O'Callaghan Kids' Macaroni and Cheese from Margaret O'Callaghan

This entry will be a comfort food that I’ve been making and gifting southwest Michigan with for 25 years. My middle child, Dan, was three weeks old when I obtained this recipe and he just celebrated his 25th birthday.

OLD-fashioned Macaroni and Cheese: Prepare according to package directions a one-pound box of elbow macaroni. Drain. Return to the hot pan and stir in one stick of butter until melted. Now stir in four easy ingredients: one pound small curd cottage cheese, one pound sour cream, one pound grated cheddar cheese and three beaten eggs. Spoon into an ungreased 9x13 pan and bake @ 350 degrees for one hour.

This recipe may be frozen unbaked for later use. Just thaw a couple days in the fridge and bake as directed. This is a great dish to give a family w/a newborn as it isn’t spicy for the nursing baby. It also works very well for a church potluck.

Meals for Families with Newborns

North Point accomplished a first this past week... three babies born in three days! How exciting!! What this means, however, is we have a lot of meals to deliver. As a church, we try to bring meals to the families with newborns. Sarah Robinson is organizing our care meals and has asked for some new volunteers to help prepare meals for all these new parents. Please contact her if this is something you'd be able to help with in the next few weeks. Thanks. I know we'll take great care of these families, both now and as their little ones grow up "really, really big" (as my own two-year old says).

Her email address is: therobinsonshouse@yahoo.com

Preparing Meals for the Robinson's

Borrowing a line from Priscilla Shirer, it's time for the "pew to hit the pavement..."

Calling All North Point Ladies! We're praising God that Doug Robinson is home from the hospital and we'd like to provide meals for his family as he is on restricted activity for the next 6 weeks. Please contact Katrina Pelfrey on FB or at dkpelfrey@juno.com to sign up to bring them a meal; we'd like to cover them for at least the next 2-3 weeks-Thanks!!

Prayer for Daddies

Proceed in this order:

1) Grab a box of Kleenex

2) Watch this youtube video

3) Pray for the dads you know who we need to be the spiritual leaders of our families.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdhSeA1hva4

Only Trust Him written by: John H. Stockton

1. Come, every soul by sin oppressed,
there's mercy with the Lord;
and he will surely give you rest,
by trusting in his Word.
Refrain:
Only trust him, only trust him,
only trust him now.
He will save you, he will save you,
he will save you now.

2. For Jesus shed his precious blood
rich blessings to bestow;
plunge now into the crimson flood
that washes bright as snow.
(Refrain)

3. Yes, Jesus is the truth the way
that leads you into rest;
believe in him without delay,
and you are fully blest.
(Refrain)

4. Come then and join this holy band,
and on to glory go,
to dwell in that celestial land
where joys immortal flow.
(Refrain)

S'More Cookie Bars from Sara Sheaffer

What better than a night by a campfire, roasting marshmallows and putting together a perfectly tasty S'more. That sure does ring in summertime, doesn't it!? But what about those of us who don't have time for a campfire but would love to enjoy that S'more? Well, here is your solution! What could possibly be better than S'more by itself anyway? If you are wondering that, I encourage you to try this recipe, it is very easy to make and so worth the effort!

S'more Cookie Bars

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs (or 7 full-sized crackers, finely ground)
1 tsp baking Powder
1 tsp of salt (This may be too salty for some, If this is too much, reduce it to 1/4 tsp.)
4 king-sized dark chocolate bars (I used Hershey's Special Dark)
1 1/2 cups marshmallow creme/fluff (not melted marshmallows)

Method
Preheat oven to 350°F Prepare an 8x8 baking pan by either using nonstick spray, or the old fashioned way with crisco and flour ( I use wiltons ready to use Cake Release, works great!) Set pan aside.

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Beat in egg and vanilla.

In a small bowl, whisk together flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt. Add to butter mixture and mix at a low speed until combined. Divide dough in half and press half of dough into an even layer on the bottom of the prepared pan.

Place chocolate bars over dough. 4 king-sized Hershey’s bars should fit perfectly side by side, but break the chocolate (if necessary) to get it to fit in a single layer no more than 1/4 inch thick. You may not need all the chocolate so nibble on any pieces you don't use.

Spread chocolate with marshmallow creme or fluff.

Place remaining dough in a single layer on top of the fluff (most easily achieved by flattening the dough into small shingles and laying them together).

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until lightly browned. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Makes about 14-16 bars.

Friendship by Jaime Rogers

"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one!'" C.S. Lewis
 
 
Friendship is a gift. Usually we can tell right away in a conversation if we will have a lot in common and if this will be a instant friendship.

My instant “me too” happened without talking or meeting her at first. She was reading scripture at church and her heart for God’s word was evident. You could tell that she was a woman who loves the Lord. I had been praying for God to give me more women in my life that were passionate about Him and His word. Who wanted to learn more about Him daily. Listening to her read and hearing her heart I was hoping for a new friendship.

A few weeks later we were able to talk and, sure enough, the conversation was “Oh me too, and me too.” I find it comforting to know women who have the same goals, interests and are also seeking God and His plan. God answered this prayer and he will answer yours. It benefits our walk with Him when we have friends to learn with, connect with and love the Lord with.

If you have great girlfriends, thank God for those relationships and ask Him to keep growing those friendships.

If you desire more of these friendships, ask God, be specific and know He already has a friend in mind.