Quote from Forum Archives on August 19, 2008, 8:16 am

Posted by: jhbreneman <jhbreneman@...>

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

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8/20/08 School Days, Overscheduled, Hope, Tips, Birds, Marriage, Recipes, Humor
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Feel free to share this complete newsletter with women and encourage them to e-mail me for a free subscription. Instructions appear at the very end of each newsletter.  Thanks!
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IN THIS ISSUE:
FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN
WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING  
SEVEN TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL YEAR
TEN SUGGESTIONS FOR THE OVERSCHEDULED CHILD
HOPE OF CHRIST IN THE MIDST OF TRAGEDY
MONEY SAVING TIPS
TIDBITS ON CLEAN-UP JOBS
HUMOROUS SCHOOL ILLUSTRATIONS
SUET BIRD FEEDERS
TIPS FOR A MORE ROMANTIC MARRIAGE
SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO SERVE THE ONE YOU LOVE
THANKING THE LORD FOR FORTY YEARS OF MARRIAGE!
JOHN'S STREUSEL COFFEE CAKE
JOHN'S PANCAKE MIX
OVERNIGHT COFFEE CAKE
SCALLOPED CHICKEN AND RICE CASSEROLE
GOOD ENOUGH TO GET INTO HEAVEN?
HOW TO ACCEPT CHRIST
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF RUTH BELL GRAHAM
A NEW PERSPECTIVE
FUN PROJECTS TO DO WITH YOUR CHILDREN AT HOME
HUMOR IN THE FAMILY

 

FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN
A poem for my grandson, Justin, 5 ~ Lois

 

How exciting school days can be!

 

You'll learn to read, write, and say a rhyme,

Paint, run, do math and tell time.

You'll share treasures for "Show and Tell,"

Make lots of friends and learn how to spell.

 

I know you can already do many of these,

And perfecting them, for you, will be a breeze.

Did you know you'll even learn how to drive a car?

But don't get too excited!  That's down the road - very far!

 

Just remember not to grow up too fast;

Enjoy your childhood as long as it will last.

 

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING  
(Written by a former child) -  Author unknown - A message every adult should read, because children are watching us and doing as we do, not as we say.  

         When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one. 

         When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.  

        When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.  
        When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.  

        When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.  
        When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.  
         When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.  

        When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's okay to cry.  
        When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

        When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.  
      When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, "Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking." 

SEVEN TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL YEAR

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Date:	7/13/2006 12:00:00 AM
Author:	Jim Burns, Ph.D.

http://www.homeword.com - Used by permission
(Note from Lois: Bullying is mentioned at the top of this article. Focus on the Family recently featured two broadcasts on this subject - http://www.focusonthefamily.com/search.aspx/search?q=Bullying.  More than sixty results were found for bullying, in doing a search, at .  Make use of this wonderful resource to do other searches on these extensive and valuable websites: www.focusonthefamily.com and http://www.homeword.com .)

Moving into a new school year is a time of stress for all families.  For kids, stress accompanies new classes, new teachers, new friends and new academic challenges. There’s even more stress for kids who are changing schools!  But, there is also stress for parents as we get our kids back into school year routines, and as we help our kids deal with their stress.  As parents, our goal ought to be to intentionally work to keep the stress levels down in our homes.  Lowering the stress levels will not only help your family, but will also do a lot to make sure your kids experience a successful school year.  Here are seven tips to help you along in the process:

 

1. Create a Peaceful Home Environment

Your kids don’t need a perfect home, but to thrive, they need a peaceful one.  Kids are at battle all day long at school. They battle peer pressure, body image, academic pressures, relational issues with peers, and some struggle with being bullied.  They need to come home to a place where they can retreat, drop their battle gear at the door and be in a shelter where they can just be themselves.  Your home ought to be the one place your kids feel truly safe, where they can be loved and known and cared for.  So, even though there will be stress and conflict at home from time to time, do your best not to let the “stuff” of everyday life turn your home into a tense, stressful environment.  Make your home a safe, calm haven of escape from the madness going on in the outside world.  Perhaps this means starting with the noise level in your home.  Turning down the volume of television and music can help.  Try not to overreact to circumstances of home life. Sure, many issues need to be addressed, but when you get angry or frustrated, overreactions are common and family stress levels rise.  Look to cool down before you respond to such situations.  Your family will thank you for it.  When your home is peaceful, chances are, your kids will do better in school.

