Morning Preparations for Russia

This morning I officially almost finished packing for our trip. Earlier a friend asked me "How do you feel about going to Russia?" My answer went something like this... 2 days ago I was nervous, yesterday I was excited, and today I am in shock and don't know what to feel.
I guess from here on out, feelings no longer apply. We are leaving and that's that.

Sorry Pushock, I don't think you can come with us even though I know you really want to :(

No promises, but we are going to try to journal our experiences while on this trip.

We won't be gone long but I still ask that you all pray for this trip. For all to go well, for God to do His work, for us to be safe, and for the gospel to be made known!

And if you want to pretend like you are there with us, simply sing this song: 

We will be singing this song a lot. It may not be the hippest song on the block, but we will be jammin to it because the words have so much meaning! I would recommend you really pay attention to the anointed lyrics!

Keep praying for us friends :)

Parmesan (Sage) Pork Chops

I do not think I have ever ate pork chop before, never mind cooking it. But I found some pork in the fridge yesterday and decided to take a stab at it! It turned out not to bad. My mom really liked it! I didn't have sage so I skipped that ingredient... I also skipped the lemon zest part.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 pinch ground black pepper
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 3/4 cup Italian bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 1/2 teaspoons rubbed sage
• 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 2 boneless pork chops
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Lightly grease a 7x11-inch baking dish.
2. Mix flour, salt, and ground pepper in a shallow dish. Combine bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, sage, and lemon peel in a shallow dish. Gently press pork into flour mixture to coat and shake off excess flour. Dip into beaten egg, then press into bread crumbs. Gently toss between your hands so any bread crumbs that haven't stuck can fall away. Place breaded pork onto a plate while breading the rest; do not stack.
3. Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat. Brown pork chops on each side, about 4 minutes per side, then transfer to baking dish.
4. Bake in preheated oven until juices run clear and a meat thermometer inserted into the middle of pork reads 160 degrees F (71 degrees C), 10 to 15 minutes. 

Recipe found here: Parmesan (Sage) Pork Chop Recipe

Pray for Us

Growing up, I remember people my age always talking about going on missionary trips. While others day dreamed of going to Africa to help starved kids, the idea horrified me. What if someone asks a question that I can't answer? What if God doesn't answer a prayer of healing? Those were some of the questions that bombarded my mind. That was when I decided... I will never go on a missionary trip. I will instead become a business woman and financially support the mission field! I envisioned myself in crisp business attire throwing money at churches, while obviously living comfortably myself. Fast forward to today. I chuckle at that image. I can now say that God not only changed my mind, He changed my heart and life. Praise Him! In three days a team of ten people from the North East are flying out to Buryatia, Russia from New York City. I am one of those people. Thoughts of doubt no longer assault me because Christ has the power to save you and I from fear and insecurity!

Here is what we have been doing in preparation:

                                                                      Car Wash

                                                     First Ever Slavic Pentecostal Bake Sale

~Praying and Fasting~

Buying 64 bubbles with wands, 24 crayon boxes, 6 animal puzzles, hundreds of stickers, a first aid kit for Nurse Tanya, cute band aids, tons of coloring pages, buying loads of skirts, having sweet people you love giving you money, making over 300 pages of copies for Russian songs, calling dentist offices looking for donations of toothbrushes for kids, visa difficulties... and much more.  

Can you join us in prayer for this trip?

Resturant Style Spinach Artichoke Dip

I tried this recipe for the first time this past Saturday and it was so good! It really reminds me of the Applebee's artichoke dip. It felt special to use our spinach from our garden... Now I know how farmers feel! Haha, not really.

 

Ingredients

• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
• 1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 1 (10 ounce) container Alfredo-style pasta sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Place garlic in a small baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven 20 to 30 minutes, until soft. Remove from heat. When cool enough to touch, squeeze softened garlic from skins.
3. In an 8x8 inch baking dish, spread the roasted garlic, spinach, artichoke hearts, Alfredo-style pasta sauce, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese and cream cheese.
4. Cover and bake in the preheated oven 30 minutes, or until cheeses are melted and bubbly. Serve warm.

Upcoming Weekend Events

Hello :)

I would love to fill in some people with what is coming up! Some of you do not have Facebook and I think you have a right to know what is going to be happening in our youth.

Wednesday:
-Reach* 6:30pm
-Youth Choir 7:00pm

Thursday:
-Youth Prayer 7:30pm

Friday:
-Car Wash to raise funds for Russia. 12 noon-7:30 pm. Hess gas station next to Sam's on 104.

