Driving Notes

For Who Knew Wednesday we talked about different ways to give your hot chocolate a little boost. Here are the links to the four we shared from allrecipies.com. If you try them, tell us how they work out. Did you go by the recipe or try a little something different?

Easy Mexican Hot Chocolate: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Easy-Mexican-Hot-Chocolate/Detail.aspx?evt19=1

Cioccolata Calda (Hot Chocolate Italian-Style): http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Cioccolata-Calda-Hot-Chocolate-Italian-Style/Detail.aspx?evt19=1

Peanut Buttercup Hot Chocolate: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Peanut-Buttercup-Hot-Chocolate/Detail.aspx?evt19=1

Candy Cane Cocoa: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Candy-Cane-Cocoa/Detail.aspx?evt19=1

We hope you have fun with these recipes. Share some warmth and make memories with your family and friends!

Here is the recipe and instructions for Joe’s French Toast Casserole. I can’t wait to try this! Try it yourself and tell us how it goes!

6 cups day-old bread cubes

4 eggs

1.5 cups milk or cream

4 TBSP brown sugar

6 TSP butter, cubed in 1TSP sections

1.5 TSP vanilla extract

1/4 TSP salt

2 TSP cinnamon

FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE:

1. Set oven to 350 degrees F (set oven rack to lowest position).
2. Generously grease an 8 x 8-inch baking pan.
3. Sprinkle the bread cubes into the baking pan, then sprinkle the raisins over the bread.
4. In a bowl whisk together the eggs with milk 2 tablespoons brown sugar, salt and vanilla; pour evenly over the bread cubes.
5. Sprinkle the butter cubes over the top.
6. Allow to stand for 15 minutes.
7. In a small bowl combine the remaining 2 tablespoons brown sugar with 1-2 teaspoons cinnamon; sprinkle over the top.
8. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until golden.
9. Serve warm with maple syrup or pancake syrup.

Joe and I had the opportunity to screen the film, The Drop Box. This is a powerful documentary that follows Lee Jong-rak, a pastor in Seoul, South Korea as he takes care of what some would consider the unwanted. Pastor Lee has a calling to save the lives of abandoned children.

Many children are simply left on the streets of Seoul. Some because of unwanted pregnancies or the mother does not have the means or capabilities to care for the child. Others, though, are abandoned because they have been born with a disability or a birth defect. Pastor Lee takes in these children and raises many of them as his own.

I encourage you to take the time to check out this film (Link below). It is very impactful and will get you thinking about what it means to be a human and how you can impact humanity by following God’s call on your life like Pastor Lee.

http://www.thedropboxfilm.com/

The last few days have been a roller coaster ride for me as a sports fan.

Sunday, my beloved Dallas Cowboys lost at Green Bay in the NFL Playoffs.  Monday night, Ohio State’s improbable run finished with a national championship win over Oregon.  Oh, and last night, this happened:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXeOqVbm2Bk&list=UUbz0zzkCzIVFiXkSRMEfREA

Let’s face it – being part of, or cheering for a team that wins is a wonderful feeling.  It stinks to lose. Twitter and Facebook were unbelievable during the OSU game Monday night – the ebb and flow of the game is reflected by the comments and emotions of many fans (like myself). The emotion spills over (hopefully) in a positive way, but that’s not always the case.

Winning is referenced several times by Paul in his letters.  In I Corinthians 9, he reminds us that only one runner can win the race, or as he calls it, the ‘prize,’ but we are to all run as if we plan to win the race.  It’s a good reminder that the effort in our spiritual lives must be like that of the athlete – having the mindset of winning the prize of being called to Heaven for eternity.

Each day we determine the destination of our heart and of our mind, so…do we have a mindset and a “heart set” to strive to make a difference in our world?  To win that prize?  And encourage others to join us on the winning path?  And if we have a bad day, setback, or a loss, do we remember to renew that mindset and remember that, as my Dad likes to say, “there will always be another game?”

Remember, our model is Jesus Christ, the ultimate champion because he defeated death itself!  He wears the victor’s crown!  Fix your eyes on Him and find victory today.

-Joe

I stand in front of the mirror, motionless. Staring deep into my eyes, I realize just how afraid I am. I manage to pull away from my reflection and look down at my hands. In one hand, I hold a diploma. In the other, a box. The degree is easily recognizable. The standard “special print” paper with a metallic design around the edges compliment the name that is shown boldly in the center – my name. This is what I have been working towards. I now hold the fruit of my accomplishments in my hand. I can see every step, decision, and homework assignment that got me this diploma. I can see it all so clearly. The box, however, is not so clear. It is a simple white box that gives no hints or indication as to what is inside. This box holds my future. I am scared to peek inside, terrified of what I might find. What if this box doesn’t carry what I expect or even want for my life? What if God asks me to do something very different from what I have been preparing myself to do? What if I am disappointed?

