Yum.

A reason to go to MCC. Just to check out their peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
I don't know about you, but my pantry is still super Ukrainian.
No grape jelly at hand, or white bread. Sadly, no creamy peanut butter.
Instead we have homemade raspberry and black current preserves.
Instead of white bread we have black bread, onion bagels and rolls.
And only crunchy peanut butter.
Haha! We never got into the PB&J thing.
If you are like me in any way (which is unlikely), then you learn to appreciate the MCC PB&J.

Beloved: The Last Supper

This is a video from Vadik's Blog... Visit his blog by clicking  here.

This blew me away. Comment what you think.

One Word Alone

If you have visited Vintage in Buffalo on Tuesday nights, you are familiar with Benji and Jenna Cowart.

The coming King will win the fight. One name, one hope, one word alone: JESUS! The darkness flees at His name. His name is Jesus!

Glimpse Into My Weekend

Friday: Learning how to mash potatoes the professional way. I love these girls! They helped make a warm (delicious) welcome for the Summit students.  

 Saturday: Pic of the week :) Sveta Squared and I. This was at Niagara Falls. We enjoyed the splendor of God's creation... Including the rain and puddles that soaked us through.

I enjoy traveling. Getting out of this little town of mine, escaping this city of ours. Meeting new faces, walking in new places. When I'm older I want to look back on my young years and say "My time was well spent".

Morning

Sunrise on the way to school this morning... God is good :) Update: Didn't get the job. I'm okay with that. Resturantland it is... Lol. I was not really expecting to get in and I know God has a plan. Who knows, maybe He wants me to reconsider going to Bible School this summer? Pray.

Washboard Cookies

It's a simple cookie... and a simple recipe. I really like them because they have a little bit of crunch on the outside but are soft on the inside. I just love how it's so simple, it reminds me of something a grandma would make (an American grandma...) Maybe I'll be baking these for my grand kids one day :) Oh and I was surprised how much they spread, make room on the cookie sheet because they sure do rise!
PS: Don't be fooled by the title... You will not get washboard abs after eating a batch of these.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon hot water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• sugar

Directions

1. In a mixing bowl, cream butter, brown sugar and egg. Stir together baking soda, water and vanilla; add to creamed mixture. Add flour and mix well. Shape into walnut-sized balls. Place on greased baking sheets; flatten with a fork that has been dipped in water. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 325 degrees F for 15-20 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Cool on waxed paper. 

 

Props to Allrecipies.com! Click the link here: 

 http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Washboard-Cookies/Detail.aspx

One Saturday Morning

     Growing up, Saturday morning was strictly cartoon time. My eyes would feast upon the screen and I would take it in with glee. By the time I gave my heart to Jesus, I began to use this time to dive into the Word. Saturday was transformed into God seeking morning (and cleaning duty afterwards of course).
     Now I'm almost 20 and I forgot about those days of feasting in God's love on this special day. Yes, I spend time in the Word, but not like the old times. My thick, note-filled, underlined, writing in margin, highlighted Bible has been gathering dust. Why? Because I've been using my Bible app to read. I still make cyber-highlights and bookmarks. Problem: it is not the same.
     I forgot about the feeling of the super thin paper between my fingers. I forgot about those brights and uneven highlights that I made during a certain youth prayer or Sunday night services. Each underlined verse holds a memory of God whispering directly into my soul. I forgot about those sweet notes from friends that I can find lovingly tucked deep within the book.
     This morning, I remembered. And the memories fled back to me with each turn of the page. Now I want to encourage you: don't forget that old Bible.

      PS: I totally have nothing against reading your Bible with technology, like on your phone etc. I believe God will speak through His word no matter the means to which one obtains it!

Have a lovely weekend, Sunday and new week :)

Cute Thang

Pushok is cute. Even my grandma said he's not ugly like those dirty strays in Ukraine. That's a huge thing for her to say by the way, she is a livid dog hater. My extended family has something against my dog. They are not exactly lovers of all things cute and furry. I believe that they may be jealous because Pushok is the defender of our home (ha!).

