Each Wed. my sistas volunteer to bring assorted "goodies" to share at our morning gatherings. Thanks to all of you who are so generous with your time & talent whether it be a "delicioso" home baked treat or taking the time to pick up a little "something" from the bakery. Your thoughtfulness and generosity certainly contribute to the hospitable, welcoming atmosphere of our group! Here's a recipe from Melanie Lackland that many of you requested:
South of the Border Hashbrown Casserole
2 cups Allwhites (Allwhites brand name)
1/2 cup 2%milk
20oz.uncooked hashbrowns
15oz.black beans drained
11oz.corn niblets drained
1/2cup chopped bell pepper
2Cups Monterrey Jack cheese
3T fresh cilantro
Preheat oven to 350. Coat 9x13 glass pan with cooking spray. Combine Allwhites & milk, mix well. Add hashbrowns, beans, corn, pepper and 1 cup cheese, pour into dish & bake till center is set and edges brown. Add remaining cheese on top and bake 3-5 more min. Sprinkle cilantro on top. Let stand 5min. makes 12 servings. Enjoy!
Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the Lord is good!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Celebrating Motherhood
Psalm 126:3&5 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy. Those who sow in tears will reap songs of joy.
Happy Mothers day to all my sisters who share the beloved title of Mom. It's amazing how much emotion one single word can drum up. Today I celebrate my Mom and am grateful to share another Mother's day with her when just a few months ago she was not expected to survive a serious illness. She's such a gift, such a fighter such an inspiration. A single Mom, she raised three kids, one of them special needs, and lived a humble life that modeled selflessness and unconditional love.
I also celebrate the great privilege of being a Mom. My twins are 13yrs. old now and I remember their birth like it was yesterday. The Lord blessed us with our beautiful children thru the gift of adoption. I never dreamed after all those years of struggling with infertility God's plan was to bless us with not one, but two babies! God's plan for our lives is always greater than we can ever imagine. He can redeem every difficult situation for His glory.
The pain and heartache of infertility ended up being a true gift for me as it brought me to my knees desperate for His presence. I call it my season of divine pruning, a time of surrendering my dreams at His altar. To know Him more intimately became the cry of my heart and my tears of disappointment eventually watered and produced a harvest of joy. Motherhood...a true gift from above worth celebrating today and everyday!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
"By Faith" Stories
I love hearing testimonies of what God is doing in someone's life. We call them "Only God" stories here at VCC. We love sharing these with each other because hearing stories of God's faithfulness BUILDS our FAITH!
This week in our study we take a look at the "Hall of Faith" in Hebrews chapter 11. I loved Beth Moores' thought that these were God's stories of humanity's faithfulness in His personal life. Wow...ponder that one for a minute! These are His "Only God" stories. Or maybe they could be called His "By Faith" stories. Hebrews 11 is one big compilation of God's stories of faithful men and women!
I desperately want that kind of faith...one that simply pleases God. May we become women of great faith that earn the ultimate commendation from our Heavenly Father.
Hebrews 11:5 He was commended as one who pleased God.
This week in our study we take a look at the "Hall of Faith" in Hebrews chapter 11. I loved Beth Moores' thought that these were God's stories of humanity's faithfulness in His personal life. Wow...ponder that one for a minute! These are His "Only God" stories. Or maybe they could be called His "By Faith" stories. Hebrews 11 is one big compilation of God's stories of faithful men and women!
I desperately want that kind of faith...one that simply pleases God. May we become women of great faith that earn the ultimate commendation from our Heavenly Father.
Hebrews 11:5 He was commended as one who pleased God.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
BELIEVING GOD
Isaiah 43:10 "You are my witnesses," declares the Lord, "and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may KNOW and BELIEVE me and understand that I am He.
Ladies, are you ready for a fresh explosion of faith?! Please join us this Wed. March 10 as we launch our new study, BELIEVING GOD by Beth Moore. This study is based on Isaiah 43:10, do you take God at His Word, believing what He has told us, or do you just believe in His existence and the salvation He offers?
Through studying the lives of Abraham, Moses and others from Hebrews 11 as examples of persons who believed God, you will be encouraged to deepen your own trust in God and receive a fresh word from Him. Please join us for 10 life changing weeks as we learn to believe God!!
