The Christian Women's Journal December 2009 by Stephanie Lopez

    December 2009

INTERVIEW WITH REXELLA VAN IMPE “OUT OF THE STORM AND INTO THE EYE” CHRISTIAN CHEFS FELLOWSHIP

PLUS: Messianic Prophecy | Holiday Recipes | Devotions

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Ta b le of Co ntents One Year Bible Reading Plan for December…………………………….5 An Interview with Rexella Van Impe ……………………………………...6 The Lamb of God Subject of the Prophetic Work…………………...8 Look to Him by Stacy Edwards……………………..……….………….....11 Out of the Storm and into the Eye by Pat Fenner………..………..12 Cooking for the Lord………...…………………………….…………………...14 Sweet Celebrations……………………………………………………………….16

Praise the Lord. I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright! Psalm 111:1

Welcome Welcome to our December issue. The Christian Women’s Journal is a magazine dedicated to Christian women around the world. Our audience is comprised of mainly women from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, China, Honduras—just to name a few! Thank you for being faithful women who study God’s Word, seek to know Him better and share your love of Him with others.

events and Bible prophecy. We live in an exciting time, and we ask Rexella just why it is so important to study Bible prophecy. Because the holidays are upon us, we interviewed Ira Krizo from the Christian Chef’s Fellowship, and feature delicious holiday recipes. You will also find devotions from Stacy Edwards and Pat Fenner’s insight that takes you “Out of the Eye and Into the Storm.”

Many Blessings to you and Merry In this issue we feature an interview Christmas! with Rexella Van Impe. Many of you are familiar with “Jack Van Impe Presents,” a weekly television broadcast focusing on end-time

Stephanie Lopez Publisher

You can find additional articles from past issues at www.christianwomenonline.com

Read through the Bible in One Year 01 Daniel 8:1-27 1 John 2:1-17 Psalm 120:1-7 Proverbs 28:25-26

