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The Heart to Heart Newsletter, created by Lois Breneman in 1999, has been sent around the world for sixteen years to ladies in fifty states and sixty-two countries. Our purpose at Heart to Heart is to encourage women and create biblical values in their day to day living.
Should you prefer simple text email or to unsubscribe please send me an email with your request. Categorized topics from archived newsletters can be found on Lois Breneman's blog.
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Elisabeth Elliot Book Giveaway!
Introduce your family and friends to the Heart to Heart Newsletter! Invite them to sign up at www.michellegill.us to receive our upcoming editions. Be sure to tell them to put your name in the comments section of the sign-up form. The person who introduces the most new sign-ups in the month of July will receive Secure in the Everlasting Arms by Elisabeth Elliot.
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10 Life Changing Things Elisabeth Elliot Said
Used by permission
Christianity Today called Elisabeth Elliot "one of the most influential Christian women of the 20th century," and I couldn't agree more. She was a woman who helped shape my teen years and is a woman I still look up to for inspiration and guidance through her many books. If this is the first time you're hearing about her, I suggest reading "Through the Gates of Splendor." It's the true story of how her husband and four other men were tragically killed on a missionary trip to Ecuador. It's through this loss that Elisabeth shares some of her deepest words on pain, suffering, and hope.
She died this morning (June 15, 2015), and I can only imagine the party happening in Heaven. Here are just a few quotes from this great woman.
“The fact that I am a woman does not make me a different kind of Christian, but the fact that I am a Christian makes me a different kind of woman.”
“I realized that the deepest spiritual lessons are not learned by His letting us have our way in the end, but by His making us wait, bearing with us in love and patience until we are able to honestly to pray what He taught His disciples to pray: Thy will be done.”
“Today is mine. Tomorrow is none of my business. If I peer anxiously into the fog of the future, I will strain my spiritual eyes so that I will not see clearly what is required of me now.”
“Where does your security lie? Is God your refuge, your hiding place, your stronghold, your shepherd, your counselor, your friend, your redeemer, your saviour, your guide? If He is, you don't need to search any further for security.”
“One reason we are so harried and hurried is that we make yesterday and tomorrow our business, when all that legitimately concerns us is today. If we really have too much to do, there are some items on the agenda which God did not put there. Let us submit the list to Him and ask Him to indicate which items we must delete. There is always time to do the will of God. If we are too busy to do that, we are too busy.”
“Work is a blessing. God has so arranged the world that work is necessary, and He gives us hands and strength to do it. The enjoyment of leisure would be nothing if we had only leisure. It is the joy of work well done that enables us to enjoy rest, just as it is the experiences of hunger and thirst that make food and drink such pleasures.”
“But the question to precede all others, which finally determines the course of our lives is, 'What do I really want?' Was it to love what God commands, in the words of the collect, and to desire what He promises? Did I want what I wanted, or did I want what He wanted, no matter what it might cost?”
“God has promised to supply all our needs. What we don’t have now, we don’t need now.”
“Don’t dig up in doubt what you have planted in faith.”
“The secret is Christ in me, not me in a different set of circumstances.”
“When ours are interrupted, his are not. His plans are proceeding exactly as scheduled, moving us always (including those minutes or hours or years which seem most useless or wasted or unendurable).”
BONUS: "Leave it all in the hands that were wounded for you."
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The Gentle Grace of Journaling
by Michelle Gill www.michellegill.us
The rain tapped lightly against the window glass and fell softly off the edge of the open pane. As I sat inside watching the clouds passing by, my thoughts all clambered together like the thunder and then I began to write...
I was first introduced to journaling when I was sixteen. I took a local community Journal Keeping class at Roanoke College. In that class I learned how to journal and the benefits. Sometimes our thoughts and desires all come together like one big roar of thunder. Writing it all down, helps us to sort. It helps us to see what is really important.
Write whatever you want to be, wish your were, glad you are, feel deep inside, think about your mother-in-law or boss. Write Who God is to you, Who you wish He was. Write him a letter. Write your thoughts on your reading in the morning or the night. Just write!
Journaling is cleansing. It promotes focus. It is a discipline.
Another benefit that I have found is the discipline of thought. At times I am intentional about my gratitude or rather I need to be intentional. I write down things that I am thankful for each day and this in turn improves my attitude. Some people even have a separate journal for this; it is called a gratitude or blessings journal.
Journaling also helps us to track God in our lives. As the days busily pass and I remember to record a verse that impresses me or a word spoken, an answered prayer or unexpected detour, I can look back and see God's steps in my life.
Often I write down my prayers. There are two benefits to this. One, I must think through my prayer, rather than quickly spouting it out and secondly, I can record the answers which may useful for encouragement for others and myself. Also, I can stop and record Scriptures that may go with that specific request.
Sometimes it is hard to know what to write. A good writing exercise is to put on some instrumental music and sit in a place you can relax. Set a timer. Write for five minutes. Just write whatever comes to mind. Your initial thoughts oftentimes are junk and then as you continue to write, the real issues will come out so don't fret about what you are writing at first.
