Cookies and Community

I've been exploring the importance of community, because it truly is one of the most powerful tools we're given!  Last summer was a little rough because I lacked community until I started working at the Bodyshop, which is hands down one of the best working environments with incredible people. This is my first summer staying in Clemson, and as we all know, it can be a little ghost town at times when everyone's gone home for break. I wanted this summer to be full of encouragement and growth, luckily, Alex and Emily had a similar summer in mind!

Alex, Em, and I at a wedding a few weeks ago!

A girl's community had been put on all of our hearts, so we decided to be obedient and move forward. We didn't want it to be exclusive or to put any maximum number of members. Naturally, creating a Facebook page was necessary, and our small group quadrupled into a massive small group of 43 girls!!! The Lord has blessed us all so much, and I'm so excited to meet new girls each week.

Instead of doing a book, our vision was to discuss a topic each week. The first time we all got together we each gave a topic, some of the topics we'll discuss this summer are contentment, what does conviction look like, finding joy in every season, body image, resting in the Lord, etc. This week we kicked off with what God is doing in your life right now - wow, each of us are in such different seasons / stages of life and it's so eye-opening at how BIG God is, and how he reaches us all in different ways. I am beyond excited to see how this summer unfolds, the Lord has huge things in store for this big group of wonderful girls!

Alright, I don't know about yall, but I love me some cookies! I recently used this recipe to make Braden a cookie cake for finishing up his second rotation at BMW. Even though it's a simple recipe, I was still super impressed at how good and moist the cookie turned out!

Giant M&M Cookie Cake Recipe

You will need:

2 1/2 cups flour

1/2 tsp baking soda 

1 tsp salt

8oz unsalted butter

1 cup light brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

1 bag semi sweet chocolate chips

1 bag M&Ms

Start by preheating oven to 300°F

1. Mix flour, baking soda and salt together - set aside

2. Mix softened butter and both sugars, then add in eggs and vanilla with mixer

3. Add in flour mixture and stir

4. Add in chocolate chips and M&Ms

5. Put all the batter in the pan and press into a circle

6. Bake on center rack for 32-35 minutes

Mmm cookie cake goodness!