9/18/07 FREEZER, PB&J, CHRISTMAS, INK, INVISIBLE, MIDWIFE, BABES, HOPE

#1 · September 18, 2007, 6:01 pm

Quote from Forum Archives on September 18, 2007, 6:01 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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9/18/07 FREEZER, PB&J, CHRISTMAS, INK, INVISIBLE, MIDWIFE, BABES, HOPE

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Please share this complete newsletter with other women who might benefit by receiving it. Thanks!

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Welcome to all the new subscribers - most who attended the Mary Rice Hopkins Concert and Parent-Teacher Training Conference last weekend! What a wonderful job Mary did, as well as Darcey from Puppets with a Heart!

IN THIS ISSUE:

A WEEK IN THE HOME OF AN INEXPERIENCED BUT VERY DETERMINED COOK

OUTSTANDING FREEZER MEALS TO ASSEMBLE AND EAT LATER

        CRUSTY ORANGE PECAN CHICKEN

        TASTY TURKEY BURGERS

        CHILI LIME CRAB CAKES

        BRAISED PORK CHOPS

NEW INGENIOUS PB&J SNACK!

TIDBITS

PREPARATION FOR CHRISTMAS

BEWARE OF E-MAIL HOAXES

HOW TO GET INK OUT OF (ALMOST) ANYTHING
THE FOUR BLESSED LÔ¿ÔKS

I'M INVISIBLE

ASK A NURSE MIDWIFE

OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES!

VISUALIZING OUR ANSWERS TO PRAYER - WITH HOPE

UPDATE ON OUR GRANDDAUGHTER, RYAN ELIZABETH'S HEART

A WEEK IN THE HOME OF AN INEXPERIENCED BUT VERY DETERMINED COOK

Author unknown - Thanks to Barb Campbell in Mississippi for sending this humor!

MONDAY - It's fun to cook for Bill. Today I made angel food cake. The recipe said to beat 12 eggs separately. The neighbors were nice enough to loan me some extra bowls.

TUESDAY - Bill wanted fruit salad for supper. The recipe said to serve without dressing. So I didn't dress. What a surprise when Bill brought a friend home for supper!

WEDNESDAY - A good day for rice. The recipe said to wash thoroughly before steaming the rice. It seemed kind of silly but I took a bath anyway. I can't say it improved the rice any.

THURSDAY - Today Bill asked for salad again, so I tried a new recipe. It said to prepare ingredients: lay on a bed of lettuce one hour before serving. Bill asked me why I was rolling around in the garden.

FRIDAY - I found an easy recipe for cookies. It said to put the ingredients in a bowl and beat it. There must have been something wrong with this recipe. When I got back, everything was the same as when I left.

SATURDAY - Bill did the shopping today and brought home a chicken. He asked me to dress it for Sunday. I don't have any clothes that fit it, and for some reason Bill keeps counting to ten.

SUNDAY - Bill's folks came to dinner. I wanted to serve roast but all I had was hamburger. Suddenly I had a flash of genius. I put the hamburger in the oven and set the controls for roast. It still came out hamburger, much to my disappointment.

GOOD NIGHT DEAR DIARY. This has been a very exciting week! I am eager for tomorrow to come so I can try out a new recipe on Bill. If I can talk Bill into buying a bigger oven, I would like to surprise him with a chocolate moose.

Note from Lois: Two other examples of inexperienced cooks:

        A girl who majored in home economics at the university along with me thought a turkey should be roasted in the oven with all the innards still inside - before it was cleaned and dressed. And I'm not talking about the giblets, heart and liver in the bag!

        Recently I was told another story of a wife who made meatloaf when they were first married. She put the ground beef on the bottom of the baking pan and put all the other ingredients on the top!

        If anyone needs some good recipes, try these below! I hope they are fully explained, so you and your family can really enjoy them!

OUTSTANDING FREEZER MEALS TO ASSEMBLE AND EAT LATER

By Lois Breneman, © 2007, Heart to Heart Newsletter, [email protected]

Time, energy and food dollars are extremely valuable to every wife and mother. Here is one way you can save lots of time, energy and food dollars, yet have some outstanding meals!  You will find you can save so much time by preparing multiple meals of the same dish. Each dish below yields six servings.

You may want to save these prepared meals for special meals for your family or for guests. Keep several different meals in the freezer to pull when your time is limited. All of the following meat dishes are unusually delicious, and tasty enough for company meals. To complete your meal, just add a starch such as potatoes, brown rice, or pasta, plus a vegetable! Or add a vegetable and green salad - maybe whole grain bread, if you'd like.

When a particular type of meat goes on sale, consider making several family meals of a recipe using that meat, and wait for other varieties of meat to go on sale before freezing in large quantities.

Zipped freezer bags are a tremendous convenience in preparing dishes ahead, without taking

so many baking dishes out of commission. The bags also pack better in the freezer. Flash freeze bags of food by laying them out flat on the freezer coils, then stacking the bags after the food is frozen.

For the following recipes, first assemble all the ingredients for each dish you are preparing in large quantity. For these dishes, there is no cooking before freezing - only assembling into the Ziploc bags indicated. I've had lots of help with these recipes from my daughter, Joy, and daughter-in-law, Rachael, so thanks again, girls!

CRUSTY ORANGE PECAN CHICKEN
Large Bag #1
6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tsp. curry powder
1/2 cup orange juice
1 cup plain low fat yogurt

Smaller Bag #2
1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
1 tsp. salt
1/4 cup craisins (dried cranberries)
2 tsp. ground ginger
1 cup ground pecans
4 Tbsp. liquid margarine

1. In the gallon sized bag, add chicken and all other ingredients for Bag #1. Close and mix
2. In a separate smaller freezer bag, add all ingredients for Bag #2. Close and mix.
3. Wrap two bags in plastic wrap, enclosing a label for the directions:

4. Yields 6 servings.

Directions when removing from freezer to cook and serve:
1. Thaw frozen package in refrigerator for at least 24 hours.
2. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
3. Pour crust mixture on a plate.
4. Remove chicken from marinade; press onto crust mixture to coat both sides. Toss marinade.
5. Spray cooking sheet with cooking oil and place chicken breasts on a baking sheet.
6. Bake chicken at 425 degrees for 25-30 minutes until crisp, brown and cooked through.
7. Check chicken after 15 minutes and reduce heat to 400 degrees if it is getting too dark, or place a piece of foil over the top.

Nutritional Info: Cal 260 / Carbs 8.2 gm. / Protein 28.9 gm. / Fat 12.4 gm. / Fiber 1.1 gm. / Sodium 360 mg. / Chol 66 mg. / Dietary Exchange 6

TASTY TURKEY BURGERS
Healthier burgers than the usual ones! And very good!

1 1/2 lbs. ground turkey                        1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup diced red onion                       1/2 cup spinach
2 tsp. chopped garlic                           2 Tbsp. steak seasoning

1. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients for the burgers.
2. Make turkey mixture into 6 patties. Place on a baking pan, lined with wax paper. Cover with plastic wrap.

