Menu Monday-Freezer Meals and Ideas For Helping People In Need

Good Morning and Welcome to the blog.  Today before I share 
this weeks menu idea . . . 
. . . because I am not really sure what I'll pull off this week. 

I've mentioned a few times recently that we've been going to a food pantry.  

I am not sure your experience or your thoughts about pantries and people that go to them.  

I have been on both sides.  I have served many, many hours at our local food pantry.  I would like to share that experience with you. 

Right now with everything that is going on many more people are needing help.  

Maybe you need some help

Please ask you can call 211 and they will direct you to pantries in your area.  .  

Or maybe you could help someone else by making a donation.   I was reading a post just this morning about cleaning out your food pantry to re-organize.  Maybe you've been doing a bit of clean up and organizing.   Did you think to donate unwanted food?  

As I think about all the times my Cowboy and I worked at the food pantry I could write days and days of experiences.  I could write post after post filled with photo's.  

Here are a few . . .

 For a few years the Cowboy and I worked at a boys prison.  

These photo's are bitter sweet for me.  The Cowboy is healthy. 

The young man in this photo is grown.  He is married and has children.  Working at the food pantry changed lives.  

When someone receives food it changes lives. 

I know.

This is what food distribution looked like back in the day.  My hair wasn't gray.    God placed it on my heart to do something for the neighborhood I grew up in.  

The church that I grew up in had a gym.  It was the perfect location for an event to benefit the neighborhood.  

Boxes and boxes of food were given to the families that came. This is only a few of the volunteers there were over 100 through the day.  

We could not do this today. 

We could not gather and share the Gospel 

and 

Provide food at the same time.  

This is what it looks like today

This is real.  This is what it is like when I go to a local church 

to get food.  I am in a small town in the middle of DFW.  There

are usually only 12 or so cars in front of me when I pull in.  

Before I leave there are that many or more in line behind me. 

It is not easy getting in line and asking for food

But I do.

And so I 'get it'

I have been on both sides.  And so I wanted to share with you 

that this is 'real'.  There are people who need our help.

You can help.

Back in the day I would have urged you to join us on a Friday

to pack boxes at the Food Bank.  

Things have changed.  It's not as easy to find a place to volunteer. But it is worthy trying.  There are lots of pantries through out the city.  

The first week after school closed when I went to the church there were a dozen teenagers hauling boxes and loading cars.  It was a Blessing for me to see this kids serving God.  It brought back some wonderful memories for me.  

Maybe your like me and taking this 'down time' to clean and organize the house.  And just maybe your pantry needs cleaning out.   Or maybe you have a few extra bucks and you can buy 

a few extra things to share. 

It is easy to find a pantry to donate to. 

You can call 211 and tell them you are looking for somewhere to donate food.  

It's simple and means so much 

And wow.  This was a very long post.

Are you still interested in my plans for the Rustic Dinner plate?

In the freezer we still have . . . 

Pork Loin

We found Chuck Roast on sale a couple weeks.  We still have one in the freezer

Ground Beef

Chicken Breasts

We have some Fish Sticks that we can have for lunch one day

On the pantry shelf we have . . . 

Dried Beans I am thinking Pinto's again since they were so good last week.  I only cooked part of a small bag in case the were a bust again.

Tuna Fish

Boxes of Mac/Cheese

Box of Scalloped Potato's

Rice

And so now I need to get creative and figure out how to put meals together with all that.  

Here are my plans . . . 

Monday Oven Baked Chicken Breasts 
I have a box of Lipton Onion Soup mix I think it will make a good casserole to serve over Rice and with Green Beans

Tuesday Pinto Beans, Corn Bread 
I'll be going to the pantry and I usually get some fresh veggies so I'll add something green and maybe Fried Potatoes.  I still have some Russets

Wednesday from the Ground Beef.  Hmm.  I am just not coming up with anything.  This is where I get stuck.  I bet you can guess 
what I am thinking . . . 

