MOPS

I am super excited about MOPS! We had our first meeting on Thursday and it was so fun. What a blessing this group will be to myself and others. We are going to serve our community and each other.2 Timothy 1:7
New International Version (NIV)
7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. This is our verse for the year and I am asking God to help me apply this to my life. I want to have a heart that serves. That is the main reason I agreed to do the newsletter. I am stepping out of my comfort zone and wanting to be involved. I want to be a part of this group because it is Christ centered. What a great group of ladies. I feel blessed to be able to pray for these women and get to know them. I am thankful to the mentors who are coming along side us and guiding us and loving on us. MOPS is a group of women that have preschoolers. I love the age my son is. He randomly comes and gives me hugs while I am cooking, he helps me by "throwing things away", I read to him every night, and he says MOMMA so sweetly. I also am exhausted at the end of the day and it is nice to know that there are women who have days like mine. VERY BUSY! I am thankful for this group and I want to be a blessing to others through it. Matthew 25:37-40
New International Version (NIV)
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Love of cooking!

I so enjoy cooking these days. I love trying new recipes. I am making a Chicken Artichoke Pizza tonight from the cook book my sister in law gave me for Christmas a few years ago. I have tried a quite a few Publix Apron's recipes and also gotten a few from friends. All the women in my life are good cooks. I LOVE my mother in laws cooking. She makes the best chili, kidney bean salad, mashed potatoes, and green beans. These are just a few of my favorites of hers. I am learning lots from her just by helping her on the holidays and picking up things here and there. I have not tasted one thing she has made that has not been absolutely delicious. My husband loves her cooking. Everyone does. I so look forward to spending Christmas with them because we just laugh, eat, and enjoy being together.
My grandma Elsie is a wonderful cook too. I miss her cooking. Her specialities were her home made mac n cheese, her cornbread, and stuffing and gravy!! I love her cornbread! My favorite thing my mom makes is a pork chop and brown rice dish. Elaine makes the best brushetta and Whitney made the best fried fish last time I was in Lakeland. I am slowly stepping out of my comfort zone and trying lots of new things. My husband is a BIG fan of mine. He LOVES everything. MOSTLY! Tanner is trying more things lately. He loves mommy's chicken and yellow rice. I saute' peppers and onions to put in it. He gobbles it up.
I made some yummy banana bread on this lazy rainy labor day! I got this recipe from my Aunt Leah. She and I have been trading recipes for years. She makes the best Wild Rice and sausage with biscuits. She makes lots of yummy stuff. And I love my Aunt Brenda's meatballs that she makes on Christmas Eve or sometimes she will make for family dinners.
So blessed to have all these women in my life. I remember the first time I went to my in-laws for dinner. My mom in law goes all out. I was so worried meeting them when Billy and I were dating. I could not have been more loved and accepted. They treat me just like a daughter and are SO good to Billy, Tanner, and I. The best thing is they love us, support us, and love spending time with all of us. So thankful that my son is so loved. I love fall! Florida State football, pumpkin lattes, and cooler weather. Look forward to hanging out in the back yard this year. Maybe we can ask Santa for a swing set! Well Tanner is awake and we are off to the park. Mommy, daddy, and Tanner!!