3. Transfer enough burgers for your family to Ziploc freezer bags.

3. Flash freeze with a label using the directions below.

4. Yields 6 servings.

Directions when removing from freezer to cook and serve:

Thaw in refrigerator for at least 24 hours before baking or grilling.
Oven: Preheat oven to 375 degree and bake uncovered for 35-45 minutes or until juices run clear. Serve with buns.
Grill: Preheat grill to a medium.-high heat. Grill burgers for 12-15 minutes or until juices run clear, turning once. Serve with buns.

Nutritional Information: Calories 207 / Carbs 2.5 gm. / Protein 22.3 gm. / Fat 12.1 gm. / Fiber .6 gm / Sodium 937 mg. / Chol 101 mg.

CHILI LIME CRAB CAKES
2 cups crab meat (or imitation crab)                                4 tsp. lime juice
1 cup crushed saltine or wheat crackers                       1 tsp. Old Bay Seasoning
2/3 cup liquid egg (Egg Beaters or measured eggs)     2 Tbsp. Ranch Dressing
4 tsp. Oriental chili garlic sauce                                        2 Tbsp. chopped cilantro

1. Mix all ingredients together. Form into 12 crab cakes or 24 mini crab cakes for appetizers. 2. To freeze for future use, place on a baking pan, lined with wax paper. Cover with plastic wrap. Flash freeze.

3. When burgers ae frozen, transfer enough crab cakes for your family to Ziploc freezer bags.

3. Include a label using the directions below.
4. Yields 6 servings.

Directions when removing from freezer to cook and serve:

1. When ready to use, thaw in refrigerator for 24 hours.

2. Heat large stove top skillet with 4-6 Tbsp. olive oil over medium heat.

3. Use a shaker (sugar shaker) of whole wheat flour to sprinkle flour on each crab cake before cooking.

4. Cook crab cakes for 3-4 minutes on first side, sprinkle top side with flour, turn and cook another 3-4 minutes on other side.

5. Yields 6 servings.

Nutritional Info: Cal 156 / Carbs 8 gm. / Protein 20.3 gm. / Fat 4.8 gm. / Fiber .2 gm. / Sodium 682 mg. / Chol 78 mg. / Dietary Exchanges 3 (Not using Egg Beaters will alter nutritional info)

BRAISED PORK CHOPS
Place in Gallon Ziploc Bag:
1 1/2 lbs. center cut pork chops (Chicken is a good substitute for pork)
2 Tbsp brown sugar (Honey, Sucanat, Stevia, Agave Nectar or another sugar substitute)
2 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 cup orange juice
2 Tbsp. apple juice

1. Place meat and all other ingredients in Ziploc bag. Close and mix well.

2. Attach directions to meal and freeze.

3. Yields 6 servings.

Directions when removing from freezer to cook and serve:
Thaw meat in refrigerator at least 24 hours before cooking.
Oven Method: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pour entire contents of bag into a baking dish and bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes.
Slow Cooker Method: Pour entire contents of bag plus 2 cups of water into slow cooker and cook on high for 4-6 hours or on low for 6-8 hours.

Nutritional Info: Cal 170 / Carbs 7.9 gm / Protein 15.0 gm. / Fat 8.3 gm / Fiber 0 gm. / Sodium 527 mg. / Chol 33 mg. / Dietary Exchange 4

Note: For other freezer meal ideas, refer back to the 7/3/07 edition of Heart to Heart.

NEW INGENIOUS PB&J SNACK!

Thanks to my daughter-in-law, Rachael Breneman in Ohio for this peanut butter and jelly snack!

My son was telling me how his wife, Rachael, gives him a Tupperware container with natural peanut butter as part of his lunch, along with grapes and a fork. They call it PB&J! He loads two grapes onto the fork and dips them into the peanut butter! Jeff said that since he's been bringing this snack to work, two other employees have copied Rachael's idea! I've already tried it and given it to two young children and their mom and we all loved it! Delicious, especially with the black seedless grapes!   So ladies, add this to your lunch packing ideas!

TIDBITS

The Watchmaker http://www.kids4truth.com/watchmaker/watch.html

Thanks to Becky Noell in Georgia for sending this beautiful message! Have the kids watch!

Click here: ROBERT GROVER PHOTOGRAPHY - Presented by Phanfare

Thanks to Debbie Klinect in Florida for sending this! Your children would enjoy this too!

        Enjoy these beautiful sandhill cranes with their baby. You can click on each picture individually or click on "Start Slideshow" and enjoy some beautiful music with it. So cute!   There are pictures at the end of the slideshow with some of the neighborhood people watching the sandhill cranes.   These pics were taken in the Suntree area of Florida ~Viera~  south of Cocoa & Titusville.   We have some at the Space Center too, but I've never gotten any pictures of them.

        Narrative from the e-mail I received about this site:

Suntree area...

        One of our Sand Hill Crane couples recently had an exciting addition to their family. When they built their nest near the water's edge it immediately drew attention of passers by. Soon there were two eggs sitting on top of the nest and the mother on top of them.

        Those of us who were really curious passed by the site every morning and we would stop our cars to get out and see if there were any new cranes yet. Many brought cameras of all shapes and sizes and would stand near the water for long periods of time hoping to catch a photo of the hatching.

        Robert Grover, a dentist, didn't actually catch the birth but, he sure did capture some fabulous shots of the Momma, Papa and baby (the second egg never hatched). Then he put together a slide show with music that is just too good to not share it.

Poison Proofing Your Home - http://www.babycenter.com/0_poison-proofing-your-home_415.bc?Ad=com.bc.common.AdInfo%405b7a605b

Lots of Patterns for Sewing, Knitting, Crocheting Ministry - http://www.carewear.org/

Thanks to Prudence Kinley-Ruth in Pennsylvania for this site that tells about a group of volunteers based in Frederick, Maryland. Anyone can download their patterns and sew for the main organization or you can use them for your own ministry or personal use. Using these patterns to sew for Pregnancy Resource Centers would be wonderful! This is simple sewing that doesn't very cost much for materials, and you may even find sewing and craft stores that would donate supplies for such a good cause.  If you're looking for a new ministry that touches hearts and helps many in need, you may find ideas here.

Get a Jump on Making Christmas Gifts - Most people love to receive handmade gifts. Use your talents, whatever they may be, for this purpose. Are you skilled in woodworking crafts, ceramics, poetry, writing, calligraphy, photography, music, painting, cooking, organizing, gardening, crafts, sewing, knitting or crocheting? Use your talents for gifts. Check on the Internet or go to the library and search out more ideas. Think about some sewing and craft items you could make "assembly line style" for a number of family members and friends - something more than one would enjoy. There are countless Christmas ornaments you and your family could make together to give to friends and neighbors. We have three months to plan and prepare, and starting now will make life easier and more enjoyable for our families.

