An Informal Gathering of Friends Tonight

Hello Hope Group!

This is kinda last-minute (what else did you expect? ;) ), but we have decided to meet tonight just to hang out.

I'm thinking finger/party foods and our gathering will have a party-like feel to it. Let's celebrate the end of finals and relax!

Marshall just bought RockBand, so we may get that out, or the Wii Fit. We can also play board games, or just visit.

Food: I'm thinking finger/party foods. I'll put some ideas up there and you guys let me know what you are bringing!

• finger sandwiches
• sausage balls
• chips and queso
• fruit and dip
• chips and dip
• chicken nuggets
• pizza rolls
• pizza
• cheese and crackers
• cookies
• brownies
• drinks

Hope this helps!! Have a good day and we will see you tonight!!

Mindi

Potluck!!

So . . . I could NOT remember what I had decided to do for a theme this week!
After thinking about it for three days, I decided it was time to just pick something! (and since it is now Wednesday)
So tonight, we are having Potluck!!! Which means . . . bring whatever you want to bring. Hopefully we will have most of our food groups present.

I am making beans and cornbread, I haven't made that in a while and it sounds good for tonight.

What are you bringing? Email me and let me know, or post here on the blog (I promise I will actually keep checking it this time!) :)

Have a great day, and we'll see everyone at 6:15 p.m. tonight!!

Mindi

COMFORT WEEK: Breakfast for Dinner!

Hi Hope Groupers!

This week combines two of my favorite themes: Comfort Week, and Breakfast for Dinner!

For Comfort Week . . . . you must be dressed comfortably!! (I personally encourage pj's.)

For Breakfast . . . . here's what you are bringing!

• Mindi: Scrambled eggs/breakfast tacos



• Chris: Tortillas (3 dozen)



• Veytia: Breakfast Casserole



• Steve: Pigs in a Blanket



• Matt: Pancakes maybe?



• Alex: Fruit



• Monica H: Blueberry muffins



• Andy: Plates



• Brad: Cups



• Vinny: Juice

We still need ice, dessert(s), and anything else breakfast-y!! If someone wants to get the fully cooked bacon, we can put them in the microwave here, it's pretty good and that way will still be hot when we eat it. Just a thought . . .

OK, see everyone on Wednesday! Sorry for the late post!

SOUP NIGHT!

I know, soup night was supposed to be NEXT week, to correspond with comfort week . . . but with all this rain (and a lack of any new ideas) . . . soups sounds good!

Please accept my apologies for the late LATE notice! It's been a crazy week/weekend.

So - I am making Taco Soup.

We need another soup or two, or maybe a chili. Veytia? Anyone else? I will be calling looking for soup-providers.

Everyone else, we need:

• styrofoam bowls


• more paper plates


• forks


• bread (I'm thinking maybe french bread or maybe even breadsticks from Fazoli's - yum!)


• salad maybe? What goes with soup?


• tortilla chips might be good with taco soup


• sodas


• tea (Vinny!)


• dessert


• another dessert


• fruit maybe, or veggies?

Everyone PLEASE comment here or let me know by email what you are bringing! Or even text me: 739-6548.

Thanks!

Mindi

Turkey Dinner, Already?!? What????

Yep! It's time for the Hope Group Turkey Dinner!

I KNOW, I KNOW!, today is only Halloween and Thanksgiving is nearly a month away.

But seriously, who wants to have two Thanksgiving dinners really close together?

I like to spread my turkey dinners out a little. Veterans from our hope group can testify to the time that I had a great idea to have Thanksgiving in July for hope group, and volunteered to make the turkey. There was a big problems - I went early that morning to buy a fresh turkey, and they don't sell fresh turkeys in July! Only frozen, and they take 2-3 days to thaw.

But I digress . . . sorry . . . it's an annoying habit of mine.

Blogspot.com should give me a word-limit.

OK, soooo . . . . we are having turkey dinner this week!!

