Turkey – Copper Acorn

by Alexis - October 31, 2010October 31, 2010

Encouragement

Yesterday at church we watched a video that had missionary friends of ours. Watching them was wonderful and surprisingly emotional. I had tears in my eyes and desired to be with them and be missionaries ourselves. I can’t deny the huge pull to Poland and even though there are moments of discouragement and tiredness (and we haven’t left yet!) I have a strong conviction and excitement to move there and follow whatever God has for us there.

I think the hardest and most daunting task is learning language. It for sure seems like a HUGE mountain and that I will never get over. It doesn’t help that the laptop we have died and it had our Rosetta Stone on it. So we are reinstalling it again on our main home computer. Looking forward to that actually-learning Polish. It’s a very hard language so I’d appreciate your prayers. 🙂

by Alexis - November 12, 2009

Chili

I am not a meat person. Like most females, I could eat veggie for a long time before eating a chunk of steak or something. Nor do I crave chicken or fish. However, since I married a man who thinks ‘if you don’t have meat it’s not a meal’, I had to incorporate meat into my meal plans. *sigh But it’ so slimy and sometimes bloody. Not something I look forward to preparing. However, it has been a challenge how to cook meat into meals and not have them all tasting the same too. Do you have that problem? Does chicken taste the same no matter how you cook it? No? Oh, I guess it’s just me then.

Well yesterday I made an EASY chili that literally take like no time to make. I added corn and celery to get more veggies into the meal. It’s not the typical chili I make but it’s tasty and different from the norm in our house. Plus, with all this cold weather we’ve been having, it’s perfect on a chili night…hehe get it? chilly? hehe ANYWAYS… here is the recipe. Basically just dump whatever you want in the pot and cook. Chili isn’t chili without sour cream and cheese, cheese and more cheese! I also made cornbread with it.

1 can corn

1 can red beans

1 can stewed tomatoes

1 can white beans

3 stalks of celery

4 cups chicken broth

1 lb ground meat (I usually use turkey meat)

sour cream and cheese to taste

I’ve made this with turkey chunks too- GREAT idea for any left over turkey meat from Thanksgiving. Or you could slide in some tofu- I’ve had it and it’s good. You can’t even tell the difference. Promise. Just sayin’.

by Alexis - October 20, 2009October 20, 2009

Savory Sweet Sandwich

I grew up in a pretty traditional home. My mom is German and so I grew up thinking sauerkraut and schmarm was a staple in every home across America. Sure I think cold macaroni salads are puke worthy and -prepare yourself- I don’t like the taste of chocolate. It doesn’t mean I like weird things…that was until today. You know when you go to a fancy dancy restaurant and they have special sandwiches that have cranberry cream cheese spread and apples on their sandwiches? I would always, and I mean always, roll my eyes and settle on the turkey or ham sandwich. Oh yeah. I like adventure. 😉

Anyways, I was looking through past posts and was sickened by all the sweet things I make. No, it does NOT mean I will stop (hehe) but it means I need a little more green leafy veggies and fruits in my diet. I was, randomly, craving a sandwich for lunch and decided that not only was I going to make myself one but I would branch out of my…shall we say ‘traditional’ style of sandwiches. Thus became this sandwich…I was really wary of taking that first bite. And the truth was I really really like it! I’m shocked. I actually put apples in my sandwich and ate it. Unbelievable. The fat lady has sung people. I hope you enjoy it- it’s very pretty looking. (it had to be or why else would I eat it?!)

It’s made of:

Plain Cream Cheese with salt and pepper smushed in it

Regular Wheat Bread- oh man I wish I had Chibata or something else fancy like those pretty food blogs…

Spinach Leaves

Turkey slices (I kinda branched out)

Apple slices cut thinly

Red onion

*the trick is to cut the apple and onion the same thickness so they even out each other taste wise. I’m going to make this this week when a friend comes over- sure to impress and really flavorful. You can even make it into a fancy appetizer. Please try it and let me know how you like it!

by Alexis - September 3, 2009

Breath of fresh air- from Turkey

~Yesterday we had a friend speak at our church. He’s a friend that we relate well with and love his family. Both our families seem to be cut from the same cloth. And best of all- he just so happens to also be a missionary to Turkey. He’s our age and has a similar view on the world. When you find those people, you seem to latch yourselves onto them and feed off similar opinions. Kinda sick really, but it’s the truth.

Anyways, as he spoke and gave his little message, I was stuck with not exactly what he was saying (although everyone is saying it was incredible. go here to see it) My calling to be a missionary to Poland was rekindled or renewed or something like those two words. Don’t get me wrong though, I have never doubted that God has called me and Travis to Cracow…it’s just that sometimes it can get stale. You know?

It’s like when you meet your new love and everything is roses and shmoozing. (yes I made that word up) But after a while your relationship gets into a rut. Not horrible, just life. That is the best way I can explain how I’m feeling with Poland. I’m excited but it’s a little stale. (or was until last night) Like a pretty bright colored dress that fades slowly with the sun rays of paperwork and just daily routine. Well, as I was listening I was greatly encouraged to hear and see an actually person who sees the world the same way Trav and I see it. Someone who would and did move across the world to live in a different culture and learn a new language. Why? Becaues he loves the people and because God called their family. It’s just different you know? I have tons of great friends, but when they find out we are moving next year to be missionaries, they look at you differently and when I talk about the frustrations with work, church and whatever it’s not understood because I see things slightly warped. I know, however, that they love me and I seriously love them. Please understand that. It will break my heart to say good-bye to them.

But last night I witnessed someone who sees the world differently than most express a radical lifestyle, and he touched and challenged them with his words of passion. I am glad we have them in our lives and have a family that we can relate on pretty much every level. Thanks God for them, they are such a comfort.