A Gospel Primer for Whom?

For me, I hope. I'm using this post to refer you to Amy's contest . She's giving away some free goodies of the gospel sort. Check it out. This is my shameless plug to increase my odds of winning.

I love contests. Check out Lavender *Sparkles* today and enter to win. Even if you already own a copy of what she's giving away, leave a comment. You can always give it as a gift or tuck an extra copy in your glove box. (The gospel needs to be reviewed often in my vehicle, if you know what I mean. Not that I ever get angry in traffic or anything. Ahem.) Anyway, send some blog traffic Amy's way right now.

Get Your Kitchen On: Cooking Contest to Feed the Poor

Moving this post up. Minor changes noted in bold.
Here's a contest I've designed for all you foodies OR anyone who is okay to give their prize away for the sake of the hungry worldwide, which is what this contest is really about.

The contest:
Make 7 new things in 10 days.
The days are April 1-10.
There are 7 categories; the object is to make one NEW-TO-YOU thing from each category.
You can make one per day, or combine new things in a single day, but can't take more than 10 days to complete it.
You must post your recipes, give the source, and post your own review on your blog.

Not a blogger but want to enter? Email me your recipes and reviews instead. (Only people I know will get my email address.)

Keep your reviews short and sweet, such as "Always wanted to try this fish on the grill. It was easier/harder than I thought. In the future, I would/wouldn't try it again. I give it (how many) stars (out of 5). I tweaked it/ followed the recipe exactly. I would or wouldn't recommend it." No pressure to talk us into the recipe. The idea is to try new things for your sake, your family's or friends' sake, and the sake of the poor.

How will it benefit the poor? Glad you asked.

Because here's the prize. The person with the most new recipes tried--and posted about-- in 10 days wins one dollar for each one, and the money goes to Compassion OR Global Aid Network. (Winner's choice.) I will also add a dollar for each new thing I try. (You do 7, I do 7, I'll donate $14). Winner gets to pick between GAIN and Compassion. Winner gets to tell me where to donate within the organization as well.

HOMEMADE is the key. You can't try the bruschetta from Costco or mango iced tea from Chili's or dessert from a box of Mrs. Smith's, in case you were wondering. You must make it yourself. You may enlist sous chefs, but you are the head chef!

In case of a tie, first one to leave their comment that they've posted all their reviews on their blog wins. Pictures are great but not necessary.

Here are the categories:
1. beverage (hot, cold, single serving or whole pitcher, doesn't matter)
2. appetizer
3. meat entree (any meat, including fish)
4. vegetarian entree (not even fish; but must contain protein)
5. vegetable
6. bread
7. dessert

Contest runs April 1-10.

Please leave a comment if you plan to enter the contest and ask all questions before April 1st.

So, folks, get your kitchen on! Plan those "I've-always-wanted-to-try ____" recipes,
tool around GAIN and Compassion and pray for the hungry while you scan cookbooks and go grocery shopping with ALL those choices of yummy, clean foods!

If entering, let me know in the comment box or by email before April 1.

Looking forward to cooking with you April 1st-10th!

Meet the Dolls

I'm weak and tired from my procedure, but it couldn't have gone any better. Had total peace, no sadness that I was anticipating, and even a nurse that went to my old high school with me. More on the experience later. Thanks so much for the prayers. They were answered in detail,I'm sure of it.

Briana won a doll and I'm so so excited for her.

I have the privilege of introducing these sweet gals who would dearly love to be adopted. (Click to enlarge the photo if you want.)

Starting on the upper left box, we have a smart and friendly girl named Ira. As you can tell, she thrives on attention, wearing bright orange every day. She loves to talk, though she only speaks a few words of English. She only talks when you're not listening. Olya loves to go for walks and rides, enjoys hanging out in the kitchen, and her favorite subject is geography. She loves to worship and hopes to be part of spreading God's love to children.

Next to her is red-headed Lena. She loves music, dance, the arts, and is a hoping to be an Olympic figure skater. A picky eater, you may have to work with her to expand her palette.
She speaks Russian fluently, of course, and often interprets for friends and family. She is very disciplined, hard-working,and studious. She can't stand mess, but loves to build things. Her favorite verse is, "My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus."

The smiling blonde on the lower left is Ina. Very gentle, ladylike, and artistic, she is quick-witted and gracious. She would rather listen than talk. Her aspiration is to be a pastor's wife someday, the mother of many children, and a volunteer orphanage care giver. She knows how to connect with people of all ages, especially hormonal middle-aged women. Her favorite verse is Micah 5:8.

