Quote from Forum Archives on September 1, 2004, 9:14 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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9/1/04 FORGIVENESS, GRANDPARENTS, KIDS' RECIPES, COMMENTS, HUGS

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CONTENTS:

AUDIO TAPE ON FORGIVENESS

SAND AND STONE
BLESSING BLOCKERS

GRANDPARENT'S DAY IS SEPTEMBER 12

FUN RECIPES FOR CREATIVE KIDS, PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS & TEACHERS

     Best Play Dough Ever                               Rainbow Stew (non-messy fingerpaint)

     Bottled Goopy Squeezy Glitter                  Salt Ceramics

     Goop                                                         Silly Putty

     Macaroni Coloring                                     Soap Crayons

     Peanut Butter Playdough (Edible)             Sun Clay     

SPOTTING SPIDERS ~ NIGHT TIME ADVENTURE FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN

CHEESY ZUCCHINI-TOMATO CASSEROLE

KITCHEN MANAGEMENT AND MEAL PLANNING 
DADDY'S EMPTY CHAIR 

COMMENTS AND KIDS' QUOTES SENT BY HEART TO HEART LADIES

IN GOD WE TRUST?  A QUOTE FROM FORMER PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO VOTE ON FEDERAL MARRIAGE AMENDMENT

OCTOBER 4 IS THE DEADLINE FOR REGISTERING TO VOTE  (IN VIRGINIA)

HUGS: A PARENT'S SECRET WEAPON

ANOTHER PRECIOUS BABY TO HUG!

 

 

AUDIO TAPE ON FORGIVENESS

        On a recent Sunday evening Pastor Greg Huffman gave one of the best messages I've ever heard on forgiveness.  He said if we have unforgiveness or resentment in our heart toward anyone, we might as well stop praying, because our prayers will not be answered.  

        To order a tape ($3.00 each), e-mail [email protected] or call (540) 366-2431.  Specify the August 22nd tape on "Forgiveness" and if e-mailing be sure to give your name and mailing address.  An envelope in which to mail your payment will be sent with the tape.  I believe this is a tape we will all want to have in our library to hear on a regular basis.

         

 

SAND AND STONE
Author unknown ~ Contributed by Margie DeMonbrun, Missouri

        A story tells that two friends were walking through the desert.  During some point of the journey they had an argument, and one friend slapped the other one in the face.  The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything, wrote in the sand:

"Today my best friend slapped me in the face."
        They kept on walking until they found an oasis, where they decided to take a bath. The one who had been slapped got stuck in the mire and started drowning, but the friend saved him.  After he recovered from the near drowning, he wrote on a stone:
"Today my best friend saved my life." 
        The friend who had slapped and saved his best friend asked him, "After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand and now, you write on a stone, why?" 
        The other friend replied "When someone hurts us we should write it down in sand where winds of forgiveness can erase it away.
        But, when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it."
Learn to write your hurts in the sand and to carve your benefits in stone.

 

 

BLESSING BLOCKERS

A devotional by Debbie Flack of VA, sent in perfect timing as this edition was written.

 

        Right before a breakthrough in our lives, Satan will do everything in his power to try to stop it!  He uses "blessing blockers" such as offense, fear and the cares of this world.  Usually he will stir up a strife situation to get you into strife and unforgiveness.  Watch for it, don't fall for it; be quick to repent and walk in the love of God.  "To keep Satan from getting the advantage over us ... " 2 Cor. 2:11
        If that doesn't work, Satan will attack with fear to cause you to worry. Fear is the opposite of faith and "Without faith it is impossible to please God..." ! Our desire is to please our Father so we must resist the devil's lies and rebuke fear from our lives. "For God has not given us a spirit of fear...." 2 Tim. 1:7
       The enemy of our soul uses distractions and the cares of this world to try to keep us from praying and reading God's word which is the key to answered prayer.  Put on the full armor of God daily. Plead the Blood of Jesus over you and your family.  And no matter what comes against you, determine to spend time in prayer and God's word.   Faith comes by hearing the word of God.  Now, expect your breakthrough!
 

