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Changing with the Seasons

Hey Everyone....


Things are changing....I'm making the big switch to WordPress...if you'd like to continue following my journey, you can do that over here at,


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Hope to see you soon.


Hannah

Stone Soup - Hannah Style

I'll never forget the day when MaMelissa made this soup and I'd stopped in to say hello... something smelled great on the stove. I took a peek and saw soup and in the soup I saw LIMA BEANS, I put the lid back on and thought she is crazy if she thinks anyone is going to eat that. Who by choice puts lima beans in anything? Gross.

But MaMelissa promised that this soup was a hit, everyone in her family loved it...even Neckbone eatin Corn Pop, Daddio and Gaylen love it. So about a year later with a house full of kids (boys) I called MaMelissa and asked her for the recipe, She was driving with kids screaming...i mean singing nicely in the car and so from memory here is what she gave me:

1 pd ground beef
1 small onion
1 packet taco seasoning
1 packet ranch season
1 can kidney beans
1 can lima beans
1 small can green chilis
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can corn

And a disclaimer that she was pretty sure that wasn't right, but that it was the basics. So I went to work and here is what I've come up with. This will easily feed a family of 6.

1 pound ground turkey, why not it's healthier and you can't really tell the difference.
1 medium onion - chopped
1 green pepper - chopped, because I had it but you could leave this out.
1 packet taco seasoning, or 1/4 cup if you buy in bulk
1 packet ranch seasoning, or 1/4 cup
1 1/2 t cumin
1/4 - 1/2 t cayenne pepper
1 t chili pepper
2 28oz cans diced tomatoes
1 can chicken broth
1 can lima beans, drained
1 can red kidney beans, drained
1 can corn, drained
1 small can green chilis, drained
Salt and Pepper to taste

I start by browning the meat, then I add the onions. After about 5 min., you can add the green pepper if you are going to use it. If not then add all the spices and mix it up real good, let it cook for about 1 minute. Then add the cans of goodness. I like to drain all the beans and veggies first because it reduces the sodium level in the soup which makes it healthier and it makes more chili like. Bring it all to boil and then let it simmer uncovered for about an hour or longer if you have the time. Serve with cheese and tortilla chips, and if you live in the hood Louisiana Hot Sauce.

Now here is the great thing about this, you can substitute whatever you have on hand....black beans, Cannellini beans, Pinto Beans...whatever. You can even leave out the LIMA BEANS. But let me tell you, I've never had left overs when I make this...the kids eat it up....lima beans and all.

The Dancing Fergies

Please I beg of you...go here and see my precious nieces and nephews dancing and singing.

Watch me

“Watch Me. Watch Me. Miss Hannah, Miss Hannah Waaaattttttch Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee”

That is the phrase I think I hear more often than any other here in West Dallas. Thursdays especially I am surrounded with kids that are in desperate need of attention, someone who will waaaattttch them. It doesn’t matter what they are doing, it could be coloring on the sidewalk, blowing bubbles, hula-hooping. And their ability never changes, they can hula-hoop until the cows come home, but what changes is their countenances. If I miss it, if I miss the show whatever they’ve just done didn’t matter much. But if I saw it, their face lights up, they’ve just climbed Mount Everest.

I’ll be honest and admit that I get tired of the “watch mes.” How many times do I really want to see little poo hula-hoop…unless he’s gonna twirl that thing while standing on a rubber ball, while spitting fire probably not more than twice. But I often think as I’m watching for the 99th time that maybe I’m the only person watching. Maybe this is how I am meant to love little poo in this moment…by watching him.

And then I think about how God is watching me. I think about my “watch mes” before my Creator. I’m certainly not doing anything as grand as hula-hooping, but there I stand begging the Creator of this world to please watch ME…watch ME. And you know what he does. He does every time, with joy. With love. With pleasure.

And He is watching little poo…all the time. Yeah for that.

Complicated

Last night at bible study, one of the girls asked why guys make you think they like you and then act like they don't care. Then she asked,

"Do girls have more emotions than boys?

