The Candy Cane

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We have so much to be thankful for... the friendship of the ladies in our Women's Ministry, our wonderful church and all the staff, volunteers and church family, our homes, families, friends, and so much more!

Welcome to the Christmas Season!

Share this story of the Candy Cane's origin with your family, and then make delicious Candy Cane Ice Cream!

Legend of the Candy Cane

According to legend there was a candy maker who wanted to invent a candy that was a witness to Christ.


First of all, he used a hard candy because Christ is the rock of ages. This hard candy was shaped so that it would resemble a “J” for Jesus or, turned upside down, a shepherd’s staff. He made it white to represent the purity of Christ.


Finally a red stripe was added to represent the blood Christ shed for the sins of the world, and three thinner red stripes for the stripes He received on our behalf when the Roman soldiers whipped Him. Sometimes a green stripe is added as a reminder that Jesus is a gift from God.


The flavor of the cane is peppermint, which is similar to hyssop. Hyssop is in the mint family and was used in the Old Testament for purification and sacrifice. Jesus is the pure Lamb of God, come to be a sacrifice for the sins of the world.


So, every time you see a candy cane, remember the message of the candy maker: Jesus is the Christ!


Candy Cane Poem


Jesus Gentle Shepherd, this cane of red and white proclaims the sweet love story, born on Christmas night
This cane, you see, when turned around begins your name of Love and now becomes a symbol of peace proclaimed above
The lively peppermint flavor is the regal gift of spice
The white is your purity and the red your sacrifice


And so this cane reminds us of just how much you care and like your Christmas Gift to us it's meant for all to share.

Candy Cane Ice-Cream

You will need:

1 pint good quality vanilla ice cream

1 teaspoon peppermint extract

4 candy canes, crushed

Directions:

Set the vanilla ice cream on the counter and let it come to room temperature.
Pour it into a mixing bowl and stir in the peppermint extract and crushed candy canes.
Then, return it to the ice-cream container and place it back in the freezer.
Allow to refreeze before serving.
Enjoy!

Mud Monkeys Refreshment Photos

Recipe of the Week - Baked Mac & Cheese

You Will Need:

2 1/2 cups uncooked macaroni
2 1/2 Tablespoons flour
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
Pepper to taste (I use about a teaspoon)
4 Tablespoons margarine
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup milk

Directions:

Cook pasta until tender, drain. 

Mix all dry ingredients together, set aside. 

Spray oven safe bowl or dish with cooking spray. 

Place half of macaroni inside. 

Sprinkle half of the flour mixture over top and top with half of the margarine, sliced into small slices. 

Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups cheese over. 

Repeat. 

Pour milk over all. 

Cover with foil and bake at 350 for thirty five minutes. 

Remove foil, bake an additional ten minutes. 

Serve hot.

Update

If you missed Robert Smith from Upside Down Ministries this past weekend you can click here to hear his sermon on line, or many others you may have missed or would like to hear again.  Since Sunday I have been striving to "Be Present" in my life and remember that I have seen God in my yesterdays so I know he'll be there tomorrow, too.

Last night was our Refreshment at Mud Monkeys, and it was a blast!  Mud Monkeys was packed with Broadway Women, food and laughter.  I really enjoyed the opportunity to get to know so many wonderful ladies.  We are so blessed to have so many beautiful, sweet, funny, creative and talented women at Broadway!

Our next Refreshment will be the Broadway Christmas Tour of Homes on December 16th.  Make plans to attend!

Upcoming Events

(Please note, for some reason when "published" this post appears in all caps.  It does not look like this in the editor.  I have tried many times and ways to change this, and will continue to work on it.)

 

Our church is hosting a Parent Conference on Saturday, November 13 from 9:00 am – 12:30 pm. This conference is relevant for parents, grandparents and people who work with children of any ages.  Childcare is provided for babies through 5th grade. The conference is presented by Robert Smith of Upside Down Ministries. He will also be speaking in the Sunday morning service.

 

Also, don't forget our next Refreshment is November 16th 6:30-9:00 at Mud Monkey Pottery.  You can click here to visit the website and see some of the pieces available.  There is a $5 studio fee plus the cost of your pottery.  Tell a friend and bring a snack!

(Bonus) Recipe of the Week - Neiman Marcus Dip

My sister-in-law always makes this dip for family holiday get-togethers, and it's absolutely delicious.

You Will Need:

• 1/4 cup sliced almonds or pecans (optional)
• 4 slices bacon cooked,crumbled and cooled
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 green onion, sliced thinly
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise

Directions:

Mix all ingredients. Chill for at least 1 hour. The longer it chills, the better it tastes! Serve with Ritz crackers or corn chips.

*NOTE* Add more mayo if mix seems dry. Will moisten as it chills.
Substitute turkey bacon, low-fat mayo and low-fat cheese for a lighter version.

Recipe of the Week - Crescent Bacon-Cheddar Pinwheel Appetizers

There are only 15 days until Thanksgiving!  Check this site out for some great Thanksgiving recipes!

