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Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Homemade Tortilla Chip Recipe


In checking with many missionary ladies around the globe, one staple in our pantries that can not always be purchased in stores is corn tortilla chips. But, where there's a will there's a way and one of our ladies who makes them regularly for her family shared her recipe with me so that I could share it on here with you!


INGREDIENTS:
130 g (1 cup) All-purpose (aka Plain) Flour
130 g (3/4 cup) Cornmeal (aka Polenta) - I use fine cornmeal. I think coarse would also work.
1/4 teaspoon Baking Powder
heaped 1/2 teaspoon Salt (adjust to personal liking)
generous dash cayenne pepper (or paprika or black pepper, if you can't handle a little heat)
120 ml (4 fl oz) Hot Water (not boiling)
10 g (2-3 teaspoon) Vegetable Oil


DIRECTIONS:
STEP 1 - MAKE THE DOUGH
Mix together the dry ingredients (flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt, cayenne) in a frying pan or mixing bowl. I use a frying pan because it will be used to cook the tortillas later, so I thought might as well mix & knead the dough in it. Add the hot water and oil. Mix into a dough, first I use a spatula then switch to hands. This is a very easy dough to handle. It's not too sticky and not too crumbly. Knead for just one minute. Form a dough ball, coat with a little oil, cover with plastic wrap. Let it rest for 10-15 minutes.
STEP 2 - MAKE & COOK THE TORTILLAS
To keep my counter top easy to clean, I wet it slightly then lay down a piece of plastic wrap. The plastic clings onto the damp surface and stays in place.
Divide into six dough balls. Coat them with a little oil (residual oil from the pan). Give the pan a quick wipe and heat on the stove top over medium heat. Press out the first dough ball. I use my palms and fingers. You can use a rolling pin if you prefer. Press it out to about 18-20cm diameter and 1-1.5mm thick. Place in the heated pan and cook for about 2 minutes per side, until you get brown edges and spots. Place on a foil-lined baking tray. While one is cooking, I press out the next one.
STEP 3 - CRISP THE CHIPS
When I have finished cooking six tortillas, I break each up into 8 to 10 rustic-looking chips. If you want them neat, cut with kitchen scissors while warm.
Preheat the oven to 170C (330F) or, in an oven with a fan, to 150C (300F). Bake the tray of chips for 10-12 minutes.
They don't brown much more in the oven. To check that they're ready, find a thicker piece and eat it to find out! It should be crunchy and snappy and totally delicious. When they are completely cooled, store in a seal-able bag. They keep well for several days.



Hmm, I think it's time for a salsa recipe! I found one from another missionary wife on this blog! Here it is!

Friday, February 20, 2015

MK Spirit Week 2015 Friday

February 16-20, 2015

Welcome to MK Spirit Week!
Come join the fun!


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Friday:
Change Your Country Day!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in another country? (Yes, I know you already live in another country... I am talking about "another" another country.) Time to transport yourself to your favorite "another" another country! Pick any other country in the world and dress up, do a project, learn a song in their language... whatever you want to do! So throw on those hula skirts! Play the didgeridoo! Wrestle a crocodile! And post your pictures for all to see.

Gabriel and Ben in Southern Asia went with Spain! Gabriel loved running from his bull, TooMuch Teddy, and Ben supported his favorite football... ahem... soccer team!

If you are an MK, come join the fun! Be sure to take pictures, blog about it, and share with us. Link up your blog at the bottom of this page. What? You don't have a blog? That's ok. Email your picture to woonstonepal@yahoo.com (limit one per participant.) That way we can post them and share the fun with everyone.

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The Johnson family in Brazil chose to hang around Asia!

The Tharp family in Ireland... Katie is an island girl and Darren is a Brazilian Gaucho!

Madeline McCrocklin (pre-field to Germany) an island girl.

Thursday, February 19, 2015

MK Spirit Week 2015 Thursday



February 16-20, 2015

Welcome to MK Spirit Week!
Come join the fun!

******************************************************************

Thursday:
Change Your Species Day!

Have you ever had an overwhelming desire to be a platypus? Here's you chance to do just that! What? You don't like the platypus? Well, pick any creature of God's beautiful creation you desire. (By the way, you would make a great tuna fish!)


Michaela in Southern Asia Makes a great Bush Baby!

