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5/21/08 In Honor of Fathers, God's Yellow Pages, Fragrance, Letter from Camp

#1 · May 21, 2008, 10:55 pm

Quote from Forum Archives on May 21, 2008, 10:55 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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5/21/08 In Honor of Fathers, God's Yellow Pages, Fragrance, Letter from Camp

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IN THIS ISSUE:

SAVING GAS SENSIBLY
MAN, OH MAN

I WAS A WORKAHOLIC

SHOW HUSBANDS AND FATHERS HOW MUCH YOU CARE

10 WAYS TO GET YOUR KIDS TO TALK TO YOU

BATHTUB BUBBLE VOLCANOES
WHEN WE DON'T UNDERSTAND
GOD'S YELLOW PAGES
FRAGRANT RECIPES FOR THE HOME
HOUSEHOLD TIPS
HUMMINGBIRDS
GRANOLA POPS AND GRANOLA BARS
A LETTER HOME FROM SCOUT CAMP
HOW TO SURVIVE BABY BOOT CAMP
KIDS' QUOTES
JOYOUS BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS
YOU ARE FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE

SAVING GAS SENSIBLY
By Shaunna Privratsky - The Discount Diva - http://shaunna67.tripod.com/id21.html

Used by permission

        It is getting more and more painful to pay the soaring gas prices at the pump. With the summer travel season right around the corner, and record high increases on the horizon, we need to stretch our gas money as far as it will go.

        Most of us rely on vehicles in our daily lives, whether it is transportation to and from work, school, to grocery stores and appointments. Short of throwing away our keys forever, there are many ways we can stretch our gas dollars.

        Drive slower. Most vehicles optimum operating speed on highways is 55 mph. For each 5mph of increased speed, you use up another gallon of gas. In North Dakota, the average posted speed limit on highways is 70mph. By reducing your speed to 60mph you will save two gallons for an hour-long trip.
        Set your clocks ahead ten minutes. Then you will not be rushing or trying to make lights in your mad dash. Sudden stops and starts decrease your gas mileage and add wear and tear on your brakes, not to mention your nerves.
        Try a mix of fuel with ethanol added. It is cheaper and burns cleaner. Check your owners manual to make sure this is okay for your vehicle.

        Unless you are a racecar driver, never pay extra for premium grade gas. A few cents per gallon adds up tremendously when you consider that we are paying, on the average, double what we were paying a few short months ago.

        Watch for price wars and discount coupons. Again, saving a few cents on the gallon keeps more money in your pocket.

        Group or limit your errands. I try to do all my shopping once a week. I saved an entire tank of gas last month! I also tend to buy less overall than with many small trips.

        Fill your tank before it gets on the E. Most newer vehicles have a light or sound indicator when it is getting close, but a good rule of thumb is to fill it when it reaches an eighth. If the amount of fuel goes too low, sediments get into the gas line and can lower your gas mileage.
        Carpool whenever possible. Think beyond just work carpools; you could also trade off with your neighbor when taking the kids to school, sporting events and practices, after school activities, weekly bowling night, etc. It makes the trips more economical and more fun for everyone.
        Small, motorized scooters are a very cheap form of transportation. On the average they get 50-70mpg. Each city may have different laws about safety issues and where you can drive them.

        Ditch gas altogether and dust off your bike. For short trips in nice weather, bicycles are a great way to get there fast and burn off some calories at the same time. Follow all traffic rules for maximum safety.

        Use public transportation. Most cities offer free rides to students and free or reduced rates for seniors or those with disabilities. Call up your local bus station for routes, times and fees and you will save a bundle.

        These tips will keep you on the road without breaking your budget. Consider your

transportation needs and adjust your habits accordingly. Soon you will be saving gas sensibly.

Note from Lois: Keep a tire gauge handy and check the air pressure in your tires on a regular basis for better gas mileage. Check your manual for your vehicle's best air pressure.

MAN, OH MAN
Moments with You by Dennis and Barbara Rainey
Copyright ® 2008 FLTI, dba FamilyLife. All rights reserved - Used by permission

The man said, This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, for she was taken out of man.
Genesis 2:23 NIV

Im telling youmen just have it easier. Here are some examples someone sent me. When youre a man . . .

Your last name stays put.
The garage is all yours.
Wedding plans take care of themselves.
You can never be pregnant.
Wrinkles add character.
The occasional well-rendered belch is practically expected.
Youve got one mood all the time. Usually.
Phone conversations are over in thirty seconds flat.
A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase.
You can open all your own jars.
You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness. Usually.
If someone forgets to invite you somewhere, he can still be your friend.
Your underwear is $8.95for a three-pack!
The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades.
You only have to shave your face and neck.
You can play with toys all your life.
One wallet and one pair of shoesone color for all seasons.
You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look.
You can do your nails with a pocket knife

See what I mean? So the next time your wife seems too complicated for you, be patient with her. You didnt marry a man. You married her because she is different.

Realize that her life comes with a lot of stuff you dont have to put up with. Take the time to genuinely listen and understand because God created her as a gift for you.

Discuss: If your wife is not hitting you in the arm too hard right now, take a few minutes to talk about your differences. Promise youll try to do a better job of understanding and appreciating those differences.

Pray: Take your wife by the hand and give God thanks for providing her with all her uniqueness.

I WAS A WORKAHOLIC

By Bill Eyster - www.familylife.com - Used by permission from Family Life Today

As I tucked my 11-year-old daughter into bed she looked up at me with those big brown eyes and asked, Where were you this week, Daddy? With a bit of confusion I replied, I wasnt gone, Ive been here all week. She innocently blinked those long eyelashes of hers and inquired, Well, why didnt I ever see you?

I have to tell you that this shot was harder than any I had taken playing football in high school and college. My absence from our home had become so normative that it wasnt even a topic of discussion the entire week. My wife, must have been avoiding the conversation with our children so that they would not wonder why my work responsibilities seemed more important than they were.

As I tried to recover from this gut shot delivered by my 11-year-old angel, I attempted to make sense of what she just said. Yes, my wife and others had tried to talk to me about the number of hours I was working, but I wasnt buying what they were selling. Yet, there in the darkness of my little girls room, surrounded by walls covered with horses, looking into her puzzled eyes, I could see she was beginning to wonder just who I was and what I was all about.

At that moment, I was wondering the same thing. How did I let work become the most important thing in my life?

Rationalization and justification

It started with going into the office early. I told myself that I was a morning person and after all, the early bird gets the worm. As my career took off, these mornings started earlier and earlier. I rationalized that it was okay to arrive at work at 4:30 a.m. because I was still making it home at a decent hour at night.

But then my responsibilities continued to growI was making myself downright indispensable! Instead of getting home by dinner, I started making it my goal to return before the kids went to bed. In retrospect, I dont know why I bothered; after getting up at 3:30 a.m. and working until 7 at night, I was of little use as a dad and a husband. While my dear wife would cry with frustration that there was nothing left for us I would justify my actions because I was providing for my family.

One thing is certain in corporate America: If you perform, it will take all you can give. This performance-based behavior is accepted, encouraged, and celebrated by companies everywhere. Without proper boundaries, and if things are not kept in proper perspective they can lead you to the place where I was that Friday evening staring into my daughters beautiful brown eyes.

This was a real wake-up call for me. So I began a process to understand why. Why was I an absent dad? Why was I choosing work over my family?

Sure, the money was good, but that was not why I was so drivenstuff had never been important to me or to my wife.

It took much prayer and wise counsel, but over time God revealed my heart to me:  I was a workaholic. A workaholic driven by a nagging desire to achieve, to perform, to prove myself important. It was selfishness, and at its root was pride.

