Cookies and Christ
Stories of Faith And Recipes
A Big Moment With A Big Message
My husband and I were lounging around late on a Sunday evening. We had just hosted a large group of friends and family for dinner.
Goodbyes were followed by dishes, folding tables, and chairs returned to the basement and each of us tuned in to our personal devices to see what had happened in the rest of the world.
As I wandered onto the Redfin Real Estate app, my husband received a text. It was an update with a diagnosis and a treatment plan. My niece was 10. She lived with her family a few states away in Washington- a familiar territory where we had raised our family, moving away just before our daughter reached high school.
My husband followed the receipt of the text with a phone call. His brother seemed overwhelmed and yet calm. No doubt a response to the responsibility of a very difficult circumstance for his family.
“What is your plan?” my husband asked his brother.
Upon his response- I quickly quipped “Is that sustainable?”
Immediately I noticed my husband and I caught each other’s eyes. It felt like a big moment with a big message and the cell phone had nothing to do with it.
It was absolute truths being spoken about what God needed us to do next and it was followed by a hefty dose of me doubting my abilities.
Sometimes I wish that last phrase wasn’t part of my story that seems to be written on replay.
But maybe it’s what drives me to my knees repeatedly – first to repent for frustration, doubt, and fatigue.
And secondly to ask “Now what do I do….”
In the quiet moments that follow I get clarity.
This particular message came with the task of our 7th move in less than 10 years.
I know too much to dwell on what makes it hard.
The people I get to meet and share my life with for a season or two are always worth everything else that’s exhausting and uncomfortable.
Months into my new assignment from God, I was blessed to circle back to Arizona to a cherished relationship following the third move measured in this decade defined by change and chasing God’s will.
I showed up at her daughter’s wedding. I assume she knew I was invited but she also knew I had moved a time or two since we were blessed with a closer association. I thought about telling her I was coming but thought it would be more fun to surprise her.
And so I did.
She’s the type of friend I will love forever. I feel blessed to have shared a few seasons of our lives together. She’s also the type of friend that I would’ve gotten into a fair amount of shenanigans with had I known her in 1987.
I just adore her. She’s a woman of strength and fortitude for circumstances that seem unfair in many ways.
And yet- I marvel at her faith.
She keeps trusting, believing, and walking in faith.
And-
She’s taught her brilliant beautiful people she gets to claim as children to do the same. It was a beautiful wedding on a beautiful weekend hosting memories and moments worth cherishing.
A few days later, I returned to Washington with renewed energy and faith to get this chapter written in a way that pleases God.
I delight in the idea that I’ll get to circle back someday with 3 of my new favorite people I’ve truly come to love in this chapter.
The oldest is clever, gentle, and the quiet hero- invisible cape- type of guy.
The next is resilient, smart, and has an incredible sense of humor.
The youngest demonstrates the most tireless efforts of bravery in anyone I’ve ever met.
All 3 motivate and inspire me daily to try a little harder to be a little better.
I’m excited to continue to watch them grow, learn, and see just how carefully God is in the details of their lives and how perfect and individual His love is for each of them.
I can see -as in all the prior moves –
How mindful God is of me as well.
He sees me.
He knows me.
His perfect love always results in the blessings I need most that I don’t even know how to ask for.
-JC
Apple Pie Carmelitas
Spiced Oat Crumb Mixture
Mix together:
1 ¼ cups packed brown sugar
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 cups quick oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
Add: 1 ¼ cups browned butter.
Stir until pea-sized crumbs form.
Press 2/3 of the mixture in the bottom of a 9×13 pan greased with baking spray. Bake at 400 for 12 minutes.
Apple Pie Filling
8 medium apples, peeled, sliced and cut into pieces
3 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cups brown sugar
½ cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
¾ teaspoon nutmeg
Toss apples in lemon juice and vanilla extract. Combine remaining ingredients in a separate bowl, stir, then fold into apples. Depending on how thin apples are sliced and desired softness, place in a microwave safe bowl and pre-cook for 5 minutes in microwave,
Remove Spiced Oat Crumb Mixture from the oven and spoon on Apple Pie Filling. Press down gently.
Sprinkle remaining Spiced Oat Crumb Mixture over the top and return to the oven for 35 minutes.
Let set.
Drizzle Caramel Sauce over the top of each piece when serving. Serve with ice cream or whipped topping if desired.
Caramel Sauce
1 cup sugar
6 Tablespoons melted butter
½ cup slightly warmed cream
1 teaspoon sea salt
Heat sugar in a saucepan on medium-low heat. Stir every 30 seconds. Sugar will initially clump together and then melt and turn an amber color. After all the sugar pieces are melted, remove from heat. Stir in butter. This mixture may splatter a bit until mixed in. Stir in cream and salt. Let cool until ready to use.
Cookies and Christ 
It’s quiet here at 3:20 am. Quiet enough to thoroughly enjoy and absorb your beautiful post. It lifted me, comforted me and inspired me. Thank you Jackie.
Neva
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