THE Sustainer....

"There's no such thing as perfect people,

There's no such thing as a perfect life,

So come as you are, broken and scarred

Lift up your heart, be amazed,

And be changed, by a perfect God"

~Natalie Grant

I believe that God speaks to us in so many ways, through His Word~The Bible, through other people, and through music just to name a few. It is so important that we take the time to be still, and listen to what He is saying to us. The above song lyrics remind me that no matter what crazy things are happening in my life, or how broken I may feel, God is always right here waiting to help me through.

There have been many difficult obstacles and challenges in my life over the past year. I am so grateful for my relationship with Jesus, for I know that He is the only reason that I have managed to deal with the circumstances that have been presented to me. As it says in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (my own para-phrasing), His grace is sufficient.......when we experience challenges, persecutions, and difficulties which make us feel weak, but turn to Christ for help, He will give us strength and help us grow. I thank God daily for His mercy and grace, and for the strength that He has given me this year. I know that there are many more challenges ahead, but with Christ I can do all things (Phil. 4:13).

Friends, remember that no matter what you are facing or going through He is waiting to help you, so 'lift up your heart" to Him, "and be amazed, and be changed" today!

Loree Arthur

How long should that stay in the fridge???

How long can a bottle of ketchup stay in your fridge before it goes bad?   I'm thinking 5 or 10 years, but if you want an expert opinion, go to the web site below.  This site lists all kind of foods and how to keep them fresh longer as well as when to get rid of them.  If you have a question click on the particular picture, and a whole list of stuff appears.............WHAT A GREAT SITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                 www.stilltasty.com

1st meeting, Sept. 17

Here are some quick photos from our first MOPS meeting this year, held on Thursday, Sept. 17.

MOPS Coordinator Sara Guilfoyle welcoming all the moms at the beginning of the meeting. Sara spoke to us about motherhood. She shared some of her personal blessings and struggles in her journey as a mother of two boys, Patrick and Jaden. She also talked to us about the differences in being a "born-mom" or a "made-mom."

MOPS Hospitality Team Leader Cristi Taylor

Our first yummy brunch of the year!

Daisy sharing a story with friends Jen (on the left) and Andi (on the right).

Table leader Loree chatting with her MOPS friends.

Sherrie listening to a funny story.

Mentor Moms Kelly and Sharon.

Janice looking over all her Welcome to MOPS packet, put together by the MOPS leadership team for every MOPS member.

From Daisy's Kitchen

~Hello ladies! After our meeting last week I thought I'd share two of my favorite recipes with you. There's nothing like a yummy bowl of soup on a yucky day! The first recipe is a simple one. It all goes in the crock pot for four hours. The second takes a little more work, but it's DELICIOUS! It's perfect for company. I hope you enjoy these. I'm always looking for new recipes, so please feel free to share any with me that your family likes. May God richly bless you all! ~Daisy King

Taco Soup

1 lb ground beef, browned

1 diced onion

2 cans Kidney Beans (undrained)

2 cans Pinto Beans (undrained)

2 cans corn (undrained)

1 can diced tomatoes

1 can diced mild chilies

1 package taco seasoning

1 package ranch dressing seasoning

Add it all to the crockpot and cook on high for 4 hours or more.  Stir occasionally. Serve with sour cream and shredded cheese on the side. 

Chicken Avocado Tortilla Soup

3 cloves crushed garlic

¾ t ground cumin

¾ t dried oregano

¼ t chili powder

¼ t pepper

8 cups chicken broth

1 - 14 oz can diced tomatoes

1 – 4 oz can diced green mild chilies

12 corn tortillas, 6 inches wide

1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast

2 T chopped fresh cilantro

Salt

1 avocado

Cheese

1. In a 5-6 quart nonstick pan over medium heat, stir first 5 ingredients until fragrant, about 1 minute. 
2. Add broth, tomatoes (including juice), and chilies.  Bring to boil over high heat. 
3. Meanwhile, stack tortillas and cut into 1/8 inch wide strips.  Add to boiling broth. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Watch for it to stick to the bottom.
4. Rinse chicken and cut into ½ inch pieces.  Peel avocado and cut into small pieces.
5. Add chicken to broth and return to a boil over high heat.  Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until chicken is white in center, about 5 minutes.  Stir in cilantro and salt to taste. 
6. Ladle into soup bowls. 
7. Each person can use avocado and cheese to taste.

