Crescent rolls, marshmallows, butter, and cinnamon-sugar teach us that
indeed Jesus Christ has risen!
Scripture: (depending on child's age)
Matthew 28:1-8, 11-15; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-10
Application:Jesus died, but He overcame death through the power of the resurrection!
Summary: Before Jesus died, He had told His disciples that He would raise up the temple after three days, which He was speaking of the temple of His body. Three days after His death, some women, who were disciples of Jesus, came to the place where He was buried to anoint Him some more. They found the tomb empty. There had been a big earthquake and an angel who had come down from heaven, told them that Jesus was alive indeed! The women ran to tell the other disciples the good news. Peter and John ran to see for themselves and were amazed to see the tomb empty, with just the linen cloths, with which Jesus had been wrapped, laying there.
Focus:That our children would understand that Jesus is alive forevermore and that there is power in His resurrection that will enable them to be resurrected to everlasting life someday too if they will just believe upon Him as Lord and Savior.
Directions:
Learn about the resurrection first hand.
First, have each child take a crescent roll and lay it out flat. Tell them this represents the linen cloths that will wrap up Jesus.
Then take a large marshmallow and explain that it represents Jesus taken down from the cross.
Now anoint Him with oil and spices by rolling Him in the butter and cinnamon-sugar. Wrap Him up in the crescent roll linen wrappings and pinch and press all the seams together carefully (so that the marshmallow does not ooze out) and place on a baking sheet.
Now put him in the tomb (the oven) and roll up the stone (close the oven door) and bake according to the instructions on the crescent roll package.
Guard the tomb, but allow the children to watch that you do not get into the oven.
When the timer goes off, have your kids yell and jump like there is a great earthquake and have the children run up to the tomb.
Roll away the stone (open the oven door) and pull out the baking sheet. Put one of the crescent rolls on each child’s plate with them watching you the entire time.
When they break open or bit into the linen wrappings, they will not find Jesus (the marshmallow) anymore. He has risen! (And the treat is not too bad either)
Memory Verse:
“I am alive forevermore.” Revelation 1:18
Prayer: Dear Lord, we praise You for the power of Your resurrection and ask for that power in our lives to accomplish Your will and purpose.
Living the Life:
Discuss with your children the wonder and awe of our risen Lord. Discuss how this changes our future and hope!
Family Life has this delightful tool to help teach children about Easter, Jesus and the Resurrection. They are called Resurrection Eggs.
The eggs come in a hard plastic egg carton. Each egg has a different toy that represents part of the Easter story and a handy little book that tells scripture you can read to children to help explain the significance of the toy.
Every year before Easter I start hiding eggs. Day 1, egg 1. Day 2, eggs 1 and 2. Day 3 eggs 1-3. You get the picture. With each new egg my children and I read the scriptures and discuss the meaning. It is pretty cute to hear M.E.'s version of the tale.
Day 1--Donkey--Jesus rode a donkey into Jrsulm and people shout ShoHanna! (her pronunciations)
Day 2--Judas betrays Jesus for thirty monies.
Day 3--Jesus had one last supper with his friends.
Day 4--Jesus went to the garden to pray.
It is pretty great!
If you are interested I suggest looking into Family Life to get a set! The set is under $15 and can be re-used every year (this is our 3rd year with our set and it isn't getting old at all!).
Are you guilty of wearing one dominant color? Is black your thing? Maybe you are like me and you tend to lean towards "earthy tones" (which is fancy talk for "I wear a lot of browns"). Go look in your closet right now. Is there one color that dominates (and is it really a color or, as I suspect, a neutral)?
Anyone else think it's time we break out some color? Be bold--be daring! It's easy to do if you know some color tricks!
Look at the color wheel below.
Okay, so hopefully we all remember that the primary colors are red, blue, and yellow. Secondary colors (which are made my mixing primary colors) are purple, green, and orange. Color basics. Check.
Now, how can you wear color?
Go with a monochromatic look. Monochromatic means "one color." On the color wheel above, find one color--say blue-green. There are roughly 9 levels of blue green. You can mix ANY of these levels and look good. They go. Trust me.
Wear complimentary colors. Complementary colors are directly across the wheel from each other: Red/Green, Blue/Orange, Yellow/Purple. Mix and match complimentary colors. They go. If you don't want to be too bold (like if you want to wear blue and orange but don't want to look like a Denver Broncos fan, move in on the color wheel. Wear peach and cornmeal blue. It works.)
Wear color wheel neighbors. Yep, if you wear colors next to each other on the wheel you'll look great. They harmonize.
