Today I was able to make 5 feed sack tote bags. I delivered one to a couple who gave me a stack of feed sacks on Saturday when we were going to garage sales. The man asked me if I wanted more feed sacks if he got them and I said yes please. I left them a soap sample which has my name and phone number on the card.
Joy got a phone call this morning, she got a job and she started a couple hours later. That was a blessing. When Joy asked how many hours she would get working part time the manager said Oh you will be full time in the next week or two. Great news.
Tomorrow Mollie goes back to the nursing home where she and Joy took their CNA training to talk to them about a job. Apparently they lost her phone number and that's why they haven't called her to work. So she may have a job as well.
Also tomorrow Jeff is going to deep south Texas to a desolate plant. His boss and he are going to trouble shoot and repair some problems they are having. They originally asked for another guy to go but Jeff's boss said that the other guy always asks Jeff stuff so just skip the middle man and send Jeff down there. It's so far away that they are going to have to spend the night. Its so desolate that they have to drive 30 miles to a nearby town to get a motel. I will pray for their safety. Its practically in Mexico its so far south. I sure am glad that his boss is going with him because he knows the way.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Libby vegetables
Dollar General has Libby's canned vegetables on sale 2/1.00 I have coupons for 1.00 off 4 cans so I can get them for .25 a can. yippie. I have about 20 coupons so I can get 80 cans of vegetables for $20.00. I have not been able to get canned vegetables this cheap for a long time so I will stock up.
The Armour of God
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Eph 6:19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
Eph 6:20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
missionary update
From: "Brenda Lange"
Date: October 30, 2011 6:27:05 AM CDT
Subject: Blog, Oct. 30, 2011
THE DUMB SHALL SPEAK!
Eric Dry, our Associate Director in Balama, went with me today to Pequaria. We noticed an older man and a teenage boy sitting in the back of the Sunday school class whom we didn’t know. The teenage boy sat curled up in a fetal position, with his face hidden the whole time. The old man explained that he is the father to this teenager, and asked us to rid him of evil spirits.
We ministered to the father first, but he refused to accept Jesus. However, this father knew the spirits would leave his son if we prayed in the name of Jesus.
Jacinto, his son, was mute! The villagers in our church testified that he doesn’t speak and that he is mentally retarded.
We laid hands on Jacinto, and when commanded “IN THE NAME OF JESUS”, THE DEMONDS FLED and his voice was released!
JACINTO IMMEDIATELY SPOKE THE NAME OF JESUS AS HIS FIRST WORD!
In a few seconds this young man was FREE.
All of us began to sing and Jacinto began to clap and sing along too!
He was in no way mentally retarded, as he answered every question we asked once his tongue was set free.
His father was AMAZED as Jacinto’s eyes which had been dull and lifeless, now “smiled” with new life.
His whole appearance immediately changed from sadness to joy!
Jesus is changing lives at a rapid rate in this little village, and I can’t wait to see what He does next!
TORNADO LEVELS 5 VILLAGES JUST SOUTH OF BALAMA
This week’s food distributions were delayed in Balama when a massive thunder storm caused tornados to sweep through 2 states, destroying concrete brick schools and 1000’s of mud huts.
The hardest hit in our area was the District of Namuno, just 20 miles south of us. Numbers of dead and injured are unknown.
Namuno is the county the Lord directed us to help next. We had hoped to expand our orphan program to this area this year, as it has only one church in the whole county, and no one caring for their orphans. Note: We were refused entry this year by Social Services due to all the “re-registering” process for our new foster care license.
On Tuesday, the State Governor’s office requested a meeting with us, officially asking for food assistance for 100’s of starving families who lost everything but the clothes on their backs. We delayed our scheduled trip to the Elephant Village on Friday, and took them 5 tons of corn and 1 ton of beans (maximum load for our truck).
It was the largest gift given that day as businesses and others brought what they could to help those in need.
The Governor himself supervised the unloading of the supplies into an old warehouse that withstood the storm . The supplies would be organized and distributed the next day to those in need. In Namuno town, every permanent building lost its tin roof (2 schools, Catholic and Protestant church) as well as other buildings.
A BUSH FIRE in the area was fanned by the winds, and burned out a whole village before the winds levelled the walls. The forest fire left only charred sticks standing in the area where beautiful cashew nut trees had stood. (This is the same storm that hit Kwe Kwe last Saturday.) Thanks to prayer, Kwe Kwe village was spared serious damage. Namuno lacks the gospel and therefore had no prayer protection.
When I came to Balama, the Lord showed me Joshua 1:5-9, emphasizing that NO MAN would be able to stand against me all the days of my life.
The door to Nampula was shut to us, and now God has opened it for both the gospel and food assistance.
Aguas Vivas (Living Waters of Mozambique) is our name in Mozambique. That name is now known in Namuno as YOUR generous gift of food made quite an impression on the huge hungry crowd that watched the unloading of the supplies.
We’ll keep you posted on how things progress there.
BUILD THE WALL PROJECT
I told you last week that we have to rebuild all 5 of our foster care homes by December, or we will lose our foster care license.
We were blessed this week to receive a gift that would buy the 356 bags of cement needed to make the 30,000 BRICKS that will build those 5 homes.
We prayed, and God met the need, giving us the head start we needed on this intense construction project for 2012.
Sam and Nate are only here through November, and brick making takes 2 strong young men to operate the machine. They jumped at the chance to serve the Lord by making 850 bricks a day with our Hydroform Brick Making Machine and its 12 man crew. Instead of counting sheep as they go to bed at night, they now count BRICKS!
This job requires much concentration and stamina as they work from 5a.m. to 11a.m. each day. (Sun-up is 4:30a.m. in October and the best time to work.)
It is 98-100 degrees F. (37-38 C) by noon each day, so we all try to limit our work to the morning hours.
We are very grateful for these 2 young men, and the service gift they are contributing to this project.
I PRAISE THE LORD for providing our needs, even before we knew we needed them.
The remaining building costs for these 5 houses are: (16 ft. X 26 ft.) or (5 m. X 8 m)
EACH WALL: needs 926 bricks/wall. Our bricks are BIG. (25cm X 22cm X 11cm high)
Cost of ONE wall: $737
Four walls for a whole brick house=$2,948
Concrete Floor: $400
Rock for House foundation: $200
Cement for Foundation: $210
Tin Roof: $750
Wooden Door with frame (each house needs 2) $75 each= $150
Wooden Shutter windows with mosquito screen $ 40 each X 4/house= $160
Rebar for reinforcement beams over the windows/doors $150
(cost of each item includes materials and labor to build it).
ONE HOUSE WILL NOW COST ONLY: $4,968
Each house sleeps 5 children.
Thanks for making it possible for us to help so many children.
Together, we ARE making a difference.
Blessings from Bush Bunny Brenda and the Balama staff
Date: October 30, 2011 6:27:05 AM CDT
Subject: Blog, Oct. 30, 2011
THE DUMB SHALL SPEAK!
Eric Dry, our Associate Director in Balama, went with me today to Pequaria. We noticed an older man and a teenage boy sitting in the back of the Sunday school class whom we didn’t know. The teenage boy sat curled up in a fetal position, with his face hidden the whole time. The old man explained that he is the father to this teenager, and asked us to rid him of evil spirits.
We ministered to the father first, but he refused to accept Jesus. However, this father knew the spirits would leave his son if we prayed in the name of Jesus.
Jacinto, his son, was mute! The villagers in our church testified that he doesn’t speak and that he is mentally retarded.
We laid hands on Jacinto, and when commanded “IN THE NAME OF JESUS”, THE DEMONDS FLED and his voice was released!
JACINTO IMMEDIATELY SPOKE THE NAME OF JESUS AS HIS FIRST WORD!
In a few seconds this young man was FREE.
All of us began to sing and Jacinto began to clap and sing along too!
He was in no way mentally retarded, as he answered every question we asked once his tongue was set free.
His father was AMAZED as Jacinto’s eyes which had been dull and lifeless, now “smiled” with new life.
His whole appearance immediately changed from sadness to joy!
Jesus is changing lives at a rapid rate in this little village, and I can’t wait to see what He does next!
TORNADO LEVELS 5 VILLAGES JUST SOUTH OF BALAMA
This week’s food distributions were delayed in Balama when a massive thunder storm caused tornados to sweep through 2 states, destroying concrete brick schools and 1000’s of mud huts.
The hardest hit in our area was the District of Namuno, just 20 miles south of us. Numbers of dead and injured are unknown.
Namuno is the county the Lord directed us to help next. We had hoped to expand our orphan program to this area this year, as it has only one church in the whole county, and no one caring for their orphans. Note: We were refused entry this year by Social Services due to all the “re-registering” process for our new foster care license.
On Tuesday, the State Governor’s office requested a meeting with us, officially asking for food assistance for 100’s of starving families who lost everything but the clothes on their backs. We delayed our scheduled trip to the Elephant Village on Friday, and took them 5 tons of corn and 1 ton of beans (maximum load for our truck).
It was the largest gift given that day as businesses and others brought what they could to help those in need.
The Governor himself supervised the unloading of the supplies into an old warehouse that withstood the storm . The supplies would be organized and distributed the next day to those in need. In Namuno town, every permanent building lost its tin roof (2 schools, Catholic and Protestant church) as well as other buildings.
A BUSH FIRE in the area was fanned by the winds, and burned out a whole village before the winds levelled the walls. The forest fire left only charred sticks standing in the area where beautiful cashew nut trees had stood. (This is the same storm that hit Kwe Kwe last Saturday.) Thanks to prayer, Kwe Kwe village was spared serious damage. Namuno lacks the gospel and therefore had no prayer protection.
When I came to Balama, the Lord showed me Joshua 1:5-9, emphasizing that NO MAN would be able to stand against me all the days of my life.
The door to Nampula was shut to us, and now God has opened it for both the gospel and food assistance.
Aguas Vivas (Living Waters of Mozambique) is our name in Mozambique. That name is now known in Namuno as YOUR generous gift of food made quite an impression on the huge hungry crowd that watched the unloading of the supplies.
We’ll keep you posted on how things progress there.
BUILD THE WALL PROJECT
I told you last week that we have to rebuild all 5 of our foster care homes by December, or we will lose our foster care license.
We were blessed this week to receive a gift that would buy the 356 bags of cement needed to make the 30,000 BRICKS that will build those 5 homes.
We prayed, and God met the need, giving us the head start we needed on this intense construction project for 2012.
Sam and Nate are only here through November, and brick making takes 2 strong young men to operate the machine. They jumped at the chance to serve the Lord by making 850 bricks a day with our Hydroform Brick Making Machine and its 12 man crew. Instead of counting sheep as they go to bed at night, they now count BRICKS!
This job requires much concentration and stamina as they work from 5a.m. to 11a.m. each day. (Sun-up is 4:30a.m. in October and the best time to work.)
It is 98-100 degrees F. (37-38 C) by noon each day, so we all try to limit our work to the morning hours.
We are very grateful for these 2 young men, and the service gift they are contributing to this project.
I PRAISE THE LORD for providing our needs, even before we knew we needed them.
