To answer the question of this title, What’s cookin’ in the parsonage? I’d have to say, that this weekend, the best thing that was cooked up was encouragement.  Some of that did come in the form of  meals – cooked and presented by my daughters, and other thoughtful people at our church.  But I found encouragement stirred up in clean, folded laundry, and the orders to, “Go to take a nap.”  It came through a verse left on my cell phone’s voice mail, a basket of fruit, an errand run in our stead, or a bowl of soup delivered for lunch. Those that have come by to just pray with us or my mother-in-law have deeply ministered to our hearts. Encouragement also came through people who stopped at my pew in church to inquire how things are going.  It also came simply through a hug or a squeeze around the shoulders. 

I know that all the people that gave the encouragement to us would say that what they did was just a small thing, but often that’s the biggest way to let someone know you care.  I’m sure I would be as Anne of Green Gables today who found herself “in the depths of despair,” if it weren’t for the loving gestures of our friends and family.  Of course, as a child of God, we are never without hope, but in an  emotionally draining situation like sitting with a family member diagnosed with stage four cancer, it’s easy to lose a biblical focus without people cooking up some encouragement in whatever way the Lord puts on their heart.

We are so grateful for every kindness and every prayer on our behalf.  We know that For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, (Hebrews 4:15), but it’s a special blessing when someone “with skin on” comes along to remind us of God’s love.  Their kindness and words become His hands and His voice. God is at work in each of our lives, and we are truly blessed!

With love,

It was the time of day when the sun was low in the sky.  We had been waiting in the ICU room most of the afternoon, all personal items packed up, ready for my mother-in-law to be moved to a room on another floor.  Her situation had stabilized, and the time had come for her to go to a “regular” room.  She and I were the only ones in the room when the doctor came in to speak with us.  The doctor’s somber face told a story that her mouth would eventually speak – they found cancer, the inoperable kind at a stage four.

Those are words that no one wants to hear, but when they are filtered through the ears of a believer, what they hear instead is, I could be going home to see my Savior very soon.  Those are the very words I heard come from my mother-in-law’s lips as she shrugged her shoulders in surrender to whatever the Lord had planned for her. She added, “He knows what is best for me.”

I write this for your edification and encouragement, but also so I won’t forget.  Watching a mature child of God sift the news of cancer through the Truth of God’s Word that is tucked into their heart is precious.  After the doctor left the room, I hunkered down next to the chair that my mother-in-law had exchanged for her hospital bed. Opening my Bible to Psalm 34 I began reading to her the sweet words of David.

Not sure about why the block of color has appeared!  Oh well, chalk it up to another puzzle in my life!

Hospital rooms. IV drips. Waiting Antibiotics. Oxygen. Scans. Waiting. X-Rays. Lab work-ups. Pills. Waiting.

• 1/4 cup chopped almonds
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
• 1 cup whole-berry cranberry sauce

• TOPPING:
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup chopped almonds
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons cold butter

Directions

• Sprinkle almonds over the bottom of a greased 9-in. springform pan; set aside. In a bowl, cream the sugar, butter and vanilla; beat on medium for 1-2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Combine dry ingredients; add to batter alternately with sour cream. Mix well. Spread 3 cups over almonds. Spoon cranberry sauce over batter. Top with remaining batter.
• For topping, combine flour, sugar, almonds and vanilla; cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over batter.
• Bake at 350° for 70-75 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes; remove sides of pan. Serve warm. Yield: 12 servings.

Sorry I didn’t post much last week, but as you can see in the previous post to this one, we’ve had a family emergency.  We’re still dealing with my Mother-in-law’s health issues.  She’s still in ICU, but doing much better.  We are expecting some important test results back in the next day or so.  If I miss posting, that will be the reason.  Thanks for your prayers for her, and for us as we care for her needs.

From my parsonage kitchen,

Denise

Wow.  What a week this has been.  My mother-in-law progressed from a lasting (unchecked) cough, then to pneumonia, to fluid around the heart, a blood clot in her leg and a myriad of tests checking on other issues.  We’ve been in the hospital all day, overnight and now in the ICU with her. 

The world won’t stop without my blog posts, that’s for sure, but just wanted you to know where I’ve been, and where I may possibly be in the days ahead. 

We have no idea what the future holds, but we rest in our God who does.  Underneath are His everlasting arms of comfort, provision and grace.  Thanks to those who will pray for her, and for us (my husband is her only child) as we make decisions and care for her during this time. 

Trusting in His perfect will,