10 Amos 1:1-3:15 Revelation 2:1-17 Psalm 129:1-8 Proverbs 29:19-20

19 Zephaniah 1:1-3:20 Revelation 10:1-11 Psalm 138:1-8 Proverbs 30:11-14

28 Zechariah 12:1-13:9 Revelation 19:1-21 Psalm 147:1-20 Proverbs 31:1-7

02 Daniel 9:1-11:1 1 John 2:18-3:6 Psalm 121:1-8 Proverbs 28:27-28

11 Amos 4:1-6:14 Revelation 2:18-3:6 Psalm 130:1-8 Proverbs 29:21-22

20 Haggai 1:1-2:23 Revelation 11:1-19 Psalm 139:1-24 Proverbs 30:15-16

29 Zechariah 14:1-21 Revelation 20:1-15 Psalm 148:1-14 Proverbs 31:8-9

03 Daniel 11:2-35 1 John 3:7-24 Psalm 122:1-9 Proverbs 29:1

12 Amos 7:1-9:15 Revelation 3:7-22 Psalm 131:1-3 Proverbs 29:23

21 Zechariah 1:1-21 Revelation 12:1-17 Psalm 140:1-13 Proverbs 30:17

30 Malachi 1:1-2:17 Revelation 21:1-27 Psalm 149:1-9 Proverbs 31:10-24

04 Daniel 11:36-12:13 1 John 4:1-21 Psalm 123:1-4 Proverbs 29:2-4

13 Obadiah 1:1-21 Revelation 4:1-11 Psalm 132:1-18 Proverbs 29:24-25

22 Zechariah 2:1-3:10 Revelation 13:1-13:18 Psalm 141:1-10 Proverbs 30:18-20

31 Malachi 3:1-4:6 Revelation 22:1-21 Psalm 150:1-6 Proverbs 31:25-31

05 Hosea 1:1-3:5 1 John 5:1-21 Psalm 124:1-8 Proverbs 29:5-8

14 Jonah 1:1-4-11 Revelation 5:1-14 Psalm 133:1-3 Proverbs 29:26-27

23 Zechariah 4:1-5:11 Revelation 14:1-20 Psalm 142:1-7 Proverbs 30:21-23

06 Hosea 4:1-5:15 2 John 1:1-13 Psalm 125:1-5 Proverbs 29:9-11

15 Micah 1:1-4:13 Revelation 6:1-17 Psalm 134:1-3 Proverbs 30:1-4

24 Zechariah 6:1-7:14 Revelation 15:1-8 Psalm 143:1-12 Proverbs 30:24-28

07 Hosea 6:1-9:17 3 John 1:1-14 Psalm 126:1-6 Proverbs 29:12-14

16 Micah 5:1-7:20 Revelation 7:1-17 Psalm 135:1-21 Proverbs 30:5-6

25 Zechariah 8:1-23 Revelation 16:1-21 Psalm 144:1-15 Proverbs 30:29-31

08 Hosea 10:1-14:9 Jude 1:1-25 Psalm 127:1-5 Proverbs 29:15-17

17 Nahum 1:1-3:19 Revelation 8:1-13 Psalm 136:1-26 Proverbs 30:7-9

26 Zechariah 9:1-17 Revelation 17:1-18 Psalm 145:1-21 Proverbs 30:32

09 Joel 1:1-3:21 Revelation 1:1-20 Psalm 128:1-6 Proverbs 29:18

18 Habakkuk 1:1-3:19 Revelation 9:1-21 Psalm 137:1-9 Proverbs 30:10

27 Zechariah 10:111:17 Revelation 18:1-24 Psalm 146:1-10 Proverbs 30:33

Interview with: Rexella Van Impe How did you become a Christian?

concerning my salvation to my father. In great wisdom he said to me, “Oh Rexella, be sure.” Thank the Lord that at age 17 I

I am always so de- made sure. And the moment I truly lighted when I am opened my heart to Christ I had a peace asked this all-

that has never departed and will never

important question. Being reared in a

depart. I am so happy that my father said,

godly Christian home was truly the great-

“Be sure.”

est gift God could have given to me. My mother and father not only professed their Were you always interested in end faith in Christ, but their lives were great

time prophecy and events?

examples to my brothers and to me.

To a certain extent. My pastor H.H. Sav-

Therefore, I loved this way of life. I de-

age expounded the truth of prophecy from

lighted myself in going to church, singing

God’s word periodically. But after I was

in the choir and even leading some of my

married, Jack preached on things to come

high school friends to the Lord. However, so frequently it aroused my curiosity beyond words. Seeing the events of God’s I did not know the Lord Jesus as a personal Savior myself. I knew all about Him, word pointing to the coming of Christ bebut I did not know Him. Philippians 3:10 ing fulfilled each day around the world, I convicted me in a very real way – that I

am so grateful that Jack and I have the

may know him and the power of his resur- opportunity to share this blessed promise with every nation on earth. This is truly an rection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his

important time in which to live, for accord-

death.” After singing in our church one

ing to the words given to us by Christ and

Sunday evening, I expressed my doubts

His apostles, we are approaching the sec6

ond coming of our Lord. It could be very

come a nation after 2500 years, but also

soon—perhaps today.

that we would see the revived Roman Empire, the formation of a one world govern-

Why is it so important to study Biment and a master manipulator of politics ble prophecy? that would become the Antichrist. Also, Because it is relevant to the here and now. As I said, we are witnessing end time

there would be a desire in the world to have a one world religion. Truly we can

prophecies just prior to the Rapture and it

say with the formation of all of this, the

is important to apply this message not

words of our Lord Jesus are for today—

only to our lives, but to share the good

Let your not your heart be troubled, nei-

news so that others will be prepared for

ther let it be afraid. I am coming soon.

the Lord’s return.

