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Posted by: jhbreneman <jhbreneman@...>

 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/  

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

Sept. 2013 Packing Lunches, ABC Scriptures, Recipes, Sewing, Baby Wipes

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IN THIS ISSUE:
GRANDPARENTS' DAY IS SEPTEMBER 8!
COMPUTER TIP TO ENLARGE PRINT SIZE

PACKING NUTRITIOUS LUNCHES FOR HEALTHY, HAPPY KIDS AND HUSBANDS

SEWING PILLOWCASES AND DRAWSTRING BAGS WITH YOUNG CHILDREN

A DOZEN WAYS TO LOOK AFTER YOUR DAUGHTER'S HEART

ABC SCRIPTURE MEMORY VERSES

BEING AN EFFECTIVE WITNESS FROM YOUR HOME COMPUTER

EGGS WITH EXTRA COLOR AND FLAVOR

SESAME GRILLED CHICKEN
LIME-KISSED FRUIT
GRAIN-FREE PANCAKES

PARENTING INSIGHT YOU CAN USE NOW
NATURAL BABY WIPES MADE WITH ESSENTIAL OILS
PRECIOUS GEMS
A QUOTE FROM A SUBSCRIBER'S HUSBAND ~ WITH A STORY

 

GRANDPARENTS' DAY IS SEPTEMBER 8!

 

 
COMPUTER TIP TO ENLARGE PRINT SIZE
Enlarge the print size of e-mails as well as on the internet by holding down the Ctrl key and press the plus (+) key.  Enlarge it 2 or 3 times by continuing to press the plus key until it is an acceptable size.  To return the print to the original size, hold down the Ctrl key and press the minus (-) key as many times as needed to return to the original size print.

 

PACKING NUTRITIOUS LUNCHES FOR HEALTHY, HAPPY KIDS AND HUSBANDS

by Lois Breneman - © 2007 - Heart to Heart

Updated Note - August, 2013:
(After forty-three years of packing lunches for my husband to take to work (he fully retired in June), and many years of packing lunches for our children, the only lunches I need to pack to carry out of the house now are for trips or picnics, but I'll gladly share what I've learned over the years.)

 

School is already under way for many families, and you may be dreading all those lunches that need packing!  For many years I packed lunches for my three children and my husband, and certainly know myself how easy it is to fall into a lunch packing rut!  Although those days of packing lunches for my children are in the past, I've continued to pack lunches almost every weekday for my husband to take to work.  It's good to know that lunches don't need to be predictable, monotonous, repetitious and boring, but I know I have fallen short in this area many times.  Hopefully these tips will give you more ideas, as well as motivate me to perk up my husband's lunches!   

 

Did you ever stop to think how those packed lunches add up so quickly?  Just think!  If you pack lunches for only one child, that's as many as 180 lunches each school year, but if you have three children and a husband to send off with nutritious lunches, that's as many as 720 lunches, just counting the school year!  Wow!  Using these lunch packing tips, we will all be able to put together many good nutritious lunches, as well as have a substantial savings measured in dollars, compared to purchased high calorie, fat-laden lunches every day.  A little preparation goes a long way in helping to make lunch packing less stressful, so let's get started.  I hope that all of us, including those who teach their children at home, will find some new ideas here for serving nutritious lunches, as well as ways to save time and money.

 

Begin by discussing lunches with your family to be sure of their food preferences.  Involving them in the process will help ensure you that the foods packed will be eaten.  Getting their input each year is always a good idea, because likes and dislikes do change.  Otherwise you may learn your children are trading or tossing their food in the trash to hide the evidence.

 

Involving your children in the lunch packing process will teach them future survivor skills, and you will be so glad you involved them in this responsibility!  They will be glad as well - maybe not now, but definitely later! 

 

Most younger children love carrying lunch boxes, but from experience I've learned that teens would rather die than carry a lunch box.  They will most likely want to brown bag their lunches, and toss all the containers, so provide foods for them in zipped plastic bags, rather than Tupperware, Rubbermaid or Glad containers. 

 

As much as possible choose from different food groups, using the Food Guide Pyramid as a guide.  Plan to include breads and starches, fruits and vegetables, and some form of protein, with a variety of natural colors and textures.  Avoid food coloring, preservatives and junk food.

 

Breads and starches are probably the easiest group to include. But rather than the usual choices of bread, crackers and cookies, whole grain bagels, nutritious muffins, whole grain pita bread, pretzels, rice cakes, and tacos.  Skip the white flour and go with whole grains whenever possible.

 

Protein is provided in tuna salad, egg salad, hard cooked eggs, and humus spread with whole grain crackers or with vegetables for dipping.  Peanut butter, almond butter, nuts, cheese, milk, yogurt, beans and meats also fit into this category.

