While we lived in England one of the most wonderful things was that the over all majority of people whether rich or poor went on holiday/vacation for some time in July or August.

It was wonderful.

Because we were richly blessed with good friends, we were introduced to some people with a lovely farmhouse we’d rent in a little town called St. Mere Eglise in northern France (about 10 minutes from Omaha Beach). We had an absolutely magical time 2 years in a row, once with dear friends and once on our own.

It was SO easy to explore and spend little to no money, because for us the food and wine was such a rich, culinary experience, (you could eat like a king and never have to go out for a meal!) and the beach was a happy place to take a picnic and bottle of wine and spend the day soaking up the sunshine and watching the children play and get golden.

During the week, different towns would have the local markets and it was fun to go and spend part of the day just walking around and picking up cheese for the evenings meal from the local cheese maker. We also discovered a truck at these markets that had sizzling spicy sausage and french fries on a toasted baguette that was to die for. They call them Sandwich de Marguez and for a few euros, we could all eat to our tummies content. You could add Dijion mustard, or ketchup or nothing at all.

That became our daily ritual, to pack a picnic basket, go to the local market in which ever town was hosting, eat a wonderful Sandwich de Marguez and then go to the closest beach for the rest of the day.

So of course this was a recipe we had to try to recreate here in the States when we moved back, forever hopeful that we may again go back with our boys to our lovely farm house in St Mere Eglise.

Wonderful for a BBQ , it is also easy to feed lots of people!!

1 per person (2 if your my boys)

feeds 12

Sandwich de Merguez

Ingredients

24 spicy sausages ( If you are lucky enough to be able to find Merguez sausages then by ALL means do!!)

2 large bags of thin frozen french fries ( about 4 lbs )

24 medium sized baguettes

Dijon Mustard

Ketchup

6 Leeks rinsed and sliced in 1/2 inch pieces

Olive oil

Sea Salt

Black Pepper

Prepare

* Put your french fries on a couple baking sheets and bake in a 350 degree oven until golden, immediately sprinkle with a generous amount of sea salt on one tray sea salt and pepper on the other

* Grill your sausages on the BBQ or on the stove top for about 10 minutes or until they are barely pink. Let them rest on the side for another 10 minutes and they will keep cooking and allow the juice to distribute through the sausage

* While sausage is resting, sautee the leeks in a pan with 2 tbs of butter, and olive oil until soft

* Cut the Baguettes so one side stays closed and toast them on the BBQ for a few minutes or do the same in the oven

* Make the sandwich by cutting the sausage in half, long ways if you find it easier to handle and placing it in the baguette, add a generous amount of french fries to the sandwich, sauteed leeks if you want and Dijon and ketchup

BON APPETIT!!!!!!!

My husband and I were coming back from the grocery store and got stuck at a traffic light behind a big SUV. While we waited, the SUV had a Disney movie playing on a small screen in the back seat.

That got us talking about the differences between kids nowadays and how things were when we were growing up. Back in those days when summer rolled around our parents sent us to the back yard with cardboard boxes, our bicycles and the instructions: “Don’t go too far!” and “be home by dark!”

We didn’t have the internet or video games or any of the techno gadgets kids have nowadays and somehow, our summers were filled with endless adventures and we miraculously survived.

With school out barely more than a week, if you’re a mom who’s already sick of hearing the words, “there’s nothing do” or “I’m bored!” and ready to send away for a do-it-yourself-Lobotomy kit, rest easy. I’m a veteran of the summertime “I’m bored” wars and here to tell you that it is possible to survive summer vacation and maintain your sanity but you may need to get creative.

Kids don’t have to be entertained or mentally stimulated by outside sources, clubs, sports or other activities 24/7. It’s okay to let them rely on their own imagination from time-to-time. I’m sure this sounds like obsolete advice in the 21st century, but it was true when I was growing up and it’s still true today.

