Soup for the Soul

Our church had its Ladies Christmas Party Tuesday evening.  "Soup for the Soul" was the theme.  The whole evening revolved around this theme.  Our Women's Activity Team is awesome!  As always, they put together a wonderful evening!  We had a delicious smorgasbord of soups, salads, breads, and desserts!

Needing something to label my soup, I came across a very cute little soup label in one of my Gooseberry Patch cookbooks.  So I sat down one night and went through all of the 28 GBP cookbooks that I own and found tons of cute labels for us to use!  I copied them onto cream colored cardstock.  Then the real fun began!  I used my scrapbooking chalk and watercolor pen to color in the pictures.  It took longer than I anticipated, but I enjoyed doing it.  Robbie wanted to color and chalk with me, so I got his coloring books and he joined me.  I asked him if we should get his workbook and work on some pages.  He LOVES his workbook!  He said "No Mommy, I'm having fun coloring with you."  Ah, too cute!  =]

As the ladies came in the door, the labels were sitting on a table for them to write what they brought and tape to it.  There were so many mouth-watering dishes-- I'm glad we had the labels!  I was so excited about getting a night of sweet fellowship with my sister friends that I forgot to take a picture of the food tables before.

My favorite soup is "Granny's Potato Soup".  Funny... We don't have a Granny in our family.  I'm not even sure where the recipe came from.  But she sure made some delicious potato soup!

 

It's so delicious... I think I'll share with you:

• 6-8 medium potatoes
• 6-8 slices bacon
  
• 2 can cream of chicken soup
  
• 2 cups milk
  
• 1 stick butter
  
• 1 pt. sour cream
  

Dice potatoes and boil until tender.  Fry bacon until crisp.  Crumble bacon and put into crock pot.  Add 2 cans cream of chicken soup, milk, butter and sour cream.  Put drained potatoes on top and turn crock pot on high.  Cook until bubbles and well mixed.

Yum!  Only I cheat a little and use real bacon bits instead of taking the time to fry up some bacon.  I also leave out the sour cream.  And it is still very yummy and creamy!

Our leader of the Women's Ministry had a devotional for us about the different kinds of soups of our life and everything that we put into our soup.  I enjoyed the lesson and it touched my heart.  Amanda had a powerful way of presenting her message and she gently reminded us of the many, many blessings that we have!

 

We were blessed to hear the testimony of one of our youth girls.  The microphone was open to any others that wanted to partake.  It was a wonderful time of sharing.  Following this was a very compelling prayer time. 

To end the evening, we had a craft.  How fun!  There were tables set up with enamel paint and markers.  We painted on soup bowls!  It was hard to decide what to do, but I ended up painting a lime green and pink one for Amariah to use in her bedroom.

I am grateful for:

• my husband for encouraging me to attend this event
• my oldest son for watching his younger brother so I was able to attend
  
• my sister friends who are so fun to be with even when I'm dog tired
  
• my daughter who loved her bowl painted just for her
  
• my God who loves me, bestows His great mercy on me especially when my soup is scorched/burnt
  

What to do?

Robbie wakes up and very slowly makes his way down the hall.  I hear him head downstairs.  I quietly call his name.  He comes to me and crawls up on my lap.  He laughs as I sit and hold him, smothering him with hugs and kisses.  In his sweet little morning voice (which is so very much different from his full awake boisterous voice) he says to me "How'd you get here?".  Kids are so cute when they are trying to get their meaning across and they do their very best.  I told him I was off work today and I get to spend the day with him!  In his sweet and sleepy little voice, he enthusiastically draws out "Alright!".  I smile so big at him, yet I want to cry inside!

I am torn.  I so want to be a true stay-at-home mom.  No more home based businesses to take away precious hours from my kids that I will never get back.  No more part-time work where I have to leave my little guy at home with a Daddy that needs to sleep during the day.  No more having to say "No, I'm sorry, I can't be there because I have to work".  It thrills Amariah SO much when I can be at school to help out.  It's quite humorous actually.  She doesn't want me to be around, yet she wants me there.  I guess that's better than the way some parents get treated by their kids who don't even care if their parents are there or not.

I am not good at making decisions.  World's worst, actually.  Rich and I have had a few spats over that very topic.  What is so wrong with being indecisive??

In the past year or so, I have finally said no to church committees.  My heart's passion is for youth and for women.  While I enjoyed the Student Team and the Women's Activity Team immensely, I knew it was time to leave.  Being a part of the planning, scheduling, implementing, and achieving was a joy for me.  But making all the meetings and being available at all times was not convenient for me. 

I think I am ready.  I think I am about ready.  I'm really not sure.  My very short-term goal is to see about finally quitting work after inventory at the end of January.  If not then, I will quit by summertime.  And if not then, most definitely by the time school starts next year.  I am having a hard time knowing what to do.  I know where my answer lies.  I know the only way I will ever find peace about it is by seeking God through prayer and searching God's Word.  A couple of years ago, I did that very thing.  I spent much time pouring over God's Word and seeking His will for this very subject of my life.  I never received the peace I was looking for.  I knew it wasn't time.  So after Christmas I will start searching again.  To say I have it made is an understatement.  Being with the company for 18 years (along with the hard work I give them), affords me the luxury of an extremely flexible schedule that I know will be impossible to match anywhere else.  When I go, I have to make sure it is the right thing to do.  There will be no going back.

Although I don't like it very much, I am grateful for the choices I do have for there are so many people out there begging for work.  In the end, it all comes back to this:  Can anything compete against my little guy being ecstatic about getting to spend the day with me??

A fun-filled weekend of friends

I had a most enjoyable weekend spent with many friends.  How can I ever think I am not blessed?  Friday/night and Saturday were spent with my friends that share the same love of watching our children cheerlead and play football.  There is so much joy in watching their little faces light up with such awe-inspiring school spirit.  When Amariah does that "herkie" just right, I can't help but smile and feel proud inside because I can tell by her beaming smile, that she too is proud.  What a blessing to see so many parents take time off from their mostly over-loaded schedules to come out and partake of their child's day.

Saturday evening and Sunday were spent with special friends, both old and new.  I really can't remember the last time I had such an enjoyable night surrounded by so many great friends!  (Except for the nights that the girls get away with no men or kids... but that doesn't happen often enough!).  It is so nice to be able to be serious one minute, laugh your head off the next minute.  It is especially nice when you can poke fun of each other and everyone still has a great time without being offended.  What a gorgeous night God blessed us with!  I enjoyed walking to each other's homes in the beautiful, serene night air.  I could have stayed by the fire all night long.  I almost did... I almost fell asleep in my chair.  I so love the outdoors!  Sunday was a great day to be serving God, our community and each other.  The weather was wonderful, the people were cheerful, and the mood was gratifying!  There really is nothing more satisfying than when a group can come together in unity and serve.  I adore our church family!

I am so very grateful for all the wonderful friends, sisters and brothers that God has placed in my life, at this very season in my life!