Gluten Free Friday ~ Magical Edition

We arrived in Orlando and Disney World on Wednesday evening, which is a stop "on our way" back home to Massachusetts after a wonderful three-month sabbatical there.  And we've had so much fun here in this sunny, magical place, but I think we may need another three-month sabbatical to recover from the grueling task it is to visit the Disney World parks.  Oh my!  I am totally exhausted, and planning an early bedtime ~ which means we were too tired to stay for fireworks and the parade in Magic Kingdom tonight.  (It was raining, too.)

I'm even too tired to even post the follow-up to the 7 day meal plans with the dinners and snacks, (will resume ASAP, though!) but I thought I would just post a few photos from our trip, especially the ones that include some of the wonderful food we've been able to enjoy!

 Just an hour after we checked in to our hotel room, we got to have dinner with our dear friend from Switzerland, Romy!  (It's a small world after all...)  She was in town for a conference, and so we met her for dinner at an Irish Pub in Downtown Disney called Raglan Road.  It was quite loud (true to form, I suppose), and had a very lively atmosphere ~ music, dancing, the works.


It was the gluten free fish and chips that sold me, though, and they did not disappoint!  Raglan Road makes their GF batter out of garbanzo bean flour and club soda.  It was very crispy and had a great taste.  Can't remember the last time I had fish and chips at a restaurant, so this was a fun treat.

 After dinner, we all walked through some of the shops, but were really on the lookout for the NYC bakery called Babycakes, which now has a location in Downtown Disney.  It's a bit difficult to find if you don't know your way around, and it isn't on the Downtown Directory, but one trip to the info desk solved the mystery, and soon we were all sitting at an outdoor table eating GF cupcakes and drinking coffee and tea.

 We even decided to take these back to our hotel for breakfast...

I wish I could share another picture with you of Cooper and Kory enjoying a hamburger WITH the BUN at Epcot Center, but I had left my camera memory card at the hotel that day, and so all of the Epcot pictures are stored in the camera's limited memory storage and I don't have the cord that would transfer them to my computer!  Anyway, picture two very happy teenage boys holding up their cheeseburgers and smiling. It was in "America" at a restaurant called Liberty Inn which offers gluten free buns for hamburgers and cheeseburgers.  They, along with all of the other restaurants/food stands that offer GF buns, will also cook the french fries in a dedicated fryer, avoiding any cross-contamination.  Happy Mouseketeers all around, I tell ya!

Oh!  And did you know that Disney World will allow you to bring outside food into their parks? I assumed they would be strict about this as are other parks like Sea World and Six Flags, but they aren't.  So, that means I didn't have to try and smuggle in my trail mix today (I get panicky when I'm hungry, fearing there will be no GF options), or go into a long explanation about gluten intolerances and ask for an exception to the rule.

OK ~ my eyes are getting droopy and my feet and legs are crying out to be propped UP. This theme park stuff is a quite a test of strength and stamina, which I thought I had, but evidently not. Even running two half-marathons in two weeks is not sufficient training for this kind of a work out!

So, if I haven't scared you off from visiting the World of Disney with my complaints of fatigue, then please rest assured that if you have Celiac Disease, or any other food allergy for that matter, this will be a very food-friendly place for you!  We are basking in a magical world of those who know exactly what we're talking about when we say "gluten free, please!"

Gluten Free Friday ~ A 7 Day Lunch Plan

Wow!  Turns out that many of you are like me, in that you are in need of new meal ideas for yourself or your family.  Last week I posted a meal plan for breakfast that was created by Dawn Jackson Blatner, RD.  I thought I would post the snacks she suggests this week, but I think I'll go right to the lunches, since we all seem to be at a loss for new and healthy meal options. 


Remember, these are 300-400 calorie meals, so if you are not trying to lose weight, then you don't need to adhere to the portion size.  I just happen to love all of the different foods she includes ~ beans, avocados, goat cheese, hummus, granola, yogurt, tomatoes ~ so, these meals are particularly appealing to me.  I hope they will be to you also. Remember also, that these are low sodium, so low water retention, and bloat banishing as well!


