Oh the People You've Met!

 Our steps have certainly led us to have friendships all over the country and the world.

Recently, God has used some of those connections in special ways.

Our church is currently ministering to a community of Hispanic children through the bus ministry.

While the children speak English,

the parents do not.

One of the boys asked God to save him last Sunday,

and immediately asked for materials to share with his parents.

Unfortunately, the church did not have any Spanish materials on hand.

But ...

God had introduced us to 3 different people in NC.

We had helped write a tract for one friend and had a fellow college student from Spain translate it for us.

We met a couple who ministered to Hispanics in South Carolina after years of service in Panama.

And we were friends with a family called to minister in Columbia.

So Sunday night,

I texted 2 contacts asking for materials.

Both contacts got material in the mail to me on Monday!

On Monday morning, I ordered the tracts that we had had a hand in creating.

How thankful we are for the places we have lived and the people we have met!

Making Friends - Do You Want to Play?

One of my goals when getting settled after a move is to make friends.

I usually find it easiest to make friends with "little" people first.

This move was no exception.

Early in our time at our new church,

we made friends with the children of the church.

They liked to play hide and seek.

And they wanted us to play as well.

They liked to hide in cupboards,

between cupboards,

behind tables,

all places that grown-ups can't really fit.

We played a round one day,

but then I decided that we needed to change up the game.

Enter - the little wooden people.

I made some wooden people to stand in for us.

The children even call them Mr. and Mrs. B.

We hide them so that at least some part of them is showing

and then we have to be found.

It is a lot easier for us, for they can hide in a lot better places.

A Challenge for November

Our church family has been challenged for the month of November.
The challenge is to pray for another family in the church each day of the month - 30 days.
The challenge includes sending them encouragement,
letting them know why they are appreciated.
The challenge can even include gifts of gratitude.

I guess it is kind of a "Secret Santa" or "Secret Sister" type idea.

But doesn't God work in your heart as you focus on others?
Don't you sympathize more and criticize less while you are focusing on the needs of another? 
Isn't there a blessing in looking for the good in others and holding others up?

While our challenge was done so that no family would be left out,
is there someone in your sphere that you would commit to encourage this month?

Christian Hospitality

We had an open house picnic on Saturday for our church family.

We wanted to share our new home with our friends 

and to thank God publicly for his provision in our lives.

The day was "iffy" but eventually the sun broke through the clouds.

One of my friends asked me on Sunday if I could relax now.

I realized what a peaceful event the picnic had been.

That is as it should be.

There was no one I felt was going to critique me.

There were so many hands to help if I needed a hand.

Many of my guests assumed host/hostess roles if they saw a need.

It was just FAMILY.

The menu was simple.

Baked Chicken Nuggets

Slow Cooker Baked Beans

Sweet Corn from NY

Baby Carrots with Dip

Grapes

Chips

___________________________________

Baked Chicken Nuggets

1 lb chicken

1/4 c flour

3/4 p salt

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp paprika (I used Smoked Paprika)

1/8 tsp cayenne

1/8 tsp black pepper

coconut oil - melted (1/8-1/4 c)

Cut chicken into small chunks.

Mix flour with seasonings.

Sprinkle flour and seasoning mix over chicken and mix well to coat.

Melt oil and drizzle over chicken to coat lightly.

Bake 450 for about 14 min.

________________________________

This weeks menu plan:

Mon. - Cheesy Meatloaf and leftover baked beans

Tues. - Cumin/Cinnamon Beef Stew

Wed. - Italian Pork Chops

Thurs. - Chicken Fiesta Soup

Fri. - Turkey Lettuce Wraps

Sat. - Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

It's A Party

A few weeks ago, I mentioned that I was enjoying my "Scentsy" burner.  

No flames, no toxic sprays ... just a sweet smelling house with a single light bulb.

I even love the glow of the burner.

My first Scentsy was a gift.

I am placing my first order for another burner for my Sunday School classroom - 

and some additional scents. 

I love the herb scented bars - 

"coconut lemongrass" is a winner as is "serene green"

Of course, I ordered "apple press" as well.

I haven't personally smelled it, but "Hello Yellow" sounds awesome too - lemon and basil.

My friend opened a party for our order.

If you would like to party with me,

Join me here.

Simple Pleasures

I received a simply marvelous gift for Christmas.

It was a gift from my Sunday School students. 

It is the object of my thankfulness on this "Thankful Thursday."

As you well know, I love scents.

I burn candles.

I "plug-in" soothing scents.

I spray air freshener.

But my routine is now easier.

I received a Scentsy burner for Christmas.

It is an electric burner - no flames - just a light bulb.

It is safe and perfect for forgetful me.

It can burn while I am gone creating a welcoming scent when I arrive home.

"Knock-off" burners and scent bars are sold at Walmart

but Scentsy has a greater selection.

From my brief comparison, 

their scent bars last longer and are comparable in price (minus shipping).

I love the fact that the bars can me melted

and then poured back into their container to harden and reuse another day.

I burn a different scent every day so I never grow insensitive to the scents.

Monday for the candlelight dinner - the scent of roses.

I love the clean scent of "Just Breathe"

and the cinnamon-ny scent of "Welcome Home"

Interested?

You can help a friend of mine if you order through this link.

An order over $150 gets free shipping so ask your friends as well or stock up on gifts.

Maybe I should see if I can host an online party!

New Friends

I started this blog to share pictures with my hubby while he was deployed.

Soon it developed into a way to keep friends and family aware of our "doings."

It has become more.

The blogger allows me to see that readers "stop in" from

Russia, Germany, Latvia, England, India, Canada ...

No, it doesn't tell me your name.

(though you could let me know that you stopped by with a comment)

I am not sure why they stop.

Perhaps they are looking for a recipe,

perhaps a verse,

perhaps a song,

perhaps just surfing blogspot,

perhaps a friend from college serving overseas.

For whatever reason, I am glad that you are here.

I am glad to share in your day.

Feeling At Home

Do you have those friends that you can just drop in on any time?

Those people who just take you in as family?

One of those families is visiting our area today.

My Washington family (now located in PA) ...

....the ones who celebrated my birthday,

... and Christmas,

...and any other holiday that hubby was deployed for,

... the tears, the laughs.

building hubby's carrier ... a few years ago

It will be good to visit for awhile.