Maple Paradise Pumpkin Pie - Week 51

And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Luke 23:43

Jesus spoke this to the criminal who confessed and asked forgiveness as hung alongside the perfect blameless Christ at Golgotha.

I am reminded of how much of a mess I've made my life when I sin, and that Jesus still loves me and died on that cross so I can join him in Paradise someday. 

Just a typical behind the scenes look at my kitchen
during a crazy baking session,
which typically ended up in a big MESS.

Ironically, this pie was perfect for me to be close to the end of the journey with its title. Really, paradise??

It mocked me....
I really had a LONG year, there were times that I didn't live up to the challenge that I foolishly set up for myself. Many pies were a disappointment, but my family forgave me and gave me another chance week after week. 

I had to face the fact that I could not live up to the perfect baker that I wanted to be.

However, I did learn that even though I enjoyed learning more about pie making & baking, it was hard to devote so much effort to something so trivial.  

Now that I've neared the end, I'm ready to read more, learn more about God's will in my life, and spend time away from the kitchen & computer.

I actually have started playing the organ, and even though it was super-tempting, I resisted to start another blog called the "organtrail" by recommendation by my son, Michael.

Even more recently, God has prepared me to become a pastor's wife. My husband has wanted to become a pastor, and I was hesitant to agree because of my desire to be in control (With this career change, I knew that our family would have to do & be where God leads us).  Now after many humbling experiences, I fully realize that no matter how hard I try, I just need to rely on God and let Him be in control by his presence, help, comfort, and salvation.

I followed the directions, and it still had
weird cream cheese bubbles...not the perfect pie I had hoped for.

Ingredients:

1 bottom pastry shell

1 (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

¼ cup sugar

½ t. vanilla

1 egg, beaten

1 (15 oz) can pumpkin

1 cup evaporated milk (scant 14 oz. can)

½ cup sugar

2 eggs, beaten

1 t. cinnamon

¼ t. ginger

¼ t. nutmeg

½ t. salt

¼ cup maple syrup

Directions:

In a small mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, ¼ cup sugar, and vanilla. Mix well. Add 1 egg, and mix until thoroughly. Spread onto the bottom of pie shell.

In medium mixing bowl, combine pumpkin, evaporated milk, ½ cup sugar, 2 eggs, and seasonings. Mix well, then carefully pour over cream cheese layer.

Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 1 hour or until set in center. Cool, then brush top with maple syrup. 

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,

 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 

And let steadfastness have its full effect,

that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:2-4

The biggest messes can teach us great things,

can you think of a time that you were humbled?

May God bless you !

Special note: The beautiful nativity set was painted by my mother-in-law, Jeanette.