Saturday:
-Rock the Lakes (Sahlen's Stadium) doors open at 2:30pm, starts at 4:00pm

Sunday:
-Church... Father's Day.
-In between services we are having a bake sale! Bring in a cake, or buy a cake for your daddy or simply donate for Russia!
-Rock the Lakes Day 2, doors open at 2:30pm, starts at 4:00pm.
-I also heard that some youth from out of town will be guests during evening service.
-Our dear Lesya Lukomskiy's Birthday!

*Bring a friend and come out for an evening of high energy prayer and worship as we intercede for this weekend's Rock the Lakes Rochester Festival!

Where? Greece Assembly of God, 750 Long Pond Rd.

When? Wednesday, June 13th, from 6:30-8:00pm

Cherry Clafoti

I made this for Coffee House yesterday. My dad brought over the fresh cherries from California (a positive for having a truck driver dad). This is a very simple summer recipe that is perfect for when cherries are in season. Here is where you can find the recipe http://diana-ablogaboutlife.blogspot.com/2011/07/cherry-clafouti.html#comment-form

Abba, Father

The Holy Ghost has a way of simplifying our relationship with God the Father and Jesus. He is the One who teaches us to say, “Abba, Father.”

This phrase refers to an oriental custom of Bible days, regarding the adoption of a child. Until the adopting papers were signed and sealed by the adopting father, the child saw this man only as a father. He had no right to call him Abba, meaning “my.”

Yet, as soon as the papers were signed, registered and sealed, the child’s tutor presented him to the adopting father—and for the first time the child could say, “Abba, Father!” As the father embraced him, the young one cried, “My father! He’s not just a father anymore. He’s mine!”

This is the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit. He tutors you of Christ. He presents you to the Father. And he keeps reminding you, “I have sealed the papers. You are no longer an orphan—you are legally a son of God! You now have a very loving, wealthy, powerful Father. Embrace him—call him ‘my Father.’ I have come to show you how much you’re loved by him! He loved and wanted you!”

Our cry should be one of exceeding joy and thanksgiving. The Spirit in us literally cries out, “You are an heir, an inheritor of all that Jesus won.” And what an inheritance you have, because your FATHER is the wealthiest in the whole universe! Don’t shy away from him, he’s not mad at you. Stop acting like an orphan who’s poverty-stricken, lacking joy and spiritual victory. You are not forsaken—so enjoy him!

Not only are we not forsaken but the Holy Spirit is there with us during moments of confusion and suffering.

The Holy Spirit’s mission is to comfort Christ’s bride in the absence of the Bridegroom. “He shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever” (John 14:16). “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost” (v. 26).

Comforter means “one who soothes in a time of pain or grief”—one who eases pain and sorrow, brings relief, consoles and encourages. But I like this definition from the Greek: “One who lays you down on a warm bed of safety.” During the cold, dark night of your soul, he lays you down on the soft bed of his comfort, soothing you with his tender hand.

By calling the Holy Spirit the Comforter, Jesus made an infallible prediction. He was predicting his people would be suffering discomfort, and would be in need of comfort—that there would be a lot of pain and suffering among his people in the last days.

The Holy Spirit brings comfort by reminding you that he lives in you with all the power of God inherent in his being. And that’s why you can say, “Greater is he that is in me than all the world powers combined—greater than all demon powers!” God sent the Spirit to use all his power to keep you out of the clutches of Satan—to lift your spirit, drive away all depression and flood your soul with the love of your Lord.

“We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience…. And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:3, 5).

More devotionals visit http://davidwilkersontoday.blogspot.com

Regional Youth Camp of The Woods 2012

Thank Jesus for an awesome camp this year. I personally had a blast and felt blessed to be there.

 Here are some pics 

The site was beautiful. Especially on the third day when the sun finally decided to join us again.

Tanya and Natalie :) People kept confusing Tanya and I up. Others thought Natalie was our sister. Haha! She is though.

Here is the treasure... 

The girls had a little testomony-heart-to-heart-worship time in Ziychik II (name of the girls cabin). Everyday I see more and more of Jesus in the actions, words and countenance of our young woman.

Here is half of my cabin. Totally not taking pictures of themselves during church service.

And then the final hike up the mountain. All five minutes of it was a blast. As you can see, I remember saying something mean to David. He will get over it :) Haha

If you were around these girls in the AM you would have heard the entire good morning rap, but here are the last few seconds of what I could catch. 

"Top of the mornin to ya girly"

So to answer my own question. Indeed, I did leave the camp site feeling the Lord's blessing because young people came to know Jesus Christ. My favorite parts of the weekend consisted of the church services, especially the worship!
 

"It rain outside, and it rain inside because God bless us" 

-Pastor Mike Sahan 

PS: If you have any comments or suggestions about camp email me or post a comment and if God wills it will be even better next year!