Adventures in Babysitting....

and a trip north!

Alrighty, been a while since I felt like an “Auntie” for real, but this was kind of fun (and a BIT more “motherly” than “Auntie” I would say).

Today I spent the day with my girlfriends on a road trip to Sedona – it was SO OVERNEEDED for me:) I originally was just going to head north on this lovely four day weekend, but then started asking girlfriends to go – so we decided to make a day out of it. It was a lot of fun, chatter, singing, and shopping in up town Sedona. We found this whole in the wall pizza joint – great food, but the service was AWFUL! So, not so sure we’ll be revisiting it on the next return, but good food none-the-less.

Overall, it was just a blessing and fun. I will post pics as soon as I get some from Clarissa’s page to download then upload…since I’m still in the good ol’ 35mm days of cameras:)

Then, tonight after I got home to “relax” and be “game ready” for tomorrow...since I’m in a new spot at the stadium as a Super, I knew I’d need “rest”, knowing that no postion is the same and always needs HIGH energy:) Well, to my surprise, a friend that’s in Texas for the weekend called me with a HUGE favor. He needed a babysitter for his kids (overnight) since he changed his flight to come home till Sunday and his ex had plans for the night. Well, needless to say, I’m having a blast playing “mother-auntie” tonight to three adorable lil’ kids…all crashed out on my floor.

So, since they are finally “out”, I think it’s my turn…until the next time with Sedona pics hopefully….

Dana-Dana

Thanksgiving Blessings!

Today was a good day! I missed being with my family, but unfortunately since the traveling industry seems to be increasing prices of travel often, Thanksgiving “away from home” (ie: family) seems to be “tradition”. I spent the day today with a new friend’s family...Amanda. She is a sweetheart and such a great gift that God has given!

Since I was spending the day with her family, I of course offered to bring something. A pie was on the order menu. (I of course had to make it extra “fun” and make it from scratch:) I pulled out my great cookbook that my sweet Leah has recommended (Great American Test Kitchen Cookbook) and found a recipe. I had no idea what I was getting into. (One of the spices alone was the cost of a frozen Sara Lee:) lol But, the process was fun...and I have included pictures for your enjoyment!

The finishing touch was GREAT...heavy whipped cream for topping. It was YUMMY!!! I was VERY glad that I went the extra two miles for “home-made” pie:)

I hope your day was special!!

Step 1: Home-made Dough

Step 2: Crust Trimmed and Ready for Baking
Step 3: Pie Filling...and it was "cooked" on the stove after mixing. (I forgot to snap a pic:) lolStep 4: Baking Time
The FINISHED Product:)

...Satisfying Yumminess!!!!

...and Sweet God-Sent Blessings!

(Amanda and Dana)

"He fills my life with GOOD things..."

Psalm 103:5a

Recipie Time...again!

I'm SO into this fall thing of baking and cooking (and not to mention recipie exchanges online:). In fact, it is my personal MISSION that next weekend I am going to get back to my project of organizing my collectiong of "paper" and create a TRUE recipie collection. I am starting with typing them (I type wicked fast compared to writing them out) and I found a box at Office Max that is a "card organizer" that will fit a half page of card stock perfectly. I laminated the 4x6 cards I did after college, but have yet to decide if I will do the same with this set, but most likely. So, all of that to say, here are some yummy treats I came across that you might enjoy. The first one is from my "extension family" in college and she made it for us gals often...a favorite of ours:)

Raspberry Coffee Cake
From: Dawn Michaelski ~ Wisconsin

Ingredients & Directions:
Grease and Flour spring form pan

Mix 2 ¼ c Flour, ¾ c Sugar, ¾ c Butter (Reserve 1 c and set aside for topping)

Add ½ tsp Baking Powder, ½ tsp Baking Soda, ¾ c Sour Cream, 1 tsp Almond extract, and 1 egg

Blend ingredients. Spread over bottom of pan and up the sides 2”.

Mix 8oz cream cheese, ¼ c sugar, 1 egg. Pour in pan.

Spoon ¾ c Raspberry Preserves over cream mixture. Sprinkle crumbs and Almonds over preserves.

Bake at 350* for 45-55 minutes. Cool for 30 minutes. Serve and Enjoy!

(My personal favorite recipie...and TRUE Addiction;) - love ya girl!)
Sweet Tea
From: Leah (Parrish) Millan

Ingredients:
Tea Bags (9 small or 3 family size)
1 1/2 C. SugarDirections:
Boil water; Place tea bags into boiled water; allow ten minutes to steep. Remove tea bags, add sugar and stir. Pour into picture and add water.

