I was clearly not at church!

“…remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart…”
Deuteronomy 8:2

We toted a full load of cinnamon rolls in our wagon and headed for the motor homes just beyond our house. 

It was rodeo week and I lived in a rodeo town: Sidney, Iowa – Home of the Championship Rodeo. I’m not sure how the rest of the world felt- but to the residents of our town- we were a big deal…

Rodeo week was the best week of the year! There was a large parade around the town circle and each performance kicked off with a cannon where they sent a toy on a parachute high into the sky. A few of us neighborhood kids would try and track it and chase it down. On the weekend nights, I would lay awake in my bed and listen to the twanging country music as I drifted off to sleep. 

On this particular day- Mom had been preparing her Sweet Rolls. She nicely packaged each foil pan and carefully stacked them in the wagon. We went “door-to-door” to sell them to the rodeo fans who came for the week and camped out in their motorhomes in the large field between our home and the rodeo arena. It was not my favorite “Littlefield Girl” project. But I wanted to benefit from it ($$$$$), so I combed my hair, brushed my teeth, complied with (mostly) clean clothes, and trekked with my sisters to find our buyers. 

Mom thought it would be nice if we sang a primary song we had learned at church to those who purchased from us. I was dramatically completely mortified by the idea. I’m not sure why… I enjoyed primary- and although I clearly possessed the non-singing talents in the family of singers, I still enjoyed learning and singing the primary songs… But those were for church and it was an August morning in my neighborhood…

I was clearly NOT AT CHURCH!

I’m not sure which emotion was stronger- my embarrassment in singing songs of Christ while pulling a wagon full of sweet rolls to be exchanged for cash, or my shame of being embarrassed about singing of Christ. 

It wasn’t the wilderness…It had not been 40 years…but I felt humbled by my circumstances. I knew what was in my heart- absolutely zero courage in sharing my beliefs in Christ through song to complete strangers.  

I complied with the project and barely whispered as my sisters sang out with heart. We eventually emptied the wagon and counted our cash back home.  I couldn’t delight in our progress ($$$$). I knew I needed to rewrite what was in my heart…

It wasn’t easy for me (and still isn’t) to share what I hold dear regarding my thoughts on my relationship with Jesus Christ. Perhaps it’s because I know that many are better scriptorians and better at emulating the ways of Christ.  I reside on the inferior side of both groups.  Surely they are those who are more qualified and interesting to hear from.  

In sharing, I’m striving to better become “all in” with my discipleship of Jesus Christ.

-JC

Brown Butter Sugar Cookies with Brown Butter Icing

1 cup butter, browned and cooled
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

Heat butter in a saucepan on medium low until it foams and turns brown. Remove from heat and let cool. Cream butter and sugars with an electric mixer on medium-high for 1 minute or until well blended. Hand stir in eggs and vanilla extract; don’t overmix. Add dry ingredients all at once and mix until fully incorporated. Add 2-3 Tablespoons more flour for high elevation. Scoop out approximately 24 -2” balls of dough. Gently roll and flatten slightly. 
(For a richer flavor and smoother texture refrigerate or freeze until ready to bake.)
Place on greased or parchment paper on an aluminum cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 10+ minutes. Top with Brown Butter Icing. 
Let set. Share!

Brown Butter Icing

½ cup butter, browned and cooled
¼ cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dash of salt 
2 ¾ cups powdered sugar

Heat butter in a saucepan on medium low until it foams and turns brown. Remove from heat and let cool. Combine the remaining ingredients and use a food processor or electric mixer to blend thoroughly.