Quote from Forum Archives on November 20, 2006, 5:45 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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11/20/06 DEC. PREPARATION, LAUNDRY, SERVANT, THANKFUL, CROCKPOT, KIDS

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Please feel free to share this complete newsletter with family and friends

who might also like to receive it (instructions to subscribe are at the very end).

 

IN THIS ISSUE:

PREPARATION FOR CHRISTMAS - DO YOU WANT MORE THAN 2 CHRISTMAS NEWSLETTERS?  REPLY TO LET ME KNOW.

INNUMERABLE BLESSINGS

THE LAUNDRY STILL HAS TO BE DONE

HOUSEHOLD CLEANING TIPS

SERVANT OF THE DAY

CAN YOU SPELL TURKEY?

CHUNKY TURKEY VEGETABLE SOUP 
RECENT COMMENTS FROM "HEART TO HEART" LADIES

A BARRIER AGAINST MY PURSUERS

BE THANKFUL BY LOOKING ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE!

MISCELLANEOUS TIDBITS

THE BENEFITS OF USING THE SLOW COOKER + TWO DELICIOUS RECIPES 

WELCOME TO THREE PRECIOUS NEW "HEART TO HEART" BABIES!
KIDS SAY THE CUTEST THINGS!

FIVE FINGER PRAYER

QUOTES

HAVE A BLESSED THANKSGIVING!

 

 

PREPARATION FOR CHRISTMAS: 

DO YOU WANT MORE THAN 2 CHRISTMAS NEWSLETTERS?  Reply to let me know!

 

Since the very beginning of Heart to Heart, newsletters have gone out before Christmas with miscellaneous topics about this wonderful and special holiday season of Christ's birthday.  I am asking again - "Would you again like to receive EXTRA NEWSLETTERS pertaining to Christmas?"  If I get a good response, they will have to be sent to everyone, and those who don't want them can just delete.  There will be no more than 7 editions, and I will send them between Thanksgiving and early December, so you have time to scan and use some of the ideas and recipes.  Then I'll give us all a break until January, 2007!

 

I would send mostly duplicates - with revisions and additions, including some healthier recipes than the usual sugar-laden ones.   Some of the Christmas topics covered in the past:  

 

Ways to Keep Christ in Christmas

Christmas Traditions and Tips

Recipes for Appetizers, Dips, Breakfast Recipes, Cakes, Breads, Cookies, Candy

Christmas Stories and Poems for Your Family

Fun and Easy Gifts to Make - Easy on the Budge  - Great to Receive!

Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas

 

INNUMERABLE BLESSINGS

Sitting alone at Grandpa’s feet

The little boy played one day,

Listening as his grandpa sang

And to the words he would pray.

 

He observed a calculator

That his grandpa held in hand,

So he thought, “What’s Grandpa counting?”

For he did not understand.

 

He heard him sing a song he’d learned

Sitting at his grandpa’s knee,

A song he’d sung so many times

From his heart so joyfully.

 

“Count your many blessings,

Name them one by one.

Count your many blessings,

See what God has done.”

 

Grandpa said, “This calculator

Only counts for us so high,

So it can’t count all God’s blessings

For they reach beyond the sky.

 

“For as we try to count them all,

When God’s blessed abundantly,

We find that they by far exceed

All the stars our eyes can see.

 

“Grace and mercy He’s showered us

From Heaven above to show

Rich blessings so innumerable

In our lives do overflow.

 

“So take this calculator, Son,

And remember as you go

Just to stop and count your blessings

From our God who loves you so.

© 2006 Linda J. Stevenson

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us

 in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Eph. 1:3).

 

THE LAUNDRY STILL HAS TO BE DONE

By Jenny Carlisle in Tennessee, a "Heart to Heart" friend, who at my request, wrote her moving story for you!

2006
 
This past year has been so hard but I wouldn't trade it for the world!  I cannot say that being in the fire is a fun thing, but man has it helped to iron out some of my issues!  It is refreshing to know that no matter what we go through in this life, Jesus is walking right along side of us, cheering us on and holding us close when we need Him. Let me explain where I have been.
 