 

2. Encourage Your Kids to Make Time for God Everyday

In 1 Timothy 4:8, we read, “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”  Encourage your kids to have a daily devotional time each and every day.  Having a daily time with God is a great way for them to refresh their spirit in the presence of God.  Your modeling this discipline can go a long way in setting the example that your kids will follow.  As kids get caught up in all the demands of school and other activities, it’s key for them to understand the truth that “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain” (Psalm 127:1).  Further, consider a regular family devotional time.  Take advantage of opportunities for worship that your church offers.

 

3. Make Physical Needs a Priority

1 Timothy 4:8 is also a good reminder to us that “physical training is of some value.” To keep kids healthy and functioning at their peak, as well as to keep the stress monster at bay, we need to help ensure that they maintain a balanced physical lifestyle.  This means that they need to get regular exercise, plenty of rest (9 to 9.5 hours per night for teens!), and eat a healthy diet!  Making sure that your kids’ physical needs are being met takes a lot of effort, but again, kids tend to do better in school when their bodies are well-cared for.

 

4. Keep the Safety Net Strong

I mean your family, of course.  Within your family, your kids find the important relational connections that will sustain them through the good times, as well as the bad.  Strained or broken family relationships affect other areas of your kids’ lives – like their school performance.  So, take the lead in your family to make sure your relationships become and stay healthy.  Start by evaluating whether or not you are currently “enjoying” or “annoying” your family… then make the changes necessary to strengthen those family ties.

 

5. Protect the Balance of Scheduling

Parents will help their kids have a successful school year by protecting a balanced lifestyle, in terms of scheduling.  Look at the big picture.  School, homework, athletics, hobbies, church activities all add up to a significant amount of your son’s or daughter’s time.  Help evaluate the effects that these various activities have on their lives.  Don’t be afraid to initiate a cutback in order to protect their most important involvements.  Help your kids to learn that no one can do everything!  Watch for emerging signs of stress.  If your kids are demonstrating stress, be sure to reevaluate their schedules.

 

6. Keep an Eye on Academics

There’s no doubt that your kids’ schoolwork is important!  It’s wise to take an active role in regularly checking on how your children are doing academically.  Don’t just look for the bottom line (grades), but keep an eye on whether or not they are learning disciplined study habits, if they are turning in assignments on time and what areas they might need additional help with.  Having said this, let me also say, as parents we need to maintain balance in this area!  Too many parents hover over their kids like helicopters, making sure every assignment is completed, on time and done correctly.  This actually serves to hinder our kids’ development toward independent adulthood.  Kids need to learn to become responsible in this area of their lives.  Many parents today wrap their own self-worth in how their kids are doing in school.  I’ve known parents who actually do their kids’ homework for them!  “Just say no” to this type of behavior!

 

7. Roll With the Punches!

No young person is exempt from facing at least occasional difficulties associated with school.  Some are just brief “moments” while others are “seasons.”  How they respond to the hard times is a key determining factor in whether or not anxiety will wreak havoc in their lives; anxiety that soon begins to affect their school performance.  The people who enjoy the highest level of contentment in life are the ones who can stay flexible when the tough times happen – and they are the ones who end up standing when those times have passed.  So, teach your kids to roll with the punches:  To face difficulties with faith and courage, to get up off the carpet when they fall, to dust themselves off, work to constructively resolve their problems and to move on  is a key life lesson they’ll thank you for – for years to come!

 

TEN SUGGESTIONS FOR THE OVERSCHEDULED CHILD
By Kimberly M. Chastain, MS, LMFT - www.kimberlychastain.com - Used by permission

 

Ever wonder what happened to the family dinner hour? Or for that matter the family dinner half hour? Monday is Soccer Practice, Tuesday is Piano lesson, Wednesday is Church Activities, Thursday is a Soccer Game, Friday a birthday party to attend. A number of events will fill up the weekend. Do you feel like a professional scheduler and taxi driver? Are you finding yourself increasingly irritable as you go from one activity to the next? Maybe you and your children are overscheduled.

 

As a coach and family therapist I see more and more people wanting to find balance in their lives. In the past few years I have seen a marked increase in children with anxiety and depression. Children are now saying they are 'stressed out'. I remember one child in particular who just wanted to play a board game with his parents, the only family assignment was to play the board game. The family did not have 'time' to play the game. Children no longer seem to have time to goof off and just be children - goof off time is not on the schedule.