PREPARATION FOR CHRISTMAS

Do You Want Extra Editions of CHRISTMAS NEWSLETTERS?

Do You Want them EARLY, so you have more time to prepare?

Please Reply to This Newsletter to Let Me Know!

Since the very beginning of Heart to Heart, newsletters have gone out before Christmas with miscellaneous topics about this wonderful and special holiday season of Christ's birthday. I am asking again - "Would you again like to receive EXTRA NEWSLETTERS pertaining to Christmas?" If I get a good response, they will have to be sent to everyone, and those who don't want them can just delete. I would send them as early as possible, so you have time to scan and use some of the ideas and recipes.

I would send mostly duplicates - with revisions and additions, including some healthier recipes than the usual sugar-laden ones.   Some of the Christmas topics covered in the past:

Ways to Keep Christ in Christmas

Christmas Traditions and Tips

Fun and Easy Gifts to Make - Easy on the Budget - Great to Receive!

Recipes for Appetizers, Dips, Breakfast Recipes, Cakes, Breads, Cookies, Candy

Christmas Stories and Poems for Your Family

Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas

BEWARE OF E-MAIL HOAXES

Hoaxes about Household Products, including the Magic Eraser

Do a search for questionable e-mails received at www.snopes.com.

        Magic Erasers - This website http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/eraser.asp says the e-mail floating around about Magic Erasers causing skin burns is false and explains it further. Manufacturers had taken steps to resolve this in Jan., 2007. They now warn customers not to rub Magic Erasers on the skin. They are completely safe to use as directed. Thank goodness, it is a hoax! I love those amazing sponges!

        Reusing Plastic Bottles - No, reusing plastic bottles will not result in their breaking down into cancer-causing components. http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/petbottles.asp

        Puppy Love - This one is true and mighty cute! Photographs show a puppy born with a heart-shaped pattern in its coat. http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/heartkun.asp

HOW TO GET INK OUT OF (ALMOST) ANYTHING
From: DIY Life - http://www.diylife.com/2007/09/03/how-to-get-ink-out-of-almost-anything/_
(http://www.diylife.com/2007/09/03/how-to-get-ink-out-of-almost-anything/)
Thanks to Helen Rutrough in Virginia for sending this good information!

        It's a fact of life: despite all the washable crayons and markers on the market, kids will still find the only indelible ink pen in the house. Even if you stash it in a locked box surrounded by mousetraps and an armed guard, your little Van Gogh will snatch up a Sharpie faster than you can say, "Oh, no! Not the kitchen wall!"

        Fear not, moms and dads. It's not easy, but there are several ways to get ink off furniture, clothing and walls. Before trying any of these methods, be sure to test in an inconspicuous spot first.
        Magic Eraser is a lifesaver for many ink stains. I once successfully removed ink spots from a black Sharpie permanent marker after one of my sons demonstrated his artistic inspiration on a solid wood table.
        For permanent marker stains on hard surfaces like tile and concrete, try nail polish remover. Be sure to use it judiciously on treated tile (like terrazzo flooring) or you may mar the finish.
        For ink stains on leather furniture and clothing, spray a paper towel or soft cloth with some WD-40 and wipe the stain lightly. Repeat several times until the ink is gone.
        If you've accidentally gotten ink on an LCD or flat-panel monitor screen, try rubbing carefully with a pencil eraser. This trick seems to be particularly effective on mishaps with a Sharpie or other permanent marker.

        Use hairspray to remove ballpoint pen marks from clothing. Simply spray it on the stain and wash in cold water. The garment may need to be washed a couple of times, so check to see that the ink spot is gone before putting the item in the dryer where the heat will set it permanently. If you don't have hairspray handy, try rubbing alcohol.



Additional Note on Rubbing Alcohol Removing Permanent Ink

Thanks to Barb Campbell in Mississippi for her story!

        About getting ink out ... a while back my son left a pen in a pocket of some shorts and I missed it. It exploded in the wash! Fortunately it only got on his shorts, but they were a new pair and they appeared to be ruined! It was a mess! I did some online searching and read about using rubbing alcohol for this. I put the shorts on top of a stack of paper towels and then poured the alcohol on the stain. The paper towels absorbed it. The stain spread, but lightened. I poured a bit, waited, carefully blotted and then poured more. I got as much of the ink out as I could and then I washed the shorts again. The ink came right out.

THE FOUR BLESSED LÔ¿ÔKS
Thanks to Annamarie Kresge in Virginia for sending this!

1. LÔ¿ÔK back and thank God.
2. LÔ¿ÔK forward and trust God.
3. LÔ¿ÔK around and serve God.
4. LÔ¿ÔK within His Word and find God!

Without God, our week is:
Mournday, Tearsday, Wasteday, Thirstday, Fightday, Shatterday and Sinday.
So, allow Him to be with you every day!

I'M INVISIBLE

By a woman named Charlotte - Thanks to Debbie Klinect in Florida for this encouraging reminder to mothers!

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, "Can't you see I'm on the phone?"

Obviously not. No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible.

Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, "What time is it?" I'm a satellite guide to answer, "What number is the Disney Channel?" I'm a car to order, "Right around 5:30, please."

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again.

She's going, she's going, she's gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a banana clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, "I brought you this."

It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: "To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees."

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, "Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it."

And the workman replied, "Because God sees."  I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, "I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become."

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, "My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table." That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, "You're gonna love it there."

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

Great Job, Moms!

ASK A NURSE MIDWIFE

By Karen Winstead, ACC Certified Nurse-Midwife - http://www.newlifebirthcenter.net/

Please send your personal questions relating to pregnancy and childbirth that you would like to see addressed by replying to this newsletter. Names of those sending questions will not be included in this column, and the answer will be e-mailed to you before it appears in a newsletter.

Question:

What can I do to help put me into labor or to help strengthen contractions? I have a 2 1/2 year old toddler and am 9 weeks away from my due date with our second child. My first labor was long. After about 38 hours of labor my midwife transferred me to the hospital since I was only dilated to 4 and seemed to be getting nowhere. Once we got there a monitor showed that my contractions were only half as strong as they should have been and with the help of Pitocin, I was able to dial ate the rest of the way and have a vaginal birth 4 -5 hours later. I'm thinking about trying herbs to help me have a faster easier labor. I've heard about the following and wonder which you would recommend. Pregnancy 6, 5W, Dr Christopher's Prenatal Formula, or Gentle Birth Formula. I did use Evening Primrose oil the last few weeks and plan to use that again this time.