Action steps

If you can relate to my situationif you feel your priorities are misplaced as I founddont wait for the gut shot. Do something about it.

Here are some of the steps I took to address my workaholism:

1. Pray. Take time in prayer and close personal examination. Be carefullike me you may have the gift of justifying and rationalizing, which ultimately leads to compromising what is truly important your family. Ask God to reveal the root issues in your heart. Ask that He remove the hardness from your heart so that you can be shaped and molded in this area of your life.

If you dont already, pray with your spouse. There is no better way to connect as a couple and create closeness. In my case, my wife was wounded by my misplaced priorities. She needed to know that I loved her, that we were connected, and that I was committed to her.

While praying, thank God for your wife, for the good and perfect gift that she is, and ask Him to make you the kind of husband that she needs and deserves.

2. Join a small-group Bible study for couples. Find couples who want to live an authentic Christian life. My wife and I were involved in small groups with six other couples and that was one of the most loving, meaningful, and enriching times in our lives. We laughed together, we cried together, we challenged each other, and we learned from each other. Most important, we lived life together. To this day, these continue to be the most meaningful and deep relationships we have outside of our family.

3. Set boundaries. Talk with your spouse and make a commitment to him or her on the specific actions that you will take to keep those boundaries. I even gave my wife a written guarantee that outlined the specific actions that I was going to take.

4. Start a regular date night. Dont make this hard and complicated. Find a way to carve out some time with your spouse.

We had a date night every Friday night, but we didnt always go out. I was in charge of bringing home take-out from a local restaurant, and she gave the kids frozen pizza and rented a movie for them to watch (which they loved). Then we sat down to dinner by candlelight and talked about life. My wife will tell you that as simple as this sounds, it was a lifeline for her. She would hold onto the knowledge that even when I was unavailable during the week, she could count on my commitment to these times we had together. Be careful; this is not an end all, fix all. But it was a very effective action that helped us weather a difficult season.

5. Write it down. It is amazing how clear your thinking can become when you force yourself to write down your thoughts and what actions you are committed to taking. I find this as a good litmus test for rational thinking.

6. Understand reality. One of the things that I did when writing down my thoughts was to create a table with the calendar years in columns across the top and each of my childrens names in rows on the left. I then put their ages under each calendar year and considered how much time we had left to truly influence our children. Someone has said, Parenting is an illusion of permanence. A table like this reveals the stark reality of that statement.

7. Create dad times. While I was absent a lot, I tried to compensate by being intentional when I was with my kids. One really effective action was going on father/daughter and father/son weekends every yearno matter what! We started going to a great Christian camp in Texas called Pine Cove; these fun-filled, purposeful times with my son and daughter have been extremely meaningful to us and are highly anticipated each year. We talk about them for months in advance and recount memories for months afterwards.

8. Create accountability. Find a trusted friend and confide the struggle you are having and the commitment you have made. Ask this friend to keep you accountable.

I continue my battle with workaholism daily. But I figure God still knows how to snap me out of itthats why He gave my daughter those big, beautiful brown eyes.

Bill Eyster is FamilyLife's executive vice president and chief operating officer. He and his wife, Tracey, have been married for over 20 years and have two children. For over a decade Bill served marriages and families through his local church while enjoying a successful 22-year career with a Fortune 500 company. But upon God's "halftime" call he exited corporate America to pursue "significance" through his position at FamilyLife.

SHOW HUSBANDS AND FATHERS HOW MUCH YOU CARE
Father's Day is June 15. Share your heartfelt thoughts and appreciation with the special men in your lives - your father, your husband, and sons who are fathers. Have fun by writing an e-mail letter, using some of these symbols:
J B : $ U & J . + 1 Q ( J

10 WAYS TO GET YOUR KIDS TO TALK TO YOU

By Mark Brandenburg MA, CPCC - http://www.markbrandenburg.com - Used by permission

Parents can often be frustrated by their kids' unwillingness to share their lives with them. Whether your kids are toddlers or teens, there will be times when it's difficult to "break through" and find out what's really going on. Here are ten ideas on how to create opportunities for your kids to open up and share their lives with you.

1. Don't try so hard to get them to talk.
The harder you try to get them to talk, the more they'll resist you. When you relax the pressure a bit, they'll sense it and be more ready to talk to you.

2. Slow down your own life and be available.
Kids have a keen sense of how busy you are. If you're providing enough down time for you and your kids, they'll be more likely to feel comfortable talking to you.

3. Engage in a physical activity that they enjoy.
Shooting baskets, playing soccer, or a game of catch may have your child chattering away. Moving the body can serve to move the mouth as well!

4. Be as non-judgmental as possible.
If your kids feel they won't be judged when they talk to you they'll have no reason to hold back. Have a sense of curiosity and wonder about what they're saying, and limit the lectures about what's right or wrong.

5. Use open-ended questions.
Questions that begin with "why" tend to create defensiveness, and yes or no questions won't get you much of a response. Learn to use questions that will stimulate conversation. "What did you notice about that picture?" works better than, "Did you like that picture?"

6. Use the car as a place for conversation.
You've got them and they can't get out! Don't allow video games or other toys to interfere with your opportunity to talk with them.

7. Reflect back what you hear from them.
It's still the best way for your kids to feel heard and the best way to encourage them to expand on the subject.

8. Talk to them while they're coloring, painting, or drawing.
Using these activities to allow your kids to express themselves can have them expressing themselves to you as well. And joining in on the activity yourself can produce an even greater sense of connection and sharing.

9. Provide opportunities for fun and excitement.
Whatever the activity, when your kids are doing something they love to do they'll want to share it with you. Provide these for your kids and listen to them talk about it afterward!

10. Be a parent, but be a friend as well.
While you must be a parent first, being a friend to your kids will help them to want to share with you. Don't overdo the strict parental stuff.

About the Author: Mark Brandenburg MA, CPCC, coaches busy parents by phone to balance their life and improve their family relationships. For a FR.EE twenty minute sample session by phone; ebooks, courses, articles, and a FR.EE newsletter, go to http://www.markbrandenburg.com.

BATHTUB BUBBLE VOLCANOES
Forget about buying fancy bath toys! Use practical things you already have around the house such as a set of different sizes of funnels. Or find some at the hardware or department store and let the little ones have fun in the bathtub.   First fill the bathtub full of bubblebath and swish the water to make them multiply! Turn a funnel upside down and press down into the bubbles. You will find that bubbles will shoot up through the narrow end of the funnel into the air, coming out the top of the funnel like a volcano! This sounds like a fun activity for dads to introduce to the children. Think of it as a great bonding time! It just might get a little rowdy in the bathroom, Moms!

WHEN WE DON'T UNDERSTAND
By Sharon Jaynes - [email protected], Copyright 2008 - Used by permission

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."--Jeremiah 29:11, NIV

My son, Steven, was four years old when he contracted a severe case of the flu. He looked up at me with hollow eyes and slumped like a rag doll in my lap. When I took my limp little one to the doctor, he quickly surmised that Steven was dehydrated and needed to be admitted into the hospital immediately.

My heart broke as nurses strapped my baby boy onto a table and began to place IVs into his tiny arms. "Mommy, Mommy, help me," he cried. "They're hurting me! Make them stop!"

"No, honey," I tried to reassure him with tears that matched his own. "They're not trying to hurt you. They are going to make you all better."

He cried. I cried. The nurses cried.

Standing there, I could only imagine what was going through Steven's little mind: Why are these people hurting me? Why doesn't Mommy make them stop? She must not love me. She's not protecting me. If she loved me, she wouldn't let this happen. She must not care about me.