Four and a half years ago, my life changed forever but I didn't know it yet. I was pregnant with our third child, Sarah Grace - 8 weeks to be exact, and I went to my midwife to have my first checkup. She did an exam and found something that concerned her. She did an ultrasound right away and they found, what they thought to be a cyst. She had me visit another doctor, Dr. Anderson, who would keep an eye on me throughout the pregnancy. He did and at 13 weeks, the cyst had grown considerably and they decided to take it out. I was so scared of having a surgery while I was pregnant, but went ahead. It went very well and pathology said it was a precancerous tumor. I went on to have a very uncomplicated pregnancy that lasted 41 long weeks and she was born perfect but full of strong will!  Dr. Anderson told me we should do a hysterectomy but that there was still time and we would keep an eye on it. I told him I would like to have one more baby and he thought that would be okay! So we went on with life and there was still laundry to be done!

In May of last year, I found out we were finally going to have that sweet little baby I had been praying for. My husband, Joshua, wasn't praying the same way, but doesn't he know I always get my way?  I was ecstatic and he joined me after the shock wore off. I was, however, having some lower abdominal pain that concerned me and told my doctor about it in passing. He recommended an ultrasound to make sure it wasn't a tubal pregnancy. We didn't get to see the baby, since he was too small at only five weeks, but we did find another cyst! I was so upset and scared. I just knew I was going to have to go through all of that again!  I remember lying on the bed and looking up at the ceiling and asking God why I was having to deal with this again. He told me everything would be okay, that the baby would be fine and so would I. I had no idea how much I would need that conversation with God during the next months of my life! I had another ultrasound a week later to check on baby because they hadn't seen him yet. He was there and doing fine. Dr. Anderson decided to watch the cyst and see what happened. I went home to laundry that needed to be done!!

I started going to a new doctor, since Dr. Anderson didn't deliver babies anymore.  At ten weeks, the new doctor saw that the cyst had grown considerably and she sent me in for another ultrasound. I looked like I was nine months pregnant!  In the words of the high risk obstetrician, "The monster had to come out!" Dr. Anderson would do it, but he was out of town so we would wait for him to get back. That was a Thursday and he would be back in the office on Wednesday. We didn't make it that far. On Sunday, we were at lunch and I started experiencing pain like I had never known before. I gave birth, naturally three times, but this was worse than any of them! They rushed me to Williamson and then to Vandy. They got ahold of Dr. Anderson and he would do the surgery on Monday morning. The baby and I went through surgery fine and then it was on to recovery and what I thought would be a normal pregnancy. Normal, it was not. As usual, there was laundry to be done!!!

About three weeks after the surgery, I went to see Dr. Anderson and he told me the worst news anyone could hear. You have ovarian cancer!  I was devastated!  I called Joshua, who was right down the street at work and he came and we all cried together. Then we called all the family. It was the most horrible day of my life. I was so scared for my baby and myself.  Dr. Anderson told us that I had three options: Chemo while pregnant, chemo after the pregnancy, or abort the baby and do a complete hysterectomy right away. There was no way I was going to be the one to take this baby's life! I dreamed of having him! I am not in control! I got home that night and there was still laundry to be done!!!!

We decided to do chemo while I was pregnant because they assured me that the chemo would not cross the placenta. I had five treatments and they watched our baby very closely on ultrasound. His growth slowed at about 32 weeks and they started doing weekly ultrasounds and stress tests, which he passed with flying colors every time! They gave me steroids at 33 weeks and scheduled the C-section / hysterectomy at almost 35 weeks. And, once again, there was still laundry to be done!!!!!

Our sweet Gabriel Josiah was born perfect! They had prepared me for him to be in the NICU for a while and he came out screaming and didn't stop until he was wrapped up and warm. They told me he was going to the well baby nursery and I went to sleep. I woke up to find out that instead of the cancer being gone, it was worse than they had expected. I was devastated because I truly believed with everything in me that it would be gone.  God had told me it would be gone. I was so confused. Sometimes God speaks the beginning in the end. He told me I would be healed, but it wasn't time. With baby number four here, there was even more laundry that still had to be done!!!!!!

