Vegetable Pastries Recipe

Ingredients

* 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 cup whole wheat flour
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup shortening
* 1 1/4 cups ice water
*
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 1 onion, thinly sliced
* 4 cloves garlic
* 2 carrots, thinly sliced
* 1 turnip, peeled and diced
* 2 potatoes, peeled and diced
* 1/2 pound mushrooms, chopped
* 2 tablespoons water
* 1 cube vegetable bouillon
* 1 teaspoon dried tarragon
* salt and pepper to taste
* 1 eggs, beaten

Directions
1. In a large bowl, mix together all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, and salt. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in water until mixture forms a ball. Divide dough into 8 pieces, and shape into balls. Cover, and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Saute onion and garlic until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in carrot, turnip, potatoes and mushrooms. Add water, bouillon cube, tarragon, salt and pepper. Cook for 15 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
4. Roll each pastry ball into a circle, 6 to 8 inches in diameter. Place about 1 cup of filling on one half of each circle. Fold pastry over filling, and pinch edges to seal. Place on baking sheet, and brush with egg.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until golden brown.

Flip-Flopping Conclusions

It was the last Saturday night of the school year in Collegedale, Tenn. My roommate, Grace had invited me to an end-of-the year party at the Korean youth leader’s house. Of course, I went—friends free Korean food and a reason to not study for exams? Priceless. As I walked in the door of the youth leader’s house on that cloudy evening, there were already rows and rows of flip-flops radiating from the door like an eclectic fan. Carefully, I placed my brown flip-flops in an empty spot, hoping I’d remember where I’d put them. They were new, so they weren’t completely recognizable yet.

Several hours later, the party ended and a steady rain was beginning to fall outside. On my way out the door, I saw that the unthinkable had happened. My brown left flip-flop sat next to a black flip-flop. The right one was gone! I searched frantically through the quickly diminishing spread of footwear for my missing flip-flop, but all in vain. Obviously, someone had mixed them up and had taken my flip-flop instead of theirs! My supportive roommate, Grace, ran out in the rain, chasing down all the cars as they were leaving to ask them if their flip-flops matched. No luck. No one would admit to stealing my flip-flop and I had a sinking feeling that I’d never see it again. There was nothing left to do—everyone had left and I had two mismatched flip-flops. I decided to take the black flip-flop back to my apartment as collateral: it was a fancy brand, so whoever owned it would definitely want it back.

All the way back, I fumed indignantly about how dim-witted the flip-flop thief was. Couldn’t she tell the difference between black and brown? Couldn’t she feel the difference between the thin soles of my cheap $2 Walmart flip-flops and her fancy schmancy Rainbows? Back at my apartment, I told my tale of woe to Tanya, another housemate. I had just gotten to the part about the different flip-flops and showed them to her to prove how obviously different they were.

Tanya looked at them. “Wait a minute,” she said, “that’s my flip-flop.”

Sure enough, by the front door was a single black flip-flop and my missing brown one. Apparently, I had taken her flip-flop to the party, totally not noticing the difference. Whoops.

Perhaps it’s human trait to always transfer blame to others, to hunt down specks of sawdust in other people eyes to avoid the 2x4 sticking out of my own (Matt. 7:3-4). It’s a good reminder to not judge. More often than not, the judgment that I’d readily pass on others is one that applies to myself even more. Matthew 7:1-2 says, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” So, so true.

*In my defense, this incident happened on the nerve-wracking weekend before final exams and graduation. Obviously, I was extremely sleep-deprived and could not possibly be thinking clearly…

By Renee Cerovski
Photo: Grace and Renee at graduation.

Butternut Squash with Onions and Pecans

I love squash. It's one of my favorite aspects of fall cuisine. Hope you enjoy this recipe.

Ingredients

* 1 cup chopped pecans
* 3 tablespoons butter
* 1 large onion, finely chopped
* 2 1/4 pounds butternut squash - peeled, seeded, and cubed
* salt and pepper to taste
* 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Directions
1. Place pecans on an ungreased baking sheet. Toast at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 5 to 8 minutes.
2. Melt butter in a large, heavy skillet over low heat; add onion, and saute until very tender, about 15 minutes. Stir in squash, and cover. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until squash is tender but still holds its shape, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Stir in half the pecans and half the parsley. Transfer mixture to a serving bowl. Sprinkle with remaining pecans and parsley to serve.

Lessons from Romans 8:28

I have been hearing a lot about Romans 8:28 lately: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. I think sometimes we get too caught up in the bad part of what can happen in our lives, instead of lifting our hearts up to God to thank Him for what we have.

There are many stories about this verse, but I was looking within myself, just because I wanted this verse to be a reality in my life, and sure enough! There are so many “Romans 8:28” moments in my life I wouldn’t be able to type them all here.

Looking back, one of the first moments in my life that I experienced this (and I didn’t know it) was when I was 18 yrs-old. A friend from childhood, who was the same age as me, just turned 18 and his dad had given him a car. As he was driving back home with a couple friends from school, from their “weekend farm”, to the city where they lived, his brakes didn’t work and his car ended up underneath the back of the truck in front of him. He died instantly and the other 2 young guys were taken to the Hospital and survived the crash. My friend was the only one that died in that car accident, 18 yrs ago, and I thought it was unfair that this guy, with a bright future ahead of him, was taken away from us just in a split second.

