July 15, 2013
Mikayla is attending a ten day MK reentry program at Cedarville University in Cedarville, Ohio put on by Barnabas Ministries.
(https://www.barnabas.org/reentry/who.php)
Kirsten and I are enjoying a few days of retreat at Baan Sabai in Aurora, IN (http://paracletos.org/baan-sabai/)
Please keep us in your prayers - Kurt, Ben and James as they are in the Philippines; Mikayla as she transitions to college; for James' adoption to be completed soon; for safe travels for us; and for each of us to grow in His grace and shine His light. Thanks!
July 8, 2013
Mikayla, Kirsten and I are in the USA to get Mikayla ready for college. We arrived today at noon.
We had an uneventful flight from Manila to Detroit and are now enjoying time with family. We are also trying to stay awake until 7p to fight through jetlag.
July 6, 2013
O Lord, grant me to greet the coming day in peace.
Help me in all things to rely upon thy holy will.
In every hour of the day reveal thy will to me.
Bless my dealings with all who surround me.
Teach me to treat all that comes to me throughout the day with peace of soul, and with firm conviction that thy will governs all.
In all my deeds and words guide my thoughts and feelings.
In unforeseen events let me not forget that all are sent by thee.
Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others.
Give me strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day with all
that it shall bring.
Direct my will, teach me to pray, pray thou thyself in me.
Amen.
Metropolitan Philaret of Moscow
June 30, 2013
Kurt has been learning to cook in preparation for the two months I'll be in the USA with Mikayla and Kirsten.
Mikayla and Kurt cooking
He's quite good and we've been enjoying delicious Spanish rice, stir fry, egg bakes, omelets, and desserts.
The other day he and Mikayla made supper. For dessert they made rock cakes. These are an excellent dessert.
Rock Cakes - Rosey's Jolly Raspberry Jelly Rock Cakes
from the Redwall Cookbook
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus a bit more for rolling the dough
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 Tablespoons butter or margarine, chilled and cubed, plus a bit more for the baking sheet
1/2 cup sugar, plus additional for sprinkling
2 eggs, lightly beaten
Blueberry, Strawberry, or Raspberry Jam or Jelly
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Grease baking sheet.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
Add the butter or margarine and rub it into the flour with your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the sugar. Make a well in the centre, add the eggs and mix well to form a stiff dough.
Turn the dough out onto a floured board and form it into a roll.
Cut the dough into ten pieces, shape them into balls and place them well apart on a baking sheet.
Use your thumb to make a hole in the centre of each and fill the hole with jam or jelly.
Pinch the dough closed over the jam, sprinkle the rock cakes with a little sugar and bake them until golden brown, about 15 minutes.
Cool the cakes on a wire rack and eat them while fresh, preferably on the same day.
June 30, 2013
