LEARNING TO SLOW DOWN by Vicki Taylor

We live in a fast paced society.  Everything moves fast - people, traffic, fast food drive-ins, quick check-outs at the grocery stores, and TIME. Have you begun to notice that life moves at a fast pace? I know in my own life there are days where I wonder where the time goes. One day you look at the calendar and its July 4, the next day we are celebrating the Holidays. It just goes that fast.

I don’t believe that God intended for us to hurry through life. I also believe that hurry leaves behind spiritually dry hearts. I know in my own life, if I hurry through my time alone with the Lord, by the end of my day I am frazzled and exhausted, wondering where God was all day. God’s Word says, “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10). So let’s find out how we can step out of the fast lane and start to cruise in the God lane of life and begin to see the world that He has for us.

We can begin by being thankful. Yes, remember that word our mothers tried to teach us as little ones.  Say “thank you” when you receive something. As we look around God is always giving; we are always receiving, but are we thankful? 

In reading Ann Voskamp’s book One Thousand Gifts, I have found I am not a thankful person (ouch). But I desire to be one.  And that’s where it begins.  I desire to slow down, appreciate life, give thanks, and see God. Psalm 81:10 says, “Open wide your mouth (life) and I will fill it.” I desire to be filled with Him!  I want to stop chasing after things or “stuff” as my husband says, and give my full attention to Him and allow Him to begin to fill those empty places in the holes of my soul. The soul holes I call them. I want them to be filled with thanksgiving, a thankfulness that can only come from Him. I want to see Him with the eyes of my soul. To experience Him with the inner eyes of my soul until those holes are no longer there, but filled with His presence and peace.

To get to that place, I have to slow down, slow the pace, step out of the race and stop. Stop and know God, spend time with Him. I don’t want to stand before Him on that day and have Him look at me and say, “You were too busy for Me.”  What about you?  Are you willing to join me? There’s plenty of time at the Cross for us all.

WORD FOR THE WEEK

Though the fig tree does not bud 

and there are no grapes on the vines, 

though the olive crop fails 

and the fields produce no food, 

though there are no sheep in the pen 

and no cattle in the stalls, 

yet I will rejoice in the Lord, 

I will be joyful in God my Savior.  

Habakuk 3:17-18

Do you realize what Habakuk was saying in the above passage? Though he lost everything, even those things for basic survival, he would still praise God and be joyful. 

Let's practice today, getting our heart prepared for any situation we might find ourselves in. Make a list of your thoughs, including basic needs as well as other joys and pleasures in your life.

EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN CONFERENCE

The Extraordinary Women Conference will be held October 19-20 at the Landers Center. Close to home, Ladies! Click here to see the speakers, performers, and pricing. The church is going to order tickets Monday. See Paula Roten or Lisa Newman Sunday, or reply via the Facebook page. 

TEACHABLE MOMENTS PASSED ON AND ON...by Cathy Westmoreland

As a small child, I witnessed my grandfather walk outside each morning before breakfast and look to the heavens, never uttering a word. I thought he must have an imaginary friend because he seemed to gaze and smile as though he was looking at someone. I felt like I was witnessing a very special, private moment. I never asked what he was doing.

Years later as an adult and while staying with my uncle, I noticed every morning he would go outside and do the same thing. Curiosity got the best of me, and I asked him about the morning ritual. He smiled and said, "I am thanking the Lord for the breath he gave me for the new day and asking HIM to show me how to use this precious day!"

What a precious thing his father passed on to him! The breath of life is a gift and should never be taken lightly.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  James 1:17

GOD'S WORD IS ALIVE by Vicki Taylor

Hebrews 4:12 – The Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

The Word of God is alive and it is active… think about this for a moment … the Word of God is alive and active.  It can breathe life into the dead, lift up the downcast, encourage the discouraged, and give new life to the believer.  It moves us, stirs us, shapes us, comforts us, lifts us up, gives us joy, and shows us the way to Christ.  It’s definitely active.

