Mmmmm... Christmas

In case anyone's keeping score, yes, it's snowing! Sadly, it has not been sticking. Today was cold and rainy/snowy - slushy, I guess.

But, tonight it's supposed to start getting c.o.l.d. Hopefully, we'll wake up to a little snow on the ground. Enough to play in would be fantastic! We'll see. The forecast still holds out hope for more later in the week.

But, the more pressing issue:

We went to town yesterday and stocked up on groceries. Today, I realized that we forgot to buy chocolate! Ack! We have chocolate chips and cocoa powder, so, clearly, I will have to get to work and make them into something snackable. (Sure it's a word!)

Therefore, I bring you...

Super Easy, Super Tasty, Quick and Simple Fudge

Combine
12 oz. (2 Cups) Semi-sweet chocolate chips
with
1 Cup Butter
Microwave for about a minute, until it's all melty

In another bowl,
Beat
2 Eggs
Mix in
1 Pound Powdered Sugar

Combine the contents of the two bowls and mix well.
Stir in 1/3 teaspoon Vanilla.

Pour the fudge into a wax paper lined 8x8 pan
Refrigerate at least two hours

Cut into tiny pieces and nibble away!

I guarantee this fudge will turn out right every time and will taste great, without the need for tricky stove-top cooking or special ingredients.

Enjoy!!

Blogging about the Weather

I know, not the most thrilling topic at first glance...

But take a look at this and tell me what you see:

Could we be headed for a white Christmas??

That would be a real thrill for this formerly coastal family.

Of course, I left out the part of the forecast that says the high on Tuesday will be EIGHT degrees. That may be thrilling in a whole other way...

We're off to Walla Walla (the town so nice they named it twice) this afternoon to get my Washington drivers license and get some groceries in anticipation of the week of cold/snowy weather ahead. The road into the ranch is not one that would be a fun drive in winter weather. We'll also go watch the Ranch Boys play a basketball game while we're in town.

I'm telling you. We are learning to get lots done when we're in town, now that we're out in the boonies. At least, we try... I think this is our fifth trip to the DMV. Ack!

Life is good.

We made it!

If you've been here before, you might notice I've changed up my header a wee bit. I really can't be "on the S OR Coast" any longer, now that I'm... well... NOT.

I'm still toying with the title. What do you think?

The picture is of the sunset here, as viewed from the widows at the back of our house. Every sunset since we arrived has been amazing.

I have so much to tell, but I'm still in a daze with all the change and all the unpacking and organizing and all the finding places to put things.

It's a good daze, though. God is clearly in it!

I feel sure I'll be back soon with more details.

Family News

Dearest Friends and Family,

I write to you today with gratitude in my heart for all that God is doing for our family. I am truly exhausted with moving preparations - we load the truck on Wednesday! - but I wanted to take a moment to give you the Readers Digest version of our story, for those of you who haven't heard.

When Roger and I met, we were both serving full time in residential ministries to kids. After a time, God moved us away from that work, but we always believed we'd return to it one day. As time went on and the Lord moved Roger up into positions of greater and greater responsibility, we began to dream that one day we might even be blessed to lead a residential ministry to children. As we transitioned from one job to the next, watching the Lord prepare us for the next thing, we always looked for an opportunity to move back into professional ministry. The door never opened.

Last spring, Roger got a call, completely out of the blue, from an executive search firm. They were looking for an Executive Director for a ministry to troubled boys in Southeast Washington. Someone in Arkansas had given them Roger's name and they wondered if he was interested.

To condense the next six months: We weren't interested. We were content here in North Bend. We weren't planning to move again for at least five years. But God had another plan. He prompted Roger to continue taking "one more step" in the process. Finally, in early September, we traveled to Washington to visit Jubilee Youth Ranch. Even then, we didn't expect to take the job. Following that visit, God continued to make our path to Jubilee straight. Every time we had a question or a concern, it was answered before we asked. Every time we had a conversation about the reasons we wouldn't go, God would speak the very same words back to us through others, without their knowledge. He led clearly, He led gently. Ultimately, we realized that this is what we had been waiting for. It is an amazing opportunity!

The Ranch is located near Prescott, Washington, surrounded by wheat fields and 5,000 acres of apple orchards, near the Snake River. It was founded by a few families who wanted to start a ministry to troubled youth. They built the facilities and have been waiting for the right person to come and lead the ministry. Right now, there are about 25 boys there. Most of the staff live on campus. We will be provided with a beautiful home on the edge of campus. The Board of Directors are amazing people who love the Lord and are eager to do His work. There are foundations laid for housing for around 200 boys. We'll be attending church and shopping, etc, in Walla Walla, about 30 minutes away, and the Tri Cities, about 45 minutes away.

I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you might have! We are very excited about making this move and very eager to see what God is going to do. It is a thrilling task and a daunting challenge that reminds us constantly of our need to be completely dependent on God for wisdom and courage. Please, pray for us! We'll do our best to keep in touch and would love to see any of you come for a visit to our little spot in the country.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Amy!

I'm so glad you were born.




(wow! that's a lot of candles!)

A Great Take on Election Day

It's interesting and fun for me to watch the results of "election day" roll in.

But here's a much more important take on
Election Day.

Click over and enjoy!

Too Funny to Keep to Myself

Another blogger suggested this.

Type "Brenda needs" into Google and see what comes up. I didn't expect much and found myself cracking up in front of my computer...

Give it a try with your name! Let's see what you need!

1. Brenda needs love and strength to pull herself out
-ain't that the truth!

2. Brenda needs her medication
-more on that later (see #11)

3. Brenda needs a partner
-who knows how to pack a family of eight for a a move to another state!

4. Brenda needs a $37000 DSLR
-wouldn't that be something! Think I'd take better pictures??

5. Brenda needs a chocolate chip cookie
-mmmm...

6. Brenda needs a (ahem) supportive undergarment...
-got that covered, thank you very much.

7. Brenda needs to conduct herself as an adult woman
-um, yeah. I'll work on that... or not...

8. Brenda needs continuing medical care
-there are these bumps on my head...

9. Brenda needs lots of space
-to stack all of her moving boxes.

10. Brenda needs more from Sonny.
-who's Sonny? and what does he have to offer that I might want more of??

I was going to do ten, but I can't stop!

11. Brenda needs to stabilize those emotions with a little Zoloft or something
- need I say more?

12. Brenda needs help eating, dressing, bathing and going to the bathroom.
-actually, I have way too much help with all of the above!

13. Brenda needs moral support
-more, please!

14. Brenda needs to practise Decorum
-certainly not at Cubbies!

15. Brenda needs some prayers
-bring 'em on!

16. Brenda needs to know how the mystery ends
- so very, very true.

17. Brenda needs to get her things moved
-to SE Washington.

18. Brenda needs To Shape Up, Come Clean And Stop Feeling Sorry For Herself
- just as soon as I manage #17.

19. Brenda needs help
- ack!

20. Brenda needs a makeover!
-no comment.

So much truth from such a random source... [wink]

From Under the Pile,
Brenda