 

GRANDPARENT'S DAY IS SEPTEMBER 12

        Don't forget to help your children make a special handmade card or write a letter to their grandparents!  Make their day!  If your baby is too young to make a card, make his or her footprint on a card.  If you don't have a rubber stamp pad, use chocolate pudding! 

       A few minutes ago we got an early Grandparent's Day card from our seventeen month old grandson!  It's a picture of him crying on the beach, with his hand raised in frustration!  The card says in a creative scrapbooking way, "I miss my Grammy and Grandpa!"  I think that picture was taken when Justin had a diaper full of sand - when he had diaper rash from the molars that just came through while our family was together at the beach!  Ouch!  Our daughter, Joy, made the card into a large refrigerator magnet, knowing it would end up there anyway!  The back of the card has a picture in different crayon colors - scribbles by Justin himself!  What a treasure!

 

FUN RECIPES FOR CREATIVE KIDS, PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS & TEACHERS

Best Play Dough Ever ~ Ingredients: 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt, 2 teaspoons cream of tartar, 1 cup water, 1 tablespoon oil, food coloring.   For birthday party favors, you can double the recipe.  Combine all the ingredients in a blender to assure you that all the lumps will disappear.  Cook in a Teflon pan over medium heat, stirring constantly until a ball forms. Remove from heat and knead until smooth. You can use unsweetened Kool-Aid instead of food coloring. The Kool-Aid will color it and make it smell great.  Try orange, purple, red, yellow and others.  This dough is very pliable and long lasting, with more elasticity than others.  Wrap in plastic wrap when not using and it will last a long time.  After months of use, if it does dry up a little, add a few drops of water into it and knead.

Bottled Goopy Squeezy Glitter ~ Ingredients: 1 part flour, 1 part salt, 1 part water, food coloring.    Mix equal parts of flour, salt, and water. Pour into plastic squeeze bottles, such as those used for mustard and ketchup. Add food coloring for variety. Squeeze onto heavy construction paper or cardboard. The salt gives the designs a glistening quality when dry.  You may want to remind children to make a design, rather than huge globs of squeezy glitter, since they take so long to dry.

Goop ~ Ingredients: 2 cups salt, 2/3 cup water, 1 cup cornstarch 1/2 cup cold water.    Mix 2 cups salt and 2/3 cup water.  Heat for 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and quickly add mixture of 1 cup cornstarch and 1/2 cup cold water. Stir quickly.  Return to heat briefly if too "goopy".

Macaroni Coloring ~ Ingredients: Macaroni, food coloring, small Ziplock baggies.    An easy, fun non-messy method of coloring macaroni. In a small baggie add 2 handfuls of macaroni and food coloring. Seal the baggie and have a child shake the baggie until the macaroni is colored. Lay out on paper towels to dry.  String into necklaces and bracelets.  Glue onto boxes or heavy paper in the form of letters, flowers or animals.

Peanut Butter Playdough (Edible) ~ Ingredients: 18 oz. jar peanut butter, 6 Tablespoons honey, non-fat powdered milk (added until right consistency), cocoa for chocolate flavor.   Shape into animals, flowers, whatever you want.  Decorate with raisins, dried cranberries, slivers of dried apricots, and then eat your creations!  Note: Children under one year should never be given honey, because of the risk of botulism.

Rainbow Stew (non-messy fingerpaint) ~ Ingredients: 1/3 cup sugar, 1 cup cornstarch, 4 cups water, Ziplock bags, food coloring.    Mix together the sugar, cornstarch, and water. Heat, stirring often until thick. Let cool then divide and put in Ziplock bags. Seal the baggie and have fun!

