RITCHEY CHURCH NEWSLETTER

For some time Pam (Cox) Ramsey has been writing a monthly church newsletter for our congregation in Ritchey, Missouri. Our church is small and has that family feel to it. Pam has found a way to help in making it all the more personable with her writing of the newsletter. Everyone here looks forward to its coming the first Sunday of the month although you may hear a groan here and there when one has been on the receiving end of one of her witty cracks or been caught in a photograph not so becoming (just ask Gary Ankney!) One will usually find something in it to give you a smile, something in it to make you think, and (unusual to most church newspapers) rumours, innuendo, and gossip. Even I, their dear pastor, have had things printed of me that I know were nothing more than hearsay. Even though this newsletter was at first only meant for us, it has been thought by some that others might enjoy its reading. I have posted a link to the monthly newsletter on the side of the blog for anyone who might want to catch up on the latest here at Ritchey. If you enjoy reading it, you might pass on your comments to Pam. A link to her blog is on the side, as well.

ORANGE CHICKEN

Ingredients:

Chicken -

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1-1/2” cubes)

1 ½ cups all purpose flour

1 eggs (beaten)

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon pepper

Oil (for frying)

Orange Sauce-

1 ½ cups water

2 tablespoons orange juice

¼ cup lemon juice

1/3 cup rice vinegar

2 ½ tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon orange zest (grated)

1 cup packed brown sugar

½ teaspoon ginger root (minced)

½ teaspoon garlic (minced)

2 tablespoons green onion (chopped)

¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

3 tablespoons cornstarch

2 tablespoons water

Instructions:

1. Combine flour, salt, and pepper. Dip chicken in egg mixture and shake in flour mixture to coat. Deep fry chicken in batches at 375 degrees in a deep fryer (or use a wok) until completely cooked.

2. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan combine 1 ½ cups water, lemon juice, orange juice, rice vinegar, and soy sauce. Blend well over medium heat for a few minutes. Stir in brown sugar, orange zest, ginger garlic, and onion. Bring to a boil.

3. Combine 3 tablespoons of cornstarch with 1/4 cup of water and mix thoroughly. Slowly stir cornstarch mixture into sauce until it thickens. Pour sauce over breaded chicken, and if desired add red pepper flakes and garnish with green onions.

Tammy has been missing Panda Express' Orange Chicken. I tried this recipe and it turned out very good although it is somewhat different than the Panda's. This one takes a little longer because you have to deep fry the chicken first. Otherwise it would not take so long. The family was very happy with the results. I haven't posted any recipes that I wouldn't buy in a restaurant and be very happy with. Enjoy!

KUNG PAO CHICKEN

Ingredients:

1lb boneless-skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1” pieces)

1 tablespoon cornstarch

2 teaspoons sesame oil

3 tablespoons green onions (chopped)

3 garlic cloves (minced)

½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

½ teaspoon powdered ginger

2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar

2 tablespoons soy sauce2 teaspoons sugar

1/3 cup dry roasted peanuts

Directions:

1. Combine chicken and cornstarch in a small bowl and toss to coat. Heat sesame oil in wok over medium heat, add chicken and stir fry 5-7 minutes or until no longer pink inside. Remove chicken from wok.

2. Add green onions, garlic, red pepper flakes and powdered ginger to the wok and stir fry for 15 seconds.

3. Combine vinegar, soy sauce and sugar in a small bowl. Mix well and add the sauce to the wok.

4. Return chicken to the wok and coat with sauce. Stir in roasted peanuts. Heat thoroughly. Top with additional green onions if desired and serve over white rice.

This recipe is very good, fast, and easy to make.

64 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

John and Joan Williams

"Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful, it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends." - 1 Corinthians 13 (in part).

On September 26th 2009 my parents celebrated 64 years of marriage!

There is not a grander day in the life of many than the day of the wedding. And rightfully so. Just the right wedding dress must be chosen, the most beautiful of churches or settings must be found to hold the expected crowd, bridesmaids and groomsmen, flower girls and bible bearers, reception halls and wedding cakes, decisions of every kind are to be made. There is so much planning that must go into the approaching day of days and everything must be done just right. Finally the moment arrives and the groom stands in front of the gathered crowd awaiting his lovely bride as she comes down the aisle on the arm of her father. After she is given to the groom, the attention now focuses on the minister as the serious part of the ceremony begins. The vows of a bride and groom usually go something like this: "Wilt thou have this man(woman) to be thy wedded husband(wife), to live together in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love him(her), comfort him(her), honor and keep him(her), in sickness and in health and forsaking all other keep thee only unto him(her), so long as ye both shall live? With promises made, a kiss granted, and hands joined together, the young couple is pronounced husband and wife and strolls back down the aisle to the smiles and cheers of the people.

Or in mom and dad's case.

