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)

 

Family Christmas looks Different than it Used to

Last week we had our big family Christmas (where my sister, her husband and I had the great privilege of giving Grandma and Grandpa a gift of purpose towards the Lifesong School in Zambia.  They LOVED it!)  

As we do every year, we gathered in a large circle to sing Christmas carols and open gifts.  Let me emphasize, right now, that I don't use the word "large" lightly.  This year's circle was made up of:

2 grandparents,

their 6 children including spouses,

18 grandchildren including their spouses,

39 great-grandchildren (plus one on the way),

and 2 great aunts (sisters of my grandpa).  

So yes, when I say large, I mean LARGE.

And here's the cool part.  As I looked around at those 39 little kiddos I saw 3 Guatamalans, 1 Chinese with Cerebral Palsy, and 3 bi-racial foster kids.  

I thought about how all 7 of these beautiful children could have gone through their lives not knowing real love... being labeled the foster kid, the girl with special needs, the orphan.

Instead their labels include Suhny-love and Laylee-lou.  Instead they are a part of a family Christmas where they can sing and laugh (and sometimes even get a good scolding or two), knowing full well that they are loved... a LOT.

I am so thankful to my grandparents for passing down a legacy of love towards our Heavenly Father, towards our family, and towards others.  I am so thankful that their son, my dad, decided 8 years ago to transfer his title from "business man" to "orphan advocate."  I am so thankful that Lifesong for Orphans has become what it has to not only my family, but other families too.  I am so thankful that my great God, my Daddy set the ultimate example of adoption when He adopted me!

I am so thankful that my family Christmas looks different than it used to.

How about our adoptive families out there... How has your Christmas changed since adoption became a part of your story?

 

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.)

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!