Cancer Fighting Pizza

http://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/news/ng.asp?n=75301&m=1FNU328&c=chloxhofzcgejky

Like I needed another reason to crave pizza.

Vacation From Vacation

I have returned from my time in the Bay Area and I can't put in words the feelings I have. As I look back at the pictures I am filled with a sense of awe. I wish I could say it was relaxing but I think that God was working on me. He has been so persistent and I praise Him for His faithfulness but it is tiring. Of course, my trains being 5 and 6 hours late didn't help the tired part. The pictures turned out much better than I thought and I am glad. They have been such an encouragement to me as I seek the Lord.

Prayer Request Update: My Father is not doing any better. He and his doctor are still trying to find the magic combination for his medicine. If it doesn't work soon they are going to take more drastic and invasive measures. Also, my Great Aunt who we are all very close to has been in the hospital for a couple weeks. Her condition won't stabilize so that she can return home. She is 90+ and has lived quite a life. Her health has been declining and the doctors say that it is just a matter of time. They don't know when but they think that her organs are just too tired to fight much longer.

I will end this with a reference to Chapter 3 of Colossians. I was going to include just a few verses but I keep changing my mind about which ones. Life in Christ is too exciting. I can't isolate a few for this post.

Building Up

I am currently in my Microbiology class and I have just discovered that I have wi-fi access. There go my test grades. I have started my Law class which makes my more argumentative and edgy (read: stressed). The thing that God has been pointing out to me as I work on adjusting my attitude is my tongue. I have lately been very critical of people and more likely to tear them down as opposed to building them up. I have not bee supporting my brothers and sisters in Christ. It has manifested itself in many ways. I have not been honoring to my Father and Mother. I have not been as supportive to my friends (esp. labmates). This became very apparent to me when I complimented my assistant in lab. She was so surprised. It shouldn't be the exception for me to compliment good work. Yes, I can do it faster and more accurately. Yes, it takes time to train someone. It is worth it knowing that you are helping to shape them into a future scientist. Eventually they can work alone and that will save you time. It is also good to get a second opinion on what is going on and how things are going. In summary, investing and supporting others is a good thing.

Peanut Butter Bars or Cups

• 10 oz. Nestle Dark chocolate chocolatier chips or Enjoy Life chocolate chips
  
• 1.5 tablespoons shortening (make sure free of trans fats or hydrogenation)
  
• 1/2 cup Canoleo
  
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (all natural, just peanuts)
  
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 2/3 cup toasted pecan meal (warm in skillet until fragrant)
  
• ground chocolate nibs

Yes, I am endorsing brands here.

Melt 1 cup chocolate chips with 1T. shortening. Add ground nibs and spread in the bottom of a glass baking dish. I commonly line the dish with plastic wrap and then cover it with more plastic wrap. Chill until set.
Heat Canoleo and peanut butter until melted. Then add powdered sugar and pecan meal. Spread on top of chocolate layer. Cover and chill until firm.
Melt remaining chocolate and shortening. Spread on top of peanut butter layer. Cover and chill until firm.
Enjoy

You can paint the chocolate in little cups and add the filling in similar manner if you are so inclined.

Blog Update

I have a test and a presentation with my research advisory committee in the next 36 hours to prep for so I thought it would be the perfect time for a blog update. My father had a heart attack a week ago and has been having problems with fluid around his heart/lungs and breathing. It is scary but also quite impressive. God is not done with him because he has fought cancer and heart problems that have been going on for years. The man is one tough son of a something. I just praise God for the healing that He has been doing in our relationship. We discuss what it means to be saved and what the "requirements" are. It is a dialogue that I am glad we are having but it is also a very rough one. I struggle enough with that issue (it is getting better) and he manages to stir that up. I really am glad that we have been studying Romans at church. It has made me at least think about some of these things beforeo my dad even brings them up.