When I was growing up on special occasions my mom would make “French breakfast muffins.”  Totally yummy, they taste like warm homemade donuts, but are baked, not fried (and coated in lots of calories!).  I especially remember her making them on snow days, or days when we needed extra encouragement.

I’ve made them for our family the last two years when we had school cancelled because of typhoons. Thus the contextualized name.  This morning when I woke up, it was going to rain – not a typhoon, but still… I thought we needed typhoon donuts.  Eric and I had stayed up TOO late last night doing our required monthly reimbursements.  Despite the efforts by administrative staff to make these streamlined, we still end up spending way too many hours and frustration getting these done.  I hadn’t had a chance to finish ironing all the kids’ uniforms, lunch napkins, and smocks for today. And  we have felt some angst about the unknown-ness of the pink/purple house.  After finally seeing it on Saturday, we were a bit stunned at its hugeness;  excited about some of the great features of it;  concerned about costs of heating and caring for it;  unsure if the owner would accept our counter-offer for a monthly rent amount and dividing up some of the fix-up costs.

Our kids were happy to start the day with these yummy surprises, and it turns out to have been a good call.  The owner’s representative called later in the morning to say that the company who actually owns the house had a meeting today and decided for tax purposes they don’t want to rent it out.  Even though the owner had finally agreed, when they realized it would still cost some initial money to prepare it for our move-in, they decided they would rather just leave it empty.

So, the year of wondering is over – we won’t be moving into the pink and purple home with the big black fence.  We are disappointed; thankful for finally knowing an answer; disappointed some more;  still trusting God.  Yesterday I read Deuteronomy 32:4 – “He is the Rock; His works are perfect, and all his ways are just.”  Eric and I were talking yesterday that our current house is not ideal;  and if we were to move to the new home it would be great but not perfect (TOO big in some ways, as great as it was); but that we can trust that wherever God chooses for us to live is the perfect place that he has for us.  I really believe that.  I am not always satisfied with God’s plan, but that is about me and not Him.

Today I was having lunch with my good Japanese friend, N.  We had been talking about the house and the implications of this news, and I shared this verse with her.  When our mutual friend Suga (the owner’s relative who has gone to bat with us numerous times this year with the owner) called, my friend N. (not a believer) was able to share with her this bible verse, and that Eric and I are trusting in God’s perfect plan.

We are trusting in God, and will continue to do that.  I believe with all my heart that He is trust-worthy.  Even on days that drive us to make Typhoon Donuts.

Here is the recipe – try these when you need a pick-me-up one morning:

French breakfast Muffins/Typhoon Donuts

1 ½ C + 2 T flour

¾ C sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

¼ t salt

¼ t nutmeg

Combine these, then add the following:

½ C milk

1 egg, beaten

1/3 C butter, melted

Mix thoroughly.

Grease/spray a small muffin tin.  Fill ½ full, bake 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

Remove immediately, dip in following:

1 t cinnamon

½ C sugar

½ t vanilla

1/3 C butter, melted

Serve warm; and read Deuteronomy 32:4.