PB&J for Haiti (contributed by Joanne)

After the earthquake in Haiti, we sat down as a family to discuss ways that we could help Haiti. The kids (ages 10,8,8,5, and 2 at the time) came up with some great ideas including praying for Haiti, adopting a child, making things to send them and finally, eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for a week and use our budgeted grocery money to buy food for Haitians. So, for one week, we ate pb&js for our supper meal and saved our grocery money for Haiti. The kids recently asked to do it again and the following weekend there was an insert in the church bulletin of a list of needed items. We jumped on the opportunity again and saved more grocery money. Today I was able to go on a shopping spree for Haiti with all the kids. We had a great time. The kids were amazed at all the things we were able to get. We had two carts full of twin sheets, soccer balls, shampoo, shoes, clothes, baby bibs and bottles, medicine, strollers, and so much more. As we left the store, one of the kids suggested that we do this every year and I think that is a great idea.

Trying New Recipes (contributed by Joanne)

I love to try new recipes and it's great to get many opinions just from my family. I tried two new recipes today, Creamy Chicken Enchiladas and Rhubarb Blueberry Muffins. After Blake finished his enchilada he said, "When can we have this again? The only part I didn't like was it's too spicy". That's funny, because I thought that next time I would add a can of green chilis. Here are my two newest recipes.

Creamy Chicken Enchiladas
2-3 boiled chicken breast, cut up
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/3 cup sour cream
1 can enchilada sauce
1/2 cup instant brown rice
1/3 cup chopped black olives (optional)
Mix all of the above ingredients using only half of the enchilada sauce.
Roll into 10 flour tortillas and place in greased 9x13 baking dish. Pour the rest of the enchilada sauce on the top and smother with cheese. Bake at 375 for about 30 minutes or until cheese looks perfect.

Rhubarb Blueberry Muffins
1/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup milk
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
1 cup chopped fresh or frozen rhubarb
In a small mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add egg and sour cream; mix well. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk. Fold in blueberries and rhubarb.
Fill 12 greased or paper-lined muffin cups about two-thirds full. Bake at 400 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.


The verdict is in -- they are both keepers! Now, I need to go clean up my kitchen.

April 22, 2011 (contributed by Joanne)

Wow, it's been a crazy week! We started out the week all up in the Milwaukee area. Good friends, Brandon and Sarah, showed us some great hospitality and let all 7 of us crash at their house for the night. We were all able to attend both launch meetings at RiverGlen for the new church. We are excited to have about 27 households come on board with us as we start the new church. I can't wait to get to know them on a more personal level. Please pray as we continue to create our launch team. God is good!
Jerod has been home with us this week. It is really a different dynamic when he is around. He stayed very busy the first part of the week scraping, painting and installing light fixtures, towel bars, and a new faucet in our second floor bathroom. He has also worked out in the garage.
The kids and I are still cranking out lessons and trying to get caught up and finish up the school year. We've had some very productive days and are praying for a few more just like them.
We don't have any big plans for Easter this year, but to spend it as a family and celebrate our Savior! Maybe, I'll try to get a duck yet for our Easter meal. We tried one last year and the kids haven't stopped talking about it since. We will really miss spending time with the extended family, but know that you are all in our prayers!

Growing (contributed by Rex)

Growing

One year ago I was as tiny as can be,
I was small enough to ride a bumblebee,
But then I grew up and reached my hands way up high,
I was tall enough to touch the big blue sky,
I like being big and I liked being small,
Now I know the difference between short and tall!

Introduction

We've started a family blog!  We have 7 contributing editors with pen names - Dad, Mom, Rex, Tiffany, Crystal, Blake, and Abigail.  We hope that you will find encouragement, humor, and glimpses into the family God has blessed us with as we share our church planting journey and life from several perspectives.