How much time do you spend What do you tell people when they studying prophecy and how long say prophecy is not something we does it take to prepare for the proshould look into or that it has al- gram? ready been fulfilled? It would be impossible to do a program My response to this question brings a

with global headlines as we do each week

smile to my face because never in history

had Jack not memorized over 15,000 Bi-

have we seen all of the signs that Jesus

ble verses. Truly he has put a lifetime of

gave to us pointing to His return being ful-

work into expounding the riches of God’s

filled as they are today. The countdown to

word and hiding these truths in his own

the return of Christ started after 1948

heart. I have gleaned, and continue to

when Israel became a nation. It was from

learn, so much from studying with him.

that point that the seven major signs pointing to the Lord’s return began to be ful-

week in the Bible and a variety of other

filled. To anyone saying that it has already been fulfilled I would say, impossible. The

He continues to spend 40-50 hours each

books because he is a prolific reader. He challenges me as I try to maintain the

Bible tells us that not only would Israel be 7

Prophecy Notes By A.W. Pink, excerpt from The Fulfilled Prophecies of the Bible Bespeak the Omniscience of its Author

seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.” Not only was the Saviour of sinners to be human as well as Divine, not only was He to be the “woman’s” seed, but in the above Scripture it was declared that He should be a descendant of AbraIn Genesis 3:15 we have the first word ham—an Israelite. How this was fulfilled about the Coming of Christ. Speaking to the serpent, Jehovah said, “And I will put we may see by a reference to the first enmity between thee and the woman, and verse in the New Testament, where we are told (Matt. 1:1) that Jesus Christ was between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shall bruise His “The Son of David, the son of Abraham.” heel.” Note that the Coming One was to But still further was the compass narrowed be the “woman’s seed,” the Miraculous down, for we have intimated in the Old Character of our Lord’s Birth being thus Testament Scriptures the very tribe from foretold four thousand years before He which the Messiah was to issue—our Lord was born at Bethlehem! was to come of the tribe of Judah (the In Genesis 22:18 we have the second dis- “kingly” tribe). He was to be a descendant tinct Messianic prophecy. Unto Abraham, of David. Nathan the prophet was comthe angel of the Lord declared, “And in thy manded by God to go and say to David, “I “The testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy.” The Lamb of God is the one great object and subject of the Prophetic Word.

given. In Micah 5:2 we are informed, “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, but out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be Ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from the days of eternity.” Christ was to be born in Bethlehem, and not only in one of the several And again, in Psalm 132:11 David declares concerning the promised Messiah, villages which bore that name in Pales“The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; tine, but Bethlehem of Judea was to be (He will not turn from it) Of the fruit of thy the birth-place of the world’s Redeemer; and though Mary was a native of Nazareth body will I set upon thy throne. (far distant from Bethlehem) yet through Not only was our Lord’s nationality defined the providence of God, His Word was literhundreds of years before His incarnation, ally fulfilled by His Son being born in Bethlehem of Judea. but the very place of His birth was also will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will stablish His kingdom. He shall build an house for My name, and I will stablish the throne of His kingdom for ever” (II Sam. 7:12– 13).

Printables! For small groups, Bible studies, Sunday school classes and more!

Messianic Prophecies “Jesus said to them, ‘This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.’” Luke 24:44 The Messiah will be born of a Virgin. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,because he will save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21-23 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us." Isaiah 7:14 The Messiah is born at Bethlehem But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans [b] of Judah,out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. Micah 5:2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem. Matthew 2:1 The Messiah will perform miracles. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer,and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. Isaiah 35:5-6 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. Matthew 9:35 The Messiah is betrayed by a friend. Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. Psalm 41:9 I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.'"I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He. I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me." After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me." John 13:18-21 Messiah rises from the dead. Because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. Psalm 16:10 "Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. Mark 16:6 Messiah ascends into heaven. When you ascended on high, you led captives in your train; you received gifts from men, even from the rebellious— that you, O LORD God, might dwell there. Psalm 68:18 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. Acts 1:9

