TELL ME A TRUE STORY BLOG PARTY Week of 10/17/16

Reading a True Story

 

 

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Home Made Chinese Chow Mein

 

Years ago, my husband had a Roofing business in the city of Oakland, California, and if he had a job in China Town Oakland, I would often meet him for lunch.  He had three favorite Chinese restaurants; one was called the Economy Café.  The food was excellent, and reasonable, but the place was very small.  So small in fact that there was a need to SHARE tables with other customers.  Regular patrons were okay with this, and they expected to have company join with them at their table.  

Another restaurant was owned by a family, and you could watch their children in the back room playing, while their parents worked the front.  I remember seeing a play pen with a small baby on one occasion. 

The third restaurant was very different.  There was no menu, because the waiter would come by with a cart loaded with delicious looking foods, and you could select the dish you wanted.  Each entrée was added to your bill and everything was so inviting it was difficult to choose. 

I decided to create my own recipe for Chow Mein.  I often used a can of Spam sliced into small pieces to make Pork Chow Mien.  Naturally you can use beef or chicken either of which makes a lovely dish.  This recipe is simple and easy to make. 

 Chinese Chow Mein 

  1 small bunch Bok Choy chopped
  1 small chopped onion

  3 Ribs fresh celery (sliced)

  1 tablespoon olive oil or 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

  1 cup fresh bean sprouts

  1 (4 ounce) can mushroom pieces, drained

  1 (7 ounce) can sliced water chestnuts, drained

  2 cups cut up cooked chicken

  3 tablespoons cornstarch

  1/4 cup water

  1 (10 ounce) can condensed chicken broth   

  1/4 cup soy sauce

  1/4 pound cooked vermicelli noodles

  (I used the Chinese thin noodles - - boiled until tender)

Directions:

In a large pot, sauté celery, onion and Bok Choy in oil for about 5 minutes or until crisp-tender.  Add bean sprouts, mushrooms, water chestnuts, and chicken.

In a large bowl, blend cornstarch with water. When smooth, add chicken broth and soy sauce to bowl.  Mix well and pour over meat and vegetables.  Bring to a boil, stirring until sauce thickens.  Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 5 to 10 minutes.  Serve over hot, boiled Chinese noodles, cooked rice, or Crisp chow mien noodles.

 

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Tell Me A True Story Blog Party - Week 10/10/16

Dad Reads a True Story

 

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Playing a game: "Mommy and Daddy"

Pass the Germs Please !! (A true story from my Book One –)

My little red headed Kindergarten, friend Bruce, with the cute freckles came over to my house after school one day to play in our driveway, as we dug, looked for rocks and bugs. 

My parents were always affectionate and would hug and kiss in front of us three children.

I said that in order to say this:  That day, my dad was viewing Bruce and me from the kitchen window and I called to Dad to watch us with our new game, “Mama and Daddy.” 

“Look Daddy, look at us.” I called loudly. “We are playing we are married.”  Then I grabbed Bruce and planted a big kiss on his mouth. 

My dad opened the kitchen door and said, “Hazel, please come in the house for a minute, and Bruce can wait for you outside.” 

Happily I entered the kitchen and my dad sat down so he could look into my face.  

He said, “I don’t think your game is a very good idea and let me explain.”  He continued, “There are a lot of germs going around, and you can catch a bad cold or something worse from too much kissing.  It would be better if you did not play your game anymore.” 

His explanation satisfied me so I told Bruce, “My dad said, we might get germs from kissing, so we won’t play that game any more.”

Actually I think Bruce was relieved. 

In life some games might seem innocent enough, and many are above suspicion and just a game.  However there are games that could be life threatening. 

If the game involves your body, you need to pay special attention to the Scripture that says:

I Corinthians 6:19  What? Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own? 

In the mean while, Kiss your spouse liberally, and do give kisses on the cheek to your children and even special friends.

~ ~ ~

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Tell Me a True Story Blog Party - Week of 10/03/16

Reading a True Story

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Can an Affair be Forgiven?

Certainly an affair can be forgiven, and if everyone concerned sincerely desires the marriage to be repaired, AND there is true repentance, AND they can each honor new vows of faithfulness, so be it.

Then there is the other side, when there seems to be no reconciliation. God is a covenant God and the covenant of marriage was broken badly. A broken covenant releases those in covenant.  Some have questioned if the injured parties can marry some one else?

Might I suggest that God is fair and just, and when his children are caught in a bad situation, He is able to offer plan B for a new future.  God has said that it is NOT good for man to be alone.

