Beautiful Song about Adoption: I Almost Never Knew You

This is a beautiful and touching song about adoption!

I ALMOST NEVER KNEW YOU by Christine Wyrtzen

"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nRqvUiH26A">

A Tool to Suck Out Mosquito Venom

This inexpensive little tool has prevented all of our mosquito bites from itching, swelling, or leaving scars since it was ordered online in early spring. Even our four-year-old grandson was able to use it successfully to draw out the venom from his mosquito bites.

I would imagine it would lessen the effect of spider and tick bites - even snake bites. It's worth a try if such a tragic thing would happen. Carry this tool on hikes and keep it in the same spot in your home in case you need it in a hurry. At less than ten dollars buying two is a great idea too.

Do a search for: BUG BITE THING Suction Tool, Poison Remover - Bug Bites and Bee/Wasp Stings, Natural Insect Bite Relief

Grapefruit Essential Oil

Information by Carrie Vitt
Used by Permission

Grapefruit essential oil has a cleansing effect on the kidneys, lymphatic system and vascular system.

It blends well with Basil, Bergamot, Cypress, Frankincense, Geranium, Lavender, Peppermint, Rosemary and Ylang Ylang essential oils.

Apply 1 drop Grapefruit and 1 drop Basil over your adrenals or on the bottoms of the feet to support the adrenals.

Diffuse 2 drops Grapefruit, 2 drops Lemon and 2 drops Lime to freshen the air and reduce stress.

Put 3 drops of Grapefruit oil in a diffuser to help reduce sugar cravings.

Combine 2 drops with a bit of Fractionated Coconut Oil and rub directly over areas of cellulite. Grapefruit oil is a lymphatic stimulant, and because cellulite is stagnant lymphatic tissue, it can help reduce cellulite.

Dilute 2 drops with a little Fractionated Coconut Oil and apply to oily skin or acne to help manage breakouts.

Rub 1 drop Grapefruit and 1 drop Geranium over the liver each day. Both of these oils are fabulous for liver and gallbladder support.

Rub 2 drops Grapefruit on the feet to ease PMS symptoms.

How to Creatively Tie a Scarf Using the Bdazzle Scarf Curl

June Graber in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is the creator of an innovative scarf curl to dress up the way you wear a scarf. I saw her display at Root's Auction in Lancaster several years ago and was quite impressed. Later I ordered one and she was extremely helpful when I contacted her.

She says, "Watch our demonstration video for the Bdazzle Scarf Curl. You will see how easy it is to use and you will get some great ideas for other ways to wear your scarf using the Bdazzle Scarf Curl. Visit our web site at: www.bdazzlescarfcurl.com to purchase."

On her website you will see a video of the many ways this scarf curl can be used. I do not receive any kickbacks for recommending this scarf curl. I just think it's a wonderfully creative idea if you like to wear scarves.

Homemade Laundry Soap (The Most Simple Recipe)

 Advantages of making your own laundry soap:
Huge savings - It costs only pennies per load!
Safe even for washing baby clothes!
No harsh chemicals!
No fragrance!
Easy!
Satisfying and fun!

After making homemade laundry soap in various ways (liquid, gel, and sauce), I found that this recipe is the most simple and it works very well at getting clothes clean and smelling good without any perfumy fragrance.  Recently I made 15 gallons and it was a lot of fun.

4 cups or more of boiling water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar, shaved or shredded
1 cup Arm and Hammer Washing Soda
1/2 cup Mule Team Borax
5-gallon bucket
stick long enough for stirring contents of bucket

Boil the water while you grate the bar of soap and dissolve the soap completely while stirring often.  This will be the most time-consuming part of the procedure but it will be worth the time.

When the soap is dissolved add the washing soda and Borax.  Stir and dissolve.

Pour everything into a clean 5-gallon bucket.  Rinse out the pan with hot water and dump into the bucket.

Fill the 5-gallon bucket with hot water.  Stir well with a long stick.  Cover and don't disturb for 24 hours.  (This is hard when you first start making laundry soap but it is important!) 

After 24 hours it will have formed into a gel.  Stir well.  It can be stored in smaller containers such as Tupperware or smaller buckets to be used on laundry day.

If you want fragrance, simply add a few drops of essential oils on wool dryer balls.

