Altrogge Family

This afternoon, one of the biggest servants in the universe came over to take pictures of our family. Janelle is always babysitting for us, and today she dropped what she was doing yet again. She would be the first to admit she isn't a photographer, but I explained I simply needed someone who was capable of using a digital camera (more simply put, not my mom:).

The pastors' college needs a picture of our family, and we didn't have a recent one of the three of us. We have lots of pictures of Charis, Stephen and Charis, and Charis and I, but are lacking ones of our whole family together.

At lunch, I dropped the bomb. "Stephen, do you mind if we wear coordinating outfits for the picture?" (I was trying to milk this opportunity for what it was worth. I love pictures and possibly take way too many).

"Define 'outfit," he said. Apparently, "outfit" wasn't a term thrown around during the bachelor days. I'm workin' on him.

I made some smart remark, and then explained, "I just want us to wear clothes that blend." He asked me what he should put on, and I told him it was ironed and laid out on the bed already. Given my love for photographs and my desire to have them years and years from now, this "photo shoot" blessed my socks off. Thanks, Janelle.

Speaking of the pastors' college, God has faithfully provided a home for us. We will be living with a pastor and his family. That's the extent of what I know!

This morning I woke up, and before I drank my cup of coffee, had a clear thought in my head or opened my eyes the whole way, dinner was already cooking. Oh the joys of a slow cooker. Whoever invented it, deserves a high five.

I am curious to know what's going on in your lives outside of the blog-world. I thought I'd pass along the recipe for what we're having for dinner tonight . . . on one condition: you have to tell me what's on your menu. Will you use a recipe, make it up, order take-out or serve up a bowl of cereal? Leave a comment and your recipe, if you'd like. I could always use some new dinner ideas to change things up.

Barbecued Beef Sandwiches

• 1 1/2 cups ketchup
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons prepared Dijon-style mustard
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon liquid smoke flavoring
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 (4 pound) boneless chuck roast
• buns
  

Directions

1. In slow cooker dish, combine ketchup, brown sugar, red wine vinegar, Dijon-style mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and liquid smoke. Stir in salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
2. Place chuck roast in the slow cooker. Cover with sauce, and cook on Low for 8 to 10 hours.
3. Remove chuck roast from slow cooker, shred with a fork, and return to the slow cooker. Stir meat to evenly coat with sauce. Continue cooking approximately 1 hour.

(From Allrecipes.com)

Note: It's hard to go wrong with this one. I normally just estimate amounts and throw the stuff in. We don't have liquid smoke, so I just put in a pinch of cayenne pepper.

This is one of our favorites. Enjoy!

Micah 7:19, "You will . . . hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea."

"The picture is of God vigorously disposing of our sings by hurling them overboard. He doesn't just drop them over the side or even pitch them overboard. He hurls them as something to be rid of and forgotten" (Jerry Bridges, The Gospel for Real Life).

Corrie ten Boom said, "And then God put up a sign saying, 'No fishing allowed.'" Why would He do this?

"Because she knew that we tend to drag up our old sins, that we tend to live under a vague sense of guilt. She knew that we are not nearly as vigorous in appropriating God's forgiveness as He is in extending it" (J.B.)

Let's run to the cross and find forgiveness!