The Unlikely Shmo

The Unlikely Shmo is someone like you and me.
Someone who is average. Someone like...

Gideon
David
Mary
Peter
Esther
Rahab
Noah
Abraham
Moses
Paul
Joseph
...

But all these people have something in common...
BOLD FAITH.

God called each one of them to TRUST HIS STRENGTH rather than their own and 'go for it.'

Gideon tore down his dad's altar to Baal and fought a huge army with only 300 men.
Esther went before Xerxes with the possibility of dying to save her people.
Moses went to his brother and requested for the Israelites to be set free.
Peter was unschooled but had the courage to preach God's word to all.

In every situation these people were blessed and rewarded for stepping out in BOLD FAITH.

Why?

God's Miraculous Power

so...

The Unlikely Shmo + Bold Faith =
God's Power

That is what we are called to do as Christ followers.


So what if we don't...What's the opposite???

"I'm the man" ideology + Self-Reliance =
God's opposition


I think I choose the first!!!

(from Mark Arant's sermon on 8/28/11)

Room Remodel #1

So I have been working on getting our space all put together in our new place. Nothing too major just painting the walls and putting stuff up. Here are before and after pictures of our bedroom. I've been working on the bathroom slowly as well but still have to paint and do a few other things.

BEFORE PICTURES

View #1- Before

View #2- Before

View #3- Before/During :)


AFTER PICTURES

View #1- After

View #2- After

View #3- After

And the closet...

More to come...

White Coat Ceremony

Matt was OFFICIALLY inducted into Pharmacy School on Saturday with his White Coat Ceremony. There was a wonderful program and fun little desserts afterwards. After the program, Matt's family and my family went back to our house and had lunch/hung out. It was great! What a wonderful day.

Matt... I am so proud of you. You have worked so hard and I know you are going to do great these next four years! Way to go!!!

Matt getting his coat. (Sorry it's such bad quality)

Me and my future pharmacist!

Brian attempting to pick Matt up... didn't quite work... but thanks Rachel and Brian for coming!

Matt's parents; Tom and Yvonne

The two girls Matt studied with all through undergrad. They had all the same classes. They are now attending DMU and have their white coat ceremony next weekend. They are a great support group for Matt.

Life update...

Here's a quick update of my current life... all about to change.

-Married and LIVING WITH Matt.
(we are going to start living in 2 places on Monday)

-Living in the basement of Mike and Lianne's house.
(moving into the basement of Angela and Josh Evans on Monday)

-Been re-doing our room and bathroom.
(Painting, hanging pictures, etc... pictures coming when it's all done)

-Working at Chick-fil-A full time.
(I will only work Fridays and Saturdays starting next week)

-Enjoying the freedom of summer.
(School starts Monday)

-Went to Wisconsin with Matt, Nicole and Chris to see our cousins a few weekends ago.

-Had 3 weddings this summer and a few more to go this fall.

-Matt has been working full time for the Iowa Athletic Department.
(Starting today he is IN PHARMACY SCHOOL and only working a few hours a week)

-Transitioning nicely to the Iowa City area.
(Still working on getting acquainted with everything... only to now move back to Cedar Falls)

-Finished Summer School... I took 10 credits this summer.
(And school starts again after a 3 week break)

-Have almost gotten used to writing my name as 'Amy Farley'
(I can't change my name at UNI due to some complications so I may have to go back to writing it the old way.)

So that's a quick update... nothing too exciting but life is great and I love it!

Barefoot Cupcakes

Tonight I had a craving to make some cupcakes... although I had lots of other things to do I followed my craving and I am very glad I did. Here's the product...

Coconut Cupcakes
From the Kitchen of Ina Garten
(Barefoot Contessa, 1999)

Ingredients

• 3/4 pound (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 cups sugar
• 5 extra-large eggs at room temperature
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure almond extract
• 3 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 T white vinegar mixed with 1 cup (minus 1 T) milk)
  
• 14 ounces sweetened, shredded coconut

For the frosting: (I made half of this and had leftovers)

• 1 pound cream cheese at room temperature
• 3/4 pound (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  
• 1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
• 1 1/2 pounds confectioners' sugar, sifted

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. On low speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time. Add the vanilla and almond extracts and mix well.

In a separate bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In 3 parts, alternately add the dry ingredients and the buttermilk to the batter, beginning and ending with the dry. Mix until just combined. Fold in 7 ounces of coconut.

Line a muffin pan with paper liners. Fill each liner to the top with batter. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until the tops are brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Remove to a baking rack and cool completely.

Meanwhile, make the frosting. In the bowl of an electric mixer, on low speed, cream together the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla and almond extracts. Add the confectioners' sugar and mix until smooth.

Frost the cupcakes and sprinkle with the remaining coconut.

OH SOOO GOOD!!! You gotta love you some Barefoot Contessa.