Wear primary colors. These are bold and look great together. However, make sure you wear only 1-2 of the colors dominantly and one of the colors as a highlight or else you'll look like a clown. For example, wear blue-jean shorts with a red top and a yellow belt or bracelet or a yellow dress with navy shoes and a red bag. Another option is to wear softer versions of these colors: blue jeans, light blue top, maroon jewelry ...
Make your neutrals pop! Brown, gray, black and white are generally regarded as neutrals (though really gray is the "real" neutral). You can pretty much make anything look hot with neutrals. If you must wear a brown tank top and khaki capris, make it pop with an eggplant purple woven scarf and yellow shoes.
What rules am I following here? #3 and #5. Blues and Greens are color wheel neighbors and I'm making my neutral brown pop. You can't see it by my necklace is has brown, jade, and turquoise beads!
Some color warnings:
Figure out if you are a Winter, Summer, Autumn, or Spring complexion and dress accordingly.
Know what colors you look good in and wear a lot of them. If you have a "summer/winter" complexion (pale skin and dark hair or dark hair with light eyes) you can probably pull of bright reds and pinks (not so great for "fall/spring" complexions like me!).
If you are a summer/winter gal you can also wear black really well. If you are a fall/spring gal (dark eyes, mousy hair) stay away from black--it makes you look sallow and those circles under your eyes just look darker. Sorry. (P.S. Summer/winter gals, it really ticks me off that you get black. Oh well, at least I can have brown.)
Fall/Spring girls think "jewel" tones. Jade, peridot, amethyst, deep turquoise, garnet--these are great colors on us! (In the photo above I'm rocking a jade shirt and a turquoise bracelet).
Summer/Winter gals think icy and bold--fuschia, mint, navy.
A basic understanding of the color wheel=color wearing success!
Laundry is not one of my life's loves. I love to dust and shine my sink but laundry and ironing are my nemeses (well, there are others but that's all I'll bore you with that today).
Anyhow, one of my least favorite things about doing laundry is looking for socks. Even if the dryer doesn't eat one (and to be honest, I blame the washing machine half of the time just because I think dryers get a bad rap), I hate the process of digging through a mound of laundry in search of the other navy blue trouser sock with light blue squares on it. Ug. What a time waster.
A few years ago I read (in Real Simple) that an easy solution to this was to pin your socks together. I tried this for a while and it did work. Socks came out of the dryer already mated. But the problem was getting the socks pinned.
I had several options:
Dig through the dirty laundry to find sock mates and then pin the swampy socks together. A collective Ewwww! please.
Have Matt pin his own socks together (and honestly, I'm still trying to convince him NOT to leave his socks in a sock ball after taking them off. How does that happen, exactly?).
Neither of these worked. And it got worse after we had the Divine Miss M and all of sudden the world's cutest frilly socks were dominating the laundry and getting lost in drastic proportions.
Something had to give.
My solution: Get a lingerie bag
When you or your kids take their socks off, put them into the lingerie bag (it might be best to have a bag for each family member or one for adults and one for kids). I throw the whole bag in the washer and dryer and wa la! No missing kid socks.
Today's post is a long one but I encourage you to skim read it and to watch the video. It truly is an inspiration.
My best friend Kim went to Rwanda in August on a mission with E3 Ministries. This is a part (yes, only a part--God is so good that Kim filled page after page of testimony and STILL didn't share everything she saw!) of Kim's experience.
I am posting this today, Monday March 29th, 2010 because Kim is heading back to Wyoming from Rwanda--her second mission there in a year. This time she went to disciple children's ministry leaders!
Please read this and be encouraged.
But first, check out this awesome video of Kim in Rwanda!
(The video is 5 minutes long. Kim is interviewed around minute 2 and the woman at the end saying "Go, go, go" is one of my spiritual mentors, Diana).
Unfortunately I am having technical difficulties posting the rest right now ....
Stay tuned!
Emanah Sheemway! Praise God!
I want to testify of the amazing works of our Lord while we were in Rwanda!
On our very first day of ministry, we were guests at our first church service. Tony, our leader from E3, gave a short message and explained the gospel. Then, he asked me to share a short testimony. (I knew that I was supposed to be prepared to share). The night before, I prayed and read the Bible. I felt God wanted me to share about how He rescued me from depression by showing me His grace as described in Romans 8. I wrestled with God about this and did not really think I should share this on our first day.
