Multitude Monday ~ 1000 Gifts

#467 softball games - especially when competition is tough... where laughter, applause, cheers, encouragement and congratulations frequently spill over... where sportsmanship abounds... when all spectators and athletes smile and celebrate the victors at the end!

#468 carmel apple coffee cake (the picture is from Taste of Home, recipe page... you'll see it again if you follow the link... the original recipe was muffins... coffee cake is much easier less work early in the morning and when you don't have cupcake liners!)

#469 pink-laced softball decorated cupcakes and lots of laughter

#470 making do when you don't have exactly what you are looking for... and being OK with that

#471 pep rallies

#472 sneaking tastes of sprinkles instead of sprinkling them on the cupcakes

#473 big "brothers" (real and chosen) who look out for my girls, pick on 'em and make 'em laugh

#474 the fun you can have with Crisco

#475 legos and wooden elephants

#476 prayer with friends

#478 hoping... anticipating

#479 weekends

#480 vacations...

#481 ...and a week of sleeping-in, sort of!

#482 my sweet spirited and very competent girl helping me bake bread, make rolls and all sorts of variations on pizza

#483 how they happily wave goodbye to me yet cry when they say goodbye to Nadia

#484 a perfect French dictée

#485 beginning jabberer and new words spouting forth every day

#486 little boy who has finally discovered that he likes brushing his hair and teeth

#487 becoming young man, still silly enough to enjoy dressing up like a leprechaun on "Fantasy Day"

#488 finding two new friends in unexpected places

#489 music lessons

#490 time together, fingers entertwined

Update on the Softball Tourney

My guys...

with their team...

were UNDEFEATED today.

Tim played third base; Brendan was on first.

They both made some awesome plays!

It was a warm day, as far as Niamey goes... 110ish... maybe a little warmer...

but

!!! EXCITING GAMES !!!

were most definitely worth it!

2 more wins tomorrow

&

the Raging Suns could win the Social Division

of the

NUTS Tournament.

And just in case you were wondering,

Tim did make this catch for the last out of the game!

Way too many going NUTS in Niamey

Nope... not talking about the taxi drivers or maniac motorcyclists... though sanity is often questionable.

Never minding that finding tea, of all things, has become a taxing (physically, not financially) experience.

Not even a reflection on rains returning, continuing

 ...again and again...
U.N.B.E.L.I.E.V.A.B.L.E.

...in October, even!

Nope... NOT. AT. ALL!!!

...Niamey Universal Tournament of Softball ...

~ THIS ~

is what all the craziness is!

A highlight of hot season (of the mini variety)...

we look forward to the

Niamey Universal Tournament of Softball

every year.

(Tim and Brendan are playing for one of Sahel's several teams... Go Raging Suns!)

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All photos taken by students, their parents or staff of Sahel Academy.

When you work at a school for MKs... are you really fulfilling the Great Commission?

The Christian School in a Missions Context

Richard J. Edlin

Missionary teachers are a dedicated group of people who derive much joy and satisfaction from their profession. However, there is a crisis of confidence among many missionary schoolteachers. The problem is that many teachers in MK schools are seen as "second-class" missionaries, who carry out the Great Commission only if they involve themselves in outreach programs outside of school hours.

The high MK teacher attrition rate, which is one consequence of this problem, has drastic consequences for the care and nurture of MKs and for the overall implementation of the Great Commission. Many missionary schools have annual staff turnover rates of between 40 and 60 percent. This impacts all of the families on the field, as children lack continuity in the school. Also, new teachers' lack of cross-cultural competency means that they may have a reduced ability to educate and nurture the MKs under their care in a culturally sensitive way. Finally, continuity and development in curriculum are difficult to attain.

This situation has serious implications for the whole life of the mission. As one mission administrator commented, "When the MK school is happy, the whole mission is happy; but when the MK school is having problems, the whole mission suffers." Unhappiness with children's education is a common cause of missionary attrition.

The consignment of the MK teacher to a second-class status is derived from a poor understanding of just what Jesus called his people to do in the Great Commission, as recorded in Matthew 28:18-20.

The Service Task of the Missionary School

The solution to the problem is a biblical perspective. In order to understand the Great Commission in relation to teachers in missionary schools, we need to be reminded of the three functions of an MK school: service, outreach, and discipleship.