Then I had an extraordinary moment with God as He began to give me a glimpse into how He feels when I am going through a painful time that is for my benefit, but I can't understand. I cry out, "I thought you loved me? Why have you deserted me? Why don't You make it stop?" But God allows the painful remedy to do its work. To me it may feel like God doesn't care, but to God, He knows that the temporary pain is necessary to make me whole.

If you are going through a difficult time right now - a circumstance that you don't understand - know that your Heavenly Father is right by your side. He loves you dearly and sometimes allows pain because it is the best remedy for our ultimate good.

Sharon's Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I am so glad that You will never leave me. I'll admit that sometimes I whine, even cry, because I don't understand why You allow certain things to happen in my life. But I know that You are Sovereign and nothing happens by chance in the life of your children. You are shaping and molding me into the woman that You desire me to be. I trust You and Your ways even when I don't understand.  -- In Jesus' Name, Amen.

GOD'S YELLOW PAGES
Thanks to Angie Walker in Pennsylvania for sending this great reference! Just click here for God's answer to your problems: God's Yellow Pages http://web2.airmail.net/dpelc/yellow/

FRAGRANT RECIPES FOR THE HOME
Creative Home Arts Club - www.creativehomeartsclub.com/Articles/Article.aspx?id=105116
Here's a fragrant potpourri recipe for every season!

Spring Citrus: Lemon-scented geranium leaves, lemon verbena leaves, mimosa flowers, myrtle leaves, grated peel of two lemons, orris root powder, citronella oil, rose oil, geranium oil.

Summer Rose: Dried rose petals, dried marjoram, dried lavender, pepper berries, crushed dried orange peel, orris root powder, rose oil, lavender oil.

Spicy Autumn: Dried apple slices, rose hips, star anise, cloves, juniper berries, sweet gum balls and bark, pine needles, red peppers, cinnamon sticks, oak moss, assorted seed balls and pods, allspice oil.

Woody Winter: Cedar twigs, cedar bark shavings, sandalwood shavings, orris root powder, cedarwood oil, sandalwood oil.

HOUSEHOLD TIPS
Fresh Smelling Moth Repellant ~ Make to use in your own home and also give as gifts. If your grocery store doesn't have all these herbs, try your health food store.
1 cup cedar shavings (found in the pet department)
1/2 cup each of lavender blossoms, tansy blossoms, and minced lemon peel
1/4 cup each peppermint, pennyroyal, orris root and whole cloves
10 broken bay leaves as well as broken cinnamon and peppercorns
Stir well and add 5 drops cedar oil, 4 drops lavender oil and 3 drops lemon oil.
Cover tightly for two weeks, package in small wool or flannel bags, and tie with ribbon.

Unwrapping Bars of Soap ~ Linda Bahn in Pennsylvania reminded me of this tip worth mentioning again. Unwrap bars of soap and store them in the linen closet in an open container or in your drawers for a fresh smell. This dries out the bars of soap, makes them harder and the bars last longer. A good way to stretch those dollars!

Make Tax Rebate Checks Go Farther ~ Take advantage of additional store offers such as Kroger (an additional 5% return of your dollar if money is spent on a Kroger card). Check stores for details. Other stores have limited time offers. We recently bought a mattress on sale at half off and received an additional $150 off, due to the tax rebate checks, whether or not we used our rebate or not. Look around for special offers to stretch your refund check to the max.

Securing Aluminum Foil and Plastic Wrap ~ Linda Crosby in Virginia shared how to do this. On both ends of boxes of aluminum foil and plastic wrap, there are tabs to press in to keep the tube from falling to the floor when you pull on the roll. It might say, "Press here to lock end." Great tip to know!

Quick Fix for Burns ~ I keep Melaleuca tea tree oil handy in a kitchen cabinet, in case of burns. It's the best thing I've found for burns. If a little is applied to a burn right away, it takes out the sting and most times it will prevent blistering or even a red spot. I have often used it and quickly forgotten about a burned finger. It works well with children's cuts and scrapes as well. You can find tea tree oil in health food or drug stores if you don't know a Melaleuca distributor, though I can get you in contact with one in SW Virginia, if you'd like.

Under-the-Bed Storage ~ Make use of the "free space" under beds, by storing things in "Under-the Bed" storage containers. If they won't quite fit under a bed, elevate the bed with four small blocks of wood, maybe 1 3/4 inches. My husband custom made four blocks for me with a little hole drilled in the top of each block to fit the furniture glide (little round button) into the hole to keep the bed from moving off the blocks. We might as well make use of that free space!

Keep a Record of Items Stored under the beds and elsewhere. I simply drew a diagram with rectangles for each storage container and listed the items in each container. Keep the diagrams in a specific location where you will remember! It's helpful to have one copy kept near the storage items and another copy filed in an organizational notebook or file.

Sweet Smelling Sneakers ~ Wad up newspaper pages and stick them inside smelly tennis shoes and leave in overnight to absorb odors. Teach your children to do this themselves.

Grill Cleaning ~ After using your grill, allow it to cool down a bit. Wet newspapers thoroughly (athickness of about 10 pages) and close the lid to the grill. Leave newspapers inside overnight. In the morning, the grill will be easy to wipe clean. ~ Ruth Ann Assaid in Virginia

HUMMINGBIRDS
Thanks to Laura Moyer in Pennsylvania for sending this great information!

Birth of a Hummingbird
This - Click Here - is truly amazing. Be sure to click on next page at the bottom of each page of pictures; there are 5 pages in all. A lady found a hummingbird nest and got pictures all the way from the egg to leaving the nest. It took 24 days from birth to flight. Because youll probably never in your lifetime see this again, enjoy; and please share. Click Here

Here are a couple of humming bird feeders that you can make:

One from a pretty hanging bottle   Click Here
and one thats not as pretty, but seems more practical-from a soda bottle   Click Here

A recipe for Hummingbird Nectar:

Mix 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. Boil the water first, then measure and add sugar, at the rate of 1/4 cup of sugar to 1 cup of water. Let cool and store excess in refrigerator until ready to use. Do not add food coloring, honey (which ferments), or artificial sweetener, which has no nutritional value. You will need to clean your feeder every few days, with hot water and a mild (10%) bleach solution to inhibit mold. Rinse thoroughly before refilling with water syrup

(You can also use this same recipe to make Oriole nectar simply by substituting 1 part water / 6 parts sugar).

More Beautiful Birds ~ Anytime you have a yearning to look at some awe inspiring photography and learn about the birds that you see, pay a visit to 10,000 birds. Its amazing!

KIDS' CRAFTS
Paper Plate Flower Craft A simple flower to make with a lot of cutting practice.
Duck Paper Plate Craft Trace your hand to create a duck.
Recycled Sea Life Creatures Make an octopus, squid and a sea anemone from recycled cardboard tubes.

GRANOLA POPS AND GRANOLA BARS
1/2 cup honey                   3 cups oatmeal, uncooked
1 cup sucanat                     1 1/2 cups dried fruit, seeds, unsweetened coconut, and nuts
1/2 cup melted butter       3/4 sweetened carob chips
2 tsp. vanilla flavoring       Large pretzel rods (Use for the sticks)

        Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl mix honey, sucanat, butter and vanilla. Gradually stir in the remaining ingredients, expect the pretzels. The mixture needs to be sticky enough to mold around the pretzel sticks.
        Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper. Using 1/2 cup of the sticky granola mixture, shape into a long log and wrap around a large pretzel rod. The shape doesn't matter so much now, because you will reshape after baking. Place the granola sticks on a baking sheet, allowing plenty of room between. Bake at 350 degrees for 14 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven and quickly remold the granola around the pretzel sticks with two table knives. As the granola mixture cools it will harden on the stick.