I'll try and post the snacks and dinners next Friday, but if I don't get to it, it will be because I'm in the Magic Kingdom or traveling the world via Epcot.  That's right, our sabbatical is ending with a trip to Disney World, which may call for a Friday food post all by itself!  It's been such a relief to discover that so many places in all of the parks cater to a gluten free diet.


OK ~ on to the lunches!

7 Day Lunch Plan

Day 1: Yogurt Parfait with Granola & Fruit (yes, for lunch!)
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 cup granola with nuts and dried fruit


Top yogurt with granola or vice versa and eat!


Day 2: Mediterranean Plate
1/2 cup hummus
1 GF brown rice wrap/tortilla
1/2 cup cucumbers, sliced
1/2 cup red bell peppers, sliced
1/2 cup fresh, raw sugar snap peas (or fresh, raw green beans)


I cut the GF brown rice wrap/tortilla into wedges and bake them until they are crispy to resemble pita bread wedges.  Dip the "pitas" and veggies into the hummus.


Day 3: Spinach & Avocado Salad with Almonds
4 cups baby spinach
1/2 avocado (save other half for tomorrow!)
3-4 Tbsp slivered almonds (I like them lightly toasted)
olive oil & balsamic vinegar for dressing


Day 4: Avocado, Bean & Tomato Sandwich
1/2 avocado
1/4 cup white beans (cannelini or great northern)
lemon juice
salt and pepper
4 slices tomato
1/4 cup arugula (or spinach)
2 slices GF sandwich bread, toasted


Mash together beans, avocado, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.  Spread onto toasted GF bread slice. Top with arugula, tomato, and 2nd slice of bread to form a sandwich.


Day 5: Honey Dijon Turkey Wrap & Grapes
1 GF brown rice wrap/tortilla
1.5 oz turkey breast
1/2 cup spinach
2 tsp honey Dijon dressing or spread
1/2 cup grapes


Spread honey Dijon on GF wrap. Place turkey and spinach on wrap and roll it up.  Enjoy 1/2 cup grapes as a side to the wrap sandwich.


Day 6: Carrot Ginger Soup with Walnuts
Either: 2 cups of store bought ginger carrot cashew soup ~ Pacific makes a GF version.


OR make it yourself:
1 lb carrots, sliced
1 small onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Tbsp ginger, grated
2 tsp olive oil
1 1/2 cup water
2 Tbsp walnuts
1 Tbsp parsley


Saute carrots, onion, garlic, ginger in olive oil for about 8 minutes.  Add water and salt and boil for 15 minutes.  Puree this mixture in a blender along with walnuts and parsley.


Day 7:  Quinoa Salad
1/4 cup quinoa
1/2 cup water
1 cup parsley
1 cup chopped tomato
1 cup chopped cucumber (with seeds and skin)
2 Tbsp pine nuts
1 tsp olive oil
juice from 1/2 lemon
salt and pepper to taste


Cook quinoa in water for 12 minutes.  Toss with veggies, pine nuts, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.


Shopping list for the 7 day lunch plan:
(many of these items overlap to the dinners as well!)


Greek yogurt                                                     arugula
granola (with fruit and nuts)                           parsley
hummus                                                             quinoa
cucumber                                                           GF sandwich bread
red bell pepper                                                  GF brown rice wraps/tortillas
sugar snap peas (or green beans)                    turkey breast
baby spinach                                                      honey dijon spread
avocado                                                                grapes
slivered almonds                                                Pacific brand carrot ginger cashew soup
olive oil                                                                (or carrots, ginger, garlic, walnuts, onion)                        
lemon                                                                   tomato
can of cannelini/great northern beans             pine nuts






Needless to say, I will probably not be eating anything like this next week when I'll have the option of GF fish and chips made with a champagne and chickpea batter at Raglan Road Irish Pub in Downtown Disney!  YUM!  ☺

Counting One Thousand Gifts ~ February

It was in Stillwater, OK, while working on one of my first Beth Moore Bible studies, that I first came across this verse from 2 Corinthians 1:20:

"For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ."

