* God's PLANS !!

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11)".

One benefit of living in the Southern Philippines has been the marvels we discover in the Sulu Sea. While swimming in the salty water, we often enjoy the delights of looking into an awesome, beautifully ordered and designed aquarium.

Hundreds of exotic fish move about - some darting here and there, others gliding silently - each obeying God in its own unique way. There are myriads of creatures in this submarine world - all designed to match or starkly contrast with their environment. In it all we see the rightness of God's order.

How much more our Creator cares for us. How much more He wants good things for human creatures made in His image. Knowing ourselves to be God's special creation, do we nevertheless sometimes have questions and doubts?

We wonder why God does not intervene when we suffer. How can a loving God allow hurt and disappointment? Why do Christians sometimes sink to depths of despair? We have all probably had thoughts like these from time to time. I believe we can express our doubts to God. When we do, He will teach us a very positive truth - God is for me and not against me!

We all suffer in one way or another. In spite of how we feel, God is still at work in our world. And, through the operation of His Holy Spirit, He is at work in each of us. Setting out to discover what God is doing and cooperating with Him will bring to our lives the order and rightness we discovered in the Sulu Sea.

S. WISLEY

~ My life ! ~

My life is but a drop of breath in the ocean that when revealed can make the fish of that water suffocate. Does not my life have a constituency of fragrance for a reason? I am consumed as a commodity and yet it can be said that it is alright. Alright, because it is safe. Completely safe - as it is "well with my soul." And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28). Kim.

* STEP BY STEP .. 'Poaching' / "POACHED" Eggs !!

1. MAKE a whirlpool in a pan of boiling water using a wooden spoon. Putting the Eggs into the whirlpool will help keep the Whites in a neat shape.

2. Break Egg into a small bowl or cup and gently slide it into the whirlpool. CONTINUE step with the remaining Eggs. RETURN the Water to the boil.

3. USE a slotted spoon to carefully remove the Eggs (then drain them on absorbent paper. At this stage, you may trim the whites if they look ragged).

'Wonderful' POACHED EGGS !

FRESH Eggs (*preferably FREE RANGE or BARN LAID) are key to wonderful poaching.
MOST Eggs will have a best-before date, BUT, if in doubt, place the Egg in a bowl of cold Water.
A FRESH Egg will lie on the bottom, WHILE a stale Egg will float! MOST Poached-eggs come out of the Pan with ragged-edges. Once drained, place them on a Cutting-board and quickly trim the edges of the whites with a small, sharp knife (for better presentation, if desired) - that's what chefs do!!

* SERVE Eggs on Wholemeal toasted Bread. A mild-flavoured Hollandaise sauce goes well with Poached-eggs, Asparagus and Fish, also. * BON APETIT

* 'Slow-cooker' RATATOUILLE !!

2 medium sized Egg-plants
6 small Zucchini
2 Capsicums
6 Tomatoes
2 Onions
2 Garlic-cloves
Sea-salt
FRESHLY ground black Pepper
1/2 cup Olive oil or Sunflower oil

CUT unpeeled Egg-plants into cubes, slice Zucchini, Capsicums and Tomatoes. CUT Onions into fine rings, crush Garlic. PLACE Onion in a 'SLOW-COOKER' ('CROCK-POT') FIRST, then add remaining ingredients. COVER and cook on LOW overnight 7-8 hours, HIGH 3-4 hours.
*VEGETABLES should be soft NOT "mushy". MIX lightly and add more Sea-salt and Pepper if necessary.

SERVE Ratatouille Hot or Cold as a first Course, as a filling for Omelets, as an acompaniment with GRILLS, Meat, Fish, or Eggs.

* GREAT for Barbecues!