Ordinary Recipe, Extraordinary Results

     Six weeks ago our family began a sweet journey, a fudge making journey.  Sixty-four batches and 128 pounds of sugar later, we are at the end of the road. I am still in awe of the success we achieved. I am humbled by the support of friends and family members and friends of friends.  One customer summed it up by saying, "When you started selling fudge people bought it because they wanted to help the boys realize their dreams of Disney World. Now they are buying it because they really want the fudge."

     The fudge recipe is one that has been in my family for many years, but it's certainly not a secret recipe.  It is a cookbook recipe, and I even found it posted on the Internet.  In spite of the easy accessibility of this recipe we had many customers tell us that it is the best fudge they've ever tasted!  One even said she's been to a lot of fudge shops and it's better than any of theirs.  Incredible.

     This morning I taught Sunday School for 4th-6th graders.  Our lesson was on Moses and the burning bush.  One aspect of the story we touched on is that God used an ordinary man, to accomplish His purposes. Now don't think for a moment that I believe making fudge holds a candle to leading the Israelites to freedom.  Yet I see how God used an ordinary recipe that we've taken for granted for years to teach our family, and especially our boys, numerous lessons that can not be taught in a classroom.  

     Aside from the business lessons and math applications that I wrote about in my last post, Ezra and Eli have learned what it means to be disciplined and self-motivated.  We had orders that we promised by a certain date.  They could not be put off or brushed aside just because they didn't feel like doing it that day.  I am so proud of their excellent work ethic.  They didn't complain and joyfully completed their work.  Many times I was serenaded by their Christmas carol singing.

     Andy and I explained to the boys about the importance of tithing. They earned a lot of money.  We felt very strongly that this was the perfect opportunity to impress this spiritual practice upon their tender hearts.  We read passages from the Bible that refer to tithing.  We also read about Biblical characters like Abram and Jacob who gave God a tenth of what they owned.  We talked about how everything we have already belongs to God.  We talked about the times in our lives when expenses arose and we wondered how they would be met. Then just at the right time we received the means to pay these expenses.  Our gifts to God honor Him, empower our faith community, and strengthen our faith by knowing that when we are faithful to Him, He is faithful to provide for us. It was not easy for the boys to part with this tithe, yet after our discussion they did not protest.  My hope is that this example of faithfulness in their young lives will stick with them as they grow into adulthood and manage their own finances.

     We made our final two batches yesterday.  We are glad to be done making fudge. We are encouraged by our success.  The Gemini Fudge Co. will definitely be open for business next holiday season. We are even contemplating Valentines sales. We give God thanks for the extraordinary results from our ordinary recipe.