“Graduation can be intimidating, but full of blessings and limitless possibilities!” – is what a young graduate may hear, but no words can actually prepare a graduate for the thrust into adulthood. My cannonball entry into the adult world will be happening very soon. Much of my future is unknown. You ask me anything about what is happening after graduation, and I will smile and calmly say that anything could happen, but inside I am shaking. The idea of money (or more so the idea of not having enough) makes my stomach turn. How is this ever supposed to work out?

Even with all of the uncertainties, I am blessed to have a few constants in my life, one of them being Christ. It does give me comfort to know that no matter what happens or where I go, He will be with me. Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” WhereEVER I go. This means the location. This means decisions. This means in and throughout time. The Lord, my God, will be with me and care for me, just as He cares for a tiny little bird. Matthew 10:29-31 says, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

These verses are just two of the numerous promises of God’s love and care in the Bible. As much as I like to be independent, I need to hold onto these promises as I venture into this new stage of my life. God will not let me down. Even if I am disappointed in where I end up initially, I know that God has a greater plan. Knowing this won’t make the fear go away completely, but it gives me hope. And life being lived with hope is a life worth stepping into.

The box is open. The path is set. Onward I go. Lord lead me.

Rachel Held

Co-host of the Afternoon Drive

ROCKS for Christmas?
by Emily Porter, Afternoon Drive C0-Host

As the holiday season comes and goes, the memories stay. One of the funniest memories I have is the time I got rocks for Christmas. I’m still extremely bitter about this moment.

First, you need a little background. I always “fight” with my uncle. We constantly joke around and give each other a hard time. It’s not unusual for me to be very sarcastic.

So, here’s what happened…
I was about six or seven years old. As usual, I was pestering my uncle and he was pushing back. He started to tell me that he was going to give me rocks for Christmas. Of course, I didn’t believe him at all. There was no way!

Well…
Christmas day came along; everything was going normal, Christmas as usual. We were over to my grandparent’s house to open presents, when my uncle headed upstairs to retrieve the presents he had bought for my brother and me. He gave us the gifts and before we even opened them, I could tell what was in the box, ROCKS! I opened the box to find none other than rocks! They were the nice, shiny rocks you buy at the store, but rocks nonetheless.

I was already so mad, but that wasn’t even the worst part. I looked across the room and saw my brother opening a TV!
‘I get rocks and he gets a TV!? You’ve got to be kidding me!’

At this point I start crying and threatening to throw the rocks outside. Mind you, I’m only six or seven. My mom tells me, “No.” I wasn’t allowed to throw the rocks away. I HAD TO KEEP THEM! Of all things, I had to keep them! I was so mad!

As I sat on the floor in front of the couch with tears in my eyes, my uncle brought down another box with my name on it. I reluctantly and angrily opened the box. It turned out to be a TV just like my brother’s. It didn’t take too long to cheer me back up and I had a great Christmas, but that memory has burned in my mind and I don’t think I’ll ever forget it.

I could make many statements and analyze my story as why we should be thankful for what we have and how my story plays into that, but what I will say is this:

Memories can last forever and play a big part in your life. This holiday season don’t take those memories or the people that are a part of those memories for granted, because life is short and nothing lasts forever.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and make memories with your family that will last and last.

Last week, Marcy, Rachel and I had the chance to attend MVNU’s fall musical, “Same Old Story.”  It was a great night full of laughter and another reminder that I am blessed to work with a very talented group of students on this campus.  Kudos to Prof. Ryan Long, the cast and crew for a great run!

The night also provided a blessing I wasn’t expecting.  I ran into one of our listeners at the show and as we greeted each other, he said, “I pray for you guys every day…and I mean that.”

I can’t tell you how much that simple comment motivated me for the rest of that night and into the weekend.  I knew he wasn’t kidding or making small talk.  It is incredibly humbling on so many levels.  What we do at WNZR is truly a partnership between our staff and you.  I can’t express how much we appreciate those prayers.  I can’t express how much we need those prayers.

The last few weeks have been a typical roller coaster for our staff…between illnesses, family deaths, the challenges of class assignments, mentoring, grading, staying on top of events, and technical issues, your prayers ARE making a difference!

Thank you!

-Joe

Monday’s word was jink.

It is a verb meaning to move quickly or unexpectedly in turns and sudden shifts.

The aircraft jinked up and down to avoid the missiles.
Tuesday’s word was cantankerous.

It is an adjective meaning often angry or annoyed.

That cantankerous man insists that nothing should ever change!