Be Equipped to Hand Down a Confident Faith

In most conversations with grandmas (and grandpas - and parents, too) when we talk about handing down a confident faith, they nearly always tell me they would like to do this, but have no idea how to go about doing so. Most books for grandparents (and even parents) focus upon praying for the children we love (absolutely essential thing for us to do) and teaching them what the Bible says (also absolutely essential for us to do), but there is little in the way of resources available to grandparents and parents which will equip them with the tools they need to hand down a confident faith.

Ask Your Church to Equip You During Covid & Beyond to Hand Down a Confident Faith

At all times, but especially now with covid changing so much about how our churches connect with families/ children, if we have not already done so, we need to be focused upon asking the leaders in our churches to equip parents/ grandparents so they are able to hand down the faith and teach the "whys" - why we are able to believe God is real and trust Him with confidence - at home. In most cases, if churches do not step up to equip and encourage parents and grandparents when it comes to handing down the faith and teaching the "whys" for a confident faith, this is something they will leave to the church. It isn't because parents and grandparents don't want to do this - most often it is because they do not know how to engage the children they love and connect with them in meaningful and memorable ways. So, if they are not handing down the faith and teaching the "whys", and the children they love are not able to go to church, then there has been five months since they were able to be involved in at least learning what to believe. Five months.

Lay the Foundation AND Teach the "Whys" - It Matters

More and more often we hear and read about leaders in the church around the world who are renouncing their faith. And not just leaders in the church around the world, but many of us have children, grandchildren, siblings who have turned from a walk with God. What is happening?

I read a post on Cogent Christianity which made me think. George Brahm said; "Most of us have attended churches where apologetics is never an issue of focus. And what Marty’s case reveals is that a lack of apologetics-training in the local church can often be what causes a young person to apostatize, either when they are still young or later in the future." He goes on to say we tend to tell children what to believe, but do not ever tell them "why" they not only "should" believe it, but "why" it is the truth. Take a few minutes to follow the link above and read this article.

Teach the Whys & Help Your Grandchildren Develop a Confident Faith

Okay, I know I have been posting a fair amount about my new book - Blue Dragons, Red Pandas, Hoopoes & More! Please bear with me today as I share a bit more about it - and a way for you to save money on the book or even get a digital copy for free!

As I wrote on my other blog today (grandmaswithheart.blogspot.com)- it absolutely is essential for us to tell the ones we love the "whys" - why we are able to believe God is real and trust the Bible with confidence. If we do not, we run the terrible risk of the day coming when they turn away from their faith. This is happening more and more to families across our country - maybe even to your family. If we do not equip the ones we love with solid reasons for why they are able to believe, when difficulties come there way they may turn from their faith. But, when we equip them with the "whys", we are helping them develop a confident faith.

"A Great & Powerful Tool" to Help You Hand Down a Confident Faith

As you know, I recently released a new book designed to help your grandchildren (and you) develop a strong, confident faith in this world where a growing number of young people are leaving their faith and becoming atheists and agnostics. When we look at creation, we see God's design - design means there has to be a Designer. 

Blue Dragons, Red Pandas, Hoopoes & More! is more than just an animal picture book - it is a tool which will help you hand down a confident faith! As Cavin Harper, from the Christian Grandparenting Network said; "I LOVE this little book you have created. What a great and powerful tool for shaping young minds to see and acknowledge the truth about God's creation. Well done. Every parent and grandparent ought to have this tool in their toolkit to teach the truth about creation and evolution. This is a marvelous tool I want to let every grandparent know about. Thank you for taking time with your grandsons to create this extraordinary piece."

Grandma "Ellies" Matter & So Do We

I just completed, and made available, a new book for children and families to enjoy which will help them develop a confident faith as they learn about really interesting animals. (You will find Blue Dragons, Red Pandas, Hoopoes & More! in the bookstore at this link.) So, I have begun the work on book two in my Life on the Goldilocks Planet series - this one is entitled, Eyelash Vipers, Pygmy Elephants, Pangolins & More! As the title says, one of the animals in the book is the Pygmy Elephant and yes, there are pygmy elephants in Asia and Africa!

Creation Shows God's Design & Gives Us a Confident Faith

My grandsons love animals. They have so far throughout their lives. So, when I wanted to come up with a way to help them learn to see and remember the truth about how God is real, it made sense to me to look at His creation. After all, Romans 1:20 tells us - "God's eternal power and character cannot be seen. But from the beginning of creation, God has shown what these are like by all he has made. That's why those people don't have any excuse."

crafting with grandma - Sand Bowl

I was browsing Pinterest last night and found an interesting, unique and simple craft I thought I'd share with you all. It looks like something my grandsons might like to make - I hope it actually turns out, because if it does, it would actually be pretty cool! I had to look on-line to find a site with actual directions - which you will find the link below.

