Quote

 This is the best way I've ever heard as a way to handle compliments!  I love this!

Corrie ten Boom said, "I take every compliment as a flower and say thank you, and each evening I put them in a bunch and lay them at Jesus' feet, where the praise belongs."

A Blemished Rose is Still Precious to God

by Lois Breneman - Heart to Heart Newsletter - January, 2015

I've know quite a few women whose husbands chose to leave their families, leaving the wife shocked, alone, and having to fend for herself and her children, with the label of "Divorced"  and "Single Again," not labels she ever chose.  Each of the women I know has truly wanted her marriage to last a lifetime with the husband of her youth, but after a divorce, she felt alone and somewhat like a blemished rose.

But God in His mercy and grace still thinks of you as so precious to Him!  So, dear one, why not wear God's label for you instead? 
"So Precious to the Lord!"

He will never leave you nor forsake you!

Gone Camping: Long Distance Grandparenting

Used with permission by Barbara Baranowski

 
"Nana, when's our next camp?" eight-year old Brennan asked, as we shared a good-bye hug.  I was warmed by his enthusiasm.

If you ever attended camp as a child, you may still hum a camp song or find a wall hanging bearing a glittery Bible verse among your treasures.  I hadn't exactly envisioned myself as camp director at sixty.  But my aching muscles recounted a week's worth of fun. I thought about the events that preceded the first summer and was reminded how God answered a grandmother's prayer.

We have five grandchildren, but two do not live nearby, so I had been praying that God would help my husband and me with the challenges of "long distance" grandparenting.  It wasn't long until my prayer was answered through the pages of Treasures of a Grandmother's Heart by Esther Burroughs (New Hope Publishers).  Her idea of providing a "camp-like" Bible study experience captivated me.  Would my husband and I have the stamina to host these energetic campers ages 4-8?  Thoughts of sharing our love for God in a memorable setting swelled our hearts and danced through our longing spirits.

I formulated a daily schedule of activities then roamed through stores searching for books, stickers, coloring pages, prizes and crafts for our summer's theme.  I ordered blank-paged books for each child to decorate, illustrating the theme, Bible verse and day's activities.  I smiled, imagining their intent expressions as they busily decorated their keepsake books (and selves) with glitter glue, paint and markers.  Mornings included story and song time, crafts, and games.  Afternoons were reserved for free play or a fun activity. Each camper was honored at dinner with his/her favorite meal, and discussion of favorite color, sports, and friends. When it was nearly time for the camp experience, I mailed invitations, asking the Lord to water the seeds of truth that were being sewn in the soil of tender hearts.

Now recalling many summers of blessings, I am humbled at the way God has allowed us to be part in His life-changing work. We have relived the memories of Nana Camp as we open their precious keepsake books.

So this year again as we enjoyed our last moments together, I replied, "Remember, Nana Camp can be any day - just revisit the pictures in your special book." With a full heart, I thanked God for His special design for grandparents, and soon I was lost again in plans for next year's camp.

If you would like to start your own camp experience, here are some suggestions:
1.  Pray.  Ask God to prepare the heart of each grandchild to receive His truth.
2.  Plan.  Pick a theme and choose activities that support it.
3.  Personalize.  Create a camp experience that will work within your circumstances. Use other members of your family to add their personalities to the lessons.  For example, my father loves to read the children Bible stories.
 4.  Organize.  Plan ahead, but be flexible and willing to alter plans to meet the needs of the children. Look for teachable moments in every conversation.

Communicating spiritual truths to grandchildren is a rewarding experience.  Deuteronomy 4:9 says, "Teach them to your children and to their children after them." (NIV). Why not put up your sign that says, "Gone camping" and prepare for a wonderful adventure.

Barbara Baranowski is a published writer and inspirational speaker devoted to family, educational, and spiritual issues.  She lives with her husband John in Roanoke, Virginia, and is a retired middle school teacher.
 

Writing Nook

by Michelle Gill  www.michellegill.us

I love reading nooks, tree houses, making small spaces into favorite places.  We have a walk-in closet in our living room.  I took the doors off and made it my writing nook. 

So if your house is lacking in space or you just feel the need for a creative space, take a look at your closets.  How can you change it into a usable space versus just storage? 

At the top of my closet, I used a quilt my grandmother made for me to create storage space behind it, while showing off her handiwork and bringing some warmth of color into the space.  On the left side, our jackets and coats still hang but on the right side, I put in a bookshelf and my printer.  

It is not only functional, but it also deepens the closet visually.  If you don't have a window like I do, the color on the walls or a large mirror that will reflect the light will help brighten it up. 