However, I knew that was what God wanted me to do. I only had a few minutes, so I shared how I got really depressed when I went to college and how I felt I had no hope. During that time, I believed that I had to earn God’s love. I knew that I had fallen into sin and I didn’t believe I could be forgiven. Even though I was a Christian at that time, I believed the lie that I could not be forgiven. I explained how I took a Bible class, Romans and Galatians, because someone told me that was what I needed to do. I went to class. As the teacher read from Romans 8:1, I felt God was speaking directly to me. I sat in that desk with students around me and cried. I did not care because I heard those words and believed. I believed that, “There is therefore now no more condemnation for those of us in Christ Jesus.” I explained how the teacher repeated those words over and over. I told them how God rescued me from depression by speaking to me through His word. I shared more from Romans 8 and explained how nothing could separate us from His love.
After I shared this with the people in Rwanda at church that day, I sat down. I felt strange because I could not read the expressions on their faces and I did not know if they understood. I had just shared my heart, but I did not know why. Then, after about 2 minutes, an elderly woman stood up in the front row. She walked toward me and Noah. All of us were supposed to be singing. She sat down next to us and started talking to Noah. She wanted us to pray with her to become a Christian. So, I laid my hands on her and we prayed with her. I noticed that she did not reach out to me to accept my hand. After we prayed, Noah started talking to her. He looked up with tears in his eyes and he said, “Kim, she came up here because of what you said. She wants to know if she can be forgiven.” I immediately answered, “yes.” Noah said, “Kim, there is more. Come closer. He whispered as he continued, “She has struggled with guilt over her sin for many years. Several years ago, her husband died. Then, her in-laws came to her house and tried to take the house and all the land. She paid a witch doctor to kill her in-laws. She wants to know if she can be forgiven.”
I was stunned. She was looking directly at me. I was faced with my own theology. I got down on my knee, looked her directly in the eye and said, “Yes, you can be forgiven. Yes.” With tears in her eyes, she hugged me. She was set free that day. Praise God!
E3 Partners Ministry has a goal to evangelize, equip, and establish churches. We had a very small team from North America. We had 8 people come from the United States. This included E3 staff. After much prayer, the leadership still decided to go forward with God’s calling to establish 8 churches in Rwanda. God accomplished this and so much more while we were there! 2, 712 people came to know the Lord!
Each day, two from our North American team and their ministry partners went to a mission point. In the morning, these small groups would go with believers from Rwanda to evangelize-house to house- in the community surrounding the location for the new church. This was an amazing experience. Every morning, I would walk the dirt streets with my backpack and my straw hat. My ministry partner would then insist on carrying my backpack. We would pray for the people to be open to the Holy Spirit. We would pray for the words to communicate to their hearts. We would pray for God to speak through us. Then, we would go. We would walk. We would walk through dirt and dried grass into small homes with one bench and no light but the sunlight that peeked through the open doorway.
After Noah explained why we were there, the people would immediately greet us, honor us with the one bench and eagerly get ready to listen. As I spoke, Noah translated in their beautiful language and their faces changed from sad or solemn expressions to a curious one. I would pray and speak. Noah would speak. Then, God would speak through us. Over and over again we would witness that moment when hearts were opened by the Holy Spirit to the hope found in Christ. Great celebration would follow!
Though Kim was sent to share the Good News about Jesus, she admitted to me that at times, she humbly felt that she was getting more than she was giving. Here is some of what she learned.
I learned to step out and obey
I did not choose to go on this trip. He chose me. I felt a very clear call to go. It would have been disobedience for me to stay in the U.S. It would have been comfortable, easier. I would have missed the blessing of serving the Lord, being used by God and seeing Him work in the lives of people. In addition, I would have missed a deeper relationship with God and a deeper faith for the cheap substitute of the familiar.
Maybe you say, “I do not feel called to go.” That may be so, but God has called each of us to go and share the hope we have with others.
What is stopping you?
Your list of things to do?
Your comfort?
If you know Jesus, you have a hope: an eternal, life-giving hope because you have forgiveness and a relationship with your Heavenly Father. I was shown in Africa that all I had to offer them was this message- no food, clean water, health, or money. I realized that the one thing I had to offer was the only thing they absolutely had to have- the only hope they had to survive emotionally, to endure, to get better, and to live life.
They needed forgiveness, peace, and a relationship with God.
We witnessed over and over again the joy-the sheer joy and happiness of life with God, forgiveness in Jesus, and the hope found in a relationship with Him. Once they heard, they knew this is what they were looking for and they wanted to tell everyone else that they needed this more than food, more than water, more than health or wealth.
The song that says, “my hope is in you...” has new meaning to me now. Why don’t we see that is what people need? Is it because they look OK? Is a life filled with hopelessness but a home filled with stuff OK? Who needs Jesus? Just the poor? Who needs a relationship with the Lord? Everyone!
Be joyful and celebrate!
