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4/16/09 Gracious Woman, Wordless Book, Meaningful Gifts, Squabble Stopping, Mothers

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#1 · April 16, 2009, 3:30 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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4/16/09 Gracious Woman, Wordless Book, Meaningful Gifts, Squabble Stopping, Mothers
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If "Heart to Heart" fills a need in your life, bringing blessing and encouragement, please INVITE your women friends and family to subscribe and be blessed and encouraged as well.  Instructions appear at the very end of each newsletter. 
I suggest you PRINT this newsletter to read at your convenience, but save the original e-mail for checking websites.
Send ADDRESS CHANGES to Remain on the E-mailing List - Reply to newsletter with your name, plus your  old and new address.  
 
IN THIS ISSUE: 
A GRACIOUS WOMAN RETAINS HONOR
THE WORDLESS BOOK
MEANINGFUL GIFTS FOR MOTHER'S DAY OR ANY DAY
REMEMBERING SENIOR CITIZENS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

HANDMADE MOTHER'S DAY GIFTS FOR CHILDREN TO MAKE

TIPS AND TIDBITS
THE CRACKED POT

"I LOVE YOU, JOHNNY!"
7 SPECIAL SQUABBLE STOPPING STEPS
THE CREATION - A DIFFERENT VERSION
APPLESAUCE MUFFINS
WHY GOD MADE MOMS
A MOTHER'S STRENGTH
IS ANYTHING TOO HARD FOR GOD?
A LITTLE PRINCESS ARRIVES ON THE SCENE!

A GRACIOUS WOMAN RETAINS HONOR
Proverbs 11:16 - From Laine's Letters - Used by permission - Thanks to Penny Yonts in Virginia for sending this!
 
I have been doing a study for myself on the verse in Proverbs which states, "A gracious woman retains honor."  As I have been studying many of the verses pertaining to godly women in the Bible and their roles in the home and in the church, I have come up with a list based on those verses of a godly woman, wife, and mother - whom I aspire to grow into as I continually grow in Christ by the power of His Spirit. It also helps me to understand the role of the church as His Fruitful Bride and His Holy Spirit as our Helper and Comforter in that vital role.
 
With all that in mind and more, here is my list of a godly woman in her many roles written in the back of my Bible. My gleanings are based on Proverbs 31, Ruth, some verses on women in Proverbs, 1 Peter 3:1-7, 1 Timothy 2:8-15 & 5:3-16, 1 Corinthians 11:1-16, Song of Solomon, Psalm 113, 127, and 128, 1 Thessalonians 2:7-9, and Titus 2:3-5.
 
