RUBY magazine March 2019

How We Stand When the Winds Blow

by Sharon L. Patterson

Irish Soda Bread

Contentment in a Season of Blooming

by Jehn Kubiak

by Jeanne Doyon

My Greatest Need

by Lisa J. Radcliff

Where Is Spring?

by Rejetta Morse

St. Patrick’s Day Fun Ideas for your Home and Family from Vintage Mama’s Cottage

Faith on Trial

by Adwoba Addo-Boateng

RUBY Magazine Your voice, your story MARCH, 2019 www.rubyforwomen.com

In This Issue of RUBY Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

by Robert Robinson Hymn Story

by Diana Leagh Matthews

Farfalle with Spinach—A Reminder that God is in Charge of Our Plans

by Joan Leotta

There’s still snow on the ground, and the wind still blows wildly some days, but spring really is just around the corner. I can’t wait . . . how about you?

Rider in the Night I hope you will join us this month . . . in this issue of RUBY magazine you will find creative inspiration for your home and family, as well as inspirational articles, devotionals, poetry, short stories, book reviews, crafts and recipes that will be a blessing and encouragement to you every day of the month.

We would love to have you join us in the RUBY community, now on Facebook, so it is really easy for you to connect with us. Here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com/rubyforwomen/ Hope to see you there!

by Shara BuelerRepka

Make Your Own Beautiful Chalk Painted Mason Jars

by Theresa Begin

Senior Editor: Nina Newton Editorial Assistant: Theresa Begin Feature Writers: Sharon L. Patterson, Norma C. Mezoe, Shara Bueler-Repka, Lisa J. Radcliff, Jehn Kubiak, Joan Leotta, Diana Leagh Matthews, Carol Peterson, Pat Jeanne Davis, Rejetta Morse, Jeanne Doyon, Nancy Frantel, Nells Wasilewski, Adwoba Addo-Boateng

An excerpt from When Valleys Bloom Again A Novel of World War II

by Pat Jeanne Davis

Credits and Copyrights All stories and articles are copyright by the authors.

All pictures and images are copyright by the authors and / or have been purchased, used by permission or are in the public domain. If any pictures or images have been used inadvertently, and they do not belong in this publication, please email us and we will immediately remove them.

Nothing in this issue of RUBY magazine may be reproduced, copied, or shared without the permission of the author.

Advertising information is available by contacting us at editor@rubyforwomen.com Questions? Email Nina @ editor@rubyforwomen.com RUBY magazine is published by CreativeLife All submission inquiries should be directed to: Nina Newton, Sr. Editor RUBY magazine editor@rubyforwomen.com

Creating beautiful designs and dĂŠcor for your graceful home

Visit Graceful Home Studio for inspirational, seasonal, and holiday home dĂŠcor items that will reflect the grace and joy of family life in your home.

Handmade and refashioned garments and accessories from Tatters to Treasures

“A Goal without a Plan is Just a Dream”

by Nina Newton, Sr. Editor According to financial expert and author Dave Ramsey, “A goal without a plan is just a dream.” Most of us have dreams of things we would like to accomplish, and many of us even make plans and set goals. But the big question is: “How do I actually achieve my goals?” “How do I get beyond the dream and the plans to reach my goals?”

Well, if I knew the answer to those questions, I might be as famous and as wealthy as Dave Ramsey, but alas, I don’t and I’m not. But I do have a pretty good track record for setting goals in my own personal life and achieving them. So I thought it would be fun to think about how to do that and see what else is out here that might help us along the way.

One of the biggest (and most time consuming) goals that I set for myself was many years ago when I decided to return to college as a mom of four kiddos, ranging in age from 3 – 15. “Just” being a mom and a homemaker was my most important role in life, and that was the way I wanted it.

But after being a stay-at-home mom for 15 years, I thought perhaps it was an OK time to step out a bit and return to college to see if I could do it. So I did! And I was actually pretty good at all that academic stuff after all those years of being away from a classroom.

I will admit it was rather intimidating, but I was determined. So I set a goal and made a plan.

Each semester I had to revise the plan a bit to accommodate the needs of my family and my class schedule – I tried to take classes only during the hours that my children were in school – so it took a bit of juggling, but it all worked out.

I had a dream . . . I needed to prove to myself that I could do this thing that seemed so overwhelming to me as an ordinary wife and mama.

Or I needed to figure out that I couldn’t do it, but that really wasn’t an option. I was determined to figure it out!

As it turned out, I did quite well and completed an undergraduate degree in Biblical Studies with a minor in English. That was great!

But by that time, of course, my children were older and they were becoming a bit more independent, and along with a few other life changes, I decided to tackle a second degree in my field of interest: ancient and Biblical history.

I was determined to discover the answer to some things that I had been pondering for many years (of course, getting an education only shows you how much you STILL don’t know!) so I pursued a second undergraduate degree in Classical Studies and Philosophy. After two more years of planning and scheduling . . . done!

I never could have accomplished those goals without planning. A LOT of planning.

Back in those days I planned everything I needed to do, every hour of each day . . . to make sure I didn’t forget something!

I had a pretty simple planner (back then there wasn’t a lot of the fancy, adorable stuff that we have now days), so I just used a small three-ring binder and wrote down my To Do list each day.

I also added one page each week where I had each day of the week written down and the weekly activities written down in the time slots so I could plan around them. This was really helpful because I could see at a glance where I had blocks of time available for any “extra” stuff like doctor or dentist appointments, or other important events.

So I know how important it is to make plans if you want to achieve your goals. You can dream all day (which is a lot of fun!), but if you don’t put one foot in front of the other, you will never arrive at your dreamed-of destination. And for me, the first step is to make a plan by writing it down and then rolling up my sleeves and tell myself to “Just Do It!” Then I get to check it off the list!

Some of these beautiful daily planner pages that are available online for FREE even include menu plans, errands and phone calls to make, and even a place to keep track of how much water you drink each day!

Yay! I just would write down the word WATER and then put little check marks beside it to keep track. This way is so much more creative and fun!

If you have been thinking about getting started on following your dreams, why not start by setting a goal and making a plan. You’ll get there much faster than if you just keep dreaming about it! Here are a few amazing and creative planners that I have discovered that you can print out for FREE. If you visit any of these bloggers, be sure to tell them that Vintage Mama sent you!

You can find these FREE printable planner pages by visiting these blogs: Lines Ahoy!

The Cottage Market DIY Home Sweet Home * All images are the property of the original bloggers and are not a creation of RUBY magazine or any of our writers.

Where Is Spring?

by Rejetta Morse Before snowfall red birds gather To search for tiny seeds.

They hop onto the frosty grass and over plants and weeds.

They rush to spread their wings and fly Into tree holes to hide; While heavy snowflakes tumble down – Grey skies open wide.

On the next day, the sun appears – And red birds fly away; Joyful sounds from the sledders fill The air in the midday.

Sweet fragrance of warm chocolate Now lingers in the air; While the children build tall snowmen Amid the warm sun glare.

In the dark night, red birds gather Inside the frozen trees; While snowflakes fall – they dream of spring Inside the icy breeze.

Be Still and Know

by Norma C. Mezoe When concerns threaten to overcome us….

When the peace in our heart fades away…

And fear surrounds like a darkened forest…

That’s the time to turn to God and pray.

He knows our needs and our problems, he cares about the heartaches we bear…

He is waiting to comfort and help us, when we turn to him in prayer.

Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

Leaving the Past Behind

by Norma C. Mezoe I will not look behind me; my eyes are straight ahead.

I face the future with confidence and not with fear or dread.

My eyes behold the Savior, the Rock on which I stand….

Together, we face the future, and we face it hand in hand.

My Greatest Need

by Lisa J. Radcliff

It was time to move. We loved our house in the woods. My husband had just finished a years-long decking project around the pool, which may be capable of withstanding the apocalypse.

But it had become clear we needed a home that could serve our needs as well as provide first-floor living for my in-laws. So, we embarked on a househunting quest.

With our needs on a checklist, we waded through the online listings and picked several homes to visit.

It was about the tenth house we looked at when we realized our quest was about to end.

