Summer Goodies

There are certain recipes that are staples in life--yet for some reason we only bring them out at certain times of the year.

For example...my family only makes sausage balls and chocolate covered peanuts at Chrismas....even though we all love them.

Now that summertime is here, I have pulled out another favorite.

Banana puddin'.

A while ago, Mark and I found a recipe for this that is delicious. I made some tonight for his work, and decided that I would share the recipe with you!

Banana Puddin'

Ingredients:

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk (only use 1/2 can)
  
• 1 (3.5 oz) package instant french vanilla pudding mix
• 1 (3.5 oz) package instant banana cream pudding mix
  
• 2cups cold milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 (16 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
• 6-8 bananas, sliced
• 1 (12 ounce) package vanilla wafers

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Beat in half a can of condensed milk, pudding mix, cold milk and vanilla until smooth. Fold in 1/4 of the whipped topping.
2. Line the sides and bottom of a 9x13 inch dish with vanilla wafers. Arrange sliced bananas evenly over wafers. Spread with pudding mixture. Add on another layer of sliced bananas. Top with remaining whipped topping and crushed vanilla wafers. Chill.
   

Where to begin?

We have been SO busy that I haven't had time to blog about anything! Instead of forcing you to read one really long post about all of that, I have made a few smaller posts (mostly for my "journaling memories" than for anything!)

Those posts are linked below....read if you please!

Summer Fun
Shop 'til you drop
All Aboard!
Here and There

Here and there

Between Ranger's games, shopping and VBS....we still managed to do a few more things here and there!

Mark's younger brother Paul graduated from high school!

Mark's been busy with work! He is doing great in his new job! He took this pic at a picnic he helped with! I also got to help him call Bingo one day!

We also got to go to my cousin's wedding last month! It was beautiful! (No pics yet b/c Mark was the photographer and he is editing them!)

I think the only other "big" thing is that we had a huge family garage sale to benefit my brother's trip! Hard work, but for a great cause!

All aboard!

Last week was VBS. One of my biggest weeks for the year!

I love getting everything ready, and seeing the kids have so much fun. It really is worth the lack of sleep/exhaustion I have felt this week!

15 kids were saved at VBS--which is what it is ALL about!

Here are just a few of the pics from the week!

Having fun in the Music Opera House!

Sorting name tags for FORTY four year olds!


Family Night!

Shop 'til you drop!

To add into our summer fun, we met up with my best friend/her hubby/her fam for a day of shopping in Canton!


While we were there, we saw an awful accident! A car hit a family of 4 that was walking across the street. Careflight had to be brought in for a little boy--it was heartbreaking to see.

And here's a little proof that I did indeed drop.

Fun In the Sun

Towards the beginning of summer, I treated Mark with surprise tickets to see a few of his favorite bands! This was before the rain storms hit! We still had a blast though!


We headed up to Arlington one night to catch a Yankees-Rangers game with some great friends! Tornados/lightening/hail hit the area, so the game was delayed until 9:30. We didn't get home till 1:30!
While there, we ran into my brother, who hooked us up with some awesome seats!

We also saw "The Mothership"

SROM

At ten thirty tomorrow morning, my baby brother will be getting on a plane. He will not fly back for over forty days. All that we will hear from him is a letter every ten days, and a daily email equipped with GPS tracking.

Why, you ask?

He is headed off to something that many boys would dream of. He will be taking part in SROM....solid rock outdoor ministry. Pretty much that means he will be in the wilderness for forty days (yes forty!!) and forty nights. They will do some extreme stuff, and spend alot of time growing closer to the Lord!

I am SOOO excited for him, and so glad he had this opportunity. There is a very specific 40 day prayer log that we will get to pray while he is gone. I am just so proud of the Godly young man he is becoming!

[Ok...I have to stop this post now before I get too sappy.] I will def. keep you updated on his journeys, and I ask you to keep his safety in your prayers!

Changed Hearts

I am exhausted.

But I would do it all over again tomorrow.

The smiles on their faces, the joy in their eyes, the sweet words coming from their mouths.

Most of all, the changed hearts.

FIFTEEN new Christians. FIFTEEN lives forever touched. And numerous more who are getting closer to realizing HIS truths.

And what excites me the most is knowing none of that was me. It was all because of our BIG God!

What a privilege that He would allow me to be apart of something so great.

Update!

WOW! We serve a BIG God!

So far this week, 10 kids have been saved! That's what it's all for!

Keep the prayers going! God's not through yet!

Prayin it up!

WOW! Day 1 of VBS was incredible! 117 kids came out for our first day! I am so excited to see what God has in store for this week.

I just wanted to hop on here and ask that you all be praying for a few things for VBS:
*Pray for each child, that their lives will be changed. Pray for their salvation. Pray for hearts and minds to be opened.
*Pray for the families of each of these children. Pray that they will be willing to bring them, and that the message the children are learning will find its way back to their families.
*Pray for Wednesday, as the gospel will be heavily presented. Also pray for Friday, when parents will hear the gospel.
*Pray for the volunteers. We have 40 four year olds in one class, and 32 1st-2nd graders! Those are some amazing teachers! Pray that they will have strength and patience, and that Christ will work through them each day!

Thanks so much for joining me in prayer! I'll try and keep you updated on how its going!

No time for titles!

Whew. It's been awhile! I wish I could say I had time to update about all that is going on, but this is one of my craziest times at work (and favorite too!).