a changed heart

the transforming Word of God

2010-09-06T17:35:00.002-05:00

A great testimony to the power of the Word to beget and sustain faith is found in the story of the conversion and execution of Tokichi Ichii-a man who was hanged for murder in Tokyo in 1918. He had been sent to prison more than twenty times and was known as being cruel as a tiger. On one occasion, after attacking a prison official, he was gagged and bound, and his body suspended in such a way that "my toes barely reached the ground." But he stubbornly refused to say he was sorry for what he had done.

Just before being sentenced to death, Tokichi was sent a New Testament by two Christian missionaries, Miss West and Miss McDonald. After a visit from Miss West, he began to read the story of Jesus' trial and execution. His attention was riveted by the sentence, "And Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."' This sentence transformed his life.

I stopped: I was stabbed to the heart, as if by a five-inch nail. What did the verse reveal to me? Shall I call it the love of the heart of Christ? Shall I cal~ it His compassion? I do not know what to call it. I only know that with an unspeakably grateful heart I believed.

Tokichi was sentenced to death and accepted it as "the fair, impartial judgment of God." Now the Word that brought him to faith also sustained his faith in an amazing way. Near the end, Miss West directed him to the words of 2 Corinthians 6: 8-10 concerning the suffering of the righteous. The words moved him very deeply, and he wrote,

"As sorrowing, yet always rejoicing." People will say that I must have a very sorrowful heart because I am daily awaiting the execution of the death sentence. This is not the case. I feel neither sorrow nor distress nor any pain. Locked up in a prison cell six feet by nine in size I am infinitely happier than I was in the days of my sinning when I did not know God. Day and night . . . I am talking with Jesus Christ.

"As poor, yet making many rich." This certainly does not apply to the evil life I led before I repented. But perhaps in the future, someone in the world may hear that the most desperate villain that ever lived repented of his sins and was saved by the power of Christ, and so may come to repent also. Then it may be that though I am poor myself, I shall be able to make many rich.

The Word sustained him to the end, and on the scaffold with great humility and earnestness he uttered his last words, "My soul, purified, today returns to the City of God."2

Faith is born and sustained by the Word of God, and out of faith grows the flower of joy.

taken from John Piper, "Desiring God"

I really loved reading this section of Desiring God. This truly shows how powerful God's holy scripture really is in a persons life. Even someone who is in jail for murder! I think we really need to remember how transforming His word really is, I know that this little section showed me how God brings people to salvation by just a few Christians advancing His kingdom by doing something very little - sending the New Testament to a guy in prison for murder. I know that I normally think of sharing the gospel as this big thing, but it doesn't have to be big, it can just be small and planting a seed like these two Christians did. What a great reminder!

website for art

2010-09-03T14:33:00.003-05:00

I just created a website to post my artwork!

You should all check it out :)

http://brittneejohnson.daportfolio.com/

all done!

2010-05-14T14:38:00.009-05:00

I have finished my Junior year of college! I was so blessed with being able to do pseo my Senior year of High School.
Yesterday I moved home from school. Really I do not know how I made it through the week. This years finals have been the worst that I have ever experienced. There were many late nights and early mornings this past week. It was the Lord that got me through this week. I literally was sick two nights in a row because of lack of sleep and no time of rest. Moving out was really bitter-sweet. I will miss my lovely blue hall ladies this summer. The Lord has blessed me with such sweet friends. Next year I will be living with my current roommate, Terra and a friend of a blue hallmate, Jennifer. It will be exciting to go back to school this fall. I already miss everyone. Next year I will be an orientation leader, so I will be moving in a few weeks early. Here is a highlight of this year :)

The Blue Hall group:

This was a dance that my hall did for KnuHa day. It was so much fun and probably one of my favorite things that I did this past year. Our hall bonded a lot through this dance, especially since we all got together to practice every week, sometimes more than once a week.

Here are a few of my favorite art projects that I did this year:
This was a project that I did for my design concepts class. All of us in the class had to make an inflatable for our final. Since I am more of a 2D artist, I struggled with working with 3D projects, yet was actually one of my favorite projects of the year. Also, one of my favorite classes. My professor, Monica, is probably my favorite art professor at nwc.

