T.J.I.F.A.

THANK JESUS IT'S FRIDAY AGAIN!
PASS IT ON...& ON...& ON...& ON.
NOVEMBER 21, 2003

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
MAY GOD GIVE YOU PEACE AND BLESS YOU.    

SUBJECT: BFF - THANKSGIVING 2003
BFF AND HIS CROWD ARE CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAY ONCE AGAIN.  FREDERICK AND HIS PAL ARE GOING ON A TREK FOR UNEXPECTED  ADVENTURE.  IT'S A GOOD THING HE'S GOT A COUPLE OF REAL FRIENDS.  PLEASE ENJOY BFF - THANKSGIVING 2003!

NOTEWORTHY: WE'LL SEE YA NEXT TIME!

FRIDAY'S WORD: AMELIORATE

IN THE MIRROR: A HOLIDAY THOUGHT

O TASTE AND SEE!  HOW ABOUT A SWEET POTATO PIE?  JUST RIGHT FOR THE DINNER TABLE.  HAVE A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING!  TER

LOOKING FORWARD

SEE YA DECEMBER 12, 2003

TER
BFF - THANKSGIVING 2003

Everyone was excited about Thanksgiving vacation.  The classroom was in  an up- roar, anticipating their long weekend with lots of savory turkey and dressing.  Since class work was about finished, the teacher decided to allow the pupils to talk about their favorite eating Holiday - Thanksgiving.  

They took turns.  Each telling about one favorite dish that they would enjoy this year.  Big Fat Frog expounded on the ‘drumstick' of the turkey.  He told the class that his mother baked approximately six drumsticks with the turkey, because it was the favorite portion of every member of his family.  The class cheered BFF's Mom, yelling things like "Way to go Mom!"  and "That's what I call a, real Bird!"  

When it came time for Frederick, he stood up eagerly and talked about the potato salad, with its mixed pickles, black olives and boiled eggs.  His description hit a home run, not only for the class, but he himself looked quite convincing about the description.  

Then came Cindy, with her soft spoken voice talking about the Carrot Cake and cream cheese icing.  Another home run!   School was dismissed, and Frederick ran to the Boy's Lavatory with a big bag.  At first there was little attention paid to Frederick, but when another boy, Frederick's friend, ran into the lavatory with a large  bag  also, Cindy became suspicious.  She immediately called BFF's attention to this strange scene, but BFF was too busy talking about Thanksgiving Dinner.  

Frederick and his friend ran out of the lavatory together.  They were acting like undercover Policemen.  They had great big overcoats, and caps pulled down over their eyes.  This was too much for Cindy.  She grabbed BFF and said, "Come on Frog. We've got to go!"  
Now she had his undivided attention.  "Cindy, what's wrong?"  asked BFF.  
"Those two just went off toward town, with their overcoats on.  It's not even cold.  Don't you think something's wrong with that, Frog?"  
Looking at the two of them scampering down the street, BFF agreed with Cindy.  "Yep, something's wrong with that picture Cindy.  Did you notice that Frederick joined the conversation about Thanksgiving Dinner?  He usually just  keeps quiet and pretends that he is looking through his many books.  But, this year he volunteered to comment about the potato salad..  Last year you and he came to dinner ...remember?"  
"Of course I remember.  That's why I wonder what he and his pal are up to.  Of course, it's not my business.  You want to follow them?"  
"Yeah!  Did you bring your bike?"  
"Sure did."  Affirmed Cindy.  
"What are we waiting for?  Let's go!"  agreed BFF, and off they went to follow Frederick and his pal.  

BFF and Cindy stayed their distance from the two boys as they conscientiously followed them into town.  Cindy broke the silence, "Frog, this is the way to the ‘Heavenly Kitchen.'  My Dad goes here once a week to help feed the Homeless and the Poor.  Do you think that those two are going there?"  
"It looks like it Cindy, but why?  Why would they take advantage of that kitchen?  Cindy, this hill is very steep, let's let them go for a minute, then coast down.  We won't lose them."  

