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HEART TO HEART NEWSLETTER

 

 ENCOURAGEMENT TO WOMEN
 

 Compiled especially for you with love by Lois Breneman    

http://heartfilledhome.blogspot.com  

A categorized storehouse of information for you from past newsletters,

plus a second blog just for recipes! 

 http://heartfilledhomerecipes.blogspot.com/  

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

August 2013  Splinter Removal, Schedule, Son's Heart, Solutions to Problems, Shortcut

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

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IN THIS ISSUE:

 

NOTE TO SUBSCRIBERS OF ALL AGES

SPLINTER REMOVAL WITHOUT A NEEDLE OR PAIN

5 QUESTIONS THAT CAN CHANGE YOUR SCHEDULE...AND YOUR LIFE
A DOZEN WAYS TO REACH YOUR SON'S HEART
SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS
AN EASY SHORTCUT FOR QUICK TOSSED SALADS
SUMMER VEGETABLE MEDLEY - TASTY AND COLORFUL
A PEACEFUL HOME

A GAME: WHOOPS AND AHHH MOMENTS
HOW TO PRAY FOR YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN

PRECIOUS GEMS
QUOTE

 

 

NOTE TO SUBSCRIBERS OF ALL AGES

Although the Heart to Heart Newsletter often has ideas pertaining to young children, it is not a newsletter you will ever "outgrow," just because your children leave you with an empty nest.  When you see ideas for young children or teens in the newsletter, they can most likely be transferred as ideas to use with your grandchildren or to save in preparation for your own precious grandchildren.  Ladies, isn't it wonderful that we are blessed to have a second chance to have an impact on sweet little lives two generations younger than we are?

Quite a few young ladies who are unmarried or married but don't have children receive the newsletter, but tell me they enjoy saving ideas they will someday use.  And until then they are being blessed and finding lots of household tips they can use right now.

The many grandmothers and great-grandmothers who receive this newsletter just thrill my heart!  We are never too old to learn new things, are we?

 

Speaking of that, just today a dear friend who taught a Bible study to us young moms years ago for 13 or 14 years, asked me if I'd teach her how to make handmade cards like I've been sending her!  She is NINETY years old!  What a privilege that will be for me!  Two other ladies from that study asked me the same things, so we are planning a fun day around the dining table of my friend's where we had such sweet fellowship many years ago as young moms.

 

 

SPLINTER REMOVAL WITHOUT A NEEDLE OR PAIN
by Lois Breneman - Heart to Heart - 2013 - http://heartfilledhome.blogspot.com

 

I never would have made a good nurse, because I even hate removing splinters!   Just the thought of digging a needle into someone's finger makes me cringe.  Thankfully there is another way to handle this problem.  Whether the splinter is a sliver of wood, metal, glass, plastic, a spine of an animal, or a thorn, this solution should work to draw out the foreign material.  By the way, this remedy would work for humans or for your pets.

One of these three options should draw out the splinter without ever having to use a needle and possibly causing an infection, not to mention the needless pain.  A pair of tweezers is the only tool needed.

1.  Soak the finger (or splintered area) in a cup of warm water and epsom salt (crystals) several times a day. 

2.  Another option would be to make a poultice with epsom salt.  To make a poultice, place a pinch of epsom salt crystals on the bandage part of a large Band-aid, and wrap the Band-aid around the finger.  Change the Ban-aid once a day or whenever it gets wet. It may take a couple days to draw out the splinter.

3.  Yet another option would be to put a small amount of magnesium sulfate paste on the splinter and cover with a Band-aid.  Magnesium sulfate paste is used to draw objects out of the skin - even boils.  You should be able to find this product for less than $2 at your drug store, health food store, or online through Amazon.  You could make your own DYI paste by putting a scoop in a bowl and adding a small amount of pure water, then stirring to form a smooth paste. 

 

You can be sure I will be keeping a bag of epsom salt as well as a jar of magnesium sulfate paste in our medicine cabinet, so I will never again need to remove splinters using a needle!  As Martha would say, "It's a good thing!"

