Fran: Oatmeal Carmelitas

Many of you have demanded, er, asked very politely ;) for this recipe so I thought I'd go ahead and post it. I'm not even going to pretend these are diet! In fact, I'm not going to give you the nutritional info at all. Just know that if you eat more than one you'd better go for a nice long jog!

Oatmeal Carmelitas
CRUST
2 cups flour
2 cups oatmeal
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/4 cups butter, softened

FILLING
1 (12.5 ounce) jar caramel ice cream topping
3 TBS flour
1 cup milk chocolate chips
*1/2 cup walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine all crust ingredients and mix until crumbly; press half of the mixture into the bottom of a greased 9 x 13 baking pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Sprinkle chocolate chips and *nuts over the hot crust. In a small bowl combine caramel topping and 3 TBS flour; drizzle over chocolate and nuts. Sprinkle remaining crumb mixture over the top of the caramel.

Bake for 18-22 minutes. Allow to cool before cutting into 30 pieces. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

*I never add the nuts but if you do toasting them first adds a great flavor to the bar.

Fran: Lighten Up!

Well, it's that time of year again; everyone is on a diet! Just because everyone is trying to lose the five (or more) pounds they gained over the holidays doesn't mean our desire for something sweet has been tamed though. So I thought I would post a couple of recipes for desserts. These can be done with regular ingredients or with low cal/low fat/ sugar free ingredients to lighten things up a bit.

Black Forest Parfaits
1 (8oz) package cream cheese, softened
2 cups cold 2% milk
1 (3.4 oz) package instant chocolate pudding
1 (21 oz) can cherry pie filling
1 TBS cherry syrup (DaVinci's coffee syrups work well)
1/2 cup chocolate wafer crumbs

BEAT: Cream cheese with 1/2 cup of the milk at low speed until smooth. Add pudding mix and remaining milk; beat until smooth (1 - 2 minutes).

MIX: Cherry pie filling and syrup. Spoon 1/2 of the pudding mixture evenly into individual dessert dishes; sprinkle with wafer crumbs. Cover crumbs with pie filling and top with remaining pudding mixture. Chill until ready to serve. Garnish with additional wafer crumbs and cherries if desired.

Makes 6 servings

Nutrition:
Calories 398, fat 16.5, sat. fat 9.94, sodium 277 mg, carb. 56.3, fiber 2, protein 7

Lightened up:
Calories 231, fat 9, sat. fat 5, sodium 420, carb 30, fiber 2, protein 7
(Lightened up version uses low fat cream cheese, sugar free instant pudding, 1% milk and lite cherry pie filling)

~

Strawberry Trifle
1 (3.5 oz) package instant vanilla pudding
1 1/2 cups 2% milk
6 (2.6 oz) slices angel food cake (1/8 of a typical homemade cake)
1 cup cool whip
(10 oz) package frozen unsweetened strawberries, thawed

Mix milk and instant pudding together and let stand for 5 minutes to thicken. Cut cake pieces into cubes. In a large trifle bowl (or 6 individual trifle cups) layer cake, strawberries, pudding and cool whip.

Nutrition:
Calories 354, fat 5, sat. fat 4, sodium 383, carb. 73, fiber 1, protein 7

Lightened up:
Calories 272, fat 4, sat. fat 3, sodium 367, carb. 48, fiber 1.5, protein 9.5
(Lightened up version uses sugar free instant pudding, 1% milk and light angel food cake (recipe to follow)

~

Light Angel Food Cake
3/8 cup sugar
4 1/2 teaspoons sugar twin sugar substitute or Splenda
9 egg whites
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
6 tablespoons pure vanilla
3/4 teaspoon baking powder

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a medium bowl mix together flour and baking powder. In a large bowl beat egg whites until they become frothy. Add cream of tartar to egg whites and beat until stiff peaks form. Next sprinkle sugar and Splenda/or twin carefully over the eggs and gently stir until blended. Add vanilla to the egg white mixture. With hand mixer on med/low speed, slowly sprinkle flour mixture into eggs, about 1 tbsp at a time, mixing as each is added. Pour into a medium cake pan or into individual cupcake papers and bake until top springs up when poked; approximately 25 minutes. Storing them overnight in a plastic ziplock bag makes them moister. I've also read that you can use only Splenda and omit the sugar though I haven't tried it.

Bon Appetite!

Laurie: Taco Salad

Elaina just made this for our church potluck
and by request we're adding it to the blog cookbook.

1 pkg. taco seasoning mix
1 lb. hamburger, fried and drained well
1 cup sliced black olives
1 lg. bag spicy nacho doritos, crushed in bag
3-4 tomatoes, cut up
1 can kidney beans, drained
1 lb. cheddar cheese, grated
1 head lettuce, chopped
1 lg. onion, chopped
1 16oz. bottle catalina french dressing

Mix all ingredients together except lettuce and chips.
Add them last, right before serving, to keep crisp.

