Susan, Author at The Sparrow's Home

Saving black lives where they’re most at risk…in the womb

January 15, 2018 by Susan 4 Comments

The ties between Planned Parenthood and the eugenics movement are undeniable. This documentary shines a light on the targeting of black families and babies within the abortion industry.

The men at our church have a monthly men’s breakfast and my husband is in charge of finding videos to watch and discuss with the group. Often, I get to preview them with him, and sometimes come across a gem like this that I end up using myself to teach with.

It’s called Black Genocide in 21st Century America. And this video was so thought-provoking and moving that I used it to teach a women’s class, showed it at the Family Camp we attend and it was the basis of the class I taught at the teen youth camp this summer.

It’s that good.

Southern Red Beans & Rice

January 11, 2018 by Susan Leave a Comment

Making red beans & rice is easy, albeit a bit time consuming. But every bite is worth it. This simple recipe makes a big pot. Leftovers freeze beautifully!

What is your biggest cooking fail?

For me, red beans and rice holds that title. (The chocolate mousse that came out looking like poop is a close second).

Marrying a Southern-born man and living in the South for a number of years meant learning to cook things that I didn’t grow up on. Things like gumbo, jambalaya, king cake, and red beans & rice.

Moving back home to Minnesota, I was eager to share my new found food loves with my family and friends. One problem, while I’d eaten red beans & rice lots of times, I’d never made it before.

So maybe making it for a party wasn’t the best idea on my first try.

Food for Thought #32

December 28, 2017 by Susan Leave a Comment

Do you make resolutions? New Years gets all the hype surrounding resolutions, but isn’t resolving to be better something we should be doing kind of constantly? I’ll be honest, I’m not great at resolutions…making them or keeping them. (Does that mean I should make a resolution to get better at them? …hahaha)

Whether you make resolutions or not, the start of a new year is a good time to think about not just bettering yourself, but what God desires for you. Reflect on the past, look forward to the future.

Here’s what I’ve been reading:

Super Fresh & Simple Orange Cranberries

December 21, 2017 by Susan 2 Comments

Super fresh and simple orange cranberries recipe. Only three ingredients and no cooking! The leftovers save exceptionally well, too.

It doesn’t get much easier than this recipe for fresh orange cranberry sauce. Some might call it relish, but to me relish is a condiment, something you put on a hot dog. This is meant to be eaten by the spoonful, like a more traditional cranberry sauce.

As long as I can remember, these were the cranberries that we had on our Thanksgiving table. The bright, jewel-like red color of the cranberries makes a perfect showing for Christmas dinner as well.

One of the best things is how well leftovers last. They are great for breakfast, or alongside a sandwich for lunch. I’ve also stirred in a little leftover whipped cream for a tasty treat.

My sister taught me something new just this year when she described how she puts some in the freezer, and then scrapes off the frozen icee mixture. (And yes, I do have some in my freezer now). Yum!!

What Did God See in Mary & Joseph? [Free Printable Lesson]

December 18, 2017 by Susan Leave a Comment

Clearly Mary and Joseph had qualities that God valued, since He chose them to raise His son, Jesus. Enjoy using this free printable Bible study lesson perfect for Christmas!

Let me ask you this: If you were unable to raise your children, what characteristics would you look for in the people you chose to take care of them?

The passages of Scripture that tell of Christ’s birth have become so over-familiar to us, haven’t they?

I’m teaching our adult Sunday school class this week, and as I was looking for a lesson that wasn’t the same old same old, all I could find was….well, the same old same old. I went back to the beginning of Luke and began to read the familiar words again.

Then the question I asked above came into my head. I realized that out of all the people who have ever lived, God chose Mary and Joseph to raise his son, Jesus. Clearly they pleased Him. Wouldn’t it be interesting, I thought, to look into their character to hunt for qualities that we could apply to our own lives as we seek to be people who please God.