 

As parents we need to guard our children and ourselves to protect our children's unscheduled time to be children. Children need time to create their own games and also to learn to entertain themselves. Children often want us to entertain them or the television instead of figuring out how to play by themselves. I would hazard a guess that some of your fondest memories as a child were playing out in the backyard with some friends and really doing nothing in particular. Just laughing, playing, talking or 'being'.

 

Ten Suggestions to keep your family from being overscheduled:

 

1. Each child in the family has one outside activity (i.e. sports, music lessons) besides church activities. (If you have a big family even this may be difficult.)

2. If your child wants to add an activity they may consider giving up the current activity in exchange for the new one.

3. Set family nights on your calendar. Order a pizza and play board games. No one can schedule anything on family night.

4. Help your child learn to say "No" and help set appropriate limits on their activities away from home.

5. Do not say "Yes" to any new activity for yourself or child till you have weighed the costs (i.e. financial, emotional, loss of family time, etc.)

6. Assess your irritability quotient. Do you find yourself frequently saying, "Hurry up, we are going to be late?" How can you slow down? What can you give up?

7. Resolve to eat dinner together as a family at least 3 - 5 times a week, even if this is sandwiches before you head out to a game or lesson.

8. Schedule "goof-off" time for your family and children. Give your child down time to explore a hobby or play outside.

9. Set priorities for your family. How many hours a week do you want to be together as a family?

10. Take time as a family to enjoy God's creation away from home.  Examples: Go to a park, go for a bike ride, go hiking, etc.

As Christian parents we are modeling for our children how to handle stress and how to balance our time. What lessons are we teaching our children? The Bible tell us in Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God..." I'm afraid in our hurried society we are teaching children to "Be harried and know that I am God." We all need down time and time to answer the many beautiful, challenging questions our children have about God and our world. Make the time to slow down and enjoy the gift of your children.

Kimberly M. Chastain, MS, LMFT is a Professional Life Coach and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She enjoys working with women to help them restore balance in their busy lives. Kimberly can be contacted at mailto:info@kimberlychastain.com or visit her website at http://www.kimberchastain.com . Be sure to ask about a free initial coaching session.

 

HOPE OF CHRIST IN THE MIDST OF TRAGEDY
Steven Curtis Chapman Shares Hope of Christ in the Midst of Tragedy      
citiwww.citizenlink.orgzenlink.com
Click above to see a video of an interview from August 6th on Good Morning America.
For daily news and information from a Christian perspective go to www.citizenlink.org. 
Used by permission from CitizenLink, a ministry of Focus on the Family

Note: "I'll Hold You in Heaven" by Jack Hayford, is an excellent book for those who have ever lost a child through miscarriage or after you've had them here on earth.

 

 

MONEY SAVING TIPS
Backpacks ~ You will save money in the long run by purchasing a good quality backpack with a guarantee.  We've sent a Jansport backpack back more than once with a broken zipper, and were satisfied with the service.  One mother reported that her child had a backpack replaced three times from L.L.Bean and they were also reimbursed for shipping and handling.

 

How "Shoe Goo" Can Save You a Fortune on Shoes ~ Complete instructions given.

http://www.tiphero.com/tips_309_how-shoe-goo-can-save-you-a-fortune-on-shoes.html

 

Cash in on Report Cards ~ Although you may not always want to give sweets to your children, quite a few businesses reward children's good grades -- Chuck E. Cheese, Krispy Kreme, Pizza Hut and others.  Ask around and make some calls.

Free 411 Information Services ~ 1-800-FREE-411 ~ Although this is free, you do have to listen to their ads.  Residential listings and toll free numbers are available.
        Google has another free telephone information service.  Simply dial 1-800-GOOG-411 (1-800-4664-411) from your phone and you’re connected.

Homemade Baby Food ~ Save money and feed your baby better!  Great websites with lots of good information and recipes!  www.wholesomebabyfood.com

http://www.gardenandhearth.com/Baby-Food-Recipes.htm

 

Knee Pillows ~ I found a contoured head pillow that I didn't need, and cut it into fourths with an electric knife (it cut like butter) to make a knee pillow.  Two pieces were higher than the other two.  I hot glued each of the larger pillows together with a smaller pillow, and had two knee pillows!  If you sleep on your side with a pillow between your legs, your spine will be straighter using a knee pillow - thus less backaches.  A small pillow case could be easily sewn for each one.