I went through three chemos that were the worst thing I have ever experienced. They dumped it directly into my abdomen and then moved me around to make sure it bathed every cancer cell. Then it absorbed into my system and I got horribly sick! I remember the last one! I was so sick that I didn't get out of bed for two weeks, except to get sick. I didn't even want to hold Gabriel because I was afraid the chemo would get on him. I almost passed out as I was running to the bathroom to get sick, after a friend came to give me a shot that would boost my blood counts. It was the most horrible thing I had ever experienced in my life! Yet, there was still laundry to be done!!!!!!!

I had a few more smaller chemos and then in June, I was told I was cancer free! WOOHOOO! Then in September, I was told it may already be back. Why? God just isn't done with me yet! I had a biopsy in October that confirmed the cancer is indeed back, but I have decided not to do the chemo this time. I am changing my diet and detoxifying my body naturally and guess what? There is still laundry to be done!!!!!!!!

Why do I keep mentioning the laundry? I have learned this past year that no matter what gets thrown our way, life must go on, the laundry still piles up, the children still need me, my hubby still wants me! God still has a plan and we are not in control!  This year has been so hard in so many ways but I think the hardest part is the lack of control of the situation. I have had to completely lay it all down and trust the Lord with all my being. The thoughts that the devil has put in my head and the fear that he has put on me would have been unbearable if I had not had Jesus walking beside me all the way. He still isn't done with me yet, but He has some really BIG plans!

 

I trust Jesus fully. Can you trust Him fully? Can you willingly lay everything down and just know that you know that you know that He will take care of whatever you are dealing with? He is so good and so faithful! Trust him at His Word to be faithful to complete a good work in you and in your life. You know what?  No matter what we face, there will always still be laundry to be done!!!!!!!!!

 

Jenny also said, "You are very welcome to put my email address in there [email protected]. Tell them to pass my story on to everyone they know so when my miracle happens, all will taste and see that the Lord is good! I am on a juice fast this week and then I will be on a 80% raw, 20% cooked vegetarian diet for as long as I need to be. I am also taking supplements, ginger, gingko, vitamin C, a really good multi, etc."

 

 

HOUSEHOLD CLEANING TIPS

 

How to Make Your Own Terry Cloth Cleaning Cloths ~ Use older, thin towels to make your own cleaning cloths that are absorbent and great for all your cleaning needs.  I hesitate to call these cloths "rags," because they are so nice to use.  If you don't have towels that are worn out and thin, check out garage sales.  You can find towels for 25-50 cents or even free, and make 8 cloths out of each one!  Cut the towel into 8 equal squares (or almost squares).  Trim off  the 4 corners of each cloth to make them slightly rounded, so you can keep sewing around the entire cloth without stopping.  Using the zig-zag or satin stitch on a sewing machine, sew completely around each cloth.  As soon as you have sewn around the first cloth, stop (but do not cut the thread).  Begin the second cloth and sew all the way around it, etc.  This assembly line method saves time as well as thread.  This will make a lot of lint, so be sure to clean the lint out of the bobbin case once or twice, depending on how many you sew.  Fluff the clean sewn cloths in the clothes dryer for about 20 minutes to remove lint. Then simply fold in half and stack the cloths.  Store them in every room where you might need them.  They are great for cleaning walls, windows, microwaves, bathrooms, kitchens, etc.  You will find so many uses for them!  You may want to save a certain color to use in the kitchen, and another color for cleaning the bathroom.  I keep my dirty cleaning cloths in a bucket (hung over the side while wet to dry to prevent mildew) until I have enough for a load in the washing machine.  I  recommend washing the really dirty cloths in hot water with detergent, as well as bleach and using a double rinse.  Use no fabric softener.  These cloths have been so nice to use and they make cleaning almost fun!

 

Dishcloths and Washcloths ~ Since the cost of washcloths is so high for such a little piece of terry cloth, I have found it economical to make some of my own washcloths and dishcloths.  Just buy one extra towel of the same color, or have coordinating colors for washcloths.  Save some other cloths to use as dishcloths.  They are nicer to use than the flimsy ones in the stores and you will save money.  Use a blue towel to make eight dishcloths for your blue kitchen. 

