12/14/07 TRAVELING TIPS, MUFFINS, LIGHTS OUT, BASKET, UPLIFTING

#1 · December 14, 2007, 8:06 pm

Quote from Forum Archives on December 14, 2007, 8:06 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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12/14/07 TRAVELING TIPS, MUFFINS, LIGHTS OUT, BASKET, UPLIFTING

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IN THIS ISSUE:

ATTENTION: JUNO "HEART TO HEART" SUBSCRIBERS

THANKS SO MUCH FOR PRAYING FOR MY HUSBAND'S SURGERY!

TRAVELING WITH THE FAMILY

ODE TO TRAVELING

1 CORINTHIANS 13 - THE CHRISTMAS VERSION
CHRISTMAS: A TIME FOR MAKE-BELIEVE?

A QUICK AND EASY LAST MINUTE GIFT FOR LADIES OR GIRLS

CORN, CHEDDAR AND SUN-DRIED TOMATO MUFFINS IN A JAR

TIDBITS

THE CHRISTMAS TEN COMMANDMENTS

HOME, FAMILY AND BLESSING

BABY CONGRATULATIONS!

ASK A NURSE MIDWIFE

HE MADE A WAY IN A MANGER
"LIGHTS OUT" KIT

THE BASKET

UPLIFTING THINGS TO DO TODAY AND EVERY DAY

ATTENTION: JUNO "HEART TO HEART" SUBSCRIBERS

If you are a Juno subscriber who did not receive the December 1, 2007 edition of Heart to Heart, please e-mail me at [email protected]. I am sending all Juno subscribers the newsletter from my home computer as well as from the server I use to send to so many. If you receive two copies of this newsletter, please let me know.

The last newsletter (December 1, 2007) did not reach the ladies who use JUNO, including myself, as it was sent through the server I use. So I went through my address book, weeded out the many Juno subscribers and sent that newsletter to them again. This time they received it. Thanks so much to all who wrote and shared about your family, as you replied. I always love to hear about you and your family!

THANKS SO MUCH FOR PRAYING FOR MY HUSBAND'S SURGERY!

John is doing well and we appreciate your prayers so much! He is able to drive and returned to work for most of the day just two weeks after he had reconstructive surgery on his left foot. He graduated to a royal blue fiberglass cast and on January 9 he will be wearing a special boot for another six weeks that he can walk on - without crutches. The orthopedic surgeon said his foot will take at least a year to heal completely, so thank you for your continued prayers! ~ Lois

TRAVELING WITH THE FAMILY

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

Are you getting ready to travel a distance to Grandma's house with your babies, toddlers or teens? It's been a while since our family has traveled the six to nine hours to the two sets of grandparents' homes with our children. It was convenient to at least have our families in the same town, as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Traveling with children can be unpredictable and I certainly remember the babies fussing and crying, and later hearing the toddlers and teens whining, tattling or squabbling, as they had to sit in such close quarters for so long. Anyone who has ever had children has no doubt experienced situations such as these while cooped up in a vehicle with your own children.

I heard a story once about a family traveling a long distance with their young children. The kids were terribly restless and were fighting in the back seat! Finally the father pulled in at a gas station to give both children a spanking. As they started out again, the father said, "Just sit there quietly! I don't want to hear a peep out of you until I say so!" About an hour down the road one little boy asked his dad if he could say something now. His dad said, "Okay. What is it?" The little boy said, "Well, Daddy, you know when you stopped to spank us back there at the gas station? Well, Daddy, one of my shoes fell out of the car!"

There are many creative ideas that can help cut those frantic times to a minimum and help make your trip go more smoothly, so let's get started.

For teething babies, I suggest Oragel, cold teething toys kept in an insulated bag with ice packs, black and white printed fabric - maybe some red in the pattern. Those are the first colors babies see and they are so fascinated with the contrast of black and white especially. Have fun and soothing music available. Even the family singing a lullaby together to Baby will calm him - or amuse him!  A DVD player to watch Baby Einstein and Veggie Tales DVD's in the car can certainly be a lifesaver with littleones on long trips. Our grandchildren's parents told us a DVD player was the best gift we could have ever given them, since they do make quite a few long trips to visit the grandparents. They have two screens that can be seen well by everyone in the back seat, which will cut down on squabbling as well.

I highly recommend having an individual "Activity Fun Pack" for each young child. Provide each child with a laptop base (a hard flat surface with cushioning underneath) so he or she can color and do simple activities more easily until you arrive at your destination. If you don't have a laptop base, a clipboard would be the next best thing. You could store crayons from a flimsy cardboard box in a sturdy plastic soap box container (made for traveling) and secure with a strong rubberband. Provide a tablet of blank paper, a coloring book or printed coloring pages from the Internet for happy times well spent. Don't forget a doll, stuffed animal or special blanket for the long ride. And, Mom, keep a trash bag handy.

Reading books aloud to the children in the car is always a good idea. Some families read entire books on a trip. Girls might enjoy playing with paper dolls on their flat surface, and boys would enjoy driving Matchbox cars on roads that they have drawn on their tablet with crayons. Little boys will automatically provide their own motor sounds, so you need not pack those!

There is a wide variety of activities you can do as a family while traveling, including many for teens. If you want this to be a beneficial family time, it's best to limit headphones to only a brief time to be alone, or eliminate them altogether. Make a list of activities you can still do after you run out of daylight. Sing together, listen to music or stories on CD's or audio tapes, play Twenty Questions, or rhyme words. Even a four year old can have great fun rhyming words. Write a silly or serious poem together as a family, as one person writes it on paper by the light of a flashlight. Grandma and Grandpa would treasure a poem written for them as you travel to their home! Mom and Dad could tell stories of their childhood. The kids could ask their parents questions about their growing up days. Make up a story together as a family, with one person starting it, then stopping for the next person to carry it a little further, until someone decides to end it.

Of course, you can do all of the above in the daylight as well as many additional activities. One of the most favorite games we played on trips as I grew up was "Travel Bingo." My mother made up special Bingo cards, writing in things we were likely to see on our trip. We played it just like the regular Bingo game, using buttons, or we'd see who could fill up their entire card first. Or we would see who could check off the most items on a long list during our trip. Checking off a long list removes the problem of buttons falling on the car floor, because you simply check off the items you find. Lots of fun!