Update: This is a blog about life isn't it? Well I have an interview this afternoon. At the hospital. Yes. Me. Interview. For a job. Goodbye Resturantland for a bit (if God wills). I pray the interview goes smoothly and that everything works out afterwards as well. I'm just trusting God right now because I entirely was not planning on getting a call back from this job. I sent in the application online with a prayer that whatever happens will be according to what God wants. In a way I was comforting myself because I was sure they would not be interested in me. I have no training in anything, other than spending time volunteering in different hospitals last year. So that's it. :)

God has planted this word into my life the past few days:
Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the thoughts I think towards you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Raspberry Pretzel Jello

Ok this recipe is a true winner. Again from my new favorite site: http://natashaskitchen.com/2011/04/12/raspberry-pretzel-jello/ Props to Natasha! The recipe and picture is fully from her site :)

Cost to Make: $6 to $7
Servings: 12-15

Ingredients for Raspberry Pretzel Jello Recipe:
6 oz package Raspberry Jell-O
2 cups boiling water
2 cups pretzels
1/4 cup sugar
1 stick butter
1 (8oz) package cream cheese – softened
1 (8oz) package Cool Whip – thawed
1 cup sugar
1 bag frozen raspberries – thawed in refrigerator

How to Make Raspberry Pretzel Jello:
1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Combine Jell-O and boiling water and set aside to cool to room temperature
3. Crush pretzels in a ziploc bag, using a rolling pin.
4. Melt butter and 1/4 cup sugar in saucepan. Add pretzels and mix together.
5. Lightly press pretzel mix into a 13×9 -inch pyrex dish.
6. Bake for 10 minutes, then cool to room temperature.
7. Beat cream cheese and 1 cup sugar on medium/low speed until well-combined.
8. Stir in Cool Whip using a spatula.
9. Spread mixture over cooled pretzels and refrigerate 30 minutes.
10. Pour Jell-O over cream cheese mixture and drop raspberries evenly on top. Refrigerate until jello is set.

God's Promises: Day VII

Scripture: Exodus 14:14

Quick story: I was about to post this earlier today, but my computer was freezing up and wouldn't let me post. I see now what God's plan was. I wasn't ready to post this until now, a few hours later.

Recently I've been feeling like I can't fight anymore. 
I cannot. There is so much beauty in that statement: I cannot.
And thinking about this today... God's love also cannot. In a different way.
His love cannot give up on me. He cannot fail me. His grace cannot run out on me.
And I was driving home from Tim Horton's and I just seemed not to have any words for God.
That's when a song played on the radio. It started like this: "Finding myself at a loss for words. But the funny thing is, it's okay." I like when God works like that. Just be still.  

God's Promises: Day VI

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:13

http://pinterest.com/pin/197454764882548747/

This scripture resounds in my soul. 

I have messed up. 

I'm sure you have too. 

So it's just mind boggling and soul-warming to hear these words.

 Thank You God!

God's Promises: Day V

Scripture: Hebrews 13:5

http://pinterest.com/pin/188517934371479681/

This song has been on my heart ever since I started looking at the promises of God. "Your love never fails. It never gives up. It never runs out on me." Have a wonderful day!

Ukrainian Strudel Cupcakes

Yield: 24 cupcakes
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Ingredients:

1 cup (2 sticks) softened margarine or butter
2 cups flour
1 egg
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Lemon Juice (or plain vinegar to substitute)--> just enough to make baking soda fizz
Jam/Jelly... Any fruit preservitive!
Walnuts (optional)
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix the butter and flour well, until forms into a ball. In a separate bowl blend egg, sugar,baking soda/lemon. Add butter mixture to liquid mixture and mix until smooth. You may need to add more flour until it becomes the consistency of cookie dough. Form dough into ball and cut into half. Cover half with plastic wrap and put into freezer. Take the other half of the dough and press into the bottom of the muffin cups. Add the preservatives on top of this dough. Take the earlier dough out of the freezer and grate it with grater. Cover the preservative layer with this strudel topping. Sprinkle walnuts on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until golden brown.  
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Props to Aunt Tamara- This is a variation of her recipe. You can spread the dough out into a rectangular pan and follow the same directions for her original recipe. (I was just excited to put my pretty new cupcake cups into use!)

God's Promises: Day IV

Scripture: Romans 6:14

http://pinterest.com/pin/264516178083388544/

God's Promises: Day III

Scripture: "He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge." Psalm 91:4

http://pinterest.com/pin/182958803581429750/

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread/Muffins

I like this recipe because it's not too pumpkin-y and its very moist. Warning- makes a pretty big batch so either 1/2 it or be sure your family is big :) Lol some of you will not have that problem. By the way I've been doing a lot with pumpkin recently because my mom bought a bunch of huge pumpkin cans (they were on sale of course).