 

Buy colorful fruits in season.  The old standbys are apples, bananas, grapes, and oranges, but also include strawberries, mangoes, plums, pears, peaches, pineapple, grapefruit, watermelon and cantaloupe.  Oranges and grapefruit are much easier to eat if they are peeled and sectioned at home, so have the children help right after the evening meal.  One orange may be enough for two younger children and a grapefruit could be divided between several lunches.  Bananas and grapes are probably the easiest to eat.  Try fruit kabobs too.  Spray fruits that brown with lemon juice.  Add a tiny amount of Stevia if lemon juice make the fruit too sour.

 

A tossed green salad works well in a plastic container with salad dressing in a separate Tupperware midget cup.  For teens who like to toss containers, you could still send a salad in a paper or Styrofoam soup and cereal bowl, covered with aluminum foil.  Salad dressing could be wrapped in a small piece of aluminum foil or bought in individual size servings.  Try packing carrots, celery, cucumbers, grape tomatoes, avocados, and veggie kabobs as well. 

 

Invest in disposable snack containers in the snack size and single serving size.  If you already have Tupperware midget cups, they are perfect for sunflower seeds, peanuts, almonds, raisins, dried apricots, salad dressing, and peanut butter for dipping apple slices.  Fresh or canned fruit can be prepared and put into serving size containers and stored in the refrigerator for about a week.  Buy a seedless watermelon, or a few cantaloupes.  Then cut up the entire melon right away, filling smaller containers for lunches and larger ones for meals at home.

 

If you think it's too expensive to buy healthy food, just begin by purchasing healthy whole grain bread, natural peanut butter, good quality apples and more of other fruits and vegetables.  Next cut out junk food, juices containing added sugar, and all soft drinks, and you will have cash reserves to spend on beneficial food that will build healthy cells, rather than tear them down.  Colds, sinus infections and flu may even decrease, which will save not only visits to the doctor, but expensive medications, makeup school work, makeup tests, plus lots of unnecessary misery!

 

Do research where you shop to see if you can save money by purchasing the economy size containers of nuts, applesauce, raisins, yogurt and canned fruit to fill your own serving size containers.  If so, enlist the help of your children in filling the individual containers.  It can be fun.  Your children could also help to bake lunch items and wrap them too.  If that's overwhelming to you right now, you may want to start off the year buying a few individual servings, and switching as soon as you catch your breath.

 

When I buy apples in the grocery store they are often bruised and sometimes waxed.  Better choices can be found at a nearby orchard.  They have less bruised, non-waxed and much better tasting and less expensive apples!   Have you ever seen a tossed apple core after a child (or grownup) has eaten the apple?  There's usually lots of waste!  For better odds of less waste, remove the core at home with an apple corer, and spray with lemon juice to prevent browning.  Wrap in plastic wrap.  A sliced apple sprayed with lemon juice and stored in a zipped bag or container is great for dipping into peanut butter too.  There is a great time-saving kitchen tool that will core and slice apples with one push! 

 

An even more fun and nutritious way for a child to eat an apple is to pull a "Walking Apple" from her lunchbox!  You can be sure your child's friends will want to see how they are put together and make them as well!  Core an apple, fill the core with peanut butter and raisins or sunflower seeds.  Dip the peanut butter ends in sunflower seeds or nuts, or stuff each end with a dried apricot.  The title, "walking apple," comes from the convenience of being able to eat an apple while taking a walk, without having even a bit litter to toss.  These can be made ahead and kept wrapped in plastic wrap in the fridge several days in advance.  Have your children get them ready for their lunches!  A fun and nutritious way to eat an apple! 

 

Here are some fun ways to eat vegetables as well!  Wash and dry celery ribs and spread peanut butter on a rib.  Dip the peanut butter top in toasted unsweetened coconut or cover with sunflower seeds to prevent the peanut butter from sticking to plastic wrap.  Raisins on a peanut butter filled celery stick can be called, "ants on a log!"  Use cream cheese or pimiento cheese to fill ribs of celery.  Another fun way for younger kids is to wrap a few goldfish crackers separately for the child to put on the filled celery at lunchtime, so it looks like "fish swimming in a river."  So you see, you and your children can even have fun when packing lunches!

 

Make a large batch of granola and add dried fruit. Package it for a healthy snack or dessert.  Store in the freezer.  Granola eaten with yogurt would be a delicious and healthy addition to any lunch.

 

Bake banana nut bread, pumpkin bread, or other quick breads, cutting down on the sugar (or use honey).  After it cools, slice it into serving sizes, wrap breads in plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag in the freezer.  Make apple crisp, cutting back on the sugar (use half the amount and add a little Stevia).  Freeze the apple crisp in individual containers and use for a tasty addition to quick lunches.  Bake large batches of cookies or bars, wrap one or two in plastic wrap or put into snack bags, and freeze together in a large freezer bag.