The remaining building costs for these 5 houses are: (16 ft. X 26 ft.) or (5 m. X 8 m)
EACH WALL: needs 926 bricks/wall. Our bricks are BIG. (25cm X 22cm X 11cm high)
Cost of ONE wall: $737
Four walls for a whole brick house=$2,948
Concrete Floor: $400
Rock for House foundation: $200
Cement for Foundation: $210
Tin Roof: $750
Wooden Door with frame (each house needs 2) $75 each= $150
Wooden Shutter windows with mosquito screen $ 40 each X 4/house= $160
Rebar for reinforcement beams over the windows/doors $150
(cost of each item includes materials and labor to build it).
ONE HOUSE WILL NOW COST ONLY: $4,968
Each house sleeps 5 children.
Thanks for making it possible for us to help so many children.
Together, we ARE making a difference.
Blessings from Bush Bunny Brenda and the Balama staff
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Bacon and potato soup
Ingredients:6 slices bacon, cut into small pieces
1 cup chopped carrots
1 package Simply Potatoes® Diced Potatoes with Onions
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 can (14.5 ounces) chicken broth
1/2 cup water
1 cup milk
Instructions:1. Cook bacon in 3-quart saucepan over medium heat until crisp; drain grease. Add carrots. Continue cooking 2 minutes or until crisp tender. Stir in Simply Potatoes and flour.
2. Slowly stir in broth and water. Continue cooking, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil and starts to thicken. Reduce heat to medium-low, cook 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until potatoes are tender. Stir in milk. Continue cooking 2 to 3 minutes or until thoroughly heated (do not boil). Season with salt and pepper.
Nutrition Facts:1: Calories 162; Total Fat 5g; Saturated Fat 2g; Cholesterol 12mg; Sodium 729mg; Carbohydrate 21g; Dietary Fiber 2g; Protein 7g
Hot Cocoa
Jeff had to turn the heater on this morning because it was getting a little nippy in here. Its 43 degrees outside so it cooled down pretty good. Its 60 degrees in the house now and much warmer. I think its time to switch the fans with the electric heater. I bet the girls are cold next door too.
I brought home a set of walkie talkie's that our pastor loaned us to see if they would work between the two campers and they do. Now we wont have to call the girls on their phones all the time and waste minutes. Now it will be much easier to call them to eat or do chores or just to ask them something.
I got the big tea kettle down the other day to boil lots of water at a time. We seem to use quite a bit of hot water in the cooler weather than in the summer or hot weather. We drink more hot tea and cocoa. This morning I am drinking a cup of hot cocoa. I was glad that I had made a big batch last winter and stored it away. All I had to do was bring it out and have a cup of cocoa.
Its still dark out so we are showering and getting ready to go garage sailing. I think they have them year round down here. Its a cheap diversion and something for Jeff and I to do together. Sometimes Hannah comes along too. We rarely buy anything but its fun to look. A few weeks ago I was able to buy a stick blender, new in the box for $4.00. New they are over $20.00 so it was a good deal. I use them when I make soap and they wear out so I am always on the lookout for spares.
Later, when it warms up more we will wash clothes and hang them out. I hope they will have enough time to dry.
I hope you all have a nice weekend. Leave a comment so I know you came to visit.
I brought home a set of walkie talkie's that our pastor loaned us to see if they would work between the two campers and they do. Now we wont have to call the girls on their phones all the time and waste minutes. Now it will be much easier to call them to eat or do chores or just to ask them something.
I got the big tea kettle down the other day to boil lots of water at a time. We seem to use quite a bit of hot water in the cooler weather than in the summer or hot weather. We drink more hot tea and cocoa. This morning I am drinking a cup of hot cocoa. I was glad that I had made a big batch last winter and stored it away. All I had to do was bring it out and have a cup of cocoa.
Its still dark out so we are showering and getting ready to go garage sailing. I think they have them year round down here. Its a cheap diversion and something for Jeff and I to do together. Sometimes Hannah comes along too. We rarely buy anything but its fun to look. A few weeks ago I was able to buy a stick blender, new in the box for $4.00. New they are over $20.00 so it was a good deal. I use them when I make soap and they wear out so I am always on the lookout for spares.
Later, when it warms up more we will wash clothes and hang them out. I hope they will have enough time to dry.
I hope you all have a nice weekend. Leave a comment so I know you came to visit.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Thanks Laura
If you look to the right you will notice I now have a button for my Etsy shop. I was having a hard time figuring out how to make this button so my friend Laura offered to make one for me. So I want to say Thank you to Laura for making the button for me.
And to everyone else please visit my Etsy shop by clicking the button on the right.
And to everyone else please visit my Etsy shop by clicking the button on the right.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Grape jelly
I was able to buy 4 ~ 32 oz. jars of Welch's grape jelly for only $3.00 total. They are on sale this week at Walgreens for $1.50 a jar with the ad coupon. I had 4 ~ .75 coupons I printed from the internet so the total was only .75 a jar. My family loves grape jelly so I was happy to be able to get this good deal.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
My Etsy Shop
I just opened an Etsy shop. So far I have one item listed.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/84641943/feed-sack-tote-bag
This is a link to my Etsy shop. Now I just have to figure out how to have this link on my side bar.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/84641943/feed-sack-tote-bag
This is a link to my Etsy shop. Now I just have to figure out how to have this link on my side bar.
Feed sack tote bags
Today I am working on feed sack tote bags. I want to work on them today and tomorrow to see how many I can get made in a day or so.
This picture is of a bag someone else made. I thought I had downloaded one I made but this is not one of mine.
I stopped by the feed store and the owner is going to save feed sacks for me and I will make some for her to sell at her store. She only wants to sell bags made from the type of feed they sell at their store, that makes sense to me.
I have an agreement with a couple of ladies near Houston to save bags for me and I will make them a tote for every 8 bags they save for me.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
No-Bake Nutella Cookies
No-Bake Nutella Cookies
■1/2 cup butter
■1/2 cup milk
■1 & 3/4 cups sugar
■1/2 cup cocoa
■1 teaspoon vanilla
■1/2 cup Nutella
■3 cups rolled oats
1.In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine butter, milk, sugar, and cocoa. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.Reduce heat and continue to boil for 3 minutes, still stirring.
2.Remove from heat and add Vanilla.
3.Add Nutella.
4.Add oats and mix well.
5.Drop quickly onto waxed paper and allow cookies to cool and set.
http://www.meganscookin.com/no-bake-nutella-cookie-recipe
Now that I have discovered Nutella, I want to try this recipe.
PEANUT BUTTER CORN FLAKE TREATS
PEANUT BUTTER CORN FLAKE TREATS
Content Copyright © 2011 Cooks.com - All rights reserved.
1 c. sugar
1 c. white corn syrup
2 c. peanut butter
5 c. corn flakes
Bring sugar and corn syrup to a boil. Remove from heat and add the peanut butter, cream well. Pour over the 5 cups of corn flakes.
http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0%2C1630%2C153161-224195%2C00.html
Content Copyright © 2011 Cooks.com - All rights reserved.
1 c. sugar
1 c. white corn syrup
2 c. peanut butter
5 c. corn flakes
Bring sugar and corn syrup to a boil. Remove from heat and add the peanut butter, cream well. Pour over the 5 cups of corn flakes.
http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0%2C1630%2C153161-224195%2C00.html
missionary update
From: "Brenda Lange"
Date: October 23, 2011 7:09:35 AM CDT
Subject: Blog, Oct. 23, 2011
PRAYER POWER SAVES KWE KWE CHURCH FROM 3RD THUNDER STORM
Last night a tremendous rain storm with high winds hit the Kwe Kwe area, 15 miles southwest of Balama, without us even knowing it happened.
The church members covered the new built church walls in intense prayer, and Jesus divinely protected the those walls which were still not fully dry!
Many houses and trees suffered wind damage.
The intense winds knocked all the green Mangos from the trees, leaving a bunch of very unhappy kids!
The Mango season is a high light each year for all of us Mango lovers. J
We praise the Lord for saving the church from a 2nd disaster, as that area has been hard hit with rains that shouldn’t even be happening until November.
The church members plan to plaster the walls this week, and then our painters will move in to water proof the walls with oil paint.
THE ULTIMATIM
For 3 months, we have worked hard to come into compliance with new Social Service regulations.
Each time we think we’re in compliance, we are given something else to correct.
This week our inch thick packet of required documents was hand carried to Maputo by the National Social Services Director herself. A real blessing that hopefully will keep it from getting “lost” in the shuffle. J
We received a “temporary permit” to continue our work PROVIDED we come into compliance by Dec. 2012 with this nation’s new building codes for orphans. (Just when I thought our construction was coming to an end.) I should have known better.
The new regulations state:
ALL HOUSING for orphans in foster care (not living with a family member) must be built with concrete bricks.
Our current housing of mud brick walls with a cement floor and tin roof is high class for Balama, an all mud hut/grass roofed community.
If we want to continue to host these orphans who have no family, then FIVE new brick houses are required.
My frustration is lack of help to handle this MASSIVE construction project that must start in April 2012, on top of our ever growing evangelistic outreaches, orphan food distributions and children’s outreaches .
I know God must be calling someone to give me a hand, even though they have not committed yet.
I ask all of you to include this need in your prayers.
DE BUNNY NEEDS A CONSTRUCTION HELPER BY NEXT APRIL, so she can do more preaching and teaching in the villages.
The hunger for God’s Word at Pequaria village (mostly in the children), has shown me the need for more youth pastors. We are doing our best to train up church members in the Word of God via the International Victory Bible Institute’s DVD curriculum. We have 2 “IVBI Bush Bible Schools” with 105 students at present.
But they need specialty training in children’s ministry, which I can give them.
So if you are an experienced missionary or KNOW OF someone fitting this description who feels called of God to serve in the remote bush of Africa, and who has some construction knowledge, please contact me ASAP!
In my next blog, I’ll be explaining our “Build the Walls” project that will make it possible for our orphans to continue living in safety with us as their foster parents.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND LOVE GIFTS TO OUR CHILDREN.
Together, we ARE making a difference.
Blessings and Much Thanks!
Bush Bunny Brenda and her Moz. staff
Date: October 23, 2011 7:09:35 AM CDT
Subject: Blog, Oct. 23, 2011
PRAYER POWER SAVES KWE KWE CHURCH FROM 3RD THUNDER STORM
Last night a tremendous rain storm with high winds hit the Kwe Kwe area, 15 miles southwest of Balama, without us even knowing it happened.
The church members covered the new built church walls in intense prayer, and Jesus divinely protected the those walls which were still not fully dry!
Many houses and trees suffered wind damage.
The intense winds knocked all the green Mangos from the trees, leaving a bunch of very unhappy kids!
The Mango season is a high light each year for all of us Mango lovers. J
We praise the Lord for saving the church from a 2nd disaster, as that area has been hard hit with rains that shouldn’t even be happening until November.
The church members plan to plaster the walls this week, and then our painters will move in to water proof the walls with oil paint.
THE ULTIMATIM
For 3 months, we have worked hard to come into compliance with new Social Service regulations.
Each time we think we’re in compliance, we are given something else to correct.
This week our inch thick packet of required documents was hand carried to Maputo by the National Social Services Director herself. A real blessing that hopefully will keep it from getting “lost” in the shuffle. J
We received a “temporary permit” to continue our work PROVIDED we come into compliance by Dec. 2012 with this nation’s new building codes for orphans. (Just when I thought our construction was coming to an end.) I should have known better.
The new regulations state:
ALL HOUSING for orphans in foster care (not living with a family member) must be built with concrete bricks.