We opened the door and took in the high ceilings, the impressive staircase, the room colors (no need to paint, yes!), the first-floor bedroom, the chef’s kitchen. I remember thinking, “this is it.” It not only met our needs but was really pretty too.

My only disappointment was the master bath. It seemed unnecessarily large and out of proportion. A huge soaker tub dominated the space, next to a small shower. It seemed wrong to me.

I am a shower person, not a bath person. There was a lot of unused space that would have been better utilized by shrinking the tub and enlarging the master closet. My shoes were going to feel cramped.

The deal breaker was our septic system needed to be repaired or replaced. Our buyer withdrew his offer. We thought it was over.

There was no way we could replace the septic system and find another buyer within the timeframe set to buy the new house.

Each obstacle that popped up, though, crashed down just as quickly. The seller of the house we were buying said to take all the time we needed. It gave us the sense that God cared about us moving into this house.

Then we got an offer on our house that waived the need to replace the septic system. That never happens. We signed the contract quickly, before anyone changed their minds.

The big move came at the end of May. The next weekend, I became ill. Very ill. For the next two months I struggled with GI symptoms.

Finally, the answer was found – Campylobacter, the most common food poisoning there is.

For some reason, my body couldn’t fight off the buggers. The doctor put me on Levaquin, a powerful antibiotic. I was relieved to have an answer and to know in a few days I would feel better.

But the huge tub, that would never be used, wasn’t a reason to reject this otherwise great house. We made an offer, and it was accepted. It was time to pack up our house and jump through all the hoops of buying and selling real estate.

But on day three, I woke up with horrific pain in all my tendons. My Achilles felt like they would snap. I wasn’t sure how I would even get out of bed to call someone.

I felt like a circus poodle by the end of the process.

There were many times we thought everything was going to fall through.

The doctor said to stop the antibiotic. I knew there was a black box warning about tendon ruptures, but I didn’t realize how damaging it could be.

My reaction to Levaquin is called Fluoroquinolone Toxicity (FQ). Over the next four months, my pain grew worse, becoming unbearable.

Every day, I soaked in the tub and marveled that God had taken care of my need before I knew I had one. That tub became my place of healing.

I would lie on the sofa with ice packs everywhere, watching the clock for the next time I could take more painkillers.

During the thirty minutes of soaking, I took online classes. (It’s good the video only works one way!)

My daily soaks increased my faith and knowledge of God while decreasing my pain.

We searched for answers but found none. Every doctor we talked to said they knew it could happen, but they didn’t know what to do when it did happen.

I found one online book that offered help, mostly through diet and supplements. While at the health food store picking up supplements, I asked the owner if he knew anything about FQ. He did.

I was stunned. He said the most important thing was get as much magnesium as possible: take it orally, use mag gel, and soak in Epsom Salts.

Desperate for anything that would lessen the pain, I bought all the Magnesium products I could find. That night, after vacuuming out the previously unused soaker tub, I took my first Epsom Salt bath.

It could have been my imagination, but I seemed to have less pain after that bath.

Two years later, I continue to take Epsom Salt baths, although not as frequently. My pain level is manageable, but the effects of FQ for me will be permanent. When the pain gets bad or I just need some quiet time, the tub is there waiting.

Walking or running in the woods used to be my favorite quiet time. The ability to do that is gone, but again, God provided another way. I thought I knew exactly what we needed in a new house. I thought the soaker tub was a waste of space. God knew my need.

And as far as the closet – I can’t wear heels anymore, so my shoes aren’t nearly as cramped as I thought they would be.

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:19 ESV

Farfalle with Spinach—A Reminder that God is in Charge of Our Plans

by Joan Leotta

Proverb 16:9 In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. (NIV) Planning is one of my strong points—especially planning vacations. Although asking God’s help and guidance on big things, big plans in my life were not ever a question. When planning the events of the day, or laying out the course of a vacation, I did not (and sometimes still need a reminder) always seek God’s guidance on the small things.

However, on our second trip to Italy, third year of marriage, God showed me in a gentle way, that He is definitely in charge of all of our hours, minutes—and that each day of ours is important to Him. I was six months pregnant with our first child, our daughter, Jennie. My doctor assured me I would be fine on a trip I described as a traipse through Rome, a short drive south to Sorrento via the Amalfi Coast and a brief road circuit of the Island of Sicily. My health never did become an issue. I was fine.

Had a bit of trouble on the slippery gravel on Mt. Vesuvius, but otherwise, all went well.

In fact, all aspects of the trip went well until we made the drive from Palermo to Agrigento, via Marsala, a place of current wine making and an important site in Italian history. Before we left the hotel in Palermo, we asked the desk clerk to make a reservation for us in Agrigento.

So, we drove slowly, enjoying the sights of the coast. We had a lovely lunch and arrived at our reserved hotel destination in Agrigento around six in the evening. One small problem. The Agrigento hotel did not have any record of our reservation. Apparently, the man in Palermo had never phoned him.

That desk clerk hastily called around to other hotels in the area. However, this landmark sight with more well-preserved Greek ruins in one location than even in Greece (Sicily was a Greek colony two thousand years ago), is under built when it comes to modern hotels.

I looked and felt very tired. I also looked and was very pregnant, a fact which did not escape the notice of the sympathetic clerk.

"I have one room that has not been claimed. I am obligated to hold it until eight," he told us.

I collapsed on a chair in the lobby where I was in his direct line of vision and Joe sat nearby. Joe and I sat in the lobby, praying that we would not have to spend the night in the car. I specifically asked God to forgive me for not consigning my plans to Him—no matter how small. I tried to keep in mind that He had charge of us and our travels and not to worry. A few minutes after eight, my husband, Joe went to the desk and returned with a key. The room was ours.

We took the elevator up to our room, unpacked and made it down to the hotel dining room just in time for the last serving of dinner. The first course, pasta shaped like a butterfly, farfalle, was not widely known in USA at that time. The sauce was creamy, with spinach, unusual for Southern Italy.

The taste was divine. In fact, I don’t know what the second course was because I repeated the pasta.

(Pregnant ladies are allowed such eccentricities). I asked the waiter what made the white sauce so tasty. He shared the "secret" and I wrote it in my trip journal.

During the rest of the trip we ate other wonderful meals but that one stood out so much so that on our return home, I found farfalle pasta, and duplicated the sauce. Every time I serve it, I am reminded that God is in charge of each moment of our lives—that even our natural gifts, like mine for planning, are to be used prayerfully. Our times are in His Hands. We need to pray that our plans align with His will.

It’s a fun dish to serve for St. Patrick’s Day or any celebration that calls for green, since the sauce is laced with spinach. Jennie, our daughter, claims she learned to like this pasta dish in utero. It's still one of our favorites and of course I make it every time she visits.

Leotta Family Recipe: Farfalle with Spinach Ingredients 4 tablespoons butter 3 tablespoons flour 1 cup milk ½ cup pecorino Romano grated cheese 2 teaspoons, freshly ground nutmeg (the secret ingredient) I package, 10 ounces, of spinach, cooked and drained Method Make a roux with butter and flour. Add milk. Add the cheese, slowly, stirring while you add it.

Put in the nutmeg and a dash of salt and pepper. Allow the sauce to thicken and then add the cooked spinach. Stir and then put it over the cooked and drained Farfalle pasta. Serve.

Note—I use DeCecco pasta. Trust me; the quality of the pasta makes a difference in the taste.

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

by Robert Robinson Hymn Story

by Diana Leagh Matthews Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing was written by Rev. Robert Robinson in the 18th Century. He was twenty-two when he penned the words in 1757.

As a young man Robinson lived a wild life full of debauchery. The story goes that Robert Robinson came upon a gypsy who said, “And you, young man, you will live to see your children and your grandchildren.”

Her words haunted him, and he felt that he needed to change his way of living. His father died when he was eight and by the age of fourteen, he was sent to barbering school. One night he went to a Methodist meeting led by Evangelist George Whitefield. His intention in going was to make fun of those “poor deluded Methodists.”

