I would like to draw your attention to a link on the sidebar for Voice of the Martyrs. We came in contact with this wonderful ministry through our church. Founded in the late 1960's by a persecuted pastor in Romania who escaped from behind the "iron curtain", this ministry was meant to be a voice to the free world of the intense persecution in the closed Communist bloc. Many free Christians had no idea of the sufferings of their chained brothers and sisters. Today Voice of the Martyrs assists Christians living in persecuted countries. Unlike some organizations, VOM's main goal is not to assist Christians fleeing from their country but rather those who have determined to stand where God has placed them-no matter the cost. If you go onto their website you can sign up for their free newsletter which alerts you of the needs of your brothers and sisters in different countries. Also I highly recommend the book "Tortured for Christ" by Richard Wurmbrand. To find out how you can help or purchase any of their excellent books or DVDs go HERE!
Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Recipe: Sugar and Spice Cookies
Fall has finally arrived (sort-of...VA weather always flips back and forth) and with it the changing of the leaves, hot tea/cocoa, and COOKIES!! Sugar and Spice cookies is one of our family's favorite fall/winter-time cookie recipes...enjoy!
Sugar and Spice Cookies
Cream:
1 c. dark sucanat (or brown sugar)
1 c. sucanat with honey (or white sugar)
1 c. of butter (2 sticks)
Then add:
2 eggs (preferably fresh from the farm: non-GMO and pastured raised....see HERE for more info)
1 t. vanilla
In a separate bowl combine:
4-5 c. of freshly milled soft white wheat or 4 c. of white flour (until the dough doesn't stick too bad to your fingers)
1 t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
1 1/2 t. cinnamon
1 t. nutmeg
1/2 t. allspice
Then add these ingredients to the butter/sugar/egg/vanilla mixture. After mixing thoroughly pinch off little balls and roll in a bowl of sugar. Cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-15 minutes. Delicious hot and great leftover!
Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah
Sugar and Spice Cookies
Cream:
1 c. dark sucanat (or brown sugar)
1 c. sucanat with honey (or white sugar)
1 c. of butter (2 sticks)
Then add:
2 eggs (preferably fresh from the farm: non-GMO and pastured raised....see HERE for more info)
1 t. vanilla
In a separate bowl combine:
4-5 c. of freshly milled soft white wheat or 4 c. of white flour (until the dough doesn't stick too bad to your fingers)
1 t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
1 1/2 t. cinnamon
1 t. nutmeg
1/2 t. allspice
Then add these ingredients to the butter/sugar/egg/vanilla mixture. After mixing thoroughly pinch off little balls and roll in a bowl of sugar. Cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-15 minutes. Delicious hot and great leftover!
Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
A verse the Lord showed me....
"And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold."
Matthew 24:12
I read this verse in my quiet time yesterday morning and the Lord revealed just a tiny bit about what this verse means. To give you a little background, in Matthew 24 the disciples asked Jesus, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" [Matthew 24:3]. Jesus' response is recorded not only in Matthew 24 but also in Mark 13 and Luke 21; but only in Matthew is this verse recorded.
Our family knows many couples who are struggling with their marriages. In fact, in America a whopping 50% of marriages end in divorce. The Lord showed me that because of the sexual lawlessness thriving in our country the love of many couples is growing cold. Satan knows that the strength of a nation depends on the strength of the families. He knows that marriage is "the Lord's holy institution which He loves..." [Malachi 2:11c] and that it is supposed to represent the love and commitment Christ has for His church. For these reasons he has tried since the beginning of time to destroy the life-long vow of marriage.
Although lawlessness is abounding we still have the responsibility to "be holy as He is holy" [1 Peter 1:16] and to allow Him to use us in whatever way He sees fit. How comforting to know that the Lord's love for us will never grow cold. What an awesome God we have!
Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Book Review: The Kingdom Series
"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled."