 

Prepare and store a couple weeks' worth of snack lunch items to keep on hand.    If you have freezer space, consolidate the freezable lunch items, possibly storing them in a rectangular plastic tub that can be pulled out to retrieve snacks easily as lunches are packed.  Keep adding to the stash as you use up the previous snacks.  If storage space is a factor, during the winter, something like a large metal popcorn tin works great to store smaller lunch items in the garage, basement, or on the back porch or deck.  By using a metal can with a tight fitting lid, you should have no problem with critters having a party.

 

Keep an eye on sales for possible lunch items such as fresh and canned fruit, mini carrots, celery, grape tomatoes, peanut butter, yogurt, 100% juice, dried fruit, soups, nutritious bread, crackers, tortilla chips, salsa, nuts, jams and other lunch items.  All Fruit is a jam made with all fruit (no sugar), and is often on sale.  Check clearance items, but only purchase if it's a good buy and something that will be used.  Dollar stores carry zipped snack bags, sandwich bags, Glad containers, brown paper bags, as well as many of these other supplies.  Try to refrain from a lot of sugary snacks and foods containing artificial coloring and preservatives, which do not promote good health or learning.

 

Soups can be heated in the morning and carried in thermos bottles.  Cold or hot drinks can also be taken in a thermos.  Include their favorite casseroles or leftovers too.  Many school cafeterias and offices also have microwaves available for students and employees to heat food, which eliminates the need of a thermos
.

Pack tortilla chips in a zipper bag, and provide salsa in a small covered container for dipping.  For a turkey tortilla, spread cream cheese on one half of a tortilla.  Add a little salsa, a layer of turkey, and a sprinkle of grated cheese. Fold over and wrap in plastic wrap to hold it all together.

For peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, spread a thin layer of peanut butter on both slices, with jelly in the center to prevent soggy sandwiches.  These freeze very well.  You may have heard that mayonnaise should not be frozen, but the only reason is because it may separate a bit.  There is no health risk.  I have frozen sandwiches with mayonnaise many times and the mayonnaise looks and tastes fine.  Sour cream or cream cheese may also be used as a substitute or even mixed with mayonnaise, with dill weed added for extra flavor.  Green lettuce can be sent separately in a zipped bag to be added to a sandwich.  Iceberg lettuce contains barely any nutrients, so go for the green.

 

Many sandwiches can be made ahead of time and frozen.  Cheese, chicken or turkey sandwiches freeze well.  Eliminate or go easy on lunch meats and hot dogs because of nitrates and preservatives.  In an extensive study Dr. Ted Broer reported that children who ate three hot dogs each week had nine times the chance of getting leukemia compared to children who ate no hot dogs.  Of course, that's not to say this is the cause for every child who has ever had leukemia, but it is something to seriously think about!

 

My children and I used to make sandwiches "assembly line style," using the entire kitchen table.  The sandwiches were carefully cut in half with a serrated knife.  One half of a sandwich was stacked on the other half and wrapped in plastic wrap, with the filling showing.  The sandwiches were all kept in a bread bag in the freezer until the night before they were needed.  We usually packed lunches the night before in order to save time in the morning, as we had to get out of the house quite early to carpool across town.  Some families I know have totally given the responsibility of assembling lunches to their children, and that has worked well for them too. 

 

Keep in mind the time your child has allotted to eat her lunch.  Include a napkin, a Wet One, or even a damp paper towel in a baggie in her lunch.  From time to time add notes, cartoons, and coupons for a favorite snack or special activity for when they get home.  Use notes to remind your child and husband of your love and prayers for them.  Tell them how proud you are of them.

 

Now some of us, including myself, need to work on refreshing our husband's packed lunches, making them less predictable, monotonous, repetitious and boring!  It is my prayer that these tips and ideas will be helpful in making life a little easier for you and your family. 

 

I always enjoy hearing about ideas that have been helpful to you!  Please reply to a newsletter and tell me about your lunch packing tips!

 

 

SEWING PILLOWCASES AND DRAWSTRING BAGS WITH YOUNG CHILDREN

by Lois Breneman - 2013 - Heart to Heart
Photos can be seen at http://heartfilledhome.blogspot.com/2013/08/sewing-pillowcases-and-drawstring-bags.html

Sewing is becoming a lost art, but there is much on the internet that it would be easy enough to learn on your own by watching you tube videos.  Pinterest has also presented many opportunities for learning how to sew, and I hope many of you will take advantage of learning and passing on those skills to the next generations.

When the grandchildren were much younger, we made small pillows together.  I'd sew a machine embroidery design of their choice on their pillow front with the child on my lap, letting them push the buttons. They'd also sit on my lap as I sewed the seams.  They would turn the pillow right-side out, punch out the corners, and stuff it with fiberfill, and I taught them how to sew the opening shut.