The Word is also sharper than any double-edged sword. Think for a moment of a surgeon’s scalpel.  It can cut into the deepest part of the human body, cutting tissue and bone back to the very inward parts.  God’s Word can cut open and dissect our hearts wide open where the spirit and soul meet, exposing our deepest self to Him.  Nothing is hidden from Him, nothing!  Everything there is exposed for Him to see.  In other words, He knows me!  He knows my deepest needs, my deepest hurts, my deepest thoughts, my deepest grudges, and my deepest self.  And He judges the thoughts and the attitudes in my heart (ouch)!

As I hold His Word in my lap, I come to realize that this book I hold is not really a book.  It really is a person, a real live person who speaks to me and breathes life into me.  Ann Voskamp says, “The passion on the page is a Person.”  I have never looked at my Bible like that before, but she’s right!  This book I hold is a Person and that Person is Christ!  He is the Person who gives me strength when I am weak, heals me when I am sick, forgives me when I sin, and keeps me focused on His work.  He is my passion. He is the reason we are here. He is the one who holds us and understands why we suffer because He Himself has suffered for us. He understands our pain. 

I can no longer hold my Bible and think of it as a book.  My Bibles are my most treasured possessions.  And yes, I have many of them, and use all of them.  I love His Word and I love spending time with Him.  Stop today and pick up your Bible and see if you can see the Person on the page.  He’s patiently waiting for you.

DECORATING WITH KIDS' ART by Stacy McSpadden

You didn't know you lived with a little artist...

Now I know you all are thinking, she doesn't have kids, so what does she know about this....but I love kid's art! It is so fun and colorful and creative. I think that kids are such great artists because they don't put too much thought and stress into the piece. When I was a child, I used to love drawing and I should have known what my future would hold because I would draw houses and even floor plans. (Nerdy. I know.)  When I went to college and decided to become an interior design major, I had no idea that this meant art classes! My first drawing class (and, yes, there is such a thing) was eye opening. There I was with several other optimistic art students drawing a series of crumpled paper bags, wondering what I had gotten myself into! Needless to say, with time, I have understood the importance of learning art skills throughout my career. All that to say, what do you do when you have been blessed with a little artist? I have learned during my time as a Wee Kids Praise leader that parents don't particularly enjoy the endless amounts of paper that they are given when they leave church, but what do you do with those special pieces that make you proud? Here are some ideas for displaying your child's masterpieces.

                                          

I think this is really fun and displays not only the little artist's masterpieces, but also some fun photographs of the kids. This display above is done in the kitchen eating area, a place where family gathers on a regular basis for all kinds of tasks.

                                      

This display is fun because it is a little more 3 dimensional. They have used a combination of pieces permanently framed and mixed in some temporary pieces so that they can change the art as the child does new things. It looks like this was displayed down a hallway in the home.

               

Last is the kids playroom. In an organized fashion, they framed everything the same way to give the room continuity.  I think this is fun because it can grow with the child and still look great when the playroom isn't so full of toys, but full of teenagers hanging out watching movies.

This last piece was done by Lauren Epps last year at her summer art camp. When we re-decorated Lauren's room last spring, Kelley took this piece to a local framer and had this done. Personally, I think it's a great piece and I would seriously like it for my house, but it really looks great in Lauren's room and I think that we will be seeing this in the Epps' house for years to come.

Take a serious look at what your kids are creating and see how it can be used to decorate your home.

Happy Decorating!

Stacy


Stacy McSpadden
Manager of Interior Design Services
Chestnut Hall Interiors
3075 Forest Hill Irene Road
Germantown, Tennessee 38138
901.753.8515

stacy@chestnuthall.com

HAM AND CHEESE CALZONE by Brenda Riden

Again, Brenda Riden, our resident Pampered Chef Consultant, comes up with an easy ham-broccoli-onion-cheese calzone easy enough to fix for dinner on a busy weeknight. Add diced fruit topped with flavored yogurt and the meal is complete.