Mindy and I looked at each other and answered with a laugh...

"We're complicated."

Tuesday Bible Study

For the last four weeks Mindy and I have been co-leading a bible study at my house with 10 middle school girls. We started this study as a way for certain hand picked girls to learn more about God. Our desire was for them to get to know Him, His love and maybe a bit about how to live for Him in this crazy community. We picked a curriculum hoping that it would be easier and would help the girls focus and would give them direction. What we've seen is that a lot of what we planned is not what God has planned...pretty typical.

It all started when girls started showing up that we did not "hand pick." Two of these girls have filled our study and their journals with questions, great questions...here is just a sample:

Why did he die for our sins when he knows we are going to sin again?

How do you show God you love him if its in your heart but you just don't feel it?

Why do we put our hope in man that we know that's not going to be there all the time?

How do we overcome anger?

How do people know when God really loves them?

I love this sweet 8th grade girl with her pages of questions...literally she has pages of them. I love seeing this heart longing to know who God is and desperately trying to figure out how it is possible that He could love her. I think it is ironic that I'm suppose to be the leader of this bible study when I've got some of these same questions written in my journal...pages of them....I'm learning that's pretty typical too.

Oh how good it is that God is in charge and that we can put our trust in Him.

Here is a pic of some of the girls...

More Joshua

The Ferguson's had their family photo shoot yesterday and Jennifer did a wonderful job. Everyone should know a professional photographer.

Thanks, Jenn for keeping me connected with my family through your incredible talent.

Dr. Hannah

No I'm not talking about myself. I'm talking about the great and wonderful Dr. John Hannah, and I have less than two hours to complete my Quote Tuesday Quota. For those of you who have taken a class by Dr. Hannah he needs no introduction, for those of you who have not had the privilege let me give you a little bio, by me...Miss Hannah.

I was first introduced to this man when I was just a wee lass. My dad was in seminary and my parents had their third precious child, me. When my dad told Dr. Hannah that they'd named their baby Hannah he asked if he would bring me in to the class. My dad did and I met Dr. Hannah 30 years ago. He told my dad that giving a child such a great name deserved an A. Smart man.

Dr. Hannah wrote me, not my parents a congratulations on being born letter. I remember as a child reading that letter and thinking how great it was that I had a letter from someone who was so admired by my parents.

It wasn't until years later that I had the awesome privilege of getting to know Dr. Hannah, not as a student but vicariously through my brother who is a student and has also been his aide, (I think that is what they call them at the seminary). After almost every class Johnny, my brother, comes home with a great story. Last weeks really struck a cord with me and I'd like to share it with you today. This is quoted through my brother so I won't put any quotations around it.

Knowledge of Scripture and Knowledge of God are not coterminous. Some people know Scripture incredibly well and know nothing of God. And you will meet some people who know very little of Scripture and know God deeply. And then he (Dr. Hannah) says, You can't plot it (like on a graph) - God does what He wants, how He wants. And does it to humble us and make it clear that it is not us doing it, but Him. - Dr. John Hannah thru Johnny Garippa

Books Books and more Books

I love this picture. I imagine myself sitting in that chair with a book from one of those shelves and the image makes me happy.

Jerry Jackson

I needed gas yesterday, so I stopped at the neighborhood gas station. I put the thingy in the thingy and got back in my car. I know you aren’t suppose to do this, but at this particular gas station if you just stand there, it is guaranteed that someone is going to come and ask you for money. Those that are homeless and cast aside flock to this particular area and I usually don’t have cash which is most often what they are looking for. So as I sat, this man approached my car and asked if he could ask me a question.