Let me tell you a story that is probably true - -  Many years ago there was a young married couple who enjoyed the company of some very good “Best friends.” One day they discovered that their mates were having an affair with the other party’s spouse, and these unfaithful ones had already decided they wanted to leave the present marriages in exchange for a new arrangement.

Our two innocent young people were devastated, especially because the one "adulterous" wife had not only been untrue, but she had also deserted her tiny baby and young toddler in order to have this other husband.

Our victimized persons seriously talked it over and decided that they really liked each other, and perhaps the most sensible and best thing they could do for the children and for each other, was for them to marry as well. So they did.  Love and respect followed.

The new wife raised those boys as her own, and eventually they had two more boys that were theirs. They have been happily married for many years with grown grandchildren and are actively serving the Lord. 

This was an unusual situation and they made the best of it with a happy ending
for at least two of them. 
.~ ~ ~

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TELL ME A TRUE STORY BLOG PARTY Week of 09/26/16

READING A TRUE STORY

 

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Counterfeit Checks – A True story from my book “Rescue the Stories – Book 3” 

In the early 1970’s when we were in the roofing business in Oakland, one day we received a package delivered by our UPS man.  He knew something was not on the up and up so he brought the parcel to us instead of delivering it next door. 

The package had our company name on the front, and also the name of our neighbor a known drug addict, old Freddie.

We had not ordered it, and were very surprised as we opened it.  Inside was a check machine where you could adjust numbers that you wanted on a check and our company name was there - - pretty as pink would also show up for the one writing the check; just pull the lever when ready! 

We could only wonder how this would work for our neighbor to be able to forge checks that looked legitimate, and be able to cash them.   

Naturally we never gave the machine to our neighbor and of course we did not tell him that we had it.  He in turn never asked us about it either. 

Our workmen, who had watched us open the box, probably got the word back to old Freddie, because we did not see him around for many weeks.  Usually he was a regular visitor always wanting to borrow money which he always paid back – eventually. 

Even a sinful drug addict can be ashamed of their behavior at times.  They can also be honest at times, because when his welfare check arrived he always paid his drug bill first. 

In another time, Freddie might have been good in business or a good worker, because that was pretty smart to try to counterfeit our checks.  His efforts were misdirected and eventually Freddie died of a drug overdose. 

Missing God’s plan for one’s life can be sad.  Daily choices made can create havoc in later years.   

Joshua admonished in the Scriptures:  "If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." 

Choose and make wise decisions today to avoid the counterfeit and reach out for reality!

.~ ~ ~

 

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~ ~~

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TELL ME A TRUE STORY BLOG PARTY - Week of 09/19/16

LET ME READ YOU A TRUE STORY

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~ ~ ~

FEAR HAS TORMENT

Take a DEEP Breath – It will do you Good !! 

My husband tells the story about when he was a very young boy and he and his brother were both living with their mom and dad. 

It was dark, and dusty shadows fluttered across the room as the boys lay in their bed.  In the next room, mom and dad were arguing.  Perhaps Mom was nagging and fussing would be a better term.  Dad told her to please be quiet and get some sleep.  Mom was known as a chatter box and keeping quiet was not her style, so she continued on and on... Yakity Yak. 

Dad gave a final warning, be quiet or else, but the warning went unheeded.  All this time both boys lay trembling in their beds, waiting for the next shoe to drop.  It was not a shoe, for dad had a gun under his pillow (why I don’t know) and suddenly there was a LOUD BANG.   

Abruptly all was quiet – not a sound anywhere.  Both boys held their breath until at last they were forced to release all the air and try to breathe normal again.  They dared not move or get out of bed to see what they could see. 

It took a long while before the boys eventually drifted off to a restless sleep. 

The next morning, there was mom smiling and frying bacon and eggs while dad sipped his coffee as he read the news-paper.   

Fast forward many years later, Fact:  my husband stops breathing in his sleep.  He subconsciously holds his breath until he gasps and comes up for air, which abruptly wakes him up.  Science has termed this “Sleep Apnea,” and documents state that this is wide spread. 

Doctors have all kinds of reasons as to why this happens, and they are probably right, but I have always wondered if it had anything to do with the frightened reflex of that night during his childhood.   

My husband says he has forgiven his long deceased dad for scaring the living daylights out of him, but the panic attacks still continue to come on at times. 

