After graduating with an Elementary Education degree, I went straight into teaching High School Spanish (another story for another time). It was in an inner-city school, so it was anything but easy. I lacked experience, and some of the seniors I taught were barely younger than me. I was mistaken for a student a few times while walking the halls in between classes. But after the first year was under my belt, I really started to enjoy it. I was drawn to the “worst” kids and truly desired to pour into their lives…as much as they’d let me. It was hard work, but I felt the Lord using me while there.
After 3 years of teaching, I got pregnant with my first child. I knew immediately that I’d stay at home with him. It was a no-brainer at that point. During that year, we began researching different ways to make our way to China, a calling God had made clear a few years earlier. But aside from researching, fundraising, and preparing ourselves, I was so bored. Sure, the first few months of the newborn stage were tiring and took some getting used to, but once we had a routine down, I had 9+ hours to fill every day while Daddy was away. I went to Target…a LOT. I tried to find ways to fill my time, but I started to wonder how these other moms could grasp the idea that pouring into their children was truly fulfilling. Was the first year or two exempt from this purpose?
The time came to move to China. We weren’t in an ideal location—off campus—but, I tried to stay positive. It didn’t last long. Loneliness crept in way too fast. We were on a great team, but there was one other mama and she had a toddler and a newborn. Read: hands already full. I invited myself over often, but I couldn’t expect her to meet all of my needs. So then the major doubts and thoughts of purposelessness came on strong.
By mid-year, I was a mess. Seriously, Lord, what is my purpose here? I spend most of my days with a 1-year-old that is too cute, but can only say a few words. As soon as my husband comes home, I’m dying for him to give me a play-by-play of his day, but who wants to do that?! When I walk out of my door, all I can say to whomever I encounter is “hello” and “I don’t understand you.” So why am I here? What can I possibly do to feel like I belong here in some way?
I convinced my husband that having another baby was the answer. 🙂
Fast-forward to year 2, we moved onto campus, and now I’m in charge of a toddler and newborn. My husband knew how real and deep the struggles were our first year, so he made it a top priority to get me involved in some way. By 2nd semester, I was hosting small groups of girls once a week, teaching them something about American culture—usually how to make or bake something or a craft. They ate it up. So did I. It was so life-giving! I started to see that I may actually be able to be used in this foreign land.
Year 3 I studied Chinese full-time, and now I can finally see several ways God could take me to pour into and love on others. Isn’t it great when the scales finally fall off?!
As you can guess, something involved with food is my favorite way to connect with others right now. It’s also Fall, so I’m sharing another pumpkin recipe. I’m not usually a fan of scones because they just taste like flour to me. But THESE are moist and flavorful. Try ’em out!
We were visiting friends during the making of these, so I had lots of helpers! And photo bombers.
So easy, kids can make them! Ok, with some parental help.
Because there were 10 people to feed, I made 3 batches. But I’ll be honest, for our fam of 4, I usually make 2 batches because they don’t last long!
Doesn’t this mixture just scream “FALL?!”
Your dough should be pretty dry. If it’s still really sticky, add a dash of flour and mix again.
Yes, my number of triangles isn’t completely accurate. I was distracted by 6 children. I blame them. Also, when you make them, leave your dough much thicker. This batch turned out pretty thin! I blame the kids again.
My friend didn’t have parchment paper, so we just greased the pan–worked the same!
I love icing. Spiced icing? Even better!
You better believe the 4 adults licked up all the drippings when the kids weren’t looking!
If you like pumpkin spice anything, you’ll love these!!
The kiddos kept calling them cookies. Scone fail, but they were still delish!
This girl has no doubt she’s loving this! 🙂
Pumpkin Scones
Makes 6-8 scones
Slightly adapted from Iowa Girl Eats
2 cups flour
7 Tablespoons sugar
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 cup pumpkin puree (go here to learn how to make your own)
3 Tablespoons half & half (milk is fine, too)
1 egg
6 Tablespoons cold butter, cubed
For the spiced glaze*:
1 cup + 3 Tablespoons powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons half & half
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
pinch ground ground ginger
pinch ground ground cloves
*You can also just make plain glaze; same recipe, just leave out the spices.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees then line a baking sheet with parchment paper (or grease) and set aside.
