Looking for a delicious meal that won’t stretch your grocery budget? This slow-cooker favorite is filling, easy to prepare, and makes enough for several generous servings.
Ingredients
1 package (14 oz.) smoked sausage, sliced
4 medium potatoes, diced
1 onion, chopped
2 cans (15 oz. each) pinto beans, drained
1 can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes
2 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon black pepper
Salt to taste
Directions
Place the potatoes and onions in the bottom of the crockpot.
Add the sliced sausage, beans, and diced tomatoes.
Pour in the chicken broth.
Sprinkle the seasonings over everything.
Cover and cook on Low for 7–8 hours or High for 4–5 hours, until the potatoes are tender.
Stir well before serving.
Money-Saving Tip
This meal costs only a few dollars per serving and tastes even better the next day. Leftovers freeze beautifully for quick lunches or dinners later in the week.
“Good food doesn’t have to be expensive—it just needs to be made with love.”
The Sunday dinner table looked like a feast fit for a king. There was fried chicken, roast beef, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, homemade rolls, gravy, pie, and banana pudding.
Earl sat quietly at the far end of the table.
“Would someone pass the chicken?”
Everyone kept talking.
“How about the green beans?”
Nobody heard.
“Could I get a roll?”
Still nothing.
Finally, Grandma slid a bowl toward him.
It was the potatoes.
Earl grinned and said, “Well, I reckon it’s just like that old Little Jimmy Dickens song—I’ll take an old cold tater… and wait!“
The whole table burst into laughter, and suddenly every dish on the table started making its way toward Earl.
Sunday – I attended Mass at Saint Luke Catholic Church in Irving, Texas. There was a Church Service here at WFV. We Celebrated Father’s Day with very delicious and filling Banana Splits.
Monday – Doctor’s Appointments. A 1 PM Church Service. A Menu Planning Meeting and Texas Winds performed.
Tuesday – Rick Steve’s Europe. Shayron’s Safety Meeting. Sunshine Committee meeting and Hillsdale College Class on the Constitution.
Wednesday – Doctor’s Appointments. Bible Study. King Buffet – Lunch Outing. Bingo and a 6:30 PM Church Service.
Thursday – There was a two hour viewing on the Trapp Family Singers. At the beginning, they showed if the Trapp Family really existed and then they went into the making of The Sound of Music. The debut and it ended showing the present Trapp Family Lodge still operating.
Musical Bingo. Getting to Know You. The Residence Dance, Which was great to watch and listen to. The amazing site was people abandoning their walkers and dancing, even walking without them.
Friday – Errands at 9 AM. I went to Joe V’s. Many went to Kroger and Walmart. Home Watch caregivers Talk. Premier Meeting with Shayron. Movie Night.
Saturday – We attached the Weekly and Monthly Newsletters (July) to the apartment and cottage doors. Rosary in the Chapel and the Hope Group met.
The above is just some of the activities that were available to the residents of West Fork Village. Add to all of that three meals everyday, our own personal projects and you can easily see, we had another great week at West Fork Village. A Place Where Seniors Thrive.
To learn more about WFV, for you are a loved one, call 972 721 1500.
Thanks for reading this blog. Please share with others.
Rick Herring thmjmj@gmail.com
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Throughout the Bible, many great men and women speak words that have echoed through history. Yet it is remarkable that the Blessed Virgin Mary’s final recorded words in Sacred Scripture are not about herself. They are not a request for honor or recognition. Instead, they point every soul directly to Jesus Christ.
At the wedding feast in Cana, the wine had run out. Mary, always attentive to the needs of others, quietly brought the problem before her Son.
“They have no wine.”
Jesus replied,
“Woman, what is that to me? My hour has not yet come.” (John 2:4)
Mary did not argue. She did not question Him. She simply turned to the servants and spoke words that have become her timeless message to every generation:
“Do whatever He tells you.” (John 2:5)
Those five simple words summarize Mary’s entire mission.
She never points to herself.
She always points to Jesus.
Mary’s Mission Has Never Changed
From the moment she said “Yes” to God’s plan at the Annunciation until she stood faithfully beneath the Cross, Mary’s life was one continuous act of leading people to her Son.
Throughout Christian history, millions have testified that Mary’s intercession has strengthened their faith and brought them closer to Christ.
Whether through her appearances at:
Lourdes
Fatima
Guadalupe
and many other places recognized by the Church,
her message has remained remarkably consistent.
She calls people to:
Prayer
Repentance
Trust in God
Conversion of heart
Love for Jesus Christ
Her purpose has never been to replace Jesus, but to lead us more deeply into a relationship with Him.
The Gift of the Rosary
According to long-standing Catholic tradition, Mary gave the Rosary to Saint Dominic as a powerful spiritual weapon during a difficult time in the Church.
The Rosary is far more than the repetition of prayers.
It is a meditation on the life of Christ.
