My favorite course while I was attending pastry school had to be PBK111, bread baking. I have always made my own bread by hand, ok by bread machine, but this was going to be fun. The science behind the use of yeast, the development of gluten, and the principles in the baking process just facinated me. I loved mixing the dough by hand, kneading it, and shaping the loaves. It was certainly messy, but it was great fun.
The organism that facinates me the most is yeast. It is so sturdy, but yet can be so fragile. If the temperature of the ingredients are too cold there is no rise. If the ingredients are too hot you kill the organism. It is that rise that produces that light texture and a beautiful product.
So what does this have to do with hope? Hope is durable but at the same time just as fragile. Challenges and struggles are put before you that make you question what you believe. It's like the temperature of ingredients are too hot, and your hope is struggling for survival.
What can you do? Remember, where your hope comes from. Your hope comes from the Lord. Jesus Christ, who was crucified for your sins is the never ending hope. Jesus is always by your side, never will leave you, and he will never fail you.
So when you feel hopeless, remember there is a loving Savior by your side. "Never will I leave you, Never will I forsake you."
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
When life gives you lemons....
make lemonade, right? We have heard that so many times. In my case, I would make lemon meringue pie, lemon bars, or even lemon cake. So what really happens when you keep getting the lemons, how do you handle it? How do you not question God?
This family has been through so many challenges in one year. Truly, I have learned a new profound appreciation for Job and his patience. I have not been so fortunate in the patience department. So, what I have learned? How have I handled my lemons?
First, I have learned to breathe. Deep inhale, deep exhale. When I am stressed I tense up, I don't relax. This only compounds the problem. By taking that moment, by taking that time, I send up my prayer. "Ok God, I know you are here. What am I learning now? Guide my footeps."
Second, I hug my kids more. We have done a lot to shield them from most of the challenges, but they are so very preceptive. They can see the stress, they can hear it in my voice. So we hug each other all the more. Having those cheerleaders in your corner, make all the difference. But it doesn't have to be children, it could be a friend, a spouse, or a parent. We need to rely on those loved ones around us.
Finally, do something you love. For me, I hit the kitchen. Being there, making something nourishing, just fills my soul. Everything melts away and I become at peace. So put yourself in a time out! Mediate on God's love for you! Yes, you are struggling, but God is making you stronger.
There have a couple events that have inspired this post. On December 1, I learned my mother had breast cancer. That night I was sitting at church for advent service, and a dear friend placed a bag of lemons infront of me. On January 17, my husband was stuck in San Diego with a broken down big rig, and he missed his son's birthday. My sister-in-law came to the party bringing me a bag of lemons. To me, these times reminded me no matter how many lemons you are given, God has given you the ability to turn it into something just awesome and delicious! Trust in HIM, it will taste sweet in the end.
Sweet Lemon Bars
1 c. Butter
1/2 c. Powder Sugar
2 1/3 c. All-Purpose Flour
4 Eggs
2 c. Granulated Sugar
1 t. Grated Lemon Peel
6 T. Lemon Juice
1 t. Baking Powder
Powder Sugar
In a large bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and the 1/2 cup of powder sugar. Beat until creamy; beat in 2 cups of the flour. Spread the mixture over the bottom of a well-greased 9x13 in pan. Bake in a 350 degree for 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl of mixer, beat eggs until a light yellow color. Gradually add in granualted sugar. until mixture is thick and lemon colored. Add lemon juice, zest, and 1/3 c flour, and baking powder. Beat unitl smooth and everything is well combined.
Pour lemon mixture over prebaked crust and return it to the oven. Bake for another 15 to 20 minutes until the topping is pale golden. Place on a rack to cool. Sift powder sugar over lemon bars. Cut and serve. Makes about 20 bars.
This family has been through so many challenges in one year. Truly, I have learned a new profound appreciation for Job and his patience. I have not been so fortunate in the patience department. So, what I have learned? How have I handled my lemons?
First, I have learned to breathe. Deep inhale, deep exhale. When I am stressed I tense up, I don't relax. This only compounds the problem. By taking that moment, by taking that time, I send up my prayer. "Ok God, I know you are here. What am I learning now? Guide my footeps."
Second, I hug my kids more. We have done a lot to shield them from most of the challenges, but they are so very preceptive. They can see the stress, they can hear it in my voice. So we hug each other all the more. Having those cheerleaders in your corner, make all the difference. But it doesn't have to be children, it could be a friend, a spouse, or a parent. We need to rely on those loved ones around us.
Finally, do something you love. For me, I hit the kitchen. Being there, making something nourishing, just fills my soul. Everything melts away and I become at peace. So put yourself in a time out! Mediate on God's love for you! Yes, you are struggling, but God is making you stronger.