They waited until the two boys had gone around the corner before coasting to the bottom of the hill.  It was true.  Frederick and his friend had gone into the "Heavenly Kitchen," but before they entered the building they took off their coats and displayed their torn shirts and jeans; their faces smudged with dirt and their clean pressed shirts wrinkled purposely.  They got in line with everyone else.  The food was magnificent!  The boy who came with Frederick said, "Frederick, I've got to get back home so I'm not going to sit down to eat.  I'm going to take my food home.  O.K.?"  
Frederick looked around the kitchen and saw some young boys about his age, maybe a little older.  He said, "That'll be fine.  I'll eat with those guys over there.  Thanks.  See you next week."  

There were all kinds of people in this dining room.  Some people paid a dollar for their food; some ate free; some paid as much as ten dollars for the family to eat.  Frederick paid nothing.  His friend paid nothing.  The woman at the cash register was extremely kind.  She offered them condiments and encouraged them to have a great meal.  Frederick's friend secured his food, and off he went.  

Frederick made the decision while in line NOT to eat with anyone.  He was so glad to have this FREE MEAL.  He sat down and started evaluating.  OOH they had potato salad and green beans with those little red potatoes.  This meal was just like the one he had at Frog's house last year.  They had given him two desserts,  sweet potato pie and banana pudding covered with whipped cream.  The dressing had gravy drizzled over it...
BUMP!  Someone ran into his chair on his left side...He moved his chair to the right.  
BUMP!  Someone ran into his table on the right side.  He looked up from his intriguing plate, only to see the boys whom he had  decided ‘NOT'  to sit with, crowding around him in a circle so tight that no one could see what was going on.  They all had their own forks and spoons, and they dipped into his plate and ate whatever they felt like eating, which destroyed the integrity of his meal, and his appetite.

BFF and Cindy were in the kitchen  watching Frederick  because the volunteers had told them that the boys in the dining room had been known  to be "Ruffians," and the security person wouldn't be back for at least thirty minutes.  BFF and Cindy watched their friend closely, and when the ruffians ushered Frederick outside, BFF handed Cindy the cloth he had been using and told her to wait for him.  Cindy waited.  

The ruffians pushed Frederick around, took his hat, passed it  amongst  them and began asking him questions: "Why are you in our kitchen?  What are you doing on this side of the tracks?  Are you trying to make fun of us wearing those clothes and putting that dirt on your face?  We know you don't belong here.  Where's your Mama, little boy?"  They started going through his bag.   "Look!  A new coat  for me, just my size.  Let's see what else rich boy's got in this here bag."  

About the time that Frederick felt he had no hope for his future, he heard a familiar voice..."Hop  on Frederick!"  and a big gust of wind took Frederick out of the midst of trouble.  While the ruffians were trying to understand what had happened, another, not as large gust of wind flew by and with it the bag of clothing was snatched from the bullies hand.  They were content to lose Frederick, but that bag and those clothes made them take off after the fast moving gusts of wind.  The two of them  made pretty good time UNTIL ... They came to that steep hill.  The bullies were gaining on them.  BFF yelled, "Get off!  Frederick, get off!"  Frederick held on all the tighter to Frog.  BFF screamed, "Frederick!  GET OFF, and help Cindy!"  Frederick looked behind him and saw the bullies gaining on Cindy, and that she was having a hard time pulling the hill.  He ran to her, "Hold on Cindy. I'm going to push you."  With all of his might he ran along side pushing Cindy up the hill.  At the steepest point of the hill Frederick was in  highest gear.  He ran like he's never run  before.  Cindy continued to pedal.  Between the two of them they made it quickly to the top of the hill, where Big Fat Frog was waiting.  "Climb on Frederick.  Let's go home.  Are   you O.K. Cindy?"  asked BFF.  
"I'm good, Frog," replied Cindy.  They looked back and saw the bullies huffing and puffing at the beginning of the steep hill.  Frederick couldn't resist yelling one last remark at them, "That's what too much desert will do for you!"  

