Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles...

These are a few of my favorite things! My real favorite things (not necessarily in ranked order) are: Christmas, Kate Middleton, country music, mountain dew icees, the fam, and taking care of sick kiddos.

A few of my not favorite things: traveling for 72 hours, being stuck in a foreign country where I don't know the language, living for almost a week without luggage... As frustrating as it was, there were positives!

lost luggage :(

- I got to explore a new city
- I was stretched beyond depending only on myself and my plans (which I think will be a theme for this trip)
- I was humbled to have to ask people for things and accept the generosity of others taking care of me
- I will now and forever always pack extras of everything I may need in a carry on!

I'm sure there were more lessons that I will see the farther I get out from this week. My luggage did arrive Thursday afternoon, so I am now trying to really settle in to this new home. There will be pictures of this ship, but I have yet to be brave enough to creep around and take pictures of every little thing. Soon!

I was delayed in Frankfurt for one full day and 2 nights. I arrived around 11 Saturday and spent a couple hours trying to sort out hotels, bags, new flights, etc. Then I went to the hotel and crashed. And by crashed I mean cried a lot and called Mom :) Then I showered and took a nap and went to dinner. All the way down to the hotel restaurant in the lobby. Brave, I know.

Didn't have to share...

Sunday I really did put brave pants on! I actually put on the same pants I had been wearing for the past two days, but they were feeling brave. Made use of public transport all the way to 'downtown' Frankfurt where I found a Starbucks, with a menu in English!













I met a group for a walking tour Dad had found- it was lead by a retired American veteran who has been living in Frankfurt for the past 12 years and my whole group was American tourists.

Frankfurt is quite beautiful, with the river Main running through the middle and all the history and museums. It rained for the entire second half of the tour, so we were soaked- but at this point in my traveling, it was to be expected.









They have a really amazing Holocaust memorial and many of the walls that enclosed the Jewish ghetto were still standing.

I went to lunch at a traditional German restaurant/pub in the town square. I had delicious schnitzel but with boiled potatoes and an herb cream sauce, not noodles.

After I had dried off and the sun had come back out, I walked to a museum that our guide had pointed out, it was cheap and so cool! When they had been renovating several buildings, they uncovered the foundations of several of the ghetto homes. You could walk through the buildings, seeing how narrow the stairs were, how tight the quarters were, how little room there was in the kitchens. Many of these houses held 5-8 family members.

Our guide had also pointed out the best bakery in Frankfurt, so of course I found that again! I had chocolate mouse cake for dinner back at the hotel after a shower and talking to the parents again, assuring them I was still alive and well.

Monday morning, an early flight to Congo! Besides the bags, that trip was smooth and we hit the ground running here. My days have been full of orientation, meeting new friends, finding my way around 8 decks, and trying to acclimate to this place. Many of the experiences are things I am still trying to process, in a good way! It's a shocking transition, one I have longed for, and I think when patients come on Monday(!!) and we start working, I will really get a feel for why I came.

We got a glimpse of this Wednesday, which was selection day. It is a post for another day, but this picture probably gives you a little taste more than my words ever could...

Copyright Mercy Ships

 

 

'My Favorite Things' - Julie Andrews

Peanut Butter Jelly Time

Not the first post I thought I'd make from Africa this time. But- it is just that! I am in the Congo- finally :) The trip was eventful (will post about that later...) and I'm happy to just be here. I have no luggage. Thankfully I work/live in a hospital that has a plethora of scrubs I can borrow and very generous roommates , who are willing to share a few other essentials I need. I tried to post a few pictures, but until I can use my own computer, they will have to wait :/

Last night, I was tired and overwhelmed. Almost ready to come home. Almost. Based on my travel experience, who knows when I would actually get there...

This morning, I decided to stay. This place is bizarre in the most wonderful ways. This morning, our hospital staff gathered together at 7:30, not to start a shift. To worship and pray over this field service and tomorrow's selection day. Our hospital director spoke of our working focus for the year. First, to focus on our team. Second, to focus on our work. Third, to focus on our patients.