This was my final project for my sculpture class. These two pictures are of buttons. For our final we could make whatever type of sculpture that we wanted. My idea of buttons came from a sculpture artist named Tara Donovan. I loved her button sculptures and really wanted to make one of my own. Before starting this project, I wasn't sure how I would like the colors and was contemplating spray painting the buttons after I finished gluing them together. After finishing this sculpture I really loved how the colors looked together. Wacky, yet really cool.

This is a drawing I did of my roommate, Christine. My intention of drawing this picture was to submit it in the "Food in the Door" at the MIA. Unfortunately I did not get to submit it because there was too many entries when I went to bring it. Even though I did not get to submit it, I still love it and am happy that I got to draw Christine.

joy in worship

2010-05-05T16:08:00.004-05:00

Today was our last praise chapel here at Northwestern. The Lord has constantly been reminding me that when I worship, it is not about me or how I feel, but it is by giving Him praise. He deserves the praise, not any of us. Thinking about chapel this morning, I know that my God was smiling down at His children worshiping and praising His name. This brings me joy in my heart, knowing that our God Almighty cherishes our worship.
All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name. Psalm 86:9

updates about me

2010-05-04T01:06:00.003-05:00

A week from Thursday I will be moving out of my dorm and heading home. I'm not sure how to feel. I'm really excited, but also sad about leaving all these people here at Northwestern that I have grown so close to. Of course, it will be really stressful with so much to do in so little time. I have been constantly reminding myself not to worry. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. - Matthew 6:34 I have noticed that a lot of people are worrying way too much during this time. I'm guilty of it too. Every time that I worry about something and it passes, I wonder why I made it out to be such a big deal. It will especially be hard to be intentional about spending time with people. It will be hard leaving here. Especially since my roommates Terra, Christine and I will not all be roommates together next year (terra and I are still rooming together.) We have only a week and a half left of living with each other. I have grown to love and care for both of these girls throughout this school year.

The Lord has been so good to me. He has led me to South Carolina this summer to strengthen my relationship with Him. I will be going with around 100ish students from a ministry called Campus Outreach. The Summer Training Project is designed to help students grow in their walk with God. I will be working a full time job while at project, along with Bible studies, evangelism training, ministry training, and different types of activities during the week. I'm am super excited, but also nervous with what God will be revealing to me there. It will be hard being away from home for two months, but I know that the Lord has led me there and that His will is so much better than what I have in mind for my life.

This year I have learned much about myself. The Lord has convicted me with how selfish I really am. It has been hard to recognize this, but also great that because I see this in my life, I can work on being less selfish. It has definitely been a great experience noticing this in my life and being able to share it with other people. My roommates see this firsthand. The Lord put's us in these situations to help us grow. The book of James has taught me that my trials give me joy because they will eventually help me to become mature.

Spiritually I have grown a tremendous amount these past few months. The Lord has been revealing himself to me in a whole new way. I think it was around March that my thirst for his word actually started to rise to a whole new level. Since then my relationship with Him has been so sweet! I have learned how to really talk with God on a more personal and intimate level.

The Greatest Love letter ever

2010-04-06T19:46:00.004-05:00

My Beloved...
You may not know me, but I know everything about you...Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit and when you rise up...Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways...Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered...Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image...Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being...Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring...Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived...Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation...Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book...Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live...Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made...Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb...Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born...Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me...John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love...1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you...1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your father...1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could...Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father...Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand...James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs...Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope...Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love...Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore...Psalm 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing...Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you...Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession...Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul...Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things...Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me...Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart...Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires...Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine...Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager...2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles...2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you...Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart...Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes...Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth...Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus...John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed...John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being...Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you...Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins...2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled...2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you...1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love...Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me...1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again...Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen...Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father...Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is...will you be my child?...John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you...Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Father, Almighty God

Philemon 1:7

2010-04-02T09:50:00.004-05:00

Well, I have not written on here in so long! Here is a quick summary of how my life has been in the last year:
I transferred to Northwestern. I was so nervous transferring. I loved Crossroads and I really wanted to stay there and be with the friends that I made. But God had a much better plan for me. He provided for me all year long. He gave me such AMAZING friends. I have no idea how life would be if I did not have these girls in my life. He gave me a loving RA, sweet roomies, and awesome hall mates! Anyways, God has been so good to me this year. He has revealed so many blessings to me including children. Oh, how my love for them has grown this year.

