Then we went and opened a few more presents before heading outside for our FIRST bike ride of the day! K did great!
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Christmas Day - SO behind!
Yes, I know! It's March...we've "sprung" forward...and I'm still posting about Christmas. I just had a bad February blog-wise. Every time I would thing about doing a post I just ended up doing something else. I needed time with David and we were busy getting our floor redone. But, no more excuses - here it comes.
Christmas Eve, we went over to a friend's house for supper. We made snowman pizzas for the kids and then they made sugar cookies. It was super fun! Then K got a present from "Sweet Love" (her secret angel). It was a movie and some new pajamas. We then read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" and set out cookies for Santa! She was really excited. Then, because her room is by the living room and she has to walk through to get to us, we told her to either just go to the bathroom and go back to bed or come straight to get us. Do you think that worked?! Um...no!
The next morning at 830 (WOW!) we heard a knock on our door. Now, I had been tossing and turning for about an hour already. When she came in the room, the first thing K said was "Santa brought me a BIKE!" She hadn't touched or opened anything but she had DEFINITELY looked! Oh well! We still had fun! And we were able to extend the whole morning.
First we opened Santa presents and stockings. K then rode her bike in the kitchen before we at a fun breakfast of Rudolph pancakes. I'm not sure if we'll start a specific breakfast tradition, but these were super fun for this year!
Then we went and opened a few more presents before heading outside for our FIRST bike ride of the day! K did great!
We totaled three miles that day and it was COLD! We did have to have a few talks about stopping at street crossings, steering, watching where you are going and staying to the side of the road...
but all in all she was great. She is now quite expert and thinks she is cool because sometimes "I stand up when I ride." She's even learned to coast down the hills. Big girl!
While I fixed lunch, K and David played "Don't Spill the Beans." We had pecan crusted trout, beans, potatoes.
Then for dessert we had whoopie pies...which we put a candle in to sing Happy Birthday to Jesus.
In all the fun of parties, presents, and food, it is SO important to remember that the reason we even celebrate at all is because Jesus was given to us as the solution to a problem called sin. He would live a sinless life, show us a new way to live, and then sacrifice Himself, so that we can be redeemed and live with God for eternity. What great reason to celebrate the birth of someone than that! So, Merry Christmas (2.5 months late!)!
Then we went and opened a few more presents before heading outside for our FIRST bike ride of the day! K did great!
Monday, December 17, 2012
Fear Not!
Fear not! How can you "fear not" when it seems there is so much to fear? When such evil things like happened in Newtown, Connecticut happen? When children so young are taken from their parents? When teachers are taken, protecting those who have been entrusted to them for six short hours each day? When there is a doctor's appointment with the unknown looming? When bills come that you don't know how you're going to pay? How can you "fear not?!" But that's what we're told to do!
Thousands of years ago, that's what a young girl was told...and then she was told, you will give birth to the Son of God, without even knowing a man. In a culture where engagement was as permanent as marriage; where being "caught" with a man was punishable by death! She was told "Fear not!" That's what an elderly priest was told when he found out that his wife, well beyond child bearing years, would give birth to the one who would prepare the way for God's Son...and that he would be unable to speak until that child was born. He was told, "Fear not!" (Luke 1)
Thousands of years ago, that's what a group of shepherds were told when a multitude of angels filled the sky on a night when they were just doing their jobs...watching sheep, protecting their sheep, protecting each other..."Fear not!" Why fear not...the promised Savior had been born! The one to bring peace, the One to save us from sin, the One on whom all our hope is placed, the One who will carry ALL burdens, God's Son...Jesus! (Luke 2)
God has been telling us to "Fear not" for thousands of years! He spoke those words through the prophet Isaiah, to the Israelite people during years of war, uncertainty, famine...fear! "Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." (Isaiah 41:10) And again in Isaiah 35:4 "Say to those with anxious heart, 'Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; The recompense of God will come, But He will save you.'"
