Monday, October 10, 2011

Muffins and some news!

Fall is upon us, and many changes and exciting times lie ahead...
The chill in the air can be felt here at night and it surprises me after a warm afternoon!


My week is about to get a lot more interesting, as I have officially accepted a part time job!
This is in addition to our playschool and morning garden days.
Sounds like a lot, right?
Actually, I feel like this position is a perfect fit for my lifestyle, interests, strengths, and attitude.
Last weekend, I was appointed as Director of Youth Education at our Episcopalian church!
The position is more like a "captain of the ship" role; I oversee Sunday School classes, order supplies, maintain the environment, plan special events, and run a weekly parent-child playgroup.
The decision to accept the position was a relatively easy one; mostly because I am taking over for a very creative woman who has transformed the space I'll be working in.
For me, it's ideal.


The photos from this previous post will illustrate why!
I have very, very little experience with religious education. And my only experiences have not been positive.
Becoming a part of this parish has been a wonderful experience for me in many ways...
I have come to understand God and his unyielding Love.
I feel at peace with this understanding for the first time in my life.
I've been exposed to a group of people who aren't trying to "sell you" a church or a belief.
I've met clergy who are warm,  funny, intelligent, and very down to earth.
I've met like minded families who have become great friends...in fact, it feels like I've known some of them forever. 
But most importantly for this time in my life, I've found a church which welcomes children as a integral part of the congregation.
It is my hope to foster this belief and to help it grow even further!
Another positive, the position pays very well and will entirely fund my Waldorf EC training for the next 3 years with enough left over for supplies and travel expenses. This is the answer to the huge question which has been weighing on my mind since the beginning of the year...how will I pay for this training?
I do believe that God has called me to this experience.


I have never been a deeply religious person (or religious at all), but I have seen so much of His doing in the past year of my life, and the biggest part was accepting Him and being open to learning more and moving on from my past reluctance. I'm not so great at talking about things like this, but I know that God's love is very present in my life. I see it when I look around me and feel overwhelming gratitude for all that has been placed in front of me. 
I used to believe that everything good in my life was from my doing; that I worked hard to make it happen, but I now see that it has a lot more to do with something other than myself. 
I will be able to work many of the hours for this position at home, which works out well for me.
W will also be able to be with me when I do need to be in the building, which will be Sunday mornings and playgroup days. (Local friends, please message me if you're interested in attending!)
Posting here may begin to a be a bit more infrequent as I grow accustomed to my new schedule. I will be keeping another blog documenting Trinity's Youth Programs and Happenings. Take a peek sometime:)
Now, for something totally off topic.
Muffins.
They're a staple here for playschool; fun and easy to make.
I'm looking for more honey or maple sweetened recipes, as I don't use any sugar when I bake for the children.
Pass them along in the comments section, if you wish:)
Here's my favorite Fall recipe thus far..

Pumpkin Carrot Muffins

Ingredients:
1/2 cup pumpkin 
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp oil 
1 egg, beaten 
1/2 cup grated carrots 
3/4 cup whole wheat flour 
1/4 tsp salt 
1/2 tsp cinnamon 
1/2 tsp baking soda 
                                                                 1 tsp baking powder

Directions:

                                                   Beat together pumpkin, brown sugar, oil and egg.
                                                                           Add carrots.
In a separate bowl, blend together flour, salt, soda, baking powder and cinnamon.
Add to the pumpkin mixture.
Fill muffin tins about 2/3 full.
Bake at 375 degrees for 10-14 minutes.

...Thanks for reading!

29 comments:

  1. I have stumbled upon your blog and like what I have seen. We hava much in common with our love of Waldorf education. I am a Christian, so I am anxious to begin following your other blog to see how you tie your Waldorf training and knowledge into your church work. Will you be able to order waldorfy supplies for the church?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Fantastic News! Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete
  3. CONGRATS!!! That sounds so absolutely perfect! Iam so happy for you.
    <3 My oldest and I are on our own religious path/search right now <3

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow, wonderful news! It sounds like a really great fit for you, and how exciting to be able to fund your training, too! Congratulations. I think you'll be terriffic! ~ :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Congratulations!!! I'd be very interested to read more on your work in the church. I am sunday school superintendent at my church, and it is a hard balance for me between what is expected / has been done before, and the waldorf inspired approach I bring.

