Scrapbooking- 12 Year Anniversary

This is How Much I Love You

12 Years of marriage. It keeps getting sweeter...

Journaling: 

12 reasons why I love you more after 12 years:

1.  You still hug me every chance you get.

2. You still kiss me every chance you get.

3. You make me draw closer to God.

4.  I love to pray with you

5. You play with our children

6. You always listen to me

7. Your wink...

8. We can complete each others sentences

9. I love to sing with you

10. You try to make me laugh all the time

11. Your smile makes my knees weak

12. You’re my best friend

Digital kit used: "you make me smile" be elle designs

Scrapbooking- 30 Days of Thanksgiving

I really like doing a post per day on Facebook during the month of November detailing what I'm thankful for. So, when I saw this picture on pinterest: 

It gave me the idea to make one from my Facebook posts this year. So, here's my take on it....

Journaling:

Day 1: I am thankful for my eyes

Day 2: I'm thankful that during this crazy life we live right now I was able to take off for a short ladies' retreat with my favorite ladies from Cherry Street!

Day 3: I'm thankful for Gabe and Amy Metzger Fry : for the fun time we had last night together, and their willingness to take us to and from the airport this week! Love you guys!

Day 4: I am thankful for my God, who loves me when I don't deserve it (which is always), and gave Himself for me so that I will be with Him forever! 

Day 5: I am thankful for my daddy and mommy who were and are great examples to me of what a loving marriage, and Godly parents should be. I love you both! 

Day 6: I'm thankful I have the freedom to worship God and read His Word openly!

Day 7: I'm thankful for fellow missionaries! We had a great time encouraging each other this week during the communication workshop! And pretty much every other time we are with other missionaries it's a huge blessing also! I thank God for you all!

Day 8: I thank God for our supporters. God has blessed us with wonderful churches and individuals who are uplifting us in prayer, and I am so very thankful for all you do for us! We couldn't make it without you!

Day 9: I am thankful I am back home with kiddos. I missed them so very much!

Day 10: Today I'm thankful for my sweet oldest child, Natalie Anne! She is one of Gods huge blessings in my life and I'm so thankful for her intelligent, sweet, caring, funny little self. Nat, you brighten my days with your smiles, ideas and hugs!

Day 11: today I'm thankful for my bubby, Lucas. He lights up my life with his smiles, goofy laughter, funny sense of humor, his witty mind, and his sweet (when he wants to be!) heart. I love you, Lucas!

Day 12: today I'm thankful for my sweet Alenna Rachelle who turns 5 today! Happy birthday, sweetheart! You are such a blessing from God. I love your beautiful smile, your hugs, kisses, sweet singing, beautiful art work, and helping hands.

Day 13: today I'm thankful for my brothers and sisters! I love you all! 

Day 14: I saved being thankful for my hubby until his birthday! So, happy birthday, Ben! I'm so thankful to God for you! You're the second biggest blessing besides salvation. I love you! 

Day 15: today I'm thankful for a warm house. It's chilly out there! And I will definitely miss the central heat and air when we go to Argentina!

Day 16: I'm thankful for our mini home away from home- our van! It has been faithfully getting us from point A to points B, C, D and even all the way to X. I hope it continues through deputation!

Day 17 of thankfulness: I'm thankful for my brother and sister in laws! Especially for Katie Metzger and Horacio Brancatelli who have birthdays this month!

Day 18: today (as we travel once again) I am thankful for the small variety we have in fast food while on the road (believe me, it's a big deal). We ate hamburgers, chicken, soup and today tacos all from fast food this weekend. It's the small things, folks!

Day 19: Today I'm thankful for friends! We get to hang out with some this evening, and more later with week! Our friends are blessing no matter where we/they are!

Day 20: Today I'm thankful for our sending church! We get to go there on Wednesdays for the next month, and it's wonderful to take a "break" and be with people we've known for years. Sometimes we need that little break.

Day 21:Today i'm thankful for Thanksgiving Day which gives me the excuse to buy yummy food to make a yummy meal! I know, it's all about my stomach today!

Day 22: I'm thankful for my nieces and nephews. I have three of each (boys: Hunter, caiden, Maddox. Girls: Rosalia, Mikaela, Eliana!), which is cool! today is the birthday of my niece, Mikaela, in Argentina! Happy birthday, Mika! And I hope to have many more nieces and nephews in the future!

