WAR TIME CAKE
1 1/4 cups water
1 cup Brown sugar or 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
1/3 cup lard (can use butter)
2 cups seeded raisins
1/2 tsp nutmeg
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cloves
1 tsp salt
1 tsp soda
2 tsp water
2 cups sifted flour
1 tsp baking powder
Boil the first seven ingredients for 3 minutes. Let cool. Dissolve salt and soda in 2 tsp water. Mix baking powder into flour and blend into mixture. Pour into greased, floured 8" square pan. Bake for 50 minutes in a 325 degrees oven.
Thought that I would get this recipe in before Memorial Day, in case you wanted to make it. This recipe goes back to a least World War II - maybe before.
Marilyn asked me to say something about what the Mennonites do at a time like this for the people of the tornado in Oklahoma. There is a group called Mennonite Disaster Service in just about every state that Mennonites live. In the Disaster Building are items needed at the time of a disaster: beds, blankets, food, water, detergent, soap, etc. Usually the Red Cross gets there first, but sometimes we do. When Hurricane Katria happened in New Orleans, the Amish were there first. Whoever gets there first see the needs and calls in. Red Cross, as I said, usually comes first. As in this case they are badly in need so they call Mennonite Disaster Service who sends out what items we have that they need. The first load coming from New York was loaded on trucks, taken to the airport where it would be loaded on a plane and flown to the nearest airport where it will be met by trucks and taken to the Red Cross.
Some of our people go to help the Red Cross, some to console people, and also to check things out for reconstruction. Where could they buy materials at a reasonable price or will we have to haul it in. Where would people stay when they arrive to work? Can we set up a residence there? Where could meals be set up and more. As much as they can set up they do. They find a place as close to the area as they can for people to stay. These may be buildings that they are allowed to construct. Mostly they have one building for men to stay in, one for women to stay in and a third for the dining room. Once this is set up, people can start coming in to start construction.
When construction starts, we try to do help those that don't have insurance and that need help the most-the elderly, handicapped, the poor and more. We really work on anyone's home, but we try to help those that have no help, first.
Mennonite men and women will be coming in to do construction and one who will be more or less the boss-to make sure everything is done and handle any problems. Many of the people will be young people like Michael and Edward with some young married couples. They come in shifts. If our boys go, they will be there for two weeks and return home-when other young people or young married couples will go. Many people whose children are grown up and have moved out of their home will also go. Sometimes there are Mennonite people of all different ages from all different states there at the same time. Each person pays their own transportation to there and back, their meals and where they stay.
Also they might be working with be people of different religions: Amish, Baptist. Catholic, Presbyterian, Mormon and more. Other churches send people to help construction, too. Their religious beliefs may have different ways, but our goal is all the same there.
As of yet, they don't know when the people will start the building, but they are planning who will be on the first shift to go. Two of Martha and Joseph's son's will be going, so we will help them while they are gone. Kevin and Bridget may be going too. We know that Edward and Michael will also be going some time. When that happens others will help us.
The helping of others comes first. Even though this is our planting season, our son's duty is to serve the people in Oklahoma. We are fortunate that we have others around us that can help us when they go. Even if we didn't their service comes first. It may be a sacrifice to us, but they are badly needed - comes first.
Hopes this lets you know on what the Mennonite are doing for the people in Oklahoma.
I can't wait to tell you that we have a four year old, little girl named Katie in our family. She is the subject of my June 3rd post, but I couldn't wait to tell you. She is loved by us all.
Be With God,
Jean
JEAN CAN'T WAIT TO TELL US ABOUT KATIE SO JEAN WILL HAVE A POST ON MAY 28th. JEAN AND HER FAMILY WISH EVERYONE A HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND.
9 comments:
Jean said the recipe and her post seem to go together today. Oklahoma where the tornado hit looks like a war zone.
IT is suppose to hit 85 here today. It might rain a little. We must enjoy it because it's going to the 60's later this week.
Marilyn
Good Morning Marilyn. I really enjoyed today's post. How heart warming to know of such caring, hard working folk. If only more of America were like our Mennonite brothers and sisters.
Congratulations to Jean and David and family! How wonderful for them. How wonderful for little Katie!
Good Morning Vickie,
I thought it would be a help for us to understand some of the Mennonite work if Jean told us about what they were going to do in Oklahoma. I agree, I wish there were more people like them, too.
I will tell Jean what you said. She is so excited that they have Katie, she couldn't wait to tell us.
Marilyn
the cake sounds delicious! I am very thankful their group is going to help those in Oklahoma! Have a blessed, safe, wonderful Memorial Day weekend!
Oh Jean I am so overjoyed for you and David. How wonderful to have another child for you all to love. Susan must be so happy that the Lord has answered her prayers and brought a sister into her life. I am sure the boys are also happy. You have all been very busy with the move and an addition to the family. I could not have wished for a happier thing to happen to such a wonderful family. What an interesting post today. You have giving us the chance to see how the community is so committed to helping others but also how they support those in there community while they are gone. What a blessing for all us readers. Thank you to you and also Marilyn for your hard work. I can hardly wait to hear all about it on the 28th. Love and Prayers to all of you!! God Bless Veronica
Jean, it is so heartwarming to hear of all your community does to help in emergencies, and will be doing now for the people in OK. There is a quilt shop in Tulsa that is getting together quilts for the victims, and I want to look through mine to send one. It seems like such a small thing to do, but hopefully it will be like a warm hug. Blessings to you. And congratulations on your new little Katie.
Thank you all for your comments. I will pass them on to Jean. Wish more people did what the Mennonites do at a time like Oklahoma. Sheila could I have the address or e-mail where you can send quilt?
Jean is very happy with their new daughter Katie. Susan is very happy that she is a big sister now. I move Jean's post on Katie to May 28th. We have another one for June 3rd.
Marilyn
It's wonderful to hear of how generous the Mennonite community is. Not only for their help to Oklahoma, but for the neighborly help when a family is short of a few very important members. It's such an inspiration that helps to guide us in our own lives.
Congratulations to Jean and her family for the newest addition. I'm looking forward to hearing more about little Katie.
Doreen
Jean didn't really want to say about what they do-thought it might be pride. I told it wasn't pride, just giving us some information. They never advertise where the go or what they do. Wish there were more like them.
Jean's post on Katie is May 28th. Jean couldn't wait. LOL
Marilyn
Post a Comment