A few years ago, my husband and I went to a class at our HMO about getting some relief from his panic attacks.  The doctor asked the class how they breathed.  He instructed to place your hand under your rib cage and breathe normally.  For most their hand did not move.  All but one said they took shallow breaths.  As a guest to the class, I was the only one who breathed from my diaphragm.  (Pat on back)  A teacher in grade school taught us to breathe that way, and maybe that is why I do it. 

Taking deep breaths on purpose can relieve stress.  I must do this too, as things do pile up even when you are "retired." 

I am reminded that God breathed the breath of life into Adam.  May we be God breathed when stress comes our way and we panic at the anxiety and pressures of life.   

Take a big deep breath now – It will do you good!!

Don't worry or be anxious about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Philippians 4:6

.~ ~ ~ 

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TELL ME A TRUE STORY BLOG PARTY Week of 09/12/16

Girl Reading a True Story to her Dog.

 

 

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Small World vs. Large World - A True Story from my Book One Rescue the Stories

Prior to World War II, my world was pretty small.  “Current Events,” at our grammar school consisted of  our “Weekly Reader” that gave us a peek into new inventions, the World’s Fair on Treasure Island, and our beautiful Bay bridge - -that the powers that be had promised that they would remove the toll charge as soon as the bridge was paid for. 

 

When World War II happened, my world became a bit larger.  Each week at our school assembly, we were shown propaganda films about the war that was supposed to enlarge our patriotism.  It did that and at recess we would sing songs about Hitler and in his face.

 

The war was over and time went by and in the eighth grade, our teacher requested that we bring a blank scrap book to class and collect current events from the Newspaper.  The most exciting event was that of Israel being declared a nation.  My mother helped me collect the articles from our local paper.

 

Remembering back in high school, our government teacher urged us NOT to give away our right to vote.  Read carefully the propositions and do not allow appointments to be made because that is removing the control from the people she said.  Government is by the people and for the people !!

 

As time went by and voters became more and more lazy and not involved, appointments were made and today many corrupt leaders have overruled the will of the people.  Propositions have been voted into law by the people, and “One” judge or President can decide to void the entire law and make a different one that is opposite of what the people have voted on and won.

 

All around us is enough corruption to cause us to not read our head-lines or the news page on our computer or watch the news on TV.  Yet, please do NOT give up.  I am reminded that God is still on His throne.

 

As Christians, we need to pray that our leaders will have wisdom to make wise choices and it behooves us to use common sense, keep our eyes open as we go to the polls to vote.

 

We may not get on a soap box, but we can let our voice be known by our vote and hope that it will matter.  My husband writes letters to the Editor and they get published !!

 

One of the men at our church was ranting, raving and actually red in the face from his anger at politicians.  I suggested that he stop reading the newspaper and see if that helped;  - - -

 

It seems that his world was too large.

.~ ~ ~ 

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Tell Me a True Story Blog Party Week of 09/05/16

Having Fun - - Reading a True Story

 

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Give Others The Benefit of the Doubt

What a revelation this young lady was disclosing as she spoke. 

I was sitting in an adult Bible Study Class, and the teacher had just asked the question, “How can we love our enemies?” 

One of the ladies was explaining how she reacts to people who are rude or angry or very upset.  She says she just makes up an “excuse” for them in her mind and gives them the “Benefit of the doubt.”

She reasons, perhaps they have had a very bad day, maybe they received some bad news, are getting over the flue, or they may possibly have a rock in their shoe!!  She went on to say that she chooses to believe something good about the person, rather than something bad, when she has the possibility of doing either. 

If we treated our enemies and friends this way, believing the best of them, we might be able to stop all wars or at least get along better with each other. 

One thing we must realize is - - that in believing the best of people, we must not justify wickedness.   Honestly, some people are simply mean, manipulative, hateful and evil.  We can pray for them to repent and to open their heart to the Lord.   

Understand that they probably will not listen to you preach at them, but pray that God will send someone else to them.  They may listen to a friend, a neighbor a TV program, or read a magazine that will strike a cord in their spirit.  

The best thing is to try first to give them the benefit of the doubt, and if that doesn’t work, then the next best thing is to distance your self from them. 

In a job situation this may not be possible, but you can at least be civil and polite. 

Other times it is wise to learn to be quiet ! 

Proverbs 15:1 - 2  A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, but the mouth of fools spouts folly. 

Proverbs 19:11  A man's discretion makes him slow to anger, And it is his glory to overlook a transgression.

 

Ephesians 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

1 Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

~ ~ ~ 

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