Freshwater: 2019

Freshwater

Located in the wilds of Wyoming, the name Freshwater was chosen as a Western analogy to Christ. Just as He is the Living Water, and we must have Him to have eternal life, any desert dweller knows the importance of fresh water to life, both for self, and the nourishment of crops or livestock. By taking nourishment in God and His word, we strengthen our own relationship with Him, our faith, and the quality and abundance of our fruitfulness.

Our keystone verse is from Jeremiah, Chapter 17, Verse 8: "For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see whenSave heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit."

The fruit that we speak of is mentioned in Galatians 5:22
"²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, ²³Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."

And the heat could be anything we experience that might test our faith in God; trials and tribulations, relationships, anything that focuses our love and attention anywhere but on Him...

Friday, November 15, 2019

Black Joe Cake

I made this lovely memory of my childhood for our Community Thanksgiving Dinner next Tuesday at the Haven. My Aunt Phyllis's recipe, I remember my mom making it for church potlucks and gatherings, and sometimes when company came to visit. Actually, I think I remember her just making it for no particular reason at all, just that it's good :). And it's pretty easy to put together.

As you can see, the recipe card is spotted and well-used. This is actually a picture Mom sent me of her card sitting on her counter :). And if you don't know what oleo is, it's just margarine :). In fact, according to Merriam-Webster, it's actually short for oleomargarine and has been in use since 1884.

I just threw everything in a bowl and hand mixed it since I don't have a working electric mixer at the moment :). I greased the pan, poured in the mix, baked it for 35 minutes (I checked at 30 and it wasn't quite finished), then added the "pour-over". It's sitting on the counter resting for the moment, and I'll take it over to the church and get it into the fridge today since there are only a couple of days before it will be served.

I'm sure there are tweaks that could be made to make this healthier and more modern, but it's just good food, and so yummy as is. I hope you get a chance to make it soon, and when you do, enjoy!