Browsed by
Category: spring

"Good" Friday: a day of darkness

"Good" Friday: a day of darkness


Death Valley Natn’l Park, Easter 2006

… you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold
from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers,
but with precious blood,
as of a lamb
unblemished
and spotless,
the blood of Christ.
– I Peter 1:18-19

As a result of the anguish of His soul,
He will see it and be satisfied;
By His knowledge the Righteous One,
My Servant, will justify the many,
As He will bear their iniquities.
Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great,
And He will divide the booty with the strong;
Because He poured out Himself to death,
And was numbered with the transgressors;
Yet He Himself bore the sin of many,
And interceded for the transgressors.
– Isaiah 53:11-12

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium
and gathered the whole Roman cohort around Him.
And they stripped Him, and put a scarlet robe on Him.
And after weaving a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they kneeled down before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
And they spat on Him, and took the reed and began to beat Him on the head.
And after thay has mocked Him, they took His robe off and put His garments on Him,
and led Him away to crucify Him.
And about the ninth hour
Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachtani?” that is,
“My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?“
– Matthew 27:27-31,46

"Free" Time

"Free" Time

There is nothing like having “free” time if you want to see it fill up!
The college is closed this week, as is the school we teach the CEF club at, due to “spring break” (i.e. Easter Vacation). Since Dad can’t get this week off, we weren’t planning on doing anything in particular. So far that “nothing in particular” has included a lot of yard work, starting in on attic organization, cleaning my room, baking ………………….. the list goes on and on!
Spring break is a great time to get caught up on stuff!

“Vacation” might not happen, but, oh well. At least we are enjoying a clean(er) house and yard! And besides, who says you need to go somewhere to have a vacation? Or that you must relax? A vacation is simply a departure from the normal, necessary, hum-drum-ity of life. Right?

Remembered Joys

Remembered Joys

The oranges are blooming!
I was walking outside tonight, enjoying the mild evening and the half moon, when I caught a familiar scent. I smelled the orange blossoms.
The scent of orange blossoms is heady and earthy, exquisitely complex yet simple. It is strong and delicate, a scent that, once smelled, is unforgettable.

Serendipity

Serendipity

The lone tulip in our yard.

A year and a half ago we planted several bags of tulip bulbs, and last year most of them bloomed. This year? Well, ………….. we have one (so far)!
A single, lone beauty.

We were starting to lose hope that any would bloom, and then …………….. one did! A surprise that made us smile.

Happy Birthday To Daddy, Happy Birthday To You!

Happy Birthday To Daddy, Happy Birthday To You!



He turned 50 today!!!!!!
Wow, that’s old! Or young, it just depends on your perspective.

We had a party this afternoon, to which some of Dad’s oldest friends (or at least, the oldest local ones) were invited.
The main event was a BBQ, and included hot dogs and kosher Polish dogs (with sour kraut), two kinds of hamburgers, and salmon.
Some of the favorite recipes from today were Ambrosia (otherwise known as “5-Cup Salad”), Chocolate Spice Cake and Lemon Meringue Pie. Yummy!

Ambrosia
1 cup flaked/shredded coconut
1 cup sour cream
1 cup mandarin oranges
1 cup pineapple chunks
1 cup miniature marshmallows
Combine everything, and let it sit overnight in the fridge. You can mess with the proportions as much as you want (I like to triple the recipe and put in 4 cups of mini marshmallows). Best served chilled.


Chocolate Spice Cake
Grease and dust a 9×13 sheet pan.
Sift together:
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
Combine and bring to a boil:
1 cup butter
1 cup water
4 tbsp. cocoa
Pour this over the dry mixture and mix in:
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla
Bake at 400 degrees, 20-25 minutes.
Icing
Heat:
1 stick butter
4 tbsp. cocoa
6 tbsp. milk
Add 1/2 – 1 box powdered sugar to achieve desired consistency and 1 cup pecans (optional). Spread on cake while hot.

Lemon Meringue Pie
Combine
3 tbsp. cornstarch with
1 cup (scant) sugar in the top of a double boiler. Add
grated rind of 1 lemon,
4 tbsp. lemon juice,
1 tbsp butter, and
3 beaten egg yolks. Mix well, then add
1 1/2 cups boiling water slowly.
Cook over hot water until thick (should coat the back of a spoon).
Pour into pre-baked pie shell.
Meringue
Beat until foamy
3 egg whites
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
5 tbsp sugar (beat in slowly) until stiff and glossy.
Do NOT under-beat.
Heap meringue onto hot pie filling and spread – carefully sealing edges to prevent shrinking or weeping.
Bake about 10 minutes at 400 degrees, or until delicately golden-brown.
Cool gradually to prevent shrinking.

It sounds as if all we did was eat! Not so …………….. There was a lot of talking, laughing, and remembering!
We had a wonderful time celebrating Dad and all that he has meant to us.
I do not think that it is possible to overstate the blessing of having a father who loves God, a father who seeks to know God ever better and deeper. Even more, one who prays for his children every day.

Thank you, Daddy, for teaching me about the Lord of your life and the world He so lovingly created.
I love you Dad.

Doing My Best

Doing My Best


Math Homework, originally uploaded by Lizi Beth.

“Your job is to do the best you can and leave the results up to God.”
– Facing The Giants

That includes everything.
Yes, everything.
Even math homework.

Even when I don’t understand or “get” it.