Success

If you prayed with us about the avocados and the guacomole for Saturday's wedding - 

THANK YOU!

We had 50 avocados and they were near to perfect.

One was a little hard, but there were no "rocks" and no rotting ones.

I bought 30 hard avocados on Tuesday.

Then I bought 20 more on Wednesday.

By Friday, I had to remove them from the basket because they were really

making heat (literally) and ripening well.

In the end, we probably could have done with 40 avocados,

but better safe then sorry.

The guac went together well,

transported well,

and still looked bright green at the reception.

The final recipe was ...

8 avocados

1 TBSP lime juice

1 tsp garlic salt

48 avocados

6 TBSP lime juice

6 tsp garlic salt

Now you know it - 

if you ever make guac for the masses.

Mother's Day Support

We have just come through Mother's Day weekend

and another birthday.

While the days are celebratory,

they also come with  a little heartache.

These are days that remind me that time is passing

and it has not been God's plan and design to give us children.

God has sent many along the path to shore us up.

4 out of 7 of our past pastor's wives have walked the road.

It was always a blessing to have at least one understanding look on the hard days

and to have sensitivity from the pulpit.

But this year, God sent even more.

He sent two ladies who had not just walked the road,

but were still walking the road.

They could truly walk beside me.

Isn't that a blessing?

We were even invited to share Mother's Day lunch with one of the families.

On this Thankful Thursday,

I am thankful for those ladies

and all of the ladies who encourage me

who walk with me

who remind me of the other joys of life

who can share truly empathetic tears.

Recharge

Sometimes there is no choice but to recharge.

I have had an absence on the blog because I have been absent from health.

Two weeks ago, I got a sore throat,

that became laryngitis,

that came with some feverish days,

that left a nagging cough that liked to hit in the middle of the night.

So for one week, I had no choice but to recharge.

I literally did very little but make the bed,

get meals together,

and rest.

Sometimes the body just needs rest.

There is still an occasional "tickle" in my throat,

but all in all I am glad to be "back in the saddle" again.

AAAHH-vocados

One of the foods that we have come to enjoy is avocado.

It is one of the "healthy fats."

It is a lot of calories without a lot of bulk on the super busy days.

It is just delicious.

We eat it plain,

we throw it in smoothies,

but our favorite way is as a simple guacomole.

We put it on toast once a week for breakfast

or eat it with taco salad or spanish rice in the evening.

And of course,

who can resist it with tortilla chips.

My simple guacomole is ...

mashed avocado

squirt of lime juice

couple of shakes of garlic salt

How easy is that?!?

Glad it's simple, because I will be making a lot of it this weekend.

I have done gluten free corn muffins for a wedding reception,

A gluten free apple pie a couple of weeks ago for a wedding reception,

and this week is guacomole!

If you think of it,

will you pray that I get the number of avocados that I need

and that I can time the "ripeness" correctly

so that the guac turns out okay?

Maybe the Burden is Not so Heavy

Eating gluten-free can often be a burden.

There are not quick stops at BK or Mickey D's when hungry.

There are many turned down invitations for pizza.

Each outing must be carefully planned if food is to be involved.

But then there are times when the burden can be a blessing.

Since our family has learned how to cook for us,

they have been able to meet the needs of many of God's servants 

in need of a special diet.

Saturday, I will be able to minister to some of the bride's extended family

by making a gluten free pie for the reception.

At the end of the month,

I can provide a lodging place and meals for a gluten free bride

so that she has one less thing to think about during a busy week.

I may also be able to minister to the girl friend of one of the groomsman.

I am thankful for this burden.

I am thankful for those who took the time to teach me about the gf lifestyle.

I am thankful that I have a unique ministry in this area.

Getting the Word Out

One of the difficulties of a physical move

or a ministry change is finding a place again.

Since I do not work outside of the home,

I rely on ministry and personal contacts to keep me busy.

Many people feel that if they ask for help, they will be a burden,

so I have to "get the word out" that helping is my job!

While I plan to continue local visits to folks and writing encouragement cards,

I am excited that I am starting to find outside ministries again.

I have the opportunity to help a young mother this week by watching her children.

I have the opportunity to help at a print shop field trip next week.

I am going to start what has become an annual event of painting again - 

it seems that I rotate between church or home each year.

I don't know how long each ministry will last,

but I will try to be grateful for each one.

The Best Advice

We are thrilled to be planning to go to a wedding this Saturday

and then again at the end of the month.

God has allowed us to have a small part in each day -

providing lodging, providing food, providing a stop-off.

As an "older," and in true "Mr. Smith" style,

hubby and I picked a verse of advice for each couple.

The verse contains their anniversary.

Not only does it give the best advice,

but when we read it through the years,

we are reminded to pray for that couple.

Saturday 5/5

1 Peter 5:5 

Yea, all of you be subject one to another, 

and be clothed with humility: 

for God resisteth the proud, 

and giveth grace to the humble.

Human pride wants its own way.

Humility is crucial in a marriage and ministry.

Service to others and self-sacrifice will yield Biblical success.

In our observation, the couple already possesses a heart of service for others,

and if they carry that into marriage,

God will bless.