Dad was home from the service and had dated mom for just two weeks. He had been a friend of her brother, Harold, and had run with him but Harold had warned him in stronger language than I am now speaking to stay away from his sister. But dad tells of a time when in the family house of looking across the room and seeing Harold's kid sister in a new way. He said, "Mom do you remember that day when I looked across the room at you and our eyes met?" Mom smiles and nods her head in such a way as to tell you that she will never forget it. The meeting of the eyes - what can that do? Well, it must have done a lot for 64 years later they are still together. Dad joined the service but wrote to her often. In a two week leave from service while back home mom and dad made a decision to start life together. They went to the preacher's house - Brother Floyd Davidson - who was not yet home from work. After waiting for some time, he arrived home and they asked him the question - would he marry the two of them? His reply was that he was "supposed to get people out of trouble, not into it." Without any further ado he left them there and went on to do chores, milking the cows, etc. They must of not took him too seriously (nor life for that matter) for they found a group of people playing softball and joined in the game. The preacher, freshly cleaned up from chores called them into his house where they would exchange vows. The bridesmaids and groomsmen consisted of two who would be witnesses, mom's sister, Pauline, and dad's brother, Austin. The congregation looking on consisted of Grandma Ritter, the preacher's wife and two boys. With promises made the two began life together as one.

Life makes many a twist and turn, indeed some for the better and some for the worse, some days feeling on top of the world, and others where sickness has taken its toll, but 64 years later the vows are still being kept. This couple that joined together back when he was 20 and she a mere 16 (almost 17 she always says!) years old are still living, loving, honoring, keeping, and forsaking all others. 64 years later- 6 children, 14 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren - the love still shows. When visiting at their house every once in a while you will catch one of those moments where they look across the room at one another and you think you see it - you think you see that look that may have started all of this - for a glance is made with a smile on the face, a twinkle in they eye, and a look exchanged that is meant for no one else but only for each other. That grand and great day when they exchanged lifelong vows may not have had all the niceties that are expected today when couples join in holy matrimony. But they have had the one thing that is so needful - a love that "bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things." They have a love that has never ended! May God bless them and keep them all the days of their lives (just as we know he has and always will). Thank you mom and dad for showing us through your day to day lives what it means to truly love one another.

REDWOOD CAMPMEETING

Some of the highlights of the year always include being able to go to different church camps. One camp that has always meant so much to us is Redwood Camp. While living in Arizona, Redwood Camp meant being able to see family again, a long journey, usually trying to see who all we could take along on the roadtrip, or maybe us doing the roadtrip and picking up some of our sheep at the airport in Tulsa. We always knew that if we could get someone to go that they would be well rewarded by being in services where the presence of the Lord was felt consistently. In such atmosphere a young Christian can't help but grow in grace and be more rooted spiritually. When mom and dad was a few years younger and in a little better shape, it was not unusual for us to fill up their house with plenty of guests. Our family would fill up the front upstairs bedroom, Susie and hopefully someone else would be taking the back upstairs bedroom, and Gareth was willing to take the couch in the living room. Others that wanted to come knew that they could find a welcome stay at dear Sister Mazie's. At that time of the year you never knew whether you would be looking for a fan to stick in the window or be pulling up the covers but it really did not matter - it was good to be at Camp.

Times have changed some things. Now that we are living back here in this big city of Ritchey going to Redwood Camp means just hopping in the car, travelling over a few hills and around a few curves in the road, make just one turn from Tiger Rd to Newton Rd, and you can soon pull in. In fact we travel by there every little bit as we go back and forth to shop in Joplin. Mom and Dad are physically not up to all the overnight company anymore although they tell me that they sure do miss it and wish they could do it again. Now guests are staying at our house and the good times with friends have simply changed addresses from up on the hill to down at the parsonage.

But, thankfully, some things have not changed at all. Redwood Camp still comes in the fall. And the Lord still comes consistently to Redwood Camp. This year was no exception. Obviously, His manifestation is felt more in some services than others but being in a position where I could be there every service my how wonderful it was to see and feel God come into our midst time and time again. The Word is still preached with the annointing. The testimonies still ring. There were times that the special singing went clear through. The congregational singing was good. The last night as I sat on the platform with piano, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, steel guitar, electric guitar, and accordian music filling the air along with the beautiful congregational singing it seemed most heavenly. Some may think it a little exagerated but not so - not for one that enjoys the presence of the Lord. Thank God some things are still the same.