Last but not least is Olya. She is somewhat of a tomboy, refusing to close her knees even in front of a camera. She says, "I am who I am, " as if saying so entitles her an exemption from sanctification. I have reminded her that only God is the great "I AM" who cannot change and will not change, but will do all in His power to change us to be like Son. She needs a patient mom who understands her spirit but won't crush it . Ideally would get along great with brothers because she LOVES to get dirty, has a high pain tolerance, and often burps at the table. Much in need of refined manners, Olya has tremendous potential. Under her Huck Finn exterior is a sweet girl who cries when she sees animals suffer, including our own golden retriever when trying to escape Cowboy Joel.

So there you are, Bri! Take your pick. I'll be happy to bring any or all of these girl on Sunday so you can hold them and be sure of a good match. We can draw up adoption papers in a few weeks, after my root canal. Maybe Pebbles Englehart will offer her services pro bono?

We Have a Winner! Briana A, Please Step Forward!

A young, brilliant, missions-hearted mom and good friend of mine has won my contest! She correctly guessed 9 of 10, then corrected her last answer in short order.

Congratulations, Briana!

I'll have close-up pictures soon. They're uploading now on the other, slllloooooooooowwww comptuer.

I will also provide a personality and character profile on each, if you wish. (While recovering on the sofa this evening, eating Mitzy's promised chocolate chip cookies!)

Congratulations, once again!

For my Contest is Easy, My Answers are Lite

Okay, I think I've made this contest super-easy. Only a minimum of review or memory needed. I have even told you where to look for most answers, so it's pretty much an open-blog quiz!

The only requirements for entering the contest are:
1) you supported our missions trip with prayer, money or both

2) you want to adopt a doll made by an orphan so you'll pray for them

Fair enough? Here we go!

1. At what US airport did all the GAiN member meet before flying to Moscow?
(See "The Journey Begins: Day 1)
-Dulles
-JFK
-LAX
-O'Hare

2.. Where did Stanislav, the 70-year old lunch host, hear of and receive salvation?
(See "Finest Hospitality in Russia")
-at a Jesuit college
-at a Jehovah's Witness picnic
-at a Jesus Film
-in a cab with a Messianic Jew

3. Besides receiving generous donations from evangelistic supporters, I sold many things to raise money for the trip. Which one of the following was NOT something I sold? (See posts from April 5 and 9.)
-hot dogs at a yard sale
-hefty amounts of stuff on Ebay
-homeschool books online
-handmade wreaths

4. A single young mom named Tanya gave me a darling cross-stitched piece that features a domestic animal. I named the animal after her baby, Max. What is this animal?
- a koala
- a kangaroo
- a kite-winged bat
- a kitten

5. Which scripture tells us that true religion is to visit widows and orphans in their distress? (See New Testament)
- James 1:27
- Luke 5:25
- Deut 18:9
- Ezek. 14:13

6. What were the names of our male leaders in Vladimir who work for Mercy Ministries? ("See Suzdal Orphanage")
-Andrei and Oleg
-Oleg and Cassini
-Sergei and Andrew
- Olya and Ira

7. Which one of the following ways did we NOT entertain the kids?
-face painting
-magic show
-balloon animals
-Six Flags Moscow

8. Which necessity is least stocked at the Baby House?
-diapers
-toys
-medicine
-clothing

9. Sarah clung most tightly to which individual in a Vladimir orphanage?
- Dima, the 29-year-old male interpreter
- Me, her dear and doting mother
- A redheaded Russian baby
- Sacha, our missions partner and small group leader

10. This pair of food was served us at every lunch and dinner in Russia:
- chocolate and cheese
- tomatoes and cucumbers
- borscht and bread
- green eggs and ham

Contest closes when first person gets all 10 questions right, or this coming Sunday at 5PM EST, whichever comes first.

I have taken pictures of the dolls, whom I named after four of our precious Russian friends: Olya,Ira, Ina, and Lena.
I'll introduce them soon so that you can get to know them and choose which one would be the perfect match for you and your family to adopt. Right now they are sleeping so I can't ask them questions. Ira doesn't speak English, but she really wants a mommy, daddy, and at least one sibling to play with. She is not allergic to anything, even pets.

Happy guessing and "spaceeba" for playing along!

Contest Closes without a Single Entry

I don't know the reasons, but no one played along in this contest to guess ...

Which TWO things did I NOT WITNESS?

1. a stray dog waiting on the dock of a riverboat cruise. Yes. I saw the same one Sacha photographed while waiting for our panoramic riverboat tour of Moscow's famous landmarks. Earlier in the week, one of our teens, Megan, couldn't think of the word "stray" when she asked about all the stray dogs. She asked Andrew, "So, do you guys have a lot of spare dogs over here?" After a good round of laughs, we all started pointing out spare dogs to each other.

