How many ?

     That question reminds me of how we did math growing up - if you have 3 apples in a bowl and 5 apples in a box, how many apples do you have ?
     I have been making some Pear/Applesauce these past few days.  I love doing this because it's a Crockpot recipe & way too easy.  My Autumn Harvest Applesauce, also done in the Crockpot, is a big hit as it has cranberries in it.  REAL cranberries (not like those hard, pale things in a bag) from Wisconsin where Kirby, my cousin & his wife Anne live & graciously send them to me.  (These recipes are on my Living Naturally linked above on this page .)
     I was given some pears from my sister-in-law Ann who told me about the Pear/Applesauce recipe.  Hers added vanilla & cinnamon but the one I'm using has Cardamon (Chai spice) in it.  Having never used Cardamon I was a bit shocked to see how expensive it is - $12.48 for a 2.3 oz bottle at Walmart- YIKES - so I checked online. NOT any cheaper but I found some at The Old Thyme Pantry  in smaller amounts although it comes out to $67.00/lb.   The end result is worth it !!!
     Needless to say I've used lots of pears and apples lately - how many?  At least 20# of apples and maybe 10# of pears but I'm not sure just how many that was.  Thank the Lord for whoever invented the Apple peeler/corer/slicer gadget though !!!
     Here's another how many question - How many clothes, CDs, DVDs, cars, toys, trinkets, electronic or digital gadgets do we really need before we wake up & realize that half the world goes to bed every night with empty stomachs and naked bodies?   This question jumped off the page as I am reading the book, No Longer a Slumdog- Bringing Hope to Children in Crisis,  by K.P. Yohannan, founder of Gospel for Asia  I really DIDN'T want to read it because I knew what it was about - the horrible conditions of India for those who are called Dalits.  There are at least 11 million children who have been abandoned, 90% are girls & 3 million of them end up living on the streets.
    It is not my intent to ever judge anyone for what they have or where they are in their walk with the Lord. I simply want to encourage those of us who call ourselves Christ Followers to truly live for Him.  There is a purpose for each of our lives far beyond the comforts we have here in America.  As K.P. says, "God is sad when He sees His people living selfishly, only concerned about "me and mine."  The Lord is looking for those who will share His Heart for those who have no voice, who are held captive and oppressed."
     Whether it's giving to Gospel for Asia, Compassion International or being the Hands & Feet of Christ in our communities, "there is a special blessing for those who share the heart of the Eternal Father for His children."
     Matthew 18:10  Jesus said, "See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angles in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in Heaven."
No Longer a Slumdog  the book is free and in it is a card for another free one if you pass yours on to someone else. 
Christmas Gift Catalog  give a chick, a bunny, a goat, clean water, sewing machines, blankets, Bibles, radios and more to those in need.  This is one of my favorite ministries and I let the grand-kids help pick out what we will do.

photo: whatscookingamerica.net