Big Fat Frog asked Frederick, why he had done this thing. There was silence at first, then he told BFF that he knew his family wouldn't have turkey, and he didn't want to be a nuisance by coming to Thanksgiving  dinner,  two years straight.  He told BFF how much he enjoyed BFF's mother's cooking, and especially the potato salad.  Just as BFF was going to ask Frederick to dinner, they heard someone yelling and dogs barking wildly.  Ahead of them was Frederick's friend, running for his life.  He was holding the turkey dinner high as he could, and swinging the large bag at the dogs.  

Frederick jumped off the bike with BFF and ran to Cindy.  "Cindy let me borrow your bike, quick!  You can ride with Frog."  

Cindy gave up her pink bike, and jumped on the back of Big Fat Frog's bike.    Frederick swiftly passed BFF and Cindy, and yelled at his friend, "Drop the turkey  man, drop that turkey!"  But his friend kept running and screaming with the dogs behind him.  
Frederick biked pass the dogs and his friend.  As he passed his friend he yelled," Climb on!"  His friend quickly obeyed.  Then Frederick shouted at him," Throw the bag to the dogs!  His friend complied, and along with the turkey dinner, his hat flew off  and to the dogs.  It seemed that every dog in the neighborhood knew there was a turkey dinner in that box.  Once the box was on the ground, the dogs stopped pursuing Frederick's friend.  Frederick rode his friend about one half block, then his friend said, "Frederick, Thanks, I'll walk the rest of the way.  I'm early anyhow.  I wanted to give my mother a special treat.  That turkey dinner was for her.  She works all  the time and never has time to do much cooking.  I thought she'd like to have that dinner, but... Oh well.  See ya in school next week.  Our plan didn't quite work out did it?  Oh, well, I guess for you it did, huh?"   

Frederick mumbled as he let his friend off the bike.  "I lost my hat to the bullies and you lost yours to the dogs.  Our turkey dinners went the same way that our hats went."  His friend didn't understand Frederick's comment, but he waved as he walked the rest of the way home.  Big Fat Frog and Cindy came up just as Frederick's friend walked away.  While they were exchanging bikes again, Cindy reminded BFF, "We've got to go to Prayer Meeting tonight.  We probably won't have time to change our clothes if we don't hurry."  
"You're right again Cindy.  How will we ever explain this adventure to our parents?  Come on, let's go!"  agreed BFF.  

They biked the rest of the way home in silence.  BFF stopped to let Frederick off at his house when Frederick gloomily told them that he was going to be in big trouble because he had lost his books and his good pants to the ruffians.  Cindy, without a word, tossed Frederick his big bag of stuff.  His face lit up like a Christmas tree.  "Cindy!  I didn't know that was my bag.  How did you get it?"  asked a happy Frederick.  
Cindy waved and yelled, "By the Grace of GOD!"  And off she went.  

When Big Fat Frog arrived in his home, his mother had the Thanksgiving table already set for the next days dinner.  He noticed that there were a few more chairs than usual at the great table.  He  marveled at the beauty of the clear crystal and the shine on the silver ware.  Only Thanksgiving was made to be such a beautiful sight.  He sort of thought of the "Last Supper" as he gazed on the magnificence of the empty table.  He asked his mother, "Mom,  who's coming tomorrow?"  
His mother replied, "A lot of people, and I want you to be on your best behavior."  
He thought for a moment.  "I wonder if there's room for any of my friends?"  He really wanted to ask his mother if he could invite a few people, but, the empty table seemed too full for  whomever his mother had already made arrangements.  He should have asked before this late hour.  

The Prayer meeting wasn't long, but, BFF refused to look in the direction that Cindy and her family usually occupied.  He sat with his head down, going through his Bible.  Had he looked up he would have seen Cindy signaling to him to look behind him, but all he could think about was ‘NOT' being able to invite Cindy and her family to Thanksgiving Dinner.  It was all his fault.

After the Prayer Meeting, BFF ran quickly to his father's car, head still down avoiding Cindy.        