2 Corinthians 10:4-6
My parents bought this book series by Chuck Black, a retired F-16 fighter pilot, in mid-June for family reading every night. As soon as we picked up the first book we could not put it down. Within 2 months we were done all 6 books and wanted more (we soon after bought the Knights Of Arrethtrae Series and have enjoyed those so far). Anyway, about these books...........Set in the 14th century A.D. be prepared to enter a world of knights, ladies in distress, sword fighting, dragons, etc. Originally written to increase his children's interest in the Scriptures, Chuck Black expertly and eloquently weaves in an allegory of the entire Bible, starting in Genesis and ending with Revelation. Your heart will beat with excitement during every encounter of good with evil; it will cheer in victory every time "The King reigns...and His Son" is proclaimed; it will be filled with sorrow when it seems as if evil has conquered only to be lifted out of the depths of despair when the Prince's Silent Warriors come to the rescue! Prepare to be encouraged in your walk with Christ and challenged to give your ALL to the King to do with as He desires. This isn't just a book for boys but courageous young women who desire to serve the Lord with all their heart, mind, soul, and strength. Suitable for all age ranges I highly recommend this series for the whole family to read.
Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah
To find out more go HERE
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
My Family Beach Vacation
The Lord did allow us to enjoy our much-looked-forward-to beach vacation. Hurricane Irene landed in Outer Banks the Saturday we were supposed to leave but after much prayer and the thumbs up from the realty company, we were able to leave last Monday. We've gone every year with my mom's side of the family since before I was born! Jesus has blessed me with some wonderful, fun-loving Aunts and Uncles and some great cousins! This is the one week of the year that we put aside our differences, whatever they may be, and just enjoy being a family. Please enjoy the pictures below!
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| Packing up early Monday morning!! |
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| Our 15 passenger van is usually stuffed! |
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| Every year we stop at Morris Farmers Market on our way down! |
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| At the Farmers Market they have antique tractors that the kids were able to play on. My sister Eden seemed to be enjoying it! |
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| Peaches are one of our favorite fruits to get down there!! |
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| We're finally here!! It was really foggy when we arrived but it cleared up soon! |
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| The front of our 8 bedroom rental home. |
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| What our house looked like from the beach. |
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| This was my brother Judah's first time at the beach!! He loved the water but tried to get away from the sand. |
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| Two of my sisters and I shared this colorful room. We enjoyed having our own space! |
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| The view of the ocean from the top deck of our home. |
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| Three of my cousins! Love um to death!! |
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| The ocean! Ah, how marvelous are your works O, Lord!! |
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| My sister and another cousin jumping the waves. |
The day before we left my sister Kimber took some updated beach photos of all of us!
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| The ones who started it all! Love you guys! |
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| The whole family. Wouldn't trade you for the world! |
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| L to R: Hannah (17), Lydia (3), Seth (10), Josiah (5), Lexi (14), Judah (1), Caleb (12), Eden (7), Kimber (15) |
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| I leave you with this. |
We had a wonderful time and made many memories. How very blessed we are to be able to enjoy a vacation like this every year!
"Those who go down to the sea in ships,
Who do business on great waters,
24 They see the works of the LORD,
And His wonders in the deep.
25 For He commands and raises the stormy wind,
Which lifts up the waves of the sea.
26 They mount up to the heavens,
They go down again to the depths;
Their soul melts because of trouble.
27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man,
And are at their wits’ end.
28 Then they cry out to the LORD in their trouble,
And He brings them out of their distresses.
29 He calms the storm,
So that its waves are still.
30 Then they are glad because they are quiet;
So He guides them to their desired haven.
31 Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!"
Who do business on great waters,
24 They see the works of the LORD,
And His wonders in the deep.
25 For He commands and raises the stormy wind,
Which lifts up the waves of the sea.
26 They mount up to the heavens,
They go down again to the depths;
Their soul melts because of trouble.
27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man,
And are at their wits’ end.
28 Then they cry out to the LORD in their trouble,
And He brings them out of their distresses.
29 He calms the storm,
So that its waves are still.
30 Then they are glad because they are quiet;
So He guides them to their desired haven.
31 Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!"
