Great Mother's Day Idea!

A couple of years ago the Lord gave me such a great idea for Mother's Day that was so 'out-of-the-box'. I am going to share with you what I remember of it in case you think it is something you might want to do sometime.

The day before Mother's Day the Lord dropped into my heart the idea of serving my family in a huge way instead of being served that day. The idea was to bless them and thank God for the privilege of being a mom instead of being thanked for being a good mom.

Here was my plan.

First I made little cards for each child with something that I loved or appreciated about them. Maybe a character quality or gift they have. I made them out of scrapbook paper.

I secretly planned an easy special breakfast and planned to set the table with linens, candles and flowers. I, of course needed to do this once they were in bed. Brian and I scrambled for an hour after everybody was well asleep.

In the morning when they got up prepared to help Brian make me a wonderful breakfast the table was set, the kitchen smelled yummy and I was waiting to bless them! It was so neat to see the wonderment and confusion on their faces.

I had them find their note cards and sit in their seats. I went to each child and read aloud the card I had made for them, through tears of course. I blessed them and hugged them and told them how very much I loved them. One by one, I did this with each child.

I then went to the living room and called my daughters over. We knelt and I proceed to pray for them as they would one day be mothers, Lord willing. I prayed through Proverbs 31. I prayed that they would be courageous like Esther. That they would be faithful like Ruth. That they would be submissive to their husbands, have a gentle and quiet spirit and be obedient like Sarah.

I blessed their wombs and the Godly seed they would one day bring forth.
It was so beautiful and precious.

We enjoyed a wonderful breakfast and I rested the rest of the day, as I was up late, and who doesn't like a little pampering on Mother's Day? Isn't God amazing? He took a day that I would usually be pampered and catered to and asked me to serve instead of being served. Isn't that what Jesus did? It was so special. Lest you think I have somehow 'arrived', don't, I have only done that once ;-)

It's sort of funny, because there have been years that I step into self-pity because the day doesn't go like I want it to. Expectation! Ouch! This was certainly the cure for self-pity and self-indulgence!

Oven Apple French Toast

1 pound loaf Italian bread, sliced

1/2 cup melted butter

2/3 cup brown sugar

2 apples, peeled, cored and sliced

1/2 t. cinnamon

4 eggs, beaten

1 1/4 cup milk

1 t. vanilla

Melt butter and spread in 11x17 jelly roll pan. Sprinkle brown sugar. Cover brown sugar with sliced apples. Sprinkle with cinnamon and set aside.

In bowl beat eggs, then add milk and vanilla. Dip bread slices in egg mixture and place on top of apples. Pour any extra egg mixture over bread.

Bake at 325 for 25-30 minutes, or until lightly golden. Serve apple side up.

I make this the night before and put in fridge, bake in morning. Might need to add baking time.

7 Layer Brunch

7 large boiled potatoes (boiled with skin on and cooled)

2 cups cheddar cheese

1 lb. cooked bacon, chopped ( I use turkey bacon)

3/4 cup green onion

3 ounce softened cream cheese

1 dozen eggs

salt and pepper to taste

Butter bottom of 9x13 pan. Peel potatoes and shred or dice them. Place in bottom of pan. Sprinkle 1 cup of cheese, bacon, green onions. With an electric mixer, mix eggs with cream cheese. Pour over the rest of the ingredients. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheese over top. Cover and put in fridge overnight.

Bake uncovered, in 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes.

These are old recipes that I have added to or changed over the years. I thought to share the original and let you adapt. You probably have your own favorites. They are easy because you can prepare them the night before and just bake in the morning. The whole house smells like yummy cinnamon in the morning.

Let me know what you think? Have you done this type of thing before? What are your ideas for a special Mother's Day?