Thursday, October 27, 2011

Dandelions



I've loved dandelions since I was a child. Their bright cheery faces are always one of the first signs that spring is on it's way and the long winter is over. My aunts taught me how to weave dandelion chains


and taught me how to paint my chin yellow.


My grandma lovingly created beautiful bouquets (in my eyes) from handful after handful of my offerings.


My own children fought to be the one to present me with the first dandelion of spring.



Dandelions are most often ignored or attacked, not nurtured and pampered. Never-the-less they always bloom profusely.


They don't need any special attention to burst forth in riotous bloom; they appear in lawns, vacant lots, parking garages, gardens, and even between cracks in the sidewalk.


 They don't discriminate between rich or poor. Can you imagine trying to grow them in a garden? They’d sneak through the boundaries and pop their sunny yellow faces up in the surrounding lawn. They would never stay put!


We need to be more like dandelions. Our sunny yellow faces should be a reminder that simple faith has deep roots that are impossible to dislodge. A simple wish or a puff of air should be enough to spread our faith everywhere.


We should be as freely given as a dandelion is. As freely as Jesus offered Himself up for us.


 We need to get out of our gardens and jump across the boundaries that keep us where people expect to find us.


 We need to show our sunny yellow faces in all the spots that need a little brightening up – the hard places, the places where little else dares to go or grow.


A dandelion can't spread on it's own though. It needs that puff of wind, or a wish in order to multiply. But with that little puff there is no telling where the seeds of faith may spread!


Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Wednesday's Child 10/26/2011

We had the most inspiring experience today over on Our Compassion. The Compassion International child sponsorships frequently update on Tuesday nights. An Our Compassion member, Kay, made a journal entry about a child she noticed that she was concerned about. James was in her words "stick thin" and living with relatives. She asked for prayers that a sponsor would be found for him quickly. Over the course of the next several hours the Compassion community united in an effort to find James a sponsor. Another member posted his information on the Compassion International Facebook page. He then caught the attention of Theresa, who promptly sponsored him. In the meantime the whole Our Compassion Community was holding it's breath.

All of that story to tell you I learned a lesson today. You never know whose heart your words might touch, my job is to plant the seeds, raise awareness, and let God do the rest in peoples hearts. So I am hereby re-committing to my Tuesday-Wednesday-Saturday-whateverday posts. I will keep calling attention to those who break my heart so someone can give them hope for a better future! I may never know if it causes one child to be sponsored, but I will be tilling the ground in people's hearts, and maybe someday the seed will sprout and bear fruit!

Matthew 10:42
"And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."

In his home, Mohammod helps by running errands. He lives with his mother. His mother is sometimes employed as a laborer.

Mohammod is not presently attending school. Playing with friends is his favorite activity. He also attends church activities regularly.
Mohammod lives on the plains of Bichena, home to approximately 25,000 residents. Typical houses are constructed of dirt floors, mud walls and tin roofs. The primary ethnic group is Amhara and the most commonly spoken language is Amharic.

The regional diet consists of beans, bread, potatoes and teff (local grain). Common health problems in this area include tuberculosis, pneumonia, HIV/AIDS and waterborne diseases. Most adults work as day laborers and earn the equivalent of $9 per month. This community has electricity, water and telephone services but needs secondary schools, employment opportunities and vocational training centers.



Roshani, age 8, India
Roshani lives with her uncle. Her duties at home include gardening, caring for animals and cleaning. Her uncle is sometimes employed as a farmer.

As part of Compassion's ministry, Roshani participates in church activities. She is also in primary school where her performance is average. Hide-and-seek and playing group games are her favorite activities.
Roshani lives in the forested community of Bhils, home to approximately 800,000 residents. Typical houses are constructed of dirt floors, adobe walls and tile or thatch roofs. The primary ethnic group is Bhils and the most commonly spoken language is Bhili.

The regional diet consists of maize, beans, bread, rice and potatoes. Common health problems in this area include malaria and diarrhea. Most adults in Bhils are unemployed but some work as day laborers and earn the equivalent of $22 per month. This community needs improved sanitation and electricity, schools and income-generating activities.  

Della lives with her father and her mother. Her father is sometimes employed and her mother maintains the home. Della works at home running errands and cleaning. There are 2 children in the family.

For fun, Della enjoys art, playing with dolls and bicycling. She attends church activities and Bible class regularly and is in primary school where her performance is above average.
Della lives in the hillside community of Blondo Celong, home to approximately 700 residents. Typical houses are constructed of cement and have tile roofs. The primary ethnic group is Java and the most commonly spoken language is Javanese.
The regional diet consists of rice. Common health problems in this area include influenza and coughs. Most of the adults in Blondo Celong work as factory laborers and earn the equivalent of $56 per month. This community needs vocational training, scholastic materials and employment opportunities. 
Pierre makes his home with his father. Carrying water is his household duty. His father is sometimes employed as a church worker. There are 5 children in the family.

Soccer, singing and bicycling are Pierre's favorite activities. In primary school his performance is above average and he also regularly attends church activities.
Pierre lives in the community of Montrouis, home to approximately 32,000 residents. Typical houses are constructed of cement and have sheet metal roofs. The primary ethnic group and language is Creole.

The regional diet consists of bananas, guinea pig, fish, bread, beef, rice and vegetables. Common health problems in this area include coughs, fever and measles. Most adults in Montrouis are unemployed but some work as street vendors and earn the equivalent of $55 per month. This community needs secondary schools and employment opportunities.
n his home, Isaac helps by running errands. He lives with his mother. His mother is sometimes employed. There are 3 children in the family.