One way you can tell how good something is is by whether individuals want more. As we all said our goodnights and goodbyes I made sure to thank different ones for coming. Came back their replies: "Oh, it was our pleasure to be here. We wouldn't want to miss it. We'll be back next year." Such music to the ears is God's happy people enjoying themselves in the presence of the Lord. Next year. Yes if God should allow us another year, some time in the fall when the weather begins to make a few more changes and the nights become a little more crisp we will be looking forward to gathering again. For now, I guess we will just have to look forward to the next camp. Hmmm . . . . before long those beautiful golden leaves are going to fall and the trees are going to start looking pretty barren. The cool, crisp is going to turn to flat out cold! Hey . . . . Mesa, AZ Camp is coming in December. Palm trees, cactus, and a sandy dessert. Anyone up for a roadtrip. I hear (and know) the presence of the Lord felt there consistently!

RITCHEY BIBLE HOLINESS CHURCH 2009

While Katrina was home we took a few pictures of our current congregation one Sunday night. I have posted two because in one, Katrina was taking the picture and left out and in the other Carell Day. The Lord has been very good to this little church. In the past year we have had a young couple get married - Faith and Colin - with Colin moving our way and being an addition to the Ritchey Church. Faith and Colin is the young couple in front on the left. We also have been very blessed in that my Brother-in-law, Gary Ankney, was saved a few months back. Gary has a great desire to serve God and is a wonderful encouragement to the congregation. His wife(and my sister) along with their two grandchildren also regularly attend on Sunday mornings but are not pictured here. For those who have yet to meet Gary, he is in the back row next to my dad, on the left, in a red shirt. In addition to having a young couple married, this same couple have had a welcome surprise. They and Ritchey church will have new little baby in attendance some time in February. As you can see in the photograph Ritchey is blessed to have a mixed congregation of all ages from the very young, to some of us that they have now labeled middle-aged, to our seasoned saints that have been a great example to us all. God has helped us to grow already. It is not unusual for us to now have 28 on a Sunday morning. We thank God for each one that comes. Pray for us here at Ritchey. We desire that God will have his complete way in our midst.

THAI PEANUT CHICKEN

INGRED-
IENTS:

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut
into 1" chunks)

3 tablespoons fresh garlic (minced)
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh ginger (minced)
2 tablespoons oil (for cooking)
3/4 cup green onions (chopped)
1 red bell pepper (sliced)
2 cups broccoli florets
1/3 cup dry roasted peanuts
Sauce-
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or more to your taste)
1/4 cup water

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. To make the peanut sauce - In a bowl mix soy sauce, peanut butter. Add white wine vinegar, sesame oil, brown sugar and cayenne pepper. Mix well and set aside.

2. In a large skillet heat oil. Add garlic, ginger and chicken. Cook until chicken is no long pink on the inside (about 5 minutes). Remove from pan and set aside.

3. Add a tiny bit more oil to the pan and sir fry red bell peppers, broccoli florets, and green onions for about 2 minutes or until they have reached desired tenderness. Remove from pan and set aside.

4. Over medium heat add the peanut sauce mixture to the pan. Heat while stirring constantly. When sauce mixture starts to bubble add 1/4 cup of water and mix well to thin it out a bit.

5. In a large serving dish add chicken, green onions, red bell pepper , and roasted peanuts. Add sauce and mix well. Serve with white rice.

I slice up some jalapeno and/or habanero peppers in some chile oil and set to the side for those who want to kick it up a notch.

SPICY CHICKEN WITH PEPPERS AND BASIL

INGRED-
IENTS:
2 cups jasmine rice, prepared according to package directions.

1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast
1 tablespoon wok oil or light colored oil
1 tablespoon hot chili oil
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
2 red bell peppers, seeded and thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, chopped
2 jalapenos
2 tablespoons fish sauce
1/4 cup oyster sauce
2 tablespoons sugar
20 leaves fresh sweet basil, torn in half

DIRECTIONS:
Prepare the jasmine rice according to instructions on package

Cut the chicken on an angle across the breast into thin strips. Cut strips across into bite-size pieces. Set chicken aside.

When the rice is 6-7 minutes away from being done, begin your stir fry. Heat a wok over high heat. When the pan smokes, add wok or light cooking oil and the hot chili oil. Sprinkle in the crushed red pepper flakes. Add the chicken and stir fry for 2 minutes or until mostly done. Add onion, red bell peppers, jalapenos and garlic and stir fry for 1-2 more minutes. Add the fish sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar, stirring in. Remove the pan from the heat and add the basil. Toss the chicken and vegetables until basil wilts.

Serve chicken and peppers with the prepared rice.

