This Christmas Be the Gift God Wants You to Be!

Today I want to share a few thoughts about Christmas. While it is the time of the year when we tend to be more joyful, more merry . . . at least, many of us are, it can also be a very sad time of year for some of us, our neighbors or children who go to school with our grandchildren if they are experiencing difficult times in their families. Along with helping our grandchildren worship and celebrate the birth of Jesus, we need to also help them learn how to be on the watch for those children and families who may need our help. Watch for . . . 

Showing Real Intentional Love - a Prayer for My Grandsons

As grandma, there isn’t anything more important to me than for my grandsons to grow to be men who know and love Jesus. This world at times is a scary place; it seems evil is laughed at, discounted and accepted like it has not been before . . . at least in my lifetime. As I think about the things I want to pray for my grandsons, I think about the things Jesus prayed for His disciples, and for all of us, recorded in John 17.

Jesus prayed His disciples would be protected by the power of God’s name, so none of them would be lost He did not ask God to take them out of the world, but to protect them from the evil one, so they – and we – will have unity and the world will believe.

I believe there is good reason to pray these same things for my grandsons; and this is my prayer based on John 17:6-21 . . .

Intentional Love - Showing My Love & Pointing Them to God's Love

When you think about loving your grandchildren, for most of us, this comes very easily. The hugs, snuggles, “I love yous”, the laughing and the time spent together – all part of the wonderful love between grandparents and grandchildren.

Now, don’t get me wrong. There is a wonderful love between parents and children, too, but I describe the difference in the following way. When children first see their parents at the start of their day, they may say, “hello” or “good morning” and they may not. But, when grandchildren first see you – at least when they are young – no matter where you are – they shout at the tops of their voices, “Grandma!!!” and run to you as fast as their little legs can carry them, shouting all the while, “Grandma!!!!”

Give the Best Gifts Ever - Give a Home Filled with Peace

"Peace" is a word we tend to see and hear around this time of year; particularly  on Christmas cards and in Christmas carols. Peace is something we all certainly want to experience in our country and world, at Christmas and all year long.

Popsicle Nativity Craft

With Christmas just around the corner, I have an idea you may use which is simple, inexpensive and fun to make . . . and one which your grandchildren could make and give to their parents as a gift . . . a Popsicle Nativity!

It is Time for a Candy Cane Hunt!

For the past couple years, we have been having Candy Cane Hunts at this grandma's house. They are always a lot of fun and tomorrow is our day to do it again this year. If you have not tried it yet, consider doing so this year; and if you are new to grandma's cookie jar - this is an idea which is "tradition worthy" as a candy cane hunt with the children you love is something they will never forget.

I Have a Winner

I am happy to say Jennifer McLeod is the winner of Owls are Good at Keeping Secrets: An Unusual Alphabet - you will find the review at this link. Thank you Jennifer for reading grandma's cookie jar, please email me by December 21, 2018, so I am able to have the book sent to you. And thank you Random House Books for Young Readers for sending one for me to review and for making another available for me to give away.

Connect Your Family & God's Word with Generations Quest

We grandmas (grandpas/parents) know God has clearly asked us to hand down the faith. This is our God-given job and great joy. (See Psalm 78:4, 6, 7)

If we could receive anything as a gift this year, at the top of our list would absolutely be to have the ones we love make the choice to know, love and walk with God. Well, we can not make the ones we love choose to do this, but we also do not have to leave it to chance for them to know, love and walk with God. 

Hand Down the Faith with "Mystery Bags" - The Reason for Christmas & Resurrection Sunday

On my other blog - Grandmas with Heart - I shared a fun "Mystery Bag" project which I think you would enjoy as well. I wrote -

Today's "Mystery Bag" has the items you need to start a family tradition, help you focus your grandchildren both on why we celebrate Christmas and why Jesus came and provides the opportunity for them to give to others . . . a lot for one "Mystery Bag" for sure!

I Have a Winner

I am happy to say Karen is the winner of Around the World in 80 Puzzles. (You will find all the details at this link.) Thank you for reading grandma's cookie jar (please message me at lyndagcj@gmail.com by December 14, 2018, so I am able to have it sent to you) and thank you Candlewick Press for sending one for me to review and for making another available for me to give away.

Generations Quest - A Gift with Lasting Impact

With Christmas just two weeks away, we have been busy selecting gifts for the ones we love - and if you are like me, looking for the best buys. If you are looking for something which you could give to your family to help them all grow in their walk with God, consider Generations Quest! For just $10 you will receive an entire year of Bible readings, questions to get your family talking and activities to help you all understand the Bible and grow in your walk with God. Talk about a great buy!

Second Chance Drawing for Around the World in 80 Puzzles

The person who won Around the World in 80 Puzzles. (You will find all the details at this link) did not claim their prize, so I am holding a second-chance drawing to give it away. This is such a fun and unique book - whoever wins it will be happy they did. So, please comment below to enter. If you share this post, you will receive an additional entry. The drawing will be tomorrow - December 12, 2018, so if you would like to win - enter . . . and check back tomorrow!

365 Day Devotional Journals from Ellie Claire

I was recently invited to review some new Ellie Claire 365 Devotional Journals, so today I'm happy to let you know about them.

Hand Down the Faith with Generations Quest - Try it For Free

I have been working on a resource to use with my grandsons to hand down the faith. I am not able to make them choose to love, know and walk with God, but I am able to engage them in reading/understanding God's Word and in watching for God's Great Deeds. If I do these two things, then they will be equipped to walk with God.

Throughout the Bible we read where God has promised His Word will accomplish what He has planned for it to do (Isaiah 55:11), is profitable for teaching (2 Timothy 3:16, 17) and is a light to our path (Psalm 119:11); just to mention three things we know are true about the Bible. God promises His words are powerful, so I want my grandsons to know what God's Word says.