Tag Archives: . kid’s crafts

Mustard Seed Faith part II

28 Monday May 2012

Posted by in crafts, faith, fun stuff for grandparents, Fun stuff for kids, Hearts Filled With Joy, mustard seed faith, wisdom and understanding, worry

≈ 21 Comments

Tags

, , ,

“Because  you have so little faith.  I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move.  Nothing will be impossible for you.”    Matthew 17:20  

The Power of Prayer

Over a year ago we were informed that if we didn’t sign papers allowing Marathon Oil to cross our land taking a 100 foot right away for a pipeline, they would seize the land any way.  I began receiving certified letters from Marathon’s attorneys  saying that if we didn’t sign the papers, they were going to take us to court. So I began to pray.  What bothered me most was that the spot they had chosen to take was our favorite spot for picnics and cookouts at the creek.  The contract basically said that they could bulldoze down the beautiful trees there and we would no longer be allowed to use that area without their permission!  I posted in Mustard Seed Faith illuminations last week some pictures of the fun times we have had there.  I had been praying for days and the deadline for signing the papers was in less than a week.  My husband sent an email to these attorneys explaining that the direction Marathon intended to go was unacceptable to us and so was the contract.  He requested a meeting down at the sight with Marathon’s right away acquisitions manager.  The meeting was set and three men showed up including their engineer.  I decided not to attend the meeting so that I could pray while they met.  I prayed that the Holy Spirit would speak to and soften the hearts of these men and give my husband wise words to say.  “For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.”  Luke 21:15  

A second meeting was set and this one was for the actual signing of the papers.  At the first meeting the engineer had told my husband that it would be possible for them to drill under the road and then take a turn to the left avoiding most of our trees and going down our field almost to the end before they crossed the creek.  We were also told that they would change the parts of the contract we were unhappy with and bring a map to this meeting showing the revised direction they would be taking.  For the next few days I praised God for His unfailing love and waited in joyful expectation to see how my awesome God would answer my prayers.We sat around my kitchen table and I was relieved to see that their map appeared  to follow the path we had hoped they would take.  I had printed out a large picture of our grandchildren playing down at the creek and showed it to them thanking them for not taking the part of the land we most enjoyed.The papers were signed and I praised God again for being so good. 

But this April, a year later when the bulldozers were getting ready to cross over to our land, the surveyor stakes had not been changed and it appeared that they were still going to bulldoze our trees down and cross the creek at our favorite spot.  Worry reared his ugly head again, but this time I quickly began to pray and covered him with a mountain of prayer and promises each time he appeared.  My husband made a phone call regarding this matter and we were met once again by the acquisitions manager and together we walked down by the creek.  I pointed out the favorite places our grandchildren play and all the trees I did not want the bulldozers to destroy.  His heart had already been touched by the Lord and he couldn’t have been nicer, promising to come back and tape off those trees.  In the above two pictures you can see the beautiful red tape he used to protect our trees and creek.  The next picture was taken May 24,2012, and they still have a lot more work to do.  But they have been very careful and not damaged our trees.

“Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.”   Psalm 115:1

The amazing thing is that I thought I would be really bothered by the noise.  But it has been going on now for about three weeks with drilling through rocks, dynamite blasts that vibrate our house and the constant beeping, clanging, banging noises of huge machinery and I have been completely at peace.

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you”   Isaiah 26:3  

Shepherd our grandson loves all the noise and construction and never gets tired of watching from his director’s chair.  Perhaps I have learned to look at it from the eyes of a little child.  But mostly I believe that I am just so thankful knowing that God changed the hearts of these men and their plans.  The acquisition manager had seen us watching the construction with Shepherd and called us from his cell phone one day saying he envied us as grandparents.  He let us know that there would be a big dynamite blast in less than an hour if we would like to bring our grandson down to watch.  I am looking forward to the time when they are completely finished and I know the sweet sound of birds singing and crickets chirping and the quiet of peace will be so welcomed.  But best of all will be the sound of laughing, splashing children as they play down by the creek.  Thank you Father, thank you, thank you, thank you.

“Ah Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm.  Nothing is too hard for you.”   Jeremiah 32:17

 

Mustard Seed Gift

In my kitchen window I have a little bottle filled with mustard seeds and tied with the verse from Matthew 17:20 that my daughter made for me years ago.  If you feel you could use a little faith boost or perhaps you have a friend who is having a difficult time, this would make a lovely gift to give yourself or your friend.

