…To Stroll with Deity

The other day I set off for a morning walk. I was emptying a handful of Jalapeño Cheetos into my mouth that I had chosen as a post-breakfast snack. One of the greatest things about being an empty nester is the freedom of decision-making without young eyes watching and learning from my every move. 😉

It was cloudy but warm. As I set off down the irrigation ditch road, the sky to the south was dark gray. To the north, there were scattered clouds with streaks of light blue poking through. I could walk for miles in either direction. I stopped only briefly in thought as to which direction I would head out. 

In Washington state where our boys were little and each day was scheduled around naps, big wheel riding, and juice boxes at snack time, we rarely if ever got the hearty house-shaking thunderstorms I had grown up with in the Midwest. 

When the boys were 2 and 4 we took an opportunity to move to Virginia for a temporary work assignment for Whit. 
One night after baths, jammies, and stories, the thunder rolled and sheet lightning followed. 
The condo we were renting had large windows on the wall behind our sofa. The boys stood on the sofa peering into the darkened landscape. When the clap of thunder and bolt of light filled the sky they buried themselves deep into the cushions. 
Moments later they popped up to peer out the window again. 

Sometimes after a series of storm claps and bolts, they’d retreat to my arms for safety. 
I could feel their hearts beating through the Batman jammies.
It was interesting to see their love-hate relationship with the thunderstorm. 

I personally love them. 

In the landscape and even in life. 

I’ve learned firsthand that you come to personally know your Savior Jesus Christ when the storms rage. 
He is there. He will walk beside me, aiding my unsteady steps. He will show light into a darkened path- even though mostly just one seemingly solitary step at a time. And when the winds knock me down, with the slightest eyes drawn towards Him, he clasps my hand with unwavering strength and perfect love. He meets me exactly where I am and lifts me as I let Him. 

So of course I took my morning walk along the ditch road to the south. 

A storm is a small price to pay to stroll with Deity.

-JC

Chocolate-Coconut Cookies

1 cup soft butter
½  cup vegetable oil
1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons coconut extract
¾ cup dark cocoa
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 ½ cups sweetened flaked coconut

Cream butter, oil, and sugars with an electric mixer on medium-high for 1 minute or until fluffy. Hand stir in eggs and coconut extract; don’t over-mix. Add dry ingredients all at once and mix until fully incorporated. Stir in flaked coconut.  Add 2-3 Tablespoons more flour for high elevation. Scoop out approximately 24+ 2” balls of dough. Gently roll. 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 10+ min. Remove from the oven and drizzle with Coconut Glaze. Top with a drizzle of 1/2 cup chocolate discs melted with ¼ teaspoon coconut extract. 
Let set. Share!

Coconut Glaze

⅓ cup cream of coconut
2 cups powdered sugar
½ teaspoon coconut extract
Dash of salt

Blend all ingredients in a food processor until smooth.