Cheddar Harvest Pear Pie - Cheryl’s Favorite Food Memories

In fall, since my college days at the Purdue Ag farm, I always think of the pear and apple harvest. My days were early and very chilly as I worked along side Professor Hayden on the various apple and pear cultivars, From picking to tasting we would score them on firmness, juiciness, and taste. I learned the various components that make a great fruit for eating vs making cider vs baking. I also had a mind for if the flavor would compliment cheddar cheese as the two were frequently my snack. Especially since the apples were free to this poor college student and the cheese was cheap from the Ag farm store.  Later when I spent my first thanksgiving with my husband’s family, my father-in-love made this incredible pie. I frequently sub out apples for pears when I cannot find perfectly ripe pears. Its always so yummy I make two at a time so that I don’t have to share mine.

sMILESnBlessings, Cheryl

Cheddar Harvest Pear Pie

Ingredients for 8 Servings

Filling:

Unbaked pastry for a 9-inch single crust pie.

4 to 6 large fresh pears 5 to 6 cups

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/3 cup sugar

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1/8 teaspoon salt

Topping:

1/2 cup sifted flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup sugar

2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (I use Vermont Sharp white)

1/4 cup melted butter

Directions

¨ Pare, core and slice pears to measure 5 cups.

¨ Add lemon juice.

¨ Combine sugar, cornstarch and salt.

¨ Mix with pears and turn into pie shell.

¨ Prepare topping by combining flour, salt, sugar, cheese and melted butter until crumbly.

¨ Sprinkle topping on pears.

¨ Bake on low rack in a 425-degree oven for about 25-30 minutes or until pears are tender and crust is crisp and golden brown.

¨ Serve warm topped with ice cream or whipped cream, if desired.

How Often Should We Read Our Bibles? - Kayla's Korner

We should be reading our Bibles every day. I know it can be hard to read every day when we have the dishes to be done, the laundry to fold, an eight-hour shift to work. Something my aunt made a requirement for me to graduate high school was to read the Bible from Genesis all the way to Revelation. Not many Christians today, can say that they have read the Bible cover to cover.

It’s honestly your choice how long you want to spend reading your Bible and meditate on it. Some spend 5 mins; others spend 20 mins. That is your decision. Pick up the Bible this month and make it a habit to read either in the morning or at nighttime. Watch your life begin to change and watch God start using you more.

Blessings Kayla Beeler

2 Timothy 3:16-17

“16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

Two Balloons - Reece's Peaces

Two people were given balloons. They were filled with air but not helium. They were given simple instructions: don't let it touch the floor and you can't hold it with one hand for longer than a second. 

The first person began focusing their attention on the balloon, tapping it to keep it up. Tap, tap, tap, with vigilant effort they kept the balloon bouncing up and down. 

The other volunteer began to tap it, but they weren't just tapping it to keep it up. They tapped it over in the direction of a door in another room. They walked while they tapped and moved it over to another room. 

When they returned their balloon was floating high, filled with helium. 

The first person said, “That's not fair!” 

The second replied, “The instructions were only to keep the balloon in the air and only touch it with one hand for no longer than a second. I was able to follow both of those rules as I filled it up with helium.” 

At first glance, the first person’s attempt of tapping away at it can seem nobler. Yet the second person’s strategy would last far longer with less effort and would undoubtedly win the day. You can only tap for so long. 

In our lives, we try to do things the hard way, often because we think it's the only way. However, when we re-evaluate and take a step back, we can see that there are sometimes much easier and better ways to approach a problem.  

Before Christ, there were many commandments and rules that faithful people needed to follow. With Christ we now have the great commandment: love the Lord with all your heart and all your mind and all your soul, and love your neighbor as yourself. 

My Hope is Built - Marc's Music Notables

Sometimes the grace of God penetrates into unlikely places. Edward Mote’s parents were hostile to religion, but while still a boy Edward became a Christian through the influence of a cabinet maker to whom he was apprenticed. As a man, he became a skilled cabinet maker with a successful business of his own.

Regardless of the claims of his business on his time, Mote always found time to worship God. He was especially interested in Christian music, and one day felt inspired on the way to work to write down a verse that came to his mind. Before the day was finished, he had completed four verses. His new hymn began with the words, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.”

Not long thereafter, Mote visited a friend whose wife was ill. It was a Sunday, and the friend mentioned that he and his wife liked to observe Sunday by singing a hymn, reading a scripture, and having prayer together. Mote had a copy of his hymn in his pocket, so they sang it. The friend’s wife was so taken with the hymn that she requested a copy for herself. Encouraged by her interest, Mote had copies printed—and soon found himself the author of a beloved hymn.

At age 55, Mote responded to a call to the ministry. He served out the rest of his life—more than two decades— as the pastor of a Baptist Church in Horsham, Sussex, England.

Mote may have written other hymns during his lifetime, but this is the only one in common use today

1st Chronicles 16:11 - Kayla's Korner

1 Chronicles 16:11 

“Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.” 

The last few months have been hard for me. I felt like Satan was trying to tear me down anyway he could. I had two people decided to drop out of my wedding party. I was in the midst of preparing everything for vacation bible school, then I decided to get sick for a week, and finally we had people quitting left and right at work, which was making my job more difficult. Through all of this I never once turned away from God! If it wasn’t for the strength and rest that I received from Him, I wouldn’t have made it. 

Sometimes we don’t think we need God’s strength. We get in a mindset that we have it all under control and that we will keep it under control. What I think we are really missing is that God is in control! And, with his strength we can continue  His plan for our life. If you are someone like me, who always likes to take control of your life, I challenge you to pray this month for patience, and strength from God to