To Make Granola Bars ~ Spray a 9 x13" baking dish. Firmly press the granola mixture into the pan. Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until golden brown. Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting with a sharp knife.   Double the recipe and spread in a large bar pan for a healthy snack.

A LETTER HOME FROM SCOUT CAMP
Author unknown ~ As heard on Insight for Living ~ read by Chuck Swindoll

Dear Mom and Dad,

        Our Scout Master told us to write home to our parents in case you saw the flood on television and are worried. We are okay. Only one of our tents and two sleeping bags got washed away. Luckily none of us got drowned, because we were all up in the mountains looking for Chad when it happened. Oh, yes! Please call Chad's mom and tell her that he's okay. He can't write because of the cast.  I got to ride in one of the Search and Rescue jeeps. It was neat! We never would have found him in the dark if it hadn't been for the lightening. Our Scout Master, Walt, got really mad at Chad for going on a hike alone without telling anyone. Chad said he did tell him, but it was probably during the fire, so he probably didn't hear him.   Did you know that if you put gas on a fire the gas can will blow up? The wet wood did not burn, but one of the tents did. David is going to look weird until his hair grows back!
        Now we'll all be home on Saturday, if Scout Master Walt, gets the car fixed. It wasn't his fault about the wreck. The brakes worked okay when we left. Scout Master Walt said that with a car that old, you have to expect something to break down. That's probably why he can't get any insurance. We think it's a neat car! He doesn't care if we get it dirty and sometimes when it's hot, he lets us ride on the fenders. We just take turns. But it gets pretty hot with ten people in a car! He let us take turns riding in the trailer until the Highway Patrolman stopped and talked to us. Scout Master Walt is a neat guy! In fact, he's teaching Terry how to drive on the mountain roads where there isn't any traffic. Did you know that you don't need guardrails on roads that don't have much traffic? All we ever see up there are logging trucks.
        This morning all the guys were diving off the rocks and swimming out in the lake. Scout Master Walt wouldn't let me, cause I can't swim, and Chad was afraid he'd sink because of that big cast, so he let us take the canoe across the lake together. It was so great! You can still see some of the trees under the water from the flood. Scout Master Walt isn't crabby like some scout masters. He didn't even get mad about our losing the life jackets.  He has to spend a lot of time working on the old car, so we're trying not to cause him any trouble.
        Guess what? We have all passed the test for our First Aid merit badges. When Dave dove into the lake and cut his arm, we got to see how a tourniquet works. Wade and I threw up, but Scout Master Walt said it was probably food poisoning from the leftovers from the old chicken. He said they used to get sick that way from the food they ate in prison.   I'm glad he got out, because he became our scout master! He said he sure figured out how to get things done better while he was doing time. I have to go now. We're going to town to mail letters and buy bullets. Don't worry about anything! We're all fine!

Love, Cole

Note from Lois: Regardless of this wild and hilarious letter written home about camp, there are many wonderful camps that treat your children and grandchildren as the treasures that they are, as well as teach biblical principles! If you live in or near Southwestern Virginia, you may want to check out Camp Eagle where our own children enjoyed spending a week when it was a bit more primitive. See a video about the current activities offered - www.camp-eagle.org

HOW TO SURVIVE BABY BOOT CAMP
When you bring your baby home from the hospital, the rigors of basic training begin.
Read this article by Rebecca Ingram Powell: http://www.family.org/parenting/A000000457.cfm
She is a wife, mother of three, and the author of Baby Boot Camp: Basic Training for the First Six Weeks of Motherhood. You can visit her website at http://www.rebeccapowell.com

KIDS' QUOTES
Ladies, thanks so much for sending me your cute kids' quotes to share in Heart to Heart!!

During a recent visit with our daughter and her family, our son-in-law, Aaron, was saying a heart felt grace. When the prayer went on too long to suit the hunger pangs of our two year old grandson, Austin tried to conclude his daddy's prayer with his own loud, "Amen!" A few days before the prayer incident, Aaron was explaining something at length to Austin. Finally Austin said tiredly, "Amen, Daddy, Amen." ~ Linda Bahn in Pennsylvania

I always enjoy your newsletters! I thought the article on a happy heart was very interesting, because when our son was about 2 (he's almost 14 now) he had a real problem with anger when told to do something or not do something. So I told him that his face wasn't happy because his heart wasn't happy. Everytime this would happen I would tell him to sit on his bed, calm down, think about what he had done or hadn't done, talk to Jesus about it, ask for forgiveness or do what he needed to do and that I was waiting to see a Happy Face which meant a Happy Heart. He understood this so well that one day when he was only about 3 years old, he had been on his bed for a long time and I called him to come to lunch, and he said, "I'm not ready yet to have a happy face and a happy heart!"   So I let him sit there until he was ready. This is the best thing that worked with our strong willed boy, because he learned to control himself and let God work in his life. ~ Robyn Armijo in Chile, South America

Thought I would pass on a quote that our 3 year old Jacqueline just said. Remember as you read this that she loves to drink milk and here in Chile, SA, we put chocolate or strawberry flavor in the milk, but I try to have her drink white milk as often as possible. We were praying just a couple of nights ago and she prayed for everyone in our immediate and extended family when she got to Uncle Alonzo (who is African/American) she asked, "Mommy, is he pink or chocolate? She then preceded to tell me what color all of the other family members are, most being white (the South American relatives) or pink ( my very pale North American relatives).  ~ Robyn Armijo in Chile, South America

I wanted to tell you about a sweet prayer from Daniel, my 5 year old grandson. "Jesus," he prayed, "thank you for giving us this earth to walk on." ~ Madeline Trotman in Virginia

My sister, a huge Ohio State University football fan, has been teaching my two children to say "Go Bucks" since they were born. The other day, I was making Buckeyes (the candy) and my 4 1/2 year old daughter was watching.   Among other questions, she asked at least 3 times what the name of the candy was that I was making and I told her "Buckeyes." She then trapsed off to play. About 5 minutes later, she came back and asked, "Mommy, are you still making Go Bucks?" I guess my sister's training has started to sink in! ~ Teresa Byrum - Cincinnati, OH

Our five year old grandson, Justin, is so excited about going to the beach with "His Family" (the whole gang) again this summer, as he refers to us all ,pertaining to our week at the beach. He calls the house we rent, "The Party House!" He came up with these titles completely on his own when he was three, and it's stuck with him! ~ Lois

JOYOUS BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ryan Jeremiah Spencer was born on April 8, 2008. He is the second son of Tim and Lauren Spencer, living in Maryland, and the grandson of Bob and Elaine Spencer in Virginia.

Natalia Sara Pludowski was born on May 19, 2008. She is the daughter of Konrad and Dorota Pludowski, and the second granddaughter of Czeslaw and Helena Bassara, all serving as missionaries in Poland, reaching boys and girls for Christ through Child Evangelism Fellowship.

YOU ARE FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE

Be sure to watch this video all the way through to hear this amazing scientic fact about a protein molecule in our bodies! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e4zgJXPpI4

Thanks to Becky Noell in Georgia for sending this, by way of her brother, Phil Humphries, a pastor in Texas.

Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the

morning, Satan shudders and says..."Oh no....she's awake!!"

Thanks to Annamarie Kresge in Virginia for sending this great quote!

