Joplin Tornado Relief Update...Help Still Needed

Hello everyone,

 

My husband is working with Joplin Family Worship Center's Relief Center.  This is a long term recovery relief center that is expected to be in operation for at least three years to help Joplin rebuild from the May 22nd tornado.  Here is some information he has compiled regarding the church's relief efforts.

 

"We have received donations from 32 states and over 100 tractor trailer loads which has enabled us to bless more than 3000 families and over 10,000 people with food, toiletries, cleaning supplies, clothing, furniture and appliances, and water.

We serve 3 meals a day and average 600 meals a day totaling over 30,000 meals.  50 meals a day are take out lunches for another ministry and 150 are for our evening meals on wheels route covering a 16 block area.

We  have hosted over 5200 volunteers in our facility from more than 30 states.  Volunteers work on-site and in the destruction zone.  The volunteer crews have enabled us to complete over 345 jobs from families who's home was affected.  We have over 45 jobs currently needing volunteer crews and building supplies to complete the jobs.  We average 5-10 new job requests per day. 

As you can see the need is great and our job is just starting.  We are committed to helping Joplin families be restored, renewed, and to rebuild.

On May 22, 2011 over 8000 structures were either damaged or lost, 500 businesses were destroyed, 5000 jobs lost, 150 + lives lost, 30% of Joplin's structures were lost.  It is our Pastor's heart that not one family falls through the cracks.  And it is with that motivation that we endeavor we help families rebuild their lives and homes."

 

 

If you'd like to help with the relief effort, you can go to the Joplin Family Worship Center website at http://jfwc.org .

 

 

Thank you for your prayers for Joplin!

 

Laura

Happy at Home

Pineapple Iced Tea and Favorite Summertime Recipes

Hi Y'all!

Doesn't this Pineapple Tea look refreshing!  It's been so hot here, cool drinks are a must.  I'll be adding pineapple juice to my grocery list. ~smile~
    

Photo from Taste of Home.  Click on link below for recipe.

Pineapple Iced Tea from Taste of Home

How about a list of some of my favorite summertime recipes all in one place?  Yes, the snow icecream really is a summer recipe!

Enjoy!

Harvest Peach Jam

Iced Tea Concentrate in a Jar

Old-Time Lemonade

Peach Butter

Pineapple Pie

Shrimp Pasta Salad



Simple Lemonade

Snow Ice Cream

Sweet and Simple Coleslaw Dressing

Vanilla Milkshake

Laura

Praying for Rain and Cooler Weather



All the Answers a Mom of Many Needs... on a T-Shirt!

Yes...

They're all mine!

I know how this happened!

We homeschool!

My hands are full, of love!

They were planned!

I'd be thankful for more!

Psalm 127:3

I read about this in a newsletter from Above Rubies.

If you would like to order one of these T-shirts for yourself, contact Allison at:

 

Phone: 530-632-3669

Or her mailing address is:

12300 Allison Ranch Rd

Grass Valley CA 95949

.

Lawn and Lemonade

Yard work season is officially here.  Along with it, lemonade season.  My husband always likes a cold refreshing glass.  I use my old-fashioned lemonade recipe and pour the bubbling syrup over ice in my pitcher to cool it quickly.  I then add water.  Cooking the syrup takes a few minutes longer; but, it's so worth it.  Oh so refreshing! 

Independence Day Memories

Like you, I’m sure, I have many memories of Independence days through the years.

I can remember going to the car races with my Grandpa Frank and Grandma Mamie and waiting, waiting, waiting for the races to be over. I wanted to watch the fireworks! I also remember flying in their little airplane to a nearby town to go to a town picnic in the park. I was so upset when Grandpa wanted to leave early before the fireworks. I was later thrilled to watch them from the air!  Everyone should have a Grandma Mamie and a Grandpa Frank. 

I remember standing out on Grandma Mamie and Grandpa Frank’s front porch and playing with sparklers. Sparklers were my favorites. I used to try to write my name with them in the air. They were the next best thing to a real magical fairy wand. Hey, I was young! I wasn’t that smart about sparkler safety, though. I dropped one on the porch and then stepped on it with a bare little foot. Yikes! I could wail with the best of them.

Grandma and Grandpa moved to Texas when I was a teenager. So, from then on, most of my Independence Days were celebrated on the third with my mom and step-dad. I’m not sure if we had the big cook out and shot the fireworks because it was their anniversary or because they didn’t have to work the next day.

I remember my first Fourth of July as a young bride. We lived just half a block from the college football field where they were shooting the fireworks display. We invited my Dad and Annie to come and watch with us from our driveway. Unfortunately, we were downwind. We were inundated with smoke and debris falling from the sky. Annie was hit by what looked like a big piece of coconut shell.

Later, I remember watching with our babies. I remember covering their ears, hugging them closely, and watching their eyes wide with wonder at such a glorious sight. I don’t remember any of them crying; but, they sure snuggled in close.

Twelve years ago, I remember standing in our Pastor’s front yard, with tears streaming down my face, as we watched the display from afar. We had been on our way to the park; but, it was excessively hot, I was excessively pregnant, and my mother was at death’s door. I had just returned from seeing her. My, how she loved fireworks! She’d spend a fortune to get that display just right. Well, she waited until just after midnight to go home so that she wouldn’t spoil the fourth. I’m quite sure she waited. She could have gone on the third, her anniversary. She could have gone on the fourth, a holiday. She could have gone on the sixth, her mom’s birthday. She went on the fifth. I just can’t help believing that she knew what she was doing.  

Thank you God that this is another year to fill with memories with my husband and my kids.  Praise the LORD!

Laura

Drip Drip Drip Boom!

A memorable account of July 4, 2009.

We spent the evening out in the country with friends at Charlie’s Big Red Barn. It was open on both ends; and, the breeze was so nice that it stayed cool. We had a cookout with lots of friends then headed out to the Municipal park. We sat in our usual place at the edge of the golf course. We had all of our friends, Lowell’s mother, and all of our little family. The kids played as we were waiting for the sun to set. I told the kids that I wanted them to come on up the hill and sit with us near the van when it got dark. Well it got dark alright. Just moments before the display began, drip-drip. Yes, it was sprinkling. Well, that’s okay, we thought. We’ll get a little damp. The display was gorgeous. This year they had a new kind of firework that had little white swirly sparkles interspersed with small bursts of purple. I just loved them. That’s just about the time that our drips became drops and then, suddenly, a downpour! Boy everyone started to scramble for their cars! We were close; so, we got in and watched most of the rest of the display from the car. It did slow to a sprinkle near the end. So, we got out and watched the finale.

We came home soggy but happy. I have a feeling that this is an Independence Day that we won’t forget!

I hope this year is fabulous for you as we remember the sacrifices of our founding fathers and those who have fought to keep this country free.

God bless the USA.