2008-11-20

Calling Creators ... LOGO CONTEST


Are you creative? Here is your chance to serve God, support an organization who cares for Orphans & AIDS prevention and show others your great ideas!

Beacon of Hope is holding a Logo Design contest, inviting ANYONE to submit their Logo Design for consideration by the Beacon of Hope International Board of Directors to consider. Check out this contest here: http://samision.blogspot.com/2008/11/calling-creators-logo-contest.html

2008-11-13

2008-11-04

Getting Younger & Younger

It’s my birthday this week, something my ‘lil bear (child number #4) enthusiastically looks forward to all year long. Currently she is actively planning for her 7th birthday -- speeding upon us -- only 7 months to go!

This year for my birthday I am choosing to grow younger.

Yes, I said grow younger!

I got the idea from the Word. In particular gems such as, Matthew 18:3, Matthew 19:14, Luke 18:17, Mark 10:15, Romans 8:15, Ephesians 1:5 among others. Over the past few years I think the Holy Spirit is revealing this childlike notion about our relationship (His and mine.) That our relationship is not so completely different from the one I have with my own children.

My children; trust me implicitly to provide for their needs, to be there through all that life throws at them, to ask me questions that I sometimes answer and sometimes don’t, to ignore me when it is convenient and to run to when they need me, never worrying or doubting my love for them.

Sometimes my ‘lil bear crawls up onto my lap to have her back scratched, other times she stands in-front of me defiantly demanding things … like stickers, a cupcake or undivided attention … things that she sees as utterly necessary.


I have her help me in the kitchen, carefully supervising her dumping ingredients in the bowl that we measured together, or turning on the blender, though her “help” makes everything go so much slower. I accept her thoughtful gifts of dandelions or crayon colored pictures, although some
times I’d rather she spent her time doing something I have already asked of her.

The joys of childhood include:
- reveling in the delight of your parent,
- permitting your parent to do the worrying,
- expecting your parent to provide, love, discipline, and be there -- always,
- and eagerly jumping into one adventure after another.

So this year for my birthday I am choosing to grow younger as I believe His promise with all the childlike faith I have within me… “Then He said: I promise you this. If you don't change and become like a child, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3

2008-10-21

Chili Cook Off - Crack Up!

Last Sunday was the famous c2g Chili Cook Off. Unfortunately I was sick and missed it! (Arg!!) However, I will announce the winner at the end of this funny story Mimi shared with me recently ...

(Warning - This is rated "PG-13" and If you can read this whole story without laughing out loud, then you need to develop a sense of humor. Note: Please take time to read this slowly. If you pay attention to the first two judges, the reaction of the third judge is even better. )

For those of you who have lived in Texas, you know how true this is. They actually have a chili cook-off about the time Halloween comes around. It takes up a major portion of a parking lot at the San Antonio city park. The notes are from an inexperienced chili taster named Frank, who was visiting from Springfield, IL.

Frank: "Recently, I was honored to be selected as a judge at a chili cooking contest. The original person called in sick at the last moment and I happened to be standing there at the judge's table asking for directions to the Coors Light truck, when the call came in. I was assured by the other two judges (native Texans) that the chili wouldn't be all that spicy and, besides, they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted." Here are the scorecards from the advent: (Frank is Judge #3)

Chili # 1 Eddie's Maniac Monster Chili...
Judge # 1 -- A little too heavy on the tomato. Amusing kick.
Judge # 2-- Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild.
Judge # 3 -- (Frank) What the h*ll is this stuff?! You could remove dried paint from your driveway. Took me two beers to put out the flames. I hope that's the worst one. These Texans are crazy!

Chili # 2 Austin's Afterburner Chili...
Judge # 1 -- Smoky, with a hint of pork. Slight jalapeno tang.
Judge # 2-- Exciting BBQ flavor; needs more peppers to be taken seriously.

Judge # 3 -- Keep this out of the reach of children. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. They had to rush in more beer when they saw the look on my face.

Chili # 3 Ronny's Famous Burn Down the Barn Chili...
Judge # 1 -- Excellent firehouse chili. Great kick.
Needs more beans. Judge # 2 -- A beanless chili, a bit salty, good use of peppers.

Judge # 3 -- Call the EPA. I've located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I have been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now. Get me more beer before I ignite. Barmaid pounded me on the back, now my backbone is in the front part of my chest. I'm getting sh*t faced from all of the beer...

Chili # 4 Dave's Black Magic...
Judge # 1 -- Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing.
Judge # 2 ---- Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish, or other mild foods; not much of a chili.

Judge # 3 -- I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste it. Is it possible to burn out taste buds? Sally, the barmaid, was standing behind me with fresh refills. That 300-lb. woman is starting to look HOT...just like this nuclear waste I'm eating! Is chili an aphrodisiac?

Chili # 5 Lisa's Legal Lip Remover...
Judge # 1 -- Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground, adding considerable kick. Very impressive.
Judge # 2 -- Chili using shredded beef, could use more tomato. Must admit the cayenne peppers make a strong
statement.
Judge # 3 -- My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead, and I can no longer focus my eyes. I ripped a** and four people behind me needed paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili had given me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly on it from the pitcher. I wonder if I'm burning my lips off. It really p*sses me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. Screw those rednecks.

Chili # 6 Pam's Very Vegetarian Variety...
Judge # 1 -- Thin, yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spices and peppers.
Judge # 2 -- The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, and garlic. Superb.

Judge # 3 -- My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous, sulphuric flames. I sh*t myself when I farted and I'm worried it will eat through the chair! No one seems inclined to stand behind me anymore. I need to wipe my a** with a snow cone.

Chili # 7 Carla's Screaming Sensation Chili...
Judge # 1 -- A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers. Judge # 2 -- Ho-hum; tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chili peppers at the last moment. **I should take note that I am worried about Judge #3. He appears to be in a bit of distress, as he is cursing uncontrollably. Judge # 3 -- You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I wouldn't feel a thing. I've lost sight in one eye, and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili, which slid unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of lava to match my shirt. At least during the autopsy, they'll know what killed me. I've decided to stop breathing; it's too painful. Screw it; I'm not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air, I'll just suck it in through the 4-inch hole in my stomach.

Chili # 8 Karen's Toenail Curling Chili... Judge # 1 -- The perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili. Not too bold, but spicy enough to declare its existence. Judge # 2 -- This final entry is a good, balanced chili. Neither mild, nor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge # 3 farted, passed out, fell over, and pulled the chili pot down on top of himself. Not sure if he's going to make it. Poor fella, wonder how he'd have reacted to really hot chili?


Drum Roll please ........... the c2g Chili Cook Off Winner is .......... Mary May. Way to go Mary!!!!!