Psalm 107:23-31
Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah
P.S.- Photo's a courtesy of Photography for Jesus. Please see my family's blog for a more detailed account of our beach vacation.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Have Thine Own Way, Lord
"Have Thine own way, Lord
Have Thine own way.
Thou are the potter,
I am the clay...."
I was humming this hymn by Adelaide Pollard while doing my morning chore, when I realized something so simple yet so encouraging. The Lord would have His own way no matter what. When the world's falling down on us, when the political state of our nation is distressing, when our annual beach vacation could be ruined...He will still have His way!!
When problems arise do we, as Christians, remember that the Lord will have His way, and that His way is ALWAYS best??! If we are in tune to the Savior His way will be our way.
"Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him and He shall bring it to pass....do not fret it only causes harm."
Psalm 37:5,8b
Have Thine own way, Lord in every endeavor I make in this life!
Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah
Have Thine own way.
Thou are the potter,
I am the clay...."
I was humming this hymn by Adelaide Pollard while doing my morning chore, when I realized something so simple yet so encouraging. The Lord would have His own way no matter what. When the world's falling down on us, when the political state of our nation is distressing, when our annual beach vacation could be ruined...He will still have His way!!
When problems arise do we, as Christians, remember that the Lord will have His way, and that His way is ALWAYS best??! If we are in tune to the Savior His way will be our way.
"Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him and He shall bring it to pass....do not fret it only causes harm."
Psalm 37:5,8b
Have Thine own way, Lord in every endeavor I make in this life!
Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah
Thursday, August 18, 2011
So What About Calvin?
I really hesitate to bring this subject up, mainly because I know this is a sore point for many people, but I do believe it's important as young ladies to be able to clearly and concisely declare what the Scripture says and why.
I believe that Calvin's 5 doctrines are misleading and unscriptural. Before I go any farther I'd like to make it clear that I am not an Armenian or a Calvinist...I'm a Christian. Please keep an open mind and heart as I attempt to show from the Scriptures my conviction.
To start out please see below for the 5 points of Calvinism:
Total Depravity (man was born completely in sin and unable to accept salvation on his own )
Unconditional Election (God chooses the elect just because He can)
Limited Atonement (Jesus died only for the elect)
Irresistible Grace (if you are elected you are unable to resist the message of salvation and thereby become a Christian)
Perseverance of the Saints (also known as Once Saved Always Saved)
The underlying issue I have with all of these points is that it throws man's free will out the window. Allow me to define free will: "power of independent action and choice".
Now when God placed Adam and Eve in the garden He told them,
“Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
Genesis 2:16c-17
He did not put an electric fence all around the tree, leaving man with no choice but to accept God's command, no, He left it out in the open. He didn't want man to obey because he had to, He wanted us to obey because we wanted to. All throughout Scripture we see the same choice.
"I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live."
Deuteronomy 30:19
All the prophets of old repeatedly called for repentance from the people of Israel or warned that destruction would surely fall on the land. They frequently refused to listen and even killed the prophets of God. Instead of choosing God's way they chose their own way and reaped the rewards thereof.
"Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the LORD of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the LORD of hosts."
Zechariah 1:3
Does this apply to salvation as well? All I've mentioned so far is Old Testament verses. But I believe the Scripture is "given by inspiration of God..." and that He confirms His promises all throughout His Word. Please see the following:
"If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me."
Matthew 16:24
"But you were not willing to come to Me that you may have life."
John 5:40
"Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent." "
John 6:29
"He who believes in Me as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."
John 6:38
"...he who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
John 8:12
"...for is you do not believe I am He you will die in your sins."
John 8-24b
"...who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."
1 Timothy 2:6
There are hundreds more but I think you get the point. There are two reoccurring action words in these Scriptures...follow and believe. There is an action side to our salvation.
Now, in regards to the "Perseverance of the Saints", I do believe some are chosen such as the disciples, Paul, and others but I also believe they could have "jumped ship" at any time. A president is chosen for his position by the people but he's free to step down at any time. We were chosen to be in the families that we're in but we can leave at any time and deny our connection. The Lord does the same. He does not keep us in a clenched fist but in a protective palm. See below verses for why:
"Abide in Me, and I in you..."
