She did it!!

I’m so EXCITED!!!  She did it!!

 

So, this is what they meant?

We have all heard that every member is a missionary.  And, I have always figured that I would just lead by example.  And, it has worked so far!  :)  People ask questions.  I give answers.  I’m not your “typical” Mormon.  There were a few years that I was a “wild child.”  And people are usually thrown when they hear that.  Some even think differently of me.  We all know that I am not a shy individual.  I tend to speak my mind, especially when asked.  Plus, I believe I am quite liberal (when it comes to Mormons.  Hence, not a typical Mormon.)  So, imagine my surprise when the missionaries asked me to start attending the Gospel Principles class.  They wanted my input with the lessons.  They thought it would help the investigators. (True, you can all stop laughing now!)

Enter Brittany.  Brittany’s husband is a member, but hasn’t been active for a very long time.  She had some questions about her church and started meeting with the missionaries to get her questions answered.  She ended up at church and we sat next to each other during Gospel Principles.  The Nursery leader brought Alesandra (her 2 year old daughter) in because she wouldn’t calm down.  Sandra didn’t even want Brittany to hold her, but I handed her my phone and she climbed up on my lap.  During the rest of the class, she sat on my lap and played on my phone.  Brittany was amazed because she has never done that before.  Anyway, I followed the spirit and invited her over for dinner that night.

The missionaries caught wind that Brittany and Sandra were coming for dinner and asked if they could join us for a lesson.  (Between you and me, they just wanted my good cookin’!)  Since that time, about 4 months ago, all but 1 of Brittany’s lessons have been at our house.  Brittany and Sandra have joined our family for family home evening and we have invited them to quite a lot of things.  I really enjoy hanging around with Brittany, and I hope she feels the same.  If not, she is spending an awful lot of time with someone she doesn’t like. :)

About a month ago, her life blew up!  She didn’t know which way was up.  We spent a lot of time on the phone and I helped her work through things.  We took her out to dinner (thank you IHOP!) and just showed her that we cared.  About a week later, she called and told me that she wanted to be baptized.  Words can not express the warmth that filled my soul.  I cried.  She laughed at me, but I cried.  I have watched her endure so many things and have stood in awe of her strength and character. 

I think I know what it feels like when a mama bird watches her baby fly for the first time.  One night last week, Brittany called me and expressed discomfort with a situation she was in.  One that if you didn’t have the standards that we have, would have been normal.  She felt odd.  Out of place.  She couldn’t get out of their fast enough.  I was so pleased that I was able to tell her that the spirit was telling her that she needed to get out of that situation.  It all clicked in her head! 

Tomorrow evening, 7 pm, Brittany will be getting baptized.  I am so thankful for so many things.  It is times like this that I am thankful I have a colorful past.  I was able to share experiences that I had and mistakes that I made and help her realize that we all make mistakes, but the Lord still loves us and if we follow his steps, those mistakes can be washed away.  I am so thankful that she feels comfortable to ask my any question, no matter how weird or strange she thinks it is.  We have had quite the conversations!  :)  I am so thankful that the Lord allowed me to be part of this special time for her.  I KNOW that it wasn’t me.  I know that I just said what he wanted me to say.  I am so glad that I was the right person, at the right time in the right place and said the right thing. 

This is what they meant.  The overwhelming love that is flowing from my heart is indescribable.  Seeing her  reminds me of the love that our Father in Heaven has for us.  I hope that I can continue to be an example to her and those around me.  I hope she will always remember how excited she is tonight.  I pray that she knows of my love for her, but more importantly, that she knows of our Father in Heaven’s love for her!  I was a part of something great!!  I was so excited, that I made 3, yes 3 White Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecakes today to share after her baptism tomorrow.  Don’t you wish you were coming?  :)  Now, off to write my talk on Baptism before MY HUSBAND COMES HOME!!!  1 hour and 44 minutes!!!  Not that I’m counting!

Winner & a Killer Recipe

Thanks to random.org, our winner is comment #3 – Alisa Wahrer.  It will be in the mail by Tuesday.  Thanks everyone for playing!  Now, are you ready for a killer recipe??