Big Fat Frog was miserable.  He went to bed early and wasn't looking forward to Thanksgiving Dinner.  He got up early to eat some cereal, and met his mother in the kitchen.  He would try once more to...No.  He wouldn't.  His mother started the conversation, "Frog, you aren't as happy about Thanksgiving this year, Why?"  
All without warning BFF began blurting out the story of the, ‘Heavenly Kitchen,' Frederick's friend, Cindy, and Frederick's love for her potato salad.  He told about the ‘ruffians',  and the dogs; then he felt bad  because he had betrayed the trust between he and his friends.  
His mother looked with compassion for him and said, "I know."  
BFF stood still, "You know?  You mean, like you know  what I mean, or you KNOW?"  
His mother repeated, "I know.  I know what happened yesterday.  I know about the ‘Heavenly Kitchen', ‘the ruffians', Fredericks friend and the dogs...I know."  
Amazed,  BFF asked, "How do ..."  The door bell rang, his mother yelled, "It's open, come on in.   Frog, you need to get dressed."  

At the door was Cindy and her parents with two big boxes.  It was a large casserole of macaroni and cheese and a beautiful carrot cake with cream cheese icing.   Cindy was so excited she yelled, "Frog!  I tried to get your attention last night.  Guess who was in ..."  The doorbell rang again, and his mother yelled, "Come in, it's unlocked!"  
This time it was Frederick's friend and his mother.  BFF didn't even know his name.  He wondered how Frederick's friend knew where he lived, and how he was invited to Thanksgiving Dinner.  Something was strange.  His mother, also brought a large pot with mashed potatoes and butter.  She had a large sweet potato  pie with lots of crust.  Frederick's friend was very happy, he grinned from ear to ear.  BFF's mother welcomed them to dinner.  She said, "Welcome to our home, Mrs. Jones, I hope that you and Justus will enjoy yourselves."  
O.K.  Now BFF knew that Frederick's friend's name was, Justus   Jones.  Whew!  That's a relief.  

The doorbell rang again.  This time BFF was on his way up the stairs to change his clothes.  It was Frederick, his father, and his mother!  They brought a vegee dip and various raw vegetables along with a broccoli casserole.   
"All Right Mom!", he hollered from the stairway.  "You're all right!"  

Big Fat Frog had completed his toiletry and was on his way down the stairs, when he reached the second from the last stair his friend, Cindy, grabbed him.  "Frog!  Guess who was at Church yesterday!?  Guess!"  
"Cindy, I don't know.  Who?"  BFF wanted to greet his company cordially, and he felt that talking on the stair to Cindy was rude, so he quickly asked her again.  "Who, Cindy?... Who?"
  
She whispered, "FREDERICK!...Frederick and Justus  and his mother Mrs. Jones."  
BFF sat on the stair.  "At Church?  Last Night?"  He asked.  
"Yeah!  My father invited them.  He saw us at the ‘Heavenly Kitchen' and followed us.  He saw us run from the bullies and the dogs. Because we had to go to Prayer Meeting, he went to Frederick's house where my Dad spoke with Frederick's father and  Frederick explained about wanting some potato salad, so he went to the, ‘Heavenly Kitchen'.  Frederick also told my Dad about Justus  wanting to give his mother a turkey dinner so, since we were already invited to your house, my Dad told your parents about our excursion, and that's why we're all here today.  But, Frog, Justus' mother got FREDERICK to go to Church with them.  Frederick said that he went because he didn't want anyone to talk about his friend.  Can you believe that?"  

"Cindy, this whole thing is unbelievable.  I see, that Justus even got a new hat."  
"No, Frog, No.  That's Frederick's hat.  My Dad took it, and his coat from the bullies.  Frederick was so glad to get his coat back that he gave his hat to Justus."  
Still in amazement, Big Fat Frog just sat there.  A single tear rolled down his cheek as he watched the mothers preparing the table.  Each putting her prepared food proudly and gently onto the beautiful table.   