 

Hair Spray Residue in the Bathroom?  Soak a terry cloth cleaning cloth in very hot water and wet the surface where there is sticky hair spray and wipe off.  If hot water alone doesn't do the trick, try a Magic Eraser with hot water.  Or with Murphy Oil Soap.  Melaleuca products are also excellent in eliminating problems that other cleaners can't seem to tackle. Sol-U-Mel is very good in removing difficult stains.  Heloise suggests making a mixture of half baking soda and half white, non-gel toothpaste. Lightly dampen a clean, white cloth and dip it into the paste. Rub over the stained area and wipe off with a clean damp cloth. Dry well.

 

Laundry Tips 

* For blood stains, soak first in cold water.  Concentrated Murphy Oil Soap works well on new stains, as well as mud stains.  For stubborn stains, even those that have already gone through the dryer, soaking in hot water and Oxi Clean works wonders!  This works great for baby clothes with baby food/formula stains too - even adult clothes with baby-type stains!

* Try treating new stains as soon as possible with either concentrated Murphy Oil Soap, liquid Tide, Era, etc.

* White vinegar works in the rinse cycle instead of fabric softener and leaves no vinegar smell. 

* A dab of hair conditioner on a washcloth in the dryer will also soften clothes.

* Clean out the dryer hose that goes into the wall at least once a year to prevent fires.

* Occasionally run very hot water over the lint catcher to help your dryer work more efficiently.

* Don't make the mistake of washing and drying light colored towels with dark ones, unless you want to pick off the many lint balls later.  Using light colored towels, rather than dark ones, will make your job easier.  Did you ever wonder why hotels use white linens?  White towels can be bleached when necessary to keep them nice and fresh.  Oxi Clean is another way to keep stains at bay, even for colorfast towels.

* Make folding towels and underwear easier by sorting everything on piles (socks, underwear, and towels, separated on piles according to the rooms in which they will go).  Why not sit down to do the folding?  Try sorting everything on a sofa, sitting down as you fold each piece, and put everything back into the laundry basket to deliver to the designated areas of the house.  Or have your children deliver the folded laundry. 

* If you can reserve energy by sitting down to do some jobs effectively, why not?  That's making good use of your resources!  And we could all use a greater storehouse of energy, I'm sure!

* Multi-task by folding laundry with a child, teaching him/her how to do the job well, and listening to him/her at the same time.  Be sure to include your sons in teaching household tasks, so they know how to care for themselves while living on their own and also help their wife someday!  This is so important! 

 

Your future daughters-in-law will be very grateful to have a husband who was taught by his mom how to express his love to his family in practical ways with a servant's heart!

 

 

SERVANT OF THE DAY

Copyright 2006 Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller
http://effectiveparenting.org/ - All rights reserved - Used with permission. 

Children often compete with each other in order to be first or best. This tendency on the part of children comes from selfishness, a major roadblock to sibling harmony. The solution is to learn how to be a servant, but how do you convince a five-year-old or a twelve-year-old that being a servant is a valuable thing?

As parents we have to look for positive ways to frame the maturity issues that we know are best, but seem unreasonable to our children. In this case, you might try having a “Servant for the Day.” This child not only sets the table and takes out the trash but also gets to sit in the front seat of the car, get the mail in, and help with dinner. Throughout the course of the day, Mom has an opportunity to talk about more subtle aspects of servanthood that involve how children talk, listen, and even think.

Take time to praise demonstrations of servanthood. One child may not get the first turn or the biggest piece, but he gets the praise of Mom for being the mature one. That's a far more valuable reward.

Teaching children to be servants will promote harmony in your family. Becoming a servant will help children deal with the continual desire to build themselves up while putting others down. Learning servanthood is a way to honor others in the family and it brings honor back as well. Who demonstrated servanthood recently in your family? How can you point that out and encourage it today?

For more practical ideas on developing honor in your family see our book, Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining, and Bad Attitudes, In You and Your Kids. http://effectiveparenting.org/

 
CAN YOU SPELL TURKEY?