Most of you came to Ministry Night at the Trunk-or-Treat last week and verbally "signed up" to bring something later at Fuddrucker's. I, of course, didn't write it down, so here it is, from the top of my head:

Mindi: Turkey

Matt: Sweet potato casserole (I'll make it for you, Matt)

Steve: several dozen brown-and-serve rolls (I'm not buying them for you, Steve).

Alex: stuffing

Lauren: mashed potatoes, I think?

Vinny: cranberry sauce, you pick what kind (Ocean Spray, in a can, the kind that keeps its shape).

Andy: Thanksgiving sodas (think pumpkin!)

Monica: pumpkin pie

Sorry if I forgot anyone!

Email me and tell me what you can add to the festivities! Maybe something green? (green bean casserole again, broccoli cheese casserole, a veggie tray?) Another dessert perhaps? Deviled eggs? Iced tea? And you know we always need paper plates (might need the strong stuff for this meal), little dessert plates, cups, etc.

OK, see everyone this Wednesday!

Oh, and if you haven't already voted . . . . make SURE you vote on Tuesday! (though tempted, I will refrain from telling you WHO to vote for . . . . )

Have a great weekend!

Mindi

Ministry Nights: Letting Our Lights Shine Through!

Hello Hope Groupers!

I have an exciting ministry-night-activity for us!

Miranda and Myla go to Mother's Day Out on Mondays and Wednesdays at Central Church of Christ in Bryan. This Wednesday evening, the church (Central) is having their annual "Trunk or Treat" carnival.

So when I went to pick up Miranda and Myla this afternoon, I asked if the church would need any help on Wednesday night. They sounded THRILLED!

So, I volunteered our Hope Group to go help. There will be food, booths, a kiddie train, bounce houses, etc. They said that lots of the booths are manned by moms and dads, so it would be great if we could take over running the booths, or take their kids around the activities for them. Here are the details:

• MEET at Central Church of Christ (off of 29th, directions at the bottom of the post) at 6:00 p.m. if possible.


• WEAR a Living Hope t-shirt if you have one. If not, maybe someone has an extra. Email me and let me know.


• BRING a bag of candy (you normally would be bringing food, so hopefully this is not a big deal). The lady said sometimes there isn't enough candy/prizes.


• FOOD: they will be serving hot dogs (I think for free) at 6:00. I'm not sure if we should eat with them (since we are serving them) or not. We are tentatively planning on going to Dickie's Barbecue (next to Academy) after the carnival (kids eat free on Wednesdays) if anyone would like to join us.

OK, I think that is it!! Please let me know by commenting on the post, or emailing me directly, if you can make it!

Directions:

FROM Hwy 6: Go north on Hwy 6. Exit Briarcrest and turn L. Turn R on 29th street. Go past Villa Maria a few blocks, and look for a little side street called "Luza." Turn R onto Luza and it will take you right up to the church. Also, next to 29th and Luza is a big sign that says Central Church of Christ.

FROM campus: Go north on Texas toward Bryan. Turn R onto Villa Maria. Go straight (the street turns into Briarcrest). Turn L onto 29th street (right after the Walgreens). Go past Villa Maria and look for a sign on the R that says Centra Church of Christ. Turn R onto a tiny side street (Luza) to get to the church parking lot.

See you all Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.!

Mindi

Board Games and Finger Foods!

IT'S RELATIONSHIP WEEK!

Which means, we get together to hang out and get to know one another.

This week we are going to be playing board games and eating finger/party foods!

Here's the food list:

• Monica H - chicken strips/nuggets



• Mindi - tortilla roll-ups



• Steve - sausage balls



• Veytia - tortilla chips (2 bags) and queso



• Megan - potato chips



• Tracey - dip for potato chips



• Chris - veggie tray



• Alex - cookies



• Tiffany - brownies



• Andy - 2-liters



• Nic - ice



• Vinny - tea

If you missed last week - bring pigs in a blanket, a fruit tray, or any other "party foods" that you can think of! Also, we can always use plastic silverware, napkins, plates, bowls, cups, etc.

If you have a favorite board game, bring it along with you!

See you Wednesday!

Mindi