Rejoice!

This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Words of wisdom. This was a favorite verse of a dear friend of ours—John Foster—who went to be with the Lord five years ago and for whom Jerry had a lot of respect. So this scripture has become Jerry’s favorite verse, too. We will rejoice—today! It is Jer’s birthday and what better way to celebrate…to rejoice…than to focus on God and His wisdom that He share through others to us. John was such a good example—man after God’s own heart. He encouraged his family, friends, and fellow church members with his loving ways, always guiding, comforting, and sharing his life, his time, talents, challenging everyone to seek God and to be the best that they could be. Just as we can model our behavior after Paul…and of course after Jesus himself, we can see patterns of behavior in others around us that inspire us to be better people.

Our friend, Mel, is another person whom Jerry and I admire and in whom we rejoice that God has him in our life. Mel and Jerry grew up together and Mel was the Best Man in our wedding. About twenty years ago he was in an auto accident that resulted in back surgery and left him a paraplegic. He has such an amazingly positive attitude that has kept him going through multiple surgeries, illnesses, and setbacks. In his wisdom…God’s wisdom…he chooses to think positively and to have a good attitude about his circumstances. That initial choice when he knew he’d never walk again but he would make the most of it was a key decision point in his life. God was with him then…and continues to guide him every day now. He keeps on going…keeps on smiling. He is a joy to be around…a blessing to all who know him. We’re looking forward to seeing him again this summer…and eating some good Czech food from the Bohemian Café in Omaha together. Rejoice! Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Philippians 4:4

Prayer ~ Lord, may we continually rejoice in Your love and grace. Bless Jerry in this coming year…and always. May our family and friends rejoice also…and make good decisions in all that they do and say.

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

The highlight of Jerry’s day is a good meal—especially a Czech one. His favorite place to visit for special meals is his hometown, Omaha, Nebraska. Home of good steaks, La Casa’s pizza, Joe Tess’ fried carp or catfish, and most beloved—The Bohemian Café—where they serve up large portions of boiled beef with dill gravy, bread dumplings, sauerkraut, and sweet and sour cabbage. 

Sweet-Sour Cabbage

1 head cabbage, chopped or shredded

1 tsp salt –preferably Himalayan

1 small onion, diced

½ tsp caraway seed, optional

2 cups water

2 Tbsp butter

2 tsp sugar

2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar (or more)

Cook cabbage, salt, onion and caraway seed in 2 cups of water until tender. Drain and add butter, sugar and vinegar. Cook to blend. Cabbage may be thickened with flour if desired. The longer the cabbage cooks in the sweet and sour sauce, the better it becomes. Our daughter, Lisa, kept some of this recipe warming in a crock-pot for about six hours and it was some of the best sweet and sour cabbage we’d ever had. Jerry’s folks were still living then and it was for a special Czech dinner that Lisa fixed just for them. Another variation of this adds 1 apple, peeled and chopped, and cooked along with the cabbage and onion. 

Serve with Boiled Beef, Dumplings, Dill Gravy and Rye Bread. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday, Jerry!

I am blessed to be your wife.

© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

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