I Heart Origami and I'm Giving One Away on May 28, 2017

Lately, around this grandma's house, there has been a definite interest in origami. So, I asked Sterling Children's Books if their book I <3 Origami might be available for review - it was and happily it was also available for giveaway, so today I'm happy to share this book with you!

The Dr. Seuss Quote for Today - I'm Sorry to Say So . . .

The Dr. Seuss Quote for today is,  "I'm sorry to say so but, sadly it's true - that bang-ups and hang-ups can happen to you!" This is true. Bang-ups and hang-ups can and will happen to us. Our world is broken by sin and because of this, hurt, pain and disappointment are part of life. We do not, however; have to be defeated by our bang-ups and hang-ups! Consider Joshua 1:9, " I’ve commanded you to be brave and strong, haven’t I? Don’t be alarmed or terrified, because the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." We do not have to be alarmed or terrified because the LORD our God is with us wherever we go!!!! Look at Psalms 27:1, " The LORD is my light and my salvation. Should I fear anyone? The LORD is a fortress protecting my life. Should I be frightened of anything?" We don't have to fear our bang-ups or hang-ups because God is our light and salvation and He is with us! Look at I Corinthians 15:56-58, "The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." God gives us the victory through Jesus so we can be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord because we know our labor is not in vain! So, bring on the bang-ups and hang-ups, God is with us and He gives us the victory!

The Dr. Seuss Quote for Today - Step With Care and Great Tact . . .

The Dr. Seuss Quote for today is, "Step with care and great tact. And remember life's a great balancing act!" Life has it's "stages" and "moments" and we need to walk though it with a mind for "balance". 

Consider Ecclesiastes 3:1-8,11,  "There’s a season for everything and a time for every matter under the heavens: a time for giving birth and a time for dying, a time for planting and a time for uprooting what was planted, a time for killing and a time for healing, a time for tearing down and a time for building up, a time for crying and a time for laughing, a time for mourning and a time for dancing, a time for throwing stones and a time for gathering stones, a time for embracing and a time for avoiding embraces, a time for searching and a time for losing, a time for keeping and a time for throwing away, a time for tearing and a time for repairing, a time for keeping silent and a time for speaking, a time for loving and a time for hating, a time for war and a time for peace. God has made everything fitting in its time." 

There is a "season" for everything and typically, if we go too far to one "side" or another, we usually end up wishing we had made different decisions. We need to live our lives knowing, "God has made everything fitting in it's time" and then approach our lives with balance! Look at Ephesians 5:15, "So be careful to live your life wisely, not foolishly." Be careful, live wisely - show balance!

The Dr. Seuss Quote For Today - From There to Here . . .

The Dr. Seuss Quote for today is, "From there to here, and here to there, funny things are everywhere!" This is mostly true! There are funny things most everywhere . . . some are easier to see than others, but there are funny things most everywhere! 

God created the world and everything in it and some of these things are funny! Consider Colossians 1:16, "Because all things were created by him: both in the heavens and on the earth, the things that are visible and the things that are invisible. Whether they are thrones or powers, or rulers or authorities, all things were created through him and for him." 

God created all things! He created this earth, the trees, flowers, animals, birds . . . everything. When you look at creation, you are able to see many "funny things" . . . just look at the Kinkajou . . . a small animal found in the Central Americas which kinda looks like a cross between a small bear cub, an otter and a monkey! It can turn it's hind feet backward when walking down a tree! The Komondor dog is funny looking . . . it looks like a walking mop! The Dumbo Octopus is also a pretty funny looking thing . . . it has "ear-like fins protruding from the top of their 'heads' (actually bodies), resembling the ears of Walt Disney's flying elephant. They are benthic creatures, living at extreme depths, and are some of the rarest of the Octopoda species" 

The point is, God did create some pretty funny things and I for one am glad! I like knowing God has a "sense of humor"! Plus, God created people and we can be very funny! I know my grandsons are funny! When Josiah was 18 months old he was at my home one day and saw a box of Quaker Oats on the counter. He pointed at the Quaker Oats man on the box and said, "Grandma!!!!" I said, "Hey, wait a minute there! That isn't grandma', it is a man!" He smiled, pointed at it again and said, "Lynda!" Funny little boy!!! :^) There are funny things most everywhere and I for one am glad this is true!

Things Which Fill My Heart With Joy!