Ham and Cheese Calzone

2 tbsp mayonnaise

2 tsp Dijon mustard

1 cup fresh broccoli florets (about 2 oz)

1  8-oz pkg. slice smoked deli ham (about 1/2 in thick)

1/2 small onion

8 oz Swiss cheese, grated, divided

1 tbsp vegetable oil, divided

2 pkg (13.8 oz ea.)  refrigerated pizza crust

1 oz Parmesan cheese, grated


Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 450°F. Combine mayonnaise and mustard in Classic Batter Bowl; mix well with Small Mix 'N Scraper(R). With Utility Knife, cut broccoli into small florets; dice ham. Using Food Chopper, coarsely chop onion. Grate Swiss cheese with Ultimate Mandoline fitted with grating blade. Combine broccoli, ham, onion and half of the Swiss cheese in batter bowl; mix well.

2.  Lightly brush Large Bar Pan with 1 tsp of the oil using Chef's Silicone Basting Brush. Unroll one package of dough onto bottom of pan, gently stretching and pressing dough to cover bottom. Sprinkle with remaining Swiss cheese to within 1 in.  of edges; spoon ham mixture over cheese. Unroll remaining dough directly over filling, matching edges of dough and shaping to fit as dough is unrolled. Trim 1/2 in. off sides of dough with Utility Knife. Press edges to seal with Mini-Tart Shaper. Brush remaining oil over dough. Using Utility Knife, make 12 slits, in three rows of four each, into top crust.

3.  Bake 14–16 minutes or until golden brown. Meanwhile, grate Parmesan cheese using Microplane(R) Adjustable Grater. Remove pan from oven; sprinkle Parmesan cheese over calzone. Bake 2–3 minutes or until cheese is melted and crust is deep golden brown. Slice with Pizza Cutter; serve with Mini-Serving Spatula.

Yield: 8 servings

Nutrients per serving: Calories 440, Total Fat 18 g, Saturated Fat 7 g, Cholesterol 40 mg, Carbohydrate 49 g, Protein 22 g, Sodium 1240 mg, Fiber 2 g

Shopping List:
2 tbsp mayonnaise

2 tsp Dijon mustard

1 cup fresh broccoli florets (about 2 oz)

1 8-oz pkg. slice smoked deli ham (about 1/2 in. thick)

1 small onion

8 oz Swiss cheese

1 tbsp vegetable oil

2 pkg (13.8 oz ea.) refrigerated pizza crust

1 oz Parmesan cheese


Brenda Riden
Pampered Chef Consultant
www.pamperedchef.biz/brendariden

WORD FOR THE WEEK

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; 

the Lord bestows favor and honor; 

no good thing does he withhold 

from those whose walk is blameless. 

O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man 

who trusts in you. 

Psalm 84:11-12

Can you thank God for everything that comes in your life...and everything that doesn't come in your life? Remember, He doesn't withhold anything that would be good for you. According to Jeremiah 29:11, His plans are to prosper you and give you hope, not to harm you. 

Intentionally thank God each day this week for the hard times and the blessed times, for the easy moments and the challenging ones. They're all in His plans and hands.

ReFresHer Retreat 2012

Our 1st annual Refresh women's retreat was held this weekend at the Olford Center in a serene area off Riverdale. Who knew it was even there? As the ladies came in to register, there was a sense of excitement and anticipation. Lots of greetings, hugs, and catching up with each other. (Even Martha and Stacy were hugging!) We were given a goody bag and room key and went off to find our hotel-like accommodations (Yay for not sleeping in a bunk bed in a dormitory-like setting).

One of the things that made this weekend special was that all age ranges were represented, but only one person of the opposite sex was allowed. And quite frankly, every lady wanted her turn with him.

After registration and checking out our sleeping arrangements, we went to dinner. Jane and Penny prepared the most delicious meals. Great food at dinner, breakfast, and lunch and even better fellowship around the tables.

