Thursday, July 28, 2011

Surprise Sheltering


The only thing that should surprise us is that there are still some things that can surprise us. 
~Francois de la Rochefoucauld

Do you like surprises?  I do.  Not the big surprises like,"{Doorbell} Surprise, I'm here to spend the weekend with you" but fun surprises like a card in the mail or a tiny gift that lets me know someone was listening.

The coordinator of curriculum in the School of Liberal Arts at the university had a baby last evening.  Stefanie and her husband have a son and chose to be surprised with the gender of their new child.  RB forwarded Stefanie's e-mail announcement this morning.  The subject said, "It's a..." and in the message, in large pink letters, was one word -- Girl!  What a fun surprise.

When I entered the kitchen this morning, RB, like every morning, had my iced tea ready for me.  Beside the goblet was a single red rose (freshly cut from one of our rose bushes) in a crystal vase.  I love surprises.

Sweet Camron

Melanie picked me up this afternoon for VBS.  She brought me a Snapple Diet Peach Tea -- my favorite treat -- and so enjoyed it in between feeding, cuddling and patting the babies.  Did I mention I love surprises?

Melanie put Camron on the nursery floor and he quickly spotted a toy he wanted.  I watched in amazement as my sweet 5-month-old grandbaby used his arms to scoot over to get it. I love those sweet baby surprises.

I don't think I deserved so many surprises in one day.  But I loved them!  Joy in the simple things of life.  Smile makers.

God loves to plan surprises, too.  Every day His hands are full of surprise gifts.  Some gifts are wrapped in nature; other gifts are wrapped in skin. He's given me surprises that are gift boxed in joy and others tied with a bow of peace.

Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man. The {surprises} which God has prepared for those who love Him.  ~1 Corinthians 2:9

Did I mention that I love surprises?  I can't wait for my next surprise from God!

* * * * *

Peanut Butter Surprise 


1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg

Filling:
3/4 cup powdered sugar
3/4 cup peanut butter


Preheat oven to 375*  Combine flour, cocoa and soda.  Beat sugars, butter and peanut butter.  Beat in egg and vanilla.  Stir in flour mixture and blend well.  Set aside.  Make filling by blending powdered sugar and peanut butter.
 
Roll the filling into 1" balls (about 30 balls).  Shape a tablespoon of balls around peanut butter ball.  Place onto ungreased cookie sheet 2" apart and flatten each one with a glass dipped in sugar  Bake for 7-9 minutes.  Cool.

I made these cookies for the two men who are driving our vans for VBS -- our Pastor and Jerry, an retired man who drives on Sundays, too.  (I didn't know who they were for when I started.)  I knew Melanie's family would love them (and yes, they got some) but God decided they didn't need the whole batch. Melanie pointed out the tag I had written for our pastor.  Instead of Pastor Clemens, I wrote the pastor's name where we worked for nineteen years -- Pastor Sankey.  If I know my pastor, it made him laugh -- like I'm sure Leonard Sankey will, too.  

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21 comments:

Rebecca said...

While never changing, always faithful, God surprises us frequently, doesn't He? Your day was certainly full of them.

Sounds like your pastor was DOUBLY surprised :)

Holly said...

It's so nice to have a surprise that just makes your day and brings a smile to your face. Glad you had a great day!

Clint said...

Be careful what you wish for....

RicKaren said...

Amazing how God can always be the same and yet give us so many wonderful little (and sometimes big) surprises. One of my babies was a HUGE suprise but has been an even "HUGER" blessing!

Mindy said...

Not a fan of surprises, but I am a fan of peanut butter and chocolate! =) Yum!

Aliene said...

I love surprises! Especially from the Lord.

betty-NZ said...

I'm so glad you didn't overlook the little surprises that filled your day! Thanks for sharing and the recipe looks delicious!

Red Nomad OZ said...

Anything with peanut butter works for me!! Have a great weekend!!

Anonymous said...

Your post brought a smile to my face! Thanks for sharing the joy of surprises with us :)

Patti Hanan said...

I love surprises, too, especially the ones that come from God. Thanks for the reminder to keep looking for joy in the simple things of life ;)

P.N. Subramanian said...

Nice post. God's creations are all surprises.

Nikki (Sarah) said...

yum...this recipe looks like something we'd love. As for surprises...the kind you mentioned are great ones......

Esther Asbury said...

I love surprises too! Bookmarking this recipe for future use!

Ruth said...

Pamela,
Yes. I love surprises!
You were a surprise giver, too, as I'm sure Pastor Clemens would attest. :)
In God, even the surprises that happen to us that are the doorbell-ring-surprise-I'm-here kind or even harder surprises than that can turn out for our good. It's just that some surprises come in disguised wrapping.
What a wonderful God to suprise us over and over again with his goodness.
Blessings,
Ruth

Michelle said...

God's surprises, in whatever fashion, are always wonderful.

Great post!

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

I like surprises too, Pamela. Nice ones, I mean. You've shared a lovely post; thank you. And thank you for stopping by to wish me well. God is good!! I hope you have a delightful week filled with lovely surprises!

Blessings,
Sandi

LivingSoAbundantly said...

Thank you for linking up to Give Back Thursday! I, too, love surprises! You have a gift for writing. I really enjoyed reading your post!

Laura Kirste Campbell said...

What a lovely grateful post. I enjoyed your surprise recipe at the end, delightful! May God bless you with many more tiny treasures in your week.

Sharon said...

I'm not usually a fan of surprises - but I like *your* kind just fine!

How fun. This was a lovely post, and it warmed my heart to share in all the unexpected pleasures that God brought your way.

He's so good that way - even in difficult times, He provides smile-makers!

GOD BLESS!

The Dickinsons said...

Dearest Pam,
I've saved your recipe for the cookies...they look delightful! Thanks for sharing. I had to smile with you about you accidently writing "Pastor Sankey" out of habit! =) Enjoy reading your posts...when I am having time with my baby. =)
Love,
~Heather~

Charlotte said...

I love "little" surprises too. I tried my first diet Snapple peach iced tea yesterday. It's very good. I like the lemon and raspberry too.
I hope you have a great week filled with good little surprises.
Blessings,
Charlotte