The Time for Fall Baking is Here!

Several years ago I was given a cookbook from my Great Grandma called "The All-New Ultimate Southern Living Cookbook". It was actually a Christmas present because my grandma knows just how much I love to cook! Growing up I would spend my time with her in her kitchen and she would pull out old recipes clipped from newspapers and magazines that were pasted onto 3x5 index cards. I learned a great deal about preparing delicious food from her. I'm so grateful for those memories...

At any rate, back to today, I had some left over red delicious apples that I needed to use before they started turning. So, I pulled out this handy cookbook and used this recipe for Honey Apple Cake (with a Honey Sauce drizzle! Yum!). I only made 2 changes but I'll mention them after I jot down the recipe for you.

Honey Apple Cake
Prep: 15 min Cook: 1 hour Other: 15 min

Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped pecans, divided (1/4c and 3/4c)
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3 large eggs

- 3 cups all-purpose flour (I use unbleached flour)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (I think I may have added 1/2)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (homemade with Ugandan vanilla beans!!)
- 3 cups chopped Golden Delicious apples (I used Red Delicious*)
- 1/4 cup milk *

Honey Sauce
Vanilla ice cream (optional)


Directions

Grease and flour a 12-cup Bundt pan; sprinkle 1/4 cup of pecans evenly on the bottom. Put aside for now

Beat the sugar, oil, and honey at medium speed with a mixer until well blended. Add your eggs 1 at a time, beating just until blended.

Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Gradually add this to the sugar mixture at low speed until blended. Add 1/4 cup milk, beating until just blended. Stir in vanilla, remaining pecans, and chopped apple. Spoon batter over pecans in Bundt pan.

Bake at 350F for 55 to 60 minutes. Cool IN pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Remove from pan and place on a wire rack over wax paper. Pour 1/2 cup of Honey Sauce over warm cake. Cool.

Serve with heated honey sauce and ice cream, if desired.

Yields 12 servings

*The recipe didn't call for milk but I added a little because my batter looked a little dry. And I used the red delicious apples instead of golden delicious but I don't think it really matters. It's still yummy!


Recipe for Honey Sauce
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup milk


Bring all ingredients to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, constantly stirring. Let boil, while stirring, for 2 minutes.
Yields 1 1/2 cups.

Enjoy!

There is a reason for the way I am, for the things I do

Gosh! I haven't written a post in a long time! One whole year! But today as I was sitting and reading in Psalms, I felt such an urge to once again put down into words the thoughts I had about the beautiful truth I was extracting from these scriptures.

Psalms 119:32 " I will pursue your commands, for you expand my understanding."

I often hear from various sources whether it's on the news as someone's opinion or reading in different circles of the internet, that for those who are not followers of Christ, surrendered to Him and living in redeeming grace, express how archaic they perceive reading the Scriptures and taking it as a guide for one's life seems to be. I've even heard following the commandments as being barbaric. These opinions astonish me when they arise. So, I ask myself the question, "Why would some one think that the age old truths and commands from the Bible that I love and try my hardest to adhere to were out-dated or even heinous? Why don't I think they are?"

Well, first of all, I know that being one with Christ has a lot to do with why I don't think His commands are out of date. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. That means His Holiness, His Kindness, His Justice, and His Love are the same towards us, His creation, at all times. So, asking Him to "create in me a pure heart and renew a right spirit within me" (Psalms 51:10) daily means that He works on making me more like Him, which means loving truth, righteousness, peace and justice just like Him. So, if He is the same yesterday as He is today, it only makes sense that the essence of the Scriptures, no matter how long ago they were written have the same depth and applicability to today's world I live in.

But, secondly, this Scripture in Psalms 119 I think really reveals to me the heart of my Heavenly Father for me, His Child. See, sometimes I have stayed up late at night asking why do I feel such a longing for God's truth. Why do I have such a yearning to do what is right in His eyes? Do I seek His approval? Do I think acting right will get me more love? Well, in light of these questions, I obviously know that anything I will ever try to do in my own strength to seek God's approval will ultimately be worthless...because I know the sin that I was drenched in before He saved me. I know the debt I owed before He ransomed me with His everything. I know...that I cannot win God's love...because He already loves me...and He demonstrated that through Jesus. So, again, why this yearning if I know that I can't win more love or approval? And the answer lies in what I mentioned before...that the heart of my Father towards me is good. He wants me to pursue His truth in His commands because He KNOWS it will increase my understanding of Him! He desires for me to obey Him...so that I can truly see His goodness and somehow understand this incredibly mysterious Maker and Giver of Life!

