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.