Day 23: I'm thankful for being able to laugh. We had a great time enjoying laughter on Saturday night and the Tim Hawkins show.

Day 24: I'm thankful we could be at our home church on Sunday morning with our church family. We miss them when we are gone!

Day 25: I'm thankful for my iPad that I won in a contest. It is a huge multi-tasker me and helps me with thank you notes, setting up times to stay and missions houses, entering email addresses, skyping with my family in Argentina, etc.

Day 26: I'm also thankful for my kindle app on my iPad. It saves me space with all my books and I LOVE to read, so it's awesome to have! Thank you, God, for technology 

Day 27: I'm thankful for being able to homeschool my kiddos. Some days it's pretty rough, but there's nothing like seeing your kids' eyes wide with wonder when they learn how to read, count to 100, or add, subtract, multiply, etc. and I know I helped them learn that! Whoo hoo! My just-turned-5-year-old is reading! 

Day 29: I'm thankful for games. I love playing them with family and friends and we had so much fun playing games this week! 

Day 30: I am thankful for our marriage. Today (dec 1st) is our 12 anniversary (of our first wedding, lol!) and I'm so grateful to be married to the love of my life!

Digital kit used: "thanks for giving" by Summer Driggs

Scrapbooking- Friends and Family- The Workmans!

We always have a blast when we go to the Workmans. Here's some photos from our time there in August of this year.

Journaling:

The Workman family has always been special friends to my family. They were adoptive grandparents and uncle (Doug) and aunt (Beth) since I was little, so I’m so happy that they are that to my kids now that I have a family of my own! We are friends by birth, but family by spiritual birth! We always have fun playing games (Monopoly deal and D-scribe) when we are there! 

Digital kit used: http://www.shabbyprincess.com/index.php/happy-go-lucky/

Scrapbooking- Dream...

Dream

Journaling:

While you sleep.... Before I sleep.... I come in your room to re-tuck you in..... kiss you once more....and pray for you... to dream big dreams... love God will all your heart.. and become who He wants....

Digital kit: "twinkle" by JBillingsley

Template: by Scrapping with Liz @ www.scraporchard.com

Scrapbooking- Thanksgiving- 2013- "Thankful For"

Thankful For...

This year, on the day before Thanksgiving we walked through the "Festival of Lights" with the kiddos, then came back to drink hot chocolate. Over our hot chocolate we listed things we were thankful for with categories like "something beautiful we're thankful for", "something that happened this year that we're thankful for", "something silly we're thankful for", and more. It was so much fun. Of course, I couldn't remember most of it, so I only was able to list a few of the things. 

Journaling:

Thankful around

the table:

Ben: our reliable van

Rachelle

seeing family this year

Rachelle: Ipad for reading

white, puffy clouds

My hubby

Natalie: God

Grandma and Grandpa

books

Lucas: Sandy

saved and baptized

Captain Underpants book

flowers

Alenna: going to the fair

Rainbows

jokes

Digital kit: "capturing fall" collab by the Lilypad

Template: "Tuesday Template 4" by mturnidge

You + Me = Hospitality

Picture with me: you have been invited over to someone's house that you don't really know. When you arrive, your hostess is dressed up, her house is perfectly decorated, the table is set with fine china and table decor, and she puts out a spread fit for a king. However, she's too busy making the meal to talk much, and she's too worried about the table and food looking perfect to sit still for long and talk with you over the food. Uncomfortable,  right? But somehow, in this day and age, that's what we expect from ourselves if we are going to be hospitable. I want to challenge that view. 

Picture with me a group of mugs. They are very different. We have your basic styrofoam, a couple ceramic ones, and even some beautiful fine china. If you were going to pick your favorite to drink a delicious cup of coffee, hot chocolate, or tea, you'd probably pick one that is beautiful on the outside.  But we need to realize that what's on the outside doesn't matter. What matters is that they all serve the same purpose. They hold the delicious drinks that we want to drink. In the same way, what's inside hospitality is what really matters, not necessarily the way it's presented.

Instead of throwing out hospitality all together, as many do, because it's too Complicated and hard, we need to consider some possibilities about hospitality that will show us that we can all be hospitable.

1. The first possibility is that hospitality can be simple!

When you go over to your best friend's house, does it matter whether she fixed herself and her house up before you arrived? No! Because the reason why you are going over there is to talk and have a meaningful conversation. 