Our current housing of mud brick walls with a cement floor and tin roof is high class for Balama, an all mud hut/grass roofed community.
If we want to continue to host these orphans who have no family, then FIVE new brick houses are required.
My frustration is lack of help to handle this MASSIVE construction project that must start in April 2012, on top of our ever growing evangelistic outreaches, orphan food distributions and children’s outreaches .
I know God must be calling someone to give me a hand, even though they have not committed yet.
I ask all of you to include this need in your prayers.
DE BUNNY NEEDS A CONSTRUCTION HELPER BY NEXT APRIL, so she can do more preaching and teaching in the villages.
The hunger for God’s Word at Pequaria village (mostly in the children), has shown me the need for more youth pastors. We are doing our best to train up church members in the Word of God via the International Victory Bible Institute’s DVD curriculum. We have 2 “IVBI Bush Bible Schools” with 105 students at present.
But they need specialty training in children’s ministry, which I can give them.
So if you are an experienced missionary or KNOW OF someone fitting this description who feels called of God to serve in the remote bush of Africa, and who has some construction knowledge, please contact me ASAP!
In my next blog, I’ll be explaining our “Build the Walls” project that will make it possible for our orphans to continue living in safety with us as their foster parents.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND LOVE GIFTS TO OUR CHILDREN.
Together, we ARE making a difference.
Blessings and Much Thanks!
Bush Bunny Brenda and her Moz. staff
Emergency meal kits
I saw on another blog where a lady posted that we should make up emergency meal kits so if an event happened you would have those and not have to think about what to make. I think its a good idea not only for emergencies but also for your kids to be able to make a meal without too much trouble. One lady suggested buying those plastic shoe box's and placing shelf stable ingredients into it along with a menu and cooking instructions. Here are a few shelf stable meal kit ideas I came up with.
Be sure to eat these meals at least every 6 months and immediately make a new kit. Its a good idea to put a use by date on the kit.
1.Tuna on crackers. Cans of tuna, small jar of mayonnaise, small jar of relish, crackers and a jar or can of fruit. (I would tell my kids that if we are at home and they are using the kits to use the mayo and relish in the fridge first).
2. Beef gravy, biscuits and instant potatoes.
1 or 2 jars of beef stew meat, seasoned flour, instant potatoes, powdered milk, biscuit mix and 1 or 2 cans of green beans.
Mix the seasoned flour with water to make a paste and add to the liquid from the stew meat to make a gravy. Make biscuits according to package directions. Make instant potatoes according to package directions.
3. Bean burritos
Dehydrated re fried beans, small jar taco sauce, black olives, tortilla mix and dehydrated cheese if available. Re hydrate beans in hot water. Make tortilla by mixing the tortilla mix with water and kneading and rolling and cooking.
4. Salmon patties with tartar sauce and peas.
Canned salmon, crackers, small jar of mayo, small jar of relish, powdered eggs, small jar of cooking oil, 1 or 2 cans of peas.
Make salmon patties with the egg powder, crackers and salmon. Cook in oil until brown. Make a tarter sauce with the mayo and relish. Top cooked salmon patties with the tarter sauce. Warm peas and enjoy your meal.
5. Spaghetti with lentils
Spaghetti sauce, 1 c. lentils, angle hair pasta.
Use the lentils in place of ground beef, it cooks fast and tastes great. I am not sure what seasonings to use with this meal.
6. Canned soup, crackers and a jar or can of fruit.
7. Small jar peanut butter, small jar jelly, crackers, fruit.
8. Chicken and noodles with mashed potatoes and a vegetable if desired.
Canned chicken, egg noodles, cream of chicken soup, chicken bullion, instant potatoes and a can or two of vegetables.
9. Chicken and dumplings, mashed potatoes and a vegetable.
Canned chicken, dumpling mix, instant potatoes and a can or two of vegetables.
10. Canned chili, crackers, canned fruit.
11. macaroni and cheese. Vienna sausage. Fruit (powdered milk)
Do you have any shelf stable meal ideas? If so leave a message in the comments. Thank you.
Be sure to eat these meals at least every 6 months and immediately make a new kit. Its a good idea to put a use by date on the kit.
1.Tuna on crackers. Cans of tuna, small jar of mayonnaise, small jar of relish, crackers and a jar or can of fruit. (I would tell my kids that if we are at home and they are using the kits to use the mayo and relish in the fridge first).
2. Beef gravy, biscuits and instant potatoes.
1 or 2 jars of beef stew meat, seasoned flour, instant potatoes, powdered milk, biscuit mix and 1 or 2 cans of green beans.
Mix the seasoned flour with water to make a paste and add to the liquid from the stew meat to make a gravy. Make biscuits according to package directions. Make instant potatoes according to package directions.
3. Bean burritos
Dehydrated re fried beans, small jar taco sauce, black olives, tortilla mix and dehydrated cheese if available. Re hydrate beans in hot water. Make tortilla by mixing the tortilla mix with water and kneading and rolling and cooking.
4. Salmon patties with tartar sauce and peas.
Canned salmon, crackers, small jar of mayo, small jar of relish, powdered eggs, small jar of cooking oil, 1 or 2 cans of peas.
Make salmon patties with the egg powder, crackers and salmon. Cook in oil until brown. Make a tarter sauce with the mayo and relish. Top cooked salmon patties with the tarter sauce. Warm peas and enjoy your meal.
5. Spaghetti with lentils
Spaghetti sauce, 1 c. lentils, angle hair pasta.
Use the lentils in place of ground beef, it cooks fast and tastes great. I am not sure what seasonings to use with this meal.
6. Canned soup, crackers and a jar or can of fruit.
7. Small jar peanut butter, small jar jelly, crackers, fruit.
8. Chicken and noodles with mashed potatoes and a vegetable if desired.
Canned chicken, egg noodles, cream of chicken soup, chicken bullion, instant potatoes and a can or two of vegetables.
9. Chicken and dumplings, mashed potatoes and a vegetable.
Canned chicken, dumpling mix, instant potatoes and a can or two of vegetables.
10. Canned chili, crackers, canned fruit.
11. macaroni and cheese. Vienna sausage. Fruit (powdered milk)
Do you have any shelf stable meal ideas? If so leave a message in the comments. Thank you.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
New family picture
This is the first time in a very long time that Joy has been here for a family picture with the Derixsons. We were at Whole Foods and a passerby took the pix for us. Its not too bad for a hurry up kind of deal.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Pumpkin Dinner Rolls
Description:
A soft yellow dinner roll... so tender and delicious! These are our traditional every-year Thanksgiving dinner rolls!
Yield:
4 Dozen Rolls
Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup warm water
2 cups warm milk
¼ cup butter, softened or melted (I warm it with the milk above)
2 cups mashed cooked pumpkin
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup wheat germ or whole wheat flour
10-12 cups all-purpose flour or bread flour
7 teaspoons dry yeast
Instructions:
1. In large mixing bowl, combine sugar, water, milk, butter, pumpkin, and salt. Mix well.
2. Add wheat germ, 7-8 cups of the flour, and yeast. Mix, and then continue adding flour and kneading until dough is elastic and not sticky.
3. Place dough in greased bowl; grease top of dough, cover with a towel, and set in a warm place until doubled (about 60-90 minutes).
4. Punch dough down and divide into thirds. Divide each third into 16 pieces and shape into balls.
5. Place on greased baking sheets, and grease tops. (I use two 11x15-inch baking sheets, and put 24 rolls on each.) Cover and let rise until almost doubled, about 30 minutes.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes, until tops are golden. Remove to wire racks and cover with a towel. Brush tops with butter if desired, as soon as rolls are removed to the wire racks. Serve warm with butter.
Additional Notes:
Re-warm leftover rolls by wrapping securely in foil and placing in a 325 degree oven for 15 minutes. Just as good as fresh! :)
Preparation Time:
40 minutes
Cooking Time:
15-20 minutes
A soft yellow dinner roll... so tender and delicious! These are our traditional every-year Thanksgiving dinner rolls!
Yield:
4 Dozen Rolls
Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup warm water
2 cups warm milk
¼ cup butter, softened or melted (I warm it with the milk above)
2 cups mashed cooked pumpkin
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup wheat germ or whole wheat flour
10-12 cups all-purpose flour or bread flour
7 teaspoons dry yeast
Instructions:
1. In large mixing bowl, combine sugar, water, milk, butter, pumpkin, and salt. Mix well.
2. Add wheat germ, 7-8 cups of the flour, and yeast. Mix, and then continue adding flour and kneading until dough is elastic and not sticky.
3. Place dough in greased bowl; grease top of dough, cover with a towel, and set in a warm place until doubled (about 60-90 minutes).
4. Punch dough down and divide into thirds. Divide each third into 16 pieces and shape into balls.
5. Place on greased baking sheets, and grease tops. (I use two 11x15-inch baking sheets, and put 24 rolls on each.) Cover and let rise until almost doubled, about 30 minutes.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes, until tops are golden. Remove to wire racks and cover with a towel. Brush tops with butter if desired, as soon as rolls are removed to the wire racks. Serve warm with butter.
Additional Notes:
Re-warm leftover rolls by wrapping securely in foil and placing in a 325 degree oven for 15 minutes. Just as good as fresh! :)
Preparation Time:
40 minutes
Cooking Time:
15-20 minutes
http://tammysrecipes.com/pumpkin_dinner_rolls
Plain cake donuts
Plain Cake Doughnuts
Submitted By: Jennifer Long
Photo By: 5boys2cook4
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes Ready In: 25 Minutes
Servings: 12
"A simple cake doughnut lightly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. Coat with sugar and cinnamon, or a confectioners' sugar glaze."
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 dash ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons melted butter
1/2 cup milk
1 egg, beaten
1 quart oil for frying
Directions:
1. Heat oil in deep-fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg. Mix in butter until crumbly. Stir in milk and egg until smooth. Knead lightly, then turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll or pat to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut with a doughnut cutter, or use two round biscuit cutters of different sizes.
3. Carefully drop doughnuts into hot oil, a few at a time. Do not overcrowd pan or oil may overflow. Fry, turning once, for 3 minutes or until golden. Drain on paper towels.
Submitted By: Jennifer Long
Photo By: 5boys2cook4
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes Ready In: 25 Minutes
Servings: 12
"A simple cake doughnut lightly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. Coat with sugar and cinnamon, or a confectioners' sugar glaze."
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 dash ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons melted butter
1/2 cup milk
1 egg, beaten
1 quart oil for frying
Directions:
1. Heat oil in deep-fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg. Mix in butter until crumbly. Stir in milk and egg until smooth. Knead lightly, then turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll or pat to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut with a doughnut cutter, or use two round biscuit cutters of different sizes.
3. Carefully drop doughnuts into hot oil, a few at a time. Do not overcrowd pan or oil may overflow. Fry, turning once, for 3 minutes or until golden. Drain on paper towels.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2011 Allrecipes.com Printed from Allrecipes.com 10/20/201
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
10 Commandments of Couponing
For larger view click on picture.
To make things on your computer screen larger when clicking the picutre doesnt work, hold your alt key down while you tap the + key until you can read. Then hold the alt key down and tap the - key to go back to normal. This works on most any page you want to see in a larger view.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Can yourself some cold rememdy
2 cups of lemon juice
2 cups of apple cider vinegar
2 tsps of cayenne pepper
1 cup of honey
2 tablespoons of ginger
2 tablespoons of powdered garlic
Heat to combine I put it in the microwave until it blended together.
