In 1992, I graduated from college with my Bachelors degree in social work. I was ready to conquer the world and help everyone change! I worked in the "system" for a year or so, burning out quickly through all the red tape of governmental legalities. Then out of the blue I met a man, fell head over heels, and got engaged. He moved to North Carolina while I remained in Tennessee, working. Finally I grew so tired of the same old routine of trying to help people change their lives that I packed up and moved to North Carolina to live with my fiancé. His income was sufficient enough to support us; therefore I did not have to work. I was there about 3 weeks and all of a sudden his 11 year-old son decided he wanted to live with us. There I was, 23 years old, instant mom, and pretty much clue less. I noticed that as my fiancé was coming home everyday from work he would nonchalantly look into the kitchen, as if to say, "Hey, where's dinner?" Finally after eating macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches and frozen pizzas day after day, I felt a bit guilty and decided it was time to cook some real food. Whether I liked it or not (and I didn't), I now had to cook for my family. So I broke out some cookbooks that were there at the apartment and tried my best to fix these meals that called for ingredients that I had never heard of. But I did my best and my family smiled joyfully as they swallowed my culinary creations.
A short time following this season of life however, my life would soon change beyond my imagination. I was introduced to Jesus Christ. I accepted Him as my Lord and Savior and gave my life to Him. I was then baptized shortly after being saved and was hungry to learn more about this "Jesus." However, our pastor came to us and said because we were now saved but were not married, I needed to move out until we were married. I thought, "what kind of Jesus is this." I just moved to North Carolina and did not know many people; I was trying to raise an eleven-year-old boy who has had people move in and out of his life often. I was not working, had no money to support myself and this pastor is telling me I have to move out because it's what Jesus wants. I was so angry. And to top all this, I found out I was pregnant and was going to have a baby in 9 months. Talk about being confused. Please keep in mind also that this all happened within a period of about 2 months. But I broke out my new Bible to seek God's direction and asked Him what I was supposed to do with all this stuff that just poured out in my lap. He told me to just trust Him. He loved me and had everything under control.
So my fiancé and I decided to go ahead and get married so things would settle down a little. As time went on, life did get a bit more normal. We had our baby girl and I was getting more into Jesus and His word.
Daily the Lord was working in me, helping me grow in His direction. I was continually becoming the woman God planned for me to be and began to uncover the basis of what was expected of me as a wife and mother. As I learned more of how Jesus wanted me, the more easily my tasks became, which is the reason for this cookbook. Cooking does not have to be hard. Most of the women I talked to prior to writing this book stated they did not enjoy cooking because they did not know how to cook. I felt the same way until I asked the Lord, and my parents, to help me. Through their help and my willingness to learn I've supplied you with simple recipes that will get you started on your cooking endeavor. Some recipes can be doubled and frozen. There is a note on buying and cutting meat, timesaving techniques, and money saving ideas. Most of the recipes are for 2-3 adults and 1-2 little ones. My family is now a family of 5 since my son was born and the recipes in this book supply us with plenty to eat at one setting. Go ahead and give it a try! You might actually like cooking! I guarantee your family will applaud your efforts.