There has been really tough times for me this year as well. I have not had a job, which has made things really difficult. But, I know that God has done this for a reason. He wanted me to get to know the girls more. He knew that with my busy schedule, I would have a really hard time fitting a job in there. He is so good. I have gone through trials throughout this school year, but they were all done because He loves me.
Something I would like to share with you is something that I think we can all benefit from. I went through a time of discouragement. Probably for about two weeks. I did not even notice until my roomie brought it up. Then one of my friends came to visit me for the day. Wow, it was so amazing. She encouraged me so much with so many things that I was struggling with. I cannot even describe in words how God blessed me on this day. I just really wanted to share this because for me, I need encouragement. So many times I doubt myself. God has helped me realize this. And because I went through this, I feel led to encourage others.

All moved in!

2009-08-22T15:58:00.002-05:00

Well, I'm all moved in at Northwestern. I love it here so much! It's AMAZING. I knew God put me here for a reason. Anyways, I don't have much time right now, but I'll put pictures and updates on other things going on. Orientation has been fun and long!

Answered Prayers

2009-08-17T14:31:00.002-05:00

So I've been stressed lately, including my mom. I've been worrying so much about fixing my car and how I would get money to fix the brakes and roders, but it's all taken care of. I've also been stressing about moving to school in less than a week, and getting everything together. My mom recently today just found out amazing news! For about the past week I've been asking God to give her comfort, and He did that today! He heard all our prayers.

Matthew 6:34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

We've forgotten how we only need to worry about one day at a time. My prayers have been answered including my moms! What an amazing God we have?! :) Even when times aren't good, I will still praise you, Father.

Just a little something

2009-08-15T18:40:00.002-05:00

I'm not perfect,

I'm just forgiven!

God's awsomeness

2009-08-07T09:31:00.002-05:00

This past two weeks I've been worrying way too much. I know I shouldn't, but I just can't help it. It's really hard sometime to not worry about the future. God is so good, and He has given me comfort, especially this morning when I came across these words in Pslam 32:7

"You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance."

I'll be moving two weeks from today. I've been so worried about getting my car fixed, paying bills, and worrying about family things. But God has comforted me. I have no clue how I would handle things if it wasn't for her His unfailing love. His love is priceless. I'm not sure about what will happen in the future, but I do now that my great and awsome God is always with me.

A little sad, but greatful for AMAZING people.

2009-08-04T22:15:00.010-05:00

Tonight I am reminiscing all my friends at Crossroads. I'm excited about going to Northwestern, it's just going to be hard at first. Only because I made such amazing friends, that I will miss dearly. Right now I'm just going to say a few things about a few girls that have touched my life at Crossroads.
Melanie, you know me so good. You know my quirks and yet you still love me. I love you so much, and had an amazing year at Crossroads getting to know you. I hope you know that you became one of my best friends at school. I hope that we will be able to stay in touch throughout this year and our lives. You have touched my life so much. We are so different, but God did bring us together. I'm so glad that you were right across the hall from me. Love you, Mel.

Julie Wethington, you are an amazing person! It was so nice getting to know you the beginning of the year. You brought out a really good, mature side to myself. Thank you for being there for me when times were tough for me. I'm really glad that I got to have you apart of my life the beginning of my first time away from home. I loved the times that we got to watch Bing Crosby together:) and laugh, and run to Wal-Mart at 10:30 at night to get Capri-Sun. Thank you for being genuine and loving. You are an amazing person.

Hannah Winters, you are so much like myself. You make me laugh, and I'm pretty sure I make you laugh. I loved going to the "Y" with you and swimming afterwards. LOL, I will always remember the time when I couldn't control myself with laughter in the pool, and people were staring, but I didn't care :) I also love the time when we were angels together. I think Jesus's birth brought us together, because it really did. If it wasn't for the Nativity, I don't know if we would have been able to be such good friends. Thanks for being funny. I love that about you. I also love that we got to become friends second semester. You make me laugh. I wonder what God thinks when we cannot control our laughter? Anyways, I love you Hanney!

