A Necklace for Mom
A Necklace for Mom
Mother’s Day is fast approaching, and what a wonderful way to let her know how much you love and appreciate her then with a beautiful handmade necklace created by you.
Supplies
Yarn or Ribbon
Tubular shaped uncooked macaroni
Scissors
Optional (for colored macaroni, use rubbing alcohol, food coloring, plastic baggies, and paper towel)
Beads or Gems (optional)
Directions
If you wish to color your macaroni, first get a parent to help you. Then, mix 2-3 tablespoons of the rubbing alcohol with a few drops of the food coloring in a plastic baggie. Use separate baggies for each color. Drop your macaroni inside; making sure the color mixture fully saturates the macaroni. After coloring is complete, place macaroni on paper towel, and allow it to dry.
The next step is to cut a piece of yarn or ribbon into enough length to make a necklace. Next, wrap some clear tape around the end to make it easier to string the macaroni or beads. Use your imagination to create different color, bead, or sizing patterns. After you have strung your macaroni or beads, make sure to leave enough room to tie it together at the end. Voila! There you have a beautiful necklace made by you just for mom.
This project has many creative possibilities. You can even color a picture, or use your photo and glue it to a piece of construction paper to personalize your necklace. Another great idea is to decorate and create a nice gift bag out of a paper lunch sack or a gift box out of a shoe box, cereal box etc. The possibilities are endless, and the memories will last a lifetime.
Sweet Addiction
Is it me or do most two-year olds sound like Forrest Gump?
It’s not that mine is always asking for a box of chocolates, it’s the way he asks for it. “Mommmm-MA? Can I have a BOX of choc-LETTES?”
Run, Momma, run! That’s what I have to do when my youngest gets it in his head that he wants candy. He’s a little sugar addict.
Bob the Builder
One night I was trying to fix a program on my computer. My son came in and asked what I was doing. I told him that I was trying to fix the computer. He ran out and came back with his “Bob the Builder” hat, googles and wrench and said “computer fixed.” It was so cute.
Debi Voris
www.scrappingtreasures.com
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Tree Change
When the highway was going to be extended into our house, it was time to make some dramatic changes. Moving house was just one of them.
The Birth of Blue Jeans For Jesus
The Birth of Blue Jeans for Jesus
“Can you help?”, asked the nurse on the other end of the phone line. She was calling about a patient who had undergone surgery and needed meals fixed for a few months. He did not qualify for government programs and had no friends or family to help. Joyce didn’t hesitate she replied: “The ministry would be glad to help.” Joyce Dreiman is a licensed pastor in Olney, IL and co-founder of a ministry called: Ring of Fire Evangelistic Ministry/Blue jeans For Jesus Food and Clothing Ministry.
The next two months Pastor Joyce fixed breakfast and lunch with a balanced meal menu. She delivered these meals to the man in need. The good nutritional meals were the key to this man’s recovery. A wounded body will not heal without good nutritional food to provide nutrients to heal the body.
One night at a Monday evening bible study at Pastor Joyce’s home - Joyce shared her vision of having a free meal for anyone who was hungry or in need of Christian fellowship.
The group focused on Matthew 25:34-36 “Then the King will say to those on his right, come you who are blessed by my father, take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” As the Lord had directed the ministry was born and was to be called: Ring of Fire Evangelistic Ministry/Blue Jeans For Jesus Food and Clothing Ministry.
The next morning a building was located. I had an early morning paper route and I was delivering to a barber shop that had a building for rent next to it. The Lord spoke to my heart and told me to rent the building for the ministry. So, the building was rented to have the outreach dinners and church services. The Lord opened the doors to provide what was needed. Large tables and chairs were needed to give the people a place to sit for worship services and to eat the meal. I stopped at a rental place to inquire about renting chairs. God had planned my steps because I ran into a person I had known in grade school. We talked and I explained about starting this new food outreach ministry. She asked for my address and asked me to wait to rent the chairs. I though that was a strange request - but I obeyed. A few days later she sent a check to cover the expense of buying new chairs. Soon, after that someone else donated tables that were new.
