Cookie Baking Night 05/12/14

Tonight was Cookie Baking Night. In attendance this evening: Emily and Alli. We made chocolate chip cookies and white chocolate chip cookies (can't go wrong with a classic).

We continued working on an art project that we started several weeks ago (more on that later). 

Tonight we also started a new book, Training Hearts and Teaching Minds by Starr Meade (Subtitled: Family Devotions Based on the Shorter Catechism). 

Question 1:  "What is Man's Primary Purpose?"

Answer 1: "Man's Primary Purpose is to Glorify God and to Enjoy Him Forever"

The first lesson explored the idea of what happens when you use things for purposes other than what they are intended to be used for (such as putting marshmallows in a toaster or using white shoe polish to whiten your teeth)--I think we'll explore this lesson a little more next Cookie Baking Night with a few object lessons to illustrate that point. Emily read Psalm 16:11 for us from the Bible (You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.) 

This book is set up to go through a question a week with something to talk about each night. We'll probably modify the format to fit the Cookie Baking Night schedule and take a few nights to work through each question. This book shows real promise. I'll keep you posted on my thoughts as we work through it. 

Another Cookie Baking Night has come and gone and, as usual, a fun time was had by all. 

An Evening With A Niece 05/2014

The whole purpose of Cookie Baking Nights is to mentor my nieces and nephews from childhood into adulthood (to have a voice in their lives via a relationship). Once they become teenagers and school and friend activities increase, the lure of Cookie Baking Nights decreases, but my purpose remains the same, so I have to get creative. 

I can see in my niece, Emily, that this little lamb is going to need the gospel message and a little extra care to maneuver through the teenage years (I said to Emily a couple weeks ago: "Do you think we're going to survive these teenage years?" Her casual reply: "Hard to say." My reply: "Who do you think will crack first, me or you?" Her reply: "Probably you."--let's pray she isn't right--seriously people, pray). 

We have discovered a common bond, an interest in cooking. We're taking her years of cookie baking experience and moving into the realm of meal making. She made a list of meals she would like to learn how to make and a few nights a month we've been providing Greg (aka our guinea pig) with our gourmet feasts. 

The night we made chicken lo mein 

and chocolate chip cookies (old habits die hard)

the night we made beef and broccoli

and cream cheese wontons 

(Are you sensing a culinary theme? My Dad-Larry started her on Chinese food at a very early age and she's loved it ever since). 

I thank God for the opportunity to have relationships with my family members, and I lean ever so heavily into His sovereignty, grace, and all-encompassing love for His children during such endeavors.