Filed under: Meal Plans | Tags: dinner ideas, food, Meal Plans, menu plan monday, salmon
Being the week of Christmas means a short week of meals at our house! I thought I would try a couple of new recipes this week just for fun! But we are sticking to our traditional Christmas fare the day of Christmas Eve (we are celebrating with the kids Christmas Eve morning since we’ll be at the Grandparents’ after that!).
Monday- Rustic Italian Tortellini Soup (thanks Jen!) with Crusty Bread
Tuesday- Salmon Turnovers with Cabbage & Carrot Salad
Wednesday- (breakfast) Monkey Bread & Fruit (Lunch/Brunch) Our Traditional Breakfast Casserole, Bacon & Fruit
Sunday- Crockpot Beef Roast, Carrots, Potatoes and Rolls
Next week, I am going to begin my new quest. Cut my grocery budget in HALF!!! Yep…it will be interesting!
Abbie & Peyton with their cousin Corban
Christmas is always a fun time. Our kids are still young enough to think Santa is real (although Abbie is really thinking things through this year). But the whole idea of “Santa” has made for some interesting conversations in the Gordon household this year.
The other night Peyton came into our room with a very important request for Jason.
P- Dad, can you add something to the list?
Jason- What list?
P- The Santa list.
Jason- Um, okay.
P- Childrens.
Jason- What do you mean, childrens? Like kids?
P- Yes, kids. I want you to put a baby brother on the list.
I guess this is the year they will realize that they don’t get everything on their list!!!!
Filed under: Family, God, Quotes | Tags: Abbie Gordon, Church Planting, kids
So far, one of the most interesting things (on a personal note) in our church planting journey has been to watch our kids through this entire process. Our church planting journey has been unique in the fact that we are planting a church in the same community that we have been ministering for the past 3 years. That fact has proven to be confusing at times for the kids. But, we have had the opportunity to have GREAT conversations with them about why we are doing what we’re doing.
When we partnered with Connexion, we were still meeting on Sundays at our Linnwood campus (which is being used for administrative offices, our Hispanic service and some outreach events). When we launced at our Downtown Campus, the kids were getting a little confused–where we going to work at another church? It opened the door to talk about why we are worshipping in a non-traditional venue. It really has opened their eyes…that not everyone “goes to church” or knows who God is or that He loves them.
On the way to Connexion on Sunday, Abbie says, “Mom do all kids go to church and learn about who God is?”
Me- No Abbie, they don’t. That’s why God wants us to share that with the people we know.
Abbie- Well, I think Macy goes to church. She has a cross on her good luck charm bracelet.
Me- Maybe she does Abbie, but there are a lot of people that like to wear crosses on their jewelry. That doesn’t mean that they know God or how much He loves them.
Abbie- (Very seriously) Oh… Well maybe I’ll ask her.
Peyton- You should ask her to come to our church Abbie. Then she’ll know about God…
Abbie- Peyton, she’s only in 1st Grade…she can’t drive there herself!
Filed under: Church Planting | Tags: Church Planting, Connexion Christian Ministries
Sunday we held our Open House at Connexion. It was a great time for people to come see the building and get to know us in a very non-threatening environment. We had homemade pizza made in our “on-site pizza oven” (our building used to be a restaurant/bar/catering venue). It was VERY yummy!
I snapped a few pictures before things got started (on my phone- so they aren’t great quality). Once people were there, I didn’t really think too much about it! You can get a glimpse of our cafe…it is pretty much done, with just a little bit more decorating to be finished.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: christmas gifts, etsy, giveaway, jewelry, vintage pearl
Are you still searching for that “one thing” that is perfect for someone on your list? I actually surprised myself this year and had most of my presents done by Thanksgiving, but I’m usually not that good.
Recently, I have been turned on to Etsy…an online marketplace of handmade items. One store I love is The Vintage Pearl. I was kicking myself when I surfed on over today and realized that she has closed her shop for the rest of December because, well…everyone else loved her shop too!
Check out this giveway for one piece of jewelry from The Vintage Pearl (seen below). You can enter here. But hurry…a winner will be picked tomorrow!!!
This could be a perfect ‘last minute gift’!
Filed under: Church Planting | Tags: children's ministry, Church Planting, Connexion Christian Ministries, Lafayette
Yes, I know…I haven’t posted anything in a week! Last week was probably one of the most exhausting yet exilerating weeks I’ve had…ever.
Connexion has been so blessed with an incredible launch team. It is amazing to think that we only got into our building 3 weeks ago. Countless hours of work have gone into transforming our children’s area, the Connexion Cafe, the worship area for our “soft launch” this past Sunday. Here’s a very small glimpse of some of the prep in the children’s area (thanks to Abbie for taking my picture from a very flattering angle!). Blake (in the green on the right) did an AMAZING job using his artistic talents for this area. I hope to have pictures of the final “product” later this week–my camera was dead on Sunday!
Sunday was amazing. The energy of our launch team was contagious. Over 90 people came to worship at Connexion’s first public service, and we can already see God working through our obedience to Him. I am SO excited to watch the barriers break down, to see people come to know Christ in an authentic way and for kids to be on fire about their faith. It is such a privelege to work alongside people who are pumped to make a difference in this city…who really want to put other people first and consider them more important than us…who want to turn the world upside down because our lives have been turned upside down by God.
Filed under: Meal Plans | Tags: bread, Chicken pot pie, crockpot chicken, enchiladas, menu plan monday
Since this is our Launch Week at Connexion, I needed a quick and easy menu this week. I noticed that I have a LOT of chicken dishes…hopefully we won’t be too sick of it by Sunday!
Monday- Cheese Enchiladas, Spanish Rice, Black Beans and Salad
Tuesday- Jenni’s Crockpot Chicken, Rice (from the freezer), Green Beans
Wednesday- Chili (using my precooked ground beef), Peanut Butter Sandwiches, Carrots.
Thursday- Baked Potato Bar (Choice of Cheese, Salsa, Sour Cream, Chili)
Friday- Chicken Pot Pie, Green Beans
Saturday- Baked Italian Chicken, Steamed Mixed Vegetables, Soft Garlic Knots
Sunday- Crockpot Maple Dijon Chicken, Sweet Potatoes, Green Beans