Please remember to pray for each dear Heart to Heart lady as you receive your newsletter.
             Many ladies are going through very tough times and need our prayers!
             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,

"Heart to Heart"                                                                             Lois

The purpose of the Heart to Heart Newsletter is to encourage women and build biblical values into daily living through practical creative ideas for the Christian family regarding marriage, children, homemaking, and much more. 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 [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

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5/21/08 In Honor of Fathers, God's Yellow Pages, Fragrance, Letter from Camp

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IN THIS ISSUE:

SAVING GAS SENSIBLY
MAN, OH MAN

I WAS A WORKAHOLIC

SHOW HUSBANDS AND FATHERS HOW MUCH YOU CARE

10 WAYS TO GET YOUR KIDS TO TALK TO YOU

BATHTUB BUBBLE VOLCANOES
WHEN WE DON'T UNDERSTAND
GOD'S YELLOW PAGES
FRAGRANT RECIPES FOR THE HOME
HOUSEHOLD TIPS
HUMMINGBIRDS
GRANOLA POPS AND GRANOLA BARS
A LETTER HOME FROM SCOUT CAMP
HOW TO SURVIVE BABY BOOT CAMP
KIDS' QUOTES
JOYOUS BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS
YOU ARE FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE

SAVING GAS SENSIBLY
By Shaunna Privratsky - The Discount Diva - http://shaunna67.tripod.com/id21.html

Used by permission

It is getting more and more painful to pay the soaring gas prices at the pump. With the summer travel season right around the corner, and record high increases on the horizon, we need to stretch our gas money as far as it will go.

Most of us rely on vehicles in our daily lives, whether it is transportation to and from work, school, to grocery stores and appointments. Short of throwing away our keys forever, there are many ways we can stretch our gas dollars.

        Drive slower. Most vehicles optimum operating speed on highways is 55 mph. For each 5mph of increased speed, you use up another gallon of gas. In North Dakota, the average posted speed limit on highways is 70mph. By reducing your speed to 60mph you will save two gallons for an hour-long trip.
        Set your clocks ahead ten minutes. Then you will not be rushing or trying to make lights in your mad dash. Sudden stops and starts decrease your gas mileage and add wear and tear on your brakes, not to mention your nerves.
        Try a mix of fuel with ethanol added. It is cheaper and burns cleaner. Check your owners manual to make sure this is okay for your vehicle.

Unless you are a racecar driver, never pay extra for premium grade gas. A few cents per gallon adds up tremendously when you consider that we are paying, on the average, double what we were paying a few short months ago.

Watch for price wars and discount coupons. Again, saving a few cents on the gallon keeps more money in your pocket.

Group or limit your errands. I try to do all my shopping once a week. I saved an entire tank of gas last month! I also tend to buy less overall than with many small trips.

        Fill your tank before it gets on the E. Most newer vehicles have a light or sound indicator when it is getting close, but a good rule of thumb is to fill it when it reaches an eighth. If the amount of fuel goes too low, sediments get into the gas line and can lower your gas mileage.
        Carpool whenever possible. Think beyond just work carpools; you could also trade off with your neighbor when taking the kids to school, sporting events and practices, after school activities, weekly bowling night, etc. It makes the trips more economical and more fun for everyone.
        Small, motorized scooters are a very cheap form of transportation. On the average they get 50-70mpg. Each city may have different laws about safety issues and where you can drive them.

Ditch gas altogether and dust off your bike. For short trips in nice weather, bicycles are a great way to get there fast and burn off some calories at the same time. Follow all traffic rules for maximum safety.

Use public transportation. Most cities offer free rides to students and free or reduced rates for seniors or those with disabilities. Call up your local bus station for routes, times and fees and you will save a bundle.

These tips will keep you on the road without breaking your budget. Consider your

transportation needs and adjust your habits accordingly. Soon you will be saving gas sensibly.

Note from Lois: Keep a tire gauge handy and check the air pressure in your tires on a regular basis for better gas mileage. Check your manual for your vehicle's best air pressure.

MAN, OH MAN
Moments with You by Dennis and Barbara Rainey
Copyright ® 2008 FLTI, dba FamilyLife. All rights reserved - Used by permission

The man said, This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, for she was taken out of man.
Genesis 2:23 NIV

Im telling youmen just have it easier. Here are some examples someone sent me. When youre a man . . .

Your last name stays put.
The garage is all yours.
Wedding plans take care of themselves.
You can never be pregnant.
Wrinkles add character.
The occasional well-rendered belch is practically expected.
Youve got one mood all the time. Usually.
Phone conversations are over in thirty seconds flat.
A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase.
You can open all your own jars.
You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness. Usually.
If someone forgets to invite you somewhere, he can still be your friend.
Your underwear is $8.95for a three-pack!
The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades.
You only have to shave your face and neck.
You can play with toys all your life.
One wallet and one pair of shoesone color for all seasons.
You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look.
You can do your nails with a pocket knife

See what I mean? So the next time your wife seems too complicated for you, be patient with her. You didnt marry a man. You married her because she is different.

Realize that her life comes with a lot of stuff you dont have to put up with. Take the time to genuinely listen and understand because God created her as a gift for you.

Discuss: If your wife is not hitting you in the arm too hard right now, take a few minutes to talk about your differences. Promise youll try to do a better job of understanding and appreciating those differences.

Pray: Take your wife by the hand and give God thanks for providing her with all her uniqueness.

I WAS A WORKAHOLIC

By Bill Eyster - http://www.familylife.com - Used by permission from Family Life Today

As I tucked my 11-year-old daughter into bed she looked up at me with those big brown eyes and asked, Where were you this week, Daddy? With a bit of confusion I replied, I wasnt gone, Ive been here all week. She innocently blinked those long eyelashes of hers and inquired, Well, why didnt I ever see you?

I have to tell you that this shot was harder than any I had taken playing football in high school and college. My absence from our home had become so normative that it wasnt even a topic of discussion the entire week. My wife, must have been avoiding the conversation with our children so that they would not wonder why my work responsibilities seemed more important than they were.

As I tried to recover from this gut shot delivered by my 11-year-old angel, I attempted to make sense of what she just said. Yes, my wife and others had tried to talk to me about the number of hours I was working, but I wasnt buying what they were selling. Yet, there in the darkness of my little girls room, surrounded by walls covered with horses, looking into her puzzled eyes, I could see she was beginning to wonder just who I was and what I was all about.

At that moment, I was wondering the same thing. How did I let work become the most important thing in my life?

Rationalization and justification

It started with going into the office early. I told myself that I was a morning person and after all, the early bird gets the worm. As my career took off, these mornings started earlier and earlier. I rationalized that it was okay to arrive at work at 4:30 a.m. because I was still making it home at a decent hour at night.

But then my responsibilities continued to growI was making myself downright indispensable! Instead of getting home by dinner, I started making it my goal to return before the kids went to bed. In retrospect, I dont know why I bothered; after getting up at 3:30 a.m. and working until 7 at night, I was of little use as a dad and a husband. While my dear wife would cry with frustration that there was nothing left for us I would justify my actions because I was providing for my family.

One thing is certain in corporate America: If you perform, it will take all you can give. This performance-based behavior is accepted, encouraged, and celebrated by companies everywhere. Without proper boundaries, and if things are not kept in proper perspective they can lead you to the place where I was that Friday evening staring into my daughters beautiful brown eyes.

This was a real wake-up call for me. So I began a process to understand why. Why was I an absent dad? Why was I choosing work over my family?

Sure, the money was good, but that was not why I was so drivenstuff had never been important to me or to my wife.

It took much prayer and wise counsel, but over time God revealed my heart to me: I was a workaholic. A workaholic driven by a nagging desire to achieve, to perform, to prove myself important. It was selfishness, and at its root was pride.

Action steps

If you can relate to my situationif you feel your priorities are misplaced as I founddont wait for the gut shot. Do something about it.