***Edited - I didn't win my cheesecake.  SUPER bummed!  Mr. Moneybags bid $155 for my cheesecake.  Wow!  Super flattered!  I got a 1 hour free massage because my dessert sold for the highest amount!  Such flattery!

White Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake with Pecan-Gingersnap Crust
Recipe by Our Best Bites
Crust:
1 3/4 C gingersnap crumbs (about 30 small cookies)
6T real butter, melted
3 T brown sugar
3/4 C ground pecans
Filling:
3 8oz blocks cream cheese
3/4 C canned pumpkin puree
6 oz melted white chocolate (that's about 1 C white chocolate chips)
1 C sugar
3 eggs
2 t vanilla
1/4 t nutmeg
1 1/2 t cinnamon
1/8 t cloves
Topping:
- 1 C whipping cream, beat with 1/2 tsp vanilla and 4 Tbs powdered sugar until medium peaks form.
- 1/3 C roughly chopped pecans, either toasted or caramelized
- 2 Tablespoons jarred caramel sauce
1.  Preheat oven to 350. Using 2 large pieces of heavy duty foil, securely wrap the bottom and outside of your cheesecake pan. This will prevent leaks when using the water bath.
2.  For Crust:  Use a food processor to crush gingersnaps. Then do pecans. Combine gingersnaps, pecans, brown sugar, and butter and stir well to combine. Press into a 9" spring form pan. Evenly spread across the bottom of pan and up the sides about 1 inch.
3.  With an electric mixer beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time. Add pumpkin, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves.
4.  To melt chocolate, place in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth. Set aside.  With the mixer running, slowly add in white chocolate in a steady stream (or steady blobs).  Pour mixture on top of the crust.
For water bath:
Place cheesecake pan inside of a larger pan. I use a roasting pan, like this. (and by "like this" I mean its appearance, because I most certainly did not pay $270 for mine) Place your cheesecake pan into larger pan. The larger pan should be at least 2-3 inches in depth. Place in pre-heated oven. With a kettle or pitcher filled with hot water, pour water into the larger pan about halfway up, or approximately 1 1/2 to 2 inches.  Bake for 60-75 minutes or until set. The center should be just a tad bit jiggly still. It will finish cooking while cooling.
5.  When it's done, remove from oven and place on a rack until completely cool. Place in the fridge for at least 12 hours. This is a very soft cheesecake so sufficient chilling is a must!
6.  When ready to serve spread sweetened whipped cream on top, drizzle caramel sauce over it, and sprinkle with pecans.

A few of my notes:

• I used the White Chocolate baking squares.  It takes 6 of them. 
• SERIOUSLY the best batter ever!!
• This was a lot easier of a recipe than I anticipated.  Just remember to do it the day before you need it.  Seriously, enjoy! 
• Now, I need to win this back at the auction tonight.  I am SO going to pay a lot for this!!
• If you need pictures, click on the link below the recipe name.  It will take you to their post with pictures of each step.

Lonely…

During fast & testimony meeting on Sunday, Ben (a friend of ours) got up to bare his testimony.  Something he said pierced my heart stronger than anything I can remember.  A testimony to me that the Lord does answer our prayers, but we have to be watching.  If I wasn't paying attention, I could have missed it.
He was looking at his busy schedule and was wondering how he was going to do it all alone.  It occurred to him that he wasn't alone.  We are never alone.
With Aaron getting ready to leave me and the kids for 6 months, the thought of being alone is what scared me the most.  I will be crazy busy during the day, but when the kids go to bed, and it becomes quiet at my house, that's when I am left alone with my thoughts and I can't stop thinking about how much I miss him.  How I wish I could hold his hand.  I always think of things that I need to tell him when it's too late to talk to him. 
But, I was so nicely reminded on Sunday that I am not alone.  I will ALWAYS have a companion.  Ben - straight to my heart!  Now, I'm off to sleep in my bed alone.  Some things are good about him being gone.  I get the WHOLE bed!!  :)  I love you Aaron!

