Easy Pink Vanilla Cupcakes

Published: Oct 4, 2016 · Modified: May 30, 2020 by Wendi Spraker · This post may contain affiliate links · 96 Comments

One of my favorite things, although I have rarely been able to replicate it, is a moist soft tasty cupcake. You know, the kind that isn’t dry and holds up to the icing? The kind that isn’t too sweet but is just the right kind of sweet? I’m completely crystal clear here, right?

Yeah, that’s what I thought.

Well, anyway, the DELICIOUS kind of cupcake. The kind where you demand MORE and MORE and MORE. That is the kind of cupcake I’m talking about. The kind of cupcake that indicates that you probably own a pink apron and a bakery delivery truck.

Anyway, in this post, I want you to join me for the 10,000 Cupcake Challenge! You might remember that we did this last year and I introduced you to my friend Laura who has battled breast cancer TWICE and WON! You can read that HERE.

This post, though, is about my friend Tandra who has battled cancer like a warrior. Just look at my beautiful friend! Here she is…..

I hope you are seeing something similar between Tandra and Laura, because I do. I see a crown and a beautiful warrior’s face. A woman who knows her worth and a woman who will unabashedly tell you about The King!

Although I’ve known Tandra for years, I had the pleasure of chatting with her about her journey this past Saturday. Tandra and I worked together at Hospice & Palliative CareCenter (HPCC) where Tandra has worked for the past 23 years.

While she is a Certified Nursing Assistant and also a Certified Medical Assistant, Tandra has been in management at HPCC for many years. Additionally, she has served The Hospice National Committee by writing Hospice Certification Questions. Tandra is an AWESOME reference for anything hospice related. Believe me, I know!

I asked Tandra about her cancer journey and she said, “When I first found out I had breast cancer in 2008, I cried a little bit and then I told my doctor, you know what? My God is the Great Physician and whether I’m here or on the other side, He can work through me. I’m going to go through whatever He wants me to go through”. With that, she stopped crying.

“I prayed about it and I told my family not to shed any tears for me either because I’ll walk His walk and I’ll trust and depend on Him”.

That first time, Tandra had a Stage I breast cancer that resulted in a surgical lumpectomy, 6 rounds of chemo and 33 radiation treatments. “My family said that what kept them going was my own faith”.

Tandra also mentioned that since her treatment for breast cancer, she has also cared for her husband who became ill with Supranuclear Palsy. Darnell passed in 2014. Tandra does have three sons living in Charlotte and Winston Salem as well as 4 grandchildren.

At Christmas time last year Tandra started to have some medical issues that didn’t seem right and she visited her doctor. Tandra was concerned because she knew that the Tamoxifen treatment she took could cause other problems.

As it turns out, Tandra was dealt the devastating news that cancer had returned. This time endometrial (surprisingly unrelated to the Tamoxifen, according to her doctor). She has just finished Chemo and radiation AGAIN.

One thing Tandra wants you to know is that she didn’t really have any cancer risks. She has no family history of breast or other cancers. She eats right and exercises. She has her annual exams and follows up on her health. She asks you to make sure you are doing what you can to prevent cancer.

Do you know what Tandra said when she found out about her cancer diagnosis this time? She said, “This is my journey for someone who doesn’t believe or for someone whose faith is wobbly”.

“They will see that God is who He says He is.” “God is the GREAT PHYSICIAN and while man may say I have cancer, my God is GREATER than cancer and when this is over God will tell Satan that he can GO!” Satan will tell you, “You ain’t gonna live”. “But MY GOD is Stronger”.

Tandra says she had some really hard days, some days she couldn’t even lift her head off of the pillow. “But I went to church because I am involved in the children’s ministry and I went until I couldn’t go because of the chemo” (chemo treatment often precludes that you can’t be around children for a while).

When asked about some tips for others facing cancer, Tandra suggests keeping a book. She did. She calls it her “I AM” book where she records her “I AM” statements such as…

I AM VICTORIOUS

I AM A CHILD OF GOD

I AM statements give you encouragement especially when a prayer partner isn’t available.

And, Tandra says, “To God be the Glory, I am OK”. She encourages anyone facing cancer to understand that cancer is Spiritual Warfare too and you must suit up with the Armor of God and encourage yourself”.

She says, “No matter what the outcome, you are gonna come out of this as a butterfly”. You will be changed. “You just have to hold God’s unchangeable hand”. “You are beautifully and wonderfully made”. She reminds you that you are made in the image of God.

While still working at HPCC, Tandra is now also attending Bible College. Her story is so moving, I think Bible College is the perfect place for her. Since I know she has those bases covered, I’m gonna go put on my pink apron and try to find a bakery delivery truck I can borrow 'cause I have some moist, easy, one dish cupcakes to show you.

HOW CAN YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

Contents show

You can make a difference by visiting the Cook for the Cure website FOUND HERE where you can learn more about how to donate in the fight against cancer and how to participate. Join the 10,000 Cupcake Challenge. Just like I did!

HOW TO WIN A PINK KITCHENAID MIXER!

If you will visit the Kitchenaid website to learn more about Cook for the Cure, you can enter to win a PINK KitchenAid Mixer! Visit HERE to do so.

THE RECIPE FOR EASY PINK VANILLA CUPCAKES