Or in my re-wording and mulling over:

Christ is the fulfillment of every single promise that God has ever made.

Jesus is the means and the end of all promises made by God.

Not finding hope, peace, forgiveness, freedom, joy, security, worth, provision?  

Well, then I'm overlooking Jesus, because He is the ultimate fulfillment of every one of these promises.

And then I think of this verse that I memorized last year:

"And all these having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us, they would not be made perfect."  

Hebrews 11:39-40

Those who lived and died before Jesus came did not receive what was promised, this Person who was the fulfillment of all promises, and yet some still walked by faith, trusting in this promised promise for all of their days.
 (You can read about some of them in Hebrews 11.)


I, on the other hand, HAVE received the Promise who is the "Yes" to all divine promises, and yet I still choose to doubt and complain and despair on some days.


One time someone dear to me walked away from a belief in God, because He did not do something for her that she thought He ought to have.  She said she believed God would and should "wow" her by coming through on one specific and anticipated opportunity, but He didn't, and so she concluded that He must not be good.


I couldn't help but think that God didn't have anything more to "wow" her with than Jesus, and what He had accomplished at the Cross on her behalf. How much more good could He possibly do?  (And then I reminded myself of the same!)


Yep, Jesus is the "Yes" to all promises, and God intended us to be "wowed", blown away, astonished, amazed, and forever fulfilled by this ultimate gift of mercy and grace ~ come what may.


And even when we choose to overlook this truth, He still gives more gifts...


1. the smell and feel of clean sheets
2. new, delicious smoothie recipes
3. joyful anticipation of a husband's return home
4. "The fruit is because of your good example."
5. "How can we teach the correct value of femininity to our daughters?"
6. "You are beautiful."
7. "...the kind intention of His will..."
8. "...sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit..."
9. "...raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him..."
10. a praying couple in a restaurant
11. over-sized tea mugs
12. gluten free sandwich bread at unsuspecting restaurants
13. homemade quilted lunch bags
14. the Cross
15. a knitted cowl from Sara E.
16. entertainment by toddlers
17. good conversation
18. scenic drives
19. a crisp apple at lunchtime
20. new, red Fossil purse
21. pretty platform pumps
22. coffee with a Titus 2 saint
23. Kory's going away dinner; Robert's words of exhortation
24. Toll House Pie and vanilla ice cream
25. setting half-marathon PRs
26. tea-steeping "flowers"
27. calmness, but excitement over Kory's trip
28. siblings making chicken salad together in the kitchen
29. waving, smiling CC friends at Sonic
30. laundry done, fresh clean clothes
31. health for an active life
32. opportunities to worship
33. the life of Melissa Cheliras
34. relational detours that grow faith
35. parenting challenges that do the same
36. a new and worshiping congregation
37. a Colt McCoy video at church
38. sickness that compels compassion
39. the love of Robert
40. the Word ~ His love letter
41. a life overflowing with incredible people
42. roasted, salted almonds and iced coffee at Starbucks
43. Jack's humor at dinner
44. white lights around the patio for a cookout with friends ~ Grandad and the Grafs!
45. Jackie and Jonathan's ministry and life testimonies
46. "Mom, you are such a pro wrapper-of-Saran!"
47. pretty, printed craft papers
48. homemade Valentine's
49. knowing my place
50. a morning spent with a friend ~ Yvette!
51.  Truth and fellowship at the crack of dawn
52. parking lot talks and prayer
53. Ugandans at rodeos
54. new friends
55. joy in setting self aside
56. half-marathon race bibs
57. gluten free menus
58. running magazines
59. provision for Disney World
60. refinance complete
61. bathroom remodel underway
62. Taco Express and corn tortillas
63. healthy meal plans
64. fajitas with friends
65. popcorn!
66. half and half in iced coffee
67. whipped cream on frappes after gymnastics
68.  gift of a food and wine guide and journal
69. patio furniture
70. summer weather in February ~ 80 degrees!
71. John Adams mini-series
72. memory master work with Kayla
73. visitors from home ~ Jes-c and Jimmy!
74. lettuce wraps for dinner
75. watching Kayla's know-how in the kitchen
76. playing tour guide
77. the Gutenburg Bible
78. new bracelets ~ I love bracelets!
79. Skype session of Quest reports
80. pride in a 16 year old who lets God work on his pride
81. laughter and games at family reunions
82. a sermon on Acts 16 ~ a woman, a slave, and a Gentile whom God used
83. grandmas carrying sleeping toddlers
84. burgers with family and friends
85. worlds colliding in the Body of Christ (=Jules @ The Fellowship)
86. a son becoming a man
87. the refuge of His Word
88. circumstances that prod trust and a casting of cares
89. raindrops on my face while running ~ sweet surrender
90. a small town steak nite with live music
91. watching my teens shop with Grandad