The sermon was based on the Sadducees and Pharisees in Matthew 3:7. Apparently, this was the planting of the seeds that would change his life. Another three years would pass before he accepted Christ into his heart, on December 10. 1755.

After accepting Christ, Robinson felt the call and entered the ministry, teaching himself. He served Calvinist Methodist Chapel, Norfolk, England and a Baptist church in Cambridge, England. He wrote various hymns and theological books during his career.

For Pentecost {or Whit Sunday} 1858, he decided to pen his spiritual autobiography. Come Thou Fount is the result of what he wrote on that occasion.

Part of the passage was taken from 1 Samuel 7:12. Robinson said it was “a prayer that the Holy Spirit flood into our hearts with his streams of mercy, enabling us to sing God’s praises and remain faithful to Him.” 1 Samuel 7:12 says, "Samuel took a stone and set it up . . . and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, “Till now the Lord has helped us.” The term Ebenezer means “stone of help” in the Hebrew language.

Legend says one day while riding in a stagecoach a lady asked him what he thought of the hymn she was humming, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing. He responded, "Madam, I am the poor unhappy man who wrote that hymn many years ago, and I would give a thousand worlds, if I had them, to enjoy the feelings I had then."

Robinson published many other works during his lifetime. He died on June 9, 1790 at the age of fiftyfour.

In the United States the hymn is usually to the American folk tune, Nettleton, composed by John Wyeth. In the United Kingdom the hymn is sung to the Bost tune Normandy. The hymn first appeared in Wyeth’s Repository of Sacred Songs hymnal in 1813.

Read more of Diana Leagh Matthews’ hymn stories on her blog at http://dianaleaghmatthews.com/

Kids’ Korner Kids’ Korner is a monthly resource featuring short stories, book reviews, puzzles, and coloring pages created by some of our RUBY writers. So call the kids and grandkids, and share the

Kids’ Korner fun with them!

The Story of Saint Patrick’s Day

by Patricia A. Pingry In about 200 words, this little book presents the story of Saint Patrick's Day in a way that is simple enough for a toddler to understand. Vibrant illustrations are paired with the text and help create the connection between the story of the life of Saint Patrick and the way the holiday is celebrated today. Parents can use this book to introduce little ones to the meaning behind Saint Patrick's Day. Ages 2-5.

The Story of the Leprechaun

by Katherine Tegen (author) and Sally Anne Lambert (illustrator) In a faraway village lives a talented little shoemaker—who also happens to be a leprechaun. He keeps the gold that he earns from making shoes hidden away in his home, where he thinks it will be safe.

But one day a greedy man named Tim spies the leprechaun's pot of gold and tries to steal it! How can the little leprechaun outsmart Tim and make sure his pot of gold will be safe forever?

Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato an Irish Folktale

by Tomie dePaola The watercolor drawings of this book for 2 to 5 year-olds, bring to life 22 new friends--24 if you include the giant potato and the leprechaun. Set in an Irish-like countryside of about 200 years ago, Tomie dePaola retells an old story that appears in many cultures.

Find more coloring pages, puzzles, and mazes at The Kidz Page

Rider in the Night

by Shara Bueler-Repka Image by Pezibear on Pixabay

After a hectic day of events, the rodeo grounds were finally silent. A soft, evening breeze riffled my long, black hair as I chilled out on the pipe corral with my best friend, Jessi. We gazed at the beautiful pinto horse moving gracefully around the small pen.

She glared at me, tossing her hand in the air. “Oh, c’mon, Lexi, what can it hurt? You’ve said yourself how gentle he is.”

He strolled up to where we sat and nosed our legs and hands, looking for treats. He belonged to Raina, a close friend of mine who often visited here on our reservation.

“C’mon, it’ll be fun! I’ll bet Raina does it all the time.

She won’t care.”

She’d let me ride this horse more times than I could count. I so loved them both!

She paused and softened her tone.

She finished her spiel, and I chewed my lip. It would be pretty fun. What can it hurt? I thought.

“Ok, but just once,” I said.

I whispered his Comanche name, “Nocona”, as I stroked him behind his ears, enjoying the softness of his hair and his peaceful eyes. I glanced over at Jessi. Her eyes narrowed as she stared at his back.

“Cool! You go first!” she ordered.

What was she up to?

Nocona, however, didn’t think this game was fun at all! His ears flattened, and he scrambled around the corral, bucking and snorting.

She eye-balled me from under her thick, brown bangs. “I wonder if he’d let us ride him?”

I froze. Ride him? With no saddle, no bridle…not even a halter? Deep down inside me a little voice warned, ‘Not a good idea.’

“I don’t know, Jessi,” I hesitated. I didn’t want to disappoint my friend, but getting into trouble didn’t sound too good either. And Jessi and I seemed to always get into trouble.

I rolled my eyes. Sliding my leg over Nocona’s back, I shoved off the fence and landed perfectly.

I hung on for dear life! When he barreled into his big plastic water bucket, I flew off and plowed smack into a manure pile.

Jessi yelled something I couldn’t understand, and then, crash! Nocona charged through a corral panel, busting it wide open and galloped away.

“What are we gonna do?” Jessi shrieked.

My heart pounded and my thoughts raced. Bear and mountain lion had been spotted prowling nearby.

The wild horses belonging to the tribe also roamed in bands through the town. And the stallions might not take too kindly to a stranger roaming their territory!

“I’m going home!” Jessi cried.

Raina sprinted out of the truck, halter in hand, and caught him. She threw her arms around his neck and breathed, “Thank You, Jesus!” *************** I could hardly sleep. Worry and regret churned in my stomach. Why did I let Jessi talk me into stuff?

I panicked. “Don’t leave me here!”

What if Nocona was hurt? Or worse? It was all my fault.

Jessi was already hoofing it toward her house, and I spun around, hot on her heels…

And how was I going to face Raina—my friend who had always been so kind to me?

************** Late that evening, Raina and her husband drove toward their trailer on the rodeo grounds. The truck’s headlights casually swept across Nocona’s corral.

“Dear Jesus, if you can hear me? Please help,” I cried.

Raina gasped. “Where’s Nocona!”

I quietly joined the church service the next morning, lurking in the shadows. Tears streamed down my face as I watched Raina and her husband sing at the service.

Her husband stomped on the gas and they sped to her horse’s pen. Sure enough, it was empty. Left was a smashed water bucket and a pipe panel hanging off its hinges.

As they loaded their gear, I slunk toward her. She looked up and smiled.

Light from a pole lamp and lights from the house across the wide flat lot were shining just enough to see that Nocona was nowhere in sight.

She pushed down the panic rising in her chest. They knew full well the dangers of her horse running loose in that land.

They called their friend to join them for the search.

When he arrived, they all clasped hands and prayed.

Bright white stars in a pitch-black night shown on three lone figures crying out for the safe return of the beloved horse.

Their friend jumped in his truck to search the south end of the settlement. Raina and her husband hopped in their truck to search the north.

As their headlights swung around and pointed toward the neighbor’s house, lights from the neighbor’s car flipped on.

The moment the light beams crossed, they saw a lone horse, calmly grazing on the bunch grass.

There had been nothing there before!

Nocona!

Was that a “knowing” kind of smile? Did she already know what I did?

I started to speak, but could only bury my head in her chest and sob. She wrapped her arms around me and hugged me tight.

“I’m sorry,” I finally croaked. I pulled away and looked up at her. Tears glistened on her cheeks, and she grinned.

She looked right into my eyes and whispered, “All is forgiven.”

Of course, I bawled even harder, and she hugged me even tighter. “Let’s go see Nocona,” she said.

My eyes grew wide and I swallowed hard, following her to the corral. To my relief (and surprise), there wasn’t a scratch on him—like nothing ever happened.

The only thing different was the new water bucket in the corner of his pen.

We leaned on the fence, watching Nocona graze on his breakfast. I glanced over at my friend.

And, for the first time, I truly understood the real meaning of friendship.