Blue Dragons, Red Pandas, Hoopoes & More is Available & I'm Giving One Digital Copy Away!

I am so happy today to announce the release of the new book - Blue Dragons, Red Pandas, Hoopoes & More - in our Bookstore and on Amazon. This book is a unique book which children will love - it is filled with photos of unique animals along with fun facts about each of these animals. In addition there are activities - crafts, recipes, games, and science projects following each animal to help children remember the fun and important things they learned.

Most importantly, and the reason for this book, is how it is designed to help grandparents and parents equip the children they love so they are able to see, recognize, and believe the truth about how God designed and created the world upon which we live and everything in it. You will find quotes from scientists which reinforce how science clearly shows everything on this world was designed to be as they are. This means there has to be a Designer and gives us so many reasons to believe God is real!

Look what people are saying about Blue Dragons, Red Pandas, Hoopoes & More . . . 

Help the Ones You Love See the Design & Believe in the Designer

As a grandma who believe the Bible, when it tells me God created the world upon which I live and everything on it, I believe. There are reasons I believe . . . first of all, I believe the Bible to be true. Secondly, when I look at the world, and everything on it, I see design, purpose, intention - for it all to have happened from chaos or chance seems impossible to me. I believe, and I want the ones I love to believe as well.

Summer Reading Book Review - Sam Wu is NOT Afraid of Spiders

Apparently, unlike me, Sam Wu is not afraid of spiders . . . or so it claims in the title of this new Sam Wu book for young chapter readers. My grandsons have enjoyed previous Sam Wu books, so I'm happy to share this new one with you today.

Summer Reading Book Review - Monster's Big Day

When I was a child we had a pop-up book which I loved. It was so much fun to not only read the story, but see the pictures pop up as each page was turned. Today I'm so happy to share with you a fun new pop-up book . . . Monster's Big Day.

Be Continually Amazed

God created the world in which we live so it is "just right" - as a place for us to live and in regards to us and every living thing on this planet. He knew what He was doing and when we look at creation we ae left amazed, continually amazed at the wonder and beauty of His creation!

Not only are we left amazed by creation, but it shows us over and over again how God designed it all "just right", which helps us know we are able to believe in God with confidence!

Summer Reading Book Review - invent-a-pet

Do the children you love have a pet? Perhaps a dog, cat, or maybe a goat? Would they enjoy the opportunity to "invent" a pet of their own? Something unique and special? Well, the new book "invent-a-pet" may be a great pick for them!

Summer Reading Book Review - Nerp!

I love picture books - and I love sharing them with my grandsons.  With the boys being half way through Summer it is a great time to remind them how important - and fun - it is for them to read. How better than with a fun new book! Sterling Children's Books sent me several of their new releases and I will take the next few days to share them with you.

Which One Do You Think It Is?

Which one do you think it is? One of these creatures is not venomous, but the thing it eats is very venomous. This creature takes the venom from its food, and due to the scales inside its body and its ability to produce a mucus to cover the venom, it is able to move the venom, and highly concentrate it in its own extremities making it a very venomous creature - if you ever see one in the wild, do NOT pick it up or touch it!

Please Share Your Opinion

My grandsons and I have been working on a new book about amazing, unique, and surprising animals, but we are not sure what to name the book. If you would please take a moment to respond to this survey, we would most sincerely appreciate your input! Thank you! (The cover will likely look like this photo - with the name which will best fit!) You will find the survey at this link.

Chocolate Lasagna!

A few years ago, for my dad's birthday - which happens to be today - I brought the dessert to our family celebration . . . Chocolate Lasagna - which happens to be one of the best desserts EVER!!! Particularly on a hot, summer day as there is no cooking or baking involved!

So, I thought, just in case you might wonder what "chocolate lasagna" might possibly be, I'd share it with you because you are most likely to want to make one for yourself as well!

Chances are you are wondering about this post . . . what kind of recipe could possibly be called, "chocolate lasagna"? Is it good? It does have "chocolate" in the name, so doesn't this mean it must be tasty? But, chocolate "lasagna"???? 

Well . . . have no fear!!!! This is a dessert which will leave you heading for the store to get the ingredients, for sure!!! My daughter, Tiffany, posted this recipe on her facebook and when I saw it, I knew I had to share it with you! 