Workbooks will be available for $15 and chidcare is also available. Invite a friend and come join this very relational, diverse group of women as we build relationships and seek God together!
Ladies, are you ready for a fresh explosion of faith?! Please join us this Wed. March 10 as we launch our new study, BELIEVING GOD by Beth Moore. This study is based on Isaiah 43:10, do you take God at His Word, believing what He has told us, or do you just believe in His existence and the salvation He offers?
Through studying the lives of Abraham, Moses and others from Hebrews 11 as examples of persons who believed God, you will be encouraged to deepen your own trust in God and receive a fresh word from Him. Please join us for 10 life changing weeks as we learn to believe God!!
Workbooks will be available for $15 and chidcare is also available. Invite a friend and come join this very relational, diverse group of women as we build relationships and seek God together!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
One Step at a Time
The past couple of months have been an intense season for my family. My Mom was in the hospital for over a month and the prognosis was bleak. At times the doctors didn't even think she would pull through. However, I'm thrilled to say she was recently able to transfer to a skilled nursing rehab facility, praise God! She's now in the process of regaining her strength and literally re-learning many basic life skills.
Throughout this journey we celebrate the simplest things each day. She's able to feed herself again...she's able to speak clearly enough for us to understand her...she's laughing at our goofy jokes...yaay God!! The things we take for granted are mountains of success in her recovery. Each small step brings us closer to our goal of bringing her home.
She's an amazing woman and she inspires me daily with her fierce determination and steady perseverance. Her team of therapists set goals for her to meet and she focuses on giving her best in this uphill battle one day at a time. Some days she's extremely tired...actually weary would be a better word.
To get the full picture you need to know she's already at a deficit because her right arm is totally paralyzed and she has limited use of her right leg. She came into rehab with this existing handicap coupled with all her recent medical setbacks and a month spent lying in a hospital bed. I share all this to simply point out how difficult her daily routine really is. Each day brings new challenges, new victories and some setbacks.
One of the exercises they do with Mom is simply assisting her in trying to walk.To do this they strap an assist belt around her waist and have someone push her wheelchair behind her so she can rest as needed. She supports herself with a quad cane and takes one step forward with her good foot then drags her right foot to take the next step. She is unable to walk unassisted so the physical therapist must hold onto her assist belt to support her and make sure she doesn't fall. She does all this while also being tethered to an oxygen canister. Simply attempting to walk is a monumental task!
At first she could barely stand up, let alone take a step. Then she could take a couple of steps then sit back in the wheelchair to rest. The long term goal is to make it to the end of a very long hallway about 200ft. Mom's daily goal is to simply put one foot in front of the other, go as far as she can, then rest and try to do it again. She is focused on the course that is marked out for her and continues to persevere.
Watching Mom take those steps down that hallway reminds me that each of us have a race marked out for us. We all have challenges that hinder us from staying the course. They may be physical like hers or they may be emotional or both. Pride, selfishness, fear...the list goes on. We all have something that entangles us or distracts us from staying the course He has marked out for us.
I am reminded as I watch her of the race that is marked out for me. That in order for me to run that race well I need to surrender my struggles at His feet and keep my eyes FOCUSED on HIM. As we cheer Mom on to take one more step I am reminded that's just what our Heavenly Father does for us...keep going...one more step...I know it's difficult...keep your eyes on ME. Like her physical therapist, Jesus is our constant support system and guide. He gives us strength for the race and rest when we are weary.
Mom inspires me to stay the course...to press on...to throw off the sin that keeps me from moving forward. I may be on the sidelines cheering her on but without knowing it SHE is the one cheering me on by the example she sets!
Hebrews 12:1 ...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning it's shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of grace. Consider Him who endured such oppression from sinful men so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Throughout this journey we celebrate the simplest things each day. She's able to feed herself again...she's able to speak clearly enough for us to understand her...she's laughing at our goofy jokes...yaay God!! The things we take for granted are mountains of success in her recovery. Each small step brings us closer to our goal of bringing her home.
She's an amazing woman and she inspires me daily with her fierce determination and steady perseverance. Her team of therapists set goals for her to meet and she focuses on giving her best in this uphill battle one day at a time. Some days she's extremely tired...actually weary would be a better word.