Easy Monkey Bread with Brown Sugar Sauce (made with store-bought biscuit dough)

by Theresa L Begin Good morning, friends. It's a nice, chilly morning and what better thing is there to do on a chilly day than bake something yummy to share?! I recently shared a picture of what I was baking the other morning on my Facebook and Instagram pages, just because I love it when something I enjoy so much turns out so pretty and yet tastes so yummy. I have to say I was surprised at the response. I guess this recipe isn't a given for a lot of people.

It isn't much work for me, really. My family has made some version of this over the past 50 years, to my knowledge. I have, just recently, realized that everyone makes it a tad different. Not that my way is the only way, but there is one specific way I enjoy making it at my house, that I guess, is a little unique. It couldn't be better for these cold winter mornings.

You may have been doing it this way for years! You just never know.

Honestly, until I started receiving requests for my recipes, I didn't really think that many of them really required much thought. But, then, what’s easy for me may seem like brain surgery to others and vice versa. We all have our special gifts that God has blessed us with. Thankfully, they are all very different. He was smart in His design, wasn't He? I'm certainly happy to have many more "gifted" money managing people around me, as that is not my skill set. But, that’s another story.

Okay, I'll get right to it. Nothing too fancy here. These are made with Pillsbury Grands Biscuits. You could use any store-bought, premade Biscuits, these just happen to be on sale a lot in my area. Just so there's no confusion, I use these.

There are eight biscuits in each package. I use two.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

From here, I just separate the two rolls of biscuits into 16 and proceed to cut them into quarters. So I end up with 64 biscuit pieces. Now we're ready to add some goodness.

Before we go on, different people make these in all kinds of different bakeware, and most kinds will work, but you do want to make sure you aren't going to end up with raw dough in the center. For that reason, I choose to use my Angel Food cake pan (lightly buttered), much like this one, I find it gives a pretty even bake.

Combine 1 cup of sugar with a tablespoon of cinnamon. You can combine this in a large Ziploc bag or in a nice Tupperware bowl with a well-fitting lid. I usually do the second method. Take approximately 8-10 pieces of biscuit dough at a time and give it a real good shake in the cinnamon sugar.

Repeat until you have about half of your dough completed, placing them inside the pan to create a first layer.

(It helps to have the dough in a warm spot, like on top of your stove, while you're preheating your oven) it just adds a nice little rise.

This next step is completely optional; however, I can't possibly imagine leaving it out. Sprinkle about ⅔ to ¾ of a cup of nice, roughly chopped walnuts and approximately ½ cup of raisins. Just scatter them throughout for extra yumminess.

Finish rolling the rest of your dough in the cinnamon sugar, continue piling it in on top of the nuts and raisins and set it aside, in a cozy warm corner of your kitchen.

In a saucepan, melt 1 cube of butter or ½ cup; add to the melted butter ¾ cup to 1 cup of brown sugar. Cook this on a fairly high heat until the sugar is completely dissolved.

Carefully, spoon the hot brown sugar sauce over your cinnamon sugar dough. You want to make sure to get it in and around all the pieces, so take your time while spooning it on top.

Pop it in the oven for 25-35 minutes, checking regularly after the first 20 minutes, and you will end up with these quick and easy, but absolutely delicious, breakfast treat to eat or share with your loved ones.

I warn you, this rarely makes it through a day at my house. If you do have any left over, simply pop it in the microwave for 12-15 seconds and it's almost as good as it was when you pulled it out of the oven!

As soon as you can, don’t wait more than 3 minutes, carefully grab your pan and invert it onto a plate; then you can enjoy seeing the brown sugar sauce drip from the bottom (now top) all the way down the sides of this yummy breakfast treat.

I know this falls under the guise of a breakfast meal, but it is truly scrumptious any time of the day! I hope you enjoy this as much as my family, friends and I do.

Many blessings to you all,

Contentment in a Season of Blooming

by Jehn Kubiak

I absolutely hate change because it comes with several consequences: uneasiness, frustration, uncertainty, stress, and a whole host of other negative feelings.

Therefore, I often avoid change of all types: change within my actual life and change within my person.

However, there’s a beautiful side that’s oft left unappreciated: the transformation. We’ve all heard the common classroom example of a fuzzy, hideous caterpillar that crawls all over the ground and turns into a beautiful butterfly.

What many teachers don’t emphasize, however, is the ever-enduring process that precedes that marvelous metamorphosis.

We need to become more comfortable with change because it’s what makes us beautiful: inside and out. I’ve dealt with a lot of change this past year, and people continue telling me that I look better; like I’m glowing.

At first, I didn’t really understand that. Did my face cleanser perhaps make me look better?

However, after some men at church commented on it, I knew it wasn’t physical beauty per se; the transformation of my soul led to a visible glimmer that said, “God did this.” It’s a supernatural sensation that eludes words.

Suffering usually makes people angry with both God and themselves. They don’t understand why God would punish them––why a good person who obeys his calling to love others and serve him deserves so many hardships.

It takes introspection and careful consideration to see why these moments are repeatedly the most special in our lives. These moments become a new part of ourselves; a hidden treasure that remains undiscovered until we dug deep into the dirt, grit, and rocky soil.

Until we work so hard that our bodies and minds feel physically weak because we so desired that treasure.

Just think of Saul, who later became Paul. He had so many things that were “wrong” with him––things he could have been ashamed of and punished himself for over and over again.

However, Paul demonstrates an appreciative attitude for all these apparently adverse past episodes in his life. He realizes that God could have left him to fend for himself, yet God actually cared enough to make him a new person.

This transformation only came because Paul learned to see the beauty in his brokenness.

I confess I’m not perfect in any regard. I’m currently struggling with an eating disorder that has taken my joy away and made me afraid of seeing any people.

For the last couple of weeks, I was so hard on myself because I told myself I would never be that person who starved themselves to help people notice how much pain they were in; but I became that person.

I felt so ashamed; broken; bruised; beaten. I didn’t want to wake up the next day. I stopped loving both the things I love about myself and the things others said they love about me.

I stopped thanking God for the ways he’s changed me and started spending days in silence in an attempt to numb the savage pain that scarred my sensitive heart.

After some careful reflection during a journaling exercise last week, I understood that I need to start seeing how God’s changing me throughout this process. I’ve become a bit braver in telling friends about my struggles.

I understand the pain others endure. I know what it’s like to go a few days without food, similar to those in other countries. I know what it’s like to have your heart hurt so bad that you can’t breathe.

Wonderful women of God, please know he loves you. He won’t abandon you, even when it seems like you’re walking through a pitch black with no light source for miles. Several of you may feel abandoned––the same way David felt in Psalm 22: But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads.

“He trusts in the Lord,” they say, “let the Lord rescue . him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.” v.6-8 However, David also realized that God could redeem the tragedies in his life and craft them into beautiful works of art.

Now, that doesn’t mean he never felt despair or possibly even hated God for his pain––but he at least knew that he would become a better person through these “disadvantages.”

Ladies, you’re feeling this way, I encourage you to make a journal entry with a list of ways you believe God may transform you through your painful circumstances.

For example, I wrote he made me brave enough to continue living, even when I feel lifeless. Expressing gratitude is hard when grief buries any joy in your life, but it’s a start to seeing things more clearly.

Think of a rose’s beauty. It starts out as this awful green bud that hides its inner ruby-red grandeur.

But, when we see the rose bloom, we remember that the rose went through a long process of change. The same applies to us, and we have to learn to be content with the blooming process.

God’s Grace through Gastritis, GERD, and Grit

by Jehn Marie Kubiak “God miraculously healed a twenty-one-year-old Biola University student during the summer of 2017. Long before that process began, she battled erosive gastritis, GERD, panic disorder, depression, suicide, and she even found out she had ADHD.” God’s Grace through Gastritis, GERD, and Grit by Jehn Marie Kubiak is available from RUBY’S Reading Corner.

https://www.jehnmkubiak.com /

You won’t want to miss this one!

Dash Air Fryer GIVEAWAY sponsored by Katherine’s Corner March 16 – April 21, 2019

God’s Special Touch

by Norma C. Mezoe

Judy’s daughter, Tammy, had been ill for a long period of time. Tammy fought her health problem courageously, but eventually she lost the battle.

A child or grandchild may be wandering away from their Christian lifestyle and entering a world of addiction.