Answer:
I am not familiar with the listed formulations. Keep in mind that homeopathic remedies are safe, do not conflict with other medications, and do not cause allergic reactions. Herbal products can interact with other medications, can cause allergic reactions, and are not always safe in pregnancy. It really pays to check with an herbalist if you are interested in using herbal preparations. I am familiar with the following ways to help labor along:

* Acupuncture - there is an acupuncture point on the side of the little toe
* Pedicure or foot massage - acupressure points
* Chiropractic- find a practitioner comfortable working with pregnant women
* Homeopathic remedies: Caulophyllum and Cimifuga, alternate every 15 min.
* Nipple stimulation- warm compresses to nipples, roll nipples between fingers. If contractions get painful, take a break. (Nipple stimulation releases your own natural oxytocinwe use a synthetic oxytocin-Pitocin- in the hospital. Be sure to have the babys heart rate checked if the contractions are getting strong because whopper contractions can be dangerous for the baby and must be monitored).
* Castor oil: This will give you diarrhea. Intestinal irritability stimulates contractions. Takes 1-8 hours to work.
        Recipe 1- ½ glass root beer, big scoop of vanilla ice cream, 2 oz of castor oil, blend, drink, follow with a Reeses Cup.
        Recipe 2- ½ glass pineapple juice or apricot nectar. Add a pinch of baking soda, when it bubbles up stir in 2 oz. of castor oil, stir well. Drink down, catch breath, drink rest. Follow with a Reeses Cup.

* Herbal: Senecio Aureus (Blossom) Tincture - the method may vary so check the product label for usage or check with an herbalist.

OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES!

These have to be original and genuine - no adult is this creative!

Thanks to Becky Henry in Virginia for sending these great kids' quotes!

Steven (age 3) hugged and kissed his Mom goodnight. "I love you so much, that when you die I'm going to bury you outside my bedroom window."

Melanie (age 5) asked her Granny how old she was. Granny replied she was so old she didn't remember any more. Melanie said, "If you don't remember you have to look in the back of your panties. Mine say five to six ."

Brittany (age 4) had an earache and wanted a painkiller. She tried in vain to take the lid off the bottle. Seeing her frustration, her Mom explained it was a childproof cap and she'd have to open it for her. Eyes wide with wonder, the little girl asked: "How does it know it's me?"

Susan (age 4) was drinking juice when she got the hiccups. "Please don't give me this juice again," she said, "It makes my teeth cough."

Drew (age 4) stepped onto the bathroom scale and asked: "How much do I cost?"

Marc (age 4) was engrossed in a young couple that were hugging and kissing in a restaurant. Without taking his eyes off them, he asked his dad: "Why is he whispering in her mouth?"

Clinton (age 5) was in his bedroom looking worried. When his Mom asked what was troubling him, he replied, "I don't know what'll happen with this bed when I get married. How will my wife fit in?"

James (age 4) was listening to a Bible story. His dad read: "The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city but his wife looked back and was turned to salt." Concerned, James asked: "What happened to the flea?"

Tammy (age 4) was with her mother when they met an elderly, rather wrinkled woman her Mom knew. Tammy looked at her for awhile and then asked, "Why doesn't your skin fit your face?"

The Sermon I think this Mom will never forget.... this particular Sunday sermon..."Dear Lord," the minister began, with arms extended toward heaven and a rapturous look on his upturned face. "Without you, we are but dust." He would have continued but at that moment my very obedient daughter (who was listening!) leaned over to me and asked quite audibly in her shrill little girl voice, "Mommy, what is butt dust?"

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cheryl Fischer in Virginia gave me permission to share this original quote with you: Her three year old son, Brad, came to her one day and asked, "Will you look in my eye, Mommy? Something's in there and I think it might be a flashlight!" He meant an eyelash!

VISUALIZING OUR ANSWERS TO PRAYER - WITH HOPE

By Lois Breneman, © 2007, Heart to Heart Newsletter, [email protected]

Last September all of our family gathered for two family reunions in Pennsylvania. At that time our daughter and son-in-law were still hoping for another child, after a fourteen week pregnancy more than a year earlier had ended in a miscarriage. Our older son and his wife had just been married a few weeks earlier, after they had both finally found the one the Lord meant to be their one and only life's partner, but the biological clocks were ticking, so we were praying for the Lord to bless both of these families with babies.

At one of those reunions last September, Hope Elizabeth, the baby daughter of our nephew and his wife, was being passed around, as we all enjoyed holding that sweet new baby. After we arrived home, we viewed all the pictures taken that weekend, and decided to place the two pictures of both Joy and Rachael side by side into one frame. They were each holding Hope Elizabeth - each one with a big smile on her face! That double picture has been hanging in our bedroom ever since last September, as a reminder to pray often that Joy and Rachael's arms would soon be filled - each with their very own baby. We were hoping and praying every day, and that picture was an ever present reminder for extra prayers!

It is now one year later and God is so good - no matter what! The following month Joy was pregnant, and our precious little Ryan Elizabeth was born in July!   A small picture of her is now in Joy's arms in that double picture!  But that's not all God did!

Just before our granddaughter was born, and I was about to spend ten days with her family, I said to my husband, "Wouldn't it be wonderful if Rachael got pregnant even before Ryan Elizabeth is born?" I loved his comment! John said to me, "By all means! Let's keep one in the incubator at all times!" Well, God did just that! Our hearts are so full of joy and praise to the Lord! Jeff and Rachael are expecting their first baby early in April - our third grandchild! Their phone call about their joyous news came while I was visiting Joy's family in Georgia. Incidentally we got the phone call about Joy and Wayne's baby last Christmas day while we were visiting Jeff and Rachael in Ohio! We should visit our three children and their spouses more often!

Your prayers for a good pregnancy for Rachael, a safe delivery and a healthy baby are so much appreciated! The Lord is turning our hopes and prayers into reality, after a very long dry period in God's waiting room. So never give up! If you are experiencing a long waiting period, be assured that God is still at work in answer to your prayers, even when you don't see even one little glimmer of hope. Be faithful in praying anyway. Pray without ceasing!

UPDATE ON OUR GRANDDAUGHTER, RYAN ELIZABETH'S HEART

        In August I shared with you how we learned about the medium sized hole in Ryan Elizabeth's heart when she was one day old. The cardiologist said that a small hole usually closes on its own and a large hole usually requires open heart surgery to repair the hole, but a medium sized hole could go either way. I asked for prayer that she wouldn't go into congestive heart failure and for the Lord to close the hole if that was in His plan, so she wouldn't need to go through open heart surgery before age one. Thank you to all who have sent me e-mails, assuring me of your prayers for her complete healing! They mean more than you'll ever know!

        God has been moving in answer to your prayers! Ryan Elizabeth has not gone into congestive heart failure and the hole is beginning to close! We thank and praise the Lord for His goodness and mercy!

        Please continue to pray with us that the hole in Ryan's heart will be completely closed soon, and that she will be able to gain weight as the doctor and we hope she will. She goes back to the cardiologist for another appointment in two months. Thank you so much!

                            Many Heart to Heart ladies and their families need our prayers, so

              please remember to pray for each Heart to Heart lady as you receive your newsletter.

