The Call

Two days ago I opened the most important piece of mail I think I'll ever receive. Indulge me while I tell the story.

I was starting to get depressed. As I walked in from my car, the mail key (which I had abducted from it's home on the key rack by the door) warming in my hand, I was getting scared of opening that little, inoffensive door. For what felt like forever I had been checking the mail, just waiting for the big, white envelope from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The rejection the empty mailbox presented was getting old and I didn't think I could handle it again. I almost just passed it by, but at the last minute I turned to check. I turned the key and a bunch of weekly ads began to spill out. Hidden among the colorful discounts was my call!

I grabbed everything and attempted to run up the stairs and down the hallway to my apartment, but things kept falling out of pockets and hands and it was much slower than walking would have been. Then I had to deal with the lock. I got inside, dropped everything and said, very loudly, 'IT'S HERE!'

I put it on the couch and called home. Quite honestly the last thing I wanted to do was to figure out how to get everyone who wanted to watch it happen on skype, but we did. Then I had to text/call people and tell them to come over. I wanted lots of people around me.

If I were to do it again, I would only have my parents and sister on skype. Then it wouldn't have been such a big deal that my computer decided it was a good time to break and have to use my friend's ipad. It was more stressful than helpful and I didn't get to talk to any of them anyway. I would have much rather individually called each person who was on skype and told them, but it all worked out.

Once people started arriving, I went to pick up the envelope - even though there was still time to wait. At one point, I threw it across the room because it was tempting me too much.

Then the moment finally came. I can't describe that feeling - this was mail from God in a way. I spewed out the first sentance "Sister Laura Lindsey Benning, You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." (the title of the Church has never felt so long in my life). I just wanted to get to the where and when. Let me tell you, it was a surprise. I was sure I was going to Europe, but no, North Carolina, February 15th.

Every time I think about it, I get a little smile on my face. I never would have guessed it, but it feels so right.

My work partner and I had decided that when the call came, we were going to have a guessing game over our radios with the rest of the BYU vending staff. So about an hour into our route, I called out "Welcome to Friday's question of the day, hosted by route 93. Laura's mission call arrived on Wednesday and I'm curious where you all think I am going." It took a few seconds, but everyone started responding with out of country answers. 'London, England,' 'Germany,' 'Fiji,' I responded that they were all incorrect, they kept going and I finally said, "wow, you guys are off, think state-side" they were still way off, and then it turned into a geography quiz. Warmer, more east, more south, more north. My boss finally guessed North Carolina. And then I was informed that I got to pick out some ice cream for the whole staff. I picked the cookies and cream bar :)

Going on a Mission

I've just completed my papers to serve a mission :)

That means that in about two weeks, I'll receive a call in the mail telling me where I'm going and when I need to report. Then the next 18 months will be spent sharing my religion with any and all who will hear. It is going to be hard work. I will not be able to call home except on Christmas and Mothers' Day. I will be working from 6am to 10pm. I am very excited!

Made Cookies

I had to return some tupperware and I only believe in returning things like that full. So I made cookies. Now, most people make the pumpkin cookies with pumpkin and a spice cake mix - I do it with a chocolate cake mix and white chocolate chips. Sooo yummy!!!

I made the cookies, eating dough along the way (to make sure it tasted good...right?) and I had some leftover. I left them in the kitchen with a note for my roommates to "eat me!" I followed my own advice...my tummy regrets this choice, my tongue doesn't.

In other news. School is a pain. It is going to snow this weekend. I love having fresh sheets on my bed.

Yummy Breakfast

So zucchini was on sale the other day, and I bought a lot of it. So this morning, while I was running, I was planning out meals/recipes as I tend to do and I came up with a really good food. Zucchini matzo brei. I will put up a picture next time I make it.

Here's how:
-Shred about 1/2 zucchini
-Mix zucchini, 1 egg (or two egg whites), a bit of the cheese of your liking (I used a shredded Gouda), seasonings (I used the Garlic & Herb Mrs. Dash - no salt), and about a half a crushed matzo.
-pour and spread out on a non-stick or greased pan (there is cheese in this, so keep that in mind).
-cook for about three minutes on each side, depending on how thick you made it.
-Enjoy!

Note: If you don't have matzo, any cracker or bread product will work, but I would suggest toasting bread before using it and something that absorbs will is best.

Why I'm Going on a Mission

Some of my readers are unfamiliar with the concept of a mission. I just read a blog post of a girl I don't know who served her mission in England.

http://drippingwithpassion.blogspot.com/2009_09_01_archive.html

This is why I want to go. To share love.

Veggie LaCobbler

So I was inspired during my last class today. It's a cross between a lasagna and a cobbler with loads of veggies and goodness. Here's how it goes:

Ingredients (amount depends on size):
-fresh mashed pumpkin
-sliced tomato
-sliced onion
-steamed broccoli
-zucchini
-chickpeas
-cooked bulger wheat
-Textures Veg. Protein
-Parmesan Cheese

Sauce (Mine needed more sauce, but I think this ratio will work):
-Greek yogurt (3/4 c)
-chicken broth (1 1/2 c)

1. Spread pumpkin on the bottom of your dish


2. Layer the tomato slices and broccoli.
3. Saute the Onion and Zucchini (just a little pam in a pan will do then cook for about 10 minutes).
4. sprinkle chickpeas.



5. Spread the wheat over the top.
6. Mix the yogurt and broth and pour on top. Cover with foil and cook for about 20 minutes (until it's bubbly). Sprinkle the TVP and Cheese then bake for another 10 minutes uncovered.




The beautiful thing is you can play with it! Try couscous instead of the wheat or bread crumbs instead of the TVP. Play with cheeses and veggies and protein - maybe do chicken instead of chickpeas. I didn't put amounts because it just depends on what you like.

Making Crackers

Alright guys, I think I've got it down.

3 cups flour (I do half whole wheat)
salt (around a half teaspoon? I don't measure it)
baking soda (just a sprinkling)
1 cup water (plus more if needed)

Preheat oven to 400. Mix everything. Take chunks (about a fifth or sixth of the dough ball) and roll out really really thin (If you have a pasta sheeter, this is the time to use it). I roll it out on corn meal for some extra crunch, straight up flour works too, but make sure to dust the crackers off before baking. Cut into strips/triangles/hearts/whatever. Lay out on parchment paper on a baking tray. Spray with some Pam and then sprinkle some salt (and/or garlic powder or cinnamon sugar). Bake for 7ish minutes, then flip and bake for another 7ish minutes. These are actually better the browner they get.

So delicious, makes a good amount of crackers, and you actually know what is in them! Go read the label of a cracker box if you don't understand what I mean - I get like the first few ingredients out of it then I'm lost.

Next time I'll do pictures step by step.