MK school purpose statements make clear that a core reason for their existence is the provision of quality, culturally sensitive education to MKs. With this assurance, missionary parents can engage in their own activities and know that their children's educational needs are being met. The church planter in the jungle, the pastor working in the urban slum, and the treasurer in the mission office, are all more able to fulfill their tasks because of the help of others who are teaching their children.

Teachers have been entrusted by the Lord with the high calling of servanthood. Our Lord came not to be served but to serve (Matthew 20:28) and modeled this characteristic for us on that memorable occasion recorded in when he washed his disciples' feet.

The Outreach Task of the Missionary School

Yes, even MKs need the Lord. The lives of the faculty and the nature of the curriculum should present an exciting celebration of the Lordship of Christ over his world and the challenges to all of us to respond. When adult MKs speak about their experiences at MK schools, many concerns are expressed, but one enduring cause for praise to God is the formative influence of their missionary school and its staff on their personal spiritual growth. When MKs see in their teachers the love of God and obedience to his commands, they are led to know, love, worship, and serve the Lord.

Another exciting aspect to this ministry is that many missionary schools have opened their doors to other students—expatriates and nationals, who present further outreach opportunities. Outreach to national children has incredible potential. Missionaries often lament the difficulty of reaching the upper socioeconomic classes of society, from which most of the leaders in politics, commerce, medicine, law, and education come. This the same group that missionary schools often find besieging them with requests for the enrollment of their children.

Missionary schools have a vital ministry upon influential expatriate leaders and their families. Several years ago, when communism still dominated Eastern Europe, evangelist Billy Graham was able to conduct a series of meetings behind the Iron Curtain. In Hungary he had the chance to speak to a huge youth rally, but he needed an interpreter— one who who was young, fluent in English and the local language, and a Christian, so that he could faithfully translate the Christian message. Where could they find such a person in a communist-controlled country?

They found one. His parents had been diplomats in Africa, where he was sent to the local missionary school and became a Christian. Later the family went home to Hungary. When Billy Graham was looking for a Christian youth to translate for him, here he was, a Christian because of the witness of a school in Africa! Our missionary schools and their teachers are a vital part of the worldwide ministry of evangelism.

The Discipleship Task of the Missionary School

The third function of the MK school is discipleship. This is the area of greatest misunderstanding of the Great Commission and its application to the MK school. In Matthew 28:17-20, Jesus did not say "Go and make converts of all nations"; he instructed his followers to "make disciples of all nations." The difference between what Jesus actually said and what many people think he said is central to understanding the missionary calling and the task of the missionary school.

Conversion is only the first step in discipleship. If the Christian life were fully accomplished at conversion, then we would not possess much of the New Testament. Paul's letters to Corinth, Galatia, and Philippi were written to people who were already Christians. Yet, in these letters, Paul was still carrying out the Great Commission by encouraging Christians, strengthening their faith, and instructing them. He was teaching them to observe all that the Lord had taught.

The Great Commission, in all its fullness, includes the process of conversion and then teaching and nurturing people in Christ's way. Except for the church and the family, there are few other institutions in society more centrally concerned with this nurturing discipleship process than the missionary school. As teachers explore with their students the nature of the world and the students' places and tasks in it, their teaching should be done in such a vibrant and exciting way as to challenge the students in all areas of life. The nurturing and discipleship that each teacher engages in with students is at the heart of the Great Commission.

Praise God for the service ministry, outreach ministry, and discipleship ministry of the missionary school. Let us be faithful in prayer for them as they have the blessing and great responsibility of working with young people, as partners with missionary parents, in nurturing and challenging students to live for Christ in all corners of the globe.

The Christian School in a Missions Context, pgs 249-262

Raising Resilient MKs: Resources for Caregivers, Parents, and Teachers

Edited by Joyce M. Bowers

Published by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI),

Colorado Springs, CO 80935

"If Only..."

Join me over at Missionary Moms today as I share about a familiar story that God has been showing me through new eyes.

Kids and Goodbyes... What do You Think?

One of my favorite blogs posts a "Tuesday Topic:" readers write in with a question, their question is posted and other readers respond, sharing their experience, answers and/or suggestions. This week's Tuesday Topic, "Kids and Goodbyes," was super relevant to me - we just lived significant goodbyes and the relationship switches that are a part of our life.