Prepare 5 eight ounce jars.
Waterbath process for 15 minutes.
To use: Put 2 tablespoons in a cup of hot water or tea.
2 cups of apple cider vinegar
2 tsps of cayenne pepper
1 cup of honey
2 tablespoons of ginger
2 tablespoons of powdered garlic
Heat to combine I put it in the microwave until it blended together.
Prepare 5 eight ounce jars.
Waterbath process for 15 minutes.
To use: Put 2 tablespoons in a cup of hot water or tea.
Free bananas for 6 months
I entered a contest on face book and I won. I received 26 coupons for Dole bananas each worth up to $2.00. I didn't even remember entering the contest. I am very thankful and excited. The best part is that the coupons don't expire until 6/30/2012.
missionary update
From: "Brenda Lange"
From: "Brenda Lange"
Date: October 16, 2011 7:09:50 AM CDT
Subject: Blog Oct. 16, 2011
AND THE DEAF SHALL HEAR!
Pequaria church members never ceases to amaze me. Today’s lesson was on the Sword of the Spirit, using a machete to explain how easy God can cut through any problem we have if we will only:
1. SPEAK HIS WORD over our problems
2. USE THE NAME OF JESUS to stop an attack of sickness or whenever we are threatened in any way.
Teaching uneducated people to accept that they have AUTHORITY to do these things because Jesus gave it to us is not always easy with just words.
So God sent us a healing miracle to drive home his point! J
I just love God’s teaching methods.
They don’t believe the one he sent to teach them, so God shows them!
After church today, our first teenage convert from last week, Nicolae, was sitting in the back of the church being very silent and sad looking. I sensed something was bothering him. He claimed he wasn’t sick, but when one of our youth questioned him, he admitted something was wrong with his hearing. He said for several weeks his hearing was getting worse, like something was plugging his ears so he couldn’t hear the teaching about God.
I called the other believers to gather round, and when I laid hands on his ears, IMMEDIATELY I KNEW, it wasn’t physical, but demonic.
We immediately rebuked the demonic powers and commanded them to release his ears in the name of Jesus!
That demon flew out of there so fast that the boy immediately regained his hearing!
I tested him by standing in front of him to keep him distracted while Nelson, my interpreter, stood 3 ft. behind him whispering words in Makua, their tribal language.
The boy repeated every word perfectly! Hallalujah Jesus!
EVERYONE began to shout and sing, and all doubt was washed away in shouts of JOY!
BABY RESCUED JUST AFTER CHURCH
My team and I got home to find a man waiting for us with a letter and a sick baby from Impire Village (15 miles away).
He and his sick wife had carried their baby to Balama hospital yesterday.
Both the mother and baby were admitted, but the hospital had no milk formula, so sent the father with the sick baby (high fever) to me.
It appears the baby is septic as the mother has an infection in her milk glands.
The baby is almost too sick to suck a bottle, but we did manage to get 1 ounce into the little boy.
Pastor Fred gave them a quick lesson in bottle feeding, before I rushed the baby back to the hospital for treatment.
We gave the family some baby clothes and they were most grateful as the 3 week old baby had no clothing at all.
We are grateful that Jesus has given us the means through YOUR LOVE GIFTS to be able to serve in this capacity.
One can of milk ($6) and a baby bottle ($1) was beyond the means of this father who had not a cent to his name.
STEP OUT IN FAITH AND ANSWER THE LORD’S CALL!
Today, I took our master carpenter, Mario, with me to Pequaria. He gave his testimony of how he listened to God’s words come from my mouth for 10 years before they finally sunk in. (he was a muslim). The church went wild after his very moving testimony.
I can see EVANGELIST written all over that man, and we plan to train him up to do just that.
He told me he had been witnessed to villagers everywhere we had sent him to build a roof on a church!
The man has found his calling and jumped into it!
JESUS walked this earth among the “common” people performing miracles for 3 years.
He expects no less of all of us who know God’s Word.
Practical ministry is what Jesus was all about and he needs EACH OF US to step out of our comfort zone to full fill the “calling” He gave us.
He had no church building. Just his voice, hands, and feet, which he used to get His message out to the multitudes.
I encourage all of you to STEP OUT IN FAITH, and become DOERS of God’s Word.
There is no higher reward than bringing Jesus in a real way to all those you meet.
TIME IS SHORT before He returns. There is no time to waste.
KWE KWE CHURCH converted 8 people today and burned a 2nd witchdoctor hut!
That’s 2 witchdoctors who have now come to Christ in that village in 30 days!
THE HARVEST IS RIPE, AND WE THANK YOU FOR HELPING US TO GATHER IT IN.
Blessings in Christ,
Bush Bunny Brenda and the Balama Team
From: "Brenda Lange"
Date: October 16, 2011 7:09:50 AM CDT
Subject: Blog Oct. 16, 2011
AND THE DEAF SHALL HEAR!
Pequaria church members never ceases to amaze me. Today’s lesson was on the Sword of the Spirit, using a machete to explain how easy God can cut through any problem we have if we will only:
1. SPEAK HIS WORD over our problems
2. USE THE NAME OF JESUS to stop an attack of sickness or whenever we are threatened in any way.
Teaching uneducated people to accept that they have AUTHORITY to do these things because Jesus gave it to us is not always easy with just words.
So God sent us a healing miracle to drive home his point! J
I just love God’s teaching methods.
They don’t believe the one he sent to teach them, so God shows them!
After church today, our first teenage convert from last week, Nicolae, was sitting in the back of the church being very silent and sad looking. I sensed something was bothering him. He claimed he wasn’t sick, but when one of our youth questioned him, he admitted something was wrong with his hearing. He said for several weeks his hearing was getting worse, like something was plugging his ears so he couldn’t hear the teaching about God.
I called the other believers to gather round, and when I laid hands on his ears, IMMEDIATELY I KNEW, it wasn’t physical, but demonic.
We immediately rebuked the demonic powers and commanded them to release his ears in the name of Jesus!
That demon flew out of there so fast that the boy immediately regained his hearing!
I tested him by standing in front of him to keep him distracted while Nelson, my interpreter, stood 3 ft. behind him whispering words in Makua, their tribal language.
The boy repeated every word perfectly! Hallalujah Jesus!
EVERYONE began to shout and sing, and all doubt was washed away in shouts of JOY!
BABY RESCUED JUST AFTER CHURCH
My team and I got home to find a man waiting for us with a letter and a sick baby from Impire Village (15 miles away).
He and his sick wife had carried their baby to Balama hospital yesterday.
Both the mother and baby were admitted, but the hospital had no milk formula, so sent the father with the sick baby (high fever) to me.
It appears the baby is septic as the mother has an infection in her milk glands.
The baby is almost too sick to suck a bottle, but we did manage to get 1 ounce into the little boy.
Pastor Fred gave them a quick lesson in bottle feeding, before I rushed the baby back to the hospital for treatment.
We gave the family some baby clothes and they were most grateful as the 3 week old baby had no clothing at all.
We are grateful that Jesus has given us the means through YOUR LOVE GIFTS to be able to serve in this capacity.
One can of milk ($6) and a baby bottle ($1) was beyond the means of this father who had not a cent to his name.
STEP OUT IN FAITH AND ANSWER THE LORD’S CALL!
Today, I took our master carpenter, Mario, with me to Pequaria. He gave his testimony of how he listened to God’s words come from my mouth for 10 years before they finally sunk in. (he was a muslim). The church went wild after his very moving testimony.
I can see EVANGELIST written all over that man, and we plan to train him up to do just that.
He told me he had been witnessed to villagers everywhere we had sent him to build a roof on a church!
The man has found his calling and jumped into it!
JESUS walked this earth among the “common” people performing miracles for 3 years.
He expects no less of all of us who know God’s Word.
Practical ministry is what Jesus was all about and he needs EACH OF US to step out of our comfort zone to full fill the “calling” He gave us.
He had no church building. Just his voice, hands, and feet, which he used to get His message out to the multitudes.
I encourage all of you to STEP OUT IN FAITH, and become DOERS of God’s Word.
There is no higher reward than bringing Jesus in a real way to all those you meet.
TIME IS SHORT before He returns. There is no time to waste.
KWE KWE CHURCH converted 8 people today and burned a 2nd witchdoctor hut!
That’s 2 witchdoctors who have now come to Christ in that village in 30 days!
THE HARVEST IS RIPE, AND WE THANK YOU FOR HELPING US TO GATHER IT IN.
Blessings in Christ,
Bush Bunny Brenda and the Balama Team
Saturday, October 15, 2011
These hands reminded me of my great grandmother
This photo reminded me of my great grandmother. Her hands were much more twisted with arthritis. She died at least 40 years ago but I remember her hands as though I could see them now. I miss my great grandmother, my grandmother and my grandfather.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Frito Chili Pie
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/09/frito-chili-pie/
I found this on the pioneer woman cooks. I thought serving this in the individual bags was cute although I most likely will never do it that way. Economy you know. I linked to her recipe because she adds masa to her chili and I wanted to remember to try that.
Simple Macaroni and Beef with Cheese
Simple Macaroni and Beef with Cheese
1 large onion, diced
1 tablespoon canola oil
salt to taste
optional seasonings: black pepper, oregano, cumin, coriander, chopped garlic, hot smoked paprika, chilli powder—whatever you’re in the mood for (I just used black pepper, garlic and a tablespoon of fish sauce, which gives it depth)
one 28-ounce can whole tomatoes, pureed in the can with a hand blender or in a blender blender
2 pounds lean ground beef
1 box macaroni
1 cup each grated cheddar and mozzarella cheeses
Sweat the onions in the oil with a three-fingered pinch of salt. Add the beef and cook it, breaking it up as you do. (Because my beef was very fatty, I cooked it separately and added it to the pot along with the tomatoes. Also an option, but uses an extra pan.) Add another three-fingered pinch of salt or two, along with any dry seasonings you want. Add the tomatoes and any fresh seasonings you may be using, bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cook for an hour.
Cook the macaroni in boiling water till it’s half done. Drain it and add it to the tomatoes. (I wanted this to stretch into two meals, so I used the whole box, but if you want your dish to be very tomatoey and beefy, you might want to add only half the macaroni). Stir it into the sauce. Taste it. Add more salt and other seasonings as needed, and cover. When it’s cooled and the pasta has absorbed the tomato juices, transfer it to a large baking dish and cover it with foil. It can sit out for several hours like this, be refrigerated for up to two days, or frozen a few weeks.
Bake it in a 400 degree oven till it’s piping hot (about 45 minutes if it’s cold to room temperature). Just before you’re ready to eat, remove the foil, cover macaroni with the cheese and broil till it looks beautiful.
Having used all the pasta, I put the second batch into the cleaned baking dish and covered it with foil, wrote “Mac and Beef, bake, cover with cheese and broil” on the foil with a sharpie—so that next time I’m gone, Donna has a mid-week meal ready to go.