There are things which bring a smile to my face and which fill my heart with joy . . . things which I experience because I am, “grandma”. For example, when my grandsons run into my home with big smiles on their faces – I also have a big smile on my face; and joy in my heart! When my grandsons are excited to tell me about something they learned, did or a new story they made up – I have a big smile on my face; and joy in my heart! When my grandsons laugh – I have a big smile on my face; and joy in my heart! When my grandsons snuggle next to me or in my lap and give hugs and kisses – I have a big smile on my face; and joy in my heart!

All of these things are wonderful and amazing parts of being; “grandma” and I love them all! But, there are some things which are even better!

The day Josiah called me on the phone when he was four years old to tell me he was, “part of God’s family” . . . absolutely one of the most wonderful, amazing, joy-filled and best days of my life!

The day Caleb and I were talking about how to get to Heaven and he said he wanted to go to Heaven. He told me; “I believe in Jesus!” Then he turned to Shane (three years old) and said; “Shane, if you want to go to Heaven you have to believe in Jesus!” To which Shane said; “I want to go to Heaven . . . I believe in Jesus!” Definitely one of the most wonderful, amazing, joy-filled and best days of my life!

The Dr. Seuss Quote For Today - All Alone . . .

The Dr. Seuss Quote for today is, "All alone! Whether you like it or not, alone is something you'll be quite a lot!" While we may be physically alone at times in our lives, the wonderful truth is we are never alone! Jesus promised to be with us always - just look at Matthew 28:20b, "Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age." Jesus said He will be with us every day! What a comfort this is! Look at Isaiah 41:10, "Don’t fear, because I am with you; don’t be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will surely help you; I will hold you with my righteous strong hand." 

Not only will God be with us always, but He will strengthen us, help us and hold on to us! We most certainly do not have to be afraid . . . even if we are physically alone! This is something we all need to be reminded of!

The Dr. Seuss Quote for Today - How Did It Get So Late So Soon?

The Dr. Seuss Quote for today is, "How did it get so late so soon? It's night before it's afternoon. December is here before it's June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?" Actually, it was supposed to be, "It's opener, out there, in the wide, open air!", but I thought I'd change it today. Time does fly. I was just marveling the other day how my grandson will be four years old this year! Talk about time flying! 

It matters what we do today because it does, "get so late so soon." Ephesians 5:15-20 tells us, "So be careful to live your life wisely, not foolishly. Take advantage of every opportunity because these are evil times. Because of this, don’t be ignorant, but understand the Lord’s will. Don’t get drunk on wine, which produces depravity. Instead be filled with the Spirit in the following ways: speak to each other with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; sing and make music to the Lord in your hearts; always give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” 

We need to live our lives wisely and just a few ways we can do this is by encouraging others, praising God and living a life which is thankful for everything! And, as grandparents, if we are intentional about passing on our faith, we will be taking "advantage of every opportunity". When we live our lives in this way, while time will still "fly", we will have the peace of knowing our lives are being lived wisely! 

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 would 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!

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!"

Intentionally Pass on a Heritage of Faith with Generations Quest!

When you look at the world around you, do you feel afraid? Do you wonder how your grandchildren will possibly grow up and still choose to love, know and walk with God when all around them they are influenced to do everything but?

I admit, there are times I wonder these things for my three sweet grandsons. They are influenced by nearly everything in their lives to choose everything other than following God. But, then I'm reminded of the truth. The truth is as much as I love these boys, God loves them more. As much as I want them to know, love and follow God, He wants them to do these things even more. While I can not make them choose to know, love and follow God, the One Who loves them most is able to do what I can not.

However; knowing this truth - and it is the truth - does not relieve me of my responsibility to be faithful to pass on a heritage of faith to my grandsons.

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 - I currently have several which I've reviewed recently and am giving away in the month of May! 

But while there are libraries full of excellent books to read, the best thing you can read for yourself and for the children in your life is the Bible! Look at Psalm 119:105, "Your word is a lamp that gives light wherever I walk." God's Word is unlike any other book, because not only is it filled with amazing stories of real people and how our real God worked in their lives, but it is the actual word of God! It has power to touch our hearts and change our lives! It is the means by which we are able to know and walk with God! Look at Hebrews 4:12, "What God has said isn't only alive and active! It is sharper than any double-edged sword. His word can cut through our spirits and souls and through our joints and marrow, until it discovers the desires and thoughts of our hearts."  