The list could include things you might be likely to see, hear or smell along the way! Some items you might write on cards or on a list are the following: shoe by the road, bird in tree, cardinal, flock of birds flying, black cow, brown and white cow, black horse, horse with some white, RR track, train, ambulance, fire engine, police car, commercial bus, school, mountain, tunnel, river, church with steeple, baby, hummer, purple truck, Florida license plate, McDonald's, Hardee's, BP gas station, man wearing red shirt, woman wearing purple shirt, woman wearing dress, two toned car, convertible, car with dented fender, sound of tooting truck horn, deer, odor of skunk, bridge, lake or pond, snow, windmill, amber traffic light, red traffic light, green traffic light, shopping mall, grocery store, flowers blooming outdoors, gravel road, a single rock 3 feet or larger, dog, cat, sheep, goat, tractor, sound of music outside your car, sound of a barking dog, etc.

Among the most popular travel games this one is at the top - locating items or signs with each letter of the alphabet, beginning with "A." This is fun to do, with each person taking turns - or you can do each letter together as a family team. Miniature games are available at dollar stores as well. A flannel graph is great for in the car.

See who can list the most states represented by road travelers by checking the licence plates. Make a list of vanity license plates, which is especially fun in Virginia where it has been reported the most vanity plates can be found. Most school supply stores sell tablets of the United States map, or your country. Our family has had fun filling in the names of the states while traveling, and it's always good to brush up on geography, as well as to learn the state capitols and abbreviations for each state!

Count cows and horses that you see along the road (a white horse doubles the score). If two are playing, one counts the animals on the left side of the car and the other counts on the right. Have a contest on different colors of vehicles. My brother and I used to count blue and green vehicles or Chevrolets and Fords. Count tractor trailer trucks. That will keep one busy!

Encourage your children to journal about the trip. It will make the entire experiencet much more meaningful to them.

Even singles, a couple without children, or empty nesters can enjoy some of these activities while driving, with one person at the wheel. Hopefully some of these ideas will help your next family trip to be more interesting and harmonious!   The kids just might be too busy to ask,

"Are we there yet?"

ODE TO TRAVELING

By Jennifer Gochenaur, Editor of Jen's Pen Newsletter - © Dec. 3, 2007 - Used by permission

I love to get into the car and go for a long ride,

And listen to the voices of the little ones inside.

"He's poking me!" "She's touching me!" "He's breathing all my air!"

"She will not give me back my book!" "The baby pulled my hair!"

My dearest husband looks at me, and I smile back at him.

What were the chances they would sleep? It turns out they were slim.

"It's time for fun!," I tell them with an air of mystery.

And then I reach into my bag and pull out a CD.

A book on tape! What fun! What luck! I've had it for an age.

I've saved it for a trip when it's too dark to see the page.

We ride enthralled for hours listening to C.S. Lewis.

We know one of his other books but this one is new to us.

When we get home we talk of what a peaceful ride it's been.

No whining or complaining and no shouting through the din.

We made good time. We stopped to eat. The pizza place was nice.

And in the parking lot our Nathan only threw up twice!

But now we're home, they're all in bed and angels start to sing,

of peace on earth, good will to men, and staying home till spring!

Written by Jennifer Gochenaur, [email protected], Marietta PA

To subscribe to Jen's Pen, send a blank e-mail to [email protected].

1 CORINTHIANS 13 - THE CHRISTMAS VERSION
Author unknown - Thanks to Wanda Fox in Pennsylvania for sending this great reminder!

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls,

but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies,
preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime,

but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity,

but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes,

attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata,

but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside decorating to kiss the husband.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.
Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return,

but rejoices in giving to those who can't.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails.
Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust.
But giving the gift of love will endure.
Merry Christmas!

CHRISTMAS: A TIME FOR MAKE-BELIEVE?

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

What will your family do with Santa Claus, reindeer, elves, and a sleigh? Will you make them part of your Christmas tradition or not? Some families choose to make this one of those examples of ways that we, as Christians, are different from the world and we celebrate the true meaning of Christmas instead of the secular version.

Other families weave the fun of these traditions into their family life, but emphasize to children the true meaning of Christmas.

If you choose to make Santa a part of your Christmas tradition, teach children the difference between make-believe and reality. You might say, "Santa isn't real but we like to play the Santa game at Christmas."

Some children who come to the shocking discovery that Santa isn't real, question whether their parents are telling them the truth in other areas of life. Some even think, "Is Jesus real? Or is he another thing my parents made up for me?"

Christmas traditions can be a lot of fun. Just be careful what you're teaching and how children are putting it all together in their heads. And be sure to remind your children often about the true meaning of Christmas.

For more practical ideas for helping children develop character visit our web site at www.biblicalparenting.org.

A QUICK AND EASY LAST MINUTE GIFT FOR LADIES OR GIRLS

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

Bath Salts

If you need some quick, easy and fun gifts for ladies or girls, this is it! Pour a half gallon container of Epsom salts into a large bowl. Save time and money by making a whole basin full and giving the same gift to many on your Christmas list. These are nice to have on hand all year round as nice spur-of-the-moment gifts too. For each half gallon of salts, add about 8 drops of food coloring and enough potpourri oil to give it a nice fragrance. One year my daughter, being so busy with college, needed some quick and inexpensive gifts for friends, and we had fun making a large basin full of "Pink Vanilla Bath Salts," as well as a beautiful

turquoise or teal green, by using blue and green. Use more blue for turquoise or more green for teal.

Stir up the three ingredients until mixed very well - two large slotted spoons seemed to work

best for us. Spoon the bath salts into pretty glass containers, using an unslotted spoon, and attach a label. I found glass jars shaped like Christmas trees at the dollar store and used light green bath salts in those. There were also locked canning jars, corked jars, pretty fat jars with locked lids and others. They all looked so pretty when filled with bath salts. There were also round glass jars with scalloped rims, without lids, which we covered with cellophane, secured with a rubberband, and tied a ribbon around to cover the rubberband, and added a label.

For layered rainbow colors in a single jar, mix the white Epsom salts and scent together. Then divide into several bowls and add various colors - pink in one bowl, blue, green, peach, purple, yellow in other bowls. Mix each color well and carefully pour into jars using a funnel, layering the different colors evenly for a beautiful effect!