Now that we have this frozen version, it begs the question, “What is the difference between pulling this homemade version and baking it, and cooking the ubiquitous store-bought kind?” Besides the fact that it’s more satisfying to serve from glass than from foil or plastic? Besides the good ingredients and lack of bad ones? Besides all that extra, gooey, delicious melted cheese? Besides that it was fun to make? Besides that it tastes better?
http://ruhlman.com/2010/05/macaroni-and-beef-with-cheese-%E2%80%94-childhood-love/
Crochet Hexigon
Now I have never attempted to write out a pattern before. But lets just assume that if you're reading this in order to try your hand at crocheting hexagons, then you already know how to make basic stitches right? I'll try and not get too complicated, but as I do SO want you to be able to do it, I'll try to explain things as well as basic pattern-write.
First off chain 4 and join to form a ring. The hole in the center of the ring will be smallish, but this is where you need to work from for the first round. Tweak it a bit with your fingers to open it out a little.
Chain 3, then work 11 double crochet stitches into the ring. Join with a slip stitch to the 3rd stitch of the initial chain 3 and fasten off.
You should now have a little whirly wheel circle with 12 stitches/spokes altogether.
Join in a new colour for round 2 :: knot the two yarns together. Remember you can crochet the ends in as you go with the hex's too, to save you darning ends in at the end.
Pull the new colour yarn through to the front, through one of the dc stitches :: you are working out of the stitches in this round, not the spaces in between the spokes.
For this round, you're going to be making what I think is known as a Bobble Stitch. It's basically where you work two incomplete dc's into the same stitch, joining them at the end by pulling the yarn through all loops.
I shall describe it to you :: yarn over, insert hook through next stitch, yarn over, hook back through stitch (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook). Then yarn over and insert hook through SAME STITCH, yarn over, hook back through stitch (4 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through 2 loops (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.
I know it sounds complicated, but honestly, it's really not. Try watching the little Bobble Stitch video I've linked to above, it might help if you see the stitch being made.
So this is the pattern for round 2::
Chain 2, then 1 dc in same stitch. Chain 1.
Work a bobble stitch into next stitch as described above, then chain 1 to space.
Repeat 10 more times until you get back to the beginning and have 12 "bobbles" in total. Join round with a slip stitch into the 2nd stitch of the initial chain 2.
OK, you still with me? Onto round 3 :: Nice and easy now, you're doing dc clusters just like you do for granny squares. You are working out of the SPACES now, the spaces between the bobble stitch clusters of your previous row.
Join a new colour, pull loop through a space between 2 bobble clusters to start.
Chain 3 (counts as 1 dc), work dc twice into same space, then chain 1.
Work dc three times into next space, chain 1.
Repeat 10 more times until you get back to the beginning and have 12 "clusters" in total. Join round with a slip stitch into the 3rd stitch of the initial chain 3 and fasten off.
Round 4 :: the chain-loop round ::
Join in a new colour and pull loop through a space between the dc clusters of the previous row.
Chain 3, then make a slip stitch into the next space between your dc clusters :: this anchors the chain loop.
Continue making little chain-3's, slip stitching them in place in the gap between the dc clusters of the previous round. Join the last chain-3 with slip stitch into the first chain stitch you made. Do not fasten off as you will use the same colour for round 5.
Round 5 is the final round that forms the hexagon shape. I'm going to tell you how to crochet this as a single hexagon before we talk about the joining-as-you-go method.
You are using the same colour as the last round, and you will be working the stitches under the chain-3 loops you created. So to begin, make a slip stitch under the nearest chain-3 loop.
Chain 3 (counts as one dc), then dc twice. Chain 2 (this is the corner spacing), then in the SAME chain-3 loop, dc three times. This is your first corner, it should look like a double cluster of 6 dc's with a pointy corner bit in the middle.
Into the next chain-3 loop, work dc three times. This is a single cluster and makes a straight side.
Into the next chain-3 loop, work dc three times, chain 2, then dc three times. This is your second corner.
Continue working your way round making your clusters of 3 dc's, alternating between making a double cluster corner group (with chain 2 spacing) and a straight side single cluster. You should be ending the round on a straight-side group of three dc's. Join the round with a slip stitch and fasten off.
See?????? It's not so hard?????? You've made your first hexagon!!!
Now if you're happy to make lots of single hexagons and join them all by stitching, then that's absolutely fine. But joining them as you go is fairly easy, although a little fiddly.
You will be working anti-clockwise, starting with a corner, as shown above.
To begin, you make a single cluster as before (chain 3, then dc twice). Then instead of chaining 2 to make your corner spacing, chain ONE, then replace your second chain space with a slip stitch into the corner space of the ajoining hexagon.
Then working into the SAME chain-3 loop, dc three times to finish your corner cluster.
Now you need to slip stitch into the next space of the ajoining hexagon to secure (see above). Basically, you have to insert hook into the space, hook the yarn from the back and pull it through to the front :: first through the space, then through the loop on the hook. It takes a bit of practice, it can be fiddly. But persevere.
You continue to work your way round, forming the hex shape in the same way as described above, but making sure that after each cluster you slip stitch into the relevant space on the ajoining hexagon which makes the attachment. When you get to a corner where you would normally chain 2, you make 2 slip stitches instead. This is quite hard to explain in words :: please do look over Alex's tutorial, she has some great photos to illustrate. But keep in mind that her pattern is different to mine, she uses more stitches so try not to get confused.
I tried to edit out all the UK pattern/stitch references. If I missed some please let me know.
http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/hexagon-howto.html
missionary update
From: "Brenda Lange"
Date: October 12, 2011 9:51:05 PM CDT
Subject: Bush Bunny Brenda Blog, Oct. 13, 2011
An update on a few happenings this week.
LINDA STANLEY, our 74 year miracle missionary, will leave us tomorrow to fly to the USA.
Linda helped me manage the “Village of Love” in 1998 and 99.
She has been a wonder to bestow in these last 2 years as she gave her all to manage the pre-school, woman’s ministry, and the cooking for this missionary team.
Only the Lord knows if Linda will return to us next year or not.
Words do not express the “hole” that her departure will leave in this team.
LINDA—you are dearly loved by us all and we will miss you dearly.
You may be gone from us in body, but never in spirit.
THANKS MY FRIEND for giving your life to serve all who crossed your path.
THE TRACTOR IS UP AND RUNNING!
Eric, our Super Mechanic, drove to Pemba on Monday (8 hour round trip) to fetch the bearing, pressed it into place at the marine repair shop, and had the tractor repaired by Tuesday afternoon! You never saw such a happy tractor crew as they hooked up the trailer and took off to fetch dirt and sand so Sam and Nate can start making concrete bricks for the new teenage boy’s dorm. (we need 1000 bricks to complete it).
There is much to do before the rainy season begins and we are 30 days behind schedule.
RAINBOW RING SEEN OVER MOZAMBIQUE YESTERDAY
Yesterday morning we were fascinated by a complete RING of rainbow colors that radiated from the sun!
It was quite fascinating to see it grow larger and larger over a 2 hour period before cloud cover wiped it out.
The entire ring was visible most of the time.
Below is a comment off the internet on this very unusual type of rainbow:
You know how you see a rainbow when its really humid, or when it rains and there is sun? Thats what you saw, you saw a rainbow, but not a half rainbow, but rather a whole rainbow around the sun. A ring rainbow, this is due because of the high humidity that is in the air, its the same as a rainbow, but just around the sun.
Kwe Kwe Church damage being repaired.
Tuesday, we had a food distribution at Kwe Kwe, giving me a chance to see the damage for myself. Our carpenters completed the roof over the 14 yard long church.
The 2 end walls are standing just fine, but the ENTIRE MIDDLE of the church caved in after last week’s storm.
The brick layer, who is not a believer in Jesus, felt so bad about it, that he has offered to repair the 2 walls for $20.
The church members (whose income is very little) have raised an AMAZING $16 towards the repairs and the Balama church donated the last $4.
So repairs have begun in haste, as the RAINBOW RING is proof that more rain may be coming soon.
Blessings, Bush Bunny Brenda and the Balama Team
Date: October 12, 2011 9:51:05 PM CDT
Subject: Bush Bunny Brenda Blog, Oct. 13, 2011
An update on a few happenings this week.
LINDA STANLEY, our 74 year miracle missionary, will leave us tomorrow to fly to the USA.
Linda helped me manage the “Village of Love” in 1998 and 99.
She has been a wonder to bestow in these last 2 years as she gave her all to manage the pre-school, woman’s ministry, and the cooking for this missionary team.
Only the Lord knows if Linda will return to us next year or not.
Words do not express the “hole” that her departure will leave in this team.
LINDA—you are dearly loved by us all and we will miss you dearly.
You may be gone from us in body, but never in spirit.
THANKS MY FRIEND for giving your life to serve all who crossed your path.
THE TRACTOR IS UP AND RUNNING!
Eric, our Super Mechanic, drove to Pemba on Monday (8 hour round trip) to fetch the bearing, pressed it into place at the marine repair shop, and had the tractor repaired by Tuesday afternoon! You never saw such a happy tractor crew as they hooked up the trailer and took off to fetch dirt and sand so Sam and Nate can start making concrete bricks for the new teenage boy’s dorm. (we need 1000 bricks to complete it).
There is much to do before the rainy season begins and we are 30 days behind schedule.
RAINBOW RING SEEN OVER MOZAMBIQUE YESTERDAY
Yesterday morning we were fascinated by a complete RING of rainbow colors that radiated from the sun!
It was quite fascinating to see it grow larger and larger over a 2 hour period before cloud cover wiped it out.
The entire ring was visible most of the time.
Below is a comment off the internet on this very unusual type of rainbow:
You know how you see a rainbow when its really humid, or when it rains and there is sun? Thats what you saw, you saw a rainbow, but not a half rainbow, but rather a whole rainbow around the sun. A ring rainbow, this is due because of the high humidity that is in the air, its the same as a rainbow, but just around the sun.
Kwe Kwe Church damage being repaired.
Tuesday, we had a food distribution at Kwe Kwe, giving me a chance to see the damage for myself. Our carpenters completed the roof over the 14 yard long church.
The 2 end walls are standing just fine, but the ENTIRE MIDDLE of the church caved in after last week’s storm.
The brick layer, who is not a believer in Jesus, felt so bad about it, that he has offered to repair the 2 walls for $20.
The church members (whose income is very little) have raised an AMAZING $16 towards the repairs and the Balama church donated the last $4.
So repairs have begun in haste, as the RAINBOW RING is proof that more rain may be coming soon.
Blessings, Bush Bunny Brenda and the Balama Team
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Sprial scrubbies~crochet
By Judith Prindle 3/05
My crochet version is 20 stitches by 22 rows.
I used:
size H crochet hook
worsted weight acrylic yarn (doesn't take much)
Gauge: didn't check but my finished scrubbie is
about 3 & 1/2 across if you squish it flat!
Crochet in the back loop through out to create the ridge.
Row 1:
(leaving a length of yarn long enough to weave
through & gather one edge and tie off.)
chain 21: 2 single crochet in second chain from hook,
crochet one single crochet in each chain across
to last 2 chains; crochet the last 2 chains together
chain 1 and turn (20 stitches)
Row 2:
single crochet first 2 stitches together,
crochet one single crochet in each stitch across to last stitch, 2 single crochet in last stitch
chain 1 and turn (20 stitches)
Row 3:
2 single crochet in first stitch,
crochet one single crochet in each stitch across to last 2 stitches, single crochet last 2 stitches together chain1 and turn (20 stitches).