God's Word is alive and the more we read it, the more we will know God! The more we know God, the more we will be filled with joy! So, read! Read lots of books, but most importantly, read God's Word!

Birthday Month Giveaway on May 15, 2017 - How to Code: A Step-By-Step Guide to Computer Coding

The other day I received a delivery of a book as my husband and I were headed out to pick up my grandsons from school. When my eight-year old grandson got in the car, I held up the book for him to see. His eyes got very big, he smiled an enormous smile as he said; “Coding!!!” He happily accepted the book and spent the rest of the ride to our house (and most of the evening – until I told him it was time to put the book down and go to sleep at 10:39) reading this new book on coding.

The next morning, the first thing he wanted to do was to use my computer to put into practice what he had been reading. He set about writing two, yes two web pages for himself!

The book – sent to me for review from Sterling Children’s Books was; “How to Code: A Step-By-Step Guide to Computer Coding" and it absolutely has all-star reviews from my grandsons – and from me as well! I’m very happy to let you know about it today, recommend it enthusiastically and announce a giveaway as well!

The Dr. Seuss Quote for Today is - Sometimes the Questions are Complicated . . .

The Dr. Seuss Quote for today is, "Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple!" In many aspects of life we do often "complicate" things when they could be significantly more simple, so I'd have to agree with this saying from Dr. Seuss! 

One things we might "complicate" is our relationship to God. Sometimes we think we have to be good, do good things and think good thoughts if we are going to have a relationship with God, yet God Himself tells us in Romans 3:23, "All of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory." None of us are good. We are all sinners. On our own, we fall short of God's glory. This is horrible news because on our own we can not do anything to have a relationship with God. We might try to earn it by being "good", but we can never be good enough. 

Thank God, He chose to make a relationship with Him possible for us! Romans 6:23 tells us, "Sin pays off with death. But God's gift is eternal life given by Jesus Christ our Lord." Just look at Romans 10:9.10; "So you will be saved, if you honestly say, 'Jesus is Lord,' and if you believe with all your heart that God raised him from death." We just have to honesty say, "Jesus is Lord" and believe with all our heart God raised Jesus from the dead! This is it! It isn't complicated! It is amazingly simple! It is a gift from God, one we can not earn! So, if you have never received this gift and have been trying to "complicate" things by earning what can never be earned, just accept the gift God so freely offers because, "the answer is simple!"

I Have Two Winners!

I’m happy to say Leona Rusco and Norma Bristol are the winners of the Family Pack Tickets to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Butterflies Are Blooming tickets! (You’ll find my full review at this link.) Thank you Leona and Norma for reading grandma’s cookie jar and thank you Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park for making tickets available for me to review the Butterflies are Blooming Exhibit and for making two Family Pack Ticket packages available for me to give away!

Special Giveaway Tomorrow!

Tomorrow, on March 20, 2017, I'm giving away a wonderful prize, made available by the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park - two family packs (two adult tickets and two children’s tickets) for their Butterflies are Blooming exhibit (USA only)! If you are over the age of 18 and would like to enter this drawing for one of the Family Pack Tickets to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Butterflies Are Blooming, please comment below to tell me your favorite butterfly – growing up in West Michigan, I have to pick the Monarch, although I do like Tiger Swallow Tails, too!

This is truly a wonderful prize - if you live in, near, will be visiting West Michigan or know someone who does, be sure to enter!

Intentionally Passing on Faith to Our Grandchildren

What does it look like to be intentional about passing on faith to our grandchildren? This is an important question for us to think about, and for us to find the answers, so we are able to be focused and intentional when it comes to passing on our faith. One way we do this, and the most important thing we do to do so, is when we have the great privilege and joy of pointing our children to Jesus. But what does this look like and what do we do after they believe in Jesus?

I believe it begins with equipping them to be people who are able to grow in their walk with Jesus – for themselves. Yes, there is much we can – and should – do to help them, but they need to learn to grow in their own walk with Jesus; they can not just depend upon us to give them what they need to grow. A great place to being is with helping them develop a love for God’s Word! How do you do this? Consider the following . . .

Please Share Your Prayer History

I’m working on a new book – The DNA of a Praying Grandparent. If you have a bit of your family history about how God has answered your prayers and you would be willing to share it, (or how God has answered the prayers of your praying grandparents) please email me – lyndagcj@gmail.com

Thank you!