She loves her First Love and her First Faith - Jesus Christ her LORD. 
She has inside strength through the Spirit of God for her Husband's honor. 
She rises before dawn, she cries for help, she hopes in His Word. 
She is a bearer of the children. 
She is a modest dresser. 
She is a worker of good. 
She has a gentle and quiet spirit. 
She is faithful and continues in the faith. 
She is loving - her LORD, her husband, her children, her home, and others - in godly, wise priority. 
She is holy - set apart for God's use. 
She is self-controlled. 
She is merciful to the poor. 
She excels at woman's work. 
She is submissive to her husband. 
She trusts in God. 
She looks nice. 
She is a keeper (guard and shield in prayer and practice) for her home. 
She is obedient to her own husband. 
She is gentle. 
She is dear to her children, and her children to her. 
She longs for her children. 
She imparts life. 
She imparts the gospel - everlasting life. 
She is affectionate. 
She is a nursing and caring mother who cherishes her children. 
She is a nurse by day and by night. 
She will be praised because she fears God. 
She shows piety at home to repay her parents by taking care of the widows in her family. 
She is careful with her tongue - gracious and discreet. 
She is not a busybody. 
She is busy in her own home. 
She opens her mouth with wisdom. 
She is not idle - she watches over the ways of her household. 
She is not a gossiper. 
She lives for God. 
She is always praying. 
She is a helper of the hurting. 
She is a servant to the saints - doing even the lowest jobs for their strength. 
She is hospitable. 
She is faithful in all things - little or big. 
She is self-controlled. 
She is not a drunkard.
She is a teacher of lovely, good things. 
She honors the Word by the living of her life. 
She is reverent. 
She is not a slanderer. 
She learns in silence in the church with all submission. 
She is not a teacher of men in the church. 
She is not a leader of men in the church. 
She is a great helper in the church. 
She labors night and day - if necessary. 
She continues to learn and grow - especially in God's Word. 
She keeps her body as strong as possible to be of such a help to her family. 
She has good foresight through wisdom given her by God. 
She does quality work. 
She keeps the bills paid - her lamps are always lit and welcoming. 
She is a gifted artisan selling from her home- thus her lamps are always lit. 
She prepares for hard times - "the winter" - during the summer and fall harvest. 
She is a decorator with tapestries that she has made. 
She is a provider of quality clothing for her family. 
She wears purple - the color of queens and quality. 
She honors her husband by all her good works causing him to lead wisely and well. 
She supplies the merchants with her wares. 
She is a wise cook - for health and frugality. 
She is a wise shopper. 
She is fragrant. 
She has paths of peace. 
She is a wall - pure and only for her husband - an enclosed garden and a sealed fountain. 
She is her husband's crown. 
She restrains her lips and keeps a guard over her mouth. 
She provides her supplies in the summer. 
She gathers her food at harvest. 
She is enraptured with her husband's love. 
She loves her husband and children. 
She avoids deception by her godly duties of raising children in faith, love, holiness, with self control. 
She is a teacher and trainer of her children. 
She builds her house with her children. 
She builds His House with her children - imparting to them the gospel as well as her own life. 
She is fruitful and multiplying. 
She prepares her food and furnishes her table. 
She is humbly hidden and helping for His Honor. 
She watches over her children well and does not leave them to themselves. 
She disciplines her children promptly. 
She is not contentious. 
She is a joyful mother of her children. 
She seldom sets foot in her neighbor's house, rather she is busy in her own home. 
She is a wise woman who daily builds her house. 
She has a house built by wisdom and established by understanding - The Word. 
She has rooms filled with all precious and pleasant riches by knowledge - The Word. 
She continually trains her children with patience and perseverance. 
She is a good saver. 
She is a careful spender.
She is prudent. 
She is not slothful. 
She promotes health with her tongue and learning with her sweetness of lips. 
She has a godly attitude - The Word hidden in her heart. 
She has discretion. 
She gets more and more beautiful as she continues to grow in Christ, no matter what her age.
She is a fruitful vine in the very heart of her house.
She gets up before dawn. 
She is a loving cook early in the morning. 
She is a land researcher. 
She is a land purchaser and developer. 
She is a vineyard manager - land put to profitable use for the benefit of her family's finances. 
She is a wise student - ever learning. 
She is trustworthy. 
She gets her servants going early in the day. 
She has a full pantry provided at wise prices. 
She is blessed by her children. 
She is blessed by her husband. 
She fears the LORD - the beginning of wisdom and true beauty. 
She has so much fruit from her hands. 
She excels above all - according to her family! 
She will rejoice one day, for God promises her so. 
 
Thank you for letting me share "my gleanings" with you. I know "all things are possible through Christ" and "apart from Him I can do nothing." "I forget what lies behind, and I reach forward to what lies ahead" in Christ.
 
 
THE WORDLESS BOOK
By Lois Breneman, © 2009, Heart to Heart Newsletter, [email protected]
 
The Wordless Book was created by Child Evangelism Fellowship.  It is a wonderful tool to teach the gospel story in living color.  This is the song that goes with the book.  The five colors or words standing for certain colors are highlighted.  The word, blood, is demonstrated by the red page.  The green page stands for growing in Christ. 
 