Repeat rows 2 &3 for a total of 21 rows.
Cut yarn leaving this second end long enough to weave through & gather one edge then tie off.
Slip stitch beginning row and ending row together.
Using the end of yarn weave each end in and out of the ends of the rows of the edge it is attached to. Pull them tight.
Now pull one yarn end through the scrubbie and tie in a tight knot.
Pull both ends back through to the other side and knot again.
I simply pull the end to the inside of the scrubbie and back out, making sure to leave a length of
tail on the inside I cut.
I don't try to weave the ends through the stitches themselves.
I have been using some of my scrubbies since February and no ends have popped out yet.
On my earliest scrubbies I left the yarn tails long enough to crochet a chain to hang them with.
I find I don't use the hanger so I don't do that
any more, but you could!
My crochet version is 20 stitches by 22 rows.
I used:
size H crochet hook
worsted weight acrylic yarn (doesn't take much)
Gauge: didn't check but my finished scrubbie is
about 3 & 1/2 across if you squish it flat!
Crochet in the back loop through out to create the ridge.
Row 1:
(leaving a length of yarn long enough to weave
through & gather one edge and tie off.)
chain 21: 2 single crochet in second chain from hook,
crochet one single crochet in each chain across
to last 2 chains; crochet the last 2 chains together
chain 1 and turn (20 stitches)
Row 2:
single crochet first 2 stitches together,
crochet one single crochet in each stitch across to last stitch, 2 single crochet in last stitch
chain 1 and turn (20 stitches)
Row 3:
2 single crochet in first stitch,
crochet one single crochet in each stitch across to last 2 stitches, single crochet last 2 stitches together chain1 and turn (20 stitches).
Repeat rows 2 &3 for a total of 21 rows.
Cut yarn leaving this second end long enough to weave through & gather one edge then tie off.
Slip stitch beginning row and ending row together.
Using the end of yarn weave each end in and out of the ends of the rows of the edge it is attached to. Pull them tight.
Now pull one yarn end through the scrubbie and tie in a tight knot.
Pull both ends back through to the other side and knot again.
I simply pull the end to the inside of the scrubbie and back out, making sure to leave a length of
tail on the inside I cut.
I don't try to weave the ends through the stitches themselves.
I have been using some of my scrubbies since February and no ends have popped out yet.
On my earliest scrubbies I left the yarn tails long enough to crochet a chain to hang them with.
I find I don't use the hanger so I don't do that
any more, but you could!
http://crochetpatternsonly.blogspot.com/2009/06/spiral-scrubbie.html
http://naztazia.com/
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Perfect Iced Coffee
Recipe: Perfect Iced Coffee
Ingredients
■1 pound Ground Coffee (good, Rich Roast)
■8 quarts Cold Water
■Half-and-half (healthy Splash Per Serving)
■Sweetened Condensed Milk (2-3 Tablespoons Per Serving)
■Note: Can Use Skim Milk, 2% Milk, Whole Milk, Sugar, Artificial Sweeteners, Syrups...adapt To Your Liking!
Preparation Instructions
(Adapted from Imbibe Magazine)
In a large container, mix ground coffee with water. Cover and allow to sit at room temperature eight hours or overnight.
Line a fine mesh strainer with cheesecloth and set over a pitcher or other container. Pour coffee/water mixture through the strainer, allowing all liquid to run through. Discard grounds.
Place coffee liquid in the fridge and allow to cool. Use as needed.
To make iced coffee, pack a glass full of ice cubes. Fill glass 2/3 full with coffee liquid. Add healthy splash of half-and-half. Add 2-3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk (can use plain sugar instead) and stir to combine. Taste and adjust half-and-half and/or sweetened condensed milk as needed.
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/06/perfect-iced-coffee/
Free food storage buckets
Today while I was doing a bit of shopping at the grocery store I stopped by the bakery department to see if they had any empty icing buckets. They did. Four of them. One is a rectangular shape and I am thrilled to have it.
I was needing some more buckets for food storage items I buy in bulk so this comes in handy. Last week I bought several packages of Wacky Mac and needed something to store them in to keep the vermin out.
I was needing some more buckets for food storage items I buy in bulk so this comes in handy. Last week I bought several packages of Wacky Mac and needed something to store them in to keep the vermin out.
Happy Birthday Barb
This is my oldest friend in all the world. When I say oldest I mean that I have kept the longest. We lived across the street from each other when we were two and are still friends. She and I attended the same church all growing up. It was her family who showed me for the first time how a family worshiped God at home and in all ways. I spent many hours at their home and still write to her mom.
Today is her birthday. Happy Birthday Barb.
...............•*¨`*•. ☆ .•*¨`*•...................
Happy Birthday to my dearest friend.
✿•*¨`*•. (¯`v´¯) (¯`v´¯) .•*¨`*•✿
. . . ✿•*¨`*•.¸(¯`v´¯)¸.•´*¨`*•✿ . . .
……………… ....♥ •.¸.•´♥…………..............
Monday, October 10, 2011
Handy Tip
Handy tip.
When you buy a jar of jelly or open some homemade jelly, take a fork and mix it all around in the jelly until its all broken up. Then spoon it into one of these bottles. Makes using jelly so easy. You can even use them to fill rolls or donuts. Yummy Even small children can easily put their own jelly on their bread now. Only problem is that its so easy to use this way that they use more of it.
I linked up with Tammy's Kitchen Tip Tuesday. See more tips here:
http://tammysrecipes.com/
Lemon Zucchini Bread
"Lemon zest adds a touch of summer to this sweet zucchini bread!"
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups shredded zucchini
3/4 cup white sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons lemon zest
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease an 8x4 inch loaf pan.
2. In a bowl, beat together the zucchini, sugar, egg, and oil. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder; stir in the cinnamon and lemon zest. Stir the flour mixture into the zucchini mixture just until blended. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
3. Bake 45 minutes in the preheated oven, until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from heat, and cool about 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Emily's Ramen Noodle Salad
Emily's Ramen Noodle Salad
Nutrition Info
Calories: 274.7
Fat: 20.3g
Carbohydrates: 19.6g
Protein: 5.6g
Ingredients1 package prepared cole slaw
2 small packages of Ramen oriental noodles (crunched)
2-4 scallions
1 cup chopped or slivered almonds
1 cup sunflower seeds
Sauce:
2 Ramen flavor packets
1/2 cup oil (olive oil)
1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar (depending on taste)
1/4 cup balsamic vinaigrette dressing
Makes about 6.5 cups, with a 14 ounce package of cole slaw
Directions
mix dressing separately by combining ingredients
Mix cole slaw, scallions, nuts, and noodles in a large bowl. Pour sauce over mixture and stir.
Prepare salad 2-3 hours before serving to allow to season
Number of Servings: 13
http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=729495
Nutrition Info
Calories: 274.7
Fat: 20.3g
Carbohydrates: 19.6g
Protein: 5.6g
Ingredients1 package prepared cole slaw
2 small packages of Ramen oriental noodles (crunched)
2-4 scallions
1 cup chopped or slivered almonds
1 cup sunflower seeds
Sauce:
2 Ramen flavor packets
1/2 cup oil (olive oil)
1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar (depending on taste)
1/4 cup balsamic vinaigrette dressing
Makes about 6.5 cups, with a 14 ounce package of cole slaw
Directions
mix dressing separately by combining ingredients
Mix cole slaw, scallions, nuts, and noodles in a large bowl. Pour sauce over mixture and stir.
Prepare salad 2-3 hours before serving to allow to season
Number of Servings: 13
http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=729495
Asian Chicken Salad
Asian Chicken Salad
Nutrition Info
Calories: 184.1
Fat: 1.8g
Carbohydrates: 20.0g
Protein: 23.9g
Ingredients1 cup cooked chicken cut into bite-sized pieces
2 cups cabbage shredded
1/2 cup slice mushroom
1/2 cup carrots grated
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
1 tbsp chopped cilantro
1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced
2 sliced green onions
1 mandarine orange dvivided into sections
Directions
Mix all ingredients together and add 1/4 cup of non fatAsian or Oriental Salad dressing
Number of Servings: 1
Nutrition Info
Calories: 184.1
Fat: 1.8g
Carbohydrates: 20.0g
Protein: 23.9g
Ingredients1 cup cooked chicken cut into bite-sized pieces
2 cups cabbage shredded
1/2 cup slice mushroom
1/2 cup carrots grated
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
1 tbsp chopped cilantro
1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced
2 sliced green onions
1 mandarine orange dvivided into sections
Directions
Mix all ingredients together and add 1/4 cup of non fatAsian or Oriental Salad dressing
Number of Servings: 1
Asian Noodles in Satay Sauce
Low Fat Pasta Recipe:
Asian Noodles in Satay Sauce
This is an vegetarian low fat pasta recipe (if you don't add any "meaty" extra ingredients to it).
The original Asian Noodles in Satay Sauce recipe is normally prepared using Udon noodles, but in this version I use fettuccine, which is easier to find in some places.
This is a very filling meal, ideal for a nice family dinner. You may combine it with a salad, but in my experience you can eat this Asian pasta recipe on its own, and you won't need any extra fillers.
Nutritional Information:
Serves 4
Fat: 10 g
Cal: 346
KJ: 1453
WW: 6 Points
Ingredients:
180 g (6 oz) Fettuccine
1 cup of sliced carrots
1 cup of broccoli florets
1 cup of sliced mushrooms
1 cup of halved snow peas
half a cup of minced scallions (or spring onions and chives)
1 Tbsp minced ginger
2 tsps minced garlic
1/4 cup crunchy peanut butter
3 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup of fresh lime juice
1 Tbsp honey
1 cup of diced cupsicums (red and yellow bell peppers would be nice, for color).
This is what you do:
Boil the fettuccine for about 10 minutes in a large pot with boiling water. Then drain the liquid and set the pasta aside.
In a nonstick frying pan, put 1/4 cup of water and bring to the boil. Add the vegies (carrots, mushrooms, broccoli), and continue boiling for a minute or so. Then, simmer and cover for 4 minutes (till the veggies go tender).
Add the scallions, ginger, garlic and continue cooking for another 2 minutes.
Now, let's make the satay sauce.... mmmm
In a small bowl, mix the peanut butter, soy sauce, the lime juice, honey and 1/4 cup of water. The peanut butter won't mix well, but you pour the mix anyway on the veggies, and mix well.
Now it is time to mix the veggies with the pasta. Put the veggies in the big pot where the Fettuccine is, and mix them well under low heat.
Add the capsicums (peppers), and cook for another minute.
Serve warm.
Tip: If you find this dish too "tangy" because of the lime juice, you may want to add a tablespoon of low fat grated Parmesan cheese.
Asian Noodles in Satay Sauce
This is an vegetarian low fat pasta recipe (if you don't add any "meaty" extra ingredients to it).
The original Asian Noodles in Satay Sauce recipe is normally prepared using Udon noodles, but in this version I use fettuccine, which is easier to find in some places.
This is a very filling meal, ideal for a nice family dinner. You may combine it with a salad, but in my experience you can eat this Asian pasta recipe on its own, and you won't need any extra fillers.