Lisa Newman introduced our Friday night speaker, Christie Smith. Christie encouraged us to learn to give thanks in and for every situation. The message was well-received because she has walked the walk. Even though she has been diagnosed with a very painful and sometimes debilitating auto-immune disease, she radiates and speaks gratitude. She reminded us that "gratitude precedes the miracle," gratitude is never invisible or silent, gratitude begins where my sense of entitlement ends, and grateful people can find a blessing in any circumstance.

Saturday, Beth Ann Lampley shared with us about her ministry opportunities at MissionFirst and Kanakuk Kamp. She told us how she had ministered to an area only 10 miles from where she had lived, but an area where everything was different, from race to economy to age to behavior. She had the opportunity to intentionally love on people and speak Truth into their lives...to make a difference. She also told us that it takes everybody, all different roles, to make a difference...people on the front lines and people in the offices. (It reminded me of how the entire body of Christ is necessary. The hand, the foot, the head. We're all so necessary and the church needs everyone to use the spiritual gifts they have been given.)

Later Saturday, Diane McNeil spoke. She began by telling us that we all have a life journey, and each one's is different. We can't live each other's life. We all have a story and a calling. Hers began with God telling her to pray for Israel. And through the years, God called her to help bridge the gap between Christians and Jews. As she told us her life story, we realized that things had happened that could only be from God. She left us hungry to hear more of her story, but hungry, too, to discover the story and calling God has for our lives.

Friday and Saturday, we got to know ladies we had not known, we prayed and discussed what we had heard in small groups, and we played games with the intent of finding out things about each other. Let's just say that game time made us realize the slogan of the weekend needed to be, "What's told at the retreat stays at the retreat!" But seriously, we truly realized first-hand that "a merry heart does good like a medicine." (Prov. 17:22)  The present-day paraphrase of this verse is that laughter is good for the soul. We all left at noon Saturday with very healthy souls!

WHEN WILL I LET JESUS BE ENOUGH? by Vicki Taylor

I told my husband the other night that I’d had an epiphany.  There was silence in the room while I waited for him to respond, since I usually don’t use words like that.  Finally, he said, “I’m waiting.”  (He’s a man of very few words.)  I told him I felt God was showing me that I was a very needy person. To which he responded, he did not see that in my life. (I think I see why I married him, he’s very wise) Then he asked me why I felt God was showing me this…

I am very needy, especially when it comes to friends. I need my friends to talk to, confide in, share with…well, you see where I’m going with this.  But lately, God has been showing me that He is enough.  Enough for everything I need. Enough for every hurt, every discouragement, every disappointment, and every single thing that comes my way that I think I can or cannot handle.  He is everything and more. He is enough!

So why do I look around for someone or something to meet that need in my life?  Is this just another area of growth for me and I have been resisting it like a spoiled child not wanting to give up that favorite toy?  When will I finally get to that place where I can honestly say to myself that Jesus is enough for me? When I do, will I immediately graduate to the next level of Christian living? Do I get the gold star or a new Bible showing some new spiritual growth in my life?   Ugh! Probably not!

In His Word Philippians 4:19 says, “My God will supply all my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Let’s make that personal.  He will meet all my needs in Christ because I am in Christ.  He is in me making Him enough. He meets all my needs.  He is enough. I have to admit I’ve actually searched the Bible for that word “enough” in order for Him to tell me He is “enough” from His Word. Really, every version! Like He doesn’t do that anyway?  There’s I Peter 5:7, “Cast all your cares (needs) on Him because He cares for you.” Isn’t that enough?

When I grow up and decide to quit chasing the things that will never meet my needs and begin to realize that Jesus is enough, I can lay all I have at His feet and rest in love because He truly is my “enough.” Is He enough for you?

GOD CHOOSES THE IMPERFECT

Like these people of the Bible, you aren't perfect either, but God chooses to work in your life anyway! 

THE TIN MAN by Tony Manley

I have always loved the movie “The Wizard of Oz”.  I love the characters, the trip, and the happy ever after for Dorothy when she wakes up safely at home in her bed.  I think the truth in the movie that each of the characters already possessed what they were seeking  from the Wizard of Oz  makes me want to ask them, “How are you missing this?”  The Tin Man had become stiff-necked in the forest and was in desperate need of oil in order to travel and ask for a heart from the Great Oz, yet he had a heart all along. (Personally, I think he was hindered by his own anger and 

unforgiveness toward the witch!)