TUESDAY'S QUESTION:

"Our kids are getting to the age when they are starting to understand things like distance and the length of time between visits with their family. We will be going back to the States this Winter to spend Christmas with our family, and I am wondering how it is going to be when we have to say goodbye this time. Previously our goodbyes weren’t as hard for the kids since they didn’t exactly understand what was happening. I know that it is important to “say goodbye well,” but I am not exactly sure what that looks like for younger kids. What has been helpful for you in terms of preparing your kids for difficult goodbyes and walking them through that time? Thanks!"

MY RESPONSE:

Well… frankly, it only continues to get harder… the goodbyes on both sides of the water… because each time our roots go deeper and we are better able to count the cost… all of us. I don’t necessarily think that we do this well, but here are some of the things we hope helps:

• we try to create special memories and take lots of pictures.
• we cry and pray together… and don’t deny that it hurts, sometimes so badly that it is physical.
• we hug, hard and fierce, when we have the opportunity; we don’t shy away from holding hands.
• we make sure we try and protect special moments with the nearest and dearest… i.e. we don’t invite anyone other than family to the airport to see us off because that is important to our family – that they don’t have to share us in that moment.
• we take time to consciously thank the Lord for those special people He has given us for the season He has given them – even from tender ages - and our kids begin to learn that while relationships centered on the Lord are eternal, the time we have together in this world is a gift, not a guarantee.
• we teach our kids that each sad goodbye is the opportunity to look forward to a happy hello on the other end of the trip.
• we celebrate family, friends and special times; we grieve goodbyes and separations.
• we try and teach our children to forgive, ask forgiveness when needed, not hold grudges and make the most of each moment – so that when they say goodbye or see you later, there are no regrets.
• as they get older, we talk about holding our friends and family close to our heart, but with an open hand so that if God takes our lives on different courses (which inevitably happens) we can celebrate through our tears because being right where God wants is the very best place.
• we try not to saddle our family and friends with expectations - i.e. expecting an email each week… learning instead to accept each treasured moment of time, each gift of communication thankfully, when it is offered... whether from near or from afar.
• we teach our older kids to go to Psalms when their hearts ache.
• we actively engage in the work it takes to keep up with relationships when we are far away from the ones we love, modeling many different ways to continue investing in relationships – and it looks different for different people (skype, facebook, blogs, emails, snail mails, packages, prayers, phone calls, chatting, texting…). We try and adapt to meet the needs of those we are seeking to communicate with.
• we pray regularly for the people we love and miss.
• we talk about and remember special times and special people – and validate the depth of emotions that sometimes surfaces with the memories.
• we also anticipate reunions… crossing off days on the calendar once those reunions become the near future.
• when something happens that reminds us of someone, we share and talk about it, so that even though unseen for a time, special people remain a constant presence in our lives.
• we seek to minister to others first, actively engaging in the community where God has placed us and as God brings opportunity, to those who are far away.

Those are some of the things we’ve chosen consciously to do to help our children, ourselves, our families and our friends... with these oh-so-hard transitions… hey are our 'aspirations;' we’ve by no means arrived.

I’m already starting the process of anticipating, grieving and can frequently tear up at a goodbye I know is coming in less than two years, one that will necessitate a somewhat permanent change in one of my dearest and closest friendships. The love and friendship we share will, no doubt, continue; I hope it will continue to grow and deepen. However, the way we spend time together and invest in each other... what that looks like... will change. Then shortly after that, our oldest graduates from high school and transitions to post high-school life and he'll be there while we remain here. That one, I can’t even begin to imagine.

I love the example of Paul (from 2 Tim 1): “I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers in a pure conscience, how unceasing is my remembrance of thee in my supplications, night and day longing to see thee, remembering thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; having been reminded of the unfeigned faith that is in thee; which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and, I am persuaded, in thee also. For which cause I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee through the laying on of my hands. For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline. Be not ashamed therefore of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but suffer hardship with the gospel according to the power of God; who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal…”

Barnyard Assembly Frustration (by Brendan Wright)

A “Rewrite” of “The Fox and the Crow”

An Aesop’s Fable

Once upon a time there was a farm. An average low-revenue farm, but don’t inform its inhabitants of this fact, for it might offend them.