Some say that stress and repressed or misplaced emotions cause physical illnesses. Journaling can also help relieve stress when you have no other outlet.
Journaling can benefit your life in so many ways. Why not give it a try?
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5 Tips for Better Understanding Your Teenager
Do you ever feel like your connection with your teen is slipping? Here are five tactics for stopping the slip…steps you can take to get closer to them and to better understand them.
#1 Ask Questions and Listen
The first step to understanding your teen is to ask questions. Now there’s a strategy here. Many teens give yes/no answers when you ask them a question. The trick is to do it when they’re more likely to open up. Driving in the car seems to be a good time.
When you ask questions, make sure to listen to the answers – even if you don’t understand half of the words they’re using. It’s okay to ask for clarification. As you’re listening, take mental notes. They’ll come in handy in the next step.
#2 Google It!
If you have no idea what your child is talking about, Google it. Google the things they express interest in, the people, and even the language they use. The Urban Dictionary can be incredibly useful. For example, “Feels” – A wave of emotions that sometimes cannot be adequately explained. “Watching Back to the Future gives me all sorts of nostalgic feels.”
#3 Listen
One of the best ways to better understand your teen is to listen in to see what they’re talking about with their friends, and what kinds of things their friends are involved in. Try to be around them when they’re with their friends. Attend events with them. Volunteer to drive them and their friends to events. And encourage them to invite their friends over.
#4 Get Involved
Start taking an active interest in your teen’s interests. For example, if they’re involved in the local drama club then volunteer to help out with the club. If they are active online and have their own YouTube channel, then by all means watch that channel but also watch the other YouTubers that your child follows.
#5 Relax
Each generation has their own trends, language, and interests. Guaranteed, when you were a teenager your parents thought you were from another planet as well. It’s the way of the world. It’s okay to not be able to completely relate with your teenager. In fact, it’s normal.
Do what you can to connect with them. Let them know that you’re interested in their lives and then relax. You don’t need to be a friend with your teenager, nor do you need to share the same interests. It’s enough to let them know that you care.
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A Well Prepared Home
Used with permission by Suzanne Gill
Never in my lifetime has the future of young families seemed so challenging and uncertain. In light of all the uncertainties, I would like to encourage you to be as the Proverbs 31 woman who watches diligently over the ways of her household. Part of that is providing food for her home. Food that is not just convenient but strengthens the body and nourishes them for their health's sakes. I know what a challenge that is when your are rushed here and there for activities that are all very important.
But I would like you to consider that she is also prepared for the 'winter' season. That can mean more than the 'cold' season. It could mean any type of change or emergency situation. I would like to encourage you to create a well prepared home.
- Stock one to three months of food items. Have a food source that can reproduce if there is a long term shortage (chickens, rabbits, ...).
- Make sure you have a complete first aid kit. Your kit should enable you to weather a storm, should you be unable to get to a doctor or hospital right away. Know first aid essentials. Learn how to make silver, which is a natural antibiotic.
- Have a clean water source that will work in your circumstances, whether filtered water, a hand pump well, rain barrel, etc.
All this may seem just too overwhelming to some and others may be stocked to the hilt. Remember we are to watch over our households and Jesus Christ has promised to lead us and guide us in all truth. Prayerfully go about your preparations. Begin somewhere and keep at it until you have peace that you have done what you are able to do, and trust Him.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
From her profits she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength,
And strengthens her arms.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is good,
And her lamp does not go out by night.
Suzanne Gill holds degrees in Family, Child and Consumer Science and in Child Development from Florida State University. She is the mother of four and grandmother of eleven.
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Kayla & Sutton's Creamy Guacamole
4 avocados
1/2 cup Garden Fresh salsa
1/2 Tsp. cumin
salt, pepper
1/2 Tsp. garlic powder
1/2 lime, juice (substitution: 1-2 drops of lime essential oil)
fresh cilantro
1/4 cup sour cream or greek yogurt
Mix in food processor.
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We, Kayla & Sutton, will be moving to Rwanda for two years in August 2015 where Sutton will be managing a trade school and teaching carpentry to equip local survivors of the genocide. Kayla will be managing The Peace Guest House which currently hosts government meetings and mission teams. There are several other mission opportunities at the Nkombo Island Project.
Our heart is to be a part of the reconciliation and rebuilding of Rwanda by living on mission in the town of Cyangugu. Our hope is to live out the Gospel in the way we manage, teach, build, and relate, and be changed by it ourselves. Our desire is to use the gifts God has equipped us with to love in a way that brings Him glory. Our goal is knowing Christ, always.
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Lavender essential oil
Lavender essential oil is one of the most common essential oils. Summertime is a great time to test the effectiveness oils. Start with lavender!
Itchy bug bites? Dot a little lavender oil on the bite.
Itchy eyes and runny nose from the pollen? Swipe a little lavender oil across your cheeks.
Having trouble sleeping? Rub a little lavender oil on your feet.
To purchase: www.mydoterra.com/michellergill
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Blessings Journal
Used with permission by Joy at Artful Homemaking
Please see the full tutorial at http://www.artfulhomemaking.com/2011/11/blessing-journal-tutorial.html
A lovely reader requested a tutorial for the gratitude journal mentioned in this post...she's probably already made hers by now, but here is a simple how-to in case anyone might be interested!