Craft for Kids:  Mustard Seed Jewelry or Key Chain  

  • silver beading wire (24 gauge) or thinner
  • crystal or silver beads
  • hot glue gun

Cut about a yard length of wire and bend in half.  Place  the center of the wire at the bend on a cutting board and drop a bit of hot glue on it.  Place a tiny mustard seed on the cutting board next to it and drop some glue over the mustard seed making a pearl like pendant that contains the mustard seed and includes the wire.  Let cool and then carefully peel it off the cutting board (do not pull it off by the wire).  You may need to lift the edges of the pendant with a knife.  Finish necklace  by adding crystal beads to the wire and twisting the ends together.  Measure the necklace to be sure that it is large enough to place over the head of your child before you twist the ends together.  Place the necklace on your cutting board and seal the twisted part of the wire especially the ends with a bead of hot glue so it will not come undone or prick clothing or skin.  Boys might enjoy making a key chain.

Advertisements

Therapy Dogs & Friendship International

28 Saturday Jan 2012

Posted by in Best Friend Dogs, crafts and recipes, Friendship International, Fun stuff for kids, Hearts Filled With Joy, therapy dogs

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

, , , ,

“Greater love hath no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.  John 15:13”

Friendship International

“Friendship International is a gift of Christian love from American ladies to Internationals living in the Lexington area.  The purpose of Friendship International is to help make the adjustment to the American way of life easier, to provide activities of interest and to facilitate building cross-cultural friendships.”

Friendship International meets in Immanuel Baptist Church each Thursday during the school year, unless Fayette Co. Public Schools are not in session.  Childcare is provided for preschool children.

Here is a list of some of the classes that are offered:  Bible Study, Cooking, Crafts, Crochet, Cross-Cultural Parenting, Cross-Stitch, Exercise, Knitting, Line Dancing, Needlepoint, Quilting, Scrap booking, English (levels 1,2and 3), and Spanish.

The day that I attended they were celebrating the countries of the International ladies with a Parade of Nations.  The traditional dress of their country worn by many of the International women and their children was breathtaking.  I am sorry I was unable to take pictures of all the lovely ladies and children.

Following the Parade OF Nations I visited the cooking  class and enjoyed listening to Kim Okesson explain and demonstrate how to prepare and cook Ramen Cabbage Salad, English Muffin Pizzas and Rice Pudding.  The English Muffin Pizzas were not only just what my grand kids would love but also very easy and inexpensive to make.   The recipe is as follows:

English Muffin Pizzas                                                  

English Muffins

Pizza or Pasta Sauce

Mozzarella Cheese

Toppings:  Meat: cooked chicken, ground beef, ham and sausage.

Vegetables: onion, green pepper spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, what ever you like.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Split English muffin in half and toast in toaster if you like a crunchy crust.  Place split muffins on cookie tray.

Spoon on sauce, then add toppings.  Add the cheese last.

Cook in a hot oven for 10-15 minutes.  Once the cheese is melted, your pizzas are ready.  Enjoy!!

Best Friend Therapy Dogs

Baby is a therapy dog as well as a service dog.  The way that Lee and Linda explained the difference to me is as follows.  A therapy dog does something for someone else.  A therapy dog has a “bachelor degree” and has to like people and get along with them well.  He must not be spooked by walkers or loud noises like a plate dropping to the floor.  Baby has provided therapy to anxious parents and children in emergency rooms and waiting rooms.  Baby has worked at the V.A. Hospital on Leestown Rd., at U.K. children’s Hospital oncology unit, and with Alzheimer patients at the local Best Friends program.

Lee developed a vision problem in 2006 and now Baby is pretty much a full time service dog for him.  A service dog has a “master’s degree” and does something for it’s owner.  Baby has traveled with Lee on airplanes to California and accompanies him into restaurants.   She is very well behaved and should not be petted when she has her service vest on because that would distract her focus from her job.  She is able to sniff out smoke and help Lee not run into things.  Some service dogs sniff out bombs and drugs.  A seeing eye dog has a P.H.D. and is highly and specifically trained.  The key trick in training a dog is repetition that is reinforced.

Baby will be 10 years old in March and was rescued from a “kill shelter” the day before she was going to be put down.  I met Baby at the Heirloom restaurant in Midway and immediately fell in love with her.  When you look into Baby’s eyes, you see great depths of compassion, wisdom and love.  No wonder she has made such a great therapy and service dog.  What a blessing she has been both to Linda and Lee as well as all the people she comforted through the years.

Fun Stuff For Kids

We decided to take our two year old grandson with us when we took Ladd for a check up at the vet.  Shepherd decided that his dog Raffy needed a checkup also.   The doctor at the Animal Hospital of Nicholasville was so understanding and examined both Raffy and Ladd explaining patiently everything to Shepherd and answering all his questions.  What a joy it is to find doctors who are concerned about their patients as well as their owners.

More Fun Stuff For Kids

When our daughter Christy was young, she wanted a dog house for her best friend Snoopy.  One weekend, my husband agreed to help her build one and together they constructed it out of a cardboard box and lots of tape.  They had a wonderful time painting it and made a beautiful and priceless memory of fun and laughter.

Time with our children, loved ones and friends is so precious.  We should never take it for granted.  Make the most of every moment you are given!