It's a "dream-come-true" for me that my young granddaughter wants to learn how to sew and is so enthusiastic about it!  I usually take my sewing machine when we visit our long-distant children's families, so I can do their mending and other projects in my spare time.  When we visited our daughter's family last winter, as we were coming in the house for hugs, I bent down to give Ryan a hug, and she yelled with excitement, "Are we going to SEW, Grammie?"  Of course, I loved that!

 

That week I taught Ryan at the age of five how to make beanbags, and she learned how to do a very neat whip stitch by hand, reinforcing the stitches with knots now and then.  She made two more pillows and loved sewing buttons on a piece of fabric by hand.  Soon I plan to teach her how to do the blind stitch so she will be able to hem her own clothes some day.  Of course, she will need refresher courses along the way in years to come. 

 

Before we drove a long distance to visit our daughter's family at the end of July, Ryan had already gathered some mending for me that needed done - doll clothes, a huge Scooby Doo whose backside seam was coming apart, and a few other items.

During our week's visit I taught our two oldest grandchildren how to make their own pillowcases that will match the quilts I'm making for them.  Justin, 10, already has his quilt, and Ryan Elizabeth, who just turned 6, will have hers later this year.  They did a great job on their pillowcases, doing all the sewing themselves.  There were only a few times we had to back up and redo a seam that got wavy.  I cut, pressed and gave them instructions, and I was so proud of them for the work they each did!

 

This is a link with an excellent tutorial on sewing pillowcases: http://www.nancyzieman.com/blog/quick-sewing-projects/sewing-with-kidssew-an-easy-pillowcase/

 

Ryan is still too small to reach the foot pedal of a sewing machine, so I raised it up off the floor about 15 inches with a box, and she had the time of her life sewing with me for a week in August.  It was such fun to see her concentration and enthusiasm as she learned how to sew straight seams by herself, while I cut, pressed, or did something else nearby.   

She also helped me sew 45 drawstring bags - some for her birthday party guests later in the week, some for her teachers, and lots for her to keep.  She learned how to guide the edge of the presser foot along the edge of the fabric for straight seams.  She inserted drawstrings around the top of the bags using a large safety pin as well.  It took us two days of sticking with the job to get so many bags sewn, but I never had to ask her to keep on working.  She's a determined little girl and as we worked hard with me on the second day, even though she was getting tired, she told me, "I'm going to stick with this until it's done!"  And she did!

 

My daughter shared with me today how one of Ryan's teachers said how she just loved the drawstring totebag that Ryan said she made for her with her grandma!

After cutting the fabric for Ryan's quilt at home, I had lots of skinny strips left over, so she and I made a mini quilt (about the size of a lap quilt) with other cute fabric sewn on the sides.  She sewed together more than half of the strips by herself, but that was a bigger project than a six year old can handle, along with all of our other projects, so I finished the rest of the quilt for her.  The quilt back has a darling whimsical frog print in the colors of the quilt front.

In the future I'd like to Ryan Elizabeth put hand sewing samples in a "Sewing Notebook," to help her remember each sewing technique, and be able to use them throughout life.  The blind stitch for hemming will be one of those hand sewing stitches, so she can hem her own clothes when needed.  I'd love to add photos of all her sewing projects as well.  We also did yo-yo;s and flower hair bands at the beach in June.  So we have lots more plans of sewing together!

This is most definitely one of the many joys the Lord has given me of being a Grammie!

 

 

A DOZEN WAYS TO LOOK AFTER YOUR DAUGHTER'S HEART
by Lisa Jacobson  - http://club31women.com/2013/07/a-dozen-ways-to-look-after-your-daughters-heart/ - Used by permission

 

You can also read A Dozen Ways to Reach Your Son’s Heart.

 

I nearly panicked when our first daughter was born. That sweet baby girl.

 

Not sure exactly why, but I keenly and immediately felt my inadequacy as a mother. It’s true we had a son, but I guess I figured that if things ever went wrong, I could always hand him over to his dad.

 

But a girl…..?

 

I knew a girl needs her mother.

 

I knew a mom has to care for her heart – oh, how well I knew!

 

I knew she would turn to me to learn how to be a woman and to navigate the complexities of life.

 

What I didn’t know was just how to go about it. How does a mom look after her daughter’s heart?

 

1.  Walk together.  The girls and I have some of our best talks when we’re out walking together. Maybe it’s the fresh air, or the steady movement of our legs, but there’s something about it that opens hearts and minds to good conversation.

 

2.  Take tea together. Although we have a very busy household, most every day we sit down and enjoy a cup of tea for 15 to 30 minutes. It’s a daily connecting point and a nice opportunity to bring up questions, grievances, or just fun news.

 

3.  Bring home little gifts. This is the “love language” of one of our daughters in particular. It’s only something small, but it says to her that I’m thinking of her. And all my girls appreciate the sharing of a bit of chocolate.

