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 

Thankful Thursday On Friday

I was so disappointed I didn't get to write a Thankful post to share 
with Michelle at It's A Small Town Life.
She has a delightful blog and is now hosting a Thankful Thursday party. 
The linky is still open it's not tou late to share your Thankfulness!

This week I am super thankful for my job and my clients.   I 
began cleaning houses in February.  God's timing brought me three wonderful families.  I added a small family just a few weeks ago.  My newest client gifted me an extra $100.00!  

Merry Christmas

Last week I did a one time job with a family moving into a 

ritzy town 8 minutes from where I live.  I spent 8 hours opening boxes in the kitchen!  Never moved to any other room!  Cowboy cannot say I have more kitchen stuff than anyone else!  

It was a one time job and I made $25.00 an hour.  

Merry Christmas

And I am thankful that we are providing and serving breakfast and lunch at the boys rehab unit where we serve.  We provide Sunday worship services every week.  Since Christmas is on Sunday The Cowboy wanted to do something special. 

We were able to rais $1000.00 to buy Tim Tebows Book 

Shaken to give to the boys and the staff.  All these funds were from one ladies group!   (The publisher gave them to us at 60% off retail.)

They also did a fundraiser at a local restaurant we received $250.00.

Another local barbque restaurant provided ribs and dirty rice. 

The local Krispy Kreme is providing donuts.  

We sold wrist bands to raise money to buy the rest of the food. 

We hired a caterer do briskit and beans.  He wouldn't allow us to pay him.  He thought we needed potato salad so he added that and chicken and sausage.  

The Cowboy teased the boys and promised the only thing 

green (veggie) they would have is jalepenos, pickles and guacamole.  We were really worried we wouldn't raise enough money for guacamole but we did!  

This morning The Cowboy delivered the frozen pies, guacamole

and 10 dozen eggs that have been in my fridge since Tuesday!  

It's been almost 5 years since we've done anything this big. 

We were worried because we have lost all our local connections. 

But we shouldn't have been worried.  God is in control and he provides.  

Today The Cowboy stopped at the resale store we like to shop in. It isn't too far from the facility and sometimes boys are allowed to work there.  He was surprised and super happy to see a boy there.  He had told us he would be leaving last week.  

But the staff didn't get all his papers arranged in order for him 

to leave.  

He said to The Cowboy.  'I wasn't too excited to go home.  I've never had a family Christmas.  I think that it was God's will for me to stay and have a 'real' Christmas. 

The Cowboy tough guy that he is cried when he told me.  I am thankful he listened to God and decided to do something special for Christmas for some young men that really need to see 

what the Season is all about.   

Merry Christmas

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

Mission 4 Monday

I have really missed writing regular posts.  I still have not resolved the computer problem and so we wait upon the Lord.  It is Sunday afternoon and I got a chance for a few minutes on the computer so I wanted to go ahead and get a post up for Monday. 
Today I want to share again about Hope Inn Christ.  I want to start by saying I have no idea exactly what plans God has for us with this ministry but we know that we will be a part at the very least by providing food. 
On Saturday we made our second delivery of food.  I took a few photo's.  Here's one of the sign.

Hope Inn Christ is a residential aftercare home for young boys (18-20) that are released from our state juvenile prison.  Hope Inn Christ officially opened a couple of weeks ago when the first boy moved in.  We got to meet him on Saturday.  He is 20 years old.  And actually the amazing thing is he is from our area.  When we began Auto Mission we worked with teen court in the DFW area.  It is amazing we never ran into him then.  But his family didn't utilize the teen court option.  He ended up in the juvenile jail for a few months before he went to TYC.  He has been 'locked' up for 4 years. 
We really didn't know what to expect when we met him because he was from a different unit.  We had heard a little about him from the house parents.  We both enjoyed our visit.  Cowboy talked to him for a long time will I helped the founder/house parent put their video on their website.  (that was cool)
She had told him (the youth) about me (she doesn't know about this blog) and how I write and publish the ministry blog.  He has no computer skills but he wants to write his story and so they have asked me to help him set up a blog! 

I ask you have you ever imagined using your blog or blogging skills for ministry?  I mean many of us write devotionals and we share what God is teaching us to each other.  But did you ever think of helping someone this way.  It just reminds me that it is possible to share Christ in more ways than we can imagine.  If we just step out of the box and open our hearts, open our minds and just let go and let God he can do amazing things through us. 

Before we went to Hope Inn Christ on Saturday morning we went to McFadden where we serve as chaplains and do lots of different programs and activities.  One activity we like to help with is the monthly birthday party.  I get to take pictures most of them I can't publish but I can give some to the kids. 
Here's a photo of Saturdays cake

  

I wanted to share the cake because Michael is going to Hope Inn Christ.  He will be 18 on the 19th and I already have a waiver signed so I can post his photo's after his birthday.  He is on my drama team and I have lots of photo's and I know that there will be lots more. 

I will get to see him (at least) every Wednesday because all the boys from Hope Inn Christ will come to our warehouse on Wednesday and help with our food pantry and backpack program. 

So those are a few of the 'outside' of the box's ways that I share Jesus.  Maybe they are ways you've never thought of.  And, maybe there are ways you share Jesus that I have never thought of. 

Leave your comments or write a post (come back and leave your link) about your Mission 4 Monday, or Tuesday or whatever day and share ideas. 

 For more info. about our ministry and a link to Hope Inn Christ click here.

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.

Mission 4 Monday Quilts and more Quilts

Today for Mission 4 Monday I thought I would share a few archived photo's of quilts made at Mission Makeover.  I was looking for blue to post for Blue Monday over here.  So I thought I would share them for Mission 4 Monday too.

 This great dining room table is where much of our ministry happened.  Each week day afternoon this table was filled with boys and girls.  We learned very early in the ministry that the meal that the kids got to eat with us that evening was the best meal most of them had in a long time.  So instead of sandwichs we prayed God would provide meals.  And he did!  Every evening we served a home cooked meal.   Most days the boys and girls ate seperately.  But occassionally depending on the group and the devotional we were doing we would all eat together as one big family.

And now on with the blue quilts!

 These are just a few examples of the hundreds of quilts that we produced.  I especially liked the combo of blue and orange. 

All the fabric was donated.  Some of it was quilt quality some was not.  I figured out a way to use the less desirable fabric and we began making pillowcases.  I have a couple made from polyester fabric and I love them. 

We always made simple straight line sewing so the girls could feel the accomplishment of finishing the project very quickly.

And, now I want to share how you can help our ministry without spending a dime!

Yes you can.  All you have to do is sign up at Good Search and instead of using google us this search engine.  It is powered by Yahoo and is completely safe.  I am now using it all the time.  But I know it is hard to make a change.  And so if you would consider just a couple of searches a day it would help us out. 

Need more info. about our ministry.  Here's the links.

Mission Photo's is where you can find the  archived photo's.

Automissionmakeover is our blog with current photo's and programs. 

And our website is here

Check us out and then check out Good Search!

Ready now to start GoodSearching and helping out Auto Mission?  Just click here and where it asks if you want to help a charity type in Auto Mission Bedford Texas.
It really is simple and it will really help us out.  And, after you start Good Searching you can also Good Shop and a % of your purchases will be donated to the ministry too.  Check it out!