Changes

It seems that just when you think your life is in a good place and you are moving along fine, content in what you are doing, that that is when it suddenly gets turned upside down. I have learned over the years that life does not turn out the way that you plan. I always thought I would finish college but that I would get married at about the same time. Well here I am about to embark on several new journeys and all by myself. It is a scary thing. Why do changes (or as I see them, trials) always seem to come in multiples. I have to make some decisions in my life very soon and it is terrifying me. Yeah, it's not life or death, but it may affect my future. I am going to be teaching second grade in the fall...a very scary journey all in itself. I don't even know what I am going to teach them. I have to grow up and become an adult. I remember my teachers and they seem like they were so much older than I am now. I don't feel old enough to be a teacher-sometimes I feel like I am not much older than the second graders. So now I have to go out in the work force and have a real job with a real salary.
I also have to think about my living arrangements. I have been content in Provo for five years. I have only known home in Idaho and Provo. There has been nothing else. So the thought of moving to an unknown city with roommates that I have never met is terrifying. I would have to leave all my five years of friends so that I could be closer to where I am teaching. It only makes sense to move up there since gas is astronomical these days. But it would take an amazing leap of faith. But I suppose that you have to jump and take the risk or you will never grow. It would be an amazing growing experience for me. I think that when we are content in our lives we are not growing and gaining in experience. The Lord always makes sure that we are put in circumstances to get us out of our ruts..hence, change in our lives. So I guess I have to make these decisions even though I am not sure that I am up to it. Well we'll see what happens...I'll keep ya updated.

Peanut Butter Marbled Brownies

My mom gave me this recipe and she said it would make my roommates love me if I made it for them. So while I haven't tried it yet, it does sound yummy!

6 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 C. peanut butter
1/4 C. white sugar
1 egg
2 Tabl. milk
1 C. butter or margarine, melted
2 C. white sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
3 eggs
3/4 C. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/4 C. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 C. semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease one 9x13 inch baking pan (glass works best.) In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, peanut butter, 1/4 C. white sugar, 1 egg, and milk until smooth. Set aside.
In a large bowl, mix together melted butter, 2 C. white sugar, and vanilla. Mix in the remaining 3 eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt; mix into the batter. Stir in chocolate chips. Remove 1 C. of the chocolate batter. Spread the remaining batter into the prepared pan. Spread the peanut butter filling over the top. Drop the reserved chocolate batter by teaspoonful over the filling. Using a knife, gently swirl thru the top layers for a marbled effect.
Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted near the center comes out almost clean. Cool completely, then cut into bars.
Serve with milk or ice cream!