Fellowship Fridays

Promises of God!  

Through the past seven and a half years of our life on the mission field, one verse that has been proven to us time and time again is Matthew 19:26 "But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible".  God has shown us over and over that He can do anything!  Even when our human minds think something is impossible... God proves to us again that HE is God and HE can do anything!

Another promise that I have clung to these years in Greenland has been Matthew 28:20 "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world".  Living here without any co-workers (yet!) it gets easy to feel alone and forgotten.  However, we are never alone, God is ALWAYS Faithful!  Jesus truly is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother!

Please share a Promise from God that has become real and dear to you. 

Our little girl sitting at the Top of the World

Greener Grass

Is the grass really greener on the other side?

Some days I long to be living back in America. I think of how wonderful it is to have water every day, stable electricity, a well-stocked grocery store, smooth roads, convenience, privacy... At times I can feel very alone, with a feeling that no one understands my life, or is holding me up in prayer.

We just got back from a short trip to the States. I was so excited to "eat up" as much 'green grass' as I could during those six weeks. And I thoroughly enjoyed the hot baths, regular electricity (although it did go out for several hours one night), shopping, and eating out. America was just as "green" as I remembered it - or was it?

My first Sunday back at our sending church a lady shares how her husband lost his job, and they are trusting God to meet their needs. I hear of another church member who is losing her house. Both are faithful givers. (My 'dusty' side of the world finds my bank account with support from those who faithfully give through their local church.) While out of town I get a phone call from my son. "Mr. So-And-So just committed suicide." The next Sunday I hug the wife, and watch as the son breaks down while singing in the choir. 

You know what I found over there in the 'green grass?'

heartache 
loss
pain
suffering

The Lord speaks to my heart and asks me some hard questions:

• Are you really thankful for what I provide for you?
• Do you think you deserve what I provide?
• Do you care about the suffering of others as much as you want them to care about you?
• Do you pray for others in the way you hope they pray for you?

My mind wanders to Psalm twenty-three...

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."

It hits me. 'Green grass' isn't a place, it's a Person. Jesus wants to lead me to green pastures. And when I follow Him, He restores my soul - not family, or friends, or Walmart. He also wants me to point others to follow Him. Whether that be first through a saving knowledge of Him, or to be reminded that in Him are the answers and comfort they need.

Need Some Spice In Your Life?

Since I'm on a Mexican food kick, I thought I 'd offer a few more recipes to go along with your salsa for the next few weeks.
Today, we have taco seasoning!
When I eat Mexican food, I want it to taste like what I grew up with.....pretty sure that was a packet of seasoning dumped into the hamburger meat while it was cooking!
Here are two healthier {and in my opinion, tastier} options.
We prefer the first, but try both. You may like the second better!

Taco Seasoning #1
1/2 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cumin
1 Tbsp. flour
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper

Mix well.
Add with 3/4 cup water to one lb. of cooked hamburger meat and simmer app. 10 minutes.
Can be stored in air-tight container.

Taco Seasoning #2

2 Tbsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. paprika
1 Tbsp. cumin
2 1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. pepper

Mix well.
If you prefer seasoning with a bit more "heft" to it, add 1 tsp. flour or cornstarch to mix.
Add 2 Tbsp. mix and 3/4 cup water to one lb. of cooked hamburger meat and simmer app. 10 minutes for "saucy" beef.  Just add 2 Tbsp. mix to one lb. of cooked hamburger meat if drier consistency is desired.
Can be stored in air-tight container.

Missionary Monday ~ Your Ministry

 

This week's theme - Your Ministry

Share photos of you teaching Sunday School, playing piano, or whatever your ministry is!

 

 

Next' week's theme - Your choice!

 

 

 

As always, feel free to link up a specific post that goes along with our theme.  If you don't have a post, you're welcome to just link up your blog!

Do you have an idea for a theme?  Leave a comment.

 



Sunday Scriptures ~ Psalm 46:10

Fellowship Fridays!

Hello Ladies!  After a jam-packed 8 weeks in the States we are back home in Greenland.  I look forward to updating my blog about our trip and getting back to posting regularly on here again!