Rubber stamped labels with instructions to "Use 1/4 cup per bathtub" complete this lovely gift. An animal lying back, looking relaxed, is a good rubber stamp for a label with a "Relaxation" message. I also used a "To Do List" label for several labels, writing "This is a time to lay aside your To Do List and relax!" This is a great gift for a woman who just had a baby, maybe with a young child on the label. I have a rubber stamp of a cute curly headed little girl bending over a tub which makes an appropriate label with a message that moms sometimes need a break. The scripture verse, Matthew 11:28 is another great idea for a label - "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." A perfect scripture to meditate on while soaking!

CORN, CHEDDAR AND SUN-DRIED TOMATO MUFFINS IN A JAR

A good recipe to use for a meal in your own home, though it can be turned into a "Gift in a Jar" as well. It's getting to be soup and muffin time anyway with the cold weather moving in!

Thanks to Carolyn Faller Schultz in Ohio for this recipe!

Ingredients:
    1/2 cup cake flour, not self-rising (I use spelt flour)
    1 cup yellow cornmeal
    1/2 tablespoons baking powder
    1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
    1/2 teaspoon salt
    1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

    6 ounces (1 1/2 cups) grated white sharp cheddar cheese
    3/4 cup chopped re-hydrated sun-dried tomatoes
    1/2 cup thinly sliced scallions

    1 1/2 cup warmed whole milk (I use skim milk instead)
    6 ounces (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
    1/3 cup vegetable oil (I use canola oil)
    1 egg

Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter a 12-cup muffin tin. Combine the first 6 ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Add the cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and scallions and toss well. Whisk together the last 4 ingredients in a separate bowl.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix together just until a soft dough forms. (Be careful not to overmix the dough.) Fill the prepared muffin cups to the rim with batter. Bake until the tops start to brown slightly, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool for 2 to 3 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool. Serve warm or at room temperature.  Cover and refrigerate up to 2 days. Yield: 12 muffins

Gift idea - I made my own oven-dried tomatoes using tomatoes I grew over the summer. For Christmas, I used them to make cornbread gift packages for friends. In a glass jar, layer the first 6 ingredients ... 1st - 1/2 cup cornmeal, 2nd - a mix of flour and other four ingredients, 3rd - 1/2 cup cornmeal. Wrap decorated dry ingredient jar and a small jar of oven-dried tomatoes in shrink wrap. Decorate the packaging with ribbons and a recipe card and you have a delicious homemade gift.

TIDBITS

Looking for a Particular Cookie Recipe? There are tons of Christmas cookie recipes at this site! http://www.northpole.com/Kitchen/Cookbook/cat0001.html   Thanks to Miranda Ching in Hawaii for this link!

More Recipes - Click here: Recipes | Cooks Recipes a Cooking and Recipe Site with Thousands of Free Recipes

Focus on the Family Radio Broadcast - Find a station where this informative daily broadcast can be heard at http://listen.family.org/findastation/   Or listen Online: www.family.org.

An Interesting Twist to the "Holiday" Season! - Stoplight with Stuart Shepard

http://www.citizenlink.org/Stoplight/A000005834.cfm

Happy Birthday, Jesus! ~ A meaningful song sent by Karen Coughlin in Florida. Thanks, Karen! http://www.ruthann1.com/ThisBirthdayOfJesus.htm

Bella: A Family Movie for the Holidays - http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000006068.cfm

Check this site to find out when Bella is coming to your area.

More Information on the Movie, The Golden Compass - Go to www.citizenlink.org and do a search at the upper right hand corner. I highly recommend subscribing to Citizenlink!  Very informative free e-mails on things we as Christians all need to know about - many things we don't hear in the mainstream media.

A Christmas Card for You (But please change the word, "Holiday" to "Christmas!"

http://ecard.ashland.edu/2004admission/index.html

THE CHRISTMAS TEN COMMANDMENTS
Author unknown - Thanks to Barb Campbell in Mississippi for sending this!

1. Thou shalt give thy heart to Christ. Let Him be at the top of thy Christmas list

2. Thou shalt prepare thy soul for Christmas. Spend not so much on gifts that thy soul is forgotten.

3. Thou shalt not let Santa Claus replace Christ, thus robbing the day of its spiritual reality.

4. Thou shalt not burden the shop girl, the mailman, and the merchant with complaints and demands.

5. Thou shalt give thyself with thy gift. This will increase its value a hundred fold, and he who receiveth it shall treasure it forever.

6. Thou shalt not value gifts received by their cost. Even the least expensive may signify love, and that is more priceless than silver and gold.

7. Thou shalt not neglect the needy. Share thy blessings with many who will go hungry and cold unless thou are generous.

8. Thou shalt not neglect thy church. Its services highlight the true meaning of the season.

9. Thou shalt be as a little child. Not until thou has become in spirit as a little one art thou ready to enter into the kingdom of Heaven.

10. Thou shall not forget to share your joy, hope, peace and faith with those around you.

HOME, FAMILY AND BLESSING
Having a place to go is HOME.

Having someone to love is FAMILY.

Having both is a BLESSING!

BABY CONGRATULATIONS!

Welcome to Joanna Lynn Coupe who was born on December 8, 2007. She is the fourth daughter of Bill and Tracy Coupe, missionaries in Ecuador. Ashley, Laura and Elise are very happy to have a little sister! Bill and Becky Coupe in North Carolina are the proud grandparents.

ASK A NURSE MIDWIFE

By Karen Winstead, ACC Certified Nurse-Midwife - http://www.newlifebirthcenter.net/

Please send your personal questions relating to pregnancy and childbirth that you would like to see addressed by replying to this newsletter. Names of those sending questions will not be included in this column, and the answer will be e-mailed to you before it appears in a newsletter.

Question:

What about birth control pills?

Answer:

In my work as a nurse-midwife at the local health departments family planning clinics, I am often asked to provide prescriptions for birth control pills and other hormonal contraceptives. Occasionally a mother will escort her teen or preteen in to get the pill to help with every thing from acne, to painful menstrual periods, to irregular menstrual periods, to pregnancy prevention. I sometimes feel pressure to prescribe hormones to 12 and 13 year old girls, but I really believe hormonal contraceptives are not in the best interest of these children.

I want women to be aware that though there are benefits to such hormonal contraceptives, one also has to weigh the risks. For young teens and preteens who have not yet reached their full growth, hormonal birth control can stunt growth.   For all women side effects may include depression, headaches, and changes in the eyes that may affect those who wear contact lenses or change the prescription needed. There is increased risk of developing blood clots that can lead to heart attack or stroke. Depoprovera, an injection, is not recommended for more than 2 years by the manufacturer because it depletes calcium from the bones.

