Swaziland Peace

Today is the last day before I leave for a missions trip to Swaziland south Africa.I and 12 others from my church are heading out eearly(2:30 A.M!) tomorrow morning to drive to the airport. I am so excited to go ,and I really really want to go on this trip ,but today I felt like I would rather just stay home and not bother with all the worries involved in serving people in another land . I'd rather stay and not fly 16 hours on a plane . And for whatever reason I felt very much like the weather today rainy and stormy just a whole cloud of worry over my head.

Look at this happy child how come she gets to live here in the land of plenty ,and the babies in Swaziland if they don't have HIV/Aids (43% of the population does!) they only have a life expectancy of 31 yrs old!Why am I here? and not there.If I wasn't going I would be even more miserable because I would be disobeying God.Remember Jonah? yeah that could happen with all this rain.Today I heard a preacher say that God gives us everything we have and we have everything we need to do what he has prepared for us to do.
So stop feeling inadequate God chose you to live here and he chose you to go. Remember this promise: have i not commanded you be strong and courageous do not be terrified do not be discouraged for the lord your God will be with you wherever you go.(joshua 1:9)

I have been studying this passage lately ,and it seems very fitting with my struggle today:
be anxious for nothing ,but in everything by prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God and the PEACE of God which surpasses all comprehension will gaurd your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus our lord.
Phillipians 4:6-7
So please pray for this trip that we would encourage each other and the people there and the missionaries there and that God would work over and abundant good for the people who are hurting in Swaziland . I will post pictures as soon as I can .The people there are beautiful! can't wait to meet them in person!
I get back July 3rd. Don't forget to pray!

Purple shawl

I just wanted to show you my finished hankercheif shawl.
I knitted on circular needles to form a square which you then fold into a triangle and wrap around!

It was just plain white wool ,but I decided to dye it purple because I have this thing for purple.
The pattern is from the book: New England Knits ( christmas gift) I definetly reccomend this book it has some
beautiful practical sweaters, mittens and hats.

The softness makes me smile ,and it will be super warm.
And I hopefully won't be wearing it for a few months

creamy asparagus soup

This picture has nothing to do with either Asparagus or creamy or soup.
But it is pretty special nonetheless
Great Grandma Beth and the little one.

I made this for Robin and I the other day and it was fresh tasting and very comforting.
Especially good for colds and sore throats.
And maybe even mourning the loss of a beloved pet ( read last post if this sentence makes you wonder about my train of thought.)

Creamy Asparagus Soup Recipe

• Cook time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 lbs asparagus
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 5 cups chicken broth
• Leaves of 2 sprigs of fresh thyme
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
• 1 Tbsp dry vermouth (or wine)
  
• A squeeze of fresh lemon juice
• Salt and pepper

1 Cut tips from 12 asparagus 1 1/2 inches from top and halve tips lengthwise if thick. Reserve for garnish. Cut stalks and all remaining asparagus into 1/2-inch pieces.

2 Cook onion in butter in a 4 or 6-quart heavy pot over moderately low heat, stirring, until softened. Add asparagus pieces and salt and pepper to taste, then cook, stirring, 5 minutes. Add 5 cups broth, thyme, and simmer, covered, until asparagus is very tender, 15 to 20 minutes.

3 While soup simmers, cook reserved asparagus tips in boiling salted water until just tender, 3 to 4 minutes, then drain.

4 Purée soup in batches in a blender until smooth. If you want a very creamy texture, you can put the purée through a food mill or press it through a sieve. Transfer to a bowl (use caution when blending hot liquids), and return to pan. Stir in cream. Stir in vermouth and a squeeze of lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Garnish with asparagus tips. ( or parsley like I did)

A simply recipes Adaptation from a recipe in Gourmet magazine.

Yield: Serves 4-6. ( or two hungry girls for two days)