My heart was black with sin, until the Savior came in.
His precious blood, I know, (red)
Has washed me white as snow.
And in God's Word, I'm told, I'll walk the street of gold.
To grow in Christ each day, I read my Bible and pray. (green)
 
A Wordless Book is very easy to make out of black, red, white, gold and green felt.  It can be made in any size, but I'll give you the dimensions of the books I've made.  The book cover is cut 2 3/4" x 4" and can be cut in any color.  The five colors are cut 1 7/8" x 2 1/4". 
 
Inside the wordless book cover which is folded in half, place the five pages in this order: page 1- black; page 2 - red; page 3 - white; page 4 - gold; page 5 - green.  Fold the cover over the five pages and sew down the folded edge about 1/4" from the edge with a hand running stitch or a straight stitch on a sewing machine.
 
A very young child (under 2) can easily learn this song or poem.  My grandson has learned how to read in kindergarten this past school year, and I showed him how to read the wordless book as I gave him one.  He was so fascinated and loved it!  I wrote the words to the song on a piece of paper for him and put the paper and wordless book in a sandwich bag just before their trip home last week.
 
MEANINGFUL GIFTS FOR MOTHER'S DAY OR ANY DAY
By Lois Breneman, © 2009, Heart to Heart Newsletter, [email protected]

As pretty as fresh flowers can be, they only last a few days.  Eating out is nice as well, but when it's over, you have nothing to show for it.  Why not think of a more meaningful gift that will last much longer?

Make a special photo album of you and your siblings over the years.  Make color copy pages to save the original photos.

Write a personal poem for your mother, mother-in-law or grandmother.

Write a list of your growing up memories. 

Write down all the interesting family stories you can remember.

Spend the whole day with your Mother or Grandma.  Give her a back and foot massage.  For a handmade exfoliating foot scrub, mix together 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tsp. olive oil and about 5 squirts of your favorite lotion.  Put it into a jelly jar.  It keeps for weeks in the refrigerator.  Rub the foot scrub into the feet for a minute or two.  Rinse in a basin of water and Grandma's feet will feel softer!

Recently I made a special calling card for my mother-in-law, using our own calling card number and pin number for Onesuite (2.9 cents per minute) and gave it to her with a poem. 

Keep grandmas and great-grandmas well supplied with pictures of their grandchildren and visit them as often as possible.  Earlier this month all of our married children drove with their families from three different states to Pennsylvania to see their ninety-two year old grandma.  They made it possible for her to see the two great-grandchildren she had not yet seen in person.  Of course, that gave all of our family a wonderful opportunity to be together.  My husband and I both grew up in that area, and relatives on both sides of our families were so kind to provide accommodations and get our families together for two mini reunions that weekend.  We all got to attend church together and I had arranged earlier for my children to also meet a special man, recently widowed, who was my youth leader at one time.  Duke Shelley and his wife, Doris, had a great impact on my young life, and were wonderful friends of our family as I grew up.  Duke told me that calling him before our trip meant so much to him.  He shared with me how he was so touched, which is a good reason for our expressing our appreciation to those the Lord has used in our lives. 

Play a game with her or put together a puzzle.  Do the things she enjoys.  Watch a Hallmark movie with her that you've taped from TV.  Watch Anne of Green Gables together.

 
If your mother enjoys a hobby such as scrapbooking, sewing, painting, gardening, or music, give her a gift to use in that area.

Make special arrangements for your mother's sister, brother or special friend to come for a special visit with her.

Any of these ideas will be much appreciated, no doubt, even more than the usual flowers or meal out at a restaurant.  The memories from these more creative and meaningful gifts will linger on much longer.

REMEMBERING SENIOR CITIZENS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
By Lois Breneman, © 2008, Revised 2009, Heart to Heart Newsletter, [email protected]

Many of us have aging parents or grandparents who tend to be lonely and in need of a tender loving hug, a phone call, a card or a letter.  When it comes to gifts for an older person, it is difficult to know just what to give an older person to express our love and care for them.  When we ask for ideas, they most often say, "I don't need anything.  I already have all I need."  Many times they are trying to get rid of their extra personal possessions, because of down-sizing their homes and they certainly don't need new appliances or knick knacks.  So just what is a friend or loved one to give them?  Here are a few ideas. 
 
