Never Say No to a Pregnant Lady When It Comes to Pie

Not sure how many of you all know, but I currently have two blogs. I will be using my other (lauraschaefer.theworldrace.org) for things which are more personal. I invite you to follow/subscribe to that blog as well! 
(This will be a more fun blog for me, I think)

The evening before Thanksgiving I made the mistake joy of mentioning sugar cream pie to a pregnant friend. A few days after Thanksgiving I received a text from her brother "Pregnant Lady asked about pie." So I made Mrs. E her Sugar Cream Pie :)
This is a family favorite and it is a must that I make it for...oh, every family/holiday get together. I cannot lie. It's pretty amazing!

Sugar Cream Pie
1 c. heavy whipping cream (whipped)
1-1/3 c. sugar
1/2 c. flour
3/4 c. milk
1 pie shell
2 Tbsp butter (small chunks)
Nutmeg (I use cinnamon b/c I like the taste better)

Preheat oven to 450* (425* if using a glass pan)

Whip heavy whipping cream until fluffy (this is very important!)




 Fold in sugar, flour, and milk.

Pour into un-baked pie shell. Decorate edges if you'd like :)


Dot butter bits on top
















Sprinkle with nutmeg (or cinnamon)

    

Bake for 10 minutes at 450* (or 425*) then reduce heat by 100* (350* or 325*)

Bake 30-45 minutes. You'll know its done when the jiggling stops :)

Cool to room temp and refrigerate.



I like mine cold. My mom likes it heated.

ENJOY!!!!

Peace In A Storm

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 

for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 

And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be 

perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 

James 1.2-4

My heart is heavy. 

My family's heart is heavy.

My friend's hearts are heavy.

While I completely understand this verse, I have a hard time understanding why, when we've been tested and been proved, we still have such adversary against us.

But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. 

In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. 

God has called you to peace. 

I Corinthians 7.15

I firmly believe we serve a God of Peace; Jehovah Shalom. I believe that Peace will come from all attacks of the devil. I believe that my Maker speaks Shalom over my life, my family's lives, my friend's lives, and those who listen and believe in Him. 

Let your speech always be gracious, 

seasoned with salt,

 so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. 

Colossians 4.6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge Him, 

and He will make straight your paths.

Proverbs 3.5-6

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. 

Not as the world gives do I give to you. 

Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

John 14.27

The Lord is my Rock and my Fortress and my Deliverer,

My Lord, my rock, in whom I take refuge, 

My shield, and the Horn of my Salvation, my Stronghold.

Psalm 18.2

The Lord will guide you always;  
He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. 
You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
Isaiah 58.11

He tends to His flock like a Shepherd; He gathers His lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart.
Isaiah 40.11

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.

In the world you will have tribulation. 

But take heart; I have overcome the world!

John 16.33

Alone

I posted this in my other blog (lauraschaefer.theworldrace.org) tonight, thought I would share here too.

On the way home tonight from Bible study I heard this song by Sanctus Real that I've heard a million times. Every time I hear it I can't help but think how it applies to my life.  I was on my way home tonight, listening to these words and all I could think about was how I feel so alone. Everyone was getting into their cars together, going home together, and there I was alone. Granted, I now live with my parents and not going home to an empty house, but still, an all too familiar feeling.

Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, but what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone

Someone sitting around a campfire told a story once about how he thinks God feels lonely too. He was saying that at Christmas time they were having a party with some friends and while everyone was having a grand time, no one was mentioning Christ. He went to have some quiet time in a solitary room and God told him that He would be there if invited. Now, I'm not sure that God feels lonely, but I do know that I don't invite Him to be part of my life as often as I should; not just with me when I pray, but with me on my way to work, at work, when I'm out with friends, whatever it may be. All too often I find myself praying that He would take my lonliness away; send me someone who makes "me" an "us", but really I'm not alone, He is with me always.

"Be strong and courageous
. Do not be terrified for the
Lord your God goes with you;
He will never leave you, nor foraske you"

Isn't it amazing that we (I) can be completely surrounded by the best of friends and family, whom I love and love me dearly, yet feel so alone? Back to the lyrics, God is definitely my strong hands; He has given me the strength to move back in with my parents, away from solitude and independance (not that my parents are controlling by any means). God is opening doors to fulfill dreams I didn't know I had. If you told me even five months ago that I'd be doing something like The World Race I probably would have laughed. I never thought I would be selling my things to do a trip around the world preaching the Gospel! Now, I'm so excited I wish it were July! I can't wait!
I've been reading Passion and Purity by Elizabeth Elliot (its been put on hold since the move, I need to get that back out!). God is definitely the love of my life! If he isn't then no one else ever could be. I'm learning that things may not be the way I want them to be (a concept I know all too well, but don't understand when it comes to relationships) but God knows why they are the way they are, why and when they will change, and how it will effect my life in the future.