2. identical twin baby girls sharing a crib

3. a motorcycle accident --Right across the street from our hotel, while we were waiting for the bus one evening, a motorcycle rear-ended a taxi. The guy flipped over the handles, rolled on the street in a perfect ball for 20 yards, then stood up! Walked back and apologized (it appeared) for not seeing the cab! A police car rode by, slowed down, and kept going. Most citizens handle their own problems. Rarely will a policeman get involved.

4. an elderly peasant carrying hay on her back --in rural Vladimir, but I wasn't quick enough w/ my camera. ARGh!

5. a bride and groom in Red Square--- A Chinese couple in tux and gown strolled right past us as they began their honeymoon in Moscow.

6. a drunk guy falling and injuring his leg

7. a Russian student driver car . No sooner had Sarah finished asking Sergei about driver's ed in Russia, a Student Driver car pulled in front of our bus at a redlight. Bizarre timing!

8. a missionary who reminded me of one of my sons . That would be Andrew reminding me of Stephen.

9. an orphan spitting a leaf out of her mouth --Galya at the Suzdal orphanage chomped on a leaf, spit it out after I demonstrated. She thought it was so funny, she pointed up to the tree for another leaf. I had to say, "Nyet! Yucky! Nyet!"

10. a Ricky Ricardo look-alike in church-- the pastor of Emmanuel Church, the day we assembled care packages.



The answer? 2 and 6.

I didn't see any twins at all.

Sarah was out one evening with the younger team members, and on their way back to the hotel, a drunk guy fell and hurt his leg pretty badly. All the girls insisted on calling an ambulance. Dima, their male interpreter, told them it wasn't a good idea. Well, the girls won, the ambo came, the drunk guy refused help, and that was that.

Please give me feedback. Was this too hard? Too time consuming? I can make an easier contest if you want to try again! I really would like to award a happy little rag doll to someone!

Eyewitness Contest: Russian Version

Okay, friends, as promised, I have devised a new and exciting contest regarding my Russia trip.

Here's how it works:
I will list 10 things. Only 8 of them I personally witnessed. Two I did not. If you have read all my posts, you have an advantage. Some things I witnessed but haven't yet blogged about. Thus you have elements of guess and elements of study and review to help you get the answers right. (The gamer in me likes a little random fun.The teacher in me can't help make a quiz once in while. )

The object is to pick the TWO things I did not witness on my trip. Someone else may have (like Sacha or Sarah, but they are disqualified from entering the contest. Sorry, girls.) You may, however, read their blogs because we witnessed some of the same things!

Today is Thursday, and it's 3:08 pm. I will keep this contest open until Sunday night at 7pm EST.

The first person to guess which TWO things I didn't witness WINS A DOLL. (Sorry, I still haven't taken a picture of these delightful whimsies.)

My apologies ahead of time to my international readers. I won't be able to afford to mail you a doll, but you may enter for the fun of it if you wish!

Here goes:

Which TWO things did I NOT WITNESS?

1. a stray dog waiting on the dock of a riverboat cruise
2. identical twin baby girls sharing a crib
3. a motorcycle accident
4. an elderly peasant carrying hay on her back
5. a bride and groom in Red Square
6. a drunk guy falling and injuring his leg
7. a Russian student driver car
8. a missionary who reminded me of one of my sons
9. an orphan spitting a leaf out of her mouth
10. a Ricky Ricardo look-alike in church

I'm So Stupid

I am so stupid.

Leanne oh-so-gently pointed out the mental error of my ways. When I posted my contest, I was thinking it was Tuesday and that I'd give 2 days for the contest to stay open. Well, it wasn't Tuesday. It was actually Monday. Only people who READ could've figured that out. I am not one of my own readers, I guess. At least not an ALERT one.

So I gave the answers away. How stupid.

I will make it up to you, my friends, in case anyone had her heart set on a rag doll -- or on winning some silly little guessing game. I know people love to win, no matter the contest. So let me think about a new and exciting one to offer.....

Anyone want to play along?

No Guesses and No Winners

I don't know what happened. Did everyone go on a blog fast at the same time, head out of town, or what? Maybe just no one wants a Russian Doll, I don't know.

Anyway, I closed the contest at 10 a.m.

Here is the answer. The order of Tanya's favorite gifts:

1) Manicure Set. You should have seen her face light up. "Spaceeba! I really needed this!"

2) Peanut Butter. "I love this. It's a treat. I really like it with jam on crackers."

3) Quilt. She caressed it like a treasure. "Ah, this is really nice."

4) Soap. "It smells so good. Spaceeba."