I like listening to big band music. It is one of my go to pandora music stations when I am cleaning. While cleaning on Wednesday, I began to think of the soldiers who served our country during WWII. My grandpas' generation. I am thankful and grateful for both my mom's dad and my dad's dad for serving in the navy and army. It can be too easy to romanticize different periods in history and focus on the good and the way life seemed "simpler." Life may have been "simpler" with less distractions, but it was not easy. I cannot even begin to fathom what these men and women experience while serving our country that impacts them for the rest of their lives. When my grandpas served and even when my dad served in Viet Nam, it was before the technology of email and instant messages. Family at home relied on snail mail to hear how their sons, brothers, husbands were doing. I have some of the letters my dad wrote to my grandma. It is hard to believe how young he was, 17. Hannah will be 17 in August. Some letters included dreams for the future or what he missed about home. I am sure there are certain foods and meals soldiers miss when they are away from home. What about you, what meals do you miss when you are away from home? What is one of your favorite meals from childhood, that meal you request when visiting home? One of my favorite dishes is homemade chicken and noodles served over mash potatoes. My mom would cook the whole chicken in the pressure cooker and then debone the chicken and use the chicken and broth to make the chicken and noodles. She would use those thick Amish style noodles. One of my jobs growing up was mashing the potatoes. First you empty the cooked potatoes into a bowl and then return the pan to the stove and add some milk so the milk warms. Begin to mash the potatoes adding a little milk at a time until the potatoes reach the desired consistency. Chicken and noodles with mash potatoes, comfort food at its best. Although my relatives did not give of their lives while serving, I am thankful for the sacrifices they made. May you and your family have a wonderful extended weekend not only enjoying those favorite meals, but remembering those who gave their lives for the freedoms we enjoy. Happy Memorial Day!
0 Comments
I must say I am taken with aprons. I like the different styles and fabrics. I appreciate how they protect your clothes while cooking, gardening or cleaning. I am all about doing less laundry :) and being more green and aprons help with this endeavor. A scripture passage came to mind this morning as I was thinking about the apron and all it can represent. It is the passage from the Last Super. "so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him...I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." John 13 Although the apron can be a fun fashion accessory, this morning it took on a new meaning for me. My apron is a symbol of the towel Jesus used to wash the feet of His disciples to demonstrate His service to them and His love for them. As I reach for my apron I will be inwardly taking off my right to myself and my selfish desires. I will be putting on a symbol of service motivated by a heart of love. A heart love first for my Savior and then for others. My small group is currently reading Engage, A Practical Guide to Evangelism. I have been personally challenged to look for more opportunities to share the Good News, to put on the apron. I don't think it is a mistake that my dining room and kitchen windows (two rooms in my house where I spend a majority of my time) look out onto our street and the homes of our neighbors. Jesus has been asking me, "How are you sharing my love with them?" This is a real challenge for me, the introvert that turns the other way when I see people coming my way. :) He is challenging me to get out of my comfort zone for Him, to put the apron on for Him. So I am putting the apron on and heading to my kitchen to do what I love best, bake. And then, I am heading out to serve in love just as He has done for me. |
AuthorI am a woman who loves everything about making a house a home. I enjoy meal planning, cooking, baking, sewing, crafting, and decorating. Not so much cleaning and laundry, but that goes along with caring for a home. I am blessed to be married to a pastor and we have had the privilege of raising two daughters. Archives
July 2021
Categories |