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By kcharles, December 8, 2011 9:47 pm

This week has been a week of comfort foods for us.  The kids and I have been in New England, helping my family through a stretching time. 

In preparing to come, I needed a menu plan that would appeal to everyone.  I also needed the meals to be easy, fast, full of comfort, inexpensive, feed an army, and be freezable.  Most of these fit that description.  And with a salad and steamed veggies, most everything looked healthier than it probably was. 

If ever you are in need of a little comfort food, I hope this list helps. Thus far, my little elves and I have received rave reviews.  (Which, for me in the kitchen, is something to be proud of.)  I really hope these recipes can be used to encourage someone who needs it.  Enjoy, friends.

1.  Classic Baked Ziti

2.  Sweet and Sour Chicken

3.  Best Sloppy Joe’s Eva

4.  Classic Chicken Pot Pie

5.  Vegetable Tortellini Soup

6.  Sweet and Spicy Slow Cooker Chicken 

7.  Marinated Steak and Chicken on the Grill 

8.  Twice Baked Deviled Potatoes

9.  Apple Crisp

10.  Peanut Butter Chocolate Brownie Pie

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By kcharles, December 6, 2011 2:03 am

Meet Barnabas.  A rather humble little bear with a propensity for travel.

Barnabas was the creation of a first grade class I had 13 years ago.  He was our mascot and travelled everywhere with us, my students, their families, etc.  He carries a backpack that documents his adventures in a journal and with photographs.  Back in the day, we created  a bulletin board in his honor, charting his travels across the states or world. 

Since the kids and I are homeschooling this year, we have dug poor dusty Barnabas out of the basement.  (I love Barnabas for social studies especially and he wasn’t learning too much in his confinement!)  So now he is back at it again, pen in hand, ready to document his adventures. 

In fact, I caught him eating clam cakes last night and double fisting it with a Dunkin D’s in one hand and a Del’s lemonade in the other.   Hmmmm…. where on earth could he be? 

Read more up on how Barnabas can be used for Family Ministry here.

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By kcharles, December 4, 2011 1:37 am

Last year, I happened upon Red Letter Words: Faith Inspired Art. 

As soon as I saw her site, I loved her work.  I especially loved the word of God – like this canvas art and this greeting card set for youth group girls.  But then I wondered if she could design a custom print for me - one of all of the places God has allowed us to serve since Paul and I got married.

So I contacted her, placed an order, and she was sooooo sweet about creating this canvas.  The cool thing was – she was just as excited about this idea as I was!  She was great to work with, personable, and a complete blessing.  

This was the only Christmas present that I almost could not wait to give Paul.  It hangs in our home so that we see it every time we head out the door.  It’s a reminder of how God has been faithful through ordinary us (even though we are I am terribly inept at times!)  It also helps us to remember the missionaries still serving at each location.

Now I need another good idea for him.  Anyone?  What have been some of your favorite Christmas gift ideas?

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By kcharles, December 3, 2011 12:00 am

Blessed are the single-hearted, for they shall enjoy much peace.

If you refuse to be hurried and pressed,
if you stay your soul on God,
nothing can keep you from that clearness of spirit which is life and peace.
In that stillness you will know what His will is.

Amy Carmichael

Perfect peace have they that love Your law and nothing can make them stumble.
Psalm 119:165

May peace be yours today, as you stay your soul on God.
Because of Jesus,

Kristin

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By kcharles, December 2, 2011 12:55 am

My mom and I had a funny relationship as a teenager.  I loved her dearly, but I never knew how to show it. 

She loved hugs.  I didn’t.  She expressed her love through field hockey to ballet shuttles, healthy dinners, and a clean home;  acts of service, really.  I am embarrassed to say that I rarely picked up a finger to help. 

But one Christmas, I got it. 

I knew that my mom responded to words.  Bible verses, quotes from the pastor, music lyrics, lines in literature, funny sayings,  my own writing, words of encouragement from each of our family members, etc. 

And so I wrote.  And I wrote.  And I wrote.  With my own hand on scrap pieces of paper, I wrote out 365 notes of encouragement.  It took me forever, but it was my act of love. 

And it was the best Christmas present I’ve ever given.  I still remember how she opened it up and cried.  And every day she told me how much it meant and cried some more.  That would have been 20 something years ago. 