The Lord again spoke to my heart and said, “I am sending you to the lost, hurting and to those that other churches will turn away. You will be preaching and serving in blue jeans. This ministry will be different from all others.” I knew this vision would need special workers with the same call from the Lord. So, at the beginning Pastor Joyce did the cooking and serving. Volunteers helped with the clean up.
I went to the local newspaper and they published the story about this new outreach ministry called: Ring of Fire Evangelistic Ministry/Blue Jeans For Jesus Food and Clothing Ministry. A local TV station came and did a story about the ministry and future plans of expanding the ministry to include a homeless shelter. God was opening doors and I was to trust and obey.
The evening meal was a success. The ministry never knows who will show up or how many to cook for. There is always enough food to meet the needs and sometimes I believe God by miraculous means multiplies the food when supplies are low.
One evening I was eating a meal and a man sat down across from me. He just looked at me and said: “I want to be saved and baptized now.” I am an ordained pastor and I was in a state of surprise. I had not preached and we had opened the dinner with a prayer. The Lord had moved on this man’s heart! I led him through a prayer (for salvation) and made arrangements for him to be baptized. Today, he lives in a different state and has stayed faithful to the Lord. The Lord blessed him with a good job and his life was transformed because of the outreach meal and ministry was available.
Today, the Lord has blessed the ministry with a small church building and the outreach meal is held on Wednesday evenings in the basement. The Lord is using this ministry to touch lives and hearts.
If the Lord places it on your heart to help those in need there are several ways to get involved. The most important step is to pray about where and how the Lord wants you to help. One way to help is to look around your neighborhood - Is there someone in need there? Why not invite them over for dinner and share the good news of Jesus and reach out to the hurting. Volunteer at a church that has an outreach program with free meals. If the Lord places it on your heart to start an outreach meal service - then find a church that will support this idea and reach out and feed those in need.
I give the Lord praise and glory for opening the doors and preparing the way for this ministry and food outreach. As with every ministry - not everyone who eats at the ministry will be saved. The important thing is they have a chance to hear the good news of Jesus and their physical needs are met. As the Lord reminded me - not everyone he fed with the loaves and fishes were saved. Jesus had compassion on them and met their needs.
Women’s Clothes Come In Assorted Flavors
In my never-to-end battle of the bulge, I thought I’d browse through some clothing catalogs. I thought I could inspire myself to stick to my diet with the promise of new clothes when I reach my weight goal.
Well, who would have thought that a clothes catalog would be my undoing? Did you know you could buy chocolate-colored slacks? And skirts come in lemon meringue, cranberry, cotton candy and mocha.
Cleaning for Stress Relief?
At what point in my life did cleaning become cathartic?
I have always hated cleaning - still do. So why is it when I get stressed out or really angry my first instinct is to clean? Yup, when I am having a stressful day, you can find me armed and ready with Windex and 409 in hand.
Booster Seat Driving
My five year old son, who knows everything and will tell you so at the drop of a hat, is learning how to read. I remember when he first started reading and he discovered he could read traffic signs. It was great in that he was transferring his skills to a place outside the classroom and such, but give me a break. That’s all well and good, but do you know how difficult it is to drive with a five year old yelling directions from the back seat?
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Easter Surprises
I can’t believe that Easter is here already! How fast has it arrived?! I’ll tell you how fast. There’s not an egg in the house and the kids are all expecting to paint eggs tomorrow.
“Mom, this is an apple.”
“And it’s a GOOD apple, let me tell you. Here just peel it. The food dye will stick to it better that way.”
God Provides For Needs
God has a time and place for everything.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven.”
Time is something that is taken for granted. Most people make plans for tomorrow-but there is no promise of tomorrow. This became clear to me as I watched how things changed for my Dad. My dad had two paper routes and two trucks. First, the older truck quit running-so he gave it away. Then, a few weeks later he was on his way to pick up papers and a lady ran a stop sign. He couldn’t stop-so his truck was hit. His truck was a total loss. I came home and asked him what happened. He explained what happened and how God had protected him. There were no injuries. He was paid for his totalled truck-but did not recieve enough to replace the truck. The man he gave the old truck too heard what happened and gave him his truck back. He only had to pay for the minor repairs that had been done to the old truck. God had a plan to provide for his transportation needs. As the holidays approach-make the most of the time the Lord has given you. God has the ultimate plan for your life. Have you given the Lord control of your life and heart? If not, why not today?