If you are an MK, come join the fun! Be sure to take pictures, blog about it, and share with us. Link up your blog at the bottom of this page. What? You don't have a blog? That's ok. Email your picture to woonstonepal@yahoo.com (limit one picture per participant.) That way we can post them and share the fun with everyone.

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Emily, Joel, and Katie Acree (Ghana) had fun learning about cows, monkeys, and bears. They also got to watch some fun videos about them. Baby Abby even wanted to participate! She couldn't decide if she wanted to be a kitty or a cow, though. She LOVES milk!

The Tharp kids (Ireland): Nathan is a T-Rex, Katie is a cat and Darren is a Spider!





Wednesday, February 18, 2015

MK Spirit Week 2015 Wednesday



February 16-20, 2015

Welcome to MK Spirit Week!
Come join the fun!

******************************************************************

Wednesday
Change Your Face Day!



Silly, serious, funny, crazy... it doesn't matter! Surprise us and change your face.

Ben in Southern Asia went a little... pirate-y!

If you are an MK, come join the fun! Be sure to take pictures, blog about it, and share with us. Link up your blog at the bottom of this page. What? You don't have a blog? That's ok. Email your picture to woonstonepal@yahoo.com (limit one picture per participant.) That way we can post them and share the fun with everyone.

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Madeline, pre-field to Germany, changed her face to a kitty cat today!
Her dad helped to make her kitty ears.

Mama Acree (Ghana) and Emily had fun making the masks.
Katie liked being a clown despite the picture. Emily had a kitty cat face.



Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Quick Korean Beef

Every now and then we need quick meals that we can make in a pinch and that still taste like we spent hours in the kitchen. This Korean beef recipe is made with ground beef and therefore, takes very little time, but still offers great flavor. I originally found this recipe from Six Sister's blog. I really enjoy their recipes.






1 pound lean ground beef
1/4 - 1/2 cup brown sugar (If you want it sweeter you can use closer to 1/2 cup)
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 Tablespoon sesame oil (I don't have this so I just put in some sesame seeds)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced (see note)
1/2 - 1 teaspoon crushed red peppers (to desired spiciness)
salt and pepper
1 bunch green onions, diced (don't skip this!)

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and brown hamburger with garlic in the sesame oil. Drain most of the fat and add brown sugar, soy sauce, ginger, salt and pepper and red peppers. Simmer for a few minutes to blend the flavors. Serve over steamed rice and top with green onions.


**A quick tip from Rachael Ray about fresh ginger. I love using fresh ginger in recipes but I never seem to have it on hand since it goes rotten in the refrigerator before I can use it. So, the next time you're at the store grab a large piece of ginger. Peel the entire thing and cut it into 1/2 inch pieces. Put it into a storage bag and keep it in the refrigerator. When you need a few teaspoons or so, all you have to do it pull out one of the small pieces and grate the alloted amount with a zester. It grates really well frozen!

MK Spirit Week 2015 Tuesday

February 16-20, 2015

Welcome to MK Spirit Week!
Come join the fun!

******************************************************************

Tuesday:
Change Your Status... Parent/Child Swap Day!



Have you ever wanted to swap places with Mom or Dad? Here's your chance! Dress up like Mom or Dad... have some fun swapping places. Take it as far as the REAL Mom and Dad will allow. Bonus points if that parent dresses up like you!

Jason, Gabriel, and Ben in Southern Asia
Gabriel gets to make some "parental decisions" today... like what's for dessert!
Ben and Gabriel both enjoyed morning coffee with Dad.
And Ben gets to lead family devotions and sit in Dad's favorite chair!

If you are an MK, come join the fun! Be sure to take pictures, blog about it, and share with us. Link up your blog at the bottom of this page. What? You don't have a blog? That's ok. Email your picture to woonstonepal@yahoo.com (limit one per participant.) That way we can post them and share the fun with everyone.

************************************************


Darren, Katie, and Nathan Tharp of Ireland starting of the day with their morning cup of coffee
while dressed up like mom and dad... and Nathan (3yo) made sure he was properly shaven for this photo.

Emily Acree in Ghana was a good mama today. She got to drink some coffee (hot chocolate), drove to the language teacher's house and pick her up (her "son" helped with the pedals and shifting), checked her phone all day to "skype," was a good hostess to some workers at the house, and made lunch for the family (she allowed her "daughter" to slice the bread). :)

Madeline McCrocklin (Pre-Field to Germany) has dressed up like her mommy with makeup and all. She knows that as the mommy, she must keep her "Thoughts, Notes, and Ideas" book with her at all times! When asked to smile, she said, "Why mommy? You are serious."