This web page is so cute, although intended for preschoolers and young readers, but I'm sure parents will enjoy this interactive turkey game too.  Just click on the arrows as directed to create your own silly turkey! http://www.starfall.com/n/holiday/turkey/load.htm?f

 

CHUNKY TURKEY VEGETABLE SOUP 
A perfect recipe for your leftover turkey!  If you have leftover gravy and vegetables, add them too for extra flavor.  Leftover mashed potatoes are great to thicken soup at the end!  This is a very versatile and forgiving recipe!

 

1 T. olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 medium potatoes, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
5 carrots, sliced
5 stalks celery, sliced

4 cups chicken broth
1 tsp. sweet basil
2 tsp. Montreal Chicken Seasoning

1 tsp. Italian seasoning

1 tsp. celery salt

1 bag of frozen corn
2 cups cooked and cubed turkey
salt and pepper to taste

Brown onion in oil in a large Dutch oven.  Add potatoes, carrots, celery, seasoning and broth.  Bring to a boil and cook vegetables until tender.  Add frozen corn and turkey and heat through.  If too thick, add water and additional seasoning if necessary.  Makes about 6-8 servings, but this recipe can be stretched by adding extra vegetables.  Note: Cooked brown rice could be substituted for the potatoes in this recipe, making it a good recipe to freeze, however, cubed potatoes tend to become mushy when frozen.  Mashed potatoes freeze well.

 

 

RECENT COMMENTS FROM "HEART TO HEART" LADIES

Used by permission from each of the following special ladies.

Ladies, thanks so much for writing!  I always enjoy hearing from each of you!

 

Just wanted to again thank you for your emails.  I look forward to them and feel like I get a note from a friend when they come.  🙂  It's just like a Christian mentoring-home-seasonal magazine all in one that comes right to my email and how I enjoy it.  I print it off and tuck it in the kitchen for those quiet moments (which with 3 small children, quiet moments aren't always predictable!) and enjoy warming up a cup of hot chocolate and pull out your letter.  Well, I've written before, but just wanted to say again how much I appreciate you & your wonderful ministry!  ~ In His Love, Beth Breon - PA

 

Thanks so much for adding me to your list, and for the encouragement and ideas!  I am a pastor's wife, and we homeschool our children.  We have 6 children, the oldest one is thirteen, and the youngest is eleven months.  So I appreciate encouragement, and ideas on how to make things special and yet save time. ~ Blessings, Wanita Byler - Ohio

 

Thank you so much for getting back to me so soon. I am already enjoying Heart 2 Heart. I will keep your ministry in prayer. Thank you for yielding to the Holy Spirit when He spoke to you in 1999. ~ Blessings!! Liz Tisch - NJ

 

I have to admit that the last of my kids graduated a few years ago, but I still love getting your newsletter!  It is just so full of blessings and great tips, even for us oldies that don't have young children at home anymore.  Thanks so much for putting so much work into this! ~ In His Love, Tami Lysczek in Maryland

 

 

A BARRIER AGAINST MY PURSUERS
By Amy Charmichael ~ Thanks to Barb Campbell in Mississippi for sending this!

        "Fight against them that fight against me." Psm. 35:1
        "Block the way against those who pursue me." Psm. 35:3
        What are the things that fight against me?  Let us not lose the comfort and power that is available to us in this Scripture by relating the psalmist's prayer to the larger matters only.  It touches on and includes the smallest, as well.  The wave that sweeps over the great rock is the same that sweeps over the tiny shell on the shore.  
        It is the littlest things of life, the minute, unimportant looking things, that are most likely to shatter our peace.  Because they are so small, it is most likely that we will fight them ourselves instead of looking up at once to our Strong God -- our Barrier between us and them, as the pillar of cloud formed a barricade between the Egyptians and Israel. (Ex. 14:20).
        "Fight against them that fight against me..."  That is to say, against the little foolish feelings that want to keep us back from saying to the blessed will of God, "I am content to do whatever You say - gift against these pursuing feelings, O God!"
        Then it will be true: "My soul will rejoice in the Lord and delight in His salvation.  My whole being will exclaim, 'Who is like You, O Lord? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them.'"  (Psm. 35:9-10)
        What joy our lives can be when we continually prove His tenderness in the very little things.  There is nothing too small for Him to help.  He is indeed a Barrier between us and our pursuers.
        "How priceless is Your unfailing love!  Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of Your wings!" Psm. 36:7
        Now for a day of joy!
        My Father, Maybe I've been ashamed to admit it, but it's true ...  It's those petty, little things that make me fail.  It's the moment's small distraction when I'm busy that brings out my impatience ...  the word that slights or insults that bring out my anger ...  all the small expenses that bring out my doubts about your ability to provide... I've let these enemies come inside my "barrier" ...  and raid my peace.  But today, Father, I come to hide myself again in You.