            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,

                                                                                                        Lois



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

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

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Posted by: jhbreneman <jhbreneman@...>

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

~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~:~*~

9/18/07 FREEZER, PB&J, CHRISTMAS, INK, INVISIBLE, MIDWIFE, BABES, HOPE

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Please share this complete newsletter with other women who might benefit by receiving it. Thanks!

For any e-mail address changes, please send me your name, along with your old and new e-mail address. Otherwise your address will automatically be removed from the master e-mail list by the server I use.

Please save my e-mail address so you are able to contact me if you are ever dropped from the list.

Welcome to all the new subscribers - most who attended the Mary Rice Hopkins Concert and Parent-Teacher Training Conference last weekend! What a wonderful job Mary did, as well as Darcey from Puppets with a Heart!

IN THIS ISSUE:

A WEEK IN THE HOME OF AN INEXPERIENCED BUT VERY DETERMINED COOK

OUTSTANDING FREEZER MEALS TO ASSEMBLE AND EAT LATER

        CRUSTY ORANGE PECAN CHICKEN

        TASTY TURKEY BURGERS

        CHILI LIME CRAB CAKES

        BRAISED PORK CHOPS

NEW INGENIOUS PB&J SNACK!

TIDBITS

PREPARATION FOR CHRISTMAS

BEWARE OF E-MAIL HOAXES

HOW TO GET INK OUT OF (ALMOST) ANYTHING
THE FOUR BLESSED LÔ¿ÔKS

I'M INVISIBLE

ASK A NURSE MIDWIFE

OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES!

VISUALIZING OUR ANSWERS TO PRAYER - WITH HOPE

UPDATE ON OUR GRANDDAUGHTER, RYAN ELIZABETH'S HEART

A WEEK IN THE HOME OF AN INEXPERIENCED BUT VERY DETERMINED COOK

Author unknown - Thanks to Barb Campbell in Mississippi for sending this humor!

MONDAY - It's fun to cook for Bill. Today I made angel food cake. The recipe said to beat 12 eggs separately. The neighbors were nice enough to loan me some extra bowls.

TUESDAY - Bill wanted fruit salad for supper. The recipe said to serve without dressing. So I didn't dress. What a surprise when Bill brought a friend home for supper!

WEDNESDAY - A good day for rice. The recipe said to wash thoroughly before steaming the rice. It seemed kind of silly but I took a bath anyway. I can't say it improved the rice any.

THURSDAY - Today Bill asked for salad again, so I tried a new recipe. It said to prepare ingredients: lay on a bed of lettuce one hour before serving. Bill asked me why I was rolling around in the garden.

FRIDAY - I found an easy recipe for cookies. It said to put the ingredients in a bowl and beat it. There must have been something wrong with this recipe. When I got back, everything was the same as when I left.

SATURDAY - Bill did the shopping today and brought home a chicken. He asked me to dress it for Sunday. I don't have any clothes that fit it, and for some reason Bill keeps counting to ten.

SUNDAY - Bill's folks came to dinner. I wanted to serve roast but all I had was hamburger. Suddenly I had a flash of genius. I put the hamburger in the oven and set the controls for roast. It still came out hamburger, much to my disappointment.

GOOD NIGHT DEAR DIARY. This has been a very exciting week! I am eager for tomorrow to come so I can try out a new recipe on Bill. If I can talk Bill into buying a bigger oven, I would like to surprise him with a chocolate moose.

Note from Lois: Two other examples of inexperienced cooks:

        A girl who majored in home economics at the university along with me thought a turkey should be roasted in the oven with all the innards still inside - before it was cleaned and dressed. And I'm not talking about the giblets, heart and liver in the bag!

        Recently I was told another story of a wife who made meatloaf when they were first married. She put the ground beef on the bottom of the baking pan and put all the other ingredients on the top!

        If anyone needs some good recipes, try these below! I hope they are fully explained, so you and your family can really enjoy them!

OUTSTANDING FREEZER MEALS TO ASSEMBLE AND EAT LATER

By Lois Breneman, © 2007, Heart to Heart Newsletter, [email protected]

Time, energy and food dollars are extremely valuable to every wife and mother. Here is one way you can save lots of time, energy and food dollars, yet have some outstanding meals!  You will find you can save so much time by preparing multiple meals of the same dish. Each dish below yields six servings.

You may want to save these prepared meals for special meals for your family or for guests. Keep several different meals in the freezer to pull when your time is limited. All of the following meat dishes are unusually delicious, and tasty enough for company meals. To complete your meal, just add a starch such as potatoes, brown rice, or pasta, plus a vegetable! Or add a vegetable and green salad - maybe whole grain bread, if you'd like.

When a particular type of meat goes on sale, consider making several family meals of a recipe using that meat, and wait for other varieties of meat to go on sale before freezing in large quantities.

Zipped freezer bags are a tremendous convenience in preparing dishes ahead, without taking

so many baking dishes out of commission. The bags also pack better in the freezer. Flash freeze bags of food by laying them out flat on the freezer coils, then stacking the bags after the food is frozen.

For the following recipes, first assemble all the ingredients for each dish you are preparing in large quantity. For these dishes, there is no cooking before freezing - only assembling into the Ziploc bags indicated. I've had lots of help with these recipes from my daughter, Joy, and daughter-in-law, Rachael, so thanks again, girls!

CRUSTY ORANGE PECAN CHICKEN
Large Bag #1
6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tsp. curry powder
1/2 cup orange juice
1 cup plain low fat yogurt

Smaller Bag #2
1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
1 tsp. salt
1/4 cup craisins (dried cranberries)
2 tsp. ground ginger
1 cup ground pecans
4 Tbsp. liquid margarine

1. In the gallon sized bag, add chicken and all other ingredients for Bag #1. Close and mix
2. In a separate smaller freezer bag, add all ingredients for Bag #2. Close and mix.
3. Wrap two bags in plastic wrap, enclosing a label for the directions:

4. Yields 6 servings.

Directions when removing from freezer to cook and serve:
1. Thaw frozen package in refrigerator for at least 24 hours.
2. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
3. Pour crust mixture on a plate.
4. Remove chicken from marinade; press onto crust mixture to coat both sides. Toss marinade.
5. Spray cooking sheet with cooking oil and place chicken breasts on a baking sheet.
6. Bake chicken at 425 degrees for 25-30 minutes until crisp, brown and cooked through.
7. Check chicken after 15 minutes and reduce heat to 400 degrees if it is getting too dark, or place a piece of foil over the top.

Nutritional Info: Cal 260 / Carbs 8.2 gm. / Protein 28.9 gm. / Fat 12.4 gm. / Fiber 1.1 gm. / Sodium 360 mg. / Chol 66 mg. / Dietary Exchange 6

TASTY TURKEY BURGERS
Healthier burgers than the usual ones! And very good!

1 1/2 lbs. ground turkey                        1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup diced red onion                       1/2 cup spinach
2 tsp. chopped garlic                           2 Tbsp. steak seasoning

1. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients for the burgers.
2. Make turkey mixture into 6 patties. Place on a baking pan, lined with wax paper. Cover with plastic wrap.