Patients last? Our team. We are the hands and feet here. Our hearts must committed and focused on the reason we are here. On Jesus, the one who brought me, the doctors, the nurses, the cooks, the housekeepers, and the patients to this place.

Our work. It is what we are called to do. It is how we will show these patients and these people of Congo the love of Christ.

And the patients. They are the reason we are here and I can't wait to meet them. To snuggle those little kiddos right up to me!

Tonight after dinner, many gathered in the dining hall to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the selection day tomorrow. We will feed every crew member working and the patients waiting in line. Our task was to make 1,700 sandwiches. People who wandered into the dining room joined in, they weren't forced to help, they just wanted to be a part of serving. And we were done in 45 minutes :)

Most everyone I have talked to quit their jobs to come. Who does that?? We don't have a life plan for afterwards. So we will live, learn, work, and trust together, knowing that God has a plan. We are all in the same boat. Literally.



"Peanut Butter Jelly Time"

I got my ticket for the long way round, one with the prettiest of views!

Tomorrow....bags are packed, malaria meds started, crafts are started/finished, dinner made :) Well, not tonight's dinner. We're eating out, because it may be a while before I get to have Thai food.

I have been working on re-quilting my old baby blanket, after so many years, it was loved to shreds... But finally, 2 days before I leave, it is finished! Sorry for the poor quality photo. The small bears were from my original blanket.

I also got to try many new recipes this past week. Some don't have pictures and I followed the recipe exactly, so I've just got the link for you. However, these two were my favorites!

The first is Pioneer Woman Calzones. So simple and so delicious. Everybody chose different toppings and got exactly what they wanted!

The other was a mac and cheese Perry pulled out of my recipe binder that I made for us one night. It has a little kick too! Cajun Mac and Cheese I did add some spicy chipotle pepper jack to this one too.

One of my good-byes was a breakfast date, where I made PW's French Bread Casserole. Obviously I have been reading PW's blog a lot. And I had these ingredients on hand to use up. I used a leftover loaf of French bread we had; she used cinnamon raisin bread, for the win. Next time...

French Bread Casserole adapted from Pioneer Woman

- French bread (or cinnamon raisin bread- what I will use next time!)
- 4 whole Eggs
- 1 C milk (whole or 2% are best)
- 1/4 C heavy cream (I used Half and Half)
- 1/2 C sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 Tbs vanilla
- Topping


1. Butter glass baking dish. Place slices in baking dish, allowing to overlap. Use as much bread as you want/have.

2. Mix eggs, milk, cream, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla in a small bowl.

3. Pour over bread slices slowly, allowing the bread to drink up as much as the mixture as possible.

4. Make topping- I used leftover topping that I had frozen from this Blueberry Crumb Cake. It's easy to throw together though! A few tablespoons cold butter, 1/4 C flour, 1/4 C brown sugar, sprinkle of cinnamon, and a pinch of slat. Mix together with your hands.  Sprinkle over top. 

5. Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

6. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350*. Bake covered for 30 minutes, then uncovered for 15-20 more minutes, until tops are lightly browned.

"Cups" - Anna Kendrick

Roommates, Christmas, and Jambalaya

This weekend was incredibly special. I got to spend some time in Nashville with my college roomies and friends. It was a sweet time of catching up, being prayed for, and encouraged before this adventure. And we celebrated Christmas! They know Christmas is my favorite, so Friday night, Clarissa and Kelli's apartment was decked out in lights, tinsel, bows, red, green, and carols! I'm spoiled with incredible friends :)

 

Friday is the day- so soon! I have semi-packed, but have several projects and things that I still want to do this week, so packing will come :) I'm so ready to go, this time at home has been so good, and I am just getting antsy to go! I can't wait to be in Africa again, to meet new friends, to learn how to be a nurse on a ship, to live on a ship, and to love on some kiddos. I've missed that!

