~ JOY In The Kitchen ~ 
A FREE weekly newsletter from Sarah's Tent, a Loving Internet Community of Pastor's Wives. 
Isaiah 51:1-2 ~ Isaiah 54:2-3 ~ Heb 10:24 ,25
Happy Mother's Day!   

Before I Was A Mom
Sent in by Jen ( BestPals4@home.com )


Before I was a mom 
I made and ate hot meals. I had unstained clothing. 
I had quiet conversations on the phone.

Before I was a Mom
I slept as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got into bed.
I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.

Before I was Mom
I cleaned my house each day. 
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to lullabies.

Before I was a Mom
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom
I had never been puked on, pooped on, spit on, chewed on, wet on
or pinched by tiny fingers

Before I was a Mom
I had complete control of my mind, my thoughts ,my body, and my mind.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom
I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want=3D20
to put it down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a Mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important.

Before I was a Mom
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was ok I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love
the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much

Before I was a Mom. 

As for me, I will call upon God, And the Lord shall save me.
Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, 
And He shall hear my voice.

(Psalm 55:16-17) 
________________________

What is a Mother....

Why are you crying?" he asked his Mom.
"Because I'm a mother" she told him
"I don't understand," he said
His Mom just hugged him and said, "You never will"

Later the little boy asked his father why Mother seemed to cry for no reason.
"All mothers cry for no reason" was all his dad could say.

The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why mothers cry. So he finally put in a call to God
and when God got on the phone the man said "God, why do mothers cry so easily."

God said, "You see son, when I made mothers they had to be special.
I made their shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world,
yet gentle enough to give comfort. I gave them an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times comes from their children.

"I gave them a hardiness that allows them to keep going when everyone else gives up,and to take care of their families through
sickness and fatigue without complaining.

I gave them the sensitivity to love their children under all circumstances, even when their child has hurt them very badly.

This same sensitivity helps them to make a child's boo-boo feel better and helps them share a teenager's anxieties and fears.
I gave them a tear to shed. It's theirs exclusively to use whenever it is needed. It's their only weakness. It's a tear for mankind."
__________________

Reflections of a Mother
Submitted by PrayerMum

I gave you life, 
but cannot live it for you.

I can give you directions, 
but I cannot be there to lead you.

I can take you to church, 
but I cannot make you believe.

I can teach you right from wrong, 
but I cannot decide for you.

I can buy you beautiful clothes, 
but I cannot make you beautiful inside.

I can offer you advice, 
but I cannot accept it for you.

I can give you love, 
but I cannot force it upon you.

I can teach you to share, 
but I cannot make you unselfish.

I can teach you respect, 
but I cannot force you to show honor.

I can advise you about friends, 
but cannot chose them for you.

I can advise you about sex, 
but I cannot keep you pure.

I can tell you about alcohol and drugs, 
but I can't say "No" for you.

I can tell you about lofty goals, 
but I cannot achieve them for you.

I can teach you about kindness, 
but I can't force you to be gracious.

I can pray for you, 
but I cannot make you walk with God.

I can tell you how to live, 
but I cannot give you eternal life.

I can love you with unconditional love all of 
my life....and I will.
_____________________________

'Every one of you shall reverence his mother and his father, and you shall keep My Sabbaths; I am the Lord your God.'
Leviticus 19:3
______________________________

BUDDY GROUP TIPS

 How can we get a list of who is in our group? I admit to not be too familiar with egroups, and am not sure how to utilize it.  
Any help would be appreciated.
First thing is that you register with egroups.com. You do that by going to the web site, clicking on the words that say "Sign up today for free!"

Once you are registered, then when you log in (using the same email address and password that you registered with) You will be met with your home page that shows you what Buddy groups you belong to. 

If you have not subscribed to a Buddy Group yet, then you can do that by going to www.sarahstent.com and click on the words at the top of the page that say "Buddy Groups & Chats". Then take your time and look at the groups to see which you are interested in being involved with.

If you already know what group you have joined, then click on that groups name. Look to the left of your page. Click on the word "Members". Wella! There are all the email addresses of everyone that is in your particular group!

_________________________________

Dear Sarah's Tent,

HELP!!-- I've just "volunteered" to put together a Silver Anniversary for
our pastor & his family --I need ideas = please, can you offer some direction?

Blessings,
Melody Ivie

iv83@integrityonline10.com 
If you have any ideas for Melody, please drop her a line!
_________________________________

WHAT'S NEW?

