Quote from Forum Archives on May 20, 2004, 4:09 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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5/20/04 DEVOTIONALS, WORK & PLAY, SENATORS, GRILLING RECIPES

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CONTENTS:

MULTI  DEVOTIONAL WEB SITE & PRAYER GUIDE

SPRING RENEWAL FOR YOUR HOME'S EXTERIOR

SNEAKY FUN; PLAY WITH YOUR KIDS AND STILL GET THE JOB DONE 
IDEAS FOR PRETEENS AND TEENS WHO WANT TO  WRITE A NEWSLETTER

PUN FUN

MARRIAGE -- PLEASE CALL YOUR SENATORS -- THE TIME IS SHORT!! 

AMONG THE ANGELS

A SMILE ABOUT MY GRANDSON 

RECIPES FOR THE GRILL

        * SHISH-KA-BOBS
        *JOY'S GRILLED CHICKEN

        *LEMON-SOY CHICKEN

        *PREMIUM POULTRY POTION

TIDBITS

        SEVEN DUCKS IN MUDDY WATER

        SOLUTION FOR A TORN PAGE IN A BIBLE OR OTHER BOOK      

        TIP FOR PRINTING NEWSLETTERS

      COOLMATH4KIDS.COM

        FATHERS

 

MULTI  DEVOTIONAL WEB SITE & PRAYER GUIDE

My good friend and helper with Heart to Heart, Barb Campbell in Mississippi, sent me these two great web sites.  This one, http://www.qtmin.com/Quiet_Place/quiet_place.html, has a number of classic Christian works available online -- Oswald Chamber's My Utmost for His Highest, Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, works by Tozier, and more!  You will be glad to know that President Bush reads My Utmost for His Highest each morning, along with his Bible.

 

An excellent prayer guide in praying for the USA: www.family.org/fmedia/misc/A0030190.cfm

SPRING RENEWAL FOR YOUR HOME'S EXTERIOR
(On a Budget!) ~ By Kathleen Wilson ~ Used by permission
 
Come every spring, we become a little more conscious of the way our home looks to all those who pass by. Often times it is out of our budget to repaint, or remodel the exterior of your home. Here are some great tight budget tips for dressing up the outside of your home with "Creativity, Not Cash!" TM
 
1.Stand out on your sidewalk and take a picture of your home from the street. Often times we do not really "see" what is there because we have become so accustomed to it. Take your

photo to a copy shop and print out a few copies of it, blown up to fit the paper. Now you can spend some time drawing in your wish list for changes…add a fence, draw an arbor over your

entrywalk, add planters…and come up with some low cost ways to accomplish it! (Kind of a low cost version of that expensive software) This one step could save you a lot of time, money, and work…not to mention get you to the home you want in a much smoother fashion!
 
2.Consider learning some woodworking skills. With just a little education and a rented saw, you can build arbors and decorative fences for a fraction of what it would cost to have it installed. You can often get free instruction at your local home improvement center.  Check out
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/gl_garden_structures/0,1784,HGTV_3588,00.html or
http://www.bhg.com/bhg/category.jhtml?categoryid=/templatedata/bhg/category/data/Hie_Basics_Carpentry.xml for some help.

Now remember, if you can't afford to totally fence in your yard, or build a big gazebo, how about just adding little decorative fences at the corners of the yard, and a simple decorative gate marking the entrance to your yard? It only takes a little to add a whole lot of character.
 
3. If you already have a concrete drive and walkway, and you find it boring, dress it up by lining it with brick. It doesn't cost much, and all it takes is a little elbow grease digging a trench to lay the brick in alongside the walkway, then pack the dirt back around them to hold in place…no mortaring necessary for this! Another low cost option? Use porch paint and stamp a brick walkway with a large rectangular sponge.  You can use a basketweave pattern, or lay it on the diagonal, whatever works for you!
 