Make a Blessings Book

Regardless of our age, if we make the choice to be a thankful person, we are more likely to be stronger and healthier mentally speaking. It is healthy for us to have an "attitude of gratitude"! This is something important for us to practice in our daily lives, and for us to teach the children we love.

When it comes to blessings, we are certainly able to put our children and grandchildren at the top of our blessings list. We know we have much for which to be thankful - especially when we think of them.

Virtual Grand Camp!

Sherry Schumann and Cathy Jacobs are two of our Grandmas with Heart. They are also two grandmas who lead a GrandCamp each year for their church. This year with covid-19, they decided to make this year's GrandCamp a Virtual GrandCamp and open it up to any grandparent, anywhere, so they are able to use it with their grandchildren. Today I am so delighted to share the information you need to make a Virtual GrandCamp part of what you do with your grandchildren this summer!

crafting with grandma - 4th of July Tin Can Windsocks!

It seems like Summer has barely begun, but the 4th of July is really just around the corner . . . just two weeks away! So, I thought I'd share a great craft with you which I found, of course, on Pinterest! These 4th of July Tin Can Windsocks are wonderful!

Grandmas DO Make a Difference

Do you ever wonder if you actually make a real and lasting difference in the lives of your grandchildren? Well, you absolutely are able to make a difference in their lives and Eunice Crosby shows us this.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day from Grandmas with Heart. We, as grandmas, are blessed to see the impact a godly dad and grandpa are able to make on the generations who come behind. Thank you for handing down the faith - it matters what you do.

Happy Father's Day!

#grandmas #handingdownthefaith #itmatterswhatwedo #grandparentingonpurpose

Happy Children's Day!

Today is Children's Day - yes, this is a real holiday . . . "Children’s Day  observations in the United States predate both Mother’s and Father’s Day. The day to celebrate children dates from the 1860s and earlier. The Methodist Episcopal Church at the Methodist Conference of 1868 recommended the second Sunday in June be observed annually as Children’s Day. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in 1883 designated the 'the second Sabbath in June as Children’s Day'

Chase’s Calendar of Events cites Children’s Sunday and notes The Commonwealth of Massachusetts issues an annual proclamation for the second Sunday in June. Numerous churches and denominations currently observe the second Sunday in June, including the African Methodist Episcopal Church, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, and the Church of the Nazarene."

The website - nationalchildrensday.us says; "American families and the entire country need this day to love, evaluate, and commit to the betterment of our children." If you are already planning to enjoy the day celebrating the children you love today - go for it! If you have not planned to do anything to celebrate Children's Day, consider the following ideas . . . 

Summer Fun with Pool Noodles!

Summer is here and school is finished, so if you are looking for something fun which is relatively simple and inexpensive which you can put together for summertime fun, check this link which I found on Pinterest for five fun things you can make with pool noodles!

Follow this link and you'll find complete directions for all five games and photo tutorials as well! I think I will need to buy some pool noodles and dowels! 

grandma's chuckles - Top Five Important Things . . .

We all have ideas for what we think the most important things are for us to do as grandmas. I asked my grandsons a few years back what they thought were the most important things are for a grandma to do and thought I'd share their answers with you . . . 

Simple and Meaningful Father's Day Craft!

If you are looking for a simple, yet meaningful, Father's Day craft, check these notes and cards I found on  Pinterest! You just have to follow the link to find free printables and complete directions. 

Print out some for each of your grandchildren and then help the fill them in for their dads . . . instant Father's Day gift . . . one which will have special meaning as it will reflect each child and their view of their dad!

Buy One for $5 & Get the Oher Book for Free!

One of the most important things we need to do as grandmas (and grandpas/parents, too) is to help the children we love learn to talk with God for themselves. Yes, they need to hear us pray. Yes, they need to know we pray for them. But, if they are going to have a walk of their own with God, they have to learn to be people who talk with God.

So, since Children's Day is just a few dadys away (it is on June 14th) I wanted to make it easy for you to give your grandchildren ages four through fourteen a gift which has the potential to change their lives as it helps them learn to talk with God, and give you the copy for grandparents and parents; so not only are the children you love able to learn to talk with God, but you are able to pray with them for a year - which has the potential to lead to some wonderful conversations all year long!

Children's Day - Yes, It is Real!

Next Sunday – June 14th, is Children’s Day . . . yes, it is a real holiday! (If you look it up on Google, it says the USA celebrates Children’s Day on the second Sunday in June – this has been the official date since the 1800’s – I really did not make this holiday up!!!) 