 

 

BE THANKFUL BY LOOKING ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE!

Living on earth is expensive, but it does include a free trip around the sun every year!

The next time you have a hot flash, think of it as a mini vacation in the tropics!

Birthdays are good for you!  The more you have, the longer you have lived.

When God closes a door, He always opens a window.

Most of us go to our grave with our music still inside of us, so let's all change that.

You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person!

Don't cry because something wonderful is over.  Smile because it happened.

Enjoy the scenery on a detour. 

We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors, but they all exist very nicely in the same box.

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS TIDBITS

He Will be There ~ I think you will be blessed by this.  Please click on this link:

http://www.andiesisle.com/He-Will-Be.html   Thanks to Linda Stevenson in Virginia for sending this!

 

Am I a Normal Parent?

Just for grins, check out Brenda Nixon's article, "Am I a 'Normal' Parent?" published at CBN.
http://www.cbn.com/family/parenting/NixonNormal.aspx  

 

Let Your Crockpot Serve You When Preparing Large Meals ~ If you have too many dishes to bake in the oven or microwave during the last hour or two, why not let your large crockpot or even a small crockpot serve you and make your job easier?  The frozen confetti corn recipe included in Heart to Heart recently could be cooked in a smaller crockpot.  Turkey breast that is cooked ahead with gravy could be heated in a larger crockpot.  Hot mashed potatoes or hot baked stuffing could also be kept hot and waiting in a crockpot, and to reserve more space in your oven or microwave.  A baked green bean casserole could be undisturbed and held over on a warming tray for a short time.

 

 

THE BENEFITS OF USING THE SLOW COOKER + TWO DELICIOUS RECIPES
By Monica Resinger - http://homemakersjournal.com - Used by permission
 
A lot of us have a very efficient and time saving appliance sitting high on a kitchen shelf collecting dust. What is it? It's the slow cooker! I have taken mine down from that high shelf and have actually purchased another one because I have found them to be so helpful. How are they helpful? Read on.
 
There are a lot of days that it's very hard for me to get a meal on the table either because I lack the motivation or because we are busy. Lacking motivation stems from being tired at dinnertime; I have had an active day and by 5:00 p.m., I'm just plain worn out and am not in the mood to cook. Because of this, we end up eating fast food more often than we should or we eat a meal that tastes like there was no effort put into it.
 
I have found a solution to this problem and that is the slow cooker! In the morning when I am ambitious and creative, I prepare the basis of our meals by adding meat, liquids, seasonings or other ingredients to the slow cooker. Then at dinnertime, all I have to do is prepare side dishes such as heat and serve rolls and a green salad. Sometimes I even prepare the side dishes early too so that way I have hardly anything to do at mealtime when I'm lacking energy. If you have two slow cookers, use them both at the same time with the main dish in one and a side dish in the other.
 
Another benefit of the slow cooker is that it doesn't heat up the kitchen. This can be valuable in the summer but don't limit it to summertime cooking. It's an any-season appliance. You'll be pleased smelling the delicious aroma of your food cooking all day long in the fall, winter and spring. You can even cook desserts in them such as apple dumplings.
 
For those of you that work away from home, the slow cooker is safe enough to leave turned on low all day. When you get home, most of your dinner is cooked and ready to eat!
 
You can buy slow cookers at any retail store for around $30.00 for the average size and more or less for a bigger or smaller one. But why spend $30.00 when they are abundant in thrift stores and yard sales? I purchased my second one at a thrift store for $2.99! If you decide to purchase one at a thrift store or yard sale, be sure to plug it in and see if it heats up.  

 

Here is one of my favorite slow cooker meals.
 