When I went to his funeral, I couldn’t even talk; but when I saw his mom, she had this calm around her and I didn’t know why. I wasn’t a Mom then, but I couldn’t imagine how losing a son wasn’t something to destroy the world around you. In the midst of all the chaos, someone was talking to my friend’s mom and she told that person that before that accident, her son had just told her that he was so happy because he was back in the church and enjoying again God’s blessings.

That group of kids were all born as Seventh Day Adventist and we were raised going to the Academy as well, but apparently he was trying “other paths”, just away from the church. She prayed, after their conversation and told God to please keep him in His path, and do anything to, pretty much, make him stay in the church. So, she knew, this was the time when her son was following God with all his heart, and that she knew God was taking care of him. She knew Romans 8:28!!!!!

Now, as an adult, going thru a lot of things, I got to a point where I asked God: “Why am I going through all of this?” I know I made wrong choices, but I didn’t think I deserved certain things… oh well, see, all of that gave me so much hope, all the bad things I went through helped built my character and my passion and love for God even more! If things had not happened the way they did, I don’t think I would’ve looked to come back to my church, and enjoy it as much as I do now… All of that besides having two beautiful children that are my pride and joy (but of course, you know that).

At the end, it comes to my mind what my co-worker just told me about 1 hr ago: “A life without God, is like an unsharpened pencil: there is no point to it”

By Carla Gutierrez

Peanut Butter and Greens Soup Recipe

This soup is inspired by African recipes. It is a vegan recipe that should help keep you warm this fall and winter. Hope you enjoy it.

Ingredients:

* 1 onion, diced
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 tbsp olive oil
* 1 tsp fresh ginger, minced
* 6 cups vegetable broth
* 2 tomatoes, diced
* 1 bunch collard greens, cut or torn into strips or small pieces
* 1/3 tsp cumin
* dash cayenne pepper (optional)
* 1/3 tsp salt
* 1 cup peanut butter
* 2 tbsp lemon or lime juice

Preparation:
Sautee the onion and garlic in olive oil for about 3 minutes, or until onions start to turn clear and soft.

Add broth, tomatoes, collards, cumin, cayenne and salt and allow to cook for about 15 minutes.

Carefully add the peanut putter, and stir well to combine. Allow to cook until the peanut butter is melted and incorporated.

Another Birthday

This year I turned 29 years old. So many changes are happening in my life in this one year that it is a bit overwhelming.

The first big change is that this is my final year in my 20s. I have no idea what the 30s are like, but I have heard good things. Still, it is new and kinda scary to move into that new realm of "adulthood". See, when you tell people you are in your 20s they let a lot of your mistakes pass by because you are still "a child". But when you hit the 30s, people start expecting more of you and it becomes harder to plead ignorance.

Of course, the biggest and most challenging change coming my way this year is the arrival of a new member to the family. If all goes well, in February Trevan and I will be welcoming a son to our little family. We celebrated our sixth year of marriage this year, which means that for six years it has been just the two of us. We are very happy and comfortable with our lives, but we are looking forward to the new adventures that a little one will add to our future years together.

Although I am intimidated by the changes ahead, birthdays usually call me back to reflection on years past. It is always comforting to see the way in which God has led me to where I am today. With God's help I have gotten through a move from Costa Rica to the USA, through college and grad school, into a wonderful marriage, and to my 29th year!

While I still have many fears and concerns about the future, I have the safest of shelters in the arms of God.

By Shari Osborn

Adventure at the Outer Banks - The Final Chapter

Within minutes, a fishing truck stopped and a handsome looking man and his wife came out. With a quick inspection, he went back to his truck and took out several emergency equipment and tools seeing that I had none in the car. Then a Sheriff’s car came and the young officer came out and assisted the fisherman. Between the two of them, they took the bad tire out and put the spare on. Without giving any lecture on how to travel safe with two young girls, I learned from these two men the importance of being always ready for road emergencies. They showed me gadgets that ought to be in any car and I learned a lot. The Police officer gave me the number of a tire shop that stays open till 9:00pm. He then called them and told them to expect us.

I took $50 from my purse and gave it to the fisherman and asked him to take his wife out for dinner. He smiled and refused politely. I gave the money to his wife who also smiled and said, “No Ma’am, we just want to help. Just help another person when an opportunity comes your way. That is your payment to us”.

With the tiny spare tire on, the journey back was slow and cautious. It was getting dark then and we were no longer in the mood for Jack Johnson’s songs. We just wanted to rest. We arrived at Manteo at All Car & Truck Repair. In spite of the hefty $217.90 we paid for two new tires, we were grateful we made it back to Nags Head at 10:00pm after a long day of adventure in the Outer Banks.

A lot of lessons learned that day:
to be always ready for the inevitable.
Be prepared for any situation while on a road trip.
Prepare the car and have the necessary gadgets for any emergency.
Have a cool head.
Do not panic.
As long as you have a smile on your face and a positive attitude any emergency situation won’t be that bad.
Remember, help is always nigh.

Lastly, remember to breathe a silent prayer no matter where you are in any circumstance. The Unseen Helper of all time will not fail you nor forsake you. He can send angels even in a lonely stretch of sandy bar in Cape Hatteras National Shoreline.

By Raylene Ann Rodrigo Baumgart