Yield: 1 Gallon

(I got this one in my recent online exchange and made it for some friends - so deliscious!!)
Apple Crisp
From: Karen (Stine) Adams

Ingredients:
4 apples, peeled, cored, sliced (I use Macintosh)
1/4 c. Quick Oats
1/4 c. Flour (I use whole wheat)
1/3 c. Brown Sugar
1/2 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. nutmeg
1 1/2 T. softened margarineDirections:
Preheat oven to 375*. Place apple slices evenly on the bottom of a sprayed 8x8 pan. Mix together remaining ingredients. Sprinkle oat mixture evenly over apples. Bake 30 minutes or until top is golden brown. Enjoy!

That should be good for now...but I'll post some more once I find/type out some yummy treats...that are simple of course and have PRACTICAL ingredients;)

In Memory

of

Emily Suzanne

Emily S. Brightwell, 17, of Avondale, passed away October 29, 2007. Emily was born in Phoenix, AZ. She was a College student and friend to many. Family remaining are her parents Robert & Kathy Brightwell, sisters Sharleen and Delaney.

This is Emily...one of my class mates from Pysch 101 at Estrella Mountain. I will GREATLY miss this sweet and precious gal. Emily and I did not immediately click on select notes (specifically religion when discussed in our class), but we both have a common ground. Emily was a heart transplant recipient at the age of 15. The day I found out, I could have ran a marathon! I told her the story of my Daddy and how he was a heart transplant recipient as well. I told her about my feelings towards Organ Donation and my plan to do my Pysch paper and presentation at the end of the semester on the topic. She was planning to share how a Heart Transplant changes your life. We had a connection from the TRUE heart!!!

Emily passed away Monday, October 29th according to the West Valley View. Unfortunately none of us classmates were aware of this and missed the funeral today. It was a shocking and somber class morning. After the first hour and half of "shock", we took our break and the second half of class was pretty good. We had a few "laughing moments" reflecting on some HILARIOUS comments that we will ALL remember Emily for. One was on the "religious" topic (which really stirs the class up into a hornets nest) and it was the MOST memorable thing. Emily always told you EXACTLY what she thought. I won't repeat the verbiage here, but none the less, it is memorable. She always had a smile on her face...and looked at the glass as half full - NO matter what!!! She will be GREATLY missed in Pysch...and in life!!

Walking into a surprise party Sept. 23, 2006, to commemorate the one-year anniversary of her heart transplant.

Surgery Update...

My brothers surgery yesterday went very well! PTL!!!!! The surgery lasted 6 1/2 hours and the doctors were able to get out the larger abrasions. They will monitor him for the next three months and look for more improvements in his health. He went home today, and Michael was SO excited to go to the hospital to "pick him up" (I thought that was cute:).

Thank you all for your prayers! I will continue to post periodic updates here when something is happening.

~Dana

Hey Everyone –
I have a BIG request…

My brother is going in this Friday morning (11/2) at 6AM Michigan time to have a pretty big procedure done. It’s just like a heart catheterization, but instead of “cleaning” out his arteries since his are pretty clean; they are going to be laser out some abrasions and get rid of some scar tissue (what the docs believe to be causing a lot of his chest pain and breathing issues). I know he is nervous, as is all of the family – especially his baby sis that happens to be 2000+ miles away. Please pray that all goes well with the procedure and that the result will continue to increase in his heart squeeze, lessen chest pain, make for easier breathing, etc…

Not sure my little Michael knows what’s really going on, but he did make a really funny comment Sunday morning:) lol (Gotta love 4 year olds:) Michael spent the night at Memaw’s house and David worked late so Shalimar went to a family friend’s house for the night. In the middle of the night, she had some issues with her throat (she has really bad asthma issues) and went to the ER and was admitted to the hospital. Well, Michael woke up Sunday morning all excited to get to church and see Momma and Daddy. Well, Mom explained that he was going to her church that morning because Momma and Daddy went to the hospital. This is cute…Michael said, “uh, not again”…I got a kick out of that. He sees hospital trips like going to the grocery store:)

Anywho, if you’d pray for our family, I’d really appreciate it! I’m just trying REALLY hard not to think about it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And David did tell me tonight on the phone that he is nervous. So, that’s REALLY hard for me to hear from my Bubba…he’s the only one I’ve got. (And Yes, it is in the back of ALL our minds that my Dad passed away at the young age of 40 due to heart problems, so even though some might think this is a minor procedure, to my family – it’s exactly the opposite!!!!!!)