 You don't have to prepare an elaborate dinner, fix up the whole house, or be perfect. The acronym KISS that means Keep It Simple, Stupid can apply here! 

Have a new church member over for coffee,

Invite your neighbor to go on a walk with you,

or have a family that you don't know very well over for dessert and games! 

You probably will have more fun than if you worried and slaved over a clean house, and an elaborate meal. 

2. The second possibility is that hospitality can be inexpensive!

Sometimes people don't have others over because they think they can't afford it. I'm here to tell you that you can! Pizza, coffee, and dessert are cheap options. When my husband was in college and we had no money to spare we had many game nights with others, and sometimes people would bring snacks and we'd all share. These times were cheap, but extremely fun and refreshing! We didn't have to spend $100 on food and decorations, but we made many friends this way. 

We also didn't have extra rooms in our home, but we did have a sofa couch in the living room, and anytime someone needed a place to stay they knew it was available.Was it expensive? No! But it helped those in need and was a comfortable, clean, warm place to stay. 

3. The third possibility is that hospitality can be meaningful!

Actually this point isn't just a possibility but should be the goal of hospitality! Throw out what the world calls hospitality (which is really just entertaining people) and seek to find times where you can have meaningful, friendship-building experiences with others.

We see this in the Bible with Jesus, Martha, and Mary in Luke 10:38-42,

  "As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

Martha was behaving like the harried woman, whose house we attended earlier. She wanted to do what was right but she missed the whole point! 

Mary saw what was important about being with Jesus. It was developing a relationship.maybe you DO love to go all out when having people over. Just don't let it be a substitute for the real purpose of hospitality, which is to be a blessing to others. 

Open your home and your heart to others, and like Hebrew 13:2 states, "some have entertained angels unawares." might end up applying to you! Isn't that a neat thought?

So, think of hospitality like the cups. Whether they are simple, inexpensive, or even more costly and elaborate, what matters is what it contains. Your hospitality should be full of love, meaningful conversations, and blessings no matter what "cup" it's housed in. That's what you want your hospitality to be all about. I challenge you to try it!

Harmonizing Lives

We all know that one person: She can't get along with anyone. 

If she doesn't like something you said she blasts you for it. 

If you are going through something hard, she blows it off.

If you are happy about something, she has something better. 

She's hard to get along with, and we all begin to avoid her. We definitely don't want to BE her! So, what happens when you meet someone like that, or find you are becoming that person?

We are going to look at Romans 12:14-16 to see what we can do when this happens. 

These verses teach us that we can live in harmony with others by following 3 wise guidelines.

 The first guideline is:     

1. We should Bless others. 

We find it in verse 14, which says, "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them." There's a couple of things I'd like to point out about this: 

• Blessing is easy when others bless us. It's natural to want to do and say good to those who do and say good things to us. 
• Blessing is hard when persecuted, but this verse is specifically talking about blessing those who persecute us! Perhaps the author was thinking of Stephen and Jesus Christ as examples for this. Even when they were being murdered, they forgave! Wow. It is hard to forgive small slights against us,  but murder?!? They gave the ultimate blessing. They forgave. 

So, not only should we bless others, but secondly, 

2. We should feel with others. Read verse 15 with me, "Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." This has two sides to it. We should...

• Rejoice with those who are celebrating
• This means we should Be truly happy , even if they have something you don't. Don't be jealous. Green doesn't look good on anyone! 
• Don't try to one-up them. Stop thinking for once about what good things you have done, or have happened to you (in essence, think of others instead of yourself) and truly listen and rejoice that they have good things happening to them!

A second way we can feel with others is to

• Empathize with those who are suffering. People have big hurts, and sometimes hurts that may seem trivial to us. Don't blow off others' hurts. I know someone who, every time someone tells  them about something they are going through says, "that's ok," and starts telling their own story. This not only dismisses the problem, but dismisses the person, and makes the hurt grow bigger. Don't do that. Instead,  Put your arm around them, cry with them, and pray for and with them! 

1 Corinthians 12:26 emphasizes both of these things when it states, "If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together." There is such a wonderful feeling of knowing that I can have friends who will be there for me in my happy and sad times, just like I can be there for them! Isn't that great?

Last, we see that when we bless and feel with others, it will help us reach the third guideline which is to:

3. Be like minded with others. 

Verse 16 states, "Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight."

