"Mission Cakes"

So here's the deal...I love to make cakes!  I love to see your expressions when you see them and love hearing all the great things you have to say about them.  So what DON'T I like, aside form the clean-up, charging and coming up with pricing that covers my cost, is competitive but not extravagant and MAYBE makes me some profit (that's a big maybe).  "So what?" you may ask.

Well, once I realized what I was capable of creating I began to think how sad it is that most of today's children will fall victim to the redundant, boring, not to mention the not so great taste of commercially made grocery store cake.  I feel every child should have the opportunity to be blown away by a cake that was made specifically for them from start to finish!  If you have ever seen the face of a child when they saw their cake that has a sugar made rocket ship on top of their outer space, confetti cake with their name, 3D birthday age and stars popping out of the cake, you would know exactly what I'm talking about!  Their eyes are fixed, bulging, and twinkling with amazement!  Their mouth is dropped open in awe!  They let out a tickled, giggly, squeal of excitement and exclaim at the top of their voices how cool it is!  Oh, and I can't forget how absolutely delicious they taste (toot! toot!)!  I absolutely love it and I never get tired of it.

So my dilemma is this; how do I provide these kind of cakes for people and not have to worry about cost, being paid, overhead and still make a living?

There's this beautiful thing called  "Non-Profit".  I have been praying and talking with my husband about what's been placed on my heart and we both feel that it is totally possible to do something like this.  I also feel that I can honor the Lord through it.  I know some may read this or hear my idea and think that there are bigger needs out there...there are more important things to put your efforts towards than giving away free cakes.  Well, that may be true but I also believe that we have all been given certain gifts.  For some that's building homes, others feeding the hungry, assisting the abused, preaching, fostering children, etc...  As for me I feel I have a couple of things that I'm good at, one of them being making cakes!  I know that if I do this as unto the Lord, put my heart and soul into each cake that I make then I can honor Him and glorify Him in this manner and He will be pleased with me.

This is where you come in!  Once I get this organization up and running, "Mission Cakes", like any other non-profit will have to be sustained through giving.  I'm not sure, at this point, how long it will be until we are ready to launch but I pray that you would seek the Lord and see if he lays it on your heart to be a "Mission Cakes" supporter.

I will post updates on any headway we make and I guarantee you guys will be one of the first to know when we have the green light!  Thank you so much for taking the time to read this as this may be the most important one I ever write!  Be blessed, be inspired, be encouraged, be hopeful and trust in the Lord.

Now for something a bit lighter...

Here are some photos of the most recent cakes I've done.  I love to bake and now that I have discovered that I can decorate as well, I have taken it upon myself to try and make this caking thing more than just a hobby!  So take a gander at my photos and if you find the need for a tasty, beautiful dessert at your next event I'll be more than happy to accommodate!

Mother's Day Cake with Sugar Flowers and Gold Pearls

Firetruck Cake with Fondant Decorations

Girl Baby Shower Cake 

Boy Baby Shower Cake

Now for a few...Not so recent.

Birthday Cake with Stenciling and Sugar flowers

Birthday Girl Ladybug Cake and Birthday Girl Cupcake with Sugar Flower & Candle

Fleur di lis Birthday Cake with real roses

Thank you so much for checking out my pics but many more thanks for using me for your upcoming events and occasions to get this machine up and running!  Let them eat cake!

See...I told you this post would be lighter.

Purpose...

Wow.  It's been about 4 months since my last post.  Sorry to all the hundreds of followers who have been sitting on the edge of your seats anxiously anticipating my next life changing, awe inspiring, mind blowing post. Oh, wait ...it only says "10 followers", my mistake.  And I'm sure none of you have been holding your breath for me next rambling of nonsense. "Se la vi."

Purpose.  Purpose...purpose, purpose.  What is my purpose?  This is a question that has been swishing in my brain for the last 16 hours, 23 minutes and 19 seconds, 20, 21, 22. :-)

Have I really come to this inevitable crossroads in my life already or is it just my monthly hormones going haywire on me and making me think these silly thoughts?  I thought this "look back on your life to see what you have accomplished" mid-life crisis perspective wasn't supposed to happen for another 9-15 yrs. when my boys are about grown and moving out to go to college or begining life on their own?  But no, I'm a 30 yr old stay at home mom, going on a 12 yr marriage with a 7 and 3 yr old boy wondering "What in the hoohah am I doing with my life that is really gonna matter...that is making a difference...that will have an impact for years to come?"  I know that some of you, if not all, will chime in and say that I'm doing the most important job anyone can do...raising a family.  I know, I know.  I believe that what Rick and I instill in our boys now will affect them and impact them and somewhat determine what they will do later in life but that's not what I'm talking about...not exactly.

I'm talking about what am I doing NOW to affect the "after-life" of mommyhood.  What am I doing?  What am I pursuing?  What am I putting my hands to that will carry me on when my boys are gone and doing their own thing?  Will I become a wife who keeps every nook and cranny of the house spic-n-span?  A place for everything and everything in it's place, right?  Will I become a wife that meets with her "girlfriends" several days a week to discuss the latest trends or display her Charming Charlie's bargain buys?  Will I be the athletic wife who spends a few hours every day working out and planing meals to stay in shape?  May it never be!

Now, don't get me wrong.  None of these things are bad and I feel there is a place for all of them and a bit of each in my own life but...as a whole, it's not me and it's not what I want said about me.  I need a plan.  "The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." Prov. 16:9.   Some of you may say, "pray about it and God will lead you."  I know, I have and I will continue to give it to God until there is more clarity.

So my loving husband has prompted me to ask myself, "What do I love to do?  What am I good at? Pursue this and the Lord with do the rest."  Well, I feel I am good at baking and decorating (a hobby I've recently taken to).  I love to sing...always have, always will.  I feel I am a good problem solver and  I love to make people laugh.  So does that mean I should be a baking, singing comedian?  Nah. :-)

Here's the thing.  I never went to college so I've no degree, I've not had a normal job for about 7 yrs so as for me getting a job in the workforce that would be worth my while is unlikely.  It truly would have to be God opening that door of opportunity for me.  He would have to direct my steps as I plod along doing my daily routine of cooking, cleaning, washing, buying groceries, paying bills, fixing, replacing, filling cake orders, etc.  This is what my "purpose" is for now, of that much I am sure.  But I know there is something else I need to be doing in the midst of all this.

If I could be so bold as to ask for your prayers in this area.  It would truly be a blessing.  "Without consultation plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed." Prov. 15:22

P.S.  I promise to lighten it up a bit on my next post.  :-)