A Pennsylvania Crossroad

When I was a Sophomore in high school our family moved from the only place I had ever known as home to a small crossroads in Pennsylvania. It wasn’t even large enough to be considered a town. I had been blessed to have a best friend live right next door to me for almost ten years in the small farming community that we left behind. The move was rough on me at an especially tough time in my teenage years. I longed for a friend.

One night in my Junior year, after coming home late from an out-of-town basketball game, I woke my mom to tell her I was home. Customarily it was a quick “Okay sweetie” with closed eyes in full parental exhaustion. This particular night, I needed help.

Mom sat up in bed and I took a seat too. I told her I was having a hard time and had been for awhile. I told her how much I missed my childhood friend. Mom gave me sound inspired advice that night. She told me to pray and ask Heavenly Father for a true friend. I quickly left her bedside and retreated to my own, where without delay I took her advice.

A few weeks later, the seasons changed and I joined the track team. I was blessed with endurance, not speed, so I took a position with the long-distance group. There was a runner a year younger than me. We could carry the same pace throughout our workouts and ran together nearly every day. Meanwhile, I was still asking God every night as I prayed that He would bless me with a friend. As days turned into weeks I realized how much I looked forward to track practice every day. Not for the running; but rather because my prayer had been answered. I had been blessed with a friend.

My faith was growing. I would often learn things that Christ taught about and put them to the test in my own life. Often it seemed strange to me that a girl in the middle of nowhere Pennsylvania seemed to be important to Heavenly Beings. However, I found enduring peace and happiness on this journey.

-JC

As I reflect on this experience today, I ask myself:
Do I search the scriptures for evidence of Christ and His teachings?
Do I extend faith in praying to a Heavenly father as Christ taught?

Sour Cream Sugar Cookies

1 cup soft butter
2 cups granulated sugar
3 XL eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 ½ cups sour cream
5 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt

Cream butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium-high for 1 minute or until fluffy.

Hand stir in eggs, vanilla and sour cream.  Don’t overmix.

Add dry ingredients all at once and mix until fully incorporated. Add 5+ Tablespoons more flour for high elevation.

Refrigerate dough for 3 hours. I place in a gallon size Ziploc.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll out 3/16 inches thick and cut into desired shapes.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10+ minutes depending on size.

Let cool.

Frost.

Let set. Share!

Cream Cheese Frosting
8 ounces softened cream cheese
½ cup soft butter
1 Tablespoon vanilla
4 cups powdered sugar

Mix cream cheese and butter until smooth.

Add vanilla and powdered sugar. Mix until fluffy.

I like to spoon into Ziploc until ready to use.