TAKE A LOOK! A special place to list your church, or ministry!
We are now in the process of listing the addresses & or web sites of Sarah's Tent members by state!  This will not only help you in seeing where fellow 'tent members' are - it will help church seekers to find your place of ministry! 
Please take a moment now to send us your ministry information, including denominational preference. Include your church name, names of the Senior Pastor & wife, church address, city, state, zip, phone, fax, email, website (if available).
_____________________________

BUDDY GROUPS OF THE WEEK

Fellowship
Student Pastors = Couples and/or individuals who are completing school to become full time ministers or who have completed and are in transition to the full time pastorate. It's great to meet others who are where you are! 
 st-studentpastors-subscribe@egroups.com

Support
Physical Challenges = Full time ministry AND a physical challenge? Meet others who have overcome those obstacles as well encouragement and friendship.  st-physicalchallenges-subscribe@egroups.com

Home-schooling Pastors Wives = Believe it or not - there are some women who are not only wives, mothers and pastors wives, but Homeschoolers too! Network now and share information before the next school year begins! 
st-homeschoolingpws-subscribe@egroups.com
___________________________________

SHEEP GOT YOU DOWN?
Need MAJOR encouragement? Visit our web page; www.sarahstent.com and click on the words "Are You Hurting?"
______________________________

DOT'S DELIGHTS 
This was sent in by: Michelle Smith

Eclair pie/cake 

2 -large packages vanilla pudding
1- large box of chocolate pudding
1- box graham crackers
1 - large cool whip
1 - small cool whip
1 - 9" x 13" pan
3-3/4 cups of milk 

Step (1) - line the bottom of baking dish with graham crackers.
Step (2) - mix vanilla pudding with 2-1/2 cups of milk until dissolved. Add large container of cool whip until thoroughly blended.
Step (3) - spread 1/2 mixture on top of 1st layer of graham crackers top with 2nd layer of graham crackers and rest of vanilla mixture. 
Then top with 3rd layer of graham crackers.
Step (4) - mix chocolate pudding with 1-1/4 cup of milk until dissolved. Add small container of cool whip until thoroughly blended.
Step (5) - put chocolate pudding on top of graham crackers. Chill for at least 2-4 hours. (longer it sits the better it will be)
Step (6) - e a t   i t!!!!!!! 

P.S. you can use low fat pudding/lite cool whip and low fat milk to reduce calories.

Thanks for the delicious recipe Michelle!
DOTMI@aol.com 
________________________________

LOVE TO PRAY?

There is always a need for prayer warriors! If you would like to be a 
part of the intercessors at Sarah's Tent, then please drop us a note, 
and we will add you to our Intercessors Group!

SarahsTent@aol.com
______________________________
CHUCKLES & THOUGHTS
More funny stories from the "Tent"!

My pastor husband was very excited about a group of young men in our church who had formed a musical group. They played guitar, wrote their own songs and performed flawlessly. After many weeks of practice, it was time to present the group, Fruit of the Vine, to the congregation. My husband enthusiastically introduced them with many words of praise and then, with a flourish of his hand, he said, "And now, here they are, Fruit of the Loom....." 
Ellen Bunnell
Bradford, PA

At a meeting yesterday after sitting a long time and the mind wanders..... 
The speaker said "John was on the Isle of Patmos and looked out over the Aegean sea." My mind snapped back to reality as I discovered he didn't say
"John looked out at a GMC."
Oh well.
WJ

My husband's very first wedding was made memorable by a mistake he made the most of. My toddler having "toddled" that day, I arrived a little late for the ceremony. We found a place in the back of the sanctuary as everyone was still standing, the bride having just processed. My husband was still making his opening remarks when I thought to myself how nice it was that I hadn't arrived as late as I thought. Listening to my husband continue, however, I realized that he was beyond the part in his opening when he should have seated the congregation. I began to notice some fidgeting and it dawned on me my dear husband was not going to seat all these people! The organist, soloist and I, all at once, began making hand motions from the back of the sanctuary to try to signal him. He finally looked up, noticed us and realized his mistake. He, of course, invited everyone to be seated and as there was a collective sigh he wryly made the comment to the bride and groom (so everyone could hear,) "Well, at least you know you have a lot of family and friends who will stand behind you in your marriage!" There was a hearty laugh from all and the wedding continued beautifully!

Patty Meriwether

_____________________________

WANTED! WANTED! WANTED!

YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY! You don't have to be a writer to have something you want to share with others.  All you need is an experience or lesson learned that brought you closer to Jesus.  We can help smooth the rough edges! Just send it to shannon@sarahstent.com
______________________________________________________________

WEB SITES & RESOURCES

 Visit our LINKS page at: www.sarahstent.com!

Joy in The Kitchen Volume 4 Issue 12