As we pray the Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries, we walk with Jesus from His birth to His Resurrection and His glory in Heaven.
Mary accompanies us, gently helping us keep our eyes fixed on her Son.
Every Hail Mary leads us closer to Jesus.
Every mystery teaches us something about His love.
Every decade invites us to become more like Him.
Cana Is Our Story
The miracle at Cana is not simply an event that happened two thousand years ago.
It is our story.
Like the wedding guests, we often discover that our own “wine” has run out.
We run out of hope.
We run out of strength.
We run out of peace.
We run out of patience.
Mary still notices.
She still brings our needs before Jesus.
And she still whispers the same instruction she gave the servants:
“Do whatever He tells you.”
When the servants obeyed Christ’s command to fill the jars with water, they could not have imagined what would happen next.
Their simple act of obedience became the setting for Jesus’ first public miracle.
Likewise, our own acts of obedience often become the beginning of miracles God desires to work in our lives.
The Surest Path to Jesus
Some people mistakenly believe that devotion to Mary distracts from Jesus.
The opposite is true.
Authentic Marian devotion always leads directly to Christ.
Mary never asks us to stop with her.
She asks us to walk with her—to Jesus.
She teaches us to trust Him.
To love Him.
To obey Him.
To follow Him.
Her life is a living arrow pointing toward her Son.
Mary’s Message for Today
In a world filled with confusion, anxiety, and uncertainty, Mary’s words are as relevant today as they were at Cana.
They offer a simple roadmap for every Christian:
Listen to Jesus.
Trust Jesus.
Follow Jesus.
Do whatever He tells you.
If we embrace that message, we will discover what countless saints have experienced throughout history—that the closer we draw to Mary, the closer she leads us to her Son.
And that has always been her greatest joy.
“Do whatever He tells you.”
May those words echo in our hearts every day of our lives.
Prayer
Blessed Mother, thank you for always leading us to your Son. Help us to listen to His voice with open hearts and willing spirits. Teach us to trust Him more each day and to live by your eternal counsel: “Do whatever He tells you.” Through your loving intercession, may we grow ever closer to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
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Learning from Saint Josemaría Escrivá and the Saints
Many Christians frequently ask one another, “Please pray for me.” We understand the power of prayer and the importance of bringing our needs before God. In the same spirit, Catholics often ask the saints in Heaven to pray for them as well.
This practice is rooted in the belief that those who have faithfully followed Christ and now dwell in Heaven remain part of the Body of Christ. Just as we ask friends and family on earth to pray for us, we ask the saints to intercede for us before God.
Before someone is officially declared a saint by the Catholic Church, their life is carefully examined. Their virtues, writings, actions, and devotion to God are scrutinized. In most cases, miracles attributed to their intercession are also investigated. This thorough process gives Catholics confidence that these holy men and women are indeed with God in Heaven and can present our petitions before Him.
Yet the saints are much more than heavenly intercessors.
They are role models.
They show us what a life fully devoted to God looks like. Their lives provide a blueprint for holiness that we can follow in our own circumstances.
One saint who strongly emphasized this truth was Saint Josemaría Escrivá, the founder of Opus Dei.
Saint Josemaría taught a revolutionary yet deeply biblical message: every person is called to be a saint.
Not just priests.
Not just religious sisters and brothers.
Not just missionaries.
Every Christian.
Whether we are parents, teachers, business owners, students, retirees, or laborers, God calls each of us to holiness through our ordinary daily lives.
Saint Josemaría often spoke about finding God in everyday work and ordinary duties. He believed that our daily tasks, when offered to God with love, become opportunities for sanctification.
Changing a diaper.
Preparing a meal.
Working in an office.
Driving a truck.
Teaching a classroom.
Caring for an aging parent.
All of these can become pathways to holiness when done with love for God and neighbor.
This message is especially encouraging because it reminds us that sainthood is not reserved for a select few extraordinary individuals. Rather, holiness is available to every person who seeks to follow Christ faithfully in the circumstances of their own life.
I once heard a priest say, “Only saints get to Heaven.”
At first, that statement may sound surprising. Yet it contains a profound truth.
Heaven is the home of the saints.
Some saints have been formally canonized and recognized by the Church. Their names are known throughout the world.
Others lived quiet lives of faith that may never be recognized publicly. They may have been loving parents, faithful spouses, devoted workers, or humble servants whose names never appeared in history books.
These are the uncanonized saints.
Their holiness may have been known only to God and those closest to them.
Yet they, too, share in the glory of Heaven.
This should encourage all of us.
God is not asking us to become famous.
He is asking us to become faithful.
The lives of the saints remind us that holiness is possible. Saint Josemaría Escrivá reminds us that holiness is practical. It can be lived out in our homes, workplaces, churches, and communities every day.
As we ask the saints for their prayers, let us also imitate their virtues.
May their example inspire us to pursue holiness with renewed determination.
And may we never forget the beautiful truth that God calls every one of us to become saints.
