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Meal Ministry Mondays- Suzanne’s Chicken Soup

Last week, I showed a little window into my meal ministry and asked if you have one also to please e-mail me! I was amazed at how many of you either had one already or were willing to start one. God is so good. 

I would like to introduce you to our Sister-In-Christ, Suzanne- I hope her story touches you like it did me…what a blessing she is. Not only does she have a heart for the Lord, but she also is gifted in the way of cooking! 

As I read this beautiful post she sent me, 
James 1:27 came into my mind “Religion that God, our father accepts as pure and faultless is this: To look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world” 

We are to help those souls who cannot help themselves and cannot return our favor. Out of love from the Lord we are to pour blessings upon them. This is what it is all about, my Friends….

Please open your hearts to my guest blogger today, Suzanne…

 Suzanne lives in New England on a little hobby farm she shares with her best friend and husband, Jim. They have five children and three precious grandchildren. The days are spent caring for animals, gardening, home schooling, knitting and wrangling a St. Bernard named Rupert and two corgis, Tasha and Bailey. God is good all of the time! 

Suzanne blogs at www.blueberrycottage.blogspot.com and loves all things blueberry
Please take a moment to visit her! 

Suzanne writes….
When I became a Christian over 25 years ago I was drawn right away to the church of food ministry.  You see, when I had a newborn and a three year old over 24 years ago, my then husband left and I became a single mom.  It was a devastating time for me and although I was lucky to have the support of family, things drastically changed in my life, as I knew it. When I had to return to work, getting sick was not an option, my children getting sick was dreaded, but sick we all got here and there. One time I had a terrible flu, the kind of flu where your bones ache so bad it takes all you’ve got to get out of bed. At the time I was newly saved and  I didn’t have a church family, but somehow this lovely older Christian woman, Roberta, got wind of my situation. This sweet lady rang my bell and I almost didn’t answer it, but my older daughter thought it may be her Nana so got pretty loud and excited. Whoever was at the door knew I was home now. When I opened the door, looking like death I am sure,  Roberta stood there with a huge picnic basket and a warm smile.  Her eyes were the kindest I had ever seen.  I was totally shocked, but invited her in and she emptied the wicker basket on my kitchen table. Out came 3 mason jars full of her homemade chicken soup, a loaf of fresh wheat bread, minted teas and honey, little butter cookies and a bundle of daffodils from her garden. Also inside, wrapped in pretty tissue, a devotional and lavender scented candle. I was so astonished at this lady’s generosity I didn’t know what to say. Tears, hot and salty streamed down my face, she hugged me and told me how special I was to Jesus. To say I felt absolutely cherished is an understatement. Roberta prayed with me, warmed up the soup and sat with my little girls while I ate. I have never forgotten her kind face, her gracious and loving spirit.


I have a special spot in my heart for the single mom and the elderly. My friends and church family know I love ministering to these two groups through food. The gift of a meal to a sick mama or ailing elderly lady or gent can mean the world to them.  Most times I bring the same type of food basket that Roberta brought to me. There really is nothing more healing or nourishing than a homemade chicken soup, fresh bread and tea and honey. I still include a devotional and either a candle or flowers.  Most sick or new mamas and elderly get an evening meal delivered, but not lunch. So my little “blessing baskets” are a luncheon treat. I do include plenty of soup if there are children .  I pack the soup in large mason jars so they don’t have to return any plastic containers. Bread and cookies I will wrap in parchment. I am always in search of baskets and  linens and find many vintage napkins and such in the thrift store quite cheap. I don’t spend a lot of money yet dress the basket up a bit with a few personal touches such as an embroidered napkin from the thrift store, a candle picked up at the dollar store. Devotionals I find marked down at the local Christian book shop or Barnes & Noble.


I have also taught my girls to minister to friends who are sick through these blessing baskets. We’ll pack their little friend the same food items, but include a CD of Bible stories or perhaps a Veggie Tales movie.   Walmart has these very inexpensively.  We’ve put a coloring book and crayons and puzzles into the baskets as well, again the dollar store has these.


My family also enjoys the meals I make. Many years ago I was at a home school conference and Susan Bradrick spoke on women ministering outside the home. Her words stuck to me like glue. She told us if we’re preparing a family a delicious ham dinner and our family is getting PB&J, there’s a problem. In ministering to others ,we cannot neglect our first ministry which is to our husband’s and children.


I would like to end with saying how refreshing it is to see young women like Janelle ministering in this way to those the Lord puts in her path.  The blessing of a meal is a balm to the soul of someone sick or hurting. A home cooked meal has the power to make a soul feel cherished and completely loved. Many of those we will bring a meal to may feel crushed in spirit, like no one cares, the gift of a meal ministers and blesses a  person’s spirit thus healing the body quicker, I believe.

“The human spirit can endure a sick body,
 but who can bear a crushed spirit?”
-Proverbs 18:14
An example of Suzanne’s gift…chicken noodle soup, tea, breadsticks, brownies, flowers and a devotional..beautiful.

And a basket to brighten a child’s day 🙂 

Suzanne’s Chicken Soup

1 3-4 lb whole chicken , use a rotissiere or bake 
with seasonings and a whole lemon pricked inside the cavity
1 bunch celery
1 lb carrots
2 large onion, one for the stock and one for the soup
6 cloves of garlic sliced
chicken bouillon cubes to taste
S&P to taste
One box of tubetinni or dittalini pasta (about 1/2 box)
Fresh parsley–about 1/2 cup chopped fine
*1 each can of College Inn broth roated garlic and lemon
(*if you can’t find the above substitute with an additional 2 cloves of crushed garlic and the juice of one lemon)
Parmesan cheese (optional)

Preparation
Debone the chicken and place the carcass in the pot with a few cloves of garlic, two whole carrots, two stalks, tops and all of celery, one roughly chopped onion and a bit of parsley. Gently boil for two hours then remove the veggies and strain the broth. Chop veggies and add to the pot with the rest of the ingredients except pasta and cook until done. Add the pasta and chicken you have removed from the bones and torn into chunks and simmer this until done and heated through. Garnish with a little fresh parmesan cheese and serve . Don’t forget if you can’t find the college Inn broths to add the juice of one lemon and a couple of garlic cloves put through a garlic press.

Suzanne, thank you for sharing your heart with all of us. I am truly inspired by what you are doing for the Lord. Our testimonies are so powerful when we use them to glorify our God. He is so faithful. 

Love to you!
Janelle 

Please e-mail me at JMNehrenz@me.com to be a guest blogger on Meal Ministry Mondays. I would love to show off your love for the Lord and His people! 

I am participating at Living Well Wednesdays!
For more inspiring stories please click on the button below.


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Meal Ministry Monday Welcomes: My Son

“Train up your child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
~Proverbs 22:6

I heard noises coming from the kitchen early this morning. “What time is it Hon?”, I asked my husband across the bed. ” Uhh..7″ he said in a very groggy voice. I had 15 mins until the alarm would go off then I would have to get my crew ready for church. I had a feeling the noise was just my oldest in the refrigerator helping himself to some cereal, so I sunk back into my pillow to get that extra 15 mins I “deserved”. About 5 mins later I heard my son running up the steps and into our room. “Mom! I have a surprise for you…come look!!!!” He was just so excited that I managed to get myself up (yes, before the alarm rang- haha) to find out what my surprise was...and would you look at this….

Breakfast “7 -year- old- style”
Placemats….
with all of our names 😉 
1/2 of a waffle, banana, and a Sprite for Mom and Dad. 
Grapes, a banana and some fruit punch for his sisters! 
Me and my little man… I was one proud Mama. 

Yes… I ate that cold frozen waffle, that not-quite-ripe banana…and traded in my coffee for a Sprite this morning. My son was moved to serve his family all on his own and nothing else mattered.
This is a small start, I know…but I have high hopes for this child of mine. It brought a tear to my eye that he may be watching me afterall…..


“Our children are watching us live, and what we are shouts louder than anything we can say”
 ~Wilfred A Paterson






Please e-mail me at JMNehrenz@me.com to be a guest blogger on Meal Ministry Mondays. I would love to show off your love for the Lord and His people! 
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Meal Ministry Monday Welcomes Lori! (Cooking Classes for Married Couples)

Hi Ladies! What an encouragement this “Meal Ministry” testimony is to me. I have a feeling you will love it has much as I do. Please help me welcome Lori…

Lori and her husband Kevin have been married for over 27 years and have 3 sons, Sean (26), Dave (24), and Jordan(20).


” As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
-Joshua 24:15


Here is the sweet letter I received from Lori a few days ago:

Hi Janelle,

Stacey contacted me to share with you about the cooking classes I have hosted in the past. 

When my husband and I were mentoring engaged couples at our church, we realized that many brides had little or no cooking experience. It seemed to me that the need, desire, or interest in cooking just was not being passed down from prior generations.

When I would talk to these young women I would ask them “what do you plan to do about meal time?” We also started to realize that there was a missed connection between meal time and family connections.

During a visit to Europe- I realized that have such a different attitude when it come to sharing  a meal together. Sadly, here in the states our attitude of nurturing ourselves and our family has become almost an inconvenience, to say the least. 

It became my prayer to help these young women and others to find the joy and creativity that can be found in cooking.

