Mom's Chicken Noodle Soup

Ingredients:

1 tbs. olive oil

3 celery ribs with green tops, thinly sliced

2 carrots, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced

1/4 cup coarsely chopped onion

1 (49-ounce) can reduced-sodium chicken broth

8 ounces chicken tenders, cut into 1-inch pieces

4 ounces (about 3 cups) wide egg noodles

2 tbs. finely chopped fresh parsley (or substitute dried parsley)

2 tsp. finely chopped fresh thyme (or substitute 1/2 tsp. dried thyme)

1/4 tsp. pepper, to taste

salt to taste

Directions:

Heat the oil in large pot over medium-high heat. Add celery, carrots, and onion; cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes or until the carrots are crisp tender and the onion is translucent but not browned.

Stir in the chicken broth. Cover and increase the heat to high. When the broth comes to a boil, stir in the remaining ingredients, except the salt. When the liquid returns to a boil, reduce the heat to medium; cover and cook for 8 minutes or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and the noodles are tender. Season with salt.

Makes 4 servings (8 cups)

Enjoy this soup as the weather gets colder! November is a great month to share recipes when we are planning to make our favorites for the Holiday's. Be sure to have yours included!

Treasures

My son, Sean, has a little white tote that contains what he calls his ,"treasures". His "treasures" are little toys that he has acquired from various places such as little cars, toys from McDonald's etc. To an adult, his little trinkets might seem far from anything we would consider precious but to his three-year-old heart they are really something.

This reminded me about a writing assignment I had in high school where the teacher had us write about a scenario he had created. In this scenario he had us imagine that our house was burning down and we had two minutes to grab something precious to us. We could only save one thing and we had to explain why we saved what we did, it's significance to us, and why we prized it above all of our other possessions, in effect, why it was our "treasure".

Most of my peers wrote down superficial things such as a favorite CD, love letters from a boyfriend or girlfriend, one student even chose the football that got the winning touchdown at one of his games. I do not remember what I chose and it probably holds no real significance to me now. However, I reflected on what I would save today if I had to write the same paper. I tried to think of something clever all day and couldn't come up with a single thing. In each stage of my life, I would have chosen different things but now instead of something being precious to me-- it's someone, my son.

Like any parent I would do anything for my child including sacrificing myself physically, emotionally, and financially. I have never felt this way about anyone before and for me it really puts God's love into perspective. Jesus must have been extremely precious to God, so for him to send his son to die for us...we all must be precious to him.
　
"For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life". John 3:16
　
Tina Burton

Upcoming Events for November

Monday, November 2 Baby Shower for Mariah Triggs at Bethel Assembly of God in the Mace building, room 109 at 6:30 pm. If you have any questions, contact Lisa Fraley at momsrgreat@comcast.net.

Tuesday, November 10 Topic Meeting- Meet at Bethel Assembly of God in the Mace building, rm 109 at our new time 9:45 am for a time of fellowship, prayer, and discussion! Childcare is provided.

Tuesday, November 24 Topic Meeting- Meet at Bethel Assembly of God in the Mace building, rm 109 at 9:45 am for a time of fellowship, prayer, and discussion! Childcare is provided.

Monday, November 30 Kick-off to Christmas with shopping at the Prime Outlets in Hagerstown, MD. Meet at Bethel Assembly of God at 6 pm to ride together in Bethel's van. Seating is limited, reserve your spot. Or join us directly at the Outlets at 6:30 pm in front of the food court. The expected departure time for the van is 9:30 pm to have you back to the church by 10 pm.

Testimony by Janine DiGiovanni

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6

Anyone that knows me knows that I have a problem with patience….my attitude is usually hurry up, gotta have it, give it to me now, oh never mind I will just do it myself! Sometimes I think I try this approach with God and he is slowly but surely teaching me that it doesn’t work that way in his kingdom.

This summer I came home during the hot spell we had and my house was 90 degrees. I called my friend who does heating and air-conditioning and he came over to give me the bad news. He could bypass the problem currently so that I could have cool air but I wouldn’t be able to turn on my heat without replacing the part. I immediately said “do it! How much could that little part cost”? He then regretfully told me that they no longer make this air-conditioning system and that if he can’t find the part left over somewhere I would have to replace everything to the tune of $4000. During this same time my husband’s car died and we had to purchase him another one to commute to Frederick. The morning we signed the loan papers I got the call that the part was nowhere to be found and that I would have to replace everything. My normal reaction would be to go ballistic and be emotional and rant about where the money was going to come from. I would normally have pulled out all of my banking records and got cracking on how I was going to pull this off!