Caution:  Always cover buckets of anything very tightly.  A toddler could fall into a bucket of liquid or gel and drown so please take care and avoid tragedy. 

A Recipe Analogy

by Lois Breneman

My dear mother taught me how to cook starting at a young age, but even more importantly, she taught me how to love and serve the Lord by her example.  This is a poem she wrote many years ago giving her own analogy of cooking and a personal relationship with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  I hope you will be blessed by reading it.

The Weaver

My life is but a weaving between my God and me,

I do not choose the colors, He worketh steadily.
Ofttimes He weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper, and I the underside.
Not till the loom is silent, and shuttles cease to fly,
Will God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful in the skillful Weaver’s hand
As the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned.

This famous poem, The Weaver, is about life and God and was written by Benjamin Malacia Franklin. The verses remind us that we all have a purpose and that God is always with us moving us toward that purpose; we just have to remember to trust him!

Lift Up Your Heads and Bloom!

by Lois Breneman

A Poppy from Our Garden

A neighbor friend has grown beautiful poppies next to her house for years and I love going to visit and taking pictures of her gorgeous paper-thin beauties. 

She kindly gave me some seeds last year and we planted them early in the spring.  They didn't look like much in the beginning - only scrawny little sprigs sticking up from the ground, looking more like weeds.  But in God's timing they shot up quickly when the warm temperatures came.

As you can see in this photo the buds hang down before opening, looking sad and dejected.  But as the Creator gives them strength, they lift their little heads and open into breathtakingly beautiful delicate flowers!

So it is with us as we gain strength from walking closely to Him by reading His Word for encouragement and instructions.  Without His power guiding us we often hang our heads in despair with the cares of this world when we go our own way without Jesus. 

God has a special plan for our lives.  If we accept His payment for our sins, He gives us so much including His guidance, direction, and His presence on earth and eternal life in heaven.  The gospel changes everything!

God Is in Charge

by Lois Breneman

How amazing that God can use even destructive insects to create a work of art as in this lacy holly leaf.  Their intent was not to be creative but their Creator still brought exquisite beauty out of their munching away at the leaf as they destroyed it.  

Although it is difficult for us to see, God Almighty can also use destructive national and world leaders to carry out His divine and perfect plan.  

We cannot always understand but we can fully trust that the Lord God is always still in charge of the universe, in all its complexity, including our own little world.

Little Hands

Used by permission from Proverbs 31 Ministries 

Little hands to hold so tight. Hair to comb, and tears to wipe. Little feet that grow so fast. Teeth to brush and bedtime baths. Little cups that must be filled. Teething rings that must be chilled. Little dresses, spin and twirl. Little hair bows, little curls. Time is fleeting, oh so fast. What was just here, is now the past. Little hands that needed me. Now need me less, I start to see. She ties her shoes and combs her hair. Picks out her clothes, knows what to wear. She grabs her doll, heads to the door. I smile, she's still a little girl. We're at the park, we play pretend. She tells me I'm her favorite friend. Who, what, when, where, why and how? She needs to know these things right now. So full of life, so full of love. This gift sent from the Lord above. She's older now, my little girl. She's learning more about the world. Each night I ask the Lord above, to help me teach her how to love. There's so much that she needs to know, and I'm still learning as I go. Please, Lord... PLEASE help me get this right. I beg, as I lose sleep at night. Precious soul, undefiled. Lord, guide me as I raise this child. What just happened? Can it be? My little girl is now a teen. No more dolls, and no more bows. That happened fast, where did time go? Help me to listen patiently, as I instruct her, Lord guide me. May my words be gentle and kind. Loving, sincere, pure and wise. Her time at home, will soon be gone. It sure did fly, but it was fun. Her bags are packed and by the door. She's off to face a whole new world. It seems like only yesterday, as I would rock her… she would say. Just one more story, pretty please? Please would you read one more to me? Then I would tuck her in her bed, and kiss her on her precious head. No more ballet, no more tee ball. No more measurements on the wall. Today she'll leave this cozy nest, and spread her wings, and give her best. Five years later, long white dress. My heart is full, I am so blessed. My little girl, a woman now. So full of grace, I am so proud. A handsome man, I'll call my son. I've prayed for him, since she was one. Thank you Lord, for hearing me. For strengthening our family tree. Two young lives will now be one. A new love story has begone. Two years later, by her bed. The doctor says, he sees a head. A baby girl, wrapped up in pink. My daughter reaches her to me. I close my eyes, and smell her hair. The tears they fall, without a care. I lay her on my daughter's chest, The years ahead will be her best. It's true, she may not know it yet. But she will soon, that I can bet. Little hands to hold so tight. Hair to comb and tears to wipe. 

