I feel like I should never eat again - I've had way too much food today! Tonight at church Gwynn and Charisse were in charge of the meal and they treated us to delicious homemade tamales and all of the trimmings. Another member of the church made the tamales and said they started at 10 o'clock last night and finished at three this morning. What servants! Thanks to all of you!
Early this morning I woke up thinking about the article I mentioned last night that I found in the New York Times by Nicholas Kristof about the young girls in Cambodia sold into prostitution often by a relative or friend and how Mr. Kristof bought back their freedom and returned them to their homes. He told how on the trip back to their homes, the girls worried over what their Mothers would think and if they would receive any kind of welcome at all. They knew they could never let their Mothers know what they had been doing. I thought about this and all the children throughout the world who are deserted by their Mom's and how the must feel - growing up without one! My Mom played such an important role in my life and I learned so many life skills from her! There are some things I promised I would do differently and I have - but I believe my values and skills came from her! There is a country song and the girl is singing to the Mom she never knew and it says: "You were never there to teach me how to tie a bow, or see me in my prom dress" and on and on. I looked up some statistics and in 2006, it was reported that there were 500,000 children in Foster Care in the USA. In 1990, the NY Times reported that in the US alone, there were 500,000 underage runaways and THROWAWAYS (by their own parents!) One lady had written an article "Growing Up Without a Mom" and she relates how her Mom died when she was eleven years old and the struggles she had, the wisdom she lacked, and she said "When I became a mother, I felt I lacked something in my motherhood. Oh I wanted to be a Mother, and I loved my children and felt I could be good at being a mom but I also felt very alone." She goes on to say she started subconsiously pulling away from her children, scared something might happen to her, and asking, "what would happen if I weren't here." She said realized much later that she had inadvertently pushed them away. We've seen this happen - if a child is abandoned or not loved during her childhood, many of these women can have children - but can't raise them. One of the saddest thing about this is - regardless - the children love their Moms - no matter what. They crave their mother's attention! We've seen children who are left with others for months at a time with no word from Mom, and when Mom finally calls or shows up - the child is thrilled to death. They have a bond that even neglect or abandonment or abuse can't break! So we ask what can we do? Sadly - not a lot - but if we are in contact with a child abandoned by a parent, be especially kind and loving to them, try to teach them self worth and how much they are loved by the ones around them and that God loves them. Show them God's love and kindness! And Moms - be the parent God intented you to be. Put away selfish desires and think about the life you brought in this world and what is best for them!! Easy for me to say - yes - but I believe if we align ourselves with Christ - we can overcome any obsticle!
Tonight I want to give you an easy, easy recipe that has been a hit at many a get together:
ECHRICH SAUSAGE IN APRICOT SAUCE
2 pkg. Echrich beef sausage
1 Jar Blackburn's Apricot preserves
1/4 cup prepared plain mustard
Cut Echrich sausages into 1 inch pieces. Put in crock pt with apricot preserves and mustard. Let simmer about 45 minutes. Very good. You could also use the little weiners!
Now I am going to share my signature PIMENTO CHEESE
12 oz. Sharp cheddar cheese (large half moon piece) to grate (makes the best) or if you choose for 2nd best - one 2 to 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 - two cup package Shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 large jar pimentos
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. sugar
1 garlic clove minced
1-1/2 to 2 cups Hellman's mayonnaise
Stir together really well - taste and add salt if needed. More cayenne is always good!
This is simple and delicious. We used to make Pimento cheese and put all kinds of things - pickle relish, etc., in it and then I ate some made downtown at The Tea Room" above the Antique Store in the old Sears store! It was the best and this is basically their recipe plus of course, the cayenne pepper.
Serve with crackers or makes wonderful sandwiches! Try grilling one!!! Yummm - and I am not even hungry!
Well - once again it is getting late and there is still lots to do - so I will wish you good night - and God's will - sign back on tomorrow!
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