For some reason the above verse “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Came to mind and I practiced something I am not sure if I have ever used before…..PATIENCE…..I relied on God that he was going to come through for me instead of the other way around. Later that month my brother-in-law Robert who is an electrician said maybe I could replace the parts inside of the motherboard if they are generic….when he pulled the board out he replaced what he had however he was pretty sure the computer chip was the problem and there was nothing he could do for me. Meanwhile we had the cold snap and my house was 50 degrees. For 6 days we were vagabonds going to my mom’s house and my mother-in-law’s house to keep warm. I was frustrated and frazzled with packing and moving and trying to keep my kids from falling apart at all the changes.

Then when we went to the young lives program last Thursday, Julia was listening to my story and said well we need to pray about this right now! She began to pray miracles over my heater along with Lisa and Kim. That following Monday my friend John came back to hook up the heater and to see if what Robert had replaced had done any good. No one really believed that it would work; in fact I had already packed my bag to stay the night somewhere else! The only thing I can say is that Philippians 4:6 kept playing over in my mind and I felt more peaceful than I had in a long time that things were going to be ok. The next thing I knew we had heat and we haven’t had any problems since! Each day that my house is warm I am reminded of God’s love, promises, and faithfulness in all aspects.

Janine DiGiovanni

Freedom from Fear and the Flu

Over the weekend I spent one evening at the emergency clinic of my child's pediatrician. The office was crammed full of parents and children with no room to even sit in a chair. Several kids came in with masks over their faces. After seeing the doctor we were told to be watchful the next few days because we have been "exposed" to the H1N1 flu virus. The same day the President announced a state of emergency for our country because of this virus. I continue to hear of cases in school, at church, and with friends. I am not comfortable allowing myself to live in fear and worry nor do I want my children living that way either. Maybe like me, you feel the same way.

When I begin to feel overwhelmed I open my Bible where God speaks personally to me (and to you). I need to refocus my mind and heart on what God says and not what I'm hearing or seeing around me. God wants us to live free from worry and fear even in difficult times. We have a God who loves us, provides for us, and protects us. God speaks to us in Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." In Isaiah 41:10, God says, "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

It also helps to read about real people like David in 1 Samuel who had a lot of reasons to be afraid but chose to live free from fear. David had lost his home, his friends, his wife, his job, and his security. However he wrote in Psalm 34:4, "I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears". If God can do that for David then surely He can do that for me and you!! If your feeling fearful or worried today encourage yourself in God's Word today by looking up the following verses: Psalm 23:4-5, Psalm 56:11, Romans 8:31, 35-39, Psalm 27:1-3, Psalm 91, and 2 Timothy 1:7. Then remember to "not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:4-7).

Blessings,
Lisa

First, Trust God!! Then live smart! Here is some good advice from Dr. Vanay Goyal found on
Shepherd University Website:http://www.shepherd.edu/safweb/health/index.shtm

For the prevention of "Regular & H1N1 Swine" Flu

The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is. While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of flu infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, here are some very simple steps you can follow:

1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications) .

2. "Hands-off-the- face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face.

3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tami flu has on an infected one.Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.

4. Clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water . By blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.
*Neti pot s and sinus rinse kits are available at the drug store and relatively inexpensive….under $15.

5. Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C(Amla and other citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.

6. Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

Pics from the Pumpkin Pizazz

Sitting at His Feet

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" "Martha Martha", the Lord answered "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her". Luke 10:38-42

In life there are many things we have to do. As moms, when our babies are small we have to make sure they are fed and rocked and that their diapers are changed and they are bathed. As they get older we help with homework, take them to school, soccer practice/games etc. Then there is the housework, laundry, grocery shopping and making dinner. Not to mention the many other commitments we may have, such as mom's group, church/functions and ministries. The list goes on and on. In the midst of all that we feel God tugging at our heart to pray, worship, read the Bible, witness to our neighbors, and use the gifts he gave us to serve him. This list can seem very overwhelming and if we do not prioritize correctly we can find ourselves neglecting the most important things.

Prayer for example is one of the most important things God calls us to do. It puts in perspective all of the other tasks we have especially our ministries. When we neglect to pray and spend time listening to God, we lose sight of why we are serving him. We often miss the important instructions we need to make our ministry successful. Also we are not giving him the thanks and praise he deserves for everything he is doing in our lives.

Business is a lame excuse for not praying. We are too busy not to pray. God knows how busy we are and the limitations we have, but he wants us to make him the top priority. We need to acknowledge that we can do nothing without him. When we do God takes care of the details. Martha's only thought was on her work and how Mary wasn't helping her. Even though she was serving Jesus, she didn't hear anything he said. Mary on the other hand was just in awe of the Savior, and at that time just wanted to sit at his feet and soak in all his words of wisdom. Jesus said Mary had chosen what was better and it would not be taken from her. Don't let excuses cause you to miss all that God has for you and everything he wants to do in you and through you. Jesus said that only one thing is needed. Will you choose the better thing the way that Mary did. Try sitting at his feet today and see the difference it makes in your life.

Kim Ratcliffe