One evening, I ran into Brad, a friend from the past, who offers his love and talents of cooking as a ministry and does some catering for events. I approached him with my burden for these ladies and asked if he would be willing to demonstrate his cooking skills! I was praying to not only help others to not be intimated by the thought of following a recipe, but also to begin to enjoy preparing a nutritious meal for their families!  He did not hesitate to join me. So we began with 12 to 15 ladies gathering in my kitchen! 







Brad would choose a complete meal and I would make copies of the recipes for everyone to follow. It wasn’t long before they began to want to have a hands- on cooking experience. In some of the pictures you can see the fun in the participation. 


Soon we learned that some husbands had interest as well and a few of them joined us! (Especially when we did our grilling classes).


 We would meet once a month and we did this for two years.



I have had many of the women express to me that the classes helped them  become much more comfortable in the kitchen and helped them to realize the importance of preparing a meal for their families.


 I have always loved to cook and find it a wonderful way to extend love to those we care for. I have 3, now grown sons. Preparing meals for my family has always been a sure proof way of bringing everyone to the table each evening.  It has been an amazing way to keep that much needed connection with my family that can be so easily lost with our busy lives going in different directions.  It was always a joy for me to see their friends anxious to join us as well. My youngest is 20, and his friend John has gone away to college, but whenever John is in town I make it a point to make him a meatloaf. He says it is his favorite.


Your blog is a wonderful way to encourage and help families get “back to the table.” I believe that is a title of a book that emphasizes the importance of the connection that is gained when we come together around a lovely meal. The Europeans still do this . But many of us have seemingly lost this over the past couple of generations. I’m am realistic and realize this will not happen every evening, but it could become the goal.

I pray blessings as you continue this most important ministry.

Blessings, Lori


Dear Lori, 
Thank you so much for sharing your story with all of us. What an inspiration you are! I would absolutely love to do this very thing one day in my home. What a blessing you have been to these families, to your church, to your family and now to us! You are so right about how it isn’t just about eating..it is about togetherness. 
 May God bless you and keep you.
Love to you,
Janelle 






Please e-mail me at JMNehrenz@me.com to be a guest blogger on Meal Ministry Mondays. I would love to show off your love for the Lord and His people! 

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Signed, Sealed, DELIVERED, I’m YOURS! (my meal ministry testimony)

When I was 12 a neighbor invited me to church with her. I went up to an “alter call” and asked the Lord into my heart. I don’t think I completely knew the commitment I was making at the time…but I knew that the Lord wanted me and I certainly craved His love.

Throughout my teenage years I felt the Lord’s protection and the holy spirit’s convictions and managed to stay on a fairly straight path (praise you God!).  But little did I know I had SO much room for growth…I hadn’t grown at all spiritually. I was still that 12 year old little girl in a young woman’s body. After college, I started craving things of this world….

I wanted the degree…the husband….the high powered job…shnazy suits…the Mc mansion…the beautiful children…the fancy car…the spa treatment….success…the envy of my friends…I wanted it ALL.

And guess what? For the most part, God gave it all to me.

Then…..he took it all back for a while and humbled me in a very hard way….My husband lost his job for a year and a half during a hard economic time…bills, phone calls, embarrassment, pride crushed, ugh.

Why? Because as as Hebrews 12:6 says “Because the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son.” He wanted more for me than I wanted for myself. He wanted me to have true happiness that can only come from Him. 


It was during this time that I started growing in Christ. I decided to TRULY open my arms and say “Ok, I am done with this world, you are right God! Use me how YOU want to use me and help me excuse myself!!!”

That is when He spoke to me and told me to start cooking for a man with MS. I had a hard time understanding why God wanted me to give to someone when I had nothing extra. But, I submitted to this request….and there began my “meal ministry”. I cooked for Kevin for a year, visited him, and prayed for him….I remember him telling me (as he sat in his wheel chair)  “You don’t have to look very far to find a person who has it worse than you do.” God used this man to help ME while I thought I was helping him.

I got hooked….

“God, keep using me please!” I would pray at night. The more I served people the closer I felt to God. The more and more I submitted to His will on my life…the better my marriage got, our financial situation turned completely around, and my spiritual life grew leaps and bounds. God blessed me with a church family, friends, many ministry opportunities, and this blog!

What would I have done if I hadn’t given it to God? I would have continued to desire what only God could give me and would have accepted a subpar world to fulfill my needs.

People think I am crazy that not only do I not make money off of my ministry…it costs me money.  But, I am God’s and everything that I have is God’s…and it feels so good and freeing to live life this way. I don’t have to even the score…I just have to submit to Him!!!!

Me and my sweet hubby bringing in food for the church
Signed, Sealed, DELIVERED I’m Yours (His)!
Love to you, Janelle

Please e-mail me at JMNehrenz@me.com to be a guest blogger on Meal Ministry Mondays. I would love to show off your love for the Lord and His people! 

 

 

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Meal Ministry Monday Welcomes: Chef Bruno "Motel Kids"

A few months ago, Dawn, a reader of “Comfy in the Kitchen” brought this story to my attention. I was so touched and felt it very necessary to share it with you.

Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share” ~1 Timothy 6:18
“Making sure motel kids don’t go hungry”-CNN.com
Anaheim, California (CNN)

In the shadows of Disneyland, often referred to as the “happiest place on Earth,” many children are living a reality that’s far from carefree.
They are living in cheap motels more commonly associated with drug dealers, prostitutes and illicit affairs.
It’s the only option for many families that are struggling financially and can’t scrape together a deposit for an apartment. By living week to week in these cramped quarters, they stay one step ahead of homelessness.
Some people are stuck, they have no money. They need to live in that room,” said Bruno Serato, a local chef and restaurateur. “They’ve lost everything they have. They have no other chance. No choice.”
While “motel kids” are found across the United States, the situation is very common in Orange County, California, a wealthy community with high rents and a large number of old motels. In 2009, local authorities estimated that more than 1,000 families lived in these conditions.
When Serato learned that these children often go hungry, he began serving up assistance, one plate at a time. To date, he’s served more than 270,000 pasta dinners — for free — to those in need.
“Kids should not be suffering,” Serato said. “[I had] to do something.”
Serato, 55, has always given back to the community where he achieved his American dream. When the Italian immigrant arrived in the U.S. 30 years ago, his poor English skills forced him to settle for a job as a dishwasher. But within five years, he had become chef and owner of the Anaheim White House, an Italian restaurant that is now a local hot spot.
In 2003, he created Caterina’s Club, which raises money for underprivileged children. The charity is named after Serato’s mother, who taught him how to cook at the family’s trattoria in Verona, Italy. Video: Life of a ‘motel kid’
When she came to California in 2005 to visit her son, he took her to the local Boys & Girls Club, the main recipient of the charity’s funds. There, they saw a small boy eating a bag of potato chips and learned that this snack was his supper.
Bruno said his mother was shocked by the boy’s meager meal. She had raised seven children and always made sure food was on the dinner table, even during the lean years after World War II.
“My mama … her whole life was to feed kids,” he said.
The Seratos found out that the boy lived in a motel with his family. The situation was so common in the area that the Anaheim Boys & Girls Club had a “motel kids” program, where vans pick up the children after school and drop them off at the motels every night. While these children receive free breakfast and lunch through school programs, their parents often don’t have the resources to give them dinner.
Caterina found it unacceptable that the children would go to bed without supper. Speaking in rapid Italian, she made her feelings clear to her son.
“Mom said, ‘Bruno, you must feed them the pasta!’ ” Serato recalled.
When he discovered that this meant feeding around 70 children, he demurred. But his mother insisted. He went back to his restaurant and prepared 70 pasta dinners to serve at the club.
His mother helped him that first night, and Serato has maintained the ritual nearly every night for more than six years — even through the recession.
The economic downturn was a challenge, though. Serato lost 30% to 40% of his customers, and the number of children he fed each night more than doubled. He often found himself giving away more meals than he served in his restaurant, and he was forced to refinance his home to keep going. But Serato found that his work with the children helped sustain him, at least on a personal level.
“So many nights … it was not too many customers,” he said. “[To] know that I served 150 kids … it made me feel better.”
Today, Serato’s business has rebounded, and his program feeds nearly 200 children, in two locations, seven days a week. He also pays for drivers to transport the kids to the Boys & Girls Club, and he has purchased another van. All told, he estimates that the endeavor costs him around $2,000 a month.
Michael Baker, the executive director of the Anaheim Boys & Girls Club, says many of the “motel kids” he serves depend on Serato’s meals. He also relishes the irony of the situation.
“These are some of the poorest kids in Anaheim eating from one of the most exclusive restaurants every night,” he said. “I love that!”
Carlos Gomez, 12, has lived in a motel room with his family — a total of six people — for almost his entire life. He and his younger brother Anthony often eat Serato’s pasta, and his father, Martin, says it’s a relief to know that his children can get a free meal.
“I no longer worry as much, about them [coming home] and there being no food,” he said. “I know that they eat over there at [the] Boys & Girls Club.”
This spring, Serato plans to expand his program to an additional 100 kids a night, and he will partner with another organization to give 100 children three meals a day.
He is also calling on other restaurants around the country to work together to feed “motel kids.” He believes that providing just a few dinners a night could make a significant difference.
“Every restaurant in the country — Chinese, Indian, Mexican, French — let’s do it all together,” Serato said. “We would have no hungry children.”
Serato’s love for the children is clear, but he’s quick to give all of the credit to his beloved “mama” back in Italy. Although she suffers from Parkinson’s disease, he still talks to her via Skype every morning and believes that if she knew how their work has grown, she would be proud.
Although his mother made him start the work, he now says he could never stop helping the children.
“They’re customers,” he says with a smile. “My favorite customers.”