5 QUESTIONS THAT CAN CHANGE YOUR SCHEDULE...AND YOUR LIFE
Tricia Goyer - TriciaGoyer.com - Used by permission

I used to be the worst at saying no. If someone needed help at church, or a babysitter, or a work-project to get done, I was the person whom they could count on. I prided myself for being able to accomplish more than anyone I knew, but the cost was great. I was stressed. I was overwhelmed. I was tired all the time. And my shoulders grew weary from the high level of expectations. Especially mine.

 

My husband, John, was the one who taught me to say no. After one ultra-busy season he sat me down and forced me to go over my schedule. Together we asked these questions in order to pare down our calendar:

1. What things are vital?
2. What things are important?
3. What things are optional and can be cut for a season?
4. What things are we doing because we felt guilty for saying no?
5. What great things are we missing out on because we're saying yes to too many good things?

 

Take a few minutes and answer these questions. You might want to start with the last one first. What do you miss out on when you forget to say no? One of the most important things is inner renewal.

 

 

A DOZEN WAYS TO REACH YOUR SON'S HEART
by Lisa Jacobson - http://club31women.com/2013/07/a-dozen-ways-to-reach-your-sons-heart/
Used by permission 
In the September "Heart to Heart,"  look for "A Dozen Ways to Reach Your Daughter's Heart!"

 

He was nearly sixteen.

A young man with much on his mind and much to do. His days were full with school, friends, sports, dreams and goals.

And his goal on that day was to get to the bicycle shop. So I’d offered to take him there since I had to run into town anyway.

But I was pressed for time, so the plans changed and his father said he could take him in rather than me. Problem solved. Then imagine my surprise when I watched our son’s face fall. He was going to be able to get his bike fixed – didn’t he understand that?

He explained rather quietly, “But I was looking forward to the time with you, Mom.”

Me?? His mom? His answer caught me so off-guard, I couldn’t speak for a moment or two. But when I finally found my voice, I immediately changed plans. One more time.

I’ll take you, Son. Let’s go. Right now. I’ve got all the time you need.

 

I realized now that this wasn’t as much about a mountain bike, as it was about a young man’s heart. A young man who was looking for some time together. And a mom who’d been too busy and distracted to see it.

 

How does a mom reach her son’s heart?

1. Communicate confidence. Boys grow strong when they have someone who is confident in their abilities. They step out and take off when they sense your faith in them.

2. Give him space. A mom can’t hover over her boy. He needs a little room – room to grow and to try things out on his own.

3. Show some respect. It’s important to never belittle him or make him feel small in any way. Even little men need to have some basic respect.

4. Cheer him on. Until that guy marries, I hope to be his biggest fan (then she can take over from there). I’ll cheer loudly and enthusiastically whenever and wherever I can.

5. Be available. At times just being there means the most. You’re standing by – in case he ever needs something. Time, advice, sympathy, or encouragement: it’s waiting there for when he’s looking for it.

6. Take an interest. In his interests. What are his hobbies? What does he like learning about? Spend time doing? Whether lizards, space travel, or Airsoft (all of which I know way more about than I’d ever wanted to ) – make it your area of interest too.

7. Listen quietly. More than anything. He doesn’t need you to talk nearly as much as he needs you to listen (more on that here).

8. Give him grace. I don’t know quite how to say this, but sometimes sons do stupid things. And we can become discouraged, or disappointed in them. But they need to feel our full forgiveness and have the chance to try again.

9. Believe the best. Let’s have great expectations for our sons. Let’s believe they’re going to go far and have high hopes for them.

10. Take him out. Our little boys keep very careful track on whose turn it is next to have a “date” with mom. I’ll grab one when I’m going out on an errand, then pick up an ice-cream cone or swing by the library. Our eldest likes the ribs at Baldy’s Barbecue.

11. Lighten up. Laugh at his antics and smile at his sweetness. Enjoy the boy he is and the man he’s becoming. Make sure he knows you delight in him. Just the way he is.