I vowed when my kids were little I’d be a hands on mom and never too busy to stop and play with them. If my daughters begged me to play Barbies or babies, I did my best to indulge them. The same was true for my son when he asked for help with a jigsaw puzzle or invited me to play Pokemon. I didn’t want my kids in therapy years later proclaiming, “My Mom never had time for me. She was too busy cleaning house.”

Summer vacations don’t have to be structured and every minute planned. But if you need some ideas, here are a few that worked for me over the years.

Local libraries offer free movies, story times and summer reading programs for kids from toddlers to teens (all at no cost). Check with your local library for details.

Let your child be “kid for a day” one day a week. Let them decide the evening meal and enlist their help with preparations. This is a great way to pass on old family recipes from great-grandma that you’d like to leave as a family legacy. Make sure dinner includes dessert as most kids love baking cookies and cakes.

One night a week make dinner from a different country. Encourage your kids to do some internet research (with parental guidance of course) to find out foods of that country and research the local customs. Encourage them to share at dinner what they learned about that country.

Let your children get involved with weekly grocery shopping. (No, I’m serious!) Let them help make a list. Give each child a calculator and let them keep running totals for everything you buy. Have them compare prices and sizes of products to figure out the best buy for the money. This is a great way to help with their math problem solving skills and learn about budgeting money. At the register have them compare their totals with the actual total to see who’s the closest. Reward them for their efforts.

Let them write and star in their own music video or movie. Have your kids help you plan a yard sale with toys and clothes they’ve outgrown. Have an indoor picnic or make a trip to the park to play in the fountains or feed the ducks.

Summer vacation doesn’t have to be about moms counting the days until school begins again. You don’t have to spend a ton of money to have fun.  The biggest lesson I learned from my tenure as a full-time stay-at-home mom is your kids will value the time you spend with them more than the things you buy to entertain them. They may say that want the “stuff” but they really want your attention.

Take it from someone who knows, they grow up too fast and these times when they’re driving you crazy will be gone in the blink of an eye so enjoy your kids at each and every stage! They’re a gift from God!
Blessings in Christ,
Kathy
www.kathleenkurlin.com

I am moving. There. I said it out loud.
Now I know what some of you are thinking:
“Yea! It’s not me!”
I have to tell you though; the experience has not been the worst of my life. Not the best, but not the worst.
My friends really came to my rescue. I am moving illiterate, and needed a lot of help and guidance. I’m great at helping others move, but not myself. I asked a few people, but being the type that is not good at asking for help, I probably didn’t ask enough. Fortunately, my friends know me and asked for others to come to my aid. One person sent out an email asking for people to help me out. People came through.
My sister had come from California earlier in the week and she and my nephew helped me with some preliminary moving, but me being Barb, I still had a lot to do.
The day of the move came and I was afraid I wouldn’t know what to do. Not a problem. One person took charge, so he was the captain. He made sure the truck was packed to maximum special efficiency. If anyone asked what to do I referred them to him. Another took charge of the supplemental packing, by default that also meant corralling me. “Focus Barb” became the mantra for the morning.
It was truly amazing how it all came together. The truck was packed with everything that needed to go over that day, and even more than I thought would fit into it. We drove to my next address and unloaded. It all went so well!
Now I could make a number of analogies here. God moves us, and sometimes uses others to do it. Open yourself up to God and He will bless you with love in so many ways. God will always rescue us no matter what the need.
I’m going with The Beatles here: I get by with a little help from my friends.
Okay, this was a lot of help, but you get the idea.
Don’t get me wrong, God still gets the credit! He created these people in such amazing ways, and brought them into my life. But they said, “Yes.”
I am so grateful for each person that gave up their Saturday morning, to pack, lift, pack some more, drive to the new location, and do it all in reverse. I’m so thankful for them all.
And thankful to God who sent them to me.
Peace!
Barb (on the move)

The mighty storm’s winds swayed the palm trees and tropical vegetation with fury.  My brother Luis and I watched the bleary scene from our hotel window, like a pair of sad puppies at a pet shop, hoping to be let out.  This crazy Florida weather had turned our big plans upside down.