Chef Bruno, what a blessing you are to these children. I pray God gives you the means to provide meals for them for many years to come. I also pray that you are planting seeds in others to do the same

 

(perhaps even in the children you are feeding!) Also praying for the families and children who are struggling in your area. It brings me such a joy to know you are a vessel in answering prayers. WOW.
Love to you, Janelle










Please e-mail me at JMNehrenz@me.com to be a guest blogger on Meal Ministry Mondays. I would love to show off your love for the Lord and His people! 

I am participating at Living Well Wednesdays and Titus 2sdays!
For more inspiring stories please click on the button below.
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Care Packages for Soldiers


Happy Memorial Day Everyone. 

God Bless America and all of those who have served and are serving our country. God bless the families of those who gave their lives. Freedom is not free. Thank you is not enough. 
Love to you, Janelle 







A beautiful flag I saw on Lake Erie…


A special thank you to the people in my life who have been active or are currently serving in the military…



My brother-in- law Joey (Luna also pictured)



My husband’s cousin Tyler (Ashley and the girls are also pictured)


One of my closest friends Krista
(Who still makes fun of me for sending her Raid for the Camel Spider in her tent! lol.) 






Our friend George (his wife Christina and my baby girl is also pictured)


I LOVE this Man!

Sonya from “
Becoming a Strong Woman of God” is a military wife!




Our friend Mike (his wife Amy is also pictured)


Please consider sharing God’s love by sending a care package to a soldier you know. If you don’t know anyone in the military, there are many men and women who would appreciate your kindness! 

















The following websites will give you more information on how to send care packages. 


www.anysoldier.com








The USDA’s Meat and Poultry Hotline offers several tips for sending food gifts to overseas U.S. armed service members:
  • Dried beef or poultry such as beef jerky, turkey jerky or beef slims are safe to mail. Bacteria can’t grow in foods preserved by removing moisture.
  • Dehydrated soups and drink mixes are lightweight and safe to mail. Condiments such as hot sauce and Cajun seasonings in packets or unbreakable jars are useful for spice lovers.
  • Canned specialties such as corned beef, anchovies, shrimp, dips and cracker spreads make nice treats. Recipients should be cautioned not to use any cans that are damaged or swollen. Foods in glass containers should not be mailed because they can break.
  • Dense and dry baked goods such as fruit cakes and biscotti are good choices for mailing because they will not mold. Other suitable baked goods include commercially packaged cakes and cookies in airtight tins, dry cookies such as ginger snaps and specialty crackers.
  • When mailing sturdy cookies and homemade candies, wrap each piece individually and pack items in commercially popped corn, Styrofoam packing peanuts or foam to help cushion the trip. Place the food gifts in a sturdy box and seal it securely with packing tape.
  • Dried fruits such as raisins and apricots, canned nuts and fruit and commercially packaged trail mix need no refrigeration.
  • Hard candies and sturdy homemade sweets such as pralines and toffee are safe to mail because their high sugar content prevents bacterial growth.

If you don’t have the time to make a care package, why not order one to be sent? It would make a soldier’s day! This is an excellent website that actually makes “care packages” for soldiers! They have thought of it all. 



Exam Cram Care Package™ (5600)

www.gourmetgiftbaskets.com




Praying for our beloved country and those who have served.
Love to you, Janelle 


















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Meal Ministry Monday: Being "That" Mom

My son and two neighbors eating cookies on the deck

And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.             ~Mark 10:13-16 
       

                                                                    


My children and their friends eating popcicles.

Running through sprinklers, playing at the park, fishing, swimming, eating ice cream, laughing, playing, golfing, catching fireflies, vacationing, and biking…these are just a few things I can’t wait to do this Summer with my children…. I’m so excited for school to be out so I can have all of my ducklings in a row and at home with me. At ages 7, 5 and 2 years old I’m sure they will keep me running this year, but all the memories will be well worth all of the energy spent.

Since I can remember I’ve always wanted to be a mom….my life is my dream come true. Even more, I’ve always wanted  to be “that mom” and live in “that home” where other children want to come and play. The mom who bakes chocolate chip cookies and makes lemonade…the mom who loves all of the children deeply like Jesus did and does.

Being “that mom” is a meal ministry in itself….I can’t count how many batches of cookies I’ve made, gallons of kool aid I’ve served, and popcicles I’ve handed out. To be honest, It is actually my favorite ministry. It is such an honor to be part of a child’s life. I am so thankful to live in a neighborhood filled with sweet children, and have so many friends with children that I can help. What a blessing!

As Summer rolls around, I pray that you too will feel called to be “that mom” for all the children in your life….is truly is so special.

The neighbors and my son playing Star Wars in the yard.
My daughter and her friend making sundaes.
My children and more friends with “olive fingers”.
I took my friend’s little girl on a “Build a Bear” day trip with my girls! We had so much fun.
Of course, ice cream was a must!
My children with more friends! We all made cookies together…so sweet.
My friend’s little girl…we made cupcakes for her birthday!
Our next door neighbors came over for some rootbeer floats! I have had these little ones over for 6 years…wow, has time flown and how they have grown!


Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children. 

 ~Charles R. Swindoll







These memories are priceless….Thank you Lord for blessing me with my own children and allowing me to be a part of the lives of other children. 
Love to you,
Janelle 









Please e-mail me at JMNehrenz@me.com to be a guest blogger on Meal Ministry Mondays. I would love to show off your love for the Lord and His people! 

I am participating at Living Well Wednesdays and Titus 2sdays!
For more inspiring stories please click on the button below.
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Meal Ministry Monday Welcomes Lisa!

Please help me welcome our fellow Sister-in-Christ, Lisa! What an amazing life-song she sings…


Lisa and her daughter


I am a follower of Jesus Christ and know that without HIM, I am NOTHING. I live in the Pacific NW with my sweet hubby of 20 years, two very fun teenagers and our little dappled dachshund. I have always loved making things, but after I became a mom myself, I found that I enjoyed crafting gifts EVEN more. There is so much excitement in starting with a few details and bringing it all together…especially when textured paper and ribbon are involved! Growing up in Europe as the child of missionaries to the military, I watched my mom create amazing things with what she had. Most things were handmade. It is the skills I learned from her that I use in all my creative endeavors. I love making simple gifts that have a story, a memory or a special meaning. Recycling and repurposing as much as possible and finding a great bargain are on the list of my favorite things! Most of my days are filled with taking care of my family…avoiding laundry at all costs {except for laundry day which is my Mundane Monday!}, taking meals to people, entertaining and being extremely grateful to God for every day of life.

HOSPITALITY IS…a meal to go

Showing hospitality by taking meals to people when they are sick, have had surgery or just need a little extra tlc when life gets overwhelming can be such a JOY! Sometimes it is easy to become so focused on our own families that it becomes difficult to think of others around us who are in need of our encouragement and help.

There have been 
PLENTY of times in my life when I have been taken under the wings of others and have been shown mercy. It is still a blessing thinking back to so many times others have cared for me and for my family. I can’t help but to think of how it feels to be taken care of. It is one of the best feelings in the world! 

When I think of hospitality, I think of the root word “hospital”. So, I looked it up…just for fun. I know we are all familiar with what a hospital is, but my old 1963 edition of Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines it as follows: “a charitable institution for the needy, aged, infirm, or young, an institution where the sick or injured are given medical or surgical care.”

While we are most likely not giving medical or surgical care, taking a meal to someone is comforting beyond words and it is always appreciated and welcome. For those of you who may struggle having people in your homes, this is the perfect alternative for you! 

If your palms are starting to sweat, hold on. Showing hospitality to others does not mean fancy schmancy. It does not have to be homemade and it certainly does not have to be a complete meal…unless you signed up for it. If you did commit and are feeling like it is more than you bargained for, ask a friend to help. Maybe you can split the meal. 


What is the first thing you do after you commit to taking a dinner to someone? Do you start to stress and wish you would have 
never offered? Do you ask a friend to trade dates in hope that the recipient will no longer be in need when it rolls around to your turn? Anyway you look at it, it can be a daunting task, to not only need to fix your family dinner but somebody elses family as well!

I think my favorite binder is the “MEALS TO GO” binder. It has made taking meals to people so easy…and might I add…FUN! I am not even kidding! Taking the guess work out of what to prepare and take allows me to make quick decisions and spend a little extra time embellishing it. It is a great way to pamper people and I no longer feel like I am just doing crafts “to do” crafts, but it allows me to be a little creative while being able to share with those who are in need!

Here is what works for me, but I would love to hear what works for you. Others ideas are always welcome and appreciated!!! I think we all enjoy hearing how other people do things!

BINDER ORGANIZATION:

Label your binder

The first page has the list of meals I choose from…if your recepient loves something in particular that you are aware of it makes it even easier to decide!
Keep this list simple and doable. If it is a chicken from Costco, a loaf of bread, bag-o-salad and lemonade, write it down. If it is a box of cereal, milk and bread write it down. This has to be what works for YOU! If it is having a pizza delivered write the phone number down so that you can call and have it DELIVERED! Are we all on the same page? Onward we go!

