A Note From My Mother

It seems lately I have heard several times how blessed I am how to have the parents I do.  I will admit that I took them for granted for many years, particularly my mother.  It took having babies myself for me to appreciate the pain, joy, and sacrifices she had experienced being my mother.  

As we were packing up our stuff to head to Northwest Arkansas to stay with my parents until we go to Houston later this month, I found this note she sent me before I had Drew.  

You are ready to pack your bag for the trip to the hospital.  One of the things I remember  about the day you were born involves a flat, glass marble your brother gave me on our trip to the hospital in Fayetteville.  He knew I was hurting and he leaned over the seat and gave me a blue marble to hold on to so it wouldn’t hurt so much.  I don’t have a blue marble to stick in your bag, but I do have this cross I wish you to take.  After all, all we say and do is about the cross and the one who suffered pain for us so we could be blessed.  He is with you in a way I can’t be. Hold tight to him. 

Love and Prayers, Mom

As a soon to be first time mother, I was naive to what was ahead and thought that I was big enough to handle having a baby on my own.  We lived in Florida and had pretty much told our parents that they could just come after Drew was born.  

In her wisdom as a mother, she came anyway.  I went into labor early and ended up having a c-section.  She flew to Florida the day we came home from the hospital. I have never been so happy to see my mother.  Since that day, our relationship has changed in a way that I never imagined.  Each night that I am up at 2 am with a sick little boy, each day that I am privileged to hear little boy giggles, and each afternoon that I feel like I am losing my temper, our relationship gets a little stronger because I get it.  I see the sacrifice and the hardship that comes with being a mother but I also see the extreme joy and happiness as well.

Mom holding Drew for the first time

Thanks Mom.  For loving me through the little years and then the years when I thought I could do it without you.  For pointing me to Jesus as a child and now as a mother of children. You are simply the best and I am grateful God gave you to me.

Love, Lindsay

Homemaking 101: Cooking with Kathy

I need a new picture.  Scary to say this one is 5 years old! :)

My sweet mother is a Godly woman who is gifted in many areas but cooking is not one of them!  The running joke in our family is that when we have a get together, she brings the veggie tray.  So, while she has taught me a lot, my quest to be a better homemaker in matters of the kitchen and hospitality has been greatly influenced by my Aunt Kathy.  One of my first memories of being in her home was when my entire youth group from Arkansas was headed to Wyoming for a mission trip.  When our van broke down in Kansas and we weren’t able to stay where we had originally planned,  she and my uncle welcomed us into their Denver home well past midnight with smiles on their faces.  The next morning there was a yummy breakfast waiting on us!  I will always remember how willing she was to open her home and serve others.  This left a lasting impression with me about how to use your home as a ministry tool. 

As I have gotten older, the lessons have continued.  After I had D, she came and cooked for almost three solid days, filling my freezer with all kinds of goodies.  She has shared recipes and tips along the way and I have been known to call her in the middle of cooking dinner and ask for her help or opinion.  

Two of my favorite recipes she has shared are her Chicken Salad and Meatballs.  I usually make a double batch of the meatballs and freeze them.  Then we can just pull out what we need for that meal and reheat them in the oven.   

I thought I would share a little of my aunt with you today.  I hope you enjoy these recipes as much as we do!

Who has taught you the most in the kitchen?  What lessons have you learned about using your home for ministry?

Chicken Salad

5 Chicken breasts cooked and shredded

6 pineapple rings cut into pieces

3 celery stalks chopped

1 cup graves quartered

1 apple chopped

1/2 cup chopped pecans

2-3 Tbsp pineapple juice

Mayonnaise (enough to make smooth consistency/start with 1/2 cup and add more as needed)

Mix all ingredients and.  Chill before serving

Meatballs

3lbs. ground beef

2 cups oatmeal

1 small can evaporated milk

2 eggs- beaten

2 tsp. chili powder

1 cup chopped onion

1tsp garlic

2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

Mix all meatball ingredients and make into balls.  This recipe will fill three 9X13 pans. 

Sauce: 

4 cups ketchup

2 1/2 cups brown sugar

3 tbsp liquid smoke

1 cup chopped onnion

1 tsp garlic powder

Heat all until sugar dissolves

Pour sauce over meatballs and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.  When freezing, omit the sauce, cook, and freeze them after they cool.