Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner... well, more like Chili Dinner...

Last night was the Annual Chili Cook-off & Dessert Contest at Christ Church.  I entered my chili recipe, doctored up with some new things, and added moose meat as well as beef hamburger meat to it.

My Dad always was one of the winners, and he always used moose meat in his chili... guess it really works!

I won 1st place, in Dad's memory!!  Thanks Dad!

Other winners are shown here too... 1st Place Chili - me, 1st Place Desserts - Susanne, 2nd Place Chili - Ann, and 2nd Place Desserts - Pat.

The guests who came were the judges for the event, and each taste-tested the different chili and desserts.

Thanks to all who entered the contests; Roberta, Susanne, Pat, Ron, Ed, Carol, Ann, Jean, Pat and Bobbie.

And thanks to all who came to eat and judge too!  Fun Night!

Chili Cook-Off Preparations... Moose Chili, in honor of Dad...

Dad always entered the Chili Cook-off at Church.  He usually made his famous Moose Chili.  So, since John had some moose hamburger in the freezer, I decided to try and honor Dad by making some Moose Chili for the upcoming cook-off this Saturday.   Looks and tastes pretty yummy!  We'll see how it rates compared to other entries on Saturday.... Dad would probably tell me it needs to be more spicey, and less beans..LOL!

One Year Anniversary of Dad's Death...

Hard to believe it's already been a year since Dad died.  Time seems to have stood still at times, but then, it also seems like FOREVER since Dad died as well.   We ALL miss him terribly!  Often cry, as does Mom, and the rest of the family.  So much has changed in just a year too... we know Dad would be proud with how we are all taking good care of Mom, and we have much to be thankful for in having had such a loving and Godly Dad in our lives for so long.

Tonight I am spending the night with Mom, making dinner, and a sleep over, a time to remember Dad, maybe cry some with Mom, and rejoice that we know we WILL see Dad again when we are all reunited with Christ, and all those we love, in heaven.

 Until then, I miss you Dad, and I love you!!  Thank you Lord, for giving us our Dad!! xoxox

EXCITING TIMES FOR CHRIST CHURCH!! A NEW PRIEST!!

Kid's Pizza & Bowling with
The Prather's.

Over the last 15 months, our Church has been in the search process to find a new priest.

We have been praying, a LOT!  Discerning, and doing interviews via phone, and some in person with candidates we have been given.

We wondered if we'd EVER find a new Rector... and we didn't want to just "settle" for someone because it had been a long while.  So, we prayed even more, and waited.  

Jude, Fr. Joel & Tammy
with "flat Jesus"

THEN, we were given a resume of a priest, who was from N. IL originally, but now in a parish in Texas that he and his wife helped start.  Sounded interesting, and so we began the process... an email, phone calls, and a phone interview with the Search Committee, then some of our Committee went to visit him in his parish in TX, and after hearing about that, discussions with the Search Committee and the Vestry, and more prayer, we decided to ask the family to come to Delavan to see our Church, meet the people and hope and pray for a match that would bless all of us... and it DID!!  It was a really busy, but blessed weekend with the Prather family.  Such wonderful people, with a heart for God, and wonderful spiritual gifts that will surely bless us all, and I think we also have a lot to share in the ministry as well, and hope to be a blessing to them as well!

Senior Warden Pat and myself, excited
that Fr Joel accepted the invitation
to be our priest.  Here he is signing
the agreement covenants.

Ministry Leaders Dinner on Sunday night
A celebration of our mutual agreements,
excited to have Fr. Joel, Tammy & Jude at
Christ Church!

It is very exciting to be nearing the end of this search process  -  this is the 3rd search I've been involved with, on committees, and Fr. Joel will be the 5th priest I've served with at Christ Church.  We are ALL so looking forward to the mutual ministry we will share...disciples making disciples!

THANK YOU JESUS!!

Looking forward to the time when the Prather's will be here... (maybe 2 months or so), and praying for their current parish... has to be a bittersweet time for them all as well.   Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayers!

Art as Prayer Show - A Visual Message From God 2014

Kasey Karstetter Art

Installation Assemblage by
Roberta, Patron Saint of Disabled

Beth Holden, Framed Photography
Celestial Cross of St. Peter at Sunset.

John Kowalczyk, Jesus with Feathers
& Lillies Painting

Christ Episcopal Church, Delavan, hosted the Art as Prayer Show & Meditations, March 12th -16th.  12+ Artists, some with several art pieces, and meditations offered their art as a way to show a visual message from God.  Here are some of the artists and their art.    The art was stationed in the new Narthex, the Church Nave, the Library, Christ the King Room, and Chapel.

Lindsay Holden Neighbors with
Wheat and Hare, Graphite on rust
dyed linen.

Artist John Jeninga shares about his photo
book, Liberation Songs

.

Roberta with Jewel of Great Price
& Blind Faith Assemblages.

Kasey and her painting.

Happy Birthday John!

Happy 62nd Birthday John!!   Had a nice birthday celebration with some of the kids and grandkids tonight.  Carry-out fish fry from his favorite fish fry place (The Village Supper Club), and appetizers here before hand too.

Fun time playing games with the grandsons, followed by birthday cake and ice cream too!

Neighborhood Turkey Thinks He's A Lawn Ornament

So, I came home from work today, and the neighborhood turkey was at the foot of our front door steps.  I saw that he turned to look at me when I pulled in the driveway, but then suddenly turned away and stood very still... I think he was thinking, as I was walking up to the door, that if he stood REAL still that I wouldn't see him...*L*!!  Goofy turkey, he thinks he is a lawn ornament now!   Ha!!

"Read, Mark, Learn & Inwardly Digest" photo featured at The Episcopal Cafe Art Blog

Episcopal Cafe Art Blog  is featuring a photo that I entered in a recent online exhibition at Episcopal Church and Visual Arts, Advent 2013, a Photographic Journey.   I'm honored to have it featured at both sites.  Thank you!!