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

 

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8/23/05 LISTENING TO GOD, SMUG, MARRIAGE, GAMES, WALLS, KIDS

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IN THIS ISSUE:

PLEASE PRAY FOR INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS TODAY

BECOMING A WOMAN WHO LISTENS TO GOD

NEVER BE TOO SMUG

WISDOM FROM GRANDPA ON MARRIAGE

THE BIRTH OF A HUMMINGBIRD 

THE LAST HURRAHS OF SUMMER!

OUTDOOR SUMMER GAMES

CHRISTMAS TIPS: MEMORY GIFT IDEAS FROM A GRANDMA FOR HER GRANDKIDS

        Grandkids' Journal & ABC Memory Book

SHEPHERD'S PIE

SOFTENING YOUR WALLS WITH COLOR WASH
KIDS - YOU GOTTA LOVE 'EM!
THE SIXTH CHILD - BABY ANNOUNCEMENT

 

 

PLEASE PRAY FOR INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS TODAY

        August 23 is the big day at the University of Virginia!  Students from around the world will hold a Bible in their hand for the first time!  Please pray for hearts to be hungry and open to God's Word, and for these students to accept Christ as their personal Savior.  Pray for Madeline Trotman and her coworkers as they lead this effort.

        Also please pray for Jay, Michele, and their coworkers at Virginia Tech as they follow up with the many newly arrived international students and scholars.  Many have already expressed interest in Bible studies and Christianity, and will be visiting their activities at church and on campus.

        Pray for students everywhere to seek the Lord, and for believers to be ready to give an answer of the assurance of eternal life that they too can have in Jesus Christ.

 

        "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." - II Peter 3:9

 

 

BECOMING A WOMAN WHO LISTENS TO GOD
By Sharon Jaynes - Proverbs 31 Ministries - [email protected] - © 2005 - Used by permission
 
I don't know of any greater passion or purpose that has ever taken hold of my heart than becoming a woman who listens to God. It encapsulates my deepest longing. As I read the pages of my Bible, I see God speaking to Adam and Eve as they walked together in the cool of the evening, to Noah instructing him how to build the ark to save his family from destruction, to Moses calling him to lead the enslaved Israelites out of Egypt and into the Promised Land, to the prophet Samuel leading him to anoint a mere shepherd boy the next king of the Jews, and Jesus calling out to Saul from a blinding light saying, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"
 
Tell me, haven't you longed for God to speak to you in the same way?
 
Admittedly, it is hard to hear anyone's voice surrounded by the cacophony of noises in our busy world. I've often thought, if I could just get away from the clamor of everyday life, perhaps I could hear that still small voice.  But when I pored over the Scriptures, I discovered that some of God's most memorable messages weren't delivered while men and women were away at a spiritual retreat, but right in the middle of the hustle and bustle of life. He spoke to Moses while he was tending sheep, to Gideon while he was threshing wheat, to shepherds while they were watching their flocks by night, to the woman at the well while she was drawing water for her household chores, to Matthew while he was busy in his tax office, and to Martha while she was baking in the kitchen.
 
Does that mean that God could speak to you and to me in the midst of our ordinary days? I don't believe it's a question of whether or not He'll speak, but whether or not we'll listen.
 
There are some who say that God doesn't speak today, that the Bible is God's complete revelation to believers. Yes, it's true that the Bible tells us everything we need to know about God's character and His ways, and He will never tell us anything that contradicts His Word. But He will speak to us in a personal way to help us apply Scripture to our lives and move the truths from our heads to our hearts.
 
All through the New Testament Jesus taught the multitudes by telling them stories or parables to illustrate spiritual principles. He explained the unknown by using the known. Likewise, Jesus continues to illustrate spiritual principles through modern day parables. He shows up in our lives everyday, but we must turn aside and pay attention.
 
People often ask me how I come up with the stories that I write in books and in the "Proverbs 31 Woman." I can honestly say they come from my communication with God. I see or hear the
stories when I choose to "turn aside."
 
When Moses saw a burning bush in the desert that was not being consumed, he turned aside, stopped what he was doing, and went to investigate this amazing sight. "When the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, 'Moses, Moses!' And he said, 'Here I am'" (NASB).
 
Ah, there's the key. Moses turned aside. God had his full attention. Could it be that we get so wrapped up in our daily activities and to-do lists that we don't take the time to turn aside when God speaks? I wonder how many burning bushes I've missed in my own backyard. I fear we have grown unaccustomed to listening, uninterested in what He has to say, or unbelieving that He will speak. 