Give a sturdy decorated box (covered with fabric or gift wrap) filled with fresh fruit and snacks from the grocery store that they enjoy.  A shoe box lined with tissue paper works well.  You might bake muffins, cookies and bread for great additions!   Add a jar of jam made from only fruit.  A nice warm quilt or throw would be a cheery welcome on cold winter evenings as well.
 
Often elderly people living alone in their homes do not eat well, because they don't feel like cooking for just one or two people, and they will appreciate their favorite foods being ready to eat in an instant.  You could prepare several of their favorite dishes in multiple small portions and give to them already frozen, to use as needed.  Examples might be soups, casseroles, quick breads, muffins, mini meatloaves, chicken, mashed potatoes or mashed sweet potatoes.  Package several of the same food items together in a larger freezer bag. 
 
Prepare a book of stories, memories and pictures for your parents or grandparents.  They will cherish that for sure!  Have all the grandchildren together to make a musical cassette tape for the grandparents.  They can sing some hymns and other songs.  I know grandparents would appreciate this gift for a long time to come.  Give coupons -- one for each month -- for something you will do for them.  A back rub, foot rub, clean the bathrooms or the entire house, cook a meal in their home, offer to set up and take down some Christmas decorations for them, bake some cookies or muffins while you visit with them, give a piano concert just for them, give a foot massage, watch a Gaither Homecoming video with them, read a book to them, listen to their own childhood stories, help them to write checks and keep records, etc.  Many older people don't get nearly enough hugs and tender touching as they need, so a good back rub would be so appreciated.        
 
An aquatic garden with a Betta fish, or a bird feeder with black oil sunflower seed would provide hours of entertainment and enjoyment.  Or how about a butterfly kit?  You could have it all sent to your own home, and deliver your gift in person to the home of an elderly person for them to enjoy.  A kit includes several butterfly pupae, food and a butterfly house.  They will be fascinated as they watch the changes and ultimate beauty as the caterpillars turn into beautiful butterflies right before their eyes!  If they live in an assisted living facility, they may have lots of visitors as well, to join in on the excitement!
 
Give a "Reacher," or "Grabber," a long-handled instrument used for picking up things from the floor without bending or for reaching things on a high shelf without climbing up on a stool or chair (about $10).  Give a long handled sponge for applying lotion to the back, without the help of another person. (about $6)  How about a heating pad?  The previous three items can be found at most drug stores.
 
If your loved one is living in an assisted living facility or nursing home, a nice wreath for their door would be a welcome gift.  Be sure to also provide a wreath hanger.  An even better idea would be to change out their wreath to keep it seasonal.  Since they have limited space to store things, offer to store wreaths from other seasons for them in your home.  A good radio / CD player would be a very welcome gift, along with CD's of hymns and music they would enjoy.  A calendar with scripture verses or family pictures would be enjoyed all year long.  Calling cards are wonderful so they can keep in touch with friends and family on their own schedule.  Even assisted living residents are fed three meals a day in the facility, snacks would be a welcome treat.  Take them a single rose or a few roses in a vase for many fragrant sniffs and smiles of contentment, but since many roses today have no fragrance, be sure the ones you give do.  If you enjoy sewing, ask if you could do any mending or special sewing for their room - make a pillow or dresser scarf. 
 
Hopefully these ideas will be helpful for a birthday, as well as Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Christmas or any time you want to bring extra happiness and joy to an elderly loved one or friend to let them know how much you care.  Send cheery cards.  If their sight is mostly gone, but their hearing is reasonable, send them a musical card.  Tell them how much you love them and care about them.  Above all else, faithfully pray for them, and let them know that you do.
 
