Quote from Forum Archives on January 1, 2007, 10:46 pm

Posted by: jhbreneman <jhbreneman@...>

 HEART TO HEART NEWSLETTER
ENCOURAGEMENT TO WOMEN
Compiled especially for you with love by Lois Breneman 

 

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1/1/07 HOMEMAKING, HANDMADE CARDS, MOM, DIRECTION, BULBS, BABES

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IN THIS ISSUE:

QUESTION FOR YOU LADIES ~ TITLES AND AUTHORS OF LIFE-CHANGING BOOKS?

THANK YOU, LADIES, FOR YOUR PRAYERS!

HOMEMAKING IS BECOMING A LOST ART

SAVE CHRISTMAS CARDS AND ALL OCCASION CARDS!  START A NEW HOBBY!

MOMENTS FOR MOM

REVERING THE CRAYON MARKS

SO HOW DO YOU REMOVE CRAYON MARKS FROM THE WALL ANYWAY?

FORGET MARRIAGE AND MOTHERHOOD AND PURSUE A CAREER?

THE WATCHMAKER

WHEN I FAIL TO FORGIVE

PLAN DIRECTION FOR THE NEW YEAR

ENVISION A POSITIVE FUTURE

BRING A TOUCH OF SPRING INTO YOUR HOME BY FORCING BULBS

PRAYING FOR PRODIGALS

APRICOT CHICKEN DINNER

HOMEMADE DRIED ONION SOUP MIX

PARTIALLY HOMEMADE APRICOT JAM

OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES

BABY CONGRATULATIONS

CALENDAR FOR 2007

 

 

QUESTION FOR YOU LADIES ~ TITLES AND AUTHORS OF LIFE-CHANGING BOOKS?

 

There are several powerful books that I know have been instrumental in people I know accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.  I would be very interested in knowing if you or any family members or friends have come to know the Lord in a personal way through reading a specific book, other than the most life-changing book of all, God's Word, the Bible.  I would like to list these influential books in a future newsletter, as ideas of books that we might share with unsaved friends and family.  I plan to use only the book titles and authors as I share this information in Heart to Heart.  Books I know have changed lives and eternal destinations:  Beyond Ourselves by Katherine Marshall

The Late Great Planet Earth by Hal Lindsey

A Case for Christ by Lee Strobel                      Please reply to this e-mail with your answers.

 

 

THANK YOU, LADIES, FOR YOUR PRAYERS!

We have so much thanks and praise to the Lord for all the blessings and answers to prayer He has bestowed upon our family this year!   I can't help but believe many of you had a part in those answers to prayer as many of you e-mailed to say that you were faithfully praying for our family!  Words cannot express my gratitude enough, but thank you so much!  My husband and I pray regularly for you as well.  There were four huge prayer requests answered to God's glory this year  - three that we had been praying about daily for many years!  How we praise His Name!  But even in the years when those prayers were answered with a "Wait" or "Not yet," rather than a "Yes," we still had much for which to thank and praise Him, as we waited and continued to pray!  God is good - all the time!   So for those who have long been praying daily for specific answers to come, never give up, but have faith and keep holding on to the Lord.  You can trust Him to answer in His timing!  Jeremiah 33:3 and Ephesians 3:20!

 

 

HOMEMAKING IS BECOMING A LOST ART

By Lois Breneman, © 2007, Heart to Heart Newsletter, [email protected] 

 

Ladies, as you look around at today's women in our modern world, you may have also come to the conclusion, as I have, that homemaking is becoming a lost art.  Although we cannot be responsible for all women, we can certainly work to improve our own homemaking skills this year, and teach them to our children and other women, as well.  

 

May I suggest that each one of us write down three to five homemaking skills we would like to learn how to do, do better, or teach to others over the course of the next twelve months?   Let's write our goal in an organizational notebook or post the list on our refrigerator, to refer to often, as we press toward our goal. 

 

Certainly add "improving our marriage" to the list.  The best thing we mothers can do for our children is to love their father - and show it in many ways!  No matter how long we've been married, there is always room for improvement.  My husband and I had the privilege to be around newlyweds, our son and daughter-in-law, for almost a week during Christmas, and it was so refreshing!  Seeing their love shown to each other in every word and action as they displayed a servant's heart and put the interests of others before their own, made me realize how much "this old married couple" of thirty-eight years can learn by their example to express our love, consideration and servant's heart more as well.  It was like a marriage refresher course in action!  Thank you, Jeff and Rachael!