SERVES: 4

THAI GINGER CHICKEN (Gai Pad King)

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 cups uncooked jasmine rice

3 1/2 cups water

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into thin strips

1 tablespoon Asian fish sauce

1 tablespoon oyster sauce

1 tablespoon white sugar

1/2 cup fresh ginger, cut into matchsticks

1 large bell pepper, cut into strips

3/4 cup sliced fresh mushrooms

4 green onions cut into 2-inch pieces

1/2 teaspoon Thai red chile paste, or to taste

2 tablespoons chicken broth

salt and black pepper to taste

2 tablespoons fresh cilantro

DIRECTIONS:

1. Bring the rice and water to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in the garlic and chicken; cook for 2 minutes. Add the fish sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, ginger, red pepper, mushrooms, and onions. Cook and stir until the chicken is no longer pink and the vegetables are nearly tender, about 3 minutes. Dissolve the chile paste in the chicken broth, then add to the chicken mixture. Season to taste with salt and pepper; sprinkle with cilantro leaves to garnish. Serve with the hot rice.

PREP TIME: 30 Minutes

COOK TIME: 20 Minutes

READY IN: 50 Minutes

SERVING: 4

FALL 2009

Here it is fall again. I thought since it has almost been a whole year since I last posted anything that I would slide in something at this time and no one notice the difference. Chances are by now that no one is following the blog and for that reason no one will notice as well.

Temperatures are falling. The other morning when I got up it looked like the first frost was upon the grass coming down the hill in front of the house. Surely not! Too dark to really know. But when I climbed into the pickup I had to turn on the windshield wipers and defroster and wait a little while for it to melt away.

Fall. In the old days fall meant football weather. Now fall means Redwood Camp. Campmeeting usually brings visitors and lots of good times with old friends. This year we got a call from Bobby and Rachel Jones looking for a place to stay during camp. We were more than happy to have them come our way.

Bobby was hoping to do a little fishing while here but the with the recent rains the creeks have been muddy and swollen. Looks like the fishing is out for this trip.

Monday before they were to arrive here in the late afternoon I stirred up some Thai food. Spicy basil chicken has become a family favorite so that is usually a good starter. I tried out a new recipe as well on them - thai peanut chicken - and then stirred up a spicy cucumber salad for a side. I mentioned what we were having ahead of time so they saved their appetites for the spicy dishes. Things went well and the new recipe was good too. I think with them it was the favorite.

The reason I think it was the favorite was because we had just a little bowl of it left over. We put it in the refrigerator and about 10:30 that night it caught Bobby's attention as he made one of his frequent inspections of the fridge (I may be slightly embellishing the story). He took it out and looked it over. He then lifted the saran wrap and again smelled the aroma. He usually just gobbles stuff down so I don't know why he was taking so long with it other than he was supposed to be on a diet. I told him that I had cooked all night long, and he had eaten all night long and that he surely had enough. After all there was two big dishes and he had knocked out the one all except this tiny bowl. Whatever possessed him to listen to me and put the bowl back I will never know for he has never once listened before. He must have happened to think of his diet but soon forgot about it for as he turned around he spied the 7-Up bundt cake Tim had made. Up went the lid and there went the cake.

Things got real interesting about that time for Rachel really liked the Peanut Chicken too. While Bobby had his nose in the cake Rachel made a quick pass by the fridge and grabbed the leftovers and took no time looking or smelling it but just got a spoon and came back into the living room and dug in. Imagine the shock on our dear friend's face as he realized all future opportunities for that particular dish was fading fast. He quickly traded the kitchen for the living room, following his lovely wife, pleading his case all the time. Rachel is a smart one though. She made sure she kept the coffee table between her and her beloved. After a few rounds around the table with her always just on the other side, he traded his shocked looks for a pouting one and sat on the couch dejected. I thought Rachel might give him half but she worked it down to just a few bites remaining before she gave him opportunity. I think he kept his sanctification but no doubt it was tried.

Anyway, like I said it is fall and with fall comes camp meeting. Sure would be good time to get help. Especially after such a time of great trial and tribulation.

Visitor for Thanksgiving

The family was so glad to get to have Clinton over for a few days for the Thanksgiving holidays. I'm sure he wished he could be home with his own family for the big meal and family time. But since he couldn't be there, we were glad we got the privilege. The kids had a good time together seeing the small town stuff. Tammy was busily cooking, dad cutting up the vegetables, the kids put up the tree, and wrapped a few presents. With three Thanksgiving meals, one with Tammy's folks, later one with her extended family, and on Friday one with all of my family, there was no shortage on eats. They took time out for a little shopping and shared in our "first snow." Also appreciated being able to have Clinton in church at Ritchey for Sunday morning worship and hear him testify of being newly saved. So good to see young people going for God. Look forward to you coming again, Clinton.

First Snow

Sunday morning we awoke to snowflakes falling. Surely it wouldn't last long. But the flakes continued growing in size and rapidness. It was too warm for the snow to accumulate much but that didn't stop the children from scooping it and accosting one another with snowballs. Tammy and I were able to dodge most of them lodged our way. As the people gathered in for Sunday morning services noses were red and the children were abuzz. Thanksgiving now past and the flakes now falling, it was a good morning to start singing the Christmas Carols. It looks like winter has begun.