One of the highlights of my "American Summer" was meeting other missionary wives.  I really enjoyed the fellowship that we shared, and I am so thankful for this age of technology where we can still fellowship, just in a different way!

So, join me here on Fridays for a time of fellowship with other missionary ladies!  Feel free to email me with devotionals, thoughts, advice, etc...anything you would like to share with each other.  Let's use this to be a blessing and an encouragement to one another!

Fresh Salsa

Mexican food...what isn't there to love?
Being a missionary in Africa, I'm not talking about the authentic stuff. I've never had that!
I'm talking about good ol' tacos, burritos, fajitas, and most importantly, chips and salsa!
I think the first ten pounds I gained after being married was all from chips and salsa {okay, maybe a little cheese dip, too}!
Fast forward a few years to Ghana.....not a tortilla chip or salsa in sight.
And then......
an ex-pat told me to try green plantain chips.
Were they exactly like tortilla chips?
Nope.
Would they do the job?
Yep!
Now what about that salsa???
I found this fresh salsa recipe in my Cooking with Spices for Dummies cookbook, and it's been a family favorite ever since!

4-5 medium tomatoes, chopped, about 2 cups
1 small red or yellow onion, chopped, about 1/2 cup
1 plump clove garlic, minced (add more to your taste)
2 Tbsp. fresh lime or lemon juice (bottled will do in a pinch)
2-4 jalapenos, serranos, or chili peppers, seeded and minced, or to your taste,
     or 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. ground cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. salt, or to your taste
1/8 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/8 tsp. ground cumin (add more to your taste)
1/4 c. minced fresh cilantro or flat-leaf parsley, or 1/8 c. dried parsley

Combine all the ingredients in a medium-sized bowl. Stir to mix. Check spices to taste. Cover and let stand at least 30 minutes before using (in or out of refrigerator according to your preference).

Variation: Add 1/3 cup cooked black beans; or 1/2 cup diced, peeled cucumber; or 1/2 cup diced avocado.

Child Training Bible Winners!

And the winners are...

Masey  &  Laura C.

Congratulations!

Please email me at - thebauerfamily @ hotmail.com {no spaces}

or on facebook with your mailing address.

If you did not win, but are interested in purchasing your own Child Training Bible kit,

please go here...tell them I sent you!

Missionary Monday ~ Around Your Yard

This week's theme - Around Your Yard

Next Week's Theme - Your Ministry

Share with us your Sunday School class, your Ladies fellowships,

 or whatever your current ministry is!

*Please note, as always, if you don't have a post about a particular theme, please feel free to just link up your blog.  And don't forget to add our button to your post or blog's sidebar.  Thanks!

Sunday Scriptures ~ I Peter 1:16

Photo courtesy of Maria from Raising 4 Princesses.

Children's Ministry Helps

One of the items you all requested was online resources for your children's ministry.  This is one of my favorite sites, in fact I use it for my Sunday School lessons.  I like this because it gives you the teacher's lesson and several children's activities to go with it.  All FREE!

Also, per another request, this includes lessons in Spanish!  Click on the photo or click here to check out the site.


Please note: there is a page on top titled Ministry Help, there you will find more online resources for children's and ladies ministries. 

What is your favorite online source for ministry helps?

How to start a Ladies Bible Study

I am by no means an expert on this. I have only led a few Bible Studies, but that being said, I struggled with how to start one. I googled for information, but really didn't come up with anything. So I thought I would share with you how I started a Bible study.

A few years ago before we moved to Australia, I went to my pastor and asked him what he thought of having a ladies Bible study for the moms in our church. He said it was a great idea, and to go ahead and start it. Um, me? I had no intention in leading it, I just wanted to attend a Bible study!

With the encouragement of some friends we started a Bible study for moms in our church. I was a bit nervous, I felt the women in the group were far more qualified than I was, but looking back I am so thankful for the experience! We simply used Elizabeth George's Bible study books. I think we ended up doing three of her books. 

When we arrived in Australia, I wanted to start a Bible study here, but since I didn't know many people I didn't know where to start.

Where to Begin...