Here is our conversation:

Man: “I’m homeless, can you tell?”
Me: “Not really, you’re dressed quite nice.”
Man: “Thanks, but really I’m homeless and I’m hungry and I just want some Popeye’s, can you help me?”
Me: “Sure, but I have no cash, so if you can wait until I’m done getting gas I’ll meet you over there and get you some food.”
Man: “Okay”

Three minutes later

Me: “Hi! Sir, I didn’t get your name?”
Man: “Oh, I’m Jerry, Jerry Jackson”
Me: “Well, Jerry Jackson, what would you like?”
JJ: “What can I get?
Me: “Whatever you want (and the next thing I said was so stupid, by the way), But I’m not going to spend $20 on you, but whatever.” (okay why did I say that…dumb dumb dumb)
JJ: “I’d like a number 3 with mash potatoes”
Me: “Coming right up”

Three minutes later, Popeye’s is serious FAST food

Me: “Jerry Jackson, here is your food.”
JJ: “You remembered my name.”
Me: “Yes, it’s a great name.”
JJ: “Maam, I love you.”
Me: Thank you.
JJ: “No, Maam, some people say they love you and they don’t mean it, I really mean it, I love you.”
Me: “Jerry Jackson Thank you. I want you to know that I’m going to pray for you. Some people say they are going to pray for you and they don’t mean, but I mean it.”
JJ: “Thank you, Maam.”
Me: “Jerry, my name is Hannah”

I drove away, so touched by this man…this homeless man who was hungry and whose name is Jerry Jackson. I’m praying that I see him again, and I’m praying that you friends would pray for him too.

Praying for Perseverance

It is easy to be discouraged in this ministry. If you’ve read my blog for any length of time you've notice (sadly) that discouragement is a common emotion of mine. We do not have a business model that say, in 6 months, a year or even 3 we'll see results. There are no guarantees that if we do everything we are suppose to do that we'll see returns on our investment. We are dealing with humans that make their own choices and so no matter how much preparing, praying and prodding we do it is ultimately up to the person.

About 10 years ago I laid on my sisters bed crying, wondering if I was a Christian. I’d just started to realize that there were these things called Theology and Doctrine. Prior to that time in my life my relationship with the Lord had just been about him coming into my heart and saving me from my sins…oh the bliss of being an innocent child.

Anyway, as I learned about theology and doctrine I learned about Election, and I started to wonder, “what if I am not one of the elect? What if I’m following this crowd of peeps because it seems cool and I’m happier with them, but really all along God’s saying, ‘Sorry, young lady, you’re not one of the chosen.’”

So I lay on that bed, in my sister arms and I sobbed thinking there is no way I’m going to heaven and this is all just a farce.

I tell you that story, because my sister in her great wisdom reminded me of God’s love. She reminded me that God doesn’t want to see anyone perish but desires a relationship with all.

I don’t struggle *much* with the idea of election, mostly because I chose not to think too deeply about it. I trust God knows what he’s doing, and he’s doing it. And I trust He knows what He’s doing here in West Dallas. There are a whole lot of stubborn hearts in this community. Hearts that seem too hard, habits unbreakable. There are masters in this community that are unforgiving, that take it all and leave nothing.

But this I know, He captured my stubborn, hard, unbreakable, million-master-serving heart and since it was captured by his grace, I've been compelled to follow after Him...“And of all the masters I have know, he is the only one who is making me free.”

He longs for hearts in West Dallas, this I know, He will have hearts in West Dallas.

We may not have a business model, but what we have is faith.

Please pray with me for perseverance...Thanks friend!

Home Sweet Home

Praise the Lord, my nephew came home today. He's doing great and everyone is excited to have him around. My three year old niece Malia woke up from her nap with big eyes asking, "Where's Joshua?"

Thank you for praying, friends.

I'll post pictures as soon as I get some. My sisters computer isn't working. Christy has a wonderful friend, Jennifer Weems who is a photographer, she went to the hospital to take pictures of the precious babe but he wasn't in the mood, what with all the tubes and things, so she took pictures of all the other kiddos. They are so darn cute:




Malia Ruth, 3


Rachel, 7 and Caleb, 5

Something New

There are a lot of wise people in this world, and usually they say things better than I do. So I'll be dedicating Tuesdays to them...

