Sugar-Broiled Grapefruit just like life,"Bitter-Sweet"

Sometimes life is bitter sweet, isn't it?  Sometimes we have to go through hard times (pain and affliction) for God to accomplish His purposes in our lives.  It can seem so bitter for a season but God is faithful.  I have seen His faithfulness to me time and time again. It has been during those dreaded times that I have especially seen the sweetness of my God.  Sometimes the situation doesn't change to become what I had hoped for but none the less I have been changed. I am not the same.  He is conforming me more and more into the likeness of His Son for which I am eternally grateful. Although I am grateful, if there were an easier way I would most definitely choose that.  I am in such a season right now.  Life is hard,it's full of disappointment, yet His love and kindness toward me is sweet. I am learning to more fully trust Him and His purposes. Disappointment becomes His appointment.  I think this poem from an unknown author sums up what I am trying to say.

"Disappointment- His Appointment"
change one letter, Then I see
that the thwarting of my purpose
is God's better choice for me.
His appointment must be blessing
though it may come in disguise;
for the end, from the beginning
open to His vision lies.
"Disappointment- His Appointment";
Whose? The Lord who loves me best,
understands and knows me fully,
who my faith and love would test.
For like loving earthly parents
He rejoices when He knows
that His child accepts unquestioned
all that from His wisdom flows.
"Disappointment- His Appointment";
no good things will He withhold.
From denials oft we gather
treasures of His love untold.
Well He knows each broken purpose
leads to a fuller, deeper trust,
and the end of His dealings
proves our God is wise and just.
"Disappointment-His Appointment";
Lord I take it then as such,
like clay in the hands of the potter
yielding wholly to His touch.
My life's plan is all His molding;
not one single choice be mine.
Let me answer unrepining,
  "Father, not my will, but Thine." 


Finally, Psalm 28: 7  The Lord is my strength and my shield; 
My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart exults,
And with my song I shall thank
Him.

May you find strength and help in your time of need by the ever faithful One too.  Words cannot even begin to describe how grateful I am that my God has sustained me.  

Now, this recipe is so easy and just a fun and sophisticated way of eating grapefruit.  Try it some week-end for part of a fanciful breakfast.  

Sugar-Broiled Grapefruit

Method:
Preheat oven to “broil”, with the rack on the top shelf (so that the grapefruit will be about 1.5 – 2 inches from the heat).
Arrange grapefruit halves, cut side up, in a broil-safe pan.  (You may need to use a knife to slice a small part off the bottom of each half to make sure they are sitting level in the pan.)  Sprinkle evenly with brown sugar.
Broil for 5-10 minutes, or until the sugar is melted and the edges begin to brown.  Remove and then use a knife to segment the grapefruit slices.  Serve at room temperature.

{pictures credited to my daughter- Elizabeth}

Peanut Butter Cookies

It has been way too long since I have posted.  I have missed my dear little blog but I have had so many things pulling me in different directions and using  my time,  I needed to prioritize.  I had spent so much time away from home traveling that when I was home I just couldn't justify taking time to blog.  Although I think blogging is a worthy activity, and I enjoy reminiscing about the past for writing posts, sometimes there are just too many things I need to be doing instead.  So... I will blog as time allows and most of the time I should be able to pull off a couple of posts a week but if I can't, I will be back as soon as life allows.

 I love to make sweet treats for the swimmers for special occasions and some meets.    I made these cookies around Valentines, hence the heart shapes.  These were great and all the girls that received them were appreciative. These girls work so hard six days a week as a competitive swimmer that I want to bless them with a sweet little reward occasionally .  I really admire their discipline and perseverance.  Swimming competitively is not for the light hearted, so to speak. This sport has helped foster many wonderful characteristics in my children.  I am so proud of them, every one of them.

Speaking of children, mine are not perfect.  Swimming cannot produce perfection.  Our only hope is in Jesus Christ.  As we celebrated Easter yesterday, I was once again reminded of how important the cross is.  It's evident in my own life and each of my sweet children that we are sinners.  We don't measure up to the Holiness of God.  We all fail in one way or another and quite frequently.  I have tried with all of my might to raise children to love the Lord but the decision is theirs in the end.  As I get to the final stretch of nurturing my young children all I can do now is pray and trust that God will fill in the gaps where I have failed.  I pray they will each see a need for a savior and grow to love Him with all of their heart , soul, mind, and strength.  We cannot achieve perfection in this life time and I am okay with that but we can know the One and Only Who is perfect.  I am thankful though that when God looks at me He sees Jesus the perfect and spotless lamb who took the place for my sins.  I put my trust in Christ as a 19 year old and have never looked back since. I hope each one of my children will have a real and personal encounter with the living God and that they will be changed from the inside out for all of eternity.

Now I know I rambled on but that does not take away from the fact that these were tasty cookies.  You might want to give them a try if you love peanut butter like we do.:)

1 cup peanut butter
1 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 cups flour
Beat butter, peanut butter and sugars until creamy. Add eggs one an a time, then vanilla. Mix baking powder with flour, then add flour a cup at a time.
Roll dough out on lightly floured surface and cut into desired shape with cookie cutter dipped into flour.
Bake at 350 for 12-18 minutes Until they are just getting golden on the bottom, to ensure you will not have a dry cookie.

Peanut butter filling for filling cookies like Nutter Butter Cookies
1/2 cup peanut butter
3 tablespoons butter
2 cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoons milk
Beat peanut butter and butter together then add powdered sugar and milk and mix until creamy.
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