Cookie Jar: Megalicious Cookie of the Month Club...

I come from a decent size family. Both of my parents are still alive and married to each other! I have an older brother and two younger sisters, and my brother is married - giving me a sister from another mother. In addition, I have 4 nieces and 2 nephews, and 1 great niece...giving us a total of 14!! Well that adds up very quickly come Christmastime - well actually anytime really!! So several year's ago we decided that the siblings (and at the time my youngest sister was still married) would draw names and purchase gifts for only that person in a set dollar limit. We would all still purchase for Dad & Mom, and each of the nieces and nephews. This saved a significant amount of cash...I mean it cut my "to buy for" list down by 5.

Everyone loved the idea and it became a tradition! Well, this year we had to add my oldest niece to the name pull pile. You see - we decided, a few years ago, that once a "child" is no longer in college or has entered the workforce full-time they would be moved to the "sibling" exchange (for which I just realized we need to come up with a new name)! And 2010 held some pretty big milestones for her...she graduated from cosmetology school, began working in a salon, turned 21 and had her first child...all grounds for moving to the other side of the fence!

We had our drawing in late September, and I pulled my niece's name! I was very excited...because it meant I could still buy for all of my nieces and nephews!! So I asked her what she wanted...she gave two gift ideas - a gift card and a purse. Okay - that was a slight problem - because, I like to purchase as much as I can in the dollar amount that we select...so I asked for additional ideas. But she said those were really the only things that she needed! So I decided I would have to get creative. For many weeks I tossed around various ideas; then one day an idea hit me and I ran with it! I would give her a gift that would last the entire year...I "enrolled" her into the Megalicious* Cookie of the Month Club!! Each month I will make and deliver a different cookie (up to 2 1/2 dozen) for her to enjoy! She loves cookies - she is a Cookie Monster...just like me! When I "gave" her this gift she was SO excited, and everyone else was very jealous. She also is a very open eater - meaning she will eat most things and has no reservations to trying new recipes - cooking or baking! I always enjoy trying new recipes out on her! So as I've been working on the "cookie schedule" - I was able to select some cookies that I've wanted to try out. I'm so looking forward to this project and gift!! :)

Would you like to join?? Well my faithful SG'sP blog followers - for you I have a special treat...each month - after I have baked the cookie - I will post the recipe and pictures here for all of you to enjoy at your homes!! Cookies will be baked and delivered near the middle of each month - so be watching! My brother saw the cookie schedule (listed below) and has already asked how much it would cost to join the Megalicious Cookie of the Month Club - and he really thinks that I should start a side business. Who knows maybe one day...?!?!?!

Megalicious Cookie of the Month Club - Cookie Schedule
January ~ Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies (recipe & pics are already posted - August, 2010)
February ~ Cinnamon-Sugar Butter Cookies
March ~ Chocolate Mint Sandwich Cookies
April ~ Oatmeal, Cranberry, Walnut & White Chocolate Chunk Cookies
May ~ Butterscotch Chewies
June ~ Coconut Macaroons
July ~ Lemonade Cookies
August ~ Chocolate Chip Cookies
September ~ Peanut Butter & Jelly Thumbprints
October ~ Apple Pie Cookies
November ~ Pumpkin Cookies
December ~ Snowballs (Russian Tea Cookies)

So CONGRATULATIONS you've been enrolled in the Megalicious Cookie of the Month Club - blog version!! Pour a glass of milk, a cup of coffee or tea - and enjoy!!

*Megalicious = lots of delicious

2010 - Whew, I made it threw!...

WOW! Another year has come, and is almost gone. I can't believe it's almost over, yet on the other hand I can't believe it's taken this long to get here!

2010 has been one of the hardest years I've ever had...yet I've learned more about myself, others and God this year. It's been filled with some pretty deep lows and some pretty big highs - and lots of middle of the road stuff.