We were young and our family was on vacation.  On this particular day, we were supposed to visit Wet ‘N Wild, the big water park.  Luis and I were so excited!  This was the highlight of our trip and a totally new experience, since there were no water parks in Guatemala when we were kids.

We were going to have the most wonderful time!

But as we watched our dad shake his head at the televised weather report earlier that morning and then heard him ask the concierge about the storm, we knew we were doom.  How could this be!  The sun shone brightly the day before; there had been no indication for the sudden and drastic climatic change.

Our parents decided to spend the day shopping at a nearby mall, instead.  Whoopydoo.  The rest of the days had been planned already, so we never had a chance to visit Wet ‘N Wild before returning to Guatemala.

Fifteen years later my husband Ron and I began a yearly tradition.  Shortly after moving to sunny Arizona, we discovered a water park just minutes away from our new home.  No summer went by without our family spending at least one day of great fun at Waterworld.

Even my brother Luis had a chance to go with us, during one of his visits!

Isn’t it crazy?  That gloomy morning in Florida, I thought I’d never have another chance to enjoy a day like the ones we’ve enjoyed each summer here in Phoenix:  Gliding down the water slides; floating lazily on the snake river; catching waves at the big surf; eating hot dogs and ice cream and sipping on slurpies galore.  But God had many more days in store like the one I’d once missed.

And He had even more!  About the same time Ron and I discovered Waterworld, we became members of Vineyard North Phoenix.  Our new church family had a fun tradition of their own we gladly adopted:  Twice a year we get together at the Glendale Community College pool for a day of great fun. 

We swim and dive in the pool.  We play games and laugh hysterically as we watch our kids and friends compete in relay races or stuff their faces to see who’ll finish first a big slice of watermelon.  Some enjoy an indoor game of volleyball at the gym; others prefer to visit with friends while launching on the grass.

And there are plenty of hot dogs and other yummy treats available!

But the best part comes when we all gather together around the pool and witness our brothers and sisters get baptized.  Some of them are friends, our own children or spouses.  Some of them are complete strangers we welcome into our family, just as a newborn baby we love at first sight.

If you are new to our church family or have never attended a Baptism Day at GCC, I encourage you to check it out!  Gather your shorts or swimsuit, your sunscreen, your towel and your kids (or come alone and meet new friends,) and come join us for a day of fun in the sun this coming Monday, May 31 – on Memorial Day.

You’ll be glad you did!

Ana

http://anastinescorner.blogspot.com/

“Where are you guys going today?” I asked my brother and my sister-in-law, who were visiting from Guatemala.  I was getting ready to leave for work, but I wanted to check on my company before heading out the door.

Luis and Perla had been driving my husband Ron’s truck for several days now.  I had been very busy at work, so they were basically on their own, and it hadn’t occurred to me, until then, that the gas tank might be running low.

No “hostess with the mostest” here.

“To the outlets”, my brother Luis replied.

“Then you might need to put some gas in the truck,” I said, while trying to remember where the closest service station that sold diesel was.

“No worries,” he said.  “I already did.”

Oh, oh.  No bueno.

“D-d-did you p-p-put diesel on it?” I stammered.

My brother’s ashen face said it all. 

Definitely no bueno.  At all.

He jumped to his feet and ran to get his wallet.   I jumped to mine and ran to get the phone.  I called Ron and asked him to come pronto.  Luis asked for my car keys and the nearest Wal-Mart, so he could go and buy what he needed to drain the truck’s gas tank.

I was furious with myself!  How could I have been so dumb (let’s call it like it is) and not tell my brother that this was a diesel truck?  As most people know, putting regular gas in a diesel vehicle is as bad as dropping your cell phone – the one you carry in your jean pocket – in the toilet.  (Don’t shake your head like that never happens – you’d be surprised.)

I paced the kitchen floor, wriggling my hands and slapping my forehead at sporadic intervals.  Luis came back from the store carrying a plastic grocery bag and a cheap hose he could cut and use to siphon the evil gas out from the tank.

