Menu Plan Monday, Feb. 1st, 2010

It's FEBRUARY! Holy cow!
As I'm reading over this menu before posting
it I'm realizing that it's the week of the sandwich!
Ha!
BUT... we get tons of YUMMY bread from a friend
who works at a fantastic bakery in Midtown Detroit...
so we make good use of the bread! (Thx, Steve!)


MONDAY
Lunch- Waffles, peaches & yogurt
Dinner- Chicken Tetrazinni (w/peas, carrots)

TUESDAY
Lunch- Strata & baked apples, toast
Dinner- Cheeseburger Soup, crunchy croutons

WEDNESDAY
Lunch- Swedish Meatballs w/homemade noodles
Dinner- Sandwiches, carrots

THURSDAY
Lunch- Tiny sandwiches, green peppers
Dinner- Chili & Mashed Potatoes

FRIDAY
Lunch- Homemade Pizza
Dinner- Soup (from a can!) with Toast

SATURDAY
Lunch- French Fry Salad
Dinner- Sausage & Peppers, Rice

SUNDAY
Lunch- Chuck Roast, Potatoes, Carrots
Dinner- Open faced sandwiches in oven


For more ideas check out this huge listing of menus
at Organize Junkie!

I'm not getting paid for this...

I'm not getting money for writing this.

Neither did I receive a free copy of this book to review.

The author, Mary Ostyn, recently released a cookbook

and I was trying to find it online within our library

system. (I later bought it) But my library search

turned up this book...

A large family is NOT needed to appreciate this book!

"The Sane Woman's Guide to raising a Large Family!"

Click here to order this great book!

Tears.

Yeah, lotsa tears at the very beginning of the book...

not from the author... from ME!

More tears at the end...

not a misting up...

not a trickle...

a full-blown "Put-down-the-book-get-a-tissue-cuz-you-

can't-see-on-account-of-the-tears" cry!

Reminded me why I love children... especially MINE!

Gave me practical ideas.

Inspired me to do better & to be proud of what I've done.

REALLY, REALLY happy that I read it.

If you want kids, have kids, want to adopt, etc...

she covers it all. As the mother of birth children

and adopted children, she tells of their journey

to adoption and the clear leading of God.

She's a beautiful example of godly motherhood!

I'm so thankful that I read this book!

(just had to blog about it!)

Click here to order this great book!

She had a Birthday!

This week our beautiful, sweet Courtney had a

birthday. She made the Red Velvet Cake...

and we were all grateful... mmmmm.

Also, her younger siblings gave her a mini concert

to celebrate her special day.

Love you, Courtney!

Menu Plan Monday, Jan. 25, 2010

MONDAY

Lunch- Scrambled Eggs, Biscuits

Dinner- Baked Ziti Casserole (that I made ahead of time

with homemade pasta, NOT shaped like Ziti, ha!)

TUESDAY

Lunch- Dortito Casserole, Rice, crunchy veggie plate

Dinner- Chicken Noodle Soup (make extra for Saturday)

WEDNESDAY

Lunch- Eggplant Parm w/spaghetti, salad, bread, Red Velvet Cake

Dinner- Cheese & Crackers, peaches

THURSDAY

Lunch- Grilled Cheese, apples & dip

Dinner- Hearty Beef Dumpling Stew

FRIDAY

Lunch- Chicken & Rice

Dinner- Homemade Pizza

SATURDAY

Lunch- Chicken Noodle Soup (left from Tuesday)

Dinner- Ham, Crock Pot potatoes, Green Beans

SUNDAY

Lunch- Roast Beef, Potatoes, Carrots

Dinner- Spanish Rice w/ Chicken

The recipes above that have links are from

a new cookbook I just got... and like it.

It's MORE than recipes, it's a manual for

learning how to plan, organize, shop

and feed your family.

Family Feasts for $75 a Week!

For more menu ideas check out www.orgjunkie.com

What are YOU?

Are you a friend who does things for others because

you want them to like you?

(which in turn benefits you... selfishness)

Or are you a friend that does things just because it

blesses & encourages someone?

I've been examining my motives...

aiming to be the friend who truly reflects JESUS...

and He's UNselfishness personified!

What kinda person are you?

Lotsa Cars in Detroit!

We've lived here for 5 1/2 years and have never been to the

International Auto Show... held right here in Detroit every year.

