The Unamimous​ Decision

At this point in my life, seasons seemed to change quickly. Christmas time was near and our family had a tradition to carol to friends and neighbors and upon leaving with our parting tune of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” my little brother would give a loaf of Mom‘s special Holiday Pumpkin Bread to our friends. Many of the friends and neighbors we caroled to considered our visit one of the highlights of their Christmas season.

Money was tight this particular Christmas.  My parents called the family together to discuss the caroling plans and to let us know that there just wasn’t enough money in the budget for both the ingredients to make the Holiday Pumpkin Bread and for our traditional Christmas meal of ham, rolls, Jell-O and pies. My parents let us know the decision was up to us kids to choose between making the bread to give out while caroling or having our Christmas feast. My parents then left the room to allow for free discussion amongst us children. As siblings, we had a quick chat and it wasn’t but a moment until my older sister announced our unanimous decision to our parents. We wanted the bread!

We caroled on several nights in the weeks preceding Christmas. With our last batch of Holiday Pumpkin Bread packaged and ready to go, our family loaded up in the station wagon on an especially chilly evening to head out on our final night of caroling. It was Christmas Eve. We were done with everyone on our list when Dad announced one last stop. The house was small and there were no lights on. I didn’t want to get out of the warm car to go to the door only to find out that nobody was home. But at my parents’ urging, explaining to us that this widow lady needed some good cheer we quickly gathered at her front porch. She slowly emerged from her dark home and quietly answered the door. We sang our carols and with the parting tune, my brother gave this lady our last loaf of bread. A tear fell down her solemn cheek.

In that very moment, I knew our sacrifice was well worth it. Our family returned home that evening to find our front porch lined with numerous stuffed grocery bags filled with Christmas ham and trimmings and much much more. My parents never found out who served our family that Christmas Eve.  Those earthly angels tended to our immediate needs but more importantly left a strong impression on our family of love, compassion, and hope.

In that Christmas season, I saw the cycle. I understood fully what it felt like to have Christ-like love for another.  I also felt what it was like to receive Christ-like love from someone else. Truly this simple concept is the direct avenue to endless joy.

-JC

As I reflect on this experience today, I ask myself:
Have I fasted and prayed to receive a witness of Christlike love?
Do I move forward on the path of duty as a disciple of Christ?
Do I serve as Christ did with unwavering diligence?

Peanut Butter Nutella Chocolate Marble Cookies

Make a batch of Peanut Butter Cookie Dough

Peanut Butter Cookies:
½ cup soft butter
½ cup butter flavored Crisco
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 XL eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

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.

Make a batch of Nutella Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, omitting the chocolate chips.

Nutella Chocolate Cookies
1/2 cup butter flavored Crisco
½ cup soft butter
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

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Cream butter, Crisco, Nutella 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.

Make equal sized balls of each kind of dough and flatten one on top of the other.

Next, break the dough disc in half and stack. You now have four layers of dough in alternating flavors.

Break in half and stack again.

Break in half and stack again.

Now, roll into a ball. You will see the marble effect.

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!