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!

Scrapbook- Deputation- New Mexico the first time around- September 2012

Well, as of the date I'm writing this post we've been to New Mexico twice while on deputation so far. Here's my page for everything we did the first time around- so many cities, so much to do, and so little time!

Journaling:

1. Natalie and the Assistant Pastor’s daughters (Chloe and Kayley Snyder) at Vistapointe Church, Hobbs, NM- 9/16
2.Walnut Canyon Rd on the way to Carlsbad Caverns.- 9/17-18
3. Carlsbad Caverns!
4. Stalactites in Carlsbad Caverns
5. Our new Junior Park Ranger- the kids even got badges for filling out a book!
6.The McDaniels from Socorro Baptist Temple, Socorro, NM- 9/20
7-10. Sandia Peak and tram ride with the Jimenez family in ABQ, NM!- 9/21
11. Girl time with katie J.!- 9/29
12. Lucas and Isaiah- playing nicely for one of the first times in their lives!
13. The cutest kiddos ever scootering in Gallup, NM at Grace Navajo BC’s missions apartment.- 9/23-25
14. Natalie’s list of things to do... one of her infamous lists.- 9/25
15. Mesas in New Mexico. Beautiful!
16. The horse the kids befriended behind Good News BC, Dulce, NM.- 9/26
17. Lucas and Lucas at Centre Ave. Baptist Church, Artesia, NM- 9/30
18. More beautiful mesas in New Mexico!

Scrapbooking- Family- A is for Alenna!

It's always a proud moment when your child writes their name for the first time! And even more exciting if you're the one who taught them! That's just one reason why I love homeschooling- seeing that lightbulb go on in their minds when they learn something new. Here's my baby, Alenna, and her first time writing her name at just before 4 years old!

Journaling:


Here’s my proof of the first time Alenna
wrote her name all by herself!
She was so proud, and I was a very proud mama!
She’s getting so big!
Sniff! Sniff!

Scrapbooking- Family- Tribute to Grandma Hanna

I have been blessed to have all 4 of my grandparents still living, and up until a year after Natalie was born, my in-law grandparents we are living too! Just in the past 7 years have we lost two wonderful grandparents: Grandpa Metzger, and Grandma Hanna. I made a scrapbook page tribute to Grandpa Metzger when I was doing traditional scrapbooking. Here, however, is my tribute to Grandma Hanna. What a wonderful, sweet, lady! Heaven is enjoying her!

Journaling:

Top:

Memories of Grandma Hanna as told by her daughter, Rena: “ She played piano by ear, but couldn’t read music. When I began to take piano lessons, so did she!... She was quite the athlete- playing basketball, women’s boxing, and hitting homeruns in softball... We regularly saw her praying in the morning on her knees... When talking to her and Dad about problems she would listen and then stop and say, ‘Let’s pray right now about it.’...  I miss that more than anything... 

Bottom:

She stayed with me for 2-3 weeks after the birth of every child... even very ill, she had herself driven 2 days across country to see her 1st and 2nd great-grandchildren shortly after their birth... Never forgot a birthday or anniversary until the last 10 years of her life... She was the leftover queen! No waste ever.... Mom wanted us to love Christ as she did. We always had  Bible studies and/or Bible clubs in our home... mom led by example in every single area of her life- a transparent, genuine follower of Jesus Christ.”

Scrapbooking- Deputation- Palo Duro Canyon

God's nature is so beautiful, and we get to see so much of the United States' nature while on deputation! Palo Duro Canyon was another breathtaking example of His creation.

Journaling:

While on our way to New Mexico we were told by Pastor Bone that Palo Duro Canyon, just south of Amarilo, TX, was a must see. So, we followed the road signs, and the canyon 

suddenly appeared in the Texas prairie. It was a beautiful site, and we were in awe. We came to find out that this canyon is the 2nd largest in the United States (after the Grand Canyon of course) and we hadn’t even heard of it before! The neat thing about it is that you drive down in it and can hike around also. It was definitely worth the visit!

September 15, 2012

Scrapbooking- Legoland- 2012

We try to do fun things with the kiddos while on deputation, since we're asking a lot of them by taking them all over the country, in different churches almost every service. So, when I found a "free child" coupon in their Lego magazine I got the idea to take them there when we were in Florida last October. So, with 2 coupons in hand we went! It was a real blast! The kids still talk about it, and it was pretty cheap with two of the kids being free!

Journaling:

Legoland was a blast! The kids thoroughly enjoyed it, and as a result, so did Ben and I! Legoland was a kid paradise, with rides just their size. We enjoyed roller coasters,
watching how legos are made, driving school, boating school, the miniature city (all made out of Legos), safari (with animals all made with Legos!) a Lego water-ski
show, and rides galore!
Lucas’ favorite: mini lego city.
Alenna’s favorite: dragon rollercoaster.
Natalie’s favorite: driving school, and
the flying rollercoaster
Rachelle’s favorite: the lego
animals in the safari ride
Ben’s favorite: miniature city

Scrapbooking- Niagara Falls- 2012

We didn't really plan on going to Niagara Falls. We realized, on our way from Erie, PA to Vergennes, VT that it was only 25 miles out of our way, and so we made a quick detour, and I'm so glad we did! It was truly beautiful, and I was in awe the whole time we there there. I think I was acting more like a kid while viewing it all than my kids were. Well, maybe not, since their favorite part of it was climbing a tree next to an overlook. That cracked me up.

I am NOT impressed by my scrapbook page. It was one of my firsts and i was still getting the hang of the computer program. I would go back and redo it, but I know I can't if I want to get caught up with scrapbooking, so concentrate on the photos instead of the ugly layout.

journaling: 

It wasn’t a planned trip. While travelling 

east on Interstate 90 we noticed signs 

for Niagara falls. It was only 24 miles 

out of the way so we made a quick 

decision to go! I was very excited 

because i’d never been to the falls! 

Wow, it was breathtaking. beautiful. awe-inspiring. grandiose. The sheer force of all the water

 going over the cliff is magnificent. We learned that there is over 750,000 gallons of water

 going through there every minute! I don’t know if the kids were impressed, but I definitely 

was.  God’s handiwork is awesome! it was definitely well worth the detour.  

Scrapbooking- Family Visit!- 2008

Journaling:
We always love when family comes to visit! Gabe and Amy were moving away, May 2008. April and the boys came to visit before they left. We had a blast in the great outdoors!
An ostrich bit Lucas’ hand, so after that he screamed “eat me! eat me!” at any other animal.