In Miami

We are in Miami and flying to Haiti in the morning. If we have internet there, I will be posting pictures to the adoption blog.

Church program

More Weekend

Adam and Jessica leaving for district band c0mpetition. Yes, her hair is wet. She just showered.






Ice cream for Purpose Driven time.



















Adam's creation.








Tyler's






















Jessica's











We just read chapter 21. I've been gone a few weekends and put us behind. I'll be gone next weekend too.








Jasmine






























Don't believe it!

Saturday so far

Saturday morning soccer- U8

Adam selling candy bars for his mission trip.

Jessica reffed Jasmine's game.

Adam getting ready for district band competition.

More pictures to come. Jessica was still showering and Ty was at the Scottish festival with the police explorer's group.

Adam's letter

Adam is going on a mission trip this summer to Haiti. It is not to our O. It is through Teen Mission International. The will be building an O. up in the mountains. It will be a very good experience for him to see how the Haitians live compared to how we live. Our kids sometimes feel bad that other families have more than we do but we have a house--although it's a double wide manufactured home--and we have two working vehicles. Everyone has clothes, food and electronic gadgets.

Adam has to raise $2,700 and only has $65 currently. If he does not raise enough, he has to stay in FL on the team there. That is $1,800.

He wrote a letter to be sent out. I am posting it below in his own words. If anyone wants to help, just use the donate button on the bottom right of our adoption blog HERE. I will know it's for him.

Dear friends and family,

This summer I have the opportunity to go on a life changing trip to Haiti. First, I go to Merritt Island, FL for two weeks for spiritual and physical training before I reach my mission field.

Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere, many children are orphaned or live on the streets. Our team will be building an orphanage in the rural mountains and running a medical clinic.

As most of you know my family is adopting twins form an orphanage, but my assignment is not at my future sibling's orphanage.

I need your help in raising support for this mission trip. The total cost is $2,700 to cover flight, food and supplies. Please consider sending a donation of any size or even becoming a prayer partner as I am on this trip. Checks should be made out to Teen Missions but sent to our address. Thank you. Adam

February Recipes

Jasmine made:
Mixed Vegetable Casserole (There is no real recipe for this. Just mix whatever you have on hand!)
1 lg. pkg. mixed vegetables cooked
1 lb hamburger browned
Lg. can cream of chicken soup
hash browns, warmed
salt
pepper

Mix and bake at 350F for 30-40 minutes.


















































Tyler made:
Chicken Casserole
3c cooked chicken chopped
10 ¾ oz can cream of chicken soup undiluted
8 oz sour cream
T poppy seeds
1 ½ c crushed ritz crackers
¼ c butter melted

Combine chicken, sour cream and poppy seeds; spoon into a light greased 11x7 baking dish. Combine crushed crackers and butter. Sprinkle over chicken mixture. Bake uncovered at 350F for 30 minutes.






















Adam made shake and bake chicken using the meal suggestions on the back of the ranch flavored shake and bake. It was quite good really. Need some ranch dip for the chicken.



























Jessica made:
Chili with Corn Dumplings
1 ½ lb ground beef
¾ c chopped onion
15 oz can whole kernel corn (do not drain)
16 oz can stewed tomatoes (do not drain)
16 oz can tomato sauce
2 T. chili powder
1 t red pepper sauce
1 1/3 c Bisquick original
2/3 c cornmeal
2/3 c mile
3 T chopped cilantro (we added this but I think it's just for looks so you could skip it)

Brown beef and onion in a large pot. Reserve ½ c corn and add the rest with liquid, tomatoes, tomato sauce, chili powder and pepper sauce to the beef mixture. Heat to boiling, reduce, cover and simmer 15 minutes.

Mix bisquick and cornmeal. Stir in milk and cilantro along with the ½ c corn. Drop by tablespoons onto the simmering chili. Cook uncovered over low heat 10 minutes. Cover and cook ten minutes longer.





All of these are easy to make and can be doubled.

Home Again

Here's a recap of the conference. I have posted a few of these before.





Me & Clella Camp who writes devotion books.















Christine Tangvald who has written over 75 awesome children's books.
















Eva Marie Everson who writes women's fiction, suspense, non fiction and has a really beautiful book about Israel.





















Torry Martin. He writes dramas, sketches and is part of Adverntures in Odyssey.































Faculty tacky tourist night. About 30 people told me these were my colors and about 15 more told me the outfit looked better than what I was wearing earlier (above)!









After hours session.





After hours



Lake Yale Conference Center

























Jessica accepts our novel of the year award.






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Christine Tangvald