I was recently made aware of new studies showing increased risk of breast cancer prior to age 50, if one takes hormonal contraceptives prior to the first pregnancy. This does not seem to hold true if one experienced pregnancy prior to starting on birth control pills. Hormonal birth control will not protect against sexually transmitted diseases, which is another reason why I promote abstinence until one is in a faithful, lifetime marriage relationship.

HE MADE A WAY IN A MANGER
By Steve Merkel

Longing for a Savior a hopeless world would wait,
Sin demanded justice at a price we could not pay
But God displayed His mercy, the greatest gift of love,
When we could not reach Heaven, Heaven came to us.
He made a way in a manger; a way through the Son,
Messiah the promised, before time had begun.
For God so loved this world, though He knew what love would cost,
He made a way in a manger; to make a way to the cross.
In Bethlehem a stable became a throne of grace,
As God Himself, the Savior, drew near to take our place,
His mother smiled in wonder, the shepherds stood in awe,
The sacrifice of Heaven lay sleeping in a stall.
He made a way in a manger; a way through the Son,
Messiah the promised, before time had begun.
For God so loved this world, though He knew what love would cost,
He made a way in a manger; to make a way to the cross.

"LIGHTS OUT" KIT

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

Thanks to Paula Archer in Ohio for sharing her good ideas to include in this article.

All of the people caught in the devastating ice and snow storms this week have been in our prayers!

Ice storms, snow storms, hurricanes, and even a squirrel shorting out a transformer can cause a power outage!   Our family has been left in the dark by all four of these occurrences. During one of those times, I made a long list of things we could still do even without electricity. One evening I cut out simple patterns on the kitchen table, by the light of several kerosene lanterns. Even during a power outage, drawers and closets could still be organized, furniture could be dusted, letters could be written, cards could be addresses, the floors could even be vacuumed with the trusty little Swivel Sweeper - until the battery needed recharged. You could even do your nails. Why not make your own list. You'll be surprised at all the things you can still do!

While I was pregnant with our third child, we had a severe ice storm one January and were without power for five days. The fire in the fireplace kept us warm. Having louvered doors between the kitchen and dining room as well as the family room and living room, we hung a heavy quilt at the two doorways so the heat from the fireplace would remain in the area of the family room and kitchen where we lived most of the time. We also warmed bricks in the fireplace, wrapped them in tea towels, and took them to bed, putting them at our feet to keep warm.

Some items to keep on hand in case of a power outage:



Drinking water

Canned food

Hand operated can opener

Hand can opener

Kerosene lamps

Coleman heater

Coleman hot plate

Lamp oil

Matches

Candles (jar candles are safer)

Flashlights

Batteries

Transistor radio that can run on batteries

Cans of Sterno heat

Fondue pot (one way to have a hot meal)

Paper plates and soup/cereal bowls

Plastic knives, forks and spoons

Paper napkins / paper towels

Blankets and quilts

Warm socks, sweatshirts and pants

Leg warmers / Long johns

Wood and fire starters for fireplace

Clean bricks to heat in fireplace, wrap in towel and take to bed to warm your feet

Grilling supplies (Since you can still cook on your grill)

First aid supplies

Food you can make with hot water ~ canned soups, Ramen noodles, hot cocoa, oatmeal

Vinyl tablecloths or old (clean) shower curtains - to wrap around yourself - helps hold in heat.

For families with small children, most already keep things on hand such as coloring books, crayons, markers, glue, scissors, puzzles, games, paper dolls, dress up clothes. Older children might like a book on origami, having extra time on their hands.   There are always snow flakes to cut out, poetry books, short stories, small toys like Hot Wheels, plus the everyday toys that children already have.

If you have a generator, you will be able to provide power for heat, your refrigerator, freezer and even lights. But remember you need gasoline to run a generator, and you must use it outdoors - never indoors. The fumes can kill indoors.

This list is only a start. Sit around the table with your husband or your whole family and brainstorm on other important things to consider keeping on hand - just in case you might need to survive a storm in the future, and the likelihood of that is rather great.

THE BASKET

Author unknown - Thanks to Karen Coughlin in Florida for sharing this with us!

Click here: THE BASKET for pictures.

The story is told of an old man who lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning, Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading
from his old worn-out Bible. His grandson who wanted to be just like him tried to imitate him in any way he could.

One day the grandson asked, "Papa, I try to read the Bible just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?" The grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and said, "Take this coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water." The boy did as he was told, even though all the water leaked out before he could get back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, "You will have to move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was "impossible to carry water in a basket," and he went to get a bucket instead.

The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You can do this. You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch the boy try again. At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got far at all. The boy scooped the water and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, "See Papa, it's useless!"

"So you think it is useless"? The old man said, "Look at the basket." The boy looked at the basket and for the first time he realized that the basket looked different. Instead of a dirty old coal basket, it was clean.

"Son, that's what happens when you read the Bible. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, it will change you from the inside out." That is the work of God in our lives. To change us from the inside out and to slowly transform us into the image of His Son.

Take time to read a portion of God's Word each day, and remind a friend by sharing this story.

UPLIFTING THINGS TO DO TODAY AND EVERY DAY
Author Unknown - Thanks to Paula Archer in Ohio for sending this!

* Smile at a stranger  * Drop a coin where a child can find it  * Learn something new and teach it to someone  * Tell someone you love them  * Hug someone  * Forgive someone who has wronged you  * Try saying "I'm sorry" when you ought to  * Tell a child how great they are  * Sing a song about Jesus to yourself  * Keep a promise  * Call someone just to say hello  * Try listening more than talking  * Stand up for what you believe in  * Thank God for His beautiful Creation  * Encourage someone who is feeling down  * Cherish today as if it were your last one  * Tell someone about Jesus

                             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.

            Pray each day for the protection of our troops, as well as for their families left at home!

(¨`·.·´¨)                           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 listing your name, city, state, e-mail address, and name of your referral person and sending it to Lois at <a title=mailto:[email protected] href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]. New subscribers will receive a Welcome, a "Start-Up Kit," and several recent newsletters.

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

~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~

12/14/07 TRAVELING TIPS, MUFFINS, LIGHTS OUT, BASKET, UPLIFTING

~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~

Please share this complete newsletter with other women who might benefit by receiving it.