Just for Fun!!! Did You Know . . . Bees Knees!

Did you know . . . every bee has a special brush located on its knees which it uses to clean the pollen out of its breathing apparatus when it comes out of a flower. Without the brush, the bee will suffocate. God designed the bee to have this brush from the start because He knew what each part of His creation needed to survive!

Laugh Together

As the Summer begins and social distancing may end, we may find we are able to spend time once again with our family, and looking forward to these opportunities more so than ever.

It is obvious these times together will be enjoyed - there are many things to celebrate - June 14th is Children's Day, June 21st is Father's Day, July 4th is Independence Day, your family may have birthdays and/or anniversaries to celebrate - oh yes, there will be opportunities to gather, celebrate, and laugh together as a family. Consider some of the following ideas to make these times even more enjoyable . . . 

Equip Our Grandchildren to Know Their Real "Super Power"

As grandparents, when we look back at raising our children, we likely have things we wish we knew to do differently. I do. The biggest is I wish I knew how to talk with God then, so I would have been able to help them learn how to talk with God. I know now how much it matters to help the children we love learn to be people who talk with God on their own, people who watch for how God answers and people who remember what He does in their lives. These are some of the most important and essential things for the ones we love to grow to love, know and walk with God.

crafting with grandma - Blowing Kisses Photos!

I am a very blessed grandma in how I live close to my grandsons and see them at least a couple times a week. However; not all grandparents are so blessed. This morning when I browsed Pinterest I saw a craft idea which would make a wonderful gift for grandparents/parents . . . especially in instances where the grandparent lives far enough away where they do not see their grandchildren often - or during covid-19. What is this craft, you ask? A Blowing Kisses Photo!

Words Make a Lasting Impact on Children

Over the years I've shared posts with you which my friend Maralee McKee, the Manner's Mentor, wrote on her blog; today I'm doing this once again. Maralee once wrote about her visit to a store where she heard unkind words being spoken by a mother to her daughter. Maralee said, "Words linger . . . words wind their way through our mind dropping off in every nook and cranny. They're never forgotten. Our sub-conscious holds on to them. After all, our parents voice is our first voice of truth. Mama said it's so, so it has to be right."

Maralee is right. Words do have a lasting impact on children; they do "linger" and are remembered throughout a lifetime. 

Hand Down the Faith with a Mystery Bag Project - God Knows What the Future Holds

I posted this today on my other blog - Grandmas with Heart, but thought with the children you love home from school, you might like to try it. 

We, and the children we love, are living in what is most certainly able to be considered an uncertain time. But, while we do not know what all to expect from day to day, we do know God has good things in store for us and we are able to pray the ones we love will be able to see those, "good things". 

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!

You have much to offer the ones you love - grandmas and moms matter and what you do matters as well. So, for all the big and all the small ways you show love - thank you!

#grandmas #handingdownthefaith #itmatterswhatwedo #grandparentingonpurpose

National Day of Prayer - Pray & Help Them Learn to Pray

Today is the National Day of Prayer, so as you pray for the ones you love, our churches, our country and the world, look at just some of what God has to say about prayer . . . 

Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children

As Christian grandmas (and grandpas/ parents, too) we want to hand down the faith. We want the ones we love to learn to read God's word, learn to pray, learn how to develop their own walk with God, but often we wonder how to do this. We look for resources to help us and happily, now there are many available for us (just scroll down and look at the right side of this blog to see the resources written/developed by some of the Grandmas with Heart or look at this link.) Today I am very happy to let you know about our May Book of the Month; Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children which is unique in how it is written/designed as a tool for you to use with the children you love.

The initial idea I (Lynda Freeman) had for this book was to write a resource to help my grandsons learn to be people who talked with God; so I took the reading schedule from my book; Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Grandparents & Parents, Too! and used it to form the basis for the book for children. Each week's passage in the children's book, matches the passage for the week in the book for grandparents and parents - making it a wonderful resource for families to use to read and pray through the Psalms for a year as children use this book and grandparents and parents us the other. Just imagine what it would be like to do this with the children you love - especially now, during the stay-at-home orders and changes to life our grandchildren/children are experiencing.

Each week's passage in Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children is written into three, age-level "nutshell prayers" . . . one with simple images non-readers will be able to learn and "read", so they are able to pray the Psalms, a simple prayer for beginning readers. and a longer prayer for older children who read well. This is a book which you are truly able to give to your grandchildren/ children ages four through 14. Look what people are saying about it . . .