"Everybody can be great because Everybody can serve...You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love. And you can be that servant." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Update on Joshua

My nephew Joshua has developed Pneumothorax, or tiny holes in his right lung. I believe this can be fairly common in newborns with wet lungs. Often when they are given oxygen the pressure can cause the little air sacs to leak. He has a chest tube which helps to remove the extra air build up so that there is no added pressure on his heart and other organs. He also has pneumonia.

Please pray that his lung would heal, that the antibiotics would work, and for my sister who is leaving the hospital today without her baby. He will be in the NICU for about two weeks.

Thanks everyone.

Joshua Justen

Praise the Lord!!! Yesterday morning around 4:45 am in Phoenix, AZ a baby boy was born to Christy and Justen Ferguson. My dear sister, Christy gave birth after only about 5 hours of labor, (lucky girl!) Sweet Joshua is their fourth child, and Rachel, Caleb and Malia's brother.

Joshua weighs in at 6 lbs, 12 oz and is 21 in. long. When he was born he took a breath just a little to soon and got some fluid in his lungs so he has been in the NICU for the last 24 hours. He is on oxygen, and is being fed intravenously. He cannot be touched or removed from NICU until his lungs are fluid free.

Please pray for baby Joshua, for my sister and her husband as they eagerly anticipate holding their sweet new baby.

Daily prayer

"I recognize that all I am and have is the Almighty's. He could in one instant change the whole course of my life - with accident, tragedy, or any event unforeseen. Job is a lesson in acceptance, not blind resignation, but believing acceptance that what God does is well done. So, Father, with happy committal I give you my life again this morning, not for anything special, simply to let you know that I regard it as yours. Do with it as it pleases you, only give me great grace to do for the glory of Jesus Christ whatever comes to me, 'in sickness and in health.'"

This is a prayer from the journals of Jim Elliott, and I pray that I would learn to regard my life as His, giving it to the Father daily.

A Day of Firsts

Yesterday was Labor Day and September 1; a day to sleep in, and I was excited. However my doorbell rang at about 7:30, a five year toe headed black boy stood, smiling from ear to ear. He was excited to tell me about his new find, a dog. I quickly wiped that smile off his face as I barked at him about my need for sleep and the time and it being my day off and didn't he know that it was rude to come over this early. "Go find something to do Jakeem!" I snapped, and I shut the door. I climbed back in bed but thankfully I was unable to sleep as I laid there thinking about his sweet face, his precious brothers standing behind him and his desperate situation.

"Go find something to do, Jakeem," might just be the exact words he hears from his mother every day, which might be why as a five year old he wanders around West Dallas. It may be why he and his brothers come knocking at my house, the Hill's, and the Smith's on a regular basis. So I lay there thinking about these boys that aren't parented, that aren't really protected and how I could be so heartless. So I decided to take them to the movies, the cure all for all heartless acts.

Angel (12), Hakeem (9), Najee (7), and Jakeem (5) and I all loaded up into my car and headed to the mall to see WALLe. As I'm driving I hear, "Miss Hannah, is the movie gonna be on a big screen?" Yes. They'd never seen a movie in a movie theater. We arrived at Northpark Mall, a place where I often feel out of place and the first thing Najee says, eyes big as saucers, "What's that, Miss Hannah?" "That! Najee is a moving staircase also known as an escalator" "Are we gonna go on that?" "You bet!" "I'm scared." Five minutes later they were all pros and riding up and down with glee.



As we had lunch, a family took notice of these dear ones and the mother came up to me and said,
"I don't know your situation but we've watched these kids and they are so dear, my daughter has this gift card and she would like for you to have it, maybe you can use it to take them for ice cream."

Completely shocked I thanked her, turned the card over and saw that it was a Northpark gift card for $100.00....that's a lot of ice cream.

I told the boys and complimented them on their behavior, then asked them what they would like to buy...Clothes they all said.

Just a side note, these kids desperately need clothes, they walk around in impossibly threadbare clothing, this was such an amazing gift from God.

