My First Experience with Chili

Children's ministries put on a chili cook off this past Sunday. The point was for you to make your chili bring it in to be judged, as well as donate money to eat, this is a way for Children's ministries to earn easy money and it is enjoyable. Well to make a long story short, Keith had asked me to make Chili because they were afraid that there would not be enough chili to go around. I went to the store on Thursday night to purchase all that I would need to make this chili in hopes that it would be good. Since they were worried about having enough I decided that I would buy enough stuff to double the recipe. As I got to the check out counter of the second store I have realized that I had spend about $50.00 on ingredients to make chili. As we were on our way to church on Sunday, my lovely husband the believer that he is asked me in doubt, are you going to enter your chili into the contest. I said well I guess I won't unless there is not enough and they can judge mine as well. However I continued to say that I thought it was good, definitely spicy, but missing something. Anyways my husband entered my chili into the contest for me. As the judges were judging they had one person for the blue ribbon prize, and three people tied for 2nd place with an honorable mention. As they were announcing the winners before the dinner, they went all the way through the line of who was first. Guess who was called on for tied in second place? that's right, this girl. I was surprised that they enjoyed my chili that much. My husband was very happy (and he doubted me:)). I was told that if I enter it next year there is a good chance that I would get first place!!! I thought that I would let you share in my joy of first time chili making as a hit!

It's all because of Jesus I'm alive

This weekend was amazing! We were able to visit our good friends in Ohio. The kids have gotten so big in the past six months that we have not seen them. The youngest one is talking now, today she was singing Scooby Doo I love you.:) We were able to catch up on life and where God has taken each of us. I enjoyed hearing about how God is working in their ministry and to see their future church. We saw many things in Toledo, met a few people, and had great food all weekend. Another thing that we did this weekend is church, a lot of church. A service that we went to on Saturday had an AMAZING child care facility. On Sunday night we had church in their living room. But the best part of this weekends services is the tent city service. This was a service that took place in a tent, I am assuming downtown. The special thing about this service is it was a service for the homeless of Toledo, OH. I have to admit that when we first walked in and saw the homeless sitting around, I felt uncomfortable. But as we walked into the area of the service, I saw families joining in for church. There were many homeless along with other people to support the cause. When the service began we sung All because of Jesus. If you have ever heard this song you would understand why I was effected by this song. As I sat there singing it's all because of Jesus I'm alive, I began to look around the room and see these homeless people praising the Lord. Wow, they truly are thinking it's all because of Jesus I'm ALIVE. Their life is in his hands from day to day. I saw these little children standing around, had no idea whether they were homeless or not, but I thought about my family. I thought about how close they were to being homeless, how I am sure that my dad spent a few nights in his car. I can't imagine my little sister laying on the streets praying to Jesus to stay warm in these cold nights.
I can honestly say that it was a very humbling service, we are blinded by our riches that we do not always see the other side of life. I pray that all who are without shelter tonight would be protected and kept warm. I also am thankful that God is faithful to me. It is all because of Jesus I am alive, it is all because the blood of Jesus Christ, that covers me and raised this dead mans life, it's all because of Jesus I'm alive.......

Thanks Barb and Andy for opening your home to us.....We miss you!!!