It Was Absolutely Impossible…

“For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
Luke 1:37

It was absolutely impossible…

I had already thoroughly searched the car for loose change the previous day. 

Life was tough. We lived in a shabby, cold, dark cramped apartment in student housing. It was cold and dreary and seemingly cloudy every day- what I assumed would be atypical for September. The date for the promised deposit of our student loan check had come and gone. Our savings were depleted. I had gathered all of the humility mixed with courage I possessed to sign up for a government program that would help pay for the formula for my infant. 

I found myself asking “why” and wholeheartedly regretting EVERY decision that got us to Pullman, Washington. 

But those misgivings would need to wait. Whit was in class. He was a Masters of Mechanical Engineering student at Washington State University. He hadn’t heard yet that our check had been delayed…again. I’m sure he was able to completely concentrate on his intense study of thermodynamics assuming I had spent the day finally getting to the grocery store to get the much-needed household food and supplies. 

Instead…I put Brennen down for his afternoon nap, said a quick prayer, and headed out to the car to look for enough spare change to buy a can of soup for dinner. I already knew there was no money lingering in the console, glove box, or under the floor mats…Those findings are what provided yesterday’s can of soup.

I looked for coins in the same exact places that I had looked the day before. Praying for a ridiculous miracle that I would find some more…

And I did… simple as that. I did find more…enough for a large can of beef stew. 

The next day our student loan check arrived and I can say I’ve never since felt that level of financial desperation…

But I hope that in my delight of warm beefy soup, I paused to have a heart filled with gratitude. I hope I paused to realize God was aware of me and His perfect love shone brightly on me that day.

And I hope I paused to believe that truly with Him… nothing is impossible…

-JC

York Peppermint Patty Stuffed Cookie

1 cup soft butter
½  cup vegetable oil
1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons peppermint extract
1 cup cocoa 
2 ½  cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt

Cream butter, oil  and sugars with an electric mixer on medium-high for 1 minute or until fluffy. Hand stir in eggs and peppermint extract; don’t over-mix. 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. Flatten slightly and place a frozen York Peppermint Patty in the middle.  Fold up dough around and seal the edges.
(For a richer flavor and smoother texture refrigerate or freeze until ready to bake.) 
Place on parchment paper lined aluminum cookie sheets.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10+  minutes.  Let cool.  Drizzle with melted Peppermint White Candy.
Let set. Share!

Peppermint White Candy
⅔ cup white vanilla melting candy discs
¼ teaspoon peppermint extract
Melt and stir until smooth. Use while still warm.