Do you remember how you felt when you were a child and came home after a great week at camp or vacation? It was hard to contain your excitement about all you experienced, and in your childishness, you would tell anyone that would listen as you bubbled over about all the details! I wish you could come sit a spell on my porch with me, because that’s exactly how I feel about being in Alaska last week! I have so many wonderful things I would love to share and a ton of beautiful pictures to show. Since that’s not possible (unless you stop by for a visit), the next best thing is for me to share a few of my favorite things as I give you just a peek from my porch.

I have a guest writing today’s post; my sister Sharee.  In a message I received from her Monday morning, she shared what a blessing it had been to have visiting missionaries in their home during their church’s Missionary Conference.  When I heard her recount to me the joy she and her husband, Tim had received by being their hosts, I asked her if she would share about her experience on my blog; I knew it would encourage your heart. It goes right along with my husband’s message Sunday concerning the treasure that we each have – that of the Gospel – that we can share with others.   Read on and see for yourself how Tim and Sharee are spreading their treasure.

The painting and scarf here were gifts from the missionary to her hosts; how thoughtful!

Two weeks ago my husband and I were asked to host one of the six Missionary families that would be serving at our Missions Conference this week.  We quickly recalled the wonderful experience we had the last time a Missionary stayed with us and were eager to accept the invitation once again. 

We were told that our Missionary couple was about our age and empty nesters, as we are, and that they would be with us for six days and would be arriving after the Wednesday evening kick off service.  Earlier in the week I had freshened the guestroom with clean sheets, opened the window to fill it with the fall breeze, threw a cozy throw across the bed, and placed a tray on the dresser that held two bottled waters, a couple of magazines, a house key with our address, note pad and pen and a small box of fancy cookies.  All for the Missionaries to enjoy.

That Wednesday I thought everything was on schedule.  I had just enough time to bake a pumpkin cake and freshen up before leaving for the church service. Just about that time I received a call from one of our ministers that our missionaries had arrived in town much earlier and were in hopes of being able to settle in before church.  Immediately, the “Martha” came out in me and I was tempted to say no, I’m not prepared just yet.  When God spoke to me, reminding me to be “Mary” instead.  They weren’t here for cake or to see me dressed for church, they were here to share how God was using them in the Mission field and how we could pray for and assist them in their ministry. I agreed, set out apples I had just purchased at the orchard with caramel sauce, and quickly combed my hair.

Upon arrival they expressed their gratitude in having the opportunity to unpack, shower and rest before the service that evening.  From that minute on, I can’t tell you what a blessing their visit was for my husband and I.  You see, Missionaries are Christians just like anyone else that is saved.  They have a need for fellowship away from their mission field, a time to laugh, share, and be reminded that we care for them. If you’ve never ventured out to open your home to one, I encourage you to pray, “Lord why have you blessed me?”

By opening up their home to host these dear missionaries, they had a part in their ministry in Ecuador.  They didn’t fly across the world to a foreign land, or stand to preach a sermon, but by refreshing God’s servants, they were taking part in their effort to spread the treasure of the Gospel.

What can you do today or this week to help spread the Gospel and to make known the riches of salvation to those around you? 

With love,

A couple years ago I shared my story here about a disastrous meal I made for my husband on our first month anniversary.  Ever since then, I’ve been scared to death of any pasta dish that says, “Rolls” in the recipe title – that is until this weekend!  Yep, I did it.  I ventured into the world of Lasagna rolls and ricotta cheese!  Brave soul, huh?  Maybe dumb is a better word, but the recipe turned out to be a happy find.  

As I was flipping though the current Southern Living Magazine issue, I found a lightened up version of lasagna, in the form of a roll, and was intrigued.  I love lasagna, but honestly hate how fattening it is. This light version only has 190 calories per serving, and 5 grams of fat!  That’s really good, considering that traditional recipes are just under 400 calories and 14 grams of fat! This recipe had good reviews, and came from one of my favorite recipe sources, so I took the cooking plunge and made this for our dinner yesterday…even though we were also entertaining guests!  I’m shaking my head at myself as I write that!  I’m a glutton – not for food, but for punishment.  What can I say?

The recipe is simple to prepare and was tasty.  I think next time I’ll add a little salt to the cheese mixture, but otherwise, it was good.  My guests enjoyed it, and my family all had seconds.  Score!

Serving buffet style is simple and fuss-free!

So here’s what was cooking in the country yesterday:

Rolls-ups!  Good after all!

Instead of doing a typical tossed salad, I opted for a wedge of iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, bacon and blue cheese.  It was a nice change!

Lettuce Wedges

I’m not sure how I’ve missed posting about these little bread sticks until now; they’ve been a recipe I’ve used a million times when I need a quick bread.  They are crunchy and buttery and perfect with pasta!  This isn’t a great picture, but I neglected to get a shot of the bread basket!

Butter Dips
1/4 Cup butter
1 1/4 Cup flour
2 tsp sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2/3 cup milk
Heat oven to 400.  In square pan, melt butter in oven. Remove and set aside.
Stir dry ingredients in mixing bowl.  Add milk and stir until dough forms.  I found it best at this point to Set bowl aside for a few minutes while dough sets up.
Turn dough onto well-floured board.  Knead lightly about 10 times.  Cut into 1 inch strips.  Roll in melted butter and place in pan.  Bake about 20 minutes until golden and crispy.

I posted about this delicious Pumpkin Crunch Cake a few weeks ago.  If you haven’t tried it, you must!  I made it because time was limited Saturday night and I needed a dessert!  This thing whipped up literally in the same time it took for the oven to preheat!

Pumpkin Crunch Cake

We were blessed to have our visiting missionaries from the Philippines with us for Sunday dinner.  Having fellowship with guests makes any meal taste even better!  Who knows?  Even those awful Lasagna Broccoli Roll-ups I made 30 some years ago might have tasted good with sweet visitors.  On second thought, they wouldn’t taste good at any time with any one!  I’ll stick with my new recipe!  Hope you’ll try it too!

What was cooking in your kitchen this weekend?  Did you have any guests?

With love from my country kitchen,

It’s Thursday. How are you doing? Really. How are you? Exhausted? Overrun with tasks? Weary of all the “doing?” More than likely, one of those phrases define your life. That’s how women run…full steam ahead. We run until we drop.

The name of my blog – “Refresh Her” was also an emphasis in the one of the retreat sessions in Alaska – the need for refreshing yourself. We all need it. What are you doing to see that you get refreshed?

The greatest need is daily refreshment in the Word of God. I know I hammer this all the time, but that is because I’m constantly running into people who think they can get by with a little ditty – a verse on their daily flip desk calendar- a nice little thought to get them motivated. Wrong. We need daily infiltration of God’s Word. I trust that studying the bible is your daily habit. Without it, you are running on empty. No wonder you’re frustrated.

The next thing you can do to refresh yourself is get some exercise. Walk. Run. Bike. Play tennis. Move. It will do you more good than you know!

Another part to refreshment is fellowship with others. Go to lunch or coffee. Meet with others for a small group Bible study. Pray together. Encourage one another.

So, seek refreshment, if you’re not doing so already. It will make a difference in how you view the rest of your week!

What do you do to refresh yourself?

Be refreshed!

We fly home from Alaska/Seattle today!  I will be excited to share with you all that details of our trip!  Here’s a look at pictures of Ketchikan, where we visited:

Thanks for your prayers as we return home…to our country porch!

With love,