So next on our day of firsts, shopping at Northpark,




Jakeem loved hats.


and they all loved accessories, I had to drag them away from the shoe store.

We finally made it to the movie. WALLe, so cute. When they walked in the theater they could not believe the screen was so big. They were all tuckered out from their big day and Najee and Hakeem fell asleep. It was an incredible day, not just for them but for me too.


Najee really is happy, he's just sleepy.

The Last Month in Pictures...

At the end of July I went to the Jersey Shore and NYC for a week with my family.

My cousin very graciously allowed us to stay at her beach house and we had the most marvelous time.

Melissa, I started almost every morning like this... aren't you proud...

The beach was unbelievable and my nephews just loved it.

(this is Jonah)

We spent a couple of days in NYC, one was quite eventful and will explain my broken finger. As you may have read in an earlier post I'm epileptic and my little brain decided to have one of its Primary Generalized Something Something Something Discharge also known as a seizure right smack dab in the middle of Bloomingdale's. So, here we are on the way to the City expecting a day of fun...

And then there's me somewhere in that big building (NY Presbyterian Hospital) getting a head CT and an X ray on my broken finger, (that I fell on when I started convulsing)

But since Ain't Nothing Gonna Slow Me Down I was back in the City the next day and we had a grand time.

Later in the week my entire, enormous family got together for my cousin Debbie's wedding. Here are a couple pictures. The first is Debbie with all (minus one...Aunt Ruthie) the living Aunts and Uncles. The second Picture is just the Uncles.

From Left to Right: Lydia Mastroberti, Robert Garippa (my Dad), Matthew Garippa, David Garippa, Dorothy Garippa, Debbie Giordano, Dolores Wood, (seated) Mathilda Mastroberti, Esther Catalano, Rachel Garippa.

My dad has ten sisters and two brothers. He is the baby. I think there is a 22 year difference between him and the oldest.

So after returning from those festivities we all (Mercy Street Employees) geared up for camp. This time round we headed to Pine Cove Outback and boy was it exciting.

This is Twist n Shout...he is such a humble servant...soon I'll do an entire post on all the amazing counselors at Pine Cove Outback. They loved our kids patiently and so unselfishly. I was humbled over and over by people named TMBA, Manwich, Soapy's Friend, For-E-Ver, and many more.

This is my cabin, all decked out for Karaoke.

This pictures not only showcases Theotist, who needs your prayers but it gives you all a glimpse of what became affectionately known as my stinky stump.

And finally the picture to keep all the kids in line...Don't mess with Miss Hannah!

Medically mandated pause

I broke my left baby finger. And now it must stay at a 90 degree angle, wrapped in plaster for 6 weeks so that the fracture does not become displaced. If that happens it will require surgery and pins and more plaster.

It has taken me 10 minutes to type this so needless to say most blogging will be on hold for a while, so to all two of you reading this I'll see you in September.

Kamp Pictures

The Kamp grounds are beautiful

So is the sky...when it didn't rain.

Some of the boys...

More of the boys.

My Krew at Kamp (by the way, I know how to spell...but at KAA everything starts with a K)

Jasmine and Summer

Kristina learning to golf.

Chanittie loving every minute of her golf lesson.

Hallelujah, We're Home!!!

We are back from Kids Across America and an interesting week. We rolled into Dallas around 8am, yesterday and the kids were happy to once again have electricity (their words, I'm guessing this means A/C), TV, and to be able to see their mamas and friends.


The first time I went to KAA I had the typical "mountain top" experience. I loved it, was so upset that we were going home. I truly never wanted to leave the bubble that is camp. The second year wasn't as great, I was trying desperately to recreate the first year and didn't take time to really enjoy much of anything. The third year, I was very distracted and was kind of caught up in my own mess.

This year, I needed time. I needed no agenda. So that is how I lived. I spent ridiculous amounts of time just staring at the beautiful Ozarks. I laid in a field for hours in the rain. I went out into the middle of the golf course, in the middle of the night and laid looking at the stars. I went on long walks, talking out loud to the Lord. I read interesting books. I fell asleep in the reading room and on the porch in a rocking chair. It was all bliss.