Just for Fun!!!! Mother's Day Trivia . . .

Mother's Day is in a week and a half, so I thought it would be fun to look at some Mother's Day trivia I found on-line. Did you know . . . 

just for fun - Today is, "Tell a Story Day"!

I love the "holiday" for today - Tell a Story Day! Around this grandma's house, we LOVE telling stories! My grandsons are excellent storytellers and they make up some of the best . . . and funniest stories ever! In fact, for my birthday when he was just five years old, Josiah gave me one of the best presents ever . . . an original story he made up and illustrated for me; "Super Josiah Saves Grandma from All the Robot Spiders in History"! 

Yes, when the boys were little most of our stories had Super Josiah, Super Caleb and/or Super Shane in them and you could pretty well count on at least one monster or alien showing up in the stories as well! After all, they are boys and they were young at the time, so I suppose it was one of those inevitabilites of life!

crafting with grandma - Mother's Day Gift Idea - Paper Heart Ball

I have grandsons; and they are still young - ages five, two and nine months. But, if I had older granddaughters, I absolutely would teach them how to make these beautiful heart balls for their mother for Mother's Day! (They might also make a lovely, thoughtful and unique gift for an end-of-year teacher gift!)

I found these beautiful heart balls on youtube so, all you have to do is follow this link and you'll find complete directions along with a photo tutorial!

just for fun - Hopping Corn Science Project

My grandsons love science projects . . . one reason I included science projects in my curriculum - Generations Quest - Cultivate the Faith. They are such an engaging, "hands-on" and memorable way to help my grandsons learn important things. So, I am always on the watch for new projects which I am able to try with my grandsons.

Children are a Blessing & Gift from God

My grandchildren are completing this school year from home as in Michigan children will not return to their schools due to COVID-19. While they will be able to connect with their teachers through their computers (their school already had issued them laptops or ipads last Fall), they will not be able to spend time in their school with other children until Fall. This is certainly not what any of us thought this school year would look like.

Hand Down the Faith with Mystery Bags - Paper Airplane, Rocket & Cross

In just a couple days we will celebrate the most amazing day in history; the resurrection of Jesus. Without the resurrection our faith is in vain (1 Corinthians 15:14). The resurrection of Jesus is our core message, because it made God's grace available to us.

So, share the Good News of Jesus with your grandchildren. If they have not already put their trust in Jesus, take time to tell them how they are able to do this - consider using this simple, and fun tool as a Mystery Bag Project with them - which is an ideal activity to do virtually if you are not able to physically be together. You will need . . .

grandma's cookbook - Broiled, Herbed Chicken Breasts & Tater-Tot Casserole

With it looking like Spring is arriving here in Michigan, I have been in the mood for meals which are light, tasty and quick! So, I have been working on preparing meals which are healthy and home-made; not from a box or can and using fresh ingredients. I found some lovely, boneless, skinless chicken breasts and placed them on the broiler pan, added garlic, pink Himalayan salt, pepper, thyme, marjoram and rosemary, then broiled them. The end result was a moist, tasty, flavorful chicken which I served in pretzel buns or just on their own with a spring greens salad! Tasty and simple!

Help the Children We Love Have a Strong Spiritual DNA of Their Own

We grandparents (and parents) need to be people with a strong Spiritual DNA - who developed a walk of faith, live as people of faith and who reproduce/ hand down a strong faith. We need to have a faith which is real. We need to pray, trust, read God's Word and follow Him, so as we face life, we are able to live a life which shows we are people with a strong Spiritual DNA, a strong faith. When we have this, we will be able to hand it down - reproduce it - in the lives of the children we love.

Make Your Own "Stained Glass" Windows

There are just two weeks until Resurrection Sunday and it is very likely most of us will still be staying home, away from others - which makes celebrating with family, friends and our church something very different this year. 

Last week a friend of mine, Joan Salsbury, shared a terrific link she found on a facebook page (Easter Egg Hunt 2020 with Social Distancing) for one of the most wonderful ideas I have ever seen to help our grandchildren celebrate Resurrection Sunday. Today I am very happy to share it with you, so you have time to gather the supplies and send them to your grandchildren. You will need . . .

Plan a Fun Night at the Moives (from a Distance) & Watch Pilgrim's Progress For Free

Today I am happy to share this opportunity to watch the animated movie - Pilgrim's Progress with you along with ideas for ways you are able to use it to connect with family and friends - especially during this time when you may be staying away from them.