A Mother’s Day Tribute

“Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.” (Prov. 31:31)

During my growing up years, my parents were very hands on. My mom baked and decorated my birthday cakes for many years. Four in particular stand out after all this time—Strawberry Shortcake, a Care Bear, a Cabbage Patch Kid, and Barbie. I remember how she worked for hours to get the icing just right. It looked perfect, and it tasted divine.

I loved watching my mom cook. She made almost everything from scratch. In fact, I didn’t know brownies or casseroles came from a box until I was an adult. Except for Jiffy brownies, which I thought were an exception made just for kids like me whose grandmas kept boxes on hand for them to stir together. Continue reading “A Mother’s Day Tribute”

Cooking with Grandma

A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children… (Prov 13:22)

Like everyone else, I cooked at home a lot during the quarantine. I cook a lot anyway, so things really didn’t change much in that regard. I enjoy cooking. Home cooking is healthier, and it saves money. In the past few months, I’ve perfected several recipes, tried new ones, and combined old recipes to create something new. Continue reading “Cooking with Grandma”

My Mother’s Strength

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope (Rom 5:3-4).

Last September, my mom fell and broke her kneecap. With the subsequent surgery and recovery, she was off work for about six months. What seemed like a tragedy had a silver lining: I stayed with my parents during those months, and I spent more time with them than I normally would have. And even though I wish my mom hadn’t gotten hurt, I wouldn’t trade the time with her for anything, especially since the lockdown has kept us apart for the last couple of months. Continue reading “My Mother’s Strength”

A Mother’s Influence

This post was originally published in 2018.

“Her children arise and call her blessed…” (Prov 31:28)

Since Mother’s Day is today, this seems like a good time to acknowledge the women who have influenced me the most in my life. From my mom to her mom to my dad’s mom, these women have provided strong examples of who a Christian woman should be. Continue reading “A Mother’s Influence”

Recipe of Life

Originally posted May 23, 2011

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” (Ps 34:8)

Thanks to my grandma and my mom, both of whom are the best cooks I’ve ever known, one of my favorite hobbies is cooking. However, unlike my grandma, who used a “little of this and a handful of that,” I have resigned myself to using recipes and sticking with the amounts requested in the recipe. When I stray, even just a little, the dish doesn’t resemble the item it’s supposed to turn out be at all. Continue reading “Recipe of Life”