4. Add shutters to your windows. Now, you don't have to buy those expensive premade ones that everyone else has, you can make simple ones yourself. You can use plywood and edge it in wood trim, then paint, or just hang a few vertical 1x2's 4 inches apart to form the a rectangular shape alongside your window, indicating shutters. You may be able to find much of this wood in scrap piles. Just make sure the pieces are not warped. Now paint with exterior trim paint, and watch the charm go up! Be sure to use galvanized screws or nails to build and hang  them so they won't rust.
 
5. Finally, add some personal touches to your entry, to make your home more welcoming. Hand paint a wood plaque from the craft store with your family name or a favorite quote and hang it beside your front door. Add a wreath or a swag to your entry door. You can make one easily from a grapevine or straw wreath and add your own touches…some garden tools, silk flowers, small wood plaques with the family member's names, seashells…whatever represents your tastes. Fill a planter with flowers or shade plants and place it right by your door to add life, add a chair or bench if you have room. If you have a table and a covered porch, don't be afraid to bring out candles, throw pillows, and even a throw rug to create your porch "room"! Just remember to use your creativity, add your personal touch, and use that elbow grease, and soon people will stop when they pass your home impressed, by your creativity!
______________________________________________________________
 
Kathleen Wilson is an author, national columnist, and editor of The Budget Decorator ezine. For more free ideas on decorating your home on a budget, visit her at http://www.TheBudgetDecorator.com or sign up for her free newsletter by sending a blank email to [email protected]

 

SNEAKY FUN; PLAY WITH YOUR KIDS AND STILL GET THE JOB DONE 
By Colleen Langenfeld ~ Copyright (c) 2004 ~ Used by permission 
 
"Mom, I'm bored!"  "Dad, play with me!!"  Sound familiar?
 
If you're a parent, these plaintive cries from your children can become daily shouts. As busy moms and dads, we're continuously torn by the demands on our time. Here are some simple ways to spend time with your kids while getting the jobs done that need to be done (including the toughest job of all, parenting). These Sneaky Fun ideas are also great ways to teach our children exactly how to successfully accomplish many routine tasks. 
 
- Make a silly dinner together.  Think 'Green Eggs and Ham' or try a picnic on the living room floor. Bring your child along for the meal planning, shopping, prep time and clean-up. Involve them each step of the way.
 
- Turn on the music and clean, clean, clean.  Forget TELLING your kids to go clean; side-by-side, with some of their favorite music playing, move through the house dancing and cleaning. They'll love it (and so will you).
 
- Exercise together.  You know you need to do it. Your child is your perfect exercise partner. Make it a 'talk and play' time and you'll both get fit together.
 
- Share a hobby.  Love to fish, garden, sew, paint, sing? Share that love with your youngster. Try an interest that fascinates them. Learn a shared passion - together.
 
- Start a girls or boys night out.  You will make an incredible impression with this one. Take your daughter out for regular manicures and lunch.  Stay close to your son with a favorite concert or sporting event. Teach your children about wholesome entertainment and the joy of healthy relationships. You can even team up with another parent and child for regular fun; just make sure that honest conversation is the true priority.
 
- Improve their skills.  Do you have a student struggling with homework? Quit nagging and ask them to teach YOU what they've learned.  Be a patient listener. The fastest way to learn is often to teach.
 
- Wash the cars.  Need I say more? Water, the chance to soak mom or dad, and a sense of accomplishment when it's all done. Follow up with an ice cream cone for a job well done.
 
- Growing things.  Countless gardeners have discovered deep satisfaction in sharing their love of growing things with children and grandchildren. Gardening is a useful de-stressing tool and the most frustrated child tends to loosen up and share their heart while getting their hands dirty alongside a trusted adult.
 
- Plan, plan, plan.  If your household is anything like mine, it benefits greatly when I take the time to map out regular activities. Menu-planning, budgeting and vacationing come to mind, for starters. Show your child (of the appropriate age) how to use their time and money wisely by including them in the planning of everyday family activities. As they mature, they can easily be put in charge of some of these planning sessions, teaching them to younger siblings. Your trust and belief in your kids can ease the stress on them as they grow, too.
 