Pam: Storms Of Life

As I stand at my kitchen sink washing up the dishes from my lunchtime meal, I gaze out the window and take note of the festivities that have begun. The trees begin their dance, wiggling, jiggling swaying to and fro moving to the music of the plastic covering on the wood, flapping out its irresistible beat. The wind chimes join in, bong, bong...tingle, bang, bong with the sporadic bump against the window to make sure you're paying attention. The water in the creek can't resist and takes part with a splish-splash of tiny waves keeping rhythm licking at the shore. Not to be left out, the barn door drums out a steady thump, thump, rattle, rattle, rattle, rattle, thump thump while giant clouds looming overhead fill the ever darkening sky. Finally the foreseeable procession begins pitter-pattering its way through at first while gaining momentum with each minute that passes until at last the fullness of its strength engulfs us, relentlessly pouring to the earth, beckoning all to join the torrential express, pulling along anything and everything that is movable, not with solid anchor, both willing and unwilling.

Such are the storms of our lives. They creep in slowly, so subtle in fact you may miss the first signs. Then before you know it, often without warning, you are in the midst of a trial. The question is, are you anchored to the Rock or are you wavering on shifting sand? When the dark clouds loom over your head do you allow yourself to be pulled loose, swept away like the gravel and rocks that flow down the road or are you securely affixed, knowing Jesus is in control? Take hold of the Savior's hand, cling to it tightly as you experience the seasons of you life ever anticipating your eternal reward.

I love the words of Elisha A. Hoffman and Anthony J. Showalter:

What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms.
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Oh how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Oh how bright the path grows from day to day, leaning on the everlasting arms.
What have I to dread, what have I to fear, leaning on the everlasting arms.
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning on Jesus, safe and secure from all alarms.
Leaning on Jesus, leaning on the everlasting arms.

Psalm 23:4 ~ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for You are with me; Your rod and your staff they comfort me.

Shannon: Forget it

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:12-14).

When Zac was nine, he played his one and only year of football. I was a nervous wreck most of that season, envisioning broken collar bones and head injuries and the like--but that's probably the subject of another post.

What I remember most from that season was a single play that happened during what we have since referred to as "the mud bowl." The boys played their last game on a field absolutely covered in mud. In most places, no field lines were visible. And you could tell they loved every gooey step.

In the last few minutes of the game, with Zac's team behind by a touchdown, the quarterback threw a pass to an unlikely target. The boy who looked down at the ball in his hand was a very tall, very gangly child who hadn't received a pass all season. He hadn't wanted to receive a pass. I think he enjoyed being out there with the others, but he never showed any signs of wanting to be part of the action. Today, he was.

For a split second, he just stared at that ball. And then, rising to the shouts of the parents on the sideline, he began running. Those long legs made for long strides, and at first, it looked like he would easily outrun the other boys. But after only a half-dozen steps, he turned over his shoulder and looked back. The pack was coming on strong. "Keep running!" we all shouted. He ran a few more steps, and looked over his shoulder again. And again, it slowed him enough that the stampeding boys made up a bit of ground.

Despite all our screaming--"Don't look back! Keep running!"--the child couldn't help himself. And though I think he could have easily made it to the end zone, he didn't. With just feet to go, one last look over his shoulder gave those tacklers the pause they needed ... and they brought him down.

Over the years, every time I read that verse in Philippians 3, I am reminded of that boy, and of the pack of hungry boys chasing at his heels. And I remember this about our enemy: he chases too. And his greatest goal is to bring us down.


Satan's great desire is to keep us looking back. He loves to bring up the past, because I think he knows that if he can get us looking over our shoulders, he can keep us from looking ahead. He can keep us in a state of despair, or hopelessness, or shame. Who among us has not made mistakes, and many of them? But our Father's forgiveness is vast ... and eternal. He doesn't remember those things He's already cleansed us of, so why should we?

When the choice is put to you, which would you rather spend your time doing: looking back at all your mistakes (which always look ugliest over your shoulder), or looking forward to the moment when you get your first glimpse of the face you most long to see; when you get a first look into those eyes that have watched you with compassion from the moment of your conception?

Life is too short to spend it analyzing the past, digging at our scabs, and regretting our mistakes. Today is a new day. God's mercies are new in it. We've turned a new page on a new year. And all the best is ahead.

This could be the year that Jesus returns for us. Let's spend these seconds, minutes and hours He's given us in working for His kingdom and anticipating His return. Let's thank God for the gracious cleansing of all our sins, and then leave the past where it belongs--behind us.

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland" (Isaiah 43:18-19).

Laurie: Immanuel

"The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me
Because He has annointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the
brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind.
To set at liberty those who are
oppressed;
To proclaim the acceptable year of
the LORD."
Then He closed the book, and gave it
back to the attendant and sat down. And
the eyes of all who were in the synagogue
were fixed on Him.

And He began to say to them, "Today
this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
So all bore witness to Him, and marveled
at the gracious words which proceeded
out of His mouth.... Luke 4:18-22

This is the reason I came My beloved.

