64_Shifting Shadows

Come, trust with me in God's goodness during times of change—and in baking catastrophes...

Wander with me along the Danube, and we’ll sit here to soak in the sinking sun as we send supplications to the saving Son who says, “As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you. Remain in my love.” (John 15:9)

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Watch the world of white melt away
As we wander through town today,
Scout tiny tunnels on our knees, 
And keep from tripping over trees.

With this week’s picture book pick, I invite you to follow Andrew’s adventure around his snowy village in a gorgeously illustrated counting book. Be delighted by the tale of how one boy’s desire for a snow parade ends up bringing together the entire community.

I met this book only a week ago, but it feels like a childhood friend.

After four and a half years on maternity leave (one of the blessings of living in Germany!), I officially resigned from my teaching position today.

I have felt like a stay-at-home mom since our first baby was born, but there was something reassuring about knowing there was a job waiting for me if our family's financial situation required it. Having health insurance through my job was another wonderful benefit. Letting go of that extra layer of security and trusting that the Lord will provide for my needs as I invest in the upbringing of my own children is a step of faith.

God has been incredibly generous in giving my husband a good job, and we pray his branch of the German automobile industry remains intact, even as we see the economic downturn directly impacting his income. No matter what next adventure God is preparing for us, I can trust in His promises and remind myself of the faithfulness He has shown in my life until now.

I am also encouraged by the kind words my boss included in his reply to my resignation: "I personally believe you are a very strong teacher and are an asset to [the school]...if you ever change your mind about coming back to teaching, please free to contact me."

To have someone say that after I've been gone for almost five years is a testimony to the work God accomplished when I followed His calling to be a teacher—may He be glorified!

For now, I lay aside a professional title, but the role of teacher remains as I raise up my children in the way they should go. Pray with me that I may one day earn this even higher praise:

Her children rise up and call her blessed; 
her husband also praises her: 
“Many women have done noble deeds, 
but you surpass them all!”
Proverbs 31:28-29

Yesterday’s baking session with my boys was a complete catastrophe from start to finish. It started with a typical toddler distraction that resulted in in my using the flour measurements for the Greek yogurt. We were already pouring the flour on top when I noticed the mistake, so I tried to mental math the other measurements to account for the extra moisture. I kept getting interrupted, so I gave up and eyeballed it.

When we went to roll out the dough, I remembered that the boys had sequestered my old baking mat for play dough, and I hadn’t gotten around to buying a new one. Baking paper should do, I thought hopefully as I turned the sticky mass onto the table.

Despite my liberal application of flour, the dough and baking paper wanted to be one. I finally separated them, added more flour, and tried again on a fresh sheet of baking paper. It was still a sticky situation, but we managed to roll the dough into a rectangle, paint it with melted butter and honey, and sprinkle it with cinnamon.

At this point, hope of this turning into a tasty snack was nearly lost, and I just wanted to shove it in the oven and clean my kitchen. We rolled up the dough, cut it into something that resembled cinnamon rolls, and arranged them in the baking pan.

We needed the entire baking time to restore our flour-coated kitchen to order.

When I pulled the cinnamon rolls out of the oven, they actually looked edible and smelled good, but I could tell that I hadn’t increased the baking powder enough. No matter, we could try to redeem them with a tasty cream cheese topping.

We opened the package of powdered sugar to take out the required tablespoon and proceeded to drop it on the floor—the open package of powdered sugar, not the spoon.

We salvaged what we could and vacuumed the rest, but somebody’s socks carried it all over the kitchen floor.

I knew then that this was one of those moments that we would laugh about later, but it was so hard to keep from crying or shouting at the time. We pushed through to finish the frosting, cleaned what we could, and closed the kitchen for good.

Well, we sat on the couch and read books until my husband came home from work.

Thankfully, he brought dinner with him.

Who knew that making cinnamon rolls could be so traumatizing? At least they were edible.

When of this world, we've had our fill,
God leads us beside waters still.
He tell us we are loved and seen
And lets us lie in fields of green.

Thank you for being my guest.
In God’s word you will find rest;
Seek Him, be bountifully blessed. 💚

Unless otherwise indicated, all words and pictures are original creations by ewebeak for the glory of God. Bible passages are from the CSB translation. This publication is for educational and entertainment purposes only.