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

Prayer Requests Oct 16-22

Hi Hope Groupers! sorry about the delayed post!

Here are the prayer requests from last week:

• Lauren - having a check up on her leg - broken ankle - hope she gets cleared for activity, also she has a biochem test this Wednesday!


• Vinny - a family member (great-aunt?) passed away


• Megan B - drama at work, pray for peace at the workplace and at school


• Tiffany - dentists' grandbaby was born prematurely, and is not doing well


• Andy - for his dad, who is an accountant, as he gets through this difficult time of the year for accts. Also for his roommate, whose father has been diagnosed w/cancer and is undergoing chemo.


• Tracey - decisions to make about the future (grad school, studying abroad, etc.), also she has 3 tests this week!


• Vinny - similar decisions, interviews with various companies, etc.


• Steve - reminds us to thank God for what he HAS brought us through already


• Matt/Mindi - going through some rocky family/relationship issues, need prayer, wisdom, peace


• Veytia - wants to pray for her friend Kelly (former HG member) - her baby is sick with strep throat


• Nic - sister took/taking a test for her masters' degree


• Monica H - needs continued prayer for her student-teaching situation.

Home Cooking!

This week we are going to enjoy some home cooking!!! We are starting at 6:15 p.m. as usual. Here's what everyone signed up to bring:

Mindi: Home Cooking entree (probably meat loaf)

Veytia: Home Cooking entree - I signed you up! call me!

Alex: Mashed potatoes

Lauren: Salad (don't worry about dressings, I have plenty)

Monica: Fried okra

Chris: Rolls or biscuits

Tracey: Dessert

Megan: Another dessert!

Vinny: Tea (surprise!)

Brad: Ice

Steve: Plates

Tiffany: Cups/Spoons (note: I changed this one since we had plenty of forks)

Andy: Other drink

If you can't come, or missed last week and don't know what to bring, call me, email me, or comment on this post!

Have a great day, and I'll see everyone tomorrow night!

Prayer Requests Oct 10-15

Sorry this post is a little late!

Here are the prayer requests from last week's hope group:

• Chris: a 25 - year old friend of his from high school passed away last Friday. His name was Ben Beagle, Texas A&M class of -05. Pray for his family and friends in this time of loss.


• Megan S: her sister-in-law is due to have her baby in 2 months and she is getting uncomfortable. Pray for patience and strength and health of both mom and baby!


• Monica H: student teaching has been a little more difficult than she would have hoped! Pray for strength and endurance to push through, and that she may find joy and worth in helping these kids.


• Estes family: (our missionary family that we pray for): they have decided to come home from Tunisia a little early and explore enrolling in full-time seminary.


• Brad: praise! His new little niece was finally born last weekend!!

Thanks, hope group friends, and we will see you on Wednesday!

It's Build-Your-Own-Sub Week!

Hi Hope Groupers! I sure enjoyed getting to see everyone again last night!

This week's theme is "build your own subs." Here's what everyone has signed up to bring!

• Alex: bread/buns/sandwich rolls (2 dozen or so)
• Monica: bread/buns/sandwich rolls (2 dozen)
• Abby: ham
• Danielle: turkey
• Chris: roast beef
• Lauren: cheddar slices
• Monica: swiss slices
• Veytia: sandwich veggies (lettuce/tomato/onion)
• Brad: "special" mustard or mayo, or meat/cheese, whatever you want, Brad!
• Blake: vinaigrette
• Megan S: chips
• Tiffany: more chips
• Tracey: cookies
• Mindi: banana pudding
• Vinny: tea (we signed up for you!)
• Steve: pickles
• Andy: cups

If you missed Hope Group, we can also use another deli meat or cheese, or some dip for our chips, or some fruit!

Thanks, and we'll see you on Wednesday!

Prayer requests week of Oct 1-8th

OK, here are the prayer requests:

• Alex: dad is having health issues and undergoing tests
• Vinny: tests and interviews coming up, also recommend praying for our nation's leaders as we face financial crisis with the bailout issue
• Danielle: health/allergies
• Chris: brother in law got a new job! Also, pray for the gulf coast area, including Kemah and bay areas who have been ravaged by Hurricane Ike. Also wisdom for city/state officials of these areas as they try to figure out the logistics of getting things running again.
• Jon and Sally Estes, our missionaries as they witness in Tunisia with their two baby boys
• Huckabee/United for Life and Hope Pregnancy Centers as they have requests prayer and support
• Brad's sister, who is due to have her baby on Friday (Brad would like to request today at 7 p.m.)
• Monica - student teaching with full responsibility with her class of kindergarteners!
• Todd and Michelle - our cousins - who are relocating to Texas this fall
• Veytia: prayers for Kelly - former member of our hope group - her family has been sick with a bad stomach virus
• Megan S.: boyfriend has mono
• Matt and I: travelling to Las Vegas for optometry conference

Thanks, prayer warriors!! Please feel free to add to this post under "comments" and I can add to the main post, or just email if you have anything else you would like us to pray for!