Believe it or not, it is not the farmer who runs this enclosed community; it is truly the chickens that are in charge. Old Farmer Doug is nothing more than a figurehead to keep the “feds” off the farm’s back. Chickens currently hold the most seats in the Barnyard Assembly, and believe me, they certainly know how to use them. Every parchment, bill and paper passed seemed to benefit our flightless “friends” in some sort or manner. Longer lunch breaks and larger rations, these and many other sanctions fell in those avians’ favor. Only God knows how, but they even managed to convince dull Farmer Doug not to set Prime Minister Chuck on the chopping block, even though the old bird was quite “ripe for the picking.” Long story short- while the poultry’s status rose higher and higher, pretty much everyone else’s social status lowered.

You may ask yourself: Why didn’t the cows stop it? Well the truth is…they’d been trying, but unfortunately the Bovine Bureaucracy lost a lot of influence when the farm had an influx of new populace.(1) Ever since then, their effectiveness had gone rock bottom.

Even without their new reinforcements, the chickens would have held more seats percentage wise than any other party by default since they were over 50 % of the farm population. Because of this and many other recent events, the non-poultry coalitions had to look outside the farm fences for allies.(2) After watching the mammals do this for awhile, the chickens decided to use the same tactic.

Thus the stage was set, and this is how it played out.

New acts led to others, different rules and regulations were legislated, but eventually the indomitable “OCLMD(3)” Poultry Party dug a hole around itself so deep that it couldn’t climb out. Several of its leaders and planners had been involved in different scandals(4) and because of this, the party was rather paranoid about who it allowed in different positions. They didn’t want any “sensitive” data to leak out to the public.

What was that?

Well, if you’re questioning my identity just wait a minute! Anyhow…no more interruptions please…

So as I was saying, because of their situation, the chickens decided to use one last desperate ploy in an attempt to stay in power before Farmer Doug (who’d finally gotten his act together) sent his CCs(5) in to investigate. That is when “she” came into the picture.

We crows go way back with the Bovine Bureaucracy. They did us a big favor for us back in the day so we’ve never hesitated to help them when they need it. Ditzy was and is the exception. Whenever a conflict arises, she manages to stick herself on the wrong end of it. The rest of us crows are always cleaning up her messes.

Well, she uncovered the chickens’ situation with scandals and such… and offered them her help. They gladly accepted because they were looking for a scapegoat. They didn’t tell her that of course. She was told, and so she thought, that she was a runner or a messenger of sorts.

How do I know all this? well … that’s sort of my job. But let’s get back on topic. Remember you ARE the one who asked me to recount the story…

On her first mission, they gave her a piece of cheese to deliver to a “contact” out east. She was absolutely baffled! Cheese? What kind of employee was she supposed to be? A delivery boy (girl)?

What she didn’t know was that it wasn’t just any cheese. Inside the cheese, at its center, was a wax-sealed message. The chickens had gotten themselves into such a mess, that as a last resort, one last desperate grab for power, they tried to reach the Feds. If their plan had succeeded, the farm would’ve changed drastically. Rights would’ve been lost, as well as years and years of hard earned reward. Most of the animals would’ve been sent to slaughterhouses spread across the country, and old Farmer Doug would’ve probably ended up in a mental rehabilitation center indefinitely. Thank the Lord it didn’t end up that way.

So there Ditzy was, bright and early in the morning, sitting on a yew branch on the outskirts of the forest with a piece of cheese in her mouth, fuming. Our Private Eye, Mr. Sly found her in this state. We had told him what he needed to accomplish, leaving the planning and execution to him. Here is the account of Mr. Sly as told to me by the old fox himself:

“So there she was, perched on the lowest of branch of a beautiful yew in full bloom. Half hidden by the tree’s spring garb she was in direct contrast with her beautiful perch. One could tell she was upset. She was shaking so much that I noticed even from a hundred feet away. Her black eyes were sullen, her beak clamped hard on a piece of cheese, her wings and tails drooping at an almost comical angle. Madame Ditzy’s steadfast, silent moping was punctuated by short, brief sighs; if I hadn’t known about her task, I would’ve pitied her. Unfortunately for her, I did know her mission. I felt no remorse for her state. Actually, I found her rather amusing.

Polite gentleman that I am, I trotted up, my red tail sweeping the grass behind me as I walked. I introduced myself. Obvious suspicion flooded her eyes.(6)

-“Who are you?” she asked. Her voice was anything but pleasant. Grating through my skull, it was a harsh shrieking sound. It was hard not to wince outright.

-“A Friend, who sees a need.” I replied, trying to get her to warm up to me.

-“And what makes you think I’m in “need” as you call it.” A retort sharp, and fitting... apparently she had a “sarcastic” bone in her anatomy.