• Pray! Pray! Pray! If it's the Lord's will, He will show you what to do!
• If the Lord leads, post flyers at your supermarket, library, or places like that.
• Talk to your friends about your burden, it is possible they are wanting to attend a Bible study!
• Begin searching for Bible studies. (I will share some links below.)
• Continue to pray for the Lord's leading. A Bible study without the Holy Spirit is pointless!

I prayed about starting a Bible study, and simply asked the Lord that if it was something He wanted me to do that He would open the doors. A few weeks later I was visiting another homeschool family, and as I was talking with the mom she mentioned that she would love to attend a Bible study. I told her it was something I had been wanting to do. She said that if I would lead it she had many friends that would be interested. I came home and prayed about it and discussed it with my husband, and knew this was the Lord opening the door.

How to Start...

• Pray! Pray! Pray! Seek the Lord's direction.
• Choose a Bible study. Seek the Lord's direction.
• Set a date, time, and place. Again, seek the Lord's direction.
• Send out invitations.
• Begin the Bible study yourself.

Once you have choosen your Bible study, the date, time, and place, I'd encourage you to look thoroughly over your curriculum and begin the first lesson a week or so before the actual start date. You want to be familiar with what you are going to be teaching.

Bible Study Schedule...

• Open in prayer
• Introduction...have each lady introduce themselves and tell something about themselves
• Icebreaker game. We played the purse game...this is a good game to get to know each other!
• Explain the Bible study. Go over the schedule, how often you will meet, homework for them to do throughout the week, Bible reading, book reading, etc. Try not to make this overwhelming.
• Ask for questions.
• Give a short devotional pertaining to the lesson. After the first week, you can use this time to go over what you have learned since your last Bible study.
• Prayer Requests
• Closing prayer
• Food and fellowship

Our Bible study meets every other Monday evening at 7:30pm. It normally gets over around 9pm, then everyone stays and chats a little longer.

Please know, this is how it works best for me...these are only suggestions for you!

Bible Study Suggestions...

*Please note, I do not necessarily condone all that these authors have to say. I've learned that there is not perfect Bible study material out there (except God's Word itself), you have to learn to take the good, and skip over the not so good.

• Good Morning Girls (I am currently using their study on the Proverbs 31 Woman. These are helpful because it gives a schedule of verses to read each day. This blog also gives helps on leading a Bible study)
• Elizabeth George
• Beth Moore

These are just a few that I have used as Bible studies and have enjoyed and learned much from. I'd love to hear your suggestions!

Missionary Monday ~ Your Family

This week's theme - Your Family

(Did you take photos of your kids on their first day of school?  Or do you have a recent family photo?  Please share!)

Next week's theme - Around Your Yard

Please note, if you do not want to follow our weekly theme, that's okay!  It is just a suggestion.  Please just link up your blog! If you have an idea for a weekly theme, leave a comment.   Have a wonderful week!



Sunday Scriptures ~ Philippians 4:4

May you have a wonderful Sunday!

Sponsors and Giveaways!

I asked last week what you all would like to see more of on this blog.  Your responses were...

• Devotionals
• Ladies Ministry Ideas
• Children's Ministry Ideas
• Missionary Women Interviews
• Resources in Spanish
• Deptuation tips and helps
• Recipes
• Book Reviews
• Giveaways

I aim to please!  So I started looking for companies to offer giveaways.  Before I had much time to look into it, My Memories contacted me!  So, look for a another fun giveaway next week (and don't forget about the one going on now)!  In the meantime, their link is above and also on our sidebar.  For every person who uses the $10 code to purchase the scrapbook software, our blog will earn a portion of it.  I will then use this money for future giveaways!

_____________________________________________________



If you have a devotional you would like to share, a ladies or children's ministry idea, information on spanish resources, deputation tips and helps, a recipe,  a book review, or would like to be inteveriewed for a future post, please email us at baptistmissionarywomen@hotmail.com  We can't do this without you!



5 Steps to be Content

As women it is easy to look around and compare ourselves with others. We may think, “well if only I had a husband like hers, I could be the Proverbs 31 woman,” or “if only I had kids like hers I could be a better mom,” or “if only my house was bigger, cleaner, better, or fill in the blank _______.”