 

There are so many other suggestions of skills and activities that I think could fall under the category of "homemaking" and this certainly does not exhaust the list.  Here are a few:

 

Home gardening, herbal gardening, decluttering your home, following a "To Do" list each day, home organization, stretching your dollar, home decorating, house cleaning, laundry, sewing, serging, quilt making, yeast bread baking, learning about nutrition, cooking healthier meals, planning meals, freezing meals ahead, homemade baby food, homeschooling, children's birthday parties, children's art projects, learning how to be a better wife and mother, painting your walls or painting landscapes or flowers, stenciling, refinishing furniture, flower arranging, wood crafting, scrapbooking, rubber stamping, card making, embroidery (by hand or machine), silk ribbon embroidery, cross-stitching, knitting, crocheting, yogurt making, hospitality, problem solving, managing finances, starting an organizational notebook, making an Advent calendar for next Christmas, planning and making your own gifts, planning gift ideas for all occasions, starting a class - cooking, sewing or craft class for adults or after-school children, or learning any other skill that would make your home a peaceful haven of rest for you and your family. 

 

The most important part of making your home a peaceful haven of rest would include spiritual edification and instruction for your personal time and together with your family.  As you work on your homemaking skills, ask the Lord to help you.  He will.  Check books out of the library on these topics and learn all you can.  Check television listings for some of these homemaking skills and tape the programs.  Swap teaching a particular skill to friends, as you get together to learn from one another.  Enjoy learning new things!

 

 

SAVE CHRISTMAS CARDS AND ALL OCCASION CARDS!  START A NEW HOBBY!

By Lois Breneman, © 2007, Heart to Heart Newsletter, [email protected] 

 

If you have never tried making cards, I think you will enjoy it, even if you've never done any scrapbooking, which is also lots of fun.  Actually I think making cards is little less involved than scrapbooking.  For only $5, you can purchase 50 blank cards and envelopes (at half price) to make your own Christmas cards and all occasion cards.  So save your Christmas cards to use sections that can be cut out, using plain or decorative scissors, and glued onto the card in creative ways.  Parts of old cards could be crimped, punched, and ribbons could be laced through punched out slits, etc.  Add your own personal touch using rubber stamps and other scrapbooking supplies for very special cards.  Embossed rubber stamping adds a dimensional touch.  And then there's hand embossing (dry embossing), using a small pen-like tool to make impressions on card stock.  It's a very nice touch when simply applied with a glue stick.  Save cards and envelopes with gold, silver and bright colors for punch outs to be glued on the cards or to be tucked inside like confetti!

 

At my request, the last several years my husband has asked the office secretary if he could bring home the Christmas cards received by the office if they were going to be thrown out.  Last year she didn't even ask, but packed them up for him to bring home to me.  Many of the cards are quite elegant.  You can transform sections of cards without the real Christmas story into cards with a biblical Christmas message. 

 

Here's how:  Use rubber stamps with the biblical Christmas message.  Rubber stamps with the biblical Christmas message in my collection since a recent sale include the following:

 

The Lord has come!  Let the world rejoice! (In the shape of a tree with a star at the tip)

Wise men still seek Him.  (With a wise man bowing down)

Jesus, Wonderful Counselor, Father, The Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

A box of 8 inspirational Christmas stamps which say, Lord of All, Redeemer, Savior, Jesus, King of Kings, Emmanuel, Shepherd and Coming King.

A Precious Moments rubber stamp of Mary pushing Baby Jesus in a stroller that looks like a manger of hay on wheels.

A Savior has been born.  Christ the Lord.  Luke 2:11

Remember the Reason for the Season.

 

You can find many rubber stamps with the Christmas message or you can write your own simple message.  There's plenty of time before next Christmas, so why not turn this into a fun family project, especially if your have preteen or teenage daughters who would enjoy learning by helping.  You might be developing an exciting new hobby for you or your daughters!  

