We start this week with the beautiful holiday of All Hallows Eve. We call it Halloween in the States and treat it a bit different than what it was in the past. All Hallows Eve and All Saints Day on Monday has generally been a celebration of Life and Death for centuries. We are thankful and celebrate all that has brought us and then we celebrate the life of all our friends and family that have passed on. It's really a beautiful family reunion so to speak. A time of reflection and remembrance. A time to be thankful for all the folks who paved the way for where you are now - old friends and ancestors. The early church saw this as a time to celebrate new life found in Christ and remembering the lives of the saints that had passed on before. Other cultures and traditions have done the same for centuries before the Church was even formed. It truly is a magical season to celebrate Life and those who have gone before us. 

Here are some ways you can celebrate this season.
- Take a few moments at dinner this week to talk about what you are thankful for and then talk about a fond memory of a friend or family member who has passed.
- Light a candle and place it in your window in remembrance of a loved one who has passed
- Sit down with your family and grab a photo book and talk about your ancestors with your kids
- Write down a few things you are thankful for each day 
- Have fun and create your own traditions

SONG OF THE WEEK

I know last week I went on and on about how much I loved this time of the year. But once again - I love this time of year! I remember as a kid being so excited to figure out what I was going to be for trick or treat and the church "HARVEST" party. One year my mom made an entire Optimus Prime costume out of cardboard boxes and paint. I was so happy to walk the neighbor asking for candy and shouting "Autobots, Roll Out!" into the night air. I see that same in excitement in my kids as they pick out their costumes and talk about the candy they are going to get from walking the neighborhood.

After a year and a half of craziness, neighborhoods are looking to get together for some halloween fun. Trick or treat, parties, decorating with pumpkins and spooky skeletons - just some real carefree moments for once. What a great time to just be friendly and hang out with your neighbors. Pass out some candy and say " hey, how's it going?" A true moment to rise above all the junk and division and just be human, have a good time and be neighborly. This is such an opportunity to be a real Hope Dealer. Let's get out there and have some fun.

If you were to ask me (Mic) what is one of my favorite things Lindsay will make for breakfast or brunch I will tell you Egg in a Hole. It's simple, delicious and if you have never had it then stop what you are doing and make it right now. Here is a simple recipe to try it out:

1. With a biscuit cutter or the rim of a glass, press a hole in the center of the slice of bread.
2. Heat a skillet over medium-low heat and melt in the butter. When the butter is all spread out, place the slice of bread in the skillet and crack the egg straight into the center of the hole.
3. Cook until the egg sets a bit on the bottom, 30 to 45 seconds. Sprinkle the egg with salt and pepper. After about a minute, flip it over with a spatula and salt and pepper the other side.
4. Move the toast around in the skillet, soaking up all of the glorious butter. Let it cook until the yolk feels soft. Here's the key: golden brown toast, white (not browned/burned) whites, soft unbroken yolk. Perfect.

It's the most wonderful time of the year! I know, I know that phrase is supposed to be reserved for the Christmas season, but man I love this time of year. The smell, the weather, bonfires, smores, hot dogs, pumpkin pie, falling leaves, raking leaves and then your kids jumping in the pile. It's reading books by the window on a rainy day. It's football games (American and European) on a Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Family gatherings and neighborhood harvest parties. It's Mabon, Halloween, All Hallows Eve, Saint's Day and Thanksgiving.  It really is the best season of the year. 

Fall also reminds us that it's time to SHIFT. There are a lot of cultures in our history that saw the fall as the beginning of a new year. A time to prepare for the long winter and dream about the newness of spring. To reflect on the past season and harvest and set intentions for what they wanted to see manifest in the next season of life and harvest. It's a good reminder for us as well. What did you "harvest" this past season? What do you want to plant for next year and see manifest? What do you want your life to look like in the next season of your life? What do you want for your family? Spend some time this week and write out what you see. Don't see this as goal setting because "goals", like resolutions become stale because they don't see the big picture - they lack passion. Intentions have purpose. The ask "why do I want to see this manifest in my families life?" Starting writing these thoughts out and then start putting them into action one step at a time.

- Pastor Mic

Like everyone else in the world, Linz and I (Mic) have fallen in love with the show Ted Lasso. I won't give anything away from the show, but there are these biscuits (cookies in the U.S.) that become their own character in the show and they look delicious. Well Lindsay found the recipe and tried it and well - They are amazing and perfect for  a brunch dessert. Check it out:

(Side Note - If you decide to check out Ted Lasso just now that there is some salty language in the show. Definitely 16+)

Ted Lasso x Milk Bar Biscuits

Ingredients

• 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ¾ cup confectioners sugar
• 3 tablespoon light brown sugar
• 3 large egg yolks
• 1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Directions
1. Heat an oven to 315 degrees and prepare an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray.
2. In a medium bowl, mix the butter and sugars vigorously until smooth.
3. Stir in the egg yolks. Add the flour and salt, mix just until the dough comes together.
4. Using damp hands, press the dough in an even layer in the pan and bake for 40 to 45 minutes until a thin, golden brown layer forms on top. Let cool completely before cutting into two even columns and then six even rows.
​5. Arrange in pink boxes if you have them.

Yield: 12 Lasso-size slices

If you dig what we are doing here at Hope Community and feel like we have helped in any way please consider giving to hel[ us do even more. We have some cool plans for 2022 and we need your support. Click the green button to help out.

On this special edition of The Sunday Brunch we are joining with folks around the world to make Mental Health a priority. We have a special video message from Pastor Mic, a blog from a good friend Joe Webb, a brand new book brunch and Sunday playlist as well as Dad's Famous Waffles and Homemade Maple Pecan Whipped Cream for this week's Brunch.  Check it out:

Depression and suicide: what you need to know and what you can do. Depression is a common mental health condition. For some people depression is mild and short-lived; for others, it is more severe and longer-term. Some people are affected only once; others more than once.
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At worst, depression can lead to suicide. There is a lot that can be done, however, to prevent and treat depression and to help people who are thinking about suicide.
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The short documents posted below provide information about depression and suicide and guidance on prevention and treatment. 

I (Mic) made these last Sunday and they were a huge hit with the kiddos and I even think I impressed Lindsay. If I can do this you can too.

What You Need:
Pre-Made Waffle Mix (I used the Kroger Brand)
Waffle Iron
Heavy Whipping Cream
Sugar Free Maple Pecan Coffee Syrup

Spray your waffle iron with cooking spray and turn it to your desired setting.

Start mixing your pre-made waffle mix together (Follow the instructions on the Box). Make sure you get most of the lumps out - you don't want flour pockets in your waffles (YUCK!). 

When your waffle iron is ready pour on your mix and evenly distribute it over the iron while making sure you don't add to much as it will overflow. Now depending on how you like your waffles is how long you leave them on. We like ours crunchy so we leave them on a little longer than normal. Once they are done place them on plates and get ready for the best part!

Next up the homemade whip cream. Pour about a half cup of heavy whipping cream into a mixing bowl. If you have a stand alone mixer - kick that baby on high and let her do the work. If you just have a hand mixer then you will have to help it out. Mix it till it starts getting that fluffy whipped cream look. Now ad about 2 teaspoons of the maple pecan coffee syrup and then mix until it looks like a cloud of whipped cream goodness.

Put a PLOP (or Two!) on top of the Waffles and add a sprinkle of cinnamon. Next you can add your favorite syrup and Dig In!