In Nehemiah 9, the Israelite people are described as “stiff-necked” three times.  All three times, the reference was not dealing with any of the pain in the neck; it was dealing with a pain in their heart. The pain in the neck the Israelites were dealing with was pain brought on by rebellion and disobedience.

 

In Israel, when a farmer was plowing a field and the oxen decided plowing was over, the oxen would harden their neck.  Needless to say, the farmer’s work was disrupted and stopped.  Working with something or someone’s neck that is hardened (some translations use hardening of the neck as another way of saying stiff-necked) is difficult, tiring, and painful.  When one’s neck is stiff everything can be irritating!

I don’t hear the word stiff-necked used on a daily basis, but I do think we  reference this condition.  When dealing with a rebellious, disobedient, hard-hearted person (think self - my own heart can harden in the middle of God plowing His plan in me), the term stiff-necked could be verbalized…try using that on a person, “You stiff-necked ox!”  I am sure a good laugh or strange stare would follow!

Back to Oz. As the Tin Man continued on the road to Oz, he became more confident and comfortable using his already possessed heart, he didn’t need as much oil on his stiff neck.  Using his heart to love and help Dorothy and the others kept his neck pliable – he didn’t even have to think about his neck getting stiff because his heart became naturally soft!

I loved the field trip God took me on with the word stiff-necked.  I don’t want to be a hard neck ox or a stiff tin man waiting for someone to find me immobile needing oil. My desire is to keep a neck/heart so used that I naturally go the way of the Farmer or encourage all the others along the way of the Yellow Brick Road!

“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion, during the times of testing in the desert.” Hebrews 3:8

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”  
Ezekiel 36:26-27

GRAPE SALAD by Saundra Stroud

This recipe comes from another one of our very good cooks here at Broadway Baptist Church.  Tony Manley has made this for several functions.  I seriously could eat the whole bowl by myself.  This is one of the best salads I have ever eaten.

GRAPE SALAD by Tony Manley

8 oz. sour cream

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

½ cup granulated sugar 

1 tsp. vanilla

1 ½  lbs. red grapes

1 ½  lbs. green grapes

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup chopped pecans

1. Mix sour cream & cream cheese, sugar & vanilla.

2. Stir grapes into the mixture.

3. Combine brown sugar & pecans.

4. Stir 1/2  the sugar and pecan mixture into the salad.

5. Sprinkle the other half of the sugar and pecan mixture on top of the salad.

WORD FOR THE WEEK

You were running a good race.

Who cut in on you and 

kept you from obeying the truth?

Gal. 5:7

Have you been glued to the Olympics on TV for the past two weeks? I thought this verse might be appropriate for today. 

Keep your eyes on the finish. Don't let others determine your faith and trust in the Lord.

Forgetting what is behind and 

straining toward what is ahead, 

I press on toward the goal 

to win the prize for which 

God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 

Phil. 13-14

OLYMPIC FEVER by Tony Manley

As the Olympics have been going on, I have loved the stories of the journeys of the athletes and learning what all was required of them to “go for the gold.” The media is also reporting about the effect of the Olympics on young children as they now become dreamers of being the next Michael Phelps or Gabby Douglas. I have to admit, I have not moved to the level of wanting to go that far, but I do have such respect for the commitment and sacrifice of these athletes!

This past Sunday, my indwelling Friend, the Holy Spirit, began a conversation with me in my heart about my level of commitment and sacrifice I have currently and even the willingness to go further with Him. (Can you say “meddling?”) 