Does God still speak to us today? I'm absolutely sure He does. But don't take my word for it - take Jesus' word. He said, "I am the good shepherd. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me" (John 10:14, 27). Since God continues to speak today, why do we have such difficulty recognizing His voice? Why don't we hear Him more often? Hearing God's voice should be part of the normal everyday experience for a child of God. It is God's silence that should give us reason for concern, for in times past, God's silence was a form of punishment for disobedience. Also, hearing God's voice is not only for the "super Christian," if there is such a person. It is for the uneducated fisherman, the woman in the kitchen, the leprous outcast, the tax collector in a tree, and for you and me. I haven't heard God's audible voice, but He does speak to me on a regular basis. I've felt His nudge in the kitchen as I've mopped the linoleum floor, I've recognized His tug as I've pulled off the highway in an overheated car, I've sensed His peaceful wooing as I've struggled to weather tumultuous storms, I've heard echoes of His laughter as He's instructed me to learn from the children in my care, and I've sensed His presence as I've spent time meditating on the Scripture.
 
               Earth is crammed with heaven,
               And every common bush afire with God,
               But only he who sees, takes off his shoes.
                    -  Elizabeth Barrett Browning
 
My hope and prayer is that you will begin to recognize God's presence in your own life and become a woman who listens to God.

________________________________________________________________ 
Sharon Jaynes is a Vice President of The Proverbs 31Ministry and co-host for the ministry's international radio segments, heard on over 400 radio outlets.  She also is a feature writer for their monthly newsletter, The Proverbs 31 Woman, and inspirational conference speaker for women's events from coast to coast. For more information about The Proverbs 31 Ministry, visit www.proverbs31.org.

 

 

NEVER BE TOO SMUG
By Cheri Fuller - [email protected] - Copyright 2005 - Used by permission 
 
"Your son bit one of the children," the teacher said, and gave me and my little toddler a disapproving stare, as if somehow perhaps I had something to do with this bad behavior, and that it would surely lead to a life of crime.
 
"I am so sorry," I said, taking Christopher's little hand and gathering his diaper bag and coat to leave. I felt terrible about his biting the child, but they'd already left so I couldn't apologize to his mom.
 
This was my youngest son. He was usually so good. Such a happy toddler that since he was born people in restaurants often stopped us to say what a good baby he was! Sunday School teachers loved having him in their class. Neighbors were warmed by his smile. My son.
 
While this wasn't the only time one of my children exhibited less-than-perfect behavior, it did teach me a good lesson (one which I had numerous other opportunities to practice as my three kids progressed through childhood and some occasionally rough waters of adolescence): never be too smug.
 
Why? Because we all make mistakes. Because God loves a humble heart. And because the truth is, we never know what our precious little child or teenager is going to do next.  While we can take our kids to church and do everything possible, we can't always keep our teen from rebelling or making a failing grade or bad decision. While we can teach good manners and encourage sharing and kindness, we can't control their behavior or make them do the right thing.
 
Now in the case of my toddler's biting blunder, I don't know what sparked it. But I was rehearsing possible reasons as I stumbled out that MDO door to my car like . . . it's his first time at this Mothers' Day Out; he didn't know any of the kids; maybe got tired of being pushed around by the bigger kids since he's quiet and mild-mannered. However, my usually cooperative, good-natured Chris might have just been having a bad day. Of course, I scolded him and explained he wasn't to bite anyone, and fortunately it was an isolated case, not the beginning of a pattern of hostile behavior!
 
But the truth is, as moms we must never be too smug. Webster's Dictionary defines "smug" as highly self-satisfied, complacent, scrupulously correct.
 
How do you know you've gotten smug about your mothering? Here's some tell-tale clues:
 
Critical thoughts creep into your mind when you see other less-than-perfect kids. Another mom's kids at the grocery store are begging for something, wailing, making a scene, she's embarrassed and dropping things and finally yells at the children and you think . . . that'll never happen to me.  My kids would never do that.
 
There's no room for improvement, new ideas or advice from someone else. For example, if you think you've got the corner on great parenting because you homeschool (or have chosen Christian or private schooling) and feel everybody else is wrong who has their kids in public schools and think that if only they'd do it like you do all the problems in our country would be solved . . . 

. . . if you have followed some parenting formula that worked for you and don't value other parenting styles . . .
 
. . . if you change the subject or tune out if an older mom starts sharing her experience with you . . .
 
. . . you may be becoming a little smug.
 