Hannah Montana, you are intelligent and have been a really cool person to live with and watch movies late at night with. I loved that we sporadically decided to put twilight all over our walls in honor of the dvd release. It was fun laughing with you late at night. I'm going to miss you during this school year. You gave me so much knowledge by living with you. Thanks for being a loving person and giving me a fun year at school!

There are many other people that have touched my life this past year that I will miss a lot. God knows what He's doing in my life and I will trust in Him.

Almost done with school!

2009-04-20T12:29:00.003-05:00

Well, I have about two weeks left of school. I will be moving home for the summer, and working at my old job, Crosby SuperValu. I'm pretty excited to be working there again. School has been a lot of fun. I've made many amazing friends. I've also learned so much throughout this school year. Mostly growing more closer to God, and learning so much more from the Professors here. I am so thankful for everything that I have been blessed with here at Crossroads.
I'm still confused about what I want to do this fall. The thought crossed my mind about staying at Crossroads another year, but it just doesn't really make any sense concerning my decision on my major. I've decided that I want to major in art. Maybe art illustration. I've been accepted to Northwestern College and Bethel University. I've decided to go with Northwestern. After visiting the colleges, I felt that NW was much more personal. I'm really excited, but also sad to leave my friends here at Crossroads. I know that it will be for the best, and I am so excited for the future. Many times I have been unsure about if an art major would be appropriate with finding a job, etc. I feel that God has gifted me with a talent, and I want that to be what I do for the rest of my life.

My life is busy...

2008-10-03T08:40:00.006-05:00

Well, I am writing on here right now because I do have time to (not really but anyways) because I got up two hours earlier than I was suppose to. I thought that we were suppose to be at Hope Summit at 8:30 but really, that was only optional. We don't have to be there until 10:30. Silly me:D
I've been a busy lady lately. My past month seems like it's been a week. I'm sure everyone knows the feeling. I am starting to adjust nicely to Crossroads. I love it here and the people are really quite amazing.
I got a job, which is taking up a lot of my time. I feel like my homework is about twice the amount that I had a CLC last year. It's fun though.
My sleeping habits have changed. Last year I'd go to bed around 10:30 11, now I go to bed around 12 or 1. Hehe, I'm good though, coffee keeps me functioning.
My roommates are amazing. I love each and everyone of them :) Liz, Melanie, Julie, Hannah, and Crystal. They are fun girls:)
I was homesick for one day out of the month that I've been away from home. I am actually stunned that the move went over so well for me. The reason I had a bad day is because a teacher in one of my classes quit, so a new teacher was going to take over but he couldn't teach class until later in the day and I didn't want that. I was also stressed about a job, and plus, I was kinda broke. Things are a lot better now. I just wish I would have trusted in God a little more that day.

Happy 1st Birthday, Briana!

2008-07-31T07:25:00.003-05:00

Happy Birthday girl! Last year at this time I was at NYR in Colorado and didn't get to see her until about a week after she was born. It's cool because the one day we went into town it was the day Briana was born. I actually called home about an hour after she was born. God works in amazing ways, doesn't He?

Fun at the park

2008-07-22T22:14:00.010-05:00

Today was really hectic. I didn't plan on it but I ended up sleeping in until noon today. It felt really nice, but I didn't like that I didn't get to do everything I had wanted to do today. So I had to rush and get things done here at home(two loads of laundry, cleaning in the kitchen, reading, and getting final things ready for college) so I could be all ready to pick my mom up at work at three. It worked out good. I just didn't get much of a break besides when I was reading. When my mom got home from work we went to her friend from works Dad's wake tonight. There were so many pretty flowers. And to top the night off, my two sister's and their daughters, and cousin with her daughter had decided to go to the park when my mom and I got home from the wake. It was a lot of fun and relaxing. Here a few pics from tonight.

Grandma having fun too

Taking candid photos with Eva Diva

Crazy kid. I love it!