Look to Him | Stacy Edwards For we are powerless before this vast multitude that comes [to fight] against us. We do not know what to do, but we look to You. – 2 Chronicles 20:12 HCSB Whether we’re talking about finances, household chores or what my children wear each day…I like things done a certain way. It’s just a comfort thing…a security thing…a way for me to know that things are taken care of and under control. One might say that I have a control issue…and one would be correct. Lately, however, I have had absolutely no control over many areas of my life. I have found myself fighting with everything that is in me to figure things out…to change my circumstances…to make things the way I long for them to be. And, when nothing has worked, I have sat down and cried. I have felt like Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat was being attacked by a multitude. The enemy was on every side. I feel like I have been there. I feel like I am there…surrounded by disappointments and discouragement…feeling the enemy closing in on me…knowing that, alone, I am powerless to defend myself. My cry is the same as his… We are powerless…we do not know what to do… I am powerless, Lord. I do not know what to do… But… I just love that there is a but… But we look to You. We are told in Psalm 34 that those who look to Him are radiant and their faces are never covered with shame (verse 5.) In the midst of battle…in the face of the enemy…we can look to Him and be radiant.  

Do you find yourself in a battle with the enemy? Look to Him. Do you feel powerless in your current circumstances? Look to Him. If you do not know what else to do…Look to Him.

Out of the Eye and By Pat Fenner

Into the Storm

The other day at the mall I saw something really bizarre. Near the section where you find the photo booth and gum ball machines was a new stand. I had to walk past it twice before I realized what it was. In wind-twisted lettering and surrounded by graphics of funnel-clouds and menacing storm clouds were the words “Hurricane Magic”. Bragging that inside, the customer could step into winds of 78 mph...this was a hurricane simulator.

time!) and this thought occurred to me: how often do I step into or create unnecessary storms in my own life? As Christians, God assures us that were will be storms. But He also assures us that He is a safe haven to which we can run. Much like in the eye of the storm – where the skies are clear and the air is still, in the midst of surrounding chaos and danger – He can give us peace and protection. Sounds like a good place to be, right? Yet for some reason, it’s all too easy for me to step out on my own...and right into the storm. Be honest: you do it, too! Over-commit, allow distractions to over-take you, get too busy for quiet time and prayer, pursue what feels good for the moment, take responsibility for things that aren’t your job, try to fix problems that are clearly in God’s hands...the list goes on. Take a look at the next page for tips!

Life will pose its own share of storms to weather over your lifetime. There’s no sense in creating more of them unnecesMy first reaction was “Why would anyone sarily. So give one (or more) of these tips want to step into a storm that, in real life, a try and see what happens. Then, when causes damage, destruction and you find yourself in the middle of chaos, death?” (Of course, my adventure-loving run to the Source of peace and protection, husband’s reaction was “Sounds like fun!” confident that what surrounds you has But I digress...) I found myself pondering been filtered through loving hands – and this contraption and question at some hasn’t been created by your own! length (hey, I’m a “mall walker”: it was early, the stores were closed and I had the 12

Whether it’s at home or in business...there’s only so much we can humanly do, and it serves to create our own brand of chaos and danger when we step out too far on our own. So just how do we stay in the “safe zone”? While I most certainly don’t have the answer, let me share things that work for me: 



Keep a regular quite time – I find that nothing helps me get centered and focused more than starting the day with even a few minutes in prayer and Bible reading. Have a written schedule – This can be as simple as a “to-do” list, or as complicated as you need. This article has some practical ideas to consider: http:// tr.im/DsND Be accountable to your spouse or close friend. This is especially helpful when a big project is in the works or deadlines are looming. Knowing that there is someone to report back to helps some people get it in gear! Practice saying “no” more often – Ah, yes, perhaps the most-difficult and under-utilized tip...but the one that brings the best results. Keep an eternal perspective – Ultimately, look at what’s on your plate and ask yourself: “Which of these will matter in Eternity?” This is not being overlydramatic, either. You might think “Well, paying the bills, for example, doesn’t count a fig in that perspective!” But issues of good stewardship, paying a man due wages for his work, following through on commitments you’ve made, modeling financial responsibility for your children – these do have eternal importance. So get to work and get ‘em done!

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” — Ecc. 9:10 13

Cooking for the Lord! Interview with Ira Krizo, Founder of Christian Chefs Fellowship

What is your role in the organization?

