January 2008 E-Letter



	Mentoring Moments for Christian Women www.mentoringmoments.org

Happy New Year!

January marks the three-year anniversary of MMCW. How faithful the Lord has been to provide provision, writers, readers, and support. My prayer is that the e-letter and web site be a resource of teaching, training, mentoring, and encouragement to you. The editors and myself have a renewed commitment to provide these services without any charge. This is not about making money; it's about glorifying the Lord. Each staff member gives of her time and gifts freely. What an amazing testimony in this day when so much 'ministry' work has a price tag attached.
MMCW welcomes to our staff writer and speaker Molly Evert. Molly writes a blog at www.counterculturalmom.blogspot.com that you will want to check out. Molly will be writing and providing podcasts on a variety of subjects. Her first podcast, The Value of Motherhood is now available on the Motherhood web page. During the next week Molly's Bible study on Proverbs 31 will be available on podcast along with a free download handout to follow along with her.
This month check out the new Women of God page where Vicki Huffman interviewed three women of incredible faith in the article Off the Chart Growth. Although written a few years ago for a magazine that didn't print it, this is a fabulous piece on the subject of spiritual disciplines. Loi Palmer has put together crock-pot recipes that are out of this world at In the Kitchen, and don't miss Patti Hummel's article entitled Toe-Touching.
   Send us an email letting us know what you like, dislike, and any suggestions that we can use to improve MMCW.
   You are in our prayers!
Blessings,
Kellie
Kellie Renfroe, Editor-In-Chief
mentoringmoments@aol.com
Mentoringmoments.org

Online Gift Shop
January Bestsellers                   Personal & Group Bible Studies
Leadership Resources                              Marriage Enrichment
Money Matters                                            Young Writers Series
Garden Flags                                                Kitchen
Clearance

Women of God

Off the Chart Growth
Vicki Huffman, Empty Nesters Editor
Why do some children in God's family grow more in their commitment to a life of faith than their Christian siblings? Are they just born (again) with a healthier spiritual appetite than others? Or are they better at using the gifts God has given them and that causes them to grow quickly?
Let's look at three gifted women whose desire to grow closer to the Lord has made them well-known in their own circles as believers whose spiritual growth is off the chart. Off the Chart Growth.

What are You Doing with Your Gifts?
Beba Schlottmann, Writer
God is the gift-giver and He decides who should receive which gift as well as when to activate gifts. So, what happens when we are given a gift or talent we did not ask for or do not want: what do we do with such gifts? Do we:
A. Put them away and hope to forget about them.
B. Bury them.
C. Count our blessings and say like Mary: "be it unto me."
Beba shares with us our accountability for the gifts and talents we've been given in the online article What are You Doing with Your Gifts?

Setting a Spiritual Theme for 2008
Laura Leathers, Writer
Do you have your New Year's resolutions written out? Why not set a spiritual theme for 2008? For Laura it has been an amazing experience to see how God brings forth a new theme each year. Join her as she shares the steps to spiritual themes. Setting a Spiritual Theme for 2008.

Art of Homemaking

Crock-pot Cooking
Loi Palmer, Art of Homemaking Editor
I love walking into my kitchen and having the aroma of dinner come wafting over me. Crock-pot cooking is like having a chef in my kitchen for the day. The must-know tip is to start the dish early and plan for cooking time of 4 to 6 hours. I've put together some family favorite crock-pot recipes that will deliver impressive meals requiring minimal attention. Great Northern Bean Soup, Cream of Mushroom Soup, Cheesy Potato Soup, Chicken Soup, Zucchini Soup, Slow-cooked Swiss Steak, Sweet and Spicy Pork Picadillo, and Red Hot Applesauce. Crock-pot Cooking.

Favorite Family Recipes
Vicki Webb, Guest Writer
Vicki shares her favorite recipes of split pea with ham soup, Mexican chicken soup, Mediterranean pilaf, mandarin orange cake, mandarin orange salad, romaine salad, rhubarb coffee cake, and lemon tarragon pork chops in MMCW's online Recipe Box.