Judy’s heart felt as though it were splintered into hundreds of pieces. About the time it seemed her tears were ended, she felt fresh tears streaming down her face.

Whatever the problem or heartache you are facing today, God knows about it and will cover you with loving invisible hands.

One day seemed especially hard and she prayed for assurance: “Lord, if you’re really there, will you give me a hug?” Immediately, it was as though invisible hands surrounded her in a loving embrace.

Judy had been given the assurance she needed that God was walking with her. He would supply her needs and bring healing to her broken heart.

Perhaps your heart feels broken today; a loved one has died or is in the final stages of a devastating illness. Your finances may be at an all-time low and threats of bankruptcy appear on the horizon.

You may not feel his presence as strongly as Judy, but when you ask, you can have the assurance that he is with you.

We are encouraged to pass along comfort that we have been given in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV) “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” Will we be willing to pass along God’s special touch to those who need comforting today?

Visit RUBY’S Reading Corner where you can find family-friendly titles for you and your family.

Finding Jesus Each Month The Flower of March: Daffodil

by Carol Peterson The flower that represents the month of March is the daffodil.

The delightful daffodil grows from a bulb. When the blossoms above ground die, the bulb below goes dormant throughout the fall and winter, blossoming again in the springtime.

It is one of the first flowers to bloom in spring, signaling the end of the dead season. The daffodil is therefore a classic symbol of rebirth, of the resurrection of Jesus and of our being born again in Him. The daffodil is a traditional symbol of friendship, reminding us of John 15:15 where Jesus calls us friend. It also reminds us of one of the last things Jesus said before returning to heaven: that He was leaving the Holy Spirit to be our guide, our counselor and our friend.

Photo by Kristina Paukshtite from Pexels

Additionally, the daffodil symbolizes domestic happiness. Many verses of Scripture say that our citizenship is in heaven. Earth is our temporary home; our true and eternal home is heaven.

You could say then, that when we get to heaven, we’ll have total domestic happiness. Wouldn’t it be lovely if heaven is filled with daffodils?

This article is the third in a year-long series about flowers of the month.

You can find out more in the book, Flowers, Gemstones & Jesus: Finding Jesus in the Months of the Year, by Carol Peterson, available from RUBY’S Reading Corner.

You are invited to join us for the weekly

Bible Study on the RUBY blog

“I am Elizabeth� by Carol Peterson New lessons posted every week with inspiration and encouragement from the Word of God just for you!

An excerpt from

When Valleys Bloom Again A Novel of World War II by Pat Jeanne Davis CHAPTER FIFTEEN Jolie Fontaine Main Line Philadelphia Summer 1942 Abby sat in the middle of a group of children, reading aloud a favorite story. She looked up to see Carol at her side. “Jim’s on the telephone. I’ll fill in here,” she said, taking the storybook out of Abby’s hands. “He says it’s important.”

She rose from a stool, her heart beating faster. Jim wrote whenever possible and only called occasionally—but never in the middle of the day. It must be urgent.

When out of sight, she sprinted down the hall, dropping breathless into a wooden chair beside the telephone. “Hello, Jim,” she said, pressing the receiver tight to her ear, as if to draw him closer.

“Hello, Darling. I had to call. But I haven’t got long to talk.”

Silence.

“Jim ... Jim?” Leaning forward, she rapped the cradle switch. “Are you there?”

“I’m here. Sorry to call like this,” he said, his voice cracking. “They’re shipping me out.”

She slumped back in the seat. “When?”

“I board a train for New York next week. Then a troopship.”

Abby attempted to speak, but a lump rose in her throat.

“Sweetheart, I’m sorry I won’t see you before I leave,” he said in a subdued voice.

She swallowed hard. “Can’t I meet your train s-s-somewhere?”

“I looked into that. There’s nowhere.” The hopeless tone in his voice was unmistakable.

“Then I’ll come to New York.”

“No time for that.”

Her eyes filled. “No time for us?”

“Besides, there’s no more furloughs or passes. Look. It’s not all bad. I’ll probably get to London. Maybe even see your parents when I get a pass.”

Abby sensed he was struggling for words.

“So, that’s at least a cheerful bit of news, isn’t it?”

“S-S-Some,” she said, trying to conceal disappointment in her voice.

“Darling, there’s a line of men waiting to use this phone. I’ll have to go.”

She was losing the battle to stay calm and accepting. “Must you hang up so soon?”

He cleared his throat before speaking again. “I’m not so good at always saying what I feel. Still, you know how much I love you.” His voice carried a wealth of emotion. “I’ll be back.”

“I’ll be waiting for you,” she said, then mumbled a muted, “goodbye.” With a click, their connection was severed. She replaced the receiver and closed her eyes, her lower lip trembling. She hadn’t reacted the right way to his disappointing news. After all, Jim was being sent off. He was the one at risk, not her.

When she got back to the room Carol and the children were gone. She cleaned the blackboard and tidied up before leaving. Then she strolled to the tower and sat there until the light faded. How much longer would this war go on? Scenes from the latest Pathé newsreel—devoted to the progress of the war—flashed before her eyes. Please, Lord, keep Jim safe. *** Returning to the house, she found her uncle listening to the president’s weekly fireside chat.

He pressed a finger to his lips and motioned for her to take a seat. “Nearly done,” he mouthed. On occasion she would join him and her aunt for these broadcasts. Uncle Will proclaimed his liking for Mr. Roosevelt out of patriotism and Aunt Val by way of a fondness for Eleanor.

When the president finished, Uncle Will turned off the radio. “I see that Eisenhower’s in England and has command of U.S. Forces in the European theater.”

Abby went straight to her complaint. “Jim’s being sent to England.”

“Oh, dear,” he said, leaning back and folding his arms. “This afternoon his sister hinted something was up.” He furrowed his brow. “I know how disappointed you must feel. But look on the bright side,” he said, grinning. “Perhaps he’ll get to meet your parents.”

“Yes, that’s what Jim thought.” She forced a smile. “It’s something to hang on to.”

“Let me show you this.” Uncle Will went over to the map on the wall that bristled with tacks of different colors. He pointed to one section, motioning for Abby to join him. “The President says that because of our navy’s victory over the Japanese here at Midway Island, there’s been a decisive turn in this phase of the war. This affects everything else to come.”

“Surely, this war can’t go on much longer,” she said, her voice quivering.

He rubbed the back of his neck. “I wouldn’t go so far as to say that, yet. Your Jim is off to fight to ensure our freedom. Pray God may help him to do what needs to be done for however long it takes.” He placed a hand on her shoulder. “Jim must do what he needs to do, and you must have faith that he will come back to you.”

“You always say what I need to hear, Uncle.” *** Ten days later a letter came from Jim, written on board the Queen Mary. Abby dropped into a chair in her room, savoring the thought of opening it. She turned the envelope over, re-read her name, then ripped it open.

Aug. 3, ’42 Dearest Abby, My thinking of you is now a reflex action, and writing is a most pleasant way to put some of those thoughts in tangible form. First, please accept my apology for the abrupt way in which I told you of my deployment.

Must keep this brief, but will try to write soon with a forwarding address. The same ocean liner that brought you to America three summers ago is now a troopship taking me back to England. Isn’t life strange? This is the first time out of the States for most of us on board. We’re trying to see it as an adventure as well. Spirits are high. To pass the time we play poker (with matchsticks).

You have filled my life in a most wonderful way. I cannot properly express my joy. I want to share my thoughts, my life, my being with you. That you accept my love is wonderful. Thank you for letting me love you.

Always Yours, Jim “Always Yours, Jim.” Abby repeated.

She reached for the engraved wooden box on the dresser in which she stored a miscellany of souvenirs with memories to be cherished a lifetime—a ticket stub from a movie, a concert program, a menu from the restaurant on their first date—all mementos of experiences that had not yet congealed into a real life together. She removed the lid and fingered a shell from the seashore where they’d strolled at sunset.

