Vacation Bible School

We just finished a week of VBS here in Sydney, Nova Scotia. I mentioned that I would like to help at the beginning of the summer, but once the time came around, I have to admit that I wasn't really looking forward to it. (Yeah, the truth from a pastor's wife).  I mainly wasn't looking forward to it because my job is working with kids all year, and in the summer, I like to have a break.  I was also skeptical about the week because we have zero children in this church, so we were relying completely on posters that we hung up around town to bring the kids in, and I just wasn't hopeful that that would happen. However, it turns out that this week was one of the best weeks of my summer. I had 5 kids in my class (ages 7-9), and it was a joy to teach these children about God and salvation. Three of my students had little to no knowledge about the Gospel, and it was a learning process for me to introduce these kids to the Bible. Because I have lived in the "Bible Belt" most of my life, I was amazed at how these kids didn't even know the "Sunday School" answers, and it was exciting to teach them and see their eyes light up when I gave them a Bible.  I was also amazed at how these kids got up, got dressed, and wandered to our church on their own to learn --- they were so eager! I was blessed beyond measure this week, and for that I'm thankful!

Books I Am Reading...

Re-reading this after visiting PEI this summer. It's good, as all Anne books are, but I feel that LM Montgomery changed Anne's character a bit, starting in this book, which disappoints me because it's not the Anne I 'know'.

I am always surprised when I read a popular book, and I like it. And, I have been pleasantly surprised by this book by Tim Keller. I find it very thought-provoking, and it answers a lot of 'questions/skepticisms' I have either heard or thought myself. I recommend it to other Christians, as well as those simply interested in a well-written, well-thought-out book about Christianity and it's truth.

This is the 2nd time I've picked up this book. Normally, I love Fannie Flagg books. Love love love them. But, this one just isn't doing it for me. I don't know why. I have a sneaking suspicion it is the font. Seriously. I am one of those people that likes the feel and the look of a book, and that plays a part in how much I enjoy reading it.. I'm trudging through it, but if I get the chance, I pick up another book first.

I am working on reading through the Bible, bouncing back and forth between Old and New Testaments (eg. Genesis, Matthew, Exodus, Mark, etc). I have made it to John, which as you can guess, means I made it through Numbers!!!! Whew. I'm just kidding though, as it is all inspired by God, but some of those "begats" just overwhelm me. Originally I was planning on finishing the whole Bible this summer, but it appears it will take longer than that. I should be able to finish the Bible in less than a year, though, at this rate, so we'll see how it goes.  It has been amazing being in God's Word more than just a chapter or two a day. I am amazed and how my relationship with God grew exponentially, and my prayer life now has a fullness to it that it has lacked for a long time. God has blessed me this summer by allowing me to spend time with Him each day, and for that I'm grateful!

Another Food Review

I made this recipe last week, and it was a hit. Plus, it was a good way to eat spinach, which even though I like it, I rarely eat it. And, it was even better as leftovers! Bon appetit :)

Chicken and Rice Florentine

INGREDIENTS

1 Tbsp. olive oil 1 clove garlic, finely chopped 1 box (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry 4 cups water 1 package Knorr® Vegetable recipe mix 2 cups instant rice 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken or cut-up cooked chicken 1 can (15.5 oz.) cannellini or white kidney beans, rinsed and drained 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (about 8 oz.)

PREPARATION Preheat oven to 375°.
Heat olive oil in 4-quart saucepot over medium-high heat and cook garlic 30 seconds. Stir in spinach, water and Knorr® Vegetable recipe mix and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer covered 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in rice and let stand covered 5 minutes. Turn into 13 x 9-inch baking dish or casserole. Stir in chicken, beans and 1 cup cheese; sprinkle with remaining cheese.
Bake 10 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted.
FREEZING/MAKE-AHEAD DIRECTIONS: Prepare as above but do not bake. Let cool, then wrap in heavy-duty aluminum foil and freeze. To bake, preheat oven to 375°. Remove from freezer. Bake covered 1 hour 15 minutes. Remove foil, then sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese. Bake an additional 10 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted.

Food Review

I am by no means an official critic of foods, but I always like to try recipes that others have tried and liked, so I think it's important to recommend good recipes to others. This recipe was very easy to make, and a one-dish-meal, which was easy for cleanup! And it was fairly tasty too :) I have to admit, it sat kind of 'heavy' afterwards, but I think a lot of that had to do with it being really hot here, and we have no air conditioning! So here's the recipe:

Ingredients:

1 lb (500 g) lean ground beef
1/4 cup (50 mL) chopped onion
1 cup (250 mL) tomato pasta sauce
1 1/2 cups (375 mL) shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup (125 mL) sour cream
1 can (235 g) Pillsbury* Crescents
1/3 cup (75 mL) grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp (25 mL) butter or margarine

Method:

• Heat oven to 375°F (190°C).
• In large skillet, cook beef and onion until beef is thoroughly cooked; drain well. Stir in pasta sauce; cook until heated through.
• Combine mozzarella cheese and sour cream.
• Pour hot beef mixture into ungreased 10-inch (25 cm) glass deep dish pie plate or 9x13-inch (23 x 33 cm) rectangular baking pan. Spoon cheese mixture over beef mixture.
• Separate dough into 4 rectangles and place over cheese mixture. (If using pie plate, separate dough into 8 triangles: arrange points toward center over cheese mixture.)
• Combine Parmesan cheese and butter. Spread evenly over dough.
• Bake for 18 to 25 minutes or until deep golden brown.

Dying words...

I have recently become fascinated with dying words or last words of people. Is that morbid of me? I hope not. I just think there is much profoundness (is that a word?) in these words, so I thought I would post some of the most meaningful ones to me, here:


See in what peace a Christian can die.
~~ Joseph Addison, writer, d. June 17, 1719

It is very beautiful over there.
~~ Thomas Alva Edison, inventor, d. October 18, 1931

Let us cross over the river and sit in the shade of the trees.
~~ General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, d. 1863


I would rather be a servant in the House of the Lord than to sit in the seats of the mighty.
~~ Alben Barkley, former Vice President of the United States.

Trust in God and you need not fear.
~~Jonathan Edwards

Pictures of our Canadian Adventure

1) Welcome to Nova Scotia

2) Nick studying in his study

3) Our house (the yellow one)

4) A moose sighting

5) Cabot Trail

6) On Prince Edward Island

So... it's been a year...

So, you can tell what kind of blogger I am. I'm not one. Not that anyone is reading anyway, and I'm not really doing this for ppl to read. I want to do this now, because I see what a great way this is to track 'life', and I'm a much faster typer than handwriter. So, here goes nothing... I'm going to try to be a dedicated blogger, and sadly I'm starting a little late because this summer would have been a blast blog about, being in Nova Scotia and all. Oh well, I'll start now... or tomorrow :)