Lil Miss Briana swinging

Tasty treats

2008-07-21T13:40:00.002-05:00

Today I made Hip Hugger bars. Yesterday when Mom, Andrea, and I were at Wal-Mart I was thinking about these bars and how much I would love to make them(and eat them). Well, as you can see, I ended up buying the ingredients to make them and they ended up being soooooo yummy. They are always great for a nice treat.

I have no words

2008-07-09T12:06:00.002-05:00

Graduation Party

2008-06-26T12:40:00.008-05:00

This last weekend I had my Graduation Party. It was so nice. My auntie Linda got to come. She lives all the way over in Washington. It was a blessing to have her home. I also realized that her and I never even got a picture taken together, which is sad. But the best part is that I have my memories to look back on. My auntie Kay was a great blessing. She let me have my grad party at her house, which turned out amazing. I am thankful for her so much and for everything she did for me. Here is a picture of all my Aunts and Uncles on my Dad's side of the family and of course my Dad is in the picture too. My Dad is sitting in the chair, from left to right is my aunt Kay, uncle Jim, uncle Grant, and my aunt Linda.

Another amazing surprise is that my Grandma showed up. Matthew and Emily brought her and it was such a blessing. They are such an amazing couple and so loving. My Grandma is amazing. She made this quilt for me. It's nice and big and perfect for college. I can't wait to use it! Something that touched my heart was that my Grandma made me a special book. It's called "Stories to Touch the Heart." It is one of many special gifts that I will cherish forever. And believe me, the stories my Grandma has saved and found throughout the years do Touch your Heart, I even shed a few tears reading some of the stories in this book. It was such an amazing gift. She personalized it herself and wrote a little note for me in the beginning that made me cry. I love her so much, she has encouraged me throughout my walk with God and has helped me through rough times. Thank you, Grandma.

This is my Dad. I love him so much. I wish we could spend more time together. We don't get many times like this. I wish I could just drive out to him anytime I want, but I can't. It is a very long story and I would not like to share it with the rest of the world, but he lives by someone that I can't be around. And times like this is when I can take in every moment I'm with him. He's my Dad and I love him dearly.

A great investment

2008-06-11T14:00:00.007-05:00

After searching for cars on the Internet and going to car dealerships I finally got a car. No luck until we found an add in the paper for this car. It's a Pontiac Grand Prix.

I graduated!!!

2008-05-27T20:49:00.016-05:00

So this last Friday I graduated:) I don't feel any different. But I think after grad blast I did a little (I got really sick, I may have got food poisoning.) When I got home around 6:30am I had a really bad stomach ache. I slept until around noon and was still sick. I finally got better after about two days. I wouldn't be surprised after what I ate: walking taco's, about 5 vitamin waters, 5 waters, and a mountain dew, fruit, mac and cheese, hot spicy peperoni's, and a lot of other stuff. Grad blast was so much fun though. Spending the whole night wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. This years grad blast theme was the Olympics. I was on team Pennington. We played games, a hypnotist was there(I didn't get hypnotized), karaoke, boxing, and a lot of other fun things were their for us.

My gorgeous Mother and I.

Sisters.

Calen, Alisha, Colbi and I.

Plus Molly!

Friends forever.

Taryn, Jeenah, and I. I like this picture!

Colbi, Erica, and I.

Molly, Eric, Colbi, and I.

Nellie, Colbi, and I.

Sisters plus nieces.

My beautiful niece Cadence and I.

Everyone.

The big walk.

Whoo hoo!!!

We made it!

The Valedictorian and I.

I really wish I were smiling in this picture.

Happiness.

Miss Morgan and I.

I also got my grades back! I got a 4.0 this semester! :) This was my goal for this semester and I managed to keep it. So my cum g.p.a was 3.88.

I'm done with school!

