I believe the motto of the U.S. Marines is “Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome.” I may not be a Marine, but I’m discovering that those words can certainly apply to life! There was a time in my life when I did quite a bit of baking. Dad was always my faithful taste tester, and I loved sharing what I made with him. After he passed away, however, I lost much of my joy in baking. For several years, I did very little of it. In fact, as I prepared for my move to Poland, I gave many of my baking pans and supplies to a friend.
When I came to Poland, I had only a somewhat vague idea of what I would be doing. When I was given the choice of starting out in the kitchen or working as a barista, I chose the kitchen. I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to get back into baking or simply stick with preparing the various breakfast items offered at the cafe.
As I began helping in the kitchen, I discovered something unexpected: I still enjoy baking! I had already been asked to make one of of my favorite desserts for the cafe staff’s Thanksgiving celebration in November. So, I asked my brother to send me a copy of a cake recipe our family has been making for many years. That’s when the challenge began! Some of the ingredients in the original recipe aren’t available here in Poland. On top of that, recipes here generally use weight measurements rather than the cups and teaspoons I’m accustomed to using. Needless to say, there has been a bit of improvising, adapting and overcoming involved!
I can’t personally vouch for the taste of the cake since chocolate is on my list of dietary restrictions. However, the frosting, although missing a few of the ingredients I would normally use back home, tastes good and is a pretty close substitute!
Tonight, I’m taking the cake to tea club, where the Ukrainian women will serve as my official taste testers. They don’t speak English, but i’m sure I’ll be able to tell whether they like it or not! After all, a smile, and empty plate or a second helping can speak a language all its own.
As I think about this little baking adventure, L’m reminded that sometimes we discover things about ourselves when we step outside our comfort zones. We may think a particular season of our lives has passed, only to find that God can bring new life and purpose to something we though we had left behind.
I came to Poland not knowing exactly what to expect or what my role would look like. I certainly didn’t anticipate that I would rediscover my enjoyment of baking. Yet, here I am, adjusting recipes, searching for substitute ingredients, and preparing a cake to share with others.
Perhaps that’s part of what it means to follow God into the unknown. We may not have all the answers, and things may not look quite the way they did back home. We may have to improvise, adapt and overcome a few challenges along the way. But if we are willing to be flexible and let God use what we have, He can open doors to opportunities we never expected.
And, who knows? Maybe a chocolate cake can be more that just a dessert. It can be an opportunity to build friendships, share a little joy and create connections even when we don’t speak the same language.
Now, if you think of me tonight, say a little prayer that the cake is a success! I’m trusting my Ukrainian friends to give me an honest review–even if I have to read it entirely through their facial expressions!
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