My husband is currently serving in Haiti along side 8 others from our church community. His being away has really increased my prayer life and missional outlook. I may not be called to the mission field in Haiti this time around, but I am called to be faithful at home. God has really opened my eyes in the past few days to the fact that I have a huge mission daily which is raising my children, providing for my children, and loving my children, according to the grace and mercies and endless love that He has given to me and is teaching me about.
My mission today was fresh pizza sauce for the winter. I had the pleasure yesterday to visit our local farmers market where I was blessed by some yummy finds. I was able to purchase for 6 dollars 23 Roma Tomatoes that along with my fresh basil, and garlic yielded 7.5 cups of pizza sauce. Last summer was the first time I worked with tomatoes aside from putting them in my salads. (I am still new to this domestic mothering thing). Pizza sauce was one recipe I attempted last summer and loved. Although sadly I only made enough for one pizza last year. So naturally this summer I am stocking up my freezer. The process is fairly easy but there are some tricks to the trade that I have learned. #1 Place your tomatoes in boiling water for a few minutes and the skins peel right off, #2 I remove the seeds the sauce cooks down faster and it is less watery, and #3 who has time for chopping basil by hand? Eh just place it all in the food processor and before you can blink its blended and chopped for you! My short attention span thanks you... the inventor of the food processor!
My other missions today involved my littles! Julia is 2 and busy as can be! I am still trying to figure out how to keep my house clean, prepare foods in advance, feed her the basic meals of the day, and play with her... and oh yes, how can I forget my precious Jonah 2 months old... nursing him, playing with him, soothing him and changing the countless diapers a day. When I write it all out I simply shake my head and say out loud I cant! But instead of thinking about the can'ts of my day and there are many I am thinking about the cans... the most important is I can enjoy every minute of being with my children. It is a missional mindset. To give thanks in all circumstances from the cheerios spilled on the floor, the dirty diapers, the melt downs when it is time to come in, ect... I need to change my thinking and remember that everything is new to the kids, that throwing food on the floor is fun, that crying is natural when you are torn away from something you love... Those tough moments that sometimes cause me to stop and breath are also the moments where I can demonstrate Christ's love to them, the sacrifice, and the patience. I am so far from being the cool and collected mommy all the time but I know that with Christ I can be a wonderful example to Julia and Jonah and that we will grow together in this mission called Family.
There will be more to come but now I need to get some rest so I can provide for my family the best of my abilities.
God be with Justin and the mission team. May they learn from you, hear from you, and share your love with those around them. Give them strength to endure the climate changes help them to be joyful and radiate your goodness. Father give us a productive day around the house tomorrow, may I serve you well tomorrow.
My mission today was fresh pizza sauce for the winter. I had the pleasure yesterday to visit our local farmers market where I was blessed by some yummy finds. I was able to purchase for 6 dollars 23 Roma Tomatoes that along with my fresh basil, and garlic yielded 7.5 cups of pizza sauce. Last summer was the first time I worked with tomatoes aside from putting them in my salads. (I am still new to this domestic mothering thing). Pizza sauce was one recipe I attempted last summer and loved. Although sadly I only made enough for one pizza last year. So naturally this summer I am stocking up my freezer. The process is fairly easy but there are some tricks to the trade that I have learned. #1 Place your tomatoes in boiling water for a few minutes and the skins peel right off, #2 I remove the seeds the sauce cooks down faster and it is less watery, and #3 who has time for chopping basil by hand? Eh just place it all in the food processor and before you can blink its blended and chopped for you! My short attention span thanks you... the inventor of the food processor!
My other missions today involved my littles! Julia is 2 and busy as can be! I am still trying to figure out how to keep my house clean, prepare foods in advance, feed her the basic meals of the day, and play with her... and oh yes, how can I forget my precious Jonah 2 months old... nursing him, playing with him, soothing him and changing the countless diapers a day. When I write it all out I simply shake my head and say out loud I cant! But instead of thinking about the can'ts of my day and there are many I am thinking about the cans... the most important is I can enjoy every minute of being with my children. It is a missional mindset. To give thanks in all circumstances from the cheerios spilled on the floor, the dirty diapers, the melt downs when it is time to come in, ect... I need to change my thinking and remember that everything is new to the kids, that throwing food on the floor is fun, that crying is natural when you are torn away from something you love... Those tough moments that sometimes cause me to stop and breath are also the moments where I can demonstrate Christ's love to them, the sacrifice, and the patience. I am so far from being the cool and collected mommy all the time but I know that with Christ I can be a wonderful example to Julia and Jonah and that we will grow together in this mission called Family.
There will be more to come but now I need to get some rest so I can provide for my family the best of my abilities.
God be with Justin and the mission team. May they learn from you, hear from you, and share your love with those around them. Give them strength to endure the climate changes help them to be joyful and radiate your goodness. Father give us a productive day around the house tomorrow, may I serve you well tomorrow.