Each Meal has a complete list of what I will be taking to make it a “meal”.

I would encourage you to come up with one menu for each season…start with one meal that will be a JOY to make! 



The next page has the recipes, so I am not spending all my time flippin’ through different binders trying to track down what I need to make dinner.




Have you ever thought about taking breakfast the evening before? This is AWESOME. You can deliver it in the evening after your evening has “settled” down and it might be a very welcome change for one VERY happy recipient. You may want to try it!

While we have been talking about “meals to go”, I wanted to make sure that I mentioned this: there are certainly seasons in our lives where helping others is easier than others. Showing hospitality is nurturing. It is showing you care. Simple as that.

A few of my favorite things I have received as a “bedridden Momma” are: {1}a little bag with a card, a peppermint plant and a box of tea, {2}a bottle of sparkling water and a fresh lemon, {3}a bag of epsom salts etc. Even a sleeve of Saltine crackers and 7 UP is something you could keep on hand to deliver when the need arises!

So, as we have all been given the gift of TODAY, I hope that you, too, will find JOY in showing hospitality in a very real way wheather it be a meal, a note or a cup of lemonade!

Happy May!



Lisa, thank you so very much for the amazing tips. Your packaging is so beautiful! It is such a blessing to know other women share the gifts of hospitality and mercy.  Love to you, Janelle 



Please click here to visit Lisa’s Blog at The Pearson Family Blogspot

Please e-mail me at JMNehrenz@me.com to be a guest blogger on Meal Ministry Mondays. I would love to show off your love for the Lord and His people! 


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Meal Ministry Welcomes Katina! Oatmeal Rasin Treats

Please help me welcome a very close friend of mine, Katina. She is a huge blessing in my life…we are in bible studies together, our children go to school together, we pray together, encourage one another, and have fun together!!!! Katina is so supportive of my meal ministry …I am so thankful for her.

In light of the “Reshaping it All” challenge, my sweet friend brought ingredients over to my home and made these delicious Oatmeal Rasin Treats for me. As I was watching her make them (which was so much fun), she shared with me her “food testimony”….I really felt it was a “God thing” hearing what she had to share. I immediately thought of my readers….that some of you may be going through this very thing right now (I won’t ruin it ….I will let her tell you).

I was so blessed to have her companionship that day…. I was the recipient of a “Meal Ministry”!!!!! Katina, I am so thankful for your friendship…(and your oatmeal rasin treats, lol).

Katina , her husband, and two sweet children.

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” -1 Corinithians 10:31

Such a sweet family!

Katina writes….

About fifteen years ago, I started feeling lightheaded and dizzy and was tired all the time. I went to a doctor regarding this and had all kinds of medical tests done. Everything came back normal, and the doctor told me basically that it was in my mind and that she could refer me to a psychologist. I knew that is not what I needed, so I continued to pray for guidance and wisdom. One day I was listening to a Christian radio program and a local doctor was talking about hidden food sensitivities. He stated that a lot of our physical ailments stem from the foods we eat. I was pretty much willing to try anything at this point since I had been having these symptoms for over seven months. I made an appointment with this doctor and he did some blood work, which revealed MANY food sensitivities. The main ones were sugar, dairy, & wheat….which was in everything I was eating!! I then began to educate myself in this area, and completely revamped my diet. I became a label reader and discovered how many different names are used for these foods. I also realized that anything that said ‘enriched’ or ‘hydrogenated’ stayed in me for days and made me feel a lot worse. I came up with many wonderful recipes…like these oatmeal raisin treats….that were not only healthy, but tasted great! It took about one month and then I started to feel AMAZING…and all my symptoms were gone! Praise God!! The doctor told me that I needed to keep these foods out of my diet for nine months, and then I could slowly start to reintroduce them back into my diet…but in moderation. But that’s the part that I’ve always struggled with….moderation. Growing up in an Italian family definitely does not help in that area lol! During most of my family gatherings we had lots and lots of food around us all the time. And this is what I thought was ‘normal’ for most of my life. I know how to eat healthy…..how to read ingredients….how to stay fit….however, I don’t have good self-control. For the next couple of months I am focusing on renewing my mind and spirit in this area. This recipe is great to have so that I can satisfy my sweet tooth in a healthy way. I hope it helps you as well! God Bless, Katina.

Oatmeal Rasin Treats
Oats, oat flour, canola oil, honey, rasins and cinnamon

Combine all ingredients

Place on a cookie sheet- is this not the greatest? Someone is cooking in my home and it isn’t me?! lol!

Heaping tablespoons

Bake for 10-15 mins until golden brown.

Yummm… they are a little more gooey than a typical cookie and ohhh, so good! 

Oatmeal Raisin Treats
(with NO sugar, dairy or wheat)
1 Cup of Oats ∙1 Cup of Oat Flour ∙ ½ Cup Canola Oil ∙ ¼ Cup Raw Honey 
 2 tsp Cinnamon ∙ ½ Cup Raisins
*Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Drop by spoonful onto cookie sheet. Bake for about 10-15 minutes. After removing from the oven, continue to let them sit on the cookie sheet to harden or you can eat them all gooey with a fork☺
Thank you so much Katina! It was awesome watching God work through you in my very home! I was so blessed to have your company last week…Love you!!!!
~Janelle 

Please e-mail me at JMNehrenz@me.com to be a guest blogger on Meal Ministry Mondays. I would love to show off your love for the Lord and His people! 


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Meal Ministry Monday- Your’s Truly and Lemon Berry Punch

Hi Ladies!

Twice a year I get the pleasure of making lunch for our church’s new member and guest luncheon. It is typically a pretty busy weekend for me and my family…I grocery shop for a ton of food, pile everything in my kitchen (it feels like Christmas!!!), cook the night before and the morning of and haul everything over to the church! Then, our Pastor is there to greet us with a crew of volunteers ready to help unload and set up. Call me crazy, but this is actually SO MUCH FUN for me!

Here is a sneak peak into my weekend. I wish I would have gotten more photos, but I was bussssyyy!!!

(I had 60 people to cook for today- we have had up to 120)

I made 2 of these huge salads. Lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, cucumbers, olives, and croutons.

I really like the containers at GFS…these are about $2 and have lids. I can also reuse them! 
My son “getting in on the action” crushing Heath bars for “Better than a Hug Cake”
My semi-homemade dressing. I like to use Good Seasons All Natural with olive oil, red wine vinegar, and sugar to taste.

Line em up!





My hubby, Pastor and friends!



My husband cutting “Better than a hug Cake”– I am VERY blessed to have such a supportive husband. I thank God for him every day.







Some things got a little “frozen” lol…long story. But it all worked out!!!! 






My son watching me make a simple lemonade punch









The lemonade takes on the color of the berries…pretty isn’t it? Very nice for Spring and Summer.
 (recipe below)


             The kids area had PB and J, chips, carrots, silly cookies and juice boxes

Meatball subs- I placed them in sauce in the crockpot until ready to serve. Then we sliced fresh hoagie buns and loaded them up while people were in line. 

Chicken Salad Croissants- These I prepared before we got to the church. 

Better Than a Hug Cake” in slices for easy serving. 

Pineapple Pretzel Fluff“- this is ALWAYS such a huge hit! Very easy and economical.

My Pastor, me and my dear friend Christina getting our picture taken by my son 🙂 
Menu
Chicken Salad on Croissants 
Meatballs Subs with Mozzarella 
Tossed Salad 
Chips/Dip
Berry Lemonade
Iced Tea
Water bottles
For Children:
PB&J
Carrots 
Chips/Dip
Juice Boxes
Lemon Berry Punch
Lemon Berry Punch
Servings (12)
1 container of Simply Lemonade 
1 bag frozen mixed berries 
Ice
Pour together and enjoy! 
This was SUCH a blessing for me to serve our church today in this way.  I am very grateful, honored, and humbled to be part of this amazing church. 
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fevor, 
serving the Lord”
~Romans 12:11 


Keep serving your families and others Ladies! 
Thanks for letting me share my day with you.
Love to you, Janelle 

Please e-mail me at JMNehrenz@me.com to be a guest blogger on Meal Ministry Mondays. I would love to show off your love for the Lord and His people! 



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"Sleep over Sisters" Meal Ministry Monday Welcomes Jen!

Hi Ladies, I hope you all had a wonderful Easter!


It is such a joy for me to post Meal Ministry Mondays …God has provided a testimony to share every week on this blog. As you know, I have no control over who e-mails me with a story and photos, it is all in the Lord’s hands. So, as long as God is working through you there will be this post on this topic each Monday! Thank you all so very much.


How amazing it is to learn the many different and unique ways there are to serve our Lord and serve others through this meal ministry. You have all taught me so much…I am very grateful. 


“Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” 
Proverbs 27:17



Please help me welcome our dear sister-in-Christ Jen.  Jen hosts a girl sleep over once a month called “Sleep Over Sisters”. During these fun sleep overs the girls get to do “hands on” activities for their community that help spread the Word and share God’s love with others! 


It makes my heart sing that these girls can enjoy in sweet fellowship at this young age. I pray that their passion for serving will grow as they do. I also pray their peers will take notice at how joyous it can be to serve…what an awesome age to learn this. 