Then she kissed his letter and numbered the envelope before adding it to the other dull gray ones bound with red hair ribbon—all sent when Jim was stationed at boot camp. “Until your next one,” she said out loud, slipping the stack back into the drawer. This communication with him was only one end of a slender thread that must tether them across the miles if their love was to stay alive. Letters by themselves weren’t much, but she would have to settle for them. <><><> © Pat Jeanne Davis 2019 – When Valleys Bloom Again – Elk Lake Publishing

NEW from author Pat Jeanne Davis

When Valleys Bloom Again A Novel of World War II Available from RUBY’S Reading Corner

Irish Soda Bread

by Jeanne Doyon This wonderful, moist, traditional Irish bread is perfect with stew, corned beef dinner, or even toasted for breakfast. After first making this recipe, I realized I needed to double the recipe for two loaves because everyone went back for seconds.

Ingredients  2 cups all-purpose flour  1 teaspoon baking powder  ½ teaspoon baking soda  3 Tablespoon butter  ½ cup raisins or currants (optional but I add them)  1 egg white, slightly beaten  ¾ cup buttermilk  ¼ teaspoon salt  Non-stick cooking spray

Image via Simply Recipes

Let’s make it!

In a medium bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add raisins, stir.

In a small bowl, combine egg white and buttermilk. Add all at once to dry ingredients. Stir just until moist.

On a lightly floured surface, knead dough 10-12 strokes until almost smooth. Shape into a round loaf about 7” across.

Lightly coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. Put loaf on the pan, and slash with a sharp knife to make an X on top of the dough.

Bake in 375 degree oven about 30 minutes or until golden. Serve warm with butter. Makes one loaf (16 servings).

Single Recipe makes one loaf (can be doubled to make 2 loaves)

Compassion Inside

by Nancy Frantel

My family and I moved from Florida to Virginia when my son was three years old.

I’ve seen many times where children are not thrilled about the idea.

Since I didn’t know anyone, I joined a local “Mothers with Preschoolers” group, and hoped to meet moms with children his same age.

However, this explanation may help with the uneasiness of what seems like an unlikely statement.

At the first meeting, I felt comfortable. I wasn’t sure what to expect, however it didn’t take long for my son to start playing as if he had known the children for years.

The more we spent time together the closer we became, and the children looked forward to having fun.

We met twice a month. In warm weather, we gathered at a nearby playground. During the winter months, we took turns hosting the group in our homes.

I enjoyed sharing my home. While appreciating spending time with adults, I loved hearing children’s laughter resonate throughout the house.

Ever since we moved in, we used the living room as a playroom. The vacant room housed toys instead of furniture, and was large enough for about five or six active children.

While the moms shared stories about escapades and adventures from the past week, we still kept a watchful eye on the kids.

My son shared a variety of toys with his friends.

Sometimes two or more children wanted to play with the same toy, but that goes with the territory of having more than one child in a room at any given time.

He didn’t seem to mind seeing his friends play with the toys. Maybe some of you doubt me, with good reason.

Near the end of one playtime, a girl picked up a toy she’d been playing with all morning.

Walking towards the front door, she asked her mom if she could take it home and received, “No that stays here.”

He heard his friend’s request, and I believe his heart answered, “She can take it. She was playing with it. I want her to have it.”

Here is a three-year-old child who saw how a simple toy provided happiness to one of his friends, and on his own, wanted to give it to her.

But the mom responded, “No, that’s your toy. It’s okay.”

My son insisted, and with my approval, the girl walked out the front door with the toy.

Her mom thanked us both, and other moms commented about the generous action of my son.

My original plan for joining the group involved meeting new people.

While friendships developed, I found something more important.

On that day, I met the giving heart of my child.

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interest of others.” Philippians 2:3-4 (NRSV)

Temptation

by Nells Wasilewski

Scripture: James I: 12-18 . . . but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.

James. 1:14 (NIV) "Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin; Each victory will help you some other to win; Fight manfully onward, dark passions subdue, Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through." ―Horatio R. Palmer We live in a world of stimulus. Ads are everywhere telling us how it be more beautiful, how to be the coolest person alive by drinking certain liquors, or how to be totally self-absorbed.

When I was growing up, cigarette ads told us that it was chic to smoke, therefore; I was enticed to follow the crowd and believe Satan’s lies. At age fifty four, I was reaping the rewards from that decision.

Quadruple bypass surgery was the price to be paid. I prayed for God to take the burden of cigarette smoking from me. I made a promise that I would never smoke again and I haven't. I realized almost too late what the consequences of yielding to temptation can be when we stray from His will into our own.

It is a given that we will have temptations in this world, because scripture tells us so. The way a person chooses to handle temptation will be the defining moment that makes a difference.

Try not to wait until you feel overwhelmed by a selfish urge to give in; instead spend some quiet time in God's presence, visit a sick friend, and pray for strength to overcome Satan’s lies. We are most vulnerable when we stray from God. Keep an arsenal of favorite bible verses handy to help you through your weakest moments. A good verse to remember: 1 PETER 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walketh about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

Prayer: Lord, we know that You are bigger than our temptations, and we know that our strength comes from You. Please give us a sober mind and guide us in making the right choices, to follow Your prompting, not that of the enemy. We humbly pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Make Your Own Beautiful Chalk Painted Mason Jars

by Theresa Begin at Shoestring Elegance Can you believe that spring is right around the corner? It won’t be long and the crocuses will be peeking up through the late winter snows, and buds will be popping out on all the trees.

I love this time of year! The days are getting warmer, but it is still cool enough outside that it makes me want to work on some of my creative projects indoors.

I have been asked on more occasions than one would think to make floral arrangements. There are all kinds of events that require beautiful table settings and centerpieces, whether it is for a church function, a holiday party, or a family event.

This past year one of my dear family members got married; he is a smart and savvy and his fiancé is a “pinner,” a cook, and a gifted DIY-er, too. So, when I heard that she wanted a budget-friendly, country-shabby, “chic-ish” reception, of course I asked what I could do. Her colors were coral and navy, which I had really not seen much of before until I searched it on Pinterest.

Boy, was I out of the loop!

Since I had tinted chalk paint before for other events, I asked if she would like me to do up some Mason jars in her colors. She graciously accepted my offer!

She was incorporating burlap into her theme, as well, so twine ties around the neck of the jars were the perfect solution for her coral chalk painted and distressed jars.

I was able to match the coral on their wedding invitation for the paint, and she was very happy with them. I was delighted to have a small part of their special day.

Now, I have a few jars left over, so I tinted some of my Behr Chalk Paint with Michael’s Craftsmart pink paint (just a couple of drops was enough).

Here are some of the leftover jars that I painted, some distressed, some with twine, some with an organza bow.

There are some with Baby’s Breath, some with spray roses, and some with green hydrangea stems.

Which ones do you like best?

Be sure to stop by and visit me at Shoestring Elegance blog where you will find great ideas for living a creative and elegant lifestyle on whatever budget God has blessed you with. I’ll be watching for you!

For inspirational and creative articles, visit Theresa Begin on her blog, Shoestring Elegance.

Ruth: A Story of Redemption

by Lynn Mosher Ruth came to a decision fork in the road. Her choice would take her on a path that she could never imagine.

How many of God’s companions depart from Him at the decision-fork in the road? When they come to an intersection He has ordained, one that will lead them on the bloodstained road home, what do they do?

Ruth’s decision-fork took her on a road that departed from the land of widowhood and devastation, meandered through the fields of impoverishment, and led her through the land of...

Well, you’ll just have to read it to find out. Click here to download it at https://lynnmosher.com/free-resources/

How We Stand When the Winds Blow

by Sharon L. Patterson

Something taught to me when I was a child about the month of March has stayed with me into adulthood. It is rather like word association. When someone says March, my mind matches it with “winds.”

I live in Texas and the winds do not blow every day once the calendar changes to March, but when they do bluster, their encounters can be intense. It is difficult to breathe when the winds are strong. It is hard to have a conversation when winds are louder than words in our ears.

Winds can impede any outdoor activity we are involved in: running is slowed and walking is skewed.

Winds can drive us off course. At times, we must even seek shelter against the fiercest of winds. We must grab hold of something strong and stable just to maintain an upright position.