Salt Ceramics ~ Ingredients: 1 cup salt, 1/2 cup cornstarch, 3/4 cup water, food coloring.   
Mix well and heat until mixture thickens.  Roll into ball and chill.  When cold, roll out mixture about 1/4" or a tiny bit thinner.  Cut into cookie cutter shapes.  Place on wax paper-lined cookie sheets.  Decorate with glitter, beads, sequins, poster paints, nail polish, old jewelry, felt, another color of ceramic dough or any scraps.  Be sure to make tiny holes with a large needle for hanging or insert a paper clip while wet.  These make wonderful Christmas ornaments that last for years if packed away carefully in a cool, dry place.  I have some ornaments that I made that will hang on our tree for the 37th year.  My favorites are gingerbread men, hobby horses, Christmas trees, angels, sleighs, bells.  A candy cane can be made by twisting two "snakes" together with the colors already mixed into the dough. The colors in mine didn't fade either.  I used pastels colors.  An ornament is nice to give to friends.  Everyone loves an unexpected gift!  A box of these hand-made ornaments is a nice wedding gift, since most newlyweds don't have ornaments when they marry.   

Silly Putty ~ Ingredients: Elmer's glue and liquid starch.   Mix equal parts of Elmer's glue and liquid starch and knead.  Don't give up.  You may have to add more glue and knead some more. If it is sticky add more liquid starch. If it is stringy add more Elmer's glue.  You can add food coloring and store in an air-tight container.  You can choose to leave it white and have children be creative using markers on the putty.  Note: Children need to wear paint shirts since the putty may stick to clothes and hair.  If it does, white vinegar will dissolve and remove it.

Soap Crayons ~ Ingredients: Ivory soap flakes, food coloring, water, ice cube trays (plastic works best).   Pour 1/8 cup of water into a measuring cup. Fill to the one cup mark with soap flakes.  Mix until you have a thick paste. Add several drops of food color - go easy.  Press spoonfuls of soap into the ice cube tray. You can repeat this with several different colors.  Let dry for a few days.

Sun Clay ~ Ingredients: 2 cups salt, 1 cup cornstarch, and water.    Mix the salt and 2/3 cup water in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring until the salt is dissolved. Remove from heat. In a separate bowl, slowly add 1/2 cup water to the cornstarch. Stir until smooth, then add to the salt mixture. Return to low heat and cook until smooth, stirring frequently. Store in a sealed plastic bag.  Place the clay on a tray or paper plate and have children work outdoors or in a sunny area indoors. Give children a lump of clay to model. Children may decorate their sun sculptures with small stones, leaves etc..  Place the finished items in the sun to dry. Challenge children o predict how long it will take for the sculptures to dry. When this clay hardens in the sun, it won't crumble.

 

SPOTTING SPIDERS ~ NIGHT TIME ADVENTURE FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN

Robert Krampf's Experiment of the Week ~ http://www.krampf.com ~ Used by permission
To join the list, send a blank e-mail to:  [email protected]

 

        This week's experiment is another that I did as a child.   I must warn you that if you are afraid of spiders, you may not want to try this experiment.   If you do, you may never leave the house again.   If you do want to try it, you will need: a bright flashlight, a dark night, your yard.
         Spotting spiders at night is really quite easy.   Go outside after dark.   Turn on the flashlight and hold it at the side of your head, even with your eye.   You want the beam to be shining at the spot where you are looking, and you want the source of the light to be as close to your eye as possible.   Then look slowly around your yard, paying close attention to grass, flower beds, etc.
         If you look carefully, you should see some bright pinpoints of light.   Examine these carefully.   Some of them will probably be drops of water clinging to the plants, but many of them will turn out to be the eyes of spiders.   Depending on where you live, the weather, and how carefully you look, you may see a few spiders, or you may see hundreds of them.   It is amazing how many spiders there are out there.   
         Why do their eyes shine?   Spiders have a tapetum, a shiny layer behind the retina.   Light passes into their eye, hits the retina, reflects from the tapetum and hits the retina again.   This makes things look much brighter, making it easier to hunt at night.   Many other animals also have this shiny layer in their eyes.   That is why dogs, cats, deer, alligators, and raccoons all have eyes that seem to glow when you shine a flashlight at them.   As I looked for spiders tonight, I found that many moths also have shiny eyes.
         Whenever I point out spiders to people, they almost always ask whether the spider is poisonous.   The answer is no.   So far as I know, there are no poisonous spiders.   There are venomous spiders.   Venomous means that the creature's bite or sting is toxic.   Poisonous means that it is toxic if you eat it.   Surprisingly, in some parts of the world, spider is a delicacy.   I wonder how they would taste if they were toasted and sprinkled on ice cream?   I think I will stick to pecans and hot fudge.