 

4.  Set aside a special time for her. The girls love it when we make special plans together. Sometimes I’ll grab one and take her out to a cafe. Or we’ll all dress up and attend a fancy event for an evening.

 

5.  Work together. For me, it’s less about “getting the job done” and more about the camaraderie of working together. Talking and laughing while we fold clothes or prepare a meal.

 

6.  Seek her out. Don’t wait for her to come to you. My girls mentioned recently how much they appreciate being checked on to see how they’re doing.

 

7.  Take the time to listen. Lots of time. A girl’s heart cannot be rushed or squeezed in between a zillion other priorities. She needs her mom to be available to simply listen to her thoughts and concerns. Her fears and her insecurities. Her hopes and her dreams.

 

8.  Pray for insight. It isn’t always clear how to reach through to your daughter. Be prepared to earnestly pray over her, asking the Lord to show you what she needs from her mom.

 

9.  Guide her with wise instruction. A daughter relies on her mom’s wisdom and solid counsel – helping her to sort through the choices, relationships, struggles, and challenges that face a young woman.

 

10. Enjoy her for who she is. She is uniquely made by God. So delight in her personality, her gifts, and, yes, even her more annoying traits. She needs to feel her mother’s loving acceptance.

 

11. Be patient with the process. She’s not going to get it all right, all the time. And that’s okay. I’ll remind myself, “How it is today, isn’t necessarily how it’s always going to be.” Give her room to grow.

 

12. Offer encouragement. Tell her specific things that you admire and appreciate about her. Communicate that you are confident in her future and that God has good plans in store for her life.

 

So, as you see, it takes a significant amount of time and effort to connect with a girl’s heart. It’s not simple and it’s certainly not a science. No wonder I panicked.

 

But your daughter – that sweet baby girl – sure is worth it, isn’t she?

 

Yeah, I think so too.

 

These are a few of the ways I connect with the girls in our family. What are some of yours?

 

 

ABC SCRIPTURE MEMORY VERSES
by Lois Breneman - Heart to Heart - 2013

Parents, this is a great way to teach your small children the Word of God and have fun at the same time!  If you find a more suitable verse to substitute for any of the letters, please go ahead, to make this list work best for you and your children!  This concept of putting a scripture verse with each letter of the alphabet is a great activity for any age - even adults - to do while lying in bed, unable to sleep.

A...All scripture is inspired by God. (II Timothy 3:16)
B...Be ye kind to one another, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you. (Eph. 4:32)
C...Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. (Eph. 6:1)
D...Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. (Luke 6:31)
E...Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure and whether it be right. (Prov. 20:11)
F...For He will give His angels charge concerning you to guard you in all your ways. (Psm. 91:11)
G...God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him has everlasting life. (John 3:16)
H...He who walks with wise men will be wise. (Prov. 13:20)
I...I was glad when they said unto me, "Let us go into the house of the Lord." (Psm. 122:1)
J...Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever. (Heb. 13:8)
K...Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. (Psm. 34:14)
L...Love your neighbor as yourself. (Matt.22:39)
M...My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory. (Phil. 4:19)
N...(Near) Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. (James 4:8)
O...Oh, how I love Your Word. (Psm. 119:97)
P...Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and health to the bones. Prov. 16:24)
Q...(Quarrel) The Lord's servants must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone. (I Tim. 2:24)
R...Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice. (Phil. 4:4)
S...Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. (Matt. 6:33)
T...Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. (Prov. 3:5)
U...Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain that build it. (Psm. 127:1)
V... Verily, verily, I say unto you, you must be born again. (John 3:3)
W...Whatever you do, do it heartily, as unto the Lord and not unto men. (Col. 3:23)
X...(Exceeding) Now unto Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think. (Eph.3:20)
Y...You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind. (Matt. 22:37)
Z...(Zeal) Never be lacking in zeal. (Rom. 12:11)

 

 

BEING AN EFFECTIVE WITNESS FROM YOUR HOME COMPUTER

Written by Loretta Dillon on August 19, 2013, for the Heart to Heart Newsletter

(Note from Lois:  Ladies, this is a wonderful opportunity to share Christ with the world from your own computer!)

Have you ever read Jesus’ words “…Go ye…” in Mark 16:15?

 

Have you ever thought, as I have, “He’s talking to me!” ?

 

It’s a very personal command which our Lord has given, “…You go…into all the world…” But, how is that possible?

 

I’ve known for many years that it’s possible for me to follow Jesus' command through personal prayer and through financial giving. World missions has been a strong interest in my life since I was young. But how can I, a senior citizen with more than a few daily aches and pains be more personally involved?

 

In June 2011, I found out!  There is a way I can be more personally involved - with people from all over the world, people who are seeking spiritual truth, people whom God loves and with whom He wants to have a close relationship.  The link, www.MissionaryFromHome.com  showed me how I can be a missionary to all the nations without leaving my home.

