Who Likes Pumpkin????

I am VERY sentimental about Pumpkin bread.

My Great Grandmother used to make it in coffee tins and freeze the rolls

of bread to serve on Thanksgiving. I tell ya, it was moist,

it was good and she even had little ridges on the loaf to cut it.

Wow, brings back memories from childhood.

So with that said, I find myself making pumpkin bread all year long.

This year I decided to try making my own pumpkin puree.

I saw this post on how to do it, and YUMMY!

(By the way...Pioneer Woman has quite a few very good recipes on her site!

I would recommend checking her out.)

I have bags of frozen puree sitting in my freezer for a fraction of the cost!

And to top it off, we have a bunch of seeds to spice up and toast for treats!

So if you like making pumpkin pie, bread, cookies or cake, give this a try!

You'll be glad you made it!

Do you like my pumpkin man???

He was the official chopper since my pumpkins

were hard as a rock!

Jab till you drop

Here is some video of the "Jab Punchout"
Whew what a burn!

A little more... Feel those shoulders...go till you can't go no more!

(Yes, Jeff's gloves are pink. At least he's tough enough that nobody will say anything)

Can you say Pakistan?

Here is picture of an assembly from a couple weeks ago where we assembled with a group of brother and sisters from out in Chili. What a great time in the Lord. Our older brother Dan rented a pavilion for us all to meet in and it was great being able to get to hear what the Lord is doing in their midst. Dan invited and was able to commend to us Ralph and his wife who have been serving the Church over in Pakistan for many years. Seems that we as an assembly are regularly being confronted with the needs of Pakistan!

As a side note, when Rachel and I were first married (both of us were in a missions training program) she said that the one place she wouldn't go was to Pakistan. It really frightened her. Isn't it just like the Lord to confront us with our fears. It was great to see that after speaking with Ralph's wife during the meal time, Rachel's thoughts about Pakistan were transformed. God is great!

It was great getting together with the other brothers and sisters to hear what the Lord is doing in their midst and abroad. As time goes on it becomes so much clearer how the Church of Jesus is actually related and connected to one another. It is very good to see how each part of the body is doing its part to build up the Church and thereby send forth the Gospel to every corner of the world. I don't think our family will be traveling abroad anytime soon,with 4 children to raise and so much work to be done in our own neighborhood, but I am glad to participate in the work as the Lord has equipped me. I have never seen my role in the body of Christ so clearly, and I have never been so intimately connected to the Church at large.

Everyday the Lord grows brighter and the world grows duller!

Pakistan or Bust

Two great occurrences on this last Lord's day.


First, Wilmer's dad came to visit from NYC. It was his first trip to Rochester and he came to meet the church that his son assembles with. Awesome! Leli is from the Dominican Republic and doesn't speak english so it was awesome to hear Wilmer do all the translating. He was glad to see that his son is part of an assembly that loves his son like family, and we were glad to meet Wilmer's dad.


Second, Tim's family came from Syracuse to talk together about what it means for him to be sent to Pakistan. Wow, did his dad bless all of us young fathers by sharing the belief he has about sending his son to a place where he may be killed for the love of others in need. A blog can't do justice to his words. Tim (In the Yellow) will be traveling with Steven (in the tie) to Pakistan in a few weeks to deliver money from our assembly to the brothers there who are in need. I am so thankful for the opportunity to bear the burden of the brothers in Pakistan, and very thankful for young men who are willing and able to make the trip on the our assembly's behalf.


I am eager to hear the report of the Church in Pakistan. Karl (far right) went a number of years ago and expressed how they are rich in ways that we are poor, and visa versa. I expect it will be a mutual blessing.

This World is Not my home...

This world is not my home...I'm justa passin' through. If heaven weren't my home, then Lord what would I do? The Angels beckon me from Heaven's open door, and I can't feel at home in this world anymore...

This song has been ringing in my mind for the last week or so. Have I ever told you that I ALWAYS have a song stuck in my head?

I think this song has come to mind after thinking about this year being an election year, and watching our economy become so unstable in the last few months. It's amazing how easy it is to get wrapped up in the fears of this world...especially when we are seeking comfort.

After a few really good discussions with Bill, I've come to realize that I am free not to vote if I don't want to. I just don't see a candidate that would be able to lead in a way that I think is honoring to the Lord. Since this is the case, I can trust that Jesus is who puts people in power in the first place. I don't have to try to control or contribute anything to see what Jesus will do. Sure, I have the right to. Do I have to? No. That's a freedom I have been given too.

It's interesting how society believes that we are obligated to participate in things like elections.

So with that said, I feel free to not have to carry a load or heavy burden of where our country is going. If tomorrow, everything falls apart, I still have my Lord.

Like the song says...This world is not my home...

Pizza Recipe

Pizza/Calzones

1 cup Warm water hot to touch but not boiling. (between 90-110degrees)
1 Tbsp Yeast or 1 packet of Rapid rise yeast
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 Tbsp (or more if you'd like) sugar
1 Tbsp Oil

Mix water and yeast in mixing bowl.
In separate bowl, mix dry ingredients.
Slowly add dry to wet and add oil last.
The dough should not be completely smooth, but
also should not be too sticky to handle.

Let the dough rest up to 20 minutes. (5 min. is fine if you're in a hurry)
Spread dough into pan. I put a little oil on my rolling pin or hands to roll it out.

Add toppings and bake for 15-20 minutes at 400 degrees.

Sauce:
A can of tomato sauce, one can of rotel or diced tomatoes, about a tablespoon of sugar, your favorite spices
such as Italian seasonings, salt, pepper, garlic, onion... Pulse it in the food processor. To thicken, add some
tomato paste.

Calzones variation: Instead of rolling out dough on pan, take pieces of dough and put sauce, cheese and topping
on a smaller rolled out piece and just pull sides together. Place balls of filled dough in a muffin pan w/ gathered side
down. Bake 10-15 minutes. Test for doneness in middle.
Sometimes I ditch the sauce and cheese and just stuff pepperoni in the middle of the dough ball and cook. These make
a good appetizer or finger food.

Apple Picking Time!

We go apple picking every year. It's alot of fun.
We have good memories of going with
many different families.

This year, the apples seemed especially large!
The kids were having no problems finding good ones
to pick.

Maggie cracked me up picking up just about any apple around
and eating them. What a great little helper!

Oh...what to do with all of these apples???