    ReplyDelete
  6. So incredibly wonderful Rebecca, I am so happy for you. Truly such a blessing!
    XOXO

    ReplyDelete
  7. Rebecca, what a wonderful opportunity! I'm so glad this has worked out so you can pay your tuition.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Congratulations! I am very happy for you.
    Warm greetings from Chile.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I ♥ to hear you ♥ God.
    And I ♥ the place for young children in your church...wouw!
    I've never seen that here in the Netherlands.
    So please keep on posting about this item, because I can learn from you!

    -X-

    ReplyDelete
  10. So nice to read this! Love you! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  11. Congratulations! That sounds wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Congratulations dear friend! This sounds so perfect for you! I am so,so happy for you! Wishing you many continued blessings on your journey! xxxxxxxxx

    ReplyDelete
  13. What a great (and fun!) opportunity. I know you will bring so much to the position. Isn't it funny how God finds a way to make things happen? I'm so happy that you can be at peace about the funding of your training. I'm smiling my face off right now :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Congrats and thank you for the recipe. Bear has been pestering me about pumpkin muffins lately. I hope this goes through, I have not been able to post comments here lately for some reason, but still your faithful reader ;) Take care.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Congratulations! This sounds wonderful.

    Love pumpkin muffins.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'm so happy for you! I know you'll do a fantastic job!
    ALL of our recipes are "refined sugar free" so if you are looking for a specific recipe let me know! (muffins, cakes, cookies, scones, squares, "baked" beans, relish, jam, you name it - we probably have a recipe for it!)
    Some of our recipes are here: http://madebyjoey.blogspot.com/p/recipes.html
    Oh and 1 cup of sugar = 3/4 cup pure maple syrup. Honey is sweeter so you need less but it more often changes the consistency of the baking, whereas maple syrup doesn't. You never will get a really crispy cookie with maple syrup though! :o(
    Costco has the best price for maple syrup.
    Sorry, I can talk forever about healthy eating! ;o)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Congrats! It sounds perfect for you! How awesome that it brings together you're spirituality with the means to fund your Waldorf education! You are blessed!

    Off to print this muffin recipe. sounds yummy!

    Becca

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oh and here is my fav pumpkin muffins recipe made with honey or also good made with molasses and a bit of cloves. Molasses is good too as it's a bit cheaper than honey or maple syrup I think. http://chocoeyes.blogspot.com/2008/10/my-favorite-pumpkin-muffins-gluten-free.html

    Also, you can make these gluten free or substitute regular flour/ wheat or a mix of both. Yum!

    Becca

    ReplyDelete
  19. Congratulations! It sounds like such an interesting and potentially rewarding position - and the opportunity to be able to work it around and as a part of you home and family life is wonderful :0) I wish you all the best in it and hope that you are able to blog a bit about the experience.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Congratulations and I hope your new position works out well for you. Will give the muffins a try as I have loads of cooked pumpkin in the fridge - they sound great. Best wishes :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Congratulations on your new job I hope that it brings you much happiness, it sounds like a wonderful new experience. x

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oh Rebecca- today we made our wheat cracker recipe, and I thought of you and the children:
    http://seventimestheday.blogspot.com/2011/09/hello-september.html

    <3

    ReplyDelete
  23. I am thrilled for you! I, too, have accepted a part-time Director of Christian Education position at my church. It's something totally new to me and I'm excited to see what God is going to do! I'll be checking in on the Trinity blog to see what you're up to. I have one that I'm keeping for a new women's ministry at our church; it's just getting off the ground: http://agatheringatthewell.blogspot.com/. Grace and peace to you in this new adventure!!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Oh Becca, I'm so excited for you. Congratulations! It sounds like the perfect fit for you and your family. You church sounds like such a loving community. I love that. Our church has been so sweet to Noah and Cami. Our pastor always prays with Cami when we take communion "help Cami to know whether she's good or bad that you always love her." Good luck as you transition into this new routine. This muffin recipe looks awesome too. :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Rebecca, I'm so excited to hear about your new work in mentoring children on their spiritual journey!! I can't wait to read future posts on what you learn and observe about children and their relationship with God and about your own spirituality.

    ReplyDelete
  26. That is great news! Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete

I love to hear from you! I read and appreciate all feedback.. Thanks for stopping by!