Celebrate God! With open arms and fast feet, people in Rwanda praised the Lord. Children with tattered clothes and no shoes danced with a joyful heart and infectious smiles. “Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness, come into His presence with singing.” (Psalm 100:1-2)
We serve a mighty king who has provided for us, loved us, given us life. Let’s praise Him. Let’s love Him with all our hearts, soul, and mind. Jesus suffered, bled and died for all of our sins. He paid the price so we are righteous in His sight. We now have a relationship with Him. We do not have to be separated from Him anymore. We have access to Him every minute. He LOVES us. Not a romantic, cheap love. A love everlasting. A love we cannot fathom. A Father’s love. We can call out to Him, Abba, Father. This is like saying, “Daddy.”
He sent the Holy Spirit until He comes back. He will convict us, give us peace, comfort us, and guide us. He will intercede for us on our behalf when we do not know what to pray.
So, if God is for us who can be against us? Let us worship Him, love Him, and know Him. He is with us. He will never leave us or forsake us. Our hope is in Him. Our joy is in Him. Let not your heart be troubled for our King reigns and He has you in His mighty hand!
Be thankful
People in Rwanda were so thankful! They were so thankful for everything- including us. I am truly thankful to God for calling me to go. Praise God for what He did in Rwanda and what He does every day in our lives! hope this encouraged you in your faith. God deepened my faith in ways that I cannot express and He graciously used me and all the members of the team in mighty ways for His glory and His work.
Welcome home, Kim. I'm so grateful for your gracious spirit, your love for God and your love for your brothers and sisters in the world.
I love and admire you. And next time, we go together!
This is an excellent recipe to teach your children that Jesus rose from the dead! I cut this recipe out of a Christian book club magazine years ago and love it. Sadly I can't eat the cookies because of a nut allergy but everyone else seems to like them!
Ingredients: 1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
a pinch salt
1 cup sugar
a zipper baggy
1 wooden spoon or rolling pin
scotch tape
Bible
Directions: Make these on the night before Easter!
Preheat oven to 300'.
Place pecans in zipper baggy and let children beat them with the wooden spoon or rolling pin. As children break pecans into small pieces, explain that after Jesus was arrested. He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read: John 19:1-3
Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink. Read: John 19:28-30
Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read: John 10:10&11
Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read: Luke 23:27
So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us tocknow and belong to Him. Read: Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed.
Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read: Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoon onto waxed paper covered cookie sheet.
Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read: Matthew 27:57-60
Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.
Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read: Matthew 27:65-66
GO TO BED! While you tuck your kiddos in, explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight just like Jesus' followers were sad when he died. Read: John 16:20&22
On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie (for breakfast! You'll be super mom for allowing a cookie for breakfast!). Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read: Matthew 28:1-9
Turn on praise music or sing a song of praise to Jesus.
Say a prayer with your kids thanking God for sending his Son to redeem the world!
This is a great marinade. You can even make it, pour it over steak, and freeze!
Ingredients:
1/4 c. low sodium soy sauce
2 T lemon juice (fresh is better!)
2 T white wine (or cooking wine)
2 T minced garlic
Coarsely ground pepper to taste
Mix all and pour over steak. Marinade at least 2 hours turning half way through.
To freeze, mix all, pour over steak in a ziploc bag and freeze. To cook, thaw steak overnight/all day in marinade. Grill or broil (roughly 8 minutes a side for medium-rare).
She's the gal who wanted a few tips on organizing her desk. Well, I took a whole day, shirked my educational responsibilities (**dreamy**) and made some suggestions.
A few days later I received an e-mail and photo of Deb's hard work!
With just a bit of tequila elbow grease Deb's desk went from this:
To this:
The only "out of pocket" expense were the shelves--baskets and bins were sitting around her house. Deb did mention that she eventually would like co-ordinating containers but is going to have to save up (couldn't we all spend hundreds on leather bins and fabric drawer!).
Way to go Deb! Thanks for sharing your success with us. If you want to read the full story, check it out here!
This is a great fancy treat. Serve it with harvest stuffing in the fall or asparagus and tomatoes in the summer!
Ingredients:
2-3 pound boneless pork loin roast
1/4 c honey
2 T mustard (I like spicy mustard but dijon or regular work great too!)
2T(more or less to taste) crushed black pepper corns (use MUCH LESS if you don't love pepper)
dash of salt
1/2 t thyme
1 T parsley
**sometimes I thinly slice garlic and then slip the slivers into tiny holes cut on the top of the roast--only do this if you are a garlic lover!**
Directions:
Preheat oven to 325
1. Lightly grease a roasting pan and put roast in it.
2. In small dish combine honey and all other ingredients. Mix well.
3. Brush roast with about half of the mixture.
4. Bake for 1 hour
5. Brush on remaining mixture
6. Bake another 30-45 minutes until meat is 160.
Number of Servings: 8
If freezing, make marinade and spread half over loin. Freeze in freezer bag. Put rest of marinade in small ziploc and freeze with loin. Thaw and bake as directed. Brush with remaining marinade as directed.