When we live in harmony with others we won't be haughty, which means we won't be lofty or proud.  And we will associate with the lowly. Have you ever been haughty and ignored someone who maybe didn't seem worth your time? Maybe it was the quiet, shy woman sitting by herself in the corner, or the girl who just came in with stringy hair, smelling like she needs a bath.  I know I have, and it shames me to think of it, because we are all equal In God's eyes, and we are not more important than anyone else. 

 Verse 16 also says," never be wise in your own sight ". This means we shouldn't be conceited, or have a too-high opinion of ourselves and all we know. Value others and their opinions. Don't always think of ways you can seem better or you can win an argument. Nobody wins when you do, and it just hurts relationships. Ask God to help you be humble when you find your actions and thoughts are becoming proud and conceited." 

Now, go back with me to that woman I mentioned in the beginning; the one no one wants to hang around. If you find yourself encountering someone like her or becoming her yourself in any way, just remind yourself of these three things. Ask God to help you bless others. Feel with them, and be like-minded with them. This will change you so that you can live in harmony with others. 

Scrapbooking- deputation- Blizzard Nemo

What an adventure it can be to live the nomad life and be in places you never expected to be , experiencing things you've never experienced! This past February was one of those times when we were in Boston during Blizzard Nemo!

Journaling:
 February found us traveling to
the NorthEast. We were nuts, and we knew it, but many churches said, come on up! So, when Blizzard Nemo was predicted, we hunkered down in a hotel for a couple of days and watched the skies dump over 24 inches of snow on us! After it quit Ben had to shovel out the van (snowdrifts 6ft. high and wide), and the children had to play in the snow even though it was freezing and windy. Nat even lost a boot in a snowdrift! A fun, but cold experience

Digital materials used:
Kit: "birds in snow" by Marisa Lerin at Pixel Scrapper
Template: from Sahlin studio

Should Christian Parents Require Obedience?

I just read an article here on the Desiring God website. It suggests something that I know with all my heart, but that is very hard to implement fully. The suggestion/request is this: that Christian parents should require obedience from their children. It's amazing how something so simple can be something extremely hard to follow through with. Please read the article on the website, which gives the great reasons why we SHOULD require obedience from our children.
It is something we always strive for... even though unperfectly... and especially unperfectly while we are on the road, in many churches and homes. Please pray that we will be consistent!

And, any comments on your opinion about the article?

Scrapbooking- Deputation- New York States Museum!

I usually make one scrapbook page for each city or state we're in, but since I wanted to make my last page of just the fun in the park I also made this scrapbook page for our time at the New York State Museum. Both were visited on the same day, so we had double the fun that day!

Upper journaling:
We didn’t know what to expect at the New York State Museum, but it was a wonderful surprise! The first surprise of all was the tribute to the World Trade Center. Ben and I were spechless, and tears came to our eyes as we explained to our children what happend that day. Then, we went on to the lighter things like Sesame Street, a replica of the Empire States Building, and a carousel on the top floor!

Lower journaling:
The story of a deer, a penny, and a pineapple: The deer in the middle square was in the “New York animals” section of the museum. It had a small pond around it, which was full of coins. I gave the girls, who were with me, a penny. Natalie wished that Lucas and Alenna would be saved, and Alenna wished for... a pineapple?!?!? That still cracks us up.

Digital kit used:
"Little Moments 2" by Melissa Bennett at www.sweetshoppedesigns.com

FYI- Scrapbooking- digital kits and templates

I am trying to make this digital scrapbooking a cheap thing, so I've downloaded most of my kits and digital items from freebie kits and freebie downloads. In the beginning I wasn't very organized, and separated the kits up into folders on my computer by papers (backgrounds) and accents (accents divided into "like" groups). Then I realized that it was taking me a LONG time to wade through each folder to find what I wanted for my pages, so I started saving any new kits as a kit.
The reason why I'm saying all this is: I'm going to be posting on each scrapbook page post where I found the kit that I used, and sometimes the template also. However, some of them I cannot remember where I got them since I, unfortunately, didn't keep the information on that in the beginning (I know! HUGE NO NO!) Since I am not doing this blog for any personal gain hopefully it will be ok that I don't have the "credits" for everything I use. But, what I do post "credits" for, other digital scrapbookers can hopefully find them, download them, and use them also!

scrapbooking- Deputation- Washington Park (Albany, NY)

Last August found us in Albany, NY before a church appointment. We didn't want to stay all day at our hotel so we searched for "cheap or free things to do in Albany, NY". One of those things was Washington Park. It was a huge park with a fun playground, and we truly enjoyed just hanging out with each other for a few hours. We also caught a dress rehearsal for "Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat" at an outdoor theater there at the park! How fun!