 I don’t want to give her story away, so I will stop here….May Jen and these young girls keep their fire for the Lord burning bright!!!! 


What a blessing you are Jen! Keep serving the Lord and others!!


Here is Jen’s letter to me…



“We Were Not Saved To Sit”

Dear Janelle,

3 years ago I heard about a local sleep over ministry that intrigued me. Anyone who knows me knows how I am a fanatic about throwing birthday parties, so why not take this passion and give it a purpose. The more I prayed about it the more God revealed a straight path of His will, in encouraging these young ladies to grow deeper in their relationship with Christ. As moms of then 2nd and 3rd graders we were already fretting about middle school. At the same time our church had a burst of growth that left our children feeling like a number. Thankfully our church has since remedied the problem, but at first it was a call to action for us moms. God revealed a group of girls who already knew each other from church but attended everything from public school to homeschool. We wanted these girls to grow in Christ and accountability to each other. Every time I turned God revealed ideas, games, crafts, even ten perfect t-shirts to kick off our little group. We began with a devotional book the girls could do at home with their moms, but as we came together once a month for a sleep over, God gave me words, lessons and verses to guide these young minds. I am not a writer, always despised it in school, but writing this curriculum just flowed like it was coming from God himself.


We are now completing our third year, meeting once a month, and sending off our oldest girls to middle school. This past year we stepped it up preparing them for serving at church and in the community. Each month, as we dove into and dissected scripture (yes we moved on from devotionals to large passages of scripture), we served someone in the community. We made bread for homeless, packed food boxes, made blankets for children’s hospital, raked rocks preparing a large garden for fall, made spa products for an outreach program and most recently made dinner for our local police department. I had no idea how 12, 10-11 year olds would handle themselves in my kitchen making dinner. They were fantastic. We had stations to make sauce, cheese, stuff shells, make bread and gooey butter cake. It went so smooth, that we fit in our Bible lesson about carrying the name of Jesus to the world before delivering the dinner.



Earlier that day I called all the surrounding police departments asking if there was anyone we could specifically pray for by name, and to let them know we would be praying for their departments. I had no idea how this idea would be received. Surprisingly each department was so open and grateful for my phone call. We went to the station and as the dispatcher waved us into the lobby a 911 call came in about an accident. We had the opportunity to drop everything and pray for those in the accident and the officers and paramedics that were pulling out of the parking lot with lights and sirens. An officer came and showed us into the break room where we left the dinner and another call came in. As he left we prayed, for the department for all those by name other departments gave me and the girls, so they would grow to always respect the officers in authority. It was an amazing experience made possible only by God’s hand and perfect timing. I attached some pics. I hope you enjoy them.





~Jen with “Sleep over Sisters”

Thank you so very much, Jen, for sharing your meal ministry with us! You and your “girls” are a bright light!! What a blessing you are to your community. Girls, keep up the great work and let all your friends know how fun it can be to share God’s love!!!! 
What a wonderful story.
Love to you, Janelle 


Please e-mail me at JMNehrenz@me.com to be a guest blogger on Meal Ministry Mondays. I would love to show off your love for the Lord and His people! 



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Meal Ministry Monday Welcomes Welcomes Gina!


Please help me welcome our Sister-in-Christ, Gina. This “old lady” exemplifies DAILY what it means to be a Titus 2 woman. I am amazed at all she does for the Lord in this way. Oh, how I wish I could just sit indian style on her couch with some coffee and see what goes on in her home!

I simply cannot wait for you to read her testimony..


Gina and her husband 

“Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God”
Titus 2:3-5

I am a 47 year old Christ follower who desires to glorify and serve God in any way I can. I grew up in a Christian home and was introduced to Jesus at a very early age. At 20 years old I left home to attend Bible College in hopes of preparing for full-time ministry. I met my husband while I was in college and he was in seminary. We have been married for 22 years, and have been in some type of full time ministry for most of that time. We have two children: Brianna is 20 years old and a Jr. in college, and Caleb is 17 years old and will graduate this year from high school.

I have had a burden to find ways to encourage women since I was about 29 or 30! It has grown over the years as I found myself, at times, looking around for older women I could spend time with, and there were very few who were making themselves available. I would often read the passages about what we are supposed to be and do as women and read any book I could get my hands on that dealt with Titus 2, discipleship or mentoring. As a result of my praying and asking the Lord if there was anything more I could be doing to reach out, I felt led to start a blog. My vision was that I might be able to reach out to the women at the college, by writing and sharing Biblical truths. I had no idea that what God had in store for me would reach way beyond the campus where I live! I now have the privilege of writing and reaching out to a couple hundred women a day, through my blog and monthly at The Internet Cafe.

My husband is an ordained pastor, has a masters degree in sports medicine, and a masters in theology. I have a degree in Bible, and have been a stay at home mom for 20 years. God has combined these gifts and decided that our family would live life with college students. We live on a college campus where Brian is a faculty member and athletic director/trainer and we are both on staff. It has been a perfect fit for us! My first love and priority is being a wife and mother, keeping my home in order, and then living life with students, and serving anyone that happens to come to my door. Much, if not most of our ministry takes place in the kitchen! It includes serving alot of coffee and hot chocolate, fun and easy meals, and as many desserts as possible! College students regularly drop by our home to talk, do homework, relax, and EAT!


I jokingly refer to myself as “the old lady”. The title of my blog (Chats With An ‘Old Lady’) came from the fact that even though I am not really that “old”, because I live with 19-21 year olds, I am the “old lady” on campus. That, and the fact that I love the Titus 2 model and am learning how to be an “older woman”. Someone told me once that I am an “old lady wanna be”! I know they were joking, but I have to tell you that they are absolutely right! I am sensing such an urgency to “step up to the plate” and get involved in the lives of women as the Lord leads. I believe that now is the time! Things are getting worse. Satan is fighting hard. I want to be one that holds up the stop sign! To warn them. To point them in the right direction! And that is what my life revolves around.

God led me to Janelle’s blog, and I not only fell in love with the yummy, practical recipes, but I fell in love with Janelle and her heart to serve people from her kitchen. I guess I see her as a “kindred spirit”, since so much of what I do is from my own kitchen! I regularly consult Janelle’s blog for creative ideas for meals. She never lets me down!!!



Gina’s Daughter Brianna making my “Better than a Hug Cake”



We do have “regularly scheduled” planned events in our home for the students. One of them is “pancake night”-a night when we open our home from about 6-11:00 PM and I serve pancakes with all the toppings. The students love it and look forward to a time to take a break from studying. And of course the always love to eat! I love to have groups of girls in my home, and over the years have hosted “dorm meetings” here, a time for the girls in the dorm come over and have a meeting and then I serve them some fun, yummy snacks. But most of our ministry is relaxed and spontaneous. They know we are here and that they can come over for coffee or a meal, and they are always welcome. Many nights our couches and kitchen table are lined with students with laptops on their laps, playing on facebook and doing homework!

We also have the privilege of taking kids to the doctor, to the store, bringing them with us to church, and even get to take them to the ever important emergency McDonalds run! We get to travel with sports teams, have movie nights, and have even occasionally “kidnapped” a student or two and have taken them on vacation with us. I often tell people I love that I get to live the “college life” but without the studying!!!



I often feel very unqualified to be where I am at. Life is hard, and the issues that many young people face are huge as they are fighting the battle of the Christian life! They come from many different backgrounds, many of them being from broken homes. But God continually reminds me that all we are required to do is depend on Him, pray for wisdom, and then love, love, love the kids He brings to our door. We are trusting that as we attempt to do that, He will do His powerful work of sanctification in the lives of these precious students we have been called to serve! I am so thankful!

Please visit Gina over at “Chats with an Old Lady” Isn’t she fun? I ADORE how God works through her.




 


Gina, I can’t image the impact you have on the college students who pass through your doors. Your story brings a huge smile to my face and a joyfulness to my heart. I sincerely wish every young person had a mentor like you and your family…thank you for sharing your “life song” with us and for being a light for God. 
Love to you, Janelle 


Please e-mail me at JMNehrenz@me.com to be a guest blogger on Meal Ministry Mondays. I would love to show off your love for the Lord and His people! 



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Meal Ministry Monday Welcomes Welcomes Ann!

Please be so kind to welcome our fellow Sister and Christ, Ann (all the way from Australia)! She has been so kind to share a beautiful testimony of how we can give under any of life’s circumstances.


You will see how Ann’s story reminded me of my own…Could this be coincidence or a “God thing”? I will let you decide 🙂



Ann is a homeschool mother of seven children. She lives in Australia in a forest setting she calls her ‘Eight Acres of Eden’ where koalas live in the gum trees and the sub-tropical climate allows them to grow their own bananas.

  



Ann believes that homes, family and hospitality are inter-twined’. Hospitality is a way of life and is part of their Family Vision Statement. ‘Learning to serve others is what hospitality is all’ about says Ann. But it’s not just about learning how to set a table or cook a lavish meal. I don’t want hospitality to be a checklist or a process; I want my children to know that people are more important than the preparations and this is what we do together as a family – look after people.