Tips on Buying Roasts
Loi Palmer, Art of Homemaking Editor
Good cooks know that tenderloin and prime rib require very little to make them taste great. An inexpensive roast is a different story. To get the most flavor and tenderness from a roast consider three top contenders:
* Top sirloin roast. This cut of meat comes from the hip area and tastes incredibly meaty. Sirloin roast has plenty of marbling, making it a succulent roast. It can also be labeled as top butt, top sirloin, center-cut roast, or spoon roast.
* Blade roast. This roast comes from the shoulder and is beefy and juicy. Blade roast is easy to slice because of its shape.
* Bottom round roast. This roast is from the rump and is tough and lacking in flavor. It is generally absent of fat which can make the meat dry.
To get the most flavors from a roast, sear it before roasting to seal in the juices and to help it to cook evenly. Searing can be done in a hot frying pan or hot oven. To pan sear, melt butter in the bottom of the pan. Add meat and brown on all sides. Finish roasting as usual.
A great Sunday crock-pot roast starts with a sirloin roast seared and placed in the crock-pot. Add one cup of water or beef broth, 1 packet of Ranch dressing mix, and 1 packet of brown gravy mix. Cook on medium for six hours.
For more crock-pot recipes visit In the Kitchen.

Mentoring

Learning to Use Our Spiritual Gifts
Lori Lauth, Soul Food Editor
Since we are to use our spiritual gifts for others the question we have to ask ourselves is: do I know how to use my gifts? Lori shares practical tips to help you use your spiritual gifts. Learning to Use Our Spiritual Gifts.

The Complete Soul Organizer
Beba Schlottman, Writer
If a home can be organized to maximize functional space, can the same be true of our souls? Are there areas of clutter and chaos that need God's order? Beba shares tips to living a maximized life in the online article The Complete Soul Organizer.

January Book Reviews & Download Favorites
Online staff book reviews of A Grief Disguised: How a Soul Grows through Loss by Jerry Sitters and The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence along with favorite sermon, podcast, and music downloads Reviews

Welcome to MOE!
Stephanie Little, Women's Ministry Editor
Host a MOE in 2008 to bring awareness to your women's ministry. MOE, meaning Ministry Opportunity Evening, follows after the tradition of the Tex-Mex restaurant, Moe's. Have your women's ministry hostesses dressed in aprons and shouting, "Welcome to MOE!" as everyone arrives. (Corny, I know, but fun!)
Use MOE to showcase all the service opportunities available for women in your church. Make colorful displays, use photo scrapbooks, as well as guest speakers who have participated in different areas of ministry. Serve dessert, coffee, and hot chocolate along with chocolate covered spoons with tags that read:

Let's STIR things up!!!
Seek...Train...Invite...Reach
Hebrews 10:24-25
And let us consider one another
In order to stir up love and good works,
not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,
as is the manner of some,
but exhorting one another,
and so much the more
as you see the Day approaching.

If you would like the recipe for making chocolate spoons visit Women's Ministry online. Also, we would love to hear your ministry ideas. Be sure to e-mail and share them with us!

Seasons of Life

The Value of Motherhood
Molly Evert, Writer / Speaker
A mother's days are often filled with a myriad of wearisome little tasks that do not seem to add up to much. Where can a mother find her significance and identity during this season of her life? In this uplifting podcast on The Value of Motherhood, Molly Evert shares her testimony of how the Lord changed her from a woman set on pursuing her own happiness out in the world into one whom is content to serve at home. The Value of Motherhood.

Toe-Touching
Patti M. Hummel, Writer
Faced with the loss of her husband, Patti shares the intimate testimony of what it was like for her as a young mom to three children facing the world single-again and widowed. Toe-Touching.

A Fresh Start in 2008
Jackie Henry, Single-Again Editor
What a promise each day brings forth of the goodness and mercy of God. With such a fresh start to each day, it is a wonder sometimes that I am not enthusiastic and optimistic every moment of everyday. How can I loose sight of that? Is it my memory? Is it my focus? Am I too busy? How can I get disconnected from that truth? Great Is His Faithfulness.