-“Well, it’s obvious actually. Your feathers are drooping and the way you keep moaning kinda gives it away. To get to the point, I was wandering over yonder looking for my children. As you can see I didn’t find them. Then, while I was returning home, I noticed you sitting up there, suspended between earth and sky, sobbing. I thought that you needed some cheering up, and I came over to try and do so. I thought it was such a pity, that you, a beautiful creature, should be wasting your day moping up in a tree. Obviously, you’d rather be left alone. So, I’ll be going now. Tally ho!” I called as I backpedaled quickly and surely away, as if I had more important matters to attend to. An afterthought, “Tally ho” was an interesting choice of words. I had never used them or even heard them before. It just seemed… “appropriate” for that particular moment.

-“Wait!” she cried, her hard squawk ricocheting through my eardrums. “I’m sorry. I was impolite. Could you stay yet a little awhile? I would appreciate some company.” I stopped, smiling to myself, but hid my grin as I turned around to face her once more.

-“Do you really think I’m beautiful?” she asked, a hopeful gleam in her eye. I actually almost gasped when I realized that throughout our entire conversation, she had been holding the cheese in her mouth, talking as if unaffected by the large obstacle in her beak.

-She caught me staring for a moment and deftly replied “You hungry?”

-“Yes I am actually; I missed my meal time today looking for the kits.” I avoided her first question; it could’ve had messy results.

-“I’d give you this cheese, except I’m supposed to deliver it to some folks out east or something like that.”

-“How about this? My home isn’t too far from here, and I can get you a much nicer slice of cheese there. In the meantime, can you drop that cheese down here before I pass out from hunger?”

She dropped it before I could even blink, and she had already taken to the air by the time it would’ve hit the soil. Of course, I didn’t let it get that far. I snatched it out of the air, nipped off a piece and started chewing on it… for effect mostly. I slid the rest into a specially prepared satchel strapped to my belly and hidden by my red fur on top and the white on the bottom. Ingenious eh?

I kept my promise. I took her to one of my many dens out in the woods, introduced her to my cubs and Vixen, gave her nice size piece of mozzarella and sent her on her way.”

Mr. Sly used a very different approach then I would have, naturally, but then he doesn’t actually know her. So to end this story, I’m happy to say that the Poultry Party fell and the Bovine Bureaucracy is back in power. There was a report that reached my ears of one confused IRS man in Maryland, who had woken up with a large slice of Grade A mozzarella cheese on his forehead… but that’s an entirely different story…

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(1)Most of the legal new immigrants happened to be ducks, pigeons and guinea fowl, but that’s a side note.

(2)This policy has actually caused more controversy in the Barnyard Assembly than ever before.
(3)Obsessive Compulsive Law Making Disorder
(4)To name a few: illegal egg exporting, grain hiding and producing counterfeit milk coupons.
(5)Canine Cops

(6)According to Mr. Sly, she was very easy to read. You could almost guess whatever she was thinking at
     any given moment.

(Not really) Wordless Wednesday ~ Looking Around Our Neighborhood

Our gate - from the road

Sandy main road that goes by our house

Looking up that same sandy road

Boutique where Brendan often treks to buy baquettes for breakfast (per Jon-man's request!)

See all the sand? No problem for the Cruiser, but our Corolla needs a running start and no traffic, or she'll get stuck.

Roads tend to be quite wide! A few km in this direction will take you to an actual paved road.

Our street, the other direction

The front of our house

Drive in and walk in gates - from the door to the terrace.



Our yard... we really only have a front yard at this house.

(All photos taken by Brendan as he went to buy bread one Sunday morning... that's why there isn't anyone out on the roads.)

~ Something from Psalms ~

I've been spending a lot of time reading in Psalms and Proverbs lately - needing both the encouragement and the wisdom God offers through His Words in those two books. Last night, as I was reading through Psalms 4, our oldest came and shared the following brief testimony with me (loosely quoted):

"So, we had this biology test and I thought I knew what I was supposed to study. But when I looked at the test, I realized I'd messed up and totally studied the wrong thing. But then I remembered what the preacher had said in church on Sunday night, about how we shouldn't be like King Asa. So I stopped and prayed and asked God to help me think smartly about this - so that if there was information there so I could figure out the answers from what I did know and had studied... I'd be able to be calm and think it through... and He did it, Mom! When I went back afterwards to check my notes for the answers, I think I got them all right. God helped me to stay calm and when I prayed, He answered me right at the moment I needed it."