 

 

TIDBITS ON CLEAN-UP JOBS
Can't Seem to Get Your House Under Control? ~ This link, www.flylady.net which has helped so many women get their house under control, would enable you to begin now. 

 

Tired of Indecency on Television? Take Action: Indecency Legislation Stalled in U.S. Senate  http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000007969.cfm

 

 

HUMOROUS SCHOOL ILLUSTRATIONS

Thanks to Barb Campbell in Mississippi for sending these two stories.

 

Behavior Modification ~ One morning I was called to pick up my son at the school nurse's office.  When I walked through the main entrance, I noticed a woman, curlers in her hair, wearing pajamas. "Why are you dressed like that?" I asked her. 
        "I told my son," she explained, "that if he ever did anything to embarrass me, I would embarrass him back. He was caught cutting school. So now I've come to spend the day with him!"

Send Money ~  A son called up his mom from college and asked her for some money, because he ran out of it. Mom said, "Sure, sweetie. I'll will send you some money. You also left your calculus book here when you visited two weeks ago. Do you want me to send that too?"
        "Uhh, oh yeah, okay," responded the lad.
        So Mom wrapped the book along with the checks up in a package, kissed Dad goodbye, and went to the post office to mail the money and the book.
        When she got back, Dad asked, "Well how much did you give the boy this time?"
        Mom said, "Oh, I wrote 2 checks out to him - one for $20, and the other for $1000."
        "That's $1,020!!!" yelled Dad, "Are you crazy?"
        "Don't worry, Hon," Mom said, as she kissed Dad on the on top of his head. "I taped the $20 check to the cover of his book, but I put the one for $1000 somewhere between the pages in chapter 19!"

SUET BIRD FEEDERS
Thanks to RoseAnn Kirsch in Nebraska for this great tip and story!

        We make our suet bird feeders a little different than yours. We melt the fat and peanut butter in a large pan in the oven, then add as much birdseed (instead of flour or cornmeal)  as will stick together in the melted mix.  Next we let it cool some, then put a mesh onion or fruit bag inside a plastic grocery bag ~ to make less of a mess with this project!  Then we fill the mesh bag and tie it shut to hang in a tree with a bent wire hanger.  Any 'leftovers' in the plastic bag can be pressed to the outside of the mesh bag or sprinkled on the ground.  It won't be wasted.  
        This mixture works great for children to make as gifts, too.  Tie a heavy string, to use as a hanger, to the top of a pinecone.  Then pack the seed mixture tightly into the cone.  Put into a sandwich baggie, leaving string hang out so it won't get greasy, and give as gifts to folks who like bird watching.   :o) 
        With the price of food rising for us humans, it may be more difficult for folks to feed their winter birds as once accustomed.  This idea may help some who may not be able to otherwise.  
        Instead of buying suet or fat, I save fat for feeding the birds. Through the year, I skim the fat from the variety of meats I cook, putting it into containers and either freezing them or keeping in our 2nd 'fridge.  The mixture doesn't seem to hinder the birds from coming each year. I am glad to not be wasting anything and still be able to feed the birds!  I think the fat and peanut butter added makes the value of the bird seed go further, as they get more calories from it this way, and it isn't scratched away as it often is out of a dry feeder.
        We do this every year and hang it out the kitchen window and sure enjoy watching the variety of birds that come each day.  
        My brother-in-law made a large, crude suet feeder to put in their big tree.  He laid out chicken wire and when they cleaned their deer, just threw the scraps of fat & suet onto the wire.  When done, he wrapped it and secured it shut and hung it.  My sister worried about odors, but it was consumed by the time warm spring breezes blew.  Occasionally he had to lower it to push the wire in closer for them to reach to the remaining suet.  The birds loved it and seemed to invite their friends! It was a good way to use the scraps from processing their deer, and the wire could be reused if wanting to make another the next year.  Am not sure about the squirrels as they only had suet in it...? 
        We don't have a lot of squirrels here, but I do have a funny story for you.  We have chickens and they have their trough inside the coop.  One summer I noticed a squirrel going up the side of the coop into the open window and leaving with corn from the trough.  Well, I thought he could get his winter supplies elsewhere, so we put wire over the windows.  Not to be deterred, the squirrel was then noted to be seen running in and out the little chicken door!  We laughed and laughed, and figured perhaps he did need the free lunch after all! 

