Chocolate CHOCOLATE muffins

These are so good. Sooooo chocolatey. So fluffy. Delish.

Not long ago, I posted that the double chocolate mocha biscotti were Caleb's favorite...well, I think that changed. I think these are his favorite now. And they're healthy too! (I get so much joy from making something that people love, when they have no idea it's healthy. Teehee...)

One thing I love about these muffins is how easy they are to make. You just throw everything in the blender, scoop the mixture into muffin pans, and bake. Yum.

Find this awesome recipe here. Do it! Let me know how they turn out for you!

Claire's Notes:
- I think I used like 1/4-1/3 cup sugar, and maybe a couple teaspoons of stevia. Taste the batter and decide if it's sweet enough for your tastes. Or use a whole cup of sugar, if you don't want to substitute.
- I like to add frozen raspberries into the muffins- that's how my family likes them!
- These would also be great with some espresso powder, or with coconut sprinkled on top.You could also add some orange rind for a kick, or put in white chocolate chips instead of semisweet.
- This recipe is naturally gluten-free, but it uses all "normal" ingredients, that you probably already have at home.

Rest

Last week the long awaited Spring Break arrived.

With the end of the first semester of BMA being in January, I had a busy month, and was ready for the break! We've also had some of the coldest weather ever, and a bad inversion in this region of Czech. For our health, among other reasons, we took a short trip down to our beloved Hvar.

Even Kaylee got to come! It just wouldn't be right without her.

Hvar is an island off of Croatia. It 's special to us because we have been going there for a few years with the Ellenwood's and Hashes. With Caleb leaving, and our schedules this year, we won't get to go to Hvar this summer. *sad face* But, by going there this time, we did discover that it is just as restful in the Winter as it is in the Summer.

And most importantly, I got some much needed TLC from the sun (though it was windy and sometimes cold!), and time with my family. We won't have many more trips together before Caleb leaves for college. I'm soaking up these last months with him around.

I'm so thankful to God for how He cares about us even in the little details- even in us going to Croatia. It's really only thanks to Him that it all worked out for us to go down there. And I'm learning more and more the truths of these words:

Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

It's a good reminder to me to know that in the end, complete Rest only comes from our Father in Heaven. I pray that I will continue to live in that every day, even with school and busy days ahead!

Fusion

What is Fusion? What's its purpose?

 "To reach youth through rock/gospel choirs and performing arts groups based in local churches."

(Josiahventure.com)

This has been a big part of my life for the past 5 months! Fusion began in our little town last October, and has been such a blessing to this town. Between 45 and 50 students come every week to sing, spend time together, and eat good food (an important component!). This is a unique ministry in Czech- open choirs are not very normal here. 

Today we had our second ever Fusion concert. Two other Fusion choirs from other cities in Czech joined us. And it was...for lack of a better word...so much fun! Really, it brings me so much joy to be a part of this group of people. It's also a huge opportunity for ministry and sharing the Good News about Christ with teens from our town.

Prepping for the concert- get that energy level UP!

 This last picture is of the first song we did all together- that is, all 3 Fusions. Half way through our second song together, another Fusion (from Frydek-Mistek) arrived to watch the concert. They joined in on the famous, Fusion beloved song"Vcelin" from the audience. Counting them in that song, that means half of the Fusion choirs in the Czech republic sang together in our little town in the Beskydy mountains! I just think that's pretty cool.

Thank you God for letting Fusion blossom here, and for planting those seeds in the hearts of all the leaders!

All credit for the pictures goes to my brother Caleb!

For G+B

Yep, I'm talking to you Grandma and Bapa! This post is for you. Mom tells me that you think it's time I posted something again. I found this picture from last time you were here, and it just makes me smile!

Grandma and Bapa have their smoothies every single morning...unless Bapa has "kolace" (Czech pastries around in the mornings when he visits!) If that's the case, he'd always choose the kolace!

It looked quite sunny and warm in this picture last April, but these past few weeks have been freezing here! It's both unpleasant, but beautiful at the same time. Working hard to remember that this cold doesn't last forever, and that Spring always comes. Ahhh...think sunshine and flowers, sunshine and flowers. It'll all be worth it.