THE POWER OF PRAYER

The answer to prayer

I have witnessed the transformative power power of prayer. Prayer doesn't change situations, it changes us!

She cried, "I can't do this!', "Make it stop!" "Mom!!!" "This is harder than I thought it would be."

How many times in life have we said this?

This is so hard!

And then she began to pray.
"Dear Lord give my body strength to deliver this baby." "Dear Lord give us a healthy baby."

To this day I have had the help that comes from God. Acts 26:22a

It was still difficult, I could see the pain on her face, but I also saw God's grace working in her and giving her the ability to do what she had prayed for - give birth to a baby!

Thank God for miracles!
Mother + Father + Baby = LOVE 

What joy, love, and peace filled the room and our hearts!

Have you ever witnessed the power of prayer and how it transforms a situation? If only we could remember that God is in control and allow him to guide and direct us. He never told us there would be no pain or suffering, but He did say He would be with us.

Dayna asked that I be present during her labor and delivery. What a blessing to be able to be there when Baby Fish was born! But what a difficult thing to witness my daughter suffering and in pain. What parent wants pain or suffering for their child? But we all know that suffering is a fact of life. 

Don't you think God finds it difficult to witness our pain and suffering?

And he had compassion on them. Matthew 14:14

Thank God that out of great suffering can also come great joy! This is so hard to remember when we are in the midst of suffering and great trials. That's why we pray without ceasing. 

That's why we pray for our loved ones, be they family or friends. We pray in every situation, we pray in the good times, we pray in the bad times, we pray when we can't imagine a good outcome, we pray!

Greater love has no one than this, that he should give his life for another. John 15:13

So now that Baby Fish is here, Dayna continues to sacrifice her time and energy. We know mothers have done this from the beginning of time, but it is still just a beautiful thing to see in action!

Baby Fish

So I pray:
Help us remember to allow God to take control, to give us comfort and strength to endure all things.
To God be the glory, great things he has done!
And He will continue to do if we allow Him.

Tell me your story. How have you witnessed the power of prayer in action.

SCOTCH CHOCOLATE CAKE

Most people love chocolate and I am one of those people! This cake is a treat that has been handed down to me from my dear, sweet mother-in-law Kathy Schroeder. She taught me so many good things through her loving example. She was one of those do-as-I-do people that I was blessed to know and love! 

Back to the cake...Joel requested that I take this to the cousin family reunion we recently attended.  So if you would like to try this recipe, here it is!

The well-loved and often-used original recipe card.

I measure out all my ingredients and then mix them in the order listed above. You'll notice I use Saco powdered buttermilk. I keep it on hand in the refrigerator for baking all kinds of things. (Did you read my blog about buttermilk cookies?)

Measure out the ingredients you will need.

Bring the first ingredients to a boil over medium heat.

Place the first four ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add the flour and sugar. I use my small electric mixer at this stage. Stir in the buttermilk and soda, then add the salt, eggs, and vanilla and beat well. Pour into a greased and sugared baking pan. Yes, I said sugared! When I bake cakes and sweet breads I always dust the pans with sugar instead of flour. Guess I have a sweet tooth! 

Grease and sugar the baking pan. Yes, this is the original Ware-Ever No. 918 baking pan I was blessed to inherit.

Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. A toothpick inserted in the middle should come out clean.  My pan is 15x11, but you can bake this in a 9x13 pan. Check for doneness as it will probably take a bit longer to bake in a smaller pan. Remove from oven and then prepare this frosting:

Place the margarine, cocoa and milk in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and then the powdered sugar. Mix until no lumps of sugar remain. Pour this mixture over the warm cake. Let it all cool and and then ENJOY sharing with your family and friends!

By the way, I will bake for you on request...if you ask nicely!