Our friends, engineers at FORD, invited us to join them this year.

How sweet they were. Their understanding of the displays

is COMPLETELY different than our "laymen" viewpoint.

But they were kind... as always!

We parked near the baseball stadium & took the PeopleMover

(above ground subway) to the show. Here's our afternoon,

documented in pictures.

(most from my camera, a few from my phone.)

(my husband & our boys wrestling in a hallway

while we waited for the PeopleMover)

Menu Plan Monday, Jan. 18, 2010

Using lotsa things already in my pantry & freezer.

MONDAY

Lunch- Eggs, Bacon, Frig Biscuits

Dinner- Crockpot Roast, Potatoes, Carrots

TUESDAY-

Lunch- Spaghetti & Mt. Sauce, Salad

Dinner- Veggie Soup, crusty bread

WEDNESDAY

Lunch- Chicken Enchiladas, Rices

Dinner- Hummus, Pitas, fruit

THURSDAY

Lunch- Salad, Cheesy Bread

Dinner- Dorito Casserole, Rice

FRIDAY

Lunch- Green bean & Chicken casserole

Dinner- Homemade pizza

SATURDAY

Lunch- TBA

Dinner- Cornbread Casserole

SUNDAY

Lunch- Crockpot Chili & Crockpot Mashed Potatoes

Dinner- Frig Biscuits w/lunch meat & cheese, fruit

(There's been lotsa puppet shows @ our house!

Love it. My kids have great humor!)

For more menu ideas check out this HUGE

listing at orgjunkie.com

Startin' from Scratch

The kids ministry at Real Church Detroit

spans from birth through 5th grade...

all in one SMALL, but sunny room!

It only goes for 30 -45 minutes because

the kids worship with their parents and

then go into the other room during

the sermon.

Our first week went smoothly...

Praise God! But it's a funny, interesting challenge.

Right now, since our location is only temporary,

we're not really naming it, not really giving it

a theme and not purchasing a ton of stuff for it...

in due time. But rest assured, kids are hearing

about JESUS!

But, I'm kinda starting from scratch.

Using stuff we already have at the other Real Church

campus, using stuff I have at home and things that

I can make/create. Trying to be frugal & creative

without looking totally ghetto or completely cheap! :)

So, my crafting supplies,

sewing supplies,

homeschooling supplies,

home office supplies,

and even kitchen stapes & utensils

have all become ministry tools.

But wait...

isn't that how life should be anyway?

EVERYTHING we own,

everything we do,

everything we're obligated to do,

everything we're talented enough to do,

is ALL created to minister to others.

WE are CREATED by the CREATOR.

We're intended to reflect HIM is ALL we do!

How are you using the daily parts of your life

to reflect Him & minister to others?

If you're not thinking this way... start now.

(EXTRA NOTE:

Living like this gives all the bits & pieces

of your life deeper meaning.)

Menu Plan Monday, Jan. 12, 2010

Menu plans... posted on Tuesday... Opps!

(Hey, we had a BIG weekend!... see the post before this!)

MONDAY

Lunch- Bacon & Eggs, Toast

Dinner- Chili in crockpot, Mashed Potatoes

TUESDAY

Lunch- Chicken & Veggie-crockpot- over rice

Dinner- Broccoli & Potato soup- crockpot

WEDNESDAY

Lunch- Messy Max's over toast (aka Sloppy Joes)

Dinner- Pot Pies (yes, I purchased them, but they were cheap!)

THURSDAY

Lunch- ABC Sandwiches (Avacado, Bacon & Cheddar)

Dinner- Spaghetti & Meat Sauce (in crockpot)

FRIDAY

Lunch- TBA (probably "Do-Overs")

Dinner- Homemade Pizza

SATURDAY

Lunch- Burritos & Rice

Dinner- Lasagna & Salad

SUNDAY

Lunch- Roast, Noodles, Gr. Beans

Dinner- Loaded Nachos

(I love snow. This was taken yesterday while

our family was out sledding! So fun!)

More ideas & links

Opening Day! Real Church Midtown Detroit

If you prayed for us... then you've shared in this exciting JOY!
Please keep praying for the weeks to come!!!
We were packed, hearts were encouraged and someone gave
their heart to Jesus, too! YIPPEE!!!

Here's a few pics of the great day...