Monday, February 16, 2015

MK Spirit Week 2015 Monday



February 16-20, 2015

Welcome to MK Spirit Week!
Come join the fun!

*************************************************

Monday:
Change Your Direction... a.k.a. Backwards Day!

Dress backwards, walk backwards, write backwards, sing backwards!
(Safety Disclaimer: BMW is not responsible for any injuries sustained if you actually walk backwards and fall into an alligator pond or your little brother's Lego pile. Matter of fact, if you actually walk backwards, you do so at your own risk. Only parents have eyes in the back of their heads. You do not.) 


Gabriel, Southern Asia

If you are an MK, come join the fun! Be sure to take pictures, blog about it, and share with us. Link up your blog at the bottom of this page. What? You don't have a blog? That's ok. Email a picture to woonstonepal@yahoo.com (limit one photo per participant.) That way we can post them and share the fun with everyone.

************************************************

And starting us off are Emily, Katie, and Joel Acree in Ghana, West Africa...
Sporting their tags and zippers on the wrong side in true backwards fashion!

Next we have the Tharp Family in Ireland.
They are so backwards that we cannot tell if they are coming or going!


Refusing to be left out of the craziness of MK Spirit week... here is the Johnson Family roaring all the way from Lizarb. Woops! I mean... from Brazil.






Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Heart-shaped ice cream sandwiches

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and, although it is mostly a romantic holiday, I like to do something special for our kids to show them some love. A few years ago, as I was searching for the perfect, unusual heart-shaped dessert, I found this recipe for heart-shaped ice cream sandwiches here. Perfect!  I have even made these for some missionary wives as we gathered together for a ladies meeting in February. They were so surprised to have ice cream sandwiches for dessert!




INGREDIENTS

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1/2 cup cocoa powder
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon milk
2 to 2 1/2 pints ice cream (your choice of flavor), softened


DIRECTIONS


In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt, and set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter, vanilla, and sugar. Add eggs and milk, and mix until combined. Add reserved flour mixture, and mix on low speed until incorporated, scraping the sides of the bowl at least once. Divide the dough in half, and shape each half into a flat disk. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap, and chill until firm, about 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Roll dough out on a floured surface, sliding an offset spatula under the dough to release it every few turns of the rolling pin. Roll dough to 1/8 inch thick. Cut dough using a variety of heart-shape cookie cutters 2 1/2 to 3 inches in diameter, making sure each cookie has a match to make a sandwich. Place hearts on a parchment-lined baking sheet; chill until firm, about 30 minutes. Remove from refrigerator; use a fork to prick the cookies all over with holes. Bake until just firm, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool on baking sheet; transfer to a wire rack.

With the underside of half the cookies face up, spoon softened ice cream about 1/2 inch thick to cover one side. Place matching cookie on top of ice cream, top side facing out. Transfer immediately to freezer to harden; repeat with remaining cookies and ice cream. Serve directly from the freezer. Sandwiches can be kept stored in an airtight container in the freezer for 3 to 4 days.

Friday, February 6, 2015

"Hey, How's Your Church?"

Photo by: arkorn

When I’m at a summer camp with other independent Baptist missionaries, inevitably someone asks, “How’s the church doing?” I guess it’s a logical question. I guess it’s a fair one.

How’s the church? Hmmm . . . .

My friend might have caught our church in an upswing—better attendance than in the last ten years, growing Christians, and we’re starting a choir. Or, she might have caught us at the bottom—poor attendance, backsliding members, and two divorces.

I usually reply: “Well, we’ve had good times and bad times.” Or, “Probably something like your church. We have our ups and downs.” About this time, my questioner is looking for an escape route, and I’m a little sorry to have given such a dumb answer.

How’s anybody’s church doing?

How’s your church doing?

A church, by definition, is a congregation of baptized believers. (I look at ours, and we have some unsaved people coming regularly, one unbaptized believer, and Christians who are doing well. We also have people with personal problems, addictions, and sinful habits.) It’s a needy church.

Is that strange? I think not.