 

 

CHEESY ZUCCHINI-TOMATO CASSEROLE

3 cups zucchini, sliced               1 small can green chilies, chopped  
1/2 cup onion, chopped              Herbs and spices of your choice
1/2 cup tomatoes, chopped       Salt and pepper

2 oz. pimientos, chopped           1/2 cup cheese, grated (add after vegetables are tender)

1/2 green pepper, chopped       1 small jar chopped pimientos

 

Line a casserole with sliced zucchini.  Evenly distribute vegetables over the top.  Sprinkle with green herbs and spices of your choice, as well as salt and pepper.   Microwave or bake in oven at 350 degrees until vegetables are tender.  Top with grated cheese, sprinkle more dried green herbs over top, and dot pimientos over the cheese.  Bake until cheese is melted.

 

 

KITCHEN MANAGEMENT AND MEAL PLANNING 
By Crystal Miller, 2004 ~ Used by permission

 

Busy homemakers can find managing the kitchen and meal planning and preparations a large challenge.  The trend towards fast foods and convenience foods is common today as a solution to deal with this challenge.  I walk into a nearby grocery store and find the deli loaded with "old-fashioned" goodies like roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, apple pies and any other item one could want for making meal time a breeze.  This could seem like an answer to prayer!  

 

I am not so convinced that these types of helps for the homemaker are answers to prayers.  The food is loaded with bad fats, MSG, sugar and poor quality ingredients in general.  They add preservatives and coloring so it is shelf stable and looks appealing.  Perhaps the answer lies more in improving the skills of managing the kitchen so as to give us the extra time we need in our days and to be able to feed our family better quality food.

 

When you are looking at where to start in managing your kitchen remember that every homemaker must have a plan.  As managers of our homes we can't be tossed about and pulled by our daily lives as though we were victims of whatever may come our way.  We need to work on a plan to be prepared to handle the feeding of our families.  

 

Food and eating are major issues of both finances and health, and worth the time and effort that is necessary to be organized in this area.  I have found that having a weekly menu has been the main key to good kitchen management.  Making menus, grocery lists from those menus and keeping my pantry stocked with needed items makes meal time much easier to deal with.   

 

The first step is to make a menu. If you have not done this before, begin by writing down all the meals that are your family's favorites.  Keep this list posted somewhere (perhaps in a 3-ring organizer/binder, on the back of cupboard door, your computer, etc).  Each week take out the list and pick about 5 meals from it. Pull out all the recipes for that week and put them in one place for easy access.  Fill in your calendar with the meals you want to eat on their proper night.  Make sure you consider what types of things are happening during the week.  If you will be gone all day, don't plan a complicated meal like lasagna.  Pick an easy crock pot meal instead and prepare it before you leave. Save two nights each week for eating up leftovers, trying out a new recipe, having a sandwich night or a "cook's night off".  Take time each evening to look at the next day's menu and see what needs to be done that night.  Do you need to take anything out of the freezer?  Do you need to cook some beans in the crockpot overnight so they will be ready the next morning? 

 

Make a grocery list from your recipes making sure to check your pantry for any of the needed items.  There's nothing like running out of baking powder when you are trying to quickly make a batch of cornbread.   Or finding that your recipe called for a can of tomato sauce that you thought you had.  

 

Having a well stocked pantry is helpful for good kitchen management.  Begin by creating a pantry list for yourself. Find lists on the Internet to help you get started (I have one on my site, http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/pantrylist.html ). Add to this and remove items to suit your cooking style and needs.  Watch for when these commonly used items to go on sale and then stock up on them.  

 

If you feel you just don't have the time to spend to organize this area let me encourage you that as we look at our roles as wives and mothers and put the things of our lives into priority we realize the care and feeding of our family is pretty high on the list.  How wonderful it is to be able to feed them better quality home cooked meals and not over do the budget in the process. We will spend time at the grocery store and in the kitchen anyway, so we might as well spend a little extra time organizing this area of our life and receive the benefits of being an organized homemaker!  