3. Transfer enough burgers for your family to Ziploc freezer bags.

3. Flash freeze with a label using the directions below.

4. Yields 6 servings.

Directions when removing from freezer to cook and serve:

Thaw in refrigerator for at least 24 hours before baking or grilling.
Oven: Preheat oven to 375 degree and bake uncovered for 35-45 minutes or until juices run clear. Serve with buns.
Grill: Preheat grill to a medium.-high heat. Grill burgers for 12-15 minutes or until juices run clear, turning once. Serve with buns.

Nutritional Information: Calories 207 / Carbs 2.5 gm. / Protein 22.3 gm. / Fat 12.1 gm. / Fiber .6 gm / Sodium 937 mg. / Chol 101 mg.

CHILI LIME CRAB CAKES
2 cups crab meat (or imitation crab)                                4 tsp. lime juice
1 cup crushed saltine or wheat crackers                       1 tsp. Old Bay Seasoning
2/3 cup liquid egg (Egg Beaters or measured eggs)     2 Tbsp. Ranch Dressing
4 tsp. Oriental chili garlic sauce                                        2 Tbsp. chopped cilantro

1. Mix all ingredients together. Form into 12 crab cakes or 24 mini crab cakes for appetizers. 2. To freeze for future use, place on a baking pan, lined with wax paper. Cover with plastic wrap. Flash freeze.

3. When burgers ae frozen, transfer enough crab cakes for your family to Ziploc freezer bags.

3. Include a label using the directions below.
4. Yields 6 servings.

Directions when removing from freezer to cook and serve:

1. When ready to use, thaw in refrigerator for 24 hours.

2. Heat large stove top skillet with 4-6 Tbsp. olive oil over medium heat.

3. Use a shaker (sugar shaker) of whole wheat flour to sprinkle flour on each crab cake before cooking.

4. Cook crab cakes for 3-4 minutes on first side, sprinkle top side with flour, turn and cook another 3-4 minutes on other side.

5. Yields 6 servings.

Nutritional Info: Cal 156 / Carbs 8 gm. / Protein 20.3 gm. / Fat 4.8 gm. / Fiber .2 gm. / Sodium 682 mg. / Chol 78 mg. / Dietary Exchanges 3 (Not using Egg Beaters will alter nutritional info)

BRAISED PORK CHOPS
Place in Gallon Ziploc Bag:
1 1/2 lbs. center cut pork chops (Chicken is a good substitute for pork)
2 Tbsp brown sugar (Honey, Sucanat, Stevia, Agave Nectar or another sugar substitute)
2 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 cup orange juice
2 Tbsp. apple juice

1. Place meat and all other ingredients in Ziploc bag. Close and mix well.

2. Attach directions to meal and freeze.

3. Yields 6 servings.

Directions when removing from freezer to cook and serve:
Thaw meat in refrigerator at least 24 hours before cooking.
Oven Method: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pour entire contents of bag into a baking dish and bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes.
Slow Cooker Method: Pour entire contents of bag plus 2 cups of water into slow cooker and cook on high for 4-6 hours or on low for 6-8 hours.

Nutritional Info: Cal 170 / Carbs 7.9 gm / Protein 15.0 gm. / Fat 8.3 gm / Fiber 0 gm. / Sodium 527 mg. / Chol 33 mg. / Dietary Exchange 4

Note: For other freezer meal ideas, refer back to the 7/3/07 edition of Heart to Heart.

NEW INGENIOUS PB&J SNACK!

Thanks to my daughter-in-law, Rachael Breneman in Ohio for this peanut butter and jelly snack!

My son was telling me how his wife, Rachael, gives him a Tupperware container with natural peanut butter as part of his lunch, along with grapes and a fork. They call it PB&J! He loads two grapes onto the fork and dips them into the peanut butter! Jeff said that since he's been bringing this snack to work, two other employees have copied Rachael's idea! I've already tried it and given it to two young children and their mom and we all loved it! Delicious, especially with the black seedless grapes!   So ladies, add this to your lunch packing ideas!

TIDBITS

The Watchmaker http://www.kids4truth.com/watchmaker/watch.html

Thanks to Becky Noell in Georgia for sending this beautiful message! Have the kids watch!

Click here: ROBERT GROVER PHOTOGRAPHY - Presented by Phanfare

Thanks to Debbie Klinect in Florida for sending this! Your children would enjoy this too!

        Enjoy these beautiful sandhill cranes with their baby. You can click on each picture individually or click on "Start Slideshow" and enjoy some beautiful music with it. So cute!   There are pictures at the end of the slideshow with some of the neighborhood people watching the sandhill cranes.   These pics were taken in the Suntree area of Florida ~Viera~  south of Cocoa & Titusville.   We have some at the Space Center too, but I've never gotten any pictures of them.

        Narrative from the e-mail I received about this site:

Suntree area...

        One of our Sand Hill Crane couples recently had an exciting addition to their family. When they built their nest near the water's edge it immediately drew attention of passers by. Soon there were two eggs sitting on top of the nest and the mother on top of them.

        Those of us who were really curious passed by the site every morning and we would stop our cars to get out and see if there were any new cranes yet. Many brought cameras of all shapes and sizes and would stand near the water for long periods of time hoping to catch a photo of the hatching.

        Robert Grover, a dentist, didn't actually catch the birth but, he sure did capture some fabulous shots of the Momma, Papa and baby (the second egg never hatched). Then he put together a slide show with music that is just too good to not share it.

Poison Proofing Your Home - http://www.babycenter.com/0_poison-proofing-your-home_415.bc?Ad=com.bc.common.AdInfo%405b7a605b

Lots of Patterns for Sewing, Knitting, Crocheting Ministry - http://www.carewear.org/

Thanks to Prudence Kinley-Ruth in Pennsylvania for this site that tells about a group of volunteers based in Frederick, Maryland. Anyone can download their patterns and sew for the main organization or you can use them for your own ministry or personal use. Using these patterns to sew for Pregnancy Resource Centers would be wonderful! This is simple sewing that doesn't very cost much for materials, and you may even find sewing and craft stores that would donate supplies for such a good cause.  If you're looking for a new ministry that touches hearts and helps many in need, you may find ideas here.

Get a Jump on Making Christmas Gifts - Most people love to receive handmade gifts. Use your talents, whatever they may be, for this purpose. Are you skilled in woodworking crafts, ceramics, poetry, writing, calligraphy, photography, music, painting, cooking, organizing, gardening, crafts, sewing, knitting or crocheting? Use your talents for gifts. Check on the Internet or go to the library and search out more ideas. Think about some sewing and craft items you could make "assembly line style" for a number of family members and friends - something more than one would enjoy. There are countless Christmas ornaments you and your family could make together to give to friends and neighbors. We have three months to plan and prepare, and starting now will make life easier and more enjoyable for our families.