Journaling:

There are some moments that I like to capture because they are sweet and perfect. This time at the park was one of those. So much fun! 

Digital kit used:

"Spring Freebie Collection" by JustJaimee at www.justjaimee.com 

Scrapbooking- Deputation- Southside Baptist Church, Dover, DE

Journaling:

We were blessed to be a part of Southside Baptist Church’s missions conference.. We met so many new friends, and were blown away by their love for missions and giving heart.  Ben and Pastor Kondracki hit it off, and had a lot of fun together. We stayed with our first “host family”- the Diego’s, and they became fast, life-long friends.

Digital kit used:
"streets of my hometown" collaboration between "Flergs", "Pink Reptile", and "The Hidden Heart" at http://theheartisticproject.com/blog/the-fist-free-collab/

Argentine Empanadas- meat filling (ground beef- "picadollo")

I recently posted a recipe for the empanada shells, but what are empanadas without a filling?!? I was waiting on the recipe from my Mom, in Argentina, since my cookbooks are packed away in storage and we are on the road, traveling. As a result, I have not been able to make empanadas in a while. The last time I did, I made it from "memory" or "taste", so I wanted a recipe to give to you... Here goes! 

Meat Filling

 

1 pound of ground beef

3 medium to large-sized onions chopped  (there is usually an equal ratio of meat poundage to onions!)

1/4 c. Chopped red pepper (optional)

1 beef bullion cube

1-2 tsp. paprika

1-2 tsp. oregano

1/2 tsp. cumin

2 T. flour 

1/2 c. chopped  green olives 

2 chopped, hard-boiled eggs

Directions:

sauté onions with chopped red peppers. Add beef and brown it. Add seasonings and flour. When taste is to your liking, add olives and boiled eggs.

Directions for making empanadas: 

Fill a small cup or bowl with warm water. Lay out empanada shells on counter/table. Fill shells with a couple of spoonfuls (depending on how large the shells are) of meat filling. Dip finger in water and run around edge of a shell. Fold shell in half, and either press and seal with fork tines (easiest way), or do a fold and press method as in the top picture. 

Bake: place on cookie sheets an inch apart. Break and egg in a bowl and mix. Brush on empanadas when they are ready to go in the oven. Bake in 375* oven until golden brown (about 20-25 minutes). Let cool for 5 minutes, and enjoy! 

Photos used from: 

Www.foodfreak.net

Www.buckelistjourney.net

Www.buenostours.com

Scrapbooking- Seeing Mike!!!!!

I was so excited to see my brother, Mike after 4 years! So, here's my scrapbook page about it....

Journaling:

Oh, how I had missed my brother, Mike! It had been four years since I had seen him when we visited Argentina. So, when I heard he was coming to the U.S. to work for a few months I couldn’t wait to see him. Since we were on deputation, we traveled close to where he was  staying on two different occasions! Yay!

We had a lot of fun together, and the kids claimed “Uncle Mike” as one of their regular tickle/wrestle buddies. We went a few fun places in Charlotte, NC with Mike when we visited, like a special learning library and a Discovery Center. We also hung out at Aunt Robin’s house and ate and played games. I thoroughly enjoyed catching up with Mike and having a few good chats. I’m so glad it worked out to see him again, and on more than one occasion!

Digital kit used:

"more or less" collaboration for INSD (International Scrapbooking Day). It was a freebie kit in a blog hop (you get multiple mini kits from each blog to form one large kit) on that day. You can google it, but I'm not sure it is still available.

Digital Template: found at http://meaganscreations.com

Argentine Empanadas- making the shells

Empanadas

Empanadas are a traditional small pie (usually filled with meat) found in many latin- American countries. I will be posting recipies for ones traditionally from Argentina. Here is the recipe I use (from: http://laylita.com/recipes/2008/02/06/how-to-make-empanada-dough/) to make my shells for the empanadas. The basic filling, which doesn't need a recipe is ham and cheese (mozarella cheese). The meat and chicken filling will be in later recipies I post.