12. Pray for him. He needs his mother’s prayers. Pray for protection, for purity, for God’s purpose to be carried out. There’s probably no more important ministry a mom can have in her son’s life.

 

That sixteen-year-old is now 19 and living and working across the country – a sophomore at college – and we only get to see him once or twice a year. But we always welcome his emails, Skype and phone calls. It’s so good to hear all about his world and what’s on his heart.

Certainly, good for this mama’s heart.

Missing you, Son.

In His grace,
Lisa Jacobson 

 

SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS

Sunburn ~ Wet a clean washcloth with cold water, wring it out, and saturate the cloth with raw apple cider vinegar.  Lay the cloth on stinging sunburn for instant relief.  Allow the vinegar to soak into the skin before removing cloth.  Allow vinegar to dry on skin, and apply coconut oil to the sunburn.  It should be much better by the next day.

 

Mosquito Bites ~ My best new way to remove the furious itch of mosquito bites is to rub the inside of a banana peel on the bite.  It worked for me!  Lavender essential oil or tea tree oil also help to relieve the sting.  If that doesn't work for you, try applying apple cider vinegar, a slice of lemon, or a thick paste of baking soda and water to the bite.  Rubbing a bar of soap on the bite or running hot water on the area may help the itch as well. And then there's the remedy of putting a slice of onion on the bite, so take your pick, but I'd start with the banana peel.  That one worked best for me, along with lavender essential oil.  Here's a very interesting article about who mosquitoes prefer when it comes to their next meal.  Some factors that draw mosquitoes the most are people with blood type O, a full moon, and smelly feet!  Read it for yourself:  http://health.yahoo.net/experts/dayinhealth/why-are-some-people-mosquito-magnets

Sugar Cravings ~ Try this sugar buster!  Mix equal parts of coconut oil and a nut butter together, and add a small amount of raw honey (or stevia).  Eat a small amount when you crave sugar.  http://www.pvnutritionaltherapy.com/how-to-stop-sugar-cravings-with-the-sugar-buster/

 

Acne ~ Here's information about a cure without chemicals ~ http://empoweredsustenance.com/7-secrets-to-cure-acne-without-chemicals/

Silverfish Infestation ~ Get rid of silverfish naturally with lavender essential oil.  Dilute with water in a glass spray bottle.  Here's the link with more info: http://retromellie.hubpages.com/hub/How-to-get-rid-of-Silverfish-using-Lavender-Oil

 

Cobwebs and Spiders ~ To get rid of cobwebs and spiders, spray peppermint essential oil (diluted with water in a glass spray bottle) in the corners of every room as well as other places they seem to congregate.  You can also saturate cotton balls with peppermint oil and place them behind framed pictures and other places where they won't be noticed.

Never Enough Bathroom Towel Racks ~ When I was pregnant with our third child, I wondered where we could hang another towel in the bathroom.  We had two towel racks about five feet from the floor, next to each other, with a space of six inches between them.  After studying the situation one day, I came up with the solution of  installing another matching rack a foot below the two original racks, and centering it between them.  They overlapped just enough for a washcloth to be hung on the inside of the top two racks without interfering with the lower rack, where the third child's towels were to hang.  This  worked perfectly and looked nice - like it belonged.  Now that the three children are all married and trying to figure out where to hang all of their own towels, we still put all three racks to use with bath towels on the two upper racks and a hand towel on the lower one.  I also found a sweet metal decoration of birds with three more hooks for extra towels to use when family or friends visit.

If that's not enough space to hand towels, here's another way to extend space for hanging towels.  Install a spring-loaded shower curtain rod behind the existing shower curtain rod, and you've got more space for a few more.  They will be safe (dry) if using the tub for baths, but when showering the towels need to be slid away from the shower head. 