TIPS FOR A MORE ROMANTIC MARRIAGE
Give seven compliments a day.
 
Best tip: Give your spouse at least seven compliments a day. It works.   Some days you may wonder if you can find one, let alone seven. But when it becomes a lifestyle, it becomes easy to look for the good in your spouse.  When you compliment each other with words of appreciation and affection, it projects acceptance and creates trust and security.
 
Examples:
   * You do such a great job with the lawn. You even look great in your old, sweaty work clothes.
   * It's wonderful just to be near you.
   * Thanks for being such a great dad to our kids.
   * Thanks for a lovely meal.
   * Thanks for taking out the garbage.
   * You are my best friend. I can tell you anything.
   * No one touches my heart like you do.  Practicing seven-compliments-a-day goes a long way to warding off strife. But when tiffs begin, remind yourself that marriage is for the long haul - for keeps. Many divorces develop through strife, and most of them are avoidable. Don't pick at each other over petty annoyances. Before you criticize your spouse, ask yourself how important the issue is. Ask if that comment is going to help or hurt your relationship. Ask yourself if the issue at stake is more important than your marriage, or your spouse's probable reaction to your words. ~ Author unknown

SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO SERVE THE ONE YOU LOVE
 
*1.  Admit to your spouse that you have made mistakes and that you desire to change.

 

*2.  Ask your spouse to tell you one thing that you could either begin doing or stop doing that would make life easier or more meaningful for him or her.

*3.  Write your spouse's suggestions on a card or a poster for future reference.

 

*4.  Ask God to help you serve your spouse better. 

 

*5.  Continue to ask for suggestions, building them into your life-style. This will require thought, prayer and discipline, but the satisfaction of genuinely serving your spouse in worth the effort.
 
- Gary D. Chapman, DECISION, June 1998
(Magazine: DECISION http://www.graham-assn.org/decision/)
 

THANKING THE LORD FOR FORTY YEARS OF MARRIAGE!
I'm so thankful to the Lord for the forty wonderful years of marriage He has given me with my dear husband, John.  The Lord had always been the glue in our dating relationship and our marriage.  We both continue to say we would choose each other all over again.  Neither of us is perfect, although I must admit it took me a few years before I realized that he wasn't!  There is always something to work on to improve our marriage. 

 

A few keys to marriage, I believe, are these:

 

Keeping Christ at the center of the marriage and staying in the Word of God

Making time for yourselves a priority, even during the busy years of having children

Not getting too busy

Finding ways to creatively express love to each other

Spending time praying together

Spending time playing together - sailing, walking, watching good movies, etc.

Using good humor, but never sarcasm

Giving compliments to each other

Showing consideration to each other - "in honor preferring one another"

Wives showing respect to their husbands, and husbands loving their wives

 

 

JOHN'S STREUSEL COFFEE CAKE

This is a recipe my husband, John, has made many times through the years as he took the responsibility of making Sunday breakfasts when our first two children were babies.  He's still pampering me by making Sunday breakfasts for just the two of us!  Note: To make this coffee cake at the beach, we mixed the dry ingredients at home and took them in two separate bags for the cake and topping, along with the directions.

 

Cake:                                                                  Streusel Topping:

3/4 cup sucanat                                                1/2 cup sucanat

1/4 cup shortening or oil                                    2 Tbsp. flour

1 egg                                                                   2 tsp. cinnamon

1 1/2 cup wheat and/or unbleached flour         2 Tbsp. melted butter

2 tsp. baking powder                                         1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

1/2 tsp. salt                                  

 

Spread half of batter in a greased and floured 9" pan.  Sprinkle with half the streusel mix.  Add the remaining batter and sprinkle remaining streusel over the top.   Bake for 25-35 minutes at 375 degrees.  Test at 25 minutes by sticking a toothpick in the center.  It should come out clean.   Cut and serve hot.  

 

 

JOHN'S PANCAKE MIX

Yields 2 pounds of dry pancake mix or (amounts in parentheses yield 4 pounds if you'd like to make it ahead to freeze):

Combine in large bowl:

6 cups flour (half whole wheat and half unbleached - or all freshly milled grain)  (12 cups)

1 Tbsp. sea salt  (2 Tbsp.)

6 Tbsp. baking powder  (3/4 cup)

6 Tbsp. sugar or sucanat  (3/4 cup)

2 cups powdered milk  (4 cups)

 

Mix well and store in airtight container in the freezer.  Store only small amounts on the cabinet shelf in order to keep it fresh. 