What can you do in a 24 hour period? GIVEAWAY!!!

I am always getting questions on how I do all I do.  I homeschool the 2 oldest, do preschool with Nate (the 4 year old), play time with Maggie, keep the house clean, cook dinner, scrapbook, maintain 2 blogs, catch-up with friends, co-op on Fridays plan/prepare/do Activity Days, date night with Aaron, exercise and get some good old fashion quality Sassy time. 

In one word, Fly Lady.  She has saved my life.  She is all about routines.  Schedules.  A time and a place for everything.  An example of my morning routine is this:

• Get up at 7
• Make Bed
• Exercise
• Shower
• Get dressed/do hair
• Scripture Study (15 minutes)
• Eat Breakfast
• Unload Dishwasher
• Look at dinner plans for tomorrow
• start load of laundry
• Start School for boys

My Afternoon schedule is this:

• Start lunch
• Load Breakfast dishes in dishwasher
• Read Nate & Maggie a book
• Put lunch on table
• Eat lunch while 15 minute scripture study
• clean up and put lunch dishes in dishwasher
• switch over laundry
• get boys started on the afternoon work

Late afternoon schedule:

• start dinner
• fold & put away laundry
• quick toy clean-up
• run through and straighten living room
• finish school

Bedtime schedule:

• load dinner dishes in dishwasher
• clean kitchen sink
• wipe down counters
• make sure tables are wiped off
• make sure living room is still clean
• sweep under dining room table
• start dishwasher
• make sure everything is packed for the morning.
• clean face/take medicine/brush teeth
• read for 15 minutes before going to bed
• Go to bed around 10:30 (this is BIG for me!)

I have found that when I follow this routine, I am happy.  My life is organized and complete.  There are times that I rebel and I find myself starting to murmur and grumble.  When I start again, this happen to go smooth.  The kids are happy and I am fulfilled.  I know, strange how a schedule makes me feel free, but it does.

Are you surprised?  Would you like to read the book?  Well, this is your lucky day.  Leave a comment about one thing that you would include in your daily schedule.  On the 15th of October, I will use random.org to pick a comment.  That lucky winner will receive a copy of the Fly Lady book.

Priceless

No other words needed!!

Blog revamp and new pictures

We did family pictures.  Thought I would share.  Hope you like the update!

Gratitude

I’ve been thinking a lot about gratitude lately.  Must be my meds!  :)  Anyway, I read something in a book recently that I would like to share.

Fleas, God’s Secret Weapon

(Speaking of the author Corrie ten Boom who wrote The Hiding Place.)

“During World War II, Corrie and her sister Betsie had been arrested in Holland or trying to help Jews escape the Holocaust.  They ended up in Ravensbruk, one of the most infamous Nazi concentration camps. 

Living conditions were insufferable.  The women were housed like stacked cordwood on dirty, flea-infested straw that was strewn on wooden platforms.  The fleas feasted night and day until everyone was covered in itchy, raised welts. 

If it hadn’t been for their Bible and the comfort the sisters were able to take from Betsie’s readings, Corrie didn’t know how they could have survived from day to day.  If the guards ventured into the room the would have discovered the forbidden Bible.  Not only would it have been confiscated, but the consequences would have been brutal.  Over and over, the two sisters wondered over the mystery of why the guards never inspected their barracks.”

Betsie read a verse in 1 Thessalonians that said to give thanks in all circumstances.  She insisted that they do and Corrie tells the story of her sisiter praying and thanking God for many things.  From the amazing circumstance that enabled the sisters to stay together, to the bible she held in her hands, to the other women in the camp.  Betsie also thanked God for the suffocating room and the fleas.  Corrie got upset but Betsie insisted reminding Corrie that God said In all circumstances.

Come to find out, the reason the guards refused to set foot into those barracks is because of the out-of-control flea infestation.  God will provide.  He does know our needs and we just have to have faith in Him and trust in his bigger picture.

(Exerpts taken from Debbie Macomber’s book One Simple Act – Discovering the Power of Generosity.)

Nate being Nate....

At least we know he can spell his name right!