As part of Compassion's ministry, Isaac participates in church activities and Bible class. He is also in kindergarten where his performance is average. Soccer and running are his favorite activities.
saac lives in the coastal community of Abeadze Kyeakor, home to approximately 7,000 residents. Typical houses are constructed of dirt and have tin roofs. The primary ethnic group is Akan and the most commonly spoken language is Fante. 

The regional diet consists of maize, fish and cassava. A common health problem in this area is malaria. Most adults in Abeadze Kyeakor work as subsistent farmers and earn the equivalent of $3 per month. This community needs employment opportunities, text books, a library and proper sanitation. 
Resty lives with her mother. Her duties at home include caring for children and cleaning. There are 7 children in the family. Her mother maintains the home.

For fun, Resty enjoys playing with dolls, hide-and-seek and running. She attends church activities regularly and is in kindergarten where her performance is average.
Resty lives in the coastal community of Budaka, home to approximately 35,000 residents. Typical houses are constructed of dirt floors, mud walls and wood roofs. 

The regional diet consists of maize, beans, cassava, sweet potatoes, millet and sorghum. Common health problems in this area include malaria, worms, wounds, dental decay, malnutrition, eye defects, measles, epilepsy, diabetes and HIV/AIDS. Most adults work as farmers and earn the equivalent of $30 per month. This community has electricity but needs vocational training centers, scholastic materials, adult literacy programs and income-generating activities.

Mateus lives with his stepfather and his mother. He is responsible for running errands. His stepfather is sometimes employed as a laborer and his mother maintains the home. There are 2 children in the family.

As part of Compassion's ministry, Mateus participates in Bible class. He is also in kindergarten where his performance is average. Soccer, playing with cars and walking are his favorite activities.
Mateus lives on the plains of Lago da Pedra, home to approximately 47,000 residents. Typical houses are constructed of dirt floors, mud walls and tile roofs. The most commonly spoken language is Portuguese.

The regional diet consists of maize, bread, rice, beans and Cuxá (leafy green). Common health problems in this area include worms, malnutrition, tonsillitis, waterborne illnesses and kidney and skin diseases. Most adults in Lago da Pedra work as day laborers and earn the equivalent of $176 per month. This community needs clean water, garbage collection services and paved streets.
In his home, Djito helps by gathering firewood, gardening and washing clothes. He lives with his father and his mother. His father is sometimes employed and his mother is sometimes employed. There are 5 children in the family.

As part of Compassion's ministry, Djito participates in church activities and Bible class. He is also in primary school where his performance is above average. Soccer, playing with cars and playing with marbles are his favorite activities.
Typical houses are constructed of dirt floors, mud walls and tin or grass roofs. The primary ethnic group is Ouatchiand and the most commonly spoken language is Ouatchi. 

The regional diet consists of maize, beans, bananas, chicken, fish, bread, cassava, rice and potatoes. Common health problems in this area include malaria and worms. Half the adults in Tona kondji work as subsistent farmers or market traders and earn the equivalent of $11 per month. This community needs teachers and classrooms, a market, employment opportunities, potable water, proper sanitation and a hospital. 


Changing lives ONE child at a time

Monday, October 24, 2011

Pumpkin Streusel Pancakes

As soon as I saw this recipe from Two Peas and Their Pod for pumpkin-cinnamon-streusel-pancakes I knew I had to make them. Since I just so happened to have some pumpkin leftover from making  Tidy Mom's Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate (head over here to read my post about it,) it seemed like a great plan for a lovely fall morning. #1 Son was willing to come over and be my guinea pig. He's always willing to try something new.

First we round up the cast of characters for the streusel:

Ignore the vanilla, I seemed prone to adding ingredients to photos they didn't belong in today, the vanilla gets it's chance later.....
Cube the cold butter and add to the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Mix until coarse and crumbly. I always try to do this with a fork but always resort to using my fingers (after I wash of course!)
It should look something like this.

In a separate bowl mix together the dry ingredients:

Mix together the egg, pumpkin, milk, oil, and vanilla in a separate bowl. Add to dry ingredients:

This is where I started to get busy and forgot to take pictures until this:
Luckily these are so rich and sweet we had trouble finishing!

The next time I make this recipe, and there WILL be a next time, I think I will only sprinkle the streusel on the     cooked side of the pancake. Doing it on both sides was just a little too much sweet for me, and my sweet tooth is my favorite tooth. The pancakes would also be great all on their own if you don't want something quite so decadent!

Pumpkin Cinnamon Streusel Pancakes

Yield: Serves 4

ingredients:

For the cinnamon streusel:
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into chunks
To make the pancakes: 
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup milk
1/2 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
1 large egg
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

directions:

1. First, make the cinnamon streusel. In a medium bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter. Mix together with your hands or a fork, until you have a crumbly mixture. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flours, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together milk, egg, pumpkin, canola oil, and vanilla extract. Add wet ingredients to the flour mixture and whisk until combined.
4. Heat a griddle or pan to medium low. Coat with cooking spray. Drop 1/3 cup of batter onto heated skillet. Add 2 tablespoons of the cinnamon streusel. Cook on the first side until bubbles begin to form, about 2-3 minutes. Carefully flip pancake over and cover very generously with cinnamon streusel. Cook for another 2-3 minutes or until golden brown. Continue this process to make the rest of the pancakes.
5. Serve pancakes warm with maple syrup and butter.