“Can I help you?” I offered meakly, even though there was zero to nothing I could do to remedy this potentially disastrous situation.

“You need to leave now or you’ll be late for work.  Besides, Ron will be here soon,” he responded as he pulled stuff out of the bag.

True.  I needed to get going, but leaving him all alone to take care of this problem felt plain wrong.

I glanced at my wristwatch.  Shoot.  Luis was right.  I needed to leave or I’d be late and in even more trouble.

“Are you sure?” I asked again.

“Go!” he reassured me, “I got it.”

I had to think this through.  My brother Luis is 32-years-old and plenty capable to deal with this situation and way worse ones.  Actually, his automotive knowledge far surpasses mine, like by lightyears.  So why was I so hesitant about leaving him in charge?

I’ll tell you why.  My husband Ron and I have lived away from family most of our married lives.  Like many here in America – single moms, especially – we learn to be self-reliable and independent.  We shy away from asking help or favors.  We don’t want to be a nuisance.  We just figure out ways to make things happen without “bothering” someone else, except when strictly necessary.

I got it.

The words resonated in my mind’s ear.  You mean I can?  I pondered.  What a freeing concept!

I got it.

So many times, I find myself trying so hard to fix things or to make them happen – all on my own.  And I wrestle with the offer God extends to help me out, to leave my problem and my needs in His perfectly capable hands, so that He can take care of them.

Yes, I wrestled with this often.  Just like I did that one morning.

I bit my lip.  Then I took my keys and purse and kissed my brother good-bye.  “Thank you”, I said, before leaving my house and this problem behind. 

Later that day, my husband Ron called me on the phone to tell me everything was ok with the truck.  “Luis acted quickly”, he said, “so we don’t think there was any damage to the engine or the hoses.”

I felt relieved and grateful – for my brother’s quick actions, for my husband’s help and understanding, for God’s mercy in preventing my hubby’s prized truck from suffering costly damage, and for lessons learned about trust and the rare art of letting go.

Ana

http://anastinescorner.blogspot.com/

This past weekend, Pastor Martin Buehlmann shared about the commission Jesus gave us.  It was a very inspiring message, but one story he told got me thinking.  It was about God speaking to him.

Pastor Buehlmann told about a time when God clearly told him he would witness to the president of  a South American country.  Time when by, but Martin never forgot this message.  A few years later, Martin did indeed witness to this president.

Although I’ve never had God give me a message like that, I have “heard” God’s voice clearly.  Interestingly, it hasn’t happened the entire time I’ve been a Christian.  I went for many years without hearing God speaking specifically to me.  It wasn’t until we moved across country that it started.

Twelve years ago  we moved from Phoenix to Charlotte.  It wasn’t a move I wanted, but I agreed to support my husband’s dream to live somewhere besides Phoenix.  Instead of an adventure, all I saw was loss.  Instead of discovering beauty in the area, and enjoying the joy of being with my children full time, I focused on what I had given up:  my career, church, friends, and extended family.  I was heartbroken.

It was in that condition I started hearing God “speak” to me.  It wasn’t in an audible voice, or in any unsual way, just a clear voice in my spirit.  God put Scriptures in my mind.  He spoke words of encouragement specifically for me.  He gave me direction to do things I never would have done on my own.   Here’s just one example:

We had been church searching for a few weeks when God directed us to a small congregation meeting in a grade school.  After attending there for a few weeks, a lovely young woman gave her testimony.  My heart was moved by her honesty and obvious love for God.  That very same week, I was driving and heard a radio spot by the woman who had spoken at church. God spoke to me in a way I’d never before experienced and He clearly told me to track her down and offer my services as a volunteer.  It took a few phone calls, but I finally reached Lysa TerKeurst, the President of Proverbs 31 Ministries.

 “Hi Lysa,” I said.   The next words came tumbling out of my mouth as I blurted, “I’ve just moved to Charlotte, I saw you at church, then heard you on the radio.  I’ve got a degree in Journalism and I’m wondering if you need any volunteers.”