- Organize.  Almost all families struggle with organization in some area. Truth be told, we're simply busy people and have often outgrown the simplistic organizing methods that once worked just fine. Give your kids the opportunity to be the creative organizer in your family. Whether its making sense of the family photos or tackling the hall closet, do it with them to get the job done and make a memory that's shared.
 
- Schedule the fun.  Sometimes the best defense is a good offense. Try scheduling a set time of fun in exchange for a set time of work. For example, Monday can be family board game night while Saturday morning sees the family hard at work in the yard. Sometimes it's easier for kids to see the point when it's a straight trade off of time and energy.
 
The idea here is simple and clear. Use everyday activities to build relationships and teach responsibility. After all, everybody wins when 'fun' becomes a part of daily life!

___________________________________________________________
 
Colleen Langenfeld helps working moms build strong families and careers. Discover simple ways to make your home and family healthier by visiting http://www.paintedgold.com and clicking on the happy kids picture now!
 

IDEAS FOR PRETEENS AND TEENS WHO WANT TO  WRITE A NEWSLETTER

By Lois Breneman ~ [email protected]

 

My thanks to Mandy Joy Johnson of Florida, a very grownup 10 year old, for her question to me, "How can I start a newsletter?  I want to write a newsletter with verses and devotions in it.  But how??  Please let me know."

 

If you want to start an e-mail newsletter, as a preteen or teen, you would do well to first talk it over with your parents.  

 

First you need some friends to send your newsletter to!  If you are a girl, my opinion is that it would be best to include only girls (no boys) and I'd advise boys to send only to other boys.  Start by asking your friends in your Sunday school class, Awanas, Bible study, youth group, or other groups if they would like to receive your newsletter.  Start small.  The Heart to Heart Newsletter began with only four ladies. 

 

Let your friends know some topics that you plan to include in your newsletter.  You might ask what they'd like to see included too.  Tell them about how often you plan to send it.  Pick and choose from the ideas below and add to the list.  You wouldn't need to include the same topics each time.  Allow yourself some flexibility so you don't burn out.

1. Scripture
2. Devotional
3. Question about the Bible (Example: Where does it say about 7 ducks in muddy water?)
4. Good quotes
5. A simple recipe for children to make (you could check children's cookbooks)
6. A few good jokes from a joke book
7. A craft or gardening tip could also be included (Use library books for easy crafts)
8. A special tip on how a child can help her parents or siblings at home
9. A solution to a life situation, with scriptures given.  (Examples: stealing, lying, disobedience)
10. Babysitting Tips
11. Math puzzles and tips
12. A fact about another country
13. The name of a missionary and specific prayer requests for them

Adults who might like to encourage friends could draw from these ideas as well.  If you start a newsletter, please send me a sample copy.

 

 

PUN FUN

Contributed by Barb Campbell of Mississippi

My roof leaks due to a lack of good ceiling.

Did you hear about the wife who had plastic surgery? Her husband cut up her credit cards. 

A man's home is his castle, in a manor of speaking.

The building contractor needed the money from a castle remodeling job to buy his new television set. It would be impossible for him to watch TV without a re-moat.

I heard of a Pastor who had a special drawer where he filed his bills. It was labeled "Due unto others."

Auto body-shop sign: "We come highly wreck-a-mended"

Note from the Electric Company: "We would be delighted if you send in your payment. However, if you don't, you will be."

"Oh, look!" I said. "A crocodile." "No," my friend corrected me. "It's walking between those two buildings--it's obviously an alleygator."

I refuse to visit Marx's tomb because it's all just a communist plot.

Man who jumps through screen door likely to strain himself.

Old politicians never die, they just get devoted.

 

 

MARRIAGE -- PLEASE CALL YOUR SENATORS -- THE TIME IS SHORT!! 