Pork Ribs and Kraut  
Brown desired amount of pork spareribs in a frying pan over medium heat; season with seasoning salt and place in the slow cooker. Stir sauerkraut juice into the pan you browned the ribs in and stir with a fork to loosen brown bits. Add this juice to the slow cooker along with desired amount of sauerkraut. Set the slow cooker to low and cook 6-8 hours.
 
For a side dish to this meal, I make homemade rolls using the bread machine to make dough, or I just serve plain old bread and butter. A crusty loaf of French bread would be good too.
 
Chunky Applesauce  
This would make a great side dish to the meal above. Peel and cut desired amount of apples into 1/2 - 1 inch chunks. Place the chunks in your slow cooker and add about 1/2 cup water. Set the slow cooker to low and cook 4-6 hours or until the apple chunks are very soft. Mash with a potato masher to desired consistency and add sugar to taste if desired.
 
If you need slow cooker recipes, I have published an e-cookbook called 'The Slow Cooker E-cookbook' that has tons of scrumptious recipes for your slow cooker in easy-to-print format!  For more information, click here:  http://homemakersjournal.com/slowcooker.htm
 
I hope this article brings you the inspiration to dust off your slow cooker!

 

(Note: Encourage your preteens or teens to make this applesauce, after you're sure they know how to use a paring knife, and can keep all their fingers intact!  I say that because I've seen some young adults who didn't know how to cut an apple.  Golden delicious apples are already very sweet and may not need any sweetener at all. But if they do, try a natural sweetener like NuStevia. ~ Lois)

 

 

WELCOME TO THREE PRECIOUS NEW "HEART TO HEART" BABIES!
Casi Micaela West was born on November 1, 2006!  She is the first child of Russell and Michelle (Doss) West in Florida.  Grandparents are Ted and Mary Westmoreland in Virginia.

 

Tucker Steven Jacobs was born on November 7, 2006.  He is the third child of Steven and Christy Jacobs in Virginia.

 

Sara Aliyah Collogan was born on November 8, 2006.  She is the first grandchild of Dan and Kim Collogan and the first child of Aron and Renee' Collogan, all living in Virginia.

 

 

KIDS SAY THE CUTEST THINGS!

Karlie, 3 years old, has a purse that is a unicorn.  She calls it a "Horn-a-Corn!"  Makes more sense than the actual name, huh? ~ Julie Karsten in Washington state.

 

The next three kids' quotes are some of the many written in the notebook I gave as a special baby gift to our daughter when she was expecting her first baby. These quotes are from her and her two brothers. Ladies, please do scribble down those cute kids' quotes so you can give that very special gift to your own children some day.  I assure you they will treasure those priceless gems - and so will you!  In the meantime, send me your kids' quotes to share in "Heart to Heart!  Thanks! ~ Lois

 

When Joy was 8 years old, I had just curled her hair one morning.  That was before it turned naturally curly at age 13.  As her daddy kissed her good-bye before leaving for work, I told him, Oh, you messed up her hair."  But Joy said with a grin, "Yeah, but it was worth it!"

 

Jeff, 4 years old, was drawing with magic markers, but they had dried out.  He expressed his thoughts when he said, "These magic markers got rotten!"

 

When Jamie was 3 years old, one day I said to him, "Do you know what, Jamie?  I love you!"  He had a sweet look on his face and said slowly, "Ahhhh!  Mom!  That's just precious!"  (That little guy, who goes by "James," now is 6' 3" tall and getting married to a sweet nursing graduate, Emily, in a few months! ~ Lois)

 

 

FIVE FINGER PRAYER

Thanks to Becky Noell in Georgia for sending this!

(Ladies, this is a very good lesson to teach during family time with your children! ~ Lois)

Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty."

2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.

3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.

4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.

5. And lastly comes our little finger - the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

 

QUOTES 

Rich is the person who has a praying friend.  -- Janice Hughes

 

Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself.  Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them.  Every day begin the task anew.  -- Francois de Sales

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today.  Have you used one to say 'thank you?'
-- William A. Ward

Have a blessed Thanksgiving with your families, ladies!

Count your Blessings!  Name them One by One!

Count your many blessings. See what God hath done!

  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,

"Heart to Heart"                                                                       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. You may 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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