I have found that when we lose our teachableness, we are missing out on some wisdom God may have for us that we are going to need on the journey ahead. 
___________________________________________________________________

This column is excerpted from the book, The Mom You're Meant to Be: Loving Your Kids While Leaning on God by Cheri Fuller (Focus on the Family). You may purchase the book at www.family.org or ww.amazon.com   

Cheri Fuller's website www.cherifuller.com includes her monthly "Mothering By Heart" columns of encouragement for moms, a free, downloadable Bible study on prayer, creative ideas on praying with children, and resources for people who want to write and publish.

 

 

WISDOM FROM GRANDPA ON MARRIAGE

Author Unknown ~ Contributed by Becky Noell in Georgia

Whether a man winds up with a nest egg, or a goose egg, depends a lot on the kind of chick he marries.

 

Trouble in marriage often starts when a man gets so busy earnin' his salt, that he forgets his sugar.

 

Too many couples marry for better, or for worse, but not for good.

 

When a man marries a woman, they become one; but the trouble starts when they try to decide which one.

 

If a man has enough horse sense to treat his wife like a thoroughbred, she will never turn into an old nag.

 

On anniversaries, the wise husband always forgets the past - but never the present.

 

A foolish husband says to his wife, "Honey, you stick to the washin', ironin', cookin', and scrubbin'.  No wife of mine is gonna work."

 

The bonds of matrimony are a good investment, only when the interest is kept up.

 

Many girls like to marry a military man - he can cook, sew, and make beds, and is in good health, and he's already used to taking orders.   

 

 

THE BIRTH OF A HUMMINGBIRD 
Contributed by Albin Crutchfield of Virginia ~ You will stand in awe over God's tiny intricate creation of the hummingbird!      

This is truly amazing.  There are 5 pages altogether.  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 you'll probably never in your lifetime see this again, enjoy; and please share.  Be sure to click on "Next Page" at the bottom of each page. http://community-2.webtv.net/Velpics/HUM/

 

 

THE LAST HURRAHS OF SUMMER!

Moms, why not secretly fill up a basin of colorful water balloons and surprise your family with, "Let's all go outside and have a water balloon fight!  And by the way, this is the only time you are allowed to fight!" J Get out the super soakers too!  If you don't have any, now's the time to find them, while they are marked way down for clearance! Or check out the dollar store where I found some a few years ago.  And grownups, join in the fun with your kids and grandkids!  Here are some more great ways to have fun during the last days of summer, even if your children are already into schoolwork!  Everyone needs a break!

 

 

OUTDOOR SUMMER GAMES

By Deborah Shelton - Used by permission

It's time for lots of play dates and outdoor fun. Try these outside games with your children for a great time.

Centipede Race ~ Divide players into 2 equal teams. Each team stands in a line behind the leader. Place your hands on the shoulders of the person in front of you, and crouch down. Let the fun begin! The "centipede" will fall apart if the leader goes too fast, so stay together!

Freeze Tag ~ The "it" player chases other players, and when they get tagged, they have to "freeze" their position. Once a player is frozen, they can only be unfrozen if a free player touches them. When only one free player is left, that player becomes "it" and the game starts over.

 

Kangaroo Relay ~ Divide players into 2 teams, and then split each team into 2 groups. Place a soccer ball between your knees and jump to the turning point and back to your team. Pass the ball to the next player in line. The first team to send every person to the turning point and back, is the winner.

 

Musical Hula Hoops ~ Think "musical chairs" but replace the chairs with hula hoops...and add a yard sprinkler. Arrange several hula hoops in a circle (1 less than the number of players). Place a lawn sprinkler in the center of the big circle and turn it on. Play music and jump from hoop to hoop until the music stops. Even if you don't land in a hoop when the music stops, you'll still have fun getting drenched! 

 

About the Author: Deborah Shelton is the author of The Five Minute Parent: Fun & Fast Activities for You and Your Little Ones. Visit her online at http://www .fiveminuteparent.com

 

 

CHRISTMAS TIPS: MEMORY GIFT IDEAS FROM A GRANDMA FOR HER GRANDKIDS

Bright-Kids Readers' Tips - Deborah Shelton, Editor  - http://hometown.aol.com/brightkidsrus/

Used by permission

(Note from Lois: These are thoughtful gifts packed full of love that will outlive all those battery-operated toys!)