It doesn't make sense to us! But, God sent His Son Jesus into a world of evil to offer the only salvation, the only hope. He sent Jesus to be the one atoning sacrifice for ALL the sins of the world! If we but place our hope and trust in Him then we will be safe, forgiven, secure! Yes, some sins have larger effect, are more heinous, rock us to our core more than others...but we all are in need of someone to save us...someone to bring us peace NOT of this world! Jesus is that answer!
"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." (John 14:27) "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." John 16:33
I don't understand why hard things, struggles, or even tragic things like happen at Sandy Hook happen other than the world we live in now is evil. But I do know that we have been given a Savior. That Jesus sacrificed His life so that we might be saved. That He has placed peace in my heart and that He tells us..."Fear not!" Run to Him, hope in Him, and pray that His comfort would permeate the hearts of all who are grieving and his Peace would overcome all who are fearful!
Thousands of years ago, that's what a young girl was told...and then she was told, you will give birth to the Son of God, without even knowing a man. In a culture where engagement was as permanent as marriage; where being "caught" with a man was punishable by death! She was told "Fear not!" That's what an elderly priest was told when he found out that his wife, well beyond child bearing years, would give birth to the one who would prepare the way for God's Son...and that he would be unable to speak until that child was born. He was told, "Fear not!" (Luke 1)
Thousands of years ago, that's what a group of shepherds were told when a multitude of angels filled the sky on a night when they were just doing their jobs...watching sheep, protecting their sheep, protecting each other..."Fear not!" Why fear not...the promised Savior had been born! The one to bring peace, the One to save us from sin, the One on whom all our hope is placed, the One who will carry ALL burdens, God's Son...Jesus! (Luke 2)
God has been telling us to "Fear not" for thousands of years! He spoke those words through the prophet Isaiah, to the Israelite people during years of war, uncertainty, famine...fear! "Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." (Isaiah 41:10) And again in Isaiah 35:4 "Say to those with anxious heart, 'Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; The recompense of God will come, But He will save you.'"
It doesn't make sense to us! But, God sent His Son Jesus into a world of evil to offer the only salvation, the only hope. He sent Jesus to be the one atoning sacrifice for ALL the sins of the world! If we but place our hope and trust in Him then we will be safe, forgiven, secure! Yes, some sins have larger effect, are more heinous, rock us to our core more than others...but we all are in need of someone to save us...someone to bring us peace NOT of this world! Jesus is that answer!
"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." (John 14:27) "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." John 16:33
I don't understand why hard things, struggles, or even tragic things like happen at Sandy Hook happen other than the world we live in now is evil. But I do know that we have been given a Savior. That Jesus sacrificed His life so that we might be saved. That He has placed peace in my heart and that He tells us..."Fear not!" Run to Him, hope in Him, and pray that His comfort would permeate the hearts of all who are grieving and his Peace would overcome all who are fearful!
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Wisemen and Chocolate Cake
My church had its Christmas music last weekend. It was a great time of worship and giving glory to God! So thankful that in Jesus, He gave us everything we need to satisfy our hearts! Follow the example of the wisemen. They "had it all," wealth, wisdom, prestige...and they gave it all to worship Jesus, the One who could satisfy their souls, forgive sins, and redeem them!
After the music, my Sunday School class had a Christmas party. Mr. Randy made eye round, and no, I'm not joshin' you (sorry, inside joke!); and we put together a potato and salad bar. Everyone brought something for the salad/potato bar and/or dessert. Being typical Claire, I went in search of a new recipe to try! I didn't have to go far, though. I actually used one of the recipes that I had saved in my e-mail. It's for a triple chocolate cake, and, unbeknownst to me, was from Cooking Light. It was fairly simple to put together, though I think I did rush it some. I should have let the filling chill overnight before putting the cake together. When I got up on Sunday morning the top layer had slid off the bottom one. Sigh! Thankfully, it went back fairly easily. I think that topping it with a ganache gives the cake an elegant appearance, enabling you to see the filling as well. The cake was pretty good but I thought it was a tad dry...though that could be because I chose the longer cooking time, afraid it wasn't done at first check. The filling, however, added moisture to the overall cake. So, if you're looking for a good option for a lower guilt dessert, try this one. I think everyone enjoyed it! I mean, I sent several people home with leftovers. :-)
Triple Chocolate Cake from Cooking Light
1 cup boiling water
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
1 3/4 cups sugar
6 tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 egg whites
1/2 cup fat-free sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
8 ounces cake flour (it says about 2 cups...sure looked like more than that to me!)
