A Few Favorite Holiday Cookie Recipes

Cake Mix Butter/Sugar Cookies

1 white cake mix
1 cup of butter (softened)
1 egg
1 cup of flour

Mix ingredients thoroughly. Dough will be soft. Roll out and cut with cookie cutters. You may need to use flour to prevent sticking. Place cookies about 2 inches apart on cookie sheet. Bake at 350º F for about 8-12 minutes, when cookies are lightly browned. Cool completely before decorating.

Dip these cookies in chocolate or almond bark for easy decorating and a tasty treat!

Gingerbread People

3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 package Jell-o butterscotch pudding (4-serving)
1 egg
2 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 Tbsp ginger
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350˚F. Beat butter, sugar, dry pudding mix, and egg together. Gradually add remaining ingredients. Refrigerate dough for 1 hour. Roll out dough 1/4 inch thick on floured surface. Cut out into desired shapes and bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 10 to 12 minutes or until brown. Cool completely before decorating with icing, if desired.

Enjoy!

Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Crackers

1 box of Ritz Crackers
Peanut Butter
1 package of Chocolate Flavored Almond Bark or melting chocolate

Spread peanut butter on one cracker. Top with another cracker. Repeat until all crackers are used. Melt chocolate according to directions on package. Individually dip cracker sandwiches in chocolate until covered. Place on wax paper until chocolate solidifies. Decorate with sprinkles (before chocolate hardens) or drizzled chocolate.

May also try covering Chocolate Crème Sandwiches or other sandwich cookies.

Future Ministy Outlook

As most of you know, Aaron has been attending the Master's Seminary since the fall of 2004. In May of 2008, he received his Master of Divinity. We decided last spring that the further degree of Master of Theology would be helpful in whatever future ministry we would find ourselves in. If everything goes as planned, Aaron should graduate from this program in May of 2010.

So then the question still remains, what is the plan after that? We wish we could give you a definitive answer. We are praying that God will make clear to us the type of ministry that He wants us to be involved in after seminary. We are giving strong consideration to the possibility of serving internationally. The church we attend, Grace Community Church, has a strong empahsis to oversees missions. Many of the missionaries from our church are a part of The Master's Acadmey International. This organization is a group of schools committed to training nationals throughout the world to be able to minister the Word of God in their respective countries.

Due to the experience that Aaron has had in Mexico, the most likely desitnation for us would be the seminary located in Mexico City. We are discussing this possibilty as a family. Aaron has met with the lead missionary in Mexico and is discussing the possibility of becoming a missionary with the elders of our church. Please pray for our decision in regards to our future ministry.

Growing Up Quickly

It has been truly amazing to see our little Lydia grow. She is very curious and is always wanting to help out in whatever mom and dad are doing; cooking, cleaning, laundry, crafts, etc. Though she means well, often she causes more work than she eliminates. A perfect example of this is when we make cookies. She knows to get her apron on and come over to the kitchen counter to help make the cookies. When it comes time to roll out the cookie dough, we often find her eating it more than helping to cut out the cookie shapes. It is still a joy to watch even when we have to redo our work.

If you are wondering if Lydia is ready to have a baby brother, you will just have to wait to find out like us. She thinks that the baby we keep talking about is her baby doll. It is pretty obvious to mom and dad that she doens't have a clue that her life will soon be completely different because of another baby in the house. We know that with a brief time of adjustment and guidance that she will grow up to be a great big sister.

Baby #2 Soon to Arrive!

We are anticipating greatly the arrival of our second child, a boy (as long as the doctors are correct)! God has blessed us with good reports from the doctors to this point. As Elizabeth will attest, the little guy is very active. With our first child, Elizabeth had to have a c-section because Lydia was breech. As of November 25th, an ultrasound shows the head still being down. We would covet your prayers as Elizabeth is in the last month of the pregnancy. Due date is December 22nd, so check back for an update.

One of Lydia's favorite activities is going to church. She enjoys bible stories, singing songs, and of course playing with her friends.