Unsolicited Phone Calls ~ Add your phone number to the "Do Not Call" registry by calling 1-888-382-1222.  You must be calling from the phone number you want removed from the list.  It will take about 30 days before this takes effect.  Even if you were on the list earlier, but are once again getting lots of sales calls, it's time to call again.  This is not a permanent thing.  www.donotcall.gov

 

 

AN EASY SHORTCUT FOR QUICK TOSSED SALADS
by Lois Breneman - Heart to Heart - 2013 - http://heartfilledhomerecipes.blogspot.com/2013/07/an-easy-shortcut-for-quick-tossed-salads.html

It's such a long and drawn-out ordeal to chop a lot of colorful vegetables for a tossed salad, but I've been using a shortcut.  Back in the BC days (before children), I was an Assistant Food Service Supervisor at Penn State, and when I used to order produce for tossed salads, vegetables were sent from the "Produce Center," all chopped or sliced as ordered!  How I've wished for that luxury in my home especially when it came to tossed salads and soups.  So I shred, slice, or chop certain vegetables to be used in salads and  bag them in a Ziplock  where they wait in the refrigerator to be added to salads.  My favorite vegetables to use are sliced cauliflower, thinly sliced red cabbage, and shredded carrots - all mixed together.  These keep quite well for about a week.

Then when I plate up a salad for my husband and myself, on each plate I put a handful or so of organic mixed greens and maybe spinach, with a handful of the prepared colorful vegetables on top.  Vegetables that get soggy or turn brown such as sliced celery, sliced cucumbers, or chopped peppers are not cut up ahead of time for instant use, but they could be saved whole in a bag to be cut just before serving. But all you really need for a colorful and healthy salad are mixed greens and the mixture of prepared vegetables!

So ...  now a tossed salad really can be a fast food that's healthy for you and your family!  Add  a special dressing with homemade mayonnaise as the base, and you've got a very quick and healthy tossed salad. 

 

SUMMER VEGETABLE MEDLEY - TASTY AND COLORFUL
http://heartfilledhomerecipes.blogspot.com/2013/07/summer-vegetable-medley-tasty-and.html

To make this spur-of-the-moment dish, I used what was in the refrigerator: First I sauteed a sweet onion with minced garlic in coconut oil.  After the onion was limp and browned a bit, I added sliced  yellow squash, zucchini, a little sliced cauliflower, and finely sliced red cabbage.  Ginger paste, onion powder, salt and pepper gave it extra flavor.  It was cooked until tender but not mushy.  Very tasty!  Shredded carrots, as well as sweet red, orange or yellow peppers would add even more color and flavor.

 

 

A PEACEFUL HOME

 

Years ago a friend of mine who had been going through a lot of turmoil in her life, came to my home for lunch and a visit.  The moment she walked in the door, she breathed a sigh and said, "Ahhh, your home is so peaceful!"  I'm sure it was because of the music she heard from the Bible Broadcasting Network, where I most often had my radio set all day long. 

The Bible Broadcasting Network
A wonderful source of great Christian music and Christian programming can be found at www.bbnradio.org.  Even if you don't have this station in your city, you can tune in on your computer anytime!

Moody Radio
http://www.moodyradio.org/brd_AudioMin.aspx?id=13144

At this link you can listen to:
Local Stations
Programs
Specials
     (Example: Front Row Live!—Keith & Kristyn Getty,
       Remembering George Beverly Shea)
Podcasts

Internet Stations:

Moody Radio Network live feed
Programs and Music in Spanish
Proclaim: a roundup of profound preaching and teaching
Urban Praise
Praise and Worship
Majesty Radio: a blend of traditional hymns and sacred music

 

A GAME: WHOOPS AND AHHH MOMENTS
Parenting Insight You Can Use Now

by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN -www.biblicalparenting.org - Used by permission

Here’s an interesting and enjoyable game that can be played to demonstrate for kids what honoring speech is all about. You may choose to play this game on a car trip or when spending time together at home on an afternoon. The game is the "Whoops" and "Ahhh" Game. Playing it can be a lot of fun and it helps you recognize common forms of speech that aren’t very honoring. Choose a few hours when you'll all be together interacting.

