Here is the church,

I’m sure you remember that finger play for children. As I reflect back to last Sunday and Pastor Appreciation, that’s what comes to my mind – open the doors and see all the people.

As my husband and I stood before all of our dear congregation at the dinner Sunday afternoon to receive the basket of cards that had been left for us, I looked out at all the people. As I looked out I thought, “These are the faces of the people that God has given us to serve.” I remembered how we have rejoiced with some, cried with others, prayed with most. We have shared worship together, opened our Bibles to study the Word, and lifted our hearts as one voice to praise our great God. Our hearts have been knit to theirs over these years of serving alongside them. They have become so dear to us.

Boones Creek Bible Church is a body of believers – people that God has placed together. Without each one it would only be a building. The people are the church. As I think about each one I also remember the many times they have been a blessing to me personally. How many times others have asked to pray for my needs. So many told me they were praying for my dad when he was going through his heart problems. They would ask about him each time we met in God’s house. That touched my heart so deeply. When Whitney and Allison left for college, there were many that came alongside to ask how we were doing, how she is adjusting, and have sent her notes of encouragement. That touches a mother’s heart! There have been so many that have helped in the ladies’ ministry and helped accomplish things I could not have done alone.

So, to each of you Boones Creek Bible Church ladies, please know how special you are to me. I love you and am thankful that I have the privilege to be called your pastor’s wife. I am here to serve you for God’s honor and glory. Thank you for allowing me that privilege. I appreciate you!

Sorry for the late posting this morning. It was a migraine night and a dental cleaning this morning, then computer complications! Every day isn’t sunshine and roses, is it? What do we do with migraine nights or dentist mornings (not my favorite place in the world!)? We must go on believing the truth we know in the good times! What truth is that? This:

Yesterday our church celebrated its 53rd anniversary. God has been so abundantly good to Boones Creek Bible Church!

As part of the celebration we had a dinner following the morning service. We have a church full of good cooks and when there’s a dinner there is always plenty of good food!

I decided to make a potato dish, rolls, and a Chocolate Torte.

The potato dish is a great one to make for Sunday dinner because it has to be made the night before. I actually made it on Friday so it wouldn’t be a hectic Saturday.

Here’s the recipe:

Gourmet Potatoes
6 medium potatoes
2 C shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 C butter
1 1/2 C sour cream (I used light)
1/3 C chopped onion
1 t. salt
paprika

Shred potatoes coarsely. In medium-sized saucepan, melt butter and cheese. Stir ’til melted. Remove from heat; blend in sour cream, onions and salt. Fold in potatoes and pour into a 2 qt. casserole dish.

Sprinkle with paprika on top. Refrigerate overnight. Bake @ 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

I tried a new roll recipe that only requires one rising. They’re not your typical fluffy rolls, but they are good and my family enjoyed them. They make lots (36 rolls), so we had some with supper Saturday night and I had plenty to take to church.

Simply-a-must Dinner Rolls from Taste of Home Magazine (you’ll find the recipe on the link)

You mix the dough and knead it …

then immediately after kneading you roll out the dough into three 12-inch circles and brush with melted butter. I use a pizza cutter to cut the dough in 12 pieces.

Roll from the long end and place on a baking sheet where they rise until ready to bake (30-45 minutes).

Bake for 10-12 minutes. I brushed the tops with butter when they were hot.

Dessert was a snap with this new recipe I found in my Pampered Chef Cookbook.

Chocolate Caramel Pecan Torte

1 package 9 oz devil’s food cake mix ( I used a regular sized cake mix and it made two layers. I froze one for a later use.)

25 caramel candies, unwrapped

2 Tablespoons milk

1/2 cup pecans

1 1/2 cups thawed frozen whipped topping

1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 tsp. vegetable oil

Prepare the cake mix according to package directions; pour into a greased and floured springform pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Loosen cake from rim of pan; cool completely.

In medium microwave-safe bowl, combine candies and milk. Microwave on high 1 1/2 – 2 minutes or until smooth, stirring every 30 seconds. Stir in pecans. Spread mixture evenly onto cake. Refrigerate 20 minutes or until caramel mixture is cooled.

Pipe whipped topping around edge of cake. In small microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and oil. Microwave on high 1 1/2 – 2 minutes or until smooth, stirring every 30 seconds.

Drizzle chocolate over cake.

Yield: 12-16 servings

This is a rich cake and little goes a long way, but it’s very good!

What did you have for Sunday dinner? I’d love to hear!

My blog has a new feature. Have you seen it? It’s the Search engine to the right of this posting. It’s a new gadget that Blogger has recently added and it can save all kinds of time! Perhaps you already know how to use it, but just in case, let me explain.

If you want to find the post I did on the pork chop casserole all you need to do is type the word “pork” and every post that has that word will pop up for you to see. When you find the post you were looking for, you just click on it and, Ta-da! You’re there! If you want to see if there’s an entry on a particular topic it will be much easier now! What a great tool this is on a blog!

I love good tools. The right cooking utensils can make a job so much easier. I’ll never forget when I got my Kitchenaid mixer! I couldn’t believe how much faster I was able to get something mixed up! A great pair of sewing sheers are a must in order to cut fabric without chewing it.

Another wonderful tool is an online commentary. Do you use one? The one I use nearly every day is this one. There are so many resources here. Once you choose the book of the Bible you’re studying, it will bring up a whole page full of options to choose from as your study help.

Remember though, that it is only a tool; it cannot replace the Bible, just as the search engine on this blog won’t replace the blog – it’s just a help. Read the passage in your Bible first, and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you. If you’re still stumped, or just want to do a little deeper digging after that, then use the commentary. This has been a great resource to me and I thought I’d share it with you, in case you hadn’t found it.

I wouldn’t want to go back to baking without my Kitchenaid mixer; it’s such a blessing! Is there a tool you couldn’t live without?