 

It helps to have a place to work, otherwise a dining room table can be tied up until the project is done, but it's still worth it!  It's a lot of fun making cards - almost addictive!  My daughter and I made lots of all occasion cards together a year ago, simply by decorating the front of each card, leaving the inside blank for a message.  We began mostly with scrapbooking paper smaller than the front, glued to the front, forming a border.  Flowers, butterflies, seashells, autumn leaves, and other punch outs were used, as well as the creative ideas mentioned above.   These cards can be used for almost any occasion, with a handwritten message inside.

When sending sympathy cards, I often tuck in a poem, My Heavenly Home, written in memory of my mother.  I keep copies printed on nice paper to include in cards.  If you write or find special poems that fit different occasions, type them up in Word and print out a few copies to tuck in cards for an added personal touch of encouragement.  You are welcome to request my poem to use in your cards if you'd like.  It's been an honor to have it read at several memorial services.

 

Old Christmas cards and all occasion cards that you have received can also be used to decorate gift bags!  Craft stores sell plain craft bags of all sizes, and you can decorate your own bags, which are low in cost yet very special.  Plus they're fun to make!   All the skills you would use to decorate cards can be used in decorating gift bags!   You will never have to run to the store again for a card or a gift bag!  And if you enjoy making cards as much as I do, you might want to just tie a ribbon around several cards to give as a gift.  If you decide to sell your cards, you just need to know that rubber stamps with a trademark may not be used on items that you sell.  For example it is against the law to sell items using Precious Moments, Peanuts, Disney, etc., but you may give those items as gifts.  Enjoy these new crafts!

 

 

MOMENTS FOR MOM
By Elisabeth K. Corcoran, 2007 - Used by permission 
You can learn more about Elisabeth and her ministry at www.elisabethcorcoran.com.  

        "I look at the enormity of the problem and I can't help but think, 'what can one person do?'"  It's occurred to me that I used to think that way but that I don't anymore.  One person can do much.  
         One person can pray with all she's got, begging God to intervene in any situation, to pour out his power, to give her wisdom to know what she can and should do.  One person can give of her time in a way that will be a sacrifice to her and of great benefit to others.  One person can give money...even a little bit of money ... and that can be added to what others have given and then multiplied when God steps in.  One person can call attention to an issue that is usually talked about in hushed tones ... making people aware of something they may have had no idea about.  One person can enter into the darkness, carrying her little bit of light, and shed great illumination where only dim shadows used to dwell.  One person can touch another person's life in small ways - with a kind word, a gentle touch, a moment of time to listen and hold and cry with.  One person can take her gifts and pour them out into someone else's life, knowing that freely has she received and freely should she give.  One person can take her hurt and ask Christ to turn it into a blessing as she connects with the pain of another hurting heart.  One person can move into another person's life in large ways - with a shout against injustice, a rallying of a group to do something of meaning, a hand reaching out to draw someone out of their circumstances permanently.
         Moms, we're told time and again that we as women have the ability to set the tone of our home, that our daughters will learn how to be women and mothers by watching and modeling after us, and that our sons will grow up to look for wives that mirror their mothers.  We have been given not just the ability, but the responsibility, to do great good.  One life at a time.  In our home.  And in our world.  
         This year ... 2007 ... can be the year that we allow our one life to do a world of good for someone else's life.  What can one person do in comparison to the vastness of our world's problems?  Each one of us can do much.  We each have so much to give.  And we are called to do just that.  
         Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for those in their distress.  - James 1:27 - http://bible1.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible  
My challenge to myself and to each one of you is this: go be a light in the dark in this New Year. 

 

REVERING THE CRAYON MARKS
By Susie Cortright - www.Momscape.com - Used by permission

