Baklava and Family Time

December 07, 2016

Baklava and Family Time

Writing the Good News! article for the Porterville Recorder always takes time for reflection, prayer and then jotting down ideas, composing and rewriting. It’s harder to write the weekly column when we are away from home and our normal routine is changed. This was the case just after the Thanksgiving weekend, while we were still in Michigan with our daughter Shanda and her family.

We arrived at the DTW airport on Monday afternoon, November 21, where Shanda, Nate (7) and Elliot (5 1/2) picked us up in their van. It seemed like the days prior to Thanksgiving flew by. Thursday was an easy day for Al and me, as Shanda’s husband Chris wanted to prepare the turkey dinner with all of the fixings. Shanda helped with her specialty of potato rolls and also made a pumpkin pie.

While we were exercising at the gym, trying to get ready for the big feast, they were busy in the kitchen, working right alongside with the plumber who had to come on an emergency call when the garbage disposal got backed up. This set the meal back a little, but after the plumber left and the family had gathered, things went along very smoothly. We all enjoyed the traditional turkey dinner and a time of singing hymns around the piano afterwards.

The desserts were amazing! Along with the pumpkin pie, apple pie ala mode and chocolate pie, there was also a big pan of baklava—a gift to Shanda from an Armenian friend. It was made using buttered layers of very thin filo dough with a thick paste of crushed walnuts in the middle. The rectangular piece of dough was cut into diamond shapes before baking and then doused with syrup made of honey that gave the dessert its sweetness. As the days went by, the baklava just seemed to get sweeter and sweeter!

On Friday morning, Chris and Shanda packed their suitcases and took off to Chicago for a little weekend getaway. Grandpa Al and I were to be in charge of the boys, cats and house. However, that evening around 5:00, I began to have symptoms of the flu. It was the worst possible time to get sick, but the only option was to go straight to bed, leaving Al in charge of the boys. After a long nap, I began feeling better and was able to fix dinner for the three of them. Before Nate and Elliot went to sleep, little Elliot even prayed that I would be better in the morning… and I was! It was a wonderful answer to prayer.

Al and I decided to stay indoors on Saturday as we wanted to be cautious and make sure we both stayed healthy. There were plenty of things to do in the house, both quiet and active. The boys got their exercise by walking and running on the treadmill in the basement. We also played several games of ping pong, hamming it up a little for a homemade video using “Grandma’s” iPad.

By Sunday the sun had come out, making for a warmer temperature outdoors, so we were able to attend the worship service at the family’s home church. That was another answer to prayer! It was a marvelous day! When Chris and Shanda arrived home early that afternoon, we were relieved of our “boy, cat and house watching” duties.

Needless to say, I didn’t have much “alone” time to do any writing. But I did have plenty of quality time with the boys, including reading stories from Nate’s Action Bible and praying together before bed. There were even moments now and then to review a few scripture memory cards while they looked at their videos and photos on my iPad.

Our visit to Michigan was like the baklava dessert, rich and sweet. It was so good being with family during the holiday. We were blessed indeed!

“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” Psalm 133:1 NIV