#shoppingsolo by: Julie Wicker
I went grocery shopping solo on a Friday night which is rare, normally I have two 13-year-olds with me. I saw a few college students home for the weekend, grocery shopping with their moms. These moms were glowing with a joyful heart. Here I am in my rushed schedule, excited to go grocery shopping solo, while these college moms are cherishing this time with their children. It made me fully aware that in 4 ½ short years that will be me.

It makes me ponder, where will my kids choose to be when they have an opportunity to come home? Why do we rush through seasons in our life?
I love to see our college students at church on Sunday mornings. A few that attend close by get to come more frequent, but they all choose to be at church anytime they get a long break. Maybe it’s that Sunday lunch out that’s got them hooked. This brings the scripture to mind proverbs 22:16; start your children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
I’m at the point in my life, I love to cook for my family. I guess you can call it a love language, acts of service. As my kids are teenagers and lead busy lives, I find great importance in home cooked meals. Providing a safe place of security. My prayer is that my children will always cherish these memories. And that they will always desire to return home. For Love never fails! We read this in 1 Cor 13: 7-8; It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Lord, encourage us to enjoy the day to day tasks. Help us to live unrushed lives.
I would love to hear form our college moms, what is the #1 meal request or staple when your children come home?
I’m sure Deborah has a story for this.

#home by: Deborah Ard
Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines home as one’s place of residence. As the daughter of a Methodist minister who moved often, I respectfully disagree with this definition. I believe the saying, “Home is where your heart is.” I lived in many different houses in various locations including my time away at college. While all of those places were welcoming and loving, it was only home if my family was there with me. While some places were not ideal situations or locations, my mama always worked hard to make it our home. Inside the house she created a loving and accepting atmosphere, which in turn made it home. Therefore while I was in college, I always looked forward to going home. One way she made home so special was in her cooking. Now I enjoy cooking for my family also. Below is her recipe for spaghetti which I now use and cook for my family in our home.
Spaghetti Recipe by Dottie Phelps (aka. Mama and GranDottie)
2 lbs. hamburger meat (browned & drained) 1 tsp. salt (1/2 garlic salt)
½ cup diced bell pepper 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 can tomatoes (cut up) 1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 can tomato sauce ½ tsp oregano
1 small can tomato paste as needed
**2 Tbsp. sugar (secret ingredient)

Cook 1 hour. Simmer stirring every 15 minutes. Serve over hot noodles or for a healthy option serve over zucchini noodles. Enjoy!

#Prayer by: Deborah Ard

Dear Heavenly Father,
We praise you for the opportunity to serve you in the way we love others in our home and show you in our love for them. We especially praise you for the promise that this world is not our permanent home and that we are able to look forward to a home yet to come. May all that we say and do be a reflection of you and your love. In Jesus name we pray. Amen

#worshipwithus

Home by: Chris Tomlin