Later I found out the group I had joined while at college was a cult for they denied Jesus' divinity, I am the founder/director of Christian among other things. My experience shows God is above all circumstances and can call us to Chefs Fellowship, an international ministry to Christian cooks and chefs Himself through any means. Having to leave college was also the point God told me, "You're not God has called into the culinary field. The idea a pilot, you're a cook!" As a result I applied and came to me while leading the Christian club at the Culinary Institute of America. I saw how im- was accepted to culinary school. After graduatportant it was to have fellowship with like minded ing, I traveled to Europe and Australia to expand my knowledge on cooking. A few years later, I Christians on campus and realized how much opened my own restaurant near Ashland, Oremore important it would be to have something gon. similar on a global level. In order to start the group online, I learned about web programming and newsletter publishing. Currently God is lead- How does CCF help further the gospel? ing CCF to expand its ministry through the reali- Do you have outreach events zation of a longstanding vision of starting a Chris- and local chapters? tian culinary academy. Our goal is to have attained the federal 501(c)(3) exemption, formed a Currently there are a couple of local groups of curriculum and found a suitable location to open Christian cooks and chefs around the country but the academy in Fall 2010. we are planning to expand the network with the help of the graduates of the culinary academy. How did you become a Christian? We will also be expanding our ministry to help other ministries, such as global disaster relief orI attended church regularly in my childhood but I ganizations, local food banks and rescue misdo not have a definite moment in time that I could sions, and even to send culinary missionaries point to as the moment I became a Christian. I where they are needed globally. did believe and trust in God and was very active in the church, but my activities there were more God has big plans and our goal is to follow His about hanging out with wholesome kids rather lead. As we are nearing the opening of the acadthan to learn about God Himself. As I went off to emy, we are planning for our first Christian Chefs college to be an airlines pilot, I fell away from International Conference for Spring 2010. It will God and His church. One day a friend from my be a great opportunity for networking and fellowside job (one of my first cooking jobs) invited me ship for professionals. to a Christian group. After I had joined the group, What words of advice do you have for aspirGod truly lit the fire in my heart and I began to dive into God's Word and got to know Him on a ing cooks? very personal level. A couple of months later all Don't do it! Really - read some of the books in the doors closed for me to stay where I was: I found the school was out for my money rather the Christian Chefs recommended books area than my education, and that I would have to under "So you want to be a chef?" and it probably leave my job and living arrangements soon. I re- won't take long to talk you out of it. You don't turned home and got involved once again with make much money (you can easily spend $50k the church I had attended while growing up. on culinary school just to graduate and make $9/

great! It's still a wonderful thing to make good meals at home for your family and friends. However, if you still think that God might be calling you into the industry I have one more suggestion before you sign up for culinary school: find a job in the kind of a facility you would like to work in in the future (fine dining, casual dining, Christian camping etc.). Since you most likely cannot get a regular job in a top fine dining restaurant, your best option would be to go up to the chef in person, tell him you want to get into the culinary field, and ask if you can VOLUNTEER a few nights a week. That way you can see what it is really like, and if they like you enough, they might even hire you. If you're still set on getting into the industry after working a few months, find a culinary school (make sure you have a plan to pay your loan back without a huge income) or an apprenticeship program. There are plenty of amazing chefs who have never spent a day in a formal culinary hour); the hours are long, you work evenings and school; however, school does help you to get a weekends (so can't attend church or many other head start. Christian fellowship occasions); you often find drug and alcohol abuse in the kitchen and honHow can people find out more about estly it's oftentimes an anti-godly place to be. CCF? And if you're interested in the creativity of it, you won't get to do that until you've been in the indus- By going to our website www.christianchefs.org. try for 8 to 10 years, as until then you'll be making You can find out almost everything about the the chef's recipes over and over again. ministry on our website, including the newsletter, the academy, free job listings, message boards, That said, I always do what I can to talk a person recommended books and websites, etc. Feel free out of entering the industry, because it is truly a to contact me directly through our website if you hard industry to be in and because many people have any further questions about the ministry. get into it just because they love cooking at home, whereas cooking professionally is another thing altogether. Nevertheless, I love this industry, as it is where God has called me to minister in, and it's a good feeling to know that you are exactly where God wants you. I also enjoy it because it's an active place to be, because I love serving people and making them happy, and now that I've served my time I love the creativity I now have opportunity to do. Now if I've scared you away from the industry -

Sweet Celebrations Festive Desserts with an Exciting Twist (Family

Features) A great dessert makes any special occasion even more wonderful. Celebrate this season with classic dessert recipes given an exciting twist with the sweet addition of California dried figs.