Gluten Free Friday ~ A 7-Day Breakfast Plan

Do you ever get in food ruts?  Seems like it's so easy to just keep eating the same things for the same meals every day.  Eight years ago, when our family began to discover and be diagnosed with a gluten intolerance (everyone except for hubby), I was forced, in a way I am now very thankful for, to find new foods to eat, and new ways to cook. We discovered hummus, lentils, nuts and nut butters, fresh and dried fruits, goat cheeses, almond and coconut milks, Indian food, pureed vegetable soups, yogurt, kefir, and kombucha. (Living in a quirky, hippie, farm co-op, college town also pushed us in this direction.  Celiac Disease + Crunchy Town has been a good combination for our overall health in general.)  But even with all of these new eating options, I can tend to buy, cook, and eat the same things over and over.

Three years ago, I purchased a Health Magazine because it had a 7-day meal plan, created by registered dietitian, Dawn Jackson Blatner, that promised foods that were nutritious, low sodium, and bloat-banishing.  (P.S.  I just checked out her website, and it appears that there are MANY more creative meal ideas and fun recipes there ~ like this one ~ Wow!) It was also a weight loss plan, as the meals only added up to 1200 calories a day.  I wasn't in need of losing weight, but the low sodium, low bloat appealed to me as well as the variety of foods it suggested. So, without really following the portion sizes (i.e. SMALL!) I have gone back to this meal plan over and over over the last few years, and thought I would share it with you ~ starting with breakfast.  I've also altered it a bit to be gluten free and contain a few more calories, and fresh items than it originally suggested. I'll post the snacks, lunches, and dinners in the weeks to come.

Hope it gives you some fresh ideas for feeding yourself and your peeps!

7 Day Gluten Free Breakfast Plan

Day 1: Walnut & Maple Oatmeal
1-11/2 cups cooked GF oats
3 Tbsp chopped walnuts
2 tsp maple syrup, honey, or agave

Day 2: Yogurt with Berries and Almonds
1 cup Greek yogurt, unsweetened
1 Tbsp honey
1 cup frozen or fresh raspberries and blackberries
2 Tbsp toasted slivered almonds

Unfortunately, the above breakfast has caused me to go into a yogurt, berry, and NUT RUT or should I say CRAZE.  Oh well, I guess there are worse addictions.

Day 3: Mango & Pineapple Green Tea Smoothie  (SO GOOD ~ and Good for you!)
1 cup brewed, cooled green tea
1 cup almond or coconut milk
1/2 cup frozen or fresh mango
1/2 cup fresh or frozen pineapple
1 Tbsp nut butter (almond or peanut are my favorites)

Day 4: GF Waffle with Peanut Butter, Yogurt & Banana
1 GF frozen waffle, toasted
1 Tbsp natural peanut butter
1 Tbsp Greek yogurt
1/2 banana, sliced
1 Tbsp sesame seeds
1 tsp honey
dash of cinnamon

Spread waffle with peanut butter and yogurt. Top with sliced banana, sesame seeds, and cinnamon.  Drizzle with honey.