 

About the Author:
Crystal Miller ( mailto:[email protected] ) is a mother of 8 children and enjoys her God given role as wife, homemaker and mother!  She has a homemaking and country living web site called The Family Homestead  http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com  and has a free monthly newsletter  called  Homestead Happenings.  You will find sign up information on her website.   <a href="AOL'>http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com">AOL users click here</a>

 

 

DADDY'S EMPTY CHAIR 

Author Unknown ~ Contributed by Joyce Quam of Virginia

        A man's daughter had asked the local minister to come and pray with her father.  When the minister arrived, he found the man lying in bed with his head propped up on two pillows.  An empty chair sat beside his bed.  The minister assumed that the old fellow had been informed of his visit.  "I guess you were expecting me, he said."  

        "No, who are you?" said the father. The minister told him his name and then remarked, "I saw the empty chair and I figured you knew I was going to show up," "Oh yeah, the chair," said the bedridden man.  "Would you mind closing the door?"  Puzzled, the minister shut the door.  "I have never told anyone this, not even my daughter," said the man.  "But all of my life I have never known how to pray.  At church I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer, but it went right over my head.  I abandoned any attempt at prayer," the old man continued, "until one day four years ago, my best friend said to me, '"Johnny, prayer is just a simple matter of having a conversation with Jesus.  Here is what I suggest.  Sit down in a chair; place an empty chair in front of you, and in faith see Jesus on the chair.  It's not spooky because he promised, I will be with you always.  Then just speak to him in the same way you're doing with me right now.' " 

        "So, I tried it and I've liked it so much that I do it a couple of hours every day.  I'm careful though.  If my daughter saw me talking to an empty chair, she'd either have a nervous breakdown or send me off to the funny farm."  The minister was deeply moved by the story and encouraged the old man to continue on the journey.  Then he prayed with him and returned to the church.
        Two nights later the daughter called to tell the minister that her daddy had died that afternoon.   "Did he die in peace?" he asked.  "Yes, when I left the house about two o'clock, he called me over to his bedside, told me he loved me and kissed me on the cheek.  When I got back from the store an hour later, I found him dead.  But there was something strange about his death.  Apparently, just before Daddy died, he leaned over and rested his head on
the chair beside the bed.  What do you make of that?"   The minister wiped a tear from his eye and said, "I wish we could all go like that."  

        Prayer is as simple as "pulling up a chair and having a friendly chat with God."
 

 

COMMENTS AND KIDS' QUOTES SENT BY "HEART TO HEART" LADIES

Ladies, I enjoy hearing from you all!  I do want you to know that I receive permission from each one before using your personal quotes in the newsletter.

 

Mommy's Pre-School

Margie DeMonbrun in Missouri tells how her four year old granddaughter, Olivia, was so excited to be going to "Mommy's Pre-school," which actually is school at home - taught by Mommy!  Mommy is teaching the letter "Aa" all week long, though Olivia would like to go much faster.  Mommy wrote a story with lots of "Aa" words, like ant, acorn, apple, etc. and read it to her.  Later after the lesson Mommy was greeted with a little surprise as she walked into the family room, where Olivia had crushed cracker crumbs and laid them out in a nice straight row all across the carpet!  What Mommy saw was Olivia on her knees, bending down eating the cracker crumbs.  "What are you doing, young lady?!!" asked Mommy.  Olivia replied, "I'm eating cracker crumbs like an ant!  I just wanted to see what it was like!"  To which Mommy replied, "Now go vacuum it up."  And Olivia did.

 

A Note and Three Kids' Quotes sent by Carol Vega in Pennsylvania

I started to keep a scrap pad near my desk and one in my purse to jot down the funny things my kids say from time to time.  Hopefully some day I can add them in a keepsake book for them of their childhood!  Thanks for the idea of doing this.  If you don't write them down they just get forgotten!  I love having their cute quotes written down to always remember.  I just wish I had always done this as I have missed so many!

 

My five year old daughter, Sarah, asked me one day while in our schoolroom (at home), "So Mom, when you were a kid everything was black and white, right?" I laughed and then explained to her first that I am not THAT old but that only television was in black and white. I reminded her that the world was full of color when the Lord created it!