Thanks everyone!
Love, Dana

This is from the "Pastor's Blog" of a church I've been visting and praying about. I really enjoyed this article, since I missed this mini-sermon series. I might have to go back and listen to it...the read is good!!

Enjoy!
Dana

Who Can Change the World?
Posted on October 1, 2007

A brand new week is upon us, and with it comes brand new opportunities for ministry. What a joy it is to serve the Lord here at Palm Vista! A place where ministry happens, and a place where people step up to the plate to be a part of what God is doing.

Beginning this past Sunday we began a sermon series on volunteerism entitled “Unleashing the Power.” This series is a blessing to me because it has caused me to recognize the value of those who serve in lay positions at our church; people who do ministry because they love the Lord and want to serve His people.

Volunteerism done right is as much of a benifit to the volunteer as it is to the church. Serving God in a volunteer position brings a sense of purpose to and individual. Every church member should experience the joy of volunteering.

Volunteering is doing something for no earthly reward. It brings a heavenly perspective to a a worldly view. It is an investment in eternity; something that will last when all else fades away. Some of us are fortunate enough to have careers in ministry, but that does not seperate us from volunteering for the Lord. A volunteer service is an offering of our time and talent that is laid at the altar of sacrifice for the furtherance of God’s kingdom. When the day of offering arrives, I want to have something to lay at His feet. Nothing that has received earthly reward will suffice, only that which has been done with an eternal perspective. We must ask ourselves, “what am I doing as a service to my King?”

True happiness in the Christian life is gauged by what we do for the least of God’s children. I think James said it best, “faith without works is dead.” As one theologian said, “that does not mean that faith is by works, but that faith works.” True saving faith in Jesus Christ will change you. It will change you from the inside out, and it will cause you to work out that which has been worked within.

We have been teaching for over a year now that the model for ministry at PVBC is Change a Heart, Change, a Mind, Change the World. Changing a heart happens when Christ saves an individual and the power of the Holy Spirit comes to reside in their heart. Changing a mind is the discipleship process that prepares an individual for service. Changing the world is when God gets ahold of a persons heart and causes them to go out into the world and voluntarily give their life away. If we are going to be successful at changing the world we are going to have to realize that volunteerism is the only army with enough power and resources to accomplish the task. In other words, only volunteers can change the world!

GOD PROVIDES

–in HIS perfect timing–

for those that are faithful to Him!

Hey there friends, neighbors, and co-workers!

I just wanted to give a HUGE shout out to the awesome way that God works in His children’s lives! Since I have lived in Arizona, I have been unemployed twice. It has been AMAZING to see how God provides!

This morning I had an interview at a local OBGYN office (what I did for my last job). I left the interview feeling good, but in past experiences, the outcome hasn’t always been what I hoped for. I can truly say, God KNEW BEST!! Well, just after four today my phone rang (I almost didn’t hear it) and it was them calling to offer me the job:) (I’ve NEVER had an interview and offer all in the same day!) I of course said yes...and as amazing as this sounds, they need me to come for a physical and drug screening tomorrow at 1PM. Well, I had the second half of the day off for a job fair...how cool is that for “perfect timing/planning” on God’s part eh?!:) God is SO Good…and how He provides, IT IS amazing! Also, they want me to start next Monday, and Kelly Services was great about that…so this is extra exciting.

The new job is only ten...yes, I did say ten:) miles from my house. It only took me about 20 minutes to get there this morning and barely ANY traffic – so not like Phoenix. It was a NICE change!! And, of course the pay is going to be better than my last job at a doctor’s office. More than fifty cents more...try telling me that God’s hand isn’t in that one?!?!!!!

The BEST part of this wonderful job that God has provided is that it’s part of a hospital system. That means I will be a “hospital employee”, even though I will be working in a doctor’s office. This system was also recently bought out by the largest system in the West – Banner. So, in time, it will be a Banner Hospital I work for...which is so awesome! (I’m a BIG Banner fan!) They offer tuition reimbursement also, which will be smokin’ helpful since I happen to be in nursing school:)

As my dearest friend Leah would quote, “O taste and see that the LORD is good” (Ps. 34:8a).

TRULY!! God is SO GOOD to His own!

Hope your day is wonderful also!

Rejoicing in HIS Goodness,
Dana-Dana