 

Grandkids' Journal ~ I started something last week for my grandkids. They say the cutest things, and in a month I forget what they have said. I got colorful journals for each of the kids, and when I hear them say something humorous, I enter it in their journal. There have been times that their mom has called me long distance to tell me something they said that she would like entered in the journals.  The mommy appreciates this, and I think the kids will enjoy reading them years later. I also am going to enter things that their parents have said about them. My daughter has said that she not only prays for her children, but she also prays for the mothers rocking the little boys that will some day will be the spouses of her daughters.  I heard my daughter tell her daughter the other day, when she was holding her and they were looking at the moon,  "Look at that beautiful moon, Alyssa. God put that there, just for you."  How precious that was!!  I have claimed a scripture for each of our grandkids. Their mom has their scripture put on their birthday cakes. One of the older cousins wood burned their scripture on a plaque, and their mom hung them on their bedroom doors. Their scripture is on a picture frame that hangs on the "Family Wall of Fame". There are so many ways of reminding them of "their scripture".  Deut.11:18-20

 

ABC Memory Book ~ My daughter made me an ABC Memory Book for Mother's Day. She was so anxious for me to see it, she gave it to me early. Each page is a letter of the alphabet and highlights the grandchildren. (Just a couple of examples)  A--"The apple of granny's eye",  G--"gingerbread houses" (we make gingerbread houses every year as a family), L--"Lake McDonald" (where we go camping every summer as a family, R--"really cool cousins",  etc, etc. It is so very special to this old granny.  Each one of the grandkids has one of the pages dedicated to them. My daughter had me write a little something for each of the kids and what they mean to me, and she incorporated that into that child's page. My friends absolutely adore my scrapbook, and I know my grandbabies will love looking at it when they get older. This would be a wonderful baby shower idea, as well.
(Note from Lois: Also a gift that Grandmas could make for their grandchildren of memories shared together.)

 

 

SHEPHERD'S PIE

Compliments of http://www.notjustbeans.com/

 

1/2 lb. ground beef                                                         1 tsp. sugar  
1 onion, chopped                                                           2 tsp. onion powder           
2 carrots, diced                                                              1 tsp. garlic powder                 

1 can peas, drained or                                                  1 tsp. chili powder
1 can mixed vegetables for carrots and peas              4 cups mashed potatoes
1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce                                         3/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
salt and pepper (to taste)

 

Brown ground beef and onion. Add carrots and cook until tender.  Drain grease and add peas. In a casserole dish, combine tomato sauce, salt, pepper, sugar onion powder, garlic powder
and chili powder. Mix well and add the beef mixture. Mix again thoroughly. Top with mashed potatoes and then grated cheese. Bake in the oven uncovered at 350º   for 15 minutes or until the cheese melts.

 

 

SOFTENING YOUR WALLS WITH COLOR WASH
Copyright © 2005 Pamela Cole Harris ~  http://www.homeandgardenmakeover.com 
Home and Garden Makeover ~ Used by permission

 

If you like the soft look of watercolors, why not try using a color wash on your walls?  In addition to a softer color, color washing can accentuate the texture of your plaster or stucco walls.  And it’s so simple that even I, a faux-finish-impaired decorator, can do it.

 

There are two techniques for color wash application: sponge or brush. Each requires a slightly different glaze formula. 

       
Sponge Technique:

 

Color Wash Glaze: Mix together 1 part latex paint and 6 parts water in a bucket.

 

1. Mask off (using painter’s tape) parts of the room which will not receive the wash.  Its best to cover the floor with plastic drop cloths (especially if you are as messy as I am).

 

2. Prime the wall with a low luster latex paint and allow it to dry completely before the next step.

 

3. Dip the sponge into the color wash glaze and squeeze lightly.

 

4. Beginning in a lower corner, apply the glaze to the wall in short, overlapping strokes. Change the direction of the strokes frequently. Work on a small portion of the wall at a time (3 foot by 3 foot is a good size).

 

5. Repeat moving upward until all the wall is covered.

 

6. Allow to dry completely.

Brush Technique:

 

Brush Color Wash Glaze: 1 part flat latex paint, 1 part latex paint conditioner (available at your local home improvement center), and 2 parts water. Mix in a bucket.

 

1. Mask off (using painter’s tape) parts of the room which will not receive the wash.  Its best to cover the floor with plastic drop cloths.

 

2. Prime the wall with a low luster latex enamel paint and allow it to dry completely before the next step.

 

3. Allow the paint to dry.

 

4. Dip a paintbrush in the glaze and remove the excess against the side of the bucket.

 

5. Apply the paint in a criss-cross pattern.

 

6. Brush over the surface repeatedly to soften the look of the paint.

 

7. Wipe excess glaze away, if necessary. (Better get the industrial-sized package of paper towels!)

 

There you have it! A soft paint look perfect for your newly decorated room...And since you have the technique down to a science, why not come and do my family room? Powder room? Closet?