Nutritional Information:
Serves 4
Fat: 10 g
Cal: 346
KJ: 1453
WW: 6 Points
Ingredients:
180 g (6 oz) Fettuccine
1 cup of sliced carrots
1 cup of broccoli florets
1 cup of sliced mushrooms
1 cup of halved snow peas
half a cup of minced scallions (or spring onions and chives)
1 Tbsp minced ginger
2 tsps minced garlic
1/4 cup crunchy peanut butter
3 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup of fresh lime juice
1 Tbsp honey
1 cup of diced cupsicums (red and yellow bell peppers would be nice, for color).
This is what you do:
Boil the fettuccine for about 10 minutes in a large pot with boiling water. Then drain the liquid and set the pasta aside.
In a nonstick frying pan, put 1/4 cup of water and bring to the boil. Add the vegies (carrots, mushrooms, broccoli), and continue boiling for a minute or so. Then, simmer and cover for 4 minutes (till the veggies go tender).
Add the scallions, ginger, garlic and continue cooking for another 2 minutes.
Now, let's make the satay sauce.... mmmm
In a small bowl, mix the peanut butter, soy sauce, the lime juice, honey and 1/4 cup of water. The peanut butter won't mix well, but you pour the mix anyway on the veggies, and mix well.
Now it is time to mix the veggies with the pasta. Put the veggies in the big pot where the Fettuccine is, and mix them well under low heat.
Add the capsicums (peppers), and cook for another minute.
Serve warm.
Tip: If you find this dish too "tangy" because of the lime juice, you may want to add a tablespoon of low fat grated Parmesan cheese.
recipe source:
http://www.delicious-low-fat-recipes.com/low-fat-pasta-recipe-asian-noodles-satay-sauce.html
Homemade Bleach Alternative
Homemade Bleach Alternative
When we clean our bathroom, kitchen, or laundry we certainly have expectations that must be met. We expect that mold, grime, odor, and stains all be removed, right? We especially want our clothes to smell nice and fresh. Unfortunately, we are beginning to learn that commercial product producers are using harsh, toxic chemicals in order to meet our expectations.
For those of us concerned with providing for the overall health of our families, this poses a serious problem!
One of those products is in fact a traditional household cleaner…bleach. This may not be a surprise to you as the harmful side effects of bleach have been known to consumers for many decades. However it remains as one of the leading poisons found in most homes.
Harmful effects of using bleach include, but are not limited to:
· Irritation to the eyes
· Respiratory system irritation
· Throat irritation
· Severe allergic reaction with skin contact
There is a more natural, safe alternative. The homemade bleach alternative.
Homemade Bleach Alternative
- 1 ½ cup hydrogen peroxide
- ½ cup white vinegar
- Pure water to fill gallon jug
- 10 drops lemon or lemongrass essential oils (optional)
Pour hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, and essential oils in gallon jug. Add water to fill. Cap and store.
Notes:
-This is a color-safe bleach alternative.
-Add a cup of homemade bleach alternative to the wash for brighter, softer clothing.
-May be used in bath, tub, and toilet cleaning.
-No need to dilute.
-For tough-on stains soak clothing in a bucket with this solution. You may also spray on stains prior to washing.
Leave us a comment letting us know your thoughts on bleach? Have you ever used a bleach alternative? What were your results?
http://frugallysustainable.blogspot.com/2011/10/homemade-bleach-alternative.html
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Knocker Blocker
Follow this link for instructions for making a cleavage be gone. I made them but I call them knocker blockers.http://www.favecrafts.com/Sewing/Cleavage-Be-Gone/ml/1
Make your own gel compress
Follow this link to a site with instructions on making your own gel compress with dish soap, a baggie and material.
missionary update
From: Brenda Lange , " Bush Bunny Brenda "
Date: October 9, 2011 6:25:06 AM CDT
Subject: Blog, Oct. 9th, 2011
MASSIVE RAIN AND COLD WINDS HITS MOZAMBIQUE
FIRST, let me say that NO ONE living in northern Mozambique has ever seen RAIN in October.
Known as the hottest and driest month of the year, what happened this week has never been recorded before!
Thursday, heavy rain and cold winds hit Balama at 3a.m.
We had a sporadic rain in Sept. but it didn’t last 1 hour, and we expected the same from this Antarctic front. WRONG!
It continued until 12:30 p.m. Temperatures dropped from 95 F to 58 F with this front and stayed that way for 3 days! We had just packed away our sweatshirts, so had to dig them out again!
Antarctica is having some real nasty storms for sure.
This helped us to drive home our message of “Apocalypse” to our new believers.
They now realize what we mean about God “shaking the world” before Jesus returns.
Kwe Kwe Church suffered the biggest blow, as the 7 hour rain mixed with estimated 25 to 40 mph winds on Thursday night, knocked over the mud brick walls of this freshly constructed building.
The carpenters had almost finished the roof’s frame when the storm hit. At dawn on Friday morning, the carpenters called to tell us the news, and wanting to know what they should do.
I told them to complete the roof, so the church members could rebuild “under” the roof. We have no idea if this will happen again, so we are taking no risk. The cool temperatures during August and Sept. warned us that the Rainy Season would start EARLY in November this year, but NO ONE expected a heavy rain on Oct. 6th!
Pastor Alberto, our Evangelist, is out there today to assess the damage, as well as encourage the members to rebuild what they can with the bricks that didn’t break when the walls fell in. Adobe brick has it’s draw backs, and this is one of them. That’s why we only build in the hot and dry months of Aug./Sept./ and Oct.
Mud brick, that has totally dried, will handle a storm such as this without a problem.
The End Times are upon us and we know that nothing will ever be as it was before.
OUR MOTTO after this week is:
Expect the unexpected, and be ready to flex to whatever comes upon you.
TRACTOR REPAIRS
The good news:
PTL that Eric found a marine repair shop at the Pemba port with a 100 TON press that could do the needed “pulling” of our tractor’s wheel hub.
Eric got home from South Africa with the part, but then found out the hard way that his “pulling equipment” couldn’t pull out the “guts” from the wheel hub to replace the leaking seal.
(Construction is moving very slowly with our tractor down for 2 weeks now, so needless to say, de Bunny has been a bit frustrated!)
. Our 1 ton pick-ups are the only transportation for bricks, sand, and rocks right now.
The bad news:
The wheel bearing was gone as well as the seal! YIKES!
Pemba’s cell phones were not working well that day, so literally 50 phone calls later, a mechanic shop with an educated mechanic, was able to help Eric find the needed wheel bearing in Maputo (1000 miles to the south). It would be flown up in a few days, so he returned to Balama.
The good news:
We just got word a few minutes ago (Sunday, Oct. 9), that the wheel bearing arrived on yesterday’s flight from Maputo, so Eric can pick it up tomorrow morning. PTL!!!!
Hopefully, this means by Wed. we will have a working tractor again!
That makes for a HOPPY BUNNY. J
BLESSINGS TO ALL OF YOU!
Bush Bunny Brenda and the Balama Team
Date: October 9, 2011 6:25:06 AM CDT
Subject: Blog, Oct. 9th, 2011
MASSIVE RAIN AND COLD WINDS HITS MOZAMBIQUE
FIRST, let me say that NO ONE living in northern Mozambique has ever seen RAIN in October.
Known as the hottest and driest month of the year, what happened this week has never been recorded before!
Thursday, heavy rain and cold winds hit Balama at 3a.m.
We had a sporadic rain in Sept. but it didn’t last 1 hour, and we expected the same from this Antarctic front. WRONG!
It continued until 12:30 p.m. Temperatures dropped from 95 F to 58 F with this front and stayed that way for 3 days! We had just packed away our sweatshirts, so had to dig them out again!
Antarctica is having some real nasty storms for sure.
This helped us to drive home our message of “Apocalypse” to our new believers.
They now realize what we mean about God “shaking the world” before Jesus returns.
Kwe Kwe Church suffered the biggest blow, as the 7 hour rain mixed with estimated 25 to 40 mph winds on Thursday night, knocked over the mud brick walls of this freshly constructed building.
The carpenters had almost finished the roof’s frame when the storm hit. At dawn on Friday morning, the carpenters called to tell us the news, and wanting to know what they should do.
I told them to complete the roof, so the church members could rebuild “under” the roof. We have no idea if this will happen again, so we are taking no risk. The cool temperatures during August and Sept. warned us that the Rainy Season would start EARLY in November this year, but NO ONE expected a heavy rain on Oct. 6th!
Pastor Alberto, our Evangelist, is out there today to assess the damage, as well as encourage the members to rebuild what they can with the bricks that didn’t break when the walls fell in. Adobe brick has it’s draw backs, and this is one of them. That’s why we only build in the hot and dry months of Aug./Sept./ and Oct.
Mud brick, that has totally dried, will handle a storm such as this without a problem.
The End Times are upon us and we know that nothing will ever be as it was before.
OUR MOTTO after this week is:
Expect the unexpected, and be ready to flex to whatever comes upon you.
TRACTOR REPAIRS
The good news:
PTL that Eric found a marine repair shop at the Pemba port with a 100 TON press that could do the needed “pulling” of our tractor’s wheel hub.
Eric got home from South Africa with the part, but then found out the hard way that his “pulling equipment” couldn’t pull out the “guts” from the wheel hub to replace the leaking seal.
(Construction is moving very slowly with our tractor down for 2 weeks now, so needless to say, de Bunny has been a bit frustrated!)
. Our 1 ton pick-ups are the only transportation for bricks, sand, and rocks right now.
The bad news:
The wheel bearing was gone as well as the seal! YIKES!
Pemba’s cell phones were not working well that day, so literally 50 phone calls later, a mechanic shop with an educated mechanic, was able to help Eric find the needed wheel bearing in Maputo (1000 miles to the south). It would be flown up in a few days, so he returned to Balama.
The good news:
We just got word a few minutes ago (Sunday, Oct. 9), that the wheel bearing arrived on yesterday’s flight from Maputo, so Eric can pick it up tomorrow morning. PTL!!!!
Hopefully, this means by Wed. we will have a working tractor again!
That makes for a HOPPY BUNNY. J
BLESSINGS TO ALL OF YOU!
Bush Bunny Brenda and the Balama Team
Friday, October 7, 2011
~♥~Happy 4th Birthday~♥~
.............•*¨`*•. ☆ .•*¨`*•...................
Wishing You the HAPPIEST of Birthday's !!!
✿•*¨`*•. (¯`v´¯) (¯`v´¯) .•*¨`*•✿
. . . ✿•*¨`*•.¸(¯`v´¯)¸.•´*¨`*•✿ . . .
……………… ....♥ •.¸.•´♥…………..............
My great niece is 4 today. Isn't she beautiful?
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Coupon organization ~♥~ again
Once again I reorganized my coupon filing system. I am always trying to make it as simple as I can. I think, like I always do that this is it.
This is how I now organize my coupons.
First I lay out all the inserts and pull like pages and staple the coupons of the whole stack. Be sure not to staple through the expiration date or the bar code. I staple each coupon on the page. Then I file the whole stacks of inserts in the box file I have with the date of the insert on the tab. When I am making my shoping list I pull out the inserts, cut only the coupons I want and then put the inserts back.
At the back of the picture you can see a clip board. I print out what coupons each week has. I dont always have every coupon but this is better than sitting down and typing up each coupon I do have. The clip board fits nicely on the top of the file folders and the lid will close on top.
At the front of the file folder I have a file named EXTRAS, its for internet prnted coupons or other coupons I get from other souces etc.