 

HANDMADE MOTHER'S DAY GIFTS FOR CHILDREN TO MAKE
 
 
 

 

TIPS AND TIDBITS
 
How to Grow Potatoes 365 Days a Year ~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcFL8dvbQVw&NR=1
 
 
Dress Your Young Child in Front of a Mirror and see how cooperative she becomes.
 
Be Intentional in teaching your children how to cook.  Choose a few easy dishes to start.  Then turn several dishes into a meal.  This is a skill both boys and girls will profit by.
 
Encourage Your Chidren to Work.  As they mature, they might mow lawns, help to garden, wash cars, pet sit, babysit.  Help your teens make a business card to get a start at earning money on their own.
 
Save Coffee Grounds to spread around outdoor plants for extra nourishment.
Save Egg Shells ~ Crush them to spread around your plants for the birds to find.  The extra calcium will help their own egg shells to be stronger.
 
Make a Crafts Box ~ Save all kinds of odds and ends you might normally toss out.  Let your children or grandchildren turn them into creative contraptions!  Save lids of all types, old CD's, popsicle sticks, mesh bags (wash in dishwasher to remove insecticides), tubes from toilet paper and paper towels, cardboard, egg cartons, fabric scraps, wallpaper scraps, empty thread spools, ribbon, rubber bands, oatmeal boxes, Styrofoam trays (wash well), pie pans, and anything that might be turned into a craft.  Add some tape, glue, crayons, paints, paper, scissors and pencils, and you've got the beginnings of a creative artist!
 
Save Old Garden Hoses ~ When your hose springs a leak, punch a lot of holes in it and use it as a soaker hose.  Plug the end to assure a good spray.
 
 
THE CRACKED POT
Author unknown - Thanks to Barb Campbell in Mississippi for sending this inspirational story!
 
An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole, which she carried across her neck. One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water.  At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of that it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house."

The old woman smiled, "Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?"

 
"That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them."

"For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house."

Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them. 

So, to all of my crackpot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path! 

 
 

"I LOVE YOU, JOHNNY!"
Author unknown

 

I love you, Johnny, said mother one day,

I love you more than I can say,

Then she answered his questions with,

"Don't bother me now!"

She just didn't have time to show him how

To tie his truck to his tractor and plough,

But she washed her windows and scrubbed the floor

And baked and cooked and cleaned some more.

 

"Bring the boy next door in?" "Well, I should say not!

You'll mess up the floors and I don't want a spot."

"No, we don't have time for a story today,

Mother's too busy cooking, so run out and play,

Maybe tomorrow," she said with a sigh,

And Johnny went out almost ready to cry.

 

"I love you, Johnny," again she said,

As she washed his face and sent him to bed.

Now how do you think that Johnny guessed

Whether 'twas he or the house that

His mother really loved best?

 

7 SPECIAL SQUABBLE STOPPING STEPS

By Mrs. Lorrie Flem - http://www.TEACHmagazine.com - Used by permission

What's worse than fingernails scratching a blackboard? Bickering! It wears us out, wears us down, and wears our nerves ragged.

Have you tried being patient? Rational? A good listener? I know, you've been there done that!

Tell them that bickering children are special and they require special treats … otherwise known as treatment. Here are 7 Special Squabble Stopping Steps.

1.       Special Talk. Talk (don't yell, they won't hear you better) to them about the cost of bickering. It is pure stress for mom and dad, it doesn't do anything but hurt their relationship with their sibling, it is contagious for the other siblings, and it isn't fun for anyone, even the ones who are doing the bickering. Finally, remind them that God hand-picked their brothers and sisters for them because He loves them.

2.       Special Prayer. Start it off with prayer. Ask the Lord to bless this time and use it to help them remember well that bickering comes with a price tag.

3.       Special Delivery. Tie them together. Yes, I'm serious. This is a common event in our home. Fuss too much and get tied together. I tell them they can untie themselves anytime they want. All they have to do is wait until I hear genuine laughter, see sparkles in their eyes, and love and forgiveness controlling their actions.