For that is ultimately our destination: to know God, love God, serve God in this life, and be with Him forever in Heaven.
Suggested Closing Prayer
“Saint Josemaría Escrivá, pray for us. Help us discover God in our daily work and ordinary duties. Inspire us to seek holiness in all things and to follow Christ faithfully each day. Ame
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Sunday – I went to Mass at Saint Luke Catholic Church in Irving, Texas. There was a Church Service here at WFV.
Monday – There was a Doctor’s Appointment. Church Service at 1 PM and a National Park Tour, where we viewed the Park off the coast of California.
Tuesday – Errands at 9 AM and 1 PM. Rick Steve’s Europe, where we toured Italy and Egypt and the Hillsdale College Class on the Constitution.
Wednesday – Doctor’s Appointments. Bible Study where we are studying The Ten Commandments,. Bingo and a 6:30 PM Church Service.
Thursday – Senior Source on Medical Fraud and Pool Time in the Living Room.
Friday – A trip to the 635 Stores and a trip to the Irving Archives Museum where we view the History of Irving, which included the Cowboys and Texas Stadium, back when Tom Landry was Coach. Juneteenth Remembrance and Movie Night.
Saturday – The Weekly Newsletters were placed on the doors of apartments. Rosary. A Wine and Cheese Social and Pool Time.
All that and more, plus three meals. AS you can see another great week at West Fork Village in Irving, Texas. A Place Where Seniors Thrive.
To learn more about WFV, for yourself or a loved one, call 972 721 1500.
Thank you for reading this blog. Please share with others.
A Father’s Day Invitation from Your Heavenly Father
Come As You Are
On this Father’s Day in the United States, there is a Father who longs to see you just as you are.
Not the polished version.
Not the version that tries to impress others.
Not the version hidden behind titles, accomplishments, or appearances.
Just you.
The real you.
Your Heavenly Father is not asking for perfection. He is asking for your presence.
Like the prodigal son in the Gospel, many of us have wandered. Some have wandered far from God. Others sit faithfully in church each week while carrying wounds, fears, regrets, and disappointments deep within their hearts.
Yet the Father’s invitation remains the same:
“Come home.”
The Father Who Waits
In the parable of the prodigal son, the father never stopped loving his child.
He watched.
He waited.
He hoped.
And when he saw his son returning from a distance, he did not condemn him. He did not lecture him. He did not shame him.
Instead, he ran to him.
He embraced him.
He welcomed him home.
That is how God feels about each one of us.
Many people spend their lives searching for love, acceptance, and belonging. Yet our Heavenly Father has already prepared all of these things for us. His heart longs for us to receive the love He freely offers.
Let God Love You
Sometimes the hardest thing to do is simply accept that we are loved.
We know our mistakes.
We remember our failures.
We see our weaknesses.
But God sees something more.
He sees the son He created.
He sees the daughter He formed.
He sees a beloved child made in His image.
When we come before Him in humility, He lifts us up. When we surrender our burdens, He carries them. When we acknowledge our need for Him, He fills us with His grace.
The Father does not merely tolerate you.
He delights in you.
The Feast Is Waiting
The father in the Gospel did not merely welcome his son home.
He prepared a feast.
That feast symbolizes the joy of life with God and the fellowship of His family.
At God’s table there is room for everyone.
There is peace for the troubled.
There is hope for the discouraged.
There is healing for the wounded.
There is joy for the weary.
There is love beyond anything this world can offer.
God desires that we share this feast with our brothers and sisters, encouraging one another and growing together in faith.
Love Poured Out on the Cross
The greatest proof of the Father’s love was revealed on Calvary.
Jesus Christ stretched out His arms upon the Cross and poured out His life for us.
Every drop of His Precious Blood proclaimed the same message:
“You are loved.”
The Cross is not a symbol of defeat.
It is the greatest victory of love the world has ever known.
God did not wait for us to become perfect before loving us.
He loved us first.
He loves us now.
And He will love us forever.
A Peace Beyond Understanding
Today, your Heavenly Father invites you to stop running.
Stop hiding.
Stop pretending.
Come as you are.
Bring your hopes.
Bring your fears.
Bring your sins.
Bring your wounds.
Bring your entire heart.
Allow Him to embrace you with His mercy and fill you with a peace beyond understanding.
Surrender yourself to His loving care.
Become the child of God He created you to be.
For you were made for more than this world can offer.
You were created for eternal life, eternal joy, and eternal communion with the Father who loves you beyond measure.
And His invitation remains open today:
Come home. Come as you are.
“See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God.” — 1 John 3:1
Happy Father’s Day, and may God the Father bless you abundantly with His love, peace, and joy. 🙏
and may you accept it and embrace it. Make Your Father in Heaven very happy as you come to and truly accept His Eternal, Pease, and Joy. Live with Passion. Live for God today. He is truly living for you.
Thank you for reading this blog. Please share it with others.