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine boiling water and cocoa. Add 2 oz. bittersweet chocolate and stir until mixture becomes smooth. Cool to room temperature. In a large mixing bowl, put the sugar, butter, and vanilla and beat for 1 minute. Add egg whites, one at a time, beating between each addition. Add sour cream/yogurt, then beat for 2 minutes more. Combine the flour, baking powder, soda and salt. Add the flour mixture and cocoa mixture alternating - being and end with the flour mixture.
Spray two round cake pans with cooking spray. I used Pam with flour (for the first time...it's pretty cool!). Divide the batter between the two pans. Drop each pan on the countertop to allow air bubbles to rise to the top. Bake for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes, then remove from pan and allow to completely cool on cooling racks.
Filling:
1/3 cup skim milk (I used almond milk)
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablesoon cornstarch
4 ounces milk chocolate, chopped
3/4 cup cool whip, thawed
Combine milk, sugar, cornstarch together in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly until mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat and add the chocolate. Stir until mixture becomes smooth. Cover and chill. When cooled, uncover and fold in the cool whip.
Glaze:
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
3 tablespoons milk (I used almond)
2 teaspoons butter
1/8 teaspoon instant espresso granules
1 ounce bittersweet chocolate, chopped (I used semi-sweet)
Combine powdered sugar and remaining ingredients in a saucepan over low heat. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
To assemble cake, place one layer of cake on cake plate. Spread filling on top of this layer with 1/4 inch border. Place second layer on top. Then pour glaze on top, spreading it so that it covers the top of the cake and drizzles down the sides. Enjoy!
Triple Chocolate Cake from Cooking Light
1 cup boiling water
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
1 3/4 cups sugar
6 tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 egg whites
1/2 cup fat-free sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
8 ounces cake flour (it says about 2 cups...sure looked like more than that to me!)
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine boiling water and cocoa. Add 2 oz. bittersweet chocolate and stir until mixture becomes smooth. Cool to room temperature. In a large mixing bowl, put the sugar, butter, and vanilla and beat for 1 minute. Add egg whites, one at a time, beating between each addition. Add sour cream/yogurt, then beat for 2 minutes more. Combine the flour, baking powder, soda and salt. Add the flour mixture and cocoa mixture alternating - being and end with the flour mixture.
Spray two round cake pans with cooking spray. I used Pam with flour (for the first time...it's pretty cool!). Divide the batter between the two pans. Drop each pan on the countertop to allow air bubbles to rise to the top. Bake for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes, then remove from pan and allow to completely cool on cooling racks.
Filling:
1/3 cup skim milk (I used almond milk)
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablesoon cornstarch
4 ounces milk chocolate, chopped
3/4 cup cool whip, thawed
Combine milk, sugar, cornstarch together in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly until mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat and add the chocolate. Stir until mixture becomes smooth. Cover and chill. When cooled, uncover and fold in the cool whip.
Glaze:
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
3 tablespoons milk (I used almond)
2 teaspoons butter
1/8 teaspoon instant espresso granules
1 ounce bittersweet chocolate, chopped (I used semi-sweet)
Combine powdered sugar and remaining ingredients in a saucepan over low heat. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
To assemble cake, place one layer of cake on cake plate. Spread filling on top of this layer with 1/4 inch border. Place second layer on top. Then pour glaze on top, spreading it so that it covers the top of the cake and drizzles down the sides. Enjoy!
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