A small space just my own with my favorite things around me is the perfect creative place for me to write.

                 

Precious Gems

A great big "Thanks" to all the moms and grandmas who allow me to share these gems! 

Daughter (5): "Mommy? What is there for 6-yr olds? What will I do when I'm six that I don't do now?"

Mommy: "Ummm....laundry? Dishes? Clean toilets? Eat broccoli?" ~ Amy in Virginia

Amiya (7): "Mommy, how much longer do we go to school after Christmas?"
Malakai (7) (sarcastically): "until we die..." ~ Danielle in Alabama

  

Me: "What would you like to be when you grow up, Liam?"
Liam (3): "A Papa. And then I could drive a four-wheeler and a tractor and touch power outlets and plug in a Christmas tree and do EVERYTHING!" ~ Kristen in Virginia

Manchild #1 at dinner tonight: "Mama, you're a good cooker. I love you." - thus proving that the maxim "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach" holds true even at the tender age of 3. ~ Kristen in Virginia

I was just up in my sewing room, and remembered a comment from our five year old grandson, Tyler, when they were visiting. I wanted to show him my machine that runs with NO electricity. (I had just put on a new belt.) He said…. "OH!  Does the sun make it go?" ~ Nina in Michigan

Liam (3) asked if there are animal crackers in heaven. I said I didn't know. He said, "Maybe I'll ask God, and He'll say, 'I don't know.' Then I'll say, 'Let's go look in the kitchen' and then God and I'll go to the kitchen and I'll say, 'God, you DO have some!' And He'll say, 'Would you like a taste?' And I'll say, 'Yes, please. And God, do you have any milk?' And He'll say, 'Let's go look in the fridge.' And I'll open the fridge and say 'Oooooh, you have LOTS of THINGS!'" ~ Kristen in Virginia

Savannah (7): Brooklyn can you come down to the garage with me? It's creepy. You will keep me safe right?
Brooklyn (4): If something tries to get you, I will punch them out and make them fly to Jesus.

Just a normal Friday night conversation here. ~ Lauren in Virginia

As I helped Emily (2) get into her pink pjs, in her pink room, on her pink changing table, I asked her what she wanted to wear tomorrow..."PURPLE!" was her reply. of course. ~ Rachel in Virginia

Malakai (7): "Mommy, how do the doors (at Walmart) know when to open?"

Me: "There's a sensor that tells them when to open..."
Malakai: "Oh so it can smell people when they're coming?"

Me: Something like that! ~ Danielle in Alabama

Autumn Rose (6): Those potatoes taste bad.

Mama: I did not even fix potatoes for dinner.

Autumn Rose: Well, then what DID I JUST EAT?!?

Mama: Squash!

Autumn Rose: OH MY WORD………No wonder they taste SO bad. ~ Mary in Virginia 

Levi (8) asked for a mint today so I told him to look in my purse...after a few minutes of digging he made the comment," Mama, this is great! There's like a home in here!" True story, son. ~ Rachel in Virginia

Kids talking about the bottoms of their shoes (how thick to make it a high heel etc.)
Me: "That's called the sole..."
Amiya (interrupting): "Oh! So that's where our Soul is!?"
After explaining the difference, Malakai (7) looks at Amiya (7) out of the corner of his eye and sarcastically says: "That's a homograph, Amiya." ~ Danielle in Alabama

Draft Dodgers

by Nina Graff in Michigan

Here's another budget tip. (I DO try to find ways to DIY, with not so much expense). I've been talking about making 'draft dodgers' for the patio doors (or as I call them, window sausages!)… LOTS of temperature exchange going on there! Well…. another week of below temps spurred me into action.

I was brainstorming about what to stuff them with…that would insulate, but be cheap. Couldn't see wasting that quantity of rice or beans! SO--- wood pellets to the rescue! A 40# bag costs about $4, and one bag filled 6 sausages last night. (6"x35")

I made them out of canvas drop cloth…. a fabric I've come to LOVE! (Made curtains last year out of some. Very natural looking… and affordable!)  I tied the bags up with jute…. and they will help quite a bit with that NW wind. 

I just thought I would share, in case anyone is looking for easy extra insulation this winter. (Brrrrrr.-- this house has some finishing issues… I do believe there is something missing in the door channels or not quite installed correctly?)

How to Repair Ceramic Tile

by Nina Graff

One bathroom in the home we bought came with some 'nice' cracks.  Obviously, the underlayment is not correct.  I have no ambition or financial interest in ripping up the floor. So this will do for quite a while. Use nail polish to fill it in!  I mixed a few colors…. not perfect, but when the light is right, it can go unnoticed.