Report of Warrior PresWIC's 2009 Spiritual Retreat

If you were unable to join us for the Spiritual Retreat, you were missed!!! We had a great time of fellowship, heard a great speaker, and were sheltered from the very hard rain! (Thanks to Demopolis for supplying the report.)

Please make plans to attend the January meeting which will be held on January 23, 2010 at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Tuscaloosa.

Warrior Pres-WIC’s 2009 Spiritual Retreat

Approximately 64 ladies and 5 guests met at the Centreville Presbyterian Church on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009. Though it was raining (hard) outside, we enjoyed a wonderful time together in sweet fellowship and learning. Edna Gleason was our featured speaker. She spoke on Jesus: the secret to a satisfied heart. Using Hebrews 12:1-3 as our guide. We learned what the Bible teaches us about Jesus and then how to apply that to our lives. Below is a short summary of some points Edna brought to us:

Though we grow weary, we need to get back to the joy of knowing “My Jesus”. We please God by believing and following in faith. Hebrews 10:32-34. If we personalize Hebrews 12: You are my righteous one, one that I have made, you are mine, do not lose heart, continue to trust in me, “Trust Me”, run the particular race that I marked for you.

A little known fact is that in nature, there is a certain order as to how the birds begin to sing every morning. The birds with the largest eyes sing first. If we keep our eyes focused on Jesus, then our hearts will sing.

Peace comes from hearts satisfied in Jesus. We don’t have to be anxious because He has a plan for me and nothing can change that plan.

We then looked at some points of what Jesus is:

• Perfect harmony with His Father
• Creator
• He holds everything together
• He is in complete submission to His Father
• Obeyed his parents (ones that He created)
• He Loved God’s Word
• Lived a simple life (though he created all things)
• Never coveted
• Loves his followers though they were sinners
• Loved children
• He wept
• Loved God with his whole heart
• Loved his neighbor with no sinful anger
• Was always true and reliable
• Compassionate
• Content with what God called Him to do.
• Never worried/or discontented/or dissatisfied
• Never proud
• Never feared man
• Willing to correct but with perfect love and wisdom
• Suffered the rejection of His Father
• He made complete payment for ALL guilt for ALL his chosen ones.

BUT NOW,

• He is exalted to highest place
• He is interceding for ALL of us
• One day we will see Him – not with these eyes (our sin puts a film over our eyes now)

THEN our hearts will sing.

Go back every day to see “Our” Jesus so we won’t forget what He has done for us. Or we will try to do things on our own, and we know how that turns out.

FIX OUR EYES ON HIM.

Practical things:

Women are prone to discontentment and anxiety. (These are sins.)

Discontentment says “Lord, what You have given me is not enough.”

Anxiety is not trusting God. In our own strength, we ca n not “not worry.” We have to look to Jesus. The Cross is big enough for ALL OUR sins.

From Philippians we learn to be thankful through all our trials and troubles. He is using them to shape us. Though they are not pleasant as we pass through them, they are used for our good. We sometimes forget that we are truly blessed.

A Song to Share

Cooler breezes are blowing.

Football has started.

The leaves are beginning to blush their colors.

A new season is beginning.

This song may help refocus our attention, calm our spirits, and remind us of who set these seasons in place--and of who holds each season, not only of the earth, but also of each of our lives.

Exciting Times

Exciting things are happening at Riverwood Presbyterian!

The first phase of a building program is underway. What began as the monthly mail out newsletter for church members, the Salt and Light has been revamped and is now a monthly magazine (available in print and electronic versions). This magazine features articles written by members and friends of Riverwood and touches on various aspects of culture, looking at them through the lens of the Gospel.

The latest edition features details of the building program. You can take a look at it here. Previous issues are available for download at that site.

Please keep the people and leaders of Riverwood in your prayers.

Reminder

Please join Warrior PresWIC on September 19 at First Presbyterian Centreville for the 2009 Spiritual Retreat.

The meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m. Guest speaker will be Edna Gleason. Her topic for the morning is "Seeing Jesus: The Secret of a Satisfied Heart."

The meeting will conclude with lunch.

Please be in prayer for this meeting, for Mrs. Gleason, and for the ladies at Centreville as they prepare to host this time of learning and fellowship.

Recipe

Another yummy sounding recipe from Kelly McNutt!!

I would highly recommend the cookbook A Passion for Baking by Marcy Goldman to anyone who loves to bake from scratch. Her recipes are not easy, that's for sure, but they are amazing! I have made several things from her book in the past and true to form, this one did not disappoint me either!

Double-Dutch Chocolate Scones

Week 5 (Not easy)

3 c. all-purpose flour 1 large egg

3/4 c. sugar 2 T. strong brewed coffee

1/2 t. salt 2 t. pure vanilla extract

3/4 c. cocoa powder 1 c. whipping cream

1 T. baking powder 1/2 c. each coarsely chopped

1/2 t. baking soda semisweet and white chocolate

pinch ground cinnamon Finishing touches

3/4 c. unsalted butter, cut into chunks 1 c. each chopped semisweet & white

chocolate, melted & cooled slightly

1. Preheat oven to 425. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange oven rack to upper third position.

2. In a food processor, add flour, sugar, salt, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon and blend briefly. Add chunks of butter and pulse to make a coarse, grainy mixture.

3. Remove mixture to a large bowl. Make a well in center and stir in egg, coffee, vanilla, and most of cream. Stir with a fork, adding remaining cream if needed to make a soft dough. Stir in 1/2 c. each semisweet and white chocolate chunks and then remove dough to slightly floured work surface. Knead gently to make a dough that holds together. Divide dough in half and pat or roll each portion into a 6-inch circle, about 1 1/2 inches thick. Cut each into 6 wedges.

