Pineapple Pina Colada Cake

Pineapple Pina Colada Cake

Here is the recipe for the cake I made for BUNCO. It was light and airy, but I honestly think I would have toasted the coconut on top. I also did not do as the directions below list- I did not exactly measure my coconut out. I made the base two days ahead and put the whipped topping on the day of the event. I think it might actually be good to make it with a frozen pina colada mix.

Pina Colada cake- from "Add The Pounds" cookbook, page 61.
1 package yellow cake mix, calling for 3 eggs.
1 1/2 cup of shredded coconut
1 16 ounce can of cream of coconut
1 20 ounce can of crushed pineapple
1 8 ounce container of Cool Whip

Prepare the cake mix as directed but add 1 cup of shredded coconut to the batter. Bake in a 9 x 13 inch greased pan as directed. Remove cake from oven and while still warm poke holes. Spread cream of coconut over the top, allowing it to seep through the holes. Sprinkle 1/4 of the remaining coconut on top. spread the undrained pineapple. Allow this to cool completely. After it has cooled, cover with the whipped topping. Garnish with the remaining coconut. Keep refrigerated. ENJOY!

Who am I to Christ? Who am I in Christ?

So, I have not blogged in a really (ok, a REALLY!) long time. . . It is funny several people have mentioned to me if I have a blog. Honestly, after a friend’s death it seemed I didn’t wish to be as open through blogging. I rarely looked at blogs anymore.

Somehow this week, I feel I have a lot to say. 

I love how God can use various situations and circumstances to speak to me. He’s smart like that.  This week, I made a comment in a conversation that I was not a confident person- most people do not perceive that, but deep down I struggle with being confident. Ok, it is a struggle. I read Beth Moore’s book- loved it, but I still struggle with being bold and confident. A dear Christian lady overheard my comment and said, “I so do not see that about you!” I said, “Well it is me.” She asked me to take another look at what “He says about you.” Good advice.

I’ve been sick this week (ok moody too! ) and not felt well.

My confidence was hit kind of hard and then God started to remind me of Who I am in Him. I am nothing without Christ. But, how dare I take that for granted.

Today, two events started to rock my world a bit. . . . I bought traveler’s insurance for India. I have never bought traveler’s insurance for any mission trips, but for me, it seemed to be something I needed to do. I am not sure why and I will trust God for His leading on that. The part that sort of hit me hard was, when it said it offered a lump sum if I died. I am not afraid of death, but honesty, I have a few things on this earth I would like to do. Yet, we are reminded that every moment we are here is God’s choosing. His plans are not mine.

Then, someone told me that I was “pushy.” GULP, SWALLOW, BREATH. I will admit it, I like to fix things and sometimes my ultimate good intentions of trying to get someone to do something may come across as pushy. That is far from my intention. It is, instead, my desire to help people feel better, provide them with some relief, and pray for people. Guys, I believe in the power of prayer. Perhaps that is a blog for another night. . .

Yet, all of this started me thinking while I was waiting about 45 minutes for a patient today. WHO is Ivy IN Christ and WHO is Ivy TO Christ? What do I mean to Him? What do you mean to Him?

Some scriptures came to mind and I wanted to share that in my first new blog post! 

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Psalm 139:13

See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.
Isaiah 49:16

You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings.
1 Corinthians 7:22-24

After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward. ” Genesis 15:1

“And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14b

I love when God is speaking to me through people. . . Maybe being called pushy was the final straw to make me think more on who I am, maybe I come across that way and need to change my approach to people. Maybe this relationship can not be healed, but it goes to show that how one person interprets something may be totally different than how it was meant to be. I don’t know, but through this week, I relearned one thing: I am an amazing daughter of Christ, bought and paid for at the highest price! 

FOR THE LOVE. . .

I so would like to win!!! :) Check out for the love!! : )
http://fortheloveworkshop.com/giveaways/

For the Love. . .

http://fortheloveworkshop.com/blog

Check out FOR THE LOVE!!! Wish I was going!!

Out of the Mouths of Children. . .

Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting some of my dearest friends, Holly and Jason Groe. While visiting, I was able to spend some great one on one time with their daughter, Jayden. During our coloring time, she asked me if I would be able to come back in September. Gulp, swallow, breath. Sometimes even the timing of short trips makes it so hard when we miss family events, or special occasions. It always tugs at my heart to tell a child "No" in these situations. But, we aren't here to serve ourselves- even family must take second place to God's plan.

I explained to her that I would not be able to go because I would be on a mission trip to India during most of September. She proceeded to ask a lot of questions about India and why I was going. I answered the "how long is the flight" (thank goodness for Google), "what time is it there" (again, Google is my new best friend), and a few other four year old questions. . .

Her final question was this, "Are you scaarrreed?" asked with big eyes and her best scared face. "No Jayden, I believe that God will protect us during this trip." Silence for a minute. Then she replied in the sweetest Southern drawl and huge blue eyes, "But, Ms. Ivy, sometimes he doesn't. Sometimes He really doesn’t."

I simply replied to her, Jayden, “I believe that God will protect each person who is going. But, should he choose to not physically protect us, I know he had a reason.” At this point, her four year old self can't sit much longer . . . she bounces off to play.

Two things stood out about this conversation- how often do we let fear stop us from serving HIM? And, how often do we fail to realize that our situation is for God’s glory? Jayden in her innocence still understands that God does choose to not always protect us from what we consider “harmful situations.” Maybe he doesn’t heal the cancer; maybe he doesn’t stop the accident; maybe you are the Christian who is beaten for sharing. He chooses that path for our lives for many reasons. Often it is to refine and change our hearts while, ultimately, making us more like Him. Often it is to impact someone’s life for Christ.

Back to the first question, how often do we let fear stop us from serving HIM? How do we let fear keep us from going to serve? How often do we let fear keep us from asking our coworker do they know Christ? It is not only about going to a foreign country, we need people to pray and support missionaries- people that God may never send out of the United States. But, we also need people to step it up for Christ here in the United States. People are dying and going to hell. What are you doing about it?

How long. . .

I cannot believe it has been since NOVEMBER that I blogged. . . Lots to share soon!! Miss you all and can't wait to be back catching up. :)

Advent Conspiracy: It's time to get Back to the Heart of Worship!!

Prayer Mirror. . .

Many of you have heard me mention my "prayer mirror," before. Several people have asked me or commented on how I do that. I have been meaning for a while to post a picture of the wall. However, it was my desire to keep most of it anonymous. I felt that was only fair. Today, I updated the list. Please note, that this is a partial list. I have other people I pray for listed in my Journal. I also did not wish to post names, so I used descriptions of the situations. Some of you will automatically identify who you are in this. . . Others will not.

At the last women's meeting my table asked questions about how I did this and wanted more details. . . Honestly, I cannot take credit for the idea. . . It came from someone I dated a long time ago. The idea stuck and I love it. Simply put, you take a dry erase marker and write daily prayer requests, the list changes throughout the month or week at times. Every so often, I erase it and rewrite. Today was a rewrite day . . . and, already looking at the picture, I know of 4 additions . . . They will be added tonight.

I believe in the power of prayer!! Prayer is one of the steps of communicating with God. . . You also need to be in the word and worship DAILY, HOURLY, and Every Minute/Second of the day. . .

I pray for these people when I am in the shower, when I am brushing my teeth, or fixing my hair. . . I also have a daily prayer time with God for these folks along with others. . .

This is what works for me and I thought I would share. I encourage you to find time throughout your day to pray for folks.