 

But until then, I'll be sharing what I've been cooking! And since I was talking about roomies, here is a favorite from college. Em introduced me to this Jambalaya and the fam approved :)

 

Jambalaya

 

- 2 C dry rice

- 4 C water

- 2 Tbs butter

- 1 bell pepper, diced

- 1 medium onion, diced

- 1 bunch green onions, diced

- 5-6 cloves minced garlic

- 1/2 lb Andouille sausage

- 1/2 lb diced ham

- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce

- Creole seasoning to taste

- Shrimp, optional

 

1. Combine rice and water in a medium saucepan and cover. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cook 20 minutes. Remove from the heat.

 

 

 

2. While rice is cooking, chop bell pepper, onions, green onions, ham, and sausage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Add green pepper and onions to melted butter in dutch oven and cook until tender.  

 

 

4. Add garlic and season heavily with Creole. 

 

 

5. Add sausage and ham, cook, stirring frequently, for about 10 minutes.

 

 

 

 6. Meanwhile, boil shrimp for 1-2 minutes. Then drain and add into Dutch oven. Season again with Creole.

 

 

7. Rice should have absorbed water and fluffed up. Add tomato sauce and then cooked rice. 

 

 

 

 

 

 8. Cook 10 more minutes, until everything is heated through, seasoning with Creole to taste!

 

"Chicken is for girls"

Time at home has been full of cooking- trying some new recipes, but also making many of my favorites for my family. So they are new to them :) Mom has been more than happy to turn the kitchen over to me while she gets ready to start back to school, trying to get my cooking fill before I leave!

I have two recipes to share today, and maybe one or two more cooking posts, then.... Less than two weeks! Grandparents are visiting this week, and a visit with the college roomies, then it's really go time!

Got a few more things to grab at the store today and then round 1 of packing tonight. Dad thinks I will have trouble fitting everything into my one bag, we shall see :)

But that's not super interesting. These recipes, however, are. At least I think so.

Chicken Taquitos

- 3 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 C salsa verde
- juice of 1/2 a lime
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 C cooked chicken
- 1/2 C sharp cheddar, shredded
- 1/2 C pepper jack, shredded
- pinch of cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 Tbs chopped scallions
- 1/4 C fresh cilantro, chopped
- salt and pepper
- 8-12 corn tortillas (6 inch work best)


1. Combine cream cheese, salsa, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, cayenne, onion powder, garlic, cilantro, scallions, and 1/4 tsp salt.

 

2. Fold in chicken and cheeses. Season with salt and pepper.

 

3. Spoon 2-3 Tbs filling into each tortilla and roll tightly. Place seam side down in a greased baking dish.

 

 

4. Spray tortillas lightly with cooking spray and sprinkle with salt.

 

5. Bake at 425* for 15-20 minutes- until tortillas are crisp and golden brown.

 

 

To freeze: Prepare taquitos and refrigerate (instead of baking) on a baking sheet until completely cold. wrap each in plastic wrap or foil and freeze. To bake, just unwrap and cook at 425* for 20 minutes, no need to thaw!

 

 

 I served this meal to Dad and Perry. Dad says, "This is good, even if..." Perry replies, "Chicken is for girls." ?? Apparently that's a catch phrase around here.

 

So the next night, we have steak sandwiches. Even if I am a girl. They are a version of Pioneer Woman's Marlboro Man Sandwich. And they were a hit, with the girls and boys :)

 

Steak Sandwiches

 

- 1 onion, sliced

- butter

- 1-2lbs cube steak 

- Lawry's Seasoned Salt 

- 1/2 cup-ish steak sauce (PW calls for Worcestershire, but we were out)

-  hot sauce, to taste

- French deli rolls

 

1. Slice onions and cook in a couple tablespoons of butter until soft and starting to brown. Remove and set aside.

 

 

2. Slice cube steak against the grain. Season with Lawry's. Add more butter to skillet (use your discretion, PW loves butter almost as much as Paula Deen!) over high heat until melted and beginning to brown.

 

 

3. Add meat in single layer. Cook one side until brown, then turn and cook until brown. 

 

4. Add 1/2 cup steak sauce, Tabasco, and 2 tablespoons butter, if desired. Add cooked onions. Stir to combine and cook a few more minutes.

 



 5. Slice French bread, butter, and brown in skillet or on griddle.

 

6. Top with steak and onions, and enjoy!