 

For two years I’ve spent part of every day sitting at the computer and talking by way of email with people from many countries. These are people who have found one of the many web sites which are available through Global Media Outreach, sharing the gospel in over 20 languages with hundreds of thousands of seekers every day.

 

I have met people like my 17 year old friend in Nigeria who’s the only Christian in his family of another faith. He did an online Bible study on the entire Gospel of Mark using his cell phone. He completed the ten lesson course in less than a month.

 

My 23 year old Zimbabwean friend completed the same course of study in ten days using his cell phone.

 

I have met people like T…. from Indonesia who wrote saying, “I haven’t prayed to receive Christ as my personal Savior, but I want to investigate more.” I sent a message developed for people from a background other than Christian. The next day he wrote back telling me he had just prayed to receive Christ for the first time.  

 

I was distressed when I met a young woman who was working as a prostitute in an African hotel. L…. claimed to be a Christian and wanted to grow spiritually. She was so happy that a man was offering to pay her expenses to take her to Europe or America and pay for her education so she could become a lawyer. He was supposed to come back for her in about a week. I panicked, and prayed, and panicked some more. I wrote to her telling her how human trafficking works but she kept on making her plans.. I wasn’t able to continue writing when she told me she didn’t believe what I was saying. The best part of the story is that I know a missionary whose ministry office is close to the hotel where L…. worked and I was able to connect them. They’ve met, L…. has visited in my friend’s home and attended church with her and her husband. Every time I think about this – a complete “Godthing” - I’m amazed that our holy God would orchestrate all of these details to reach one immoral young woman whom He loves. It’s a lesson on His great love and His gracious willingness to use someone who’s subject to panic when I should have been trusting!

 

What a thrilling and humbling experience to be a part of what God’s doing all over the world through internet evangelism!

 

There are guidelines and training for anyone who feels like God might want them to be a part of this ministry. Please go to www.gmojoinus.com for more information.

If you qualify to be a mentor, be prepared for a few heartaches and abundant blessings!

To Qualify:
You need to …

• Have been a Christian for at least 2-3 years and be spiritually as well as emotionally mature and over 18 years of age.
• Must be in agreement with the content of our major web sites:
• http://www.GodLovesTheWorld.com
• http://www.KeysToChristianGrowth.com

• Be familiar with using a web browser and writing emails.
• Check emails regularly and spend 15 minutes (minimum) to respond.
• Have prayerfully asked God about joining us.
• Have your church pastor be willing to act as your referee. We’ll need their phone  number and email address.
• Complete an online application form (allow 30 minutes).
  

 We provide ... 

• Online training that teaches you how to prepare responses.
• Web sites containing answers to common questions, gospel presentations, discipling materials and searchable Bibles.
• You can set the number of emails you respond to each week.
• Team leaders review some emails you send in order to help you learn more and to ensure the safety of everyone.
• You can also set up your own personal webpage where YOUR network of friends can:
• read YOUR faith story
• watch the JESUS film
• Listen to the New Testament
• Read the Bible
• Email their questions to YOU (see mylanguage.net.au/valuegod for details)

Got more questions?

If you have more questions, first read our list of frequently asked questions .

 

 

EGGS WITH EXTRA COLOR AND FLAVOR

Fancy Fried Eggs ~ Lay 1/2-inch rings of sweet red, orange, yellow or green pepper in a small frying pan with coconut oil already melted.  Crack a pastured egg into each one.  You won't need to turn the eggs if you add about a tablespoon of water to the pan and cover with a lid. Continue to cook on a low setting, and the yellow yolks of the eggs will get a white coating from the steam.  Cook very slowly until done according to your liking.

Scrambled Eggs in Pepper Rings ~ Mix scrambled eggs with a little water, salt and pepper.  Lay 1/2-inch rings of sweet red, orange, yellow or green pepper in a frying pan with coconut oil already melted.  Pour enough scrambled egg mixture into each pepper ring so it doesn't overflow.

Scrambled Eggs with Vegetables ~ Melt coconut oil in a pan and saute' a sliced onion and grated carrots until tender.  Beat eggs and salt with a small amount of water (for fluffier eggs).  Toss sliced fresh spinach into the pan of vegetables, just before pouring the eggs into the cooked vegetables.

 

 

SESAME GRILLED CHICKEN
Thanks to Katie Fagan in Virginia for sending this recipe!

 

Marinade:

1 Tbsp. sesame seed oil

3 garlic cloves

½ cup soy sauce

¼ cup rice wine vinegar

¼ cup brown sugar (Stevia would be a good substitute)

2 Tbsp. ginger root (grated)

¼ cup cilantro (chopped)

4 scallions (chopped)

 

6 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)

2 Tbsp. sesame seeds (toasted)

 

Combine marinade ingredients. Add chicken and marinate 3 hours or overnight. Remove chicken from marinade and grill over medium-high heat 4-5 minutes on each side, basting with marinade. Toast sesame seeds in frying pan over medium heat, shaking to prevent burning. Sprinkle over grilled chicken. Serve with steamed veggies and rice or couscous.

