It had been fifty years since I had been in the shelter that we worshipped in this past Sunday. I had just transferred to Winona Sta
te University as a junior from Worthington Junior College. I had seen an ad asking for volunteers to help with the Winona Girl Scouts, and I decided that would be a fun diversion from studying and also a way to meet some new people. I continued to work with that group all of that school year. I never dreamed that someday I would return to the same place for something so meaningful in my own family.
This past weekend we attended a wedding of a friend, and then headed to southeast Minnesota to celebrate both our son, Mark’s, birthday, and his daughter, Estella, who turned five. They both share the same birthdate. Along with Mark’s twin sister, Melissa, who we wish could have been there to join in the special day. In addition to the birthdays, Mark’s daughter, Jordana, chose this September day to be baptized. She asked us a few weeks ago if we could come and be part of her special day.
Arise Christian Church met at the Lions Shelter on Lake Winona this past weekend. Our son is the pastor, and we all gathered on picnic tables near the beautiful setting of the Winona bluffs and calm waters. God blessed our group of worshipers with a cloudy, but rainless morning! After our songs, sermon, communion, and prayers, we headed to the lake to witness both Jordana and another boy her same age (about eight) accept Jesus as their Saviour and be immersed in baptism. We were excited and happy along with her to be part of her spiritual birthday.
After they dried off and hugs and congratulations were shared with both families, we went back to the shelter for a wonderful potluck noon meal. Dan and I brought a large birthday cake for Estella to share at the meal. She wanted it to be “blue”, with the FROZEN theme, and so it was! Many little sticky, blue fingers were seen jumping around after enjoying the cake and birthday fun. The shelter is within a park area, so the playground equipment got lots of use that afternoon as the sun emerged from the stubborn sky of clouds.
All in all it was a wonderful day of commemoration, and we were happy to be part of it all. And thoughts from many years gone by kept entering my head. The beauty of the area, friendships made all those years ago, and just the fact that God weaves it all together in the tapestry of our lives. It really is amazing , isn’t it? What blessings we experience if we just live our lives and follow Him.
As the afternoon began to wind down, we took time to wish our son a happy birthday too. I had made him some cupcakes that he loves, so he shared them in the parking lot later that day with family. Now our fingers were sticky with chocolate, but licking seemed appropriate for the moment. Goodness, we sure did have enough to eat by the time we left for their home near Lewiston about three in the afternoon. It had been a great day of celebrating and sharing with so many.
Back to the cupcakes for just a moment. They are probably the most asked for dessert from our family, especially for birthdays. I love them for two reasons. One they are chocolate, of course! And secondly, they don’t need any frosting, which saves some time and effort. And they really are delicious. I received the recipe way back in 1968 from a friend and fellow teacher in the Heron Lake Schools. She and I and another friend drove once a week to Mankato for classes. Each week one drove, one brought food, and the other one got to “rest”! Thanks to Ruby, it is a “keeper” recipe.
Black Bottom Cupcakes
Combine in a small mixing bowl:
1 cup ( 8 oz.) cream cheese
1 egg
1/3 cup sugar
1/8 tsp. salt
Beat well and then stir in 1 cup of chocolate chips. Set aside.
Mix in a large mixing bowl:
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1 tsp. soda
1 cup water
1/3 cup cooking oil
1 Tlbs. vinegar
1 tsp. vanilla
Mix all thoroughly. Fill muffin cups about 1/3 full of chocolate mixture. Add a generous teaspoonful of the cheese mixture on top. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes.
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