“How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!  How vast is the sum of them!  Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand.  When I awake, I am still with you.”  Psalm 139:17, 18

Hearts Filled With Joy

10 Tuesday Jan 2012

Posted by in Hearts Filled With Joy

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

, , , ,

“Above all else guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”    Proverbs 4:23

What are you putting into your heart?  Our hearts can be a deep well of precious treasure giving joy, encouragement and delight.  You probably know that drinking plenty of fresh pure water is one of the most important things you can do for your body.  But just as important is the emotional life giving thoughts or garbage you allow to enter your heart from your mind.  Our thoughts either strengthen and nourish our bodies or make us sick.  Every day we make a choice to put into our mind and body good stuff or stuff that will eventually ruin our health and steal our joy.  Why not resolve that this year will be a year of joy because you only allow those thoughts that will illuminate your body, mind and soul to enter your heart.

My Personal Schedule

600 A.M.  Arise, make a big cup of black coffee and have a long talk with God.  I ask God to illuminate my heart and mind to his desires and purposes for my life.  Then I try to quiet my mind and listen (which is very hard sometimes) so then I turn to my Bible for guidance and counsel.

8:00 A.M.  Exercise: ‘Dancing For Joy’ which my daughter calls “doing my la las”.  This has been a part of my life for the last 25 years.  I have an old stereo in the living room that plays the big 33 1/3  records and my favorite exercise record is  ‘Aerobic Celebration Vol II.’

830 A.M.  Walking on the treadmill to Praise songs.  My favorite is Timeless Praise compiled and created by Mike Speck and Stan Whitmire.  As i walk I send up prayers for all those who come to my mind that may need a special blessing of God’s love.

9:00 A.M.  Time for my favorite breakfast of whole wheat toast, orange juice, cheerios and Dannon’s blueberry Greek yogurt which is like a yummy dessert that’s healthy.

9:30 A.M.   Laundry, house cleaning, grocery shopping etc.  I like to get these out of the way early.

10:30 A.M.  Fun Stuff:  This includes craft plans for my grand kids and painting which is my passion along with baking,writing and photography.

Grammy Fun Stuff :

Cousins night at Heirloom Restaurant in Midway, KY

Snowflakes

Cut out some paper snowflakes with your kids or grand kids letting them know that they are each special and one of a kind.  Draw a circle on white paper.  You can use a plate to draw around.  Cut it out.  Snowflakes have six sides so fold it in half, and then in thirds.  Cut the top off straight and then cut notches of different shapes out of the folded sides and top.  Open it out carefully and dot with Elmer’s glue.  Then sprinkle it with sparkles and glitter.  That’s the way God illuminates our lives.  He sprinkles them with the sparkling eyes and smiles of our children and grandchildren.

Catch a Smile

Do something special for someone today and watch their eyes light up with joy.  Say something nice to someone you see or meet or maybe someone you don’t even know and watch them smile.  Smiles are contagious and that’s the best thing you can catch. Soon you too will be smiling and happiness will illuminate your face.  It’s the cheapest face lift you’ll ever receive and before you know it you’ll feel younger and look younger.

Melting Snowman snacks:

Take one graham cracker square, half of a chocolate Hershey bar and a large marshmallow.  Put in your microwave for about 5 seconds until the marshmallow begins to soften and like magic you have a snowman ready to melt in your mouth.  This is sticky delicious so have a wet wipe and some napkins available!

Cooking With Joy

Make some sugar cookies and cut them out like snowmen or decorate them like snowflakes.

I like to use Wilton white sparkling sugar sprinkles for the snow.

This is my favorite recipe for sugar cookies:

1 cup butter or margarine

1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar

1 egg

2 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp. soda

1 tsp. cream of tartar

1 tsp.vanilla

1 tsp.almond

Beat butter and sugar til light and fluffy, then add egg and beat some more.  Stir dry ingredients together and blend into mixture.  Add flavorings and refrigerate for several hours.

Preheat oven to 375.  Roll out dough on lightly floured pastry cloth.  Cut with cooky cutters and place on air bake cooky sheet.  Sprinkle with Wilton edible sprinkles, white and colored sparkling sugar.     Bake 6 to 8 minutes till light golden. Carefully remove form pan to cooling rack.    Enjoy!!

Painting and Photography

My passion for painting has been put on temporary hold since Thanksgiving.  I’m looking forward to beginning work again soon on my series of paintings entitled Reflections of Glory which illustrates some of my favorite Bible verses.  (more about that later)

Another passion of mine is photography.  I love taking pictures with my new Nikon COOLPIX camera which is so tiny it fits in my purse.  I take pictures of sunsets and clouds and storms and of course puppies and my 8 grand kids (when they hold still long enough which is seldom).  Life is filled with so much joy when we look for the ways God illuminates the many blessings in our lives

So just a reminder, “As a man thinks so is he”

Think joyfully!!