This year, for me, camp was wonderful, for our kids it was a mixed bag. Many of them struggled with the structure of camp and the long list of rules that they and I found hard to follow. But as I sit here and process the week at KAA I realize that we were all exactly where God wanted us to be, and though there were hard things that we all struggled with He used and is using them for His ultimate Glory.

Here is one example,

The theme of camp this year is Transformers..."Be transformed by the renewing of your mind..." Romans 12.2. Many of the kids, like me have a difficult time with the concept of transformation, some thinking that as they give their hearts to Christ that all the mistakes they make will simply vanish.

At the beginning of the week I gave my girls a journal and told them they could use it to write how they were feeling. "You can write anything, in anyway you want." I told them. "And I'll only read it if you want me to." They thought this was pretty cool, and just like Freedom Writers. I didn't think they'd really do it, but one of the girls, a girl I call Sweeter, took advantage and wrote how she was feeling. She wrote this,

"I think I'm a Christian, but something is just wrong, I keep messing up. Miss Hannah I think you and I need to have a one on one talk cuz I don't know what to do."

I asked her if I could read this to group, because I was pretty sure they were all feeling this way and she said yes.

After reading it every girl raised their hand and said "yes they were confused." They all thought they understood what it meant to follow Christ, but they just kept sinning and didn't understand why.

I wish you all could have been a part of the great conversation that followed. The honesty. And the relief in this girls eyes when they realized they didn't have to be perfect. God loves them right where they are at, and that transformation will take a lifetime, it is all part of the journey they are on.

I cannot tell you how thankful I am that God orchestrated all this so that we could have this very conversation. We have some very precious girls that went to camp with us this year. Girls that are hungry to know more about who their Father is and how it is that He loves them. Please pray for Adrienne, Destiny, Kaylene, Triana, Jasmine, Summer, Ka'Trina, Carmen, Gabby, Shaterrica, Amber, Ashley, Kitty, Saibyan, Keambrea, Dominiqua, Tiara, Maia, and Octavia.

I'll post some pictures when I get into the office.

KAA

Life is busy over here in the land of West Dallas. We (meaning 9 adults and 80 kids) leave for camp in about a week. We'll go to Kids Across America (KAA) in Golden, MO. The kids and 5 out of 9 adults are excited.

This will be the fourth summer I've been to KAA, and every time I go it is a different experience. One of my favorite things about being away for a week is that there are very few distractions. There are no computers, no TVs, no cell phones. And since I am the kind of person who is so easily distracted this comes as a huge relief to me.

I need a fresh perspective and I need some time to just chill with the Father. I need to see all the beauty and chaos of my life and run to Him...and not my best friend.

Also I've been training hardcore to do the treetops at KAA3. They are the hardest of all the treetops and you have to do a pull up before you can attempt this feat. Last year I couldn't do it. Didn't even come close. This year I'm hopeful. Melissa's been whopping me into shape. She's a drill Sargent, but I'm thankful for her yelling at me every morning. And now treetops here I come.

My bad day

Last week I had a bad day. Two boys that I see a lot asked if I would take them home and I said yeah.

Last night as I visited with one their mothers she asked, "Are you okay?" E. said you had a bad day last week. "He did! how did he know that?" I asked. "He said that when he asked for a ride home you just said, 'yeah' and you always say 'yeah babe' he came home very concerned about you."

I was blown away. I had no idea that the kids payed any attention to anything I said. It was one of the sweetest moments I've had in this community.

12 middle school girls and disgusting lake water = beauty

Last Friday night I had 12 middle school girls spend the night at my house. It was rip roarin crazy nonstop fun. Every spot on the floor was slept on, every part of my house investigated, every snack I had eatin. 12 middle school girls that couldn't fall asleep because one of them was always playing a prank on the rest. 12 middle school girls that made sweet get well cards for Nikki, and so compassionately wanted to know if she was okay. 12 middle school girls that used every towel in my house and caused 24 hours of laundry the following day. 12. 12 middle school girls that I love and feel an overwhelming sense of joy that they were sleeping in my house, and that they are in my life.