I want to encourage you to stop the “if onlys”. Stop comparing yourself to others, and compare yourself to God’s Word.

Philippians 4:11 says, “..for I have learned in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content.”

Let’s look at what the Bible tells us about comparing ourselves to others.

"For we dare not make ourselves of the number,

or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves:

but they measuring themselves by themselves,

and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."

II Corinthians 10:12

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live;

yet not I, but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me, and gave himself for me."

Galatians 2:20, 6:4

5 Steps to be Content...

• You need to be content with who God has created you to be.
• You need to be content with the husband God has given you.
• You nee to be content with the children God has given you.
• You need to be content with the house and things God has given you.
• You need to be content with Who God is. He IS all you need.

As Christians we have an identity in Christ…we are new creatures in Him.

“Don’t compare yourself to others

and don’t allow feelings of insecurity to rob you of your identity in Christ.

He loves you and created you for a purpose.”

Author Unknown

To read more about your identity in Christ, read these passages...

• Colossians
• Psalm 139
• I Peter 2:9
• Galatians 4:6-7
• Jeremiahs 29:11
• Ephesians 2:10
• John 1:12-13

Work on your vertical relationship (your relationship with God) and the horizontal relationships (your relationships with your husband, children, family and friends) will be where they need to be.

Comparing yourself to others will only cause you to become discouraged and then you will believe the lies of the devil that you are not worthy of God's love, and that, my dear friend, is Satan's biggest lie!

One Year Anniversary and a Giveaway!

One year ago today, Carole and I started the Baptist Missionary Women group on facebook.  We thought it would be a small group where missionary women could share prayer requests, advice, ask questions, and just be encouraged.  Little did we know how greatly God would use the facebook group and this blog to be a blessing and encouragement to women all over the world.  We currenly have 490 members!

To help celebrate our anniversary and to thank you for being a constant encouragement to me, I am giving away 2 Child Training Bible kits!

To read more about the Child Training Bible you can read my review here.  It really is a great parenting tool.  What better tool can you use to discipline your child than the Word of God?  I was showing our Child Training Bible to some moms yesterday and they were amazed!  I just orded 10 kits for people in our church.

To enter this giveaway, please leave one comment for each entry.

• Leave a comment sharing one piece of parenting advice.
• Follow this blog via email.
• Follow this blog via google friend connect.
• Be a member of our group on facebook.
• Share our button on your blog.
• "Like" our blog on facebook
• "Like" Child Training Bible on facebook.
• Share this giveaway on facebook.
• Share this giveaway on twitter.
• Share this giveaway on your blog.

That is 10 total entries you can earn! Also, I will have this mailed anywhere in the world!

*Please note this giveaway is sponsored by Jen. 



Missionary Monday - Homeschooling

This week's theme - Homeschooling

Please share how you homeschool on the field.

Next week's theme - Your family

Please link up your blog here, and don't forget to add our button to your blog or post!

Sunday Scriptures ~ Genesis 1:16

Have a blessed Sunday.

(Do you have a photo that you have set to Scripture?  I'd love to post it for our Sunday Scriptures.  Please email it to me (and have your name on it) at baptistmissionarywomen@hotmail.com.)



We Need Your Help!

This blog is for you, the missionary woman, wife, mother, grandmother, friend, sister, aunt.

To keep this blog going we need your input!  Yes, that means I'm going to ask you to comment.  Seriously, it only takes a minute!

What would you like to see more of on our blog?

• Devotionals
• Recipes
• Craft  Ideas
• Ladies Ministry Ideas
• Children's Ministry Ideas
• Missionary Interviews
• Book Reviews
• Giveaways
• Other?

Please leave a comment.

Also, yes, there's more!  I would like to start a monthly feature where we feature one of you!  But I need volunteers!  Don't be shy!  Don't you like reading about how other women go through their day on the field?  We want to read about you, but you have to volunteer!  Don't make me beg!

Okay, start commenting.  Let us know how we're doing, what you want to see on our blog, AND volunteer to be featured!

Oh, and I just added this little feature, see it below here?  You can start spreading the word about our posts via facebook, twitter, email, pinterest and more.  Please share the love!