Gnocchi

Recently we had some Argentine friends over. One morning as I was rushing to get things done and lunch on the table, Alicia said, “Karen, do you want me to make some homemade Gnocchi”. I took a quick look at the clock, 11:00 am, and said, “Um, yeah, but isn’t it too late?” She said, “No, I can make them real fast, just watch!” I couldn’t believe it, in less than 40 minutes she had them cooking in a huge pot! Lunch was done by noon!
Ever since, gnocchi are one of our favorite “fast” foods.
Here’s our recipe (for a big family)…
1 kilo of flour = 2.2 lbs.= around 8 cups
Salt
3 Tbsp. of butter or margarine
1 liter (quart) of boiling water
Pour the boiling water over the flour and fluff it up to mix with a fork. When it kind of sticks together, dump it out on a counter space and pat it together. Don’t knead. Let it rest under the bowl while you get some other things ready.
Start boiling salted water in a large kettle. Get flour ready to sprinkle over the gnocchi. Use a fork to make the ridges on the gnocchi.
Okay, start making small snakes out of the dough. Cut them up in little chunks. Sprinkle flour on the chunks and then run them over a fork making a little impression with your thumb on the other side.
Boil them for one minute or until they start floating.
Serve with spaghetti sauce, white/cheese sauce, or pesto.
I remembered my days in Argentina. There is a saying that people eat gnocchi on the 29th of each month. I guess it’s because it was the cheapest thing left to eat at the end of the month.
Other people use potatoes, sweet potatoes, mandioca or just about anything to make these. This recipe is just plain flour gnocchi, but, so very good!

Chicks or Chickens

In one of Brandon’s classes the teacher asked them to get a chick and take care of it. They have to observe it, feed it, clean it, love it and who knows what else.
Brandon was upset…with our killer dog outside, that means we have the cute chick inside! Edson thinks it’s wonderful and practically strangles the poor thing as he “plays” with it. We recently gave away our bird cage to a cousin in San Pedro who had a parakeet. So we had this chick in a flimsy, cardboard box. It’s smelly and nasty. I’m not sure I can handle this for a month…
Well, Friday morning after the kids left for school the chick crawled out of it’s box…Then I got frustrated…really frustrated!
I chased this chick around the house for about 15 minutes trying to catch it. First I had to close all the windows and doors because if it escaped, Sasha would’ve torn it to pieces in seconds. Finally, I smacked the clothes basket down on it practically smashing its foot. I stuck a little toy under it so it could get air, but put a book on top so it couldn’t push its way out again. I called Oscar…just to complain. He on the other end, was laughing hysterically.
Now WHO is really supposed to be taking care of this chick?
I am about to make soup out of it! No, forget it…I don’t want to have to clean it…
Friday after school, Brandon asked our neighbor for their unused cage. So, we have this little chick in a cage in our laundry room. I will take a picture of it once the cage is clean!
Job 12:7-10 - But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. (NIV)
Matthew 6:26 - Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? (NIV)

Post 500!

Don’t Bet! I always tell my kids that!
Gaby did a bet with Junior…and lost!
He bet that if the White team won…he would shave his head. If the Green team won, Junior was to shave his head. So, the white team won school Olympics and Gaby had Oscar shave his head yesterday after school.
My advice…don’t bet!

Stop Doubting and Believe

I need a miracle. I don't know how it will happen, but I presented it before the Lord this morning and then I happened to open up to John 21 and read...
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?" "No," they answered.
He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish...
So, I threw my "net on the right side of the boat"...and continued praying and reading. I didn't pull my net in yet, but I DID decide to stop doubting and BELIEVE.
Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
...Stop doubting and believe..

Adonai School Update

Some of you might not be on my mailing list. I haven't updated for a while...my bad! So, here is a little bit on what's happening at school...PLUS, some pictures. My email update didn't get any pictures yet...I was having some problems.

Time to fill you in a bit on our activities at Colegio Privado Adonai.

As usual, every month is filled with activities. We started August a little bit worried since during the month of July the students had 3 weeks of winter vacations. Usually we only have 2 weeks of winter break, but this year there were so many cases of colds and flu that the president decided to extend vacations for one more week.

