Well, Happy April Fools to y’all. Because we have had so much time to think of past memories that bring so much laughter to us during these last couple of weeks, this memory came quickly into our minds today because of it being April 1st. Let me begin….
Back in 2002, we had moved to California for Randy’s job. Because Jodi was a single mom with a 1 year old, we ask her to go with us and she heartily agreed. We were all settled in our new home in Placentia, CA and enjoying the gift of being grandparents. What a joy it was to be able to see Jaden do all the “first” things but also watching Jodi grow into a loving mom. But we had noticed that she was having days when something must have been on her mind, but she continued to go to work each day, only to come straight home to care for Jaden while I made dinner and waited for Randy to come home from work. It was during these days that Jodi one day was sitting there talking to me and in the conversation she said, “Mom, I wonder how long I will be a single mom?” I assured her that the Lord had someone special for her and to just allow Him to provide who He wanted for her and Jaden.
Well, April 1st rolls around. Jodi had already left for work and Randy is telling me that we need to think of a good April Fools joke for Jodi. He left for work and called me shortly and said, “Oh I have just the perfect joke to play on her.” And as he talked, I started laughing and told him to go ahead and email her at work with the plan. Now, remember that I always told you that Randy does have a mischievous side to him and that it really came through then. Here is what Randy emailed to Jodi…..
“Jodi, your mom and I, as you know have prayed about your desire to be married. Well, we feel that your prayers are about to be answered. Someone has told me about a web site that gives names of Russian Men who are wanting to come to American to be in ministry, but they need to be married. They don’t speak very much English, but you are a patient person, who I know would gladly teach this man English and y’all could possibly go to seminary together once he becomes a citizen. So your mom and I have bought you one of these men and he will arrive in 2 weeks for you to marry. We both have put a lot of thought in this and realize that maybe this is how you are going to have your dream of finding a husband for you and a father for Jaden. So please trust us in this as we only want what is best for you and we feel that this is what is best.”
When Jodi received the email at work, all I can tell you is that she immediately called me and ask me if this was true. It was so hard to not laugh, but I assured her that Randy and I both thought that this was a great plan, plus the Russian guy would be in ministry and they could partner together possibly working in the mission field. As she listened to me explain the plan, she told me she needed time to take her Bible in the bathroom at work and pray. It was then the I knew I had to call Randy to tell him to call her and tell her the truth. I didn’t want my daughter to be distraught or thinking that her life would be spent with someone who might take her back to Russia. When Randy called Jodi to talk to her and tell her the truth, he could tell that she was really upset thinking that she was going to be married in two weeks to a guy she had never met. The conversation went like this…
Randy: Jodi what is today?
Jodi: Monday
Randy: what is the date today?
Jodi: April 1st I think
Randy: Jodi what is April 1st
Jodi: oh my gosh, it is April Fools Day…..
Fast forward to April 1st, 2020.
Randy: via mail to Jodi this morning, (who is now divorced) “Jodi, your mom and I just heart from Valdamir and he is still available. He is the Russian preacher we purchased on option for you some years ago. The option runs through today at midnight. We still believe that he will be your soul mate and be a great influence on the boys once his English improves..maybe Caleb can help him. We love you and remember we have to know by midnight. Love, Randy
Jodi’s response: “I may be ready to take ya’ll up on this generous offer this time”
Have a great April Fools Day and hope this day will bring some laughter as you think back over fond memories…and will leave this thought with you; Father really does know best.
Years ago, in the 70’s, before I married, I had a roommate, Sheila Waterman. She was a teacher and I worked for the government. We spent lots of Friday nights, sitting in our apartment, wondering why all the guys were not flocking to our door, to take us out on dates. When we would get paid at the beginning of the month, we would go crazy buying all sorts of great food that would last us about a week or so. By the end of each month, we dined on vermicelli, boiled cabbage or mac & cheese. But the first of the month, oh boy, did we have some great meals. One of those great recipes that Sheila made were these chicken croquettes. We would sit and visit over this great meal and laugh at our feeble attempts at how we would try to get certain guys attentions and tell ourselves, “wow,if they could see how good we cooked, they would be lining up outside the door.” In reality, looking back, it was probably all the great meals that kept us both in one piece bathing suits, while the other girls who lived at the apartment complex were sitting out there flirting with the guys in their two piece cute little suits that wouldn’t cover a 3 yr old, much less a 20 year old. But…don’t feel sorry for us. After a year or so, we both met guys that ended up marrying us. Neither of our marriages lasted, but this recipe….it has lasted through the years.
