Monday, March 18, 2024

Make 2024 the Year Where You Pray Deeper!

Praying for our grandchildren (and children) is something we all know we need to do, but it is also something many of us struggle with. We may feel like our prayers do not even make it through the ceiling above us and do not know what to say or how to pray. Our lives are busy, so finding the time to pray can be a challenge which we may not overcome and then days go by without us spending time in prayer.

The Dr. Seuss Quote for Today - "Only You Can Control Your Future!"

The Dr. Seuss Quote for today is"Only you can control your future!" Well . . . we do have some "say" over our future, as we can decide if we are going to move forward on something or not, but we do not have "control" over our futures. There is very little in life which we can actually "control", but the good news is God has a plan for our future! This is incredibly good news . . . look at Jeremiah 29:11, "I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the LORD; they are plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope.We can not "control" today or tomorrow, but this does not need to cause us to be afraid or to worry, because God has a plan for our future! I'd rather know God has a plan for my future - one which fills it with hope - than to try and "control" even a moment of my future! My "job" is to discover God's plan and then choose to follow it!

A Tasty "Sloppy Joe" Recipe to Enjoy on National Sloppy Joe Day!

Today is National Sloppy Joe Day, so I'm sharing with you my favorite recipe for tasty sloppy Joes, or barbeques, or whatever you want to call them. I grew up enjoying barbeques made with ground beef, and while many are made this way, I use pork loin which I cook in my instant pot - the barbeques made this way are fantastic!

Sunday, March 17, 2024

Make the Most of Being a Grandparent with The DNA of Grandparents & Parents Who Hand Down Confident Faith

  

If you are looking for a book to help a parent or grandparent you love make the most of handing down confident faith, consider this book - The DNA of Grandparents & Parents Who Hand Down Confident Faith.

In this book I look at how our physical DNA is a truly amazing and essential part of who we are, as it holds the "code" or instructions for the things which make us unique as well as for the things we share. It connects us with the generations who came before us; as well as with those who come behind. It is the core of who we are physically. 

The Dr. Seuss Quote for Today is - I Meant What I Said . . .

The Dr. Seuss Quote for today is"I meant what I said and I said what I meant!" The Bible does talk about this . . . look at Matthew 5:37 from the NIV, "All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." and from the CEV, "When you make a promise, say only 'Yes' or 'No.' Anything else comes from the devil." It is pretty simple . . . say and do what you mean and mean what you say and do! It is about being faithful! Jesus is our perfect example of Someone who is completely faithful! He said and did what He meant and meant what He said and did. Many of the difficulties we find ourselves in could be avoided if we said and did what we mean and mean what we said and did. This is also so very true when working with children, we need to say and do what we mean and mean what we say and do!


crafting with grandma - Handprint Shamrocks, Spring Flowers & Some Green Fun!

Yes, it is true, I have mentioned a time or two . . . or three or more :-) . . . about how much I like . . . hmmm, did I say, like? I should say, LOVE!!!,  hand-print crafts! I love them because they are usually creative and fun, plus they give a way to record a moment in time when a child was little - just look how small their hand once was!!!! I have a t-shirt I made when my children were little with their hand-prints on it. Yes, it most certainly is true, I LOVE hand-print crafts!

Saturday, March 16, 2024

The Relief for Grief is Now Available on Kindle ebook!

 

In the past I have shared with you about my book, The Relief for Grief - you will find a post at this link. Today I want to let you know this book is available as a Kindle ebook - you will find it at this link. It continues to be available in print form as well, at this link.

The Dr. Seuss Quote for Today is - A Person's a Person . . .

The Dr. Seuss Quote for today is"A person's a person no matter how small!" This is one of my all-time favorite Dr. Seuss quotes! It is absolutely true! A person is a person no matter how small, large, tall, short, skinny, fat . . . no matter how they are, a person is a person! Psalm 139:13-16 tells us, "You are the one who put me together inside my mother's body,  and I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me. Everything you do is marvelous! Of this I have no doubt. Nothing about me is hidden from you! I was secretly woven together deep in the earth below, but with your own eyes you saw my body being formed. Even before I was born, you had written in your book everything I would do." God's Word tells us God put us together inside our mother's bodies! he saw each part of our bodies as they were being formed! Even more amazing than this, God already knew everything we would do in our lives before we were even born! We may have been small, but God saw us as people who had lives to live and things to do! As David said, "Everything God does is marvelous!"

Saint Patricks Day . . . Get the Story from VeggieTales!

Several years ago VeggieTales told the story of Saint Patrick on their  Sumo Of The Opera and  Lessons from the Sock Drawer DVDs. I found it very interesting and informative . . . I had never really heard the story of St. Patrick before. So, if your grandchildren ask why people celebrate St. Patrick's Day, pull out VeggieTales and show them the story behind the day!

Friday, March 15, 2024

Resources to Help You Pass on Your Faith - It Is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren

 

Have you been reading grandma's cookie jar and agree with me when I write about passing on a heritage of faith to your grandchildren, but are not sure where and how to begin? Do you have friends who are grandparents who also want to pass on their faith, but are also not sure where to begin? If so, would you and they like to work through a book together to learn how to pass on your faith? Or, even if you know how to pass on your faith, does the idea of a study/book you could work through on your own or with friends sound like a good idea to you? 

The Dr. Seuss Quote for Today is - The More That You Read . . .

The Dr. Seuss Quote for today is, "The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go!" Since I love books and reading, this is a quote I can most certainly agree with! There are so many wonderful books available for us to read to and with our children - check my book reviews on grandma's cookie jar for some wonderful books! 

Meet Your Goals to Move More with the Help of the Alevo Alu

  

We all want to try and live a healthier life. As we get older, whether due to age or health or both, the goals/ resolutions we set to help us live healthier may be more difficult to accomplish, but don't give up! Spring is upon us and happily there are "tools" to help us. One such "tool" is the Alevo Alu by Porsche design. And, since the weather is nicer, getting out and moving is far more enjoyable! If you - or someone you love - experience challenges with mobility, or just need something to help you be more secure in your walking, the Alevo Alu is for you!

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Hand Down Confident Faith with the little answer book for children

  

As you have likely noticed, from time to time I write about Barna's and Gallup's recent polls - for a very important reason . . . because we must stand up and take action to stop the loss of the ones we love. If someone does not speak up and ask others to join them, how will grandparents, parents, and church leaders know there is a way to stop what is happening? 

Today is National Learn About Butterflies Day

Spring is nearly upon us - although a look out my window tells me it is here as I see flowers blooming, trees budding, grass greening, and birds all around - which since I live in Michigan, this is significant! One of the things which "signals" the arrival of Spring here in West Michigan, is the Butterflies are Blooming exhibit at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park and runs March through April. Since today is National Learn About Butterflies Day, I thought it would be a wonderful time to once again encourage anyone who lives here or will be visiting during this time, to make time to visit as you will definitely be able to learn more about butterflies if you do! You will find information about Butterflies are Blooming at this link.