We were worried about the economic situation that would follow. During winter break very few parents came to pay their tuitions and we were worried about how to pay teacher’s salaries at the end of the month. We prayed that God would work miracles. We called some parents. It seems that just minutes before the teachers came by to pick up their pay; parents came by to pay their monthly fees. Most of them (the teachers) didn’t even know that we didn’t have sufficient funds. We also learned a lesson about our incredible God. This is His work and He won’t abandon what He started. We were able to pay each one on our staff without any delays. Praise God.

During the month of August we had many, many activities. Some of these events were as follows: the ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) competitions, Kid’s Day celebrated at school as well as a 12th grade project celebrating Kid’s Day at an orphanage “La Nueva Semilla” (The New Seed) for about 50 kids, we celebrated Folklore Day and on top of all that…EXAMS!

We started the month off and things settled down, getting back to normal. Thursdays we have our chapel. One of the pictures is of Pastor Oscar teaching a bible story during Chapel.Another picture is of recess, a normal, noisy part of the day where students fill the playground area and the “soccer field”. They have their own system of playing order that gives each grade a chance at the field. When it’s not their turn for the “cancha”, others are playing the popular “piki-volley” where they use a bench as the net with two players on each side using only head, body and feet (no hands) to pass the ball back and forth.

We also participated in the ACSI competitions with about 20 other schools. We had a handball team, as well as male and female soccer teams. Each team practiced during winter break with our Phys. Ed teachers. The games were played on the 13th and 14th, 21st, and 28th. We rented buses the first days of the competition since there were many students, teachers and parents going to help take care of the large group.

The best news…the girls’ soccer team won 2nd place.

On August 16th our younger students, Kindergarten through 6th grades, had a special party for Kid's Day. The students came to celebrate...no books or book bags that day. Some of the teachers dressed up as clowns, did a fun presentation while teaching values from God Word. Each student received a small bag of goodies, cake and hot chocolate. The 12th graders have been working on a charity Project all year at an orphanage near our school. They went to “The New Seed” to celebrate Kid’s Day there. There are about 50 kids at this home and with the funds collected at our Mission’s Week food fair we were able to take lunch, prizes, and party favors to these kids who might not have had such a fancy party.

Finally, we had “Folklore Day” an event where we present our culture through music, art, dance and typical foods and clothes. The whole presentation was fantastic, and half-way through the night we were privileged to hear a meditation from the word of God since one of our goals is to reach the parents for Christ, alsoSeptember has it's many activities as well. We had play presentation of "Pilgrim's Progress" on September 3rd, and next week we start school Olympics.

When we seem overwhelmed with activities and plans we are reminded of Exodus 33:14...my Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. We are thankful for His presence and strength throughout the whole school year!

Thanks for your prayers!

My big brothers are at it again...

Brandon thought this was wonderful!

A little bit of everything...

A little bit of everything...
August 22 is Paraguay's Folklore Day. We celebrated it at school on Friday the 27th. School was decorated in every way to celebrate Paraguay's music, dance, and typical foods. Oscar dressed for the occasion! My boys did too, but they did not want their picture taken.
Oscar's family is here from San Pedro. He has been taking Maria, his niece, back and forth to doctors and here and there for different tests that they are asking for.
Pastor Amancio was here on Monday night (from Concepción) for some eye doctor tests and glasses.
Warm weather, buds and tiny fruits on the trees, flowers...it's almost spring! Too bad there are so many fires, fields burning, it makes everything hazy and smoky.
Last night at our women's small group meeting, we talked about God: his greatness, his wonders, his miracles. Instead of focusing on our problems, we read Psalm 145 and spent some time praising God for all his blessings on us and our families. Check it out. Say a prayer of thanks and praise.
Psalm 145 (New Living Translation)
1 I will exalt you, my God and King, and praise your name forever and ever.
2 I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever.
3 Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness.
4 Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power.
5. I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles.
6 Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness.
7 Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy about your righteousness.
8 The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
9 The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation.
10 All of your works will thank you, Lord, and your faithful followers will praise you.
11 They will speak of the glory of your kingdom; they will give examples of your power.
12 They will tell about your mighty deeds and about the majesty and glory of your reign.
13 For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule throughout all generations. The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does.
14 The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads.
15 The eyes of all look to you in hope; you give them their food as they need it.
16 When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.
17 The Lord is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness.
18 The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.
19 He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them.
20 The Lord protects all those who love him, but he destroys the wicked.
21 I will praise the Lord, and may everyone on earth bless his holy name forever and ever.