If we look back to the beginning of the church in the book of Acts, there were: divisions, strife, a failing experiment in communal living, prejudice, lying, immorality, and intolerance. The apostles had their hands full teaching truth, obedience, and doctrine. They had to combat the idea of people following people, instead of the Lord. The people said, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Paul’s response was, Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? (1 Corinthians 1:12b-13)

So, how’s your church doing?

It’s filled with sinners, some saved and probably a few that aren’t. Your missionary team is trying its best to share the gospel, disciple, challenge, and meet needs.
  • Some Sundays are great, and some are not.
  • Some prayer meetings are well attended, and some aren’t.
  • Sometimes the church is growing, and sometimes attendance is going backwards.
  • Some years are rough and slogging, and some are mountaintop hallelujahs.
  • Sometimes you have capable, eager native leaders, and sometimes your best people move away to another part of the country (or leave it altogether).
  • Sometimes there are no native leaders at all, and you are doing all the work.


Let’s see God’s view of the church. I have a feeling it’s not as man sees it—and not as the missionary usually sees it.

It’s God’s church. It is so very important for us to recognize the local gathering as God’s church and not ours. God will do His work in His church. It’s our job to be submissive to His leadership. (You can read many references to the church of God and church in God in the New Testament.) The Bible says that God adds to His church saved people. (Acts 2:47) God cares so much for His church that He sent His Son to die for it.

The pastor leads the sheep while relying on the Good Shepherd to lead him. As women in the church, we need to uphold our pastor in prayer. Pray that God would lead the church and that the pastor might be sensitive to God’s leadership. Pray for your pastor’s Bible study, for God’s guidance in his preaching, for the Holy Spirit’s working in hearts.

If the pastor is your husband, encourage him. Listen to his messages. Take notes. Nod your head. Make eye contact. Be his best “amen corner.” (I don’t mean out loud, necessarily.) Find something nice to say to him after the sermon. (Did something in the message meet a need in your own heart? Did it convey the gospel clearly? Was it well-organized, well-preached?) Give positive feedback, every time. Your husband needs this from you.

Be faithful yourself. Go to church when you are physically able. Don’t go if you’re contagious or in terrible pain, but otherwise, be there. Be an example to the believers.

Be cheerful. Nothing deadens the service more effectively than long faces and complaining words. Greet, smile, encourage. Many times, women set the tone for happiness. This happens in the church as well as in the home.

Teach women. Titus 2:2-5 speaks of the men first, but these characteristics are for the women, too: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Are we what we’re supposed to be? Are we actively teaching women? Are we teaching them what we’re supposed to teach? (The whole outline is given in these verses.) If we’re not teaching the women in our churches, we’re not doing our job as “aged” Christian women. (“Aged” speaks of mature Christians, not necessarily grandmas. “Younger women” includes our daughters.)

Give children the gospel. Jesus said, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God (Mark 10:14b; also in Matthew 19:14; Luke 18:16). It is very important to share the gospel—Jesus crucifixion for their sins, His death, and resurrection—with children from a very young age (3-4 years old). It is not enough to teach Bible stories like Jonah and the great fish without sharing the gospel. Jesus said, For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth (Matthew 12:40). Demonstrate how the Old Testament links to Jesus! Preach Jesus!

Pray for Divine appointments. God opens doors in amazing ways and in crazy places. I have watched Him do that for me, and I’m sure you’ve experienced it, too. Keep your spiritual eyes and ears attentive to the Spirit’s guidance. You’ll be amazed how God uses you to share Him with others!

Be prepared. Have gospel tracts on you, always. Pray and keep your heart clean before God. Be soul-conscious.

It’s humbling that God—Creator, Redeemer, Perfect God—could use us at all. What a privilege!

May the Lord bless His church through you!
  

Thursday, February 5, 2015

On the Altar... Again

I am going to tell you a secret...

          Missionary women are human, too.

Sometimes we lay things on the altar submitting them to the Lord, and then we pick it right back up again. Other times we think we have fully laid something on the altar only to realize we don't fully trust the Lord like we should. Such is the case when it comes to our children.

Sigh...

The Lord often uses experiences on the mission field to help us see what is truly in our hearts so that we can grow and so that we can see Him for who He really is.

I asked a group of some wonderful missionary women to share some tests God has used in their lives on the field to help them learn to fully put their children on the altar. The following is a compilation of some of the situations they shared with me.

