Chasing Erratic Serves

I was 4’11” and maybe 70 pounds as a freshman in high school. I decided to try out for the volleyball team with my neighbor whom I was still blessed to be best friends with. The first day of practice we had to record in the coach’s notebook how many overhand serves we got across the net in our first 25 attempts. Tears filled my eyes making focusing to record my zero nearly impossible.

The next summer after school got out, I began my quest for grand improvement. Dad and Grandpa put up a net in the side yard at our house. My goal was to make 50 over-hand serves over the net every day. I would serve my ball over (or accidentally under) the net and run to the other side, retrieve it, and serve it from that side. It was a very slow process to reach my goal of 50 successful serves. Some days, it would take me hours. I had grown up watching my dad work hard and never complaining, or seeking approval from others for his efforts. I expected the same from myself. Some summer evenings as I was trying to reach my service goal, Dad would quietly approach our “court “and stand on the side I was serving to. He would then chase the erratic serves all over his side and toss them back to me. His presence not only gave relief to my fatigued body, but my spirit was renewed and uplifted.

At the age of 14, I was understanding the hardships that life has to offer. It was never life-shattering, awful, or crazy difficult experiences, just normal teenager-like tough times. I understood sadness and frustration and recognized that the journey through life would be filled with moments of difficulty.   I was trying to decide how much effort I wanted to put forth to understand spiritual beings and messages.

One night, as I neared my goal of 50 overhand serves, I felt like God intervened. He reminded me of Christ’s goodness and the light that shone so brightly in my Father who lived his life as a valiant follower of Christ. Christ-like examples were around me and in my very own family. I knew then that I was blessed to have that in my life. Perhaps that simple blessing was enough for me to stretch my faith and work a little harder to figure out how to reach up and take my Savior’s hand to help me.

-JC

As I reflect on this experience today, I ask myself:
Do I recognize Christ through those who testify of Him?
Do I make goals to progress spiritually?

Nutella Chocolate Chip Cookies with Andes Mint Variation

½ cup soft butter
1/2 cup butter flavored Crisco
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup Nutella
2 XL eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
½ cup cocoa (I use Hershey’s dark)
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Cream butter, Crisco, peanut butter and sugars with an electric mixer on medium-high for 1 minute or until fluffy.

Hand stir in eggs and vanilla; don’t overmix.

Add dry ingredients all at once and mix until fully incorporated. Add an additional 2 Tablespoons flour for high elevation.

Scoop out approximately 24 2” balls of dough. For a richer flavor and smoother texture, form cookie dough balls, flatten slightly, and refrigerate or freeze until ready to bake. Place on greased or parchment paper on an aluminum cookie sheet.

Bake at 375 degrees for 12-14 min. Share!

Andes Topped Option: Cool cookies for ten minutes.  Melt chocolate candy bar in quart size freezer strength Ziploc. in microwave for 15+ seconds. (Watch closely if more time is needed as to not burn chocolate or melt ziploc bag.) Drizzle chocolate over cookies.

 Immediately sprinkle with Andes Mint pieces. Drizzle with additional chocolate.

Let cool and set. Share!