In the bowl of a large food processor (or in a large bowl) combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. Pulse or whisk to combine. Add cold butter and pulse until well incorporated and mixture is the texture of cornmeal. Alternatively, use your fingertips or a pastry butter to blend butter in. (Using your hands is just as good, and the kids love to help with this part!)
In a separate bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, half & half, and egg. Add to flour mixture and pulse until just combined. Alternatively, stir until the dough comes together in a ball. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead 4 or 5 times to bring the dough together, then flatten into a circle 1″ thick. Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough in half, then cut each half into thirds. (Cut into 8 pieces if you want slightly smaller scones.)
Place the wedges onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 14-16 minutes, or until just starting to turn golden brown. Remove to a cooling rack to cool completely.
When scones are cool, whisk together the glaze ingredients, then spoon on top and spread slightly. Let harden if you can wait. I usually can’t! Store in an air-tight container for 1 day.
What are your current struggles with how God can be using you?
This is so much like my story! Going from a college professor to a stay-at-home mom preparing to go overseas, then moving to the field with a 3-month old firstborn, not being able to learn the language b/c I’m home with the baby, not having teammates that could relate to my stage of life, doubting whether I had a purpose here trying to figure out life in another country with a newborn and a toddler… that is all part of my story, too. Now, six years later, I can see much more clearly and can see God has a purpose for me here. My current struggle, though, is that because of being in the baby/toddler stage of parenthood here during the times that were meant to be focused on language study, I often still feel like I’m treading water to keep up with the language. Thanks for sharing your story! (and I love pumpkin, too… maybe we’re kindred spirits!)
Sarah, I totally understand your language dilemma! There’s almost no brainpower left at the end of the day for any sort of learning, right?! Hoping you can find a solution that will help you settle in more!
These scones are begging me to make them! Ok, maybe it’s my mouth that’s doing the begging. 🙂 Cannot wait to try these!!
I’m making them again in a few days. Can’t let pumpkin season pass me by without making lots of them!
They might not be pumpkin scones… at least not to an Australian, being so different to what pumpkins scones are to us.. and quintessentially Australian… but they do still look good.
Jennifer, I definitely don’t claim to be a scone expert, I just know these taste good! What’s your favorite scone recipe?
Ashley! These look soooo yummy! I have a half of a pumpkin just chillin’ in the fridge since I only used half of it in the Massaman Curry I made last night (umm…first time using lemon grass and I was not aware it’s not edible in the dried grass form…any experience with it?? I love the flavor it gives, but picking grass out of my teeth was a poor side effect of my first try using the stuff). Thanks for sharing about your boredom. It’s about to get even more interesting, isn’t it??
Lemongrass..nope, never cooked with it, but I love the flavor of it in all those Thai dishes! Good to know it sticks to your teeth. I wonder how the Thai use it…? And yes, things are about to get VERY interesting. New city, new baby!
Just made these and have already eaten three. Oh my goodness. So delicious. Accidentally put in the whole can of pumkin (oops) so had to tripple the recipe but I’m just refrigerating the other half of the dough to make more to share with my small group next week. WIN! So so yummy!
Oh, bummer, you have to make more. Not a bad problem to have. 😉 Glad you enjoyed them!!
wondering if it is really a tablespoon of baking powder? Sounds like a lot?
Ellie, it does seem like a lot, but I promise they don’t explode all over the place! It’s the same amount the original post from Iowa Girl Eats uses, and I’ve had no issues. 🙂
I just made these and they are incredible! So delicious. I froze my pumpkin purée, so when I defrosted it there may have been too much liquid, and the dough turned out a little stickier than it maybe should have been, but they still turned out perfectly! Not dry at all, and the glaze is amazing!
Thanks, Lauren! Here’s a pic she sent me to show how amazing hers looked. 😉