1 Peter

Our small group at church is studying through the book of 1 Peter. I've been so encouraged by these grace-filled passages these last few weeks.

³Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, ⁵who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. ⁷These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. ⁸Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, ⁹for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:3-9

We are still anxiously awaiting the arrival of baby and I'm almost running out of things to do... :) The girls are so excited to see if it's a boy or girl and can't wait to hold baby. People ask me if I'm concerned about sibling rivalry with a new baby coming and I tell them I'm expecting more sibling selfishness over holding, feeding, and taking care of the baby! One baby for two big sisters means we'll be learning more kindness, gentleness and self-control in the days ahead.

This morning we're going to visit Daddy's office and take him some yummy fresh pear bread.

Fresh Pear Bread

INGREDIENTS

• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 cups peeled, cored and finely chopped pears
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

DIRECTIONS

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the eggs, sugar, oil and vanilla; mix well. Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda and salt; stir into the egg mixture just until moistened. Toss pears with lemon juice. Stir pears and walnuts into batter (batter will be thick). Spoon into two greased 9-in. x 5-in. x 3-in. loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees F for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.