The Dr. Seuss Quote for Today is; "You Are You . . ."

The Dr. Seuss Quote for today is, "You are you. Now, isn't that pleasant?!" Yes, it is

pleasant you are "you", but let's stop for a moment and see who God says we are . . . 

John 1:12, "But to all who did accept him and believe in him he gave the right to become children of God."  John 15:15, "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know what his master is doing. But I call you friends, because I have made known to you everything I heard from my Father." 2 Corinthians 5:17, "So then, if anyone is in Christ, that person is part of the new creation. The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived!" Ephesians 1:4, "God chose us in Christ to be holy and blameless in God’s presence before the creation of the world." Colossians 3:12, "God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So you should always clothe yourselves with mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." Wow! I'm God's child! I'm God's friend! I'm God's creation! I'm chosen by God! I'm loved by God! Yes, being all these things is pleasant! It is more than pleasant! It is awesomely amazing!

The Circus Came to Town!

This past weekend, my son, daughter-in-law and grandsons went to the Shrine Circus to review it for me and today I’m very happy to share with you what they thought of their experience.  My grandsons are eight, five and three and when they heard they were going to the circus, the three year old said; “The Circus! I LOVE the circus!!” These three boys got their coats and shoes on and were ready to head out my door in record time (the boys were at my house, because they had a sleepover the night before)!

My two oldest grandsons had been to the circus a few years ago, but it was a new experience for the youngest . . . from their reports they were not disappointed! The boys LOVED seeing the tigers (There were two white tigers and two orange tigers - it was so exciting when a man went in the cage with the tigers, but don't worry grandma - the tigers did not eat him!) and the elephants, they were greatly surprised when a man was shot out of a cannon and thought the aerial acts were exciting! They enjoyed seeing the motorcycle act and thought the clowns were funny, but their favorite thing was seeing “Spiderman” with his “webs” – all in all, they truly enjoyed going to the circus.

I was given tickets for my son, daughter-in-law and grandsons to attend, but if you go to the circus, you will be able to receive one free child’s ticket for each adult ticket you purchase – check this link to get your free children’s tickets!

I Have a Winner & Another Giveaway in Five Days!

I’m happy to say Mary Beth is the winner of the NIV Investigator's Holy Bible! (You’ll find my full review at this link.) Thank you Mary Beth for reading grandma’s cookie jar (please email me your address at lyndagcj@gmail.com by March 22, 2017, so I can have it sent to you) and thank you Zonderkidz for sending one for me to review and for making another available for me to give away!

Please Share & Consider Helping . . .

It looks like this coming Summer of 2017 is going to be a very busy one for my nieces . . . I'm very happy today to share with you some information about another niece, Leah, and the mission trip she is taking this Summer.

When my children were teens, it was very important to my husband and I for them to serve on short-term mission trips. Our daughter went to serve with Native Americans in South Dakota, to Mexico, Costa Rica and the Bahamas. Our son went to serve with Native Americans in South Dakota, to Nepal, Thailand, England, France, Spain, Italy and the Island of Rhodes. Whether they go on to serve full-time in missions or not, giving young adults the opportunity to serve others, especially in a cross-cultural setting - is extremely valuable. It is my prayer my grandsons will go on mission trips when they are older.

My niece Leah is going on a mission trip this summer, and I will let her tell you all about it . . . 

The Dr. Seuss Quote for today - You're never too old . . .

Are you ready for another Dr. Seuss quote? Well, I really like - and absolutely believe - this one . . . "You're never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child!" 

This quote is 100% true! When it comes to reading to, teaching and nurturing our grandchildren, we are NEVER too old! Plus, Deuteronomy 6:4-9 tells us to make teaching our children a very high priority, "The LORD our God is the only true God! So love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul, and strength. Memorize his laws and tell them to your children over and over again. Talk about them all the time, whether you're at home or walking along the road or going to bed at night, or getting up in the morning. Write down copies and tie them to your wrists and foreheads to help you obey them. Write these laws on the door frames of your homes and on your town gates." 

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Butterflies Are Blooming Exhibit & Giveaway!

If you live in, or near, Grand Rapids, MI, you are most certainly familiar with Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. This past November, I wrote about one of their special exhibits – their Holiday Exhibition (and gave away passes to go see it as well!)

Today I’m very happy to once again be writing about Meijer Gardens (as those of us who live in this area fondly call them) and their amazing Butterflies are Blooming Exhibit (and I’m giving away two of their family pack tickets!)