Here are some of the steps I took to address my workaholism:

1. Pray. Take time in prayer and close personal examination. Be carefullike me you may have the gift of justifying and rationalizing, which ultimately leads to compromising what is truly important your family. Ask God to reveal the root issues in your heart. Ask that He remove the hardness from your heart so that you can be shaped and molded in this area of your life.

If you dont already, pray with your spouse. There is no better way to connect as a couple and create closeness. In my case, my wife was wounded by my misplaced priorities. She needed to know that I loved her, that we were connected, and that I was committed to her.

While praying, thank God for your wife, for the good and perfect gift that she is, and ask Him to make you the kind of husband that she needs and deserves.

2. Join a small-group Bible study for couples. Find couples who want to live an authentic Christian life. My wife and I were involved in small groups with six other couples and that was one of the most loving, meaningful, and enriching times in our lives. We laughed together, we cried together, we challenged each other, and we learned from each other. Most important, we lived life together. To this day, these continue to be the most meaningful and deep relationships we have outside of our family.

3. Set boundaries. Talk with your spouse and make a commitment to him or her on the specific actions that you will take to keep those boundaries. I even gave my wife a written guarantee that outlined the specific actions that I was going to take.

4. Start a regular date night. Dont make this hard and complicated. Find a way to carve out some time with your spouse.

We had a date night every Friday night, but we didnt always go out. I was in charge of bringing home take-out from a local restaurant, and she gave the kids frozen pizza and rented a movie for them to watch (which they loved). Then we sat down to dinner by candlelight and talked about life. My wife will tell you that as simple as this sounds, it was a lifeline for her. She would hold onto the knowledge that even when I was unavailable during the week, she could count on my commitment to these times we had together. Be careful; this is not an end all, fix all. But it was a very effective action that helped us weather a difficult season.

5. Write it down. It is amazing how clear your thinking can become when you force yourself to write down your thoughts and what actions you are committed to taking. I find this as a good litmus test for rational thinking.

6. Understand reality. One of the things that I did when writing down my thoughts was to create a table with the calendar years in columns across the top and each of my childrens names in rows on the left. I then put their ages under each calendar year and considered how much time we had left to truly influence our children. Someone has said, Parenting is an illusion of permanence. A table like this reveals the stark reality of that statement.

7. Create dad times. While I was absent a lot, I tried to compensate by being intentional when I was with my kids. One really effective action was going on father/daughter and father/son weekends every yearno matter what! We started going to a great Christian camp in Texas called Pine Cove; these fun-filled, purposeful times with my son and daughter have been extremely meaningful to us and are highly anticipated each year. We talk about them for months in advance and recount memories for months afterwards.

8. Create accountability. Find a trusted friend and confide the struggle you are having and the commitment you have made. Ask this friend to keep you accountable.

I continue my battle with workaholism daily. But I figure God still knows how to snap me out of itthats why He gave my daughter those big, beautiful brown eyes.

Bill Eyster is FamilyLife's executive vice president and chief operating officer. He and his wife, Tracey, have been married for over 20 years and have two children. For over a decade Bill served marriages and families through his local church while enjoying a successful 22-year career with a Fortune 500 company. But upon God's "halftime" call he exited corporate America to pursue "significance" through his position at FamilyLife.

SHOW HUSBANDS AND FATHERS HOW MUCH YOU CARE
Father's Day is June 15. Share your heartfelt thoughts and appreciation with the special men in your lives - your father, your husband, and sons who are fathers. Have fun by writing an e-mail letter, using some of these symbols:
J B : $ U & J . + 1 Q ( J

10 WAYS TO GET YOUR KIDS TO TALK TO YOU

By Mark Brandenburg MA, CPCC - http://www.markbrandenburg.com - Used by permission

Parents can often be frustrated by their kids' unwillingness to share their lives with them. Whether your kids are toddlers or teens, there will be times when it's difficult to "break through" and find out what's really going on. Here are ten ideas on how to create opportunities for your kids to open up and share their lives with you.

1. Don't try so hard to get them to talk.
The harder you try to get them to talk, the more they'll resist you. When you relax the pressure a bit, they'll sense it and be more ready to talk to you.

2. Slow down your own life and be available.
Kids have a keen sense of how busy you are. If you're providing enough down time for you and your kids, they'll be more likely to feel comfortable talking to you.

3. Engage in a physical activity that they enjoy.
Shooting baskets, playing soccer, or a game of catch may have your child chattering away. Moving the body can serve to move the mouth as well!

4. Be as non-judgmental as possible.
If your kids feel they won't be judged when they talk to you they'll have no reason to hold back. Have a sense of curiosity and wonder about what they're saying, and limit the lectures about what's right or wrong.

5. Use open-ended questions.
Questions that begin with "why" tend to create defensiveness, and yes or no questions won't get you much of a response. Learn to use questions that will stimulate conversation. "What did you notice about that picture?" works better than, "Did you like that picture?"

6. Use the car as a place for conversation.
You've got them and they can't get out! Don't allow video games or other toys to interfere with your opportunity to talk with them.

7. Reflect back what you hear from them.
It's still the best way for your kids to feel heard and the best way to encourage them to expand on the subject.

8. Talk to them while they're coloring, painting, or drawing.
Using these activities to allow your kids to express themselves can have them expressing themselves to you as well. And joining in on the activity yourself can produce an even greater sense of connection and sharing.

9. Provide opportunities for fun and excitement.
Whatever the activity, when your kids are doing something they love to do they'll want to share it with you. Provide these for your kids and listen to them talk about it afterward!

10. Be a parent, but be a friend as well.
While you must be a parent first, being a friend to your kids will help them to want to share with you. Don't overdo the strict parental stuff.

About the Author: Mark Brandenburg MA, CPCC, coaches busy parents by phone to balance their life and improve their family relationships. For a FR.EE twenty minute sample session by phone; ebooks, courses, articles, and a FR.EE newsletter, go to http://www.markbrandenburg.com.

BATHTUB BUBBLE VOLCANOES
Forget about buying fancy bath toys! Use practical things you already have around the house such as a set of different sizes of funnels. Or find some at the hardware or department store and let the little ones have fun in the bathtub. First fill the bathtub full of bubblebath and swish the water to make them multiply! Turn a funnel upside down and press down into the bubbles. You will find that bubbles will shoot up through the narrow end of the funnel into the air, coming out the top of the funnel like a volcano! This sounds like a fun activity for dads to introduce to the children. Think of it as a great bonding time! It just might get a little rowdy in the bathroom, Moms!

WHEN WE DON'T UNDERSTAND
By Sharon Jaynes - [email protected], Copyright 2008 - Used by permission

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."--Jeremiah 29:11, NIV

My son, Steven, was four years old when he contracted a severe case of the flu. He looked up at me with hollow eyes and slumped like a rag doll in my lap. When I took my limp little one to the doctor, he quickly surmised that Steven was dehydrated and needed to be admitted into the hospital immediately.

My heart broke as nurses strapped my baby boy onto a table and began to place IVs into his tiny arms. "Mommy, Mommy, help me," he cried. "They're hurting me! Make them stop!"

"No, honey," I tried to reassure him with tears that matched his own. "They're not trying to hurt you. They are going to make you all better."

He cried. I cried. The nurses cried.

Standing there, I could only imagine what was going through Steven's little mind: Why are these people hurting me? Why doesn't Mommy make them stop? She must not love me. She's not protecting me. If she loved me, she wouldn't let this happen. She must not care about me.