Ministry by the Number

33 years ago a little ventriloquist puppet entered my life.

30 years ago I started babysitting & knew I loved kids.

(even though I was still a kid myself!)

28 years ago I joined my Mom in teaching the Sunday Morning

children's ministry at my childhood church in Greeley, Colorado.

27 years ago that poor little vent puppet (pictured above) died...

he was just all worn out.... literally.

26 years ago I received another wonderful ventriloquist puppet.

(some people get cars for their 16th b-day... I got a dummy!)

23 & 22 yrs. ago I was involved in a college ministry to kids

and then helped start a new kids ministry on another campus

the following year.

20 years ago I married a Pastor, called to reach, teach & disciple,

and I joined him in all those things.

19 years ago I started occasionally filling in for the kids pastors

in our various places of ministry and had a band of wonderful teens

or young adults to help.

14 years ago that (16th b-day present) ventriloquist puppet died...

of lock jaw.... seriously! :)

13 years ago another puppet joined our family... bigger & better than ever.

5 1/2 years ago we moved to Detroit/Hamtramck to plant a

church.

5 years ago a great team of friends & I started the

kids ministry of that new church.

4 years ago I was able to hand over that kids ministry to

capable people and it's grown & still growing!

And...

And...

And....

in 48 hours we will plant another church in Detroit...

this time in Midtown.

And once again I will begin a brand new kids ministry.

Jesus has been faithful all these years.

He never changes!

Here we go again!

(Your prayers are welcome!)

Do you recognize it?

Can you tell what this is?...

"Hello, Daddy!"

We want to know you.

And be close to You.

Please show us how.

Make everything in the world right again.

And in our hearts, too.

Do what is best - just like you do in heaven.

And please do it down here, too."

"Please give us everything we need today.

Forgive us for doing wrong, for hurting you.

Forgive us just as we forgive other people when they hurt us.

Rescue Us! We need You.

We don't want to keep running away and hiding from you."

"Keep us safe from our enemies.

You're strong, God.

You can do whatever you want.

You are in charge.

Now and forever and for always!

We think you're great!

Amen!

Yes we do!"

___________

It's beautiful, huh?

Did you figure it out?

(go ahead, leave your comment below!)

It's a quote from THE JESUS STORYBOOK BIBLE!

Max got it for Christmas and we all just LOVE it!

My eyes fill with tears as I read him (or he reads to me)

the familiar stories in a whole new language.

Everyone - all ages- can benefit from this wonderful book...

hey, a twenty-something- guy told me about it and he had a sample

of it on his computer! (Thx, Tom!)

It's prompted me to write some of the scriptures out

in my journal in my own words. Maybe I'll post a few

of those soon. A great way to make the words hit

home & become more personal.

Maybe you should try that today as you read & pray!

(click on the book for a link to purchase this great book)

(Oh... and I'm not getting any kickbacks or freebies for

promoting this book... I just really LOVE it!)

Menu Plan Monday, Jan. 4, 2010

Hmm, it's FREEZing here and I'm kinda sick of cooking.

This week I'm aiming for OnePot meals or very close

to it. Plus, it's Week of War... which means prayer & fasting

and we'll be having corporate prayer for Midtown Church

Plant OUTSIDE of the Detroit Institute of Art!

(And, many menu items that don't have veggies listed

actually have pureed veggies hidden in them. Shh!)

MONDAY

Lunch-Mexican Chicken Skillet

Dinner- TBA

TUESDAY

Lunch- Chicken Alfredo w/veggies

Dinner- French Fry Salad

WEDNESDAY

Lunch- Jerk Chicken (adapted so it's not too hot)

Dinner- Canned Soup in Bread Bowls

THURSDAY

Lunch- Potato & Broccoli Soup w/Bacon

Dinner- Messy Max's (sloppy joes), (on extra bread bowls), Carrots

FRIDAY

Lunch- Crockpot Taco Bean Soup w/Hamburger

Dinner- Homemade Pizza (always loaded w/veggies, in & on)

SATURDAY

Lunch- Chili & Mashed Potatoes

Dinner- Mac & Cheese (w/veggies hidden inside!)

SUNDAY, Midtown Real Church BEGINS!!!!

Lunch- TBA

Dinner- Loaded Nachos

For more ideas check out www.orgjunkie.com