Photo taken by Dan Harris in Argentina.
Thanks to Neatorama for the info.

Congratulations to Anna, Matt and Evie on their new baby Ransom Eli - born yesterday!!!

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake from Anna Limber

Ingredients
* 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
* 1/3 cup white sugar
* 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
* 1/3 cup butter, melted
* 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
* 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
* 3 eggs
* 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
* 1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
* 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, butter and cocoa. Press onto bottom and up the sides of a 9 inch springform pan. Set crust aside.
2. Beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add sweetened condensed milk; beat well. Add vanilla and eggs, and beat on medium speed until smooth. Toss 1/3 of the miniature chocolate chips with the 1 teaspoon flour to coat (this keeps them from sinking to the bottom of the cake). Mix into cheese mixture. Pour into prepared crust. Sprinkle top with remaining chocolate chips.
3. Bake at 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) for 1 hour. Turn off oven (do not open oven door) and leave the cake in the oven to cool in the oven for another hour. Remove from oven and cool completely. Refrigerate before removing sides of pan. Keep cake refrigerated until time to serve.

Cheesy Potatoes from Karin Bradley

2 lb frozen hashbrowns
12 oz grated sharp cheddar cheese
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 pint (16 oz) sour cream
¼ cup chopped onion
¼ cup melted margarine/butter
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper

Topping (mix together):
2 cups crushed cornflakes
¼ cup melted butter

Mix all ingredients except for topping and put in 9×13 pan. Put topping on. Bake at 350 for one hour.

By Becky Robey

Today I’m pondering what it is to walk with God. Christians often say that God brings struggles into our lives to draw us closer to him, to refine us. I think there’s a problem with the original assumption: that life is basically good/easy and God throws in a little struggle along the way to purify us. I’m not a pessimist; I just don’t think it’s biblical.

Since Genesis, and as a result of the fall, life is a struggle and, by God’s good grace, we often get to rest in him. The picture that comes to mind is that of a trek through the jungles of the Amazon – overgrown with chaos, adventure, danger, hard work, excitement, exhaustion, beauty, confusion. Let me explain where this picture came from…

I have read some books by Clive Cussler, one of my husband’s favorite authors. He writes stories of action/adventure, global terrorism, and heroism. He also does extensive research and loves to begin with incredible historical accuracy.

In one of his books, the good guys end up deserted, running for their lives in the middle of the rainforest in South America. The group of good guys survive where the undergrowth was sometimes so thick that they almost lost a person who was 10 feet in front of them. The noises were often so loud they couldn’t hear each other. Despite being a rainforest, there was very little drinkable water. Most is stopped by the overhead canopy, and the rest drizzles down randomly. They almost die of dehydration.

They don’t stay still for very long. All kinds of deadly insects, snakes, other creatures are on the slow prowl for victims. They kept moving and stopped only in clearings for brief times with someone keeping watch. Because it’s good fiction, they made it out of the jungle alive and stepped onto a beach that was part of a five-star resort on the coast of Brazil. It was heaven!

Our jungle, life, is much like that, but Jesus is our guide and an expert on our jungle. We are required to forge through our jungle of life, and we’re asked to follow him (not forced to). Following him is not easy, but imagine the alternative of following no one, being lost and stranded.

However, as we follow him, he does clear a narrow path before us, encouraging us to step where he’s been, and knowing our need for rest , he gives us moments of peace and comfort and time to enjoy the beauty around us. However, staying in one place for too long can be dangerous, counterproductive, and even fatal, sooo….. we must get up and continue to follow when our guide tells us it is time to go.

HE alone can lead us to the paradise on the edge of the jungle; HE alone knows, recognizes, is prepared for the dangers along the way. He will either takes us through them or steer us clear. Wallowing in rest will not get us anywhere near our goal and it will cause us to lag behind, lose sight of our guide making us feel stranded and alone fairly quickly. We must choose to follow him and stay very close. That is our Christian journey.

Our expectation is that life will get better and we’re always disappointed when the walk stays long and hard. When we get rest, we’re always waiting for the “other shoe to fall” and, inevitably, it does. How different the journey, the expectation, would be if we knew that our entire journey is long and hard, but we can stop and be grateful when God gives us rest knowing that we’ll be ready, really ready, to get up and continue to follow him again on our trek to paradise.

THIS is freedom- freedom from fear and anxiety about the future- knowing I am walking the path with my Saviour and HE KNOWS, knows when to keep me walking and when to let me rest. He loves me, protects me, and wants me close. And I will follow him to paradise.

I first met Jennifer when I went to University Carillon Preschool (where she works) to take a tour this past September. I’m looking forward to getting to know her more when my daughter attends next year!

How long have you been at UPC?

1 year after a couple years off.

Where are you originally from?

California

What are some of your hobbies and/or interests?

Playing w. my kids and husband, baking, cooking, blogging, and taking pictures

What’s your favorite dessert?

Ultimate Brownies (Editor’s note: These sound delicious! You should submit the recipe to this site so we can share it.)

How have you seen God work in your life recently?

I think I always struggle with boundaries. Knowing what God wants me to do vs. what I want to do. Also, I am learning to be happy and content being “still.”

How can we be praying for you?

We have had health issues in our family recently. My father-in-law is recovering from cancer and grandfather has had 2nd heart attack. (Editor’s note: This was in September. Her grandfather actually passed away about a month ago.) Also, that we would be able to connect here at UPC.

The following was answered by Jennifer’s friend, Jill Howell.

What’s your favorite thing about Jennifer?

My favorite thing about Jen is her heart. She is very kind and approached me when I was pregnant with Natalie, asking if I needed anything. She continued to reach out to me, of which I am so thankful for and for our friendship.

I would also share that she is very wise, resourceful, and a great cook!