There have a couple events that have inspired this post. On December 1, I learned my mother had breast cancer. That night I was sitting at church for advent service, and a dear friend placed a bag of lemons infront of me. On January 17, my husband was stuck in San Diego with a broken down big rig, and he missed his son's birthday. My sister-in-law came to the party bringing me a bag of lemons. To me, these times reminded me no matter how many lemons you are given, God has given you the ability to turn it into something just awesome and delicious! Trust in HIM, it will taste sweet in the end.
Sweet Lemon Bars
1 c. Butter
1/2 c. Powder Sugar
2 1/3 c. All-Purpose Flour
4 Eggs
2 c. Granulated Sugar
1 t. Grated Lemon Peel
6 T. Lemon Juice
1 t. Baking Powder
Powder Sugar
In a large bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and the 1/2 cup of powder sugar. Beat until creamy; beat in 2 cups of the flour. Spread the mixture over the bottom of a well-greased 9x13 in pan. Bake in a 350 degree for 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl of mixer, beat eggs until a light yellow color. Gradually add in granualted sugar. until mixture is thick and lemon colored. Add lemon juice, zest, and 1/3 c flour, and baking powder. Beat unitl smooth and everything is well combined.
Pour lemon mixture over prebaked crust and return it to the oven. Bake for another 15 to 20 minutes until the topping is pale golden. Place on a rack to cool. Sift powder sugar over lemon bars. Cut and serve. Makes about 20 bars.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
One Thing Needful-the beginning
I have always wanted to do this, starting a blog that is. So welcome to my very first posting.
I decided to write One Thing Needful, because I wanted to share my experiences. I have had some real challenges this last year, and have really learned some valuable lessons. The first post is going to be about how God is so good.
God is so good. It's a song that I have heard my children sing time and time again. It is a simple song with a simple melody and lyrics that can be memorized. The great thing is, it is the first thing that plays in my mind when I am faced with a challenge. It's those words that play over and over in my head, almost like a "mantra" if you will.
For instance, my husband has taken on a new job, and this job takes him away from home for several weeks at a time. He's a truck driver. It is the first time in our fifteen years of marriage that we have been away from each other. It has been really hard on the kids too. They have been so use to having him home everynight. That also leaves me handling all the homefires. Busy paying the bills, getting kids to and from school, getting the kids to do homework, and making sure everyone stays happy and healthy. The last three months have certainly been challenging, but rewarding as well.
This doesn't mean that I haven't been frustrated, sad, and yes angry. For instance, my daughter hugs me nightly and starts crying because she misses her daddy. This is one of those times that this song starts playing in my head. It reminds me that yes we are facing a challenge right now, but we are still be being blessed by God. My husband has a job, in this economy that is a good thing. We live in a beautiful home, safe, dry, and warm. I have AMAZING friends who pick you up when you are feeling at your worst. These blessings can be so easily overlooked. It is so easy to lose sight of these things.
So what is the one thing needful? It is just this...
God is so good, God is so good,
God is good, He's so good to me.
He is most certainly good to me.
I decided to write One Thing Needful, because I wanted to share my experiences. I have had some real challenges this last year, and have really learned some valuable lessons. The first post is going to be about how God is so good.
God is so good. It's a song that I have heard my children sing time and time again. It is a simple song with a simple melody and lyrics that can be memorized. The great thing is, it is the first thing that plays in my mind when I am faced with a challenge. It's those words that play over and over in my head, almost like a "mantra" if you will.
For instance, my husband has taken on a new job, and this job takes him away from home for several weeks at a time. He's a truck driver. It is the first time in our fifteen years of marriage that we have been away from each other. It has been really hard on the kids too. They have been so use to having him home everynight. That also leaves me handling all the homefires. Busy paying the bills, getting kids to and from school, getting the kids to do homework, and making sure everyone stays happy and healthy. The last three months have certainly been challenging, but rewarding as well.
This doesn't mean that I haven't been frustrated, sad, and yes angry. For instance, my daughter hugs me nightly and starts crying because she misses her daddy. This is one of those times that this song starts playing in my head. It reminds me that yes we are facing a challenge right now, but we are still be being blessed by God. My husband has a job, in this economy that is a good thing. We live in a beautiful home, safe, dry, and warm. I have AMAZING friends who pick you up when you are feeling at your worst. These blessings can be so easily overlooked. It is so easy to lose sight of these things.
So what is the one thing needful? It is just this...
God is so good, God is so good,
God is good, He's so good to me.
He is most certainly good to me.
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