A Sunrise Worthy of Praise

Thanks to an invitation from a friend, we attended a sunrise service this morning at a local park. As we listened to the sermon, I heard birds singing, woodpeckers pecking, and watched geese glide along the lake. While Handel's "Hallelujah" chorus played, the sun began to peek through the clouds. It truly was a beautiful morning and worth getting up extra early for.

May you take comfort in the knowledge that He died and rose for YOU and for ME! We are saved by this miracle. Take joy in this amazing blessing! 

Happy Easter! 

Recipe: Overnight Coffee Cake - Perfect for Easter Morning

I was looking for a special breakfast to have after my daughter's sleepover birthday party. I wanted to do something different besides waffles, pancakes or cinnamon rolls. That week I spied a recipe for coffee cake. Our daughter loves coffee cake so I decided to give this a try.  Her brothers also had friends over that night and let me tell you, there wasn't a single piece left of this cake. My husband didn't even get a piece! Which reminds me, I need to make this again for him!

This definitely is not a quick morning breakfast, but would make for a great Easter morning treat alongside some eggs, bacon and fruit!

Be sure to plan ahead by making it the night before and then be sure you have at least an hour before eating it the next day.  But, trust me, this coffee cake is WORTH THE WAIT!

Be sure to let me know if you make this and how your family likes it!

For a Printable Link to the recipe, Click HERE. 

  

OVERNIGHT COFFEE CAKE

Cake:
3/4 Cup Butter, softened
1 Cup Sugar
2 Large Eggs
2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
1 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Salt
1 Cup Buttermilk
1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Crumble Topping:
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar, firmly packed
6 Tbs Flour
3 Tbs Butter, melted
1 tsp Cinnamon

Glaze:
1 Cup Powdered Sugar
1-2 Tbs Milk

Beat butter at medium speed with mixer until creamy; gradually add sugar, beating well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until blended after each addition.

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium blow. Add flour mixture to butter mixture, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Stir in vanilla.

Pour batter into greased and floured 9x13 pan. Cover tightly and chill 8-24 hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Let cake stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Stir together all cinnamon crumble ingredients and sprinkle over top of cake. Bake 32-35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. 

Combine powdered sugar and milk until desired consistency and drizzle over warm cake. 

Notes:  You can add chopped pecans, walnuts, or slivered almonds to the crumble topping if you like.
You can also add more glaze depending on your likes. I felt like 1 cup was enough, but you may like more glaze, so feel free to double it to 2 cups and 2-3 tablespoons of milk.

The Season of Lent Is Upon Us

 A couple weeks ago,

 I found out I was the lucky winner of the SHE READS TRUTH Lenten Study.

This was exactly what I needed to push me during Lent to make time for Jesus.

I won this beautiful SHE READS TRUTH Study Kit from Emilie at Flourish & Hope

and you should definitely check out her blog as well! 

This kit includes a beautiful book to use for your study 

along with three beautifully designed business-card-sized verses 

and two gorgeous 8x10 prints.

The book includes each of the 47 days 

with verses, prayers and spaces for journaling your thoughts. 

There are also several pages of hymns which I love 

because I could play them as part of my devotional time.

Music is a very important part of my time with Jesus.

When I am really stressed out, I will sit down at the piano

and play my favorite hymns. It always calms me

and fills me with a great peace.

The pages are beautiful and the words on the pages remind us of His great love for us.

Beginning tomorrow, I will be devoting time each day, for the next 47 days to this study of Jesus and his great gift of dying on the cross for us and His miracle resurrection.

I have my Bibles ready.

I have scheduled it into my days.

I have prayed about this study and how it can be help me grow in my faith.

If you would like to join me, you can also read along 

by getting the SHE READS TRUTH App on your device. 

Unfortunately, the study is all sold out. 

But, if you are interested in this type of kit/study,

you will want to stay tuned for their release of the next study. 

I am hoping to share often about what I am feeling and learning over the next days and weeks during Lent. But, I don't want to feel burdened by this study at all. I want to devote the time and energy necessary to study and pray without the pressure of sharing.

But, when I feel led to share with you, I will.

I won't be giving up anything for Lent, 

but I will be giving more of myself to Him.

Which, really, it what it is all about.

I can't wait to get started.