Taco's 

Spaghetti

Meat Loaf

Yep.  Same 'ole.  Same 'ole.  Although the Meat Loaf doesn't get on the menu regularly.  The Cowboy requested to have it 4 times a year.  LOL.  I think I have 2 more chances left.  

Thursday Mexican Style Pot Roast Spanish Rice, served  with leftover Beans.  I'll probably go ahead and cook Potato's and Carrots with it so I'll have a freezer meal.

Friday  I have some frozen Ravioli  so maybe I could cook it with the Ground Beef.  

I am not sure how or Breakfasts and Lunch will go this week. 

The Cowboy has been getting up by 7 and eating fruit so he hasn't really been hungry till almost 11.  So I'll be playing it by ear.  

We will all be surprised. 

Come back for Foodie Friday to find out what is

On The Rustic Dinner Plate

Thanks for stopping in. 

I hope you have a Blessed and Yummy week.

Thanks for visiting my Feature Post!

I am linking with my regular parties some of the buttons may be on the bottom of the page

Still having a few computer issues. 

The party is over here




Over here at Penny's Passion 

Here It On Sunday/Use It On Monday

The message I hear on Sunday is for young men 15-18 years old. 
They are in our states Juvenile Prison.
My Cowboy is the Volunteer Pastor/Chaplain.
Last week the message focused on the Proverbs 31 Woman.  This week he followed up with Samson and Delilah.  

Today the prayer requests touched my heart . . .
They come as little children.  The prayers are innocent . . .

Unedited . .
"God gives me the strength to continue to be faithful and follow him and become a true Christian."
This from a young man whose family are members of a white supremist group.   I was touched.  When I first met him he talked about planning to 'go to the adult' prison.  It's a right of passage.

I cannot imagine what it might be like to be this poor young man.
 "My lord I will like to pray for my family that's in Mexico and hopeful I get to see them soon."
To be in prison in another country with no opportunity to connect and communicate with family it breaks my heart.

 "My lord I acsept you In my hart.  Show me how to live the way
you want me to live.  Thank you I love you."
When you read these words you realize it is worth the effort.

"Pray that my family is ok and more important is that my girlfriend right now is my one and only that im going to spend the rest of my life with her."
And when you realize that they really listened and understood the message.  Your heart is filled . . .
"I pray the lord prepares the best girl for me and the God prepares me. I pray I do the right things, and I help others. In Jesus Name.
Amen."

Sometimes the message doesn't seem to be one that 'applies'.  You might wonder how to 'use it on Monday.'  But for me I think the message today was just a reminder and affirmation that we are where God wants us to be. 

May your week be filled with God's blessing.  Have a good week.
                                              

                                                                        Sherry

My Saturday Was Sweet

A re-post to celebrate Serving . . .
It was a Sweet Saturday.  A celebration.  A Birthday we called it.
6 months in ministry. 

Yes it was Sweet.  Today as I write it is Bitter Sweet.

Would you take a Sweet stroll down memory lane with me?

I first thought of this post because of all the Blue.  But, the more I looked at these pics.  They just said over and over Sweet.

 
Celebrating our Birthday.  The girls are wearing Prom Dresses that went into a closet for girls to borrow for Prom.  All dresses are brand new with tags.  We have a Dillards outlet in our town. 


Blue quilts in the background

Volunteers and guests


The lovely Blue maiden was on staff.  She just got married.  The sweet girl in red was doing community service.  She completed her assignment and continued to come everyday.


A good shot of the cake.  It was Sweeeeeeet!  It's hard to see but it was a quilt.



6 months later.  Our first Christmas.   Setting up for our first Craft (Quilts) and Bake Sale. 
Quilts are being hung.  The girls are decorating Christmas Cards to be mailed to supporters and donors.


