Sorry I have been absent for a few days! Between a stomach virus that attacked both adults in the home at the same time, dodging the toddler cooped up in the house with us, a full day of worship on Sunday (we led worship for 3 services at 3 different churches), and Fall Fest preparations at church I have been a little swamped. You will be glad to know that we are both fully recovered and Micah never got sick. In the middle of all this excitement, we made an offer on a house here!! This is very exciting because we have been looking a long while and this one is IT! Our offer was “counter-offered” and now we are a go! Very exciting news for us! We are going to be homeowners again! I will share lots about the preparation and moving process in the weeks to come. I may even make you help me pick carpet, wood laminate, refrigerator and stove styles. Might need some paint color help, too! It needs a little TLC, but it is a very nice home. We are thrilled!!!!

Do you need comfort food that gets you in the mood for Fall? This is it!!

1-1 and a half lbs. ground beef (or turkey)
1 med. onion, diced
2 garlic cloves
1 can beef broth
1 can Rotel
1 can shoepeg corn, drained
1 can pinto beans, drained
1 small can diced green chilis
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 pkg. Taco seasoning
1 pkg. Ranch dressing mix
1 lb. Velveeta
1 cup sour cream

Cook meat, onions and garlic. Drain. Mix in remaining ingredients except velveeta and sour cream. Bring to a boil for a minute or two. Reduce heat to med/low and add velveeta and sour cream. Stir until cheese is melted. Enjoy! It is even better the second night!

**For this recipe, I use minced onions and minced garlic instead of doing all the chopping. Guess what we are having for dinner tonight!

I got the idea to begin a routine of Monday lunch in a Muffin Tin from Muses From Megret (a blog I enjoy reading). So, we tried it out and Micah loves it. He didn’t eat everything, but we are still working on that part. His favorite was the black olives, of course.

Top (from left to right): turkey, marbled cheddar cheese, mandarin oranges and dried cranberries
Bottom: grape tomatoes, olives, teddy grahams

Today is Blog Action Day and the issue of poverty in our world. As American, we have things so good. Most of us have a closet full of clothes that may or may not get worn in the next few months. We have canned goods in the pantry just in case it is in a recipe we are making eventually. We just twist the knobs and water (warm, even!) is in abundance. The list could go on and on with things that we just take for granted. We don’t consider ourselves rich…in fact, by our country’s standards we might fall below the “poverty line”, but we have things that others around the world would never assume to have. Now, I know there are those in our country who are homeless, have no running water, and struggle for meals each day. It is saddening, and sometimes it can be overwhelming. All over this planet, people struggle to live on what is available. What can we do??
There are so many options! One way you can make a difference is through sponsoring a child through Compassion International. There are many programs and organizations making a difference around the world, but this is the one our family felt drawn to. We sponsor a little guy named Calvin. I have mentioned him before around here.

Are you looking for a way to help others? The Bible says in Joshua 1:14-15
… You are to help your brothers until the LORD gives them rest, as he has done for you ….

Consider sponsoring a child through Compassion International. You will be blessed! But, even if you sponsor a child, continue to be aware of needs around you. Seek ways to help others everyday.

This past Sunday, Jonathan shared with the congregation his inability to fix anything.  He admitted that when things need work or assembly, I am the one who gets it done.  It is true.  He confessed that he knew his “man quotient” was being damaged in his sharing.  He related all this to our church being one body and how we must use our gifts and perform our God-given job.

Well, Jonathan got a little teasing about his lack of “fix-it” skills.

Monday night, we headed out of our small town to go eat and shop to celebrate Micah’s birthday as a family.  On the way, we had a flat.  It was a near blowout!  We had to pull to the side of the interstate and figure out what to do.  Jonathan immediately jumped into action and changed our tire.  It wasn’t easy either!  The roadside wind was rough and the car equipment was a little foreign, but he did it without frustration (at least in outward appearance).  It is not his first tire change, but we were alone and away from home.  That always adds to the drama of the experience.

I just have to say that my man is still our leader and can do lots of things I can’t.  I need him!  Sure, I will probably do any furniture assembly, home repair jobs, and most outdoor projects, but he has talents that make him valuable at our house!    I can’t make it without him!

Two years ago today, I got the biggest blessing wrapped in a tiny bundle.  Micah has been such a joy to have in our family.  He has always been a happy little boy.  He already shows a love for music AND sports just like his Daddy.

He has such a playful personality and is easily entertained.  He has a flock of little girls from church who think he is the sweetest thing (Micah loves them, but would rather they didn’t rub his head!).    He is affectionate and silly.  He’s my boy!

I thank God everyday for him and pray that God will bless his life in the way he has blessed ours.  More importantly, I pray for that day when he realizes His desire to place His faith in Jesus and become a follower and doer of the Word.  I pray for his future mate.  I pray that he will be a loving, respectful, God-fearing young man that will honor his wife and she him.  I pray that Micah will always seek to honor God with his life and deeds.

Today, I thank God for our two years with our precious boy and pray for many more years to come with him, and that we might be an example of God’s love and guidance in his life.  Micah-we love you, buddy!  Happy second birthday!

Micah is turning two on Tuesday, so we are celebrating this weekend.  Since we are far from family and can’t really make the trip home right now, we are having a gathering with many of our church friends.  Micah will love getting to play with the kids and we will enjoy getting to visit with friends outside the church setting.  When we planned it, none of our family could come, but now my side is going to make it.   That is great because it is hard to get to visit everyone when we go to Arkansas.

Anyway, I have been busy planning the big event this week.  Micah is having a Mickey Mouse party.  He still calls Mickey Mouse a monkey without the underarm motion, but he can tell you how old he is going to be!

I am trying to do a big gathering on a shoestring budget.  I am making the decorations, baking and decorating the cake, and doing the food (with help from family and the local pizza joint).  Of course, I never keep it simple. I always want everything to be just right.  Silly me, I know, but I have always been that way.  I ‘m pretty sure that won’t change any time soon.  So, please excuse the bloggy neglect.  I promise there will be lots to share next week.