LIME-KISSED FRUIT
Thanks to Katie Fagan in Virginia for sending this recipe!

1/4 cup honey
3 oz. frozen limeade concentrate

1/2 tsp. poppy seeds
1 3/4 lbs. fruit salad (strawberries, peaches/nectarines, melons, pineapple, bananas, apples, grapes, kiwi, etc.

Whisk honey, limeade, and poppy seeds together in the container you'd like to serve it in.  Add fruit salad and toss to coat fruit.  Chill until ready to serve.

 

 

GRAIN-FREE PANCAKES
Serves 2 

1/4 cup coconut flour
1 Tbsp. plain gelatin (grass fed is best)
4 eggs at room temp. (pastured are best)
1 heaping Tbsp. coconut oil
1/2 coconut milk or cream
coconut oil for frying

Mix flour and gelatin together.  Add eggs and beat to a smooth paste.  Stir in the coconut oil; add the milk or cream and mix.
Cook about 12 small pancakes in a hot skillet with melted coconut oil.  Turn over when the edges and center turn opaque.
Serve with butter or ghee melted on top, and Fresh Fruity Syrup as a replacement for syrup.

Fresh Fruity Syrup
Fruit suggestions for syrup replacement: blueberries, peaches, strawberries, pineapple, or mangoes.  Bananas or natural applesauce would be good in combination to any of the fruits listed above.  Add a small amount of stevia for sweetness.  Blend in a blender or Magic Bullet.

 

 

PARENTING INSIGHT YOU CAN USE NOW

This parenting tip comes from the book The Christian Parenting Handbook: 50 Heart-Based Strategies for All the Stages of Your Child's Life by Dr Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN - Used by permission

 

Developing internal motivation in children is one of the fast tracks to help them toward maturity. Unfortunately, too often parents use external motivators to get their kids to move forward. “If you get your homework done then you can go out and play.” “If you clean your room then you can have some computer time.” This approach basically says, “If you do what I say, I’ll give you what you want.” Children trained this way often develop a mentality that focuses on external motivation instead of developing the internal motivations they’ll need to be responsible and mature.

God is interested in the heart. The heart contains motivations, emotions, convictions, and values. A heart-based approach to parenting looks deeper. When parents focus on the heart, then kids learn to ask the question, “What’s the right thing to do?”

A heart-based approach shares values and reasons behind rules. It requires more discussions with kids, helping children understand how their hearts are resistant and the need to develop cooperation. A heart-based approach is firm but also relational. It’s a different mindset for some parents and looks at the interaction of family life differently. Instead of simply getting the room cleaned and the dishes put away, parents are more interested in developing character, values, and convictions.

Another opportunity to focus on the heart is during times of correction. “I can see you’re angry because I said no. You need to take a break for a bit and settle your heart down and when you’re ready, come back and we’ll talk about it.” A heart approach requires a child to settle down first and then have a discussion with the parent about the problem and a better course of action. Address heart issues, not just behavior, and help children see things from a deeper perspective. Over time children will be able to understand what’s right, and internal motivation will come.

 

NATURAL BABY WIPES MADE WITH ESSENTIAL OILS

Make these natural baby wipes for a safe, sweet-smelling, and germ-eliminating substitute to much more expensive baby wipes.

 

You will need:
1 roll Bounty paper towels or another high quality brand
2 cups warm water
2 tablespoons fractionated coconut oil (even olive oil would work)
3 drops lavender essential oil (good for skin and so much more)
3 drops tea tree essential oil (anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, etc.)
An airtight storage container (Cool Whip), an empty Baby Wipes container, or a wet bag

 

Cut paper towel roll in half with a serrated or electric knife. Place half of the roll in a container.  Save the other half for the next batch.
Combine water, fractionated coconut oil, as well as lavender and tea tree essential oils in a small bowl.

Pour the mixture over the paper towels and cover with the airtight lid.
Allow the mixture absorb into the towels for 10 minutes before turning the container over to absorb for another 10 minutes.

Remove and discard the cardboard tube in the center. Then simply pull the wipes from the center when you are ready to use.

Notes: Use travel size wipe containers for diaper bags, your purse, or car.  Even small Tupperware containers work well.

Another way to use this solution in the nursery would be to keep this solution in a small covered container, with a box of tissues next to it for dipping into the solution as needed for diaper changes.  When my children were in diapers, I used Amyway Liquid Organic Cleaner (LOC) in water for cleaning up.  Either way, this is a great money-saving tip as well!