In this last year I've found myself on my knees begging God to heal a sick friend, pleading for a job, weeping to provide comfort to my lonely heart and urging for understanding in situations that I don't understand. I've gained a prayer partner, new family members, friendships and a new job. God has used my meal ministry to feed many through various ways, and my administrative/organizations skills to lead a ministry I never thought I'd have the honor of leading. God has given and He has taken away. God provided protection during the unusually snowy winter and allowed Ohioans a beautiful Spring, Summer, Fall and even an Indian Summer. But in all of 2010 I've found it to be true that God has remained faithful, even when I wavered. He's provided strength in my weakness. And it's only because of Him that I was able to face everyday this year.

Enjoy a re-cap of some of the highlights, and dimmed lamps of my year...

January ~

• The Ohio State Football Buckeyes provided us with a win in the Granddaddy of them all the Rose Bowl. Beating the Oregon Ducks 26 to 17.
• A "new" ministry began at IBC - on that I had prayed for for a long time. A Small Group started on Thursday evenings for young adults...and I've enjoyed attending and getting to know some fellow brothers and sisters in Christ; although I'm not really that young anymore - or at least not as young as many of them.
• I found out that Ashley was pregnant and that the end of Summer would take me in to my next phase of life...being a Great Aunt!
• I found out that my job would be transferred to Pittsburgh at the end of May. I had to decided whether to move or quit my position...within two weeks. I decided to stay in C-bus, and to work until the office closed or I found another position...which ever came first.
• IBC Commissioned and sent Kristie to Romania - what a joy it was to watch this young woman follow the Lord's leading...what a blessing to have ministered to and with her!

February ~

• I had to say my temporary good-bye to my sweet friend, Penny. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done and I miss her so much.
• Our Small Group was able to minister to IBC and the MRC. The guys did some minor repairs around the building, while the ladies made no-sew blankets for MRC clients.

March ~

• Jenni, Kari and I took a chartered bus trip that we will never forget. Wendy's Mom and brother, Tom, joined us. It was interesting to say the least.
• I again was able to volunteer at the Children's Hospital Heme Weekend @ Deer Creek.
• Tim, Lisa, Ryan, Jenni and I spent a beautiful weekend in Hocking Hills - lots of fun!!
• I had "coffee" (okay we both had Hot Chocolate!) with someone I knew in High School - yet we'd never really met or knew each. It's been great getting to know her, and to minister/worship with she and her family @ IBC.

April ~

• I was blessed to hear Ken Rudolph speak again...at the Good Friday service.
• My cousin Tony got married to his long-time girlfriend, Ashley. Ashley has felt like family for a long time, but it is wonderful to officially have her as a member!
• Our family again participated in the MS Walk! We walk in hopes of finding a cure for everyone with MS - but especially Wendy & Clyde!
• It's (another) Girl! Ashley found out her bundle of joy was a girl!
• Sophia started the process of getting braces!
• I saw Tim McGraw in concert with Jenni, Kari & Lisa!
• I was again able to chaperon the West High Ensemble trip to Virginia Beach. It was a beautiful weekend! I LOVE the Beach!! I LOVE the kids!!

May ~

• Ayana turned 5!
• After several months of searching, many hours of meeting and countless hours of reading resumes. The IBC Search Committee narrowed the candidates to four! We met all four, interviewed them and their wives - I had the joy of cooking for two of the four meals!
• Hayden played his last official High School baseball game and was crowned Prom King all in the same week. He later played in the City League All Star Game.
• I found out I was going to be the Director of IBC's VBS - to be held on June 27...YIKES!
• I turned 34 - one year from my scary age!
• I ended my chapter as an employee of Direct Energy - and said goodbye to many co-workers and friends.

