Applesauce & Cinnamon Cupcakes♡

Sanctuary walk with Zion.....

So today we walked. Walked around downtown, went to places, and talked to people. Yep, basically my everyday activities. However, today was a little different - it was with a purpose - a walk for Poverty and Justice hosted by Sanctuary.

Early Saturday morning I wake up at Fi's with the anticipation and nervousness of talking - talking with strangers, perhaps? It's scary, but a thrill. What will I hear today? In what will I see God?

Joining in as a member of fellowship of the I go to, it was really fun to be able to participate in an event together. Yay!

Throughout the walk, along with others that may be a part of sanctuary or those in the community, I got to hear stories. Experiences that others went through. It's amazing to see God

working through a conversation. From not knowing to know, from sad to hopeful. Confusion, pain, suffer, disgust, fatigue, rest. All on beautiful Saturday afternoon.

I'm listening, Father, tell me.

After the walk, we got to rest a little at Fi's apartment - eating, playing, chatting. Standing behind the counter, a little scorched by the sun, I indulge in my salad, thinking. What a beautiful sight, what a blessing it is to laugh wholeheartedly, to have loving brother and sisters, such a grace from God.

After the rest, we prep for another event - this time only with Sanctuary. This time it's reflection time, as we walk through the community in groups of 4 to 5, with questions. See, the goal is to answer these questions whilst wandering around downtown Toronto with a mere $1.50 in one's pocket.

Where will I sleep?

What can I eat?

Where is a safe place, away from harsh wind and rain?

What will happen tomorrow?

Where is warmth?

And many other questions, that one is forced to discover the answer to - often a disappointment - when one is without a shelter, on the streets.

As a sister puts it, it's very unfortunate that it is until we are forced out of where we usually hang out, where we usually get together, into an area of unfamiliarity - that is where we discover that which we were ignorant of, or that much more that we are clueless of. If I wasn't forced to walk around downtown in unfamiliar areas, I would not have known of such beautiful parks, such memorials of those unnamed, such makeshift shelters that one proclaims.

But thankfully I now do. There are many more that I do not know of, but I take delight in knowing that my eyes and my heart are opened just a little more because of today's event.

I was tired. Exhausted and overwhelmed by the lack of satisfactory answers I could give myself. It's brutal. The uncertainty.

It's a blessing to be able to be uncertain but know of a great love from our Creator and know that He wants what is best for us.

It's a blessing to be able to be uncertain but know of those that can help us and arms we can run back into in times of struggle.

It's a blessing to be able to be uncertain of life, but be certain of love from Him.

How many of those on the streets do not know Him? How many are not able to know of this blessing - despite their misfortunes - of the certainty of Great Love.

It hurts to know that many do not know. And its painful to see many who don't want to know - but are struggling, searching to know the wrong.

But this pain is what drives. Drives my life, my goal, my faith in Him. It is through Him that we can love. Through Him that we can live.

They need to know, they need to know.

The night ended at around...and i went back home. With the $1.50 I had on the side, I went to Mcdees and bought a nice, cold, large, ice coffee for $1 on the way back.

Okay, I lied. I added another 50 or so cents to get two. That was all I had the energy for, to consume, for dinner.

An ice coffee, after a long day of walking.

And it was only a day.

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So this is another good possibility for a dessert run item as it's small, sweet, and filled with goodness :) Great for sharing too♡

Applesauce & Cinnamon Cupcakes

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) sweet butter, softened
• 1/2 cup plus 1 tbsp. superfine sugar
• 1 cup self-rising flour
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 3/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 cup (3 1/2 oz.) chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup (3 1/2 oz.) golden raisins
• 1 small red eating apple, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp. granulated sugar

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350F (175C). Grease a 12-cup muffin pan.

2. Place the butter, sugar, flour, and egg in a bowl and beat with an electric mixer until smooth and pale, about 2-3 minutes.

3. Stir in the applesauce, cinnamon, pecans, and raisins.

4. Spoon the batter into the cups. Lay the apple slices on top and sprinkle with a little sugar.

5. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove pan from the oven and cool for 5 minutes. Then remove the cupcakes and cool on a rack. Serve warm.

Store in airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

This makes about a dozen and a little more depending on the size of your cupcakes :)

*I didn't put in pecans or raisins due to possible nut allergies and

dislikes from others, but if you like it, then put them in! They should be really yummy!

And i drizzled warm caramel on it! so yummy!

Some possible variations:

• applesauce & pear cupcakes – prepare the basic cupcake recipe. Substitute 1 ripe and firm, medium pear for the apple. Lay slices on top of each cupcake and sprinkle with sugar.

• applesauce & warm caramel cupcakes – Prepare the basic cupcake recipe. To make a caramel topping, place 2 cups (6 oz.) caramels in a medium pan with 3 tablespoons evaporated milk. Heat gently, stirring until all the caramels have melted. Prick the top of the cupcakes with a toothpick and spoon the melted caramel over the cooled cakes. Then lay slices of apple on top of each cupcake.

• applesauce & brandy drizzle cupcakes – Prepare the basic cupcake recipe. To make the drizzle, combine 4 tablespoons apple brandy with 3 tablespoons sugar in a medium pan. Simmer gently for 5 minutes, then spoon over the cupcakes. Then lay slices of apple on top of each cupcake.

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