Who are the poor among you?
Those who don't know Me, they wander about
crying out, but don't know what for.
Who are the broken hearted?
You see them everywhere you go. Lost and
alone, divorced or cruelly mistreated. That's
what this world does to people. It draws them in
with false promises and then spits them out.
Who are the captives?
Aren't they the ones who are captivated by this
world and all it has to offer, not hearing My
whispers to try to capture their hearts.
Who are the blind?
They have left Me and are no longer thankful.
The cares of this world have swallowed them up,
the hurts and disappointments have overrun
their minds and consumed them.
And who are the oppressed?
They are those who the enemy keeps from my call.
I call out day and night, but they are restrained.

This is why I came, into a hurting world.
I see your hurt, I see your pain, I see your very
need.
I am the way, the truth, and the life.

You need a Savior, you need a Redeemer, a Healer,
a Comforter, You need the truth
to set you free.

All who labor and are heavy laden, aren't you
weary of laboring?
I am gentle and lowly in heart. I will give you
rest for your souls.

Come to Me.

For unto us a child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
and the government will be upon His
shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Is. 9:6

I came, because I love you.

Cora: Monthly Calendar

Hello ladies.

Merry Christmas to you all. I pray that God blessed you greatly during the Christmas season.

Can you believe 2008 is just around the corner? Time seems to fly by so fast.

Our regular Tuesday evening Bible studies will be starting up again in January. From January until May, we will be studying the Fruits of the Spirit. This is going to be a wonderful study.

Here is the calendar for January:
January 8 - church office at 6:30 p.m. - Fruit of the Spirit study (love)
January 22 - church office at 6:30 p.m. - Fruit of the Spirit study (joy)

We will have studies ready for you beginning on December 30. Please look for these on Sunday.

Also, just a reminder, our annual spring retreat is coming in April!

Cora: Monthly Calendar

Hi ladies.

We will be taking a break from our study in December so that you can enjoy your families this month and get ready for Christmas.

However, we will be having the Christmas Tea on December 4, at the church office at 6:30. Please see my previous post for details regarding the Christmas Tea.

The next time we get together, we will begin our Fruit of the Spirit study. This will begin on January 8. Please watch the bulletin and listen for announcements on Sunday morning for when the first study will be available to you.

Have a blessed Christmas season.

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."
Luke 2:10-11

Shannon: A Simple Advent

Renee just wrote and asked about the hand-out we made available a few Christmases ago on the topic of Advent. I did a little browsing and found that I still had the original form in my files. So in case anyone else is interested in celebrating advent this year, here you go:

A Simple Advent Celebration
Calvary Chapel Marysville

Many good books exist on the hows and whys of a formal Advent celebration. We found that approach too complicated for our family. Here are the basic elements of a simple Advent, one you can begin immediately:

1) Choose a night. Traditionally, Advent begins the fourth Sunday before Christmas, but we’ve chosen different nights over the years.

2) Collect a simple wreath, five candlesticks, five candles (one of which is a different color). Traditionally, pink and purple are used. We often use white and red.

3) Choose a passage of scripture and a Christmas carol or two for each night of Advent. Here are some passages and corresponding songs to get you started:
      4th week: Isaiah 9:6-7, “O Come, All Ye Faithful”
      3rd week: Luke 2:1-7, “O Little Town of Bethlehem"
      2nd week: Luke 2:8-14, “Hark The Herald Angels Sing”
      1st week: Luke 2:15-20, “While Shepherds Watched”
      Christmas Eve: Galatians 4:4-7, “Joy to the World”

Here’s what you do:
      1. Dim the lights
      2. Light the first candle (each week, you will light one more candle: the fourth week before Christmas, light one; the third week before Christmas, light that one and one additional, etc.)
      3. Pray
      4. Read the passage of scripture you’ve chosen for that week
      5. Ask questions relating to the passage. Prepare your own, or choose from the following:
            How much darkness does it take to overcome light?
            How much light does it take to overcome darkness?
            What Christmas tradition means the most to you? Why?
            What can we do to make sure the true meaning of Christmas isn’t lost?
            What gives you hope?
            How did the birth of Jesus change the course of history?
            How did the birth of Jesus change your life?
            Is Jesus the authority of your life?
            Are you anxious for His return?
            What can you do to make the most of your time while you wait for Him?
      6. Sing one or two Christmas carols. Be spontaneous; let your children choose songs.
      7. Pray, asking God to keep your mind focused on Him during the coming week.

* * *

If you've never celebrated Advent together as a family, I urge you to try this year. It's always the most restful, reflective part of Christmas for us.

Cora: Lights of Christmas Reminder

Hello ladies!

Just wanted to tell you that it is not too late to sign up for the Lights of Christmas. This is always such a wonderful time of fellowship. Please don't miss it.

The cost is $25.00. Please pay as soon as you can.

Please see me for your parking pass. It is important that you get a parking pass, as this will get you parked in the right area, near our cabin.

There will be a testimony Friday evening at 9:30 in our cabin. Breakfast is served Saturday morning from 7:30 to 9:30 and there will be a devotional Saturday morning at 10:00.

We will be meeting at the church office at 4:00 for anyone that wants to carpool. We will be getting some dinner, make an essential run to Starbucks and then head out to Warm Beach for an evening of fun!!

Hope to see you there!!