Thanks Mom and Dad

Today is National Parents Day. Mothers are important. Fathers are important. Parents are the most important of all. While more and more single parent households are common place, complete loving families are essential.

The key word here is loving. If a two parent household is a war zone, no one benefits. Sure, there are bound to be disagreements along the way. Hubby and I have been married coming up on 40 years now, and it hasn’t been smooth sailing every day. To weather the storms of life takes commitment. For us it has been a commitment to one another, the ability to forgive and forget, and most of all to trust in the Lord. During the most difficult of times, we have placed ourselves and our marriage on His alter. When He is finished, we are stronger than before, with a deeper sense of love for one another.

Study after study shows that boys are most affected by a lack of a father-figure in the home. More and more children today are being raised in a single family household not because divorce is on the rise but because marriage is on the decline. That is very sad indeed. I think it speaks volumes about our opinions of ourselves. Why should I take on his name? Why should I give up my career? My dreams? My identity? You cannot be selfish in a marriage. One of you is bound to suffer.

The name – it isn’t a symbol of belonging as in a piece of property. No. Marriage means two are joined as one. When you love someone and that person loves you, to be joined as one isn’t a stifling proposition but rather something that is uplifting. Career? Sure, that’s fine. But when you are old, and the career is behind you, then what? Figure out a way to balance the two. It need not be exclusive one way or the other. Support one another’s dreams. My identity is first and foremost that of a daughter of God. He has His plans, and I must trust in those plans. Each of us is called to a purpose, and not necessarily the same purpose. But this much I do know, families are the most valuable asset of any society. Two parent households have the most positive effect on the children, and on society as a whole. While family life might not be for everyone, if that is your calling embrace it fully and proudly. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that your are selling yourself short. Career, money, possessions all fade away. Love is everlasting.

I’m glad that we have Mothers Day and Fathers Day. Those are important. So is Parents Day. Happy Parents Day to all!

Apple Pie French Toast Roll Ups
4 oz Cream Cheese
1/3 cup Sugar
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
2 Eggs
4 tablespoons Milk
12 slices Bread
1 can Apple Pie Filling
2 tablespoons Butter or as needed
Maple Syrup, optional
Caramel Sauce, optional

Heat oven to 275-degrees. Place a serving platter in the oven to keep warm.

Let the cream cheese soften at room temperature. While the cream cheese softens, combine the sugar with the cinnamon in a pie tin and set aside. In a second pie tin lightly beat eggs with milk.

Remove the bread crusts, flatten the slices with a rolling pin. Working with one slice at a time, spread a layer of cream cheese on the bread. Top with about 2 teaspoons of pie filling along one edge of the bread. Gently but tightly roll the bread up over the filling. Set aside. Repeat until all the bread has been filled and rolled.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add butter, swirl the pan to coat the bottom as the butter melts.

Lightly coat rolled bread in the egg mixture, then place seam-side down in the skillet. Cook in batches, turning a quarter turn every few minutes until nicely browned on all sides. Remove from the skillet, roll in the cinnamon-sugar mixture and place in the oven. Repeat until all the French Toast Rolls have been cooked.

Serve Apple Pie French Toast Roll Ups as is, with drizzles of maple syrup or warm caramel sauce, however you like. Enjoy!

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Honor your father and mother,
So that you may live long in the land
The Lord your God is giving you
Exodus 20:12