PREPARATION FOR CHRISTMAS

Do You Want Extra Editions of CHRISTMAS NEWSLETTERS?

Do You Want them EARLY, so you have more time to prepare?

Please Reply to This Newsletter to Let Me Know!

Since the very beginning of Heart to Heart, newsletters have gone out before Christmas with miscellaneous topics about this wonderful and special holiday season of Christ's birthday. I am asking again - "Would you again like to receive EXTRA NEWSLETTERS pertaining to Christmas?" If I get a good response, they will have to be sent to everyone, and those who don't want them can just delete. I would send them as early as possible, so you have time to scan and use some of the ideas and recipes.

I would send mostly duplicates - with revisions and additions, including some healthier recipes than the usual sugar-laden ones.   Some of the Christmas topics covered in the past:

Ways to Keep Christ in Christmas

Christmas Traditions and Tips

Fun and Easy Gifts to Make - Easy on the Budget - Great to Receive!

Recipes for Appetizers, Dips, Breakfast Recipes, Cakes, Breads, Cookies, Candy

Christmas Stories and Poems for Your Family

Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas

BEWARE OF E-MAIL HOAXES

Hoaxes about Household Products, including the Magic Eraser

Do a search for questionable e-mails received at http://www.snopes.com.

        Magic Erasers - This website http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/eraser.asp says the e-mail floating around about Magic Erasers causing skin burns is false and explains it further. Manufacturers had taken steps to resolve this in Jan., 2007. They now warn customers not to rub Magic Erasers on the skin. They are completely safe to use as directed. Thank goodness, it is a hoax! I love those amazing sponges!

        Reusing Plastic Bottles - No, reusing plastic bottles will not result in their breaking down into cancer-causing components. http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/petbottles.asp

        Puppy Love - This one is true and mighty cute! Photographs show a puppy born with a heart-shaped pattern in its coat. http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/heartkun.asp

HOW TO GET INK OUT OF (ALMOST) ANYTHING
From: DIY Life - http://www.diylife.com/2007/09/03/how-to-get-ink-out-of-almost-anything/_
(http://www.diylife.com/2007/09/03/how-to-get-ink-out-of-almost-anything/)
Thanks to Helen Rutrough in Virginia for sending this good information!

        It's a fact of life: despite all the washable crayons and markers on the market, kids will still find the only indelible ink pen in the house. Even if you stash it in a locked box surrounded by mousetraps and an armed guard, your little Van Gogh will snatch up a Sharpie faster than you can say, "Oh, no! Not the kitchen wall!"

        Fear not, moms and dads. It's not easy, but there are several ways to get ink off furniture, clothing and walls. Before trying any of these methods, be sure to test in an inconspicuous spot first.
        Magic Eraser is a lifesaver for many ink stains. I once successfully removed ink spots from a black Sharpie permanent marker after one of my sons demonstrated his artistic inspiration on a solid wood table.
        For permanent marker stains on hard surfaces like tile and concrete, try nail polish remover. Be sure to use it judiciously on treated tile (like terrazzo flooring) or you may mar the finish.
        For ink stains on leather furniture and clothing, spray a paper towel or soft cloth with some WD-40 and wipe the stain lightly. Repeat several times until the ink is gone.
        If you've accidentally gotten ink on an LCD or flat-panel monitor screen, try rubbing carefully with a pencil eraser. This trick seems to be particularly effective on mishaps with a Sharpie or other permanent marker.

        Use hairspray to remove ballpoint pen marks from clothing. Simply spray it on the stain and wash in cold water. The garment may need to be washed a couple of times, so check to see that the ink spot is gone before putting the item in the dryer where the heat will set it permanently. If you don't have hairspray handy, try rubbing alcohol.



Additional Note on Rubbing Alcohol Removing Permanent Ink

Thanks to Barb Campbell in Mississippi for her story!

        About getting ink out ... a while back my son left a pen in a pocket of some shorts and I missed it. It exploded in the wash! Fortunately it only got on his shorts, but they were a new pair and they appeared to be ruined! It was a mess! I did some online searching and read about using rubbing alcohol for this. I put the shorts on top of a stack of paper towels and then poured the alcohol on the stain. The paper towels absorbed it. The stain spread, but lightened. I poured a bit, waited, carefully blotted and then poured more. I got as much of the ink out as I could and then I washed the shorts again. The ink came right out.

THE FOUR BLESSED LÔ¿ÔKS
Thanks to Annamarie Kresge in Virginia for sending this!

1. LÔ¿ÔK back and thank God.
2. LÔ¿ÔK forward and trust God.
3. LÔ¿ÔK around and serve God.
4. LÔ¿ÔK within His Word and find God!

Without God, our week is:
Mournday, Tearsday, Wasteday, Thirstday, Fightday, Shatterday and Sinday.
So, allow Him to be with you every day!

I'M INVISIBLE

By a woman named Charlotte - Thanks to Debbie Klinect in Florida for this encouraging reminder to mothers!

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, "Can't you see I'm on the phone?"

Obviously not. No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible.

Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, "What time is it?" I'm a satellite guide to answer, "What number is the Disney Channel?" I'm a car to order, "Right around 5:30, please."

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again.

She's going, she's going, she's gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a banana clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, "I brought you this."

It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: "To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees."

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, "Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it."

And the workman replied, "Because God sees."  I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, "I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become."

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, "My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table." That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, "You're gonna love it there."

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

Great Job, Moms!

ASK A NURSE MIDWIFE

By Karen Winstead, ACC Certified Nurse-Midwife - http://www.newlifebirthcenter.net/

Please send your personal questions relating to pregnancy and childbirth that you would like to see addressed by replying to this newsletter. Names of those sending questions will not be included in this column, and the answer will be e-mailed to you before it appears in a newsletter.

Question:

What can I do to help put me into labor or to help strengthen contractions? I have a 2 1/2 year old toddler and am 9 weeks away from my due date with our second child. My first labor was long. After about 38 hours of labor my midwife transferred me to the hospital since I was only dilated to 4 and seemed to be getting nowhere. Once we got there a monitor showed that my contractions were only half as strong as they should have been and with the help of Pitocin, I was able to dial ate the rest of the way and have a vaginal birth 4 -5 hours later. I'm thinking about trying herbs to help me have a faster easier labor. I've heard about the following and wonder which you would recommend. Pregnancy 6, 5W, Dr Christopher's Prenatal Formula, or Gentle Birth Formula. I did use Evening Primrose oil the last few weeks and plan to use that again this time.