A few weeks ago at MOPs a group of little kindergardeners came in and performed for us their version of the ABCs. Rather than just doing the traditional song, the kids recited a verse for each letter they'd learned of the alphabet.
I was blown away. Here were little 5 year olds with more verses memorized than I know! Momentarily I was convinced I needed to send my children to the school that these kids went to. But then I remembered that educating my children in the way of the Lord is MY part of my commission.
So, I did some internet searching on ABC verses and found some of my favorites and here is a list I came up with.
M.E. and I both have A memorized!
A
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
B
Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
C
Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Matt.11:28
D
Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Ps:37:4
E
Encourage one another, while it is still Today. Heb. 3:13
F
"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
G
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1
H
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." Matt.24:35
I
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except thru Me." John 14:6
J
Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 13:8
K
"Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 1 Cor. 8:1
L
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." Deuteronomy 6:5
M
"Make music in your heart to the Lord...always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:19
N
"No eye has seen, nor ear heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him." 1 Cor 2:9
O
O, God, you are my God: early will I seek you, for my soul thirsts for you. --- Psalm 63:1
P
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27
Q
Quench not the spirit; … hold fast what is good. --- 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21
R
"Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him." Psalm 37:7
S
"Surely, I am with you always." Matthew 28:20
T
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight." Proverbs 3:5-6
U
Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it. Proverbs 16:22
V
Verily, verily, I say to you, He that believes in me has everlasting life. --- John 6:47
W
"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." Psalm 27:14
X
eXcept a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.John 3:3
Y
Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep. Psalm 36:5-6
Z
"....Zion, do not let your hands hang limp. The Lord, your God, is with you, he is mighty to save." Zephaniah 3:16, 17
Iknow that my children might not totally understand what they are memorizing (I feel this way about multiplication tables), but one day they will and these verses of hope, love, and encouragement will be burned on their hearts.
So I love, love to entertain. The themes, the grocery shopping, the evites ... it's all very exciting.
One thing I struggle with, however, is what to feed everyone. Remember how easy it used to be to throw a party when you were a teen? Pizza, popcorn, chips and pop. Wa-la!
It's not so easy anymore. Now you have to think about who's vegan or vegetarian, who's gluten-free, who's sugar free, who has a nut allergy, who is lactose intolerant, and who eats only kosher. I could go on and on. Really, I could.
It is no problem to address these food preferences one at a time but what do you do when you need to address them all at once?
Case in point: Pax's dedication on Feb. 14, 2010.
Dietary preferences to be considered:
kosher/all organic
gluten-free
vegetarian/vegan
lactose intolerant
nut allergies
What I generally like to do for big parties is have some sort of bar: taco bar, baked potato bar, pizza/pasta bar ... but I found those ideas didn't really work this time.
Instead, I had a soup bar! The premise--everyone fills their bowls with veggies, grains, and/or meats of their choice, pours a delicious vegan broth over it, and tops off the goodness with extra seasonings and cheeses.
The broth recipe easily feeds 15 but I wouldn't hesitate to double or triple it! On the other hand, if you want this just for a small family, I'd half the recipe.
Ingredients:
12 cups vegetable broth
6 cans (14.5 oz each) petite diced organic tomatoes (read the label to make sure they are gluten free)
3-4 t. chili powder
3-4 t. garlic powder (or 4-5 minced cloves)
3/4 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper
Directions:
Throw everything into a pot. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes or until the flavors start to blend.
Filler:
Now the fillers are the sides that people spoon into their bowls prior to putting the broth in.
Here are some fun sides (remember this is enough to feed 15+ people so make less or more as needed)
chopped broccoli/cauliflower
4-6 green, red, yellow, or orange peppers--seeded and chopped
thawed: corn, peas, carrots
10 oz sliced mushrooms
chopped onion (1 large)
chopped celery
sliced black olives
4 cooked, diced potatoes
4 servings (1 cup uncooked) brown rice, cooked
1 lb. whole grain pasta (I used mini-penne), cooked
2, 14 oz cans drained black beans
2-4 c. cooked, cubed chicken
1/2 lb, thinkly sliced ham
1 pepperoni stick, cubed
1 lb. browned Italian sausage
1 lb crumbled bacon
1 lb. browned hamburger
Toppings:
Once the broth is on, have these extra toppings out for guests to use at their discretion.