June ~

• I had a phone interview with Huntington Bank (this was just one of many interviews I had had over the 5 months of searching)
• The Search Committee decided on our candidate and presented him to the Deacon's...Pastor Brad Rickard.
• Due to my unemployment I was able to volunteer at Westgate's Field Day - what a super treat!
• Hayden became the second graduate of the third generation from West High School, where he read "The Road Less Traveled" by Robert Frost.
• I had a face to face interview with Josh Eichenhorn and Andy Keusal at Huntington Bank
• Beth came home! I'm so glad December 2011 holds another visit of my non-Asian friend who lives in Asia!
• I spent my days of unemployment looking for additional opportunities, enjoying the start of summer break with the nieces and nephews, and planning/preparing VBS details/materials.
• I was offered and accepted a job at Huntington Bank in their Commercial Credit Department supporting the EVP - Commercial Credit Sr. Loan Approval Officer and the VP - Training and Development.
• I directed VBS at IBC, and started my new job the day after VBS started!
• Hayden turned 18!

July ~

• I began commuting via COTA!
• I traveled to Troy, MI for training...it was my first trip to the state up North!
• Ashley graduated from Cosmetology school!
• Pastor Brad Rickard candidated, was called and accepted the call to be Sr. Pastor at IBC! PRAISE THE LORD!
• Kari & the kids had a wonderful week at Family Camp and Emily had another great week at TLC!
• I enjoyed the Ladies Summer Bible/Book Study on Sunday evenings!

August ~

• Emily made the Varsity Volleyball team.
• Elijah began his first season of football, while Sophia and Ayana enjoyed their first season of Cheering.
• Our Small Group "hosted" the IBC Picnic - Brunch version! While I did very little in terms of planning...it seemed to be enjoyed by many!
• IBC voted to move AWANA to Wednesday evenings and eliminate youth for grades K-6...it was a rather big deal - but shockingly had very little discussion at the time of the meeting!
• I "returned" as a Youth Leader for IBC's IT group!
• Ayana entered Kindergarten - the sixth in the second generation to attend Westgate.
• Hayden moved into the dorms and began his college career at Capital University.
• Ashley delivered a beautiful little girl...Gabriella Rose!

September ~

• I enjoyed a weekend of camping with friends!
• Ohio State beat Miami!
• Pastor Brad began his time at IBC!
• I began meeting with my prayer partner...what an encouragement!
• I began my second year of WHS Athletic Booster Special Events Coordinator.
• Tim & Lisa were engaged!! I'm enjoying helping them coordinate!

October ~

• Was the most difficult month as I suffered greatly with the singleness issue.
• Ashley passed her State Boards!
• Dad's health really started to decline.
• I enjoyed a weekend in VanOrder Land bonding with some girlfriends, and meeting a new acquaintance. I look forward to getting to know her more in 2011 - when she moves to C-bus!
• I ventured out of my norm - and went to a Girl's Night Out with people I really didn't know. It was a ceramics painting party at a place (ironically) called "Outside the Lines". I'm looking forward to the next one on January 7.
• IBC tragically and quickly lost one of it's most faithful servants - Al Webster
• The annual Thornton Harvest Party @ Jenni's was another highlight to the Fall season.
• Terry (the kids Dad) was in a tragic and sever car accident - that has changed all of our lives forever.
• The AGDO (Annual Girls' Day Out) with all the Thornton women + Grandma Rosie (Wendy's Mom) involved Apple Picking and lunch at the Nutcracker in Pataskla. Katrina joined us this year - as did Chrissy & Livi!

November ~

• The Republicans had huge wins in Ohio and all across the USA on Election Day.
• I enjoyed my first ever Veteran's Day off at the movies - alone! A tradition I think I'll keep!
• I enjoyed a day with my Mom at the Outlet Malls...we love to shop!
• Hayden decided to switch to Ohio Dominican beginning Winter Semester, 2011.
• I held and comforted my niece, as she sat heartbroken and sobbing in my front seat - telling me that her boyfriend had just moments before broken-up with her.
• I coordinated the kitchen portion of the Thanksgiving Eve Fest @ IBC...little did I know the blessing I would receive, from such a little meal. At 8:00 p.m. - one of the girls (approx. 5 yrs old) prayed to thank God and said that was the first thing she had to eat ALL DAY - and as she was literally shoveling it in my heart broke for her.
• Jenni and I braved the Pre-Black Friday mania and stood outside Toys 'R Us for two hours in the pouring rain on Thanksgiving night, and then conquered Black Friday. The deals were so worth it and we saved so much. But the time, laughter and memories made with my sister were priceless. I believe this too is going to be a tradition.
• For the 7th year in a ROW Ohio State defeated the Michigan Wolverines.