        "Do not think that love, in order to be genuine, has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired." - Mother Theresa 
        It was one of those days when my husband left promising to return home a little early, and to bring with him a pizza. 
        I had started the day, even, in one of those relatively rare but still very real moods in which the best I was going to be able to do in my role as a stay at home mom would be to fake a smile and turn my back, when necessary, to count to ten. 
        It was on this particular day that the girls and I were heading to a distant store to pick out just the right gift for someone. My 3 year old, who is much less adept (thankfully) at reading my moods than her daddy is, was passing the time by speaking every thought that occurred to her. Right now, those thoughts revolved around the time of day. 
        "If you get up early enough, it is night," she announced. "Callie gets earbubble," (that would be "irritable") "right before her nap." "Daddy comes home when it gets dark." I answered yes to all of these things, only half listening. 
        Then, making conversation in the distracted way I do on days like this, I sputtered a question: "What is your favorite time of the day?" Silence. 
        "What did you ask me, mommy?" So I repeated the question. "What is your favorite time of the day?" 
        Silence again. I looked in the rear view mirror. Her blank stare told me she thought my question was absurd. After a time, she answered: "This one." 
        Now Cassie does enjoy a good long car ride, so I asked her the question again as she was getting ready for bed that night: "Cassie, what is your favorite time of day?" The answer was the same: "This one." 
        This one. And so should it be for me. How I wish it were. How I wish I could recognize the peace and joy in every single moment with my kids. My daughter is better than me at something I long to be good at. It is what Richard Foster, author of Prayer: Finding the Hearts True Home, calls the "Prayer of the Ordinary." 
        "We are Praying the Ordinary," he writes, "when we see God in the ordinary experiences of life. Can we find meaning in the crayon marks on the wall made by the kids? Are they somehow the finger of God writing on the wall of our hearts?" In the same chapter, he writes: "It is in the everyday and the commonplace that we learn patience, acceptance, and contentment."

        That, I am sure, is true. Particularly that patience part. My fear is that, like everyone with adult children tells me, the time will go too quickly, I fear that I will wish for it back, even those mealtimes interrupted by the whisper "Mommy, I pooped." Even those whines for another Gogurt. Even the stray Legos I nail with my bare feet. I fear that I will soon pine for all the time I have ever wished away. 
        And yet, though I am infinitely conscious of trying to freeze those moments the good and the bad in my memory for some distant future, it is hard. It is hard to see those crayon marks on the wall as anything but crayon marks. Crayon marks that I will have to scrub.
        I am experiencing a crayon mark of sorts right now. As I jot notes for this column at the kitchen table, my 3 year old is sitting on my lap, trying to push my pen along the page with her Three Little Pigs book. She has just dragged her grape lollipop through my hair and wiped her nose on my sleeve. "Mommy, make your pen go ALL the way along the page," she orders, scooting it along and making my thoughts an illegible mess of ink. 
        For a moment, I have an unbecoming and out of the blue urge to chuck her beloved book across the room. And it is precisely times like these when I need to indeed see the crayon marks as something left by the finger of God. To feel a sense of reverence for my every moment of my life as a mom. To once again find meaning and glory in the cherubic yet filthy face of my daughter.
        But for this, I need some kind of tool, some trick for the heat of the moment. A trick to bring myself back in an instant to the kind of mother I long to be, the kind of mother I sometimes know myself to be, and the kind of mother I want my daughters to remember me to be.
        At this moment, I have a little talk with myself. My daughter and I end up tucking our feet under a blanket on the couch and reading the very book that I wanted to hurl. And I enjoy it as I always do if can just sink into the moment and remember what a little miracle I have here on my lap. 
        Perhaps that tool, then, is surrender. Or maybe it is distraction. The same trick that all moms learn when their youngest is about 18 months old. When Cassie was that age, and she would get angry and frustrated, distraction worked wonders. When she was two and a half, distraction worked wonders on my own anger and frustration. 
        Perhaps that tool is compassion. Compassion for our children and a conscious understanding of what they must be feeling at certain times in their precious and sometimes bewildering lives. And compassion to ourselves, which we can show by not over scheduling our lives to the point where it is impossible to get down on the floor and play for 20 minutes, if that is what it takes. Or to call your own mommy just to chat for 20 minutes, if that is what it takes. 
        Perhaps that tool lies in the realization that our lives are long and full and that there will be plenty of time to do what we need to do when we no longer have little ones pulling on our pant legs. 
        Perhaps it is the tool of single tasking. So we do not feel distracted all the time. This is the tool that involves downshifting out of overdrive, because it is in overdrive that we talk too much, eat too much, think too much, and enjoy too little.
        Perhaps it is the tool of shifting our awareness. A conscious committing to memory of the ripe physical sensations of motherhood: The feel of your baby's marvelous, heavy head on your chest. The smell of Cheerios on her breath. This is how we bring ourselves back, gently, to the gifts that are under our fingers and, oftentimes, directly underfoot. 
        Perhaps it is the tool of solitude. So that, by enjoying the pursuit of something, solo, we may return to them renewed and without resentment. 
        Perhaps it is the tool of being honest and talking it out with other moms. It helps me to remember that we are all in this together. Most days we are genuinely loving it. Some days we are genuinely faking it, just as generations of good moms before us have done. 
        There is a certain solace in this story told by my mother-in-law, whose three grown children would each describe an ideal, involved, committed, and very loving mother. There were days at home with her young children, she says, when her face hurt at the end of the day from smiling. A clear and present sign that her smile was, for hours at a time, forced. But her kids did not know. With grace, neither will mine. And tomorrow will be a different kind of a day, with new tools to look upon those crayon marks with the reverence they deserve.