How to Make Empanada Shells

Making empanada dough is not as hard as it sounds, especially if you have a food processor, and even if you don’t it is still pretty easy because the dough should not be overworked and requires minimal kneading. Also, these days it is very easy to find the empanada discs already made (frozen) in Latin grocery store, and even though I was skeptical at first they are actually quite good, but it also always fun to have them homemade and you can also customize the dough by adding spices, herbs, etc that will complement or contrast with the fillings.

Ingredients for 15 medium size or 25 small empanada discs:

3 cups all purpose flour

¼ teaspoon salt

6 oz unsalted butter (1 ½ sticks), cold and cut into 12 pieces

1 egg

4-5 tbs water

Preparation:

1. Mix the flour and salt in a food processor.
2. Add the butter, egg and water until a clumpy dough forms.
3. Form a ball and chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
4. Roll out the dough into a thin sheet and cut out round disc shapes for empanadas (use round molds or a small plate).
5. Use immediately or store in the refrigerator or freezer to use later.  
    

Scrapbooking- Lucas' 7th Birthday!

July 3rd, 2013- Hoppy Birthday, Lucas!

I know the logical thing is to scrapbook life in order, but I'm not logical, so I scrapbook in a very random way. Sometimes I scrapbook photos that I love, sometimes stories that I can't wait to get into a layout, sometimes I do a page for one of my kids that wants a new page done about them, and- yes- sometimes I actually go chronologically! So, I felt like doing Lucas' most recent Birthday photos taken last month. Here they are!

Digital Kit used: 

"hoppy birthday" by www.the-lilypad.com

Digital Template:

by http://elle-designs.weebly.com/

On the road visiting.... FRIENDS!

I scrapbooked again after weeks of being to busy/not into it. So, I went back to October of last year and did a photo of when we visited our dear friend, Susan Self! We had a blast with her! 

Journaling: 

One huge blessing of deputation has been to see family and friends that we normally don't see.

We were in Florida, and going to be close to where Sus lives so we couldn't pass without seeing her! We spent a couple of nights at her duplex and it was a blast!

Ben and I hadn't seen Sus since our wedding in 2001. It was great catching up with her. 

We also had fun at the beach, visiting her church, and eating out.

In January we ate at an Argentine restaurant on our way back through.

Alphabet verses

A friend of mine had alphabet verses (one verse beginning with each letter of the alphabet) for homeschool and I thought it was a great idea! (Thank you, Lara Harrison!) 

We really want to do better about memorizing verses with our children since we are on the road now and as a result they are not involved in Awana.

So, I went online and found these cute verses already made up on this website: http://chasingsupermom.com

Directions: 

1. Print

2. Cut out flashcards 

3. Cut out cardstock in coordinating colors

4. Glue verses to cardstock and organize alphabetically 

5. Punch a hole in the upper left hand corner

6. Add a ring and you are set! We will be memorizing one a week.

 

Prayer journal

I have been wanting a prayer journal lately so I can dig deeper into my prayer life, but wanted it customized with categories. So, in order to do this I picked out a small notebook (to fit in my bag when we travel).

 I found some category page headings online on this site: http://dailydwelling.com/personalized-prayer-journal and I shrunk them to fit the size of my pages. They are great because they include a variety of things to pray for under some of the headings. The intent is to pray for one specific thing of the numbered items each day besides your regular written out requests.

Then I cut them out, and glued them in at various intervals throughout the notebook. 

and punched out some circles out of matching card stock to make the category tabs. 

So, now I can fill each category with specific requests and answers! 

Jesus Friend of Sinners

There's a song that has really spoken to me lately about truly being used by God to reach others for him. I think Christians are many times known for their judgement, hate and pride instead of their purity, love, and humility. I encourage you to read and think about the words to this song and ask God if there needs to be a change in your life towards "sinners". Remember, that's exactly what we are, we're just blessed to be saved by Grace!