I would never coupon if I had to keep a binder organized. I dont want to spend too much time organizing my coupons. I would rather spend my time figuring out deals to spend them on.
How do you organize your coupons?
Right now our local Brookshire Brothers grocery store has a sale going on where you get an instant $4.00 off when you purchase 8 participating General Mills products. As a bonus this month they are doubling and tripling coupons that are less than one dollar. I have about 6 transactions planned with a total of less than $60.00
I will be getting these items:
7~ KC Masterpiece bar b q sauce
10~Wacky Mac macaroni
2~Gold Peak Tea
2~Jolly Time Popcorn
2~Fiber One granola bars
16~Pillsbury cinnamon roll tubes
12~Totinos Pizza rolls 15 ct.
10~Pillsbury Toaster Strudel
8~Pillsbury grand biscuits
8~Pillsbury crescent rolls
My total should be $59.40
I realize these are almost all items I can make at home and I may end up changing my mind about buying them but these are the scenarios I have planned out. In fact I am pretty sure I will not buy that many cinnamon rolls or the toaster strudel. I will have to think about it.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
When I get old
My child,
When I get old, I hope you understand '...n have patience with me
In case I break the plate, or spill soup on the table because I’m losing my eyesight, I hope you don’t yell at me.
Older people are sensitive, always having self pity when you yell.
When my hearing gets worse 'n I can’t hear what you’re saying, I hope you don’t call me ‘Deaf!’
Please repeat what you said or write it down.
I’m sorry, my child.
I’m getting older.
When my knees get weaker, I hope you have the patience to help me get up.
Like how I used to help you while you were little, learning how to walk.
Please bear with me, when I keep repeating myself like a broken record, I hope you just keep listening to me.
Please don’t make fun of me, or get sick of listening to me.
Do you remember when you were little 'n you wanted a ballon? You repeated yourself over 'n over until you get what you wanted.
Please also pardon my smell. I smell like an old person.Please don’t force me to shower.
My body is weak.
Old people get sick easily when they’re cold. I hope I don’t gross you out.
Do you remember when you were little? I used to chase you around because you didn’t want to shower.
I hope you can be patient with me when I’m always cranky. It’s all part of getting old.
You’ll understand when you’re older.
'n if you have spare time, I hope we can talk even for a few minutes.
I’m always all by myself all the time, 'n have no one to talk to.
I know you’re busy with work.
Even if you’re not interested in my stories, please have time for me.
Do you remember when you were little? I used to listen to your stories about your teddy bear.
When the time comes, 'n I get ill 'n bedridden, I hope you have the patience to take care of me.
I’m sorry if I accidentally wet the bed or make a mess.
I hope you have the patience to take care of me during the last few moments of my life.
I’m not going to last much longer, anyway.
When the time of my death comes, I hope you hold my hand 'n give me strength to face death.
'n don’t worry..
When I finally meet our creator, I will whisper in his ear to bless you. Because you loved your Mom 'n Dad.
Thank you so much for your care.
We love you. ! ♥
Feed sack tote bag tutorial
Lets make a tote bag from a woven plastic animal feed bag.
Look at your bag and the design. Decide what part you want to be premier or showing the most.
With a wet rag wipe the inside of the bag. They are a little bit greasy and you want to get rid of that. Plus they smell like cat food.
Cu off the top and bottom of the bag where the closure was/is.
Cut two strips from the top or bottom, where ever it will not interfere with the finished picture on the bag. These are going to be your straps.
Sew across the bottom of the bag on the outside. Then you will be turning it inside out and that way your seam wont show on the bottom or your bag.
Turn your bag inside out, pushing the corners out.
Sew along the bottom of the bag just above where you sewed on the right side of the bag.
Fold the bottom like this. Now sew straight across where my thumb is to make a sort of triangle.
Turn the bag right side out and push out the box corner you just made.
Now, take the strips you cut for your straps and fold the two sides to the middle and sew along the middle of the strip. I use a zig zag.
Now mark where you want to place your straps.
Place your strap by your marking.
Fold the bag down with the strap under the fold. This makes the strap folded double.
Pin along the top of the bag placing the straps where you want them. Pining through the straps is hard so use sturdy pins.
Sew around the bag twice. Along the top and bottom edge of the folded over part.
There you go. You just made a tote bag from an animal feed bag. These bags are very sturdy. I really love mine.
Another view of the finished bag.
Monday, October 3, 2011
missionary update
From: "Brenda Lange"
Date: October 2, 2011 6:40:38 AM
Subject: Blog, Oct. 2, 2011
WILD CHURCH MEETING IN PEQUARIA (peck-waar-ee-ah)
I realized long ago to go expecting the unexpected at the meetings in this village.
They are diamonds in the rough and God is moulding them into His Gems in a rapid way.
First we had Sunday school under a huge Mango Tree nearby, as over 120 kids showed up. Too many for our little shaded area.
We prayed for the sick children and had a fun time telling them the Noah’s Ark story and teaching them new songs.
Then the fun began as we held the adult meeting in our little rotten roofed mud hut.
Since last Sunday, the new pastor opened up huge windows in the mud walls for more light, so it was cool and cheerful inside their today.
After telling the story of Saul becoming Paul, with God’s forgiveness being the objective of the story, I asked them if they had any questions.
Arlindo, a young man with a small convenience store in Pequaria, testified that because of Jesus’ love for him, he has given up drinking and sleeping around.
But he asked for prayer to help him stop smoking. He then confessed that once the alcohol in his store sold out, he did not plan to buy any more to sell.
I told him if he was truly serious about being a follower of Jesus, that he needed to dump out the remaining vodka and gin instead of selling it to harm others.
He looked at me and said, “REALLY?” At the same time, his eyes got really big and he says: “I’ll be right back”, and runs out of the room!
Followed by a crowd of about 50 people, he returns 5 minutes later with 30 Gin and Vodka bottles in his arms.
He told the villagers his testimony and then began dumping the alcohol in an old toilet with the church members helping him.
The church men had to hold off the crowd while we dumped it, as they tried to grab the bottles from us before we emptied them.
I thought they were going to riot, but God used Jose, my most powerful guard, as His earthly angel to control the situation.
One sharp word from him and the trouble makers backed off!
(Jose’s nick name is the Gorilla, so you can imagine why no one back talks him.) J
He’s reminds me of the “Hulk”. Sweet and gentle until someone provokes him or tries to harm me.
With our stinky mission complete, Arlindo went back into the church and knelt before God to ask forgiveness for his sin.
We also prayed that God would take away his desire to smoke. He was so happy that he jumped up and began hugging everyone (which is not a normal reaction in this culture). We ended with a wild Jesus party, singing and dancing to the Lord!
CHURCH UPDATE:
1. Pequaria’s new church walls are half way built. They expect to complete the church this week.
2. Kwe Kwe’s church walls are finished, and awaits repairs on our Tractor so it can transport their roofing materials. Pastor Nevis has volunteered to pastor that church, but he needs a sponsor ($115/month). The members have located a mud hut for his parsonage and he would like to move in this month to begin leading that fast growing flock of new believers.
3. ERIC DRY is back in Balama, and will begin repairs on our Tractor’s leaking rear axle seal tomorrow. It’s a big job, so he needs prayer to get it done quickly as the tractor has been out of service for a week, putting a big strain on our construction and food programs.
4. Nacacca Church is still closed due to resistance from village leaders. The government called them in to respond to the charges, and did not like their replies.
Government action against them will be taken this week, so I’ll keep you informed. Nacacca new believers again walked the 4 miles to come to church in Balama today.
It is wonderful having Eric Dry back with us again after his 8 week supply trip to South Africa.
There is much to do before the rainy season hits us in November, so all of us will be moving at high speed for the next 6 weeks.
We appreciate your prayers and know that I enjoy personal e-mails from all of you!
So feel free to write me a note.
Love and Blessings,
Bush Bunny Brenda and the Entire Balama Staff
Date: October 2, 2011 6:40:38 AM
Subject: Blog, Oct. 2, 2011
WILD CHURCH MEETING IN PEQUARIA (peck-waar-ee-ah)
I realized long ago to go expecting the unexpected at the meetings in this village.
They are diamonds in the rough and God is moulding them into His Gems in a rapid way.
First we had Sunday school under a huge Mango Tree nearby, as over 120 kids showed up. Too many for our little shaded area.
We prayed for the sick children and had a fun time telling them the Noah’s Ark story and teaching them new songs.
Then the fun began as we held the adult meeting in our little rotten roofed mud hut.
Since last Sunday, the new pastor opened up huge windows in the mud walls for more light, so it was cool and cheerful inside their today.
After telling the story of Saul becoming Paul, with God’s forgiveness being the objective of the story, I asked them if they had any questions.
Arlindo, a young man with a small convenience store in Pequaria, testified that because of Jesus’ love for him, he has given up drinking and sleeping around.
But he asked for prayer to help him stop smoking. He then confessed that once the alcohol in his store sold out, he did not plan to buy any more to sell.
I told him if he was truly serious about being a follower of Jesus, that he needed to dump out the remaining vodka and gin instead of selling it to harm others.
He looked at me and said, “REALLY?” At the same time, his eyes got really big and he says: “I’ll be right back”, and runs out of the room!
Followed by a crowd of about 50 people, he returns 5 minutes later with 30 Gin and Vodka bottles in his arms.
He told the villagers his testimony and then began dumping the alcohol in an old toilet with the church members helping him.
The church men had to hold off the crowd while we dumped it, as they tried to grab the bottles from us before we emptied them.
I thought they were going to riot, but God used Jose, my most powerful guard, as His earthly angel to control the situation.
One sharp word from him and the trouble makers backed off!
(Jose’s nick name is the Gorilla, so you can imagine why no one back talks him.) J
He’s reminds me of the “Hulk”. Sweet and gentle until someone provokes him or tries to harm me.
With our stinky mission complete, Arlindo went back into the church and knelt before God to ask forgiveness for his sin.
We also prayed that God would take away his desire to smoke. He was so happy that he jumped up and began hugging everyone (which is not a normal reaction in this culture). We ended with a wild Jesus party, singing and dancing to the Lord!
CHURCH UPDATE:
1. Pequaria’s new church walls are half way built. They expect to complete the church this week.
2. Kwe Kwe’s church walls are finished, and awaits repairs on our Tractor so it can transport their roofing materials. Pastor Nevis has volunteered to pastor that church, but he needs a sponsor ($115/month). The members have located a mud hut for his parsonage and he would like to move in this month to begin leading that fast growing flock of new believers.
3. ERIC DRY is back in Balama, and will begin repairs on our Tractor’s leaking rear axle seal tomorrow. It’s a big job, so he needs prayer to get it done quickly as the tractor has been out of service for a week, putting a big strain on our construction and food programs.
4. Nacacca Church is still closed due to resistance from village leaders. The government called them in to respond to the charges, and did not like their replies.
Government action against them will be taken this week, so I’ll keep you informed. Nacacca new believers again walked the 4 miles to come to church in Balama today.
It is wonderful having Eric Dry back with us again after his 8 week supply trip to South Africa.
There is much to do before the rainy season hits us in November, so all of us will be moving at high speed for the next 6 weeks.
We appreciate your prayers and know that I enjoy personal e-mails from all of you!
So feel free to write me a note.
Love and Blessings,
Bush Bunny Brenda and the Entire Balama Staff
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