We have a winner folks. These cupcakes are truly decadent, light, flavorful, beautiful, sunshine in your mouth wonderful! Everyone who has had one, (and so far that is about 50, (two different times of baking them and taking them to different places) has told me that this is their new favorite flavor of cupcake, or cake, that I have made. The first time i made it, was in a cake with cream cheese frosting for the filling and then wrapped it in whipped cream. As that is, to me, the best way to enjoy anything, (wrapped in whipping cream) these cupcakes just are so light and fluffy, that you could eat 5 of them in one sitting. I wish I could say it is because we have great will power to not do that, but the truth of the matter is, that we are in “stay at home” mode due to the CV. I don’t want to run out of eggs, or flour, which I am being told is very hard to find right now. So thankful I had bought a 10 lb bag of flour last time I went to the store and 36 eggs. Because I make a shake pretty much every morning for breakfast with frozen blueberries I usually always have frozen blueberries in the freezer so when I began to think yesterday what I would bake, these came to mind, as the sun finally came shining through the kitchen window after about eleven days. So in honor of the beautiful sunshine, lemon blueberries were the baked good of the day.
Today, another rainy beginning to this new normal of everyone working from home and kids being home schooled as well as parents trying to teach, and learn right along with them, while still trying to do what is necessary to bring in a pay check. These are difficult days, and challenging times when we all have to step up and change what we have been doing. What do we do to still serve when so many are confined to their homes? This week, when we began to hear about seniors being ask to self quarantine, I began to think of ways that I could help serve them. What should be my part in stepping out of my comfort zone to share God’s love by meeting the needs of those who are seniors? As I was sharing these thoughts with Randy the other night, he watched me and listened to what I had to say. Then without a moments hesitation, the minute I ask him what he thought I should do, he smiled at me and said, “uh do you realize that in a couple of months you will be 70 and you are suppose to be one of those who are to self quarantine for awhile?” WHAT……but, wait a minute. That thought never crossed my mind that I am considered old. When did that happen? Quickly I responded to him, that because I eat garlic almost everyday and enough chocolate to ward off most bacterias, I should be able to hang a garlic bulb around my neck and get out there among the true old folks. Why I’m still young because I still wear cute little blingy sandals and capris (even though these cute little capris might have elastic waistbands) and wear loop earrings that could easily be mistaken for “tapers”. And….I teach other people how to use their phones. So truly, I can’t be considered someone who needs to stay at home…? But because so many stores and restaurants are closed down, I haven been forced to spend more time at home than normal. It is allowing me time to work on another book, which will be called Tis So Sweet and is full of dessert recipes and stories of women who are willing to share how God has been faithful in difficult circumstances in their lives. Also, I have been baking a little more than normal, which means that instead of making a dessert each day, I’m now making two or three. It is fun to share food with others. Last night I made up a recipe that actually turned out really good. Was so easy and simple and I had everything on hand so no trip to the store was necessary. It was a baked chocolate fudge pie that we ate watching a really good movie on Netflix. That is Randy’s job each night. To find us a good movie that is fun to watch and family friendly so that we can recommend to others without fear of it being full of foul language or sexual content. So far, he is batting a thousand. Two for two. Tues night we watched Faith, Hope and Love and last night we enjoyed a little french film called French Toast. Darling movie. Here is the easy peasy recipe for a great chocolate fudge pie for you to up your immune system…at least that is what I tell myself when I am cutting a big piece and topping it with whipped cream.