Announce the beginning of the game and explain how it's played. "We will look for five types of dishonoring speech: arguing, boasting, whining/complaining, talking too much, and being bossy. Anyone who hears dishonoring speech from children or adults says "Whoops!" Everyone then tries to identify which type of dishonoring speech they heard. The family then works together to offer honoring suggestions.

When Bill says, "Aren't we there yet," in that whiny voice, his sister, Karen might say "Whoops!" You can identify that as whining and suggest that Bill ask his question in a more honoring way.

At the same time everyone is on the lookout for honoring speech that includes praise, gratefulness, compliments, and affirmation. If Karen says, "Thanks Dad, for taking us on this trip." Dad can say, "Ahhh."

To keep it fun, you might occasionally say something dishonoring on purpose to earn a "Whoops!" You might say, "I sure am a good driver." This will earn you a "Whoops!" for boasting followed by an interesting discussion of your alternatives.

Be sure to set an end time to the game. Although the evaluation can be helpful for a time, too much analysis can get irritating and loses its fun.

By the way, if you try this game, let us know how it went. We enjoy the responses from these tips and like to hear what things work best.

This parenting tip comes from the Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining, and Bad Attitudes curriculum. Whether it's a road trip to your favorite vacation spot, or just runs back and forth to the town pool or ball field, summer time often means more time in the van. Turn your car-time into honor-time with the Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining, and Bad Attitudes Audio Series. Click here to learn more.

 
HOW TO PRAY FOR YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN
Author unknown - Thanks to Beth Cummings in Virginia for giving this list to me which she has used for years!

1.   Pray that they will know Christ as Savior early in life.  (Psm. 63:1, II Tim. 3:15)
2.   Pray that they will have a hatred for sin. (Psm. 97:10)
3.   Pray that they will be caught when guilty.  (Psm. 119:71)
4.   Pray that they will be protected from the evil one in each area of their lives: spiritual, emotional, and physical. (John 17:15)
5.   Pray that they will have a responsible attitude in all their interpersonal relationships.  (Dan. 6:3)
6.   Pray that they will respect those in authority over them.  (Rom. 13:11)
7.   Pray that they will desire the right kind of friends and be protected from the wrong friends. (Prov. 1:10-11)
8.   Pray that they will be kept from the wrong mate and saved for the right one.  (II Cor. 6:14-17)
9.   Pray that they, as well as those they marry, will be kept pure until marriage.  (I Cor. 6:18-20)
10.  Pray that they will learn to totally submit to God and actively resist Satan in all circumstances.  (James 4:7)
11.  Pray that they will be singlehearted, willing to be sold out to Jesus Christ.  (Rom. 12:1-2)
12.  Pray that they will be hedged in so they cannot find their way to wrong people or wrong places and that the wrong people cannot find their way to them.  (Hosea 2:6)

 

PRECIOUS GEMS
Again, thanks so much, ladies, for giving me your permission to include your cute kids' quotes in Heart to Heart and on the blog!  http://heartfilledhome.blogspot.com

Proud Parenting Moment - While riding in the car the other evening something came up about dinner and this is the conversation that followed:
Maverick (2): I need some lunch.
Tony: How about a snack? What snack would you like?
Maverick: Fruit Snacks
Tony: What else?
Maverick: French fries and chicken nuggets
Tony: How much do French fries and chicken nuggets cost?
Maverick: $400
Tony: I'm not gonna pay that much for French fries and chicken nuggets.
Maverick: Use a coupon.
Hahahahaha!! That's my boy! 🙂 ~ Leigh Ann in Virginia who by the way is a Coupon Queen in this area! (Lois' words)

 

Amiya's (5) quote of the day: "Mommy, this peanut looks like a camel with one hunk." ~ Danielle in Alabama

This morning the littles were snuggling in my bed, and Natalie was kissing on Jaydn's cheeks to the point of driving Jaydn a bit crazy, so I asked her to stop.  Natalie said, "Mommy, I just love kissing on Jaydn's cheeks - they are so fluffy." ~ Sarah in Virginia