The next day with an IV of espresso pumping directly into my bloodstream, my sister, me and the 12 middle school girls loaded up in a van and drove down to Purtis Creek State Park for our last MS event of the school year. We met up with mentors, Garrett, Johnny and Carlton who also had vans full of kids. All in all there were probably about 40 kids from West Dallas lovin the great outdoors. The kids swore up and down that they would never get in the lake water, "disgusting" they said. But when we arrived you couldn't stop them from spending all day splashing in the "disgusting" lake water. It was beautiful to see.

Here are some pictures...

Like a Record baby!!!

Rockin


Caleb on the keyboard.

Rachel on the drums.

Aunt Hannah on guitar and vocals.

This is what happens when you've been playing Rock Band for the last 96 hours, (give or take a few).

Pray for Nikki

Nikki (the girl on the far right) is a sweet, kindhearted eighth grader. She has a wonderful laugh, and the most joyful spirit. She endears herself to you from the moment you meet her with her amazing spirit and love for life. Nikki is one of a kind. I have had the awesome opportunity to get to know Nikki throughout the last year. She is an regular at Wyld Life and at 116 Clique. She is loved by many.

Last week I received word through Nikki's mentor that she has been diagnosed with leukemia. They caught it early and the doctors are very hopeful, but it is cancer nonetheless. Nikki will be in the hospital a lot over the next several months. Her treatment will be 2-3 weeks in the hospital and 1 week at home. She is allergic to the chemotherapy and so she is also on benedryl which causes her to spend the majority of the day lying in her hospital bed oblivious to the world.

Please pray for Nikki and this part of her journey. She needs strength, and health and love and so much more that only God can see. Please also pray for her mother Kia who spends much of her time at Children's with Nikki.

Especially You, Olivia

Many of the kids I spend time with don't quite understand why I don't have kids. I'm roughly the same age as their mamas and so in their eyes I should have five or six kids. I am rarely asked the question, "why aren't you married?" because marriage is a foreign concept to most kids in this community. However on Saturday as I spent time with the Hill kids, it wasn't, "why don't you have any kids?" I was questioned about my marital status. Here is our conversation:

Sadie: Are you a kid or a mommy?

Me: I'm a grown up.

Sadie: Then why do you have a car?

Olivia: Why aren't you married?

Me: Because God doesn't want me to be married right now. I think right now He wants me to hang out with you and you and you.

Olivia: Especially me.

Me: Especially you, Olivia.

Olivia: Maybe God doesn't want you to get married.

Me: Maybe.

(I'm hoping she said that because she likes me so much, and is hoping that I will always have extra time, not because she is some sort of child prophet!!!)

O, sweet Hills.

the one armed epidemic

There is an epidemic sweeping the community. Young men all over are losing an arm. They must learn how to function with only one arm. It is sad. We are grieving and wonder when will it stop. We cry out, "We want both arms, we need both arms." But pop culture prevails...

It is hard to see but his right hand is holding up his pants. I know I know, you're thinking that is the job of the belt. Not anymore. That is why God gave us two arms and hands. One to hold up your pants. The other to do everything else. God is so smart.

There are ordinances all over the country to ban sagging pants. My question is, if sagging pants are banned what will these kids do with the return of their right or left arm. Will they use it for good or for harm?

Blondies with highlights

One of my Christmas gifts this last year was a subscription to Martha Stewart's Food Magazine. It is the perfect the gift for me, one because it is the gift that keeps on giving, I get a new, fresh magazine every month. And two, It is full of interesting recipes and it is fun to read.

Last month, the talent that makes Martha look good published a recipe for the Everyday Baking Mix;

Ingredients
Makes 9 cups
6 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
3 cups sugar
2 tablespoons baking powder
1 tablespoon salt

Directions
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 months. Whisk before using.