December ~

• We "brought back" our tradition of baking Christmas cookies at IBC, per the request of Emily & Kari. It wasn't the 1900+ as in years past, but we still had a lot and enjoyed spending the day together.
• Ashley turned 21!
• The IBC Dinner Theater & WHS Ensemble performance are always a highlight to me.
• The Thornton Family sorted the Christmas Cards at IBC for the 24th year in a row!
• The Annual Thornton Sister's Shopping Adventure was just that...an adventure! But we were productive and found some super deals!
• Katrina heard the Christmas story for the first time - EVER!
• Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were both spent with family, and lots of love was demonstrated. But our focus was the true meaning of Christmas - Christ's Birth!
• I was able to cross an item off of my Bucket List - attending a Harlem Globetrotter's game.

So there it is...2010 through my eyes and experiences...whew, I made it threw! Looking forward to 2011, and all it has in store!

"God Never Gives You More Than You Can Handle..."

A couple of weeks ago I had dinner with a friend. Who challenged a very common and "favorite" saying within the Christian circle...and it's stuck with me. I've mulled it over and over in my mind, and I think my friend is correct.

This friend and I, also are prayer partners and we meet monthly to encourage each other and to find out how we can be praying more for the other...and since we both enjoy eating this meeting usually takes place at a food establishment! However, I knew this month's meeting was going to be different than most months - where lots of laughter is also involved. You see my friend has had a very rough year - and even more so as year comes a close. Two extremely special people in her life have faced various illnesses and one of which was diagnosed with cancer, the week after Thanksgiving - with the news that treatments or surgery are not an option and that her time (in the opinion of the doctors) left on this earth is 3-6 months...with 6 months being generous. So I knew that when we met, I needed to have a heart of compassion, ears ready to listen, words that would encourage and an extra package of Kleenex...I knew there was no way to hold back the tears. We selected our meeting time and location, and all day long I was greatly anticipating our time together. I had prayed that God would use me to be the encourager - as usually my friend is the one who leaves me so encouraged. We both arrived, quickly ordered and the conversation went instantly to her...how was she doing? how were those she was caring for doing? how are your children handling this? I mean the questions were just flooding the booth we were sitting in...I wanted to know exactly how I could pray for my friend and her family. When I asked how she was doing she said, "I'm tired of people telling me that God never gives us more that we can handle." Um okay - that's not what I was expecting, but we'll go with that. "What do you mean?" I asked somewhat confused. "People tell us this, but that doesn't make any sense. If God never gives us more than we can handle...then that means we are able to live life without having Him involved. If we can handle it, we never get to see God working. And I want you to know that it's only God who is handling this situation - because if it were up to me, I would fail, I would have failed. There is no way I could handle this on my own." WOW - her thoughts stopped me cold, and the truth of her words pierced my mind. Its so true! As humans we want to rely on God, yet we also want to see how long we can go without allowing him to come along side or take over the situation. And this very innocent, saying has it all wrong. A saying I've used before to encourage/comfort myself and others - takes all the focus off of God's abilities and puts them back on us...mere humans. Instead of focusing on the fact that we need God! We need to see God working, especially in those situations where it humanly seems impossible for us to get through...like the one my friend is facing. We need to allow God to be working, especially in those situations where it humanly seems impossible for us to carry out the task.

Once again it was my friend left me encouraged, and challenged my thinking!

God never gives you more than you can handle...because it's Him who is handling, not you!

"She said, "Yes..."

As the Christmas season is quickly coming to an end I wanted to share a thought I've been pondering...about Mary, the Mother of Jesus.