Day 5: Spinach and Egg Scramble & GF Toast
1 piece GF bread, toasted
2 eggs scrambled with 2 cups fresh spinach,  placed on toast
2 Tbsp crumbled goat cheese, sprinkled on top

Day 6: Rice Cake with Peanut Butter and Honey & an Orange
1 brown rice cake (Lundberg is my favorite brand)
2 Tbsp natural peanut butter
1 tsp honey

Eat this as well as a whole orange.

Day 7: Blueberry Smoothie
2 cups unsweetened almond or coconut milk
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
1 Tbsp honey
2 Tbsp peanut or almond butter


Shopping list for this Breakfast Meal Plan:

Greek yogurt                                       eggs
raspberries                                           baby spinach
blueberries                                           goat cheese                    
mango                                                  almond or coconut milk
pineapple                                              rice cakes
orange                                                  GF frozen waffles
banana                                                  green tea bags
bluberries                                              peanut or almond butter
GF oats                                                 slivered almonds
GF sliced bread                                     honey
maple syrup or agave

Half Marathon #5 & Running Therapy

The alarm went off at 4am.  We were out of bed a few minutes later and eating breakfast ~ ugh.  A rice cake with peanut butter and honey, a banana, some regular H20 and a few swigs of Vitamin Water. I'd rather eat nothing until the race is over, but I know the fuel and electrolytes will cause me to feel better as I run. It will be the last thing I put in my body before the finish line at the end of 13.1 miles, and I may get scolded for not drinking anything along the course ~ no water/Gatorade stops for me ~ but if you knew what it was like to live in my body, I don't think you would stop either.  As soon as anything goes in, everything starts working and moving, and you really don't want to much "movement" on the race course!

We leave for downtown Austin at 5am, because all of the race info we've read says to be there and parked by 5:30.  There are 20,000 people running which makes this the largest race we've ever participated in. The state capitol is the starting point, so we park nearby, and I snap a photo of Rocky Robert and the rotunda. The capital is near the campus of The University of Texas where we both attended college, and we're both excited to be a part of a race that takes us to many parts of the beloved city where we met, dated, and were engaged!

We walk around a bit in the chilly morning air, and snap a few more photos for ourselves and others.  We can't decide if we'll check our bag at the designated location or just walk it back to the parked van, because we'll need to to shed our jackets and my not-very-small camera.

As we walk, I'm even thinking that I really don't feel like running all that way, but that's how it usually goes for me.  I think a lot of people have a sort of love/hate relationship with running, or any exercise for that matter! We just ran another half-marathon in Galveston two weeks prior ~ a training run for the Austin Half,  Robert kept calling it.  And I guess it was, but Galveston was FLAT (as in sea level flat, along the sea wall even!), and Austin was NOT.  Have I even recovered from Galveston yet???  I guess I have, and even ran a 10 miler in between to stay trained up for this race.

Then, we meet up with cousin Zach, who lives in Austin, and was running in his first ever road race!  At the start he tells us he'll follow behind us, since we've done this before, but it doesn't take him long at all to lock into a faster pace and cruise on ahead.  In the end, he'll finish 10 minutes faster than us, and might have been even faster, but there were some killer hills AT. THE. END.  Don't know who planned that race course, but miles 11-13 were just cruel! (Actually, miles 1-6 were sort of evil also, but the hills are difficult to avoid in this beginning-of-the-Texas-Hill-country-town, I guess.)

Even though I was hesitant to start, I felt great by mile 4, and this is why I will get up when the alarm blares at crazy hours of the morning to do a crazy thing like run 13.1 miles. (Only "half" as crazy as the 26.2 mile runners as one of the creative spectator's posters read!)  It makes me feel good.  It lifts my mood, and lightens my heart.  Thoughts of gratitude fill my mind ~ for health, for strength, for my marriage, and running partner husband, for my kids, my church, for sabbatical, for friends.  I'm not bogged down by worry or fear, but rather freed to have a godly perspective, free to trust the Lord with all sorts of anxieties. Free to recall God's Word and think on it.  Free to remember both His Truth and His faithfulness to me

And I know there are physiological reasons for this, but even those are created by God!