They said this Everyday Baking Mix could be used for all sorts of things, they only gave four recipes but I'm holding out hope that more will follow.

One of the recipes was for Blondies. I've heard rave reviews on Blondies but never tried them. So I mixed up the Everyday Baking mix and made a batch of Blondies. They were good. But in my opinion why eat sugar unless you're consuming chocolate...so I added some brunette highlights to these blondies.

Here is the recipe:

Ingredients
Makes 16
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 cups, Everyday Baking Mix, spooned and leveled
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick-cooking)
1 cupish mini or regular semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush an 8-inch square baking pan with butter. Line bottom and two sides with a strip of parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on both sides. Butter paper, and set pan aside.

Using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg, and beat until combined. With mixer on low, gradually add Baking Mix; mix just until combined. Mix in 3/4 cup oats and chips. Pour batter into prepared pan.

Using an offset metal spatula or table knife, smooth batter evenly. Sprinkle with remaining oats, pressing gently to adhere. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with only a few moist crumbs attached, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool in pan 30 minutes.

Using overhang, transfer blondie (still on paper) to a wire rack to cool completely. Place on a cutting board (peel off paper); using a serrated knife, cut into 16 squares. Store blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.

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The kids in my community love these Blondies so I just mix up a big batch of that Everyday Baking Mix and keep it on hand and then I can whip up a batch pretty quickly.

Enjoy!

Unexpected Beauty

The Hernandez Family lives down the street from me. Jose and Isabel have been together for a long time at least 20 years, they are from Mexico. They came to the US for a better life and although they still face tough times they trust in the Lord as they work together as a family.

Isabel loves kids, especially her five; Tony, Alex, Jose, Samantha and Isabel. During the day she is a nanny for a little boy. She told me that she can't imagine doing anything else. When she was little she would play with her dolly's and imagine the day she could be a mother. She has found her true calling as a mother and caretaker. And she does it with much joy and hope even in the midst of troubling times.

(Alex, a sophomore at Pinkston)

Jose works at a Chinese restaurant as a cook. Samantha tells me that he makes the best Orange Chicken and he can mix it up really fast. She also tells me that she is super lucky because her two favorite foods are Chinese food and Mexican food and she has two amazing cooks in the house that happen to focus on those two specialities. Isabel is an amazing cook too.

Samantha is my newest girl. Last year I started getting to know Sam and her sister Isabel as they would help me with the concession stand. This year Sam asked if I would be her mentor. I said yes. One of the fun things about Sam is that she attends West Dallas Community School and so her education looks completely different than most of the kids I work with. The other day I ask her what homework she had and she started reciting Ephesians 4.25-32, as she explained what righteous anger was. Did I mention that she is 9? I praise the Lord that she and her sister Isa are able to attend such a wonderful school.

(Isabel and Samantha)

I love knowing this family and learning their history. It is a tremendous blessing that God has allowed our paths to cross. Yesterday as Sam and I were making Blondies, Jose (the dad) came over and asked Sam to ask me if he could cut my grass. I said yes, but how much? No money, said the interrupter. He just wants to do it for you because you are always worrying about us and because you love us.

One my biggest disappointments in life is that I didn't pay attention during the four years of Spanish I took in High School. So all I could say was Muchas Gracias, Muchas Gracias, Muchas Gracias. I kept thinking in my head how does Muchas Muchas Muchas Muchas Gracias translate??? I sounded like an idiot but was so overcome with gratitude.

Sometimes I expect the beauty of the body to be packaged up a certain way. Pretty people from my church, a skinny white girl from Sumac Leaf, my coworkers, even maybe a blog friend or two. Thankfully God still brings things around in unexpected ways. Reminding me that it isn't about what I bring to this community, cuz that is a whole lot of nothing. It is about love, and that can be seen everywhere and in many.

My grass was cut with a lawn mower and with love. That makes me happy!!