Check with me before posting this newsletter on websites unless you have prior written permission.

For e-mail address changes, please reply to this newsletter with your name, along with your old and new e-mail address. Otherwise your address will automatically be dropped from the Master E-mail List by the server I use. Please save my e-mail address so you are able to

contact me if you are ever dropped from the list.

IN THIS ISSUE:

ATTENTION: JUNO "HEART TO HEART" SUBSCRIBERS

THANKS SO MUCH FOR PRAYING FOR MY HUSBAND'S SURGERY!

TRAVELING WITH THE FAMILY

ODE TO TRAVELING

1 CORINTHIANS 13 - THE CHRISTMAS VERSION
CHRISTMAS: A TIME FOR MAKE-BELIEVE?

A QUICK AND EASY LAST MINUTE GIFT FOR LADIES OR GIRLS

CORN, CHEDDAR AND SUN-DRIED TOMATO MUFFINS IN A JAR

TIDBITS

THE CHRISTMAS TEN COMMANDMENTS

HOME, FAMILY AND BLESSING

BABY CONGRATULATIONS!

ASK A NURSE MIDWIFE

HE MADE A WAY IN A MANGER
"LIGHTS OUT" KIT

THE BASKET

UPLIFTING THINGS TO DO TODAY AND EVERY DAY

ATTENTION: JUNO "HEART TO HEART" SUBSCRIBERS

If you are a Juno subscriber who did not receive the December 1, 2007 edition of Heart to Heart, please e-mail me at [email protected]. I am sending all Juno subscribers the newsletter from my home computer as well as from the server I use to send to so many. If you receive two copies of this newsletter, please let me know.

The last newsletter (December 1, 2007) did not reach the ladies who use JUNO, including myself, as it was sent through the server I use. So I went through my address book, weeded out the many Juno subscribers and sent that newsletter to them again. This time they received it. Thanks so much to all who wrote and shared about your family, as you replied. I always love to hear about you and your family!

THANKS SO MUCH FOR PRAYING FOR MY HUSBAND'S SURGERY!

John is doing well and we appreciate your prayers so much! He is able to drive and returned to work for most of the day just two weeks after he had reconstructive surgery on his left foot. He graduated to a royal blue fiberglass cast and on January 9 he will be wearing a special boot for another six weeks that he can walk on - without crutches. The orthopedic surgeon said his foot will take at least a year to heal completely, so thank you for your continued prayers! ~ Lois

TRAVELING WITH THE FAMILY

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

Are you getting ready to travel a distance to Grandma's house with your babies, toddlers or teens? It's been a while since our family has traveled the six to nine hours to the two sets of grandparents' homes with our children. It was convenient to at least have our families in the same town, as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Traveling with children can be unpredictable and I certainly remember the babies fussing and crying, and later hearing the toddlers and teens whining, tattling or squabbling, as they had to sit in such close quarters for so long. Anyone who has ever had children has no doubt experienced situations such as these while cooped up in a vehicle with your own children.

I heard a story once about a family traveling a long distance with their young children. The kids were terribly restless and were fighting in the back seat! Finally the father pulled in at a gas station to give both children a spanking. As they started out again, the father said, "Just sit there quietly! I don't want to hear a peep out of you until I say so!" About an hour down the road one little boy asked his dad if he could say something now. His dad said, "Okay. What is it?" The little boy said, "Well, Daddy, you know when you stopped to spank us back there at the gas station? Well, Daddy, one of my shoes fell out of the car!"

There are many creative ideas that can help cut those frantic times to a minimum and help make your trip go more smoothly, so let's get started.

For teething babies, I suggest Oragel, cold teething toys kept in an insulated bag with ice packs, black and white printed fabric - maybe some red in the pattern. Those are the first colors babies see and they are so fascinated with the contrast of black and white especially. Have fun and soothing music available. Even the family singing a lullaby together to Baby will calm him - or amuse him!  A DVD player to watch Baby Einstein and Veggie Tales DVD's in the car can certainly be a lifesaver with littleones on long trips. Our grandchildren's parents told us a DVD player was the best gift we could have ever given them, since they do make quite a few long trips to visit the grandparents. They have two screens that can be seen well by everyone in the back seat, which will cut down on squabbling as well.

I highly recommend having an individual "Activity Fun Pack" for each young child. Provide each child with a laptop base (a hard flat surface with cushioning underneath) so he or she can color and do simple activities more easily until you arrive at your destination. If you don't have a laptop base, a clipboard would be the next best thing. You could store crayons from a flimsy cardboard box in a sturdy plastic soap box container (made for traveling) and secure with a strong rubberband. Provide a tablet of blank paper, a coloring book or printed coloring pages from the Internet for happy times well spent. Don't forget a doll, stuffed animal or special blanket for the long ride. And, Mom, keep a trash bag handy.

Reading books aloud to the children in the car is always a good idea. Some families read entire books on a trip. Girls might enjoy playing with paper dolls on their flat surface, and boys would enjoy driving Matchbox cars on roads that they have drawn on their tablet with crayons. Little boys will automatically provide their own motor sounds, so you need not pack those!

There is a wide variety of activities you can do as a family while traveling, including many for teens. If you want this to be a beneficial family time, it's best to limit headphones to only a brief time to be alone, or eliminate them altogether. Make a list of activities you can still do after you run out of daylight. Sing together, listen to music or stories on CD's or audio tapes, play Twenty Questions, or rhyme words. Even a four year old can have great fun rhyming words. Write a silly or serious poem together as a family, as one person writes it on paper by the light of a flashlight. Grandma and Grandpa would treasure a poem written for them as you travel to their home! Mom and Dad could tell stories of their childhood. The kids could ask their parents questions about their growing up days. Make up a story together as a family, with one person starting it, then stopping for the next person to carry it a little further, until someone decides to end it.

Of course, you can do all of the above in the daylight as well as many additional activities. One of the most favorite games we played on trips as I grew up was "Travel Bingo." My mother made up special Bingo cards, writing in things we were likely to see on our trip. We played it just like the regular Bingo game, using buttons, or we'd see who could fill up their entire card first. Or we would see who could check off the most items on a long list during our trip. Checking off a long list removes the problem of buttons falling on the car floor, because you simply check off the items you find. Lots of fun!