For every 3-4 servings, combine in a bowl:

1 egg (beat with a fork)

1 cup water

2 Tbsp. cooking oil

1 1/2 cups pancake mix              Note: John often added a little uncooked old fashioned rolled oats which

Cook on hot ungreased griddle.       made it even better.  He would add more water if it got too thick.

 

OVERNIGHT COFFEE CAKE
(Sucanat is a natural sugar, and can be found at natural food co-ops or health food stores.)

2 cups flour, wheat / unbleached              2/3 cup butter                 Topping:
1 tsp. baking powder                                 1 cup sucanat                1/2 cup sucanat     
1 tsp. baking soda                                     2 eggs                            1 tsp. cinnamon   
1 tsp. cinnamon                                          1 cup buttermilk             1/2 to 1 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. salt                                                                                          1/2 cup chopped walnuts  

Measure first 5 ingredients.  Set aside.  Cream butter and sucanat. Add eggs and beat.  Add dry ingredients alternating with buttermilk. Spread in well greased 9 x 13 pan.  Make topping and sprinkle evenly over batter.  Cover and refrigerate overnight  (or 8 hours).  Bake uncovered at 350° for 45 minutes.  When inserted toothpick comes out clean, it's ready to eat!

SCALLOPED CHICKEN AND RICE CASSEROLE
A great recipe to make in large quantity to freeze, after trying it out and making your own adjustments.  Another option would be to saute' an onion, rather than minced garlic.

3 Tbsp. butter                                                3 cups cooked brown rice
1 clove of garlic, minced                              3 cups cooked diced chicken

3 Tbsp. whole wheat flour                            2 cups sliced sauteed fresh mushrooms   

2 cups chicken broth                                    1/2 cup slivered almonds   

1 cup milk                                                      1 jar (4 ounces) chopped pimiento, drained (or a jar

salt and pepper to taste                                 red peppers - found at the larger Dollar Tree stores)

1 tsp. sweet basil, tarragon or dill weed     1/2 cup buttered bread crumbs  

 

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over low heat.  Saute' minced garlic in the butter.  Stir in flour, blending well.  Add broth, milk, salt, pepper and herbs.  Cook white sauce until thickened, stirring constantly.  Butter a 2-quart casserole dish and spread half of the brown rice in the bottom of the casserole.  Distribute half of each of the following over the rice: chicken, 

mushrooms, almonds and pimiento or red peppers.  Pour half of the sauce over that.  Repeat layers and sprinkle with buttered bread crumbs.   Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

 

GOOD ENOUGH TO GET INTO HEAVEN?

Watch this video and see if you are good enough to get into heaven!  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrLzYw6ULYw

 

No man is ever more than four steps from God: conviction, repentance, consecration, and faith.

 -- Roy L. Smith

 

He who provides for this life, but takes no care for eternity, is wise for a moment, but a fool forever.  -- Tillotson

 

Whenever a man is ready to uncover his sins, God is always ready o cover them. - Unknown

 

Smugness may be the greatest sin of all.  It is only with great difficulty that a shaft of light
can penetrate the armour of self righteousness. 

HOW TO ACCEPT CHRIST

Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

 

Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Romans 5:8 - But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

 

Romans 10:9-10 - If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

 

I John 5: 11-13 - And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.  He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

 

CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF RUTH BELL GRAHAM
Between September 6 and 14, Ruth Bell Graham's life's story will be televised.  To find the listing for your area, go to www.billygraham.org.  Under "Our Ministries," go to "TV Specials."  If you don't have Internet, you could call 1-877-247-2426 to get that information.  Mark your calendars.

 

A NEW PERSPECTIVE

By Debbie Klinect in Florida

 

        I love going to our library used bookstore.  Books are so very cheap there and I find such treasures from time to time for no more than a dollar.  Here is one such treasure:

From the book More Stories for the Heart, Copyright 1997, and compiled by Alice Gray, comes this story, A New Perspective - by Billy Graham.