Now that the state of Massachusetts has become the first state in the union to legalize same-sex marriage, we need to realize that this will not stop until every single state is affected.  Then we will see how medical insurance will sky rocket, social security will rise, pastors will not be able to read certain scriptures from the pulpit, Christians will be fined for "hate speech," laws on hiring will change, and more!  If this marriage issue goes to the Supreme Court, and it is moving fast, there is little doubt in which direction the vote will go! 

 

The Federal Marriage Amendment is the only way to protect the sanctity of marriage between only one man and one woman.   Marriage now means something other than what God, our Creator, intended.  Other states are already talking about following Massachusetts' lead, and the opposition to marriage between one man and one woman will not rest until every state in America follows suit.  This decision came about because of a few unelected liberal judges.  Now we must do something about it!  If we don't call, we will have no right to complain when the laws are changed!

 

The U.S. Senators are waiting to hear from the people about the sanctity of marriage, especially Christian conservatives, but few are calling.  Dr. Dobson has already reported this fact.  The other night I heard a liberal on television in favor of homosexual marriage just gloating about how not even Christian conservatives have been calling the Senators!  How can we allow this to happen?   Think of not only our generation, but our children's generation and generations to come.  Ladies, think of our children and grandchildren!

 

The vast majority of Americans disagree with same-sex marriage becoming legal, but our Senators need to hear it from each one of us.  We Christians can't just sit still and let this happen.  Please call your two Senators' local offices as well as their Washington, DC offices. 

 

How do you contact your Senators?  The sites www.senate.gov and www.house.gov will help you in finding the names and contact information for all US states.  The Reference Desk at your local library should also have that information.  Then write that information on a brightly colored index card to keep handy, and call your Senators and House Representative often on family issues.  When you call, always be kind.  A key point to make is that homosexual marriage is not just an issue that affects Massachusetts.  That is why the Federal Marriage Amendment is needed. 

 

An alarming statement made by Glenn T. Stanton, senior analyst for marriage and sexuality at Focus on the Family: "This is a United States issue. This is an issue for the state you live in.  Because this will be coming to your state, it will be forced upon us that marriage is no longer about bringing men and women together, but simply bringing together two people who have deep feelings for one another.  And marriage has never been that thinly defined in any society anywhere, except in the last couple of milliseconds of human history." 

For more detailed information: www.citizen.org    www.family.org   www.pointofview.net

 

II Chronicles 7:14  If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

 

 

AMONG THE ANGELS

Contributed by Annamarie Kresge of Virginia

Once upon a time there was a child ready to be born. The child asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there, being so small and helpless?"

God replied, "Among the angels, I'll choose one for you.  Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you."

The child further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile and be happy."

God said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you every day. And you will feel your angel's love and be happy."

Again the child asked, "And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?"

God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and your angel will teach you how to speak.

"What am I going to do when I want to talk to You?"

God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and teach you how to pray."

"I've heard that on earth there are bad people. Who will protect me?"

God said, "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life."

"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore."

God said, "Your angel will always talk to you about me and will teach you about me and will teach you the way to come back to me, even though I will always be next to you."

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, "God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name."

And God answered, "Her name is not important. You will simply call her "GRANDMA".

A SMILE ABOUT MY GRANDSON 

Earlier this month my daughter and grandson spent ten days with us and his other grandma

while our son-in-law had to be in Texas on business.  While here Justin had taken one wobbly step here and there.   Over the phone his daddy told Justin to wait until he got home to begin walking, so he could see him take his frist steps - a great milestone in the life of a toddler.  Well, a couple weeks ago, as soon as they all got into their house after picking up Daddy at the airport, Justin took six steps all by himself!  What an obedient little guy!