He began by drawing such a parallel in an Olympic athlete and the Christian’s life.  When a young person begins the process of training for the Olympics, the circumstances, training, and even the coaching are more of a fun or joyful type setting. Perhaps, this would be the stage of desiring more than dreaming or committing. The level of understanding experientially is not that deep!  (Experience is the key word.)  As the training gets more intense, the requirements and testing increase.  The coaching becomes more individualized, the diet is increasingly restrictive, and even the life of the athlete no longer belongs to himself.  Basically, the Olympian is not his own any longer. He belongs to another’s ways, thoughts, system…you get the picture!  The journey has changed considerably and many drop out, become injured, distracted, or decide the Olympic path is way too costly. (“If I had known this would be so hard or I would be expected to do this, I would not have signed on for the training.”)

By now, you may see where the Holy Spirit was taking me in my heart conversation with Him. The Christian life has certainly changed over the years as I have traveled and trained with the Lord! The ante has definitely been upped! The Coaching, distractions, diet, restrictions have intensified, and my heart has been changed from the night Christ came into my life! I had no idea where this relationship would take me when we began together, but I knew I was all in! It has been a thirty-five year relationship full of joy, fear, failure, rescue, forgiveness, do-overs, trusting, doubting, hope, peace, patience, surprises. Basically, He has been the faithful One, the steady One, the Leader of my life.  I can’t imagine taking me on as a new creature in Christ.  I am thankful my Coach did not and will not dismiss me when I am not as committed or faithful to Him and His ways as I should be. I do greatly desire to “finish the race marked out for me” and to hear “Well done my good and faithful servant, enter into your rest” when my spiritual Olympic life is over. But even as late as last night, I found myself and my Coach talking about the next level of training, and I was saying in my heart, “Please don’t ask me to do that or make me go there.” Not very Olympic!  But, once again, He is faithfully and patiently working with me to give me the courage and surrender of heart to obey and not fear.

 

This Olympic spiritual heart wants the gold, does not want to settle for “just getting there.” I want to hear the anthem “Victory in Jesus” played when I finish the race and come before the One who got me there.

I am so honored to represent Him as He sends me to participate daily in the events of this life. The closing ceremonies are looking more and more exciting! 

WHEN THE COMMON BECOMES SACRED by Vicki Taylor

I don’t remember when I got my copy of the book One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp, but I do know it has made an impact on how I look at things now. I began my “Gift” journal in January taking the dare from Ann, writing down what God gifts me daily. The joy dare, as she calls it, has been quite the experience and eye opener for me.  

The past two mornings she has talked about the common things God gives us each day. This caught my attention! What are the common things? And what does God consider common? I dug deeper to find out…

God did not consider the birds of the air common; according to Matthew 6, our Father feeds them and tends to their needs. He also tends to the lilies in the fields and enjoys their beauty. Common things? I think not.  

So when do the common things become sacred? When we look at these things through an eternal lens with an eternal perspective, and realize all things come from God. When we begin to see these gifts that He gives as love unwrapped, they become the sacred. Why did it take so long for me to see this? All those gifts I have been counting are not just gifts I can see; they are the sacredness of God handed down to me, His child, through His hand of love.  Sacred.  
For example:
1. The toast every morning that my husband makes me. (smile)
2. The finches at the bird feeder fighting for their place at the feeder.
3. The grandson’s smile when he hears my voice.
4. The flowers left all over the yard after the granddaughter picked them and left them there for me to find.
5. When He whispers my name and tells me this is all from Him to me, and I smile at the wonder of it all.

These are all the joy gifts Ann is talking about, and it only took me six months to open my spiritual eyes to see them. I smile as I am writing this, knowing God is gifting me right now and hoping you will also be encouraged by the sacredness of the gifts He gives. May we no longer look at the common things but seek to see His glory in the sacred things.  

HI-HO, HI-HO, IT'S OFF TO WORK WE GO by Tony Manley

“Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, It’s Off to Work We Go”..........I am now singing with the Seven Dwarfs as they embark on a new day!  For me, a new school year is fast approaching, and as always, I am a bundle of nerves and excitement!  A new group of students, which means a new group of parents that God has hand-picked for my heart!  These are the people He knows I need in my life during this school year to continue the process of conforming me into the image of Christ.  God is always after my heart, and I have no doubt He has some surprises along the way this year!