Here's a great little appetizer that can be served all year, but will be great for Thanksgiving for your family and friends to snack on while watching the parade, big games and while waiting for dinner:
 

You Will Need:

·  1 (8 ounce) can Pillsbury® refrigerated crescent dinner rolls or Pillsbury® Crescent Recipe Creations® refrigerated seamless dough sheet

·  2 tablespoons ranch dressing

·  1/4 cup cooked real bacon pieces

·  1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

·  1/4 cup chopped green onions

Directions:

1.   Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

2.   If using crescent rolls: Unroll dough; separate into 2 long rectangles. Press each into 12x4-inch rectangle, firmly pressing perforations to seal. If using dough sheet: Unroll dough; cut lengthwise into 2 long rectangles. Press each into 12x4-inch rectangle.

3.   Spread dressing over each rectangle to edges. Sprinkle each with bacon, Cheddar cheese and onions.

4.   Starting with one short side, roll up each rectangle; press edge to seal. With serrated knife, cut each roll into 8 slices; place cut side down on ungreased cookie sheet.

5.   Bake 12 to 17 minutes or until edges are deep golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet. Serve warm.

Cancer Doesn't Win - Candice Duffy

Candice's parents attend our church. She is a nurse at St. Judes, a wife and mother of four beautiful children.

Recently, a close friend of mine reminded me that in the end...cancer doesn't win. Every now and then, I need to hear that. I need to be reminded that this world is not the end. The things that plague us, the heartache we experience...it's not the end...and those things certainly do NOT win as much as Satan wants to bog me down with that lie.

John 16:33 "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

I can't tell you the number of times people have said, "I don't know how you work there (St. Jude Children's Research Hospital)." I guess my response to that is found in John 16:33. I work there because I know deep down no matter how many times I have to be reminded, that THIS is NOT the end. The one who made us has already won the battle and this is merely a breath in something more wonderful than our limited minds can even begin to comprehend.

As much as my heart breaks for every family that walks through the doors of the hospital completely unprepared to fight most likely the biggest battle of their lives, I love the opportunity I have to love on those children as if they are my own, to do whatever I can to make this journey a little bit easier.

I've always been the type of person to wear my emotions on my sleeves. As you can imagine, this can be quite a weakness. However, for me I feel it is also my biggest strength. I will never forget the first time I went back to work after having my first child. Everything changed. I wasn't just a nurse any longer. I was a nurse who was also a mother. That one thing changed my entire perspective. And I believe at that moment I became a better nurse. I still struggle when I care for a child who is around the age of one of my children. It's not impossible to let your mind think of the "what if's." What if that was my child lying in the bed? What if my child were fighting this horrible disease? What if I was the one sitting there unable to take this for my child? And then comes the wash of emotion. The desire to scoop up that child and love them and tell them it's gonna be ok...to do the very thing you'd do if it were your own there. I can only imagine the parent's thoughts when they see this crazy nurse snuggling their child :) But you know...When you've had a conversation on talking to angels with a 3 year old, when you've had school aged children ask you if their parents will be ok when they go to heaven, when you've watched a child take his last breath, when you've held a parent and cried with them because you didn't know what else to do, when you've had to answer a parent's worst nightmare question as you listen to a chest with no heartbeat because of a stupid disease that couldn't be stopped....you tend to not care anymore. You just want to give lots and lots of love when it matters most. And then there are those times that one of your first patients messages you on facebook wanting to be your friend and letting you know that they are in college now. You get a random letter in the mail with a picture of a grown, healthy person...who happens to be that little 7 year old you were head over heels for a decade ago. That's how I do what I do...and I love every second of it. And I HATE cancer as much as any one person ever could...but cancer doesn't win...ever.

So as the holiday seasons approach, GIVE THANKS...for your own health, for that of your children. Pray for those who are in the fight of their life right now because trust me, they need it and they cherish it. And most importantly, remember this is NOT the end. Thank you God, this is not the end!

Recipe of the Week - Yummy Sweet Potato Casserole!

First I thought some of you might enjoy Pie Countdown 2010.  It's 25 pie recipes in November counting down to Thanksgiving!

Please send me any Thanksgiving recipes you would like to share with everyone this month!

You Will Need:

Ingredients:

• 4 cups sweet potato, cubed
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Put sweet potatoes in a medium saucepan with water to cover. Cook over medium high heat until tender; drain and mash.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the sweet potatoes, sugar, eggs, salt, butter, milk and vanilla. Mix until smooth. Transfer to a 9x13 inch baking dish.
3. In medium bowl, mix the sugar and flour. Cut in the butter until the mixture is coarse. Stir in the pecans. Sprinkle the mixture over the sweet potato mixture.
4. Bake in the preheated oven 30 minutes, or until the topping is lightly brown.

Refreshment Updates

This past Saturday the Broadway Girls participated in the MidSouth Race for the Cure in Germantown, TN with an estimated 19,000 other people in the area.  This has become an annual event for our Women's Ministry, so make sure you watch for it next year!

Our next Refreshment will be November 16th 6:30-9:00 at Mud Monkey Pottery.  You can click here to visit the website and see some of the pieces available.  There is a $5 studio fee plus the cost of your pottery. Stop by the Women’s Ministry table or see Lisa in the church office to pay your studio fee and then you will pay for the pottery you pick out that night.  Tell a friend and bring a snack that night!

Please note - Mud Monkey Pottery's location has changed. 

They are no longer on the corner of Goodman and Tchulahoma. 

 They are now in the Shops at Windstone. 

4850 Goodman Rd, Suite 101, Olive Branch, MS, 38654