 

Susie Cortright is the founder of Momscape.com and Susies-Coupons.com where she hand picks only the very best online coupons, including coupons for children's clothing and baby gear:
http://www.susies-coupons.com/children.htm & http://www.susies-coupons.com/baby.htm

 

 

SO HOW DO YOU REMOVE CRAYON MARKS FROM THE WALL ANYWAY?

A Mr. Clean Magic Eraser or a "No Name Brand" from the Dollar General works quickly without much effort in removing crayon marks, scuff marks and most any marks from walls, doors and other hard surfaces.  Simply wet the sponge, squeeze out the water and gently rub off the marks.  If you rub too hard on one spot, however, some paint could also rub off.  Check out your appliances for stubborn marks and see what a marvelous tool this sponge is!  It will even tackle old scuff marks on the bottom of doors.  The best cleaner I had ever found for removing scuff marks from doors was Lestoil, sometimes found in hardware stores, but the Magic Eraser works much easier and doesn't knock you out with that strong odor.

 

 

FORGET MARRIAGE AND MOTHERHOOD AND PURSUE A CAREER?
"Forget marriage and motherhood. Pursue a career. If you don't, you'll never reach your full potential or find fulfillment.  Is this true? Many women believe so."  Overcoming Satan's Lies I-II by Mrs. Kay Arthur  -  This resource is available at http://www.family.org/resources/

 

Quote: A thousand men may build a city, but it takes a mother to make a home.

 

 

THE WATCHMAKER
Thanks to Alice Stoddard for sending this amazing link!
Great for kids and adults!  http://www.kids4truth.com/watchmaker/watch.html  

 

 

WHEN I FAIL TO FORGIVE
www.actsweb.org - Used by permission

 

In response to the question, "How do I feel when I fail to forgive?" on the ACTS website a reader, Chiradeep Patra, from India wrote:

 

In my case when I fail to forgive:
1. I lose my inner PEACE
2. I feel GUILTY myself
3. I feel IRRITATED
4. I feel ANGRY
5. Physically, my heart pounds
6. I get a headache.

 

It's always better to forgive than feel sick physically, mentally and spiritually.

 

PLAN DIRECTION FOR THE NEW YEAR

Find a time soon to sit down and discuss with your husband about your family's direction and priorities for the coming year.  Ask the Lord for His guidance in the direction you should strive to work toward. This is important for everyone, whether you are single, young and married with hopes and dreams of having children, or if you already have children who are tiny, toddlers, teens or transplanted young adults who have left home and started their own families.  Write down your goals and direction.  What do you need to do as an individual and as a couple?  Are there dreams you want to pursue in the new year?  

 

ENVISION A POSITIVE FUTURE

Copyright 2006 Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller - All rights reserved - Used with permission. 
http://effectiveparenting.org/ - For free e-mail parenting tips sign up: www.biblicalparenting.org 

Take a few minutes and imagine what your children will be like as adults. Some parents have immediate thoughts of terror and doom, but instead, look at the good qualities your children have and imagine how those qualities will benefit them later in life. Then share those observations with your children.

Envisioning a positive future looks beyond the day-to-day discipline and says, "I see qualities in you that are going to make you successful." Statements like, "With that kind of thoughtfulness you're going to make a great husband." Or "Your thoroughness is going to make you a valuable employee someday." When parents learn to view their children this way, they look past the daily grind of parenting to what their children are becoming. What is my child good at? What do I see now that will bring success as my child grows?