4. Place on prepared baking sheets and place in oven. Reduce oven temperature to 400 and bake until dry to the touch (it is hard to see by the color of the crust, since chocolate scones are dark to start with), about 18 to 22 minutes.

5. Smear melted semisweet chocolate on each scone and, once chocolate sets, drizzle with white chocolate. Let chocolate set.

Equipping

Karen Lashley, PresWIC secretary has been going through the PresWIC archives. In doing this, she has come across some audio cassettes that have some great content!

Titles include:

Connie Miller WIC Building Blocks

Diane Balch How to be Outreach Focused in PresWIC and Local WIC

Charles Dunahoo Conflict Management

Karen Grant Creative Compassion

Kathy Cheeley Yes, Virginia, You Too Can Be Productive

If you would like to listen to any of these, please contact Karen at First Presbyterian Demopolis (demopres3895@bellsouth.net).

These are great resources!

Also, if you have not heard of (or never looked at) Modern Reformation magazine, it is definitely worth a peek. There are some articles on the website. The magazine has great articles each month and are quite thought provoking. There is a free trial option which includes a print issue and online access for 30 days. A one year subscription is $32. One issue provides more than enough articles to read and reflect on until the next issue arrives!

Yummy!!

Kelly McNutt of Demopolis has begun a Bible study at her home. The lucky ladies who attend not only get the joys of a great Bible study and lovely fellowship but also are treated to a new dessert each week! Kelly is sharing some of the recipes she has tried so far.

Gooey Turtle Bars - Week 1

Prep: 8 minutes Cook: 15 minutes Chill: 30 minutes

~ 2 cups graham cracker crumbs ~ 2 cups (12 ounces)

or vanilla wafer crumbs semisweet chocolate morsels

~ ½ cup butter or margarine, melted ~ 1 cup pecan pieces

~ 1 (12 ounce) jar caramel topping

Combine crumbs and butter in an ungreased 13 x 9 x 2 inch pan; stir and press firmly into bottom of pan. Sprinkle with chocolate morsels and pecans.

Remove lid from caramel topping; microwave at HIGH 1 to 1½ minutes or until hot, stirring after 30 seconds. Drizzle over pecans. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until morsels melt; let cool in pan on a wire rack. Chill at least 30 minutes; cut into bars.

Yield: 2 dozen.

Mocha Brownie Cake - Week 2

1 (21 oz) package chewy fudge brownie mix 1/2 c. chopped pecans

(i used Duncan Hines) 1 1/2 c. heavy whipping cream

1/4 c. water 1 T. instant coffee granules

1/2 c. vegetable oil 1/4 c. sifted powdered sugar

3 large eggs, lightly beaten Garnish: chocolate shavings

1. Coat 2 (8 in) round cake pans with cooking spray; line pans with wax paper, and coat with cooking spray.

2. Combine brownie mix, water, oil, and eggs in large bowl, stir in pecans. Spread batter evenly into pans. Bake at 350 for 25 min. Let cool in pans on wire rack for 5 min, invert onto wire racks. Carefully remover wax paper, and let cakes completely cool on wire racks.

3. Combine whipping cream and coffee granules. Beat at medium speed with electric mixer until foamy; gradually add powdered sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Spread whipped cream mixture between cake layers, on top, and on sides. Cover and chill 1 to 2 hours. Garnish if desired. Store in refrigerator. Serves 12.

Marbled Chocolate Bundt Cake - Week 3

1 (18.25 oz) package devil's food cake mix 1/3 c. sugar

without pudding 1 large egg

1 t. vanilla extract 1 c. (6 oz) semisweet chocolate

1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened morsels

1. Prepare cake mix batter according to package directions; stir in vanilla. Pour batter into greased and floured 12 c. Bundt pan; set aside.

2. Beat cream cheese and sugar at medium speed with electric mixer until fluffy. Add egg, beating well; stir in chocolate morsels. Spoon cream cheese mixture into center of batter, leaving a border around outer edge. Gently swirl batter with a knife to create a marbled effect.

3. Bake at 350 for 45 min. Let cool in pan on wire rack 10 to 15 min; remover from pan, let cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar in desired.

Plum upside-down cake

1/2 c. (1 stick) plus 1 T. unsalted butter 1/4 t. baking soda

plus extra for pan, room temp. 1/4 t. salt

4 firm, ripe plums, each cut into 8 wedges 1 large egg

1/4 c. plus 2/3 c. sugar 2/3 c. sour cream

1 c. all-purpose flour 1 t. pure vanilla extract

3/4 t. baking powder

1. Heat oven to 350. Butter 8 in. cake pan and line with parchment paper.

2. Melt 1 T. butter in large skillet over med-high heat. Add plums and 1/4 c. sugar and cook, tossing until sugar dissolves and juices from plums become syrupy, 3 to 4 min. Arrange plums in cake pan in slightly overlapping concentric circles, starting from the outside. Pour any pan juices over plums.

3. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

4. With an electric mixer, beat the remaining 1/2 c. butter and 2/3 c. sugar until fluffy. Beat in egg, sour cream, and vanilla. Gradually add flour mixture, mixing until just incorporated.

5. Pour batter over plums and bake until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 50 - 55 min. Let cool in pan for 1 hour. Place large plate over the cake pan and invert the cake onto the plate. Serves 8.

We look forward to more of these great, easy recipes!! Thanks, Kelly.