Praise and Thanksgiving

Hi ladies,

I have had a hard time thinking about what to write on this blog entry. I have so many things going on in my life that I could write about and then it came to me - praise and Thanksgiving. Lately, I have had the opportunity to serve a wonderful family that is in need. I have been able to take them meals, watch their kids, and even clean their house.  Why when I see families struggling do I still envy others?

 It is so hard in these times to be content with what you have. But, God always reminds me and shows me the blessings he has given me - I have 3 beautiful children who are healthy, a husband who loves me and a God who loves me even more. Please remember in these times to pray and help serve those who are struggling, and then look at your own life and give God the Praise for what he has given you! God bless you and your family,

Becky

A little love from the kitchen

Hello Ladies,

Being that the cold weather has approached and the leaves have fallen to the ground, I wanted to share with you my favorite crisp weather zucchini bread recipe. To me, nothing beats the smell of my house when I have a loaf or two of zucchini bread in the oven. The aroma of cinnamon and vanilla fill the room and make my house smell so fabulous and feel so nice and warm. So I'd love for you all to have my family's special recipe and enjoy that same warm joy that this brings to my home.

*Add column 1 to column 2



Column 1

-3 beaten eggs

-1 cup of oil or for healthier option 1/2 cup applesauce, 1/2 cup oil

-2 &1/4 cups sugar

-2 cups grated zucchini

-3 tsp vanilla



Blend together until nice and smooth consistency



*Column 2



-3 cups flour

-1 tsp salt

-3 tsp cinnamon

-1/4 tsp baking powder

-1 tsp baking soda

-1 cup chopped nuts (optional)



Mix together and then add column 1 to column 2 and blend all together until smooth.



Put in 2 9x5 metal loaf pans sprayed with non stick spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.



I've had such an abundant amount of zucchini provided to me over the season that I have felt, at times, I couldn't keep up with it. If that has happened to you, here are a couple of tips you might enjoy.

- after zucchini bread had cooled place in zip lock baggie and put in freezer. It only takes a night to thaw out and be ready for the event you may need it for..i.e. MOPS :o)

- if you don't have time to use the zucchini right away but obviously don't want it to go to waste, grate or shred it all and divide into 4 cup segments and place in zip lock freezer baggies. When ready to use let it completely thaw out and then place on paper towel and slightly squeeze out excess moisture. This way it will not be too watery. When freezing zucchini it's important to remember that it looses a lot of moisture so you always want to double the amount needed so that you will have enough when it comes time for baking.

I truly hope you all enjoy this recipe, and get the use of all of your zucchini that the gardens around us are producing.

Love to you all,

~ Katie Sullivan

Welcome Back!!!

Hi Ladies,
I am sorry our blog has not been updated since JULY! Holy Cow time flies! I have officially taken over the innerworkings of the blog and I am so out of my element. Hence the delay! So, I will do my best. :)

Welcome to another year of MOPS! We are off to a great start and are thrilled to see so many new faces in our group. (Don't worry, returners, we love you MUCH!) We hope that you are ripe and ready for all that this MOPS year has in store for you. We are!!!!

If you have any questions/concerns or thoughts, please let me know. If there is something you would like to add to our blog, please pass it on to me and I will preview and post. :)

Thanks again for joining us and please check our blog weekly for information, posts and pics. (Pics from our first two meetings coming soon!)

Love to you all!
Sara G.