Jesus Friend of Sinners

Jesus, friend of sinners, we have strayed so far away

We cut down people in your name but the sword was never ours to swing

Jesus, friend of sinners, the truth's become so hard to see

The world is on their way to You but they're tripping over me

Always looking around but never looking up I'm so double minded

A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners

Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers

Let our hearts be led by mercy

Help us reach with open hearts and open doors

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours

Jesus, friend of sinners, the one who's writing in the sand

Made the righteous turn away and the stones fall from their hands

Help us to remember we are all the least of these

Let the memory of Your mercy bring Your people to their knees

Nobody knows what we're for only what we're against when we judge the wounded

What if we put down our signs crossed over the lines and loved like You did

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners

Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers

Let our hearts be led by mercy

Help us reach with open hearts and open doors

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours

You love every lost cause; you reach for the outcast

For the leper and the lame; they're the reason that You came

Lord I was that lost cause and I was the outcast

But you died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet

By Casting Crowns

Recipe: Ensalada Rusa ("Russian Salad") from Argentina

Ensalada Rusa

I mentioned in my Milanesa post that they go well with Ensalada Rusa. This is a potato salad- type salad. It is super easy to make, so here is the basic recipe.




Ingredients:

3 lbs russet potatoes (about 4 large potatoes), peeled, boiled and diced
1 lb carrots (about 6-7 medium size carrots), peeled, boiled and diced
8 oz peas (about 1 cup), boiled for less than 3 minutes
1 cup mayonnaise
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Combine all ingredients and stir lightly. Cover and refrigerate. Serve cold. 

Family- the cutest kids ever!

Sometimes I'm just overwhelmed by God's blessings. That seems to happen a lot since I have three wonderful blessings called "Natalie", "Lucas", and "Alenna". Every day I'm reminded of how wonderful, quirky, funny, silly, and smart they really are. And yes. I am completely blessed to be the Mommy of these three beautiful children. Thank you, God!

Scrapbooking- Deputation- First Coast Baptist- Our First Missions Conference!- October 2012

We were so blessed to be in a wonderful church for our first missions conference last October! Here are some highlights from that wonderful week!

Journaling:
We were so spoiled at our first missions conference! Not only were the people of the church very loving and friendly, but they were also extremely generous and thoughtful!

Recipe: Argentina Milanesas

I've had a request to post some Argentine recipes, so Milanesas is the first item I will post since it is the easiest to make. I'm using photos and parts of the recipe from www.fromargentinawithlove.
com because I love this website, and it has helped me remember a few of the recipes I love but did not have on hand.

Milanesa

Milanesa is typically served with a side of french fries and a wedge of lemon, as pictured.

1 lb. thin cut steak (about 1/3 in.)

2 eggs

1 clove of garlic

1 cup breadcrumbs

1 tablespoon dried italian seasoning

salt, to taste

pepper, to taste

oil for frying

Beat the eggs in a medium sized, shallow bowl (long enough to fit the milanesas to coat), beat in the garlic, salt and pepper.  Place the breadcrumbs in a shallow dish, add the italian seasoning.  Dip the meat, one at a time, into the egg mixture, and then place in the breadcrumbs.  Press gently on each side to ensure that the cutlets are evenly coated all over. This works best using your hands and patting the cutlet evenly.

Place the breaded cutlets on a plate and place in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight.  This will give the best flavor, but if you are hungry and rushed, they can be fried immediately. 

Heat a half-inch oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until very hot.  Place the cutlets in the oil, two at a time, and cook until browned on one side, 5 to 7 minutes.  Turn the cutlets and fry on the other side until browned, about 5 minutes.  Remove to a paper-towel lined plate and repeat.

Serve with french fries or Ensalada Rusa and a wedge of lemon. 

Possible condiments for dipping include:

mustard, mayonnaise, and a combination of catsup and mayonnaise named "salsa golf"

Enjoy!

http://fromargentinawithlove.com/2009/12/milanesawiener-schinitzel/

Scrapbook- Deputation- 2012- Happy Birthday to me!

I had the bestest Birthday last year- Spent on the beach! We were so blessed to be at Harbor Baptist Church in Ormond Beach, FL with Pastor and Mrs. Todd. They were so gracious and loving to us, and made us feel so welcome! Bonus: their church and missions apartment is only 1 mile from Ormond Beach! So, the Monday after we presented in their church we spent my birthday relaxing on the beach. Fun!

Journaling:

We were at Harbor Baptist Church for my birthday this year, and stayed in their misions apartment for the week. The neat thing was, the day before, Sunday we presented at the church. They not only took us on but had a cake and gift card for me! And the next day we were able to go to Ormond Beach, drive out on the beach, and spend the day in the sand and surf. It was the perfect Birthday!