When I read this verse today, it clung to my mind. As I read it again and again, I felt that small surreal feeling...that little warmth that builds right in your chest as if almost to make you cry and laugh at the same time...the feeling of revelation. God revealing to me that even in this unraveling of understanding I was having at this very verse...I was experiencing that goodness He has for each on of us! He so wants all of us to know how He loves us. And He loves in so many ways it is unbelievable! So, I'm praying for my brothers and sisters right now, that God will reveal just how He intends to show you His goodness, whether it is through a sunset, a child's laugh, but especially His word. I'm praying we dive more into His word. He has so much He wants to share.

Apuli

So, today was the second day through the clinic. I followed Dr. Elias first through OPD (outpatient department) and then to the surgery theater. Every case was so very interesting from constipation to high blood pressure to HIV and TB. One young man came, he was sixteen years old with a history of HIV and onset of TB starting 6 weeks ago. He is being treated but still has swollen lymph nodes in the neck. The doctor wanted to excise and drain the nodes, but the patient seemed hesitant and reluctant. After seeing several more patients and a good hour later, a woman came to the room door and asked to enter. She was the boy's aunt. He has no parents for they died from AIDS. The young man was born with HIV. The aunt came to express her worry that if he has the small procedure done then he will not heal and will die. It was hard to convince her that the boy needed this done to prevent further suffering, yet she eventually realized it would be best. She stated that her nephew would need convincing, so we sent her to talk to him. We continued to the theater where the doctor performed a pleural effusion chest drain. I was quite affected by it and had to take a seat. I am used to skin surgery but going past the dermis was difficult for me to handle. When we were through, the doctor thought he might take a lunch, but the nurse said the young man was ready to have the I&D for the lymph nodes. He was pleased the boy consented, so we went ahead and prepared him for surgery. The young man was shaking on the table, partly because it was cold but perhaps more from fear and nerves. I administered the anesthesia and told him not to worry. Poor thing, he seemed so frightened. I wanted to let him know it would be alright. As the doctor continued to prep, I asked the boy for his 'ampaco' which means pet name. His is Apuli. I told him I was Amoti. The doctor began the local anesthesia with a needle and Apuli flinched as his hand went up to his neck. I grabbed his hand and told him to squeeze my hand. He squeezed very hard. For the remainder of the surgery, I held his tightly gripped hands....and I prayed for Apuli. I told him he was strong and how good he was doing. I'm not sure why he didn't pass out from the IV meds but he was still conscious throughout the procedure. I pray he did not feel pain but only the pressure. He whinced and cried out in pain but the doctor didn't stop. He had to remove all the lymph tissue that was accumulated and caseated. I held his hands tightly and every once in a while would squeeze them to remind him I was there. When we were through, we sat him up, wiped the blood off and I told him I was praying for him. Then I shared with him a song that I was singing in my head during his procedure, 'The Joy of the Lord.' He said he had heard that song, and he asked me if we could remain friends. I told him of course. I had to leave then. So I am hoping that I have the chance to see him again in the wards, if he is there. I didn't find out whether or not he would be admitted there. I hope so. The doctor kept saying there were many issues that needed to be addressed. I think I heard mention of ridicule from kids at school. That sweet boy....poor thing. All I can do right now is pray for him as the Lord consistently reminds me of him. I know I will see him soon... Apuli...