We've probably all heard the statement that children believe what we say about them. If a parent tells a child he'll never amount to anything, he's likely to incorporate that into his belief about himself and it may end up becoming true. We can take that same principle and teach our children to see the good in themselves, the specific ways that God has gifted them.

Interestingly enough, giving our children a positive vision for the future encourages them to live up to it now. The qualities we focus on end up being the ones they see in themselves and develop.

Envisioning a positive future gives our children hope and direction. It says, "You're going to make it." "I believe in you." It's a way to honor our children. Like giving them a gift that will last a lifetime, a hopeful way of looking at themselves and their life.

After all God does this for us on a regular basis. Verses like Philippians 1:6 give us hope to live now to the fullest. "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

For more practical ideas on developing honor in your family see the book at the link above - "Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining, and Bad Attitudes, In You and Your Kids."

 

 

BRING A TOUCH OF SPRING INTO YOUR HOME BY FORCING BULBS
By Monica Resinger - http://homemakersjournal.com - Used by permission

Forcing bulbs is a method of bringing a spring bulb into flower before its natural flowering season and out of its' natural surroundings. To force a hardy bulb into flowering indoors, we need to trick it by mimicking what would happen to it in its' natural surroundings.

Why would we want to do this?  To have flowers blooming inside your house in the bleak of winter can lift your spirits and brighten up your home. If you force a fragrant bulb, such as hyacinth, you will also scent your home with a wonderful aroma.

What bulbs can you force? You can force just about any spring bulb including, but not limited to: snowdrops, grape hyacinth, crocus, daffodils, tulips, and hyacinth. Catalogs will usually identify forcing varieties.

How do you force bulbs?

Container ~ The only requirement in this department is cleanliness. When you are choosing a container, keep in mind that clay dries out faster so you would have to water more often. But, clay pots usually are more attractive, so the choice is up to you.

Bulb Choice ~ If you are buying your bulbs from the garden center, choose bulbs as you would produce at the grocery store. Don't buy a bulb that is squishy, has blemishes, or small in size compared to others. Look for a firm, good-sized bulb that looks healthy. You will need a high quality bulb for forcing because the bulb contains the food for the upcoming flower.

How Many? ~ Groups of three to five look best. You can plant as many bulbs as will fit in your container as long as the bulbs aren't touching each other or the edges of the container.

Planting Medium ~ A mixture of equal parts potting soil, sand, and perlite is best since bulbs need moisture and drainage. If you would like to plant your bulbs outdoors after forcing, add one teaspoon of 5-10-5 dry fertilizer to every quart of the planting medium. Moisten the planting medium to a damp consistency before planting.

Hyacinths and narcissus can be forced in pebbles and water with no additional nutrients, but the bulb will never be able to flower again if using this method and should be disposed of after flowering. Put washed pebbles in the bottom of a narrow glass container and cover with water. Set the bulb slightly `into' the pebbles so it will stand. Bulbs should be cleaned before placing them in the container. The container should be kept in a cool (45 to 50 degrees), dark location until tip growth is 3 to 4 inches long and the flower cluster emerges from the bulb. This may take 8 to 12 weeks. When the top growth is well developed, move the container to a cool, bright window.

Planting ~ Fill your container half-full with the planting medium then set a bulb pointed end up on top of the medium. If the tip of the bulb isn't level with the top of the container, add or take out soil to make it so. Plant bulbs pointed end up and as close together as possible without letting them touch. Fill in with planting medium and water well. Label the pot with the name of the bulb and date of planting.

Cooling Period ~ Place pots in a cool dark place such as a refrigerator or in an unheated garage. If necessary, place a box or a black garbage bag over the pots to keep them dark. Temperatures should be 35-48* F. Keep the soil moist during this rooting and cooling period. After five to six weeks, the roots should start coming out of the bottom of the containers of large hardy bulbs.