Here are the supplies you'll need:
- A composition notebook (I got these very cheaply during the back-to-school sales).
- Cardstock and/or scrapbook paper.
- Glue (Tacky glue and/or glue stick).
- Rubber stamps and ink pad (optional).
- Stickers, buttons, ribbon, lace, or other items to decorate with (optional).
- Pencil or pen.
- Scissors.
First, I used a piece of cardstock to cover the front of the notebook. I just align the edge of the paper with the edge of the journal and trace around it with a pencil.
Next, I cut out around the traced line. I use tacky glue on the back side of the cardstock and then apply it to the front of the notebook.
You can repeat the above steps for the back of the journal if you want it covered also.
I decided I wanted some ribbon on the edge, so I first applied some fray check to keep the ribbon from fraying and then set it aside to dry.
You can decorate the front any way you wish, with whatever looks good to you. Now the ribbon is applied and the front is decorated.
I also like to cover up the inside of the front cover. I grabbed a piece of scrapbook paper and got it lined up where I wanted it.
Then I traced around the notebook, cut out around the traced line, and glued it down.
Here is the finished inside:
Enjoy! I also wanted to note that there might be other or even better ways to do this. This is just something I came up with after seeing similar journals. I made this for one of my daughters this afternoon, and then she spent a happy time decorating the inside pages with rubber stamps and markers. She'll probably also add stickers later. The possibilities for this idea are limitless (prayer notebook, diary, blessing book, travel diary, etc.).
I'm Joy, follower of Jesus, wife to my best friend, and mom to five blessings. I'm not a perfect homemaker, but I love spending my days here at home with my family!
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To find this and more Independence Day crafts, check out the All Free Kids Crafts site which encourages sharing.
http://www.allfreekidscrafts.com/Kids-4th-of-July-Crafts/Egg-Carton-American-Flag
Egg Carton American Flag Craft for Kids
If your family eats a lot of eggs save those big egg carton boxes! There are so many craft ideas to make with them such as this American Flag. It’s a fun art project for the kids to make on Memorial Day or the 4th of July!
Materials Needed:
- 18 count egg carton
- Red, white, and blue paint
- White paper
- Scissors/ Paintbrush
Start by painting the 4 egg carton cups in the left corner blue. Then have the kids paint red stripes in all the “crevasses.” After the red paint dries, grab some white paint and cover the tops. Have the kids free-draw 4 stars and cut them out (just flip them over to cover the pencil marks). Glue them to the blue part of the flag and you’re done! Add some ribbon on top to hang it up if you want.
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Compiled by Lois Breneman
Thanks to all the moms who allowed me to include their children's quotes in Heart to Heart!
I love the sweet time at the end of our day. We all pile into Peyton's room (mostly because it's gated) for our devotions and prayer time. Logan (7) asked to pray tonight (a first for him!!) and this is how it went:
"Dear Jesus, Please make it be sunny tomorrow. Today was too much rain, and I want to swim. Please help MawMaw's foot to get better. Help us to be good and not fight, and to be nice to each other. Good luck, Jesus!"
Oh how I love his precious heart! Had to stifle a giggle though as he closed his prayer with "Good luck, Jesus." ~ Amanda in Virginia
At a beautiful outdoor wedding last night with the cicadas buzzing away. They paused and about the time the bride and groom were starting to exchange rings you could hear the buzzing start up again. Malakai (7) whispers loud enough for those around us to hear: "NO! Don't do it!!"
Unfortunately, those guests didn't realize he was talking to the Cicadas... Not the bride and groom! ~ Danielle in Alabama
A conversation with my twelve year old while on a bike ride through the soccer fields (next to where they have filled in our city pool):
Ella - Someday they will be turning this land into an industrial complex, and while they are digging, they will hit concrete and say, "Wow! I think this is a pool. They used to use these before the IPod 60 could regulate the humidity around you to feel like you are in water." ~ Beth in Ohio
The boys were playing with blocks yesterday and I was down the hall listening to them. Jeremiah (3) hums or sings constantly. It's like he has his own soundtrack playing in his head so yesterday I couldn't help but smile when he broke out it with "God's not dead! He's surely alive! He's living on the inside roaring like a lion!" ~ Heather in Virginia
Our memory verse for today is, "Be nice to one another without grumbling or complaining." One of our five-year-olds said, "Be nice to one another without crumbling or playing." ~ Elizabeth in Virginia
Backseat conversation. Amiya (7) making up a story about a Queen (lives in Alabama) who had 3 sets of twins.
Malakai (7): "Whhhoooaaa that's a WHOLE lot of child birthing going on!" ~ Danielle in Alabama
So we're driving down the road and my daughter is remembering the wreck we were in a year ago, and we are talking how the firemen come every time you wreck. She remembered that when she was crying the firemen comforted her and said it was okay to cry. She then asked me, "Well, since he was so nice, should I marry a fireman?!" ~ Jessica in Virginia
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