 

PRECIOUS GEMS

Ladies, thanks for allowing me to include your children's cute quotes in Heart to Heart!  They're great!

 

Here's a boy who looks on the bright side of life!
Malakai (5): "If you get swallowed by a whale, it's okay, because you can exit out the blow hole!" ~ Danielle in Alabama

At the Capitol asking a policeman for directions and I hear from my five year old (a very loud) "Mommy, he smell really good...smells like peanut butter and jelly! I LOVE peanut butter and jelly!" ~ Danielle in Alabama

 

Wisdom from a 9 year old: "The most fun things always require cleaning up." ~ Michelle in Virginia

Me to Jocy (5): "You are as cute as a button."
Jocy to me: "You are as cute as a pancake." ~ Beth in Ohio

Me: So, what did you learn about in church today?
Austin (5): Ummmm, I don't remember...Oh wait!  I think it was something about Paul.
Me: Do you remember which story?
Austin: Um...oh yeah.  Cruella and Priscilla.  They made tents.
Me: You mean Aquilla and Priscilla?
Austin: Yeah, Gorilla and Priscilla. ~ Emily in Virginia

Joshua (12) just told me about an exercise he did at practice today that really works your "thyroid."  Hmmmm.....well, that's interesting, but it's thighs - not thyroid.  He makes me laugh! ~ Penny in Virginia

Best quote from my niece while I was cleaning tonight. "I feel like you are the eye of a hurricane and I should run!" ~ Elizabeth in Virginia

Tonight Mia (4) asked me what we were having for dinner.  I replied, "Ham."   "No," she said, "What's for dinner?"  "Ham," I answered.  "Mommy, stop calling me a ham!" she said. ~ Elizabeth in Virginia

I was saying good-night to Levi (6) and he asked, in a very sad voice, "Mama, how old will you be when you die?" 
Mama: "Only God knows that, Champ, but lots of people live until they're pretty old."
Levi's reply: "Old like what----20?" ~ Rachel in Virginia

 

Savannah (5): "Mom, if you have a tan does your baby still get white milk?  Because I think some might get chocolate." ~ Lauren in Virginia

Tonight before tucking Samara (4) in bed, I read a book to her called "Jesus Must Be Really Special." And then we were having a conversation about God, and she said, "When people do something really bad, God hates them and be's mean to them." I told her, "No, God doesn't hate people. He loves people, but He is very sad when someone doesn't love and obey Him." Then Samara responded, referring to another book she has, about the fruits of the Spirit. She said, "Yes, and Jesus loves the children running to Him in the field. It's in my book about the begetables of the Spirit." ~ Diane in Montana

 

I told my granddaughter, Ryan Elizabeth (6), that my parents almost named me Julia when I was born, and I always liked that name (or Julie).  Then with big eyes, she asked, "You mean they named you 'Grammie' instead?" ~ Lois

 

Mia (4) prayed tonight and said, "Thank you for Mommy, not Mommy, but a different one."  Haha, I guess we butted heads more than I thought today! ~ Elizabeth in Virginia

Savannah (5): "Why does it look like a baby is in your belly?"
Me: "It just takes time to everything to go back like it was.  Bit it's getting smaller each day."
Savannah: "Yeah.  And that's good." ~ Lauren in Virginia

A man and his wife were making their first doctor visit, the wife being pregnant with their first child.  After everything checked out, the doctor took a small stamp and stamped the wife's stomach with indelible ink.  The couple was curious about what the stamp was for, so when they got home, the husband got out his magnifying glass to try to see what it was.  In very tiny letters, the stamp said, "When you can read this, come back and see me." ~ from the Biblical Parenting Update from the National Center for Biblical Parenting - parent@biblicalparenting.org.

A QUOTE FROM A SUBSCRIBER'S HUSBAND ~ WITH A STORY

Used by permission

Only GOD can turn a MESS into a MESSage,

      a TEST into a TESTimony,

            a TRIal into a TRIumph,

                  a VICTim into a VICTory!

Thanks to Larry, the widower of a former Heart to Heart subscriber, Michelle, who shared the following quote with me.  He had written to have his dear wife's e-mail address removed from the Heart to Heart e-mailing list, because she had passed away after losing a battle with cancer. 

 

Larry said, "It was Michelle's wish that God be glorified by her life and death.  God has been so good to us! The cancer hit Michelle pretty hard back in 2010.  I wanted you all to know that she was an amazing woman.  It was the hardest thing that I ever did but I felt compelled to stand up at her funeral, and read portions from Proverbs 31.  Our children and I applauded her and it turned into a standing ovation!  You can read more about my virtuous wife at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/michellelanham/journal "

 

Larry said how he remembers Michelle telling him about some things that she had read in the Heart to Heart newsletters.  She leaves behind her husband, Larry, and two precious young daughters.  Please lift them up to the Lord in prayer.  Thank you!

 

 

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

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

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