The list could include things you might be likely to see, hear or smell along the way! Some items you might write on cards or on a list are the following: shoe by the road, bird in tree, cardinal, flock of birds flying, black cow, brown and white cow, black horse, horse with some white, RR track, train, ambulance, fire engine, police car, commercial bus, school, mountain, tunnel, river, church with steeple, baby, hummer, purple truck, Florida license plate, McDonald's, Hardee's, BP gas station, man wearing red shirt, woman wearing purple shirt, woman wearing dress, two toned car, convertible, car with dented fender, sound of tooting truck horn, deer, odor of skunk, bridge, lake or pond, snow, windmill, amber traffic light, red traffic light, green traffic light, shopping mall, grocery store, flowers blooming outdoors, gravel road, a single rock 3 feet or larger, dog, cat, sheep, goat, tractor, sound of music outside your car, sound of a barking dog, etc.

Among the most popular travel games this one is at the top - locating items or signs with each letter of the alphabet, beginning with "A." This is fun to do, with each person taking turns - or you can do each letter together as a family team. Miniature games are available at dollar stores as well. A flannel graph is great for in the car.

See who can list the most states represented by road travelers by checking the licence plates. Make a list of vanity license plates, which is especially fun in Virginia where it has been reported the most vanity plates can be found. Most school supply stores sell tablets of the United States map, or your country. Our family has had fun filling in the names of the states while traveling, and it's always good to brush up on geography, as well as to learn the state capitols and abbreviations for each state!

Count cows and horses that you see along the road (a white horse doubles the score). If two are playing, one counts the animals on the left side of the car and the other counts on the right. Have a contest on different colors of vehicles. My brother and I used to count blue and green vehicles or Chevrolets and Fords. Count tractor trailer trucks. That will keep one busy!

Encourage your children to journal about the trip. It will make the entire experiencet much more meaningful to them.

Even singles, a couple without children, or empty nesters can enjoy some of these activities while driving, with one person at the wheel. Hopefully some of these ideas will help your next family trip to be more interesting and harmonious!   The kids just might be too busy to ask,

"Are we there yet?"

ODE TO TRAVELING

By Jennifer Gochenaur, Editor of Jen's Pen Newsletter - © Dec. 3, 2007 - Used by permission

I love to get into the car and go for a long ride,

And listen to the voices of the little ones inside.

"He's poking me!" "She's touching me!" "He's breathing all my air!"

"She will not give me back my book!" "The baby pulled my hair!"

My dearest husband looks at me, and I smile back at him.

What were the chances they would sleep? It turns out they were slim.

"It's time for fun!," I tell them with an air of mystery.

And then I reach into my bag and pull out a CD.

A book on tape! What fun! What luck! I've had it for an age.

I've saved it for a trip when it's too dark to see the page.

We ride enthralled for hours listening to C.S. Lewis.

We know one of his other books but this one is new to us.

When we get home we talk of what a peaceful ride it's been.

No whining or complaining and no shouting through the din.

We made good time. We stopped to eat. The pizza place was nice.

And in the parking lot our Nathan only threw up twice!

But now we're home, they're all in bed and angels start to sing,

of peace on earth, good will to men, and staying home till spring!

Written by Jennifer Gochenaur, [email protected], Marietta PA

To subscribe to Jen's Pen, send a blank e-mail to [email protected].

1 CORINTHIANS 13 - THE CHRISTMAS VERSION
Author unknown - Thanks to Wanda Fox in Pennsylvania for sending this great reminder!

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls,

but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies,
preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime,

but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity,

but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes,

attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata,

but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside decorating to kiss the husband.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.
Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return,

but rejoices in giving to those who can't.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails.
Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust.
But giving the gift of love will endure.
Merry Christmas!

CHRISTMAS: A TIME FOR MAKE-BELIEVE?

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

What will your family do with Santa Claus, reindeer, elves, and a sleigh? Will you make them part of your Christmas tradition or not? Some families choose to make this one of those examples of ways that we, as Christians, are different from the world and we celebrate the true meaning of Christmas instead of the secular version.

Other families weave the fun of these traditions into their family life, but emphasize to children the true meaning of Christmas.

If you choose to make Santa a part of your Christmas tradition, teach children the difference between make-believe and reality. You might say, "Santa isn't real but we like to play the Santa game at Christmas."

Some children who come to the shocking discovery that Santa isn't real, question whether their parents are telling them the truth in other areas of life. Some even think, "Is Jesus real? Or is he another thing my parents made up for me?"

Christmas traditions can be a lot of fun. Just be careful what you're teaching and how children are putting it all together in their heads. And be sure to remind your children often about the true meaning of Christmas.

For more practical ideas for helping children develop character visit our web site at http://www.biblicalparenting.org.

A QUICK AND EASY LAST MINUTE GIFT FOR LADIES OR GIRLS

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

Bath Salts

If you need some quick, easy and fun gifts for ladies or girls, this is it! Pour a half gallon container of Epsom salts into a large bowl. Save time and money by making a whole basin full and giving the same gift to many on your Christmas list. These are nice to have on hand all year round as nice spur-of-the-moment gifts too. For each half gallon of salts, add about 8 drops of food coloring and enough potpourri oil to give it a nice fragrance. One year my daughter, being so busy with college, needed some quick and inexpensive gifts for friends, and we had fun making a large basin full of "Pink Vanilla Bath Salts," as well as a beautiful

turquoise or teal green, by using blue and green. Use more blue for turquoise or more green for teal.

Stir up the three ingredients until mixed very well - two large slotted spoons seemed to work

best for us. Spoon the bath salts into pretty glass containers, using an unslotted spoon, and attach a label. I found glass jars shaped like Christmas trees at the dollar store and used light green bath salts in those. There were also locked canning jars, corked jars, pretty fat jars with locked lids and others. They all looked so pretty when filled with bath salts. There were also round glass jars with scalloped rims, without lids, which we covered with cellophane, secured with a rubberband, and tied a ribbon around to cover the rubberband, and added a label.

For layered rainbow colors in a single jar, mix the white Epsom salts and scent together. Then divide into several bowls and add various colors - pink in one bowl, blue, green, peach, purple, yellow in other bowls. Mix each color well and carefully pour into jars using a funnel, layering the different colors evenly for a beautiful effect!