Then I had an extraordinary moment with God as He began to give me a glimpse into how He feels when I am going through a painful time that is for my benefit, but I can't understand. I cry out, "I thought you loved me? Why have you deserted me? Why don't You make it stop?" But God allows the painful remedy to do its work. To me it may feel like God doesn't care, but to God, He knows that the temporary pain is necessary to make me whole.

If you are going through a difficult time right now - a circumstance that you don't understand - know that your Heavenly Father is right by your side. He loves you dearly and sometimes allows pain because it is the best remedy for our ultimate good.

Sharon's Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I am so glad that You will never leave me. I'll admit that sometimes I whine, even cry, because I don't understand why You allow certain things to happen in my life. But I know that You are Sovereign and nothing happens by chance in the life of your children. You are shaping and molding me into the woman that You desire me to be. I trust You and Your ways even when I don't understand. -- In Jesus' Name, Amen.

GOD'S YELLOW PAGES
Thanks to Angie Walker in Pennsylvania for sending this great reference! Just click here for God's answer to your problems: God's Yellow Pages http://web2.airmail.net/dpelc/yellow/

FRAGRANT RECIPES FOR THE HOME
Creative Home Arts Club - http://www.creativehomeartsclub.com/Articles/Article.aspx?id=105116
Here's a fragrant potpourri recipe for every season!

Spring Citrus: Lemon-scented geranium leaves, lemon verbena leaves, mimosa flowers, myrtle leaves, grated peel of two lemons, orris root powder, citronella oil, rose oil, geranium oil.

Summer Rose: Dried rose petals, dried marjoram, dried lavender, pepper berries, crushed dried orange peel, orris root powder, rose oil, lavender oil.

Spicy Autumn: Dried apple slices, rose hips, star anise, cloves, juniper berries, sweet gum balls and bark, pine needles, red peppers, cinnamon sticks, oak moss, assorted seed balls and pods, allspice oil.

Woody Winter: Cedar twigs, cedar bark shavings, sandalwood shavings, orris root powder, cedarwood oil, sandalwood oil.

HOUSEHOLD TIPS
Fresh Smelling Moth Repellant ~ Make to use in your own home and also give as gifts. If your grocery store doesn't have all these herbs, try your health food store.
1 cup cedar shavings (found in the pet department)
1/2 cup each of lavender blossoms, tansy blossoms, and minced lemon peel
1/4 cup each peppermint, pennyroyal, orris root and whole cloves
10 broken bay leaves as well as broken cinnamon and peppercorns
Stir well and add 5 drops cedar oil, 4 drops lavender oil and 3 drops lemon oil.
Cover tightly for two weeks, package in small wool or flannel bags, and tie with ribbon.

Unwrapping Bars of Soap ~ Linda Bahn in Pennsylvania reminded me of this tip worth mentioning again. Unwrap bars of soap and store them in the linen closet in an open container or in your drawers for a fresh smell. This dries out the bars of soap, makes them harder and the bars last longer. A good way to stretch those dollars!

Make Tax Rebate Checks Go Farther ~ Take advantage of additional store offers such as Kroger (an additional 5% return of your dollar if money is spent on a Kroger card). Check stores for details. Other stores have limited time offers. We recently bought a mattress on sale at half off and received an additional $150 off, due to the tax rebate checks, whether or not we used our rebate or not. Look around for special offers to stretch your refund check to the max.

Securing Aluminum Foil and Plastic Wrap ~ Linda Crosby in Virginia shared how to do this. On both ends of boxes of aluminum foil and plastic wrap, there are tabs to press in to keep the tube from falling to the floor when you pull on the roll. It might say, "Press here to lock end." Great tip to know!

Quick Fix for Burns ~ I keep Melaleuca tea tree oil handy in a kitchen cabinet, in case of burns. It's the best thing I've found for burns. If a little is applied to a burn right away, it takes out the sting and most times it will prevent blistering or even a red spot. I have often used it and quickly forgotten about a burned finger. It works well with children's cuts and scrapes as well. You can find tea tree oil in health food or drug stores if you don't know a Melaleuca distributor, though I can get you in contact with one in SW Virginia, if you'd like.

Under-the-Bed Storage ~ Make use of the "free space" under beds, by storing things in "Under-the Bed" storage containers. If they won't quite fit under a bed, elevate the bed with four small blocks of wood, maybe 1 3/4 inches. My husband custom made four blocks for me with a little hole drilled in the top of each block to fit the furniture glide (little round button) into the hole to keep the bed from moving off the blocks. We might as well make use of that free space!

Keep a Record of Items Stored under the beds and elsewhere. I simply drew a diagram with rectangles for each storage container and listed the items in each container. Keep the diagrams in a specific location where you will remember! It's helpful to have one copy kept near the storage items and another copy filed in an organizational notebook or file.

Sweet Smelling Sneakers ~ Wad up newspaper pages and stick them inside smelly tennis shoes and leave in overnight to absorb odors. Teach your children to do this themselves.

Grill Cleaning ~ After using your grill, allow it to cool down a bit. Wet newspapers thoroughly (athickness of about 10 pages) and close the lid to the grill. Leave newspapers inside overnight. In the morning, the grill will be easy to wipe clean. ~ Ruth Ann Assaid in Virginia

HUMMINGBIRDS
Thanks to Laura Moyer in Pennsylvania for sending this great information!

Birth of a Hummingbird
This - Click Here - is truly amazing. Be sure to click on next page at the bottom of each page of pictures; there are 5 pages in all. A lady found a hummingbird nest and got pictures all the way from the egg to leaving the nest. It took 24 days from birth to flight. Because youll probably never in your lifetime see this again, enjoy; and please share. Click Here

Here are a couple of humming bird feeders that you can make:

One from a pretty hanging bottle Click Here
and one thats not as pretty, but seems more practical-from a soda bottle Click Here

A recipe for Hummingbird Nectar:

Mix 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. Boil the water first, then measure and add sugar, at the rate of 1/4 cup of sugar to 1 cup of water. Let cool and store excess in refrigerator until ready to use. Do not add food coloring, honey (which ferments), or artificial sweetener, which has no nutritional value. You will need to clean your feeder every few days, with hot water and a mild (10%) bleach solution to inhibit mold. Rinse thoroughly before refilling with water syrup

(You can also use this same recipe to make Oriole nectar simply by substituting 1 part water / 6 parts sugar).

More Beautiful Birds ~ Anytime you have a yearning to look at some awe inspiring photography and learn about the birds that you see, pay a visit to 10,000 birds. Its amazing!

KIDS' CRAFTS
Paper Plate Flower Craft A simple flower to make with a lot of cutting practice.
Duck Paper Plate Craft Trace your hand to create a duck.
Recycled Sea Life Creatures Make an octopus, squid and a sea anemone from recycled cardboard tubes.

GRANOLA POPS AND GRANOLA BARS
1/2 cup honey                   3 cups oatmeal, uncooked
1 cup sucanat                     1 1/2 cups dried fruit, seeds, unsweetened coconut, and nuts
1/2 cup melted butter       3/4 sweetened carob chips
2 tsp. vanilla flavoring       Large pretzel rods (Use for the sticks)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl mix honey, sucanat, butter and vanilla. Gradually stir in the remaining ingredients, expect the pretzels. The mixture needs to be sticky enough to mold around the pretzel sticks.
Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper. Using 1/2 cup of the sticky granola mixture, shape into a long log and wrap around a large pretzel rod. The shape doesn't matter so much now, because you will reshape after baking. Place the granola sticks on a baking sheet, allowing plenty of room between. Bake at 350 degrees for 14 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven and quickly remold the granola around the pretzel sticks with two table knives. As the granola mixture cools it will harden on the stick.