"I know the plans I have for you,
declares the Lord,
plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future"

Another song I'm reminded of (maybe not so Christian) is Carrie Underwood's Temporary Home. It says

"This is my temporary home, it's not where I belong
Windows and rooms that I'm passing through
This is just a stop on the way to where I'm going
I'm not afraid because I know this is my temporary home"

How poignantly true is that! I'm not afraid because I know the Home I'm going to has so much more for me than this world!
So, while I still feel loneliness and solitude, its a growing process. Its me finding out who I am in Christ. It is me learning how to TRUST Him; to know that my future is in His hands and nothing can harm. It is me learning to lean on His wisdom and know that His LOVE is so much more than enough.

Mmmmmm

Today I made cupcakes for a friend's birthday. As I have stated in past posts, cupcakes-and-birthdays, I love to make sweets for my friends on their birthdays.  He requested carrot cake with cream cheese icing. The last time I did this it was requested to me to do a photo log of my process. Here you go, L, I hope you enjoy it!

Carrot Cake
2 C. Flour
2 Tsp. Baking Powder
1-1/2 Tsp. Baking Soda
1 Tsp. Salt
2-1/2 Tsp. Cinnamon
4 Eggs
1-1/2 C. Vegetable Oil (I used apple sauce, its healthier and more flavor)
2 C. White Sugar
2-3/4 C. Shredded Carrots
1 C. Pineapple (crushed and drained)
3/4 C. Walnuts (or Pecans)
1 C. Raisins
  
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan. Mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Set aside.

1. In a large bowl, mix sugar, oil, and eggs. Beat in flour mixture. Stir in shredded carrots, crushed pineapple, chopped nuts and raisins. Pour into prepared pan, or cupcake tin.
2. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.

The Icing
1-1/2 Bricks Cream Cheese
1/2 C. White Sugar
1/4 C. Powdered Sugar
1 Tbs. Vanilla ( I used half Kahlua, half Vanilla ;) )
16 Oz. Heavy Whipping Cream 

Mix the Cream Cheese, Sugars and vanilla. Slowly add Heavy Whipping Cream and mix on high until peaks are created.
Normally I use a pastry bag, but I recently moved and have no idea where my pastry bags are. A zip-loc bag works just as well. Be sure to only cut a small hole to begin with; you can always make it bigger but not smaller :). 

And Voila! Add chopped nuts for visual and taste enhancements :). 

Beautiful

My words cannot be shared. I will share someone else's.

The days will come when you don't have the strength  
When all you hear is you're not worth anything 
Wondering if you ever could be loved  
And if they truly saw your heart they'd see too much
 
Chorus:
You're beautiful You're beautiful  
You are made so much more than all of this  
You're beautiful You're beautiful  
You are treasured, You are sacred, You are His 
You're beautiful
 
I'm praying that you have the heart to find  
Cause you are more than what is hurting you tonight 
For all the lies you've held inside so long  
And they are nothing in the shadow of the cross 

Before you ever took a breath 
Long before the world began 
Of all the wonders He possessed There was one more precious  
Of all the earth and skies above You're the one He madly loves Enough to die
You're beautiful You're beautiful In His eyes 

Watch Here

More Bitter Than Sweet Tonight

I lay here, clinging to my childhood teddy bear, bawling. A lot of things were packed tonight. A lot of memories were put in the "sale" pile. Tomorrow I'll me digging into the kitchen, bathroom and finishing the living room. I have one week from today to be completely out of my apartment, out of my sanctuary, out of my place, out of my home.
I always knew this day would come, just not like this. I dreamed of moving to be with a spouse, not back with my parents. I dreamed of having my things go with me to make a new place "home."
I had to find my bear, she had been packed into a bag. I had to find that something that held me too; that sense of comfort. It may seem somewhat childish, but I'm okay with that.
All this being said, I am thankful my parents are supportive enough to let me come back....after nine years out. I am thankful God is sending me on a venture greater than my craziest imaginations. I am thankful that in the morning I'll wake and know that God's peace surpasses my understanding; that His joy is my reward.
My bawling has ceased. I'm ready for sleep. The new day of bitter sweet emotion awaits me. Friends and family coming to help share these emotions with laughter, tears and comforting words.
Nobody said this would be easy.
Nobody said it would be so hard.

Thanksgiving is less than six weeks away!

My college roommate came to visit this past weekend. While here she went through some of my recipes and requested one. It was home made cranberry sauce (I mean, lets face it, no one actually likes the stuff out of a can...there's not even cranberries in it!). I thought I would share my recipe. Even though, I do tweek it, I'll give you a bit of insight to what I did. I also thought I had a picture, searched my entire computer, and finally just googled a picture that was close to what mine looked like...in fact, quite close.