 {From our friend Vicki at Sit Down and Take a Brake: http://victoriabrake.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-poem-little-hands.html?spref=fb

Sending My Babies Back into the World

Used by permission by Alicia Miller

August is always a hard month for me. It’s the month I have to send to my babies back into the world after being home with me all summer. There is something about sending them out into world after they have been safe under the covering of our home that gets to me. Things happen in their day once school starts back up that I have no first hand knowledge of and they come home a little different than they left. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ God brought this to my attention this morning ... For weeks this plant in the picture below has only had 2 flowers on it, today it has 14 flowers. I’ve kept it on my covered screened in porch, safe on a table, while it gets the what I thought was the perfect amount of sun and controlled water by using my watering can. A few days ago, it was obvious by the dark clouds in the sky and the sound of thunder that it was going to storm so I set it out on my uncovered patio to receive the rain. We get some fierce afternoon thunderstorms so I worried while I was gone that the wind and hard rain could have been too much for this seemingly delicate plant. When I came home, the sun had come back out and it appeared to be watered, nourished and vibrant. I moved it back to safety of the covered screened in porch. Each day since it was in the storm a new flower has bloomed and it is finally starting to fill out. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Maybe, just maybe, the rain and storms, the trials and heartaches, of this life in my children’s path are also necessary to produce fruit (or flowers). Safety in my home is good for rest and for Him to lay foundational roots. However, when I let them enter the rain, and even the fierce storms on the outside, perhaps that is when He can flourish through them and the fruit produced will bloom and be most evident. They (we all do) need the time in safety under covering but they also need to enter the storms and allow Him to hold them up in the rain and wind - after all that is where endurance is built and tried. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ So, next Monday, when two of mine return to the overcrowded school hallways and the building to learn things that I am not equipped to teach them at home, I will remember these truths that He imparted in me. They may face storms but they will also receive nourishment, there may be the gusty wind of trials but He is strong enough to keep them upright, there will also be joy when the sun shines on them and He will produce vibrant beauty through them for all to see. Then, they will return to our house, He will continue to give them rest and restoration under the covering of our home. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ (Please know I’m not a debating or even implying that brick and mortar style school is always best. I have two that are returning to the building and one college age child that will be home with all online classes. Just as plants’ care instructions are all different according to each individual plant type, so are His Holy Spirit’s instructions for each individual child based on their specific needs. This was just a message He gave me today about my children that I thought might relatable to others’ situation as well.)

"Mommy, pray on me. Pray on me, Mommy!"

Used by permission by Krista Yoder

"Mommy, pray on me. Pray on me, Mommy."  The words of my 2-year-old as I rocked him a little before putting him to bed last night. These words made my heart sing. I pray out loud over my boys often when they are having trouble calming down, stopping crying, trouble going to sleep, or if I'm simply holding them. Sometimes it's a short prayer like "Lord, thank you for my blessing." Sometimes it's a longer prayer. I know that my husband, Brian, also prays over them. This however is the first time Dominic asked for the prayer! He's listening, he's learning, prayer is becoming important to him, and as he said the other day, "God is my fwend."

Lesson from a Puzzle

by Sue Huey

Used by permission

This is probably my favorite puzzle we have done so far. Puzzles come in assorted sizes and take different lengths of time to complete. Sometimes they're fun, sometimes they're when the last piece is put in, the puzzle is finished. And so it is with our lives. Some are longer than others, and we all face  frustrating times, sometimes they're boring, sometimes they're challenging. But one thing they all have in common is that when the last piece is put in, the puzzle is finished. And so it is with our lives. Some are longer than others, and we all face challenges. But one thing is certain; one day the "last piece will be put in place" and our life will be over. But the difference between our life and a puzzle is that we don't know when ours will be finished. Our Creator has the Master Plan and we can't see it from our side. And so, we must be ready.