 

Also...My children have a children's video that has some square-dancing in it. One day my four year old son was caught saying "Swing your partner, Don't say no!"      🙂

 

Our children often make us cards. Last night before bedtime, Sarah presented my husband and me each with a card. They were basically the same text but one read, "Dear Dad," with colored pictures of her and Daddy and mine read, "Dear Mom," with pictures drawn of her with me.  I should tell you that Sarah is an eager learner and seems to pick up things quickly. She learned to read well by mid-kindergarten and likes to write too, but since we didn't get through all the phonic rules and spelling, etc. she basically will write things as they sound.  Here is what my letter looked like:  "Dear Mom.  I Love you. You are the beast mom in the howle in tire world."  I looked at my husband across the room and said, "Honey, I am the beast!" (I hadn't seen his card yet).  His reply was, "You must be the beast mom because mine says I am the beast dad!"  🙂

 

Comment and Another Quote from a Five Year Old ~ From Ruth Kaup in PA 

Just want to say, "THANK YOU" for all the hard work you put into the newsletter!  It is so refreshing to find it waiting for me ... especially after a rough day!  Our house is the house where the neighborhood kids love to play.  I love it but some days, it is trying!  Your letter always seems to come at the right time!  In this letter I especially liked the "Home School Article."  It is nice to know so many are making the same decision we have.  It is the hardest job I've ever loved!
 
I wanted to share a little story about my great niece, Hilari, 5 years old.  While on vacation, Hilari, Tara (Hilari's mother), and Tara's parents visited Cedar Point in Ohio.  Tara developed a kidney stone and had to be rushed to the hospital.  Hilari, worried about her mother, wanted to go back into the room, so her grandfather took her back for a moment.  When she returned to the waiting room, she said, "Nana, it's not a pretty picture!"   

 

Laura Moyer, a new subscriber in Pennsylvania, with four small children ~ Thank you so much for your encouragement.  It is so nice and I'm looking forward to reading everything.  As God's Word says, "The older women are to teach the younger women," right?  I love to learn from the experience of others, because they have walked before me and I can glean much insight into things. Thank you for your ministry.

 

Mary Rice Hopkins (California) in Reply to Tidbits Section in the last Heart to Heart

So fun to read your new tidbits and your article on Joni and Friends. She is a dear friend of mine and the "real deal." She lives close by and I have had the pleasure of visiting and being with her many times. We actually spent the afternoon one day singing in a nearby prayer chapel -- just the two of us.  I hope all is well with you. ~ Blessings, Mary

Ladies, please check out Mary's music ministry to children at www.maryricehopkins.com.  She is one very talented lady who glorifies the Lord in the songs she writes and sings.  Check her concert schedule too.

 

Mandatory Class in Muslim Culture and Islam - Contributed by Cindi Chenault

 of Virginia ~ in response to a comment in the August 16 issue if Heart to Heart

My cousin who is in the Marines recently visited us here in Virginia.  He brought his two children, ages 8 and 5.  They live in California.  He was telling me that in his children's school it was mandatory that they take a class in the Muslim culture and Islam.  His oldest child wouldn't be in that grade for a year or two, but he said if they were still stationed there at that time, his children were going to private school.  They are not allowed to teach anything about Christianity in the public schools or even mention it, but they have to attend a mandatory class in Muslim culture and Islam!      (Note from Lois: I've heard this very same thing several months ago on Issues in Education with Bob and Jeri Boyd  (WRVL - Sat. - 9:30 AM) and on Point of View (Live from Dallas weekdays from 2:05 - 4:00 PM - Eastern Time).

 

 

IN GOD WE TRUST?  A QUOTE FROM FORMER PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN

Our coins bear the words 'In God We Trust'. We take the oath of office asking His help in keeping that oath. And we proclaim that we are a nation under God when we pledge allegiance to the flag. But we can't mention His name in a public school or even sing religious hymns that are nondenominational.  --Ronald Reagan

 

 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO VOTE ON FEDERAL MARRIAGE AMENDMENT

        When?  Very soon!  Mid-September.  God intended marriage to be a union between one man and one woman.  Federal judges are imposing another definition of marriage upon Americans and Christians no longer afford to be silent.  If the liberal judges have their way, this ruling will adversely affect every single person, family and church in America.  So please make your view known by calling now.