To get the full picture you need to know she's already at a deficit because her right arm is totally paralyzed and she has limited use of her right leg. She came into rehab with this existing handicap coupled with all her recent medical setbacks and a month spent lying in a hospital bed. I share all this to simply point out how difficult her daily routine really is. Each day brings new challenges, new victories and some setbacks.
One of the exercises they do with Mom is simply assisting her in trying to walk.To do this they strap an assist belt around her waist and have someone push her wheelchair behind her so she can rest as needed. She supports herself with a quad cane and takes one step forward with her good foot then drags her right foot to take the next step. She is unable to walk unassisted so the physical therapist must hold onto her assist belt to support her and make sure she doesn't fall. She does all this while also being tethered to an oxygen canister. Simply attempting to walk is a monumental task!
At first she could barely stand up, let alone take a step. Then she could take a couple of steps then sit back in the wheelchair to rest. The long term goal is to make it to the end of a very long hallway about 200ft. Mom's daily goal is to simply put one foot in front of the other, go as far as she can, then rest and try to do it again. She is focused on the course that is marked out for her and continues to persevere.
Watching Mom take those steps down that hallway reminds me that each of us have a race marked out for us. We all have challenges that hinder us from staying the course. They may be physical like hers or they may be emotional or both. Pride, selfishness, fear...the list goes on. We all have something that entangles us or distracts us from staying the course He has marked out for us.
I am reminded as I watch her of the race that is marked out for me. That in order for me to run that race well I need to surrender my struggles at His feet and keep my eyes FOCUSED on HIM. As we cheer Mom on to take one more step I am reminded that's just what our Heavenly Father does for us...keep going...one more step...I know it's difficult...keep your eyes on ME. Like her physical therapist, Jesus is our constant support system and guide. He gives us strength for the race and rest when we are weary.
Mom inspires me to stay the course...to press on...to throw off the sin that keeps me from moving forward. I may be on the sidelines cheering her on but without knowing it SHE is the one cheering me on by the example she sets!
Hebrews 12:1 ...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning it's shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of grace. Consider Him who endured such oppression from sinful men so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
REAL Men Wear Pink
The Sistas are off and running for 2010! We launched the New Year with a beautiful morning of fellowship, fun and encouragement with an inspirational word from Pastor John Stickl. He truly honored and encouraged our women and was a tremendous blessing to all!
Remember the challenge last semester between the Mighty Men of Merge and The Sisters of Soul, "The Battle of the Sexes" to see who had the most attendees at their groups? We had TONS of fun bantering back and forth as to who would win the challenge.
Just for the record...we ran neck and neck, but the Merge Men held steady and emerged victorious!! As much as I wanted to win that challenge, I can't think of a better victory than to know that our men are rising up as Mighty Men of God!! So AMEN to that one..I sure love you guys and as a Sister in Christ I applaud you!!!
Since Pastor John was making a guest appearance on opening day, he was presented with one of our pink bedazzled shirts as an honorary sister (his secret desire)! He graciously donned that hot pink, blinged out tee proving that REAL men really do wear pink!!
Thank you bro for being such a terrific sport, such a friend and such an encourager in Christ to myself and all our women...you are a true ROCK STAR!!
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Soul Sisters 2010 Kick-off!
You're Invited!!
Please join us as we kick off our new study ANOINTED, TRANSFORMED, REDEEMED; a 7 week study on the life of David. This DVD study features Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore and Kay Arthur...can I get an AMEN on that one!!
The study begins Wed.January 13th 9-11:00am in the VCC Flood room. Workbooks are available for purchase for $14 and childcare is available. PLEASE register in advance!
This is a great opportunity to meet other women and build relationships as we seek to hear from our sweet Savior! Invite a friend and be sure to register on-line at groups@valleycreek.org.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Please join us as we kick off our new study ANOINTED, TRANSFORMED, REDEEMED; a 7 week study on the life of David. This DVD study features Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore and Kay Arthur...can I get an AMEN on that one!!
The study begins Wed.January 13th 9-11:00am in the VCC Flood room. Workbooks are available for purchase for $14 and childcare is available. PLEASE register in advance!
This is a great opportunity to meet other women and build relationships as we seek to hear from our sweet Savior! Invite a friend and be sure to register on-line at groups@valleycreek.org.
We look forward to seeing you there!
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