_________________________________________________________________
Pamela Cole Harris has been a writer and designer for 35 years (Yikes, has it been that long?) Enjoy her tongue-in-cheek approach to inexpensive interior design at: http://www.homeandgardenmakeover.com and
http://www.diy-homedecor.com

 

 

KIDS - YOU GOTTA LOVE 'EM!

 

A little girl had just finished her first week of school.  "I'm just wasting my time," she said to her mother.  "I can't read, I can't write and they won't let me talk!" 

 

On the first day of school, a first grader handed his teacher a note from his mother.  The note read, "The opinions expressed by this child are not necessarily those of his parents." 
 
My son Zachary, 4, came screaming out of the bathroom to tell me he'd dropped his toothbrush in the toilet.  So I fished it out and threw it in the garbage.  Zachary stood there thinking for a moment, then ran to my bathroom and came out with my toothbrush.  He held it up and said with a charming little smile, "We better throw this one out too then, 'cause it fell in the toilet a few days ago." 
 
A woman was trying hard to get the ketchup to come out of the bottle.  During her struggle the phone rang so she asked her 4 year old daughter to answer the phone. "It's the minister, Mommy," the child said to her mother. Then she added, "Mommy can't come to the phone to talk to you right now. She's hitting the bottle." 
 
A little boy got lost at the YMCA and found himself in the women's locker room.  When he was spotted, the room burst into shrieks, with ladies grabbing towels and running for cover.  The little boy watched in amazement and then asked, "What's the matter?  Haven't you ever seen a little boy before?" 
 
It was the end of the day when I parked my police van in front of the station.  As I gathered my equipment, my K-9 partner, Jake, was barking, and I saw a little boy staring in at me.  "Is that a dog you got back there?" he asked. "It sure is," I replied.  Puzzled, the boy looked at me and then looked towards the back of the van.  Finally he said, "What'd he do?" 
 
While working for an organization that delivers lunches to elderly shut-ins, I used to take my 4 year old daughter on my afternoon rounds. She was unfailingly intrigued by the various appliances of old age, particularly the canes, walkers and wheelchairs.  One day I found her staring at a pair of false teeth soaking in a glass.  As I braced myself for the inevitable barrage of questions, she merely turned and whispered, "The tooth fairy will never believe this!" 
 
A little girl was watching her parents dress for a party.  When she saw her dad donning his tuxedo, she warned, "Daddy, you shouldn't wear that suit."  "And why not, darling?"  "You know that it always gives you a headache the next morning." 
 
While walking along the sidewalk in front of his church, our minister heard the intoning of a prayer that nearly made his collar wilt.  Apparently, his 5-year-old son and his playmates had found a dead robin.  Feeling that proper burial should be performed, they had secured a small box and cotton batting, then dug a hole and made ready for the disposal of the deceased.  The minister's son was chosen to say the appropriate prayers and with sonorous dignity intoned his version of what he thought his father always said: "Glory be unto the Faaaather, and unto the Sonnn .... and into the hole he gooooes." 
 
A little boy opened the big family Bible. He was fascinated as he fingered through the old pages.  Suddenly, something fell out of the Bible.  He picked up the object and looked at it.  What he saw was an old leaf that had been pressed in between the pages.  "Mama, look what I found," the boy called out."  "What have you got there, dear?"  With astonishment in the young boy's voice, he answered, "I think it's Adam's underwear!"

 

 

THE SIXTH CHILD - BABY ANNOUNCEMENT

(Ladies, if you would like your newborn child or grandchild's birth (or adopted child) announced in "Heart to Heart," please reply to this newsletter and give the information as shown below. ~ Lois)

 

Nathan Glen Martin was born July 21, 2005!  He is the sixth child of Mitch and Bridgette

Martin, living in New Hampshire.  Dawson and Madeline Trotman, in Virginia, are the thrilled grandparents.  Madeline loved caring for the other five who are 8 and younger, even teaching the 7 year old how to cut out a pattern and begin learning to cut fabric!  Way to go, Grandma!

 

 

(¨`·.·´¨)                          God bless you and your family in a special way!

 `·.¸(¨`·.·´¨)                                       Your Heart to Heart friend,

       `·.¸.·´                                                            Lois    

                

 

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

 

 

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