This is what it was all about.  Girls learning to Reach for Integrity and Purpose.  Making quilts for charity.
More Blue

One of our projects.  We made 50 different Teddy Bear quilts for local girls in a New Mom Parenting class


And the Sweetest for last.   One of the most dedicated volunteers.  Her dedication to God and her
amazing ability to reach teenagers was a Blessing.  

She made my days extra Sweet. 

This post is dedicated to all the young women  and those that felt young!  Many lives were changed.   


And it was sweet. 

Journeying Down Memory Lane

                                  Sherry
Linking with Christine.  Click Here
And on Monday because this post is filled with Blue!







Linking with Sally.  Click Here

It'll Leave A Mark

 Yep when you get thrown under the bus it will leave a mark.  This isn't the post I intended today. 
But, because I need to ask for a little  LOT of  Prayer I decided to share a little of what happened yesterday.

Before I share the story first let me share part of a verse that I clung to.  Because I couldn't remember the entire verse...
The angel of the Lord encamps around me!
Even though I was not able to remember the entire verse I am confident that my father brought those few words to mind.  

I am grateful that not only did he bring that verse to mind he helped me to not go crazy and say wrong things.  He helped me to hold my tongue and not respond to threats.  Although I did post on facebook that a 'witch hunt' has begun.    God did indeed send a couple of angels to my rescue in the form of a couple of old time friends. 

They responded because the second part of my facebook post mentioned that it hurts when someone you've trusted and thought was your friend not only doesn't stand up for you but joins with others that are 'out to get you'. 

Yesterday some people that are associated with an organization that we belong to and collaborate with in ministry set out to do some major damage to our ministry.    We are a very small ministry and typically we have very few visits to our website.  Yesterday there were over 68 visits within a 2 hour period.  

Two things really hurt in all this . . .

The first thing that hurt was that a college that we thought was our friend had the power to diffuse the situation and chose not to.  And in fact joined in the attack without getting any details.

Secondly last week we managed to change our website over to blogspot and we were able to maintain our .org name.  This was a major Praise for us.  Last week I was so happy posting and uploading photo's.  We have not been able to make changes for over 2 years to our website! So you can imagine the Joy I felt. 

But, now I have had to take the site down because now it has to have approval from our State to allow me to 'say' certain things and to post photo's of kids.  Which by the way I already have signed releases but those releases are being questioned now. 

So, my day yesterday did in fact turn out to be rather Blue even though I didn't get to publish my Blue Monday post.  It is posted now. (check the post below this one)

Even though I was sad and frustrated and a little angry I was confident that the main reason that all this happened was/is because we are right where God wants us to be.  We are doing exactly what God wants us to do . 

We may make mistakes.  We may make wrong decisions but by daily asking God to Search me.  O God. Know my anxious heart.  See if there is any offensive way in me/us.  And lead us/me in the way everlasting.  Psalm 139:12. 

There are many days we will be attacked.  As individuals and as servants but it is how we react to those attacks that is the challenge.    I pray that yesterday that God was pleased with the way that I responded.  

I have learned that God shows me daily that he is there to 'watch my back'.  Because some days it really feels like he is the only one. 

If you ever feel that way I hope that you will turn to God.  I hope you will realize that he is there and he will send his angels to encamp around you and fight off the evil one that is seeking to do destroy you. 

Here are a few other verses that help me   . . .

The Lord is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy.
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him,
and I am helped.
My heart leaps for Joy and I will give thanks to him in song.
Psalm 28:6-7 

Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 
Psalm 3:73

Today my pray for you is that you trust in God.  That you feel safe with him.  And that you realize that if you ask he'll send an angel to encamp around you and protect you.  That angel may be an 'old'
friend. 



And if you have a chance would you pray for our ministry.  Please pray that the approvals that we need to be able network and tell others about are work are received quickly.  Please pray that God provides all that is needed. 

Thank you Father God for sending angels along on The Journey

Another one of my dreams . . .