John 15:4a
Why would we have to abide if we're already securely in God's Hand? He will not force us to stay with Him, He wants us to stay with Him because we love Him!
"For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them."
2 Peter 2:20-21
In these verses Peter warns against those who "fall away"...meaning they were once in. Instead of resisting temptation they allowed the devil or their flesh to overcome their love and commitment to Jesus Christ.
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world."
1 Peter 5:8-9
We have to be watchful in our Christian walk as the devil would like nothing more than to destroy us. Why? Because we are the light of the world, the city on the hill, we are his ultimate demise.
So, what about Calvin? What about him. Search the Scriptures. Ask the Lord to teach you and He will because He promises, "if you seek you will find, if you search with all your heart". If I was in prison for my faith with another brother or sister who was a Calvinist it wouldn't matter. What does matter is "Who do you say that I am?" [Matthew 16:15]
Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah
I believe that Calvin's 5 doctrines are misleading and unscriptural. Before I go any farther I'd like to make it clear that I am not an Armenian or a Calvinist...I'm a Christian. Please keep an open mind and heart as I attempt to show from the Scriptures my conviction.
To start out please see below for the 5 points of Calvinism:
Total Depravity (man was born completely in sin and unable to accept salvation on his own )
Unconditional Election (God chooses the elect just because He can)
Limited Atonement (Jesus died only for the elect)
Irresistible Grace (if you are elected you are unable to resist the message of salvation and thereby become a Christian)
Perseverance of the Saints (also known as Once Saved Always Saved)
The underlying issue I have with all of these points is that it throws man's free will out the window. Allow me to define free will: "power of independent action and choice".
Now when God placed Adam and Eve in the garden He told them,
“Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
Genesis 2:16c-17
He did not put an electric fence all around the tree, leaving man with no choice but to accept God's command, no, He left it out in the open. He didn't want man to obey because he had to, He wanted us to obey because we wanted to. All throughout Scripture we see the same choice.
"I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live."
Deuteronomy 30:19
All the prophets of old repeatedly called for repentance from the people of Israel or warned that destruction would surely fall on the land. They frequently refused to listen and even killed the prophets of God. Instead of choosing God's way they chose their own way and reaped the rewards thereof.
"Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the LORD of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the LORD of hosts."
Zechariah 1:3
Does this apply to salvation as well? All I've mentioned so far is Old Testament verses. But I believe the Scripture is "given by inspiration of God..." and that He confirms His promises all throughout His Word. Please see the following:
"If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me."
Matthew 16:24
"But you were not willing to come to Me that you may have life."
John 5:40
"Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent." "
John 6:29
"He who believes in Me as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."
John 6:38
"...he who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
John 8:12
"...for is you do not believe I am He you will die in your sins."
John 8-24b
"...who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."
1 Timothy 2:6
There are hundreds more but I think you get the point. There are two reoccurring action words in these Scriptures...follow and believe. There is an action side to our salvation.
Now, in regards to the "Perseverance of the Saints", I do believe some are chosen such as the disciples, Paul, and others but I also believe they could have "jumped ship" at any time. A president is chosen for his position by the people but he's free to step down at any time. We were chosen to be in the families that we're in but we can leave at any time and deny our connection. The Lord does the same. He does not keep us in a clenched fist but in a protective palm. See below verses for why:
"Abide in Me, and I in you..."
John 15:4a
Why would we have to abide if we're already securely in God's Hand? He will not force us to stay with Him, He wants us to stay with Him because we love Him!
"For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them."
2 Peter 2:20-21
In these verses Peter warns against those who "fall away"...meaning they were once in. Instead of resisting temptation they allowed the devil or their flesh to overcome their love and commitment to Jesus Christ.
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world."
1 Peter 5:8-9
We have to be watchful in our Christian walk as the devil would like nothing more than to destroy us. Why? Because we are the light of the world, the city on the hill, we are his ultimate demise.