2 cups each shredded cheeses: parmesan, mozzarella, swiss, cheddar, pepper jack
Chives
Sour cream
Tabasco sauce
Oregano/parsley/basil
Salt and Pepper
Paprika
cumin
Set up:
Have a long counter set up in this order:
Bowls
fillings
broth
toppings
spoons/napkins/drinks
Serve with:
A large salad or raw veggies in dipping sauce. I also made a batch of rolls (but this didn't help the gluten-free friends much). Don't forget dessert (we went with brownies!)
How to make the soup:
One more time.
Get a bowl
Add fillers
Ladle on soup broth
Top with cheese and seasonings.
Sample Soup Combos:
Pizza soup:
onion, peppers, pepperoni, sausage, black olives, pasta and broth. Top with mozzarella cheese and oregano.
Vegetable soup:
Onion, celery, corn, peas, carrots, mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower, brown rice and broth. Top with parmesan.
Taco Soup:
Onion, ground beef, black beans, celery, and broth. Top with cumin and pepper jack cheese.
Overall, this recipe went off without a hitch. Guests raved. I loved how easy it was to put together (really, open a bag of frozen corn, put in a bowl. Done).
I'll be using this recipe again and again. I LOVE it!
A few years ago there was a corny little reality show that Matt and I got sucked into watching (and without a doubt, we would have won if we were on it!).
The show was Here Come the Newly Weds. Basically the premise is to put a bunch of newlyweds together in one house, have them do marriage challenges, and then vote on who gets to stay. It was pretty comical (especially since the real challenges come when you've been married for seven years and your son falls out of the crib at the same time your daughter pukes up corned beef and you've got to get up early in the morning for a meeting but you still pull together as a team to clean and love and comfort).
Anyhow, one of the couples were Cody and Dawn Freis, pictured below. They were lovingly nicknamed "Ken and Barbie" by their peers. Not hard to see why. Now they aren't exactly my type (I prefer dark hair, green eyes, and smiles that aren't quite so large and toothy) but I think we can, in general, agree that they are a pretty good lookin' pair. What this picture doesn't show is Dawn's "Barbie" body complete with long legs, thin waist, and big boobs. Why am I going on and on about the Freis couple? I have a point; I promise.
During one of the newlywed challenges, the brides had to find 5 things they would change about their appearance and they guys had to determine what their brides would choose (this is pretty dangerous territory). The other women were not quite as attractive as Dawn and quickly chose their 5 flaws. But so did Dawn. In fact, for someone who looked so perfect, Dawn had no problem pointing out her imperfections. The other women actually made comments that if Dawn had 5 flaws then they were really in trouble.
Don't we do this everyday?
I can think of five women off the top of my head who always look good and put together, whose kids always behave, who seem to be so happy with their marriages, are confident about themselves, and are in line for the Mother of the Year Award. Do you know these women too? The women you always compare yourselves to? The women who, despite never meaning to, reduce your self-esteem to mere rubble just by having their hair and make-up on by 9:00 am?
At times, I feel like I'm the only one who is insecure and trying to gloss over my inadequacies.
Then I saw this. My friend Molly, who has a black belt in keeping it real--really, she wore a green 1980s sequin prom dress with a white T-shirt and Argyle knee highs to work on St. Patrick's Day, showed me this video last Wednesday night during life group.
I'll admit that upon first seeing Katherine it's kinda hard to watch her. I mean, here's a former model who is basically my age with serious health issues--troubles walking, missing a part of her brain, vocal problems, paralyzed face ... it's pretty heartbreaking in a world where what's on the outside is what "really" matters (sad but true).
But then you hear her perspective, that she is nothing more than the physical manifestation of what I most people feel.
She can't walk but who can walk and feels totally free?
She feels ugly but who is "normal" and feels beautiful?
She can barely talk but who can talk and feels truly understood?
She can't eat but who eats and is ever fully satisfied?
WOW!
I needed this reminder that we all feel broken. Even those moms who unknowingly make me feel like mush struggle too.
So why is it that we can't be real?
Friday night my husband, Molly and I went to see the movie To Save a Life. The acting isn't great. The plot is predictable. But my husband called it one of the most introspective movies he's ever seen.
The movie is basically about teenagers dying, literally, to be heard. Everyone is acting in order to be accepted. I'd like to write this off as teenage drama but adults do this too. Everyday I want more, "need" more--I'm trying to impress so I'll feel accepted. I refuse to be weak before others for fear of the scorn, ridicule, or judgement. Even on this blog I'm dying to know that my thoughts resonate with someone else. I hope my followers increase. Do you do this? Are you still trying to impress the popular kids at school like I am (15 years later!)?