I think spring may be around the corner here in North Texas. Although it is supposed to be cold next week! I thought since I have to go to the food bank this morning I would leave you with a reminder of spring! See that green grass!

This unprofessional shot (mine) is Cody the pony. He lives at McFadden Ranch. He is blind and was donated to the ranch. Since there are no fences on the ranch he spends his days tied to big huge trees with a really, really long rope. He does have a pen and a nice shelter to sleep in at night.

It is my dream that one day we could have a real barn and some fences and a couple of horses to keep Cody company and for the boys to have the opportunity to know the true Blessing of these amazing animals.

You can read about our ministry at McFadden Ranch click here. You can read about my Biggest/Best investment here.

Thankful Thursday

Happy Thankful Thursday . . .
Today I want to share with you something I shared on Monday. 
I am thankful for . . .

I am thankful for the founders Donald and Cindy
I am thankful today the first boy comes to Hope Inn Christ
I am thankful for the vision of everyone connected with Hope Inn Christ and I am thankful that they stepped out and didn't give up and made Hope Inn Christ a reality
I am thankful that we get to provide the food and we are allowed the opportunity to be a part of this great ministry

And I am thankful for two other friends that have stepped out in faith and are beginning an apartment ministry.  This guys Rick & Vicki saw a huge need and left their comfortable home and neighborhood and have moved into an apartment complex that most of us wouldn't dream of even visiting someone there. 

As I think of the work that I do and I am sure that there are those that think I am nuts (my Cowboy and I are chaplains in a youth prison) I am humbled by what Rick and Vicki have done.  My Cowboy and I are in apartment ministry also.  I understand all the struggles and trials that Rick and Vicki will be faced with. 

But I also know and understand about the need that is out there that is not met. 

And so today I am thankful for all the men and women that step up and step out and follow God and take a minute to look around them and notice that there is need right here in our own hometown.

Thank you God for Donald,Cindy,Rick and Vicki.

For info. about Hope Inn Christ please visit our ministry blog and watch the video and then follow the link to thier site.  Click here

May the favor of the Lord our God rest up on us.
Establish the work of our hands. Yes, Lord establish the work
of our hands.  Psalm 90:17

May you find something to be thakful for today . . .

Happy Mission on Monday

Welcome to Mission on Monday where I write about our ministry and share with you about other ideas for mission or ministry.

Today a short post...(I'll explain why at the end)

Today I am sharing briefly about my drama team. Each Sunday after chapel and on Thursday nights I work with 10 boys.  They are all 17 and 18 and are serving 9 to 12 months in an drug and alcohol rehab program. 

They are an amazing group of guys.  Some of them I hand picked from the 48 in residence.  Some of them asked to be on our team.  It is probably the most challenging, rewarding, honoring thing that I have ever done. I mean would you ever expect ex-gang members and drug dealers to volunteer to stand and pray and ask God to guide,direct and honor our work? 

Oh my goodness I promised this to be a short post. 

Because I have more to share with you I'll leave a little tease with this. . .

And leave you wondering what WIJIT has to do with the drama team.   But this is what I really wanted to share today . . .

Because I am asking for your prayers.  This is an old archived photo.  These are youth that came to us from teen court for misdemeanor offenses (fighting in school, theft, driving with a license and many others)  This is a photo of a car show benefit for our ministry that was held 4 years ago. 

This spring actually in May we are planning another car show and Wild Game Dinner.  And so the next few months are going to be really, really busy!    This fundrasier is to support our Drivers Education program.  

 98% of the youth both at the girls and boys prison units where we work drive without a license.  That is a startling statistic.  Because this means that they are driving without any formal instruction! 

Have you ever thought about what it is like where you live?  How many teens might there be that are secretly involved in drug or gang activity.   How many teens are driving around in your area without having takin' the time to or had the oppotunity to get a license. 

For more information about our ministry please visit our ministry blog.   

Thanks for your prayers.