4.       Special Jobs. When I hear bickering I usually say something like, "Wonderful! I needed to have the floor behind the toilets scrubbed so clean you would use your toothbrushes if you dropped it back there." Don't tie them together and let them go. Multi-task and give them big housecleaning jobs so they can work on the house while they work on their attitudes.

5.       Special One. If it is a case of children bickering over one thing I take that and say, "Thank you. I haven't had my own ___ for a long time." The desired item becomes mine and I make sure they see me playing with or enjoying it while they are tied together cleaning house.

6.       Special Sleep.  Peek in their eyes and look for signs of needing sleep. If they look red or watery, or have dark circles or rub them a lot, they might just need some sleep. So tie them up and lay them down and tell them you have a special job for them when they wake up to help them remember not to bicker.

7.       Special Rewards. Don't forget, sometimes bickering is a plea for "Mommy Time." After they have cut the cord that tied them together while they worked as a team I might say that we need some "Mommy Time." Now this is never going to work if you use #7 instead of but if you use it afterwards it can be very healing. Spend 15 minutes gathering the younger child close and doing something special with them. Then send them off so you can do the same with the older child.

 
THE CREATION - A DIFFERENT VERSION
Author unknown - Thanks to Debbie Klinect in Florida for sending this!

In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth and populated the Earth with broccoli, cauliflower and spinach, green and yellow and red vegetables of all kinds, so Man and Woman would live long and healthy lives.

Then using God's great gifts, Satan created Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream and Krispy Creme Donuts. And Satan said, "You want chocolate with that?" And Man said, "Yes!" and Woman said, "and as long as you're at it, add some sprinkles." And they gained 10 pounds. And Satan smiled.

And God created the healthful yogurt that Woman might keep the figure that Man found so fair. And Satan brought forth white flour from the wheat, and sugar from the cane and combined them. And Woman went from size 6 to size 14.

So God said, "Try my fresh green salad." And Satan presented Thousand-Island Dressing, buttery croutons and garlic toast on the side. And Man and Woman unfastened their belts following the repast.

God then said, "I have sent you heart healthy vegetables and olive oil in which to cook them." And Satan brought forth deep fried fish and chicken-fried steak so big it needed its own platter. And Man gained more weight and his cholesterol went through the roof. God then created a light, fluffy white cake, named it "Angel Food Cake," and said, "It is good." Satan then created chocolate cake and named it "Devil's Food."

God then brought forth running shoes so that His children might lose those extra pounds. And Satan gave cable TV with a remote control so Man would not have to toil changing the channels. And Man and Woman laughed and cried before the flickering blue light and gained pounds.

Then God brought forth the potato, naturally low in fat and brimming with nutrition. And Satan peeled off the healthful skin and sliced the starchy center into chips and deep-fried them. And Man gained pounds.

God then gave lean beef so that Man might consume fewer calories and still satisfy his appetite. And Satan created McDonald's and its 99-cent double cheeseburger. Then said, "You want fries with that?" And Man replied, "Yes! And super size them!" And Satan said, "It is good." And Man went into cardiac arrest.  God sighed and created quadruple bypass surgery.  Then Satan created HMO's.

APPLESAUCE MUFFINS
Substitute 1 cup mashed sweet potato for the 1 cup applesauce for an altogether different tasting muffin.

1 egg, beaten                                                    3/4 tsp. cinnamon 
1/4 cup oil                                                           1/2 tsp. sea salt
1 cup applesauce                                              1-1/2 tsp. baking powder 
1/2 cup honey                                                    1/4 tsp. nutmeg  
1-3/4 cup whole grain pastry flour                    1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
1/2 tsp. soda                                                      1/2 cup raisins (optional)

Mix egg, oil, honey and applesauce in a small bowl and set aside. Assemble the dry ingredients in a medium sized mixing bowl and stir to evenly distribute spices and leavening into the flour.