 

 

RECIPES FOR THE GRILL

* SHISH-KA-BOBS

A great recipe for the grill

 

1/2 cup soy sauce                2 tsp. dry mustard

1/4 cup salad dressing        6 cloves garlic, minced

2 Tbsp. molasses                 meat tenderizer, unseasoned

2 tsp. ground ginger             1 - 1 1/2 # beef, cut in 1 inch pieces

 

Marinate beef cubes overnight in the first 7 ingredients or up to 24 hours.  Spear meat on shish-ka-bob skewers along with whole fresh or canned mushrooms, jarred onions, raw green, yellow and/or red pepper and canned pineapple chunks.  Baste with the juices during the first few minutes of grilling.  Turn the skewers.  Cooking time:15 minutes or longer.  Delicious!

*JOY'S GRILLED CHICKEN

Recipe from my daughter, Joy

Marinate boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a marinade of Italian dressing with oregano, onion salt, garlic powder and cilantro sprinkled in.  It's fun to try various combinations of herbs. Grill on both sides until juices run clear.

 

*LEMON-SOY CHICKEN

Recipe from Roxanne Staufer of Virginia

Marinate 12-20 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or 24 thighs in a marinade of 1 cup lemon juice,   2 T. soy sauce,   1/4 cup olive oil,   1 tsp. salt,   1/4 tsp. oregano, 2 tsp. minced onion, dehydrated,   1/4 tsp. garlic powder (or more).  Make a marinade of all the ingredients, except chicken.  Pour over chicken and marinate overnight or longer in a large zip-lock bag..   Grill until partially browned (about 5-10 minutes on each side).Chicken does not need to be done clear through. Place grilled chicken in a casserole and add some of the marinade. Cover with foil. Bake for an hour at 350 degrees.   This is a great recipe to do in large quantities to freeze.  It just needs baked then, and it tastes like you just grilled it!

 

*PREMIUM POULTRY POTION

Mix the following spices together: 

Lemon pepper, onion salt, Mrs. Dash, oregano, poultry seasoning, hickory salt, garlic powder.  Put in a spice container, with a shaker lid.  Sprinkle onto chicken for extra special flavor as it is grilled or browned in olive oil.  This is even good sprinkled lightly on a garden salad.

 

 

TIDBITS

So where in the Bible does it say about "Seven Ducks in Muddy Water" as mentioned in the article above on how to write a newsletter?   When you read II Kings 5 you will read how Naaman dipped seven times in the muddy Jordon River to rid himself of leprosy.  So there you have "Seven Ducks in Muddy Water!"

 

Solution for a torn page in a Bible or other book: I use a 41 year old Bible of mine at the computer, so you can be sure I have tested this tip more than once.  My husband deserves the credit for showing me how to do this.  You will need two small pieces of wax paper, white glue and a toothpick.  Dip the toothpick in the white glue and carefully apply a small amount of glue along the tear, with a piece of wax paper under the page.  Place the 2nd piece of wax paper on top of the glued area.  Allow to dry completely before carefully removing the wax paper.  The glue will dry clear.

 

Tip for Printing Newsletters ~ Many ladies have told me that you print out each newsletter.  Just for fun, I like to print my copies of the Heart to Heart Newsletters with the first page being a bright purple, yellow, red, green, blue or orange, and the other pages being white.

 

COOLMATH4KIDS.COM ~ With summer vacation coming soon, check this web site to help your children sharpen their math skills all summer long and still have fun!  Thanks to Mandy Joy Johnson, a homeschooler in Florida, who gave me this fun but educational web site.

 

Fathers ~ If you have good stories or tidbits about fathers, please e-mail me.  Thanks!

 

Let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  Gal. 6:7

 

God bless you all!

Your "Heart to Heart" friend,

Lois

 

The purpose of the Heart to Heart Newsletter is to bring godly and practical encouragement to women through creative ideas for the Christian family – regarding homemaking, marriage, children and much more.  You may receive this bimonthly newsletter by sending your name, city, state, country and the name of the person who referred you to Lois Breneman at [email protected].

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