The world in which we live seems to be comparable to a perpetual season of March winds. As Christians, we face continual exposure to the crosswinds of culture, cyclones of political correctness, and whirlwinds of opposing opinions.

Where do we seek shelter? How can we stand when the winds are constantly bombarding our strength, threatening to knock us down, throw us off course, and drowning out our speech?

Where can we escape the whispering winds of tongues that rise against us: (Psalm 31:20) “In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues.”

What can I grab hold of in the winds of opposition?

(Psalm 61:1-4) “Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.”

What stable strength can I go to?

(Psalm 62: 7-8) “My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times O people; pour out your hearts to him for God is our refuge.”

What force will cause me to remain standing in every wind of trial and testing?

(James 1: 2-4, 6) “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lancing anything. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”

To whom can we go to calm the winds?

(Mark 437-41) “A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still! Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

They were terrified and asked each other, “Who it this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

So, in this month of March, in this perpetual season of strong winds in our lives, may we remind ourselves that we have the rock of life-our Heavenly Father and the shelter of his wings where we can go.

He is our refuge. We can open the door of that shelter through faith by prayer. His Son, Jesus demonstrated power over physical winds and spiritual squalls.

We can stand…by faith. We can stand holding onto The Rock, our God and his Son Jesus, our Savior. We can stand safe inside our refuge-His presence.

Crosswinds of culture, cyclones of political correctness and whirlwinds of opposing opinions will continue to blow but we can stand…we will stand!

St. Patrick’s Day Fun Ideas for your Home and Family from Vintage Mama’s Cottage Here are a few ideas that I discovered all around the blogosphere that might actually be projects that we could do here at our house.

I love the Irish Blessing printable from the HashTagBlessed Blog and it isn’t so “green” that we couldn’t display it in our newly updated family room all year long.

Of course, I couldn’t resist the adorable green and white Mason jars that I found on Pinterest from a cute little Etsy shop, or the sweetly simple green and white wreath from LoveThisPic (the wreath was originally from an Etsy shop, but it has since sold – still great inspiration!).

And the gorgeous floral arrangement on the top of a candle lantern on one of my Pinterest boards looks like a project I could tackle.

I already have the black lantern and the white candle, so I just might gather up some greenery and ribbon and create my own for this month.

Finally, that white chocolate mint cookie bark looks a little bit like the French Mint bars we make at Christmas. And if it is just as good as the French Mint Bars, then I know my family will love it.

Here’s to a celebration of Irish history and heritage . . .

Visit RUBYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S Reading Corner where you can find Walk Like a Warrior by Shara BuelerRepka along with many other family-friendly titles for you and your family.

My Child, As You Grow Older Lessons for Life Written by Laura Doyle Artwork by Toby Mikle My Child, As You Grow Older offers a blueprint for children to learn from the challenges they face as they grow.

Written with a gentle and fun approach, this book presents a fresh perspective on some of the day-to-day challenges of life, and suggests a way that children can emerge from them with a positive outlook and renewed strength.

Readers young and old will find My Child, As You Grow Older a celebration of resilience and selfesteem.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s never too early to start reading these encouraging life messages to a child, or for a child to read these valuable lessons for life, themselves.

It is never too late for inspiration and encouragement, at any age in life.

My Child, As You Grow Older Coloring Book is a wonderful companion book for My Child, As You Grow Older. The coloring book offers a unique opportunity to co-create the inspiring messages of the book and add another element of positive emotion and creativity.

September 12-15, 2019 Groton, Connecticut Does your life need a PAUSE BUTTON? Do you need to renew your weary soul? This Connecticut weekend getaway is just for you. Join us for the Pausing for R & R Women’s Retreat in September 2019.

Experience time away from the everyday routine and listen to God’s voice over the clamor of the world. The Pausing for R & R Retreat will give your spirit room to breathe.

In Mark 6:31, Jesus says: “Come away to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Come…           

Catch your breath.

Be seen. Be known.

Be refreshed and renew your soul!

You will experience: Time without distractions Time in God’s Word Refreshing rest Renewed strength Encouragement & Fresh Perspective God’s presence Supportive Community…

All in a Beautiful Setting

For more information about the Pausing for R & R Retreat, visit Jeanne Doyon on her blog.

Faith on Trial

by Adwoba Addo-Boateng

In the early hours of one Friday in 2011, I woke up with a start. I felt so confused and could not understand what was happening.

Then the Doctor came with all his gadgets and performed an examination on me and said, “Oh! The baby is alive!”

I was in labor with my second child and I didn’t see it coming. The mucous plug had come out but there were no contractions.

I quickly smiled and said I was never going to believe his first words.

I rushed to the hospital, but when I got there, the hospital was very quiet and I wondered what was going on. Then I realized that the workers were on break for the Easter. I even forgot it was Easter!

I really had faith!

How could I?

So they had to induce labor and the pain was very excruciating.

I have been nesting! The doctor on duty examined me and said, “Hmmm . . . I cannot feel your baby.”

Then I gasped!

“Really? I don’t believe it!” I exclaimed.

“Do you feel the baby?” he asked.

“Yes,” I replied faintly.

I was losing hope, but then I pulled myself together and said in my heart, “My baby cannot die like that, it just cannot happen.”

I quietly said a heartfelt prayer to God and immediately my faith grew and my strength was renewed.

Some hours later, there were still no contractions; I was just worn out.

After going through all that and with God by my side, I pushed out the most beautiful baby girl I had ever seen, a precious gift from God. God blessed me with the perfect gift ever, I was so overwhelmed.

My sufferings turned out to be a blessing and most importantly my faith in God heightened and I believed Him without any reasonable doubt.

Hebrews 11:6 sums it all up by saying “And without Faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that he exists and that He reward those who earnestly seek Him".

Adwoba Addo-Boateng is the author of the book “The Helpline is Engaged,” a contemporary book about prayer, which is now available from RUBY’S Reading Corner.

She is also a Christian marriage counselor, used by God greatly to restore marriages. She blogs at adwobaaddoboateng@blogspot.com where readers are encouraged and motivated in the Lord to live fulfilling lives

More than Enough

by Norma C. Mezoe And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19 (NIV) Nancy’s family would have been classified as poverty level. When she was a young adult, she married an alcoholic whose income was spent on alcohol. Life was not easy for Nancy.

However when she was a senior citizen and a widow, Nancy inherited money from relatives and invested it wisely. Even though Nancy will never need to worry about finances, she continues to live as though she were at the poverty level.

Many Christians may live their lives as Nancy does. They are rich in blessings because the Holy Spirit lives within, yet they fail to call upon the resources available to them. They forget their heavenly Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills and holds the title to the hills also.

God promises life abundantly when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. That abundance includes the guidance and filling of his Holy Spirit. We are blessed with many gifts, including love, joy and peace. We need have no fear that “the well will run dry.” God’s well of blessing will continue to refill and there will always be more than enough.

Holding Back

by Nancy Frantel “Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:5-6 (NRSV) One afternoon I walked into a gift shop after arriving in town for business. I enjoyed looking at the merchandise, and selected an item to buy. While approaching the counter, I noticed the cashier sitting off to the side.

I said hello, and indicated my readiness to pay for the gift. She responded with a pleasant greeting, yet remained seated.

Resisting the temptation to say an unkind word, I waited wondering why she did not stand up to greet me.

Although not in a hurry, I didn’t understand the slow response.

As she moved toward the cash register, the reason for her actions became obvious. She was confined to a wheelchair.

I felt embarrassed and ashamed. I came close to speaking harmful words for no reason. This time I held back the words. Yet many times I fail, and feel remorse as a result.

Hesitating before we speak allows grace to be a part of our message. Our words bring kindness when spoken with love and compassion.

Prayer: Dear Lord, guide us to talk to others as if talking to you. Amen.

Prayer Focus: Help in communicating with others.

Visit author Shoba Sadler on her website to learn more about her stories and books.

Chalk Couture is a fun, unique, and SIMPLE craft!

For more information, visit Erin Stephens in her VIP Facebook group.

For inspirational and creative articles, visit Theresa Begin on her blog, Shoestring Elegance.

