A bend in the road

This week is a week of lasts… we are moving to Mcdonough, GA next week! So excited to say the least! I get to be an hour from my family, we are moving into a beautiful God given home, and we are getting to be a part of an awesome church family!

So this week is my last:

1. Last time posting my updates for my Mobile Team – YIPPIE!

2. Last time fighting the crazy Lynchburg drivers trying to get to work…no more stopping before jumping on the highway. Seriously WORST DRIVERS EVER!!!

3. Last time going to church with our most loved DRC youth – this is very very very sad. Leaving them is so hard because I love them so much…but we are going to drown our sorrows in a pizza party and fun games tonight! J We at least they are…no pizza for me! I’m just have to survive off of the good pizza vibes from everyone else

4. Last time having our Target date before church…roaming through the isles looking for great deals – which are normally found ever Wednesday. Hey, we will save some money on this “last”

5. Last time having to shut the doors because of our smoking neighbors! Praise the Lord! J

6. Last time washing dishes in our ridiculously shallow sink – I get soaked every time I do the dishes. I should just wear by bathing suit and dive in.

7. Last time talking sitting at Autum's desk having our fun conversations. This girl has made work so much more bearable - I love her and I'm really going to miss her.

8. Last time dealing with anything Liberty work related! (insert the most happy dance ever – something that looks like this… Happy Dance

9. Last time waking up in the first place Michael and I call ‘home’ together – it’s been a good place for us

Last times are very nice… they make you thankful for the good times and honestly the things you learn from the bad. All and all this has been a good time here in Lynchburg – yes I’ll be the first to say I have not been the happiest here – but lately I have been able to see the blessings through it all. God has bless Michael and I with a wonderful group of kids at DRC that we have grown to love dearly, blessings of wonderful friends, and keeping us fed, clothed, warm and quite honestly not in need of anything here. There have been many pearls added to my sting :)

Looking forward to a new adventure in Mcdonough – to the people we will meet, the new friends we will have, the ministry with the youth at Avalon church (I can’t wait to get started with the girls ministry there), our new home and all that comes with keeping an actual house, and our new PUPPY!!!! (Finally this dream will come true! Puppy love)

"When I left Queen's my future seemed to stretch out before me like a straight road. I thought I could see along it for many a milestone. Now there is a bend in it. I don't know what lies around the bend, but I am going to believe that the best does. It has a fascination of its own, that bend, Marilla. I wonder how the road beyond it goes - what there is of green glory and soft, checkered light and shadows - what new landscapes - what new beauties - what curves and hills and valleys farther on."

— L.M. Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables)

Here I come new world and new life! My road is curving and I am fascinated to see what lays beyond it – I will have the eyes to see it, the heart to love it, and the hand to gather it!

"There is so much in the world for us all if we only have the eyes to see it, and the heart to love it, and the hand to gather it to ourselves--so much in men and women, so much in art and literature, so much everywhere in which to delight, and for which to be thankful."

— L.M. Montgomery

THE END IS COMING!!

I am a survivor of the Virginia Earthquake of 2011.

HAHAHAHAHA

I cannot help but share with you these funny pictures.

Note: People are not dying, buildings are not crumbling, buildings are not burning down, and nothing is falling from the sky – but some of the pictures make it seem that way.

This was my face :) "Earthquake?! AWESOME!!!!!"

Yummy Gluten Filled Desserts

Yes, I'm gluten intolerant... but I do love my husband so much that I will make him these delicious gluten(poison...at least for me) desserts!

So what to do when the bananas start going bad... those brown spots do show up way to fast! Must look that up... how to keep bananas fresh longer. The other option is to buy smaller bunches of bananas but where is the fun in that? Brown spotted bananas give me the opportunity to experiment with banana desserts! Like so:

Banana Chocolate Chip and Walnut Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Icing

Ingredients (thanks to Gina Neely)

Batter:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 stick butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 2 large ripe bananas, peeled, and mashed
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, (reserve some for garnish)
• I added chocolate chips because everything it better with Chocolate add 1/2cup of chocolate chips

Directions

Batter:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 1 (12-cup) muffin pan with paper cupcake liners.

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl, add the butter and the sugar. Beat with a hand-held mixer until combined. Add the sour cream and the vanilla extract. Slowly beat in the eggs, 1 at a time. Incorporate the dry mixture and wet mixtures together until thoroughly combined. Add the bananas and walnuts, being careful not to over mix. Using an ice cream scoop, fill each cupcake liner 3/4 way full. Bake in the preheated oven until the tops turn golden-brown and when a toothpick, inserted in the middle of the cupcake, comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Remove the cupcakes from the oven to a wire rack and let cool before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 4 ounces unsalted butter, softened
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

In a large bowl, beat together the butter and cream cheese with an electric mixer. With the mixer on low speed, add the powdered sugar a cup at a time until smooth and creamy. Beat in the vanilla extract

Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

- 1 cup of butter

- 1 1/2 cups of sugar

- 2 eggs

- 1 teaspoons vanilla extract

- 2 cups all-purpose flour

- 2/3 cup cocoa

- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda

- 1/4 teaspoon salt

- 1 cup chocolate chips (these taste amazing with chocolate chunks)

1. Heat the oven to 350

2. Beat the butter, sugar, eggs. and vanilla until light and fluffy .

3. Stir together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt and add to butter and beat until well blended.

4. Mix in chocolate chips

5. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or just until set

6. ENJOY! Because...according to my gluten eating husband they are amazing!