2008-05-21T13:57:00.002-05:00

Today was my last day of school. I can't believe it. It seems like High school went by way too fast. I feel like I just entered Junior High a year ago. Those adolescence years were probably my worste years of my life. Looking back, I see how much I have changed. I didn't have Jesus in my life and that was a big part of why I had such a hard time growing up. I'm so glad that I finally gave myself to Him in the 10th grade. Graduation is Friday. I'm going to miss a lot of people, some not so much, but still it will be sad leaving everyone from the class of 2008. I just pray that God will guide me and give me the courage this year to become more like this Son, Jesus.

The way God showed me His love today

2008-05-07T21:16:00.014-05:00

Today was the most beautiful day ever. I got done with a test early so I got to spend some time outside for awhile. I went to a park near the college and got to read my Bible, take a few picture's, eat lunch, and take in the beautiful world around me. Here are a few pictures of how God showed me His love today. Enjoy!

God gave me this Bible to show me His unfailing love He has for me.

The sky and clouds remind me of God's love.

The world in general is a reminder of God's love. He made it in six day's. That is pretty amazing.

Just looking at this tree reminds me of God's love. Every little detail God designed.

This beautiful, witty little girl also showed me God's love today. I love her!

To end the afternoon I got to enjoy part of it with a friend at a coffee shop. We read God's word, laughed, and talked about the future(scary, exciting, nervous!). This was another way God showed me His love, through friends.

Hip Hugger Bars

2008-05-03T18:31:00.012-05:00

Are you tired of the old ordinary recipes? Have you ever wanted to impress guests with something new? Well, you are in luck. Hip Hugger Bars - a soothing bar that keeps your lips smacking - is just what you need. Never again will you have to make the ancient recipe of chocolate chip cookies. Just a few simple steps will lead your guests to a delightful indulgence of Hip Hugger Bars.

First, make sure you have all the ingredients for the crust and the filling. For your crust you will need 1 cup of brown sugar, ½ cup of butter, 1 egg, 1 ½ cups of flour, 1 ½ cups of quick oatmeal, ¼ teaspoon of salt, ½ teaspoon of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. For your filling you will need 1 can of sweetened condensed milk, 2 tablespoons of butter, and 1 (6 ounce) package of chocolate chips. You will also need a medium sized bowl, 9 x 13 pan, double boiler, and measurements.

Have your medium sized bowl ready for the crust. Mix in the brown sugar and butter until it gets smooth. Then add in your egg, flour, oatmeal, salt, baking soda, and vanilla. Put 2/3 of the crust mix into the pan and press down until even. You will be using the double boiler to melt your sweetened condensed milk, butter, and chocolate chips. It is a utensil consisting of two pots, one that fits partway into the other. The lower pot has water in it to warm or melt a substance in the upper pot.

Have your burner on low heat and make sure to stir continuously; this will keep it from burning on the bottom. If you do not have a double boiler you may use the microwave to melt the ingredients. Make sure to watch it closely so it does not burn.

Once you have the filling melted you can start to put everything together. First you should preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Then you can start to pour the filling onto the crust in the 9 x 13 pan. After the filling is in you can take out the remaining 1/3 crust from the fridge and start to make little patties about the size of smaller cookies. When you are done making the patties, you can spread them out over the filling. After that you can put the pan into the oven and let it bake for twenty minutes. When they are done let them cool for 10 minutes before you cut them. For best results cut them into 1 x 1 or 2 x 2 squares.

Your house will smell like a Martha Stewart baking sale, with the aroma of crust baking to the sweet smell of chocolate. Smiles on your guest’s faces will fill your soul with joy.

This is is my Grandma Ula's recipe. She is pretty much amazing.

Awards Banquet

2008-05-02T13:51:00.000-05:00

Last night I went to the senior awards banquet. I got to eat school lunch for the last time as a senior, take goofy pictures with friends, and receive a scholarship! My graduation is exactly three weeks from today.

My mom and I

Beauty

2008-04-29T21:26:00.000-05:00

"Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion." - Proverbs 11:22

Beauty is something I have always misunderstood. I always have to remind myself that it isn't by outward appearance. God is just amazing, comparing beauty to a pig's snout. This is the type of beauty I want.

2008-04-11T13:02:00.000-05:00

Waking up to snow is not something I would have liked to wake up to in April. Although the college cancelled classes today! I hope that this will be the last of the snow this year.