Brendan came and shared this experience with me right ater I had read and just begun to meditate on these words:

"Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; Be gracious to me and hear my prayer....know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself; the Lord hears when I call to Him....You have put gladness in my heart, more than when their grain and new wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety." (Psalm 4:1, 3, 7-8)

Lately, it has been one of those seasons for me where my prayers seem to be bouncing off the ceiling... at least several times before I think they might finally have ricocheted  through... I think you probably know what I mean. But in that moment, the Lord answered clearly two ongoing prayer requests: 1) that my children apply what they are learning from God's Word, and 2) that He shows Himself faithful and powerfully... to my children. He did that... and in so doing, also answered those same two requests for me, in my life.

He is faithful, He is powerful... and His timing, while it doesn't generally agree with mine, is always perfect!

Thank you God... for being Who You are... and not what I sometimes try to make You into being...

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Photo: Psalms 1467. Hebrew Manuscript of Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Manuscript 409 (Hebrew), fol. 52r. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University.

Multitude Monday - 1000 Gifts

“When the mask of self-righteousness has been torn from us

and we stand stripped of all our accustomed defenses,

we are candidates for God's generous grace.”

Erwin W. Lutzer

#445 masks removed

#446 feeling defenseless and for once not trying to self-defend

#447 simply amazing grace

#448  new recipes that work the first try

#449 young hands learning new skills

#450 teaching the ABCs yet once again

#451 mischevious grins

#452 catching up on lost sleep

#453 coolness of the tile floors in the early morning

#454 looking forward to our first vacation from school

#455 giggly, non-stop talking after a fun, exciting day

#456 his amazing smile, every time he's willing to share it (and his sweet response to teasing)

#457 young, hardworking hands learning so many new skills this year... and becoming so very competent

#458 understanding a few more Zarma words each week

#459 helping friends make connections with other friends, connections I know the Lord will use

#460 scheduling the first ladies' Bible study at church

#461 planning topics for this year's Bible studies

#462 iced glasses of coke as we talk and pray together

#463 finding things in common even though our worlds are so very different

#464 being asked once again why we are here - and the opportunity to share what God has called us to do

#465 unexpected, unplanned chat with a dear friend that I miss so very much

#466 problems to solve that are far beyond me and require direction, discernment and diligence that can only come for the Almighty

Gammie and Girlie

I was cleaning up or organizing files on the computer early one morning... and I stumbled across this delightful image...

I.SO.TOTALLY.LOVE.IT!!!

Taken less than a year ago...

I'm totally stunned at how much my big girl had continued to mature...

It happens too quickly... these precious moments that fly by.

Wise Words

"It’s only pride's hunger for perfection

that paralyzes a heart,

keeps us enslaved to fear.

Pride is fear’s father and is kin to all cowards."

~ Ann Voskamp

Head on over to Holy Experience to read the rest...

~ a new "favorite" breakfast ~

...at least for several of our gang,

myself included!

~ I was pleasantly surprised ~

Ingredients:

• 1/2 gallon milk
• 1/2 - 1 cup white sugar, depending on preference
• 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
• 3 eggs, lightly beaten 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp butter
• ground cinnamon to taste

Directions:

1. In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, combine 1/2 gallon milk, sugar and rice. Simmer, covered, 1 hour, stirring frequently. Remove pan from heat and let rest 10 minutes.
2. In a small bowl, combine eggs, 1/4 cup milk, salt and vanilla. Stir into rice mixture and return pot to low heat, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Pour into a 9x13 inch dish and cover with plastic wrap, folding back the corners to allow the steam to escape.
3. When pudding has cooled to room temperature, remove plastic wrap and sprinkle surface of pudding with cinnamon. Cover tightly (with fresh wrap) and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight before serving.

Even Better Directions:

1. Warm milk in crockpot (20-30 minutes).
2. Add washed and drained rice, only 3/4 c rice. Cook on high for the next 3-4 hours, until pudding is at desired thickness.
3. Mix eggs, 1/4 c of milk, vanilla and cinnamon to taste; then add egg mixture to milk, sugar and rice in crockpot. Let this cook for 20-30 more minutes.
4. Turn off crock pot. Add butter, stirring until melted.
5. Serve warm... we definitely prefer it warm... and for breakfast!