Ingredients

• 3 cups white sugar
• 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2/3 cup water
• 4 eggs
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour three 1 pound size coffee cans, or three 9x5 inch loaf pans.
2. In a large bowl, combine sugar, pumpkin, oil, water, and eggs. Beat until smooth. Blend in flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Fold in chocolate chips and nuts. 
3. For bread bake for 1 hour, or until an inserted knife comes out clean. For muffins bake for about 40 min or until an inserted knife comes out clean. Cool on wire racks before removing. 

*I didn't use nutmeg. I don't think I ever have.

*Using normal chocolate chips work just as well as the mini.

Props to one of my fav online sites for recipes:

 http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chocolate-Chip-Pumpkin-Bread/Detail.aspx

Cute Thang

Cupcake cups. I got these at the craft store. So cute! Even cuter because they were free. I had a 5 dollars off 5 dollar purchase coupon. By the way... the weather has been amazing today. It hit 70 degrees! It was such a lovely day. I believe the vitamin D from the sun affects mood, so I kept seeing happy faces today. Keep smiling!

God's Promises: Day II

Scripture: Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that He hath promised us, even eternal life... And now, little children, abide in Him; that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at his coming. 1 John 2:24,28

God's Promises: Day I

God spoke the universe into creation. All matter was created through the single spoken sentence of the almighty God. In fact, the word "universe" is just that. By definition "uni" single, "verse" sentence. Now imagine what His word could do today! I started a devotional last night, and I would like to share with you my seven day journey through some of God's promises.

Pray: God connect with me here. I seek You in Your word. Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you.

Read: slowly. Take note of intriguing words and phrases and read them a second time.

Reflect: on what strikes you as you read. Think through what God is communicating to you at this point in your life.

Respond: to the passage. Speak to God directly about what's on your mind and heart. Look for ways to live out what you've uncovered.

The Passage:
1 Timothy 4:16-18
 "At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom..." 

Pictures from this post:
 http://pinterest.com/pin/92464598568961318/  http://pinterest.com/pin/215328425903157674/pinterest.com/pin/215328425903157674/ pinterest.com/pin/215328425903157674/

Raising The Dead

Raising the Dead by Chauncey W. Crandall

It's hard to explain how powerful this book is... Read it! Especially for you who are interested in pursuing the medical field.

This is for sure a must read.

This Morning

I've been having a blessed morning. I missed our Sunday morning service so I decided to check out some live feeds of different churches. First I watched the Father's House... Sermon was about painting the world with God colors.

It worked out perfectly, Times Square Church worship started while Pierre (senior pastor) was preaching at the Father's House. I was in my pajamas frying bacon while the laptop was at a safe distance but within view. It hit me then. WOW. God is so cool. I can be at home, frying bacon and be part of a church service. Others would think instead: "Technology is cool", but I say God deserves the glory because He created it all! Anyway I thought God was even more cool when I was able to travel 330 miles to NYC to take part in the Times Square service, all within seconds. Now I will share my sermon notes with y'all.

 

My Hope When Love has Gone Dry

Scripture Used:

Job 14:7

At least there is hope for a tree:

If it is cut down, it will sprout again,

and its new shoots will not fail.

Its roots may grow old in the ground

and its stump die in the soil,

yet at the scent of water it will bud

and put forth shoots like a plant.

Matthew 22:36

One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 

-If the greatest commandment was: "Be holy and separated"... In the good Samaritan story, you would walk past the man on the side of the road. (Maybe you would be too clean to touch this man)

-If the greatest commandment was: "To worship God"... You would pass by as well. (Maybe if you helped this man on the side of the road, you will be distracted from your "worship")

-If I cannot look you in the eye and say I love you, I do not have knolwlege of the truth.

-Love God, love your neighbor. Your neighbor in fact is someone who falls short. It could be someone who caused you pain. You could have warned them about sin, but they still did wrong.

- What is the new commandment? Love one another, just as I have loved you. By this all will know that you belong to Me.

-You cannot even talk of loving others in the world, if you first do not love God or the people in the church.

-Its pointless to try to love like Christ in your own strength.

-Human effort always falls short.

-What do I do then? If I cannot do it?