Out of Cold Storage ~ When shoots are two to three inches and there are fine white roots coming out of the drainage holes, it's time to bring the pots out of cold storage. This could take from 12-16 weeks. At this point, bring the pot to a cool room such as an unheated bedroom where it will be in the 50`s. They will need indirect light and adequate moisture. Feed weekly with half strength houseplant
fertilizer. Turn the pots every other day or so to keep the stem growing straight. In a week or two the stems will grow taller and the buds will become plump.

Into Bright Light ~ When the foliage and buds are well developed, bring them into a bright, sunny window where the temperature is around 65*F. When they start to flower, move them to indirect light to prolong the flowers.

After Flowering ~ When the bulbs have finished flowering, cut off the stem and move the pot back to direct light. Keep the foliage growing until it starts to die back. Don't pull off the dying leaves because these contain food for next years' flowers. Stop watering and store the bulbs in a cool dry place until late summer or early fall when they can be planted into the garden. By planting the bulb into the garden, they will regain their strength and show healthy flowers in the next season or two. If you want to force bulbs again, don't use the same bulb as you did the year before because forcing weakens the bulb and the flowers will be unsatisfactory. Instead, start over and shop for fresh, healthy bulbs.

Why not give it a try and bring a touch of spring into your home this winter?


PRAYING FOR PRODIGALS
By Cheri Fuller - www.cherifuller.com - Used by permission

Exchange worry for prayer. Turn your thoughts and worries for this son, daughter, or husband into prayers for them (1 Peter 5:7, Phil. 4:6-9).
Pray Scripture for him/her. Ask God for a Scripture that would reflect His heart and will for them, and then whenever an anxious thought about them comes to mind, pray that verse, putting their name in it. A wonderful verse to pray for a prodigal is: “Open _’s eyes and turn him/her from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that he/she may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith” (Acts 26:18). (Also, see Ephesians 1:17-18 and Ezekiel 36:26)
Thank God that He loves your prodigal even more than you do (John 3:16,
Romans 8:31-32).
Encourage others to pray for him/her. Ask family members and friend to join you in praying for your prodigal. A Moms In Touch group is a wonderful support to help you to persevere in prayer until this loved one’s life is turned around. See www.momsintouch.org for local groups (Matthew 18:19-20).
*Read When Mothers Pray or A Busy Woman’s Guide to Prayer for inspiration and hope on praying for your prodigal.
As God guides you, fast on behalf of your prodigal. Fasting is a way of seeking God with all your heart, body, and soul; seek your doctor’s advice on fasting in regards to your individual state of health (Esther 4:16.)
Thank God in advance for what He’s going to do and that He is the author and finisher of your prodigal’s faith, and He has a future and a hope for him/her (Jeremiah 29:11).

 

Perhaps God brings us to the end of our resources so we can discover the vastness of His. - Neil Anderson

 

 

APRICOT CHICKEN DINNER

This is a delicious, quick and very easy recipe to enjoy when there is no time to spare in getting dinner on the table!  Add baked potatoes and a frozen vegetable and you've got a meal! Microwave baked potatoes by first pricking them and wrapping in a length of plastic wrap, twisting the wrap between each potato.  Lay potatoes in a circle in the microwave.  Two medium potatoes take about 7-8 minutes.  After cooking, lay the unwrapped potatoes on the counter top and cover with a kitchen towel as they finish cooking even more, while you microwave frozen vegetables in a glass bowl with a lid.  Salt to taste and serve!

 

For the chicken, begin cooking 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or some chicken fingers in a small amount of olive oil.  Turn to the other side and spoon this apricot mixture on top:

2 Tbsp. dried onion soup mix (See recipe below for a healthier mix without MSG)

1/4 cup All Fruit apricot jam  (See recipe below)

2-4 Tbsp. vinaigrette salad dressing

 

HOMEMADE DRIED ONION SOUP MIX

These ingredients can be purchased in bulk at a natural foods store.

1 1/2 cups dried minced onion
2/3 cup beef bouillon granules
2/3 cup onion powder

1 Tbsp. sweet basil, dried

Mix together and store in an airtight container. 

Substitute about 4 Tbsp. of this mix for 1 packet of dried onion soup mix.

 

PARTIALLY HOMEMADE APRICOT JAM

Pour a pound of dried apricots in a bowl.  Cover with pure water and soak for about 24 hours until soft and plump.  Blend apricots in a blender with some of the water to make a delicious apricot jam.  This is even more delicious mixed with a jar of All Fruit apricot jam!  This jam and the homemade dried onion soup mix are what I used in the chicken recipe above.

OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES

Before our family gathered for Thanksgiving, we had already planned on having our family Christmas later that evening, since we couldn't all be together for Christmas.  Our daughter, Joy, had explained this holiday combination to her three year old son that day by saying, "Justin, we're going to pretend it's Christmas tonight and open presents."  Justin replied, "I like to pretend!  Opening presents helps to make the day go faster!" ~ Lois 

 

We have 4 children, Catherine 14, Brian 11, Daniel 5, and Philip 3.  We were trying to teach our children from the Bible what it means to "provoke someone to wrath" and why we shouldn’t do it.  A couple weeks later I heard our two youngest boys, Daniel and Philip arguing about something while playing in their room.  Philip, 3, comes running to me in the kitchen very upset.  He exclaimed “Momma, Daniel is "poking me to death!"  ~ Jackie Asbury in West Virginia, preparing along with her husband, Keith, to go to the mission field.

A pastor spoke earnestly one Sunday on the need for Christians to get back to the basics of their faith.  Later a little girl in the service was asked at Sunday dinner what the pastor's sermon was about.  "He talked about going back and getting the biscuits!"
 
Another little girl was asked what her Sunday school lesson was about that morning.  "Gladly the cross-eyed bear! she replied with big eyes.  She had gotten that confused with, "Gladly the cross I'd bear."

A youth minister was using the visual aid of a flashlight to make his point during the children's sermon.  "We are to be the light of the world even as Jesus was," he told the children.  He had filled the inside of the flashlight with junk, which he proceeded to empty.  Inserting batteries which he had labeled, "Jesus," he told the children, "When we have Jesus in our hearts, we become lights."  He turned on the flashlight, but nothing happened.  A little boy exclaimed in a loud voice, "It won't work unless you screw the head on straight!"

 

As the pastor entered the pulpit, the pastor's 7 year old son was sitting with his mom, but quickly turned to her and asked, "May I please be excused to go to the nursery?"  His mother replied, "No, Son.  You're too old to go to the nursery."  Her son protested loudly, "But Mom, I already heard it last night and it's a long one!"

 

My mother used to teach a beginner's Sunday school class of 4 and 5 year olds.  One morning she took a shallow box to class to teach creation. For each new day of creation, she added tiny objects for a visual lesson.  At one point she had only dirt, grass and some water in the box.  She had just mentioned that there were no insects or animals on earth yet, when a wide-eyed little boy excitedly pointed inside the box and asked, "Well, what's that ant doing in there then!?" ~ Lois

 

 

BABY CONGRATULATIONS

Justin and Kimberly Dent welcomed their first child, a precious baby boy, into their lives on November 30, 2006.  His name is Brogan Ashton Dent.  The proud grandparents are David and Joyce Fisher.  The family lives in Virginia.

 

 

CALENDAR FOR 2007

For the New Year of 2007, if you happened to have saved old calendars for their pictures, see if you still have one from 2001 or 1990.  If so, they are identical to the year, 2007!  Just today I was happy to find stashed away a lovely 1990 hardback diary with pictures of beautiful English gardens - a 17 year old calendar as good as new, that will work perfectly for my daily planner!

Quote: We must allow the Word of God to confront us, to disturb our security, to undermine our complacency and to overthrow our patterns of thought and behavior. -- John Stott

                            Many Heart to Heart ladies and their families need our prayers, so

              please remember to pray for each Heart to Heart lady as you receive your newsletter.

(¨`·.·´¨)                     God bless you and your family and keep you in His loving care!

 `·.¸(¨`·.·´¨)                         And remember, I love to hear from you dear ladies!

      `·.¸.·´                                              Your Heart to Heart friend,

                                                                                                 Lois

                

The purpose of the Heart to Heart Newsletter is to encourage women and build biblical values into daily living through practical creative ideas for the Christian family regarding marriage, children, homemaking, and much more.  Receive this free bimonthly newsletter by sending your name, city, state, e-mail address, and name of your referral person to Lois at [email protected].  New subscribers will receive a "Start-Up Kit." 

 

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