The first Mother's Day I spent without a mother was 1985. My mom had passed away just a few weeks earlier, and to us, it seemed she was gone too soon. It was sad and it was difficult, but I remember being so excited for her because her cancer was gone and I knew she was in the presence of her Savior. We knew her faith and trust was in Christ alone and it gave us great peace and joy. Do you have that peace?

John 14:6 Jesus said, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by me.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

If this were your last day, would you be ready to face eternity? We need to believe in Jesus and receive him as our Savior so we can become a child of God.  And if you are ready, tell your loved ones, so they will be able to have peace when your last "piece" has been put in place. Have a blessed day!

Jesus Our Rock

by Sue Huey

Used by permission

Life today in these troubled times can be dark and unsettling, and often overwhelming.  But I choose not to be sucked in by the darkness.  

Psalm 60:2 says, "When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I."  The rock is not a thing, but a person, and His name is Jesus.  He is the Rock of our salvation and we are to run to Him.  He wants to protect us and to give us the strength we need day to day to keep us from being overwhelmed.  He is our shelter in the time of storm!

I'm so thankful that Jesus is not only our Rock but that He came to earth to be the Light of the World.  If we put our faith and trust in Him, we no longer need to walk in darkness.  And once we've experienced Him and His saving power, we're not to turn off our light and hide, but we are to be proclaiming the praises of Him who called us out of the darkness and into His marvelous light.  We need to keep on pushing back the darkness and sharing the Light of Jesus, who has come to seek and to save those who are lost and in need of a Savior.

A Shelter in the Time of Storm

The Lord's our Rock, in Him we hide.
A shelter in the time of storm;
Secure whatever ill betide,
A shelter in the time of storm.

Refrain:
O Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A weary land, a weary land;
O Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A shelter in the time of storm.

On the Victory Side

by Sue Huey
Used by permission

There is so much darkness in our world today. 2020 has been quite the year, and humanly speaking, our future is not looking too bright. COVID-19. The government controls. The racial tension. The looting. The rioting. The burning. The destruction of our nation and its history. The division of our nation. Our freedoms are disappearing right before our very eyes. Sin is rampant. Truth is trampled on. It’s a very bleak outlook for our beloved country and sad and scary time to be alive.

But, thank God, Jesus is the Answer! We know that in the end, that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, and every tongue will acknowledge God. ( Romans 14:11) For those of us who know Jesus, a glorious future is awaiting us. We will spend all of eternity with Him, with no more sorrow, no more tears, worshiping, and praising Him forever.

We’ll be going through some trials in the meantime, but we are on the victory side, and nothing can touch us that doesn’t have God’s approval. He has the final say. He is the VIctor, and this should encourage us to be steadfast and enthusiastically serving and praising Him, for none of it is in vain.

If you don’t know Jesus, Romans 10:13 tells us, “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” You can become a child of God simply by calling on Him and asking Him to forgive you of your sins and trusting Him with your eternity. Then you too can enjoy walking with Jesus and can look forward to an eternity with Him.

1 Corinthians 15:57-58 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

This song came to mind - one that we sang often when I was growing up.

On the victory side, On the victory side
No foe can harm me, no fear can alarm me,
On the victory side.
On the victory side, On the victory side
With Christ within, the fight we'll win.
On the victory side.

Scriptures to Eradicate Our Fears

Casting all your care upon Him for He cares for you. - I Peter 5:7

For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love, and of a sound mind. ~ II Timothy 1:7

I sought the Lord, and He answered me;  He delivered me from all my fears. ~ Psalm 34:4

Fear not, for I am with you;  Be not dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you;  I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. . . . . For I the Lord your God will hold your right hand, saying unto you, Fear not; I will help you. ~ Isaiah 41:10 & 13

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give unto you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let it be afraid. ~ John 14:27

The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? ~ Psalm 27:1

Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart.  Wait, I say, on the Lord. ~ Psalm 27:14

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices; and with my song I will praise Him.  Psalm 28:7

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear though the earth be removed and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. ~ Psalm 46:1

Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.  The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. ~ Psalm 46:10 & 11

In you, O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion. ~ Psalm 71:1

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe. ~ Proverbs 18:10

 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for you are with me; Your rod and Your staff comfort me. ~ Psalm 23

And Moses said to the people, Fear not, stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will work for you today. ~ Exodus 14:13

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.  Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. ~ Joshua 1:8

Also read through Psalm 91!