Ann has been married for over 20 years and in that time, people from all walks of life have been welcomed into their home. There have been different ‘seasons of hospitality’ but the kitchen has always been a ‘base of operations’ for ministry to others. I am thrilled when I see my teenage daughter, says Ann, ‘ making one of her special desserts for the family and setting aside a portion to take across the road to our widowed neighbour.’


If you have a willing heart and say to God ‘Lord send us people’ – well you better be prepared! I prayed that prayer as a young married wife and God answered – not always in the way I had imagined and not always at times which were convenient for me!’


Tea and Honey Sandwiches’ is one of Ann’s real life stories and a lesson about hospitality and humility that took place in New Zealand where Ann lived until moving to Australia in 2002.


You can read more of Ann’s hospitality stories at her blog eightacresofeden.com where she shares about raising beautiful children in a beautiful place’ and all that she takes delight in as a Christian wife, mother and homemaker.

Please visit Ann at her blog Eight Acres of Eden


“As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins.“Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”-Luke 21:1-4


Tea and Honey Sandwiches: A Hospitality Story

‘Is it okay to wash hands?’ The young woman with a European accent and oil stained hands had come to the back door of the church building where the Sunday creche was in full swing. She had come to the right place for help that morning. A sink with hot water, a towel and meeting a young mother who just happened to be married to a mechanic. She explained their predicament. They had broken down right outside the church on their way north. They were in New Zealand as agricultural exchange students and today was their day off and they were traveling to the hot pools. They were too far from their farm to expect their hosts to come and rescue them. It was also a Sunday and many garages were closed.

I told her to wait for a moment and went back into church to find my husband. He was sitting in the middle of a row near the front and the Pastor had just commenced his sermon. Never mind, I was now on a mission to help these stranded Danes!

Husband found three Danish girls and one young American guy (another exchange student from the same farm) with their second hand car – an old Austin, funnily enough the guy’s name was Austin and we are fairly certain that he bought it for the name rather than its mechanical dependability! The car needed some work to get it back on the road and then the realization of what I had set in motion that day dawned. ‘I’ve offered to tow them home after church and fix their car and suggested they come for lunch.’ You have? But….’ Before I could respond, my husband had disappeared back into church with Austin who taken up the invitation of joining him for the rest of the service! I still try to imagine what it what have looked like had he taken the three Danish girls into the service instead!

On the trip home with our two year old son strapped in his car seat sharing the back seat with two friendly Danish girls my mind was fixed on what I was going to offer these people for lunch. It was not that I had forgotten to do the grocery shopping that week. We had not shopped for food because we had no money and the pantry was literally bare.

You see, I had taken a step of faith and given up my career to follow the desire that God had placed on my heart to be a full time stay at home mum. My second baby was due in just a few months. We had to leave the desirable seaside city we were living in as we could no longer afford the rents and my husband could not find work. We still owned a home in the North Island and had rented it out prior to my ‘career move’. At least we would have a roof over our heads and hopefully my husband would find work again in the small town we had left. The last of our savings were spent on the move home.

It was good to be home but we were now in a predicament. No job was forthcoming and we had found out that because I chose to leave my post there was no entitlement to any benefits for six weeks from the time of application. We had no income at all. I had already been in touch with the bank, the power and telephone companies as deadlines for payments approached. And now we had run out of food and my husband had invited home for lunch a bunch of overseas students!

I invited the students into our home and my husband and Austin began working on the broken down Austin! The girls seemed very happy to be in our home. They told us all about their time in New Zealand and about their lives in Denmark. To be truthful I was not taking it all in, I was so focused on what I could feed them with and no boy had strolled past recently with loaves and fishes! But God had brought these people to my doorstep and it was lunch time!

But the cupboard was not entirely bare. There was a loaf of sandwich bread and a jar of honey – a welcome home gift from a beekeeper friend. I knew it was there but I had thought I could not possibly just serve up bread and honey sandwiches to our guests. But this is what God laid on my heart to do. To use all that I had left to bless these strangers. We had tea and some milk left so I brewed a pot of tea to serve with the sandwiches. I made an apology for not having coffee or sugar but there was sweet honey available.

And do you know what happened? They absolutely loved the sandwiches and declared how wonderful it was to taste real New Zealand honey! They kept on thanking us for our kindness. My husband managed to get their car running again and when they offered to pay for the work and forward the money to us he turned it down. We were in desperate need of money but we knew that this was the right thing to do. They insisted on giving my little boy the lollies they had brought with them for their trip and showered him with sweets and lollipops. They were able to resume their journey and as they left ‘Thank you’ and ‘We will never forget you’ was ringing in our ears.

Sixteen years have passed and I have never forgotten the Danish students (and Austin the American) that we brought home that day. It was an important lesson in hospitality and humility. I learned that even when it seems we have nothing to offer that God still expects us to reach out and help others. That you do not need to cook a fancy meal or offer five different choices of special teas. That sometimes just a humble plate of honey sandwiches and a pot of hot tea served with love can minister to the people God places in your path. To give unconditionally and not expect any kind of reward.

The following week amazing things did start to happen. People at church began blessing us – bringing us groceries and I learned how to swallow my pride and just say thank you and allow God to work through His people to help us out in our time of need. We never went hungry and that jar of honey seemed to last an extraordinarily long amount of time. There was still honey in the jar when after a few weeks my husband found employment. I was feeling just a little bit like a certain widow in the Bible who fed Elijah with the last of her flour and oil. Do you remember that story. As a result of her willingness to use what she had, her son was raised back to life!

Since that time God has sent us many more people over the years. Friends, strangers and just last week Canadians! Some just came for tea or to spot koalas! Others shared in more substantial meals as God enabled and my kitchen abilities improved and for some we were able to offer significant help in their time of need and distress. I need to save those stories for other posts but our tea and honey hospitality experience is still one of my sweetest memories. I pray that it has encouraged you, especially if you are feeling that you do not have much to offer. A willing heart, an open home, sharing the talents that God has blessed you with and reaching out to those God places across your path. This is what hospitality is all about!

With Love and Joy,
Ann

I felt a connection with Ann’s testimony because it was during the time my husband lost his job (for 1 1/2 years) that God led me to my meal ministry. During that time I began cooking dinner twice a week for a man who had severe MS and lived alone. We had NO income, a new baby (#3), and an awful economy giving us little promise. God used this man to help ME…I got tremendous joy out of this ministry. For a few moments during the week I forgot all about our monetary stress and got to feel God work through me to help someone else. God is so amazing.



From the bottom of my heart, I thank you Ann.. Even though we are miles and miles away from one another, I feel so close to you because of our faith in Jesus. It is so beautiful to see how God has used you to serve others and your family! 
Love to you, Janelle

Please e-mail me at JMNehrenz@me.com to be a guest blogger on Meal Ministry Mondays. I would love to show off your love for the Lord and His people! 



I am participating at Living Well Wednesdays!
For more inspiring stories please click on the button below.


I am participating in Titus Tuesdays and 2 Tasty Tuesdays- Please check these wonderful sites out for more delicious recipes from fellow bloggers! YUM!

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Meal Ministry Monday Welcomes Mem! (Delicious Thai Spring Rolls)

Mem and me at her house for lunch after our ladies bible study
It is an absolute joy for me to introduce Mem Luton…my sister-in-Christ, valued friend, heart-felt bible study leader, encourager, and yes…fellow “foodie” (this girl can cook Thai food like no one else!). Mem is pure at heart, shares God’s love with everyone she meets, radiates joy, has a passion for life, and has the kindest smile. Her testimony is one of the most unique testimonies I have ever heard. When I ever feel “not prepared”, “not good enough” or insecure about anything I try to accomplish in my life, I think of Mem. I am reminded of all of the obstacles she has had to overcome living in a “foreign” country, how much she puts herself out there for the Lord dispite language barriers, how she had to get used to a completely different culture, and how she has had to lean on God for strength in so many ways. Did you catch that she is my bible study leader? Yes….incredible for someone who has only lived in the United States for 10 years and was born Buddhist. God is that good. I am so blessed to have this sweet woman in my life…I could go on for days about how much I love her but will let her take it from here…
She is “Comfy in her Kitchen!”
leading bible study at our church; “Stepping Up” by Beth Moore. 
Mem cooked a delicious Thai meal this year for our
 bible study over at Courtney’s house (www.womenlivingwell.org)
PERSONAL TESTIMONY
By: Mem Luton
“And whatsoever you do, do it heartily as unto the Lord and not unto men.”—Col. 3:23

Cooking is like an art for me. Although there’s a lot of hard work involved, it’s more than just rewarding, especially when I see people enjoying what I’ve prepared and wanting more. I never dreamed when I came to America ten years ago that I would be as heavily involved in cooking Thai food as I am now, nor that there would be as many people who like my cooking as has turned out to be the case. I began learning to cook “American style” after I got married, but experimented with new recipes I was coming up with for Thai food at the same time. (Fortunately, I have a family here who are always eager to be my willing guinea pigs). This is one of the reasons why it has been such a delight to know Janelle Nehrenz, with whom I have so much in common. She not only loves the Lord, but also enjoys cooking as much as I do. As a full-time housewife and a stay-at-home mother of four, I experience a great deal of fulfillment and satisfaction in life. Nevertheless, I have also found it very fulfilling to have people over for dinner and to minister to others out of my home.