Please come walk with me as we lay our children Back on the Altar.

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Twix Ice Cream Cake

Whether you are planning a family fun night or are inviting guests over, this recipe may just be the dessert that will please them all, because everyone loves ICE CREAM! Add some Twix cookie pieces, milk chocolate, and caramel, and you just about can't go wrong! I first found this recipe here and have made it again and again since then.



INGREDIENTS

1 (1.5 quart) Vanilla Ice cream, softened
1 (16 ounce ) jar of Caramel Sauce 

Caramel sauce recipe: 
**I double this to have enough to equal 2 cups (16 oz)
150 grams sugar
2 Tbsp. water
1/4 tsp. lemon juice
120 grams heavy cream (at least 33%)
pinch of salt

In a medium saucepan, stir together sugar, water, and lemon juice over medium-high heat to dissolve the sugar. Heat on medium-high without stirring, washing down the sides with a wet pastry brush occasionally, until the mixture turns an amber color. Add the cream and the salt and simmer over medium-low heat, stirring from time to time, until the caramel is thick but not chewy (gauge the consistency by dripping a bit onto a metal spoon). Remove from heat and pour into a metal bowl. Cool at room temperature until it is slightly warmer than body temperature; it should still be quite 'pourable' at this point.

1 cup milk chocolate chips (I melt milk chocolate bars in the microwave, at 30 second intervals) with a tsp. or so of butter until desired consistency)
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract


INSTRUCTIONS for Ice Cream Cake
In a 9×13 inch baking dish spread out the ice cream evenly. Cover and place in freezer. Freeze to set for 2 hours.
While the ice cream is setting start making the cookie topping. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream butter and sugars in a medium bowl. Stir in vanilla and flour until well mixed. Spread dough into a foil-lined 8×8 inch baking dish. Bake for 15 minutes or slightly golden. Remove from heat and let stand until completely cooled.
Once Ice cream is all set and cookie topping is completely cooled, take ice cream out of freezer. Pour the caramel sauce evenly over ice cream. Break apart the cookie topping into big chunks and sprinkle evenly over caramel.
Melt chocolate chips in a microwavable bowl. Heat at 30 second intervals until melted. Stir and then drizzle over the cookie topping. Re-cover and place back into freezer for 6 hours or overnight to completely re-freeze.

Enjoy, without counting the calories! Life's too short! ;)

Monday, February 2, 2015

MK Spirit Week 2015





February 16-20, 2015

Change

MK's certainly know all about change!
Change of location, change of culture, change of socks... Well, maybe not the socks!


So this year during MK Spirit Week we are going to embrace change.


Join the fun!

If you are an MK, come join the fun! Be sure to take pictures, blog about it, and share with us. We will do a blog link-up for each day. What? You don't have a blog? That's ok. We will have a place for you to email pictures. That way we can post them and share the fun with everyone.

*************************************************

Monday:
Change Your Direction... a.k.a. Backwards Day!

Dress backwards, walk backwards, write backwards, sing backwards!
(Safety Disclaimer: BMW is not responsible for any injuries sustained if you actually walk backwards and fall into an alligator pond or your little brother's Lego pile. Matter of fact, if you actually walk backwards, you do so at your own risk. Only parents have eyes in the back of their heads. You do not.) 



******************************************************************

Tuesday:
Change Your Status... Parent/Child Swap Day!

Have you ever wanted to swap places with Mom or Dad? Here's your chance! Dress up like Mom or Dad... have some fun swapping places. Take it as far as the REAL Mom and Dad will allow. Bonus points if that parent dresses up like you!


******************************************************************

Wednesday
Change Your Face Day!

Silly, serious, funny, crazy... it doesn't matter! Surprise us and change your face.


******************************************************************

Thursday:
Change Your Species Day!

Have you ever had an overwhelming desire to be a platypus? Here's you chance to do just that! What? You don't like the platypus? Well, pick any creature of God's beautiful creation you desire. (By the way, you would make a great tuna fish!)


******************************************************************

Friday:
Change Your Country Day!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in another country? (Yes, I know you already live in another country... I am talking about "another" another country.) Time to transport yourself to your favorite "another" another country! Pick any other country in the world and dress up, do a project, learn a song in their language... whatever you want to do! So throw on those hula skirts! Play the didgeridoo! Wrestle a crocodile! And post your pictures for all to see.