Remember the Velveteen Rabbit and how he learned that nice houses, a smokin' hot body, being a part of the "in-crowd," good paying jobs, designer jeans and Cadillac Escalades love makes him real? Do we lack love? Is that why we can't be real?
I'm afraid we will never know love, from others or God, until we open up and are broken and vulnerable. I believe we are meant to live in community but is it really community when we only celebrate together? Is there some unwritten rule that our community of friends can only be about good stuff? Did I miss the memo that we aren't supposed to let others see our weaknesses or know where we fall short?
When did it become okay to not be real?
The scorn of "realness" is why we amass houses that are too big, eat too much, wear too much make-up, make ourselves too busy, obsess with our weight/looks/hair/boob size/whether or not we were invited to the party... We are dying for someone to love us and say we are worthy and we will do anything to get it---even forgo our feelings. We will sacrifice ourselves on the alter of acceptance.
This is not okay.
And that's why I think we have to be real with each other. We must make it okay to be vulnerable and show our weaknesses because in doing so, we glorify God. The Bible says that in our weaknesses, He is strong. How can I show the world His strength if I won't show it my weaknesses? How do I encourage someone to put their trust in Him when I don't do it? How will I teach my children that God loves them as they are, for who they are if I don't believe it about myself?
There is something powerful about being real about who we are because if I'm so together that I don't need God or relationships with others than what's the point?!
If you are reading this blog thinking I'm the paragon of the perfect wife, woman, and mother, I hate to disappoint you. If you were to come to my house you would see everything in order because I'm nuts. My kids would be obedient. My husband loving and doting. But if you looked closer, you might see that the laundry is not done (which is why that door is closed), that the carpet is filled with dog hair (despite vacuuming several times a week), and the kitchen table needs wiped down (which I've given up on until Pax is 2). If you talked to me you'd know that I'm struggling with some relationships (in-laws--are we legally bound to these people :o) ?), that I've always battled with my looks (if only I had platinum blond hair and no muffin top!), and I have troubles controlling my mouth when I'm angry. I'm not perfect. There are places in my heart and life that I have a hard time surrendering. I am broken. But He is faithful to meet me where I fall short.
You know what's amazing about Katherine's story and the end of To Save a Life and even The Velveteen Rabbit? It's restoration! At the end these people open up, become vulnerable, and break down. Their ugly comes through and ironically, that is what makes them beautiful. That's what makes them inspirational and loved. They lay it all on the table and say "I hope you still love me" and we do. We love them MORE!
*Plot Spoiler* At the end To Save a Life the lead character is with his father. They've had a bad relationship but they are spending time together--putting it back together. The boy is being redeemed to his father. And that's what will happen if we can be real. If I can be real to you, if you can look past my crazies and my faults, if I can just BE, I will be redeemed to my Father.
And that's what I think keepin' it real is all about!
You start to clean out your make-up drawer and after emptying the drawer of its contents you find a paper clip. So you leave the bathroom and go to your desk and put the paperclip in the paperclip cup. Under the paperclip cup you find a reminder to call a friend. So you go get the phone and call your friend. While you are talking on the phone you pull out your magazines so you can sort and organize them and find a dust bunny (or in my case, a dust sasquatch). So you get the broom and start to sweep. As you sweep under your couch and out comes a nail file. You put the broom to the side and walk into the bathroom to put the nail file back into your make-up drawer and on your way you end the phone conversation and hang up the phone. When you walk into the bathroom, make up junk is all over the counter. When you survey the rest of your house you find magazines strewn about the couch and a pile of dirt and hair in the middle of the floor. All this mess because you wanted to find a better spot for your deodorant? Are you kidding me?
This is the adult version of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie except it happens all to often and isn't quite so cute.
If this happens to you, let me offer you a suggestion. Get an OTHER ROOM or box.
This can be a fancy fabric number or an old shoe box or plastic shopping sack. You choose. But next time you organize something (and remember to organize in small chunks never getting out more in one hour than you can put back in that hour) keep this bag/box by your side. Whenever you come across something that doesn't belong in the room you're in, put it in the bag/box and later when you have completed your task, you can put the the stuff back in the room where it belongs.
WARNING
When you clean out the bag, just put the items in the place where they go. Don't overwhelm yourself organizing that space too. If the desk is a mess, put the clip in its spot and move on. Vow to come back to the desk when you have the time and energy to devote to it.
Why is it Tuesday's TOO clean tip?
A lovely follower contacted me to let me know that I was using the wrong TO in Tuesday's Too Clean Tip title. The follower suggested I needed to use "TO" and is a TO DO list. This is true. However, I call this a "TOO CLEAN" tip because it is a "TO DO" but generally these are extra or excessive ideas from a crazy cleaner. Thus, my play on words. TOO is correct, just not grammatically :)
In this family night (or day) adventure, we are going to explain how the Bible can help us make decisions about life!