I cracked up over this t-shirt that I discovered at the race expo the day before the race.  Yes, I suppose running is my therapy and my drugs in this overly-psychoanalyzed and medicated culture, but really the positive effects are all accomplished by my Lord, and I'll keep racking up the races for as long as He allows.

Yankees and Ugandans at the Rodeo

I'm pretty sure it wan't on my top ten list of favorite things to do when I was 12, and I know for certain that I absolutely refused to wear the hat and boots that my cowboy-hat-salesman father encouraged me to, but now going to the rodeo is something I look forward to when we're in Texas, and also something I couldn't wait to introduce my kids to this year.

A few months ago, I was thinking about the different things we could do in Texas while here on sabbatical and the rodeo immediately came to mind, since it is held in February of each year.  I looked up dates and performers online and decided that Lady Antebellum was the concert everyone would enjoy the most.  I was about to call my dad to see if he wanted to get a group of tickets together when my youngest sister called to say that she and my dad had just purchased rodeo tickets for everyone.  And just guess which concert night he bought tickets for?  That's right ~ HE READ MY MIND!  And I believe it was a sold out crowd. Wow!

My other sister and her kids weren't able to go, so we had extra tickets.  My dad asked if we would try and find some friends to take.  Well, I immediately thought of our new friends from Uganda ~ Jackie and Jonathan.  They happened to be free that evening, and what fun it was to experience the rodeo through their eyes as well as the eyes of my never-been-to-a-rodeo-kiddos!

Circling around the horse arena over and over raking the dirt to prepare for a cutting horse demonstration, we decided this was the rodeo version of the "Zamboni."  Don't know what a Zamboni is?  Think ice skating and hockey.

Finding gluten free food and food that was palatable to our Ugandan friends was a bit difficult, but Jonathan enjoyed a traditional BBQ plate of sausage, brisket, beans, and white bread, and Jackie, who doesn't eat red meat, enjoyed a surprisingly healthy dish of soba noodles with chicken and veggies.  Rodeo food really can't be expected to be healthy at all, unless you have convinced yourself that funnel cakes, chicken-fried bacon, and deep fried Snickers bars are a balanced diet. 

As Jackie studied the various food vendors, she asked:

"Why does Bubba's say their  BBQ is 'bad'?"

"Hmmmmm...... Well, because sometimes in America 'bad' means "really good' ?"  I replied.  Really, I don't know how anyone ever learns the English language at all, not to mention the slang that is forever evolving. Evidently, "sick" means "really good" now, too.  At least that's what my kids tell me.  Who can be expected to keep up with this opposite-meaning thing?

They were intrigued by the whole Cowboy Church thing, which is a really big thing here in the Great State, as well as the many farm implements (log splitters?! welders?!), and the display of Texas indigenous wildlife ~ more than any other state evidently, but I'm definitely not missing the rattlers, tarantulas, and scorpions.

Our tickets, unfortunately, were not all together, but with my super-zoom lens I could spy on Cooper, my dad, and my sister, Melinda, in their far off section of the arena!  Let's see...which of these three does not belong at the rodeo? Yeah, Cooper was secretly hoping the dirt and manure would disappear and the Spurs home basketball court would emerge with Derrick Rose attempting to shoot 3-pointers.

Jonathan was shocked by the steepness and height of our seats, and could not believe parents would allow their children to sit up that high.

"Has anyone ever fallen from their seat?" he asked, and declared that he would probably never bring his children to such a dangerous place. ☺

We all cracked up at the Mutton Bustin' event in which VERY small children try and hold on for dear life ride a sheep for as long as they can.  Gateway to buckin' broncos and bull-riding, really.  A darling little red-headed, freckled, four year old won this event and went home with a prize belt buckle which was literally as big as she was.

I think the Yankee kids and the Ugandans were rooting for the poor calves in the team roping and in the steer wrestling. And as always, the bull-riding was exciting and intense, but not as much as I remember as a child.  Seems like the rodeo clowns did a lot of taunting of the bulls in order to create more thrill back then ~ scurrying up the arena fences or diving into their protective barrels.  If I'm remembering correctly, they also used to attach their barrel to a hook that would pull them high into the air to get away from the angry bulls.  It was quite a sight, and sort of stressful, but very exciting to watch back then.