Since then, 365 Days of Love has made a couple other appearances.  We have given one to Paul’s dad (a pastor), his mom, and another to my mom last year.  Thankfully, the computer does shorten the time it takes to make these, but it still is time consuming – personally selecting 365 quotes.  However, I would do it all over again in an instant.

Especially to see those smiles.  And to express love and encouragement each day for the next year. 

365 Days of Love would be perfect for a loved one, a pastor, a missionary, military personnel far from home, a beloved teacher, a college student, a widow, someone battling an illness, a close friend.  If making it with kids, allow them to decorate the bucket however they want.  Older children can also help by finding quotes and cutting out the slips. 

Let me know if you give this a try!

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By kcharles, November 29, 2011 8:35 am

Time spent together as a family.  Messy.  Laughter ringing loud.  Antagonizing.  Whining.  Sweet.  Quirky.  Much Grace given.  More received.  A great treasure.

If you’re looking for a Christmas gift that kids can make this year, consider a Family Treasure Chest that highlights time spent together.  Have your kids decorate it, however they want.  Little hands will LOVE you! 

Give it away to a treasured loved one – mom, dad, grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc.  Throughout the year, they will collect and store small momentos of time spent together.

Include a ticket stub, a bracelet from a museum, a picture from a photo booth, a map, a prize won, etc. 

Every Christmas, go through the treasure chest and re-live your memories.  Create a new family tradition!  I LOVE this gift because it places more value on TIME SPENT TOGETHER as opposed to gifts given. 

That makes me smile:)

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By kcharles, November 27, 2011 12:05 am

1.  Decorate a maybe real tree (if I can coerce enough!)
2.  Go see lights - Talk about  The Light and being a light
3.  Make a Christmas gift for a loved one
4.  See a live nativity
5.  Donate food items to a family in need
6.  Have a family Christmas movie night with buttered popcorn
7.  Cuddle up with a cup of hot chocolate and the Crippled Lamb, by Max Lucado
8.  Write our Compassion children
9.  Have fun with the Elf on a Shelf (just with his silly antics, not the good/bad thing)
10.  Bake and Decorate cookies to donate to the Homeless Shelter (and keep some for ourselves:)
11.  Read about the birth of Jesus – Celebrate with a birthday cake
12.  See the Nutcracker with Selah (the boys will probably do something manly)
13.  Help address cards and watch old Christmas classics
14.  Have a Christmas Tea Party with Selah’s Grandmothers
15.  Send something special to our missionaries
16.  Make a new ornament for our tree
17.  Skype with friends around the world to wish them a Merry Christmas (Miss Carolyn – that’s you!)
18.  Make a simple Gingerbread House
19.  Deliver Christmas treats to our neighbors
20.  Make a Jesse Tree and do the Advent readings
21.  Celebrate Jesus’ birth at the candlelight service at church
22.  Deliver hot chocolate to a Salvation Army bell ringer
23.  Stuff each other’s stockings with encouragement and thanks
24.  Pray for the persecuted church every day of December
25.  Choose a gift from the Compassion Gift Catalog

How do you celebrate Christmas with your family?  What are some of your favorite holiday traditions?  I would love to hear!

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By kcharles, November 24, 2011 9:48 am

Just wanted to say that I am grateful for you. 
Enjoy your day with the ones whom you love!

Because of Jesus,
Kristin

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By kcharles, November 23, 2011 7:54 am

If you’re looking for a last minute kids’ contribution to the Thanksgiving spread, this may be the one. 

Grab random cookies from your pantry. 
Find something that can substitute for feathers and eyes.
Attach everything with the yummiest adhesive there is – melted chocolate chips.  (Not that I regularly ingest and rate adhesives.)

Now send the little fingers to work, sneaking candy and laughing.  They will be busy. 

And it may get messy.  Allow for it! 

You will now have time to concoct whatever Thanksgiving dish you need to prepare. 

And sooner or later, they’ll have concocted Turkey Cookies that will appeal to the small crowd at the feast. 

HAVE FUN!

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By kcharles, November 22, 2011 12:05 am

 The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts.
No Americans have been more impoverished than these who,
nevertheless,
set aside a day of thanksgiving. 

~ H.U. Westermayer