African Doughnuts, Our Wait & Job is Restored!

African Doughnuts (Recipe included at post’s bottom)

Last night, Rico Suave (aka Richard / the hubby) decided Koesisters (African doughnuts) were in order for dessert. YUM! The kids had fun helping, and I had fun eating them;).

Making the dough…

Waiting 30 minutes for it to rise…

Deep fryin’ the doughnuts…

Wa-la! Doughnuts…African Style!

Our Wait

Just wanted to give those of you walking alongside of us a little update on our adoption journey. Our wait continues:). We will receive our OFFICIAL new numbers this week (by Friday), but our listserv online does a pretty good job keeping up with unofficial numbers and I think we are 21 for boy and 28 for girl. This is turning into a close race since we started out 28 for boy and 45 for girl. All my letters to my “son” may have to be changed to “daughter” at this rate;).

For those of you on this same journey or who have been on it before, you know it’s a roller coaster of emotions. Doing our Bible study read through has been SO GOOD for me. So good! But I had to confess this weekend, I am struggled with patience. My heart is ready. I long for our baby. I’m ready to see his/her face and to work on a nursery. I know the Lord is preparing my heart–but I think my heart some times gets ahead of where it is supposed to be. Today I am saying, “Thy will be done” and learning more about waiting on Him. Sounds easy enough, right? I’m trying:). Such a process. Regardless, I’m still looking forward to those new official numbers on Friday.

ALSO–we received our fingerprint appointment for THIS Friday at 10am. Thank you for praying for expedition! Please continue to pray we will have our RESULTS back in time for a referral. Thank you!!! I feel the power of your prayers…and I’m so thankful for those of you walking with me through this, reading along and cheering us on…I truly feel “the great cloud of witnesses” supporting us!!! Praise be to God!

One Year Chronological Bible Study – Job Chapters 41-42

Chapter 41 In this chapter the Lord continues to make his point that if Job cannot even control one of God’s creatures–he can neither have control of justice, the world or his God. Although it sounds to me like he’s describing Puff the Magic Dragon, most commentaries say the Lord is describing a croc–and in when the sun is rising and the croc puffs the water out of his snout that it appears to look like fire. I can some times get too caught up on descriptions and wondering what is really being talked about rather than the point. And the point here again is the wonders of God’s creation and how He alone is God.

Chapter 42 – Job is restored! – Finally Job replied to God out of humility and with submission. And this is TRUE REPENTANCE. Charles Spurgeon said, “The door of repenance opens into the hall of joy.” This is true of Job, and truly the story for all of us as believers. Freedom and joy–no matter our situation–is found in repentance. Although we may deeply love the Lord…although we may serve Him daily…if we are not submitting to Him fully we are living for ourselves (in sin) and not living fully through Him.

Today–I confess I have become impatient. I get frustrated with the wait when there are 147,000,000 orphans in the world. The Lord has called us to this journey, and when I become frustrated–truthfully, it is His plan that I have become frustrated with. Oh Lord, who am I? Indeed I am your child, but I am nothing without you. Forgive me Lord. I submit to Your plan, Your way…and I wait upon You alone. I want to wait on Your will—and in this confession, submission and door of repentance…I begin to fill your floodgates of joy again. Why in the world would I not want to dance in this hall daily in submission to you and instead stand at the door frustrated wondering if I’m at the right place? My hands are going up once again Lord—I am waiting on You.

The beauty of living in God’s will is not only joy–but also blessing. And chapter 42 is definitely a “happily ever after” ending. We have to be careful not to interpret this chapter as every story will end perfectly. There was still pain in the process–and some stories will end with confusion, hurt feelings, and far from feelings of “happily ever after” with a beautiful font “The End” clearing off in the distance. No matter though what God allows to happen, hold tight to the truth when you cling to Him and submit to Him—it is HE WHO IS WRITING YOUR STORY. And it is HIM who will write the FINAL chapter! I don’t know what it is, but I can promise…that IT WILL BE WORTH IT. I promise…because He promises.

Hang in there friends…run the race with perserverance…and be patient as you wait on Him (I’m preachin’ to me here!). IT WILL BE WORTH IT!

***For those of you with a sweet tooth for both Africa and good treats…this recipe is for you…

Koesisters

6 tbsn warm water
3 tbsn granulated sugar
1 package active dry yeast (2 1/2 teaspoons)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsn salt
3 extra-large egg yolks
5 tbsn milk
2 tbsn unsalted butter
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
About 4 cups canola oil for deep frying

1. Combine water, granulated sugar and yeast in large bowl and set in warm place until yeast begins to bubble, 5-10 min.
2. Add the flour and salt to yeast and mix with electric mixer on low. Beat in egg yolks one at a time.
3. Combine milk and butter in small saucepan and heat until butter is melted. With mixer running, slowly pour the milk-butter mixture in dough until combined. (Richard said to add extra flour on this step…his trial was too soupy but a bit more flour did the trick:) Cover w/ damp cloth or plastic wrap and let sit in warm place until dough double in size (40 min.)
4. Punch the dough down and turn out onto floured surface. Cut into 20 pieces, roll each in a ball, and set on baking sheet. Set in warm place and let rise for 20 minutes.
5. While dough is rising, toss together brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom in bowl. Set aside.
6. Heat 3 inches of oil in deep pot at 350 degrees. Working in batches, add dough balls and fry, turning occasionally until all sides are golden (3-4 minutes). Remove and toss in spice mixture to coat.
7. ENJOY!

From: Discovery of a Continent: Foods, Flavors and Inspirations from Africa