Pine Ridge Indian Reservation

Please pray for Nancy & Emerson Poe as they travel this week to South Dakota to minister to the needs of the residents of Pine Ridge Reservation. As they are handing out clothing and blankets I pray that God's love would be spread. Pine Ridge Reservation, located in South Dakota, is home to the Oglala Sioux Tribe and is 2,000,000 acres large with an estimated population of close to 40,000. The reservation is large, and its needs immense, commensurate with grinding poverty. Unemployment is over 80%, the weather is extreme, and families struggle mightily with crushing financial, housing, health, educational and social issues.

For more info. Click here to view the abc report on Pine Ridge Reservation.

Good Day!

We had a great day today!  We started our new after school program. We picked up 16 children from Indian Springs, Holston, Blountville Elementary and Tri-Cities Christian. Because of staggered Kindergarten, we will pick up the other two children on Friday when they begin school.  We only have 2 spots left in our after school enrichment program. God is good!

Tomorrow, Wednesday, We will begin our outreach with TCCS.  Each Wednesday we pick up children who would like to come to church on Wednesday night.  Most all of the elementary children will be participating in Hip Hop from 4-5. Afterward, they will eat dinner together and attend our New Study "Pilgrim's Progress" from 5:30-6:30. The Middle School & High Schoolers from TCCS will be supervised by Mehiella in room 201 until church begins.

Can't wait to have another awesome day with the kiddos :)

Back to school tips

If you are like most families you are in the "Back to School" mode.  I found a very helpful document on easy meals whether your children go to school or home school.

Adjust waking and bed times before school starts
Check your children’s bus schedule
Check out after school activity opportunities
Meet with school nurse on any important medical information about your child
Label all school items
Mark your calendar with all important school dates and activities
Prepare a special spot for forms and items that come home for parental review
Make sure backpacks are purchased and packed the night before
Review and complete school supply list
Purchase extra school supplies for the items you know your children will use later and plan to shop on tax-free days
Create a homework center in your home
Review school dress code with your child and make a list of back to school clothing needed
Discuss with your child lunch choices and post school lunch schedule 
Compile all contact information for parents that can pick up your child in case of emergency and re- view with your child
Familiarize yourself with the school website along with the school’s policy for checking out your child Make sure you have a weekly scheduler
Keep extra change handy in your child’s backpack to make sure there is always lunch money available Talk with your child about daily school schedule in advance to eliminate stress
Have nutritious snacks on hand for after school
Make sure your child has all the required immunizations
Schedule a medical exam if your child requires one for school sports 

5 -Day Lunch Menu Any-Store

MEAL#: Side dishes are in ITALICS

INGREDIENTS: Side dish ingredients are in ITALICS

INSTRUCTIONS: Side dish instructions are inITALICS

Meal 1
TURKEY PINWHEELS
Grapes, Baby Carrots & Rice Cakes

1⁄4 c tub-style light cream cheese 1⁄2 c salsa
4 whole wheat flour tortilla
12 oz thinly sliced deli turkey
4 slices cheddar cheese 4 lettuce leaves (Toothpicks)

In a small bowl, combine cream cheese & salsa. Spread evenly onto tortillas, leaving a 1⁄2” border around edges. Place turkey slices, cheese slices & lettuce leaves on top of each tortilla. Roll tightly. Cut each wrap into 1” pieces crosswise. Use toothpicks to secure.
Pack with grapes, baby carrots, and rice cakes.

2 c seedless grapes 2 c baby carrots Rice cakes

Meal 2
PEANUT BUTTER BAGEL SANDWICH Strawberries & Celery Sticks

4 whole wheat bagels, split 1⁄2 c peanut or almond butter 2 medium bananas, sliced 1⁄4 c raisins

Spread 1 T of peanut butter on each bagel half. Top four bottom halves with banana slices and raisins. Top with other bagel halves.
Clean and half strawberries. Cut celery into 2- 3” sticks. Pack with sandwich.