What are some of the “dreams” I have for these students and their families?   What are some of the expectations as a teacher I have for the students and families?  My dream is that all would know Christ and have a heart to be like Him (this is for my heart also!).  I dream for them to grow in their love of learning and in their ability to learn.  I dream they would love the others in their classes, at their lunch table, and on the playground.  I dream they would be honest and kind.  My expectations for them are to be submitted to and obedient to authority.  I have an expectation of excellence in their work.  (I have found that parents have the same dreams and expectations of me as their child’s teacher :)

So, with my heart racing and preparing for another year at school, may I suggest to any and all parents, aunts, grandparents, and others, some ways to pray for students and teachers this year?

1.     Pray for a teachable heart - a heart that will receive instruction in all areas of life.  We know scripture teaches that wisdom will come to a teachable heart.

2.    Pray for teachers to see the students and families as a ministry and gift from the Lord to impact for Christ and to be impacted by.  Pray for parents to see the teachers as a ministry and gift from the Lord to impact for Christ and to be impacted by.

3.    Pray for unity - unity in the classroom, lunchroom, hallways, playgrounds, athletic fields, parent discussions, and anywhere else that a heart can be tempted to be divisive. 

4.    Pray for excellence.  As a teacher, I want my ministry to be excellent “in season and out.”  As a parent, pray God will give you the courage to encourage and support excellence with your student.  God has gifted each of them and He knows what it will take to achieve His plan for their life. 

Prayer can change a lot, and I am convinced God wants to change me through prayer.  I pray you and yours will be blessed as you begin a new year wherever God has you!  He is faithful!

COLOSSAL CHOPPED SALAD by Brenda Riden

Brenda Riden, our resident Pampered Chef Consultant, always comes up with some great recipes. This one is perfect for these hot summer days when we don't want to heat up the house by turning on a hot oven. (I bet you could even add chopped chicken, pepperoni, or bacon if you have to have meat on it :)

Colossal Chopped Salad

1  package  (16 ounces) uncooked penne pasta

1  head romaine lettuce, thinly  sliced (about 6 cups)

1  small head broccoli, chopped (1  cup)

1  large carrot, cut into julienne strips (1/2  cup)

1/2  cup sliced red onion

2  plum tomatoes, sliced  and cut in half

1  can (3.25 ounces) pitted ripe olives, drained and  sliced

1/2  cup (2 ounces) grated fresh Parmesan  cheese

1  cup Italian or ranch salad  dressing


Directions:
1.  Cook pasta according to package  directions in Professional (8-qt.)
Stockpot; drain and rinse under cold running water using large Colander. Spoon pasta onto Large Platter.

2.   Meanwhile, thinly slice lettuce using Chef´s Knife. Chop broccoli using
Food  Chopper. Cut carrot into julienne strips using Julienne Peeler; cut
strips into  1-inch pieces using Paring Knife. Slice red onion and tomatoes using
Ultimate  Slice & Grate; cut tomato slices in half. Slice olives using Egg
Slicer  Plus(R).

3.  Top pasta with lettuce, broccoli, carrot, onion,  tomatoes and olives.
Grate Parmesan cheese over vegetables using Deluxe Cheese  Grater.

4.  Drizzle dressing over salad; toss using Bamboo Spatulas.  Serve
immediately.

Yield: 16 servings or 24 sample  servings



Nutrients per serving: (1 cup): Calories 200, Total Fat 10 g,  Saturated Fat
2 g, Cholesterol less than 5 mg, Carbohydrate 25 g, Protein 6 g,  Sodium 230
mg, Fiber 2 g



Shopping List:
1   package (16  ounces) uncooked penne pasta

1   head romaine  lettuce

1   small head broccoli

1   large  carrot

1   small red onion

2   plum  tomatoes

1   can (3.25 ounces) pitted ripe  olives

1   2-ounce block fresh Parmesan  cheese

1   cup Italian or ranch salad  dressing





Brenda Riden
Pampered Chef Consultant
www.pamperedchef.biz/brendariden