I love that Lucy (1) calls watermelon, "water Madeline".  (Madeline(5) is Lucy's big sister.) ~ Naomi in Maryland

Malakai (5): "Mommy, this tooth back here bout to fall out."
Me: "Is it loose?"
Malakai: "No, Ma-am, but I can hear him say, 'Get me outa here!' " ~ Danielle in Alabama

Amiya (5): "Mommy, I had so much fun today.  We take a nap, I close my eyes, I wake up, we have a snack..." ~ Danielle in Alabama

Amiya (5): "Malakai, maybe if you wore a helmet you wouldn't bump your head so much!"
Malakai (5): "Then I would just crack up the helmet so much." ~ Danielle in Alabama

 

While washing hands this morning, Malakai (5) walks up to the automatic towel dispenser and says, "I 'bout to rip your tongue off!" ~ Danielle in Alabama

Just overheard something that made me smile:
Savannah (6): I don't know what we are going to do this afternoon since it's raining, but knowing Mom, it will be fun!"
Good to know I am a fun mom.  For today anyway. ~ Lauren in Virginia

Savannah (6): "Mom, when are we going school supply shopping?"
Me: "I don't know. Later."
Savannah: "Mom, we have a list.  And the stuff is out at Walmart.  And I need to order a backpack.  We don't have all summer, you know.  The baby is coming.  I need to be prepared for first grade." ~ Lauren in Virginia

Savannah (6)  "I know this is rather surprising since I'm usually full of misbehavior, but I got 'Camper of the Day' today!" ~ Lauren in Virginia

I love the funny things kids say.  Luke (8) thinks he is good at riding his bike because he is Dutch, and Logan (4) wants his own book of the Bible (like his brother Luke). ~ Catie in Pennsylvania 

Me: "Alright, guys ... who wants eggs for dinner?"  Little people unite to shout, "Meeeeee!"  Then Gabe (3) adds, "But I want some different eggs .. like dinosaur eggs!"   Hmmm... ~ Lauren in Virginia

Anna says she wants to go to Wendy's for lunch.  Gabriel (3) immediately says, "No! Wanna go to Peter Pan's!" ~ Haha!! Love my babies. ~Lauren in Virginia

 

Growing up in (a chicken-raising county) from the eyes of a child...
Annabelle (7): "Look Charlotte (2)!  There's the chicken truck...Ahhh!  It's empty!  Oh no!  All the chickens have been terminator-ed by the evil chicken killers...who make our chicken nuggets...well, I guess they aren't too evil." ~ Promise in Virginia

Gabe (3): "Mommy, I just can't nap because I want to lay my head on your belly!  It's like a BIIIIIG pillow!" ~ Lauren in Virginia (who is expecting her 4th child soon)

Casi (6): "Mama, some stuff gets stuck in my belly button and I have to pull it out."
Me: "I know, you should wash it in the tub.  It is what they call lint."
Casi: "Mine's usually peanut butter cracker." ~ Michelle in Virginia 

 

 

QUOTE

Thanks to Leslie Lobdell in Arkansas for providing this great quote!

"Your children have a front-row seat for watching how you treat others, invest your time, and handle hardship. They won't listen to you preach something you don't practice. Living a genuine faith in front of your children is key to their spiritual attitude toward God." ~ Elizabeth George

 

Ladies, I would love to hear from you anytime!
Simply reply to any newsletter and share your thoughts with me.

Let me know what you like best and least about the newsletter.
I'm always looking for cute quotes from kids (old or new would be great)!

I pray each of you found something in this edition to bless, encourage and teach you!
Please remember to pray for each dear Heart to Heart lady and her family,
because so many ladies are going through very tough times and need our prayers!
Some have lost loved ones, others have lost jobs, homes, or their good health.
Pray each day for the protection of our troops, and for their families left at home,
as well as adjustment and employment after they return home.
God bless you and your family and keep you in His loving care!
Your "Heart to Heart" friend
Lois

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