Rubber stamped labels with instructions to "Use 1/4 cup per bathtub" complete this lovely gift. An animal lying back, looking relaxed, is a good rubber stamp for a label with a "Relaxation" message. I also used a "To Do List" label for several labels, writing "This is a time to lay aside your To Do List and relax!" This is a great gift for a woman who just had a baby, maybe with a young child on the label. I have a rubber stamp of a cute curly headed little girl bending over a tub which makes an appropriate label with a message that moms sometimes need a break. The scripture verse, Matthew 11:28 is another great idea for a label - "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." A perfect scripture to meditate on while soaking!

CORN, CHEDDAR AND SUN-DRIED TOMATO MUFFINS IN A JAR

A good recipe to use for a meal in your own home, though it can be turned into a "Gift in a Jar" as well. It's getting to be soup and muffin time anyway with the cold weather moving in!

Thanks to Carolyn Faller Schultz in Ohio for this recipe!

Ingredients:
    1/2 cup cake flour, not self-rising (I use spelt flour)
    1 cup yellow cornmeal
    1/2 tablespoons baking powder
    1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
    1/2 teaspoon salt
    1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

    6 ounces (1 1/2 cups) grated white sharp cheddar cheese
    3/4 cup chopped re-hydrated sun-dried tomatoes
    1/2 cup thinly sliced scallions

    1 1/2 cup warmed whole milk (I use skim milk instead)
    6 ounces (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
    1/3 cup vegetable oil (I use canola oil)
    1 egg

Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter a 12-cup muffin tin. Combine the first 6 ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Add the cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and scallions and toss well. Whisk together the last 4 ingredients in a separate bowl.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix together just until a soft dough forms. (Be careful not to overmix the dough.) Fill the prepared muffin cups to the rim with batter. Bake until the tops start to brown slightly, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool for 2 to 3 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool. Serve warm or at room temperature.  Cover and refrigerate up to 2 days. Yield: 12 muffins

Gift idea - I made my own oven-dried tomatoes using tomatoes I grew over the summer. For Christmas, I used them to make cornbread gift packages for friends. In a glass jar, layer the first 6 ingredients ... 1st - 1/2 cup cornmeal, 2nd - a mix of flour and other four ingredients, 3rd - 1/2 cup cornmeal. Wrap decorated dry ingredient jar and a small jar of oven-dried tomatoes in shrink wrap. Decorate the packaging with ribbons and a recipe card and you have a delicious homemade gift.

TIDBITS

Looking for a Particular Cookie Recipe? There are tons of Christmas cookie recipes at this site! http://www.northpole.com/Kitchen/Cookbook/cat0001.html   Thanks to Miranda Ching in Hawaii for this link!

More Recipes - Click here: Recipes | Cooks Recipes a Cooking and Recipe Site with Thousands of Free Recipes

Focus on the Family Radio Broadcast - Find a station where this informative daily broadcast can be heard at http://listen.family.org/findastation/   Or listen Online: http://www.family.org.

An Interesting Twist to the "Holiday" Season! - Stoplight with Stuart Shepard

http://www.citizenlink.org/Stoplight/A000005834.cfm

Happy Birthday, Jesus! ~ A meaningful song sent by Karen Coughlin in Florida. Thanks, Karen! http://www.ruthann1.com/ThisBirthdayOfJesus.htm

Bella: A Family Movie for the Holidays - http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000006068.cfm

Check this site to find out when Bella is coming to your area.

More Information on the Movie, The Golden Compass - Go to http://www.citizenlink.org and do a search at the upper right hand corner. I highly recommend subscribing to Citizenlink!  Very informative free e-mails on things we as Christians all need to know about - many things we don't hear in the mainstream media.

A Christmas Card for You (But please change the word, "Holiday" to "Christmas!"

http://ecard.ashland.edu/2004admission/index.html

THE CHRISTMAS TEN COMMANDMENTS
Author unknown - Thanks to Barb Campbell in Mississippi for sending this!

1. Thou shalt give thy heart to Christ. Let Him be at the top of thy Christmas list

2. Thou shalt prepare thy soul for Christmas. Spend not so much on gifts that thy soul is forgotten.

3. Thou shalt not let Santa Claus replace Christ, thus robbing the day of its spiritual reality.

4. Thou shalt not burden the shop girl, the mailman, and the merchant with complaints and demands.

5. Thou shalt give thyself with thy gift. This will increase its value a hundred fold, and he who receiveth it shall treasure it forever.

6. Thou shalt not value gifts received by their cost. Even the least expensive may signify love, and that is more priceless than silver and gold.

7. Thou shalt not neglect the needy. Share thy blessings with many who will go hungry and cold unless thou are generous.

8. Thou shalt not neglect thy church. Its services highlight the true meaning of the season.

9. Thou shalt be as a little child. Not until thou has become in spirit as a little one art thou ready to enter into the kingdom of Heaven.

10. Thou shall not forget to share your joy, hope, peace and faith with those around you.

HOME, FAMILY AND BLESSING
Having a place to go is HOME.

Having someone to love is FAMILY.

Having both is a BLESSING!

BABY CONGRATULATIONS!

Welcome to Joanna Lynn Coupe who was born on December 8, 2007. She is the fourth daughter of Bill and Tracy Coupe, missionaries in Ecuador. Ashley, Laura and Elise are very happy to have a little sister! Bill and Becky Coupe in North Carolina are the proud grandparents.

ASK A NURSE MIDWIFE

By Karen Winstead, ACC Certified Nurse-Midwife - http://www.newlifebirthcenter.net/

Please send your personal questions relating to pregnancy and childbirth that you would like to see addressed by replying to this newsletter. Names of those sending questions will not be included in this column, and the answer will be e-mailed to you before it appears in a newsletter.

Question:

What about birth control pills?

Answer:

In my work as a nurse-midwife at the local health departments family planning clinics, I am often asked to provide prescriptions for birth control pills and other hormonal contraceptives. Occasionally a mother will escort her teen or preteen in to get the pill to help with every thing from acne, to painful menstrual periods, to irregular menstrual periods, to pregnancy prevention. I sometimes feel pressure to prescribe hormones to 12 and 13 year old girls, but I really believe hormonal contraceptives are not in the best interest of these children.

I want women to be aware that though there are benefits to such hormonal contraceptives, one also has to weigh the risks. For young teens and preteens who have not yet reached their full growth, hormonal birth control can stunt growth.   For all women side effects may include depression, headaches, and changes in the eyes that may affect those who wear contact lenses or change the prescription needed. There is increased risk of developing blood clots that can lead to heart attack or stroke. Depoprovera, an injection, is not recommended for more than 2 years by the manufacturer because it depletes calcium from the bones.