I enjoy cooking, not only for my family, but also for my friends at church and at the school where my children attend. Since I became an American citizen, one of the things that I have come to love about this country is the fact that here I am free to still be who I am while being an American at the same time. Consequently, while being fiercely loyal to the United States and the American flag, I enjoy introducing people to what is best from my former life in Thailand as well. Most important of all, it has been my desire to model the new life I now have in Jesus Christ ever since the day I surrendered my life to Him before I left Thailand. Considering my Buddhist background, however, people often find it surprising to learn just how I became a Christian in the first place.

I was born the youngest of 7 children in a strong Buddhist family in southern Thailand. My father was the second richest man in the area, but I never saw those riches. By the time I was born, my father had lost everything. He and mother were separated before I was born, so one of my greatest desires was for a loving father and a happy family.

I almost died at birth because there was no doctor. My father just happened to be home that day and delivered me despite having no experience. When the local midwife discovered how badly he had performed the delivery, she said that both my mother and I were lucky to be alive. That would not be the only time I almost died.

Soon after I was born we lost our house, and my mother and I moved in with my grandmother who lived deep in the jungles of southern Thailand. We had no electricity or running water, and lived in very primitive conditions, but it was a lot of fun for me. I loved seeing the elephants, watching the monkeys in the trees, and being able to swim in the nearby river, but I always had to watch out for alligators. One time when I was 4, I was bitten by a cobra while walking through the jungle. My leg began swelling greatly and I began to fall into the “death sleep.” My brother ran as fast as he could with me in his arms to a village to get help but was told there was not much hope. Cobra bites are usually fatal, but somehow I recovered instantly. Some people said it was a miracle.

My great-grandmother belonged to royalty, but fell from grace when she married a commoner. Her daughter (my grandmother) continued to teach us to speak the cultured Thai dialect anyway, even though we were poor. She always took me to the temple and taught me in the ways of Buddha—that good deeds were important to atone for past sins and go to heaven. One day in the temple I saw several pictures of hell showing lost souls suffering in the fire and being tortured by demons. I was so terrified that I devoted myself to doing good deeds and being a good person so that I would not go there when I died.

When I was eight, my grandmother died. She had a servant’s heart, was deeply loved by all who knew her, and was very devoted to Buddha. Her funeral was very sad for me, because I had no way to know if she was in heaven. To add to our grief, someone cheated my mother out of the property my grandmother planned to give her. My father had left us nothing, and my grandmother’s death now left us penniless. Most of my brothers and sisters had moved to Bangkok to find work, so my mother and I moved there too.

In Bangkok, I determined to do my best in school so that I might somehow regain the riches and prestige that had once belonged to my family. I let people see only the bright side of my past and tried to hide our poverty. As a result, I became very skilled at lying, and would fight anyone who provoked me. I boasted about how rich my father was and about my great-grandmother’s famous royal name of “Nahtnakorn.”

I also became a thief. If there was something pretty in a store, “I came; I saw; I took.” I first stole a toy ring, but my conscience bothered me because of what my grandmother taught me. After a few days, however, my guilt feelings faded, and the next time I stole something, it was easier. One time I stole a pair of shoes in a Buddhist temple, but those pictures I had seen of people burning in hell so bothered me that I returned them. From then on I only stole “little” things—like money out of pay telephones. My soul felt unclean. I was happy-looking on the outside, but very unhappy on the inside. I had no assurance that I would ever go to heaven, because I just could not become the kind of “good person” that deserved to go there. Thai people believe that babies are born clean and develop bad behavior only because of outside influence. But no one had ever taught me to lie or steal. Yet these had become regular habits. I wondered if I could ever earn my way to heaven. Just how many good deeds would it take to atone for my sins?

Praying to Buddha brought no satisfaction for me, because our prayers were not even in the Thai language. I wondered, “If Buddha is God, why is he dead and if his idol is alive, why can’t he eat the food we place before him?” We continued making offerings to idols, but were terrified of demons and erected a spirit house for them to live in. We burned incense daily, but nothing seemed to take away our fear of them. I will only say that my family’s experience with demonic spirits has been real and terrifying.

To satisfy them once, my mother gave me away to her sister who was a practicing medium and conducted séances. I had become very sick, and my mother believed that the spirits wanted her to give me to my aunt to raise. It was only when I suddenly recovered that my mother changed her mind and took me back. God had miraculously showed up to save my life again—this time from a life in the occult. Little did I know at the time that on the other side of the world a woman was praying for me every day for 50 years—even before I was born—that God would protect me and that I would be saved. I would not discover this until many years later after I got married. 
This woman was Edna Luton, my mother-in-law.

My oldest sister was largely responsible for providing for the family. In the absence of a father, she imposed discipline, which we hated. We feared her and called her the “black witch.” Therefore, I was surprised when I came home one day and saw her showing love and telling the family about Jesus. An American missionary had told her about Jesus, and now she was telling us about Him. She said that, according to the Bible, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” but that God loved me, sent His perfect son to die on the cross for me, and wanted to become my Heavenly Father. Not having even seen my earthly father more than twice in my life, these words flooded my soul with hope and joy. She shared John 3:16 with me and told how Jesus paid my sin’s penalty and that I could invite Him into my heart through prayer. Without hesitation, I eagerly prayed asking Jesus to come into my life, forgive me, and give me eternal life. I had no reservation about leaving Buddhism to become a Christian or, as the Bible says, a child of God. And, best of all, it was all free!—not something I had to earn or work for. I knew then that I wanted to be a missionary and tell others about Jesus.

Unfortunately, I had little follow-up or discipleship for two years until I was 14 years old when an American school teacher was invited to help with the ministry. He not only taught us the importance of Lordship, but he showed us how to memorize and meditate on God’s Word, how to have a daily quiet time, and how to put the Word into practice. He continues today helping me grow as a Christian. He’s my husband—Bryan Luton.

Living the Christian life was fun for me. I was taken out of school to live in the ministry center, which my sister and brother-in-law had set up in our house, and I was constantly surrounded by short term missionaries from America who came to help with the ministry. When my brother-in-law and sister moved back to America, however, I felt devastated and alone. I was about to learn two very painful lessons—that we must walk by faith, not by sight, and that my worst enemy was my own pride, which resisted God’s grace.

Feeling very alone now, I decided to go back to school and complete my high school education. I began making many friends among unbelievers and, although I knew better, I began dating an unbeliever, thinking that I could win him to the Lord. I neglected God’s Word, because it was too convicting, and I stopped going to church. Instead of influencing my friends for Christ, they were influencing me. I was letting go of God, but God did not let go of me. Time after time, God protected me from destructive temptations because of His mercy and the prayers of His people.

Longing for the fellowship that I had once enjoyed with the Lord, I accepted an offer to enroll in a Bible training college. God “showed up” again and provided my expenses. I now spent most of my time in God’s Word. Verses I had memorized years earlier ministered to me again with a new freshness, especially Romans 8. Reading, meditating and applying this chapter marked the turning point in my Christian life: There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. I prayed a prayer of genuine repentance, and the joy of my salvation returned. I set Jesus apart as Lord of my life, and this time surrendered ownership rights of my life to Him. I began making restitution to those from whom I had stolen, and I began confessing and asking forgiveness of those to whom I had told lies. This also meant forgiving those who had wronged me, even if they don’t apologize. I was learning to be a doer of the word, not a forgetful hearer, and to walk by faith, not by sight.

I am far from what I once was, but I am also far from what I hope some day to be. God continues to expose my areas of weakness (and often uses my own children to do so). But because of the assurance I have from God’s Word, I have no fear of where I will spend eternity when I die. I have something now I always wanted but never had—a Father—a loving “Heavenly Father,” who is more than any earthly father could ever be. It’s also no longer important to me that my earthly father was rich, because my Heavenly Father has given me riches in Christ. It’s no longer important to me that my great-grandmother had belonged to royalty, because I am a child of the King of Kings. And I also have the joy of a stable family, not just my husband and children, but the family of God. I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live. Yet not I, but Christ lives in me.—Gal. 2:20

Mem has been so kind to share with us her very own Spring Roll recipe! You will never taste Spring Rolls better than these. I have to tell you Ladies this (I am giggling)…I was at the grocery store today and I brought with me Mem’s recipe. I was a little bewildered at some of the ingredients so I called her. She said “Janelle, why don’t you let me bring the ingredients over to your house…better yet, why don’t you let me stay and help you make them!?”So, sure enough an hour later we were at my house making this delicious recipe together! What sweet fellowship…I am one lucky girl to have such kind people in my life. So, here we are…


Mem’s Thai Spring Roll Recipe Adventure


Spring Roll wrappers are a bit thinner than wonton/egg roll wrappers- 
but you mayuse whatever you are able to find, Mem suggests this kind.

This is a sweet and sour dipping sauce -Mem pours it in a serving
 dish and adds a squeeze of lime juice to it…She purchases this at 
“World Market”If you cannot find this particular brand, you may use any 
sweet and sour sauce.

These are “bean threads” that Mem purchases at an Asian store.
 You may use rice noodles or bean spouts if you wish.

In a food processor, chop raw chicken- isn’t that interesting? I love it!

This is what it looks like…
Then she adds about a Tablespoon of soy sauce and 1 tsp of cajun 
powder to the chicken and lets it marinate while she prepares the other parts
 of the recipe

Just a simple Cajun seasoning you find anywhere

boil the noodles (or bean threads) until tender- this does not 
take long!