 

        I have a friend who during the Depression lost his job, a fortune, a wife, and a home.  But he tenaciously held to his faith - the only thing he had left.  One day he stopped to watch some men doing stonework on a huge church.  One of them was chiseling a triangular piece of stone.  "What are you going to do with that?" asked me friend.  The workman said, "See that little opening away up there near the spire?  Well, I'm shaping this down here, so it will fit in up there."

        Tears fill the eyes of my friend as he walked away, for it seemed that God had spoken through the workman to explain his ordeal through which he was passing.  "I'm shaping you down here, so you'll fit in up here."

 

        This makes everything we go through worth it!!!

 

Debbie Klinect lives in Florida with her husband and five of her six children.  She has been homeschooling since 1988, and has written many unit study curriculum guides that are available on her school site www.newlifehomeschoolbooks.com.  She is also the editor of the email newsletter, Along the Journey (www.alongthejourney.net )  Subscriptions:  alongthejourney-subscribe@welovegod.org 
You can also get back issues by emailing dgklinect@cfl.rr.com. 

 

 

FUN PROJECTS TO DO WITH YOUR CHILDREN AT HOME

Save and gather supplies to have on hand to make memories with your children at home.  You can call them "Me and Mom Times."  Your children will love spending time and making memories with you!

 

Fingerprint Busy Bees - Age 3 and up
http://crafts.kaboose.com/fingerprint-busy-bees.html/?source=email&keyword=craft073108us
Pet Rocks - Age 3 and up
http://crafts.kaboose.com/pet-rocks.html/?source=email&keyword=craft073108us
Coffee Can Drum - Age 5 and up
http://crafts.kaboose.com/coffee-can-drum.html/?source=email&keyword=craft073108us

Potato Chip Can Pencil Keeper - Age 4 and up
Juice Box Dolls - Age 5 and up

Salt Dough Buddy Pens - Age 6 and up

 

 

HUMOR IN THE FAMILY
The following three kids' quotes are from our children. ~ Lois

 

Our son, Jamie, 3, and I had collected some leaves on a walk and I was helping him glue them onto paper.  I said, "We're having a 'Me and Mom Time' now aren't we?"  He said very happily, "Yeah!  Not a "Joy and Jeff and Mom Time!"

 

Our son, Jeff, 4, came into our bedroom, crying late one night, saying he was afraid.  I went over to his room with him and asked what he was afraid of.  He told me he heard noises and said, "I think King Herod is in these walls!"  I told him how King Herod died a long time ago.  Jeff asked, "Could it be that he's dead now?"  I assured him that he was safe from the wicked king.  In telling this story, with the active imaginations of children, maybe we as parents and Sunday school teachers would do well to add that this evil king can no longer hurt little children.

 

My husband had given blood for a friend at church, and our daughter, Joy, 4, said, "Daddy gave blood for Mr. Wells!  I want to keep my blood all day!"  Then she stuck her daddy's blood donor sticker on her pajamas and said, "This is Daddy's shed blood!"  (Just a note to say that she has given blood herself years later as an adult.)
 

As seen in www.effectiveparenting.com - Used by permission ~ Even though we were on a shoestring grad-student budget, my wife insisted we pay off the hospital bill when our son was born. Now we had to figure out how to meet our other financial obligations. We were discussing this one night when the baby began crying for a diaper change. As my wife picked him up, she sighed, "He's the only thing in this house that's paid for… and he leaks."

 

  I pray this will be a great school year for you and your children, whether you are homeschooling or having them attend a private or public school.  Good communication and lots of prayer are the key.

  Please remember to pray for each dear Heart to Heart lady and her family 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   

                                                            Jer. 33:3 & Eph. 3:20  

 

The purpose of the Heart to Heart Newsletter is to encourage women and build biblical values into daily living through practical creative ideas for the Christian family regarding marriage, children, homemaking, and much more.  Receive this free bimonthly newsletter by listing your name, city, state, e-mail address, and name of your referral person and sending it to Lois at <a title=mailto:jhbreneman@... href="mailto:jhbreneman@juno.com" target=_blank>jhbreneman@juno.com.  New subscribers will receive a Welcome, a "Start-Up Kit," and several recent newsletters.

 

Disclaimer: Various websites may be given as credits or to supply additional information for readers.  However, all the views and advertisements represented by websites in this newsletter are not necessarily the views of the editor.   Please use your own discretion and common sense regarding all information given in this newsletter.

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