-Proverbs 17:9

He that covers a transgression, shows love. (Doesn’t go around rehearsing it with other people)

-Noah: Genesis. He got drunk. Sons took garment and covered their fathers nakedness. As a result, Ham was oppressed and under domination of heathen nations.

-Is this the root of our Christian weakness? Why are we so preoccupied with exposing each others faults? So quick to criticize others in body of Christ, even behind the pulpit. Running with (true) stories about what people did wrong. Christ could have done that after his resurrection. He could have said "Did you hear about what Peter did? How he denied me?"

-If there is nothing good to say, don’t say anything.

-Its not like Christ to ridicule or expose those who you call family.

-Love covers a transgression! If Christ has covered us, let us do the same.

-In a roomful of failures.. Jesus came and said “Peace” Thomas wouldn’t believe it... again Jesus came and said “Peace be unto you and touch my wounds” Christ covered his transgression. Instead of coming in and saying: "After all you have learned, shouldn't you know better?"

-I am born in the kingdom to stand with you.

-In the time when the world is dividing, we have to come together!

-Love for one another shows the testimony of Christ in the church.

- A battle is ahead of us. Bloodline fellowship: all congregations. If we want to make it through the days of the future, we ALL have to come together.

-This starts with the realization that we need each other. I cannot finish this race without you.

-You are entitled to your opinion, I am not entitled to ridicule you for your opinion.

-With God all things are possible. By God's grace lets pick each other up and finish this race together.

-Back to the scripture in Job: Hope for that tree. It doesn't matter how dead we may be to some of these truths. If we still have a hunger and thirst. Jesus promises to fill us with the water.

-Wholeheartedly love others. Let it be manifested the same way it was manifested to us.

-Only God can do that.

-By this they will know you are Christians. By Love. Not by criticism.

-It has to be real. Genuine. Not Sunday morning toleration.

 

Oh God let us be a generation that seeks your face Oh God of Jacob.

Give us clean hands give us pure hearts let us not lift our souls to another.

Your Heart (David) -Chris Tomlin

It never was about the oil dripping from my head
I never did dream beyond the pastures I could tend
(*Scroll to the bottom to listen to music)

 It never was about the praise, not about the street parade
I didn’t really need a crowd when Goliath fell down

I never meant to woo a king with simple shepherd songs
Or hide away inside a cave, safe from danger’s arms

 I never meant to wear a crown, or try to bring armies down
It never was about me and who I hoped to be

At the end of the day, I wanna hear people say
My heart looks like Your heart, my heart looks like Your heart

When the world looks at me, let them agree
That my heart looks like Your heart, my heart looks like Your heart

 I never thought I would be much more than Jesse’s kin
Who would ever dream a king would come from Bethlehem?

 I know that I’ve crashed and burned, lives have been overturned
But You redeem everything, yeah, even me

At the end of the day, I want to hear people say
That my heart looks like Your heart, my heart looks like Your heart

 When the world looks at me, I pray all they see
  That my heart looks like Your heart, my heart looks like Your heart

Five little stones, or a royal robe
Shepherd or king doesn’t mean a thing
At the end of the day

 At the end of the day, I wanna hear people say
That my heart looks like Your heart, my heart looks like Your heart

Unashamed I will dance, In Your name, lift my hands
‘Til my heart looks like Your heart, my heart looks like Your heart  

Vadim’s Perfected Banana Bread

By far the best banana bread I have ever made and tasted. I would recommend you try it!

http://natashaskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/089.jpg

Cost to Make: $4
Servings: 10 (1 loaf)

Ingredients:
3 to 4 ripe bananas
½ cup butter (1 stick) at room temperature
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 ½ cups flour (we use “better for bread” flour)
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon vanilla
1 cup walnuts
½ cup raisins

How to Make Banana Bread:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Lightly roast walnuts on a skillet, continuously stirring so they won’t burn.
In a mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar.
Add beaten eggs and crushed bananas; combine well
In a separate bowl, mix together:  flour, baking soda and salt.
Add to creamed mixture.
Add vanilla.
Mix in chopped walnuts and raisins.
Pour into greased and floured loaf pan (see photos below).
Bake for 65 minutes (test with a toothpick at 60 minutes. If it comes out clean, it’s done).


Props to:
http://natashaskitchen.com/2009/12/11/vadims-perfected-banana-bread/
This Natasha character is really cool. She shares Slavic food recipes on her site and it all seems amazing, I'm sure that I'll be trying out her recipes in the future!