1 c. water
1 c. white sugar
1 (12 oz.) package fresh cranberries (I used Ocean Spray, I think)
1 orange peeled, and pureed (I didn't have an orange so I did Orange
Juice 1/2 cup-with lots-of-pulp!)
1 apple peeled, cored, diced
1 pear peeled, cored, diced
1 c. dried fruit mix (I had dried apricots, cranberries, and raisins.
I think any dried fruit combo works) chopped
1 c. chopped pecans (I used walnuts)
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon (I use more :) )
1/2 tsp nutmeg

Boil water and sugar until sugar dissolves. Reduce to simmer and stir
in all other ingredients. cover and simmer 30 min  stirring
occasionally until cranberries burst. Remove from heat and cool to
room temp.

I had it on simmer for about 2 hours because cranberries didn't burst,
I actually think this was better for the flavors to blend better. Obviously this recipe is subject
to change at cook's choice :)


Since the holidays are just around the corner, I thought I would get you all started on planning. What are some of your favorite recipes?

Sitting on a Rainbow

About a year ago I really felt like God was calling me to do a mission; little did I know He was calling me to the mission field, nor did I realize at the time that there was a difference between doing a mission trip and going to the mission field! In January 2012 I emailed a wonderful friend, "K," who lives in Liberia, Africa, about how I felt God calling me to do some mission work. K emailed me with some encouraging advice and things concerning if I would join him in Africa.
As time passed I felt that Liberia is not right for me; not right now at least.
About a month ago I was having one of my "my life has no purpose" meltdowns to my college roommate "J." In our conversation she told me (again) that maybe I just need to get out of Piqua; stop letting things get in my way and hold me back. Just GO. I think she was maybe talking about moving but the more I thought about it, the more I thought about how I had been called to GO!
I started Google-ing mission organizations. I started looking for a month or two mission trip. I started searching for my place to GO! I found an organization that seemed awesome and the more I read about it the more it seemed fit for me, starting with their opening line:

Have you ever wondered if there's something more out there? If

there's more to life than empty traditions, routines, and working 9-5 

everyday to achieve the impossibility of the American dream?

 YES!!! This is what I had been saying! I was so excited! I called J and she knew people who had been on the trip. I asked a pastor friend to be a reference, he agreed and hooked me up with a girl he knows who had done the trip! So with J I now had my two references; I applied two days after I had found out about THE WORLD RACE. 

This was something God told me to do on my own, not to tell my friends, not to tell my church, not to tell my FAMILY! Whoa! This was big for me! My family knows everything! So, I was obedient. It was hard! A week after applying I had a phone interview that lasted an hour. They got down to the nitty-gritty low times in my life, they heard my entire past, they got to know me better than some of my family and friends know me. A week later, I had a follow-up call just to clarify things and four days later I got the call. They told me I was "a perfect candidate for their team" AAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! My response: "That's So Awesome!" 

Now I had to tell my family. I had to ask my parents if I could move back in with them. I had to commit to moving back in with my parents, selling all my possessions and dedicating my next (at least) year and a half to the mission field! 

The World Race- 11 countries in 11 months!!!! In July I will be leaving for 11 months to Ireland, Ukraine, Romania, India, Napal, South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique, Thailand, Cambodia, and Taiwan. 

God has definitely opened doors for me. My family has been so supportive! I'm moving back 'home' after nine years of being on my own! I am so excited for the opportunity to bond with my parents before I leave. I am selling my earthly possessions; which is such a freeing opportunity! I am saving and raising money, which is very hard for me. I am a very independent person and have trouble asking for help; financially or otherwise, but I know this is what God has planned for me and I will stop at nothing to achieve His plan for my life. 

I am so excited for the next ten months before I leave. I will be growing in so many ways! God has already started to stretch who I am. I can't even begin to imagine what the following eleven will be like! I will be dirty, stinky, and poor; in return I will be growing immensely, loving the "un-lovable," and sharing God's love in ways some have never seen. I will be witnessing to other religions, rocking babies who are never held, building churches and schools where the Gospel is just being shared, teaching English, doing VBS, and becoming friends with "the least of these." 

Never questions God's plan for your life that does not match your plan! His is so much better!

 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans 

to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

Never fear! A concept all through His word, yet the hardest for me to grasp!

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; 

do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9 

Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom. 

 He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.

Isaiah 40:28-29  

So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10 (Chelsea's favorite!) 

Love God. Love People. Serve God. Serve People.  

God's Handy Work!

As I'm getting into the swing of things with blogging, by looking at friend's blogs and just snooping around, I have decided this post will be some of my photography. I'm not claiming to be an amazing photographer, but I do enjoy taking pictures; particularly of sunrise/sets and nature. I love nature, God's landscape and paintings make my heart flutter :).

 Hoar frost, simply beautiful!

 This is one of my favorites! I got lost one day and stumbled upon this beautiful lake!

 Wild flowers intrigue me!

Trees are my favorite!

 Florida...Palm Trees...Heaven!

 I love this one!

 The place that started the blog..."my temporary farm"

We never know where the path will take us, but guaranteed it has a destination in mind.