Dad in Training (19 page)

Many readers are curious about the dishes mentioned in some of my novels and want to try them. If you’re one of those readers, here’s my recipe for Chicken Paprikash and Spaetzel.

CHICKEN PAPRIKASH AND SPAETZEL

1 whole chicken cut in pieces or six chicken breasts

2 small onions sliced

2 Tbsp oil

2 Tbsp paprika

water to cover

salt to taste

4 pepperoncinis

1 16 oz container of sour cream

¼ cup of flour

2 tsp of water

Brown onions in oil with paprika. Add chicken pieces, then cover with water. Add salt and pepperoncinis. Simmer until chicken is cooked (30 to 40 minutes). Remove chicken. To broth add sour cream which has ¼ cup flour and water folded into it. Simmer for a few minutes until thick. Serve chicken on spaetzel noodles.

SPAETZEL

2 cups flour

2 eggs and 2 egg yolks

2/3 cup of milk

1 tbsp parley

1½ tsp salt, pepper and nutmeg

¼ cup butter and ½ cup breadcrumbs

Combine flour, eggs, milk and parsley. Place on cutting board and slide cherry-sized dollops into boiling water. Cook 5 minutes. Stir occasionally. Empty into colander and wash in cold water.
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When ready to serve, melt butter in pan, add spaetzel and crumbs and brown.

Dear Reader,

Pets are like family. They make us laugh, give us company and concern us when they are ill. We grieve when they die. I have wonderful memories of dogs and cats who touched my life through the years. Our daughter fostered and adopted dogs during her time on earth. She taught obedience training and participated in agility and flyball with her two border collies. Her love for dogs lives with us and inspired this novel. I hope you enjoyed Molly Manning’s story as she worked to make her dream come true. We can accomplish wonderful things with the same drive and determination. Her love for the Lord was truly blessed, and her life was an example of faith for Brent and his father. If you love dogs as Molly did, you might want to learn more about Teacher’s Pet at: www.teacherspetmichigan.org and more about a “no more homeless pet community” at: www.oaklandpetfund.org. Your influence can make a difference in your neighborhood.

Look for the story of Molly’s friend Steph in my next Love Inspired release. You will hear more from Molly and Brent, and maybe even go to their wedding.

Many blessings.

1. Two themes in this book are forgiveness and trust. How do these themes affect your life?
   
2. Molly’s greatest struggle was to forgive herself. What kind of forgiveness is your greatest struggle?
   
3. Brent’s lack of ability to trust was affected by his childhood. What kinds of trust issues affected Brent’s life the most?
   
4. Molly promised herself to always be the best, never second best. What are the pros and cons of this goal?
   
5. Brent believed God had answered a prayer that caused his brother’s tragedy. We know God hears our prayers. Discuss prayer and how God hears and answers them.
   
6. Brent’s father told him that he’d made a lot of mistakes raising his family, and now he didn’t know how to fix it. Brent said, “You’ve just started.” What does Brent mean, and what changes have been made to repair their relationship? What does this mean to your life?
   
7. Through much of the novel, Brent could not forgive himself for his past. How does I John 3:19–20, the Bible verses theme, relate to him?
   We will be confident when we stand before the Lord, even if our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and He knows everything.
   
8. Of these four characters—Morris, Brent, Molly, Steph—who relates to you most and why?
   
9. Dogs are an important part of this novel. What lessons can we learn from our pets?
   
10. Molly identified “spiritual” lessons people can learn from their dogs. What are some of these lessons she mentioned? Have you learned a spiritual lesson from your pet?
    
11. What do pets, especially dogs, mean to you and your family? Explain why you have or haven’t owned a pet.
    
12. Molly felt strongly about protecting dogs and providing them a good home. What is your view on this issue? What is your attitude toward euthanasia?