I think we might have had a conversation about how much Adam loves oatmeal cookies and how much I love peanut butter cookies and then it ended up that he found this recipe that combined the two together but maybe I'm making that up...this is another reason why I need to do a better job of getting these blog postings up so that I can record my reflections on the recipes while I still remember if I liked the outcome or not and why a certain recipe was selected. However, in spite of all the time that has passed since baking these, there was no question about the taste of these Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies....they were DELICIOUS! The recipe also yielded a huge batch as we were eating cookies for daaaaaays last fall. They may be a good contender for a future Christmas Cookie Exchange!!! Yum!!
In the last Meals as a Mrs. blog posting, I shared the first reading from our wedding mass so here is the second reading that came from Romans 12: 1-13:
I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect. For by the grace given to me I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than one ought to think, but to think soberly, each according to the measure of faith that God has apportioned. For as in one body we have many parts, and all the parts do not have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ and individually parts of one another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them: if prophecy, in proportion to the faith; if ministry, in ministering; if one is a teacher, in teaching; if one exhorts, in exhortation; if one contributes, in generosity; if one is over others, with diligence; if one does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor. Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the holy ones, exercise hospitality.
At the time of our wedding, this passage reminded me of the importance of not letting the world and current culture shape us but holding fast to the will of God and to offer up ourselves as sacrifice to others. Delayed gratification and service to others are areas in which we can "die to ourselves" and seek the good of others. So often we tend to look inward and seek out solutions that are good for us or result in something working out for us but does it benefit our fellow peers? If everyone engaged in putting others before them the world could be a happier and less selfish place. I also love how this passage speaks to the unique abilities and talents we each have. We each hold a piece of the puzzle and have original and special contributions to make to the overall picture. Then the passage goes on to explicitly state ways in which we can contribute which I love. It reminds me of all the diverse occupations and backgrounds those in attendance at our wedding came from: teachers, military personnel, office workers, caretakers, police officer, social work, photographers, religious ministry, musicians, carpenter, and medical professions just to name a few. Each individual sitting in St. Joseph's Church that day had something unique to offer that day and still does today. I hope we all continue to make an impact in our various roles and to keep at it even when the days are long and tough or the work is not as rewarding. It does make a difference even if the results don't show until many years down the line. The last line serves as a reminder to always extend hospitality and be charitable, both in thought and deed, and also to let our loved ones (and strangers) know that our home is always open...hence why we have a St. Francis room in our house (to not only display animal decor but to also demonstrate hospitality!).
Who knows, maybe there will be a plate of warm oatmeal peanut butter cookies awaiting your arrival should you visit?!
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