inch between each cookie. Bake until just golden, about 12 minutes. Allow to cool completely. Once the cookies have cooled, place the powdered sugar into a shallow dish. Roll each cookie in the powdered sugar until completely coated. Makes around 40 cookies.

The new year brings with it new resolutions, and promises of change. How does letting go of anxiety sound? Or how about growing in your relationship with God? And who doesn’t want to become a more powerful prayer warrior? If these are changes you’re looking to make, join us starting in January for the WitW monthly challenges. Challenges designed to make us better, stronger, and closer to God. And don’t forget to check us out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenintheword2

1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs, room temperature

1/2 cup vanilla yogurt

1/4 cup canola oil

5 teaspoons brown sugar

18 to 20 maraschino cherries, halved

Preheat oven to 400°. Drain pineapple, reserving 1 tablespoon juice. Set pineapple aside. In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, whisk eggs, yogurt, oil and reserved pineapple juice. Add to flour mixture; stir just until moistened. Fold in reserved pineapple. Fill greased mini-muffin cups two-thirds full. Sprinkle tops with brown sugar; top with halved cherries. Bake 9-12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Serve warm.