RUBY magazine is now available in print!

Every issue of RUBY magazine can now be purchased as a print publication.

To purchase RUBY magazine in print, please visit the RUBY blog at www.rubyforwomen.com where you will find the link for each issue.

Moments with Billy Graham: America's Preacher Whose Ministry Led to Our Changed Lives (Divine Moments)

by Yvonne Lehman (Compiler, Editor) This is a beautiful way to remember “America’s Preacher” and discover words of blessing, inspiration, and encouragement from contemporary Christian writers. Moments with Billy Graham features personal recollection of special moments in the lives of people from all walks of life who experienced the gift of inspiration from the preaching of the beloved evangelist Billy Graham. The forward is written by his daughter, Gigi Graham.

The writings of over 40 different contributors are featured in this book, including our own RUBY writers Lynn Mosher and Diana Leagh Matthews.

Moments with Billy Graham: America’s Preacher Whose Ministry Led to Our Changed Lives is now available from RUBY’S Reading Corner.

Be watching for the

ARIL 2019 issue of

RUBY magazine Available APRIL 1, 2019 on the

RUBY blog www.rubyforwomen.com

Call Patrice D. Wilkerson for all your business needs at

WILKERSON’S BUSINESS SUPPORT, LLC Dedicated to servicing your business needs

Vintage Mama’s Book Shoppe * DIY Home Décor * Gardening * Parenting *Christian Fiction * Family Life http://vintagemamascottage.com/vintage-mamas-book-shoppe/

Ruby Writing Team Sharon Patterson, retired educator, career military wife, and leader in women's ministry, has written inspirational encouragement in various forms from greeting cards to short stories, poetry, and Bible studies for over thirty years. She has authored three books, and is a contributing author for several of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books. She and her husband Garry live in Round Rock, Texas. They have three sons and five grandchildren.

Theresa Begin lives in Northern California, where she was born and raised. She is a Christian who loves her family and says, “I have been blessed with the world’s best parents!” She has three sisters and one brother, as well as 16 beautiful nieces and nephews who “mean the world to me!” She is “differently-abled,” and chooses not to allow her limitations to define her life. She loves to write and share her various projects on her blog, “Shoestring Elegance,” which came about as she discovered that living on a tight budget did not mean compromising on style. “Nothing is impossible with God.” Luke 1:37 NLT

Shara Bueler-Repka is enjoying life as a singer/songwriter/recording artist, freelance writer, and award-winning author. She and her husband, Bruce, live in their living quarters horse trailer and call “home” wherever their rig is parked. Their mailbase, however, is Hallettsville, Texas. She also loves riding/ministering with her husband and their horses (aka The Boys) in the backcountry and writing about God’s grace in the various adventures on the trail less-traveled. Join the fun and be encouraged on their website: www.ponyexpressministry.com and her blog: www.trailtails.blogspot.com, or come for a visit on Facebook.

Lisa Radcliff is a writer, speaker, women's Bible study teacher, and a 35-year volunteer youth worker, residing in Pennsburg, PA. She is a wife, mom, and mom-mom who loves God's Word but also loves football, chocolate, shoes, and Maine. Her hobbies include quilting, shopping, cooking, and raising Seeing Eye puppies. You can reach her at lisajradcliff@gmail.com.

Rejetta Morse enjoys writing poetry so she can write about God and how He speaks through nature. Writing poetry is a new found purpose and hobby she discovered over recent years which brings her joy, peace, and encouragement. She also enjoys reading poetry and is working to learn more about the craft of poetry. She spends her free time singing with her church choir and listening to gospel music, watching biographical movies, and encouraging other people.

Jehn Kubiak is a Biola University journalism graduate and current pastoral care and counseling major at the Talbot School of Theology. She is a San Diego native who enjoys distance swimming, coffee, dogs, and painting. She loves researching and writing about people, sports, activities, and more.

Norma C. Mezoe began writing after a crisis in her life. She has been a published writer for thirty years. Her writing has appeared in books, devotionals, take-home papers and magazines. She lives in the tiny town of Sandborn, Indiana where she is active in her church as clerk, teacher and bulletin maker. Contact at: normacm@tds.net

Jeanne Doyon writes and speaks from the heart, connecting the Truth of Scripture to everyday life. She teaches at women’s retreats and events throughout New England. She is pretty good at juggling after all these years and still loves being a mom to Brad, Heather, and Alicia who all made it safely to adulthood. Connect with Jeanne at JeanneDoyon.com

Joan Leotta has been playing with words since childhood. She is a poet, essayist, journalist, playwright, and author of several books both fiction and non-fiction for children and adults. She is also a performer and gives one-woman shows on historic figures and spoken word folklore shows as well as teaching writing and storytelling.

Joan lives in Calabash, NC where she walks the beach with husband, Joe. www.joanleotta.wordpress.com and https://www.facebook.com/pages/Joan-Leotta-Authorand-Story-Performer/188479350973

Carol Peterson, Author

My mission as a writer is to educate, entertain and inspire–children, their teachers and parents, other writers, and readers of all genres. As a children’s writer I try to “Make Learning Fun” by helping busy teachers address curriculum accountability standards, and encouraging other writers to do the same. You can connect with Carol at her blog, Carol Peterson, Author Carol is a member of the Ruby Book Review Team.

Diana Leagh Matthews writes, speaks and sings to bring glory to God.

She has been published in numerous anthologies, including many Moments books. In her day job, Leagh is a Nationally Certified Activities Director for a busy nursing facility. She takes great joy in family, friends and soaking in the beautiful wonders and promises of God. Leagh blogs about her faith and struggles on her website www.DianaLeaghMatthews.com and family history at www.ALookThruTime.com

Adwoba Addo-Boateng is the author of the book “The Helpline is Engaged,” a contemporary book about prayer, which is now available from RUBY’S Reading Corner.

She is also a Christian marriage counselor, used by God greatly to restore marriages.

She blogs at adwobaaddoboateng@blogspot.com where readers are encouraged and motivated in the Lord to live fulfilling lives

Nells Wasilewski lives in a small southern town, seventy miles southeast of Nashville, Tennessee. After retiring, she began pursuing her lifelong dream of writing. Her writing has been greatly influenced by her faith in Jesus Christ, personal, experience and nature. She has been writing poems, prose and stories all her life.

Nells has recently started writing devotionals. Her work has appeared in Haiku Journal, Barefoot Review, Three Line Poetry, Poetry Quarterly, 50 Haikus, Dual Coast Magazine, High Coupe Journal, Ancient Paths, Tanka Journal, Hedgerow and Penned from the Heart https://nellswasilewski.blogspot.com

Pat Jeanne Davis writes from her home in Philadelphia, Pa. She enjoys flower gardening, genealogy research and travelling with her British-born husband. Her articles, essays and short stories have appeared in print and online. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Historical Novel Society. Pat has a particular interest in the World War II Era. Her debut novel When Valleys Bloom Again is a WWII inspirational romance set in the US and UK, published by Elk Lake Publishing, February 1, 2019. She loves to hear from her readers at https://www.patjeannedavis.com

Nancy Frantel lives in Virginia, and is a published author of three history books, public speaker and researcher. Prior to becoming a writer she worked in corporate management. A “life interruption” injury in 2010 limited her ability to work as a writer. In 2017, she attended several Christian writing conferences, and felt led to start over in a different genre. Her goal is to write inspirational and encouraging stories based on her experiences, lessons learned by trusting God, and individuals He provides along the way.

Nina Newton, Sr. Editor:

When my four older children were in school, I returned to college as a “non-traditional student.” Eventually, I earned degrees in Classics and Philosophy, and a graduate degree in Medieval Studies: History of Theology. After teaching at a small community college in Michigan for seven years, my husband and I were blessed with the adoption of our two beautiful daughters, Gracie and Annie. We live in northern Indiana in a small farming community where I work on RUBY magazine in my home office. I have worked for several years offering my handmade and refashioned garments and accessories in a local boutique under the creative name of “Vintage Mama’s Cottage.” My personal blog is at www.vintagemamascottage.com

RUBY magazine is published by CreativeLife