And Lady Antebellum did not disappoint, of course, with their post-Grammy awards performance that night.  The concert did not start until after 10pm (the rodeo events began at 7:30 and we got in our seats at 6:30), so I thought it might be difficult for our guests to sit through more of this Texas cultural experience, but I was wrong!  They loved every bit of the evening, and kept perfect time with the loud music by clapping and swaying throughout the entire concert, which did not end until around 11:30pm.

It was SUCH a fun evening ~ even more than I anticipated because of the friends we got to share it with.  They were great sports, and except for passing on wearing the cowboy hat, definitely followed the "when in Rome" mindset.

Then we took everyone home in a torrential downpour and thunderstorm, and finally made it back to Austin and our beds at 2:30am.  Then it was 40th birthday parties and half-marathons and homeschool work and fajita fellowships with old college friends, and...

Whew ~ this sabbatical is exhausting.  In a good and rich way, of course.  ☺

Hope Received & Hope Given in Uganda

 I'm very excited to introduce you to some new friends today.  You may already have been introduced to Jack and Kelly, the very American looking couple in these photos.  Kelly was my middle school Spanish teacher turned dear friend, and Jack is her husband.  You may also already know that Jack and Kelly got engaged in Uganda a few years ago while on a mission to build water wells and visit sponsored Compassion International children there.

Jonathan and Jackie, the other couple in these photos, are from Uganda, and grew up there as sponsored children through Compassion International. They have been married four years, and already have two sets of twins!  That's right, four children under the age of four!

The Lord brought Jonathan and Jackie into a friendship with Jack and Kelly through their visits to Uganda.  Now, the four of them are working together to give back the hope they have received from the ministry of Compassion, and through their friendship.

 Here is Jackie's story of hope received as a sponsored child:

Isn't she beautiful, and don't you love the joy with which she shares her gratitude for the hope she received through sponsorship?

We felt so privileged to spend an evening with these two couples eating dinner and hearing about a new ministry they have created together.

Kayla felt privileged to bask in puppy love of Cleo and Sasha all evening! 

(Pretty sure the doggies were basking in Kayla love as well!)

Kayla, Cooper, and I each picked out a Ugandan treasure from the coffee table overflowing with necklaces, bracelets, sewn and stuffed animals, and beautiful banners while we heard about what this foursome is up to these days as they try and extend hope to even more children in Africa.

Together they've created African Hope Children's Ministry.  It is a child sponsorship program much like Compassion International, but because Jackie and Jonathan have inroads into some very rural villages, they are able to reach older children and teenagers in Uganda who may not be reached by one of the child sponsorship ministries, and have already been able to support and provide safety for some who needed immediate help because of crisis situations.  "Mercy", their first sponsored teenager was in just this sort of immediate need.  Today Mercy lives with Jackie and Jonathan in safety, and is attending school as you can see from the informational material below.

This ministry allows for children to be "double sponsored", in that each child has two sponsors who commit to $35.00 per month.  As you can see, this provides for school expenses (school is never free in Uganda), health and well-being, as well as further life-training through camps and conferences.

I've blacked out their address and phone number for now, but will be more than happy to pass them along via email for any of you who may be interested in supporting this much-needed ministry.  Also, they are in the process of developing a website with more information and avenues of giving. 

Again, I'm so thankful for this new friendship and the privilege of introducing them to you!  Please let me know if you would like to connect with them in any way.  Jackie and Jonathan are here in the states (based in TX) through March.  They have a fairly full schedule of speaking engagements, but would love to consider sharing their story of hope with you, those you know, or your church, etc. and giving others the opportunity to help them extend that same hope to others in their native country.

And stay tuned, because not only did we get to spend an evening having dinner with this lovely couple, but a week or so later we also got to take them to the biggest and best rodeo in the state of Texas! ☺