 There was a pause on the other end of the phone before Lysa answered, “We’ve been praying for someone with a degree in Journalism.”

It was exciting to hear God speak to me, and see how He was orchestrating events.  In a conversation to a friend from home, I told her about this new experience.  She told me something I’ve never forgotten.  She said that perhaps my life had been too full to hear God before my move.  However, with very little outside interference , God could finally reach me. 

The truth is, before the move, I didn’t really need God very much.  Even though I was a committed Christian, serving in a variety of ways, I was very independent.  My life was good.  It wasn’t until everything I depended on was removed, that I became empty enough for God to fill me. 

As hard as it was, God put me in a position of need so I could hear Him.  In fact, He gave me a complete makeover.  And I will be forever grateful. 

I believe God longs to speak to each of us.  Perhaps you are wondering if God has been speaking to you.  Sometimes it’s hard to know if we make something up, or if it’s God.  In talking to lots of people, and reading God’s Word, I’ve discovered a few guidelines.  For one, when God does ”speak,” it always lines up with Scripture.  Usually there is an application of God’s Word to my life.  Sometimes God has told me to do something that in my flesh I wouldn’t do, but Jesus would: such as adopt two little girls from Africa. 

How has God spoken to you?  If you don’t hear God’s voice, is it perhaps because your life is a bit too full like mine was?  Let’s start a conversation today about this topic.  I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Grace & Peace,

Glynnis

A couple of weeks ago I was walking along, minding my own business when I took a slight misstep and felt a painful popping in the back of my knee. On a pain scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the worst, my pain was about a 14. A visit to Urgent Care discovered I had a cyst that ruptured causing the pain and the popping.

I spent the better part of these last two weeks either flat on my back or hobbling around with a giant knee brace and a pair of crutches. Having my normal routine greatly impaired and simple movement severely restricted has a way of making you reevaluate the simple things in life. Like showers, sleeping, climbing the stairs in your house and oh yes … going to the bathroom!

A girl can do a lot thinking when she’s forced to remain sedentary for an extended period of time. I suspect that may have been God’s intention all along. He’s good that way. Sometimes we women get crazy busy and pile too many things on our plates. We get pulled in many different directions and consequently we neglect the basics. (Oh wait … maybe that’s just me.)

I’m ashamed to admit I’ve been neglecting some basics lately. Housework (yuck, hate it!) My prayer time and my Scripture reading have felt like the Reader’s Digest Condensed Version lately. Even my own health needs have been pushed to the back burner. One little misstep brought reality crashing down and forced me to see the obvious.

In His infinite wisdom God’s been showing me how little missteps can lead to subtle changes in our walk with Him. What may seem minor and not really an issue may be a sign that we’re not walking on the path we’re supposed to be on. Nothing major, but things like blowing our witness by raising our voice to an innocent sales clerk or screaming at the traffic with the kids are in the car.

Maybe carrying a grudge with a loved one or going to bed angry because we don’t want to give in and say I’m sorry. Perhaps it’s even something like neglecting a volunteer job at church because we don’t feel like giving up our free time.

Missteps such as these may seem minor at first, but can quickly lead to a painful realization that we’re actually in danger of losing our footing altogether. Rather than waiting for God to arrange an unscheduled sabbatical in your life like he did with me, perhaps you may want to take stock of the basics in your life and check your footing. Are you still walking the straight and narrow or are you headed for a painful misstep that may cause you to fall flat on your face?

I’m pleased to report that after two weeks, my knee is healing nicely and my walk … well I still have a little hitch in my giddiup, but that’s just arthritis. My walk with Christ is feeling much more solid than it did a couple of weeks ago thanks to a little one-on-one time with God. He’s good that way.

17 Be on guard so that you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. 18 Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 3:17-18 (NLT)

Blessings in Christ,
Kathy
www.kathleenkurlin.com

Do you know the name of Moses’ mother?