To Make Granola Bars ~ Spray a 9 x13" baking dish. Firmly press the granola mixture into the pan. Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until golden brown. Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting with a sharp knife. Double the recipe and spread in a large bar pan for a healthy snack.

A LETTER HOME FROM SCOUT CAMP
Author unknown ~ As heard on Insight for Living ~ read by Chuck Swindoll

Dear Mom and Dad,

        Our Scout Master told us to write home to our parents in case you saw the flood on television and are worried. We are okay. Only one of our tents and two sleeping bags got washed away. Luckily none of us got drowned, because we were all up in the mountains looking for Chad when it happened. Oh, yes! Please call Chad's mom and tell her that he's okay. He can't write because of the cast.  I got to ride in one of the Search and Rescue jeeps. It was neat! We never would have found him in the dark if it hadn't been for the lightening. Our Scout Master, Walt, got really mad at Chad for going on a hike alone without telling anyone. Chad said he did tell him, but it was probably during the fire, so he probably didn't hear him.   Did you know that if you put gas on a fire the gas can will blow up? The wet wood did not burn, but one of the tents did. David is going to look weird until his hair grows back!
        Now we'll all be home on Saturday, if Scout Master Walt, gets the car fixed. It wasn't his fault about the wreck. The brakes worked okay when we left. Scout Master Walt said that with a car that old, you have to expect something to break down. That's probably why he can't get any insurance. We think it's a neat car! He doesn't care if we get it dirty and sometimes when it's hot, he lets us ride on the fenders. We just take turns. But it gets pretty hot with ten people in a car! He let us take turns riding in the trailer until the Highway Patrolman stopped and talked to us. Scout Master Walt is a neat guy! In fact, he's teaching Terry how to drive on the mountain roads where there isn't any traffic. Did you know that you don't need guardrails on roads that don't have much traffic? All we ever see up there are logging trucks.
        This morning all the guys were diving off the rocks and swimming out in the lake. Scout Master Walt wouldn't let me, cause I can't swim, and Chad was afraid he'd sink because of that big cast, so he let us take the canoe across the lake together. It was so great! You can still see some of the trees under the water from the flood. Scout Master Walt isn't crabby like some scout masters. He didn't even get mad about our losing the life jackets.  He has to spend a lot of time working on the old car, so we're trying not to cause him any trouble.
        Guess what? We have all passed the test for our First Aid merit badges. When Dave dove into the lake and cut his arm, we got to see how a tourniquet works. Wade and I threw up, but Scout Master Walt said it was probably food poisoning from the leftovers from the old chicken. He said they used to get sick that way from the food they ate in prison.   I'm glad he got out, because he became our scout master! He said he sure figured out how to get things done better while he was doing time. I have to go now. We're going to town to mail letters and buy bullets. Don't worry about anything! We're all fine!

Love, Cole

Note from Lois: Regardless of this wild and hilarious letter written home about camp, there are many wonderful camps that treat your children and grandchildren as the treasures that they are, as well as teach biblical principles! If you live in or near Southwestern Virginia, you may want to check out Camp Eagle where our own children enjoyed spending a week when it was a bit more primitive. See a video about the current activities offered - http://www.camp-eagle.org

HOW TO SURVIVE BABY BOOT CAMP
When you bring your baby home from the hospital, the rigors of basic training begin.
Read this article by Rebecca Ingram Powell: http://www.family.org/parenting/A000000457.cfm
She is a wife, mother of three, and the author of Baby Boot Camp: Basic Training for the First Six Weeks of Motherhood. You can visit her website at http://www.rebeccapowell.com

KIDS' QUOTES
Ladies, thanks so much for sending me your cute kids' quotes to share in Heart to Heart!!

During a recent visit with our daughter and her family, our son-in-law, Aaron, was saying a heart felt grace. When the prayer went on too long to suit the hunger pangs of our two year old grandson, Austin tried to conclude his daddy's prayer with his own loud, "Amen!" A few days before the prayer incident, Aaron was explaining something at length to Austin. Finally Austin said tiredly, "Amen, Daddy, Amen." ~ Linda Bahn in Pennsylvania

I always enjoy your newsletters! I thought the article on a happy heart was very interesting, because when our son was about 2 (he's almost 14 now) he had a real problem with anger when told to do something or not do something. So I told him that his face wasn't happy because his heart wasn't happy. Everytime this would happen I would tell him to sit on his bed, calm down, think about what he had done or hadn't done, talk to Jesus about it, ask for forgiveness or do what he needed to do and that I was waiting to see a Happy Face which meant a Happy Heart. He understood this so well that one day when he was only about 3 years old, he had been on his bed for a long time and I called him to come to lunch, and he said, "I'm not ready yet to have a happy face and a happy heart!" So I let him sit there until he was ready. This is the best thing that worked with our strong willed boy, because he learned to control himself and let God work in his life. ~ Robyn Armijo in Chile, South America

Thought I would pass on a quote that our 3 year old Jacqueline just said. Remember as you read this that she loves to drink milk and here in Chile, SA, we put chocolate or strawberry flavor in the milk, but I try to have her drink white milk as often as possible. We were praying just a couple of nights ago and she prayed for everyone in our immediate and extended family when she got to Uncle Alonzo (who is African/American) she asked, "Mommy, is he pink or chocolate? She then preceded to tell me what color all of the other family members are, most being white (the South American relatives) or pink ( my very pale North American relatives). ~ Robyn Armijo in Chile, South America

I wanted to tell you about a sweet prayer from Daniel, my 5 year old grandson. "Jesus," he prayed, "thank you for giving us this earth to walk on." ~ Madeline Trotman in Virginia

My sister, a huge Ohio State University football fan, has been teaching my two children to say "Go Bucks" since they were born. The other day, I was making Buckeyes (the candy) and my 4 1/2 year old daughter was watching. Among other questions, she asked at least 3 times what the name of the candy was that I was making and I told her "Buckeyes." She then trapsed off to play. About 5 minutes later, she came back and asked, "Mommy, are you still making Go Bucks?" I guess my sister's training has started to sink in! ~ Teresa Byrum - Cincinnati, OH

Our five year old grandson, Justin, is so excited about going to the beach with "His Family" (the whole gang) again this summer, as he refers to us all ,pertaining to our week at the beach. He calls the house we rent, "The Party House!" He came up with these titles completely on his own when he was three, and it's stuck with him! ~ Lois

JOYOUS BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ryan Jeremiah Spencer was born on April 8, 2008. He is the second son of Tim and Lauren Spencer, living in Maryland, and the grandson of Bob and Elaine Spencer in Virginia.

Natalia Sara Pludowski was born on May 19, 2008. She is the daughter of Konrad and Dorota Pludowski, and the second granddaughter of Czeslaw and Helena Bassara, all serving as missionaries in Poland, reaching boys and girls for Christ through Child Evangelism Fellowship.

YOU ARE FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE

Be sure to watch this video all the way through to hear this amazing scientic fact about a protein molecule in our bodies! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e4zgJXPpI4

Thanks to Becky Noell in Georgia for sending this, by way of her brother, Phil Humphries, a pastor in Texas.

Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the

morning, Satan shudders and says..."Oh no....she's awake!!"

Thanks to Annamarie Kresge in Virginia for sending this great quote!

Please remember to pray for each dear Heart to Heart lady as you receive your newsletter.
Many ladies are going through very tough times and need our prayers!
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,

"Heart to Heart" Lois

The purpose of the Heart to Heart Newsletter is to encourage women and build biblical values into daily living through practical creative ideas for the Christian family regarding marriage, children, homemaking, and much more. 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 [email protected]. New subscribers will receive a Welcome, a "Start-Up Kit," and several recent newsletters.

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