        Citizen Link has researched the positions of members of the House of Representatives, regarding their stand on the FMA.  They have been classified in four categories:

cosponsors (those who have signed their names to the FMA); members expected to support;

expected to oppose; and undecided.  Where does your representative stand?
         Go to http://www.family.org/cforum/extras/a0033513.cfm to see that list and find detailed suggestions on how you can make your views known to your own state representative.

 

 

OCTOBER 4 IS THE DEADLINE FOR REGISTERING TO VOTE  (IN VIRGINIA)

Ninety percent (90%) of the people in Afghanistan are registered to vote!

 

Are you?  What will it take to get you to register???  This is probably the most important election in the United States - ever.  Not only are we electing a president and vice president, but there are 34 races for Senate!  Which presidential candidate do you wish to have the privilege of appointing new members to the Supreme Court?  Which philosophy of life do you want in the highest court of our land?  Educate yourself on the issues of the candidates.  Use either of these web sites below to register online.  Call your local library or Registrar to find out the deadline to register to vote in your state.  Be sure your children who are college students have applications for an Absentee Ballot.  Call your Registrar about the simple procedure.  Register, Pray and Vote!  Pray each day!

 

Helpful web sites in registering to vote and educating yourself on election details:

www.ivotevalues.com                                       www.capitolconnect.com/fotf/default.asp 

www.operationvote.com                                  www.pointofview.net 

 

 

HUGS: A PARENT'S SECRET WEAPON
By Colleen Langenfeld ~ Copyright (c) 2004 ~ Used by permission
 
It has happened again.  Another summer has whizzed by.  My kids are another year older.   With two children grown and another two still under my  wing, I have come to appreciate my fleeting opportunity  to BE THERE for my young charges. To form and nurture a lasting relationship with each of them.

Frankly, I've come to see that a simple hug is a very  powerful thing.  That being said, I would like to offer you a few compelling reasons to hug YOUR precious ones every single day.  

 

Hugs.... 
- lower your blood pressure. Or at least feel like it.
- nurture a team spirit. The family team, that is.
- are free. So do it twice.
- are what kids honestly crave. No matter what they say!
- get kids' attention. And open their ears.
- can melt multiple harsh words. For both you and your child.
- make you smile! And it's tough to stay angry when you're smilin'.
- model generosity of spirit. Give and you shall receive!
- are the right way to welcome home someone weary from his or her day.
- feel GREAT!
 
Many scientific studies have shown the positive effects of hugging. More importantly to me, I've seen the positive effects in my own family.  As parents, we sometimes grope for the right words to inspire our children. We question our own choice of disciplinary tactics. We agonize over our apparent inadequacies in this most important of jobs.

 

So hug.  Hugging is virtually always helpful (especially when our children claim to not want it); soothing, comforting, and very hard to overdo, as long as you are sincere.  Best of all, when the hugs start coming back at you, you'll know why 'Mom' or 'Dad' is the best title in the world!  

___________________________________________________________________ 
Colleen Langenfeld offers helpful resources to working moms. Make your life feel easier, healthier, smarter by reading our One Good Idea ezine. Start by visiting http://www.paintedgold.com and clicking on the happy kids' picture now!

 

 

ANOTHER PRECIOUS BABY TO HUG!

Warren and Donita King in Virginia recently welcomed Ella-Grace Noelle King into their family.  Ella-Grace was born on June 1, 2004.  Congratulations to the King family!

 

"Only love can be divided endlessly and still not diminish."   -- Anne Morrow Lindbergh

"Mothers are the most instinctive philosophers." -- Harriet Beecher Stowe

            

  ¸...¸       / /____ _____
  ,·´º o`·,/__/ _/_ //____/                   "Choose you this day whom you will serve ...
  ```)¨(´´´ | | | | | | | || |l±±±± |                    but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." 
  ¸,.-·²°´ ¸,.-·~·~·-.,¸ `°²·-. :º°                      Joshua 24:15

 

 

Love from 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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