Erlene

1974 was the year Arne took me off to a foreign country, Alabama!  We arrived in June, just after Alabama and much of the south had experienced the worst tornado outbreaks in U.S. history.  What were we thinking?  Two Yankees, with two little Yankee Doodle dandies, Colleen at 22 months, Lesli at 10 months and another baby due in four months! 

There I was, far, far away from friends and family, young and impetuous, toting two little girls, very pregnant, everyone seemed to speak another language, it was HOT and we didn’t drink sweet tea or eat grits!   Feeling stuck, frightened of another rash of devastating tornadoes and missing familiar faces, God brought into my life Erlene, a precious gift, right at the time He knew she was needed most.  Erlene; even her name sounded foreign to me!

From the very first day we met at church, Erlene took me under her wing by simply talking to me!  In her sweet voice that seemed to serenade as she spoke, I was introduced to other women and invited to a bible study.  There were days Erlene called on the phone to just talk and nights when she would invite me over to exercise along with frequent meals around their family table!  When the time came for Heather’s birth I didn’t worry about the older girls and where they would stay, she stepped in to help until my mother arrived. 

Our time as southerners was a short three years but Erlene has frequently been remembered at our table through the years when her Oatmeal Buttermilk Pancakes are served.  We have not been together since 1977 but we spoke to Erlene and her husband a few years back.  They are in their 80’s now, faithfully serving the Lord and their family together. 

Thank you, Erlene, for using your gifts to serve a young, out of place mother and her family!  You blessed me and all who watch your life reflect our gracious and loving God.

1 Peter 4:10-11
As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Oatmeal Buttermilk Pancakes

2 C quick oats, uncooked, 1/2 tsp. soda, 2 1/2 C buttermilk, 1C plain flour, 2 tsp. baking powder, 1 tsp. salt, 2 T sugar, 1/3C oil, 2 eggs, beaten.

Combine oats, soda and buttermilk, let stand 5 minutes.

Combine flour, baking powder, salt and sugar, add to oat mixture along with oil and eggs.  Stir until blended.

For each pancake, pour about 1/4C batter on hot, lightly greased griddle.  Bake to a golden brown turning only once.  Serve with hot butter and syrup.  Yield 14 to 16.