Tasty Thursday Treats # 2: Office Party

Today was our office Christmas party.  We sang a couple Christmas songs, gave a few toasts, had some grand conversations, and ate lot's of yummy foods, 3 of which were recipes straight out of the Taste of Heaven cookbook... hence today's

 

Our 3 treats are

1) Stuffed Mushrooms and 2) Turtle Pretzel Bites made by yours truly.

and  3) Party Cocktail Meatballs made by Christi.

Unfortunately I have no documentation of Christi making the meatballs, but did get the blessed task of eating some... tasty!

As for my two creations, I was in a bit of a rush, but was able to complete both recipes in just under an hour and leave my mother's house (it's closer to work than mine, and like I said, I was in a rush... plus, she has wax paper and I sadly do not) to get to the Christmas party in the nick of time.  phew!

The mushrooms and bites were a success, along with all the other wonderful treats that everyone brought (including crab rangoon dip and cheesecake).  Mmmmm... Nothing spells Christmas quite like tables full of deliciousness!

See for yourself:

Lifesong Christmas Party from Lifesong for Orphans on Vimeo.

And now that that's over, I'm contemplating a post-Christmas-party-food-eatin' nap!  (after I get my work done, of course)

 

Christmas is a Coming!

10-11 Gifts of Purpose from Lifesong for Orphans on Vimeo.

Hey all!

There's still time to purchase a gift of purpose before Christmas! (click here to go to the online catalog)

And as I think about this year's gift catalog, I'm reminded of the Taste of Heaven Cookbook.  As I'm reminded

of the cookbook, I can't help but get excited for this weeks...

And the most exciting thing about Thursday is that we're having our office Christmas party... which means, you'll get to find out about not 1... not 2... 

but 3 recipes!

And in the spirit of Christmas I think we might just leave these as a surprise (i love Christmas surprises).

What kinds of goodies do you enjoy making for the yearly Christmas events you attend?

Happenings in a Land I'm Missing Today...

Here’s update from Lifesong Ukraine director, Denis Poshelok:

Recently we received many warm scarves and hats for our children at Loubetin Orphanage.  Each scarf and hat was handmade by a group of women from Alabama.  It's getting cold here in Kharkov and these items are a great necessity.  Praise the Lord we now have enough scarves for every child we work with!  Thank you to everyone involved in this work!

A couple months ago we had three additional kids come to our families in Izume.  Two came to Slavik and Natasha (making their total 10 children) and one more came to Voval and Sveyta (giving them 11 in their family).  Three weeks later new furniture (beds, wardrobes, shelves) for Slavik and Natasha's home arrived.  It is good furniture built by our old friend Vladim and is made out of sold wood and veneer.  Kids are so happy to use new beds and mattresses.

Good things are happening in Izume.  As always, we thank our Father for everyone who supports the work at Izume and all of Lifesong Ukraine!"

Last year I got to visit the families in Izume.  Let me tell, you, they are some amazing people.  Slavik and Natasha were in the middle of dealing with 3 children in the hospital with TB and yet Christ still radiated in their lives, even in the midst of great struggle.  My heart is warmed by when I think of them now bringing more children into their home.  So cool!

Thank you, Lifesong staff in Ukraine!  I love and miss you all!  

and maybe I'll see you in 2011... (wink wink, boss.)

Tasty Thursday Treats # 1: Baked Custard

It's time for...

And the "Taste of Heaven" dessert recipe chosen for our very first edition is Baked Custard!

Let's see how it went:

Tasty Treats #1 (baked custard) from Lifesong for Orphans on Vimeo.

Check out more great recipes in...

On another note, this Christmas we want to share the faces of Lifesong.  So if you are one of our adoptive families, we'd love to receive a Christmas card from you!  On Christmas Day we'll post a collage of all the families (or as many as we can get) we've been able to help.  (all names will be removed for those who wish to remain anonymous on the web)

You can either send your cards to our office at PO Box 40 or 202 N. Ford St, Gridley, IL  61744 or email them to info@lifesongfororphans.org 

Merry Christmas!

 

Liberia

Here's an update from our Lifesong Liberia director, Bishop Emmanuel Jones:

Our newest school in Marshall is progressing smoothly with 84 students and 5 teachers.  This school is the first and only school in the Marshall community (of over 10,000 people) and presently runs from ABC to Grade 3.  There are over 50 children from the community who are attending school for the first time in their lives. 
We have also formed a parent-teacher committee to help us get more involved with the community and to do evangelism as well as creating an opportunity for community transformation.

Our second distribution of relief materials, which was shipped by Lifesong, took place over the Liberian Thanksgiving weekend.  Each of the children received a bag for their clothing, a blanket, 3 sets of clothing, a pair of slippers, and a camper cup. More distributions will take place this month at hospitals and old folks’ homes by the orphans as a way of learning how to share their blessings with others.

Lifesong Liberia celebrated its 1st anniversary this month.  Our schools held an All Schools Day which brought together all of our schools on November 22 as part of a celebration.  We were blessed with special guests from America, Andy Lehman and liaisons, Keith and Kay Knapp. 

Life at the orphanages is much better than a year ago but daily problems are always abounding.  We are able in a small way to make beauty out of ashes.

 

Have a great tuesday, everyone!