8 oz strawberries, halved Celery sticks

Meal 3
MEXICAN ROLL-UPS
Tortilla Chips, Cherry Tomatoes & Grapes

15.5 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed (1 T lime juice)
(1 t cumin)
(Salt and pepper to taste)
4 whole wheat flour tortillas
1⁄2 c salsa
1⁄2 c shredded Mexi-blend cheese 1⁄2 c shredded lettuce-optional

Place beans, lime juice, cumin, salt & pepper in a small bowl. Mash with a fork or potato masher. Spread bean mixture onto tortillas, leaving 1⁄2” border around edges. Add salsa, cheese & lettuce. Roll tightly.
Pack with tortilla chips, cherry tomatoes & grapes.

Tortilla chips
Cherry tomatoes
2 c seedless grapes

Meal 4
Make Ahead! Freezable!
PIZZA MINI MUFFINS
Veggie Sticks with Dip & Sliced Pears

10.75 oz can condensed tomato soup (3⁄4 c water)
1 c shredded mozzarella cheese
1⁄2 c chopped turkey pepperoni
(1 T dried minced onion) (1 t Italian seasoning)
3 c all-purpose baking mix (Cooking spray)

Preheat oven to 350 ̊. Combine tomato soup, water, cheese, pepperoni, onion & seasoning in a large bowl. Add baking mix & stir until moistened (will be lumpy). In a sprayed mini muffin pan, divide batter evenly among 14 mini muffin cups. Bake 17-20 min. Cool 5 min & remove muffins from pan. Cool completely. If desired, wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Freeze up to 1 month. Thaw at room temp or microwave 30 sec.
Place Ranch dressing in a small container. Cut pears into slices and sprinkle with lemon juice. Pack broccoli, carrots, Ranch dressing and pear slices with muffins.

Ranch dressing
2 med pears, sliced
(Lemon juice)
2 c broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces 2 c baby carrots

Meal 5
TURKEY BAGEL SANDWICHES Strawberries, Cherry Tomatoes & Rice Cakes

(1⁄4 c mayonnaise)
(1⁄4 c Dijon mustard)
4 whole wheat bagels, split 12 oz thinly sliced deli turkey 4 slices cheddar cheese
4 lettuce leaves

In a small bowl, stir together mayonnaise & mustard. Spread on bagels. Place turkey, cheese slices & lettuce leaves on bagels.
Clean & halve strawberries. Pack strawberries, cherry tomatoes & rice cakes with sandwich.

8 oz strawberries, halved Cherry tomatoes
Rice cakes

Bonus Packable Dessert!
CHOCOLATE CHIP WHOLE WHEAT BANANA BREAD

(11⁄4 c all-purpose flour) (1⁄2 c whole wheat flour) (11⁄2 t baking soda)
(1⁄4 t salt)
(1⁄2 c sugar)
(1⁄4 c vegetable oil)
1 egg
1 c mashed banana
(1 t vanilla extract)
12 oz bag mini chocolate chips (Cooking spray)

Preheat oven to 350 ̊. Whisk together both flours, baking soda & salt in small bowl. Combine sugar & oil in med bowl, & beat at med speed with electric mixer until smooth. Add egg & beat until light in color. Add flour mixture alternately with banana, blend well after each addition. Stir in vanilla and chocolate chips. Pour into greased 8x4x2” loaf pan, and bake 40-50 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely before slicing.

(Staples are in parenthesis)

Don't forget to make time for your Family! I challenge you to eat at least two meals a week together (in the same room).
 Click here to begin planning your Family Dinners

1st day of school

We are starting (homeschool) school today! I am always so excited about the first day of school. I can hardly sleep the night before in anticipation of the new school year. It must be the teacher in me :). I made yummy cinnamon rolls this morning to celebrate the first day. Now we are ready to hit the books. I hope my girls are as excited as me, however, I doubt they are.

Loser mom day!

I forgot to take Macey to a birthday party, gave away some "very important" cupcakes that Macey had made with a dear friend of hers and was totally unable to help my oldest daughter Madeline with her girl drama today.
Maybe I need to read Proverbs 31 again!
Tomorrow will be a new day! I will do better!