Dark purple Missions and golden, slightly nutty flavored Calimyrnas are the secret touches that will turn these recipes into new holiday favorites. Chocolate Crinkles are chewy on the inside and have rich chocolate taste with bursts of sweet fig flavor. Chewy Ginger-Molasses Fig Cookies take traditional ginger molasses cookies and add sweet chunks of Mission figs, making them crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside. They freeze well, so make a double batch and save some for giving. This German Chocolate Cake recipe starts with the ease of a cake mix. The crowning glory is the luscious topping made with California dried figs, coconut, and toasted pecans. Wow family and friends by popping the cake under the broiler just before serving for an outstanding finale. Interchangeable in most recipes, dark Mission and golden Calimyrna figs are chewy, sweet and moist, always available, and easy to keep on the shelf for snacking and cooking. Visit www.valleyfig.com for more recipes, cooking tips and nutrition tips as well as holiday baking supplies and gifts.

Chocolate-Fig Banana Bread (Makes 1 loaf)

Preheat oven to 350째F. In large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, soda and salt.

2 1 1 1/2 1/4 1 1/2

cups all-purpose flour cup granulated sugar teaspoon baking powder teaspoon baking soda teaspoon salt cups mashed, very ripe bananas (about 4) 2 large eggs 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup stemmed, chopped Blue Ribbon Orchard Choice or Sun-Maid Figs 1/2 cup miniature chocolate morsels

Chewy Ginger-Molasses Fig Cookies Makes about 30 cookies 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1 large egg white 3 tablespoons light molasses 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 cup stemmed, finely chopped Blue Ribbon Orchard Choice or Sun -Maid Figs 1/3 cup granulated sugar

In separate bowl, whisk together bananas, eggs, oil and vanilla. Whisk liquids into dry ingredients, mixing just until blended. Stir in figs and chocolate. Scrape batter into oiled 9 x 5-inch loaf pan. Bake in the middle of the oven for 60 to 70 minutes (cover with foil after about 30 minutes to prevent over browning) or until pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pan. Run sharp knife around edge of pan and remove bread from pan to wire rack to cool. Wrap airtight and store at room temperature or freeze.

Preheat oven to 350째 F. Beat brown sugar and oil in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until blended. Beat in egg white and molasses. n separate bowl combine flour, ginger, soda, cinnamon and salt. On low speed, slowly beat in flour mixture until combined. With spoon, stir in figs. Shape 1tablespoon portions of dough into balls. Roll in granulated sugar. Place 2 1/2-inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Place sheet in center of oven and bake cookies 7 to 9 minutes, until crackled on top and set around edges. Cool on wire rack. >>> continued on next page

<<< Sweet Celebrations continued from previous page German Chocolate Cake With Broiled Fig and Coconut Topping Makes 2 single-layer cakes Cake: 1 18 1/4-ounce German Chocolate Cake Mix (Check cake mix for additional ingredients â&#x20AC;&#x201D; oil, eggs, water) Fig-Coconut Topping: 1 cup stemmed, chopped Blue Ribbon Orchard Choice or Sun-Maid Figs 1 cup packed light brown sugar 1/2 cup butter 6 tablespoons whipping cream 1 cup flaked coconut 1/2 cup chopped, toasted pecans

Follow package directions and prepare two 8-inch round cakes. Bake and cool as directed. For topping, in medium saucepan combine figs, sugar, butter and cream. Stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a simmer. Simmer 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in coconut and pecans. Spread warm topping on top of each cake layer, dividing evenly. Place one cake at a time on a baking sheet or heatproof pan. Broil 4 to 5 inches from heat for 15 to 30 seconds, or until topping bubbles, watching constantly. Remove from oven. Repeat with second cake. Cool. Transfer cakes to serving plates to serve. â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Courtesy of Family Features

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