January Dinner and a Movie
Kellie Renfroe, Editor-In-Chief
Movie: China Cry
The moving true story of Nora Lam begins in 1941 Shanghai as she is adopted by a wealthy family and given all the world has to offer. This fabulous lifestyle ends when the bombs begin dropping and Japanese take the country. Nora Lam's story is one of courage under the intense pressure of communism in China. The movie shows the progression of faith Nora's life and her courage to stand for the Lord. Despite repeated government persecution she crys out to God for salvation and sees miracles occur.
China Cry can be rented at Blockbuster Video or purchased online at CBD.com (please use our web site link to CBD if you can! mentoringmoments.org).
Dinner: Ponzu Chicken over Rice with Carrots and Sugar Snap Peas
This quick meal comes from Publix grocery store. My family loves this simple meal. For more recipes visit www.publix.com/aprons for more great menu plans.
Chicken Ponzu: 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 2 teaspoons roasted garlic, 1/2 cup sliced green onions, 1 (8 oz) package sliced mushrooms, 1/2 green bell pepper, 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, 4 oz. sliced water chestnuts drained, 1/3 cup Ponzu Sauce (this is a citrus soy sauce found in the Asian section of the grocery store), 2 tablespoons molasses, 2 (8.8 oz) pouches pre-cooked long grain rice.
Preheat large saute' pan on medium high heat for 2-3 minutes. Place oil in pan; swirl to coat. Add garlic, green onions, and mushrooms. Cover and cook 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are browned. Cut pepper and chicken into bite-size pieces. Wash hands. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Move mushrooms to one side of pan; add chicken, peppers, and water chestnuts. Cook 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is browned. Stir in Ponzu sauce and molasses; cook 3-4 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Squeeze rice pouches to separate rice; tear corner to vent. Microwave on high 2-3 minutes or until hot. Serve chicken over rice.
Carrots and Sugar Snap Peas: 8 oz baby carrots, 8 oz. fresh sugar snap peas, 1 tablespoon garlic butter, 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt. Place carrots in microwave-safe bowl; cover and microwave on high 5 minutes. Snip end of peas if needed. Stir in remaining ingredients. Cover and microwave on high 3-4 minutes or until tender. Stir and serve.
For more family time ideas visit Family online.

The Mailbox

I simply love this e-mail! Thanks to all of you who create it. ~ Jill Mestdagh

Thanks for Patti Hummel's article about being single again. I just recently found myself single again and was touched and encouraged by reading it. ~ Zelda Waither

That was a great article (by Patti Hummel). I really enjoyed reading it, and it touched my heart knowing the struggles (Patti) has gone through...yet still maintains a cheerful attitude. With God, we can know that our trials will be for His greater good. It is amazing how we see, sometimes years later, the reasons behind His path for us. ~ Diana

Even though Patti was writing to singles, I read valuable thoughts from myself in her article that will help me understand and interact better with the many single-again adults in my church. I've bookmarked the web site to read more on other topics and it looks like there are a lot of valuable insights for me to share with my friends. ~ Allison Moeck

Who We Are

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To meet our staff, visit Who We Are

Mission Statement
Mentoring Moments for Christian Women is a non-denominational online newsletter and magazine to provide encouragement, mentoring, and practical tips for women in their everyday walk with the Lord Jesus
Christ. It is our belief that God has a plan and purpose for every woman. By dropping the masks, becoming real, tearing down the walls around our hearts, and allowing the Lord to refresh and renew us, we'll experience personal revival as we depend on Him and His Word. With tips to stay sane no matter what the season of life, Mentoring Moments for Christian Women purposes to be a breath of fresh air: bringing ideas on creating a peaceful home, transparent heartfelt testimonies, and Biblical insight for women.

Copyright 2008 Mentoring Moments for Christian Women
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© 2008 Mentoring Moments for Christian Women