Answer:
I am not familiar with the listed formulations. Keep in mind that homeopathic remedies are safe, do not conflict with other medications, and do not cause allergic reactions. Herbal products can interact with other medications, can cause allergic reactions, and are not always safe in pregnancy. It really pays to check with an herbalist if you are interested in using herbal preparations. I am familiar with the following ways to help labor along:

* Acupuncture - there is an acupuncture point on the side of the little toe
* Pedicure or foot massage - acupressure points
* Chiropractic- find a practitioner comfortable working with pregnant women
* Homeopathic remedies: Caulophyllum and Cimifuga, alternate every 15 min.
* Nipple stimulation- warm compresses to nipples, roll nipples between fingers. If contractions get painful, take a break. (Nipple stimulation releases your own natural oxytocinwe use a synthetic oxytocin-Pitocin- in the hospital. Be sure to have the babys heart rate checked if the contractions are getting strong because whopper contractions can be dangerous for the baby and must be monitored).
* Castor oil: This will give you diarrhea. Intestinal irritability stimulates contractions. Takes 1-8 hours to work.
        Recipe 1- ½ glass root beer, big scoop of vanilla ice cream, 2 oz of castor oil, blend, drink, follow with a Reeses Cup.
        Recipe 2- ½ glass pineapple juice or apricot nectar. Add a pinch of baking soda, when it bubbles up stir in 2 oz. of castor oil, stir well. Drink down, catch breath, drink rest. Follow with a Reeses Cup.

* Herbal: Senecio Aureus (Blossom) Tincture - the method may vary so check the product label for usage or check with an herbalist.

OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES!

These have to be original and genuine - no adult is this creative!

Thanks to Becky Henry in Virginia for sending these great kids' quotes!

Steven (age 3) hugged and kissed his Mom goodnight. "I love you so much, that when you die I'm going to bury you outside my bedroom window."

Melanie (age 5) asked her Granny how old she was. Granny replied she was so old she didn't remember any more. Melanie said, "If you don't remember you have to look in the back of your panties. Mine say five to six ."

Brittany (age 4) had an earache and wanted a painkiller. She tried in vain to take the lid off the bottle. Seeing her frustration, her Mom explained it was a childproof cap and she'd have to open it for her. Eyes wide with wonder, the little girl asked: "How does it know it's me?"

Susan (age 4) was drinking juice when she got the hiccups. "Please don't give me this juice again," she said, "It makes my teeth cough."

Drew (age 4) stepped onto the bathroom scale and asked: "How much do I cost?"

Marc (age 4) was engrossed in a young couple that were hugging and kissing in a restaurant. Without taking his eyes off them, he asked his dad: "Why is he whispering in her mouth?"

Clinton (age 5) was in his bedroom looking worried. When his Mom asked what was troubling him, he replied, "I don't know what'll happen with this bed when I get married. How will my wife fit in?"

James (age 4) was listening to a Bible story. His dad read: "The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city but his wife looked back and was turned to salt." Concerned, James asked: "What happened to the flea?"

Tammy (age 4) was with her mother when they met an elderly, rather wrinkled woman her Mom knew. Tammy looked at her for awhile and then asked, "Why doesn't your skin fit your face?"

The Sermon I think this Mom will never forget.... this particular Sunday sermon..."Dear Lord," the minister began, with arms extended toward heaven and a rapturous look on his upturned face. "Without you, we are but dust." He would have continued but at that moment my very obedient daughter (who was listening!) leaned over to me and asked quite audibly in her shrill little girl voice, "Mommy, what is butt dust?"

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cheryl Fischer in Virginia gave me permission to share this original quote with you: Her three year old son, Brad, came to her one day and asked, "Will you look in my eye, Mommy? Something's in there and I think it might be a flashlight!" He meant an eyelash!

VISUALIZING OUR ANSWERS TO PRAYER - WITH HOPE

By Lois Breneman, © 2007, Heart to Heart Newsletter, [email protected]

Last September all of our family gathered for two family reunions in Pennsylvania. At that time our daughter and son-in-law were still hoping for another child, after a fourteen week pregnancy more than a year earlier had ended in a miscarriage. Our older son and his wife had just been married a few weeks earlier, after they had both finally found the one the Lord meant to be their one and only life's partner, but the biological clocks were ticking, so we were praying for the Lord to bless both of these families with babies.

At one of those reunions last September, Hope Elizabeth, the baby daughter of our nephew and his wife, was being passed around, as we all enjoyed holding that sweet new baby. After we arrived home, we viewed all the pictures taken that weekend, and decided to place the two pictures of both Joy and Rachael side by side into one frame. They were each holding Hope Elizabeth - each one with a big smile on her face! That double picture has been hanging in our bedroom ever since last September, as a reminder to pray often that Joy and Rachael's arms would soon be filled - each with their very own baby. We were hoping and praying every day, and that picture was an ever present reminder for extra prayers!

It is now one year later and God is so good - no matter what! The following month Joy was pregnant, and our precious little Ryan Elizabeth was born in July!   A small picture of her is now in Joy's arms in that double picture!  But that's not all God did!

Just before our granddaughter was born, and I was about to spend ten days with her family, I said to my husband, "Wouldn't it be wonderful if Rachael got pregnant even before Ryan Elizabeth is born?" I loved his comment! John said to me, "By all means! Let's keep one in the incubator at all times!" Well, God did just that! Our hearts are so full of joy and praise to the Lord! Jeff and Rachael are expecting their first baby early in April - our third grandchild! Their phone call about their joyous news came while I was visiting Joy's family in Georgia. Incidentally we got the phone call about Joy and Wayne's baby last Christmas day while we were visiting Jeff and Rachael in Ohio! We should visit our three children and their spouses more often!

Your prayers for a good pregnancy for Rachael, a safe delivery and a healthy baby are so much appreciated! The Lord is turning our hopes and prayers into reality, after a very long dry period in God's waiting room. So never give up! If you are experiencing a long waiting period, be assured that God is still at work in answer to your prayers, even when you don't see even one little glimmer of hope. Be faithful in praying anyway. Pray without ceasing!

UPDATE ON OUR GRANDDAUGHTER, RYAN ELIZABETH'S HEART

        In August I shared with you how we learned about the medium sized hole in Ryan Elizabeth's heart when she was one day old. The cardiologist said that a small hole usually closes on its own and a large hole usually requires open heart surgery to repair the hole, but a medium sized hole could go either way. I asked for prayer that she wouldn't go into congestive heart failure and for the Lord to close the hole if that was in His plan, so she wouldn't need to go through open heart surgery before age one. Thank you to all who have sent me e-mails, assuring me of your prayers for her complete healing! They mean more than you'll ever know!

        God has been moving in answer to your prayers! Ryan Elizabeth has not gone into congestive heart failure and the hole is beginning to close! We thank and praise the Lord for His goodness and mercy!

        Please continue to pray with us that the hole in Ryan's heart will be completely closed soon, and that she will be able to gain weight as the doctor and we hope she will. She goes back to the cardiologist for another appointment in two months. Thank you so much!

                            Many Heart to Heart ladies and their families need our prayers, so

              please remember to pray for each Heart to Heart lady as you receive your newsletter.

            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,

                                                                                                        Lois



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

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

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Post Reply: 9/18/07 FREEZER, PB&J, CHRISTMAS, INK, INVISIBLE, MIDWIFE, BABES, HOPE

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