People and Our World

I watched this fun clip http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap080722.html. I don't know why I find something silly to be so striking, but that's the way it is. Just thought I would share. :)

Life's Lessons

I started a grad class last week and thought I finally hit my stride when God handed me other plans - my aunt passed early Friday morning at about 6:00 AM. I miss her terrible, she was like a second mom to me. She was sick enough though that I am glad she is not in pain anymore.

Commitment to family

And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. (Ruth 1:16 - 17)

Ruth has always made me feel so comforted. I look at her and see such a commitment to family, a lover and respect for others. Ruth provides a way for her mother-in-law to survive, to what could have been her detriment (not returning to her family, not remarrying, etc). What lessons can we learn from such an unselfish person? What can we take away from such a complete act of love, charity, and caring for others? Where do I even begin answering that question?!?!?! :)

The more I follow God and the more I look to Him for guidance in my day to day life, the more I see how this type of commitment is necessary in everything I do. I need to be able to commit myself to everything I can do with heart, mind, and body, so that I can feel comfortable in being able to turn over it over to glorify God. If I look at how Ruth carries herself, shows love for her mother-in-law, respect for the owner of the field, I can get a great example of how to live. Any thoughts?

Modesty Survey

I came across this survey about young people and modesty. It provides an interesting perspective. I am putting it up to allow for thoughts to start flowing, no matter if you agree or disagree. Think about it. Post about it. Talk about it.

Soft Pumpkin Cookies

• 1 (16 ounces) can pumpkin, 2 cups
• 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 cup (8 ounces) butter, softened
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon maple extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup chocolate chips
  

Preheat oven to 350°. Into a large mixing bowl, measure all ingredients except pecans. With hand held mixer at low speed, beat ingredients until blended, scraping bowl occasionally. Increase mixer speed to medium and beat for 1 minute longer.

Using 2 tablespoons of batter for each cookie, spoon batter into mounds on ungreased baking sheets, keeping mounds about 2 inches apart. Press a few chocolate chips into the center of each cookie dough mound. Bake cookies for 18 to 20 minutes, until golden brown. Loosen cookies with spatula and move to wire rack to cool. Store in tightly covered container for up to 4 days. Freeze in portions, if desired. Makes 6 to 7 dozen cookies.

**You may be able to mix chips in to batter after using the mixer and hand mix them in - I've never tried. A friend likes it with a pecan half placed in the middle instead of the chocolate chips.**