When I heard this question several days ago, I had to really think about it.

Let’s see…  Miriam was Moses’ sister and Aaron the priest, his older brother…  But what was his mother’s name?

Most people have heard this woman’s incredible story of faith, ingenuity and courage – how she defied Pharaoh’s horrific decree, which ordered all Hebrew male babies to be thrown in the river, and how she jeopardized her own life in order to save baby Moses’. 

“But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile.” (Exodus 2:3)

My heart breaks as I picture the scene:  Moses’ mother wrapping her baby with his favorite blanket and tenderly kissing him one last time before placing the infant inside the tiny homemade raft.  And then, with a desperate prayer, giving a gentle but firm push to the basket after placing it on the water…

But who remembers her name? 

There are so many who perform wonderful, courageous, history-altering acts, yet their names remain a mystery.  Often, we remember and celebrate the deed, but not the doer – his/her name are forever shrouded in obscurity.

Mothers are perhaps the greatest example of works performed in anonymity.  There are few famous mothers, and even fewer are the mothers of famous people whose names we know or remember.

Mothers sacrifice so much.  They give of themselves almost entirely and often give up on recognition or prestige, remuneration, their own dreams, hot meals, their own education, opportunities, old friendships and the possibility of a few new ones, uninterrupted sleep, work promotions, a clean home, romantic moments, peace of mind, untarnished furniture, any sense of control they once might have felt, and appreciation.

When the world recognizes their children’s triumph, mothers are rewarded in secret.  That is all they want and all their hearts crave for.

In honor of Mother’s Day, I’d like to take a few moments to thank those wonderful ladies we are fortunate to call “mom” for their hard work, their sacrifices, their tender affection, their courage, their foresight, their resolve, their faith and their prayers, for the hugs, butterfly kisses and many tears, and for their pure unselfish love.

Ooops!  I almost forgot.  I found out the name of Moses’ mother.  (I love the Internet.)  It was Jochebed (Exodus 6:20).  Did you know that already?

I didn’t.  But I really don’t think she would’ve cared whether or not I remembered her name.  As long we all remembered that her baby boy grew up to be one of Israel’s greatest leaders.

Happy Mothers’ Day!

Ana

http://anastinescorner.blogspot.com/

These are some thoughts on my mind…Winsome Witty Women…or…Wednesday’s Wonderful Women…or… Women Who Worship…or Wise Welcoming Women…or… Wow!  What Women!

You might have guessed I am thinking of what is coming up this Wednesday, May 5^th.  (Or you may think I am an alliteration freak and both are really correct.)

Vineyard Women has shifted its monthly women’s gatherings so both events meet on the first Wednesday of the month.  (This should be easy for all of us to remember.) J

My heart for Women’s Ministry at Vineyard is that it would be a place where women can connect with God and other women.  I envision all of us being at our friendly best and welcoming in those who may have ventured out for the first time to meet some new people.  We never know how we may touch someone just by being friendly or inviting them to sit with us at our table.  Being friendly can not only make the difference of someone returning themselves, but possibly of one of that person’s family members getting saved down the road because this person, in turn, invited them.  In a way, it is like mining a vein of gold.  How exciting!  You never know who might be touched from a welcoming woman–a wonderful woman—a woman like you!

We have two great opportunities coming up this week.

Women’s Evening (The first Wednesday evening of the month) begins at 7:00 p.m.  The topic this month is, “Naturally Supernatural- Moving in the gifts of the Spirit.”  DaNetta Fernandez is going to teach and I am so excited to see what God will do.

Women’s First Wednesday (The first Wednesday morning of the month) begins at 9:00 a.m.  This month’s morning topic is, “Patience- Hanging in There with Hard to Love People.”  Debbie James, who works in our Children’s Ministry, will be sharing and this is a topic we all need to hear.

Both events include worship, teaching and discussion.  $3 includes snacks and supplies.  Both also meet in the Youth Auditorium.  Please pick up a brochure for more details.

God Bless you!

Thora