Cindy handed BFF a pink Kleenex to wipe his tear.  He looked at it and said, "Pink?"  
Cindy confirmed, "Pink!"  
They laughed together then joined their families.  BFF hugged his parents, and wished everyone ...A BLESSED AND JOYOUS THANKSGIVING...from Big Fat Frog and all  of us  here at T.J.I.F.A.

Looking Forward


See Ya December 12, 2003.  

TER



NOTEWORTHY:  

T.J.I.F.A.  features many stories, with various main characters such as BFF, Cindy and Frederick, or The Parakeet's Story, or The Elephant and The Turtle.  All of these features are meant to edify the body of Christ.  They all have ‘parable like' significance, and are not meant to be purely entertainment.   This week's story can be solidified by  reading  Philippians chapters two through four, and Colossians chapters two and three.  
Some of the human emotions, and characteristics  expressed in this episode of BFF are: love; sincerity; greed; selfishness; sacrifice; courage; humility; anger; the Spirit of Giving and Thanksgiving; surprise; wonderment; working together toward a single goal; friendship; theft; restoration; grief and loss; shame; guilt; sorrow; joy; submission; obedience and disobedience.  

It would be an interesting task to find these scattered emotions portrayed in our characters this Thanksgiving.  

GOD Bless, and May the Grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ keep you until we meet again.

TER
True E. Readywriter     

FRIDAY'S WORD: ameliorate-ame*lio*rate;(verb) make more acceptable, of bring nearer to a standard; to grow of become better as in health, of well-being; to show improvement in an essential area.
Note: This Holiday Season is a good time to ameliorate a life, whether within, or especially in the life of another relationship.

IN THE MIRROR:
Words have either prescriptive, or descriptive terms in our everyday communication  Its not too early to think of their beauty, and significance during this precious Holiday Season. God gave unto mankind, ‘WORDS' when he may have no other wealth by way of worldly standards. When in looking ahead,  seemingly with nothing to share, the very words you impart can make such a difference in another human heart. Don't settle for a good Thanksgiving, have a GREAT one!!!        S.L.C.

O TASTE AND SEE!

SWEET POTATO PIE

INGREDIENTS:  

USE SUGARY SAM'S CANNED  SWEET POTATOES OR USE PEELED SLICED AND BOILED FRESH SWEET POTATOES.
4   CUPS SWEET POTATOES
1   STICK BUTTER  
4...EGGS.
1/3   CUP CANNED MILK.
½   CUP BROWN SUGAR
1 CUP GRANULATED SUGAR.  
1\2   TSP SALT
1/4   TSP. NUTMEG.
1/4   TSP. CINNAMON.
1   TSP. VANILLA
2 UNCOOKED PIE SHELLS.  

DIRECTIONS:  
HEAT SUGARY SAM'S SWEET POTATOES UNTIL HOT ENOUGH TO MELT BUTTER.
DRAIN OFF LIQUID AND PLACE SWEET  POTATOES  IN LARGE MIXING BOWL.  
ADD BUTTER AND MIX UNTIL SMOOTH.  
ADD EGGS ALL AT ONE TIME; AND CONTINUE TO MIX.  
AD ALL OTHER INGREDIENTS; MILK; BROWN SUGAR AND GRANULATED SUGAR; SALT; NUTMEG; CINNAMON  AND VANILLA.  
MIX UNTIL SMOOTH; DO NOT OVER BEAT.  
POUR MIXTURE INTO TWO PREPARED UNCOOKED PIE CRUSTS.  
BAKE AT 400F FOR 10 MINUTES THEN REDUCE HEAT TO:
350F FOR 50 MINUTES  OR UNTIL TOOTH PICK INSERTED INTO CENTER COMES OUT CLEAN.  

NOTE: YOU MAY USE ALMOND FLAVORING INSTEAD OF VANILLA; MAKES AN INTERESTING TWIST.  

THIS IS A WONDERFUL PIE THAT WILL KEEP'EM COMING BACK FOR MOOOOORE. AND MOOOOORE...ENJOY!

TER