Mary a simple, humble TEENAGER who was engaged to be married. Can you imagine her excitement about the thoughts of getting married. I mean I've never been engaged...but I'm telling you what I would be so SUPER excited...cartwheels would often be performed. In the Jewish religion (of which she belonged) - it was not uncommon for teenage girls to get married. I mean if a boy became a man at 13, they would need someone to marry that was of like age. Therefore, I have to believe that teenagers of that day had much more responsibility, training and preparation at living a life that today we would consider to be a life lived by an adult...with the responsibilities of a marriage, children and a home all before your 21 - what we today consider a full fledged adult.

But imagine how Mary must have felt the night the Angel came to her to tell her that she had been chosen by God to carry HIS son inside her womb, to give birth (which also means to give life to) HIS son and to raise HIS son - yet she'd never been with a man and the child she would give birth to would not be the son of the man she was to marry. I'm sure her was full of a potpourri of emotions. Fear. Humbleness. Confusion. Excitement. Honor. Anger. Joy. The Bible doesn't tell us about her emotions - but let's not forget that Mary was human - just as you and I. So I can't help but believe that in that moment and days weeks to come, she didn't have a million emotions filling her mind and body. I mean have you ever experienced the emotions of a pregnant woman. Again I've never been pregnant - but I've been around enough women who have been to know that their overly emotional. So let's not forget that Mary was human - just because she was carrying Jesus - doesn't mean she didn't have the normal experiences, side-effects of pregnancy. But yet the Bible never tells us that she ever told the angel "No." Was no even an option? Could she have said no? What if she had said no? Did God have a back-up plan? These are the things I've been pondering over the last week or so.

Let's imagine if she had said no - okay let's not! Okay, maybe just a little to get a point across, but let's not dive too deep into it - as we don't want to divert from what God's Word does tell us about Mary and her willingness. Imagine Mary said "No, I'm not going to do this"...for whatever reason. I mean she had plenty, right? She wasn't married - and I'm certain that pregnancy outside of wedlock was NOT looked highly upon in Mary's time - so she faced rejection, gossip, whispers as she walked by and judgement from Joseph, her family, friends and even those who did not know her. I'm sure she feared and worried about Joseph's reaction and acceptance - how was she going to feel about this, what if he didn't believe that she had kept herself and remained faithful. She could have been concerned about the reaction of family, friends and others in her community - how was she ever going to explain this and still have them believe her...that she was carrying the Messiah...that she of all the young women (past, present and future) she had been selected. I mean let's face reality here folks - if someone told us a story like this today...would we 100% without a shadow of a doubt believe them? I personally, can't say as though I would. Imagine if she said "No", and there was no back-up plan. The whole world would have lost out on salvation because of her choice to not be the vessel in which God would bring salvation to this world. Imagine the horror. That thought is too much to bear and too vast to wrap my mind around. Yet with all of the excuses she had, all the other girls that God could have selected - Mary said "yes"...she said "yes". She said "yes" and had faith that God would work out all the details and questions in her mind. God had given her - an ordinary girl - an extra-ordinary ministry...she was going to be used of God to change this world FOREVER. It was going to take some explaining, some rejection (I'm sure), some being made fun of, standing out in the crowd and lots of patience, faith and trust...yet she was willing.

What about me? Just an ordinary lady - that God want to use in extraordinary ways. He wants to use me to change my "world" and those around me - to point them to Him. He wants me to carry His gospel - not inside my womb...but on the outside of my life for all the world to see. But yet sometimes I say "no"...oh the horror of that. Because it's not comfortable, others may reject me, I might stand out in the crowd, I don't have time to be that involved, or whatever the excuse is. Never considering that God has selected me for this ministry. It might mean smiling to others on a bus, cooking a meal for someone in need, taking the opportunities He gives me to share my faith with my Jewish boss or working with, at times disrespectful immature unappreciative, teenagers...or maybe something new in 2011? Whatever it is...over the last two weeks God has opened my eyes to the fact that we can't just say "no" because we can't see how it's all going to work itself out...but that's not why God calls me to a ministry. God calls me because he wants to use me to change the world of those I come in contact with - to point them to Him and I, like Mary, just need to see how HE is going to work at all the details and questions of my mind.

