Random Pictures

I was just about to blog about these photos last week, when I got an awful phone call from my sister. We pretty dropped everything and went up north to be with my family, and when we got back I was sick with the worst flu I've had since I can remember. So, needless to say, my blog got left unattended and the two random pictures got left here without explanation. I posted them in celebration of Cisco and my 11 year mark of being together as a couple. On March 7, 2000 we had "the talk", and exactly one year later on the same date, he proposed to me. I said yes. And here we are, 11 years later, and probably the only couple in the world who celebrates our "anniversary" of when we started dating. This November we will be celebrating our 10th anniversary of being married, and wouldn't you know, it falls on Thanksgiving day. Boo. So you see, perhaps it's not so silly of us to celebrate our dating anniversary, since we just about NEVER get to celebrate our actual wedding anniversary at the proper time. So my advice to those of you reading this, who haven't gotten married yet, DO NOT even think about getting married around a holiday. Because you will never be able to celebrate your anniversary on your anniversary. :)

11 Years Together

All in a Good Weekend....

Considering the amazing weather we had this weekend, we decided to make the most of it and took a little trip to San Diego on Saturday. We went to a favorite spot of ours, Balboa Park, and the boys had a blast climbing the incredibly perfect climbing trees there. We then finished the day off with some Chinese food (the boys fave!) and a little trip to Sprinkles cupcakes (my fave!). All in all, a pretty awesome day. :)
Today we had our Ladies High Tea, our first event of the semester for the female students here on campus. It was a super fun night and definitely one of the nicest events we've put on so far. I just love being a part of doing these events for the girls and look forward to them each semester. I came home and Cisco and I watched this new show called Secret Millionaire. By far one of the best shows I've seen in awhile, had me in full on tears in the first 10 minutes. Cisco and I have been praying for the past couple months about ways the Lord would want to use us in our community here. We have a few ideas, but no clear direction yet, and seeing this show tonight just gave me such a renewed excitement in it. We may not have millions (or even close to that, ha!) but we have the Lord and the lives He's given us. There's so much need in every community, and so many areas to help..so many precious people who need Jesus!
Lastly, a close friend of ours who is a young, local Senior Pastor here in Temecula and a teacher at the Bible College, was diagnosed with a brain tumor this past Friday. He has 2 young boys and I would ask anyone and everyone who reads this to pray for him and his family. He's waiting to get surgery to remove the tumor, but is in much pain and suffering in the meantime. I can't even imagine the intensity of this trial they are going through right now yet I know the Lord is near to those who call upon Him. They're names are Brent and Andrea Yim. Thank you for praying!

Recipes!

Cinnamon Biscotti

Ingredients:
3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar, divided
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon plus 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, divided
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped pecans
semi-sweet or milk chocolate, melted

Preparation: 
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a large baking sheet. In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer set on medium speed, beat 3/4 cup sugar and butter until creamy, about 3 minutes.  Stir in eggs and vanilla until smooth. In a small bowl, combine flour, 1 tablespoon cinnamon, baking powder and salt. Using an electric mixer set on low speed, beat flour mixture into butter mixture until a dough forms, about 1 minute. Stir in pecans. 
Divide the dough in half. On the prepared baking sheet, shape each half of the dough into a 9x2 inch log. Flatten the tops of the logs slightly. In a small bowl, combine remaining sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle mixture over the logs.
Baking the logs for 20 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes. Cut the logs diagonally into 1/2 inch slices.
Reduce heat to 325 degrees. Arrange biscotti slices flat on 2 baking sheets; bake until dry, about 20 minutes longer. Cool completely. Drizzle melted chocolate over tops of biscotti, and let stand, about 15 minutes.

Cream Scones

Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour
1/3 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/8 teaspoons salt
1/3 cup chilled, unsalted butter 
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup whipping cream (can also use light or heavy cream, or half and half)

Egg mixture for top of scones:
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon heavy cream or whipping cream
Beat together egg and cream

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees and place rack in middle of oven. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut the butter into small pieces and blend into flour mixture with a pastry blender or two knives. The mixture should look like coarse crumbs. In a small measuring cup combine the whipping cream, beaten egg, and vanilla. Add to the flour mixture and stir until just combined. Do not overmix. 
Knead dough gently on lightly floured surface. Roll or pat dough into a circle that is 7 inches round and about 1 1/2 inches thick. Cut this circle into 8 triangular sections or cut into rounds with a cookie cutter. 
Make the egg mixture for top of scones and brush over tops. Place on lined cookie sheets and bake for 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Transfer to a cooling rack and cool. 
Variation:
Add 1/3 cup miniature chocolate chips to dough before kneading for a chocolate chip scone.
Add 1/3 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen and thawed) to dough before kneading for a blueberry scone.   

Biscotti & Scones

So here's a picture of the biscotti I made Wednesday night, the scones didn't quite make it into the picture...they were long gone by the time I got around to taking a picture, I'd say they were a hit..  :) I'll make a separate post with the actual recipes as blogger seems to be giving me a hard time right now. Still trying to figure this thing out, grr...

 

Wednesday Home Group

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Wednesday nights we have a home group at our house with around 15-20 students (it varies each week) and it has easily turned into my favorite day/night of the week. I usually end up in the boys' room (during the teaching) hangin out, reading books, and having "Angry Birds" tournaments. They are the joy of my life and such fun kiddos. Next week, we're gonna build a fort so pics of that will be posted for sure!

Fear Pt. 2

Ok, so wow, my mind has seriously been blown away today. I debated back and forth in my mind whether or not to post that yesterday, as I didn't want it to be like some "self help" thing or something, but I'm so glad I did. I really was puzzled by the whole thing and those who responded, as well as the Lord just speakin like the dickens this morning, I just am so encouraged and really excited to see what He's going to do. I've been reading "Lies Women Believe and the Truth that sets them free" with a friend these past few weeks, and it's seriously been kicking my butt. Such a good book. Anyway, I was reading the chapter on priorities and she was talking about giving our best to God. And I came to realize, that when being gripped with fear we cannot give our best to God. And He deserves no less than that. It's about giving glory to Him and how can we glorify Him if we are withholding ourselves or parts of ourselves? We can't! Whew. Really got me. If I'm worried about what others are thinking my motives are in something or whatever the situation may be, it cripples me and causes me to fail. (Not passing the blame AT ALL, it's very much a CHOICE I've so unfortunately been making). Poop. I've been seriously praying for some time that He would show me what my deal is, and Praise Him, He just did!
Like I said a few posts back, this year is a year of change for me. I've known that since January 1, no kidding. Not in a "New Year resolution" kind of way, just something I've felt very strongly in my heart. And as the weeks have passed I've seen even more that the Lord is requiring a lot from me. I'm extremely excited but at the same time, very afraid. The things I know He's wanting are things I cannot fail at in my life any longer. I desire so much to rise to the occasion but honestly, didn't know if I could. Will I? Only time will tell...but I know I want to give Him my best.
"Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills." Habakkuk 3:18,19.

In other news and weather, my next post will be my first cooking post! Woo hoo! :) Most likely to come on Thursdays. Still trying to think of a clever lil' name for these segments, if anyone has any suggestions, pass 'em along! We have a home group at our house Wednesday nights so I'll most likely be sharing whatever concoction I've whipped up for the students. Wednesday has most definitely become my favorite day of the week, LOVE our little home group!
Well, I'm off to pick up Josiah from school and enjoy this beautiful afternoon with my little munchkins!