I was recently made aware of new studies showing increased risk of breast cancer prior to age 50, if one takes hormonal contraceptives prior to the first pregnancy. This does not seem to hold true if one experienced pregnancy prior to starting on birth control pills. Hormonal birth control will not protect against sexually transmitted diseases, which is another reason why I promote abstinence until one is in a faithful, lifetime marriage relationship.

HE MADE A WAY IN A MANGER
By Steve Merkel

Longing for a Savior a hopeless world would wait,
Sin demanded justice at a price we could not pay
But God displayed His mercy, the greatest gift of love,
When we could not reach Heaven, Heaven came to us.
He made a way in a manger; a way through the Son,
Messiah the promised, before time had begun.
For God so loved this world, though He knew what love would cost,
He made a way in a manger; to make a way to the cross.
In Bethlehem a stable became a throne of grace,
As God Himself, the Savior, drew near to take our place,
His mother smiled in wonder, the shepherds stood in awe,
The sacrifice of Heaven lay sleeping in a stall.
He made a way in a manger; a way through the Son,
Messiah the promised, before time had begun.
For God so loved this world, though He knew what love would cost,
He made a way in a manger; to make a way to the cross.

"LIGHTS OUT" KIT

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

Thanks to Paula Archer in Ohio for sharing her good ideas to include in this article.

All of the people caught in the devastating ice and snow storms this week have been in our prayers!

Ice storms, snow storms, hurricanes, and even a squirrel shorting out a transformer can cause a power outage!   Our family has been left in the dark by all four of these occurrences. During one of those times, I made a long list of things we could still do even without electricity. One evening I cut out simple patterns on the kitchen table, by the light of several kerosene lanterns. Even during a power outage, drawers and closets could still be organized, furniture could be dusted, letters could be written, cards could be addresses, the floors could even be vacuumed with the trusty little Swivel Sweeper - until the battery needed recharged. You could even do your nails. Why not make your own list. You'll be surprised at all the things you can still do!

While I was pregnant with our third child, we had a severe ice storm one January and were without power for five days. The fire in the fireplace kept us warm. Having louvered doors between the kitchen and dining room as well as the family room and living room, we hung a heavy quilt at the two doorways so the heat from the fireplace would remain in the area of the family room and kitchen where we lived most of the time. We also warmed bricks in the fireplace, wrapped them in tea towels, and took them to bed, putting them at our feet to keep warm.

Some items to keep on hand in case of a power outage:



Drinking water

Canned food

Hand operated can opener

Hand can opener

Kerosene lamps

Coleman heater

Coleman hot plate

Lamp oil

Matches

Candles (jar candles are safer)

Flashlights

Batteries

Transistor radio that can run on batteries

Cans of Sterno heat

Fondue pot (one way to have a hot meal)

Paper plates and soup/cereal bowls

Plastic knives, forks and spoons

Paper napkins / paper towels

Blankets and quilts

Warm socks, sweatshirts and pants

Leg warmers / Long johns

Wood and fire starters for fireplace

Clean bricks to heat in fireplace, wrap in towel and take to bed to warm your feet

Grilling supplies (Since you can still cook on your grill)

First aid supplies

Food you can make with hot water ~ canned soups, Ramen noodles, hot cocoa, oatmeal

Vinyl tablecloths or old (clean) shower curtains - to wrap around yourself - helps hold in heat.

For families with small children, most already keep things on hand such as coloring books, crayons, markers, glue, scissors, puzzles, games, paper dolls, dress up clothes. Older children might like a book on origami, having extra time on their hands.   There are always snow flakes to cut out, poetry books, short stories, small toys like Hot Wheels, plus the everyday toys that children already have.

If you have a generator, you will be able to provide power for heat, your refrigerator, freezer and even lights. But remember you need gasoline to run a generator, and you must use it outdoors - never indoors. The fumes can kill indoors.

This list is only a start. Sit around the table with your husband or your whole family and brainstorm on other important things to consider keeping on hand - just in case you might need to survive a storm in the future, and the likelihood of that is rather great.

THE BASKET

Author unknown - Thanks to Karen Coughlin in Florida for sharing this with us!

Click here: THE BASKET for pictures.

The story is told of an old man who lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning, Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading
from his old worn-out Bible. His grandson who wanted to be just like him tried to imitate him in any way he could.

One day the grandson asked, "Papa, I try to read the Bible just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?" The grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and said, "Take this coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water." The boy did as he was told, even though all the water leaked out before he could get back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, "You will have to move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was "impossible to carry water in a basket," and he went to get a bucket instead.

The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You can do this. You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch the boy try again. At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got far at all. The boy scooped the water and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, "See Papa, it's useless!"

"So you think it is useless"? The old man said, "Look at the basket." The boy looked at the basket and for the first time he realized that the basket looked different. Instead of a dirty old coal basket, it was clean.

"Son, that's what happens when you read the Bible. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, it will change you from the inside out." That is the work of God in our lives. To change us from the inside out and to slowly transform us into the image of His Son.

Take time to read a portion of God's Word each day, and remind a friend by sharing this story.

UPLIFTING THINGS TO DO TODAY AND EVERY DAY
Author Unknown - Thanks to Paula Archer in Ohio for sending this!

* Smile at a stranger  * Drop a coin where a child can find it  * Learn something new and teach it to someone  * Tell someone you love them  * Hug someone  * Forgive someone who has wronged you  * Try saying "I'm sorry" when you ought to  * Tell a child how great they are  * Sing a song about Jesus to yourself  * Keep a promise  * Call someone just to say hello  * Try listening more than talking  * Stand up for what you believe in  * Thank God for His beautiful Creation  * Encourage someone who is feeling down  * Cherish today as if it were your last one  * Tell someone about Jesus

                             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.

            Pray each day for the protection of our troops, as well as for their families left at home!

(¨`·.·´¨)                           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 listing your name, city, state, e-mail address, and name of your referral person and sending it to Lois at <a title=mailto:[email protected] href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]. New subscribers will receive a Welcome, a "Start-Up Kit," and several recent newsletters.

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Post Reply: 12/14/07 TRAVELING TIPS, MUFFINS, LIGHTS OUT, BASKET, UPLIFTING

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