When God looks at me, and how I live all aspects of my life - I want him to say..."she said yes."

(kinda) Funny Story...

So we are going through this whole "re-stack" at work...basically they are updating work areas and cramming us into smaller cubicles - which just enough room to breath (however, I love the colors and set-up!). So I'm currently on the 14th floor. I moved there in November, and will be there until March-ish. There are four of us who are enduring this temporary "housing" for this long...it's a long story as to why - but basically it's because we started out on the 8th floor and will end up on the 5th - the 8th floor was at the beginning of the "re-stack" and the 5th floor is at the end - and we drew the short straws for having no where to sit during the transition!

For some time now we (the four of us) have been the only 4 people on this ENTIRE floor!! My boss, is one of the four, and is based out of Detroit. Usually he is in C-bus for 2-3 days each week; however, since Thanksgiving he's tried not to travel as often...and his meeting schedule has accommodated this desire. With it being December there is a lot of people taking time off as well. So one of the other two guys (of the four - I'm the only female! JOYish!), has taken a significant amount of time off. This leaves just one other guy and I on the floor. Well the other guy his wife just had their sixth baby (all under the age of 8 - thank you very much!) - so he's been doing a lot of working from home or working in a satellite office closer to his house. That means I'm often left alone on this floor. While other groups are coming to the floor for brief (2-3 weeks) stays in the near future - December hasn't been a great month to temporarily move people. So I've probably worked alone on the ENTIRE floor - all but 5 days since before Thanksgiving! While it is at times super creepy - I have been able to get MUCH accomplished. I just turn up my Pandora and go down the list of things that need to be done, as other minor fires come up throughout the day.

Well this week, my boss had to be in C-bus for meetings. He didn't arrive in the office until late in the day on Monday. When he arrived on the floor all of the lights had been turned off, except for those in my work area. I didn't realize this, because of the way the floor is set-up. He was NOT a happy camper to get off the elevators in a dark lobby and then walk back to our "home away from home" in the semi-dark (we have a lot of natural light that comes through the office). I had mentioned to him that I was alone - but he thought only in our work area...not the entire floor - although, I told him it was the entire floor. He was so upset that this was how I was having to work - I'm very fortunate to have a boss that cares very much about me, my safety and my work conditions. He was so worried about my safety. I should mention that the doors are locked at all times, and a pass card is required to obtain access to the floor. SO for that I'm thankful, and it gives me an extra level of calmness about the situation. My boss talked about it for several minutes. You have to know him to understand the picture I'm painting. He is very vocal. He enjoys hearing himself talk. He can be rather explosive - if he lets himself. He's very much a reactive person, and then tends to clean-up the mess later kind of person. You know ask for forgiveness later, than ask for permission now. Not unique traits to him - very common traits in Executives! SO you can only imagine the scene unfolding in front of me...it was like a bomb just exploded in the middle of the desert. So back to the story...he was talking about it again most of the next day. So later in the afternoon, he comes to my desk and says he's worried about me, and he wants to provide alternative seating if I should ever feel uncomfortable. So we began discussing his thoughts. To start off our convo - he says..."all night last night I kept thinking about this situation - I have an attractive 22 year old woman alone on this floor, all day and it's not safe..." (um what did he say? 22 years old?). Me: "yeah, try a little older, (laugh) much older...". Him: "okay, what you can't be older than 24...". Me: "haha, thanks for the complement - but I'm much older than 24 as well. But I'm open to alternative seating options - what are you thinking?" Him: "not possible, I don't believe it - but I'm not going to ask your age." Me (to myself): "Good!"

Conclusion to this situation - My boss who thinks I'm 24ish years old - yet knows I have almost 16 years administrative experience (explain that please)...and an alternative seating option should I ever feel uncomfortable! Hey, at least I got a laptop out of the conversation!

The True Meaning of Christmas...

A Soldier's Silent Night -

A special thank you to the American Soliders - past and present...you've given us a gift that extends well beyond Christmas - FREEDOM!

Merry Christmas to all those currently serving to keep the gift alive!