2 Weeks in...

My oh my, how time flies! I can't believe its been two weeks already spent in Fort Portal! Our very own Dr. Goodgame came to see us the previous week on Thursday. It was good to see him and discuss what our plans were for our projects. I suppose the main direction that I hope to focus my efforts is towards the reason for admissions and discharges and seeing how many days patients stay in the wards. So far, I have really been enjoying rounding with the doctor in the medical ward and through OPD (outpatient dept). Something that I have been thinking about though is the way the communication is organized. There have been so many instances where doctor's orders have been given out but there has not been any action taken. I believe many factors contribute to this but perhaps the main reason is because the communication between nurse from shift to shift is not thorough. I have been trying think of a way to offer a solution so that the doctor's don't get upset at the nurses, the nurses don't get blamed, but mostly so that the patient gets the care that is prescribed. So, Callie and I talked about Color Coding patients needs, which is a good thought but would require extra training to understand. As I was lying here in bed, I thought perhaps a table or a chart with each cell describing the patient's important needs other than normal drugs, fluids, etc. So, I think I may work on this for a little bit and see what I can do. I want to be a blessing here and I pray the Lord helps me to see with His heart how to love these patients and how to help this clinic. Thank you, Jesus, so much for helping me here in Uganda. Lord, you know how much I have longed to be on the foreign mission field doing your work. This chance in Uganda has been so helpful for me to see how you may plan things in the future for our ministry somewhere in Cambodia. Lord, please help my heart as I miss my husband and best friend, Nathan. How incredibly blessed we are to be made one in You, for I feel that though we are apart we are still together... wow, I just thought about how deep Your love for us is. Jesus you came and dwelt among Your people, destined to be Your Bride, the Church. But then You had to return home for a time before being reunited with us. How we long for You! How we miss You, oh Lord! But though we are apart, we are still together because we have been joined by The power if Your Holy Spirit! How awesome! Thank you, Lord for showing me this this evening and reminding me how tenderly You care for us. May we sleep well this morning and night. Love You, with all of my heart!

Church and crunches

Today was a very nice Sunday. I still cant believe that we are in Uganda! We went to a small Bible church called Calvary Chapel. The pastor is American and he and his wife have been in Uganda for nine years. It was nice to meet them and they invited us over for dinner on Thursday night. We are excited to spend time with some fellow Americans and believers. We spent the day doing random things in town. I found out where I can buy a Bible! So hopefully I can get one tomorrow! We ate dinner with Sister Pricilla and Teopista and then returned to their time o show them some stretching and ab exercises. They are such precious people! Its sleepybtime now. I really miss Nathan and wish we were close to each other right this moment. But God is gracious and we know that we are still together in the Spirit. Praise the Lord!

Breakfast Time and Adventure

So today was my first day in Uganda and it was lovely! Fahim and I had breakfast this morning and it was very yummy :-)  here's a pic:

The Way Here

It has been a long journey, but so far a good one!  Leaving my husband in Houston was probably the most dirficult part of  this trip. I didn't realize how emotional I was going to be. How thankful I am though for the strength I have received from the Lord and I know that God will help Nathan too back home.

The airport in Amsterdam was nice and the people working there were very helpful when I was trying to find a way  to call the US to let Nathan know I got there safely. I met Fahim there and we are now almost to Kigali, Rwanda! We will stop there to let some passengers off and then on to Uganda! I'm so excited about what lies ahead! I know that the Lord is preparing amazing things! As I have been sitting here on the plane, thinking and  praying, I have been remembering all the stories that I have heard about this land and this people. Most of the media we hear is sad and distraught with war, famine, and disease. Yet, as I sit here unsure of what I'll experience in the next 6 weeks, I am asking Christ to show me all the beauty that He has placed in this part of the world. Anywhere we look across the goobe we will find heartache and tragedy, it is just human nature and the natural way of sin. But I know that also God always leaves a remant of beauty and truth in the places where we least expect it.... and that is what I pray I find here in Uganda. I come to this country as an educated medical student, knowing only the tiniest bit of knowledge compared to what I will know when I'm finished with school, still my "tinest" bit of knowledge is thousands times more than most people in this country and most countries will ever get a chance to learn. I don't want to see myself in any proud light, I am not proud of myself for anything. Everything that has been accomplished in my life has been by the provision and grace of my Savior in the midst of my worry, uncertainty, and complacency. He has made all things work together for me. So, I ask God to make my heart humble enough to see, learn and glorify all that He desires.

Lord, I entrust this entire experience to You, and I start with today as I should everyday. I trust Your hand of protection over my husband and loved ones and pray that you will give us all the peace for each other while we are apart. Thank You for Your undying love, always. Amen.