Waiting on God

by Sue Huey
Used by permission

Who likes to wait?  No one that I know enjoys waiting.  We're so impatient.  In a world of instant and immediate gratification for so many things, waiting seems so tedious.  Why does everything have to take so long?  Sometimes we're waiting for God to work in our lives and we feel like nothing is happening.  Does He see me?  Does He hear me?  We feel like waiting on God is wasted time.  But I love this verse I read this morning.

Isaiah  64:4  Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.

Wow!  What a verse!  God is not just doing nothing while we are waiting.  He is up to something!  He's acting on my behalf while I am waiting!

Several years ago God gave me a perfect illustration of this. Clay bought me a beautiful plant for Mother’s Day. At that time I knew almost nothing about plants. Other than some purple petunias I recognized, I thought the rest was just different types of greenery. But a couple days later, some tiny yellow flowers popped out. Then a patch of bright pink flowers, and then some little white ones. I was so surprised to see the plants blooming when I thought it was just greenery. And then much later, another plant with very dark green leaves that I had been tempted to pull out because I thought it was not very pretty was suddenly bearing the most beautiful lavender flowers! What a surprise! I had no idea these late bursts of color were coming.

I felt like God spoke to my heart and said, “That is what I’m doing in your life. You sometimes feel like you are just wasting time and waiting for nothing. But you can’t always see what I’m doing, and so you have no idea of what I am planning while you are waiting. Just trust me. Not only are you growing, but what I am doing in your life will become more beautiful with time.”

I’m so thankful for this beautiful illustration that God gave me of His promises. God doesn’t work on our timetable, and sometimes things take way longer than we ever expected. In Ephesians 3:20 He tells us that He is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine. If God cares that much to surprise us in nature with flowers when we expect none, surely he wants to do so much more in our lives.

Cooling and Healing After-Sun Spray

by Lois Breneman

For a soothing and cooling effect after sun exposure, mix the following ingredients in a spray bottle in this proportion:

1 cup Aloe Vera Juice
20 drops Lavender Essential Oil
15 drops Rosemary Essential Oil

Store in the refrigerator.  If you plan to take this to the pool or beach, it is best to pack it in a cooler or a Ziplock bag with an ice pack. 

Simply shake the bottle before spraying on the skin after sun exposure.  Ahhhhh!  It will nourish the parched skin and bring healing.  After showering, spray again and rub into the skin.

Remember to refrigerate the bottle, just as the bottle of aloe vera instructs to do after opening. 

I ordered aloe vera from Vitacost and always use doTERRA essential oils.

Nothing Can Separate Us from the LOVE of GOD!

Romans 8:35-39

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  
Shall tribulation, 
or distress, 
or persecution, 
or famine, 
or nakedness, 
or peril, 
or sword?

As it is written, 
For thy sake we are killed all the day long;
we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

For I am persuaded, that neither
death,
nor life,
nor angels,
nor principalities, 
nor powers,
nor things present,
nor things to come,
nor height,
nor depth,
nor any other creature,
shall be able to separate us from 
the LOVE OF GOD
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord!

Educational Websites for School Classes, Art, and Activities

Compiled by Lois Breneman

100 Activities to Do At Home During School Closings
Links to go with each activity

Khan Academy Website
A trusted educational site for Math (K-12), Algebra 1, Grammar, Chemistry, Science, History, SAT Prep, and Computer Programming

60+ Math Websites


2 Weeks' Worth of Fun & Easy Science Experiments


Here's the Entire List of Education Companies Offering FREE SUBSCRIPTIONS Due to School Closings

ART -- Paris Museums Put 100,000 Images Online for Unrestricted Public Use

Google Now Lets You Explore US National Parks Via 360 Degree Virtual Tours

Two Sources of Free Watercolor Tutorials
https://www.clementinecreative.co.za/12-easy-watercolour-tutorials/

https://conceptartempire.com/watercolor-painting-tutorials/

www.typingclub.com 

www.squigglepark.com

www.scholastic.com/learnathome

www.ABCmouse.com

www.scholastic.com/learnathome

www.kids.nationalgeographic.com

www.mysterydoug.com

Storytime Online