If you have never had the opportunity to experience, explore, discover and learn in a butterfly exhibit, you are absolutely in for a real treat at the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park as their Butterflies are Blooming exhibit is a most delightful opportunity, and certainly all you would hope and more than you can imagine!

This may sound like big “build up”, but it is the truth! It has been several years since I personally visited the Butterflies are Blooming exhibit at Meijer Gardens, but I was left in awe of it! So many amazing, beautiful butterflies flying all around in and among the beautiful tropical plants! It was unforgettable!

30 Dr. Seuss Quotes . . . Today You are You!

A few years ago throughout the month of March, in honor of Dr. Seuss, I shared some of his famous - and not-so-famous - quotes with you. This year I thought it would be fun to focus on a few of my favorites throughout the month . . . so, today's Dr. Seuss quote is . . . "Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You!" 

I love this quote and it is truer than true! As you go through this day remember, God created you to be the amazing, incredible person you are. He knew what He was doing when He created you and He did not make a mistake! 

This truth is so important for us to teach and remind our grandchildren. Look at what Psalm 139:16 has to say about this; "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." 

If I Could Climb Trees - Get a Free Kindle Copy!

I was recently hired to write a short post about a new book for children, written by Jeff Minich and illustrated by Renan Garcia, which releases on March 28, 2017, so today I am happy to let you know about If I Could Climb Trees and how you are able to receive a Kindle copy for free!

The Legacy Grandparenting Summit - Year Two!

I’m sure you as grandparents – or parents – agree with me about how grandparents play a unique and profoundly influential role in the lives of our grandchildren – second only to parents – yet we are one of the most underserved groups in the church. We grandparents today do not consider ourselves to be “seniors” in the traditional sense. We are generally healthier and more vital than any other generation of grandparents in history. As twenty-first century grandparents, we are just as likely to be rocking to our favorite tunes as we are to be rocking in our favorite chairs.

So, today I’m very happy to let you know about the second annual Legacy Grandparenting Summit, which is a national conference for us – today’s Christian grandparents who want to be inspired and equipped to pass our faith to our grandchildren. Last year grandparents were able to hear from Chuck Swindoll, Josh McDowell and a number of other wonderful speakers . . . this year there is another excellent line-up of speakers, including Tony Evans, Tim Kimmel and Steve Stroope with music from Steve Green and comedy from Ken Davis – you will not want to miss this summit!

crafting with grandma - Dr. Seuss & the Foot Book

Since Dr Seuss' birthday was on March 2nd and the month of March is a fun time to celebrate the creativity of Dr. Seuss, I thought it would be fun to look at a Dr. Seuss craft today! But, first, a bit of info (I found on Wiki) on the man known to children everywhere as Dr. Seuss . . . 

What I'd Teach My Granddaughters & What I Will Teach My Grandsons

I do not have any granddaughters, but if I did, I would absolutely teach them to be happy God created them to be girls. I’d teach them God knew what he was doing when He created them to be girls and He did not make a mistake. I’d teach them to know and firmly believe God has good plans for them, and He has given them the gifts they need to be happy and fulfilled as girls.

I’d teach them if any of those gifts were in the area of leadership, they should embrace them. They should be happy. They should work hard to do the best job they could as leaders wherever God placed them . . . including in whatever church they should become part of when they grew up.

I would teach them if God gave them leadership gifts then He intends for them to use them; and when they did use them, it absolutely did NOT make them pushy, bossy or someone to be rebuked for using the gifts God gave them. (Of course, they need to use their gifts in a gracious way . . . no matter what gifts God gave them, and having leadership gifts does not mean they have to be pushy, bossy, etc.) I'd teach them it is not a bad thing to be a strong and gracious leader when you are a girl.

I would tell them they very well may run into people – even in the church; or should I say, sadly most likely in the church, who do not believe women should serve in leadership positions. People who will try to discount them. People who will rebuke them for using the gift God gave them. People who will try to make them feel like they have done something wrong for speaking up and using the gift God gave them.

Praying Through Psalms for my Family

This year I’ve been praying through the book of Psalms for my family. Each week I have a different passage from Psalms which I work through, praying specifically and intentionally each day focusing on a different portion of the passage for the week.

This week I’m praying through Psalms 107 – with the focus upon praying the following . . .