Mem with my daughter. They have a special bond 
(and both appreciate pretty shoes! lol).

chop carrots and green onion

Add about a Tablespoon of the green onion mixture to the chicken 
and mix it up

Then, in a wok heated on medium high with peanut oil add the 
chicken and the carrots, onions, and pre-chopped cabbage. Press down 
on the chicken with a spatula and stir…continue this pattern until cooked through.
Let the water out of the boiling noodles

Then add the noodles and additional Tbsp of soy sauce to the chicken mixture and 
stir well.

Take the Spring Roll wrappers out of the package and wet slightly
 with water

A quick video on how to roll up the Spring Rolls…

Cover in a damp cloth 

Roll em up! 
In the same wok (but cleaned out of course), I heat more peanut oil (appx 2 cups) on med-high to high heat and fry the Spring Rolls for about 1 1/2 mins per side until lightly golden. Then, place on a paper towel in a colander and let them dry before serving on serving dish.


Whala! Serve with a side of delicious sweet and sour dipping sauce.

You may also cut them at an angle for a smaller bite-sized portion

Mem’s Thai Spring Roll Recipe
(makes 24)

1 package of spring roll wraps
2 chicken breasts (processed/chopped raw)
1/2 cup diced carrots
1/2 cup pre-chopped cabbage (slaw)
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1 (2 oz) package of glass noodles (bean threads)
1 tsp cajun seasoning (or just cayenne)
2 Tbsp soy (separated)
2 1/4 cups peanut oil (1/4 cup to stir fry chicken; 2 cups to fry spring rolls)
(sweet and sour sauce/ juice of 1/2 a lime- for dipping)

Boil water in a small saucepan; add noodles, cook until tender, drain and cut up into 2 inch pieces. Chop carrots and green onions; set aside. Rinse raw chicken and place in food processor-chop well. Open processor and add 1 Tbsp of soy sauce, 1 tsp cajun seasoning, and 1 Tbsp of chopped carrots and green onions to raw chicken, stir. Heat wok and 1/4 cup oil on med-high. When hot, stir fry chicken, and all of the carrots, green onions and add additional Tbsp of soy sauce together. Press down on chicken with spatula, then stir…continue this motion until cooked through. Add noodles and stir.

Rolling
(see youtube video above)
Take spring roll pastry out of package sprinkle with water. Wet dish cloth with water and wrap pastry in it. Carefully peel one pastry at a time. Lay out one pastry and place a heaping tsp of chicken mixture at the bottom corner. Roll bottom corner over chicken mixture. Roll the right corner in, then left corner in, then roll up into finished. Do this until ingredients are gone.

Frying

Heat 2 cups oil in wok (or fry daddy) and place 4-6 spring rolls in at a time. Fry for appx 1 1/2 mins per side then flip over. Fry until lightly golden. Place paper towels in a colander, drain, and serve on serving platter.

Sauce

Mem suggests purchasing Mae Ploy sweet chili sauce from “World Market”, however any sweet and sour will do. She squeezes the juice of 1/2 a lime into about 1 cup of sauce.


Thank you Mem for sharing your testimony and delicious recipe with all of us! 
Love to you,
Janelle 


Questions for Mem? Please e-mail me at JMNehrenz@me.com and I will forward them to her! She is praying for you and is willing to help through her testimony! 

Please e-mail me at JMNehrenz@me.com to be a guest blogger on Meal Ministry Mondays. I would love to show off your love for the Lord and His people! 



I am participating at Living Well Wednesdays!
For more inspiring stories please click on the button below.


I am participating in Titus Tuesdays and 2 Tasty Tuesdays- Please check these wonderful sites out for more delicious recipes from fellow bloggers! YUM!

Beauty and Bedlam

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"Ministry Monday" Chocolate Chip Cookies for Jesus




“Ministry Monday” Chocolate Chip Cookies For Jesus


I have to be honest with you Ladies…when God called me to have a recipe blog I wondered when I could give Him the glory He so richly deserved. How could I fit the Lord Almighty in amongst Party Punch and Pot Roast?  I remember praying, “Dear God, there are other women out there who blog about marriage, missions, child rearing, YOU! Why then, do you want me to blog about recipes?!” Then, as faithful as he ALWAYS is…He made Himself known on my blog…ehh hem…His blog…. 
So, of course…I am crying with tears of joy as I introduce to you another Sister-In-Christ, Ingrid…please show her God’s love by offering her encouragement today! 


My Photo


Ingrid is a Christian wife and mother of 3 boys. God has placed her and her family in an inner-city home in Minnesota. She seeks to love and serve her neighbors and is outward in her faith by showing them Jesus’s work in action. In January 2011 she traveled to Ethiopia to meet more brothers and sisters in Christ (look at the amazing photos she took during her trip at www.12knotheel.blogspot.com). To see more of Ingrid’s ministry, visit reachinghiskids.blogspot.com!  



Here is one of the first letters I received from Ingrid…









Hi Janelle!
I don’t like to cook but I am getting better at it and enjoying my kitchen more because of you!!  Thanks!!  Despite not liking to cook I do enjoy baking.  I especially like to bake chocolate chip cookies.  I live in an inner-city neighborhood and we have been extrememly intentional at reaching out to our neighbors.  I am known as the chocolate chip cookie baker and it has opened doors to get to know the parents.  When the neighbor kids are over and I make cookies I always send some home to have them share with their parents.  I have seriously gotten to know more adults in the neighborhood because they love my cookies.  Kind of silly but it really has been a door opener for Jesus!  One funny story is of a teenage boy in the neighborhood who LOVES my cookies.  I have had him, more than once, knock on my door because he smelled the cookies from 3 houses way!  Sometimes I intentionally turn on the exhaust fan to put the smell out.  It has also become tradition for me to bake cookies for each of their birthdays, parents included.  It really is amazing how food speaks to the soul!

Keep those recipes coming!!

Love, Ingrid



“Noone can do everything, but everyone can do something…”
~author unknown


Ladies…can you think of a special “grown-up” in your childhood memories that made life more comforting simply by the food they served you?  For me, it was my Grandma’s spaghetti, Mom’s apple pie, and Aunt Patti’s Chicken Cordon Bleu! Ingrid is that “special someone” in her neighborhood.  Something so small like baking and giving chocolate chip cookies can mean so much to a child (and an adult) I am certain these children will always remember her kindness. 

Thank you Ingrid for spreading God’s love!!!! 

Here is her post…

I was inspired to do this post by Janelle over at Comfy in the Kitchen. Her blog is one of my favorites and has helped me so much with cooking. Recently, she asked her readers to share their stories of how they use food as ministry. I enjoy baking and particularily love to bake chocolate chip cookies! God has placed us in an inner-city neighborhood and for the past 13 years we have been striving to love our neighbors and show them who Jesus is by our actions and words. As our ministry has developed I believe that God has used countless chocolate chip cookies to touch the hearts of our neighbors for Him! We frequently open our home to kids who need a place to hang out, do homework, play, eat or just see life from a Christian perspective. Several kids come to our church and once every 4-6 weeks we invite them over for lunch. Lunch is usually simple but chocolate chip cookies are always freshly baked! I am amazed at how quickly a whole batch can be devoured! This past Sunday we had 12 kids over, ordered pizza, played some xbox and ate some cookies!

For years I have used the standard Nestle Toll House recipe but to honor Comfy in the Kitchen I decided to try Janelle’s chocolate chip cookie recipe and deliver a few to my neighbors today. First, I printed out the recipe with her handy-dandy print button located at the bottom of each post. Then I put it in my notebook where all my printed recipes are located. A good portion of those recipes are from Comfy in the Kitchen. 

(Comfy’s FIRST cookbook! Isn’t this so sweet? What a beautiful smile)
A few weeks ago, when my 9 year old was suffering from cabin fever (I live in Minnesota) and needed something to do, I asked him to make a cover for my notebook. 



  
Then I sent a text to Chuck. I have known this young man since he was 6. He is now 18 and 6’5″! He LOVES my cookies. For 9 years he lived 3 houses away. Whenever I baked cookies I would turn on the exhaust fan and before too long I would hear a knock at the door and Chuck would be standing there with a BIG grin, “You baking cookies?!”

Here’s a helpful hint: If you buy the 72 oz. bag from Costco or Sam’s Club you definitely save money!



Over the years my cookies have become famous in this little neighborhood. The past couple years I have baked a batch for everyone’s birthdays, even the parents. I believe that to best reach these kids for Jesus I need to also reach their parents. It takes time to build relationships and trust but when you do hearts are opened!
Finally, I delivered a bag of cookies to a dear family down the street. They have been our neighbors for 13 years. The kids are involved in our youth group, Awana program and attend on Sundays with us. This past year their mom started coming to a neighborhood evangelistic Bible study. I see God working in their lives and I know that He uses many things to touch hearts, including chocolate chip cookies!


Thank you so much again Ingrid …what a blessing and sweet inspiration you are! 
Please join me prayer over Ingrid, her family, and the families God wants her to touch! 
Love to you,
Janelle 



Please e-mail me at JMNehrenz@me.com to be a guest blogger on Meal Ministry Mondays. I would love to show off your love for the Lord and His people! 



I am participating at Living Well Wednesdays!
For more inspiring stories please click on the button below.


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