So, what about Calvin? What about him. Search the Scriptures. Ask the Lord to teach you and He will because He promises, "if you seek you will find, if you search with all your heart". If I was in prison for my faith with another brother or sister who was a Calvinist it wouldn't matter. What does matter is "Who do you say that I am?" [Matthew 16:15]
Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Post Coming!
I promise my weekly post is coming sometime this week!! We've been really busy and the subject of my next post is rather heavy. Please bear with me. I leave you with a verse until then!
"that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them."
Deuteronomy 30:20
Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah
"that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them."
Deuteronomy 30:20
Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah
Monday, August 8, 2011
Verses that have encouraged me lately!
"I will love You, O Lord, my strength."
Psalm 18:1 ~ My Savior deserves ALL my love!
"Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart."
Jeremiah 24:7 ~ It also says in Jeremiah 14 that the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked. Only the Lord Jesus Christ can change my ugly, sinful heart into something whole and beautiful!
"As for me, here I am, in Your hand; do with me as seems good and proper to You."
Jeremiah 26:14 ~ The Lord's ways are so above ours! If we would simply trust Him and allow Him to do what He wishes in us, we will be more useful, more fulfilled than we ever could anywhere else!
"...that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance."
Ephesians 1:17-18 ~ May the Lord guide each of us as we strive to find His will in our lives and fulfill it!
"For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus."
Philippians 2:21 ~ May this not be said of us!
As a side note, today my wonderful parents celebrate 19 years of wedded bliss! I constantly thank the Lord for the two awesome people He has placed in my life as my parents. Their love and commitment to each other and to the Lord is inspiring!
"Many waters cannot quench love, nor can floods drown it..."
Song of Solomon 8:7a
Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah
Psalm 18:1 ~ My Savior deserves ALL my love!
"Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart."
Jeremiah 24:7 ~ It also says in Jeremiah 14 that the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked. Only the Lord Jesus Christ can change my ugly, sinful heart into something whole and beautiful!
"As for me, here I am, in Your hand; do with me as seems good and proper to You."
Jeremiah 26:14 ~ The Lord's ways are so above ours! If we would simply trust Him and allow Him to do what He wishes in us, we will be more useful, more fulfilled than we ever could anywhere else!
"...that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance."
Ephesians 1:17-18 ~ May the Lord guide each of us as we strive to find His will in our lives and fulfill it!
"For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus."
Philippians 2:21 ~ May this not be said of us!
As a side note, today my wonderful parents celebrate 19 years of wedded bliss! I constantly thank the Lord for the two awesome people He has placed in my life as my parents. Their love and commitment to each other and to the Lord is inspiring!
"Many waters cannot quench love, nor can floods drown it..."
Song of Solomon 8:7a
Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah
Monday, August 1, 2011
Recipe: Easy Tuna Casserole
Most of our family loves this dish when we have leftover spaghetti and only a little bit of time to prepare dinner. It's very creamy and simple. Enjoy!
Tuna Casserole
1 16 oz. can of Cream of Mushroom
1 can of milk (use the Cream of Mushroom can)
1 large can of tuna, drained
1 box of spaghetti (cooked or leftover)
Cheddar Cheese or Velveeta for a creamier dish
Combine Cream of Mushroom, tuna, milk, and spaghetti (you can layer it if you like :). Top with bountiful amounts of cheese! Cook at 350 for 30-45 minutes (until hot). Serve and enjoy!
Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah
Tuna Casserole
1 16 oz. can of Cream of Mushroom
1 can of milk (use the Cream of Mushroom can)
1 large can of tuna, drained
1 box of spaghetti (cooked or leftover)
Cheddar Cheese or Velveeta for a creamier dish
Combine Cream of Mushroom, tuna, milk, and spaghetti (you can layer it if you like :). Top with bountiful amounts of cheese! Cook at 350 for 30-45 minutes (until hot). Serve and enjoy!
Learning to delight in Jesus,
Hannah
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