Focus Scripture:
Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
What to Do:
FOOD
First, I suggest making a fun meal as a family. Generally I like to make themed meals. Since this theme is about the Word, let me suggest Alphabet Food Night!
During alphabet food night, make as many foods as you can using letters of the alphabet.
My suggestion: Alphabet soup with apples and peanut butter, raw veggies and dip, and bread. For dessert make a healthier banana split sundae
Apple slices
Celery Sticks
Carrot sticks
Green Pepper slices
French Break
Peanut Butter
Ranch dressing
Soup (Alphabet soup, no less)
For Dessert: Bananas, Strawberries, Yogurt, granola, pineapple chunks, cherries, chocolate sauce, and whipped cream!
Another option would be to pick one letter—say S—and make a meal of only things that start with that letter:
Spaghetti with squash and salad with strawberries for dessert.
Be creative and let your children help out in coming up with the menu. And let your children help prepare the meal (even little ones will love putting forks on the table or washing produce) and clean up afterwards.
FUN
The main activity for the night is an obstacle course.
Prior to starting family night, find a room and set up an obstacle course using ropes, blankets, furniture, boxes, pillows, etc. Some ideas are to hop from one pillow to another, go through a blanket tunnel, crawl over a chair, etc. Make the course appropriate for the age-level.
To do the obstacle course:
Show your children the course with the lights on.
Have your children go through the obstacle course IN THE DARK. Time them.
Now give your children a flashlight and have them go through the course with the light on. Time them again.
Discuss which was easier and why.
Explain that God’s Word, the Bible, is like a flashlight because it guides us as we go. It gives advice, helps us know what to prepare for, encourages us, and helps us not to be afraid.
If your children want to, have them go through the course again just for fun.
Other Activities:
There are lots of other fun “word” activities you can do, especially with older children.
Play Scrabble
Do Mad Libs
Go on an alphabet scavenger hunt (find one object for each letter of the alphabet).
THE END
Memorize the family night verse.
Pray together as a family.
About family night:
In my home, family night is an intentional time of fun and togetherness dedicated to learning about Jesus. Not your style? You can omit the Bible verses and discussions and enjoy the food and activities.
lasagna (use recipe on back of American Beauty lasagna noodle box)
*From Don't Panic Dinner's in the Freezer and More Don't Panic Dinner's in the Freezer
+From Our Best Bites (use magnifying glass to search for freezer meals or search by meal name, such as "spicy honey chicken."
~Recipe on this blog
Grocery List:
MEAT
DAIRY
CANNED
BOXED
LIQUID/JAR
Grnd beef—8#
Roast—2
Flnk stk—8
Pork chops-6
Pork loin—2
Chix brsts--52
It. Sausage—4#
Chik thgs—2 pkgs
3 boxes unsalted butter
½ gallon whole milk
6 oz provolone
32 oz parm
2 bags cheddar cheese shredded
4 bags shred mozza cheese
chive/onion cream cheese (8oz)—4
2-15oz ricotta cheese
4 c. small curd cottage cheese
1 doz eggs
16 oz sour cream
Cream of mush soup—2
3—green chilis
2 large cans red enchilada sauce
2—kidney beans
2—pinto beans
6-14 oz diced tomatoes
3—15 oz tomato sauce
2—8oz tomato paste
1# whole berry cranberry sauce
2—16 oz pineapple slices
2—15 oz mandarin oranges
chicken broth (8 cups)
2 cans beef broth
Manicotti noodles—2
Bread crumbs
2-boxes onion soup mix
3# penne
Am beauty no-cook lasagna noodles--4
3 bags tortillas
Sundried tomatoes
Cider vinegar
Pasta sauce—4 large
2 low sodium soy sauce
white cooking wine
marsala wine
Lime juice
Italian dressing
Catalina Dressing (8oz)
honey
sherry
FRESH
3 heads garlic
2 containers sliced mushrooms
1 bag yellow onion
cilantro
fresh ground ginger
FROZEN
4-10 oz froz spinach
6 oz froz OJ
STORAGE
Saran wrap
Aluminum foil
40 quart zip bags
30 8x8 foil pans
gallon freezer bags
SPICES
6pkg taco seasoning
kosher salt
paprika
oregano
ground ginger
Please note that these groceries reflect enough feed to make meals for 2 families with 2 adults. You might need more depending on your family size. Also, the list is not totally inclusive since I did not include items already in my pantry (like olive oil or flour)
