Give a Blessing

There are many things we 
are able to do as grandmas which make a significant difference in the lives of our children and grandchildren, but one big one is for us to "bless" them. Now, if you did not grow up receiving Scripture blessings as a child, or if you have not been taught what it is to bless or how to do it, honestly it may be a a challenge to get in the "habit". I did not grow up with this and did not even know about it until a few years ago, so I find making this a part of what I always do with my grandsons is something challenging. However; it absolutely is something I want to be part of what I do with them. I understand the whys for it and so one of the things I want to do with them this year, is make giving a Scripture blessing a part of what happens at poppa and grandma's house.

So, I am challenging you to do this as well; "bless" your grandchildren whenever they leave your home. The Bible has many blessings in it and giving a blessing to your grandchildren is a really powerful thing. You may choose your own blessing to give from a favorite Bible verse or use this one from Psalm 86 to try . . . 

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. Looking back, 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.

Now as grandma I know how to talk with God and I understand how absolutely vital it is for me to help my grandchildren learn to be people who talk with God, watch for how He answers and remember what He does. Many grandmas and grandpas I know often ask me what the are able to do to help their grandchildren know, love and walk with God. They do not want their grandchildren to turn away from a walk of their own with God, but do not know what they are able to do to hand down the faith to them.

I understand this, as it is where I was as a mom; but no more. Today I want to encourage you to do a simple thing to help equip your grandchildren ages four to fourteen learn to be people who talk with God, watch for what He does and remember. Then I want to ask for your help to let as many grandparents - and parents, too, know what to do as well.

Help Them Make the Faith Their Own

Unless we hide the children we love away in some remote location where there is no internet and the only people they see, talk with and know are us, we may be certain at one point or another they will meet someone who tells them things which go against what we have taught them from God's Word. It is inevitable. 

We may be careful to do all we are able to do to teach the children we love the truth of God's Word and how they are able to talk with, love, know and walk with Him, but at some point in time, someone will say or do something which will cause them to question the things we taught them. It is inevitable.

For example, think of Adam and Eve. They actually talked and walked with God in the garden every evening. Just imagine! They were surrounded by God's glory and lived in a world untouched by sin, yet even there, even then, Satan got to them and caused them to question what they knew to be true with the lies; "Does God really love me? Is He keeping something amazing from me?" Which led them to the questions we all face at some point; "Should I obey what God asked, or do what I want?"

Happy National Rubber Ducky Day!

Yes, believe it or not, today is, "National Rubber Ducky Day! In 1970, Jim Henson  performed the song 'Rubber Duckie' as Ernie on Sesame Street, and the rubber duck bath toy has been an iconic American symbol ever since. Rubber ducks have been around since the rise of the rubber industry in the late 1800s, but no one knows their exact origin.

Did you know in January of 1992, a shipment of 29,000 rubber duckies fell off a cargo ship in the Pacific Ocean? By 2007, the 'Friendly Floatees' had traveled 17,000 miles around the world on the ocean currents. Some are still afloat today! Over the years, people reported sightings in Indonesia, Australia, South America, the Bering Straight, the Arctic, and (eventually) the Atlantic Ocean." (I found this info on-line at punchbowl dot com.)

I thought it might be fun on this "ducky day" to make some ducks of our own, so I browsed on Pinterest and found the following, "Ducky" crafts . . . 

Trust God & Equip the Ones We Love to Do the Same

As things happen in our world which could leave us and the ones we love feeling worried and/or afraid, it is important, even essential, for us to spend time in prayer and teach our grandchildren and children to do the same. Trying to respond to the things which are happening outside of trusting God, leaves us - and the ones we love - at risk of becoming angry, worried, afraid. But, as people who talk with and trust God, we are able to experience His peace.

Counting Down the Ways I Love You

As I was browsing on Pinterest this morning I found an idea I have to "tweak" a  touch and absolutely use for my grandsons . . . counting down the ways I love you! The idea behind this is for you to begin a countdown to Valentine's on February 1st with an advent-type calendar made from envelopes you may download for free using the link above. On the inside of each envelope, write - or draw for those who do not read - a love note and tell your grandchild what it is about them which makes you smile . . . or as I always tell my grandsons, the things which makes my heart happy about them! 

Let's Make a Flying Dragon Puppet!

As you have probably noticed, I enjoy browsing from time to time on Pinterest! What a great site for ideas to inspire creativity! Well, this morning I saw a fun, simple idea for making a "Flying Dragon Puppet" and had to share it with all of you! If you follow the link you'll find a picture tutorial with step-by-step directions for this fun and colorful craft made from simple, inexpensive supplies! 

January is National Soup Month

Yes, this month is National Soup Month! Even though it is not particularly chilly here in Michigan today (it is 33 currently), I can not think of a better month to cook, eat and enjoy soup!

I looked on-line and found a site which has 31 soup recipes for, "31 Days of Soup"! I think I'll be making chili, chicken noodle and beef noodle soup this month . . . .what is your favorite soup? Enjoy!

Blueberry Lemonade Cheese Cake

With Winter upon us, we may be longing for the warm days of Summer, which of course, makes it is a great time to try new desserts with a Summery feel . . . and if the dessert is a tasty no-bake recipe it could not possibly be more perfect! I was browsing on Pinterest this morning and found a recipe for Raspberry Lemonade Cheese Cake, but thought it could easily be switched to Blueberry Lemonade and had to share it with you!

You'll find the recipe at this link - I'd make the following substitutions . . .

Happy New Year!

As we move forward into 2020, I pray for you to experience God's joy as you hand down the faith to your children and grandchildren!

#grandmas #handingdownthefaith #itmatterswhatwedo #grandparentingonpurpose

My Grandma Promise

For 2020 and for all time, this grandma promise is absolutely my promise . . . 

Connect with Your Grandchildren & Have Fun Each Month Doing So

Part of handing down the faith - a big part of it - is taking the time to build a close relationship with your grandchildren/children. There are certainly many ways to do this, but one way is by planning opportunities together to just have fun. These fun times together help you build a strong and close relationship as you make memories which will last beyond your own years - and give you natural opportunities to have important faith conversations while you are having fun as well.

In 2020 I am going to plan special monthly fun days with my grandsons to help build these close, strong relationships with them. Each month one of my grandsons will go through the silly holidays for the month with me and they will pick a couple of their favorites and then all of us will celebrate those silly days together on a special Saturday. For example, my youngest grandson is starting with the month of January. There are many possibilities for a "fun day" in January - for example . . .

I Have a Winner

I am happy to say Leela is the winner of Penguin & Moose! (You will find my review at this link.) Thank you Leela for reading grandma's cookie jar (Please email me your address by January 1, 2020 - lyndagcj@gmail.com) 

Thank you also to Worthy Kids for sending one for me to review and for making another available for me to give away.

Hand Down the Faith for Free with Generations Quest Cultivate the Faith!

Handing down the faith tends to be something which we look forward to doing and enjoy, or something which leaves us feeling confused and unable to do effectively. Well, no matter which of these describes you, I am very happy today to let you know about a resource which gives you 52 lessons, complete with science projects, crafts and cooking activities to engage the children you love while also helping them learn about real people from the Bible, how those Bible people chose to walk with God and how they are able to do the same. This resource is called Generations Quest Cultivate the Faith! and today through Friday the kindle version is free at this link!