Prayer: Dear Jesus, I know you have the plans for my life. I ask you to come into my heart and control my life and to please forgive me of my sins and wrongs. I surrender my life and will to you. Please, take my life and use it for your glory. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen!
The Monster Ball
Yes, I know last month I opened up my new column telling you about my wonderful angel, Eddie. Well, it has come to my attention that he is in fact just the total opposite. My son had a stomach virus, and along with that he had diarrhea. After coughing in my face a few times he lovingly passed it on to me. So we we’re both sick. I’m a single mom so all I want to know is who is supposed to take of me, while I’m taking care of him?
The Scent of Serenity
The Scent of Serenity
Do you remember the old saying “An apple a day keeps the doctor away?” In keeping with that same idea, I believe “A candle a day keeps stress at bay.”
Have you ever noticed that certain smells make you feel a certain way? The smell of roses makes you smile, the smell of popcorn makes you hungry, and cookies baking in the oven make us think of home.
In our busy daily lives, there doesn’t seem to be enough time for us to stop and smell the roses. However, aromatherapy is one of the quickest, most popular, and inexpensive ways to give ourselves a well needed boost, or break.
Certain smells or scents help us to store and recall memories, as well as process our emotions and reactions. Stress, is one of the most harmful strains on the body, and one of the most ignored. Using this simple and quick method can help in our fight to live a long and healthy life. The negative effects of stress on our bodies can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease (which is the number one disease in women), and osteoporosis.
Here is a list of popular scents, and what they are used for.
Relaxation: chamomile, lavender, and jasmine
Energy: peppermint, juniper, and lemon
Focus: basil, and rosemary
The research into aromatherapy has greatly increased with its growing popularity. There are many books and websites filled with information to help get you on the proper path according to your specific needs.
So, just remember, as mother’s we tend to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders, and that can take its toll on our minds and our bodies. Light a candle, or use essential oils to calm your mood and restore your focus for another busy day. You may find it’s just what you need to melt the stress away.
Mother’s Day Tree Of Love
Spaghetti Hair With A Side Of Mother’s Guilt
I thought my youngest son (almost three) had outgrown wearing his food, but he proved me wrong. With tomato sauce saturating his hair and staining his grinning face a deep orange he announced that he was all done.
He couldn’t have read my mind more accurately if he had tried.
Cast Your Cares On The Lord
In the movie “Bambi” – there was a scene where hunters are looking for quail and one little bird panic’s and flies. Of course, she is shot. Now, if she had not panicked-then she would have lived. One day things were just closing in and I was starting to panic. The Lord brought this story to my mom’s mind and told her that I must wait upon the Lord and not panic. Otherwise I would be like the quail in the movie. So, I turned my problems over to the Lord and he gave me peace and provided an answer to the problem. So, if you are in distress turn to the Lord for peace.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I ask for peace and turn my anxiety and problems over to you. Please, touch me and give me peace and contentment. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
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Pray Continually
Pray Continually
I was eating lunch at my parent’s house and the cat “Lucky” kept meowing. Finally, I got up to give her some food and found ants inside her food dish-so that is why she was meowing. So, I quickly took the ants and cat-food outside. Then, I got a clean dish and gave her fresh food. Lucky ate her new food and was very content.
Lucky was persistent until her need for fresh food was met. As a Christian-we need to stand firm in prayer and faithfulness until the Lord meets our needs. Lucky did not stop meowing until I did something to meet her needs. We should stand firm in prayer until the Lord answers our prayer and needs are met. The Lord should receive praise and glory before and after a prayer is answered.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray Continually.”
Prayer: Dear Lord, I ask for you to meet my needs. I give you praise and glory for meeting these needs. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
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