Combine liquid ingredients into dry ingredients with a wire whisk gently. Carefully fold in nuts and raisins if desired and avoid over-mixing the ingredients. Fill oiled or lined muffin tins 2/3 full. Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until muffins are lightly browned and a toothpick inserted into the center of the muffin comes out clean. Makes 12 muffins.


WHY GOD MADE MOMS
Thanks to Annamarie Kresge in Virginia for sending this!

Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:

Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my Mom just the same like he made me.  He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1. We're related
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.

What kind of little girl was your mom?
1. My Mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world.  And my Mom eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that Mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

What's the difference between moms & dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller & stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?
1. Moms don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect.  Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean.  I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

 
 
A MOTHER'S STRENGTH
Our Daily Bread - May 14, 2006
READ: Proverbs 31:26-31  http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?Proverbs+31:26-31

Bible in One Year:  2 Kings 19-21; John 4:1-30   http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?2+Kings+19-21;John+4:1-30
 
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. —Proverbs 31:26
 
My wife Carolyn and I were walking in a park one morning when we spotted a mother squirrel scurrying along a power line with her baby in her mouth. She delivered the little squirrel to a new nest she had built in a tree. Then she ran back across the wire to fetch another baby from the old nest and transport it to its new home. Back and forth she scampered until she had deposited all six of her babies in their new home. “Being a mother is hard work!” Carolyn mused.
 
Indeed it is. The labor to bring a child into the world is only the beginning. How essential it is that she take care of herself spiritually so she can take care of her children! Of all concerns, the care for her soul is the greatest—to grow in wisdom and in the knowledge of God.
 
Susanna Wesley was a busy mother with 19 children, yet she set aside time each day to meet with God. Some days she spent that time in a chair with her apron over her head, praying. Woe be to the child who disturbed her!
 
The woman described in Proverbs 31 placed a high value on wisdom, kindness, and a respect for the Lord (vv.26,30). This Mother’s Day, let’s honor the women in our lives who share their wisdom, show us kindness, and who seek above all to honor the Lord. —David H. Roper
 
Though other scenes may be forgot,
While life shall last, this one cannot;
When mother prayed! O peace divine!
My mother’s God today is mine.  —Anon.
 
God bless my mother; . . . all I am I owe to her.  —Abraham Lincoln 
 
 

IS ANYTHING TOO HARD FOR GOD?

 

God had promised Sarah a child

But her years were passing fast,

And Sarah knew without a doubt

Her childbearing years had passed.

 

So she devised a special plan,

For no longer would she wait.

Her servant girl bore her a child,

Her life to complicate.

 

But God’s plan was not yet finished,

For Sarah would bear a son.

Many nations would be blessed through her.

God’s perfect will would be done.

 

When Sarah overheard the news,

She laughed and thought, “Oh, my!

Can a woman of my age give birth?

Will God’s blessings multiply?

 

“Is anything too hard for God?

Is there nothing I can’t do?

God said, “When I return again,

A son will be born to you.”

 

Like Sarah we may question when

God’s hand seems slow to move,

But then regret our choices made

That God did not approve.

 

Is anything too hard for God?

Is there nothing He can’t do?

The lesson we learn from Sarah

Speaks loudly to us, too.

 

As we wait and we watch and pray

With confidence, rest assured,

In perfect time He’ll answer us

As promised in His Word.

 

© 2005 Linda J. Stevenson

 
A LITTLE PRINCESS ARRIVES ON THE SCENE!
Cleason and Dawn Sensenig are rejoicing in the birth of their daughter, Alyssa Faith Sensenig, born on March 15, 2009.  She is welcomed lovingly (and a little roughly at times) by her three big brothers, Kyle, Brian and Caden.  They live in Pennsylvania.

 
 

  Many Heart to Heart ladies and their families need our prayers,
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(¨`·.·´¨)                                                   God bless you and your family and keep you in His loving care!
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